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Oh Susannah piano jazz by John Stebbe [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 3221
Comments: 18
Votes: 17
Plays: 1172
Last Played: Oct 07, 2008 - 11:36:53 PM
Downloads: 269
Fans: 7
Uploaded: Feb 05, 2006 - 08:45:39 PM
Last Updated: Feb 07, 2006 - 06:33:50 PM
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Keywords:
jazz (386), piano (605), Stephen Foster (2), American (16), trio (14)
Description:
This is a well-known song by American songwriter Stephen Foster (1826-1864). He wrote it in 1847. He died penniless. (Guess he never got the song onto the iTunes Music Store.)

The picture is striking. It is amazing to me that you can look at a photograph of someone who's been dead for 142 years, and when you look into his eyes, you can still catch a glimpse of his artistic soul.

I like this song a lot. One reason is that I use it all the time at school, as a track for square dancing. Most of my elementary kids love to square dance, and they don't seem to mind that it involves holding hands with a parter of the opposite gender. Square dancing is a wonderful tool for teaching respect for others, and just for general social skills.

So this tune is in my head a lot, and I finally decided I should record it. (The fact that it's public domain is a pretty good feature, too!)

Lyrics:
Come on, you know the words!

"Well, I've come from Alabama with a Bosendorfer on my knee . . ."

Hardware:
2004 eMac, Yamaha P-120, MidiSport 2x2

Software:
GB2, Synthogy Ivory "Jazz Bosendorfer" setting Drum loops are from Sonic Boom Box, as are the occasional brush hits. String bass also is a virtual instrument from Sonic Boom Box, called "Jazz Double Bass Soft."
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This really is precious &mdash 02/05/06 - 08:56:32 PM
John, terrific such jazzy class.


Thanks much for posting the tune, but that picture is very, very special
indeed. What a folk classic!

Thanks for sharing this piece!

[ Reply to This ]
A classic &mdash 02/05/06 - 09:44:30 PM
that, believe it or not, I'm doing with my fourth graders this week. We do
an 'internet mystery' where I get them to find out about Foster by giving
them some predetermined links and colored expo markers and teams that
can win prizes. OOOHHHH BOY! Then we sing songs like 'Glendy Burke'
and Oh Susannah. I'd like to download this & share it with the students as
another variant of the classic they all love. Oh- by the way, lovely piano
sounds and great playing as usual. The photo is neat.
Don't hurt your back hauling that Bosendorfer around!

[ Reply to This ]
:D &mdash 02/06/06 - 04:34:44 AM
I've always liked this song and your interpretation is winning.
I wish there were a real drummer and bass player (knowing that the
interaction among musicians in a small combo usually inspires more
playfulness/give and take), but this will do.
Thanks for sharing this, John.

[ Reply to This ]
Wonderful &mdash 02/06/06 - 05:05:33 AM
John, you really know how to play those ivories. A wonderful treatment of
a fantastic classic.

God bless,

Rick


[ Reply to This ]
yummy!! &mdash 02/06/06 - 06:36:53 AM
another great dance number for me and the bear!! download!! sorted (as eppy would say)! and .... thank you john xoxox

[ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 02/06/06 - 07:14:03 AM
Very nice work, John. Has a Vince Guaraldi ring to it, especially at the
end.



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Is that a Bosendorfer on your knee? &mdash 02/06/06 - 09:12:46 AM
This is wonderful, but I find myself saying that about most of your
songs... wonderfully played, and the backing instruments are tasteful and
don't detract (the drums do seem slightly loud in the mix though). Nice
ending. Another day, another DL'er! :-) Thank you for the biographical
information too, I always find background information intriguing.
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]
Such a delightful rendition... &mdash 02/06/06 - 10:26:09 AM
and jazz adaptation of Foster's song. I love a good piano
jazz tune and this one is not only fun but so expressive.
Thanks for sharing this.

Jack

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Instant Stebbe Classic &mdash 02/06/06 - 08:24:07 PM
I see your working on your 2nd CD:)

Wonderful arrangement, John. I love the intro and ending, especially. Nice touch.

Your new keyboard set up sounds terrific. Very warm and natural sound.

10s/fav/keeper

[ Reply to This ]
Fabulous! &mdash 02/07/06 - 07:46:55 PM
Adaptation
Playing
Instrumentation

Everything! :)

Thanks for posting this here.


[ Reply to This ]
Sweet &mdash 02/07/06 - 08:20:38 PM
This is a wonderful rendition of the American classic. I think you need
to insure those magic fingers of yours for a coupla million bucks.

[ Reply to This ]
Oh, Mr. Stebbe &mdash 02/07/06 - 09:45:20 PM
Always a pleasure to hear your playing. God, how I covet that Ivory program! You can almost believe it's a real piano. Such a tasty treatment. Such great chords, and easy playing. I dig it!

[ Reply to This ]
Always loved this! &mdash 02/11/06 - 06:40:32 AM
I have always loved this song, and this version sounds very original to me. The only thing that detracts me a little is that is has always been the vocals that i have found exceptional on this song, so hearing an instrumental is a bit dissapointing. That said, its very skillful and joyful. But i think that some of the melancholy from the piece dissapears in this version....And the melancholy quality is what i have always liked! Still very good work!

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I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! &mdash 02/11/06 - 04:07:53 PM
How do you comment on something sooooooo freakin' cool!!!!!!!

What an arrangement, what a feel, my girlfriend and I are just swinging to it! That is hip daddy-o.

[ Reply to This ]
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! &mdash 02/11/06 - 04:27:57 PM
How do you comment on something sooooooo freakin' cool!!!!!!!

What an arrangement, what a feel, my girlfriend and I are just swinging to it! That is hip daddy-o.

[ Reply to This ]
Oh Susannah &mdash 03/28/06 - 07:35:22 PM
Great job John. Sounds smooth, effortless. Great bass and drum tracks as
well- sounds 'live'. A great interpretation of a tune seldom done in jazz .

[ Reply to This ]
Oh Susannah &mdash 03/31/06 - 04:54:03 AM
Thanks for your kind words, everyone.


---
My jazz piano CD on the<a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=79324809&s=143441"> iTunes Music Store</a>.

[ Reply to This ]
Great Job &mdash 11/24/06 - 04:29:35 AM
Another wonderful listen, John. You are such a talent with your writing and your playing. ... The little CODA just put this number into another wonderful sphere. Love it, love it, love it. (Now I have two songs from MacJams on my iPod --- both yours!)
Paul

[ Reply to This ]
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