Ever since I heard Phil Woods’ rendition of it, I’ve loved Michel Legrand’s haunting ballad “The Summer Knows.” The theme song for the 1971 movie The Summer of ’42, the tune showcases Legrand’s ability to extract tremendous beauty and emotion from a simple, four-note motif.
Videotaped with my brand-new Panasonic camcorder in Ed Englerth’s basement studio, here is my version of “The Summer Knows.” Just me on my beloved Conn 6M Ladyface, the trusty Band-in-a-Box orchestra (even gives you string if you want them!), and Ed operating the video camera. Maybe not studio quality, but the internal microphone didn’t do a bad job. I hope you like it!
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Bob, enjoyed it immensely. Yours was a beautiful interpretation of great piece. (And you’re so right – the internal mic did a pretty good job considering!)
Encore! More!
You better show me how to use that new camcorder so I can shot you play this tune in the great plains with an EF 4-5 in the3 background. Sounds great
Why, thank you, Miss Adele! “The Summer Knows” is one of my all-time favorite ballads. It’s heart-wrenchingly beautiful, with lyrics as haunting as the melody–a passionate song that inspires passionate playing. More is on the way tonight soon. 🙂
Bill! Mi amigo! I’m glad you liked it. I’ll give you a tutorial on the video camera next time we get together. Maybe it’ll be your own next camera–and maybe this’ll be the year I finally get footage of me playing my horn out on the prairie with a honking huge wedge churning away in the background.