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| Song Background | |
| Published in 1937, the song “Nice work if You Can Get It” was written for the musical “A Damsel in Distress” by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was originally sang by Fred Astaire in the musical and is established as part of the Great American Songbook havong been recording by many artists. My recommendations are below. | |
| Suggested Listening | |
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Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis Album – A Trumpet vs Darkness Two greats on this one. I’ve always loved Sarah Vaughan’s voice and this is a great interpretation of Nice Work if You Can Get It. Listen to her playing with the texture of her voice as the song bounces along. A good vocal version to get familiar with if you’re learning the tune.
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Les Paul Album – The Best Of This recording reminds me of going round to my grandmother’s house and listening to all of her old country records. Les Paul is obviously famous for pioneering the develpment of the Les Paul guitar and was truelly an innovator. I just love this old recording, check out the description on the album cover “HI-FIDELITY SOUND”. I’m glad for digital technology but a little bit of nostalgia doesn’t go amiss |
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Art Tatum Album – The Complete Capitol Recordings of Art Tatum Listen out for the the moving bass lines with left hand, stride piano, fast runs, reharmonisations. In every Art Tatum recording there is so much to pick out. Pick and use what inspires you from recordings like these. Listen and you’ll never be stuck for ideas. |
Archie Shepp and and Mal Waldron Album – Left Alone Re-visited Bit different from the other recodings in my recommended listening. Bit moody, great interplay between the two instruments…something I always listen out for. |
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Joe Pass Album – Ira, George, and Joe Joe plays with a pick on this one with classic lines in the solo drifting between swinging eighth notes and faster sixteenth notes. On this site I teach a fingerpicking or fingerstyle technique which is not so obviously open to fast lines. However, speed can be achieved with your fingers if you employ the right techiques which I cover in my guitar lessons. |
Which artist’s version of Nice Work if You Can Get It would you recommend? Tell me about it and I can feature it here |
