Luny Tune – Larry Young, Jr.
A quirky "rhythm changes" variant at a medium tempo. Our guitar 2nd part shows what Grant Green played on the recording.
- Recording: Grant Green - Talkin' About!
- Recorded on: September 11, 1964
- Label: Blue Note (BLP 4183)
- Concert Key: B-flat
- Style: Swing (medium up)
- Organ - Larry Young
- Guitar - Grant Green
- Drums - Elvin Jones
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A medium-tempo "rhythm changes" variant in a quirky, somewhat Monkish vein. The melody begins with a striking rhythmic hook and freezes at the end of the second measure, holding one note (F) through the fourth measure. The same hook is then used to launch an unexpected repetition, a three-beat phrase repeated three times over the barline which outlines a II-V7-I to D♭. The bridge is lopsided, with one measure of arpeggiated triplets followed by hits that send off four measures of drum solo. Similar hits on different changes then set up two more measures of drums, with the remaining measure of the bridge featuring similar hits. It's a song with a lot of disparate elements, but the "Rhythm changes" form holds it all together. Solos are on standard "rhythm changes." There is an ending based on the first two measures of the bridge.
In addition to our lead sheet, we have a guitar 2nd part available. On the recording, the guitar helps to hold the head together with a "tenor line" running throughout the A section in mostly half notes. The guitar doubles the bass line for the first measure of the bridge, then doubles the hits; voicings are shown on the part. The rhythms of the melody are shown below the staff of the guitar part.
One melodic rhythm that Larry plays is different from the lead sheet. At the very beginning, he places the first note on the downbeat instead of anticipating an eighth note earlier. On the out head he plays the way it's written. On Larry's Paris radio recording (click on Historical Notes for more details), he plays the rhythm as written on the in head as well.
In addition to our lead sheet, we have a guitar 2nd part available. On the recording, the guitar helps to hold the head together with a "tenor line" running throughout the A section in mostly half notes. The guitar doubles the bass line for the first measure of the bridge, then doubles the hits; voicings are shown on the part. The rhythms of the melody are shown below the staff of the guitar part.
One melodic rhythm that Larry plays is different from the lead sheet. At the very beginning, he places the first note on the downbeat instead of anticipating an eighth note earlier. On the out head he plays the way it's written. On Larry's Paris radio recording (click on Historical Notes for more details), he plays the rhythm as written on the in head as well.
"Into Somethin'" was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs.
Larry recorded Luny Tune again three months later, in Paris, for a radio broadcast. This recording features Larry with Franco Manzecchi on drums and Jacky Bamboo (or Bambou) on congas—both players perhaps best known for playing on the last known recording of saxophonist Eric Dolphy, earlier that same year. Rather remarkably, on this version of Luny Tune the congas are one beat behind the other two instruments almost throughout—only catching up five measures before the end of the out head!
Larry recorded Luny Tune again three months later, in Paris, for a radio broadcast. This recording features Larry with Franco Manzecchi on drums and Jacky Bamboo (or Bambou) on congas—both players perhaps best known for playing on the last known recording of saxophonist Eric Dolphy, earlier that same year. Rather remarkably, on this version of Luny Tune the congas are one beat behind the other two instruments almost throughout—only catching up five measures before the end of the out head!
On Larry Young's Luny Tune, Green chooses not to play the melody, instead playing an tasteful guide-tone line that helps to enrich the ensemble sound in the absence of chords from the organ. However, Green's most notable aspect of this performance is his tour-de-force of a solo, which utilizes extensive motivic development to churn up a storm from Young and Elvin Jones while always sounding relaxed and melodic.
Green's performance on Luny Tune is a perfect study for guitarists who are interested in learning how to play in a way that interacts with and unifies the entire band.
Green's performance on Luny Tune is a perfect study for guitarists who are interested in learning how to play in a way that interacts with and unifies the entire band.
Larry Young, Jr.
October 7, 1940 – March 30, 1978
Larry Young was one of the most innovative jazz organists of all time. He was the first to develop an original voice on the organ in the post-bop and modal jazz style of the '60s. Later in that decade and into the '70s, he was instrumental in the development of fusion in his work with Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, and Tony Williams. Read more...