Nothin' But The Soul – Eli "Lucky" Thompson
Nothing but the blues scale—but with those altered changes that identify this song as a classic Lucky Thompson blues head. Two-part harmonies at the end of the head are included in all lead sheets.
- Recording: Lucky Thompson - Lucky Thompson And His Orchestra
- Recorded on: April 5, 1956
- Label: French Columbia (FP 1083)
- Concert Key: B-flat
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Tenor Sax - Lucky Thompson, Guy Lafitte
- Piano - Martial Solal
- Bass - Benoit Quersin
- Drums - Roger Paraboschi
Video
- Lucky Thompson Orchestra at the Club Saint Germain, Paris, France, 1960, performing Lucky's NOTHIN' BUT THE SOUL. Saxes: Lucky Thompson, Jo Haskro, William Boucaya; trumpet: Christian Bellest; Nat Peck, trombone; Martial Solal, piano; Pierre Michelot, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums
In Nothin' But The Soul, the unique, elegant language of Lucky Thompson is translated into the blues scale nearly throughout. This blues head really has a question-and-answer format in its riff melody. As with many of Lucky's blues, the changes are full of alterations and passing chords. The "turnaround" is particularly interesting: E♭m7 for two beats, B7 for four beats over the bar line, then two beats of E7 back to E♭7 in the 11th measure ending in a chromatic descent back to B♭ for the last measure.
There is an eight-measure piano intro on the recording; it's indicated in our lead sheet though without specific changes. The horns harmonize for the last melody phrase; this is shown in all lead sheets rather than first and second parts.
There is an eight-measure piano intro on the recording; it's indicated in our lead sheet though without specific changes. The horns harmonize for the last melody phrase; this is shown in all lead sheets rather than first and second parts.
Nothin' But The Soul is one of several songs Lucky Thompson first recorded in Paris in 1956 which he played there again in 1960. Live versions of both this song and Why Weep were on a TV broadcast in the latter year.
"Lucky Thompson And His Orchestra" was Lucky's only recording as a leader for the French Columbia label. A week before this session, he recorded for the same label on a session by guitarist Jean-Pierre Sasson. Check out Easy Going for another recording featuring Sasson.
"Lucky Thompson And His Orchestra" was Lucky's only recording as a leader for the French Columbia label. A week before this session, he recorded for the same label on a session by guitarist Jean-Pierre Sasson. Check out Easy Going for another recording featuring Sasson.
Eli "Lucky" Thompson
June 16, 1923 – July 30, 2005
Saxophonist Lucky Thompson is one of the great treasures of jazz. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina, but was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He played in local groups with Hank Jones, Sonny Stitt and others. In August, 1943, when he was 19, he left Detroit with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra, eventually arriving in New York City. Still a teenager, his first recording date was with Hot Lips Page on March 18, 1944. Later in 1944 he started recording with both Lucky Millinder and Count Basie. Read more...