Ruth – Jim Rotondi

A subdued medium swinger, this first version of Ruth showcases Jim's use of the Harmon mute. The melody is simple and laid-back; all phrases begin on offbeats, for example the first phrase starting on the "and" of beat 2. In the A section of this 32-measure form, the melody rises and falls triadically, outlining upper structures of the changes while keeping in E♭ Dorian. The rhythm section plays with a 2-feel here. A stop-time figure launches the bridge, which modulates to F minor, A minor, and D♭ major. Through most of the song, the melody stays on the upper extensions of the chords. There is a 12-measure intro, with descending melodic figures and changes that descend in a combination of stepwise and II-V7 motion from A♭m7 to four measures of E♭m7. The intro reappears as a coda; note that the lead sheet indicates a D.S. for the out head, and then D.C. for the intro-as-ending.

A Melody Transcription is available showing how Jim plays the in and out head on this recording. He sometimes adds notes and sometimes leaves some notes out, for example the first, pickup-like note of the head. All important articulations are notated in this transcription; there are several that he varies, especially in the second and fourth measures of the A section.