Episode 14: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Oded describes how returning to the source (in this case, Cole Porter's original sheet music) informs his arranging process as we discuss our version of the Porter-penned standard "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Oded recounts how he was inspired by Schubert's marriage of music and lyrics and somehow we even wind up talking about couples therapy. We laugh, we listen, and we cover a rather funny, wide range of topics in this chat about a well-loved song.

Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" was introduced in the 1944 musical, "Seven Lively Arts." Since then, countless artists have covered the song, from Ella Fitzgerald to Rufus Wainwright.

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Oded refers to Schubert's melodic word-painting, referring to this recording of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau singing "Die Krähe" from the Song Cycle "Die Winterreise" by Franz Schubert (Klaus Billing, piano).

Hear all that harmonic motion in the first phrases? We didn't do that...Oded stuck with Cole Porter's original chord changes, which are more static and revealing of the song's message.

Episode 13: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Hallelujah, I Love (Him) So"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Hilary Gardner felt like Cinderella trying on the glass slipper when Oded brought in his arrangement of this Ray Charles classic. We discuss the point at which an arrangement becomes a structural part of a song, as well as the super-fun background vocals Oded wrote for Amy and Melissa.

RAY CHARLES, IN HIS OWN WORDS:

Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory. I can sit at my desk and write a whole arrangement in my head and never touch the piano. I bring in a sighted person and I dictate the notes, what kind of notes, where they're supposed to be, for what instrument, whether there's an F, whether it's a quarter note, whether it's an eighth note, a dotted quarter or whatever. I dictate the notes right here at my desk, and I never move because I play the piano, so I know what the chords are going to be.

I know what the structure is, I know how I want it to sound, and I can hear it in my head. But I have to remember what I had the reed section doing, what I had the trumpet section doing, and so on. If you're going to write an arrangement you've got to remember all those things....

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

The genius of Ray Charles! If this doesn't make you dance, clap your hands, and feel pretty great about life in general, please check your pulse. 

Always elegant, always swinging, always soulful...Peggy Lee was a huge fan of Ray Charles, and a big inspiration for our version of this song.

Episode 12: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Creole Love Call"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We discuss our interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Creole Love Call," with lyrics by Lorraine Feather and arranged for Duchess by our friend Wycliffe Gordon. Wycliffe not only arranged this chart, he played trombone and sang, too! 

A very young (and handsome!) Duke Ellington, the composer of the first blues in Duchess' repertoire. Thank you, maestro.

FUN FACT:

We assumed that "Creole Love Call" was originally intended to be a strictly instrumental performance. But Adelaide Hall, who had a huge hit with this tune 90 years ago in 1927 (!!!), told a great story as to how she came to sing with Duke Ellington's orchestra: 

“[Hall] first met Duke Ellington in Harlem and by 1927 they were touring in the same show. ‘I closed the first half of the bill and Duke was on in the second.’ Ellington had a new number, ‘Creole Love Call’. He had composed it in typical fashion by creating sophisticated elaborations on a clarinet solo which Jimmy Noone had recorded on King Oliver’s Camp Meeting Blues.

’I was standing in the wings behind the piano when Duke first played it. I started humming along with the band. Afterwards he came over to me and said, ‘That’s just what I was looking for. Can you do it again?’ I said, ‘I can’t, because I don’t know what I was doing.’ He begged me to try. Anyway, I did, and sang this counter melody, and he was delighted and said ‘Addie, you’re going to record this with the band.’ A couple of days later I did.’”

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

This 1927 version of Duke Ellington's "Creole Love Call," with a wordless vocal by Adelaide Hall, became a huge hit for both of them. Can you believe this was recorded 90 years ago?!

Duke's 1932 instrumental version.

MISTY WATERCOLOR MEMORIES...

Not only did Amy get to trade with Wycliffe on our recording, she got to duet with bass legend Christian McBride when we performed at the Jazz Standard. Duchess Honey Bun Barry Graubart captured the moment (Amy's out of frame, but the looks on everybody's faces speak volumes about how much fun it was!)

Earlier tonight - @duchesstrio with special guest - tge uber-talented @mcbridesworld @JazzStandardNYC pic.twitter.com/8gmSHTKgx8

— Barry Graubart (@graubart) November 30, 2016

Episode 11: "Raise your voice in harmony," with guest Janis Siegel!

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We reminisce about the first three years of #girlongirlharmony! Yes, that's right: we recorded this podcast right around our 3rd birthday, and took a little trip down memory lane. We recall how we managed to put on a great show even when Amy was in the throes of laryngitis, the time we "opened" for the Roots in Ottawa, and the joy of singing together. Then, we head to Greenwich Village for a fascinating and hilarious chat with our friend and mentor, Janis Siegel. 

Janis is a founding member of Manhattan Transfer (they've won 10, count em, 10 Grammys!) and enjoys an eclectic, exciting solo career in her own right. She's highly collaborative, passionate about all kinds of music, a fabulous cook, and a huge inspiration to us. We always love spending time with Janis.

We close out this episode with a new game, in which we put ourselves to the test: "Who said that?" Amy comes up with a handful of one-liners from our stage patter over the past few years...and we take turns guessing who said what. (It's funnier than it sounds. Trust us.)

JANIS' TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN SINGING--AND LIFE:

Ensemble singing is a "mini society," and here are a few pieces of advice from Janis, who knows more about harmony than anyone we know!

• Do your work. Come in prepared, knowing your part.
• If you can't hear the melody, you're singing too loud (i.e., it's not always about YOU!)
• Know your part in the chord--how does your part relate to the people around you?
• Know your strengths and weakness. Know your collaborators' strengths and weaknesses.
• Music--especially singing--creates healing vibrations. It's physics.

"To raise your voice in harmony with other people is one of the greatest thrills on the planet."

-Janis Siegel

A publicity still from the early days of the Manhattan Transfer.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JANIS:

• janissiegel.com
• manhattantransfer.net

DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

"Back in Business," written by Stephen Sondheim, arranged by Janis Seigel, and performed by Janis, Cheryl Bentyne, and Lorraine Feather for the 1990 smash hit film "Dick Tracy."

The Manhattan Transfer's 1992 guest appearance on the ABC sitcom "Home Improvement," in a episode called "I'm scheming of a White Christmas"

How fun is THIS!? The Manhattan Transfer & Take 6 have been touring together in recent years, and they're joined by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for this rendition of "Straighten Up and Fly Right."

Janis suggested this song for Duchess. Hey, we DO have ukuleles already!

Episode 10: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Where Would You Be Without Me?"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We're shining the spotlight on Melissa Stylianou's feature song from our new album, the Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse-penned "Where Would You Be Without Me," from The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd. Melissa gets in touch with her dark side and gets some "me" time in Oded Lev-Ari's arrangement of this theatrical, full-of-attitude song.

THE QUESTIONS ON EVERYONE'S MIND:

1. Melissa's song poses an important question: Where would we be without you, Melissa? LOST, that's where, and probably having way less fun than we do when you're around.

2. As we are wont to do, this episode found us embarking on a bit of a tangent. While discussing some of Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse's other compositions, the topic of James Bond films came up (they wrote "Goldfinger," among other iconic songs). So, we wondered, is it really possible to die from being covered in head-to-toe gold paint? Turns out, the answer is no. This Smithsonian Magazine article explains why we're going to be fine when we pose in body paint for our next record.

Inspiration for the next DUCHESS album cover!?

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
• Amazon

DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE...

Carmen McRae's version, which initially inspired Melissa to ask Amy & Hilary, "Where Would You Be Without Me?"

The original version, from "The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd."

Another Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse song...could the next Duchess album be Bond-themed???

Episode 9: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Give Him the Ooh La La"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Is Amy Cervini "unsentimental?" What influence did Blossom Dearie have on Amy's career? And what do we think of Cole Porter? All this and more is revealed as we continue our song-by-song exploration of Laughing at Life, with this episode's chat about Amy's feature tune, "Give Him the Ooh La La."

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OUR FAVORITE COLE PORTER LYRICS...

We love Cole Porter! During this episode, we got to thinking about some of our other favorite Porter tunes...and his lyrical cleverness, which is unparalleled. Here are some of our favorite Porter quips:

Amy: "He went thro' wild ecstatics when I showed him my lymphatics." ("The Physician," from Nymph Errant)

Hilary: "If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, bébé!" ("Always True to You in My Fashion," from Kiss Me, Kate)

Melissa: "When the only sound in the empty street is the heavy tread of the heavy feet that belongs to a lonesome cop, I open shop." ("Love for Sale," from The New Yorkers)

The maestro himself: Cole Porter.

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

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MATCH THE DUCHESS WITH HER HEARTTHROB...CAN YOU GUESS?

We thought long and hard about our favorite bestowers of, as Oded wrote in our background lyrics, "giant ooh la la." Look at those handsome fellas! Ooh la la, indeed!

Episode 8: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Stars Fell on Alabama"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We continue our song-by-song exploration of our newly released album, Laughing at Life, as we discuss the beloved jazz standard "Stars Fell on Alabama." Hilary and Melissa debate the pronunciation of "drah-ma" vs. "dramma" and Oded lets us in on his onomotopoeic arranging secrets (hint: kissing is involved).

SPECIAL GUEST WYCLIFFE GORDON!

Duchess met Wycliffe a few years ago when we all happened to be hanging out and sitting in at Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks' gig. A mutual lovefest ensued and we've worked together several times since then. Wycliffe's muted trombone lent a touch of Pops (and a lot of magic) to our version of "Stars Fell on Alabama." Learn more about Wycliffe Gordon on his website.

Trombonist, trumpeter, vocalist extraordinaire, the always-swinging Wycliffe Gordon!

THE NIGHT IT ALL BEGAN...

All smiles the night we met Wycliffe, when we were all digging Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks in midtown Manhattan.

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
• Amazon

DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

The eternally beautiful version by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

Wycliffe played and sang this song the night we heard him sitting in with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks. Pure joy.

PUCKER UP...

Producer/arranger Oded Lev-Ari thought carefully about how Duchess should sing the word "kiss" in this lushly romantic standard. Listen for yourself and decide if we deliver a musical peck or a long-lasting liplock.

Episode 7: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Everybody Loves My Baby"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We continue our song-by-song exploration of our newly released album, Laughing at Life, with a chat about "Everybody Loves My Baby." We talk about the Boswell Sisters' version, our own original lyrics, and special guest Anat Cohen.

ABOUT THOSE ORIGINAL LYRICS...

The Duchess original lyrics in the middle of this tune fly right by, but trust us: this is a #girlongirlharmony hip hop battle. We pay homage to the Boswell Sisters while staking our claim in the pantheon of close harmony groups. Check 'em out!

How did the Bozzies do the rapid-fire scattin' with their "yes, siggle-dirs" when they double-dogged their Latin, there were so many words just a-flyin', and a-rat-a-tattin', how?

Vet, Martha, Connie gave us all the heebie jeebies, said "Duchess oughta try it," but it really isn't easy, so we gotta tip our hats to the Bozzies, oh they really dazzle, wow!

Harmony and hijinks are the currency we deal in and though we love the Bozzies, honey, no we ain't a-stealin', got a style that's all our own and we know it's so appealin' here and now!

SPECIAL GUEST ANAT COHEN!

Special album guest clarinetist (and the "An" in "Anzic Records") the great Anat Cohen!

Anat's solo on "Everybody Loves My Baby" is fun, spirited, exciting, and the perfect addition to the track. Learn more about Anat Cohen and her artistry on her website.

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Our primary inspiration, the iconic Boswell Sisters, and their version of "Everybody Loves My Baby."

A live version of "Everybody Loves My Baby," from a show at NYC's Jazz Standard.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOZZIES...

Has your interest in the pioneers of close harmony and musical hijinks been piqued? Learn more about Vet, Connie, and Martha Boswell in this article, courtesy of the American Federation of Musicians.

The Boswell Sisters!

Episode 6: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Laughing at Life"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We continue our song-by-song exploration of our newly released album, Laughing at Life, with a chat about the title track, made famous by Ruth Etting in 1930. Our producer/arranger, Oded Lev-Ari, talks about his concept for the arrangement and some of the tricks he used, including getting inspiration from a thesaurus, Count Basie, and Duchess' own phrasing.

AN EARLY REHEARSAL OF "LAUGHING AT LIFE"...

We were on tour in Montana, hanging out in our hotel while rain fell outside. We rehearsed by the fireside, not yet knowing that this tune would become the title track of our upcoming CD.

A rainy day hotel room rehearsal in Montana. @sleepinbee @hilarygardnernyc @amycervini sing a little "Laughing at Life" #girlongirlharmony #dontmindtheraindrops

A post shared by Duchess (@duchesstrio) on Apr 24, 2016 at 2:15pm PDT

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

"America's Sweetheart of Song," Ruth Etting, lived a wild and sometimes tragic life: she married a Chicago gangster, performed on Broadway in the Ziegfield Follies, and eventually retired to a farm (yes, really) in Colorado, where she lived until she died, age 80, in 1978.

Another recording that inspired Oded's arrangement: "Cute," composed and arranged by Neil Hefti, performed by the Count Basie Orchestra on their 1958 album, "Basie Plays Hefti."

WORDS TO LIVE BY...

Episode 5: "I'll drink to that!" with guest Cécile McLorin Salvant

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IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode of Harmony & Hijinks, the ladies of the vocal trio Duchess interview Grammy-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. We discuss Cécile's journey as a singer, the Thelonious Monk competition and how, according to Cécile herself, she never wins anything. We also talk about the relationship between Cécile's visual art and her music, as well as feminism and her band, and Cécile answers the Duchess questionnaire. Then, we open some fan mail asking about one of our favorite subjects, food, which leads to reminiscing about our favorite tour meals. The episode closes with a new segment called "I'll Drink to That," in which we concoct (and drink, of course!) a favorite cocktail, the Aperol Spritz.

FAVORITE TOUR MEALS:

If you find yourself in any of the far-flung locales listed below, do yourself a favor and visit these restaurants!

• Amy's pick: BBQ at The Joint in New Orleans, LA & Roli Roti's porchetta sandwich in San Francisco
• Hilary's pick: Spanish food at Duende in Oakland, CA
• Melissa's pick: Middle-Eastern fare at Machneyuda in Jerusalem, Israel

Clockwise, from top: porchetta in San Fran, NOLA's finest BBQ, jamon and fideua from Oakland's Duende. Machneyuda was too dimly lit (and we were partying too hard) to get any good food photos...but trust us, it's fantastic!

I'LL DRINK TO THAT!

Aperol Spritz recipe:

• Ice and a slice of orange
• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts Aperol
• 1 splash of soda

Start by adding ice into the glass, then pour in the Prosecco and the Aperol. Add a splash of soda, then top with a slice of orange. Enjoy!

Cin cin, salute, prost, bottoms up...however you toast, treat yourself to this lovely libation!

LEARN MORE ABOUT CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT:

cecilemclorinsalvant.com

Cécile's ironic, brilliant interpretation of the wildly sexist "Wives & Lovers," by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Art by cecile

DEEP CUT FROM THIS EPISODE:

The song guaranteed to get Cécile moving & grooving. Dance party, anyone?

THE MEME THAT CRACKED US ALL UP...

Episode 4: Laughing at Life, track by track! "On the Sunny Side of the Street"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

We're continuing our song-by-song exploration of our newly-released album, Laughing at Life, with this episode's chat about "On the Sunny Side of the Street," penned in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Our producer/arranger, Oded Lev-Ari, shares how the Three Cohens' collective improvisations inspired his arrangement, as well as why he opted not to include the song's original verse for the Duchess rendition of this jazz standard.

ABOUT THAT OMITTED VERSE...

The verse of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is great, but like Oded says, it does change the song's meaning pretty significantly. The inclusion of the verse means the singers are taking advice rather than giving it...and come on, now. You know Duchess better than that!

Here are the lyrics to the verse:

Walked with no one and talked with no one
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say

MORE ABOUT THE 3 COHENS:

The 3 Cohens (Yuval, Anat, and Avishai) are siblings, extraordinary musicians, and childhood friends of Oded Lev-Ari. In fact, clarinetist Anat is the An- in Anzic Records!

Oded co-produced their release, Tightrope, for Anzic a few years ago, and their collective improvisations provided the inspiration for the improvised vocal chorus in our arrangement of "On the Sunny Side of the Street."

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE (A.K.A. OTHER VERSIONS OF "ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET" THAT WE LOVE!):

So swinging and joyful! Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, and Sonny Stitt.

Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie...they sound like sunshine.

The one, the only. Forever. Pops.

Episode 3: Laughing at Life, track by track! "Swing! Brother, Swing!"

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IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode of Harmony & Hijinks, we are joined by our producer/arranger Oded Lev-Ari, a.k.a. the "Charlie" to our "Angels," a.k.a. Amy's husband. This is the first in a series of mini-episodes in which we talk about each song on our new album, Laughing at Life. First up? The 1930s-era Savoy Ballroom hit, Swing! Brother, Swing, penned by Clarence Williams, Walter Bishop and Lewis Raymond.

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WHO IS THIS ODED LEV-ARI GUY, ANYWAY?

http://www.odedlevari.com

Meet Oded Lev-Ari. Our producer. Our arranger. The head of our label, Anzic Records. The "Charlie" to our "Angels." Amy's husband. Seriously, we'd be lost without this guy.

WHERE TO BUY LAUGHING AT LIFE:

• Anzic Store (Support our amazing indie label! You can buy a hard copy or download, AND you'll get free shipping!)
• iTunes
• Amazon

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DEEP CUTS FROM THIS EPISODE (a.k.a. other versions of "Swing! Brother, Swing!" that we love):

We are huge fans of the great Catherine Russell! She recorded Swing! Brother, Swing! for her new album, Harlem On My Mind.

Billie Holiday and Count Basie, LIVE at the Savoy Ballroom in 1937.