Wonky2 Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 (edited) Doing a studio session tomorrow for a guy I've played for a few times... Got me thinking to a tune we had played for a bit f fun last time we were together, vans moon dance. I thought I'd give it a spin just now for old time sake.... I've never really listened to it intently, more a case of its just a tune I know and have heard a lot . When it begins the bass drops out awkwardly in the first verse, after that the timing is seriously questionable through out ??? Never noticed before, it's subtle but it's out. Shame , it's a great melodic walking line and of course a great tune. I've moved onto Gloria now and balance has been restored. Edited July 29, 2016 by Wonky2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 There is a lot of *ahem* dislike for that song on this forum, particularly among those of a jazz persuasion, and especially for the bass line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 You've let a very unpopular cat out of the bag who goes by the name of Moondance Coincidentally, I have also got to do this tune on a gig in a weeks time. Managed to get away with not playing it over 30 odd years of gigging (started young) but they all get ya in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Glad I'm out gigging tonight and not hanging around to keep an eye on this thread. Will leave that to Bilbo, he loves a bit of Moondance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I had to play this on Wednesday, hated it . It was a request from a member of the audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Oh Lordy, everything about that version is not so good (IMO). Nate East and Michael McDonald did a good version. The Horn arranging is excellent with some great harmony going on. http://youtu.be/5qlkWsagY6I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I named my puppy "Shalla"....Shalla la, lala lalala, lala, lala lala, my brown eyed girl... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I had to play it once. I used Paul Wolfe's guide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvR_sdtcGPY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Moondance has one great quality. It proves that you CAN fool some of the people all of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 This version by Bobby McFerrin is my favourite of that song. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyguts Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Ok, so what's the problem with it? I have to play it for a regular dep job; hasn't done me any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 [quote name='grumpyguts' timestamp='1469876744' post='3101670'] Ok, so what's the problem with it? I have to play it for a regular dep job; hasn't done me any harm. [/quote] I played it in a previous band ( and I too.. am unharmed !! ) in different venues, and it always went down well. This tells me that there is nothing wrong with it, as the punters are the "real" judges...not the purists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I've played it a few times and always got paid to do it; not got a problem with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 [quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1469861957' post='3101524'] This version by Bobby McFerrin is my favourite of that song. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs[/url] [/quote] I forgot about that, he also does a great version of 'Dance With Me' on the album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyguts Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I don't have the knowledge to understand why I should dislike it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 MoonDance is the absolute pinnacle of Jazz! Nothing better has been written in that genre. It captures all the musical elements of Jazz but has the quality of that it is listenable and catchy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Nah, Brown Eyed Girl is Van's Mustang Sally. George Best once told me it was his fave song... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I don't get the hatred...I think it's ok. I've played it a few times with big bands and small ensembles and always enjoyed it. I've listened to the original version and I don't find the bass part particularly offensive. I guess it's one of those tunes that's only popular with the public... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 [quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1469882239' post='3101738'] MoonDance is the absolute pinnacle of Jazz! Nothing better has been written in that genre. It captures all the musical elements of Jazz but has the quality of that it is listenable and catchy! [/quote] Careful, Viscount Snorker. Your ignorance is showing. B-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1469894284' post='3101857'] Careful, Viscount Snorker. Your ignorance is showing. B-) [/quote] Next you'll be telling me that van Morrison isn't as important to jazz as Thelonius Monk or Dizzy Gillespie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1469894284' post='3101857'] Careful, Viscount Snorker. Your ignorance is showing. B-) [/quote] And if you are going to use one of my other titles I prefer Duke of Cumberland or Earl of Lincolnshire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 We play it in our group, don't have a problem with it at all, you can go all over the place during the sax solo. But then we also do mustang sally and brown eyed girl (except the latter one is the Reel Big Fish version). And i have never been happier in a group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 [quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1469904705' post='3101945'] Next you'll be telling me that van Morrison isn't as important to jazz as Thelonius Monk or Dizzy Gillespie! [/quote] Van Morrison Isn't as important to Jazz as Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggie Winkle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Cant stand VM but Moondance is really just a rawk bassist faffing about pretending to be a jazzer, innit? I just play a walking bass line round the chords and leave it at that apart, from the little bits of "subtle" syncopation.... I always thought the record sounded like the band were warming up before recording proper started and Van started scatting over the top. Lyrics are decidedly naff and his vocal phrasing gets really painful in places, but the punters usually like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1469916842' post='3102042'] Van Morrison Isn't as important to Jazz as Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggie Winkle [/quote] I thought Mrs Tiggie Winkle's work on Bitches Brew was sublime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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