Written with the immortal Ned Washington, “The Nearness of You” from 1937 is as great a song as Hoagy Carmichael ever wrote. “That the yearning dissonances, the chromatic modulations, and the passionate bel canto are about erotic longing …”.
Q : What is this “jazzin’around” thing?
A : Well! that was a game for the summertime. But it met such good reactions that we decided to keep on playing for a while. A game to be played alone, between friends or in the family.
Q : A game! Well, it must have rules then ?
A : The game “jazzin’around” borrows from the game of golf : the number of shots (18) and the scoring method (the better you are, the less points you get. Now, if you do not play golf, do not worry, neither do we).
To start a round of “jazzin’around”, you pick a famous track from a famous album. Starting with this song, you compose a playlist of 18 songs. For help, you use whatever internet resource you put your hands on : Google, Wikipedia, Youtube, etc.. or call your local Jazz Expert.
Q : So far, it sounds pretty easy. What else?
A : Easy, yes but no! You need a “link” from one song to the next (a “link” being a common word, the same song or the same performer,…). A “link” can only be used once in a list. (And if possible try to use a little “humour” in your linking).
The “nature” of your “link” gives you points :
0 : same title but different song (our hole in one)
1 : first word = last word of previous song OR same writer and/or composer OR previous artist is the composer
2 : two words in common (between names of artist+name of song – common words can be extension of one word : ex : “tenderness” or “tenderly” goes with “tender”)
3 : one word in common (between names of artist+name of song, …)
4 : same artist – different song (artist can be member of group, duo, trio, etc) OR same song – different artist
- Mina – The nearness of you3.27
- Al Jarreau – My Foolish Heart5.33
- Carmen McRae w. George Shearing – I Don-t Stand A Ghost of A Chance With You3.41
- The Bachelors – Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)2.25
- Vanya Borges – Don’t Know Why3.10
- Sarah Vaughan – I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter3.13
- Kay Starr w. Dave Cavanaugh’s Music – Snuggled On Your Shoulder3.06
- Dinah Washington – Coquette2.56
- Stan Getz – Out Of Nowhere2.25
- Kitty Lester – Love Letters2.42
- Frank Chacksfield – Love Letters In The Sand2.09
- Mary Stallings – You Go To My Head6.37
- Peggy Lee – The Old Master Painter2.50
- Nat King Cole – Paint Yourself A Rainbow2.22
- Archie Shepp – All Too Soon5.59
- Johnny Hodges – Satin Doll5.01
- Miki Howard – Skylark2.43
- Nossa Alma Canta ft.Rosa Bittolo Bon – The nearness of you3.33
Then, on top of each “note”, you receive a bonus (points to deduct)
5 : last song and first song have same title OR same artist at the end and the beginning
2 : a song is another track from the selected album
1 : song recorded by unknown (but promising) artists (non major company’s artists OR MySpace artists)
Q : Gorgeous! Can anyone play this game?
A : Sure and we encourage it : “jazzin’around” is a lot of fun and makes you discover great music or artists you can buy afterwards. Everyone can play alone or with friends, family, office co-workers,… You can compete with two playlists or build one playlist alternatively.
Q : If I am really good at it, can I send you the results?
A : If you are really proud of one (or more) of your playlists, if you achieve a minimum of points, you send said lists to address .If approved, it will be “published” with your name attached … but,no! you do not win a toaster. Don’t even ask!
| And the winner is Dieter from Vienna (Austria) . His score | Explanation | |
| 01 Mina – Nearness Of You | 0 | First song |
| 02 Chet Baker Trio – My Foolish Heart | 1 | Same writer/composer (Ned Washington) |
| 03 Carmen McRae with George Shearing – I Don-t Stand A Ghost of A Chance With You | 1 | Same writer/composer (Victor Young) |
| 04 Bing Crosby – Where the Blue of the Night | 1 | Same writer/composer (Bing Crosby) |
| 05 Vanya Borges – Don’t Know Why | 1 | Same writer/composer (Roy Turk) |
| 06 Sarah Vaughan – I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter | 1 | Same writer/composer (Fred Ahlert) |
| 07 Kay Starr w Dave Cavanaugh’s Music – Snuggled On Your Shoulder | 1 | Same writer/composer (Joe Young) |
| 08 Dinah Washington – Coquette | 1 | Same writer/composer (Carmen Lombardo) |
| 09 Stan Getz – Out Of Nowhere | 1 | Same writer/composer (Johnny Green) |
| 10 Kitty Lester – Love Letters | 1 | Same writer/composer (Edward Heyman) |
| 11 Frank Chacksfield – Love Letters In The Sand | 1 | First word=last word of previous song (Love Letters) |
| 12 Mary Stallings – You Go To My Head | 1 | Same writer/composer (J. Fred Coots) |
| 13 Peggy Lee – The Old Master Painter | 1 | Same writer/composer (Haven Gillespie) |
| 14 Nat King Cole – Paint Yourself A Rainbow | 1 | First word=last word of previous song (Paint) |
| 15 Archie Shepp – All Too Soon | 1 | Same writer/composer (Carl Sigman) |
| 16 Johnny Hodges – Satin Doll | 1 | Same writer/composer (Duke Ellington) |
| 17 Miki Howard – Skylark | 1 | Same writer/composer (Johnny Mercer ) |
| 18 Nossa Alma Canta ft.Rosa Bittolo Bon – The nearness of you | 1 | Same writer/composer (Hoagy Carmichael) |
| Total Score | 17 |
