Saturday Covers #27

Oh, I'm so in love with today's song. So in love.

Birdland was composed by Joe Zawinul for Weather Report. Of course, we all know Weather Report, they're legends in jazz fusion. Combining funk, rock and art music with the all important element, jazz, Birdland is possibly one of the finest pieces of music composed last century, and that's beating Schoenberg's "Piece." Good old Schoenberg. Anyway, if you haven't heard Birdland, I really suggest you do. You won't hear anything quite like it again. It sounds like jazz, but is it? Is the bass too prominent? Why are there synthesizers? Can I trust myself to recognise genres anymore? Am I a true music fan? Do I even know myself? Birdland will raise all these questions for you in a light-hearted manner, and I know you'll love it. Joe Zawinul's a complete genius.

Weather Report - Birdland (mp3, 7.0mb)

So, Maynard Ferguson's been featured on Saturday Covers before, way back in Saturday Covers #1. That's right, I deemed Maynard Ferguson important enough to feature in the very first edition of what's become a highly popular series. He must be good. And he is - he's incredible.

The immediate appeal to Maynard's cover of Birdland, and in fact any Maynard Ferguson piece, is the inexplicably high trumpet playing. I discussed this in the very first Saturday Covers, but I really feel I've got to reiterate: it's really, really, really high. I'm a trumpeter myself, I can tell you that for most of us something that high just comes out fine first time, then a pitiful squeak from then on. Maynard is incredible.

And his cover of Birdland isn't too bad either. Of course, I under-emphasise by miles here, but, it's amazing. Solos left right and centre, any instrument you choose. And the intro... it'll blow you away. Literally - I wouldn't like to stand in front of Maynard when he's playing.

Maynard Ferguson - Birdland (mp3, 9.5mb, hefty file size but it's worth ten times that much)

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Weather Report -- Maynard Ferguson

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Weather Report (UK) (US) -- Maynard Ferguson (International)