One of the cool things about going to Weiser is the National Fiddle Contest. And, there is a whole lot more going on in Weiser than just the contest. I really enjoy jamming with the hippies and swing cats in Stickerville, and playing with all of the varieties of fiddling that goes on around the grounds of the contest.
Today’s fiddle tune came about as I was relaxing for a quick lunch, and overheard a family playing some cool Irish tunes. I was compelled to join in, so Brian (manning the video on today’s tune) and I went over to listen, and play a bit. As it turns out, they also knew some cool jazz tunes, and they were kind enough to teach me one of them, and I worked out a twin part on the fly.
So here is Lullaby of Birdland, with me on fiddle, joined by Evan (guitar), Elise (bass), and Elia (fiddle). Enjoy!
Lullaby of Birdland From Wikipedia
“Lullaby of Birdland” is a 1952 popular song with music by George Shearing and lyrics by George David Weiss under the pseudonym “B. Y. Forster” in order to circumvent the rule that ASCAP and BMI composers could not collaborate.
The title refers to Charlie “Bird” Parker and the Birdland jazz club named after him.
The song has been recorded by many vocal and instrumental performers, including Ella Fitzgerald (her version being a 1954 chart record), Amy Winehouse, the Blue Stars of France, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Chaka Khan, Mel Tormé, Nikki Yanofsky, pianist Friedrich Gulda, Korean singer Insooni, Finnish singer Olavi Virta (in Finnish) and Italian singer Mina. In Stan Freberg’s comic version of “The Great Pretender”, the jazz pianist ad libs the first six notes of “Lullaby of Birdland”, before the singer angrily shouts “WATCH IT!!”
Lullaby of Birdland
George Shearing
Lullaby of birdland, that’s what
I always hear when you sigh
Never in my woodland
Could there be words to reveal
In a phrase how i feel
Have you ever heard two turtle doves
Bill and coo when they love
That’s the kind of magic
Music we make with our lips
When we kiss
And there’s a weepy ol’ willow
He really knows how to cry
That’s how i cry in my pillow
If you should tell me
Farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of Birdland whisper low
kiss me sweet & we’ll go
Fliyin’ high in Birdland
High in the sky up above
All because we’re in love
