Big City Blues

Cocktails and Broken Hearts

Jack Vettriano

This week's Take This Tune is a little different.  About 30 years ago, Barry Manilow made a jazz album with some of his favorite musicians and singers.  There is a whole video of the making of 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe on You Tube and well worth watching to see how musicians and singers come together to create a theme album.  Since it goes back to his jazz roots, this is a Manilow album for even those who think they don't like Manilow.

Below is a small piece of the documentary  featuring a consummate jazz singer Mel Torme and jazz musician Manilow creating Big City Blues which is about as classic a sound as you can get.  So take this tune and maybe tell us something about a big city or the blues or just hopes about love.




Mel Torme:

Much of my life has been spiced with romance

Barry Manilow:

Too many bedrooms I've slept in by chance

Mel Torme:

Drownin' out my sorrow

Barry Manilow:

Longin' for tomorrow

Both:

Caught up in the big city blues

Barry Manilow:

Rain pourin' down from a cold winter sky

Mel Torme:

Don't wanna smile and I'm too sad to cry

Barry Manilow:

Clouds hangin' above me

Mel Torme:

No one there to love me

Both:

Guess it's just the big city blues

Barry/Mel:

Someday I'll find me the dream that I'm after
I'll know her with only a glance
She'll make me smile
and she'll fill me with laughter
and our love will be like a dance

Skies will be clear and the sweet sun will shine
I'll hold her near and I'll know that she´s mine
No more stormy weather
Love will last forever
Good-bye to the big city blues