Transcription Page:     Flying Home  —  10 March 1941

C&A:

Flying Home is featured once more on the weekly Lorillard Tobacco-sponsored radio show.  This time not under the best of circumstances with showman-drummer Gene Krupa guesting in lieu of our talented Dave Tough.

On the 10 Feb 41 radio show, Charlie Christian started his solo somewhat as on the master studio date;  here on 10 March – he almost duplicates the first A-section of the 10 Feb session.  Still charming, though, in the whimsical variations in details – note especially mm 2 and 3.  Another similarity is that both solos have the ensemble playing the same riffs behind Charles – not so on any other versions.

The bridge:  Charles extends the E♭7 two beats into the A♭Maj – quite unusual.  (The vista across mm 18-19 is quite nebulous, however.)  Then he starts the F7 two beats early – this is not unusual – cutting the A♭Maj segment in half, making it only four beats in duration rather than two measures.  Nice slide starts the F7 going up to the higher frets.  The B♭7 emerges 2½ beats early after his F7 statement.  Engaging bridge, with a bland resolution.

His solo seems enthusiastic enough here but it’s not as creative as on the others and lacks some of the customary rhythmic subtleties.  It’s certainly a CC solo but not the best of the Flying Home lot.  Actually, the entire ensemble is a somewhat subdued…with Charles coasting a little bit too much with repeated double-stops in his solo.  Must have felt the absence of Dave’s drive.