DB Hall of Fame

SOLO  FLIGHT

THE  CHARLIE  CHRISTIAN  LEGACY

DB Hall of Fame


 

 

GRAND SLAM
(BOY MEETS GOY )
(BOY MEETS GIRL)
 
mx  WCO 26744 A
 
APRIL  10,  1940   *      Wednesday HOLLYWOOD
World Broadcasting System
[ for COLUMBIA Records ]   *
 

 
  12-BAR  BLUES   (Boogie) Key of   F Quarter Note =   200 Time:   2:49
 
 
  8-Bar  Intro  +  11  CHORUSES:
 
    8 bars  –  CC & ensemble (Intro Riffs)
 
    24 bars  –  clarinet
 
  24 bars  –  CC
 
    24 bars  –  vibes
 
    24 bars  –  piano
 
    12 bars  –  clarinet
 
    24 bars  –  clarinet & vibes
 
 

 
Personnel:
 
  Benny Goodman Sextet
  CHARLIE CHRISTIAN Guitar
  BENNY GOODMAN clarinet
  LIONEL HAMPTON vibes
  JOHNNY GUARNIERI piano
  ARTIE BERNSTEIN bass
  NICK FATOOL drums
 
 

 
  * Matrix assigned on  APRIL 16, 1940
  Recorded by the World Broadcasting System, Inc. (Hollywood)
  for the Columbia Recording Corp. (NYC)
 

Composed by: Charlie Christian - Lionel Hampton - Benny Goodman
 
© VALDÉS   5/12/17


 

Transcription Page:     Grand Slam  —  take A  (alternate take)

 



C&A:

This first take of Grand Slam remained in Columbia’s vaults unheard until its release over half a century after the master take.  Charlie Christian’s solo on this take of the boogie is not quite up to that of the superlative master but it only suffers by comparison.

Charles launches his solo with a similarly constructed start but a full measure later than on the second version.  The phrase at bar 5 over a B♭7 was also used in the following take, over a C7 background.

On the second chorus the beginning expression is given the perfect rhythmic highlighting.  This is not the only time the outstanding combination at mm 4-5, going from F7 to B♭7, appears in his solos, but it’s always great to hear.  Concluding the solo, at bars 8-11 the phrases are familiar but the connecting turns are unique.

  LISTEN   Guitar Solo:


 
Issued Recordings:
 
  [ CD ] Columbia/Legacy C4K 65564 (disc 1, track 25)
    Sony/Legacy 93035 (disc 1, track 25)
 

 



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