Like On the Alamo, I’m Confessin’ is a
slow number and was also recorded in only one take on no more than one occasion, half of
it being fairly straight melody. It was inexplicably never released on 78-rpm and
only first appeared on Time-Life’s “Giants of Jazz” LP box-set series in
1979.
But Charlie Christian’s eight-bar break is something to behold and should receive
much more attention than it does. His solo is a true treasure. The first two
measures are like a bolt from the blue, startling the listener with surprising
intervals—once more revealing CC’s absolute genius. He begins the first
figure on an upbeat then repeats the figure starting on the downbeat, further adding to
the “sound of surprise.”
As on the previously mentioned On the Alamo, the rest of his brief solo fits
together perfectly. Charles’ advanced harmonic awareness shines through in
every phrase. Also note that virtually every measure has its own expression.
The B-natural (♯5) in the first bar of
the E♭7 segment adds the perfect flavor to that phrase.
Lovely solo. Its development is so articulately
well put together that it’s very easy to remember the progression.
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