BE MY VALENTINE – WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS MANY MORE LOVE SONGS
Since the very beginning of writing music and lyrics during the great classical period in Europe, with such legendary composers like Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi Brahms, and Schubert, love songs have played a major (and minor) role in the creation of classic or standard songs to this day. If one was to examine the major themes over time to determine what is most prevalent, it undoubtedly is love songs. Jazz composers, despite their penchant for establishing complex harmonies, rhythms, and melodies, also enjoy writing beautiful ballads with love in mind. These composers and lyricists include Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Thelonius Monk, Benny Carter, Johnny Mandel, Thad Jones, Hoagy Carmichael, George Gershwin, Dave Frishberg, Billie Strayhorn, Frank Loesser, Buddy Johnson, Ray Noble, and Bill Evans. Of course, there have been many legendary duets that have been in perfect sync, due to being family or partners in marriage: Dave & Iola Brubeck, Jimmy & Marian McPartland, Cleo Laine & John Dankworth, June Christy & Bob Cooper, Tuck & Patti, The Gershwin Brothers, Wynton & Ellis Marsalis, Cole Porter & wife (she always had the final word before publishing a song), and Les Paul & Mary Ford. One of my greatest hopes for the future of mankind is that we never tire of creating, performing, and listening to beautiful love songs. And as the late Burt Bacharach (passed recently on Feb. 8 at age 94) and his fine collaborator, Hal David wrote and sang so many years ago, “…We don’t need another mountain or ocean and corn field to cross; What the world needs is Love/That’s the only thing that there’s so little of…”
ESSENTIAL JAZZ LOVE SONGS
- Love You Madly – Duke Ellington
- Something To Live Fop – Billy Strayhorn
- You Are There – Dave Frishberg
- The Nearness of You – Hoagy Carmichael
- The Very Thought of You – Ray Noble
- Waltz For Debbie – Bill Evans
- Summer Song – Dave & Iola Brubeck
- A Child Is Born – Thad Jones
- When Lights Are Low – Benny Carter
- A Time For Love – Johnny Mandel
- Ruby, My Dear – Thelonius Monk
- Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love – Charles Mingus
- Since I Fell For You – Buddy Johnson
- I Love You Porgy – George & Ira Gershwin
- The Look Of Love – Burt Bacharach
