85: Harlem Nocturn(e)

Hi.

The first time this song caught my ears' attention,

was when I bought (and listened endlessly to)

the Lounge Lizards first album on EG records.

That album has a (no need to say?) lotta punch

and I still play it (so every now and then).

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Surfin around for more info on the song,

I stumbled (once again) on the great Office Naps blog,

where DJ Little Danny did an extensive writing on the song.

Following I snatched from there (also the pic)

and is for your edutainment...

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DJ LITTLE DANY SAYS:

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"The immortal ”Harlem Nocturne” was conceived by Earle Hagen,

who, before his prolific Hollywood career, worked as an arranger

and trombonist in the big bands of the ‘30s.

Hagen was behind loads of memorable soundtracks and television

themes- The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show,

I Spy, Gomer Pyle, The Mod Squad, among others -

but his ”Harlem Nocturne,” recorded in 1939

during a stint with the Ray Noble Orchestra,

is the source of his enduring fame.

“Harlem Nocturne,” big band success and later

R&B instrumental staple, was performed most famously

in 1959 by New Jersey’s Viscounts,

though hundreds of versions would be committed to

record whenever high drama was needed.

“Harlem Nocturne” is a crime soundtrack gold standard."

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Thank you DJ Little Danny, I totally agree on that and had

niente problemas gathering lotsa covers of this great song...

So, here are the 10 first versions!

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1. Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Harlem Nocturne (5:49)

2. Duke Ellington - Harlem Nocturne (2:50)

3. Eddie Harris - Harlem Nocturne (12:41)

4. King Curtis - Harlem nocturne (3:56)

5. Les Brown - Harlem Nocturne (3:12)

6. Lounge Lizards - Harlem Nocturne (2:07)

7. Neil Lewis and His Quintet - Harlem Nocturn (2:48)

8. Ray Noble & His Orchestra - Harlem Nocturne (3:00)

9. Toots Thielemans - Harlem Nocturne (5:33)

10. Viscounts - Harlem Nocturne (2:23)

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