He then spent three years as the jazz trumpet soloist in the famed NORAD multi-service band. Shortly after leaving he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Sam Donahue, which, among other things, gave him the chance to perform quite a bit with trumpet legend Charlie Shavers. After his stint with Tommy Dorsey, Bobby was asked to play with Woody Herman's band upon Bill Chase's recommendation. He then spent some time playing for Della Reese and Buddy Rich, who's big band had just been formed.
Many other similar situations followed and Bobby played lead trumpet for a number of pop stars. This brought Bobby to live in Las Vegas where he became prominent in various hotels and casinos. By this time Bobby was widely known for his strong lead playing rather than as a jazz soloist. So late in 1972 he decided to make a move to the Los Angeles area in order to get reinvolved in developing as a jazz player.
Once in Los Angeles, Bobby quickly found what he was looking for, and in the years to come he spent time with the groups of Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Horace Silver Quintet, and Frank Strazzeri-Sam Most, as well as numerous big bands such as Bill Holman, Louie Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin, Oliver Nelson, Bill Berry, Nat Pierce-Frank Capp Juggernaut, Ed Shaughnessy, Terry Gibbs, Benny Goodman, Maynard Ferguson, Neal Hefti, Don Menza, and Bob Florence.
In addition to being a sideman, Bobby also became a leader around this time, recording many of his own albums. Several of these received very high accolades from critics and high placement on the airplay charts. One of his albums, 'Outstanding In His Field' was nominated for a Grammy in 1980, while, 'Heavy Company' was awarded the Jazz Album Of The Year in 1983.
During this time Bobby also found a great deal of studio work, including TV shows like 'Hawaii 5-O', 'Streets Of San Francisco', 'Bob Newhart', 'Mary Tyler Moore', 'Midnight Specials', 'Don Kirschner Rock Concert', 'Happy Days', 'Laverne And Shirley', and 'Eight Is Enough.' His work on soundtracks includes 'Grease I and II', 'Rocky I and II', 'Six-Pack', 'The Muppet Movie', 'The Drivers', and 'Taxi'.
Today, in addition to a busy performing and private teaching schedule, Bobby spends a considerable amount of time actively involved in the educational system, conducting clinics and master classes at high schools and college campuses all over the world. Bobby has also been active on the Board of Directors of the International Trumpet Guild, and has acted as National Trumpet Chairman for the International Association of Jazz Educator's for 16 years. He authors numerous articles of educational interest in various trade magazines, all translated into several languages for worldwide distribution. During a period of traveling to New Zealand, Bobby acted as host for a weekly TV show entitled 'Just Jazz' and has been in numerous artist-in-residence situations virtually all over the world. He has even had a few minor acting roles in movies and TV shows.
He continues to tour internationally and to produce and record excellent music. He has released several recent albums for the MAMA Foundation including Playing With Fire (w/Tom Harrell), Heavyweights (w/Carl Fontana), and Salsa Caliente. In addition, for other labels, Bobby has released the the highly regarded CD recorded with the The Metropole Orchestra, and a double-CD set for Seabreeze Records of The Music of John Harmon, plus other which can be seen on the Discography page.
Bobby has endorsed Yamaha equipment for years and the fact that they have recently been using him for advertisements is a further indication of his popularity.
Bobby Shew never stops using his remarkable insight, sensitivity and creativity to inspire the next generation of jazz players and teachers.
http://www.bobbyshew.com
It's Only A Paper Moon
Bobby Shew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
It's phony it's plain to see
How happy I would be
If you believed in me
Bobby Shew's song "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a classic love song with a whimsical twist. The song describes a magical world that only exists in the imagination of two lovers who believe in each other. The paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea and the canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree are just illusions, but they become real when the two lovers believe in each other. The song is a tribute to the power of love and imagination, and how they can create a world that is more beautiful and fulfilling than reality.
The lyrics are full of metaphors and wordplay that add depth and meaning to the song. The honky-tonk parade and melody played in a penny arcade represent the emptiness and meaninglessness of life without love. The Barnum and Bailey world is a reference to a famous circus, suggesting that life can be a spectacle or a show that is entertaining but ultimately fake. The song is an invitation to believe in love and to create a world where love is the only reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let's not pretend that the world is perfect
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The world is fragile and can easily break
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, things can change if you believe in something
If you believed in me
You can find comfort and peace through trusting someone else
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky is simply a painted backdrop
Hanging over a muslin tree
Nature is an illusion, a set piece
Without your love
Without someone to share it with
It's a honky tonk parade
Life can be meaningless and unfulfilling
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life can be repetitive and dull
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is a circus, full of illusions
Just as phony as it can be
Everything is a facade
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But we can change our perception
If you believed in me
By relying on someone else to help us see things differently
It's phony it's plain to see
We need to recognize the truth of the world
How happy I would be
But we also need to find happiness and meaning within the chaos
If you believed in me
By trusting someone else to help us find it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind