Charlie Barnet (October 26, 1913 - September 4, 1991) was unusual in severa… Read Full Bio ↴Charlie Barnet (October 26, 1913 - September 4, 1991) was unusual in several ways. One of the few jazzmen to be born a millionaire, Barnet was a bit of a playboy throughout his life, ending up with a countless number of ex-wives and anecdotes. He was one of the few white big band leaders of the swing era to openly embrace the music of Duke Ellington (he also greatly admired Count Basie). Barnet was a pioneer in leading integrated bands (as early as 1935). And, although chiefly a tenor saxophonist (where he developed an original sound out of the style of Coleman Hawkins), Barnet was an effective emulator of Johnny Hodges on alto in addition to being virtually the only soprano player (other than Sidney Bechet) in the 1930s and '40s.

And yet Charlie Barnet was only significant in jazz for about a decade (1939-1949). Although his family wanted him to be a lawyer, he was a professional musician by the time he was 16 and ironically in his career made more money than he would have in business. Barnet arrived in New York in 1932 and started leading bands on records the following year, but his career was quite erratic until 1939. Many of Barnet's early records are worthy but some are quite commercial as he attempted to find a niche. Best is a sideman appearance on a 1934 Red Norvo date that also includes Artie Shaw and Teddy Wilson.

In 1939, with the hit recording of "Cherokee" and a very successful run at the Famous Door in New York, Charlie Barnet soon became a household name. In addition to the fine trumpeter Bobby Burnet (who soloed on many of Barnet's Bluebird records), such sidemen as guitarist Bus Etri; drummer Cliff Leeman; singers Lena Horne, Francis Wayne, and Kay Starr; pianist Dodo Marmarosa; clarinetist Buddy DeFranco; guitarist Barney Kessel; and even trumpeter Roy Eldridge spent time with Barnet's bands. Although at the height of his popularity during 1939-1942 (when his orchestra could often play a close imitation of Ellington's), Barnet's recordings for Decca during 1942-1946 were also of great interest with "Skyliner" being a best-seller.

By 1947 Barnet was starting to look toward bop. Clark Terry was his star trumpeter that year, and in 1949 his screaming trumpet section included Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Rolf Ericson, and Ray Wetzel. Barnet, however, soon lost interest and near the end of 1949 he broke up his band. Semi-retired throughout the remainder of his life, Charlie Barnet occasionally led swing-oriented big bands during short tours and appearances, making his last recording in 1966.

The gla from Joe's
Charlie Barnet Lyrics

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Way down at Mister Joe's Cafe
They're takin' someone far away,
And if you hear a song today.
It's a sad tune that you'll be playin':

She's leavin' and folks are feelin' so low,
They're grievin' and they're consolin' poor Joe;
Gonna miss her song

Gonna miss her smile
She'll be travlin' alone down that last long mile
They're sighin'
With all their trouble and woes
They're cryin' 'cause they all loved
The Gal From Joe's

She's leavin' and folks are feelin' so low,
They're grievin' and they're consolin' poor Joe;
Gonna miss her song
Gonna miss her smile
She'll be travlin' alone down that last long mile
They're sighin'
With all their trouble and woes

They're cryin' 'cause they all loved
The Gal From Joe's

Overall Meaning

"The Gal from Joe's" is a poignant song about a woman who is leaving Joe's Cafe, leaving behind many heartbroken people who have come to know her through her singing and personality. The song describes the sadness and grief that the patrons feel, as they know that they will never be able to hear her sing again, or see her infectious smile. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this woman leaving as the patrons shed tears and sing a mournful tune in her honor.

The song captures the essence of the jazz era in the 1930s and highlights the power of music in bringing people together. At Joe's Cafe, the gal's music brought people joy and happiness, and with her departure, darkness seems to loom over the cafe. The lyrics of the song are carefully crafted to convey the sense of loss and longing that the patrons feel as they say goodbye to their favorite singer.

Overall, "The Gal from Joe's" is a beautiful and melancholic song that captures the spirit of the time and the power of music to evoke emotion and bind people together.

Line by Line Meaning

Way down at Mister Joe's Cafe
At a café belonging to Mister Joe, far from here

They're takin' someone far away,
Someone is leaving, going somewhere distant

And if you hear a song today.
If you happen to hear a song, on this very day

It's a sad tune that you'll be playin':
The song will be a sorrowful one, that you'll be hearing

She's leavin' and folks are feelin' so low,
She's departing, and people are feeling sad and down

They're grievin' and they're consolin' poor Joe;
They're grieving and trying to comfort Mister Joe

Gonna miss her song
They'll miss her singing

Gonna miss her smile
They'll miss her smile

She'll be travlin' alone down that last long mile
She'll be traveling without companionship for a long journey

They're sighin'
They're emitting sorrowful sounds

With all their trouble and woes
Because of all their problems and worries