In 1928 (on his 25th birthday) Hines began leading his own big band. For over 10 years his was "The Band" in Al Capone's Grand Terrace Cafe — Hines was Capone's "Mr Piano Man". Hines recorded for Victor in 1929, then after a gap for Brunswick from 1932-1934, Decca from 1934-1935, then after another gap, Vocalion from 1937-1938 and Bluebird from 1939-1942 (nearly all among the best Black Jazz of the era). From the Grand Terrace, The Earl Hines Orchestra (or "Organization" as he more happily referred to it) broadcast on "open mikes", sometimes five nights a week and over many years, coast to coast across America — Chicago being well placed to deal with the U.S. live-broadcasting time-zone problem. Hines's band became the most broadcast band in America. Sometimes Nat "King" Cole was Hines's relief pianist (though Cliff Smalls was his favorite) and it was here with Hines that Charlie Parker got his first professional job...until he was fired for his time-keeping — by which Hines meant Parker's inability to show up on time despite Parker resorting to sleeping under the Grand Terrace stage in his attempts to do so. Hines led his big band until 1947, taking time out to front the Duke Ellington orchestra in 1944 while Duke was ill...but the big-band era was over. (Thirty years later, Hines's 20 solo "transformative versions" of his "Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington" recorded in the 1970s were described by Ben Ratliff in the "New York Times" as "as good an example of the jazz process as anything out there".)
At the start of 1949 Hines rejoined Armstrong in the latter's "All Stars" "small band", where Hines stayed through 1951. He then led his own small combo around the States and Europe. At the start of the jazz-lean 1960s he settled in Oakland, California, opened a tobacconist's, and came close to giving up the profession. Then, in 1964 Hines was "suddenly rediscovered" following a series of concerts in New York. He was the 1965 "Critics' Choice" for Down Beat Magazine's "Hall of Fame". From then till he died he recorded endlessly both solo and with jazz notables like Cat Anderson, Buck Clayton, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Greer, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Budd Johnson, Jimmy Rushing, Stuff Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Venuti and Ben Webster. Possibly more surprising were Elvin Jones, Peggy Lee, Charles Mingus, Dinah Washington — and Ry Cooder. But his most acclaimed recordings of this period were his dazzling and endlessly inventive solo performances, which could show him at his very best, "a whole orchestra by himself".[12] Solo tributes to Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin were all put on record in the 1970s. Hines also toured Europe again regularly at this time, and added Asia, Australia and the Soviet Union to his list of State Department–funded destinations. At the top of his form, Hines also displayed his endearing quirks (not to say grunts) in these performances. Sometimes he sang as he played, especially his own "They Never Believed I Could Do It - Neither Did I". In 1975 he made an hour-long "solo" film for British TV out-of-hours in a Washington nightclub: the "New York Herald Tribune" described it as "The greatest jazz-film ever made". He played solo in The White House and played solo for the Pope — and played (and sang) his last job a few days before he died in Oakland, quite likely somewhat older than he had always maintained.
Blues in Thirds
Earl Hines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
Want some seafood Mama
Shrimpers and rice they're very nice
Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
Want some seafood Mama
Steamers and sauce and then of course I like oysters lobsters too
When I come home from work at night
I get my favorite dish, fish!
Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
Want some seafood Mama
The lyrics to Earl Hines's song "Blues in Thirds" paint a picture of someone who loves seafood and can't get enough of it. Throughout the song, the singer expresses their love for different types of seafood, including shrimp, rice, oysters, lobsters, and butter fish. The repeated refrain of "hold tight" suggests a sense of urgency or excitement, as if the singer is eagerly anticipating the next seafood meal.
The use of the nonsense phrase "foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki" adds a playful, improvisational quality to the song. It also drives home the idea that this song is less about the specific seafood dishes mentioned and more about the joy and enthusiasm that comes with indulging in one's favorite foods. The lyrics are accompanied by Hines's masterful piano playing, which interweaves the melody with bluesy, swinging harmonies. Overall, "Blues in Thirds" is a fun, upbeat song that captures the simple pleasure of savoring a delicious meal.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Be patient and wait for a little longer.
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
It's nonsensical syllables, it doesn't convey any meaning.
Want some seafood Mama
Asking mother if she wants some seafood.
Shrimpers and rice they're very nice
Shrimps cooked with rice taste delicious.
Steamers and sauce and then of course I like oysters lobsters too
I also like oysters and lobsters cooked in a sauce made in a steamer.
And I like my tasty butter fish
I enjoy eating a type of fish called the butter fish.
When I come home from work at night
After finishing work during the night shift.
I get my favorite dish, fish!
My preferred food to eat when I get home is fish.
Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Be patient and wait for a little longer.
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
It's nonsensical syllables, it doesn't convey any meaning.
Want some seafood Mama
Asking mother if she wants some seafood.
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Earl C Hines
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SELMER1947
My favorite Tea for two version ever !!!! Probably the most original pianist who ever lived and one of my top 10
@chrisrees5017
We are blessed that we will never be short of his solo recordings, as was so prolific from the sixties to the end of the seventies. A unique musician and jazz talent as these tracks show, who's brilliance never waned.
@ronaldunkel2681
Unique pianist and band leader. Charley Parker and Dizzy played at one time in his band as did, during most of the 30’s, my good (late) friend swing-drummer Wallace Bishop. Earl Hines was an - original trend setter - with his “rollercoaster” swing-band (as did Billy Eckstine’s with his first be-bop band during 1940’s). He visited Europe several times and recorded for the iconic French Jazz label “Black & Blue”. Worth checking out folks, specially the younger amongst us. G’day & Cheers!
@jackiehard-bopladybrown6919
👌👍 😉
@paulferris662
Ronald, old chap. Fancy meeting you here! Actually I'm not a bit surprised. How's life? Where you living now? I hear the virus is getting bad down under again. Hope you're well.
@ronaldunkel2681
@@paulferris662 Good to hear from you Paul. I’m still (stuck) in Italy with the Covid (currently) subduing. But after the summer/tourist season will, imo, sharply increase again. The world is changing, my friend. But, and thank the gods, we still have those recorded masterpieces, like this one to listen to. Good talking to you, Paul. G’day & Cheers!
@ronaldunkel2681
@@IvanGlavas I’m sure he has. But they’re are already some AT uploads here on Youtube. G’day & Cheers!
@paulferris662
@@ronaldunkel2681 Tell me about it. The prevalence of the Delta variant has been doubling every 12 - 14 days in the U.S. It is the dominant strain in some areas already and they predict by late summer or Fall, just in time for school, it will be the dominant strain across the country, particularly lethal for the no-minds who refuse to get vaccinated. They're going to be sorry. Thank God we have good tunes to listen to. This same person, mistermister668 just uploaded a set of Miles Davis (Cote Blues) from the Antibes Festival in 1963. I'm trying to figure out if this stuff was previously available. I don't know if you dig this phase of Miles but I think this is just some of the best music I've ever heard, from an incomparable lineup including George Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams and Ron Carter. Sound board quality. Check it out.
@beatricepiva3912
Irresistibile. Una sorgente continua di ritmi morbidamente connessi. Una magica sapienza di tocco !
@Pablo_Dias
Wonderful 👏👏👏🎼🎹🎶