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.
Stormy monday blues
Earl Hines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I call you Stormy today
All of a sudden that ole rain's fallin' down
And my world is cloudy and gray
You've gone away
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
Bring back that sunny day
But, like the weather ya changed
Now things are dreary, baby
And it's windy and cold
And I stand alone in the rain
Callin' your name
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
Bring back that sunny day
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
Bring back that sunny day
Bring back that sunny day
Oh Stormy
Oh Stormy
These lyrics from Earl Hines's "Stormy Monday Blues" depict a man's heartache after a breakup as he tries to deal with the sudden change his life has taken. He reminisces about his ex-lover and how she used to brighten up his day with her smile, referring to her as the sunshine. However, he then calls her Stormy, now that she's gone, and everything around him seems gray and cloudy. The imagery is that of a stormy day where the rain falls heavily, and the man feels heartbroken and lone in the rain, calling his ex-lover's name. The lyrics are a metaphor for how he is feeling after losing her, and the stormy weather is to represent the turmoil and confusion in his heart.
The lyrics of the song are relatable and resonate with anyone who has been through a breakup. It highlights how love is like the weather - it changes unexpectedly, and the stormy days may appear suddenly, leaving one feeling helpless and heartbroken. The reference to the weather, along with the melancholic blues melody that accompanies the lyrics, creates a beautiful yet melancholy composition that invokes emotions of sadness and heartbreak in the listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
You were the sunshine, baby, whenever you smiled
You brightened up my life with your smile and were like the sun shining on me.
But I call you Stormy today
Today you seem like a storm in my life, causing me pain and sadness.
All of a sudden that ole rain's fallin' down
My life is now filled with sadness and rainy weather.
And my world is cloudy and gray
I feel as though I am surrounded by gloom and darkness.
You've gone away
You left me and now I am left feeling lost and alone.
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
I am addressing you, Stormy, in this time of sadness.
Bring back that sunny day
I am asking for you to come back and brighten up my life again.
Yesterday's love was like a warm summer breeze
Our past love was like a comfortable and pleasant summer breeze.
But, like the weather ya changed
However, like the weather, you changed and our love turned cold.
Now things are dreary, baby
Things are now bleak and depressing without you.
And it's windy and cold
The weather now matches the way I feel inside, cold and distant.
And I stand alone in the rain
I am left alone to deal with the sadness and pain.
Callin' your name
I am yearning for you and hoping you will come back.
Bring back that sunny day
I am asking for you to come back and bring happiness and light into my life again.
Oh Stormy, oh Stormy
I am addressing you, Stormy, in this time of sadness.
Bring back that sunny day
I am asking for you to come back and brighten up my life again.
Bring back that sunny day
I am again pleading for you to come back and bring happiness and warmth into my life.
Oh Stormy
I am calling out to you one final time.
Oh Stormy
I repeat your name, hoping you will hear my plea and return to me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Crowder, Billy Eckstine, Earl Hines
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hilmarwensorra1215
In very loving memory of Mr. William Clarence Eckstein (1914 - 1993 R.I.P. Gone but NOT forgotten).
@jeffreybilkanich2886
He was a fabulous singer - a very distinct voice!
@JuanMoreGame
Can see where T-Bone got inspired for "Stormy Monday"