Critic Alex Henderson writes, "Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to came to down-home blues, sexy ballads, and up-tempo aggression."
An accomplished dancer and pianist, he switched to tenor sax as his primary instrument in his early 20s, and quickly earned a reputation as a promising player. His recording career started in 1940, with the Barons of Rhythm.
Later on, he recorded or performed with Frankie Newton, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Trummy Young, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins. Between 1944 and 1951, he worked intermittently with Cab Calloway. He recorded for Blue Note records in this era, and also served as a talent scout for the label (helping pianists Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell come to wider attention) and, due to his exceptional sight reading skills, was an uncredited impromptu arranger for many Blue Note sessions.
Due in part to struggles with drug addiction (but also due to the fading popularity of big band music), Quebec recorded only sporadically during the 1950s, though he still performed regularly. He kept abreast on new developments in jazz, and his later playing incorportated elements of hard bop and soul jazz.
In 1959 he began a what amounted to a comeback with a series of albums on the Blue Note label. Blue Note executive Alfred Lion was always fond of Quebec's music, but was unsure how audiences would respond to the saxophonist after a decade of low visibility. In the mid-to-late 1950s, Blue Note issued a series of Quebec singles for the juke box market; audinences responded well, leading to a number of warmly-received albums.
Quebec's comeback was cut short by his death from lung cancer.
Influenced by Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster but definitely his own person, Ike Quebec was one of the finest swing-oriented tenor saxman of the 1940s and '50s. Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to came to down-home blues, sexy ballads, and up-tempo aggression. Originally a pianist, Quebec switched to tenor in the early '40s and showed that he had made the right decision on excellent 78s for Blue Note and Savoy (including his hit "Blue Harlem"). As a sideman, he worked with Benny Carter, Kenny Clarke, Roy Eldridge, and Cab Calloway. In the late '40s, the saxman did a bit of freelancing behind the scenes as a Blue Note A&R man and brought Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell to the label. Drug problems kept Quebec from recording for most of the 1950s, but he made a triumphant comeback in the early '60s and was once again recording for Blue Note and doing freelance A&R for the company. Quebec was playing as authoritatively as ever well into 1962, giving no indication that he was suffering from lung cancer, which claimed his life at the age of 44 in 1963. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
But Not For Me
Ike Quebec Lyrics
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Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
The opening lines of Ike Quebec's song 'But Not For Me' reveal the singer's ambivalence about love.The words 'Old man sunshine listen you, never tell me dreams come true' suggest a pessimistic outlook. Instead of embracing hope and the possibility of romantic fulfillment, the singer is resentful of the notion of ideal love. The mention of Beatrice Fairfax, a reference to a popular advice column of the time, adds to this air of cynicism. The singer states, 'Ever tell me he will care, I'm certain it's the final curtain,' indicating a fatalistic acceptance of romantic failure.
However, the central theme of the song really comes through in the chorus. Although other people may be experiencing the joys and successes of relationships, the singer declares that love is something that they will never achieve. The line 'They're writing songs of love but not for me' perfectly encapsulates this sense of social isolation. The singer feels that despite their dreams and desires, they are excluded from the possibility of romance. Furthermore, the poignant admission that 'Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss, I guess he's not for me,' acknowledges the bittersweet nature of love and the beauty of what might have been.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
I don't believe in luck or miracles
Never tell me dreams come true
Don't feed me false hope
Just try it and I'll start a riot
If you push me too far, there will be consequences
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
I won't listen to any love advice
Ever tell me he will care
I don't believe anyone will ever care for me
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I've given up on love
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I don't want to hear positive stories about love
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
I don't believe in destiny or soulmates
It's all bananas
It's all nonsense
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Love songs don't resonate with me
A lucky star's above but not for me
I'm not lucky in love
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Love has brought me more pain than happiness
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Even Russian tragedies can't compare to my love life
I was a fool to fall and get that way
I regret falling in love
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
I'm expressing sorrow and disappointment
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I still think about the good times in the relationship
I guess he's not for me
I've accepted that he's not the one for me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind