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
Someone to Watch Over Me
Ike Quebec Lyrics
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Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
The song "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Ike Quebec is a beautiful and melancholic love song that speaks to the idea of yearning for love and companionship. The lyrics talk about a woman who is looking for someone special she has in mind but hasn't found yet. She refers to this person as the big affair she cannot forget, the only man she ever thinks of with regret, and someone she hopes will watch over her like a shepherd watches over his lamb. The song highlights the idea that in life, we all need someone to watch over us, especially when we feel lost and alone.
The opening lines of the song, "There's a saying old says that love is blind, Still, we're often told, seek and ye shall find", sets the theme for the song. It suggests that love is an uncertain journey that requires a lot of faith, hope, and patience. The lyrics also talk about how finding the right person is challenging, and sometimes you have to look hard and long to find them. The woman in the song wants someone who can take care of her and protect her from the harsh realities of life. She refers to the man she's looking for as someone who carries the key to her heart.
The song is a perfect blend of melancholic jazz tunes and heartfelt lyrics that speak to the human condition. It's the kind of song that can make you smile, cry, and feel a sense of deep connection to the lyrics, regardless of your life experience.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
The old saying declares that love is a feeling that does not see the flaws or imperfections in the beloved.
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
We are often encouraged to search for love because it is attainable for those who look for it.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
I have someone specific in mind that I want to find and pursue romantically, so I will actively search for him.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Despite my search, I have not yet found the man I am looking for.
He's the big affair I cannot forget
The man I am seeking is a significant person in my life that I cannot forget or move on from.
Only man I ever think of with regret
He is the only man that I have thought of with regret, either because of missed opportunities or past mistakes.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
I desire to include his initial on my monogram, which represents my identity and personal brand, showing my affection and connection to him.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
Metaphorically comparing herself to a lost lamb, the artist asks where is the man who will guide her and protect her on the right path.
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
There is a specific person that I am eager and yearning to set my eyes on.
I hope that he turns out to be
I hope that this person I am seeking will be what I am looking for in a romantic partner.
Someone who'll watch over me
The singer is looking for a caring and protective partner who will look out for her well-being.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
Emphasizing her vulnerability and innocence, the artist compares herself to a little lamb that is lost and in need of guidance.
I know I could always be good
She acknowledges that she is capable of being loyal and virtuous, which makes her deserving of love and a trustworthy partner.
Someone who'll watch over me
Repeating the chorus, the singer reaffirms her wish to find a protective partner who will be attentive to her needs.
Although he may not be the man some
Accepting that he may not be considered conventionally attractive by others,
Girls think of as handsome
he is still attractive to her in her own eyes, appealing to her emotional and intellectual needs.
To my heart he carries the key
She feels that he holds the key to her heart and emotional fulfillment.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Asking for help, the singer wants someone to encourage this man to hasten his pursuit of her, showing that she is eager for his love and attention.
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
She wants him to pay attention to her emotional cues and follow her lead to fulfill her romantic wants and needs.
Someone to watch over me
Repeating the chorus once more, the artist emphasizes the importance of finding someone who will protect and care for her.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
valery ishimwe
Classic and magic
chriss1152
There's nothing like the old time jazz
SELMER B.Action
Magic Ike Quebec
Billies Bounce
I Ike Quebec (ts) Roger "Ram" Ramirez
(p) John Collins (g) Milt Hinton (b) J.C. Heard (d)
New York, September 23, 1946