Jimmy Raney began his jazz guitar career very early with the history showing he played in the Jerry Wald band in 1944 at age 17.
In 1946 he worked for a time as guitarist with the Max Miller Quartet at Elmer's in Chicago, his first paying gig. Raney also worked in the Artie Shaw Orchestra and collaborated with Woody Herman for nine months in 1948. He also collaborated and recorded with Buddy DeFranco, Al Haig and later on with Bob Brookmeyer. In 1967 alcoholism and other professional difficulties led him to leave New York City and return to his native Louisville. He resurfaced in the 1970s and also did work with his son Doug, who is also a guitarist. Raney suffered for thirty years from Meniere's Disease, a degenerative condition that eventually led to near complete deafness in both ears. Fortunately, his playing remained unaffected. Raney died of heart failure in Louisville Ky. on May 10th of 1995, just short of his 68th birthday. An obituary in the New York Times referred to Jimmy Raney as 'one of the most gifted and influential postwar jazz guitarists in the world .
I Could Write A Book
Jimmy Raney Lyrics
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About the way you walk and whisper and look
I could write a preface on how we met
So the world would never forget
And the simple secret of the plot
Is just to tell them that I love you, a lot
Then the world discovers as my book ends
If they ask me, I could write a book
About the way you walk and whisper and look
I could write a preface on how we met
So the world would never forget, never, never forget
And the simple secret of the plot
Is just to tell them that I love you, allot
Then the world discovers as my book ends
How to make two lovers of friends
The lyrics of Jimmy Raney's song "I Could Write A Book" are a romantic tribute to the subject of the song, who is likely a lover or significant other. The song is essentially a response to a hypothetical question – "If they ask me..." – and the singer asserts that he could indeed write a book about this person. He emphasizes the little details of the person – the way they walk, whisper, and look – which the singer could expound upon, elaborating in a preface about how they met. By doing so, the singer feels that they would never be forgotten.
The "simple secret of the plot" is the fact that the singer loves this person, a lot (or, according to some versions of the song, "a lot-lot"). In this way, the singer discovers the key to making two lovers out of friends – simply by telling the person how much they love them. The song's sentimentality is underscored by its gentle melody, which is played by a jazz trio led by Raney's guitar. Altogether, the song serves as a fitting tribute to the timeless nature of true love and the desire to express it in creative ways.
Line by Line Meaning
If they ask me, I could write a book
If someone requested me to, I could write an entire book
About the way you walk and whisper and look
It would be about the charming, captivating ways in which you walk, whisper and look
I could write a preface on how we met
I could write an introduction detailing the story of how we first encountered each other
So the world would never forget
To ensure that everyone remembers it for a very long time
And the simple secret of the plot
The plot's modest enigma is the solution for maintaining long-term relationships
Is just to tell them that I love you, a lot
Its solution is the expression of my profound love for you
Then the world discovers as my book ends
As the book reaches its end, people come to realize
How to make two lovers of friends
How to transform friendships into romantic relationships
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
vova47
Wonderful record especially for the great and underrated George Mraz-- simply one of the best bassists of all time.
Gabriele Falchieri
Super , super bravi. Che arte !!!!!! Solo i grandi possono suonare così. Incredibile ed emozionante.... !!!!! Jimmy Raney il grande e unico.... Tommy Flanagan che tocco insuperabile .... !!!!
Juri Bortot
@maxswing78 E ce n'è un altro ;-)
maxswing78
Meno male che c'e' ancora qualche chitarrista italiano oltre me che ascolta i grandi della tradizione jazzistica.Nei video dei vari Kessel,Pass e compagnia non trovo mai commenti italiani.
maxswing78
Please,you can upload All the things you are,same cd.I'm sorry for english,i'm italian.
jamukku
Hi,I see. thank you.