Desmond was bor… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Desmond (1924-1977) was a U.S jazz saxophonist.
Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California on 25th November 1924. He came to prominence with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which lasted from 1951 until 1967. Desmond wrote their biggest hit, "Take Five".
Desmond's alto saxophone tone and technique owed nothing to the great alto player of the time, Charlie Parker; instead his was a clear, light, floating sound and highly melodic playing style. Much of the success of the classic Brubeck quartet was due to the superposition of his fragile, airy sound over Brubeck's sometimes relatively heavy, polytonal piano work.
Desmond died on 30th May 1977.
Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Desmond was influenced by Lester Young, but took it further, into melodic and harmonic worlds never before traveled by reedmen -- especially in the upper registers. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his infamous composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
I'm Old Fashioned
Paul Desmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About the latest fads
I admit I was never one
Adored by local lads
Not that I ever try to be a saint
I'm the type that they classify as quaint
I'm old fashioned
I love the moonlight
The sound of rain
Upon a window pane
The starry song that April sings
This year's fancies
Are passing fancies
But sighing sighs holding hands
These my heart understands
I know I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me
I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me
Oh won't you stay old fashioned with me
Oh please stay old fashioned with me
In Paul Desmond's song "I'm Old Fashioned," the singer reflects on his love for things that are traditional and timeless. He admits that he is not up-to-date with the latest trends and admits that he has never been popular with the local lads. However, he also knows that he does not need to be modern or trendy to be happy. He loves the moonlight, the sound of rain on a window pane, and the starry song that April sings.
He goes on to explain that the latest fancies and trends are just passing fancies, but the feeling of holding hands and sighing sighs will always be relevant. This is what he truly understands and embraces. He knows that he is old-fashioned, but the most important thing is finding someone who shares that same love for traditional things. The singer concludes by asking his partner to stay old-fashioned with him, suggesting that they enjoy a simple, classic, and charmingly old-fashioned love.
Overall, "I'm Old Fashioned" is a song about valuing the simple things in life and finding joy in the timeless things that will never go out of style. It stands as a testament to the idea that being old-fashioned can be a delight.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not such a clever one
I am not someone who keeps up with the latest trends or the most intelligent person around.
About the latest fads
I do not follow or care about the current and popular trends.
I admit I was never one
I confess that I have never been someone who was popular or highly regarded by the people in my community.
Adored by local lads
I have never been idolized or highly regarded by the young men around here.
Not that I ever try to be a saint
I am not pretending to be a perfectly moral or virtuous person.
I'm the type that they classify as quaint
I am often described as someone who is old-fashioned, charming, or peculiar in a quaint way.
I'm old fashioned
I like things that are traditional or from the past, even if they are no longer in style.
I love the moonlight
I enjoy the romantic ambiance that the moonlight provides.
I love the old fashioned things
I have a fondness for things from the past, such as music, movies, manners, and values.
The sound of rain upon a window pane
I find the gentle and comforting sound of raindrops falling on a windowpane relaxing and soothing.
The starry song that April sings
I appreciate the beauty of nature and the season of spring, especially the twinkling stars in the sky and the lovely songs of birds in April.
This year's fancies are passing fancies
The currently popular trends or fashion styles will not last long and will soon be replaced by new ones.
But sighing sighs holding hands
I find joy and fulfillment in the simple act of holding hands and sharing a deep and contented sigh with someone I care about.
These my heart understands
These small and intimate gestures of affection resonate with me on a deep level and make me feel truly happy and connected.
I know I'm old fashioned
I am aware that my tastes, preferences, and values may seem outdated or unusual to some people because they are not trendy, modern, or popular.
But I don't mind it
I am comfortable with who I am and what I like, and I do not need to change myself to fit in or impress anyone else.
That's how I want to be
I have made a conscious decision to embrace my old-fashioned nature and not to compromise my identity or convictions for the sake of conformity or approval.
As long as you agree to stay old fashioned with me
I hope that the person I love and care about will accept me for who I am and share my appreciation for the old-fashioned things in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ghairraigh
Paul Desmond ‘PURE DESMOND’ C.T.I. Records, 1975.
After being coaxed out of semi-retirement for a week at Bourbon Street, Toronto, in 1974, Paul insisted on making an album to let the world hear the guitar player – this was my introduction to Ed Bickert. Now this is difficult to do, but try to ignore Paul and just listen to Ed (good luck).
Ed Bickert’s comping, beyond being merely impossible to do on the guitar, rivals the best piano players in anticipation and feel, and he is nearly able to “out-interpolate” Paul in the art of adding quotes. I lose track of the many other songs referenced by Ed just on I’m Old Fashioned, and isn’t it amazing that no one offered a riff on the last chord? This Kern & Mercer tune was first introduced in You Were Never Lovelier, a 1942 Hollywood musical. Rita Hayworth’s singing was dubbed by Nan Wynn. Fred Astaire needed no such help. Another tune from the movie, “Dearly Beloved”, became a big hit for Fred and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
- M.C. MacDonald, 2015.
"Just Squeeze Me" (Duke Ellington, Lee Gaines) - 4:31
"I'm Old Fashioned" (Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer) - 4:55
"Nuages" (Django Reinhardt, Jacques Larue) - 5:13
"Why Shouldn't I?" (Cole Porter) - 3:34
"Everything I Love" (Porter) - 3:48
"Warm Valley" (Duke Ellington) - 4:26
"Till the Clouds Roll By" (Jerome Kern, P. G. Wodehouse) - 4:08
"Mean to Me" (Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk) - 5:46
"Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)" (Johnny Mandel) - 3:01 Bonus track on CD reissue
"Wave" (Antonio Carlos Jobim) - 6:16 Bonus track on CD reissue.
Paul Desmond - alto saxophone
Ed Bickert - electric guitar
Ron Carter - bass
Connie Kay – drums
Recorded September 24, 25 & 26, 1974.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs.
Producer Creed Taylor.
@ghairraigh
Paul Desmond ‘PURE DESMOND’ C.T.I. Records, 1975.
After being coaxed out of semi-retirement for a week at Bourbon Street, Toronto, in 1974, Paul insisted on making an album to let the world hear the guitar player – this was my introduction to Ed Bickert. Now this is difficult to do, but try to ignore Paul and just listen to Ed (good luck).
Ed Bickert’s comping, beyond being merely impossible to do on the guitar, rivals the best piano players in anticipation and feel, and he is nearly able to “out-interpolate” Paul in the art of adding quotes. I lose track of the many other songs referenced by Ed just on I’m Old Fashioned, and isn’t it amazing that no one offered a riff on the last chord? This Kern & Mercer tune was first introduced in You Were Never Lovelier, a 1942 Hollywood musical. Rita Hayworth’s singing was dubbed by Nan Wynn. Fred Astaire needed no such help. Another tune from the movie, “Dearly Beloved”, became a big hit for Fred and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
- M.C. MacDonald, 2015.
"Just Squeeze Me" (Duke Ellington, Lee Gaines) - 4:31
"I'm Old Fashioned" (Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer) - 4:55
"Nuages" (Django Reinhardt, Jacques Larue) - 5:13
"Why Shouldn't I?" (Cole Porter) - 3:34
"Everything I Love" (Porter) - 3:48
"Warm Valley" (Duke Ellington) - 4:26
"Till the Clouds Roll By" (Jerome Kern, P. G. Wodehouse) - 4:08
"Mean to Me" (Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk) - 5:46
"Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)" (Johnny Mandel) - 3:01 Bonus track on CD reissue
"Wave" (Antonio Carlos Jobim) - 6:16 Bonus track on CD reissue.
Paul Desmond - alto saxophone
Ed Bickert - electric guitar
Ron Carter - bass
Connie Kay – drums
Recorded September 24, 25 & 26, 1974.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs.
Producer Creed Taylor.
@schuylerrogers1787
I bought this album some 40 years ago. My first introduction to Ed Bickert. An absolutely tasty recording of which I never tire of to this day of 03/19. My album does not have the theme from MASH and possibly one other listed h here.
@VernWellington
THANK YOU! It is SOOO hard to find any studio recordings of Ed Bickert online (I'm assuming it's Bickert on the guitar). Is it possible if you could upload more of this, Ed Bickert is like my hero but his recordings are deadly hard to find.
@Onlyphans007
"When an angel falls from the sky, it becomes a demon. Isnt that right spike?"
@ghairraigh
and, yes, that's Ron Carter, bass, and Connie Kay (MJQ), drums. Great Album, and two more live ones available from the Bourbon Street Toronto gigs.
@anitadavideduo
A wonderful album!! ed Bickert on guitar... mmmhh, I like it!!!
@pnojazz
kewl, I'd never heard PD's version, only Coltrane's.
@boidoh
3:33 Old man sunshine, listen you Never tell me dreams come true Just try it, and I'll start a riot
@enzodisegni5718
Does anyone know which key this song is in?
@Soaknflavor
Yes !! 💚