Leader of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s, Whiteman's recordings were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz". Using a large ensemble and exploring many styles of music, Whiteman is perhaps best known for his blending of symphonic music and jazz, as typified by his 1924 commissioning and debut of George Gershwin's jazz-influenced "Rhapsody In Blue". Whiteman recorded many jazz and pop standards during his career, including "Wang Wang Blues", "Mississippi Mud", "Rhapsody in Blue", "Wonderful One", "Hot Lips", "Mississippi Suite", and "Grand Canyon Suite". His popularity faded in the swing music era of the 1930s, and by the 1940s Whiteman was semi-retired from music.
Whiteman's place in the history of early jazz is somewhat controversial.[1] Detractors suggest that Whiteman's ornately-orchestrated music was jazz in name only (lacking the genre's improvisational and emotional depth), and co-opted the innovations of black musicians.[1] Defenders note that Whiteman's fondness for jazz was genuine (he worked with black musicians as much as was feasible during an era of racial segregation),[1] that his bands included many of the era's most esteemed white jazz musicians, and argue that Whiteman's groups handled jazz admirably as part of a larger repertoire.[2] In his autobiography, Duke Ellington[3] declared, "Paul Whiteman was known as the King of Jazz, and no one as yet has come near carrying that title with more certainty and dignity."
Avalon
Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the sea where flying fishes play
And as the night is falling
I find that I'm recalling
That blissful all enthralling day
Just be-fore I sailed away
She said the word I longed to hear her say,
Close to my heart I pressed her
Upon that golden yesterday
I found my love in Avalon
Beside the bay
I left my love in Avalon and sailed away
I dream of her and Avalon
From dusk 'til dawn
And so I think I'll travel on
To Avalon
The lyrics of Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra's song Avalon refer to the singer's longing for a past romance that took place in the idyllic setting of Avalon. The opening lines describe the singer's memories drifting across the sea where flying fishes play. These peaceful and beautiful images serve to set the scene for a love that was once found in Avalon, a place that is now distant and only accessible through memory. As night falls, the singer finds himself remembering the "blissful and all-enthralling day" when his lover said the words he had longed to hear.
The second half of the song reveals that the singer has left his love in Avalon and sailed away, but he still dreams of her and the idyllic setting they once shared. Despite the distance, he thinks he'll "travel on" to Avalon. The lyrics evoke a sense of desire for a past that is unattainable but still cherished, and the beauty of a place that has captured the singer's heart. The song is a poignant representation of nostalgia and the power of memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'ry morning mem'ries stray
Every morning, my thoughts wander aimlessly to the past
Across the sea where flying fishes play
My mind drifts across the sea where I remember the playful flying fishes, symbolizing carefree times
And as the night is falling
As the day comes to an end
I find that I'm recalling
I realize that I'm remembering
That blissful all enthralling day
That beautiful and captivating day
Just be-fore I sailed away
Right before I left
She said the word I longed to hear her say,
The word I longed for her to say, she said it
I tenderly caressed her
I touched her gently with love and affection
Close to my heart I pressed her
I embraced her firmly and held her close to my heart
Upon that golden yesterday
On that special memory from the past
I found my love in Avalon
I discovered my love in a magical place called Avalon
Beside the bay
Next to the bay
I left my love in Avalon and sailed away
I departed from Avalon, leaving my beloved behind
I dream of her and Avalon
I have a recurring fantasy of her and Avalon
From dusk 'til dawn
All throughout the day and night
And so I think I'll travel on
And so, I believe I'll go on a journey
To Avalon
To return to Avalon
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Juliet Stephanie Richardson, Stuart David Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Celluloidwatcher
Love the early Whiteman recordings from 1920-23. They made those ancient acoustic recordings sound wonderfully grand with its reproduction. A true series of gem recordings. And I thank you for presenting Avalon and Just Like a Gypsy.
@beyondobscure
Oh nice, another Paul Whiteman compilation. I'm in for a ride.
@Jynxxxycat
I love the singing sword solo! It's an instrument, that I have always wanted to try. 🥰
@danielweinstein5252
Actually musical saw!
@deewesthill1213
Is "singing sword" another name for the musical slide or whistle?
@deewesthill1213
@@danielweinstein5252 I thought it was called a musical slide.
@danielweinstein5252
@@deewesthill1213 It is called a slide whistle, and I'm changing my opinion that slide whistle is what we hear here, not musical saw!
@deewesthill1213
@@danielweinstein5252 Okay. I have been trying to find an old non-vocal recording of "La Golondrina" in which a slide whistle is played. It doesn't seem to be on YouTube.
@Jynxxxycat
Also, when is someone going to digitally remaster some of these beautiful Paul Whiteman recordings? I would love to hear the high end and bass. He was a jazz time maestro, in every sense of the word.
@Trombonology
The two songs pair well! The longevity, as far as the general public goes, of the great "Avalon," still a jazz favorite, has of course far exceeded that of "Just Like a Gypsy," however. The solo at 0:30 is performed by Warren Luce, not a regular member of the band, on slide whistle!