Wow! I've never heard this version before. I have a different Bechet performance of "Laura" which I like even better than this one, so it's nice to hear another performance. Brilliant musician. Thanks for posting!
I love it how audaciously he takes this song and makes it his. Sidney's unique style in these "foreign" pieces is so stubbornly beautiful and insightful.
Bechet was a very versatile player. I once heard on a jazz station, some things he had recorded in a more modern idiom of jazz. This strong vibrato and piercing volume was HIS style, HIS stamp. He OWNED the trademark and no matter what some of the correspondents say here, this is indeed TIMELESS, and not to be dismissed as from another bygone era.
I can only agree with "valderande", LAURA is truly one of the most beautiful tunes used in jazz music. This beautiful theme has haunted me ever since I have seen the film "LAURA" more than 50 years ago back home in Germany. It is a delight to know that so many jazz versions are available on the U-TUBE for all of us to enjoy, versions played by really great jazz musicians who apparently have had the same sentiment about Mr. Raksin's composition as we all. Thanks a million, dear composer!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I had heard from a friend who knew David Raksin that he was in fact a lovely man and this tune was certainly a joy to hear especially as played by Paul Gonsalves and Bird. But the nanny goat vibrato of Bechet and more especially as applied to this beautiful tune is a horror to listen to. Yeah, I know it's from another era and another time but it's still stinks.
@highschoolking If you are a "King", you shouldn't write so disgusting about another King. As a 77 year old man, you should be aware that Bechet was the first soloist in jazz, even before Armstrong. And Gonsalves and Parker wouldn't even have existed without these two REAL Kings.
@guitarslim56 Yes, of course, but the piano IS a solo instrument (Scott Joplin was even before Jelly Roll), but Jazz was collective improvisation before Bechet and Armstrong and the others started to play solos.
One of the best songs from the Great American Songbook! This is a great version. There are so many to choose from, which goes to show just how beloved this song is. My personal favourite is Charlie Parker. Thanks for posting!
P.S. If you haven't seen the movie 'Laura', see it now!
my clarinet hero
JohnGoodman909 1 week ago
wow
zaxapitsa5 2 weeks ago in playlist therealbook II-7
This is not Bechet's best Laura - he does a much better version on an earlier album. Still better than most.
ianjcameron 2 months ago
Splendide !!!!!
177coc 2 months ago
A "Laura" de Bechet é uma negona ma-ra-vi-lho-sa!!! ... sedução com balanço... Amei!
rmroadesso 2 months ago
sidney's og biileder fra Paris smelter sammen
48MBAG 4 months ago
now i've understood where Albert Ayler took the idea for his vibrato
ptose 4 months ago
Des myriades de phrases merveilleuses comme des étoiles ! Merci !
claude4268 9 months ago
Terrific!!!! Was anyone ever better?
1casey234 10 months ago
Brilliant song, timeless artist. . .
Rabidburt 1 year ago
I know very little about music music -but each time I hear this Bechet person it
keeps sounding better or closer or something. When he was alive
he was as good as it gets.
1mikeharr1 1 year ago
Wow! I've never heard this version before. I have a different Bechet performance of "Laura" which I like even better than this one, so it's nice to hear another performance. Brilliant musician. Thanks for posting!
stevers62 1 year ago
hey, today we sang a song in school and it was called "Laura" . But i just can't find it here on Youtube. ... Can somebody help me? Thanks..
ReineSchafwolle 1 year ago
good music!
The777Kitikat 1 year ago
i actually thought when bechet first came in that it was a trumpet.
scomdnz9 1 year ago
I love it how audaciously he takes this song and makes it his. Sidney's unique style in these "foreign" pieces is so stubbornly beautiful and insightful.
coosoorlog 1 year ago 2
If it wasn't for Sidney playing the soprano sax, Coltrane and a cazillion others would never be playing this horn.
peppersax 1 year ago
Bechet was a very versatile player. I once heard on a jazz station, some things he had recorded in a more modern idiom of jazz. This strong vibrato and piercing volume was HIS style, HIS stamp. He OWNED the trademark and no matter what some of the correspondents say here, this is indeed TIMELESS, and not to be dismissed as from another bygone era.
JCJasion 1 year ago
I can only agree with "valderande", LAURA is truly one of the most beautiful tunes used in jazz music. This beautiful theme has haunted me ever since I have seen the film "LAURA" more than 50 years ago back home in Germany. It is a delight to know that so many jazz versions are available on the U-TUBE for all of us to enjoy, versions played by really great jazz musicians who apparently have had the same sentiment about Mr. Raksin's composition as we all. Thanks a million, dear composer!
JAZZWOLF33 1 year ago
Das wahre Genie ist fast immer ein Autodidakt!
abraxes23 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I had heard from a friend who knew David Raksin that he was in fact a lovely man and this tune was certainly a joy to hear especially as played by Paul Gonsalves and Bird. But the nanny goat vibrato of Bechet and more especially as applied to this beautiful tune is a horror to listen to. Yeah, I know it's from another era and another time but it's still stinks.
highschoolking 1 year ago
@highschoolking If you are a "King", you shouldn't write so disgusting about another King. As a 77 year old man, you should be aware that Bechet was the first soloist in jazz, even before Armstrong. And Gonsalves and Parker wouldn't even have existed without these two REAL Kings.
oldtimejazzfan 1 year ago 9
@oldtimejazzfan Jelly Roll was a soloist way before Bechet. Jus ask him!
guitarslim56 1 year ago
@guitarslim56 Yes, of course, but the piano IS a solo instrument (Scott Joplin was even before Jelly Roll), but Jazz was collective improvisation before Bechet and Armstrong and the others started to play solos.
oldtimejazzfan 1 year ago
@oldtimejazzfan Thanks ... Thanks for the information ! I did'nt know and I believe in you . Long years ahead with good health and happy .
Arqueiroify 6 months ago
I had the honor of meeting Mr. David Raksin once. A most approachable and simple gentleman. He loved this interpretation of his famous composition.
By the way, valderande, Mr. Raksin was not a jazz composer even though some of his pieces were sometimes played in a jazzy fashion (like this one).
jmgibon 1 year ago
One of the best songs from the Great American Songbook! This is a great version. There are so many to choose from, which goes to show just how beloved this song is. My personal favourite is Charlie Parker. Thanks for posting!
P.S. If you haven't seen the movie 'Laura', see it now!
AchillesShield 2 years ago 4
One of the most beautiful pieces of traditional jazz.. Thanks a lot and best regards!
valderande 2 years ago 2