Stardust Nat King Cole (piano cover)

Performance by Frank Merandi. An inspiring pianist.
"Stardust" (the song's original title was "Star Dust", which has long been compounded into "Stardust"[1]) was written at the Book Nook in Bloomington, Indiana (across the street from the Indiana University School of Law, where Carmichael had attended school ) on an old upright piano, and first recorded in Richmond, Indiana, for Gennett Records (Gennett 6311) by Carmichael with Emil Seidel and his Orchestra and the Dorsey brothers as "Hoagy Carmichael and His Pals" on October 31, 1927, as a peppy (but mid-tempo) jazz instrumental. Carmichael said he was inspired by the types of improvisations made by Bix Beiderbecke.([1]) The tune at first attracted only moderate attention, mostly from fellow musicians, a few of whom (including Don Redman) recorded their own versions of Carmichael's tune. Mitchell Parish wrote lyrics for the song, based on his own and Carmichael's ideas, which were published in 1929. A slow version had been recorded in October 1928, but the real transformation came on May 16, 1930, when bandleader Isham Jones recorded it as a sentimental ballad.[2]Covers Jones' recording became the first of many hit versions of the tune. Young baritone sensation Bing Crosby released a version in 1931 and by the following year over two dozen bands had recorded "Stardust". It was then covered by almost every prominent band of that era. Versions have been recorded by Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey,Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, Connie Francis,Jean Sablon Harry Connick Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, The Peanuts, Django Reinhardt, Barry Manilow, John Coltrane, Earl Grant, Willie Nelson, Billy Ward and His Dominoes, George Benson, and many others. Billy Ward and His Dominoes had a #13 hit with the song on the Billboard Pop chart. However, it has been the Artie Shaw version of 1941, with memorable solos by Billy Butterfield (trumpet) and Jack Jenney (trombone) that remains the favorite orchestral version of the Big Band era. Ringo Starr recorded a version for his first solo album, Sentimental Journey in 1970, after the break-up of The Beatles. Rod Stewart recorded the song for his album "Stardust: The Great American Songbook Volume III" (2004). Certain recorded variations on the song have become notable. Armstrong recorded "Stardust" on November 4, 1931, and on an alternate take inserted the lyric 'oh, memory' just before an instrumental break. This version became prized over the issued take among jazz collectors, including Carmichael.[3] Thirty years later, Sinatra recorded just the verse on his November 20, 1961 recording for his album Sinatra and Strings - much to Carmichael's initial chagrin, although Hoagy is said to have changed his mind upon hearing the recording. Willie Nelson's cover of the song was used to wake up the crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-97 on their second flight day.[4]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardust_(song)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Stardust
• Nat
• King
• Cole
• piano
• cover

[dutchbluejazz]

There is no doubt, you have great technique!

Play this song 30% less fast and breath with the sequence of the music, I think you will be able to put much more emotion/ feeling to it. And I am saying this knowing you can!! Listen to Natalie Cole's version of it, she plays it half the speed but fills the other half with feeling.

Just food for though! -- Great job!

[homePicShow]

too loud and abrupt

[mcgrawcm1]

I'm surprised so many listeners are impeaching this pianist's considerable talent instead of the audio engineering and acoustics... it looks like he's playing a full grand piano in a brick-walled room, and judging by the closeness of the camera, it may be a small room at that. I'm not an expert, but I might expect the full sound of the piano to be a bit overwhelming under those conditions.

[michael1608]

@Paladin1649 That would all be fine had he not titled his upload as Stardust Nat King Cole Piano Cover and then proceeded to pound his way through the piece. Great keyboard skills, wrong title.

[nickeyparadise]

You have such excellent command of the technical aspects of the piano...Now you should not be so concerned with a strict tempo and develop your own natural timing...Listen to piano players like Dr. John and grab you some feel

[Paladin1649]

Before we convict an innocent man... this "tip of the cap" to History...

"Hoagy" composed "Stardust" as an up-tempo jazz piece. It was VERY "Up-Tempo" -- even faster than what Mr. Merandi has presented here. What we hear here is MUCH closer to "Hoagy's" original version of the Classic.

Let's face it... "Stardust" is Beautiful at ALL speeds.

[ieatlotsoftoast]

I can play better than that with my eyes closed

[OldGringo38]

I never will forget ole what's his name.

[jhernandez16]

cool. I would watch out with the pedal though. You're blurring the phrases. Awesome technique though.

[7zizzi]

im soooooo bad at this on the keyboard i just cant get the feel of it