When Jazz + Soul One-Ups The Beatles?
I'm deeply passionate about jazz, soul, and blues music - their century-long history as "America's music" is an incredibly rewarding journey. Though The Beatles revolutionized popular music in the 60s, their influence inadvertently led to a decline in opportunities for many talented jazz musicians.
As the great philosopher Bug's Bunny once said, "if you can't beat em, join em!". Here are some of my favourite jazz/soul covers of original Beatles tunes.
Let It Be - Aretha Franklin
Recorded by Atlantic Records in New York City, 1970
The four chord song, it never fails.
Fun fact #1: The Queen of Soul released this Lennon / McCartney classic 7 weeks BEFORE the Beatles did on their last album of the same name - it was destined to be special.
Aretha transforms this song into a deep gospel-fired wailer. The slow organ intro sets the gentle tone, followed by Aretha's piano comping the chords. Her voice has an ease, warmth and resonance to it that makes it distinctly hers - the hook often gives me chills. The drums come in at 0:54, setting the groove and the vocal harmonies behind Aretha create a lovely depth to the melody. We even get a kinda cheesy "SNL" sax solo, but it's brief and it does it's part.
Fun fact #2: The house band playing with Aretha is the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section - they have been associated with more than 500 recordings, including 75 gold and platinum hits with the likes of Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, The Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding. There is a fantastic documentary on them I recommend.
Yesterday - Marvin Gaye
Recorded by Tamla (Motown) Records, Detroit, 1970
I think Marvin Gaye has the greatest voice of all time - velvety, soulful, with rich overtones, and a breathtaking falsetto. I remember when I first heard this a capella video of "I Heard it Through the Grape Vine", it is jaw-dropping.
"Yesterday" - The Beatles brilliant bittersweet anthem of heartbreak. A reverby left-right-panning twangy guitar, droned chords, and brass in the bottom bass set a floating dream-like feeling. Marvin's vocals weave in and out of instrumentation, met by a slow tempo laid back Motown groove on the drums. Although, I find strings sometimes make a song feel over produced, they strike the right chord here. Marvin's high pitched falsettos are unmatched.
"Yesterday" is the most recorded song of all time. Paul Macartney was once quoted as saying, of the alleged 3,000 covers that exist, "Marvin did it best". Wow.
Blackbird - Brad Mehldau
Recorded by Warner Bros, Las Angeles, 1996
McCartney's heart-breakingly beautiful song about hope for racial strife in the US south in the 1960s. His stunning composition is filled with poignant beauty and an impeccably crafted chord progression.
When you hear Brad play, you know it's him - he has crafted a style uniquely his. For over 30 years he has pushed the boundaries of jazz, while playing homage to influences like Radiohead, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. In 2023 he released an all Beatles tribute album, but this cover dates back to his 3rd studio session in 1996.
The tune starts with bassist Larry Grenadier plucking on the root G note and only stops after the melody at the start of Brad's solo at 1:30. I love how Brad dances in and around the melody. His use of extended harmonies, advanced chord voicings, and intricate rhythmic patterns adds depth and complexity. His solo is funky, bluesy and it just feels right. The trio plays the head one more time, finishing on a groovy syncopated outro.
While avoiding getting into music theory, the ascending and descending chromatic chord resolution makes this song super satisfying. It leads your ear to where it wants to go.
Bonus, Brad released a live a solo piano version of "Blackbird" in 2015. It is just as beautiful.
Eleanor Rigby - Joshua Redman
Recorded by Warner Bros, NYC, 1998
Joshua Redman, a Harvard grad who got accepted into Yale Law School, made the wonderful decision to move to New York City in the early 90s and pursue jazz instead. He has since risen to the ranks of the all-time greatest saxophone players.
Redman's version of "Eleanor Rigby" is enchanting. They use a rare waltz-driven 5/4 time signature (i.e. there are 5 beats / bar instead of common 4), which heavyweight drummer, Brian Blade, uses to push the song forward.
Funny enough, Brad Mehldau and bass player Larry Grenadier are back on this album. (Redman and Mehldau have power-collaborated many times over the years for which thier fans are grateful).
Redman's soprano sax weaves inside and outside of the melody. Mehldau's solo at 3:43 starts off soft and elegant, building up, playfully bouncing around the melody.
Bonus track: Joshua Redman's gorgeous cover of "Let It Be".