OLD GOODY: Duke Ellington - "Mood Indigo"

Duke Ellington - Mood Indigo

A little cool science about one of my favorite jazz tunes via Wikipedia:

What makes the original recording(s) so interesting is the fact that Ellington has taken the traditional front-line of trumpet, trombone and clarinet, and turned them "upside down." At the time of these first three recordings in 1930, the usual voicing of the horns would be clarinet at the top (highest pitch), trumpet in the middle, and the trombone at the bottom (lowest pitch). In "Mood Indigo," Ellington voices the trombone right at the top of the instrument's register, and the clarinet at the very lowest. This was unheard of at the time, and also created (in the studio) a so-called "mike-tone"—an effect generated by the overtones of the clarinet and trombone (which was tightly muted as well). The "mike-tone" gives the audio-illusion of the presence of a fourth "voice," or instrument.

I like to call these "ghost-tones," like the harmonic effects of a train whistle or a church bell, best heard in the original recording, but still recognizable in other arrangement swaps (sax for clarinet, trombone for trumpet, etc.). Originally, two trumpets were used, as it was seen as too difficult to sustain the trombone that high for long enough (until Tricky Sam came along). Below are some other live variations, Duke blazing up the keys with an almost smug effortlessness.

Sax and two trombones

Sax, clarinet, and trombone

And the Mingus version has to be heard. Doesn't get the overtones so much, but the video really tackles the oscillation and science-of-hearing concepts head on. Beyond blue.