All Your Love - Magic Sam (1957)

     Magic Sam (Samuel Gene Maghett) was a Chicago blues musician. 'All Your Love' was his first record in 1957 and was known for his trembolo guitar style. His style had tremendous influence within the musical niche of Chicago. His strong, expressive high vocals was a unique characteristic that distinguished from other blues musicians during his time.

     Other musicians and record producers noted Magic Sam for his unique guitar sounds, ability to write music, and his singing quality.

     The background carries a repetitive musical idea, while the vocal melody expresses its own style above the guitar and bass. He portrays his ideas with pride while taking his time. He does not understand the concept of rushing through his musical ideas, which is foreign to the blues concept and beyond its inherent nature.

     Since the background is so repetitive, the audience may become bored with the overplayed melody. In order to keep the ears of the listeners from drifting away, he would add a unique musical signature to certain notes whether by emphasizing a beat or playing a minor solo improvisation that incorporates with the repetitive background melody.

     I personally find his music very enjoyable to listen to. However due to the heavy repetition that is replayed during the majority of the piece, I do not think this song is something to be replayed over and over. Personally, I would enjoy listening to 'All Your Love' sparingly with all the special qualities this piece has to offer.

solitude - billie holiday (1934)

     This song did not give a blatant sound of happiness or sadness. However, the happy and sad moments seemed to weave together (melodically speaking). But the story that Billie Holiday is telling is very mellow as she displays her insecurities of loneliness. She's telling everyone that there is nobody to give her the love and attention she desperately longed for.

     Interestingly enough, she does not ask her lover to resolve her problems of dispair, but turns to 'the Lord.' She resorts to God to seek the love that can only be satisfied from above.

     The words were written by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. Ellington (Duke) was the composer for the Cotton Club in the Harlem district of New York City.

Regardless of how the meanings can be, the song has a slow romantic quality to dance to.

     This 'haunting' classic was a significant success. This song is still considered to be one of the greatest swing era collections to this day (1935 - 1945)