Milt Bernhart.......Eight Bars Of Glory.........

[red indian]

......I was sad to hear of the death of Milt Bernhart on Jan 22 of this year. Those of you who are familliar with Frank Sinatra,s 1956 Album "Songs for swinging lovers" will realise the massive contribution he made to that album with his much copied eight bar solo on " I,ve got you under my skin" surely one of the greatest recordings of music in the 20th century. Its even more impressive given the fact its in the distictively non trombone friendly key of F# major (E major for concert pitch instruments)

This kind of music making is almost unheard of these days. A wonder full collaberation of song writer, arranger, singer, and orchestra. I can see the virtues of todays method of course. Song writer, singer, and instrumentalist are usually one and the same and that gives a very different sound, but I miss this kind of music making.

Milt Bernhart. Born May 25 1926. Died Jan 22 2004.

 

[qjakal]

Hmm...

Why did I think he was primarily a tuba player, red? Bad association somewhere I guess....

His stuff with Maynard Ferguson was innovative and he seems to have led the life he most desired. Luckier than 99% of us in that regard!

Q

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Knox' Sinatra fave five:
1)I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN (aforementioned 1956 with Riddle)
2)NIGHT AND DAY (1957 version)
3)WITCHCRAFT
4)ANGEL EYES
5)ONE FOR MY BABY


Red's right, Number One there's one of the greatest recordings I have ever encountered. By anyone.

 

[red indian]

Great choices Knoxy...........

.....I would probably have picked those as well! you are a man of great taste!

Q you are correct he was a tuba player as well.

I love the story of how "Ive got you" came to be recorded. There was some kind of mix up as to how many tracks were required for the album and somehow they ended up short of tracks. Sinatra was due to jet off some place else and Nelson Riddle was already back home, many miles away from capitol studios. The studion rang Riddle in a blind panic and told him to get back as soon as possible and to bring another arrangement with him. He said he did not have anything to offer, but promised to write one in the car on the way back to the studio by the light of a torch held by his wife!!! So he turned up at the studio with "Ive got you under my skin" went straight in to the studio, did a run thro, two takes, take two goes on the album. Compare that today, most bands piss about for six months or a year or more to make one album.