Fighting Words

As a newly minted lawyer, I suppose I should try to craft a logical argument as to why I inserted the Tony Bennett/Bill Evans version of Young and Foolish (which would be filed under easy listening in most record stores) into a mix that was primarily focused on authentic R & B and neo soul tunes, but where's the fun in that?!

Instead, I'll make more of an emotional argument for the inclusion of this song.

After receiving Let Me Know by Mayer Hawthorne, I combed my iTunes library for a week trying to find the prefect song to fit into this mix. I found myself "trying out" tracks and then dismissing them as too slow, too rock, too pop, etc. Then one afternoon, after listening to the first 8 songs we already have for the mix, I just asked myself the simple question, "What do I want to hear right now?" And Young and Foolish was the answer.

After a series of songs about jealousy, unfaithful lovers, and romantic obsessions, I wanted something focused on the pure feeling you experience when you fall in love, and no other song in the American song book captures that emotion better than Young and Foolish. Needless to say, like most of the music I vibe with, there is a sadness to this song, but it's the sentimental sadness of someone older fondly remembering the beauty of young and carefree love. I thought of this song as a kind of reflective intermission. I can't say what exactly I would follow this song with, but that's Gered's problem now!

And musically? Come on!

Bill Evans could take three notes and turn it into the most interesting piece of music you've ever heard. The guy basically invented the lyrical style of playing piano. He just barely stays on tempo, and just when you think he's leaving the melody of the song, he brings you right back with something beautiful. On this track, he doesn't crowd or overpower Bennett's voice (as if that's possible), but makes the most of his opportunities to shine.

The heart of the song, of course, is Bennett's voice which draws you in with its power and depth, but adds just a hint of shakiness on the high notes that captures the emotions of the tune.

In closing...so there!