Prelude to a Kiss (song)
"Prelude to a Kiss" is a 1938 ballad composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills.[1]
Background and Composition
This composition is in the key of C Major, but makes extensive use of the secondary dominant chords, secondary ii–V–I progressions, diatonic circle of fifths, and Cadence (music)#evaded cadence-s.[2] The song extremely chromatic and complex, employing sophisticated mathematics that were rare at this time in jazz:[3] Ellington's rising semitones (G-G#-A-A#-B) at the end of the bridge mirror the opening of both A sections (B-A#-A-G#-G).
By the late 1930s, swing music was at the height of its popularity. Using his fame and artistic freedom, Ellington became more ambitious and experimental, writing "Prelude to a Kiss", which abandoned the Tin Pan Alley style hooks and dance tempo for melodic lines and harmonies found more often in classical music.[4] Ellington originally recorded this piece as an instrumental in August 1938, before returning to the studio a few weeks later to record it as a vocal number, using lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills, and sung by a young and relatively unknown vocalist Mary McHugh.[5]
Reception
Outside of jazz musicians and historians, "Prelude to a Kiss" remains one of the lesser known Ellington songs. Prominent jazz historian, Gunther Schuller, described "Prelude to a Kiss" as "One of Ellington's finest ballads, although too sophisticated in its weaving melody and chromatic harmonies to gain wide public acceptance."[6]
Film usage
The film Prelude to a Kiss (1992) (based on Craig Lucas' eponymous 1988 play), derived its title from the Duke Ellington/Irving Gordon/Irving Mills tune and was performed by Deborah Harry during the opening credits.
Notable recordings
- Billy Eckstine - single (1953)
- Billie Holiday - Velvet Mood (1956)
- Johnny Mathis - Johnny Mathis (1956), A New Sound In Popular Song (1957), and In a Sentimental Mood: Mathis Sings Ellington (1990)
- Sarah Vaughan - Swingin' Easy (1957)
- June Christy - Big Band Specials (1962), A Friendly Session, Vol. 1 (2000) with the Johnny Guarnieri Quintet, and Cool Christy (2002 compilation of 1945-1951)
- Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook (1958)
- Archie Shepp - Fire Music (1965)
- Nancy Wilson - But Beautiful (1969)
- Jim Hall and Ron Carter - Alone Together (1972)
- Singers Unlimited - Just In Time (1977)
- Nelson Rangell - Nelson Rangell (1990)
- Debbie Harry's recording of the song, for the film Prelude to a Kiss (1992), was released a promotional CD single
- Nnenna Freelon - Heritage (1993)
- Roberta Flack - Roberta (1994)
- Brad Mehldau - Introducing Brad Mehldau (1995)
- Jeri Southern - The Southern Style/Prelude to a Kiss (1998)
- Keith Jarrett - Whisper Not (1999)
- Andy Bey - American Song (2003)
Notes
- ↑ "Prelude to a Kiss". Jazz Standards. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
- ↑ Hellmer, Jeffrey. Jazz Theory and Practice. Alfred Music. p. 107. ISBN 9780882847221.
- ↑ Greeen, Edward (2015). The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington. Cambridge Companions to Music. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521881197.
- ↑ Gioia, Ted (July 2012). The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199937394.
- ↑ Greeen, Edward (2015). The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521881197.
- ↑ Schuller, Gunther (December 1991). The Swing Era: The Development of Jazz, 1930-1945. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195071405.