Tenor saxophonist James Moody died on December 9, 2010 at the age of 85.In 1949 Moody improvised a solo to the jazz standard "I'm in the Mood for Love." In 1952, singer Eddie Jefferson wrote lyrics to Moody's solo melody.
Since then, so many people have sung this song - from Sarah Vaughn to Amy Winehouse. We were lucky enough to see him a few years ago at the now-defunct Jazz Bakery in Culver City.
Here's James Moody singing his own tune with Dizzy Gillespie - with all the joy, humor, and sly wit he has to offer.
"Moody's Mood for Love"
There I go, there I go, there I go, there I go
Pretty baby you are the soul that snaps my control
It's a funny thing but everytime I'm near you
I never can behave
You give me a smile and I'm wrapped up in your magic
Music all around me, crazy music, music that keeps calling me so
Baby close to you, turns me into your slave
Come on
Come and do with me any little thing that you want to
Anything, baby just let me get next to you
Am I insane or do I really see heaven in your eyes
Bright as stars that shine up above us
In the clear blue sky
How I worry 'bout you
Just can't live my life without you
Baby come here, don't have no fear
Oh, is there wonder why
I'm really feeling in the mood for love
So tell me why, stop to think about this weather, my dear
This little dream might fade away
There I go talking out of my head again so baby won't you
Come and put our two hearts together
That would make me strong and brave
Oh, when we are one, I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid
If there's a cloud up above us
Go on and let it rain
I'm sure our love together would endure a hurricane
Oh my baby
Won't you please let me love you and get a release from this awful misery
[When the girls say]
What is all this talk about loving me, my sweet
I am not afraid, not anymore, not like before
Don't you understand me, oh baby please
Pull yourself together, got to do it very soon
My heart's on fire, come on and take
I'll be what you make me, my darling
Oh, pretty baby, you make me feel so good
Let me take you by the hand
Come let us visit out there
In that new promised land
Maybe there we can find
A good place to keep a lovin' state of mind
I'm so crazy mama
Never knew what love was all about
James Moody would you come on hit me, you can blow now if you want to, we're through
RIP, Mr. Moody. And thank you.
2 comments:
I learned of this song from Q's Jook Joint, a compilation of songs and artists that Quincy Jones has worked with over the years. Brian McKnight sang the lead and Take 6 backed him, it's a great track!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3q7gffjV8k
Do you know where I can find Eddie Jefferson's original recording of "There I Go"? All I'm turning up in a google search is "There I go Again," but I'm looking for the original recording. Thanks. Sending love to So Cal.
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