Songs of Berlin

Last updated

Songs of Berlin
Songs of Berlin.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 17, 2021
RecordedNovember 22 & 23, 2018
StudioStudio Greve, Berlin, Germany
Genre Jazz
Length50:05
Label GAM Records
Producer Marc Secara and Jack Cooper
Berlin Jazz Orchestra chronology
Strangers In Night - The Music Of Bert Kaempfert
(2012)
Songs of Berlin
(2021)
GAM Records 921
Jack Cooper chronology
Origin Suite
(2018)
Songs of Berlin
(2021)

Songs of Berlin is an album by Marc Secara and the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, released digitally worldwide in October 2021 on GAM Records. The album features trombonist Jiggs Whigham and was arranged and conducted by Jack Cooper. [1]

Contents

Background

Marc Secara at Greve Studio, Berlin, Nov 2018 Marc Secara.jpg
Marc Secara at Greve Studio, Berlin, Nov 2018

The album Songs of Berlin was first conceived of in late 2015 by Marc Secara, Jiggs Whigham and Jack Cooper after Cooper was appointed as a staff writer for the Berlin Jazz Orchestra in Spring (earlier in the year). Both Secara and Cooper proposed a themed album featuring Secara and Whigham that would have a wide appeal to both German and English-speaking music fans. The Berlin Jazz Orchestra also needed to have a new set of vocal arrangements as the last set of charts written for the band were for the 2008 You're Everything album written by British arranger Steve Gray.

A long list of proposed, Berlin-centered songs got whittled down to nine titles plus adding two original instrumentals by Whigham and Cooper. A balanced program of tunes was arrived at ranging from 1899 ( Berliner Luft ) all the way through an arrangement of David Bowie’s 2013 hit Where Are We Now? . Five of the list of arrangements were completed by December 2015 and premiered on January 27, 2016, in Berlin at the Kunstfabrik Schlot jazz club. [2] The entire set of Cooper's charts for the album were completed by April 2015. A next set of the album works was performed in Berlin at the Wühlmäuse Theater on May 16. [3]

Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Rheinsberg, Nov 2018 Berlin Jazz Orchestra in Reinsberg Germany.jpg
Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Rheinsberg, Nov 2018

Recording sessions for the Songs of Berlin album were eventually scheduled on November 22 and 23, 2018 at Greve Studio in Berlin-Zehlendorf. A ‘warm-up’, mini-tour of the album material before the recording session was presented at a concert on Schlosstheater Rheinsberg on November 18 to re-familiarize the Berlin Jazz Orchestra with the music. [4]

The individual works from Songs of Berlin

In Dieser Stadt

Singer Hildegard Knef co-wrote the original song with Charly Niessen to express her love of Berlin. Composed during the post-WWII era of the 1950s; "IN THIS CITY... MY CITY"... is Knef's anthem. [5] Cooper, Secara and Whigam's updating of the song also renders an interpretation pointing at other cities such as New Orleans and Chicago.

Where Are We Now?

David Bowie’s 2013 song outlines the relationship between two people in the big, modern city of Berlin. The question is asked...’what do we do and where are we going...?’ ; a lost soul trying to find where they are with their beloved in Berlin. A tenor sax solo is given by Thomas Walter on the updating of Bowie's hit single.

Berliner Luft

Paul Lincke's song is the unofficial anthem of Berlin. ‘Luft’ is the beloved, traditional encore of the Berlin Philharmoniker orchestra. The piece originally comes from Lincke's 1899 operetta ‘Frau Luna’, about a trip to the moon in a hot air balloon. Secara's updating of the song is presented with a flugelhorn solo from Nik Neuser. the arrangement draws on musical influences of Barbra Streisand and Peter Matz to update Berliner Luft.

Haus Am See

The Peter Fox, 2008 mega-pop hit is arranged to feature Marc on a new, Cuban cha-cha-cha big band chart. A commentary of lives in contemporary Berlin and Germany. Jiggs Whigham is featuring on a trombone solo in the middle and end of the arrangement. [1]

Gold Else

An original composition for the Berlin Jazz Orchestra inspired by the Die Gold Else ("Golden Lizzy") atop the Victory Column in the center of the Tiergarten in Berlin. A Johann Strauss inspired waltz with harmonic influences from Billy Strayhorn. Simon Harrer is featured, the primary focus on trombone; Secara is written into the work doing a vocalised doubling of the melody.

Berlin (Lou Reed)

Originally released in 1973, Lou Reed's song is the fictional fantasy, opening overture of the album/rock opera 'Berlin'. Two lovers in great turmoil, traveling to a divided Berlin; trying to salvage a relationship on the outs. The arrangement updates Reed's work, with the end of the couple's violent, passionate breakup. Both Schoen and Prinz take solos on the arrangement.

Berlin im Licht

In late 1928, Kurt Weill was commissioned to write a "theme song" for the first Berlin im Licht festival. [6] Weill's lyric extolls the glories of Berlin im Licht (Berlin in Light). The arrangement is an up beat celebration of the city the band; Jiggs Whigham is featured.

Great Day For Freedom

Originally written in late 1989 shortly after the Berlin Wall fell, the Pink Floyd song is a timeless message. [7] This is turned into a slow Gospel groove Secara sings and Nico Lohmann adds an alto sax statement.

For Someone Never Known

Second of the two instrumentals of the set, it emerges as a haunting anthem by Jiggs Whigham as both song writer and instrumentalist. Originally recorded for a small group in 1990, the new arrangement for jazz orchestra features Whigham on trombone. [8]

Mackie Messer

Mackie’ is mordent and morose commentary, from Kurt Weill’s 1928 original work about post-industrial Berlin, "The Threepenny Opera." The Berlin Jazz Orchestra version is different, influenced by arrangers Bill Holman and Gerald Wilson. Patrick Braun's sax solo reminds the listener of muscular tenor players such as Arnett Cobb or Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis.

Ich Hab Noch Einen Koffer in Berlin

Still, part of me is always in Berlin (I leave a suitcase there). Much like Tony Bennett’s anthem for San Francisco, both Marlene Dietrich and Hildegard Knef are known for singing this hit of their beloved Berlin, of de:Ralph Maria Siegel’s 1951 song. Simon Harrer adds trombone commentary to complete the arrangement.

Promotion

The Songs of Berlin album has been primarily handled in Europe by GAM Records (Belgium/Germany). The album promotion in the United States has been handled by Kari-On productions out of Atlanta, Georgia; American record reviews have come through the firm in Atlanta. [1] Invited, promotional interviews were done about the album; first with Deutschlandfunk Kultur on October 12, 2021, with Secara promoting the upcoming, November premier of the project. [9] Secara also did an hour long feature about Songs of Berlin on Carsten Beyer's "Late Night Jazz" on January 22, 2022, for RBB Radio in Brandenburg, Germany. [10]

Critical reception and professional ratings

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
5 Finger Review91/100 [1]
All About Jazz Very favorable [11]
Jazz SensibilitiesVery favorable [12]
jazz2loveVery favorable [13]
JazzdaGamaVery favorable [14]

Darnell Jackson of Five Finger Review gave great praise, "In its entirety, Songs of Berlin has different styles, languages, textures, tempos, and standout arrangements conveyed with warm textured singing and exciting playing and solos. This is an album emphasizing diversity and promises much for the astute listener." [1]

C. Michael Bailey in All About Jazz frames the project, "Secara is in good voice, whether Deutsch or Englisch. No period piece, this: Songs of Berlin brims with "Now!". [11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by various composers, all selections adapted, arranged and orchestrated for jazz orchestra by Jack Cooper

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."In Dieser Stadt" Charly Niessen 4:15
2."Where Are We Now" David Bowie 4:09
3."Berliner Luft" Paul Lincke, Heinrich Bolten-Baeckers 4:10
4."Haus Am See" Pierre Baigorry, David Conen, Ruth Maria Renner, Vincent von Schlippenbach 4:28
5."Goldelse" Jack Cooper 4:06
6."Berlin" Lou Reed 4:52
7."Berlin Im Licht" Kurt Weill 2:56
8."A Great Day for Freedom" David Gilmour, Polly Annie Samson 6:02
9."For Someone Never Known" Jiggs Whigham 6:39
10."Mackie Messer" Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht 3:14
11."Ich Hab Noch Einen Koffer In Berlin" Rudolph Maria Siegel, Aldo von Pinelli 4:56

Personnel

Production notes:

Recording Sessions and production

Sessions contracted by Philipp Schoof for Viviendo Music. Recorded by Nico Raschke at Greve Studio in Berlin-Zehlendorf, Germany.

– Extra recording, solos, vocals in various locations Berlin, Germany.

– Vibraphone and Percussion recorded by Wentao Xing at EWU Studio Editing

– Nico Raschke at Hansahaus Studio, Bonn, Germany

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big band</span> Music ensemble associated with jazz music

A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big bands originated during the early 1910s and dominated jazz in the early 1940s when swing was most popular. The term "big band" is also used to describe a genre of music, although this was not the only style of music played by big bands.

<i>Miles Ahead</i> (album) 1957 studio album by Miles Davis

Miles Ahead is an album by Miles Davis that was released in October 1957 by Columbia Records. It was Davis' first collaboration with arranger Gil Evans following the Birth of the Cool sessions. Along with their subsequent collaborations Porgy and Bess (1959) and Sketches of Spain (1960), Miles Ahead is one of the most famous recordings of Third Stream, a fusion of jazz, European classical, and world musics. Davis played flugelhorn throughout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiggs Whigham</span> American jazz trombonist

Jiggs Whigham is an American jazz trombonist.

The Widespread Depression Orchestra was a nine-piece jazz ensemble founded in 1972 at Vermont's Marlboro College.

David Ronald Horler is an English jazz trombonist. He is the older brother of John Horler and the father of Cascada’s lead singer Natalie Horler.

<i>The Individualism of Gil Evans</i> 1964 studio album by Gil Evans

The Individualism of Gil Evans is an album by pianist, conductor, arranger and composer Gil Evans originally released on the Verve label in 1964. It features Evans' big band arrangements of five original compositions and compositions by Kurt Weill, Bob Dorough, John Lewis and Willie Dixon.

<i>The Magic Touch</i> (album) 1962 studio album by Tadd Dameron

The Magic Touch is a 1962 album by jazz pianist and arranger Tadd Dameron and His Orchestra, released on Riverside Records. It was also Dameron's final completed work before his death three years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekkehard Wölk</span> Musical artist

Ekkehard Wölk is a German pianist, arranger, and composer, working in both classical and jazz idioms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harlem Chapel Chimes</span> 1935 jazz instrumental by Glenn Miller

"Harlem Chapel Chimes" is a 1935 jazz instrumental composed by Glenn Miller. The song was released as an A-side 78 single by the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Cooper (American musician)</span> American composer, arranger, orchestrator, multireedist, and music educator

Jack Cooper is an American composer, arranger, orchestrator, multireedist, and music educator. He has performed with, written music for and recorded by internationally known pop, jazz, and classical artists.

<i>Big Boss Band</i> 1990 studio album by George Benson

Big Boss Band is the 1990 studio album of American musician George Benson on Warner Bros. featuring the Count Basie Orchestra. This is Benson's second consecutive album which returns to his jazz roots after his successful pop career in the 1980s, and also his debut as sole producer of an album. The genre is mainly big band swing with some Michel Legrand and R&B thrown in.

<i>Time Within Itself</i> 2015 studio album by Michael Waldrop

Time Within Itself is a big band jazz album produced by Origin Records and released March 17, 2015. The concept for the recording came from the idea of a high level feature CD showcasing the Michael Waldrop Big Band. Most notably, music critic Jack Bowers gave the recording 4 and a half of 5 stars and notes, "...Waldrop's first visit to a recording studio with his own big band was worth the wait."

Carol Jarvis is a trombonist, keyboard player, arranger, professor, voiceover artist, presenter and inspirational speaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berlin Jazz Orchestra</span> German concert jazz orchestra

The Berlin Jazz Orchestra is a 17 piece concert jazz orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. The orchestra has been critically acclaimed by prominent periodicals such as the Berliner Tagesspiegel, Märkische Allgemeine, Jazzpodium, All About Jazz and Jazzthetik.

<i>Youre Everything</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Marc Secara, Jiggs Whigham, Berlin Jazz Orchestra

You're Everything is a jazz album produced by Schoener Hören Records and Kulturradio, it was officially released in March 2008. The album was critically acclaimed by Jazz Podium magazine as the second recording for the Berlin Jazz Orchestra with vocal artist Marc Secara. Jazz artist Jiggs Whigham is featured on this release as both instrumentalist (trombone) and musical director.

<i>Strangers in the Night - The Music of Bert Kaempfert</i> 2012 video by Berlin Jazz Orchestra

Strangers in the Night - The Music of Bert Kaempfert is the Berlin Jazz Orchestra's first home video, released on DVD September 21, 2012 by Polydor/Universal Entertainment. The DVD is a live recording from the Alte Oper on February 12, 2008 in Frankfurt, Germany.

<i>Update</i> (Berlin Jazz Orchestra album) 2004 studio album by Marc Secara, Jiggs Whigham, Berlin Jazz Orchestra

Update is a jazz album produced by 44 Records and producer Jacky Wagner, released in 2004. The album was critically acclaimed by Jazz Podium magazine as the first initial recording for the Berlin Jazz Orchestra with vocal artist Marc Secara. Jazz artist Jiggs Whigham is featured on this release as both instrumentalist (trombone) and musical director and Steve Gray's arrangements are featured on this recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Secara</span> German singer and recording artist (born 1976)

Marc Secara is a German singer and recording artist known for jazz, American pop music, and German popular repertoire. He is also a member of the German singing group the Berlin Voices.

<i>Origin Suite</i> 2018 studio album by Michael Waldrop

Origin Suite is the second jazz album by Michael Waldrop, produced by award-winning Seattle, Washington-based label Origin Records and released January 3, 2018. The CD idea is a high level, eclectic mix of works showcasing Michael Waldrop. Specifically, the Origin Suite was composed for this CD as a tour de force to showcase Waldrop. Most notably the CD received 4 of 5 stars by music critic and author Brian Morton in the April 2018 edition of Jazz Journal from London.

<i>Live in Japan 96</i> 1997 live album by Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra

Live in Japan '96 is a live album by the Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. One track was recorded in July 1996 at Nakano Public Hall in Tokyo, while the remaining tracks were recorded in August 1996 at Shin-Kobe Oriental Theatre in Kobe. The album was released in 1997 by DIW. The music was conducted by Alexander von Schlippenbach and Aki Takase.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jackson, Darnell. 5 Finger Review, Marc Secara and his Berlin Jazz Orchestra| Songs of Berlin Review/jazz review, November 29 2021". Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  2. "Marc Secara and the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, January 27th, 2016 at the Kunstfabrik Schlot". Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  3. "Marc Secara and the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, May 16th, 2016 at the Wühlmäuse Theater". Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  4. "Marc Secara and the Berlin Jazz Orchester, Schlosstheater Rheinsberg November 18th, 2018". Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  5. "Hildegard Knef – In dieser Stadt, original version, 1966". Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  6. "Kurt Weill, Berlin Im Licht, performed by Heinz Karl Gruber". Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  7. "Pink Floyd, A Great Day For Freedom, 1994". Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  8. "Jiggs Whigham, For Someone Never Known, 1990, Capri Records". Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  9. "Interview on Deutschlandfunk Kultur with Marc Secara, about "Songs of Berlin". Oct 12, 2021 11:09 am". Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. "RBB Radio, Berlin, Germany. Saturday 01/22/2022, 23:00, Late Night Jazz with Carsten Beyer, MARC SECARA AND HIS "BERLIN SONGS"". Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Bailey, Michael. All About Jazz review, January 2022: While We Were Gone Review/jazz review, January 13, 2022". Archived from the original on January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  12. "Bigrad, Icrom. Jazz Sensibilities review, JANUARY 22, 2022: Marc Secara and his Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Songs of Berlin". Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  13. "Album Review: Songs of Berlin from Marc Secara and his Berlin Jazz Orchestra, FEBRUARY 11, 2022". Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  14. "DaGama, Raul. Album Review. Marc Secara and the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Songs of Berlin, FEBRUARY 18, 2022". Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.