Soul Eyes

Last updated
"Soul Eyes"
Composition by Mal Waldron
from the album Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors
LanguageEnglish
RecordedMarch 22, 1957
Genre Jazz
Length17:31
Label Prestige
Composer(s) Mal Waldron
Producer(s) Bob Weinstock

"Soul Eyes" is a composition, with lyrics, written by Mal Waldron. [1] It is a 32-bar ballad that takes the song form ABAC, [2] and is written in 4/4 time. It was first recorded on March 22, 1957, for the album Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors . [3] One of the tenor saxophonists on that recording was John Coltrane, who brought the song back to attention by recording it in 1962 for his album Coltrane , when he had become more famous. This was only the second ever recording of the song, [3] which has since become "part of the basic repertory of jazz performers" – a jazz standard. [1] Waldron wrote the piece with Coltrane in mind: "I liked Coltrane's sound and I thought the melody would fit it". [4]

Since these early versions, the song has been recorded hundreds of times. [5] A vocal version is on Vanessa Rubin's debut album in 1992; [6] another comparatively rare vocal version, featuring Jeanne Lee, is available on Waldron's 1997 album entitled Soul Eyes. [7] In 2016 it became the title track of Kandace Springs' debut album. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 Ratliff, Ben (December 6, 2002) "Mal Waldron, 77, Composer of the Jazz Ballad 'Soul Eyes'". The New York Times.
  2. ↑ Levine, Mark (1995) The Jazz Theory Book. Sher Music. p. 388.
  3. 1 2 Gioia, Ted (2012) The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. Oxford University Press. pp. 388–390.
  4. ↑ Wilson, John S. (November 13, 1981) "Mal Waldron back in a Solo Concert" The New York Times. p. C17.
  5. ↑ "Soul Eyes". AllMusic. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  6. ↑ New Pittsburgh Courier (April 08, 1992) "Vanessa Rubin Steps out Strong as Jazz Vocalist with 'Soul Eyes' Album".
  7. ↑ Carr, Ian; Fairweather, Digby; Priestley, Brian (2004) The Rough Guide to Jazz (3rd ed.). Rough Guides. p. 824.
  8. ↑ Fordham, John (July 7, 2016). "Kandace Springs: Soul Eyes Review". The Guardian.
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