April 11, 2009

“Waltz for Debby” by Bill Evans

Videogame music isn’t the only kind of music that inspires me, believe it or not. I wanted to share one of my favorite songs today – “Waltz for Debby” by the legendary Bill Evans, one of the sweetest melodies I know of. My boyfriend introduced me to Bill Evans a few years ago, and I quickly came to love his lyrical piano melodies. This piece is a musical portrait of Bill Evans’ niece, and originally appeared as a piano solo on his debut album, New Jazz Conceptions.
The Bill Evans Trio performs “Waltz for Debby.”

Also, in this video, Monica Zetterlund rehearses the vocal version of “Waltz for Debby” with the Bill Evans Trio. I’m not sure of the lyrics since I unfortunately don’t speak Swedish, but this is the lovely English version:
In her own sweet world
Populated by dolls and clowns
And a prince and a big purple bear
Lives my favorite girl,
Unaware of the worried frowns
We weary grown-ups all wear.
In the sun, she dances to silent music,
Songs that are spun of gold
Somewhere in her own little head.
Someday all too soon,
She'll grow up and she'll leave her dolls
And her prince and that silly old bear.
When she goes, they will cry
As she whispers “Good-bye.”
They will miss, her I fear
But then so will I.

3 comments:

  1. That's a very beautiful tune. I can't see the tone of the song quite fit with the lyrics you posted, but it still makes for a very pretty and nostalgic read.

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  2. I think it depends on what version you listen to - since it's jazz, the performers always improvise and the "mood" varies from recording to recording. The first recording I heard of "Waltz for Debby" was Bill Evans on solo piano, which was more intimate, tender and nostalgic, much like the beginning of the video I posted.

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  3. Ah, I see. That makes a lot of sense. I wonder why I always need you to spell out everything before I can understand them. Maybe I just need to be more sensitive and perceptive.

    http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/you-can-play-piano-on-your-dsi-kinda/

    Anyway, found a cute little video about playing music on DSi. I think it could fit the theme here, haha.

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