“Mood Indigo”
Christopher Schlegel Update 02-17-2010
“Mood Indigo”, Duke Ellington’s classic ballad, is the fourth tune on my Solo Jazz Guitar Standards, Vol. 1 disc.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/schlegel8
What is there to say about Duke that hasn’t already been said? A genius of American music, an amazing composer & arranger, outstanding (and in my opinion highly underrated) pianist, bandleader, performer, overall first rate musician. Always dressed to the nines and always on the top of his game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington
Along with Gershwin, Mr. Edward “Duke” Ellington’s songs form the backbone of the Great American songbook. “Mood Indigo” is a tune I’ve known and loved for many years. Like many jazz tunes, for years I never knew the lyrics to the tune. Or even that it had lyrics! I’ve intentionally avoided grandstanding on this one. Just the melody, a simple bass line, and inner chord color tones that are my personal tribute to Duke’s beautiful music that I’ve loved for many, many years.
I’ve been testing my video studio setup with a new mic & subdued lighting. I recently filmed some test footage which included a pass at “Mood Indigo”. This is very similiar to the arrangement on the CD & how I typically perform it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvN26FYSFHA
I also recently filmed a series of blues lessons for Guitar Tricks. I used my Reason Amps Bambino for all of them!
Here are a couple of the play along performance sections I extracted from the lesson footage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-9eA4jWfkw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3E5tgDeRX8
Happy viewing & listening!