'I Hold Your Hand In Mine' is a hilarious novelty song by famed satirist/songwriter, Tom Lehrer, gets a pseudo-sophisticated arrangement here, resulting in a subtle but very witty comic effect! Great change-of-pace in a jazz vocal program! A few words can be changed if needed. "I Don't Know Why I Do' is a hot ballad of the 40's in block harmonies. The tempo is medium. Jeremy Landig's arrangement of 'Pure Imagination' is five parts and is inspired by the sound of the Real Group. "Crunch" chords and interesting turns of harmony abound, making this a real showoff piece. Set mostly in a rubato ballad style, it shifts dramatically and unexpectedly between keys in the first section. The bridge leads into a sublime soli section bringing the melody back in a slow swing reminiscent of Lil Darlin' but in 7/4! The bridge returns briefly (this time in a Take 6-influenced swing) before the arrangement winds to a close in the original ballad feel. Whitney Houston made Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' the longest running #1 hit in the country's history, and this arrangement is true to her legendary version: opening simply with the trademark soprano soloist alone, adding a rich pulsing texture after the first verse and building gradually to a chilling climax. |
