Tutorial and tab of Blue Moon as performed by Tommy Emmanuel live at Sheldon Concert Hall in St Louis (2000). Standard tuning.
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About “Blue Moon”
“Blue Moon” is one of the most beloved and iconic ballads in the history of American popular music. Its melancholic melody and lyrics about finding love after a period of loneliness have made it a timeless classic.
Brief History of the Song
The story of “Blue Moon” is quite unique and dates back to the early 1930s, involving the famous composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. The song, in fact, didn’t come into existence as a single entity, but rather as a series of attempts and revisions:
- 1933: “Prayer” for the film Hollywood Party: The melody’s first incarnation was written by Rodgers for the MGM film Hollywood Party. Hart wrote lyrics titled “Prayer,” but this version was never used in the film, and the song remained unreleased.
- 1934: “Oh, Lord, Make Me a Movie Star” for Jean Harlow: Shortly after, the same melody was reused with new lyrics by Hart, “Oh, Lord, Make Me a Movie Star,” intended to be sung by Jean Harlow in the film Manhattan Melodrama. This version was also never included in the final cut of the film.
- 1934: “The Bad in Every Man” for Shirley Ross: For the same film, Manhattan Melodrama, Rodgers and Hart wrote another version of the song, this time with the lyrics “The Bad in Every Man,” performed by Shirley Ross. This is the first version of what would become “Blue Moon” to be actually recorded and published, albeit with very different lyrics from what we know today.
“The Bad in Every Man” sung by Shirley Ross in Manhattan Melodrama
- 1934: “Blue Moon” is Born: MGM producer Jack Robbins asked Rodgers and Hart to write entirely new lyrics, unrelated to any film, that could be published as a standalone pop song. It was at this point that Lorenz Hart wrote the lyrics “Blue Moon,” the ones universally known today. The song was published in 1934 and quickly became a hit.
“Blue Moon” first recording by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra with Kenny Sargent
The title “Blue Moon” is inspired by the idiom “once in a blue moon,” meaning “very rarely,” evoking a sense of a unique and special event, which is reflected in the discovery of unexpected love.
Interpretations by Various Artists
“Blue Moon” has been interpreted by an impressive number of artists across different genres, testifying to its versatility and timeless appeal. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of the most significant interpretations:
- Frank Sinatra: His 1952 version with Nelson Riddle is one of the most celebrated and influential, characterized by unmistakable elegance and melancholy.
- Elvis Presley: His 1956 interpretation, with a more rockabilly arrangement and his unmistakable voice, helped introduce the song to a new generation.
- The Marcels: Their 1961 doo-wop version was a massive hit, topping the charts and giving the song a completely new energy and rhythm.
- Dean Martin: Another classic interpretation, characterized by his relaxed and swinging style.
- Billie Holiday: Her 1952 jazz version is imbued with deep emotion and unique vocalization.
- Nat King Cole: His vocal and piano interpretation is an example of refinement and grace.
- Rod Stewart: He included his version of the song on one of his standards albums.
- Cyndi Lauper: She offered her vocal interpretation of the piece.
- Bob Dylan: He recorded a version of “Blue Moon” for his album Self Portrait.
- The Mavericks: They created a country-pop version of the song.
- Mel Tormé: Another iconic jazz voice who interpreted the song.
- Ella Fitzgerald: The “First Lady of Song” offered her impeccable jazz interpretation.
- The Supremes: They recorded an R&B version of the song.
- The Coasters: They offered their vocal version.
- Sam Cooke: Another soul legend who interpreted the song.
- Sarah Vaughan: Her powerful and versatile voice gave a new dimension to the piece.
- Willie Nelson: He included “Blue Moon” on one of his albums.
“Blue Moon” Billie Holiday
“Blue Moon” The Marcels
“Blue Moon” Elvis Presley
“Blue Moon” Nat King Cole
“Blue Moon” Frank Sinatra
“Blue Moon” Ella Fitzgerald
Solo Guitar Interpretations
“Blue Moon” is a beloved classic among jazz guitarists for solo arrangements, which highlight its melody and complex harmonies. The nature of jazz standards often means that pieces are performed countless times live without necessarily being recorded on albums dedicated to just that one track. Here are some of the most notable guitarists who have interpreted “Blue Moon” solo or in intimate settings that reflect a solo approach:
- Lenny Breau: From the album Live at Donte’s, recorded in 1969 and released in 1993. Breau, an innovative guitarist known for his fingerstyle and complex harmonies, delivers a version where his soloistic approach is very pronounced, even with rhythmic accompaniment. It’s a brilliant example of his virtuosity and his ability to arrange standards.
- Joe Pass: From the album Song for Ellen, recorded in 1992 and posthumously released in 1994 by Pablo Records. The master of solo jazz guitar, Joe Pass, presents one of his later recordings here. While it’s not specified whether it’s a completely solo performance for this track on the album, Pass was renowned for his solo accompanying and improvisational abilities, and his presence guarantees a masterful interpretation.
- Tommy Emmanuel: First recorded on the 1990 album “Dare To Be Different“. The virtuosic Tommy Emmanuel has made “Blue Moon” one of his signature pieces. His initial recording of the song in 1990 made it famous for his energetic and nuanced fingerstyle reinterpretation. Emmanuel is known for performing “Blue Moon” in countless live shows, each time with unique variations and fresh improvisations, making every performance a different experience.
- Martin Taylor and Frank Vignola: Video published on June 3, 2019, on the “Martin Taylor MBE” YouTube channel. This interpretation features two virtuosos of acoustic jazz guitar dialoguing on the song. Despite being a duet, the interplay between Taylor and Vignola is a superb example of how the melody and harmony of “Blue Moon” can be explored in an intimate, conversational guitar context.
- Django Reinhardt with Coleman Hawkins: Live recording in Paris, March 2, 1935. This is one of the earliest jazz interpretations of the song, featuring gypsy jazz legend Django Reinhardt alongside saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. While not a solo guitar performance, Reinhardt’s presence is fundamental and shows the song’s integration into the jazz repertoire from its early days.
- Barney Kessel: From the album Barney Kessel Live at the Jazz Mill, 1954 Vol. 2. Kessel, one of the most influential West Coast jazz guitarists, offers a live interpretation here. Although likely in a group setting, his skill and phrasing are central, demonstrating how the song served as a vehicle for guitar improvisation.
“Blue Moon” Tommy Emmanuel album version
“Blue Moon” Tommy Emmanuel other live version
“Blue Moon” Joe Pass
“Blue Moon” Martin Taylor & Frank Vignola
“Blue Moon” Django Reinhardt & Coleman Hawkins
“Blue Moon” Barney Kessel
About Tommy Emmanuel
Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, born on May 31, 1955, widely recognized as one of the greatest acoustic guitar virtuosos of our time. He’s celebrated for his incredible technique, stylistic versatility, and his ability to transform the guitar into a veritable orchestra.
His solo guitar music is the cornerstone of his career and what made him famous worldwide. Emmanuel is a master of the fingerstyle (or fingerpicking) technique, an approach that involves using the fingers (rather than just a pick) to pluck the strings, allowing him to play melody, harmony, and bass simultaneously. This enables him to create incredibly rich and complex arrangements that often give the impression of multiple musicians playing at once.
Emmanuel possesses astonishing precision and speed. He’s known for using a thumbpick and the pads of his other fingers, which allow him to obtain a powerful and articulate sound.
Although his roots are in country and bluegrass, Tommy Emmanuel effortlessly navigates a wide range of genres, including jazz, blues, pop, folk, and classical music. His original compositions and reinterpretations of famous tunes range from delicate ballads to energetic and rhythmically complex pieces.
Every solo guitar piece by Emmanuel is imbued with melody, even in the most virtuosic passages. His ability to incorporate pulsing bass lines, rich chords, and captivating melodies simultaneously is one of his distinguishing features.
It’s not just about technique; Emmanuel is a master of dynamics and expressiveness. His performances are full of nuances, with delicate, whispered passages alternating with moments of great intensity and power.
He often incorporates percussive elements by tapping on the guitar body or strings, adding a rhythmic and percussive dimension that further enriches the sound, simulating drums or a complete rhythmic accompaniment.
His discography includes both original pieces and virtuosic interpretations of standards, pop songs, and classical pieces, all uniquely rearranged for solo guitar.
In essence, Tommy Emmanuel’s solo guitar music is not just a display of technical virtuosity, but a celebration of the acoustic guitar as a complete and self-contained instrument, capable of moving, entertaining, and surprising, transcending the boundaries of musical genres. His performances are an immersive experience that goes beyond mere music, thanks also to his charismatic personality and his ability to connect with the audience.
Tommy Emmanuel interview to Guitar Interactive Magazine (2018)
Given Tommy Emmanuel’s prolific career and numerous collaborations, a comprehensive discography would be extensive. However, focusing on his solo acoustic guitar work, here’s a selection of some of his most significant albums that highlight his mastery:
Key Solo Guitar Albums & Albums Featuring Significant Solo Guitar Work:
- 1987 – Up from Down Under: This early album showcases his developing fingerstyle and compositional prowess.
- 1990 – Dare to Be Different: A landmark album for Emmanuel, reaching platinum status in Australia, a rare feat for an instrumental album at the time.
- 1991 – Determination: Another strong showing of his technical skill and musicality.
- 1993 – The Journey: A highly acclaimed album that further solidified his reputation as a solo guitar innovator.
- 1995 – Classical Gas (with Australian Philharmonic Orchestra): While featuring an orchestra, this album highlights his interpretation of classical pieces for solo guitar within a larger arrangement.
- 1999 – Only: This is often considered a pivotal album, being his first entirely solo, all-acoustic album. It marked a distinct shift towards his signature “one-man band” sound.
- 2004 – Endless Road: A fan favorite, this album further exemplifies his captivating melodies and intricate arrangements.
- 2005 – Live One: An essential live album that truly captures the energy and sheer brilliance of his solo acoustic performances. It offers over 100 minutes of his classic “live” solo hits.
- 2006 – The Mystery: Showcases his evolving compositional style and continued exploration of different moods and textures on the guitar.
- 2008 – Center Stage (Live Album): Another excellent live recording demonstrating his captivating stage presence and unparalleled live performance skills.
- 2010 – Little by Little: A diverse album that continues to blend his signature fingerstyle with various musical influences.
- 2015 – It’s Never Too Late: This album received critical acclaim and features some of his most cherished solo compositions.
- 2017 – Live! At The Ryman: A powerful live album recorded at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, showcasing his incredible stage presence and musicality.
Collaborations with notable solo guitar contributions:
- 1997 – The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World (with Chet Atkins): A historic collaboration with his idol and mentor, Chet Atkins, highlighting the shared lineage of their fingerstyle techniques.
- 2000 – Chet Lag (with Jim Nichols): A tribute to Chet Atkins, featuring impressive duo work with Jim Nichols.
- 2009 – Just Between Frets (with Frank Vignola): A compelling duo album with jazz guitarist Frank Vignola.
- 2013 – The Colonel & the Governor (with Martin Taylor): A collaborative album with the esteemed jazz guitarist Martin Taylor.
- 2018 – Accomplice One / 2023 – Accomplice Two: These albums feature a wide array of collaborations with various artists, often including significant solo or duo guitar interplay.
- 2019 – Heart Songs (with John Knowles): Marks the first collaboration between Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles, two of the last three Certified Guitar Players, a designation personally bestowed by Chet Atkins.
This list primarily focuses on albums where his solo acoustic guitar work is central. Tommy Emmanuel’s discography also includes numerous other collaborations, compilations, and DVDs that offer a deeper dive into his extensive musical output.
About Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) was one of the most influential and prolific American composers of all time, whose music indelibly shaped Broadway musicals and the jazz standards repertoire. His career, spanning over five decades, was marked by an extraordinary ability to create memorable melodies, refined harmonies, and musical structures that perfectly suited theatrical narratives. With a output of over 900 songs and 43 Broadway musicals, Rodgers demonstrated a compositional versatility and consistency that made him a legendary figure in the pantheon of American music.
Rodgers is known for his two most significant collaborations: the first with lyricist Lorenz Hart (from 1919 to 1943) and the second with Oscar Hammerstein II (from 1943 to 1960). With Hart, Rodgers created sophisticated and often bittersweet musical comedies, characterized by witty lyrics and innovative melodies that explored the complexities of human relationships. Songs like “My Funny Valentine,” “Blue Moon,” and “The Lady Is a Tramp” are examples of their brilliant chemistry.
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart at work (1929)
The partnership with Hammerstein II, on the other hand, marked a turning point in American musical theater, leading to the creation of works that revolutionarily integrated music, lyrics, and plot. Musicals such as Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music not only achieved enormous public success but also tackled complex social and psychological themes, elevating the musical to a mature and respected art form. Their productions won numerous Pulitzer and Tony Awards, and many of the songs from them have become evergreens.
Rodgers’ music is celebrated for its lyricism, clear melodic structure, and adaptability to various genres and interpretations. His compositions, while often written for the theater, possess an intrinsic quality that makes them perfect for improvisation and arrangement, which is why many of his pieces have become pillars of the jazz repertoire.
Here are some of his famous songs that became jazz standards:
- My Funny Valentine (from Babes in Arms)
- Blue Moon (originally from a film, later included in various contexts)
- The Lady Is a Tramp (from Babes in Arms)
- Have You Met Miss Jones? (from I’d Rather Be Right)
- Falling in Love with Love (from The Boys from Syracuse)
- Where or When (from Babes in Arms)
- Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (from Pal Joey)
- I Could Write a Book (from Pal Joey)
- It Never Entered My Mind (from Higher and Higher)
- You Took Advantage of Me (from Present Arms)
- Lover (from Love Me Tonight)
- Ten Cents a Dance (from Simple Simon)
- A Cockeyed Optimist (from South Pacific)
- Some Enchanted Evening (from South Pacific)
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