Georgia On My Mind-Comparison

For my three comparisons I tried to use tunes that I personally enjoyed, and from an original version that I loved. I didn't want to listen to any half-effort arrangements. So the tune I choose as my forefront is Ray Charles version of "Georgia On My Mind." Which is based off of Ray Charles piano accompaniment and voice of course. The tune I heard was live behind a backing big band. Ray sings with such soul, earthiness, and ease that it boggles the artistic mind. By hearing Ray's expression through his gospel nature, it brings anyone as close to church as they can be without actually going.

The next arrangement of this tune that I chose to compare was by The Spencer Davis Group. A rock band in the late 60's led by organist Steve Winwood. The organ was the featured instrument on this live performance in 1967. Steve Winwood has a powerful voice, and didn't miss a beat on singing this tune. He accompanied his singing with smooth blues licks on the organ. The band also switched the tune up by adding a swing section featuring Winwood's organ solo. I always knew Winwood to be a great backup organist, but didn't know much of his solo style, and in this recording he impressed me with standard jazz licks and great motivic devolopment with his phrases. I really enjoyed hearing this version.

The last arrangement that I chose to compare was by Gerald Albright. Albright does this rendition on the alto saxophone. There was no vocal part. Albright has an incredible tone, and fully improvises around the "Georgia On My Mind" melody. After this, he went over the chords backed by a full band and ripped an incredible solo, improvising with smooth blues lines and difficult jazz licks. Following his solo was a righteous guitar solo that was a constant blend of dimished scales followed by smooth melodic blues scales not straying away from the original minor blues feel of the song. Albright came back in with the melody and ended the song beautifully. I like this version despite the lack of vocal content.