This man is simply the best ever. And how anyone can put a thumbs down to beautiful flawless music. I love all the greats but I’ve never heard anyone play all facets of music like Doc. I’ve never heard anyone play in the extreme upper register and be so beautiful. I saw one person comment he would give his left testicle to play like Doc,well I’ll give the guys right too if I could play like that. Truly a blessing from God to play like this.
Wow!! I cant even begin to describe the greatness of Doc Severinsen. It isn't just the Eb above double C at the end...It is his clarity and articulation. My goodness!!
When I was in high school I was fortunate to have a great band director and history teacher Mr Tom Thornley. I met Harry James when I was 16. I went to Al Hirt's concert in Columbia, SC and later saw him in Las Vegas but I always did consider Doc the best trumpet player ever and he still is!!!
I bet Ive listened to this song over a thousand times over the years! I bought this album in the late 70's I think.... and every single time I hear it I'm just blown away.
I've seen Doc three times in concert. He was my idol when I was a high school trumpet player and he always will be. He's 90 now and still playing concerts...unbelievable.
No one plays quite like the Doctor. He is certainly one of the finest trumpet players of our time! I certainly miss those great evenings with The Tonight Show Orchestra! Certainly a different time when late night TV was fun to watch!
The whole Rhapsody album is amazing, but this cut is the showstopper! I played this track thousands of times when the album was released. As a young horn player, I learned the first few lines, but not much more. (I even bought a flashy blazer to wear for performances. It's still hanging in my closet nearly 50 years later) It's now 2021, and the Doc is still playing, and I am still in awe!
The time was in the late 70's; I had played this album over and over. I learned Doc was going to be in Louisville and I had to go. He was, I believe , at the Brown Theatre downtown. Walking down the street and rounding the corner to the theatre, I heard him playing. The doors of the theatre were open, realizing he was on stage inside from a block away. I'll never forget the power he had in that horn.
I've always been so blown away by the last note that I never stopped to appreciate the fact that Doc goes from a double-c at 3:20 followed by a 3-octave drop to low C. True virtuosity.
I think it was 1975. Doc came to the Canadian National Exposition. Heard him play this flawlessly two nights in a row outdoors, nailing the double Eb, then letting go of the horn with one hand, and holding the double Eb taking out the band as we often saw on the tonight show. Breathtaking trumpet playing.
Even though I was already a big fan of Doc, when I found this album in 1974, this song still blew me away. It is perfection in range, tone, intonation, technique, inventiveness...
Maybe it's the influence of Harry James, but Doc has an excitement to his sound that's hard to explain. Many artists lose that edge in the studio, but Doc always has it.
Played one of those Severinsen Eternas for years. Great horn but man the first valve D and open E needed work compared to some more recent horns. Went Schilke X3 after that (huge horn egads) then went down in horn size afterwards. Couldn't play any of them like Doc of course, but wished I did.
I have a live recording of this from Las Vegas, 1973. An older friend gave me a copy. Doc nailed the E-flat just as he did in the studio. He is my favorite trumpeter without question.
Now 2022 and I keep coming back to this. Such pure musicianship, clarity, articulation, tonality etc. - makes me tear up! Thank you for putting this up so many years ago - it continues to bring joy and a measure of sadness at the way music has evolved. I wonder what 95 year old Doc Severinsen thinks. Cheers from Sydney - Dave 🙂
And a lot of people say Doc doesn't use the upper register a whole lot. I'd like to see someone else play with as fantastic tone and incredible improvisation as Doc does here AND end on an in tune Eb at the end. Looks like I found my new favorite song!
I was wondering what that last note was he played. Eflat you say? Okay, I take your word for it, coz I don't have a pitch pipe or keyboard handy to play the note myself. Anyway, I don't know who says he doesn't play in the upper register much. If you listen to him a lot, you know this is just not true. One of Doc's best qualities as a trumpet player is his range. From the lowest note possible on a trumpet (I'm not sure what it is actually), to the highest note he is able to squeeze thru the horn, he plays with the greatest tone and power through his range. What I always got a kick out of, was waatching him lead the Tonight Show band, and when a song ended, he would hold his trumpet with one hand while conducting with the other, and hitting an impossibly high note to end the tune. Simply amazing embouchere.
Years ago Merv Griffin had Doc on the show and Doc played A Song For You Jack Sheldon was working on the high E flat above the staff and Doc did his thing up to the double E flat very big and nice. Great memories
I've looked all over youtube for an album I bought in the 80's that had this song on it. It was called Mancini and The Doc on RCA label. Can't find it anywhere, but was so happy to hear this particular song again. Simply amazing. All of his work is world class, but this song is something else.
Fantastic in every way, on of the best trumpet player ever, musicality, tone control, power .....a breathtaking ending with e perfect double hi Eb ( minor third over the famous double hi C) WOW !!!!!! The 2 persons who don't like it are ignorant ass holes !!!!
Very few who have the disposition to work this hard. I'm sure there is a small physical component, but the amount of focused, dedicated practice it takes to master an instrument like this is unbelievable for anyone who isn't a pro musician or athlete. Thousands of hours of mundane, awful shit just to be capable of delivering this kind of beauty. If there's a born talent here, it's a talent for work and focus more than anything else.
another comment: there is also the glissando near the end from a high G up to a double high C and back, followed by super fast and accurate legato all over the range. Also there is lots of claying below middle C, nice and fat down to G below several times. There is also an awesome background band throughout this entire album.
Doc top 5 best trumpet players, only people I would put above are Maynard, Wynton, Wayne and maybe Arturo depending on my mood. Serious love and respect for one of the best ever to pick up a trumpet.
I realize that when we talk about who is the best at this and who is the best at that (especially in music and the fine arts), it is all subjective rhetoric. We, as listeners, enjoy what we like to hear, and as musicians we hear a lot of different things, that the average person doesn't hear. Musical performance is very subjective, because each musician has his own style of playing his instrument and every genre of music has it's own style and sound. So when we start saying that so and so is the best trumpet player or the best guitarist, or the best drummer ever, it's just our own opinion based on what we like to hear and listen to, and also what we expect from a performer. This creates a lot of opinion, debate and argument. ultimately nobody is totally right or totally wrong. However, having said all that, When I hear Doc Severensen play, I have a hard time not saying he is the best trumpet player I've ever heard play the instrument. I played trumpet for a few years through high school and studied the instrument, so I do have an understanding of what it takes to be a great player. Doc to me just has the best tone quality, the best range, the greatest timing and phrasing, and his technical skills are unmatched. What makes him rise above everyone else, is his ability to play any style of music, whether it be a pop tune like he plays in this video, a classical or symphonic piece, or modern jazz, or country music ( although I can't remember ever hearing him play a country tune..hehehe). He is just simply a virtuoso trumpet player who continues to amaze and entertain people all over the world. Your thoughts and opinions may be different, but as I said, it's all subjective, and therefore debateable. This is just my two cents worth. Take it or leave it.
I heard somewhere that he did the cadenza in one take....and that the studio applauded for 5 minutes upon conclusion....Did he ever perform this live? Merv Griffin show....when?
Click on the Malaguana video on TH-cam and you can hear Doc's upper register is every bit the equal of Maynard's, while Doc's tone, virtuosity, and technique is superior.
+Bob Bly I totally agree with you on tone and sound and delivery of a song, and I'll listen to the video you mentioned, but from what I've heard in the past nobody could match Maynard's high register. The handful of Maynard imitators have come close in the last decade or so. Ok now this one's over, I'll give it a listen.
+Bob Bly Ok, I listened to Malaguana, or Malagenia as Doc pronounced it. Impressive. I did find it more enjoyable and easier on the head that most of MF's work. Most of it was in a very high register, but below MF's normal squeal register. At the end Doc was impressive with very, very high notes. Again, more pleasant than MF, but could Doc play like that for an entire concert? I doubt it.
+Baritone45 I heard him live about the time of this recording and 2 hrs later still sounded as good. Word was, he probably practiced 5 or 6 hours earlier the same day. Not every note above the staff. He'd play high if it was musical and only so.
someone said “clarity and articulation”, yes! Make each note it’s full value-too many trumpeters slur their notes and don’t in fact play each note like Doc does here.
@joksal9108 Of all the trumpet screamers, Maynard Ferguson was the most melodic in the extreme ranges. Melodic power in all ranges, Doc Severinsen. That's after hearing Maynard on concert twice and Doc three times.
I don't think this was on flugel, the tone's a little too trumpety. Also, I don't think the upper register would sound as good as it does here on a flugel since they're not really made for the upper register.
I’ve heard the Doc vs. Maynard argument a million times. I think Maynard probably had the better range (albeit not by much) but for musicality and intonation I’ll go with Doc.
If there ever was a GOAT of ANYTHING, it's Doc Severinsen and his trumpet playing.
I wish more people in today's world could listen and appreciate such good music such as this
Matt C I was just thinking the same
Agree.
Amen, brother.
This man is simply the best ever. And how anyone can put a thumbs down to beautiful flawless music. I love all the greats but I’ve never heard anyone play all facets of music like Doc. I’ve never heard anyone play in the extreme upper register and be so beautiful. I saw one person comment he would give his left testicle to play like Doc,well I’ll give the guys right too if I could play like that. Truly a blessing from God to play like this.
You couldn't play like Doc without testicles in fact you would need some extras
implanted.
Wow!! I cant even begin to describe the greatness of Doc Severinsen. It isn't just the Eb above double C at the end...It is his clarity and articulation. My goodness!!
Yes - everything about Doc's playing is amazing.
When I was in high school I was fortunate to have a great band director and history teacher Mr Tom Thornley. I met Harry James when I was 16. I went to Al Hirt's concert in Columbia, SC and later saw him in Las Vegas but I always did consider Doc the best trumpet player ever and he still is!!!
I bet Ive listened to this song over a thousand times over the years! I bought this album in the late 70's I think.... and every single time I hear it I'm just blown away.
I didn't think Doc could go that high damn! 😮Beautiful 🎵 😊🎺🎼✨️👏🏾👌🏾I wonder how old he was on this recording.
46
It's Doc's world - we just live in it.
I've seen Doc three times in concert. He was my idol when I was a high school trumpet player and he always will be. He's 90 now and still playing concerts...unbelievable.
As great Doc is! He always remained humble! A truly class act!
No one plays quite like the Doctor. He is certainly one of the finest trumpet players of our time! I certainly miss those great evenings with The Tonight Show Orchestra! Certainly a different time when late night TV was fun to watch!
The whole Rhapsody album is amazing, but this cut is the showstopper! I played this track thousands of times when the album was released. As a young horn player, I learned the first few lines, but not much more. (I even bought a flashy blazer to wear for performances. It's still hanging in my closet nearly 50 years later) It's now 2021, and the Doc is still playing, and I am still in awe!
The time was in the late 70's; I had played this album over and over. I learned Doc was going to be in Louisville and I had to go. He was, I believe , at the Brown Theatre downtown. Walking down the street and rounding the corner to the theatre, I heard him playing. The doors of the theatre were open, realizing he was on stage inside from a block away. I'll never forget the power he had in that horn.
A masterpiece!
I've always been so blown away by the last note that I never stopped to appreciate the fact that Doc goes from a double-c at 3:20 followed by a 3-octave drop to low C. True virtuosity.
I had this on vinyl!
I think it was 1975. Doc came to the Canadian National Exposition. Heard him play this flawlessly two nights in a row outdoors, nailing the double Eb, then letting go of the horn with one hand, and holding the double Eb taking out the band as we often saw on the tonight show. Breathtaking trumpet playing.
Even though I was already a big fan of Doc, when I found this album in 1974, this song still blew me away. It is perfection in range, tone, intonation, technique, inventiveness...
Maybe it's the influence of Harry James, but Doc has an excitement to his sound that's hard to explain. Many artists lose that edge in the studio, but Doc always has it.
Such a beautifully sound and great performer
Great tune - I stop by here on a regular basis to hear it again. Great command of the horn - and Doc does it on a Getzen! Wow!
Played one of those Severinsen Eternas for years. Great horn but man the first valve D and open E needed work compared to some more recent horns. Went Schilke X3 after that (huge horn egads) then went down in horn size afterwards. Couldn't play any of them like Doc of course, but wished I did.
Doc always amazes me. he is one of the wonders of the world.
Good God - that last note is just supernatural. Love this song - did Leon Russell justice.
What a trumpet talent, please stay healthy and long time with us still 🌹🙏🌹
I have a live recording of this from Las Vegas, 1973. An older friend gave me a copy. Doc nailed the E-flat just as he did in the studio. He is my favorite trumpeter without question.
Brian Jonson any chance you could convert the audio and upload it?
I will! Sorry I didn't see this
comment
th-cam.com/video/NCrcSUfSk5A/w-d-xo.html
Now 2022 and I keep coming back to this. Such pure musicianship, clarity, articulation, tonality etc. - makes me tear up! Thank you for putting this up so many years ago - it continues to bring joy and a measure of sadness at the way music has evolved. I wonder what 95 year old Doc Severinsen thinks. Cheers from Sydney - Dave 🙂
Stunning. Totally mastery of the horn, ending with an Eb over double high C, perfectly in tune. Can't get any better.
The end is tear jerking, so amazing
This is a master class in trumpet playing. Truly a virtuoso.
And a lot of people say Doc doesn't use the upper register a whole lot. I'd like to see someone else play with as fantastic tone and incredible improvisation as Doc does here AND end on an in tune Eb at the end. Looks like I found my new favorite song!
Then might I say, that you have found the "Song for You"!
Huh? Not sure I ever heard that comment about Doc. He uses it often and tastefully.
His upper register is so seamlessly joined to the lower register it doesn't "announce itself".
I was wondering what that last note was he played. Eflat you say? Okay, I take your word for it, coz I don't have a pitch pipe or keyboard handy to play the note myself. Anyway, I don't know who says he doesn't play in the upper register much. If you listen to him a lot, you know this is just not true. One of Doc's best qualities as a trumpet player is his range. From the lowest note possible on a trumpet (I'm not sure what it is actually), to the highest note he is able to squeeze thru the horn, he plays with the greatest tone and power through his range. What I always got a kick out of, was waatching him lead the Tonight Show band, and when a song ended, he would hold his trumpet with one hand while conducting with the other, and hitting an impossibly high note to end the tune. Simply amazing embouchere.
This is a great tune to put on for people who ask who Doc is or don't know about the level of his trumpet playing, just know the name.
I just met him today when he walked in the store I work at
I met him at ITG in Anehiem California just this summer.
@@OfficiallyLost My Dad served on the board of ITG for a couple years and I got to meet him through that. What an INCREDIBLE man!
Wunderschönes Tp-Solo !!
Fantastic must feel great to be able to.play like that. He was born.to play the trumpet
Beautiful and wow!
Years ago Merv Griffin had Doc on the show and Doc played A Song For You Jack Sheldon was working on the high E flat above the staff and Doc did his thing up to the double E flat very big and nice. Great memories
Extraordinary!
Nice!
I've looked all over youtube for an album I bought in the 80's that had this song on it. It was called Mancini and The Doc on RCA label. Can't find it anywhere, but was so happy to hear this particular song again. Simply amazing. All of his work is world class, but this song is something else.
Maybe Brass on Ivory?
Beautiful playing!
He is the Doctor.
Stunning!
Nobody has ever equaled Doc. Period!!!
PERFECT!
He reminds me of Al Hirt with his force under great control. And of course his range. Splendid!
Heel mooi gespeeld. Prof.Dr. Jan Zwiggelaar.
What a monster ending. Holy cow, Doc!
Perfection!
One of the best horn players of all time. He had such a command of his instrument, from high to low.
Flawless, the best.
RHAPSODY FOR NOW. El mejor LP de Doc Severinsen por lejos.
RHAPSODY FOR NOW. Doc SERVERINSEN's best LP by far
Fantastic in every way, on of the best trumpet player ever, musicality, tone control, power .....a breathtaking ending with e perfect double hi Eb ( minor third over the famous double hi C) WOW !!!!!!
The 2 persons who don't like it are ignorant ass holes !!!!
Marc Provencal *5 now
He can still play great even at 90 years old!
All YT videos get 1-2% dislikes. They, like the people who post them, are meaningless.
That double Eb at the end :0
Officially Lost ... AND, he keeps the low end fat and full.
heart and soul combined
Beautiful
There are very few born with this talent.
Very few who have the disposition to work this hard. I'm sure there is a small physical component, but the amount of focused, dedicated practice it takes to master an instrument like this is unbelievable for anyone who isn't a pro musician or athlete. Thousands of hours of mundane, awful shit just to be capable of delivering this kind of beauty.
If there's a born talent here, it's a talent for work and focus more than anything else.
another comment: there is also the glissando near the end from a high G up to a double high C and back, followed by super fast and accurate legato all over the range. Also there is lots of claying below middle C, nice and fat down to G below several times. There is also an awesome background band throughout this entire album.
Doc top 5 best trumpet players, only people I would put above are Maynard, Wynton, Wayne and maybe Arturo depending on my mood. Serious love and respect for one of the best ever to pick up a trumpet.
Still can't get over that last note tho
it is available on cd now by a company called wounded bird you can find them on amazon
WoW.
Emocionante!!!
Deeply, ..."Hearts Touching Hearts"...
...via..."versed"...
"The Lighthouse"
Doc Severinsen
Perfeito!
The high Bb at the end (second to last note) is severely underrated in this comment section
that last note tho
Es uno de los mejores trompetistas del mundo
It’s not “Doc or Maynard”, it’s Doc AND Maynard, both are forever the Very Best.
And Harry James.
Doc and Maynard were in the same band briefly in the 1940s. Doc said that hearing Maynard warm up dumbfounded him
2:44 is so beautiful
AWESOME CADENZA AT 2:13
I realize that when we talk about who is the best at this and who is the best at that (especially in music and the fine arts), it is all subjective rhetoric. We, as listeners, enjoy what we like to hear, and as musicians we hear a lot of different things, that the average person doesn't hear. Musical performance is very subjective, because each musician has his own style of playing his instrument and every genre of music has it's own style and sound. So when we start saying that so and so is the best trumpet player or the best guitarist, or the best drummer ever, it's just our own opinion based on what we like to hear and listen to, and also what we expect from a performer. This creates a lot of opinion, debate and argument. ultimately nobody is totally right or totally wrong.
However, having said all that, When I hear Doc Severensen play, I have a hard time not saying he is the best trumpet player I've ever heard play the instrument. I played trumpet for a few years through high school and studied the instrument, so I do have an understanding of what it takes to be a great player. Doc to me just has the best tone quality, the best range, the greatest timing and phrasing, and his technical skills are unmatched. What makes him rise above everyone else, is his ability to play any style of music, whether it be a pop tune like he plays in this video, a classical or symphonic piece, or modern jazz, or country music ( although I can't remember ever hearing him play a country tune..hehehe). He is just simply a virtuoso trumpet player who continues to amaze and entertain people all over the world. Your thoughts and opinions may be different, but as I said, it's all subjective, and therefore debateable. This is just my two cents worth. Take it or leave it.
Doc playing "country". Skip ahead to 30:00... although the entire show is amazing!
th-cam.com/video/p6wUZwuSIxM/w-d-xo.html
Respect.
Wow
Muito bom !!
I heard somewhere that he did the cadenza in one take....and that the studio applauded for 5 minutes upon conclusion....Did he ever perform this live? Merv Griffin show....when?
Yes, I have a tape of him doing this live, and the double E flat is nailed just like on the recording.
Here is a live version:
th-cam.com/video/hsZK1kDtQF8/w-d-xo.html
Click on the Malaguana video on TH-cam and you can hear Doc's upper register is every bit the equal of Maynard's, while Doc's tone, virtuosity, and technique is superior.
+Bob Bly I totally agree with you on tone and sound and delivery of a song, and I'll listen to the video you mentioned, but from what I've heard in the past nobody could match Maynard's high register. The handful of Maynard imitators have come close in the last decade or so. Ok now this one's over, I'll give it a listen.
+Bob Bly Ok, I listened to Malaguana, or Malagenia as Doc pronounced it. Impressive. I did find it more enjoyable and easier on the head that most of MF's work. Most of it was in a very high register, but below MF's normal squeal register. At the end Doc was impressive with very, very high notes. Again, more pleasant than MF, but could Doc play like that for an entire concert? I doubt it.
+Baritone45 Check out Bill Chase for upper register stuff. Listen to a couple of Derrick Watkins videos on here as well. Outstanding.
+Baritone45 I heard him live about the time of this recording and 2 hrs later still sounded as good. Word was, he probably practiced 5 or 6 hours earlier the same day. Not every note above the staff. He'd play high if it was musical and only so.
You are spot on Mr. Bly!
That's awesome ruxinator haha
someone said “clarity and articulation”, yes! Make each note it’s full value-too many trumpeters slur their notes and don’t in fact play each note like Doc does here.
mooie toon prof Jan Zwiggelaar
Anyone have a transcription of the notes? I can pick out bits and pieces but the overall its a bit crazy to tell all of it 100%
I'm probably about to work on one if you're still looking, it will be up on my channel when it's finished
okay awesome! thank you!@@lazulicdm
I don't think there are many trumpet players that can sound as melodic in the upper range as Doc Severinsen. Period...End of story...
Maynard was the king of upper register melodicism and sound, but of course Doc sounds amazing here.
@joksal9108
Of all the trumpet screamers, Maynard Ferguson was the most melodic in the extreme ranges. Melodic power in all ranges, Doc Severinsen. That's after hearing Maynard on concert twice and Doc three times.
I'll take everyone's word for what notes he's hitting at the end. All I know is when I played trumpet I couldn't come close to hitting them.
Is this on flugelhorn? I don't recall seeing him play one but no doubt he'd have no problem. Mangione was popularizing it about this time, I think.
I don't think this was on flugel, the tone's a little too trumpety. Also, I don't think the upper register would sound as good as it does here on a flugel since they're not really made for the upper register.
No, trumpet, I believe.
It's Bb trumpet. It doesn't sound like flugelhorn anywhere on this track..
Doc Makes it sound so easy… Until I tried it. 🤪🤪🤪!!!!!
😍
Classic by Leon Russell.
Mr. Russell, an American legend.
Can you upload "Pictures"? I believe it was one of the cuts on this album.
I’ve heard the Doc vs. Maynard argument a million times. I think Maynard probably had the better range (albeit not by much) but for musicality and intonation I’ll go with Doc.
Can I get a shout out for Leon?!
He is a GooooD Trumpet 🎺 Player ,…Hope he comes to Austin Tx
o͡͡͡╮໒( •̀ ‿ •́ )७╭o͡͡͡🎶🎶🎶
damn
Not to brag, but I have this LP album, bought it when it first came out. Well, maybe I am bragging just a bit😂
Thank YOU Donny Hathaway!
And Leon Russell who wrote the song.
0:21
Like Sarah Vaughn…… Devine
Notice how Doc lipped that High note into key?
7
I just uploaded a live recording of this song - th-cam.com/video/NCrcSUfSk5A/w-d-xo.html
I am sure Leon Russell would have been very proud of what the Doctor did with his fine song.