Midnight In Moscow For Ballabar

Former user wrote on 6/12/2014, 7:32 PM

142

Tags:

Hi Folks!

This song has a very diverse and strange history. In 1955, composer, Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi and Lyric writer, Mikhail Matusovsky wrote the song that was originally titled, "Leningrad Nights". However, Leningrad, being another Russian city, was deemed an inappropriate title by the, Soviet Ministry of Culture thought something about evenings in Moscow might be more appropriate, and so the lyrics and title were eventually changed to, "Moscow Nights". Vladimir Troshin was a singer/actor who initially recorded "Moscow Nights"; giving the song its initial burst of fame.

Kenneth Daniel Ball, an English, Jazz bandleader, lead trumpet player and vocalist of "Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen", recorded the song, now entitled, "Midnight In Moscow." They even played it when they toured Moscow. It did extremely well, not only there, but all over the Western world.

The song, "Midnight In Moscow" had an unusual beginning, but its fame still continues today.

My good online buddy, Ballabar, requested that I arrange a piano version for him. Ballabar is a wonderful person, so I agreed without hesitation.

* NOTE: Recently, I've been having some major problems with my DAW software along with some serious hardware-related problems, so please excuse some latency and noticeable "double-key" issues in this tune. Hope you good folks do not find it too disconcerting.

This one is for you, Ballabar.

So let's take a ride into the old "Time Machine".

Griff

Comments

DanielsAnimations2014 wrote on 6/12/2014, 7:42 PM

Nice! I'm gonna send this to Ballabar since you said that this one is for Ballabar.

stuallan wrote on 6/13/2014, 11:40 AM

Hi Griff,

Great tune, loved the sort of rag time flavour to it. Thanks for bringing it out, very enjoyable.

Well done my friend.

Cheers,

Stuart

Piazzini wrote on 6/13/2014, 2:42 PM

Hoi Griff

you tell us an interesting story about this song, just so exciting I find your music.

Russian jazz music ....
Is something different but very worth listening to.
Apart from the "Leningrad Cowboys" I dont know modern Russian music ..... or is there anything else on the market?

en liebe gruess vom

sandro

ArtistW wrote on 6/13/2014, 7:23 PM

Love it, is a very stark melody (drums not so much souds to me too mechanical)

Former user wrote on 6/14/2014, 9:22 AM

howdy my friend

I got the feeling your heart wasn't really into this production. Am I right? I don't think I could have done this tune without music. I could get the chords but the melody> I dunno, man. It jumps around all over the place! I'd give Ballabar a good swift kick in the butt! (sorry Ballabar) for suggesting this, although I like the tune and rhythms.

Did I detect a couple of key changes? (Cm to Dm at 2 min. and lastly to Fm?) Very smooth. I was waiting for the tri-tone sub. chord (LOL) This tune makes for a slick stepwise bass move. don't ya think?:

I liked it and I have a feeling it will be in my head ALL DAY. Thanks a LOT!
Trish

Former user wrote on 6/14/2014, 12:27 PM

Hi! Griff. Immer schön locker. Du bist gut auf dem Gebiet. Konnte mich nicht beklagen. Der ist gut.

LG / aces-e37

Former user wrote on 6/15/2014, 4:32 AM

Hi,

beautiful melody, great sound, I like good!

Many greetings Horstfe

Maboe wrote on 6/15/2014, 7:09 AM

It's a really nice jazzy version of the song, very well done -as always- my friend.

Mathias

ballabarr wrote on 6/16/2014, 12:20 PM

wow Griff u r magnificent this is so good,this and the team song from lovestory was the to songs i learn my first time i decided that i will try to learn how to play piano,i can play'it on a guitarr (the Moscowsong)

i will guaerd this version whit my lifethnks so much I'm really touched ty ty ty

take care of those fingers u have bye 4 now

smartsmurf wrote on 6/16/2014, 8:09 PM

Very interesting track with a beautiful melody I like really much...

The one thing I don't like here is your choice of drums.

....

Nickillus wrote on 8/21/2014, 6:32 PM

While I know the song, I've never heard it like this before, and the question is - why not? It lends itself to being vamped up a bit like this. Love the piano, but I'm slightly with the voices who aren't so keen on the drumming. Doesn't match up to your great playing, that's all.