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Five minutes well spent – I promise
Pianist Scott Bradlee started recording YouTube videos in his basement in Queens around 2005. He and other jazz musicians would perform modern pop songs in early 1900s American styles, like swing and jazz. Mr. Bradlee and a rotating group of various musicians call themselves “Postmodern Jukebox” and now have well over a billion views on YouTube. They have performed with 70 guest performers and have toured around the world.
Morgan James was born in Idaho, studied opera at Julliard, and has performed in operas, Broadway shows, and in various solo works. She released her own version of The White Album, in addition to albums with original material. More recently, she has been collaborating with Postmodern Jukebox. If you haven’t heard her sing, you really should. Oh my goodness. Allow me to help. I’ve posted the video for their performance of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” below. Check out their other stuff as well. It’s worth your time. You’re welcome:
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Published in General
It’s the first time I’ve been able to understand the lyrics.
This is so weird. I was trying to remember their names because I binged on them early in the pandemic. They have a live video at Daryl Hall’s Farmhouse that is very good. Thanks!
This was one of PMJ’s first breakouts on YT. I was convinced that this was the original version of the song. Listen to Kate Davis’s voice; it rings like a bell. Of course, her bass playing chops are best described as ‘be still my heart.’
Well, that was interesting. Just shows that a good song can be done/reinterpreted in any style. Further proof:
I’ll have to check out Postmodern Jukebox’s other videos.
ETA: Just so I’m clear, I enjoyed PMJ’s version of “Dream On.” Just as I enjoyed Ella’s “Sunshine of My Love.” As a wise man once said:
“And with a voice like Ella’s ringing out
There’s no way the band could lose”
Wow!
Holy crap she can play bass.
That instrument looks impossible. No frets. All ear. While she’s singing in a different melody & different pitch. Just amazing.
He sang well.
But he’s crazy, singing a duet with her. Good luck, buddy.
I really enjoyed that.
A great version. Seriously.
Question? When I watched, it looked like this was a lip-synched video version of her studio version. Just a hairline difference between audio and motions. Still her, still awesome. Just wondering if anyone else sensed that.
I love this Post Modern Jukebox of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ for the choreography and camerawork:
Excellent. Their arrangement is fantastic.
Thanks for that.
Huge fan of Morgan James. Check out her cover of the Beatles’ White Album, if you haven’t already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW0Fy88ilEs
I am really fond of these people for highlighting styles and eras that get very little attention.
Electro Swing!!!!!
If you want more check out Caro Emerald- great singer. Electro Swing is kinda a combination of Hip Hop and Swing like the Speakeasy Three’s rousing remake of Ella’s 1938 swing classic When I get Low , I get High.
If you wish for some more swing old school like on the periphery of Electro Swing try Pink Martini, Avalon Jazz Band, Hetty and the Jazzato Band and the Hot Sardines. Tatiana Eva Marie of Avalon and Hetty both do remakes of Jazz Standards, and often do the Hot Sardines.
I adore how PMJ totally changes songs you think you knew. Brilliant work.
Morgan James’ Take Me to Church gives me chills.
And this one is hysterical.
Fantastic!
This is going to completely refresh my YouTube recommendations bot.
It would be helpful to have some closeups edited in. The lovely and knowledgeable Charismatic Voice reacts and analyzes the performance here:
I’ve loved Morgan James’ singing for years.
She fits into my musical YouTube theme of famous songs sung by people who aren’t, But she’s fantastic:
I have been a PostModern Jukebox fan for quite a while. There is nothing quite like what Scott Bradlee puts together–plus an array of really good-looking female vocalists.
I listened to the one in the OP and liked it. I liked it even more after a 2nd listen. YouTube then recommended other videos by PMJ, with other vocal artists. I found all the others I’ve listened to so far to be quite mediocre in comparison to the one with Morgan James (who I had never heard of before). For starters, the vocalists didn’t have anywhere near the range or energy . I don’t think I found one for which I was patient enough to listen to the end. That doesn’t mean the group doesn’t have a lot of good stuff, but YouTube hasn’t found it for me so far.
A couple of years ago YouTube recommended this group to me, I think when I was binge watching some Dave Brubeck videos. YouTube done good that time.
I read a bit about the bassist, Kate Davis. It seems she regrets that recording. It doesn’t fit her Portland-bred political ideology. This is what she told Oregon Public Broadcasting:
“I love jazz,” Davis insisted. “[But] this is not really gripping, emotional, improvisatory, enlightened music,” she said of the viral video. “This is some [REDACTED] that you’d hear in a coffee shop or that old people listen to when they’re having a romantic dinner.”
According to her the Great American Songbook is just about misogyny with cute girls is cocktail dresses singing about cisgender love. Suddenly that very cute girl in the video looks very, very ugly.
Wasn’t vibing on Ella’s version and was about to turn it off. I’m so glad I didn’t. Hot damn that really kicked in for the second verse.
Well, I just fell in love. That was amazing.
Yeah, sometimes patience pays off.