Jan Song Of The Month--I'll See You In My Dreams

MikeK · January 2022

January's song of the month is super fun to play. I call it fairly regularly, as do most of the players I play with. But the changes are so hip, I never mind that it seems to get called on lots of gigs. It was composed in 1924 by Isham Jones with the lyrics written by Gus Kahn.

Notably, a film by the same name was released in 1951 (a biography of Gus Kahn) with Doris Day singing the title song. That seems to have sealed it into popular culture, along with the many great versions that prominent artists have recorded through the years. Look for those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald & Chet Atkins if you're interested. My favorite Django version is from Paris, 6/30/39. I'll post a link to it separately, as well as a real treat for the forum--our own Buco's stunning version of it, played in Django's two-finger style. If you haven't seen it, be prepared to be blown away!

My band does it in F, starting on the IV chord. Below is the chart we use:

MikeK · January 2022

https://youtu.be/ahiyR442aLs

MikeK · January 2022

Our friend Buco--

https://youtu.be/HR_N6cPoF7Q

Buco · January 2022

Ha! Thanks for the shout-out Mike.

adrian · January 2022

Here's my transcription of the Django solo, synced with Django's recording plus four others: https://www.soundslice.com/slices/c38Nc/

wim · January 2022

I've a couple of small recommendations on that chart ..

Instead of those E7 in bar 6 & 22, use a C+ (augmented). This is a harmony suggestion from Samy Daussat
For the second time coming to the D7, use an Am7b5 instead. So bars 25-28 would be Am7b5 D7 A7 Dm. This leads more nicely to the Dm, and it really helps to prevent any confusion about whether we're in the A section or the B section = no train wrecks.

MikeK · January 2022

Very hip, thanks Wim.

billyshakes · January 2022

This was an early song I learned in my journey. Perhaps it was hearing Emmet Ray play it so well? 🤣 If definitely speaks "Django" to me. Thanks @adrian for your transcription and to @Wim Glenn for your suggestions. I think I've got a new January goal...

Buco · January 2022

I love the Sweet and Lowdown version of I'll See you in my Dreams. Howard Alden played a phenomenal solo here. I may not have the driving attack associated with GJ but does it ever sing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E0QgsscMBo