Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock

This is one of those songs where countless people know a rearranged cover that uses a sample of the original music better than the original version. Hancock wrote this standard while he was still playing for Miles Davis back in 1964. The famous cover version is by Us3 – called Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia). I went through a huge acid jazz phase when I was 17, and my sister and I liked Us3’s use of various old Blue Note Records samples so much, that we actually had a fight about it when we finally found Us3’s Hand On The Torch in a second-hand market during that time. (Needless to say we got over this ridiculousness and are both enjoying their music occasionally now – and own countless original Blue Note Records albums.)

My favourite version would be Hugh Masekela’s version. This arrangement is so vibrant and groovy with real South African Jazz flavour. And as you all know, I love Pat Metheny so I include a live version by the Pat Metheny Trio too.

your song today: Spiritual – Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny

I wouldn’t be lying if I said this is one of my favourite songs in the entire world. I went to sleep with this song for more than a year – it’s the most peaceful song I know, in fact, the entire album, Beyond The Missouri Sky is an absolute masterpiece in wonderous melodies.

There is no real video for the song, but I did find the best one, a few scenes from Brokeback Mountain. Ang Lee is a legendary director and this film was a tour de force, given the subject matter. If you like it or not, Gyllenhaal and the late Leger was absolutely brilliant in their performances. Don’t watch the video if you haven’t seen the film – rather close your eyes, because this is a ‘close your eyes and lie still on your back’-song if there ever was one!

Enjoy

Rest in peace Heath.