Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

We've been talking about doing this for a long time. On this episode of Same Difference, we revisit the standard we started the whole podcast series with, Duke Ellington's "Take The A Train"! Join AJ and Johnny as they take a fresh look at this Jazz classic, with versions by Duke, Ella Fitzgerald, The Side Street Strutters, Tito Puente, and new-to-us artist Planet D NoNet.

It's a listener request! Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" goes under the microscope on this edition of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions of this Hard Bop Jazz standard by Herbie, Mongo Santamaria, Woody Herman, Buddy Guy, and new-to-us artist The Langley Ukulele Ensemble.

Are you familiar with the term "vocalese"? We may have mentioned it from time to time, but neither of us really know what it means. That is, until we recorded this episode! Join AJ and Johnny as we listen to and discuss versions of the casually fun Jazz standard "Doodlin'", which feature some fine examples of "vocalese". Along the way, you'll hear recordings by Horace Silver, Count Basie with Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross, Ray Charles, The Manhattan Transfer, Mark Murphy, and new-to-us artist Elly.

Jazz vocalist Shaymus Hanlin joins us for this edition of Same Difference, as 2 Jazz fans and 1 Jazz musician take in the beautiful ballad "I Fall In Love Too Easily". Join AJ, Johnny and Shaymus as they listen to and discuss versions by Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Carmen McRae, the Harris Hamilton Quintet, and of course the Shaymus Hanlin Quartet!

Can AJ find us a version of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" that doesn't have any strings? Tune in to this episode of Same Difference and find out! Johnny and AJ will listen to and discuss versions of this beautiful Jazz standard by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Clifford Brown, The Platters, Coleman Hawkins, and new-to-us artist Cait And The Critters.

We're going WAY back to the beginning - the VERY beginning - for this episode of Same Difference, as we listen to the very first commercially available Jazz recording, Livery Stable Blues! Join AJ and Johnny as they discuss versions of this pioneering Jazz standard by The Original Dixieland Jass Band, W.C. Handy's Memphis Blues Band, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us artist The Hot House Hooters.

If you've seen the movie Casablanca (and/or Sleepless In Seattle), then you're already familiar with this episode's standard, the romantic "As Time Goes By". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Dooley Wilson, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Jimmy Durante, Anita O'Day, and new-to-us artist The Giovanni & Jasmine Tommaso Quintet.

So just who did write "Flying Home"? Who recorded it first? What's it all about? In this episode of Same Difference, AJ and Johnny answer all these questions and more, while listening to versions of this fun Jazz standard by Lionel Hampton, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Tito Puente, and new-to-us artist The Robert Bell Hot Swing Combo.

We're kicking off 2023 with the delightful Jazz standard "Shiny Stockings"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Count Basie & Ella Fitzgerald, The Side Street Strutters, Dexter Gordon, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Katie Thiroux, and new-to-us artist Swamp Kitchen.

It's our annual holiday episode, with the Christmas classic "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra, Chris Isaak & Stevie Nicks, Harry Connick Jr., Straight No Chaser, Arturo Sandoval, and new-to-us artist the Tiger Dixie Band.