Relatively simple compared to some other Donald Brown compositions, Nature's Folksong is a good place to start exploring his music. There is no intricate rhythm section interplay, and the key center is mostly quite clear, with a very lyrical melody. However, Donald's specific subtleties are on display in the form and harmonic structure. The first A section is 14 measures long, followed by a second A section only 12 measures long without the first A's last two measures. There is a 12-measure B section, followed by C, similar to A (though with slightly different changes) but only 10 measures long followed by an eight-measure vamp D section.
Though the key of this song is certainly G, the A and C sections land in F major toward the end, with the D section vamp being on Fmaj7. The bridge starts in E major.
Our audio excerpt starts on the melody. Donald Brown begins the track with a rubato solo intro, setting up the tempo with eight measures of vamp as in the D section.
"The Sweetest Sounds" was Donald Brown's second album as a leader, recorded a year after his debut, "Early Bird." Both these albums have guest appearances of vibraphonist Steve Nelson. The cross-generational bass/drums combination of Charnett Moffett and Alan Dawson is unique to this album.
A lyrical pianist and prolific composer as well as a teacher, band leader and arranger, Donald Brown is considered one of the masters of contemporary jazz composition. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Donald studied trumpet and drums as a youth. It was not until he began studying at Memphis State University that he switched to piano as his primary instrument, the late start making his pianistic skill all the more incredible. Read more...
