Big Noise From Winnetka
Encyclopedia
Big Noise from Winnetka is a jazz composition co-written by composer and bass player Bob Haggart
. It was first recorded in 1938 and featured Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc
, both members of a sub-group of the Bob Crosby
Orchestra called The Bobcats.
The recording is remarkable for its unusual duet feature: Haggart whistles the melody and plays the bass, while only Bauduc accompanies him on the drums. Halfway through the solo, Bauduc starts drumming on the strings of the double bass, while Haggart continues to play with his left hand, creating a very percussive bass solo.
After the success of the initial recording, they performed this song frequently for the rest of their careers. They performed the song in several films, most notably in 1941's Let's Make Music
and 1943's Reveille with Beverly
. The original recording was featured on the soundtrack of Raging Bull. Nick Nolte
and Debra Winger
danced to a version credited to Bob Crosby and The Bobcats in the 1982 film Cannery Row
.
in Chicago in 1938. When some of the band were late getting back from a break, Haggart and Bauduc started free improvising while they waited and "Big Noise" was the result.
It was said to be a joint composition, later formalized by arranger Haggart. Later, lyrics were written.
In 1963, Eddy Mitchell
sang a French version on his album "Voici Eddy... c'était le soldat Mitchell".
In 1964, the American instrumental rock group The Ventures
introduced into their stage act a version of the Duke Ellington
classic "Caravan
" which featured an extended solo by drummer Mel Taylor
which included a solo played with his drumsticks on the low "E" string of the bass guitar, fingered by Ventures bassist Bob Bogle
, with "Big Noise from Winnetka" being the obvious inspiration.
Circa 1966-71 Clouds
covered this song both on stage and on record, composing a completely new tune and set of lyrics, the obvious inspiration being the original version by Haggart and Bauduc.
The song was covered by Bette Midler
for her album "Thighs and Whispers
" (1979), and released as a single where it peaked at #98 on the US Dance Charts. The song was also performed in her concert film Divine Madness and is included on the soundtrack album. The song was also reprised during her Las Vegas show, "The Showgirl Must Go On
" (2008–2010).
Australian teenage "Indie band" The Lighthouse Keepers
recorded an affectionate version of "Big Noise" featuring a C melody sax on their 1984 album "Tales of the Unexpected".
In the UK, the song has been used in adverts for direct.gov.uk
Japanese jazz group Ego-Wrappin' covered the song on their album "Night Food" (2002).
Bassist Kyle Eastwood
recorded an arrangement on his album "Paris Blue" (2005).
Jazz drummer, Lee Arellano and his brother, Andy Arellano performed this piece as one of their standards with the Lee Arellano Trio (1969). The classic drums to bass strings performance by Lee honors the original version.
Bob Haggart
Robert Sherwood Haggart was a dixieland jazz double bass player, composer and arranger...
. It was first recorded in 1938 and featured Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc
Ray Bauduc
Ray Bauduc was a jazz drummer best known for his work with the Bob Crosby Orchestra and their band-within-a-band, the Bobcats, between 1935 and 1942....
, both members of a sub-group of the Bob Crosby
Bob Crosby
George Robert "Bob" Crosby was an American dixieland bandleader and vocalist, best known for his group the Bob-Cats.-Family:...
Orchestra called The Bobcats.
The recording is remarkable for its unusual duet feature: Haggart whistles the melody and plays the bass, while only Bauduc accompanies him on the drums. Halfway through the solo, Bauduc starts drumming on the strings of the double bass, while Haggart continues to play with his left hand, creating a very percussive bass solo.
After the success of the initial recording, they performed this song frequently for the rest of their careers. They performed the song in several films, most notably in 1941's Let's Make Music
Let's Make Music
Let's Make Music is a 1941 musical starring Bob Crosby and written by Nathanael West. The songs in Let's Make Music include the classic "Big Noise from Winnetka".-Development:...
and 1943's Reveille with Beverly
Reveille with Beverly
Reveille with Beverly is an American film starring Ann Miller, Franklin Pangborn, and Larry Parks directed by Charles Barton, released by Columbia Pictures, based on the Reveille with Beverly radio show hosted by Jean Ruth Hay...
. The original recording was featured on the soundtrack of Raging Bull. Nick Nolte
Nick Nolte
Nicholas King "Nick" Nolte is an American actor whose career has spanned over five decades, peaking in the 1990s when his commercial success made him one of the most popular celebrities of that decade.-Early life:...
and Debra Winger
Debra Winger
Mary Debra Winger is an American actress. Three-times an Oscar nominee, she received awards for acting in Terms of Endearment, for which she won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress in 1983, and in A Dangerous Woman, for which she won the Tokyo International Film Festival...
danced to a version credited to Bob Crosby and The Bobcats in the 1982 film Cannery Row
Cannery Row (film)
Cannery Row is the title of a 1982 film directed by David S. Ward. It stars Nick Nolte and Debra Winger.Like the 1955 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Pipe Dream, the movie is adapted from John Steinbeck's novels Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday and contains many of the same plot elements...
.
Composition
The song was a spontaneous composition, created at the BlackhawkBlackhawk (restaurant)
The Blackhawk was a restaurant in the Chicago Loop from 1920 to 1984. It served a menu of American cuisine, notably prime rib and a signature "spinning salad bowl," and was, in the early part of its history a nationally known entertainment venue for Big Band music...
in Chicago in 1938. When some of the band were late getting back from a break, Haggart and Bauduc started free improvising while they waited and "Big Noise" was the result.
It was said to be a joint composition, later formalized by arranger Haggart. Later, lyrics were written.
Covers
The original version was just bass and drums but many other arrangements have been performed including one by the Bob Crosby big band with vocal group.In 1963, Eddy Mitchell
Eddy Mitchell
Eddy Mitchell is a French singer and actor. He began his career in the late 1950s, with the group Les Chaussettes Noires , taking his name from the American expatriate tough-guy actor Eddie Constantine...
sang a French version on his album "Voici Eddy... c'était le soldat Mitchell".
In 1964, the American instrumental rock group The Ventures
The Ventures
The Ventures is an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, the group in its various incarnations has had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. With over 100 million records sold, the group is the best-selling...
introduced into their stage act a version of the Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
classic "Caravan
Caravan (song)
"Caravan" is a jazz standard composed by Juan Tizol and first performed by Duke Ellington in 1937. Irving Mills wrote the lyrics, but he sometimes is not credited on the many instrumental versions. Its exotic sound interested exotica musicians; Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman both covered it. Woody...
" which featured an extended solo by drummer Mel Taylor
Mel Taylor
Mel Taylor , was the longtime drummer for The Ventures from 1962-1996. He was the older brother of Canned Heat bassist Larry Taylor.-Tenure with The Ventures:...
which included a solo played with his drumsticks on the low "E" string of the bass guitar, fingered by Ventures bassist Bob Bogle
Bob Bogle
Robert Lenard "Bob" Bogle was a founding member of the legendary instrumental combo group The Ventures. He and Don Wilson founded the group in 1958. Bogle was the lead guitarist and later bassist of the group...
, with "Big Noise from Winnetka" being the obvious inspiration.
Circa 1966-71 Clouds
Clouds (60s rock band)
Clouds were a 1960s Scottish rock band that disbanded in October 1971. The band consisted of Ian Ellis , Harry Hughes and Billy Ritchie .- Early days: The Premiers :...
covered this song both on stage and on record, composing a completely new tune and set of lyrics, the obvious inspiration being the original version by Haggart and Bauduc.
The song was covered by Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
for her album "Thighs and Whispers
Thighs and Whispers
Thighs and Whispers is the fifth studio album by American singer Bette Midler. Released in 1979, the album reached #65 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.-Album information:...
" (1979), and released as a single where it peaked at #98 on the US Dance Charts. The song was also performed in her concert film Divine Madness and is included on the soundtrack album. The song was also reprised during her Las Vegas show, "The Showgirl Must Go On
The Showgirl Must Go On
The Showgirl Must Go On was a show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas that starred pop diva Bette Midler. Showgirl premiered on February 20, 2008 and closed on January 31, 2010. Midler signed for 300 shows from 2008 to 2010 at a pace of 100 performances a year...
" (2008–2010).
Australian teenage "Indie band" The Lighthouse Keepers
The Lighthouse Keepers
The Lighthouse Keepers were an independent band in Sydney in the early 1980s, combining a loosely-rehearsed, casual ethos with C&W humour, Punk DIY attitudes and Pure Pop songcraft.__NOEDITSECTION__-Introduction:...
recorded an affectionate version of "Big Noise" featuring a C melody sax on their 1984 album "Tales of the Unexpected".
In the UK, the song has been used in adverts for direct.gov.uk
Japanese jazz group Ego-Wrappin' covered the song on their album "Night Food" (2002).
Bassist Kyle Eastwood
Kyle Eastwood
Kyle Eastwood is an American jazz musician. He studied film at the University of Southern California for two years before embarking on a music career. After becoming a session player in the early '90s and leading his own quartet, he released his first solo album, From There to Here, in 1998...
recorded an arrangement on his album "Paris Blue" (2005).
Jazz drummer, Lee Arellano and his brother, Andy Arellano performed this piece as one of their standards with the Lee Arellano Trio (1969). The classic drums to bass strings performance by Lee honors the original version.