I heard “I wish I knew” being performed at my local jazz club last night, absolutely sublime! I gave the band a solo standing ovation. Worth the entrance fee alone ❤
I witnessed a live performance of Mr. Taylor at my grammar school, Sussex Avenue School in Newark New Jersey the year he released this song with his band back in the 1960s. I was about 9 or 10 at the time. Now, I 'm 62 and teach in Brooklyn New York, students that age...what a blessing to share my life with my students...
You are blessed..I was born in Brooklyn in 1949. Saw Mr Taylor perform live at the Half Note club. Do your students ask questions about life way back when ? Life is so different now with the internet !
I took a history of jazz course in college with Dr Taylor long ago. The highlight every week was when he'd wrap up by performing for us. This tune of his was my all-time fave.
I would sneak downstairs to watch Barry in my childhood and continued watching in my later years. I saw his reviews on Alien, The Empire Strikes Back (Asteroid Field) and Rocky IV (No Easy Way Out). And not forgetting all introduced by Billy Taylor's Masterpiece. Happy memories
After 30 years of travelling and living out of a backpack life, if only temporarily has slowed down for me, i did promise myself that when that day came i'd buy myself a keyboard and learn to play the piano, well that day was today and it was all down to Billy Taylor and this track, i've carried this tune with me through life and it's never failed to fill my heart with joy. RIP Billy Taylor.
How's it going learning the tune? I play myself, and I do an okay version, but with nothing like the grace of these guys! Hope your learning going well.
I wish I knew how It would feel to be free I wish I could break All the chains holding me I wish I could say All the things that I should say Say 'em loud, say 'em clear For the whole round world to hear I wish I could share All the love that's in my heart Remove all the bars That keep us apart I wish you could know What it means to be me Then you'd see and agree That every man should be free I wish I could give All I'm longin' to give I wish I could live Like I'm longin' to live I wish I could do All the things that I can do And though I'm way over due I'd be starting anew Well I wish I could be Like a bird in the sky How sweet it would be If I found I could fly Oh I'd soar to the sun And look down at the sea Then I'd sing 'cause I know, yea Then I'd sing 'cause I know, yea Then I'd sing 'cause I know I'd know how it feels Oh I know how it feels to be free Yea yea! Oh, I know how it feels Yes I know, oh, I know How it feels How it feels To be free, Lord, Lord, Lord
Take me back God, I want to wash clean my dull ears By the banks of the mighty Billy Taylor Polyrhythmic suspensions and baroque ragtime Not the simple hip song heard by boxed Norman Mailer But substitutions mixed with the Viennese sublime Please God, take me back to the banks of that mighty Billy Taylor Let me bob my head and roll back the flowing years Sailing back like a time-travelling sailor Mystically synced with my unseen trap-set playing only in my ears Please God, take me back I want to dip once again Beside those flowing banks Of the mighty Billy Taylor - Donnie Bryson Written after hearing jazz great, Dr Billy Taylor, passed late 2010.
This tune in the UK will be forever associated with Barry Norman who presented the BBC TV film review programme Film 72-98 (the title changed with the year number). Sadly Barry Norman died on 30 June aged 83. I am sure they will play this at his funeral.
I always loved to hear this when watching Film 72-98 the highlight for me was when they had the films of the year because they would play most of the tune. then in 1983 I remember Barry Norman saying it was by Billy Taylor and that you can buy it, I did the next day, I still love to hear this very fine piece of music and great memories of Barry Norman with his wonderful wit !
I always watched his film reviews, If he said a film was great and raved about it, I knew it would be crap! I felt the same way when 'wossy' did film reviews as well
This version is so great. I normally listen to the nina simone record in B flat and her voice and the words are really powerful. I love this record because of its musical composition, with elements of jazz having an upright bass, the drummers rhythmic style of dance then the piano player starting out with a chord base style then transitions into solo style piano. Amazing Song!
Thanks Mr Taylor............I am currently teaching myself to play this, section by section, but I'll get there eventually. I have loved this song since I was a teenager and found the sheet music to it and the transcript is spot on! Love it!
Had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Taylor many times at the Village Gate NYC playing with Grady Tate on drums and Chris White on Bass those were wonderful nights
incredible, the whole song from start to finish is insane. reminds me of watching Barry Norman when I was younger but it's far beyond that. the piano is amazing, the backing tune is great. Love it
Reminds me of when i first started getting into film, always loved this at the start of film ****. Didnt know my arse from my elbow film wise but did love the song. A classic
Terrific piece and performance. I really wish I could find this on a streaming service; I would listen to this all the time on Spotify. *Edit: played this on my junior recital and had a blast. It's an-all around great piece.*
The late great Solomon Burke did a really great soul cover version of this classic tune, which will always be associated with the late great Barry Norman.
jazz song was written by Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas. Taylor's original version was recorded on November 12, 1963............... One of my all-time favorites. i love how cold blood did the song too.,.. have heard it slower too. its just a great song!
Finally! I have this on a random compilation cd.. I have been tearing my hair out for months! trying to remember what fckn tv show it was from. ... sorry to burden you but this is a monkey off my back!
@@judithcolemanbey3504 I am as well. All the older versions I can find are instrumentals. I was sure Billy Taylor was the name in the music credits, but I can't find a version with vocals. My search continues, though. I'll let you know if I find anything.
@@judithcolemanbey3504 The singer from the movie soundtrack is Doug Wamble, but I can't find a version by him online. Apparently it was considered an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement in the States, and there is a fantastic version by Nina Simone which you can easily find on RU-vid. In fact, it was the first version that came up when I searched the song title. Not exactly what you were looking for, I know, but I hope you enjoy it.😀
@@Terri_MacKay I found it on you tube but it didn't sound the same. Type Wamble's name with the song title & see if it sounds the same to you. I'm going to listen to it again..... Let me know what you think!!!! Peace & thank you.....
So did a Scottish comedian in the early 80,s e appeared in nasty episode of young ones ( being scottish and jewish ,2 stereotypes for the price of one) can't remember his name now sorry.and why not?
The day I manage to play that head with even a smidgeon of the improvised licks over it will be the day I die happy. Thank You, Billy Taylor. And thank you, Barry Norman for informing me about this extraordinary tune.
I would listen to the lighthouse family version of this song and didn't even realise it was the film review show Barry Norman did. I was lead to this video through hearing nina simone's version of the song.
Does anyone have a link to the full album? I can't seem to find it anywhere, or even this specific recording of the song on any other platform. Appreciate it!
Okay, so a question - on the interweb I've often seen this composition attributed to Nina Simone, but I'm guessing that Billy Taylor devised the melody and Ms Simone subsequently independently wrote the lyrics. Anyone know what actually happened here?
Rest in peace Billy Taylor and Barry Norman and of course Nina Simone who I'm guessing wrote the lyrics some years later or did she ? Can some one clear this up for me please I love this tune/song
