I had an English teacher whose favourite activity was to plonk down two seemingly unrelated items on his desk (like, say, a stapler and a model sailing ship) and give us five minutes to write down everything we could think of that the two items had in common.
It struck me as a bit lazy in terms of lesson planning – this guy was getting a lot of mileage out of the junk he pulled from his attic – but really, it was my own laziness that made me oppose the exercise. The idea of having to think for five minutes straight was too much for 13-year-old me to bear.
So, in honour of Mr. Bryson, I’m going to plonk two things down on my desk: saxophone legend Cannonball Adderley and the Italian city of Venice. Here we go.
I think Mr. Bryson would probably say I was reaching a bit on some of these. But that’s okay; I get a pass on being lazy, because this song is so relaxed, it could make anyone feel like being a bit lazy.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. The double-bass at the beginning. Reminds me of a swinging hammock, or maybe a bobbing gondola.
2. Known for his flair when playing, Adderley’s sax part is very laid-back here.
3. Bill Evans on the piano gives a touch of chill to any song he plays on.
Recommended listening activity:
Comparing an apple and an orange, and then eating both.