Today's Song of the Week is the big band version of Lionel Hampton‘s theme song Flying Home from 1942.
As far as I know, it was one of Frankie Manning‘s favorite tunes.
I found a nice article about that song.
Flying Home
Flying Home had its genesis while Hampton was in the Benny Goodman band. A gig in 1939 required them to fly from Los Angeles to Atlantic City, the first time Hampton had been on a plane.
He began whistling a tune while waiting for the plane to taxi. Goodman asked him what it was, and Hampton said, “I don't know. We can call it ‘Flying Home,' I guess. (Hampton later confessed that the tune was a way for him to keep his mind off of the upcoming flight.)
They played it for the first time with the Goodman Quartet that night and later that year Goodman recorded the first version of the song, featuring a memorable solo from pioneering guitarist Charlie Christian.
Hampton liked the song so much that it became his theme once he left Goodman.
Hampton always saw his role as an entertainer first and a musician second. His uncontainable energy and fiery tunes like “Flying Home made him popular with crowds and anticipated the showmanship that would dominate popular music a few decades later.
Although Hampton first recorded “Flying Home under his own name with a small group in 1940 for Victor, the best and most famous version is the big band version recorded for Decca on May 26, 1942 in a new arrangement by Hampton's pianist Milt Buckner.
Full article: Lionel Hampton: “Flying Home” by David Rickert on All About Jazz
This is probably not my favorite version by Hampton, but actually, I can't decide which one it is. The 1940 version is at least as good, but this one here is a classic for sure! 🙂
Title: Flying Home
Artist: Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
Recorded: Mai 26, 1942
Tempo: 192 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa
You can find all the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist.
Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw
What do you think about the 1942 version? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below.
Okay, I will throw out my opinions on the various recordings of “Flying Home” done by Lionel Hampton. I have four recordings in my collection and they date from 1939, 1940, 1942, and 1944. The best of all is from October 2, 1939 and is by the Benny Goodman Sextet (B. Goodman, cl; L. Hampton, vibes; C. Christian, gtr; F. Henderson, piano; A. Bernstein, bass; and N. Fatool, drums.) This small combo setting is the most magical of them all, hands-down! It has a sparkle and charm in the solo work as well as the wonderful tonalities of the clarinet and vibes blending together in the ensemble parts. The solid rhythm section anchored by Artie Bernstein and Nick Fatool also make this a great version to dance to with a rooted earthy feeling
The 1940 version mentioned in the article is a bigger group (10 musicians) and is at a bit slower tempo. It was recorded for Victor and is the first of the recordings done under Hampton’s name. It has the same rhythm section as 1939, but without the wonderful synergy between Hampton and Goodman. Also no Charlie Christian or Fletcher Henderson on that nice piano intro.
The 1942 and 1944 versions are both recordings done for Decca, so they are usually called “Flying Home no. 1” and “Flying Home no. 2” respectively. The 1942 version that is in the audio sample is at a faster tempo than the others and is a big band version with 15 musicians. I will admit my bias toward small groups (Hampton himself liked the smaller groups better) but this version suffers from lack of focus. Take for example the first tenor sax solo seems to be making his first phrase quote the song “Martha” more than exploring the tune of “Flying Home.” Number 2 from 1944 (Decca 23639) is more fun. It has 17 guys on the bandstand this time, but it is lighter and more focused than No.1. The guys give out a vocal shout of “Flying Home!” in the introduction and the solos seem to want to expound on the tune more than in No. 1.
I would rate these versions in order as 1939 (the best by far) then 1944, 1940 and the 1942 version as the least remarkable of the bunch. Still great because it is Lionel Hampton, but lacking when held up in comparison with the other versions.
Find that 1939 recording and give it a serious listening!
Thank you for this amazing information, Christopher!
I also prefer small groups and I agree, the 1939 version with the Benny Goodman Sextet is indeed a beautiful version.
I wrote that I can’t decide which version is my favorite one. That’s not completely true, I actually have one, but I don’t know when it was recorded. You can find it on the album “All Star Sessions, Volume 2: Hot Mallets”, unfortunately the 3-dimensionional sound is horrible.
httsp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GPHX4S?tag=sdjr-20
Howdy Chris! The live version that you like is from the NBC radio program “Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street”, New York, August 19, 1940. Lionel Hampton (vib) Douglas Daniels (tiple) Teddy Bunn (g) Wilbur Daniels (b).
You should check out (and write about) The Jazz Discography by Tom Lord – it’s a truly indispensable tool for swing DJs!