Watermelon Man (7:10)
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“Watermelon Man” is a jazz standard written by Herbie Hancock, first released on his debut album, Takin’ Off (1962), in a grooving hard bop version that featured improvisations by Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon.
A single of the tune reached the Top 100 of the pop charts. Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaría released the tune as a latin pop single the next year on Battle Records, where it became a surprise hit, reaching #10 on the pop charts. Santamaría’s recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Hancock radically re-worked the tune, combining elements of funk, for the album Head Hunters (1973).
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This track is taken from Cantaloupe Island and is not the funky version from Headhunters. It is a very simple number with only 3 chords in it, which makes for some really laid back soloing. Unusually for jazz of the time, the piano plays a funky riff which continues throughout, except of course where Herbie needs both hands for his own solo! It is a milestone piece from one of the world’s most influential jazzers.
A single of the tune reached the Top 100 of the pop charts. Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaría released the tune as a latin pop single the next year on Battle Records, where it became a surprise hit, reaching #10 on the pop charts. Santamaría’s recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Hancock radically re-worked the tune, combining elements of funk, for the album Head Hunters (1973).
—-
This track is taken from Cantaloupe Island and is not the funky version from Headhunters. It is a very simple number with only 3 chords in it, which makes for some really laid back soloing. Unusually for jazz of the time, the piano plays a funky riff which continues throughout, except of course where Herbie needs both hands for his own solo! It is a milestone piece from one of the world’s most influential jazzers.
Video
Added by Mr3rdChoice
Me, playing Watermelon Man (by Herbie Hancock) improv on solo piano.
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Albums featuring this track
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The Definitive
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Headhunters
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Shouts
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lorrinb wrote:
oohhhhh yeah. back to the headhunters version now... frankly they're both amazing. herbie for president.
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jonjonAKADoones wrote:
may well be the best song i've ever heard...
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youngmatthew241 wrote:
such a classic
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jfugelso wrote:
I transcribed every single note on this track as a kid... :) love it.
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anthems wrote:
Blue Note version. Not from Head Hunters.
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DavidBauckham wrote:
This is the original Blue Note version, not the version on 'Headhunters' which is entirely different
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pacificbuffalo wrote:
one of our all time favorite Blue Note tracks!! Superbness!
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globalsunset wrote:
so so so so good
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Christien67 wrote:
feel good music=)
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december1968 wrote:
this man embodies what jazz is and always will be.
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wkdewey wrote:
I'm surprised that everyone only knows the Head Hunters version. I believe this is the original version of the song, from Herbie Hancock's debut album Takin' Off. It's always been the canonical version in my mind, while the Head Hunters version is really a totally different song.
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steviefeelgood wrote:
Chill - just what I need after the end of another manic day in the office!
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djfraggle wrote:
Good version, but I prefer the Headhunters version. Should change the album art to reflect this.
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garethbons wrote:
Never like this song in comparison to Herbie's other work. A bit too smooth jazzy for me. I feel like I'm watching Matlock or something.
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Zyia423 wrote:
Simply Smooth & jazzy
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j0ck3 wrote:
very nice
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JFNtop68 wrote:
...fantastico...
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paul_hamlin wrote:
Yum Yum funk funk
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Marjo47 wrote:
Yes you know and I know, to me that was the best! but this one is not bad either. Also great!
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thunderhands wrote:
I believe this is originally a Mongo Santa Maria tune, Herbie's version is a classic. Poncho Sanchez has smokin version also.
Herbie Hancock
Watermelon Man
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