Here are several versions of Barbara Song, from Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera. I could try to write something about it, but what for? The content is self-evident and I see no need to flail around it with words. OK, it’s very German and very beautiful— there. A YouTube commenter helpfully informs us:
“Barbaren” means “barbarians” in German[…] There is no [character named] “Barbara” in the libretto.
First in its original form, from G.W. Pabst’s 1931 film Die Dreigroschenoper:
And by Gil Evans, one of the greatest things ever in jazz:
By Tethered Moon, a trio with pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, Gary Peacock, and Paul Motian:
Those are the big three in my book, but there are couple more after the break:
An early instrumental “jazz” rendition by a German orchestra, in 1929. Embedding is disabled, so you’ll have to follow the link.
Here’s a pretty straightforward jazz version by John Lewis:
I am happy to help you with any of the materials on the site, and with anything else drumming related— contact me for private lessons, online world wide, or in person in Portland, Oregon. All levels of players, and all people, are welcome.
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