" LIKE A STRAW IN THE WIND" A GREAT UNKNOWN TORCH SONG

" Like A  Straw In The Wind" -A Great Unknown Torch Song. In 1941, Arlen and Koehler wrote several independent songs, one of which is " Like A Straw in the Wind." I must caution myself against making too extravagant praises for a little known song by Arlen and Koehler. From the first 8 bars, I was once again transfixed by the bone-weary, sorrowful lament that Arlen also found in" Ill Wind" The Man That Got Away " Blues in the Night"" Moanin' In The Mornin' and " Stormy Weather". Although it would quite easy for such songs to become bathetic or even trite and predictable, Arlen and his lyric partners always manage to invest such songs with genuine emotion and personal conviction. Early in his career, Arlen was fortunate to find, in Ted Koehler, someone who understood the nature of  the legitimate torch song. Working in the Cotton Club enhanced both an appreciation and understanding of the difficulties of the Afro American existence at that time.

The sheet music indicates the refrain should be played ( Very Slow, with great feeling."
Although  Arlen's melody is not in the true 12 bar blues style, there is an inevitable tonal coloration that can only be thought of as reflecting the essence ,if not the form ,of the blues tradition and his own father's vocal improvisations.
Harburg's lyrics are not overwrought but simple statements of regret such as" And when your man is gone your world just falls apart" or " Nothin' you try to do helps you to comfort your heart" and finally when " Trouble steps in and makes you feel LIKE A STRAW IN THE WIND."
This song deserves a much wider exposure. I fervently hope that there will be new performances by singers and musicians who can do justice to this little known musical gem.
I regret that there are not any great versions on YOUTUBE.

Barbra Streisand starts out respecting the song as written However,,partway through, she descends into a frenzied improvisational invocation of other Arlen song lyrics that is disconcerting. It is a shame because she liked and admired Arlen and even recorded " Ding Dong The Witch is Dead" early in her recorded career and has done justice to other Arlen songs later in her career, some of which will be heard on future posts.
I reluctantly include her version but only for the initial segment and need for you to hear the melody and words.
I had a chance to play the full piano part and it is wonderful and something a jazz pianist could really cherish.
There is a marvellous harmonic occurrence just at the beginning of the release when the minor tune jumps into an major e natural note that is arresting. It typifies Arlen's ability to introduce the unexpected that can radically alter one's perception of the tune and, once heard, can never be forgotten. It occurs on the note expressing " gone"  ending the phrase " My Man is "Gone".



STREISAND LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E2SyPTnikk