Johnny Smith recorded "Walk Don't Run 2 times, the first time in Sept.
1954 on Roost, then later in the mid-sixties on Verve. The Ventures
were actually inspired to do their version from a cover version by Chet
Atkins, probably around 1958 (Chet). They did change the progression
from the minor I-VI-II-V to the descending "Spanish" chords.
Those of you who are fans of virtuoso guitar playing of any bag may
want to check out the box set of Johnny Smith Roost recording on
Mosaic. Keeps me awake nights, he's so damn good.
Ron
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On Friday, September 23, 2005, at 08:38 AM, John Amato wrote:
--- Chris Smart <chris_s@...> wrote:
As for "Walk Don't Run", you guys know it was
originally a jazz
tune by Johnny Smith right? and based on the changes
to "Softly as
IN a Morning Sunrise"?
Chris,
I read that Johnny Smitth recorded it after he heard
the Ventures do their rock thing ... then he re-did it
as jazz ...
... who's the resident jazz guitar historian that can
verify "who came first..."
