Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

Let's have some good, light-hearted fun with the Nat King Cole classic "Straighten Up And Fly Right"! Join Johnny and AJ as they discuss this beloved Jazz standard, and listen to versions by the King Cole Trio, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Jeff Goldblum, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us artist Gwen Perry.

Due to numerous summer obligations resulting in very limited time to record a new show, we've decided to give you all a look behind the velvet rope of our Patreon episodes! AJ and Johnny did a 2-part exploration of Nina Simone's career and music, and we've combined them into this one Same Difference regular episode. Take a listen here, learn all about Nina, and if you like what you hear, please su...

Learn the truth about "Tuxedo Junction" on this episode of Same Difference; It was a big hit for Glenn Miller, but it was NOT his song! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss the original version by Erskine Hawkins, as well as versions by Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Tito Puente, Ella Fitzgerald, and new-to-us artist Blue Champagne.

Our friend and esteemed music scholar, Dr. Steve Baur, joins us again for this edition of Same Difference, as we listen to and discuss various versions of the Miles Davis standard "Milestones", plus you'll get a full education on the definition and history of Modal Jazz. In addition to Miles, we'll hear versions by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the Phil Collins...

It's the Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb signature song, "A Tisket A Tasket", on this episode of Same Difference! In addition to the original, we'll listen to and discuss versions by Natalie Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, Sugarpie and The Candymen, and new-to-us artist the Mint Julep Jazz Band.

It's the song with 2 meanings on this episode of Same Difference! "Sophisticated Lady" as an instrumental has a decidedly different story than a version with vocals, and AJ and Johnny will explore both, including versions by Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Toots Thieleman, Boz Scaggs, Mel Torme, and new-to-us artist Marian Barahona.

One of the most recognizable movie theme songs of all time, it's "The Pink Panther" under the Same Difference microscope this episode! Join AJ and Johnny as they talk about the hilarious film and its sequels, plus listen to versions of this Jazz standard by Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, St. Germain, Octobop, Kyle Eastwood, and new-to-us artist The Phil Norman Tentet!

In a Same Difference first, this episode features a song that neither of us were very familiar with (Johnny not at all)! It's "Nardis" under the microscope this episode, and we've got versions by Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, the San Francisco Jazz Collective, Joe Henderson, Damian Erskine, and new-to-us artist Trio Circle (although several of these artists are new to us!).

How fun can a Jazz song be? Well, "Alright OK You Win" might hold the answer! Join us this episode as we listen to versions of this lighthearted Jazz standard by Joe Williams and The Count Basie Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald with The Tommy Flanagan Trio, Dianne Schuur, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, and new-to-us artist Wicked Rumble.

It's the delightfully delicious "Frim Fram Sauce" on this episode of Same Difference! John AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Down For The Count, and new-to-us artist Phil Wiggins and The Chesapeake Sheiks!

We're going back to some good ol' New Orleans style Jazz - with an absolutely A-list of New Orleans Jazz musicians - on this episode of Same Difference, with the well known standard "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)?". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Louis Armstrong, Ellis Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr. (with Dr. John), Jimmy Buffett (with Allen Toussaint),...

We're going back to Bebop on this episode of Same Difference with the early Bop standard "Ornithology". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, Joshua Redman, Hilton Ruiz (with Tito Puente), and new-to-us artist The Bohusian Big Band.

It's another show tune gone Jazz on this edition of Same Difference, with the Guys And Dolls classic "If I Were A Bell"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and dissect versions by Dinah Washington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie with Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams, and new-to-us (believe it or not) artist Woody Shaw.

It's back to the show tunes for this episode of Same Difference, with the beautiful standard "I Loves You Porgy" from Porgy & Bess! Join AJ and Johnny as they review versions by Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Arturo Sandoval, Toots Thielemans, and new-to-us artist Gerti Raym.

We're kicking off 2022 with "Limehouse Blues"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions of this lively Gypsy Jazz standard by Benny Goodman, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Aleman, David Grisman, Cannonball Adderly and John Coltrane, and new-to-us artist The Mississippi Hot Club!

To get you in the holiday spirit, AJ happily chose one of his least favorite Christmas songs for this edition of Same Difference! Join us for versions of "Jingle Bells" by Bing Crosby with the Andrew Sisters, Crosby with Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Etta James, Natalie Cole, and new-to-us artist The Gabriel Latchin Trio. And be sure to check out the companion episode on Patreon.com this month. The two...

Need a pick me up song? Want a feel good episode to make you laugh and smile? This is the one, folks! It's the Bing Crosby classic "Pennies From Heaven" on this edition of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to, discuss, and generally smile with versions by Bing (with special guests!), Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson, Dave Brubeck, Louie Prima, and new-to-us artist Bria...

It's one of Frank Sinatra's most well known standards, the classic "Come Fly With Me", at the table for discussion on this episode of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they dissect versions by Sinatra, Curtis Stigers, Count Basie, James Darren, The Swingin' Fireballs, and new-to-us artist David Campbell.

Tony Bennett's signature classic "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" is the topic of this edition of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Mr. Bennett, Julie London, Duke Ellington, Marc Toussaint, Van Morrison, and new-to-us artist Jose Paulo.

"Honeysuckle Rose" goes under the microscope on this episode of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Fats Waller, Benny Carter, Patti Austin, Nat King Cole, Thelonius Monk, and new-to-us-but-definitely-not-artist Rhoda Scott!

It's an A-List roster for our 75th episode of Same Difference, and an "obsidian" level song choice as well! The immortal "St. Louis Blues" is under the microscope, with versions by The Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Cornet Chop Suey, Billie Holiday, and new artist Bruce Innes!

Early shades of Bebop come to light on this episode of Same Difference, as we discuss versions of the Charlie Parker classic "Moose The Mooch" from Bud Powell, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Joshua Redman, Phish, and new-to-us artist The Heads Of State!

Is it sultry, seductive, or just a song about a drug? Tune in to this episode of Same Difference to find out, and hear versions of the Jazz standard "Why Don't You Do Right" by Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee, Amy Irving, Hugh Laurie, Sinead O'Connor, Natalie Cole, and new-to-us artist Simone Kopmajer.

"How High The Moon" goes under the microscope on this episode of Same Difference! We listen to versions of this wonderfully light-hearted Jazz standard by Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Tito Puente, former new-to-us artist Sugarpie and the Candymen, and the latest new-to-us artist Leticia Walker.

You've been hearing rumors that your spouse has been fooling around with someone else, but when confronted about it, his/her answer is "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me". Do you buy it? Well, on this episode of Same Difference we learn that it's all in the delivery! Join us as we examine versions of this Jazz standard from Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Dr. John, Harry Connick J...