“Time for Lyons” sure doesn't sound like France
July 17, 2011 8:37 AM Subscribe
Asking for a friend: I've been listening to one of my favourite jazz tunes, “Time for Lyons” played in this case by Lionel Hampton. It's a lovely, dreamy, tuneful piece but I've always wondered about the title. It sure as hell has nothing to do with France... The composer is Gerry Mulligan and I'd wondered it was a drug reference, as in ‘Time for Lines’. Any clues?
I think the tune you're listening to is actually called "Line for Lyons" and, if so, it was probably influenced by trumpeter Chet Baker, from his time with the Mulligan Quartet. But that kind of lyricism was quintessential Baker; although Baker was a long time drug user, most of his heroin was shot not snorted, according to him, because dollar for dollar, hit for hit, it went further that way.
posted by paulsc at 8:50 AM on July 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by paulsc at 8:50 AM on July 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Why couldn't it be about Lyons? There's long been a shared affinity between American jazz artists and the French.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:13 AM on July 17, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 9:13 AM on July 17, 2011
I think it could be equally argued that a languid tune like that was something that might be perfect nap music for Big Cats - thus, a "line" for lions.
posted by paulsc at 9:18 AM on July 17, 2011
posted by paulsc at 9:18 AM on July 17, 2011
OK, I didn't realize there were lyrics. A little bit more searching reveals they were written by Bill Loughborough.
My take is that the title refers to the train route to Lyon (anglicized as Lyons). France and traveling by train are both romantic images, with a nice bit of alliteration. The lyrics are lighthearted fluff, which fits.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:31 AM on July 17, 2011
My take is that the title refers to the train route to Lyon (anglicized as Lyons). France and traveling by train are both romantic images, with a nice bit of alliteration. The lyrics are lighthearted fluff, which fits.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:31 AM on July 17, 2011
Best answer: According to a comment below this article about the Mulligan/Baker quartet, it's a song dedicated to famous West Coast jazz dj Jimmy Lyons, who, just a few years later, would co-found the Monterrey Jazz Festival:
Mulligan named two originals after local [California] DJs: "Line for Lyons" was dedicated to Jimmy Lyons, "Bark for Barksdale" to Don Barksdale.
posted by mediareport at 9:42 AM on July 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
Mulligan named two originals after local [California] DJs: "Line for Lyons" was dedicated to Jimmy Lyons, "Bark for Barksdale" to Don Barksdale.
posted by mediareport at 9:42 AM on July 17, 2011 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Conductor71 at 8:49 AM on July 17, 2011