Big Noise from Winnetka is a jazz composition co-written by composer and bass player Bob Haggart. It was first recorded in 1938 and featured Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc, both members of a sub-group of the Bob Crosby Orchestra called The Bobcats.
The recording is remarkable for its unusual duet feature: Haggart whistles the melody and plays the bass, while only Bauduc accompanies him on the drums. Halfway through the solo, Bauduc starts drumming on the strings of the double bass, while Haggart continues to play with his left hand, creating a very percussive bass solo.
After the success of the initial recording, they performed this song frequently for the rest of their careers. They performed the song in several films, most notably in 1941's Let's Make Music and 1943's Reveille with Beverly. The original recording was featured on the soundtrack of Raging Bull. Nick Nolte and Debra Winger danced to a version credited to Bob Crosby and The Bobcats in the 1982 film Cannery Row.
The song was a spontaneous composition, created at the Blackhawk in Chicago in 1938.[1] When some of the band were late getting back from a break, Haggart and Bauduc started free improvising while they waited and "Big Noise" was the result.
It was said to be a joint composition, later formalized by arranger Haggart. Later, lyrics were written.
The original version was just bass and drums but many other arrangements have been performed including one by the Bob Crosby big band with vocal group.
In 1963, Eddy Mitchell sang a French version on his album "Voici Eddy... c'était le soldat Mitchell".
In 1964, the American instrumental rock group The Ventures introduced into their stage act a version of the Duke Ellington classic "Caravan" which featured an extended solo by drummer Mel Taylor which included a solo played with his drumsticks on the low "E" string of the bass guitar, fingered by Ventures bassist Bob Bogle, with "Big Noise from Winnetka" being the obvious inspiration.
Circa 1966-71 Clouds covered this song both on stage and on record, composing a completely new tune and set of lyrics, the obvious inspiration being the original version by Haggart and Bauduc.
The song was covered by Bette Midler for her album "Thighs and Whispers" (1979), and released as a single where it peaked at #98 on the US Dance Charts. The song was also performed in her concert film Divine Madness and is included on the soundtrack album. The song was also reprised during her Las Vegas show, "The Showgirl Must Go On" (2008–2010).
Australian teenage "Indie band" The Lighthouse Keepers recorded an affectionate version of "Big Noise" featuring a C melody sax on their 1984 album "Tales of the Unexpected".
In the UK, the song has been used in adverts for direct.gov.uk[2]
Japanese jazz group Ego-Wrappin' covered the song on their album "Night Food" (2002).
Bassist Kyle Eastwood recorded an arrangement on his album "Paris Blue" (2005).
Jazz drummer, Lee Arellano and his brother, Andy Arellano performed this piece as one of their standards with the Lee Arellano Trio (1969). The classic drums to bass strings performance by Lee honors the original version.[3]
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