This alternate take of "Dance Cadaverous" from Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil provides a fascinating comparison with the issued version. Recorded during the same December 1964 Blue Note session, the alternate take features the same structure and solo order as the master: Herbie Hancock's piano chorus followed by Shorter's tenor saxophone chorus over the 64-bar AA' waltz form in B. However, the improvisations are entirely different, revealing how these musicians approached the same composition from fresh angles on successive takes. Hancock's piano solo explores different harmonic pathways, while Shorter's tenor brings new melodic ideas to the same shadowy harmonic territory. The slightly faster tempo of this take gives the waltz a marginally different character, the increased momentum subtly shifting the music's emotional balance. Alternate takes from Blue Note sessions are invaluable documents of the creative process, showing that the music captured on jazz recordings represents just one of many possible realizations. Ron Carter on bass and Elvin Jones on drums provide the same high level of responsive accompaniment heard on the issued take, their adaptability to slight changes in tempo and approach demonstrating their mastery.
