Vernon Duke's "I Can't Get Started" holds an honored place in the brass tradition thanks to Bunny Berigan's legendary 1937 recording, and Wycliffe Gordon's version on his 2001 album Standards Only adds a distinguished trombone reading to the tune's history. The AABA form in C major is presented at a slow ballad tempo, and Gordon delivers one full chorus of trombone, his solo unfolding with the patience and emotional gravity that this iconic melody demands. His tone is rich and centered, his phrasing broadly lyrical, and his dynamic range from tender whispers to full-voiced declarations creates a compelling narrative arc within the single chorus. Eric Reed follows with a half-chorus of piano, his elegant accompaniment and solo work providing a perfect complement to Gordon's expansive trombone statement. The performance demonstrates Gordon's ability to make a well-known standard feel personal and immediate, his improvisation honoring the melody's contours while discovering new expressive possibilities within its familiar framework. "I Can't Get Started" has been interpreted by virtually every major jazz brass player, and Gordon's version distinguishes itself through its unhurried warmth and the unmistakable personality of his sound. The track exemplifies the album's central premise that great standards deserve not preservation behind glass but living, breathing interpretation by musicians who understand their history.
