Great American Songbook Favourites?

The Internet · Jun 10, 2016

Bugman, some great ones, I love Stan Kenton AND Anita O'Day! I didn't know this one! "She's a real sad tomato", LOL! Now THAT'S a lyric!!!

Let's bring Billie into the mix.....singin' some Gershwin....😉

Billie Holiday: Summertime

Bugman · Jun 10, 2016

Since you brought up Gershwin, this 1924 recording features the man himself at piano, with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.

Oh, great choice by the way. Love Billie Holiday.

The Internet · Jun 11, 2016

Bugman said:
Since you brought up Gershwin, this 1924 recording features the man himself at piano, with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.

I love that recording, can you believe it even exists?! Amazing. Amazing!!!

Well Bugman, to combine your new thread about 50's music with this thread.......I will never get past these two doo-wop recordings of Harry Warren's "I Only Have Eyes For You" and Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes":

The Flamingos: I Only Have Eyes For You

The Platters: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Bugman · Jun 11, 2016

The Internet said:
I love that recording, can you believe it even exists?! Amazing. Amazing!!!

Well Bugman, to combine your new thread about 50's music with this thread.......I will never get past these two doo-wop recordings of Harry Warren's "I Only Have Eyes For You" and Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes":

The Flamingos: I Only Have Eyes For You

The Platters: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

The Platters are a long time favorite of mine. Somehow, The Flamingos are a group I'd never heard of. Great clips. 🙂

Bugman · Jun 11, 2016

I would be remiss if I didn't post a few notes by my favorite Big Band leader, the great Artie Shaw.

Vanillaphant · Jun 11, 2016

(Disclaimer: I’m too lazy to embed videos lol)

Just to get in on the ‘Bing thing’…

In the last few days, as a sort of continuation of my foray into the Great American Songbook stuff, I got a couple of ‘crooner’ compilation albums. So naturally, I’m becoming a bit more acquainted with Bing Crosby’s work. Of the songs I’ve heard, my favourite is Just One More Chance. When I looked it up, I was surprised to learn that it was one of his earliest ‘hits’ (1931!). Written by Johnston and Coslow, apparently 🙂shrug🙂. Some of the lyrics in that song are wonderful, too.

And some other songs that I’m very glad to have discovered recently are:

Louis Prima’s rendition of I’ve Got the World on a String.

Sarah Vaughan singing Lush Life.

Doris Day singing Love Me or Leave Me.

Frank Sinatra singing Embraceable You.

Speaking of which, who’s up for a Gershwin thread? lol

Bugman · Jun 11, 2016

Vanillaphant said:
(Disclaimer: I’m too lazy to embed videos lol)

Just to get in on the ‘Bing thing’…

In the last few days, as a sort of continuation of my foray into the Great American Songbook stuff, I got a couple of ‘crooner’ compilation albums. So naturally, I’m becoming a bit more acquainted with Bing Crosby’s work. Of the songs I’ve heard, my favourite is Just One More Chance. When I looked it up, I was surprised to learn that it was one of his earliest ‘hits’ (1931!). Written by Johnston and Coslow, apparently 🙂shrug🙂. Some of the lyrics in that song are wonderful, too.

And some other songs that I’m very glad to have discovered recently are:

Louis Prima’s rendition of I’ve Got the World on a String.

Sarah Vaughan singing Lush Life.

Doris Day singing Love Me or Leave Me.

Frank Sinatra singing Embraceable You.

Speaking of which, who’s up for a Gershwin thread? lol

Oh Oh, pick me Mr. Kotter, pick me! Love, love, love Gershwin!

The Internet · Jun 12, 2016

Vanillaphant said:
(Disclaimer: I’m too lazy to embed videos lol)

Just to get in on the ‘Bing thing’…

In the last few days, as a sort of continuation of my foray into the Great American Songbook stuff, I got a couple of ‘crooner’ compilation albums. So naturally, I’m becoming a bit more acquainted with Bing Crosby’s work. Of the songs I’ve heard, my favourite is Just One More Chance. When I looked it up, I was surprised to learn that it was one of his earliest ‘hits’ (1931!). Written by Johnston and Coslow, apparently 🙂shrug🙂. Some of the lyrics in that song are wonderful, too.

And some other songs that I’m very glad to have discovered recently are:

Louis Prima’s rendition of I’ve Got the World on a String.

Sarah Vaughan singing Lush Life.

Doris Day singing Love Me or Leave Me.

Frank Sinatra singing Embraceable You.

Speaking of which, who’s up for a Gershwin thread? lol

Vanillaphant, I'm going to investigate all of those, thanks for the tips!

Nina Simone: Love Me Or Leave Me
The definitive rendition.....and what a piano solo from Nina......

The Internet · Jun 15, 2016

I don't think anyone is ever going to best this performance of Cole Porter's "Just One Of Those Things".....not just Anita's, but whoever is playing bass, guitar and piano, whoah.....perfection right to the very last split second.......

Anita O'Day: Just One Of Those Things

Bugman · Jun 15, 2016

The Internet said:
I don't think anyone is ever going to best this performance of Cole Porter's "Just One Of Those Things".....not just Anita's, but whoever is playing bass, guitar and piano, whoah.....perfection right to the very last split second.......

Anita O'Day: Just One Of Those Things

Ah, Anita O'Day again. What a great voice. Wonder if she's still living.

The Internet · Jun 18, 2016

Hey Vanillaphant, since you're listening to the new Esperanza Spalding album, I thought maybe you'd be interested in seeing her doing one of my favorites from the "Great American Songbook".....she does a good job on it, even though she blows the first line! ("grab your coat and grab your hat!", not the other way around!). Still, what a singer, what a musician. This is her at The White House earlier this year.

Esperanza Spalding: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Vanillaphant · Jun 18, 2016

^
Thanks! Enjoyed it. 🙂

Bugman · Oct 10, 2016

This thread has been sleeping far too long. Time to wake it up.

I'll start with this, the unsurpassed performance of Old Man River by the great Paul Robeson. From the Universal Studios musical Show Boat, 1936.

The Internet · Oct 12, 2016

Hey Buggy! I'll add to that with The Ravens version! Late 40s (precursor to doo-wop)

Bator · Oct 12, 2016

My late Great-Grandma loved Glen Miller and Harry James. This is so subjective, it depends on what you like and what everyone else happens to be into at the time. I love it all, except for rap and hip-hop. I grew up on a farm in a rural community and rarely stayed overnight in town. I've never lived in the hood, so I can't relate, if everyone else can, great! Good for them!

Bator · Oct 12, 2016

Shit! I forgot lol

Bugman · Oct 12, 2016

Bator, I love the Big Band sound. Timeless music, and so evocative of that time.

Kay Starr-Side By Side. The audio kicks in at the :30 point so stay with it.

Gene Kelly. This might be a little late for this thread, but I think it counts.

Fred Astaire. From the 1935 RKO film Top Hat.

The Internet · Oct 12, 2016

Singing In The Rain totally applies! All the songs from "Singing In The Rain" were Arthur Freed songs from the 20s. They were all recycled tunes. (that's why they set the movie in the 20s, the movie was built around the songs).

Here it is being sung in a very early sound film....and early color film, too! 1929

Here's another song from "Singing In The Rain", but sung in 1933

Annette Hanshaw: Fit As A Fiddle

Bugman · Oct 12, 2016

The Internet said:
Singing In The Rain totally applies! All the songs from "Singing In The Rain" were Arthur Freed songs from the 20s. They were all recycled tunes. (that's why they set the movie in the 20s, the movie was built around the songs).

Here it is being sung in a very early sound film....and early color film, too! 1929

Ah, thanks. Thought I knew my film history better than that. Now that clip from 1929, that's a real hoot lol!

Vanillaphant · Oct 27, 2016

Bit self-indulgent to bump yer own thread, I know… But never mind! lol

I just wanted to share this tune with anybody who might not have heard it. It was (apparently) written for a film of the same name which was released in 1949, but this recording is from 1950. I’ve heard a few different renditions of this song, but this is my favourite by far. Shiiiit. If I could sing like this fella, I’d never shut up! I’m a straight guy, and even I swoon a bit when I listen to this lol. The niiiiiiiiiight… is like a looovely tuuuuuune… :faint:

Bugman · Oct 27, 2016

Don't worry about bumping the thread Vanillaphant. I tried bringing it back to life, maybe it will stick this time.
My Foolish Heart has been covered by many artists but this performance is new too me.

A very young Frank Sinatra.