Monday, November 17, 2014

Dark Monday • Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

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In 1946, MGM released what was called a bio-pic about composer Jerome Kern, although it was more of a greatest hits collection. 'Till The Clouds Roll By' featured rendition of his most famous songs performed by contemporary artists, like Judy Garland, Tony Martin, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson and others. The score included some amazing songs in his songbook, including his collaborations with the likes of P.G. Wodehouse, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Buddy DeSylva The filmmakers put together a condensed version of 'Show Boat', which featured Lena Horne as Julie LaVerne and Grayson as Magnolia Hawks, in a role she would reprise in the 1951 MGM version.

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Horne sang one of the many great songs from the score of 'Show Boat'. "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" had music by Kern, and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Many consider it one of the most famous songs from their classic 1927 musical play 'Show Boat'. Their Broadway hit was adapted from Edna Ferber's novel of the same name. The original Broadway hit was produced by the great Florence Ziegfeld, Jr., perhaps the most successful and well-known Broadway impresario ever. There is something sweet, dated, and a bit eerie about the song, and yet Horne handles it with skill and great ease. I just love her version of it more than any of the others. This is Lena Horne singing "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" from 'Till The Clouds Roll By'.



Like the rest of Lena's musical performances, I just can't get enough of this. Her voice is just captivating, and she is just so damned beautiful to watch. You can find the soundtrack to 'Till The Clouds Come Home' on iTunes and Amazon.

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