Saturday Night with Annette Hanshaw

Most of the time, my Saturday night posts include multiple singers, with ladies singing Torch songs. For some reason, I decided to go with just one single voice tonight, singing some great songs. Singer Annette Hanshaw was a popular singer in the 1920s and early 1930s, singing all kinds of music. But the Jazz music was her real calling, although when she took on the 'flapper' character on songs like "I Wanna Be Loved By You", she also earned a following, and the title "The Personality Girl". Tonight I offer you four songs by the charming Miss Hanshaw, by some of the greatest writers from the 1920s. And I will lead off with "Thinking of You", written by Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar. It was introduced in the Broadway show, 'The Five O'Clock Girl' in 1927. This is "Thinking of You".

Next up, I offer you "Moanin' Low", with music by Ralph Rainger and lyrics by Howard Dietz. The song was published in 1929. It was introduced that same year in the musical revue 'The Little Show' by Libby Holman, and quickly became her signature song. It was also recorded by many others, including the brilliant Billie Holiday in 1937. Hanshaw recorded the song to appear in the 1929 animated film 'Sita Sings the Blues'. Please enjoy it.

I first heard the next song sung by Bette Midler, off her album 'The Divine Miss M'. I also heard it sung by Cher and Judy Garland. I also remember it sung by Barbra Streisand in 'Funny Lady. Quite the illustrious list of ladies, if I say so myself. "Am I Blue" a song written by Harry Akst and Grant Clarke in 1929, a hit for Ethel Waters in the film 'On with the Show'. And in 1929, Annette Hanshaw recorded it, and what a nice job she did.

Finally, I offer you an interesting version of a fun song. Originally sung by Helen Kane, who many thought to be the original 'It Girl', and the model for the cartoon character Betty Boop. To counter her, the record company had Hanshaw sing in the style of Kane, the child-like flapper, on several songs. One of those was "I Want to be Bad", the 1929 song written by Lew Brown, Buddy De Sylva, and Ray Henderson, who had also written Kane's big hit, "Button Up Your Overcoat". This is Hanshaw singing a coy version of "I Want to be Bad".

Annette continued to record music and have hits songs into the 1930s. In 1934, she had her last recording session. A few years later, Hanshaw grew tired of the entertainment business, and married Herman 'Wally' Rose, an executive at Pathé Records. From all reports, she had a happy life, and passed away in New York City in 1985, at the age of 83.

Ahlert the Singers: The Music of Fred Ahlert

Clockwise: Big Maybelle, Annette Hanshaw, Lee Morse, and The Boswell Sisters.

After receiving a degree from Fordham Law School, Fred E. Ahlert decided to eschew the law and instead pursued a career in music. He started out as an arranger, working with big bands like Irving Aaronson and his Commanders and band-leader Fred Waring. He also enjoyed writing music, and had his first hit song in 1920. He wrote with many lyricists, but much of his songs were written with Roy Turk. His music was recorded by many of the greats of the time, including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Fats Waller. This post will not include an of those wonderful artist, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. I will start with one of my favorite singers. Big Maybelle had an amazing career, although her battle with her own demons made it more of a struggle than it needed to be. While she is best known for her recording of "Candy" from 1956, she also recorded many other great songs. That same year, she recorded a song with music by Ahlert, and lyrics by Roy Turk. This is Big Maybelle singing "Mean to Me".

For many, Annette Hanshaw was the "it girl" of the 1920s. She was best known for putting a bubbly personality into her recordings, capturing the spirit of the 1920s flapper when she sang. She had many great hit songs, Her inherent charm made her quite popular with the buying public. In 1931, Hanshaw recording "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" while under contract for Columbia. The song was recorded by many, and for several decades to come. With lyrics by Roy Turk and music by Ahlert, this is Annette Hanshaw singing "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" with Benny Goodman on clarinet.

The first and most memorable version of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" was by the great Fats Waller, a big hit in 1935. The song, written by Ahlert with lyricist Joe Young, was a joyful song, filled with flirty humor and fun. It was recorded in 1936 by The Boswell Sisters, a trio of sisters from New Orleans. Martha, Connee, and Helvetia Boswell were known for their tight harmonies and the way they played with the internal rhythms of songs. You can hear it all in their wonderful recording of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter".

Lee Morse started out life one of 12 children of a Portland, Oregon, pastor. Her dream was to become a musician, and she worked her way toward it. She started out playing silent movie halls, but soon made her way to San Francisco, where she was 'discovered'. When recording, she became known for the depth and richness of her voice. In 1931, she recorded a song by Ahlert, with lyrics by Roy Turk. "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" went to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, although it was Nat King Cole who was most successful with the song. This is Lee Morse singing "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" from 1931.

Hope your weekend is a great one!

Before the Crash • Great Songs of 1929

Clockwise: Annette Hanshaw, Aileen Stanley, Helen Kane, and Ruth Etting.

This week, I decided to take a look at some of the music from 1929 and figure out what would be fun to hear. The year was an interesting one, as it was really the height of the "Roaring Twenties", with excess the theme for many. However, it all can to a close at the end of October, when the stock market crashed, which left many broke, their savings gone. But I will focus on the music, as there was plenty going one. As I went through the list of hits, I came to the realization that 84 years ago, the music business was dominated by men, but there were a few incredibly talented ladies who were making people pay attention. One of those ladies was Annette Hanshaw, a singer born in New York with a style just perfect for many of the Jazz songs coming out of the Twenties. Her light and bubbly deliver was wonderful, and her phrasing distinctive. When I found this recording of her singing "I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling", with music by Fats Waller and Harry Link and lyrics by Billy Rose, I knew I wanted to include it in the post. A few years later, Hanshaw tired of the entertainment business, and retired to be the wife of Pathé Records executive Herman "Wally" Rose. I hope you enjoy Annette singing "I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling" as much as I do.

Aileen Muggeridge began her career in vaudeville, sharing the stage with her brother Stanley. They had a song and dance act, until Stanley left show business, leaving Aileen to build a career as a solo artist. She continued on, giving herself a new name, combining her name with her brother's, and was known as Aileen Stanley. Vaudeville led to a recording career, and soon she had hits of her own, as well as some with another vaudeville star, Billy Murray. In 1929, Aileen recorded "I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You)", a song written by Roy Turk & Fred E. Ahlert. In her later years, Aileen told people she was thrilled the song was written for her. I hope you enjoy Aileen Stanley sing "I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You)".

This is not the first time Ruth Etting has appeared on Soundtrack to my Day. She was a major star in the 1920s and 1930s, both as a recording artist and film actress. She became known as 'American's sweetheart of song'. That is until her personal life took over the headlines, when her ex-husband shot her boyfriend in 1938, and the shocking scandal basically ended her career. In 1929, however, the singer had several hits, including "Mean To Me", with music by Fred E. Ahlert and lyrics by Roy Turk. The song toys with the meaning of words, and how one word can mean several different things. It is wonderful to hear Etting's emotional journey on "Mean To Me".

Finally, I offer one of my favorites from the period, Helen Kane. She was a singer in the Twenties, enjoying the life of a 'flapper'. But it wasn't until 1927 that Kane got her big break, when she appeared in the Broadway hit, 'A Night In Spain'. Soon she was singing everywhere, and her Jazz stylings included her adding in 'Boop-boop-a-doo' in often. In 1928, she sang "I Wanna Be Loved By You" in Oscar Hammerstein's Broadway hit 'Good Boy'. The song quickly became her trademark number. It was said she was the inspiration for the cartoon character "Betty Boop", while some say it was a combination of Kane and silent film star Clara Bow. In fact, despite the similarities in appearance and sound, when she sued the studio later, the judge determined it could not be proved. In 1929, Kane recorded "I Want To Be Bad", written by Lew Brown, Joe Henderson and Buddy DeSylva. The song is a delight, and deliciously naughty. I hope you love Helen Kane singing "I Want To Be Bad".

As wonderful as the year in music was, everything came to a halt on October 24, 1929, better known as Black Tuesday. That day, the Stock Market lost 30 points. On October 29th and 30th, the Stock Market hit new lows, and lost over $30 billion over those two days. This devastated many, as they lost all their savings. In fact, Aileen Stanley was said to have lost most of her money, and she went to England to start a new career and rebuild her savings. It was there she had met and started seeing Edward, Prince of Wales. At some point, she told friends that she introduced him to another American, Wallis Simpson. And the rest, you could say, is history...

Just A Little Bit of Blue

Clockwise: Annette Hanshaw; Billie Holiday; Big Maybelle; and June Allyson.

Well, it is Saturday night, and time to hit the clubs again. Only these days, I think I would prefer a nice smokey nightclub to a dance club. Of course, they'd have to have only the best girl singers, putting down some amazing songs about love and life. Tonight, I am glad to feature four songs from four decades. And I will begin with the singer with the earliest recording of this quartet, Annette Hanshaw. Many think of Annette as the first great female Jazz singer, for she was exceedingly popular during the 1920s and 1930s. She was also thought to be the inspiration for the ultimate flapper, Miss Betty Boop. In 1929, Hanshaw recorded a song with music by Sigmund Romberg and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1928 Broadway show 'The New Moon'. That song went on to become a classic of the Great American Songbook, sung by many. Listen as Annette sings "Lover, Come Back To Me".

In 1934, another song was written that would be a part of the Great American Songbook. The song, with words and music by Ray Noble, is a Pop standard, sung by so many. But few could sing it like Lady Day. So here is Billie Holiday to sing "The Very Thought of You", which can be found on her 1959 album 'The Billie Holiday Story, Vol. 1'.

And while she really didn't record much outside of the cast recordings of the Broadway and movie musicals she appeared in, June Allyson was cast in many a musical. In fact, she began as a member of the chorus in Broadway shows, before moving up to understudy, and finally, the lead. And it wasn't long before she was on her way to Lon Angeles, on her way to movie stardom. That included being featured in the musical number "Treat Me Rough" from the 1943 musical "Girl Crazy". She is joined in the song by co-star Mickey Rooney, in one of the classics he played opposite Judy Garland.

And, last but most certainly not least, I have a song from a favorite of mine, Big Maybelle. She has a vast catalog of music, and I am oh-so-grateful for that. So I end out Saturday night together with her bluesy "I'm Getting 'Long Alright". The song can be found on 'The Complete Okeh Sessions 1952-1955' and was composed by Bobby Sharp and Charles Singleton.

Happy Times in 1930

Clockwise: Florence Welch; Ruth Etting; Dame Shirley Bassey; and Annette Hanshaw.

Just when I think I am running out of ideas, another one pops into my head. I thought I'd take a look at songs that were on the charts in 1930, but not necessarily the top of the charts, nor necessarily by by original singers. Is that vague enough? I didn't mean it to me, but when I found this first video, I knew I was on the right track. "My Baby Just Cares For Me" was written by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was written for the 1930 movie version of the 1928 Broadway musical, 'Whoopee!', starring Eddie Canter. Some 30 years later, it became a trademark song of the great Nina Simone. But I have to admit, when I found this version by the gorgeous Florence Welch, I was a bit on the giddy level. So here is Florence singing "My Baby Just Cares For Me" for a New Years celebration with the brilliant Jools Holland.

"Ten Cents A Dance" was written by legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1930 Florenz Ziegfeld musical, 'Simple Simon'. In fact, it was written for Lee Morse, a singer of note in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. However, Morse battled her demons, and was fired from the show in the out-of-town tryout in Boston, and replaced by Ruth Etting. She was already a successful singer, and added "Ten Cents A Dance" to the list of her hit songs. Etting's career was cut short when her gangster ex-husband shot her new boyfriend, and the headlines featured the story everywhere. Later, Doris Day would play her in the movie 'Love Me Or Leave Me', and James Cagney played the gangster Moe Snyder.

Singer Al Jolson had a big hit with the Irving Berlin song "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" in 1930, but I found another version that I loved. Sure, there were countless very talented singers who recorded the song, but this live performance by the great Dame Shirley Bassey just hit me as something special. I think one of my favorite things about Bassey is her ability to offer something special and new in every song she sings. So enjoy Dame Shirley's take on Berlin's "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy".

The next song wsa written in 1929 by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen, and recorded by Leo Reisman & His Orchestra. The recording was featured in the 1930 movie musical, 'Chasing Rainbows', as part of a grand finale that took the black and white film to technicolor. As a matter of fact, the song was featured in 15 movies by the end of 1932. The song became a big hit, and was used as a theme song for Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential campaign in 1932. I chose a version recorded by the great Annette Hanshaw in 1930, capturing the way the song was originally heard by so very many, as an uptempo fun song. Over 30 years in the future, the song would be slowed down and delivered by a young singer to breath new life into the song. That singer was, of course, Barbra Streisand. But here is the perennial flapper, Annette Hanshaw, singing "Happy Days Are Here Again".

Have a great weekend!