I just thought it was time to Jazz up Christmas, and what better way than to add a little 1950s swing? I decided to play "Baby It's Cold Outside", written by Frank Loesser in 1944. The song, while not really dealing with Christmas directly, certainly speaks to the winter weather many of us encounter. I decided to go with the version by Sammy Davis Jr and Carmen McRae, featured on their 1957 album 'Boy Meets Girl'. I hope you enjoy Carmen and Sammy as they sing "Baby It's Cold Outside".
You can purchase Sammy Davis Jr and Carmen McRae's album 'Boy Meets Girl' from iTunes and Amazon. For more holiday Jazz, check back in tonight!
Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald; Barbra Streisand; Carmen McRae; and Judy Garland.
While they might not be as scary as the Halloween season might call for, I thought I would offer up a few supernatural-tinged torch songs to help you burn up your pre-Halloween Saturday night. And I will start with an amazing singer bringing to life the scary childhood tale of 'The Three Little Pigs'. "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" first appeared in the 1930s as part of a Disney cartoon. It was written by Frank Churchill with additional lyrics by Ann Ronel. In 1963, it was recorded by Barbra Streisand for her first album.
"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"first appeared in the the 1940 musical 'Pal Joey', written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It became an instant standard, and some of the top vocalists of the next several generations were singing it, both men and women alike. In 1956, Ella Fitzgerald recorded an immaculate version of the classic.
Any song that can say the music was written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer is certainly one that needs to be heard. The 1942 song has been sung by most, if not all of, the greats of the music business. Here is a clip of the sultry and talented Carmen McRae singing "That Old Black Magic" in 1986.
The 1947 musical 'Finian's Rainbow' was composed by Burton Lane and had lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It included "How Are Things In Glocca Morra", a memorable song to be sure. If that was the only song in the score, it would be well worth listening. But it wasn't. There was also the iconic "That Old Devil Moon", another song that has been covered by some of the greatest voices to ever record. Here, watch Judy Garland sing it on her television show.
Clockwise: Norah Jones; Carmen McRae; Julie London; and Teresa Brewer.
It is June 1, when the summer season really starts to kick off. I know the recent spell of warm weather drove that point home here, and I sure I am not the only one thing of summer vacations. I bet there are plenty of kids eager to be done with school for a few months, and some parents trying to figure out what do do with those same kids. Well, you know what I suggest, don't you? Break out some great music and teach your kids something about the music of the past and present, to insure there will be plenty of music in the future! The first step on that education could be some amazing ladies singing about summer, starting with the beautiful Norah Jones. Her voice and style are so distinctive, I really enjoy it when she takes on the classics. Here is Norah singing "Summertime", composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera 'Porgy and Bess'. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel 'Porgy' on which the opera was based, although the song is also co-credited to Ira Gershwin. While the great Billie Holiday might be the version most people know, I do like this one as well. Here is Norah Jones singing "Summertime".
Next up we have a beautiful song written by Johnny Mercer, Michel Legrand, Eddie Barclay and Eddy Marnay. Carmen McRae recorded "Once Upon A Summertime" for her 1965 album, 'Second To None'. It was originally recorded by Blossom Dearie in 1958, but there were many more who followed. Please enjoy this version, sung by the Carmen McRae, whose gorgeous voice is just perfect for "Once Upon A Summertime".
I know that Teresa Brewer was more well known as a Pop singer in the 1950s, with songs like "Music! Music! Music!" and "Till I Waltz Again With You". But in the 1960s, she picked her songs from a more classic reservoir, including the Great American Songbook. And in 1963, she recorded "I Guess I'll Go Back Home This Summer", written by Willard Robison and Ray Mayer, for her album, 'Moments to Remember'. It is a beautiful ballad, and I hope you enjoy it.
And, finally, I had to bring the magnificent Julie London to this weekends party. I just love her, and this song is not different. Here Julie sings "Theme from A Summer Place", a song with lyrics by Mack Discant and music by Max Steiner, written for the 1959 film, 'A Summer Place', which starred matinee idols Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. While the best known version would be the Lite-FM version by Percy Faith, I think this one more than does the trick. So let's not waste anymore time and just get to Julie London singing "Theme From A Summer Place".
Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald; Barbra Streisand; Carmen McRae; and Judy Garland.
While they might not be as scary as the Halloween season might call for, I thought I would offer up a few supernatural-tinged torch songs to help you burn p your Halloween Saturday night. And I will start with an amazing singer bringing to life the scary childhood tale of 'The Three Little Pigs'. "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" first appeared in the 30s as part of a Disney cartoon. It was written by Frank Churchill with additional lyrics by Ann Ronel. In 1963, it was recorded by Barbra Streisand for her first album.
"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" first appeared in the the 1940 musical 'Pal Joey', written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It became an instant standard, and some of the top vocalists of the next several generations were singing it, both men and women alike. In 1956, Ella Fitzgerald recorded an immaculate version of the classic.
Any song that can say the music was written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer is certainly one that needs to be heard. The 1942 song has been sung by most, if not all of, the greats of the music business. Here is a clip of the sultry and talented Carmen McRae singing "That Old Black Magic" in 1986.
The 1947 musical 'Finian's Rainbow' was composed by Burton Lane and had lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It included the song "How Are Things In Glocca Morra", a memorable song to be sure. If that was the only song in the score, it would be well worth listening. But it wasn't the only song. There was also the iconic "Old Devil Moon", another song that has been covered by some of the greatest voices to ever record. Here, watch Judy Garland sing it on her television show.
Hope the songs didn't scare you too much. Don't worry, I'll have more Halloween music coming up soon...
