Dark Monday • Ethel Merman & Mary Martin

In 1953, the Ford Motor Company celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company in a way no one had ever seen before. As neither NBC nor CBS reached all the households in the country, Ford purchased prime time on both to air 'The Ford 50th Anniversary Show" on June 15th. It was said to the first "Television Spectacular", with a star-studded list of guests. Among those appearing were two of the top Broadway stars, Mary Martin and Ethel Merman. The ladies commanded the television screen for over 13 minutes, singing a medley of great songs both from Broadway and from Pop music. Ethel started the fun with"There's No Business Like Show Business" from the Irving Berlin musical 'Annie Get Your Gun', which originally starred Merman. Then Mary stepped in with "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy" from South Pacific', the Broadway hit by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II that starred Mary Martin. Then it was back to Ethel with "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" with music by Gus Edwards and lyrics by Edward Madden. Mary came back with "Wait 'Till The Sun Shines, Nellie" with music by Harry Von Tilzer and lyrics by Andrew B. Sterling, followed by Ethel singing "Sheik of Araby" with music by Ted Snyder and lyrics by Harry B. Smith & Francis Wheeler. Both Mary and Ethel joined in on "When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" written by Harry M. Woods. Martin broke off with the classic "My Melancholy Baby" with music by Ernie Burnett and lyrics by George A. Norton. Ethel took her turn with "You Made Me Love You" with music by James V. Monaco and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. Martin sang "Mississippi Mud" by Harry Barris & James Cavanaugh.

Then the pair decided to sing "I" songs, which included "I Cried for You", "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", "I'm in the Mood For Love", "I Love a Parade", "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (If I Knew I'd Find You)", "I'm Sitting on Top of the World", "I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'", "I Can't Give You Anything but Love", "I'll Get By", "You're Just in Love", and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair".

As if that weren't enough, the ladies sang a couple of songs by the great Cole Porter, as Ethel sang "I Get A Kick Out of You". Mary added "I've Got You Under My Skin", and the flirty "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" by Cole Porter. Then Ethel added a classic of her own, with "I Got Rhythm" by George and Ira Gershwin.

In one of the nicest parts of a great duet, both ladies took on different songs at the same time, bringing it all together. The songs included "Indian Love Call" with music by Rudolf Friml and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, "Tea For Two" with music by Vincent Youmans and lyrics by Irving Ceasar & Otto Harbach, "Stormy Weather" with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ted Koehler, and "Isn't It Romantic" with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. In the end, they raised their voices together on a reprise of the great Irving Berlin song, "There's No Business Like Show Business".

In 1953, Ethel Merman and Mary Martin were Broadway royalty, having been performing since the 1930s. Martin was given the Tony Award for 'Best Actress in a Musical' in 1950 for playing Nellie Forbush in 'South Pacific', and Merman won her Tony in 1951 for playing Sally Adams in 'Call Me Madam'. These were only the fourth and fifth years the Tony Awards were given. With this performance, you can see why they earned their awards. Such gifted ladies.

Dark Monday • Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

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.

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.

The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein

Clockwise: Patti LuPone, Margaret Whiting, Sarah Vaughan, and Bernadette Peters.

After watching the live production of 'Sound of Music' on NBC this week, I was inspired to hear more music from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the songwriting team behind some very impressive musicals. I will admit I was quite inspired by Audra McDonald's breath-taking "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", and so I thought to find some versions of their songs that were not from the original Broadway productions or films. And that is what I accomplished that with the first entry, a song from the musical 'The King & I'. The Broadway show debuted in 1951, and almost instantly became a classic, with some great songs. That included "I Could Have Danced All Night", a beautiful and soaring song. Well, unless it was in the hands of songstress Peggy Lee, who added a little Cha-Cha to the proceedings. This is the ever-surprising Miss Peggy Lee singing "I Could Have Danced All Night".

In 1949, Rodgers and Hammerstein opened a little show called 'South Pacific'. The show, based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book, 'Tales of the South Pacific'. The show won an amazing 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as awards for both Rodgers and Hammerstein. With songs like "A Cockeyed Optimist", "Some Enchanted Evening", "Younger Than Springtime", "Bali Ha'i", and others, it is no wonder the show immediately became a hit. One of the songs that registered with the audience and singers alike was "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy", a wonderful song about love. That same year, it was recorded by the daughter of composer Richard Whiting. This is Margaret Whiting singing "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy".

In 1945, Rodgers and Hammerstein had another show debuting on Broadway. After having a huge hit with 'Oklahoma', the pair feared the audience and critics would be comparing them. So they went with a very different show in 'Carousel', a musical that was darker, yet still vibrant. It had several great songs, but one that always appealed to me was "If I loved You", originally sung as a duet between John Raitt and Jan Clayton on Broadway. I decided to go with a stunning rendition by the amazing Bernadette Peters, recorded for her 2002 album 'Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein'. There is something that is just so simple and lovely about the recording, so pleasure enjoy Bernadette Peters singing "If I Loved You".

For the last song of the night, I go to the 1945 film 'State Fair'. Rodgers and Hammerstein adapted this one from the 1933 musical of the same name, directly for film. There was no stage production, well until one was produced in 1996, long after both Rodgers and Hammerstein had passed away. There were several popular songs in the score, but I thought I'd share "It Might As Well Be Spring", winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Song of 1945. And I really love this version by the spectacular Sarah Vaughan. This is Sarah singing "It Might As Well Be Spring".

Have a great weekend!

Some Wonderful Music by Jerome Kern

Clockwise: Helen Forrest, Audra McDonald, Barbra Streisand, and Billie Holiday.

Tonight, I thought I would offer you a few beautiful music written by the great composer, Jerome Kern. Whether partnered with Oscar Hammerstein II, or with other lyricists, Kern wrote some amazing songs that found their way into the Great American Songbook, and being performed by some of the great in the Jazz industry, from the great instrumentalists to some of the best voices recording. He was responsible for the music from great shows like the 'Ziegfeld Follies' of 1915, 1916, and 1917, 'Show Boat', 'Roberta', 'Swing Time', and 'Lady Be Good'. I was first introduced to the song by Barbra Streisand, from her 1967 album, 'Simply Streisand'. I was enchanted by it, for is has such a beautiful melody. But here I bring you the 1939 recording of "All The Things You Are", by Artie Shaw & his Orchestra, with featured vocals by Helen Forrest. The song was written for the 1939 musical 'Very Warm For May'. This version has qualities of Pop and Swing, and is really rather divine. This is Helen Forrest with Artie Shaw & his Orchestra singing "All The Things You Are".

I think it could be easily argued that the 1927 musical 'Show Boat' is the most well-known score Kern wrote. So many of the songs made it into Pop culture, performed by Big Bands, Pop singers, Jazz artists, and Opera singers. With music by Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and songs like "Old Man River", "Make Believe", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", and the next song, it is easy to see why. Next up, I will go with Audra McDonald singing the beautiful "Bill". It is easy to see why she is the winner of 5 Tony Awards, or should I say hear why. Her voice is amazing, and when she takes on the song from 'Showboat', with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This is stunning.

Sometimes it seems impossible for me to not include Billie Holiday in my Saturday night posts. As this night features classic songs and performances, she always qualifies. And once again, I couldn't resist including her in this tribute to Jerome Kern with a recording of her singing "The Way You Look Tonight". The song was originally featured in the 1936 RKO Radio Pictures musical, 'Swing Time'. The lyrics were written by Dorothy Fields, and originally sung by Fred Astaire to costar Ginger Rogers. As expected, Lady Day delivers the goods, and more in this 1936 recording with Teddy Wilson & his Orchestra. This is "The Way You Look Tonight".

Well, I have decided to come full circle, and return to the source. I was first introduced to many classic songs with my preoccupation with the talented Barbra Streisand. As a young teeen, I was buying up her early releases, including 'My Name Is Barbra', the soundtrack to her first television special from 1965, 'My Name is Barbra'. "Make Believe", from the previously mentioned musical 'Showboat', is a gorgeous song of love and longing, and beautifully delivered by the young Streisand. This is a clip from the special, and also includes her singing the song "I'm Late".

Hope your weekend is making you sing!

Dark Monday • Oklahoma!

Certainly by now we have all seen the pictures and videos of the devastation left in the wake of the tornadoes in Oklahoma a week ago. So I thought I would offer up a tribute of the state with a look at a great musical I think everyone must know. I thought I would visit 'Oklahoma!', the brilliant musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical first opened on Broadway 70 years ago, in 1943. The original production starred Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Celeste Holm, Howard Da Silva, and Lee Dixon, and was choreographed by the legendary Agnes de Mille. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, 'Green Grow the Lilacs'. The show is set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906, and tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams, as well as the relationship between cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie. The show opened in London in 1947, and had Broadway revivals in 1951, 1979, and 2002. The musical was filmed for 20th Century Fox for a 1955 release, starring Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger, Charlotte Greenwood, Gloria Grahame, Gene Nelson, James Whitmore and Eddie Albert. There was also a 1998 revival in London that featured Hugh Jackman as Curly.

With music by the iconic team of Rodgers and Hammerstein, there is so much excellent music available, it was tough to winnow it down to just a few songs. But I thought I would lead off with a magnificent song, "Oh What A Beautiful Morning". I remember growing up and this being a part of the cultural experience, and everyone could sing it, either for real, or in a mocking way. In the clip below, the song is sung by Gordan MacRae from the 1955 film version of the show.

I have to giggle for "I Cain't Say No" was also a part of the cultural zeitgeist for me, usually in a mocking sense. "I'm just a girl who cain't say no, I'm in a terrible fix," sung with a bad Southern accent, could work, and did work, in countless situations. Once again, I am relying on the film version, this time with the delicious Gloria Grahame as Ado Annie.

Once again, I can think of many different ways I would be able to hear people singing the lyrics for "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", for theater geeks, like myself, to people driving carriages when I was regularly attending Morgan horse shows in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. I decided to go with a clip featuring the 1999 London production, featuring Hugh Jackman, Maureen Lipman, and Josefina Gabrielle.

For my money, "People Will Say We're In Love" is the best song in this rather spectacular score. It allows the voices of both the romantic leads, male and female, to soar. When it is sung well, the song can carry the audience so far long this journey. Once again I am going with the 1955 film version, featuring Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae. This, by the way, was the first film appearance by a young Shirley Jones, who went on to have a great career. But I do laugh, for there are some I am sure remember her as the mother of 'The Partridge Family', never realizing she was an amazing singer.

And, finally, I could not possibly do this post without including the title song for the show. The song seems so very iconic to me, for who can't sing along with it. It was certainly a favorite at the piano bars in New York City in the 1980s, for I heard many a show queen singing it there. In fact, the more the merrier at The Duplex, or Marie's Crisis, or Don't Tell Mama. Enjoy the 1955 film cast singing "Oklahoma!"

One of the reasons I thought to do this post was because the show showed such a wonderful toughness and resilience of the people of Oklahoma, a people who face life on the frontier at the turn of the 19th Century. The people are still that strong, but that doesn't mean they must go through the terrible tragedies caused by the tornadoes last week. We can honor their strength by pitching in and giving what we can, and doing what we can to ease their burden, even if it is ever-so-slightly. You can donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting “Red Cross” to 90999. For other ways to donate or help in the relief effort, call 1-800-HELP NOW, or log onto the Red Cross official site.