Dark Monday • Éirinn go Brách-dway

Left: Barbra Streisand, and right: Anita O'Day.

On January 10, 1947, the original Broadway production of 'Finian's Rainbow' opened at the 46th Street Theatre, in New York City. The hit show had lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and music by Burton Lane. The show told the story of an Irish father and daughter who move to the American South to bury a pot of gold, hoping it would grow. And, of course, the leprechaun that followed them. Two months later, another original Broadway production opened March 13, 1947, at the Ziegfeld Theatre. 'Brigadoon' is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. It is a story of a group that stumbles upon a Scottish town that only appears once every century. Of course, love blooms when strangers meet. What do these two productions have in common? Aside from the year 1947, they both have songs that Barbra Streisand made into a medley that is gorgeous to hear. She sings "How Are Things In Glocca Morra" from 'Finian's Rainbow' and "Heather on the Hill" from 'Brigadoon', to make a lovely aural experience. This is Barbra Streisand with her recording of the songs.

Another of the great songs from 'Finian's Rainbow' became an instant classic, with vocalists putting their time in the studio to be a part of the fun. One of those voices could be counted as one of my favorites for the Jazz singers. Anita O'Day teamed up with with the Oscar Peterson Quartet to record "Old Devil Moon" from the Broadway hit. It appeared on her 1957 album, 'Anita Sings the Most'. This is Anita O'Day and the Oscar Peterson Quartet singing "Old Devil Moon".

And since it is St. Patrick's Day, I have to add "Éirinn go Brách" people!

Dark Monday • How Are Things In Glocca Morra

For our Broadway musical treat tonight, I thought I would stick with an Irish theme to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a clip featuring Ella Logan singins the gorgeous "How Are Things In Glocca Morra" from the original 1947 Broadway production of 'Finian's Rainbow'. Ella was a Scottish-born actress/singer who first made a name for herself on London's West End, and crossed the Atlantic to become a star on Broadway as well. Listen to her lovely recording of "How Are Things In Glocca Morra".

Sunday Morning with Petula Clark

I know I just did a post on Petula Clark recently, But I had found these two videos that I was dying to use, and thought this would be a great way to do it. They are just beautiful, and need to be heard. The first is from her role in the film Finian's Rainbow. She sings a version of How Are Things in Glocca Morra? that is meant to break down even the coldest of hearts.



In the 70s, she appeared on British television to sing Cole Porter's Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, and does a fantastic job with it.



Clark also appeared on the stage quite often, taking the lead rol in many shows, including Sunset Boulevard and The Sound Of Music. She was magnificent as Maria, and the 'real' Maria Von Trapp said she was "the best Maria ever!" Here she is singing the beautiful Edelweiss.



For more about Petulat, check out her official website here. You can find one of the many Greatest Hits collections, which I am sure you will love, on Amazon.com here, and on iTunes here.