Torch From Berlin

Clockwise: Diana Krall; Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald; Judy Garland; and Billie Holiday.

After last week's foray into the Blues, I return once again to Jazz for our Saturday night entertainment. Inspired by the Johnny Mathis song from this morning, I once again returned to the well that has kept my Saturday nights in great music, with my muse for the evening, Irving Berlin. As a composer, Berlin has written great songs for some of the greatest characters of the 20th Century, and some of the greatest singers of the time. Tonight I will begin with a song made famous by the amazing Fred Astaire, and danced to by Fred and his partner, Ginger Rogers. The song was written for the 1936 film 'Follow The Fleet', starring Fred and Ginger. Sixty-three years later, "Let's Face The Music And Dance" was recorded by Diana Krall in 1999, for the album 'When I Look In Your Eyes'. Krall has a wonderful sultry style, which is truly on display on this recording. This is the official music video of Diana Krall singing 'Let's Face The Music And Dance'.

While Berlin wrote for many of the great stars of the 1930s and 40s, once again I go back to the quintessential stars of the period, Astaire and Rogers, from the 1935 film, 'Top Hat'. While few could deliver "Cheek to Cheek" with the suave style that is so easy for Fred Astaire, when I heard the recording used here, I got really excited. Whenever you combine the talents of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, how could you go wrong? You can't. Please enjoy Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong singing Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek", recorded in 1956.

"Always" was written in 1925, meant to be a wedding gift to his wife, Ellin. The two were married in 1926, and they were together until her death in 1988. Berlin had assigned the rights to this song and others to his new wife, ensuring that if something happened to him, she would still get money from his income stream of songs. In 1958, the song was recorded by the great Billie Holiday, and it is really very special. While many took it slow, Holiday made it a mid-tempo song, putting a bit of swing into the ballad. This is Billie Holiday singing "Always".

The final song of the evening is another that was introduced to the public in a Broadway score, before going on to a life of its own. "What'll I Do", written in 1923 and appeared in the show 'The Music Box Review' of the same year, as well as in the show for the 1924. It was a hit with the audience, and proved to have staying power when it was sung by the great voices in music for decades to come. In fact, it was sung by the great Judy Garland on her television show in 1964. Yes, forty years later,the song was still entertaining audiences. This is Judy Garland singing "What'll I Do" on 'The Judy Garland Show'.

Hope your weekend is allowing you to soar!

Elaine Stritch & Russell Nype • You're Just In Love

Russell Nype and Elaine Stritch. 

When 'Call Me Madame' opened on Broadway in 1950, Ethel Merman sang the song of composer Irving Berlin. The show was directed by George Abbott. Legend has it that during out out-of-town tryouts, everyone knew the second act was not as tight as it could be. It was said Merman was interested n singing a song with young costar Russell Nype. The next day, Berlin showed up with "You're In Love" written, ready for Ethel and Russell to try it out. the song went into the show. The understudy for Merman during the Broadway run was the amazing Elaine Stritch. When it closed, and the producers began putting together the National Touring Company, it was decided that if Merman wouldn't join, then it was time for Stritch to take the lead role. This is a clip of Elaine Stritch and Russell Nype singing "You're In Love", promoting the tour of 'Call Me Madam'.

Rest in peace, Elaine.

Dark Monday • Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army

Today, I wish to post about music, and to celebrate Memorial Day, all in one fell swoop. While it might be hard to do, I figured out a way. Released almost 60 years ago, 'White Christmas' was more than just a holiday movie. The musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen had music and lyrics by the great Irving Berlin also offered several salutes to the armed services, including one I simply love. Toward the end of the film, when the stars were performing in their play-within-the-movie motif, they sang the wonderful "Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army", both sweet and fun. This is the song from 'White Christmas'.

One of the first big production numbers in the movie features Crosby and Kaye joined by the rest of the army division singing a send off for their favorite general. The song is "The Old Man", once again written by Irving Berlin. As the General says his goodbyes, the soldiers all sing of their admiration of the man. This is "The Old Man" from 'White Christmas'.

Happy Memorial day, everyone!

With Love, From (Irving) Berlin...

Clockwise: Maxine Sullivan, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford and Dinah Shore.

I decided I wanted to hear some of the music of Irving Berlin tonight, and thought his love songs would be fun. Berlin is best known for his rousing uptempo songs, and his patriotic numbers. But he was no stranger to the ballad, having written some beautiful ones for Broadway and Hollywood musicals. The first song I have on the list is the beautiful "Blue Skies", written in 1926, a last-minute 'fix' for the Rodgers and Hart musical, 'Betsy'. While the show didn't survive, the song definitely did. The song went from a song in a Broadway flop to a great addition to the Great American Songbook, with some great versions sung by many artists. I decided to go with a version by Maxine Sullivan, a wonderful singer who paved the way for the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan. Many considered her the greatest Jazz singer of the 1930s. Here is her version of "Blue Skies", recorded in 1937.

The next song was written as a duet, and comes from a Broadway show that was also a hit movie musical. "You're Just In Love" was written in 1950, and first performed by Ethel Merman and Russell Nype in 'Call Me Madam' on Broadway. Rosemary Clooney and Guy Mitchell recorded the song at the end of 1950, and it became a Top 40 hit. Berlin wrote the song with a charming counterpoint style, with the two parts of the song seemingly at different tempos, yet they blend together beautifully.

"You Keep Coming Back Like A Song" was written by Berlin for the 1946 film 'Blue Skies', and was introduced by Bing Crosby. Like much of Berlin's music, the song went on to be recorded by many, so I had plenty from which to choose. I decided to go with Dinah Shore's lovely version, released in 1946. In the recording, Shore has such lovely tone and control, so please enjoy Dinah singing "You Keep Coming Back Like A Song".

The next song was from the 1949 Broadway production of 'Miss Liberty', a musical written about the wonderful gift from the French, the Statue of Liberty. "(Just One Way To Say) I Love You" is the song that closed the first act, and it is a beautiful one. So lovely, it caught the eye of the talented Jo Stafford, who released it in 1949. The song was a hit, making it to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Of course, Stafford was a popular singer, being the first woman to have a #1 song on the UK music charts. So please enjoy Jo as she sings "(Just One Way To Say) I Love You".

Have a great weekend!

Dame Shirley Bassey • Let Me Sing and I'm Happy/Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

The beautiful and talented Dame Shirley Bassey sings two great songs by some of the greatest songwriters ever. First she sings "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy", written by the brilliant Irving Berlin, and then she follows it up with "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend", with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Leo Robin. The songs were recorded as part of her variety program, The Shirley Bassey Show. The first episodes appeared on the BBC in 1976, including the episode which featured the performances below.

Have a great Saturday!

Dark Monday • (You're Not Sick) You're Just In Love

I just could not resist continuing by Valentine love-fest to this Monday post, knowing full-well we are 4 days beyond the holiday. In search of something special, I hit upon a delightful song from the 1950 Broadway hit 'Call Me Madam'. The original production starred superstar Ethel Merman, as well as the music of the great Irving Berlin. The story was based on the life of Washington socialite Perle Mesta, a Democratic fundraiser who went on to be named Ambassador to Luxembourg. The story was said to be a tongue-in-cheek look at politics, D.C. social life, and foreign affairs. The original Broadway production was quite unique, for producer Leland Hayward got the money from NBC Television and RCA Records for the production, giving each a third of the profit. He also did the unthinkable, raising the price of the orchestra seats to a record $7.20. It was made into a movie in 1953, still starring Merman, as well as Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, and George Sanders. Watch this clip to see Ethel and Donald singing the season-appropriate "(You're Not Sic) You're Just In Love".

You can find the soundtrack for 'Call Me Madam' on iTunes or Amazon.

Dark Monday • Christmas On Broadway

Tonight there is a special post for Dark Monday, the post I dedicate to the Broadway and movie musicals on a night when, in the days of yore, when Broadway took the night off. When they did this, it was the only day of the week the nights were turned off, hence the title 'Dark Monday'. Through the years there have been several Christmas-themed songs from the stage and screen, and I am going to offer up just a couple. I will begin with what might be the most obvious choice of the post. When 'Mame' opened on Broadway in 1966, it certainly had some great talents contributing. The musical was based on the book and Broadway play 'Auntie Mame', which eventually became a movie starring Broadway star Rosalind Russell. The lead character is a charismatic and combustible character,based on novelist's Patrick Dennis' real life aunt. The musical was brought to life with a stellar case, including Angela Lansbury. Here is Angela singing "We Need A Little Christmas" off the original cast album.

Back in 1978, a little-known show opened on Broadway, telling the story of the Chicken Ranch, a legal brothel in Texas. With music and lyrics by Carol Hall, 'Best Little Whorehouse In Texas' was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Henderson Forsythe and Carlin Glynn, respectively. There is a moment in the show when the house madame sing a beautiful ballad, which went on to be one of the long-lasting impressions from the show. Enjoy this version of "Hard Candy Christmas" sung by the star of the movie version, Dolly Parton.

The next show features Music by Charles Strouse amd Lyrics by Martin Charnin. The musical 'Annie came to the Broadway stage in 1977, telling the story of a young orphan girl at the time of the Great Depression. While it gave us the ultimate Broadway song in "Tomorrow" and one of the most delicious character in Mrs. Hannigan. Here is "A New Deal From Christmas" being performed as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

While it took decades before the Broadway musical to be made inspired from the Paramount Pictures holiday classic, White Christmas. That 1954 film was, in fact, inspire by the 1942 Paramount musical, 'Holiday Inn'. Both films featured the music of the great Irving Berlin, and much of the scores were included in the 2004 Broadway version running for the holiday season. But in this clip, we see Bing Crosby sing the song, which I think appeared in the 1942 film. Nonetheless, enjoy "White Christmas"!

Enjoy your Christmas!

Barbra Streisand & Jason Gould Duet

Well, I thought I would kick off our Saturday morning with a light and breezy song written by the great Irving Berlin in 1932. As part of the recent Barbra Streisand tour, La Streisand sings "How Deep Is The Ocean" as a duet with a surprise guest, her son, Jason Gould. And the real surprise is that Jason has a nice voice, as you can tell in this video.

I mean, who would have thought that the son of Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould would be 45 years old before the world knew he got some talent from his mother? What, we gonna find out at some point he is also a great actor? The other surprising part is that Jason is really hot. Like I think I'd wanna date him, even if he didn't have Barbra as a mother. But until then, I'll have this video to enjoy.

Dark Monday • There's No Business Like Ethel's Business

There is just a special something when Ethel Merman sings. Sure, there are those who love her, and those who don't. I will grant you I won't be running out to purchase her albums, but I can't help but respect the woman who inspired many a Broadway writer, and belted her way decade after decade starring in some of the greatest roles for women in the 20th Century. "There's No Business Like Show Business" was written by Irving Berlin for the 1946 musical, 'Annie Get Your Gun'. That starred Ethel Merman in the role of Annie Oakley. It was first featured in the 1954 film of the same name, a film built around existing Berlin music, including that song. And once again, Ethel was hired to deliver the song as only she could. Enjoy.

Torch From Berlin

Clockwise: Sarah Vaughan; Betty Hutton; Deanna Durbin; and Annette Hanshaw.

No, not torches of the German variety! I am talking about torch songs from the great Irving Berlin. Berlin has written some of the most memoralbe songs from the last century, songs that still can be sung today and seem new and fresh. First up, I picked a song written by Berlin in 1923, and has been performed by the best singers of the last 89 years. That includes the incredibly talented Sarah Vaughan. Here she is, singing the incredible What'll I Do.



The next song was written for the 1926 musical, Betsy. While the show itself was a flop, the song was an instant hit, with the audience demanding an incredible 24 encore performances from singer Belle Baker on opening night. The song, Blue Skies, is long remembered as a classic in the Great American Songbook, while few can tell you a thing about Betsy. Sung by a variety of stars, the song was at the top of the charts in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1960s and 1970s. Here is the great singer/movie star Betty Hutton singing Blue Skies.



While Say It Isn't So might have been written in 1932, it has also maintained a timeless quality when it has been recorded by artists like Julie London, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin. But I went back a bit further for this version, so here is Annette Hanshaw singing Say It Isn't So, from the early 1930s, shortly before she retired from the music business.



For much of the late 1930s and the 1940s, Deanna Durbin was a a star on the rise, along side Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Durbin played the sweet girl next door, and her beautiful voice and good looks made her an audience favorite. However, once she tried to grow up and play more interesting roles, the films were less successful, and soon Deanna retired from the business, and withdrew from the public eye. Thankfully, her rich voice was recorded both on record and film, including this beautiful version of Always from the 1944 film, Christmas Holiday.



Hope you all are having a great weekend!