Torch • At Long Last Cole Porter

Left to right: Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, and Lena Horne.

Lena Horne sings "At Long Last Love". The song was written by Cole Porter for his 1938 musical 'You Never Know'. The show was notable only because it was Porter's first show after the riding accident that left him using a cane for the rest of his life. Apparently, much of the show is forgettable, even though it featured music by Cole Porter and Robert Katscher, lyrics by Cole Porter, additional lyrics by Leigh and Edwin Gilbert, and songs by others as well. That description alone tells me it will be a bit of a mess. But it had this song, and here it is sung by the always brilliant Miss Lena Horne.

Julie London sings "What Is This Thing Called Love". The song was written for the musical revue 'Wake Up and Dream', on Broadway in 1929. In fact, the show opened on December 20, 1929, making it the final Broadway opening of the 1920s. The song almost instantly became a Jazz standard, and is one of the most performed songs of Porter's impressive songbook. As London is still a favorite of my mother, I can't help but have a warm pot for her and her music. This is Julie London singing "What Is This Thing Called Love".

Ella Fitzgerald sings "It's Alright With Me". The song is from the 1953 musical 'Can-Can'. The show featured the stories of the ladies performing in the Parisian dance halls of the 1890s. The musical was a success both in the original Broadway production as well as the original West End production in London. Here, it is performed by the iconic Ella Fitzgerald, whose voice is just so perfect to sing Jazz and standards as few others can. This is Ella with "It's Alright With Me".

Judy Garland sings "I Am Loved" from the 1950 musical, 'Out of This World'. The show was an adaptation of Plautus' comedy 'Amphitryon', featuring Roman Gods wanting to have some fun with mere humans. The show was the follow-up to the hugely successful 'Kiss Me, Kate', and was his first and only box office failure of the 1950s. Of course, there was only two more shows by Porter to come, 'Can-Can' and 'Silk Stockings'. But I think this song is a perfect way to end the post. This is Judy Garland singing "I Am Loved".

After decades of pain in his legs from the riding accident in 1937, and following 34 surgeries to try to fix it, Porter's right leg was amputated in 1958. Having already lost his mother in 1952, and his wife, Linda, in 1954, it was thought this was the final straw to break Cole, and he went in seclusion, writing no more music until his death in 1964. Luckily for us all, he left a rich songbook that will always entertain.

Valentine's Torch 2015 • Julie, Etta, Judy & Barbra

Clockwise: Julie London, Etta James, Barbra Streisand, and Judy Garland. 

It is Valentine's Day, so how could I not choose some of my favorite voices to sing about love? I decided I wanted to go with some live performances, which ruled out a few of them, but that actually made my job easier. I will start with a favorite of mine, as I remember hearing her music while I was growing up. Julie London could be heard playing from stereo when I was young, for my Mother loved listening to her. To this day, it warms my heart to even hear her voice. This is Julie London singing "Let There Be Love", with music by Lionel Rand and lyrics by Ian Grant, published in 1940.

If you are feeling romantic, how can you not think about the great song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, and sung to perfection by Etta James? The song was written for the 1941 musical 'Orchestra Wives', and was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. Nearly two decades later, it was recorded by James, and it became a hit for the singer. This is Etta James singing "At Last".

Next up, I picked a French popular song, with written by Léo Chauliac & Charles Trenet, first recorded by Trenet in 1943. "Que reste-t-il de nos amours?" was a hit in France, and used many times in soundtracks for French films. English-speaking audiences knew it was after new lyrics were written by Albert A. Beach, and it was introduced in 1957 by Keely Smith. That was when "I Wish You Love" became a world-wide hit, with many of the great singers recording their own version. I chose one by the great Judy Garland. She just had a way with songs that spoke to tortured romance, didn't she? This is Judy singing "I Wish You Love".

Finally, I thought I would offer one of my all-time favorites, Miss Barbra Joan Streisand. In a medley that features two spectacular songs, Barbra sand them at her 'Back to Brooklyn' concert recorded in 2012, when Streisand was 70 years old. And damn, she sounds and looks amazing! She is joined by handsome Chris Botti on trumpet on "What'll I Do", a song written in 1923 by the great Irving Berlin. For her second classic song, Barbra adds "My Funny Valentine", from the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical 'Babes in Arms' from 1937. That song was also included on the 1967 release, 'Simply Streisand'. I just couldn't let Valentine's Day go by without including it on the blog. So this is Barbra Streisand singing "What'll I Do/My Funny Valentine" featuring Chris Botti.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gavin James • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I must admit, I have a huge musical crush on Irishman Gavin James. It is a longstanding problem, begun a few decades ago when I couldn't get enough of Van Morrison, followed by my love for the music of U2. More recently, I'll admit to my preoccupation with the music of Brian Kennedy, and to adding Gavin to the list. So when I saw he had posted a Christmas song, I couldn't wait to watch the video. When I saw it was "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", a song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 MGM musical 'Meet Me In St. Louis', I knew I was in trouble. The song was introduced by the great Judy Garland, and quickly became a holiday classic. In this video, Gavin gives the song a new twist with his live performance that makes a very happy man. This is Gavin James singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

Gavin recently released a live album of which I am particularly fond. 'Live at Whelans' is wonderful, I just can't get enough of it. Seriously! But I will try to get my heart in check, and review it for you soon. To learn more about Gavin James, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

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!

Jim Bailey as Phyllis, Peggy, Barbra & Judy

In many ways, I am totally surprised there is essentially one drag queen star at the moment, the lovely RuPaul. I remember back to my youth, not only were there several drag queens, although they were often billed as 'illusionists' at the time, all performing on stage and on television. There was the amazing Charles Pierce, and the fantastic Craig Russell, and both could be seen on variety shows, and touring all the time. And then there was Jim Bailey, the boy from Philadelphia who was truly remarkable on many levels. Not only could he use makeup well enough to look like several stars, he also had the ability to sound like them as well. For Bailey, there was not going to be any "lip-sync for your life' moments, as he just belted the songs out on his own. One of Jim's earliest successes was his impersonation of comedian Phyllis Diller, which caught the eye of many. That would include Diller herself, who befriended the young performer, and gave him tips. Here is Jim Bailey as Phyllis Diller doing some comedy as part of the show 'Here's Lucy'.

That episode aired in November of 1972. It is said Lucy had seen Bailey performing in Los Angeles, and decided she had to have him on her shows. The two continued to be friends until her death in 1989. Phyllis Diller was not the only star Bailey had in his repertoire. It seems he was particularly fond of the vocal stylings of Miss Peggy Lee. I must admit, few could sing like Miss Lee did, for she had such a distinct and stunning flair. This is Jim Bailey as Peggy Lee with "Fever".

Of course, I don't know if there were any drag queens performing in the 1970s who didn't do Barbra Streisand. With her dressing style and her quirky mannerisms, it was like she was asking to have the queens do her. And for as long as I sent to drag shows, it is tough to remember when I didn't see a queen with long nails and crossed eyes lip syncing to a song. Of course, Bailey took it a step further, when he not only looked like her, but sounded like her as well. In February of 1971, Bailey appeared on the 'Carol Burnett Show', where he performed as Streisand. This is Jim Bailey as Barbra Streisand singing "Happy Days Are Here Again" with Carol Burnett.

But Bailey was perhaps best known for his impression of the iconic performer, Judy Garland. It was said that when Bailey was performing in Los Angeles, the list of luminaries in the audience was impressive. One night in the mid-1960s, while performing his Judy impersonation, Judy herself got out of her seat to join him on stage, and they sang "Bye Bye Blackbird", and the crowd loved it. I can't say for sure that is true, but it should be. It was also said that Judy had a great time, and the two became friends up until Garland's passing in 1969. This is Jim Bailey as Judy Garland with "The Man That Got Away".

It should come as no surprise Judy befriended a drag queen, for the diva loved her gays. She even married Liza off to one, Peter Allen! And, lest we forget, Judy's passing is one of the contributing factors to the Stonewall Riots, when the drag queens fought back against the Police in Greenwich Village less than a week later. And speaking of Judy and Liza, in 1973, she teamed up with Bailey to reproduce the show she and her mother did at the London Palladium. They performed it at The Flamingo in Las Vegas, and it was a tremendous success. To learn more about Jim Bailey, visit his official website.

Looking Back at Torch

Clockwise from Top Left: Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline, Judy Garland, Dame Shirley Bassey, and Sarah Vaughan

As I have been a bit busy as of late with my niece's wedding, I thought I would revisit this post from about three years ago, for it is all about love, and some magnificent ladies who can sing pretty darned well. The original post was titles 'Torch', and posted on June 21, 2011.

We are back in that smokey club, listening to the ladies sing the blues about love and loss, and matters of the heart. They stand in a simple spotlight, where you can see the smoke wafting through the air. In the background, you hear the tinkling of glasses being raised, drunk from, and collected by the wait staff. There is a whisper that stays steady in the room. But when the really good torch singer comes out, a hush will fall over the room. She will dictate the feeling of the room, be it sadness, hurt, or desire. That never changes. A clear example of the power of the lady in charge is Sarah Vaughan. With her legendary jazz stylings, she delivers a light sweetness to Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington's "The Nearness of You". There is just a hint of longing, just enough to keep it interesting.



Born Virginia Patterson Hensley, if she wasn't one of the great torch singers of all time, then she would have been the perfect source of material for many a song. From her struggle in the music business because she didn't fit the standard of feminine beauty in the day, to dying in a tragic plane crash at the age of 30, Patsy Cline used her gorgeous voice to garner the success and respect due her talent. Her "Walking After Midnight" added just the right amount of strength to temper the plaintiff quality a lesser singer might fall victim to that trap.



The French knew here as "The Sparrow," or, en Francais, "Piaf." She was born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Paris. She has long been regarded as France's greatest popular singer of all time. One reason was the sheer emotion she would bring to the songs, especially the ballads. Take, for instance, "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" can be translated as "No, I'm not sorry for anything." The song is sung in French, composed by Charles Dumont, with lyrics by Michel Vaucaire. It is most famously sung by the one and only Sparrow, Édith Piaf.



In 1964, Dame Shirley Bassey sang a song by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, from the musical 'The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd'. She was the first to record "Who Can I Turn To?", although it would later be a hit in the United States by Tony Bennett. She also performed the Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray song, "You'd Better Love Me".



When it comes to torch singers, it is tough to deny Judy Garland is up there with the best of them. When she was just 14, she filmed her first song for the movies, "You Made Me Love You". She didn't stop singing until she passed away 33 years later. Many of her great songs were about love - either looking for it, or having just lost it. She added her own touch of melancholia to Charlie Chaplin's "Smile".



Bartender, I'll have another round.

Magical Christmas Movie Music

Clockwise: The covers of soundtrack albums for 'White Christmas", 'The Muppet Christmas Carol', 'Meet Me In St. Louis' and 'The Polar Express'.

While I tend to focus on Broadway shows and performers on the blog, I have certainly never shied away from the talented singers and performers from the great movie musicals. After all, many of the great films started life on the stage. And since is is a very special week, I thought we could revisit some very special movie moments. And, with Christmas just one sleep away, I thought a look at some magical Christmas musical memories was in order. I will begin with a memory that I still hold dear. You see, I remember watching the movie 'White Christmas' with my family when I was quite young. The 1954 film starred Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen as entertainers and love interests. This was the second film to use the song written by Irving Berlin, the first being 'Holiday Inn' from 1942, another charming film starring Crosby. The storyline is somewhat similar, although the latter one incorporated more musical numbers and patriotism, and was shot in glorious technicolor. The following clip is from the film, with Bring Crosby singing "White Christmas" in the film to his fellow soldiers while serving overseas. This is Crosby singing "White Christmas".

If anyone caught my reference in the opening paragraph, it would reflect this next memory. While it might not be from a film more than 50 years old, it is more than twenty years old. 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' was released in 1992, a retelling of the great classic by Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'. The film was a mixture of muppets and live actors, with actor Michael Caine playing Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Muppets making up a majority of the cast. The film had original music by Miles Goodman, and the songs were written by Paul Williams. My personal favorite of the soundtrack is when Bob Cratchit, played by Kermit the Frog, sings "One More Sleep 'til Christmas". This is a charming number, as 'Bob' is closing up the office on Christmas Eve, and addresses all the best parts of Christmas. I hope you enjoy Kermit sings "One More Sleep 'til Christmas" from 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'.

That brings me to the most recent film of all four I have showcased here, the animated holiday treat, 'The Polar Express'. The soundtrack of the 2004 film featured some classic songs, like Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas", Frank Sinatra singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", and the Andrews Sisters with "Winter Wonderland", all of which make for a delightful listen. but it is the new song, written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, that steals the spotlight. "Believe" is a soaring ballad, with such light and hope oozing out of each line, you can't help but fall in love. And it had a stellar performance by Josh Groban to complete the magic. From the film 'The Polar Express', this is Josh Groban with "Believe".

With my final clip for the evening, I was unable to resist featuring Judy Garland with a song I still love to this very day. The film was directed by Vincent Minnelli, Judy's husband at the time, and the father of Liza Minnelli. The storyline featured a family living in St. Louis at the time of the 1904 World's Fair. The film features two songs sung by Judy that could and should be considered iconic, and both were written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. One such song was "The Trolley Song", a truly wonderful number. But the one I am including here is the stunning "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", a song that has been sung by many since being debuted in the 1944 film, but never better than by Judy. She added just the right amount of everything to make this brilliant. I hope you enjoy this clip of Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from 'Meet Me In St. Louis".

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all!

Eli Lieb • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

There is something about a handsome man singing a beautiful classic to me that just makes me a happy man. And that is exactly how I would describe Eli Lieb's recording of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". The song was was written by Ralph Blane and lyricist Hugh Martin, and introduced to the world by the always brilliant Judy Garland in the 1944 film 'Meet Me in St. Louis'. Later, the song was recorded by Frank Sinatra with new lyrics, and those words are the ones more commonly sung today. But as Eli tends to do, he uses the original as a launching pad to allow the song and his voice to go places no one has gone before. And I swear, when I listen, it sounds like he is singing to me! This is Eli Lieb singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

Almost 70 years later, the song still sounds fresh. And, Eli's rendition certainly helps that along. You can purchase Eli Lieb's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" from iTunes or Amazon. While you are there, you might check out his other music, from the cover songs to the original music. Honestly, I am partial to his original stuff. For more about Eli, visit his official website, where there is an official store, so yous can buy music and t-shirts. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, or 'like' him on Facebook.

Don't Be Scared... Too Much!

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.



Hope the songs didn't scare you too much...

The Ladies Sing the Songs of Arlen & Koehler

Clockwise: Diana Krall; Judy Garland; Barbra Streisand; and Will Swenson with Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald.

This week, I am taking my inspiration from a songwriting team, composer Harold Arlen and lyricist by Ted Koehler. The duo began working together in the 1920s, and continued writing together through the 1940s. During that period, they both also worked with others. They wrote for vaudeville, as well as for Broadway and Hollywood. During the 1930s, they also wrote songs for The Cotton Club, Harlem's top nightclub. There the music was performed by some of the great names in Jazz, including legendary performer Duke Ellington. Many of their songs became hits, and the artists were lining up to sing them. That would be the artists back in the day, and the artists today. The first song we'll hear is "Let's Fall In Love", written in 1933. The song was originally intended to be a nice, upbeat song, but soon many singers were putting a swing beat on it, making it the song we all know. In 1999, Jazz artist Diana Krall recorded the song for her album 'When I Look Into Your Eyes', and often played it at live shows. So here is Mrs. Elvis Costello, although you might know her as Diana Krall, singing "Let's Fall In Love".

Now, whenever Judy Garland sings a song, it becomes a classic. And when she takes on a song with music by Harold Arlen, something magical happens. Such is the case when she sang a little song in the movie 'Wizard of Oz', called "Over The Rainbow". And it certainly was not the last of Arlen's songs Judy took on. There were so many, it would be hard to remember them all. But one such song was "I've Gotta Right to Sing the Blues", written for the Broadway show, Earl Carroll's 'Vanities', which opened in 1932. It was recorded by some of the great big bands of the day, like Cab Dalloway &His Orchestra, Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra, Lee Willey & The Dorsey Brothers, and Benny Goodman & His Orchestra. The song remained popular, so it is no surprise it was recorded for her 1957 album, 'Alone'. This is Judy Garland singing "I've Gotta Right to Sing the Blues" live on 'The Judy Garland Show' in the 1960s.

The next song was written in 1929, and could be one of the more popular songs, if not the most popular of the great songs they have written. They wrote the song as a Gospel-like song, and it was first recorded by Ruth Etting in the Broadway show, 'The Nine-Fifteen Revue'. The show was not a success, closing after a one week run. The song could have easily gone away, but that was not to be. When people think of the song "Get Happy", it is the huge musical number featuring Judy Garland singing "Get Happy" in the 1950 MGM musical, 'Summer Stock'. Soon the song was a signature tune for the singer, and over a decade later, when she was performing on her television show, Garland sang with while a young Barbra Streisand sang one of her early hits, Happy Days Are Here Again", written by Milton Ager & Jack Yellen. This was a showstopper, and Streisand was nominated for an Emmy for her appearance on the show. The moment was so iconic, it was recreated by Ryan Murphy on 'Glee', featuring Lea Michele and Chris Colfer. They were not the only duo to reference the pair. As part of a PBS Special, the glorious Audra McDonald invited her friend Patti LuPone to play Judy and Barbra as they sing "Happy Days Are Hear Again/Get Happy".

The final entry tonight was written in 1941, and first sung by Helen O'Connell and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. But it was really more than twenty years before the most notable recording was made of the song, by a young girl in New York City. In October of 1962, Barbra Streisand recorded her first version of the song, and it was released as a single. The B-side was "Happy Days Are Here Again". I guess people liked it, because the following year, Streisand was back in the studio to record a new version for 'The Second Barbra Streisand Album'. This is a wonderful video of Streisand singing "When The Sun Comes Out" live on her 1965 television special, "My Name Is Barbra"

Have a great weekend!

Dark Monday • Girl Crazy

In 1943, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released 'Girl Crazy', based on the 1930 Broadway musical of the same name. This was the second go at the show, the first being a 1932 film that was said to have lost over $150,000, a great deal of money at the time. This seems strange, considering the music was in the hands of George and Ira Gershwin, so it took a little time before Hollywood tried it again. And once they did, they employed Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney, never a bad move. But with great songs like "Embraceable You", "I Got Rhythm", "Fascinating Rhythm", "Bidin' My Time", "But Not For Me", and "Treat Me Rough", this seemed destined to be a hit. MGM first hired Busby Berkeley to helm the project, but was soon let go after repeated arguments with Garland. His only contribution to the film was his staging of the great number "I Got Rhythm", featuring Judy. Of course, the song would go on to be a classic.

Once Berkeley was gone, Norman Taurog was brought in. Tauroq was an Academy Award-winning director, but is perhaps best known as director for many Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movies, as well as nine Elvis Presley films. But there was plenty of talent in this film to go with Garland and Rooney, including June Allyson, Nancy Walker, and Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. In this clip featuring "Treat Me Rough", Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra play for June Allyson, as well as Mickey Rooney, who joined the ladies in the chorus.

And, finally, I don't know if there can be anything sweeter than the young Judy Garland singing "Embraceable You", the magnificent song by the Gershwins. She is joined on the number by Rags Ragland and his chorus. Judy has a delightful dance break with Ragland that is just happiness personified. And Judy at just 21 years old is a joy to watch, she is positively glowing.

You can find 'Girl Crazy' on DVD in just about any online store.

Dark Monday • Why? Because!

'Everybody Sing', the 1938 MGM musical that featured Judy Garland, Allan Jones, Fanny Brice, and Billie Burke. In the musical number billed as "Snooks (Why? Because!)" , Brice played the character she became known for, Baby Snooks, a precocious little girl. She is joined in the number by Judy Garland, still a teenager herself. The song was written by Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar, a pair of Jewish American writers who started in vaudeville, The duo had written the score to many movies, including some of the greatest of the Marx Brothers, like 'Animal Crackers', 'Horse Feathers' and 'Duck Soup'. The film is all about a family full of eccentricities, from the young teen girl to the parents to the housekeeper. Garland plays the young girl struggling to find a place to fit in, while Brice plays the Russian maid. As if often the case in the musicals of the 1930s and 1940s, the family and those around them decide to put on a show. One of those numbers is "Snooks (Why? Because!)", sung by Brice and Garland.

You can purchase 'Everybody Sing' on DVD from many online stores, including Amazon.

Silver Screen Torches

Clockwise: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Doris Day.

Judy, Barbra, Liza and Doris, all names that top the lists of the lovers of the movie musicals. From the 'A Star Is Born' to 'Love Me Or Leave Me' to 'Funny Girl' to 'Cabaret', these ladies had the big musicals covered. While their styles might have differed, the results seldom did. And they could all sing the blues, and earn a standing ovation doing it. They not only sing, but they smoulder while they do, so much you can smell the smoke, and hear the tinkling of the glasses in the club... In the 1955 movie 'Love Me Or Leave Me', Doris Day played jazz singer Ruth Etting, who was married to mobster Mo Snyder, played by James Cagney. Long story short - girl marries mobster to get ahead in her career. She does movies and records, and leaves mobster for piano player. Mobster tries to kill piano man, and the scandal costs the woman her career. A true Hollywood story, and the girl sings "Ten Cents A Dance", with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. The soundtrack album topped the Billboard Pop chart for an astounding 17 weeks, a true testament good music and a great performance by the illustrious Miss Day.



In 1954, Judy Garland landed a role that put her back on the map as a Hollywood actress to watch. It had been a couple of years since she and MGM came to an understanding for her release, but that would soon change. She lit up the screen as Esther Blodgett, a small-time singer who gets noticed by the big-time star with a tendency to self-destruct. Played by James Mason, Norman Maine first comes across Esther as she sings "The Man That Got Away", the amazing song by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin. This could be the ultimate Torch song ever.



Liza Minnelli had a major role in the 1980 television special 'Baryshnikov On Broadway', starring Mikhail Baryshnikov. On it, she takes a moment to sing "The Music That Makes Me Dance" from the Broadway musical 'Funny Girl'. Liza's mother, Judy Garland, had sung the song as part of her legendary 1964 show at the London Palladium, after the show had opened earlier that year. As a tribute to "Mama", Liza performed the song on her TV Special. I don't blame her. If I could, I would sing that song to Mikhail...



But that does lead me to the original Fanny Brice in the Broadway show, Barbra Streisand. She was just 25 when they shot the movie, her first film. She originated the role on Broadway. For the show, Jules Styne and Bob Merrill wrote "The Music That Makes Me Dance" for the final scene, as the show couldn't get the rights to one of Fanny's biggest songs, "My Man". When making the movie, Streisand wanted to sing the Fanny Brice hit, but writers and producers feared it too old fashioned. Streisand recorded the song for her 1965 album "My Name Is Barbra", and the music from her Emmy-winning television special. Soon, the producers got the clearance for the movie, where it was used in a remarkably memorable scene. Some attribute Streisand's win of the Academy Award to her moving performance of the song.



Those torch singers, they just burn so bright, don't they? No matter the decade, they amazing women burned brighter than the sun.

Memorial Sunday • Judy's "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

As it is Memorial Day Weekend, I thought it would be perfect to start off Sunday with a bit of inspirational Judy Garland. I know, many of you are saying that whenever Judy sang it was an inspiring event, which might very well be true. However, there were times when it was more so than others, and I have to think that when Judy dedicated here performance of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to her friend John F. Kennedy, the President of the United States of America and her good friend, there was that certain bit of something in the air that night. Enjoy as Judy sings this great song.

It cannot be denied that when Judy was on her game, it was tough to compete with her as a live performer. And while Judy is being all patriotic, how about this very sweet recording of her singing "America The Beautiful" on a 1964 episode of 'The Judy Garland Show'. And if any woman can sing a song with a five o'clock shadow and still sound beautiful, it would be Judy!

Enjoy the holiday, and don't forget to remember all how have given their lives in defense of the nation, and thank those who have served in the armed forces.

The Torch Just Keeps On Coming

Clockwise from Top Left: Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline, Judy Garland, Dame Shirley Bassey, and Sarah Vaughan

We are back in that smokey club, listening to the ladies sing the blues about love and loss, and matters of the heart. They stand in a simple spotlight, where you can see the smoke wafting through the air. In the background, you hear the tinkling of glasses being raised, drunk from, and collected by the wait staff. There is a whisper that stays steady in the room. But when the really good torch singer comes out, a hush will fall over the room. She will dictate the feeling of the room, be it sadness, hurt, or desire. That never changes. A clear example of the power of the lady in charge is Sarah Vaughan. With her legendary jazz styling, she delivers a light sweetness to Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington's "The Nearness of You". There is just a hint of longing, just enough to keep it interesting.



Born Virginia Patterson Hensley, if she wasn't one of the great torch singers of all time, then she would have been the perfect source of material for many a song. From her struggle in the music business because she didn't fit the standard of feminine beauty in the day, to dying in a tragic plane crash at the age of 30, Patsy Cline used her gorgeous voice to garner the success and respect due her talent. Her "Walking After Midnight" added just the right amount of strength to temper the plaintiff quality a lesser singer might fall victim to that trap.



The French knew here as "The Sparrow," or, en Francais, "Piaf." She was born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Paris. She has long been regarded as France's greatest popular singer of all time. One reason was the sheer emotion she would bring to the songs, especially the ballads. Take, for instance, "Je Ne Regrette Rien" can be translated as "No, I'm not sorry for anything." The song is sung in French, composed by Charles Dumont, with lyrics by Michel Vaucaire. It is most famously sung by the one and only Sparrow, Édith Piaf.



In 1964, Dame Shirley Bassey sang a song by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, from the musical 'The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd'. She was the first to record "Who Can I Turn To?", although it would later be a hit in the US by Tony Bennett. She also performed the Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray song, "You'd Better Love Me".



When it comes to torch singers, it is tough to deny Judy Garland is up there with the best of them. When she was just 14, she filmed her first song for the movies, "You Made Me Love You". She didn't stop singing until she passed away 33 years later. Many of her great songs were about love - either looking for it, or having just lost it. She added her own touch of melancholia to Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" here.



Bartender, I'll have another round.

Anyone Care To Jitterbug?

Clockwise: Betty Hutton; Bette Midler; Judy Garland; and The Puppini Sisters.

While Saturday nights are often reserved for my favorite torch singers allowing the candle to burn bright, I thought tonight might be a great time to fight off the cold and snow in the Northeast with some excitement, a chance to create great energy. So I decided I would find some great songs that would drive you from your seats, wanting to hit the floor and do the jitterbug. Or at least some variation on that theme. And I will being with the song that really inspired me to plan this post, Betty Hutton singing "Old Man Mose". In 1939, Hutton recorded the song with Vincent Lopez Orchestra. The song was written by the legendary Louis Armstrong and Zilner Randolph.

Well, if I didn't include the Divine Miss M in this collection of jitterbugs, but I have to admit I wasn't sure which one to choose, so after googling "the top jitterbug songs", I had to go with the one making the list first. That would be written by Joe Garland, Glenn Miller, and Andy Razaf, first released in 1939 by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. I love the recording by Bette, off her 1973 second album, 'Bette Midler', making that recording 40 years old! Please enjoy as Midler sings "In The Mood".

I first have to say that The Puppini Sisters are neither sisters nor Puppinis, just they make exquisite harmonies that sound as if they've been singing together for a lifetime. Okay, so there is one Puppini among the trio. The groups is made up of Marcella Puppini, Stephanie O'Brien and Kate Mullins, who took the name as a tribute to the great Andrews Sisters, an inspiration for them and the music. The song was written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince, and first released by the Andrews Sisters in 1941.

The Puppini Sisters sing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

Judy Garland sing "Stompin' At The Savoy", a 1934 jazz standard composed by Edgar Sampson. After being a hit instrumental, lyrics were written by Andy Razaf, and soon the song was being sung by some of the best. On this 1936 recording, Judy sang with the Bob Crosby Orchestra.

Christmas Belles

Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald; Lena Horne; Peggy Lee; Judy Garland; and Pearl Bailey.

With Christmas only days away, I thought I'd pick up that theme with some of the great ladies from days gone by. I came across an old collection called 'Christmas Belles' and found that to be a great source of wonderful music. These are five of the first six cuts, as I could not find one on Youtube. So we can start with the always delightful Ella Fitzgerald as she sings the classic "Sleigh Ride".

I am not sure you can have a collection of greats without putting Judy Garland on it. And it is only natural to sing the song she introduced in the 1944 MGM musical 'Mett Me In St. Louis". It was directed by Vincent Minnelli, and featured a cameo by daughter Liza. But it also had Judy singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

Lena Horne was a woman of abundant talent, and singing was included. She had scuh style and flair, as well as an amazing tone. You can hear it when she sings "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

And when you speak of someone who had great style, it is had to miss the brillaint Pearl Bailey. I remember seeing her appear on the variety shows, like the Mike Douglas Show, and sing all kinds of songs. I don't remember seeing her sing "Jingle Bells Cha-Cha-Cha", but I sure wish I did.

Finally, this is a gorgeous song filled with sweet images. Somewhere along the way, a fan made a video, and it is a nice one. Of course, it is tough to go wrong when you are starting with the talents of Peggy Lee, and when she sings a wonderful song like "Christmas Carousel".

Merry Christmas!

A Little Cole In Stockings

Clockwise: Judy Carland; Della Reese; Patti LuPone; and Betty Carter.

In this tribute to the great Cole Porter, I put together a group of ladies I think have style and substance that makes people stand up and listen. After all, to sing Porter's songs, you need a little something extra, or your song will never be heard over the din of a bunch of others singing some of the greatest songs written in the 20th Century. So, yes, these ladies hitch up their stockings on their way to the microphone, and sing for all they are worth. And that is a lot! I will begin with one of the all-time great voices, Judy Garland. Judy could pack so much punch into her voice, so much pain and anguish it felt like a punch to the stomach. Cole Porter wrote "From This Moment On" for the 1951 Broadway show 'Out Of This World'. Unfortunately, the song was cut while still in previews, but it resurfaced in another of Porter's shows. In 1953, the movie version of 'Kiss Me Kate' was released, and it included the song, which was not in the Broadway score for the 1948 opening. After all that, "From This Moment On" has become a classic, sung by some of the greats, like Judy.

The next song was so scandalous when it was written, you almost had to know it became a great Jazz classic. "Love For Sale" was written for the 1930 Broadway musical, 'The New Yorkers'. Sung by a prostitute outside a restaurant 'advertising' her wares, it was originally sung by Kathryn Crawford, with three girlfriends as back-up singers, in front of Reuben's, a popular New York restaurant. When the criticism of this started to mound, the production made the decision to have the song sung by Elisabeth Welch, who sang with back-up singers in a scene set in front of Harlem's Cotton Club. Of course, Crawford was white, and Welch African American. Sadly, this was thought to be an acceptable compromise by all. That said, the song is a great one, and here you can listen as it is sung by the great Della Reese.

When the musical 'Anything Goes' opened on Broadway in 1936, few could have foreseen the success of the score, much of which has entered in to the Great American Songbook, and sung by some of the greatest Pop and Jazz singers of the last century. That would include a little ditty originally given voice by the bold and brassy Ethel Merman on Broadway. "I Get A Kick Out Of You" quickly was recorded by many, and that continued to be the case. It doesn't hurt that there have been Broadway versions, film versions, television special versions, revival versions and West End versions. In one of those, the stellar Patti LuPone took on the role of Reno Sweeney in 1987, earning the Tony Award for Best Actress In A Musical. Here Patti sings the beautiful "I Get A Kick Out Of You".

There is a beauty in the haunting quality to Porter's "Ev'ry Time You Say Goodbye", a classic that debuted in a 1944 musical review put on by Fanny Brice's second husband, Billy Rose. However, the song seemed irresistible to the singers since, whether they were men or women. Where there are beautiful versions by Annie Lennox and Ella Fitzgerald, among others, I chose the stunning one by Jazz great Betty Carter. Carter was known for her nimble vocal technique, and was considered by many to be the best Jazz singer ever. Listen to her singing "Ev'ry Time You Say Goodbye" and you will understand why they said that.

Hope you are having a fantastic Saturday night!

Judy & Liza Make Beautiful Music Together

If I say "Judy and Liza", I bet almost everyone instantly got an image of a mother and daughter, both iconic actresses and singers who battled their demons quite publicly. I have no problem admitting their music is still part of the soundtrack to my day. Well, the early 1960s was the time this duo were in their heyday, with Liza in her late teens and Judy in her 40s. In fact, the following clip was part of The Judy Garland Show, the television show cancelled after the first season. Thankfully, it did leave video of the two singing several different songs, including the following. Judy and Liza sang a medley that included the songs: "We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together", written by Henry Manners and Robert Sour; "The Best Is Yet To Come" written by the brilliant Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh; "Bye-Bye, Baby" by Leo Robin and the immortal Jule Styne for the Broadway musical Gentlemen Prefer Blonds and later sung on film by Marilyn Monroe; "Together (Wherever We Go)" from the musical Gypsy, written by hall of fame writers Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne. Enjoy Judy and Liza, recorded about 49 years ago.



Thanks for modern technology, you can purchase this and many other duets sung by Judy Garland with other bright stars on iTunes.

Wedding Blues

Clockwise: Adele; Blossom Dearie, Judy Garland; and Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong.

Well, since I will most likely still be at my nephew's wedding by the time this posts, I thought I would have a fun time with songs about weddings and the like. Well, that was not as easy as I thought it would be. In fact, I will start with one of the songs I found. Now, I just love the song "Never Will I Marry". It was written by Frank Loesser for a 1960 musical, Greenwillow. And while the show might have been a disappointment, running less than 100 performances on Broadway, it did give us this incredible song. Here is "Never Will I Marry" sung by the luminous Judy Garland.



Now, I didn't think that was a rousing endorsement for marriage, so I looked further. I found an interesting song by Etta James called "Stop The Wedding" and, well, decided against that one. It was a great song, but didn't celebrate the wedding process. So I looked just for love songs, and came across a few sung by Miss Etta. I decided on "Fool That I Am" and then it hit me. I needed to use the version done by Adele, who is herself inspired by Etta. So here is the classic song, "Fool That I Am".



"The Nearness of You" was written in 1938 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Ned Washington. It is a gorgeous song, just so lush and beautiful, I knew I needed to find it recorded by very special voices. So when I discovered this version by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, I couldn't resist.



Now, I just find Blossom Dearie to be far too charming to believe, and thought it might e nice to find a little something to add to this post. And it didn't take me all that long to decide it must be "Lies of Handsome Men" written by Francesca Blumenthal. It is a wonderful song, and sung to perfection by Blossom Dearie.



Enjoy the night, and hope I was able to deliver a little bit of love...