You'll Never Know • Songs of Warren & Gordon

Clockwise: Rosemary Clooney, Julie London, Etta James, and Doris Day.

Harry Warren and Mack Gordon were both very successful songwriters, and when they came together, they made magic. There is a rich catalog of songs from which to choose, so I just picked four of my favorites to share with you. I will start with a song written for the 1943 film, 'Hello, Frisco, Hello'. In the movie, "You'll Never Know" was sung by star Alice Faye. It was one of nine songs nominated for for an Oscar, and went on to win the 1943 Academy Award for 'Best Original Song'. Fast forward 9 years, and the song was recorded by Harry James Orchestra, with featured vocalist Rosemary Clooney. I have long found Clooney's voice to be heavenly, so I couldn't resist using her recording now. This is "You'll Never Know", by Rosemary Clooney with the Harry James Orchestra.

Our next song was published in 1945, and originally sung by Dick Haymes in the film 'Diamond Horseshoe'. "The More I See You" has been sung by countless other artists since, and we are all the better for it. The song has a gorgeous melody, and is rich with emotion. In 1959 singer/actress Julie London released the song as part of her album, 'Your Number Please'. London added her own touch to the song, a breathy sexiness that is tough to resist. This is Julie London singing "The More I See You".

"Serenade in Blue" was introduced in the 1942 film 'Orchestra Wives' by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, dubbed by Pat Friday for actress Lynn Bari. It was written as a Big Band number, with lush orchestrations. It was recorded by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, with featured vocalist Ray Eberle with backing vocals by The Modernaires. That recording was the 11th best selling song of the year. It quickly became a standard, sung by most of the top singers of the time. Twenty-two years later, it was recorded by movie star Doris Day for her 1964 album, 'Doris Day's Sentimental Journey'. It is lovely, with a gorgeous string section. This is Doris Day singing "Serenade in Blue".

For my final song this evening, I thought I would go with what is arguably the most famous song the collaborators wrote. "At Last" appeared in the 1941 musical 'Orchestra Wives', which starred George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. While it was popular, it is not the version most remember. That would be the recording from 1960, made by the magnificent Etta James. James released her debut album that year, as well as the title cut. "At Last" made it to #2 on Billboard's R&B chart, and #47 on the Billboard Hot 100. While I would have suspected the song did much better on the charts, it remains an iconic recording, and the most remembered for "At Last". Please enjoy Etta James with "At Last".

These songs are all available on iTunes and Amazon, in various collections. And all are well-worth having in your collection. I hope you enjoyed the post, and are having a great weekend!

Amazing Ladies Sing About Love

Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Dione Warwick, and Rosemary Clooney.

I find it impossible for me to do a torch song post without being in awe of the group of talented ladies. It is a collection of classic voices, some with household names, others with a bit of a cult following. The first young lady was singing background vocals for many of the top stars of the late 50s and early 60s, having been first noticed singing with a gospel group, which won the weekly amateur contest at the legendary Apollo Theater. Soon she was noticed by in one of the sessions by writer Burt Bacharach, who, along with writing partner Hal David, singed the young lady with the voice they loved. Soon Dionne was singing their songs and making the pairing of Dionne with Bacharach and David a steady member of the Pop charts. That would include their startling song from 1964, "Walk On By".

While she couldn't seem to get a job with a big band the way every other girl singer was doing in the late 30s, she became the first woman singer to take her talent solo, and certainly made a name for herself in the 40s and 50s. Dinah Shore couldn't get the job with Benny Goodman or either Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey, so she followed her own path to fame. In 1944, she appeared in Belle of the Yukon, and sung the beautiful song by Jimmy van Heusen, "Like Someone In Love". She later went on to host her own talk show. Despite several marriages and high-profile relationships, Dinah's support of Women's Golf somehow translated into constant rumors of her being a lesbian, which is not really supported by any fact.

Our next singer needs no introduction, especially form me. Ella Fitzgerald is a brilliant singer, with a career spanning seven decades, from the 30s to the 90s. she just had so much talent, be it her ability to scat, to groove on some jazz, or just flat out sing a song. This video is of her singing Cole Porter's great song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye". This clip is from 1965, but she originally recorded the song in 1956.

I can't tell you how much I loved the ovice of our final singer tonight. My mother played her music, and she was certainly in some of my favorite films I remember watching, including 'White Christmas'. Rosemary Clooney's voice was so lovely, with a depth of tone that could bring you to tears as easily as it could get you dancing. Enjoy her singing her 1954 hit, "Hey There", written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for their Broadway musical, 'The Pajama Game'.

I just can't get enough...

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!

An Evening Breeze...

Clockwise: Kay Starr, Georgia Gibbs, Rosemary Clooney, and Teresa Brewer.

While looking for an inspiration for a post, I just decided to think of a song I really wanted to hear this afternoon. Right away, Rosemary Clooney popped into my head, and it was a song she released in 1952. Thus, a theme was born. I went to look at the song released in 1952, and found several that fit the bill for tonight, great songs sung by amazing ladies, all about love. I decided to begin with the first #1 song from the wonderful Kay Starr. "Wheel of Fortune" was written by Bennie Benjamin and George David Weiss, and it sounds like it was tailored to Starr. It showcases the power and nuance of her vocals. This is Kay Starr singing "Wheel of Fortune".

I am pleased to introduce a vocalist new to the blog with this next song. "Kiss of Fire" was written by Argentine Ángel Villoldo, and was sung by some of the greats in the music world. But it had it's greatest success when sung by Georgia Gibbs, when it went to #2 on the Billboard Pop chart. Gibbs was born Frieda Lipschitz, the daughter of Russian Jews. She lost her father while still young, and was raised for a time in an orphanage. Later, after her mother found employment, she came to get Frieda, but life as a single parent in the 1930s was not easy. Soon the teenaged Lipschitz was winning talent contests, and was hired as a professional singer at age 13. She worked hard, singing all over. In 1952, she found herself at the top of the charts with this wonderful song. This is Georgia Gibbs singing "Kiss of Fire".

Teresa Brewer made Gibbs seem like a late bloomer. She was hard at work as a singer at age 5, singing on the 'Major Bowes Amateur Hour', a touring radio program. The show was a talent contest, the American Idol of it's day. She continued with the show until she was 12, when she moved home to Toledo, Ohio, to try to have a 'normal' life. She could not stay away for long, and by the time she was 16, she was singing once again. By the time she was 18, she had her frist #1 song on the Billboard Pop chart, with "Music Music Music" in 1950. "Till I Waltz Again With You" was her second #1 song, released two years later. The song perfectly fit her glorious voice, blending the power and tone just right. This is Teresa Brewer singing "Till I Waltz Again With You".

Finally, we come to the song that inspired this post. "Tenderly" was written in 1946 with music by Walter Gross and lyrics by Jack Lawrence. It was first sung by Sarah Vaughan in 1947, but it was the amazing Rosemary Clooney who had the greatest success with it. Once again, it was a great song perfectly suited for the right voice, for the richness of Clooney's voice is truly on display on this track. It has long been a favorite of mine, and whenever I hear it, I know why. Rosie is so relaxed, so seductive, I am entranced. This is Rosemary Clooney singing "Tenderly".

Have a great weekend!

Ring The Belles • Ladies Singing of Christmas

Clockwise: Rosemary Clooney, Nancey Wilson, Karen Carpenter, and Dinah Washington.

As we are two weeks away from Christmas, I thought it was time to let my Ladies sing a bit of the holidays. And while there are some obvious choices, I thought I would try to avoid those, and go for some artists and songs that you might not hear as much, and just enjoy their music and artistry. I will begin with a choice that might seem obvious, until you see the song. Rosemary Clooney might be closely associated with a star turn in the film 'White Christmas', but she was also an exceptional Jazz singer. I picked a recording she did later in her career, singing a song most closely associated with 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. In 1965, Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi wrote "Christmas Time Is Here" for the television special, where it was played over an ice skating scene. The song is beautiful, and in Rosemary's gifted hands, it is so very special. This is Rosemary Clooney singing "Christmas Time Is Here".

Earl E. Lawrence wrote the next song, "That's What I Want For Christmas", and it was soon recorded by many people. But I particularly love the recording by Nancy Wilson, a woman with a remarkable voice. Wilson began her career in the late 1950s, singing with a big band. She honed her skills, and by the early 1960s, Wilson went out on her own. It seemed like a great choice, with her rich voice and remarkable delivery. She was won three Grammy Awards, and has been a favorite of many. This is her recording of Lawrence's "That's What I Want For Christmas".

Dinah Washington is another great singer with a remarkable and recognizable voice, said to be the "biggest selling black female sings of the 1950s". While she is best known for her recording of "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes", she had countless hits during her career. Sadly, she passed away at just 39 years of age, after a tumultuous life that included seven marriages. But the lady could sing, that is sure. I love her interpretation of a wonderful song written by Clyde Otis, "Ole Santa". It is a beautiful and sweet ballad, just perfect for Washington, who paints a beautiful painting with the lyrics. So please enjoy Dinah Washington singing "Ole Santa".

My final song of the night is credited to the Carpenters, but at the heart of the recording, it is Karen Carpenter's voice that makes it special. In 1978, Karen and her brother Richard released their first holiday offering, and it was rather lovely. It combined classic songs with new, like the beautiful "Merry Christmas Darling", written by Richard and Frank Pooler. But I am particularly fond of their take on "Christmas Waltz", written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. The richness of Karen's voice, the silkiness of the tone, it all comes together on the song "Christmas Waltz".

Have a great weekend!

1951 Shades of Love

Clockwise: Mario Lanza, Rosemary Clooney, Nat King Cole, Les Paul & Mary Ford, and Tony Bennett.

While thinking of what to post about this evening, I am not sure what moved me, but I did a search on songs by Nat King Cole, and came up with his #1 hit of 1951, and decided to go with that year in music. Once I looked it up, I saw the Top five songs all had a different sound, they all focused on love, and had amazing singers. The #5 song of the year was from an American-born son of Italian immigrants, Alfred Arnold Cocozza. Well, that was his birth name, but you might know him better as movie and recording star Mario Lanza. In 1950, he starred in the film 'The Toast of New Orleans' with Kathryn Grayson, David Niven, J. Carrol Naish, James Mitchell and a young Rita Moreno. The film featured the song "Be My Love", which went on to be released as a single and become Lanza's first million-selling song. It spent 1 week at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and ended up the fifth best-selling song of 1951. This is Mario Lanza singing "Be My Love".

Rosemary Clooney grew up in a family of entertainers. In fact, Rosemary and her sister Betty sang together, starting their careers together. Brother Nick Clooney was an army DJ, and later settled back home in Ohio as a television journalist. Nick started his own family, which included his son, George Clooney. In 1946, Rosemary went out on her own, and was the singer with Tony Pastor's band. At the beginning of 1951, she recorded her first of many hit songs, when she recorded a song written by Ross Bagdasarian and writer William Saroyan, "Come On-a My House". Despite the song spending 6 weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, Rosie later admitted she never liked the song, but would be singing it for the rest of her career. I have to admit, I love the song! This is Rosemary Clooney singing "Come On-a My House".

Our next song comes from a husband and wife team who not only saw great success in the 1950s, their names became synonymous with great music. Mary Ford was introduced to Les Paul by 'cowboy' Gene Autry, and the two married in 1949. They began making music together, and from 1950 to 1954, the couple had 16 songs in the Top 10 of the Billboard charts. That list would included "How High The Moon", a song with lyrics by Nancy Hamilton and music by Morgan Lewis. The song, from the 1940 Broadway musical 'Two For The Show', spent 9 weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The couple had great success through the 1950s, but it took a toll on the marriage, and they divorced in 1963, ending the partnership. Paul was not only a great musician, but also an outstanding luthier, making some of the great guitars out there. He also developed the prototype for the electric guitar still used today. But in 1950s, he was better known as part of a great duo. This is Les Paul and Mary Ford performing "How High The Moon".

The sun must have been shining just right on the new entertainers, for in the #2 spot for the year, we have another singer with their first solo hit with Anthony Dominick Benedetto. As a young 13-year-old, Benedetto worked as a singing waiter in Queens, his first step on the way to a professional career in music. After a stint in the army, Benedetto tried to make music his profession, but met little success, until singer Pearl Bailey invited him to open for her in New York. There he was seen by Bob Hope, who asked him to join him on tour, and soon the singer became a household name. But not as Anthony Benedetto. Who is that, you might ask? Anthony is better known as Tony Bennett, one of the greatest male singers of Jazz for the last century. In 1952, Bennett had his first big hit, when "Because of You" spent 8 weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song, written by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson in 1940, became a Jazz standard, as well as launched a career that is still going strong. This is Tony Bennett singing "Because of You".

Nathaniel Adams Coles was born the son of a Baptist minister. He learned to play organ from his mother, before starting real lessons at the age of 12. After moving to Los Angeles in 1930s, he formed a group with a slight variation on his name. Soon, the Nat King Cole Trio was playing all over LA, and the man was making a name for himself. In 1943, the group was signed to Capitol Records. He was the first to top a guitarist and bassist with his piano to form a trio, and soon that would be considered the norm for Jazz trios. While this song was not his first hit, "Too Young" was certainly one fo the biggest for him, spending five weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song, written by Sidney Lippman, the lyrics by Sylvia Dee, was recorded by many, including Donny Osmond in 1972. But no one could match the success with the song that Nat King Cole did in 1951. With the top-selling song of the year, here is Nat King Cole singing "Too Young".

Have a great weekend!

Old Love, New Love

Clockwise from top: Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Rosemary Clooney and Ella Fitzgerald.

I thought I would come back to this sweet sound with yet another group of talented ladies. The songs they sing, they are all about love. But that love is in different stages, from brand new love, to a life-long love. This is a collection of classic voices, some with household names, others with a bit of a cult following. The first would fall more into the latter, as Margaret Whiting might not have the cache of some of the ladies who follow, but certainly had a long career. Margaret was raised in the business, with father Richard Whiting a songwriter who had written classics like "Hooray For Hollywood". After having her heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, she continued to sing in clubs on both coasts. In 1994, she married gay adult star Jack Wrangler, a very happy couple until his passing in 2009. Margaret passed in January of 2011. In 1945, she had a hit singing "It Might As Well Be Spring" with Paul Weston and his Orchestra.

While she couldn't seem to get a job with a big band the way every other girl singer was doing in the late 30s, she became the first woman singer to take her talent solo, and certainly made a name for herself in the 40s and 50s. Dinah Shore couldn't get the job with Benny Goodman or either Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey, so she followed her own path to fame. In 1944, she appeared in Belle of the Yukon, and sung the beautiful song by Jimmy van Heusen, "Like Someone In Love". She later went on to host her own talk show. Despite several marriages and high-profile relationships, Dinah's support of Women's Golf somehow translated into constant rumors of her being a lesbian, which is not really supported by any fact.

Our next singer needs no introduction, especially form me. Ella Fitzgerald is a brilliant singer, with a career spanning seven decades, from the 30s to the 90s. she just had so much talent, be it her ability to scat, to groove on some jazz, or just flat out sing a song. This video is of her singing Cole Porter's great song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye". This clip is from 1965, but she originally recorded the song in 1956.

I can't tell you how much I loved the voice of our final singer tonight. My mother played her music, and she was certainly in some of my favorite films I remember watching, including "White Christmas". Rosemary Clooney's voice was so lovely, with a depth of tone that could bring you to tears as easily as it could get you dancing. Enjoy her singing her 1954 hit, "Hey There", written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for their Broadway musical, "The Pajama Game".

Glorious music, indeed.

Here's To The Ladies Who Carry The Torch

Clockwise from top: Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney.

I thought I would come back to this sweet sound with yet another group of talented ladies. It is a collection of classic voices, some with household names, others with a bit of a cult following. The first would fall more into the latter, as Margaret Whiting might not have the cache of some of the ladies who follow, but certainly had a long career, having been raised in the business, as father Richard Whiting was a songwriter, having written classics like "Hooray For Hollywood". After having her heyday in the 40s and 50s, she continued to sing in clubs on both coasts. In 1994, she married gay adult star Jack Wrangler, and they stayed together until his passing in 2009. Margaret passed in January of 2011. In 1945, She had a hit singing "It Might As Well Be Spring" with Paul Weston and his Orchestra.

While she couldn't seem to get a job with a big band the way every other girl singer was doing in the late 30s, she became the first woman singer to take her talent solo, and certainly made a name for herself in the 40s and 50s. Dinah Shore couldn't get the job with Benny Goodman or either Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey, so she followed her own path to fame. In 1944, she appeared in 'Belle of the Yukon', and sung the beautiful song by Jimmy van Heusen, "Like Someone In Love". She later went on to host her own talk show. Despite several marriages and high-profile relationships, Dinah's support of Women's Golf somehow translated into constant rumors of her being a lesbian, which is not really supported by any fact.

Our next singer needs no introduction, especially for me. Ella Fitzgerald is a brilliant singer, with a career spanning seven decades, from the 30s to the 90s. she just had so much talent, be it her ability to scat, to groove on some jazz, or just flat out sing a song. This video is of her singing Cole Porter's great song, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye". This clip is from 1965, but she originally recorded the song in 1956.

I can't tell you how much I loved the voice of our final singer tonight. My mother played her music, and she was certainly in some of my favorite films I remember watching, including 'White Christmas'. Rosemary Clooney's voice was so lovely, with a depth of tone that could bring you to tears as easily as it could get you dancing. Enjoy her singing her 1954 hit, "Hey There", written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for their Broadway musical, 'The Pajama Game'.

Have a great time with what remains of your weekend!

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!

Spring Is Here...

Clockwise: Julie London, Nina Simone, Martha Tilton, and Rosemary Clooney.

This week, the weather turn a turn for the warmer, and suddenly the trees are starting to bloom. Since Spring is a time of rebirth, it seems only natural that this would include the birth of new love. With all this in mind, once again I was inspired by the season. And with the first clip, we have the always gorgeous Julie London singing "I'll Remember April", with music by Gene de Paul, and lyrics by Patricia Johnston and Don Raye.

The 1945 film 'State Fair' is the only time the legendary duo of Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II wrote directly for a film, instead of the Broadway stage. In fact, it took more than 50 years before it made it to Broadway in 1996. The score, like most written by Rodgers & Hammerstein, was gorgeous, and included the song "It Might As Well Be Spring". In fact, the song earned the writing partners the Academy Award for Best Original Song. In 1959, the song was recorded by the great Nina Simone, who injected it with a haunting feel.

Once again I feature the music of Richard Rodgers, on this time with a different lyricist. Rodgers wrote the music for the 1938 film 'I Married An Angel' with the great Lorenz Hart. The score included the song "Spring Is Here", which quickly became a standard many of the greatest singers in music gave voice to. Here is a stunning recording by the late, great Rosemary Clooney.

Finally, I have a a beautiful song featuring the vocals of Martha Tilton, She worked with Benny Goodman in the late 1930s, and it is said he started calling her "The Liltin' Miss Tilton". She did have a stunning voice, and appeared in several 'Soundies', which were short films that often played in movie theaters. They were, in many ways, the earliest forms of music videos. In this Soundie, Martha sings "Love Turns Winter To Spring", Written by Matt Dennis. Tilton is joined in the short by with Vince Barnett, and backed by Bobby Sherwood & His Orchestra. The Soundie was released in 1941.

Have a great weekend!

I Can Dream • The Music of Sammy Fain

Clockwise: Rosemary Clooney; Belle Baker; the Andrews Sisters; and Ella Fitzgerald.

I thought it might be nice to dedicate a night to the music of Mr. Sammy Fain, an amazing composer known for his gorgeous ballads. Fain was born in New York City in 1902, and by the time the 1920s rolled around, he was a part of the entertainment industry. He began as a performer, but soon was dedicating his time to composing. By the end of the decade, he was making hit music, and much of that music has withstood the test of time, and have become standards in the Great American Songbook. And I will start with one of the songs, even if it might not be one of his more popular offerings. "You Brought A New Kind of Love to Me" was written in 1930 with Irving Kahal, and Pierre Connor. It was introduced to the public by the great Maurice Chevalier in the movie 'The Big Pond', and then featured again in 1931 in the Marx Brothers' comedy 'Monkey Business'. It was recorded by Belle Baker in 1930, with a lovely arrangement. It was also in the soundtrack to the the 1977 film 'New York New York', a great big band arrangement sung by Liza Minnelli. With all these choices, I decided to go with one I thought very sweet. Enjoy listening to Belle Baker sing "You Brought A New Kind of Love To Me".

Our next song had music by Fain, and lyrics by Lew Brown. "That Old Feeling" was written in 1937, and first appeared in the movie 'Vogues of 1938', but was really known more for the various recordings, including the one by Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, which was very popular. The song was recorded by countless artists in the 1950s and 1960s, including Frank Sinatra and Patti Page. There was also a stunning version by Ella Fitzgerald, recorded for her 1955 album, 'For Sentimental Reasons'. And it is that version you will find here, so enjoy!

Our next song was written as a lost-minute replacement song for the 1938 Broadway musical 'Right This Way', which closed after 15 performances. The show had music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal. I have loved this song for a long time, for it has a beautiful and haunting quality. "I'll Be Seeing You" has been sung by some of the greatest voices of the past century, both male and female. I loved Judy Collins' version of the song, recorded in the 1970s. But I decided to go with another voice I love to hear, not matter what she is singing. Enjoy as Rosemary Clooney sings "I'll Be Seeing You", recorded in the mid-1950s.

Although 'Right This Way' was a commercial failure at the time, it wasn't because of the music of Sammy Fain, or the lyrics of Irving Kahal. For there was another song that emerged from the flop as a clear winner, and been recorded by many over the next several decades. That includes versions by Cass Elliot in 1969, and the Carpenters in 1975, both stunning. But I decided to go with what many believe to be the most popular recording of "I Can Dream, Can't I?" It was recorded and released by the Andrews Sisters in 1949, topping the top three Billboard carts at the time: Best Sellers in Stores; Most Played by Jockeys; and Most Played in Jukeboxes. So enjoy the beauty of the harmonies of the great Andrews Sisters as they sing "I Can Dream, Can't I?"

In 1972, Sammy Fain was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He worked into his sixties, making music. And his music continued to be featured by artists and shows around the world. Sammy Fain died in 1989 in Los Angeles. He was 87 years old.

Military Torch

Clockwise: The Andrews Sister; Rosemary Clooney; and Kate Smith.

Since tomorrow is Veteran's Day, a day set aside to celebrate the lives and deeds of all the brave men and women who have offered a bit of their own lives to maintain the freedoms we so love in the United States. Since this year it is falling on a Sunday, it is being celebrated as a holiday on Monday, November 12, 2012. However, I thought Saturday night would be the perfect time to celebrate it 'Soundtrack' style, with music. For my money, I think some of the great songs I think of when I think about the military are from the 1940s, making it exactly right for tonight's blog. First up, we have a song written by Phil Moore, and made popular by the amazing Andrews Sisters in 1944. "Shoo Shoo Baby" was not so much a story of the soldiers involved in the war, but does mention the child of a soldier, trying to tell them where their father is.

There is such a longing, a melancholy that is just so present in the song "I'll Be Seeing You." The song was published by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal in 1938. Originally written for a Broadway musical that closed after just 15 performances, "I'll Be Seeing You" was recorded by some of the greatest artists of the time, including Billie Holiday and Being Crosby. It became huge in the 1940s, with loved ones at home identifying with the song, the gaping hole left when someone you care about is away from home. Enjoy the version, sung by the beautiful Rosemary Clooney.

There was another song that spoke to those family members left at home. It was written in 1941 by Walter Kent and Nat Burton, and a hit in the UK when sung by the great Dame Vera Lynn in 1942. It was inspired by thoughts of British pilots in their planes, returning to their homeland, flying over the Dover shoreline. In the United States, Kate Smith was one of many to sing "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover" and make it their own.

Of course, whenever I am thinking of songs dedicated to members of the armed services, the first one to come to mind is the one sung by the glorious Andrews Sisters, the jazzy "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." The song was written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince in 1940, a year before the Second World War broke out. It was, of course, made famous by the Andrews Sisters the following year, after singing it in 'Buck Privates,' starring Abbott & Costello. It was brought back into popular culture in 1972, when it was on the album called 'The Divine Miss M' by the incomparable Bette Midler. But I like to go back to the original, with the Andrews Sister.

Happy (early) Veteran's Day!

"Love" On A Saturday Night

Clockwise: Dianne Reeves; Reba McEntire; Rosemary Clooney; Dusty Springfield; Dame Shirley Bassey; and what is love without a kiss?

I think that love must be the greatest muse to musicians, for it seems there are more songs written about love, be it love lost, love found, or the search for both, than any other topic. So my inspiration for tonight is is not only songs about love, for that would be too easy. I wanted songs that mentioned love in the title, sung by some of the great voices from both today, and yesterday. And I will begin with a voice still very much active, singing some of the great songs with a new and imaginative flair. Listen as Denver resident Dianne Reeves sings the great song by George and Ira Gershwin, "The Man I Love". Yes, the song might have been performed by others, but few deliver it quite like Ms. Reeves.



Next up, we have a song written by Barbara Belle, Anita Leonard, Stan Rhodes, and Louis Prima in the 1940s, but given new life by Country superstar Reba McEntire. The song could be found on Reba's 1988 album, Reba. Released as a single, "Sunday Kind Of Love" went to #5 on the Country charts. Here is Reba singing the great song made famous by Etta James.



I have to say that on my list of favorite singers, you can always find the amazing Rosemary Clooney. Her voice had such depth, and a beautiful timbre. Listen as she takes on the George and Ira Gershwin classic, "Our Love Is Here To Stay". The song, first written for the 1938 film, The Goldwyn Follies. George passed away before the release of the movie and the song, but it certainly took on a life of it's own. Enjoy Rosie's take on the classic.



Dame Shirley Bassey is a wonder to me, to be sure. I had to include her, for she has sung many of the classics, and I just love her voice. So I thought I would choose her singing "Et Maintenant", written in 1961 by composer Gilbert Bécaud and lyricist Pierre Delanoë. It is better known to the English speaking world as "What Now My Love", having been translated by Carl Sigman. I love it when she goes all big and sings behind the hands on the song!



And, finally, I wanted to include the gorgeous Dusty Springfield. Her talent was lost too us far too soon, when cancer took her at age 59. Thankfully, she left many recordings, and appearances on television. I love her version of a song by Léo Chauliac & Charles Trenet, first recorded by Trenet in 1942. In 1957, "Que Reste t'il de Nos Amours?" was translated to English by Albert A. Beach and sung by Keely Smith. It became known by the English Title, "I Wish You Love". Here is Dusty singing a great song perfectly.



Enjoy your Saturday night!