I just thought it was time to Jazz up Christmas, and what better way than to add a little 1950s swing? I decided to play "Baby It's Cold Outside", written by Frank Loesser in 1944. The song, while not really dealing with Christmas directly, certainly speaks to the winter weather many of us encounter. I decided to go with the version by Sammy Davis Jr and Carmen McRae, featured on their 1957 album 'Boy Meets Girl'. I hope you enjoy Carmen and Sammy as they sing "Baby It's Cold Outside".
You can purchase Sammy Davis Jr and Carmen McRae's album 'Boy Meets Girl' from iTunes and Amazon. For more holiday Jazz, check back in tonight!
Left to right: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra.
While this didn't start out to be a Rat Pack post, it just ended up that way. Once you have Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin on the list, how can you not bring Sammy Davis, Jr. to the party as well? I couldn't figure out a way, but realized I would just be foolish to do it. So I offer you the man, the main members of the famed Rat Pack, singing some iconic songs, great representatives of the Great American Songbook.
Left to right: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis, Jr.
I thought there is no way better to start out this post than with a legend singing a great song written by the amazing Cole Porter. In 1943, the movie 'Reveille With Beverly' featured a performance by a young man named Frank Sinatra, who was introduced in the film by a young Ann Miller. The song was written a decade earlier for the musical 'The Gay Divorcee', and sung by Fred Astaire. Here is a clip from the film, with Frank Sinatra singing the classic "Night and Day".
The next great song is from the musical 'The Pajama Game', written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. "Hey There" was introduced by John Raitt in the original Broadway production, but the song is best known from the recording by Rosemary Clooney, which went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1954. About the same time, the song was recorded by Sammy Davis, Jr., and his version of the song went to #16 on the Billboard chart. The song showed the strength of Sammy's voice, and it is easy to see why it was a hit for both artists. This is Sammy Davis Jr. singing "Hey There" on 'The Colgate Summer Comedy Hour'.
Our next song was first known as "Nel blu dipinto di blu", the English translation "In the Sky, Painted Blue". But it is better known by another name, "Volare". Translated to English as "To Fly", the song was written by Franco Migliacci and Domenico Modugno, and released in 1958 by Modugno. His version went to #1 on the charts all over the world, and soo the song was being covered by many. That would included the third member of the Rat Pack, Dean Martin. I remember hearing Martin's cover playing in my house growing up, my mother was a big fan of Dean's music. This is Dean Martin singing "Volare".
Our final song was written by lyricist Billy Rose was and composer Dave Dreyer, although it also listed Al Jolson in the credits. Rose was the third husband of the great Fanny Brice, and it was said the 'shadow' in the song was Nicky Arnstein, Brice's second husband. The song is "Me and My Shadow", was a huge hit for Jolson in 1927, and quickly became a classic. I was thrilled to find this clip of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. performing the song together live. This is Frank and Sammy with the classic "Me and My Shadow".
Clockwise: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin.
To change things up a bit, I decided to visit the the Great American Songbook as I do on a Saturday night, but from a slightly different perspective. Since I usual feature some of the amazingly talented ladies from the past century or so, I decided to listen to some men this week. While there are countless men who have sung great music, I decided to go with some of the voices I heard playing on the family record player when I was young. And, as a child of parents from the Philadelphia area, there was no way I could not include Francis Albert Sinatra, for my mother did love his music. Frank Sinatra started his career as part of the group Hoboken Four. The group was on Major Bowes Amateur Hour, the nationally broadcast radio talent show. Soon he left that group, and returned home to New Jersey. Eventually, he made his way as a big band singer, fronting for both Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. He soon moved on to a solo career, starting out the 1940s at the top, a favorite of the bobbysoxers across the nation. He became a movie star, and maintained his recording career for decades to come. In 1964, he released "The Way You Look Tonight", a song written by Dorothy Fields and Jerome Kern. Originally sung by Ginger Rogers to Fred Astaire in the 1936 RKO Radio Pictures musical, 'Swing Time', the song was soon recorded by Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday, quickly becoming a standard. This is Frank Sinatra's recording of "The Way You Look Tonight".
While he was another member of the the famed 'Rat Pack', Sammy Davis Jr. had a long and full career in show business. He started in vaudeville while still a toddler, perfecting his skills as a song and dance man. He served his country during World War II, and returned to vaudeville afterwards. His talent made him a shining star, and soon he would be a recording star. In the 1950s, he made the jump to movie actor, and then to Broadway star. By the end of the decade, he made close friends with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, soon to be dubbed the Rat Pack. They made movies, and played shows together in Las Vegas, never disappointing the audience. In 1962, a song was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, and was introduced by Newley in the musical 'Stop The World - I Want To Get Off'. "What Kind of Fool Am I?" was an iconic song, and was quickly recorded by Newley and Tony Bennett. It was also recorded by Sammy, who had a hit with the song, going to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #6 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. The song won the 1963 Grammy for Song of the Year, on the strength of Davis' recording. It is easy to understand why it was so successful when you listen to it. This is Sammy Davis Jr. singing "What Kind of Fool Am I?".
I remember my mother having Dean Martin albums, when the man was known as 'The King of Cool', his dashing good looks and easy manner projecting a self-confidence that was unmistakeable. Often seen surrounded by beautiful young ladies, with a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other, Martin was just the man you wanted to watch. Whether he was teaming up with Jerry Lewis making comedy, or recording music, Martin was never far from the spotlight. In 1956 he released the single "Sway", a mambo written by Mexican composer Luis Demetrio, and English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Dean's version went to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, and to #6 on the UK Singles chart. The song managed to be both sexy and romantic, and a song for the ages. I do enjoy hearing Dean Martin sing "Sway".
When you think back on the career of Nat King Cole, he was rather impressive. Cole was performing in the jazz clubs of Chicago in the 1930s, and soon his trio was being heard on radio, increasing his popularity. It wasn't too long before his music was being heard on television, and he was having mainstream success with songs like "Straighten Up and Sly Right". By the mid-40s, he was recording Pop music, and was a very popular performer. So popular, in fact, he had his own show, 'The Nat King Cole Show', on NBC. He was the first African American to host a national broadcast. The show lasted just over a year, unable to find a national sponsor. While the ratings were pretty good, it seemed as though advertisers stayed away. About the same time, the musical tastes changed, as Rock 'N Roll was taking over the charts, leaving crooners like Cole, Martin, and Sinatra to struggle for airplay. It didn't stop Cole, for he had hits like "Ramblin' Rose" and "Let There Be Love". In fact, I love his version of the latter song, composed by Lionel Rand with lyrics by Ian Grant. The song, written in 1940, was given new life by his Jazzy interpretation, that managed to be both flirty and smart. I certainly hope you love Nat King Cole singing "Let There Be Love" as much as I do!
Left to right: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Frank Sinatra.
As this is Father's Day Weekend, I tried to think of a way to give a tip of the hat to all the men out there who helped raise their kids. While I was pondering that, the Rat Pack came to mind, and I decided to go with it. For those who may not know, officially, The Rat Pack was made up by Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. They often traveled and performed as a group, causing great joy whenever they got together. The group formed in the mid-1950s, but the name didn't really catch on at first, until after the passing of Bogart in 1957. In truth, it was in the 1960s when the group really become popular, especially in Las Vegas when the trio of Sinatra, Davis, and Martin would pack in the crowds for their performances. They became known for their loose style. I will begin with the 'Chairman of the Board'. I love listening to Frank Sinatra sing his many hits, and "Fly Me To The Moon", written in 1954 by Bart Howard, was definitely one of them. While it was sung by many, it is Sinatra's version that is mostly remembered.
I remember growing up and my parents watching 'The Dean Martin Show', and seeing him on this show, and never seeming to be without a drink and a cigarette in his hand. I instantly get a warm feeling when I hear his voice, especially when he is singing. In 1965, Dean had a bit hit with a song written by Russ Morgan, Larry Stock, and James Cavanaugh. Sometimes, it feels as though "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" was written for Martin, but it wasn't. His version, some 20 years after the song was written, went to #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 on the adult contemporary chart.
I remember seeing Sammy Davis, Jr. appearing on many variety shows, from Dean's show, to 'The Mike Douglas Show'. My mother loved watching those progams, and I can remember seeing one of the few black men I remember seeing regularly performing. Sammy's easy style, never seeming to be trying too hard, but never short-changing the people in the audience, was hard not to love. I hope you enjoy as Sammy sings "That Old Black Magic", the classic song written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer.
And, finally,I thought I would bring them all together for you, and you alone. In the next clip, Sammy, Frank, and Dean singing "Birth of the Blues". The song had music by Ray Henderson, the lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown. It was nominated fro an Academy Award for the 1941 debut in 'Birth of the Blues', a film starring Bing Crosby 15 years after the song was first published. The Rat Pack made it famous all over again when they started to perform it in the 1960s. In the following clip, the boys were joined on stage by a very young Johnny Carson.
To have some of the best of the music of these legendary friends, you can purchase 'The Very Best of The Rat Pack' from iTunes and Amazon. Individually, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr., were very gifted performers, But collectively, they inspired one another to be even better. I hope they have reunited up in heaven, and are singing to all the fathers there this weekend!
Clockwise: Frank Sinatra; Dean Martin; Tom Jones; Sammy Davis Jr.
When I was thinking about what I was going to post for Mother's Day Weekend, I toyed with many different ideas, but the thought occurred to me that I wouldn't focus on mothers, but on the singers my mother and her friends used to listen to, watch, or talk about when I was a just a boy. So I reached back to when the family lived in Folcroft, Pennsylvania, in the Delmar Village. I thought about Mom talking with Jean, my Aunt Peg, Connie, Millie, and Nina about their favorite singers, it would come down to Frank, Dino, Sammy, and Tom. Whether they were watching them on TV, in movies, or going to a show at a club in Philadelphia, they loved these men. Of course, no one really needs to know more about the Chairman of the Board, do they? Frank Sinatra had a golden voice, and a talent to be able to sing just about anything he wanted. Watch here as he sings "(Love Is) The Tender Trap," composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn.
Ah, there was Dino. He had his own show at one time, and I remember watching it with the family, and hearing Dean Martin sing some beautiful songs. I also remember him with a cigarette in one hand, and a drink in the other. Yes, that is something that no one could get away with now on any variety show. And, oh, the ladies thought he was a handsome devil. Here is Dean singing "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime," written in 1947 by Sam Coslow, Irving Taylor and Ken Lane.
If Frank and Dino were around, you know that Sammy Davis Jr couldn't be far behind. Really, in a lot of ways, this was revolutionary for the time, costarring in Ocean's 11 in 1960, and being great friends with Martin and Sinatra, in a time when segregation was still the law of the land. But it was so right in so many ways, including the fact that the man could sing. Watch this 1968 video of Sammy Davis Jr. singing "This Guy's In Love With You," written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and originally recorded by Herb Alpert.
Now, if there was a "it" guy in the 1960s, it was Tom Jones. He wore his shirts barely buttoned, and pants oh-so-tight. At his shows, ladies were known to be throwing their underwear on the stage to him. Whether they brought extras or took them off while singing, I can't tell you. The Welshman knew how to work it, and had no fear of making sure he stayed in front of the ladies, singing. In 1969 he had a huge with with "Love Me Tonight," written by Barry Mason, Daniele Pace, Marissa Panzeri, and Lorenzo Pilat.
The Rat Pack sings Birth Of The Blues. Who are the Rat Pack? They were a group featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. They sometimes appeared together on stage and in films in the early-1960s, including the movie Ocean's 11. In the clip below, the reported ringleaders of the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra, get a little help from Johnny Carson as they sing the song written by Ray Henderson, the lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown in 1926, and recorded by Cab Calloway in the mid 1940s. However, it could be argued the most famous version of the song was by Frank Sinatra, which he often sang with his fellow Rat Packers.
Clockwise from top left: Roberta Flack, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Nilsson, and Don McLean.
Traveling back to 1972, I am afraid I don't have a great deal of insight to offer for it. You see, I was 12, and living in the small town of Smyrna, Delaware. I was going to middle school, and my music was either listening to stuff with my sister Kathy, or listening to the radio when the family was in the car. But that does mean I had some awareness of the top songs of the day, and I do remember all 5 in the top 5 tonight, starting with the #5 song, The Candy Man. Of course, the song was originally a part of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, sung by a store owner to some kids. The the most famous version, also the most popular, was by Sammy Davis, Jr., and released in 1972. Here is The Candy Man.
The #4 song has an interesting and a bit sordid past. Without You was written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the British rock band Badfinger, and recorded on their 1970 album, No Dice. It was never released as a single. Legend has it that while at a party, folk singer Harry Nilsson heard the song, and loved it so much, he wanted to do his own cover of it. He did, and it was party of his late 1971 release, Nilsson Schmilsson. Released as a single, Without You held the #1 position on the US Billboard charts for 4 weeks in a row, and for 5 weeks on the British charts. In a strange tiwst of fate, both Ham and Evans were caught up in financial and legal struggles with management, and committed suicide, Ham in 1975, and Evans in 1983. But the legacy of Without You lives on, both in Nilsson's cover, and a later cover by Maria Carrey.
The #3 song seems an unlikely entry into the Billboard chart at all, let alone in the top 5 for the year. That, however, is exactly the case. No matter how surprising, Don McLean's American Pie caught the ear and the heart of those who listened, and it stormed up the charts to #1. The album tract was 8:33 in length, far too long for radio play. So there were edits made, the single was 4:31, and in a world of the three minute song, it was still long. But folk-rocker McLean's homage to rockers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper and the plane crash marked the day "the music died," certainly spoke to the public, who kept it at #1 on the Billboard Pop chart for four weeks. And, by the way, just for the record, the day the music died was February 3, 1959.
Before 1972, Gilbert O'Sullivan was an Irish singer/songwriter who was doing fairly well on the British charts, but fairly unknown elsewhere. That all changed when he released the #2 song for 1972, Alone Again (Naturally). The song was everywhere, and was at #1 on the Pop charts for five consecutive weeks. And while O'Sullivan had success with the follow-up single, Clair, they were the highpoint of his success in the US. While he continued to make music and have an impact of the British charts, he was never able to recapture that lightning in the US.
The #1 song had an interesting story, starting with the writer. Ewan MacColl wrote the song for folk star Peggy Seeger. MacColl was in lover with Peggy, who was the half-sister to folk-rocker Pete Seeger. Unfortunately, MacColl was still married to another. He was married to Jean Newlove, and together they had a daughter, the wonderful and talented Kirsty MacColl. Later, MacColl and Seeger married. MacColl wrote First Time Ever I Saw Your Face for Seeger in 1957, but it remained relatively unnoticed until a cover by Roberta Flack was released in 1972. Flack slowed down the temp, making for a much more sensually-charged performance. In fact, it was a part of Flack's 1969 release, First Take, but shot to fame when it was included on the soundtrack of the Clint Eastwood film, Play Misty For Me. It was atop the Billboard Pop chart for six weeks in a row, and won the Grammy Awards for Best Song for MacColl and Record of the Year for Flack.
It has been said by his family that Ewan MacColl never really liked the song, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, even though it was his most popular song. What that means, I don't know. But I do know that MacColl and Seeger remained together until MacColl passed in 1989. While the song was the first #1 for Roberta Flack, it was certainly not her last. I guess that just goes to show was a crazy business the music industry it.
Men feeling the flame of the torch: (clockwise from top left) Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humberdinck, and Dean Martin.
Well, I just thought it was wrong to think that only a woman can hold a torch for a lover, because there is a long history of men singing about the very same thing. So I thought I would continue on with the series of Torch Singers, only featuring the men. Back in their day, they could set the hearts of woman all aflutter simply by walking on stage. That was certainly true for Frank Sinatra, the singer from Hoboken, New Jersey. Whether he was performing by himself, or in Las Vegas with his Rat Pack buddies, Sinatra knew how to sing a song. Check him out singing I've Got You Under My Skin, a classic by Cole Porter, talking about that early part of love.
If there were ever a poster boy for a gin-soaked evening in a club, it would be the very handsome Dean Martin. The boy from Steubenville, Ohio, certainly could turn a head, and never met a drink he didn't like. He'd come out on stage, drink in hand, cigarette in the other hand, and rip the hearts of many to shreds with songs like Besame Mucho, written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.
The next song was recorded by many, but leave it to Sammy Davis Jr. to put his own particular spin on it. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 musical, The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd. Like his Rat Pack brothers, Sammy could be seen with his cigarette in hand as he performed.
In some way, the remaining two men are the next generation of Rat Packers, so to speak. Engelbert Humperdinck Please Release Me, an standard written in 1946 by Eddie Miller, Robert Yount, and James Pebworth. Engelbert, born with the relatively boring name of Arnold George Dorsey, released the song in 1967, reaching the top of the charts in the UK and to #4 on the US Billboard chart.
There are few ways to truly describe out final man tonight without using the word sex. For many years, Tom Jones has embodied a sexually-charged charisma that had women throwing their undergarments to him while he was performing, screaming to get his attention. While the sexiness of the act often grabbed the headlines, there was plenty of talent to back all that up. Watch as he performs his version of the classic 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart song from the 1937 musical Babes in Arms, My Funny Valentine.
Tonight's episode features the music of Patti LuPone, Lady GaGa, TLC, Keane, West Side Story, Duck Sauce & Sammy Davis, Jr.
After the recap brings us up to date per usual, we jump into the show, with Mr. Shu wanting to get a booty camp going to help the dancing, but quickly Finn picks off Rachel with a stray arm, and breaks her nose. The doctor suggests she think about a nose job, and she is tempted. When she tells the other kids about it, Santana voices her thoughts that everyone has something they would change if they could, so Rachel should seek surgery. While heling Miss Pillsbury polish her food, Mr. Shu mentions he needs to teach the kids self-acceptance, and it occurs to him this is something Miss P could help with, as she has her own OCD issues. There will be an assignment that will feature Lad GaGa's Born This Way and Miss P. will help with the costumed.
After class, Santana contemplates what it would take to win the homecoming queen title. She thinks she needs the jocks, and see Dave Karovsky, and her gaydar alarm sounds. At a lunch with the kids and Kurt and Blaine, Santana has a brilliant idea, and hopefully will bring Kurt back to McKinley!
Lauren starts putting up signs to run for homecoming queen herself, which does not sit well with Quinn. After telling Puck she was a champion pageant kid, he is strangely turned on. He will help her. Quinn goes with Rachel to the doctor, cause Rachel wants her nose. They are inspired and sing their mash-up for the class, Unpretty by TLC and I Feel Pretty from West Side Story.
I Feel Pretty
Santana meets up with Karovsky, wanting to be his beard. She tells him she knows he was gay - she caught him checking out Sam's ass in the hallway. She thinks they can work together, become the homecoming king and queen, and be general heroes to the school, all the while hiding the fact they are gay and lesbian.
Quinn is not liking the lesson being taught this week, and points it out to Finn. He, on the other hand, is loving the lesson this week, and sings I've Gotta Be Me by Sammy Davis Jr. while dancing with the sexy and handsome Mike Chang.
Rachel brings out a a composite made by the doctor, and the kids all tell her it is a bad idea. Puck points out the girls with the nose jobs are always less hot, and Tina, with her blue contacts in, speaks of self-hatred in the self-mutilation.
Will tries to help Miss P by having her eat unwashed fruit. [Oddly, after the segment, there is a commercial about germs and biofilm in the mouth, unless you use Listerine. Go figure.] She doesn't see the humor,
Back in the chorus room, Karovsky is standing up in front of everyone, apologizing to a disgruntled group who dislike and distrust him. He also announces the change was due to the help of Santana. She comes up, and announces their 'love.' Both want to try to get Kurt back in the school, and they will start the Bully-Whips, to counteract the bullying in the school. There is much confusion.
There is a meeting in Principal Figgins' with Karovsky, Kurt, Mr. Hummel, Finn, Mr. Karovsky, and Mr. Shu, all trying to get Kurt back. After much talk, Kurt asks for a moment with Dave, and asks for the truth. Karovsky spills about Santana's involvement. Kurt demands Dave start a PFlag chapter at the school, cause Karovsky needs to be educated. But he will return. Puck demands an hour of Rachel's time before she makes a final decision about the surgery. On the courtyard, Mercedes announces that Kurt is back, and he is greeted by his McKinley friends. But there is another group that would like to talk to him, The Warblers. While Blaine will still have him in the evenings and on weekends, they will miss him. They sing Somewhere Only We Know by Keane.
To signal he is not only back, but he is ready to join the others, even if there is some nervousness. Kurt sings As If We Never Said Goodbye from the show Sunset Boulevard. The songs was first sung by Patti LuPone in the original London production. I gotta say, he nails this!
After a commercial break and I wipe a tear from my eye from Kurt's performance, we come back to Lauren pulling Quinn aside, and we discover her name is really Lucy Quinn Fabray, prior to a nose job and losing 70 pounds. Will Lauren release the photo-proof, and kill Quinn's chance to be homecoming queen? Continuing the fight for self-acceptance, Puck delivers Rachel to Kurt, who tells her show must think about remaining the amazing and singularly spectacular self, as he performs the viral hit Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce. With the help of the other kids, he performs it in the mall.
We return to Miss P going to a therapist, and she spends the entire session disinfecting the chair. This a light and steady voice, she tells her she needs to treat her illness once she accepts it. There is an air of acceptance in Miss P. Back in the hallways of the school, we find the girls in the school are now looking up to "Lucy" and she is leading the polls. And Quinn respects Lauren cause she walks the halls like she owns them, just he way she was born.
Brittany gives Santana a "Lebanese" t-shirt, cause of Santana's girl-loving-ways. She is disappointed Santana doesn't love her enough to wear the shirt. The kids get together to perform, all with a t-shirt with the perceived weakness they want to own. Rachel comes in to show off her "Nose" t-shirt, and announces she will not be getting the nose job. Kurt starts the song with the t-shirt that says "Likes Boys" and things like "four eyes," "big mouth," and "bad attitude," among others. Miss P joins the group with her "OCD" shirt, matching Mr. Shu's "Butt Chin" shirt. Kurt is singing Born This Way by Lady GaGa.
There is much joy as the kids perform on the stage, while there is a lack of joy with Santana and Dave, who were watching from the seats, restrained by their own imposed handcuffs.
