In 2004, the very handsome and talented John Barrowman released a wonderful album, 'John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter'. For many, Barrowman first came to their attention in the 1989 West End Production of Porter's 'Anything Goes', opposite the great Elaine Paige. His voice and charm are a perfect fit for Porter, and had the two been alive during the same period, I am sure John would have been a muse for the brilliant Porter. Barrowman's album is a brilliant collection, as you can tell with a listen to "Ca, C'est L'Amour", written by Cole in 1957 for the MGM musical, 'Les Girls'.
The next song has music by Cole Porter and lyrics by Porter and Robert Fletcher. It was written for the 1934 musical 'Adios, Argentina', which never was made. The lyrics were based on a poem written by Fletcher, a poet and railroad engineer. In 1944, "Don't Fence Me In" finally had it's film debut, sung by Roy Rogers in the movie 'Hollywood Canteen'. And though the song was recorded by many others, including Kate Smith, Bing Crosby, Gene Autrey, and Willie Nelson, it became a song closely associated with cowboy Roy Rogers. Sixty years later, Barrowman recorded the song once again, and claims it for himself.
You can purchase John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter on
iTunes and
Amazon.
