Song Spotting

Film Noir takes a Detour

Jimmy McHugh’s I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me is the theme song of the 1945 film noir Detour.

This is particularly interesting in that McHugh’s upbeat tune greatly contrasts with the film’s sinister tone.

In both it’s style and content, Detour is considered to be one of the darkest film noir ever produced during the classic 1935 to 1955 period. Director Edgar G. Ulmer’s work was heavily influenced by the 1920s German Expressionism Movement.

To quote Chicago Sun-Times Film critic Roger Ebert: ‘No one who has seen it has easily forgotten it.’

http://youtu.be/PkJ5XSx7i7c

http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=eBVyA9Dqr00&feature=related

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1005744-detour

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Although it’s only 16 seconds long, people all over the world are familiar with the Universal Pictures Fanfare that opened all of the films released by the studio from the mid-1930s. Whether in theatres or on TV, everyone has heard the triumphant orchestral soundbite which, most notably, trumpeted the start of Universal’s Frankenstein, Dracula and Wolfman movies.

Jimmy McHugh composed this iconic bit of motion picture history to accompany Universal’s ‘globe and stars’ logo.

The Fanfare was retired in 1946, but has often been revived to open such films as the recent Jack Nicholson remake of The Wolfman, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid starring Steve Martin and director Ron Howard’s fantasy flick, Willow.

http://youtu.be/Aop_7Q3PoW0

On The Radio

Recently, after playing John Pizzarelli's recording of I Just Found Out About Love, SiriusXM Radio’s redoubtable Jonathan Schwartz had some glowing words to say about Jimmy McHugh.

To paraphrase Jonathan: ‘There wouldn't be any worthwhile music in this country without Great American Songbook composers like Jimmy McHugh.’ 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Schwartz

www.johnpizzarelli.com

www.siriusxm.com

Diane Schuur with The Thilo Wolf Big Band

A two-time Grammy Winner, Diane has headlined alongside Quincy Jones, Stan Getz, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. Diane Schuur paired with Thilo Wolf and his Big Band is truly a match made in heaven.

Wolf formed his Big Band in 1992 when he became the host of Swing It, his long-running series on German Public Television. 

The program continues to be a premiere showcase for countless international film and television stars. Click below to hear their take on Jimmy McHugh's I Just Found Out About Love.

http://youtu.be/1w6yYbOpJrs

www.dianeschuur.com

Go Wolverines!

We’re talking about The Wolverines Big Band!

The Wolverines Big Band were originally formed in 1973 to showcase the music of the ‘hot’ orchestras popular between the World Wars. The ensemble, now led by drummer Jendeen Forberg, has performed with artists ranging from Sarah Vaughan to The Manhattan Transfer. 

Four Wolverines albums have garnered 4-star reviews in DownBeat Magazine. Quite an achievement!

Frequently collaborating with the band is vocalist, Judi Donaghy, who first made her mark as part of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra.

Below is a link to Judi and The Wolverines performing Jimmy McHugh’s I Just Found Out About Love. It’s culled from The Wolverines Big Band’s CD, Voracious: Live at the Times. 

http://youtu.be/_fQzCvNd9Oo

http://www.downbeat.com/

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/wolverinesbb

SONG SPOTTING: Woody Allen - In Living Color - 'South American Way'

Although many of Director Woody Allen’s movies have been photographed in striking black & white, he chose to film his 1987 comedy, Radio Days, in rich color. Woody painted nostalgic picture of American family life during the Golden Age of Radio.

Allen narrates the film which features Mia Farrow, Diane Keaton, Diane Wiest, Julie Kavner and Josh Mostel.

Of course, we at Jimmy McHugh Music love the scene where Wiest’s character, alone in her bedroom, does the Samba while lip-syncing to Carmen Miranda's classic recording of South American Way (which just happens to be written by Senor Jimmy McHugh).

Allen received an Academy Award © nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

http://www.digitaldeliftp.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Radio

A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

Critical Acclaim for Wesla Whitfield in Concert

From a New York Times review by Stephen Holden:

‘Ms. Whitfield combines ruthless insight, intense emotion and highly evolved jazz phrasing into a musical evening that goes beyond mere entertainment to flirt with profundity. Ms. Whitfield has always shown signs that she glimpsed more than she let on about the popular standards she chose.’

In the San Francisco Chronicle, David Wiegand says…

‘Wesla Whitfield is an indoor landmark. Every great city deserves a signature chanteuse, and San Francisco is fortunate to have Whitfield as its resident voice.’

Wesla Whitfield will be performing her new show, ‘Whistling Away The Dark’, accompanied by The Mike Greensill Trio. Wesla and the Trio will be appearing  exclusively at The Rrazz Room - the premiere night club in San Francisco, located in the beautiful Nikko Hotel, from May 10 through 29. Not to be missed!

On May 31st Wesla begins a return engagement at The Metropolitan Room in New York City through June 12.

As Wesla sings on her CD Let’s Get Lost: The Music of Jimmy McHugh, this is A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening.

Mike Greensill and Wesla rehearsing in San Francisco - 2010

Link:

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Phenomenal-Woman-Wesla-Whitfield/1

http://youtu.be/-Mlh100DlA0