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Showing posts with label jimmy mchugh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jimmy mchugh. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I’m In The Mood For SKA?
Ever hear of Lord Tatamo and The Skatalites?
…Or The Administrators
How about I. Roy & The Heptones?
All three are popular Jamaican Ska bands that recorded fresh and totally original versions of Jimmy McHugh’s I’m In The Mood For Love.
Ska music originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s mixing Caribbean Calypso sounds with American Jazz and Rhythm & Blues, paving the way for Bob Marley’s brand of Reggae.
While all three groups are Ska through and through, each gives this McHugh gem their own unique twist.
I’m In The Mood For Love, as performed by the mighty Lord Tatamo and The Skatalites, sticks closest to the traditional Ska sound.
The Administrators offer an inadvertent tribute to The HiLos, a 1950s acappela jazz quartet that took their name from their extreme vocal range.
Last, but definitely not least, the I.Roy & The Heptones’ treatment conjures the spirit of Louis Prima & Keely Smith.
All three interpretations are absolutely amazing.
Links to the three tracks are below. All are definitely worth a listen.
The Administrators
I Roy & The Heptones
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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.’
Thursday, May 19, 2011
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/
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
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.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Duke Ellington said ‘Jazz is a great barometer of freedom.’
Likewise, the Jazz community has always been compassionate to those in distress, as was demonstrated this month by the Jazz Relief for Japan event held Upstairs at Vitello’s in Studio City, California.
The 12-hour marathon fundraiser was the brainchild of Flip Manne, widow of drum legend Shelly Manne, who, at almost 90 years, continues to head up The Los Angeles Jazz Society.
Judy McHugh, grand-daughter of Jimmy McHugh says, “Flip Mann is an amazing woman, a little dynamo and just as stunning as ever. Flip is dedicated to keeping jazz alive. That’s what it’s about. ‘Keeping jazz alive in LA’- it’s what we do!”
Attending the day-long benefit along with Judy was jazz pianist & vocalist John Proulx.Los Angeles Jazz Society www.lajazz.org
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
SONG SPOTTERS UNITE!
Couldn’t Sleep a Wink Last Night?
Why not put that insomnia to work for you?
If you spot a Jimmy McHugh Song in a classic film or TV show, we’d love you to tell us about it.
When you can’t sleep and you’re watching late night TV or surfing the web, be on the lookout for vintage McHugh tunes.
In appreciation, we’ll send you a terrific Jimmy McHugh Music CD Sampler along with our undying gratitude.
PS:
As Inspiration (and Consolation!), click on the link below for a clip of a very young Frank Sinatra crooning Jimmy’s I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night from debut film Higher and Higher. By the way-That’s Dooley Wilson (of ‘Casablanca’ fame) on the piano.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
SONG SPOTTING: When My Sugar Walks Down the Street
In his authoritative biography of Jimmy McHugh, author Alyn Shipton writes, “The extraordinary success of When My Sugar Walks Down The Street (1925) gave McHugh his first taste of what it felt like to write a truly popular hit. A melody that was hummed on every street corner.”
We just uncovered this rarely seen clip of Judy Garland performing the song in a scene that was shot for 1954’s A Star Is Born.
The song was intended to be part of Judy’s legendary ‘Born In A Trunk’ sequence.
It was cut out due to intense pressure from Warner Brothers Studios to make the film shorter (so exhibitors could squeeze in more showings each day).
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
DIANA KRALL: LIVE IN RIO
In case you missed it in 2009, we suggest you catch up with Diana Krall’s Live in Rio DVD.
Accompanied by her longtime band and a splendid Brazilian orchestra, Diana delivers a superb set of standards in true Bossa Nova fashion.
The concert is beautifully photographed and features an impeccable line up of songs. It is Diana Krall at her scintillating best.
She closes her show with Jimmy McHugh’s knock out Exactly Like You.
Want to see it? Click here and enjoy!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Putting Her Stamp on Show Business
The US Postal Service has just released a Carmen Miranda
postage stamp.
In 1940 the outrageous Ms Miranda, dubbed the Brazilian Bombshell exploded onto movie screens starring alongside Don Ameche and Betty Grable in Down Argentine Way.
The film’s centerpiece is the South American Way production number, performed by Carmen and written by that famed Latin American composer, Jimmy McHugh.
The Carmen Miranda stamp is one in a series of five commemorative issues saluting Latin American music. The other honorees are Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel and Selena.
Here’s a clip of South American Way
Friday, February 25, 2011
Speedy Haworth Plays Jimmy McHugh
We just unearthed some very rare footage of legendary guitarist Speedy Haworth performing ‘Maggie Blues’ on Ozark Jubilee, the first network television program to feature Country Music’s top stars.
Speedy Haworth is recognized as one of the finest country guitarists of the 40's and 50's.
The clip is from 1955 and introduced by Red Foley, who was, at that time, was the biggest name in country music.
(Trivia fans: Several years later, Red became Pat Boone’s father-in-law when the singer married daughter, Shirley!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozark_Jubilee
Thursday, January 27, 2011
EDDIE FISHER: Teen Idol
A pre-rock and roll sensation, Eddie Fisher's strong tenor made him a teen idol and one of the most popular singers of the early 1950s. He had seventeen songs in the Top 10 on the music charts between 1950 and 1956 and thirty-five in the Top 40.
In the Forties, when Fisher was still a ‘boy singer’ with the big bands of Buddy Morrow and Charlie Ventura, he came to the attention of both Jimmy McHugh and the legendary Eddie Cantor. Each had developed an infallible reputation for spotting and guiding new, ‘undiscovered’ talent.
McHugh and Cantor were to become very instrumental in the singer’s meteoric rise of to fame.
Eddie Fisher passed away September 22, 2010.
Eddie’s album, I’m In The Mood For Love, was released in 1952. To Jimmy McHugh’s delight, it was re-released, by popular demand, in 1955.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0279472/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fisher
In the Forties, when Fisher was still a ‘boy singer’ with the big bands of Buddy Morrow and Charlie Ventura, he came to the attention of both Jimmy McHugh and the legendary Eddie Cantor. Each had developed an infallible reputation for spotting and guiding new, ‘undiscovered’ talent.
McHugh and Cantor were to become very instrumental in the singer’s meteoric rise of to fame.
Eddie Fisher passed away September 22, 2010.
Eddie’s album, I’m In The Mood For Love, was released in 1952. To Jimmy McHugh’s delight, it was re-released, by popular demand, in 1955.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0279472/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fisher
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dear Liza, We Couldn't Agree More!
‘Reality Is Something You Rise Above’ -Liza Minnelli, answering the Vanity Fair ‘Proust Questionnaire’ - Nov 2010
Liza Minnelli’s long awaited new album, Confessions features a real Jimmy McHugh rarity,
‘I Must Have That Man’ -Start to finish, this disc is a guaranteed treat for her fans.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Song Spotting: The Strip
THE STRIP: Mickey Rooney’s Mid-Century Musical Melodrama
We hope you’ll get a chance to catch Mickey Rooney in The Strip.
(MGM,1951). It features a very young Vic Damone performing the Jimmy McHugh gem, ‘Don’t Blame Me’.
This black & white potboiler features Mickey as a young drummer returning from service in the Korean War. While restarting his musical career he gets a gig in a Sunset Strip club, meets the love of his life and falls in with a very bad-news gambling syndicate.
The kicker is his supporting cast of musicians, which include Louis Armstrong, Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines and the illustrious jazz trombonist, Bix Beiderbecke.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Song Spotting
Be sure to catch Stormy Weather, a 1943 gem starring Lena Horne, who turns in bravura performances of Jimmy’s ‘I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby’ & ‘Diga Diga Doo’
And talk about a supporting cast: Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson & the tap dancing Nicholas Brothers.
A True DVR Delight!
See Lena & Bill Robinson perform ‘I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby’: youtube.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Barry Manilow And Jersey Boys
Two MUST SEE SHOWS:
Barry Manilow At Paris Las Vegas and Jersey Boys at The Palazzo!
Barry’s latest album ‘The Greatest Love Songs Of All Time’ features Jimmy McHugh’s I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby.
Jersey Boys spotlights three McHugh gems, I’m In The Mood For Love; Moody’s Mood For Love & I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Steve Tyrell Live at the Cafe Carlyle
This is the first live album by Grammy-Award winning Steve Tyrell. It was recorded during his Annual Holiday Engagement at the Legendary Cafe Carlyle.
Steve took over the engagement from Bobby Short when he passed away after playing 36 straight Holiday Seasons.
The live recording is highlighted by Steve’s inimitable version of Jimmy McHugh’s classic ‘On The Sunny Side Of The Street’
Steve’s 6th annual holiday engagement at the Café Carlyle runs from November 9 through New Year’s Eve, 2010.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Catch Him If You Can
Congratulations to John Proulx who was featured as Michael Feinstein’s special guest this past week at The Music Center of St Cecilia, Nebraska.
John heads up to Toronto before coming to LA for a return engagement at the Vibrato Bar & Grill, October 31, Halloween!
On December 19, you can catch John at Feinstein’s At The Regency, when he will be performing a tribute to Nat King Cole. (including the McHugh classic ‘Too Young To Go Steady.’
PS: That night, John’s trio will include the legendary Bucky Pizzarelli!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook
The brilliant series Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook
is certain to be a favorite of PBS Television audiences for years to come.
Michael’s vast musical knowledge combined with his love of the Great American Songbook makes the series a must see.
Click below to check your local listings for upcoming airings
Don't (Ever) Spare The ROD!
ROD STEWART
Does it again with
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK VOL. 5
featuring the
Jimmy McHugh Classic
‘ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET’
We salute CLIVE DAVIS, J RECORDS and The RCA Music Group for continuing to bring the classic music of the Twentieth Century to new audiences around the world.
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