STEVIE WONDER AND THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK

In 1963, less than two years after taking America by storm with his first number one record, Fingertips Part Two, 15 year-old Stevie Wonder took time out to record an  album of standards. 
It was his third LP on the Tamla (Motown) label and the first to drop Stevie's nickname, 'Little' Stevie Wonder'.

Whenever (and however) possible, Motown Records chief Berry Gordy would strive to reach the widest demographic appeal for the label's artist stable.

Consequently Gordy urged Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and other Motown stars to record music from the Great American Songbook.
Although the time was not right for Stevie's album to capture the mature adult audience Berry Gordy sought, it nonetheless is a undiscovered gem that definitely warrants attention. 
Veteran jazz man Ernie Wilkins did a brilliant job of arranging and conducting the album which is highlighted by Jimmy McHugh's On The Sunny Side Of The Street.

BOB DYLAN SINGS JIMMY McHUGH

 
Searching around the internet we discovered that Bob Dylan has performed Jimmy McHugh's 'I'm In The Mood For Love' in concert a number of times over the years. 
It is exactly what you would expect a Dylan version of 'I'm In The Mood For Love' to sound like, complete with harmonica and the kind of slight Crosby-esque croon he used on his album 'Self Portrait'.

Unfortunately, as of yet, we haven't  been able to track down a recording of Mr. Dylan performing the song. Instead we decided to treat you to a somewhat different version of the tune as performed by the iconic 'Little Rascal star, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer.
The song was featured in a 1936 'Our Gang Comedy' short.

It been said (also on the internet) that I'm In The Mood For Love is Alfalfa's signature song.

Here's the link.

Enjoy!

NY’s City Center transforms into Harlem’s Cotton Club to Salute Duke Ellington. Show features the Music of Jimmy McHugh

Duke Ellington‘s Cotton Club Parade, opens November 18 at New York City Center. Cotton Club Parade is a celebration of Ellington’s years at the famed Harlem nightclub in the 1920s and early ’30s, when the joint was jumping with revues featuring big bands, swing and blues, dancers, singers and novelty acts.

The Cotton Club Parade re-imagines one of the world famous Cotton Club floor shows. It will feature the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, who also serves as music director.

Jimmy McHugh, who was the Cotton Club’s musical director, discovered Ellington at a small New Jersey club. He was responsible for booking Duke and his Band into the famed nightspot for a two-week engagement, which turned into a four-year residency at the Club.

Legendary performers such as the Nicholas Brothers, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Snake Hips Tucker, Peg Leg Bates and a 16-year old Lena Horne all performed at the Cotton Club.

As in the original revues, Cotton Club Parade will feature singers, dancers and variety acts, and songs by the greatest jazz composers of the time, including Jimmy McHugh (I Can’t Give You Anything But Love and Diga Diga Doo).

Cotton Club Parade will run for six performances only November 18-22, 2011

Links:

http://www.nycitycenter.org/tickets/productionnew.aspx?performanceNumber=6033

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

www.dukeellington.com

SONY'S MASTERWORKS BROADWAY RELEASES RECORDINGS OF SONGS FROM THE HISTORIC JIMMY MCHUGH & DOROTHY FIELDS MUSICAL 'BLACKBIRDS OF 1928'

Masterworks Broadway, a subsidiary label of Sony Masterworks, is re-releasing classic recordings of songs from 'Blackbirds of 1928' the pioneering, all-black musical written by Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields.


These are the only recordings of songs from this landmark score, presented as they were originally performed. Taken directly from the original masters, they have never before been available digitally.

Adelaide Hall

Originally recorded in 1953, the recording features the legendary Cab Calloway and Thelma Carpenter performing I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby, Diga-Diga-Doo and other McHugh/Fields classics. 


The show, which was the first Broadway success for composer Jimmy McHugh and lyricist Dorothy Fields, became the longest running all-black show on the New York stage.
Directed by producer Lew Leslie, it starred Adelaide Hall, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson and Mantan Moreland.





Set for release November 15, 2011 , Blackbirds of 1928 will be available as a digital download and disc-on-demand with the original cover art and new liner notes at Arkivmusic.com and Amazon.com.

JEAN-MICHEL PILC CONJURES OSCAR PETERSON PLAYING THE JIMMY MCHUGH SONGBOOK

Self-taught pianist Jean-Michel Pilc has built his jazz reputation by playing with the likes of Roy Haynes and Michael Brecker.

Pilc’s technique evokes Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson but demonstrates imagination that is entirely his own.

Jean-Michel’s standing as one of his generation’s best is solidified with his newest release, Essential.

                                     

The album is highlighted by his very original take on Jimmy’s Too Young to Go Steady, on which the pianist sticks close to McHugh’s melody, while playing up the minor harmonics.

Oscar Peterson Plays The Jimmy McHugh Songbook (originally released in 1959) has recently been re-released on Solar Records.


In addition to guest artists Stan Getz and Lester Young, The Oscar Peterson Trio which included jazz mainstays Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen and alternately, Barney Kessell or Herb Ellis, are all present and accounted for on this newly issued 22 track gem. 

Click below to hear the music. 

http://www.rhapsody.com/share/Alb.46128228

Tony Bennett: Forever On The Sunny Side Of The Street

At age 85, Tony Bennett is now the most senior artist ever to top Billboard’s Pop album chart.

His new release, Duets II, debuted in the #1 slot it’s first week in release. As hard to believe as it is, it’s Tony’s first Number One album! 

Duets II teams Tony with the late Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson along with several other top tier artists.

It goes without saying (but we will anyway) that On The Sunny Side Of The Street as performed by Messrs Bennett and Nelson is one for the books, but then again, so is the entire album. 

Here’s a link to Willie’s earlier solo recording of On The Sunny Side Of The Street. 

http://youtu.be/OcQJ4T9HNfU

What Happened in Jersey Didn’t Stay in Jersey

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Here’s a story about Jimmy McHugh’s I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby that not only tickles our fancy, but was a major turning point for Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons. 

The legendary producer/writer, Bob Crewe, had been recording the group in vain, searching for a hit record. Hoping for inspiration, he would often catch The Seasons perform at a small, out of the way club in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. 

Finally late one night, Crewe glimpsed a side of Frankie Valli he'd never seen before. 

"Frankie did a thing that night that blew me away.” says Bob. ‘He put a bandana over his head, took two maracas and stuck them under his coat (for breasts), and began singing 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love' like (1940s cabaret singer) Nellie Lutcher, with that high voice." 

Frankie Valli & Bob Crewe

From this silly one-off improvised routine Bob suddenly recognized a sound that just might score the group a hit record. 

Crewe continues "I said to (group member and composer) Bob (Gaudio), 'Go write a song for Frankie with that chichi voice, and jump it an octave.'" 

After several false starts, Gaudio came up with an infectious number called Sherry, the first of the band’s 28 Top 20 hits.  

Not only did this unmatched string of hits eventually morph into the international smash musical, Jersey Boys, it also enabled Frankie to not pursue his fallback career choice, becoming a barber!

PS: Jersey Boys features three Jimmy McHugh songs, I’m In The Mood For Love, Moody’s Mood For Love and, of course, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby.

Here’s a link to Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons performing that tune.