30′s & Earlier
Rumba Azul – Lecuona Cuban Boys
SONG OF THE DAY “Rumba Azul” by The Lecuona Cuban Boys (Lecuona Cuban Boys, Vol. 4 (1932-1936), Harlequin Records, 1994, originally released on Victor Records sometime in the mid-30s). Composed by Armando Oréfiche. WHERE I HEARD IT Well, this song really took me for a ride! I heard it during the “New-Year’s-Eve-party-in-Germany-1943″ scene of... »
Beautiful Dreamer – Marty Robbins
SONG OF THE DAY “Beautiful Dreamer” by Marty Robbins (The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951 to 1982, Legacy/ Columbia Records, 1991). Written by Stephen Foster. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - “Beautiful Dreamer” is a popular American song, the last known song written by Stephen Foster. It was published posthumously in 1864, the year Foster died. -... »
I Wished On The Moon – Billie Holiday
SONG OF THE DAY “I Wished On The Moon” by Billie Holiday (Songs for Distingué Lovers, Verve Records, 1957). Composed by Ralph Rainger with lyrics by Dorothy Parker. WHY TODAY? While listening to NPR last night, I heard a recording of Stephanie Nakasian doing a cover of this song. She was able to really capture Billie’s voice, and,... »
The Great Speckled Bird
SONG OF THE DAY “The Great Speckled Bird” written by Roy Acuff, lyrics by Guy Smith, 1937. Sheet music first printed by M.M. Cole Publishing Company, Chicago, IL. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - “The Great Speckled Bird” is a Southern hymn whose lyrics were written by the Reverend Guy Smith. - The song... »
Mean To Me – Carmen McRae
SONG OF THE DAY “Mean To Me” by Carmen McRae (Any Old Time, Denon Records, 1986). Music by Fred E. Ahlert and lyrics by Roy Turk. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - “Mean To Me” is a popular song, originally published in 1929 and since recorded by many artists. - Doris Day recorded a... »
The Lamp Is Low
SONG OF THE DAY “The Lamp Is Low” with music by Peter de Rose and Bert Shefter, and lyrics by Mitchell Parish. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - The music was adapted from “Pavane pour une infante défunte”, a piece by Maurice Ravel. - Mildred Bailey made the first notable recording of the “The... »
But Not For Me – Joey De Francesco feat. Joe Doggs
SONG OF THE DAY “But Not For Me” by Joey De Francesco featuring Joe Doggs (Falling In Love Again, Concord Records, 2003). Written by George and Ira Gershwin. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - Joe Doggs = Joe Pesci - The Gershwins wrote this song for their musical Girl Crazy (1930) and introduced in... »
It’s Only A Paper Moon – The Oscar Peterson Trio
SONG OF THE DAY “It’s Only A Paper Moon” by Oscar Peterson Trio (With Respect To Nat, Verve Records, 1998). Written in 1933 by E. Y. Harburg and Billy Rose. INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia) - It was written originally for an unsuccessful Broadway play called The Great Magoo, set in Coney Island. - It... »
Prelude To A Kiss – Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
SONG OF THE DAY “Prelude To A Kiss” by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (This Is Jazz #7, Columbia/Legacy, 1996). Written by Duke Ellington in 1938. MY TAKE I heard this song today during the credits of the most recent Mad Men episode, and what a thrill…the lyrics and melody came flooding back, and... »
Gymnopédie No. 1 – Erik Satie with arrangment by Claude Debussy
SONG OF THE DAY “Gymnopédie No. 1″ – Orchestration by Debussy with original piano setting by Satie (1898) INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia) - The Gymnopédies, published in Paris starting in 1888, are three piano compositions written by French composer and pianist Erik Satie. - These short, atmospheric pieces are written in 3/4 time, with... »