April 25
"All of Me," words and music by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons, performed by Louis Armstrong
Let’s end the month with the incredibly talented and possibly most well-known jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, performing a song that made it to number one in the charts and has been recorded by other greats as well, “All of Me.” The song was written in 1931, and first performed by Belle Baker. It really took off, however, with a late 1931 recording by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, followed by this early 1932 recording by Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong was already a popular musician when this song was recorded, having struck out on his own as a performer in the mid-1920s. In fact, he performed in Europe for the first time in 1932, so his popularity was definitely growing around the world in this time period. You can also hear an example of his scatting style in this song, which is honestly impressive, as he goes seamlessly back and forth from scatting/singing to playing his trumpet. If you’re interested in learning more about Armstrong’s life, I would definitely take a look at the biographies I linked below - I did not really know much about his early life, and it was interesting to learn. He is one of the stories of American rags to riches, as he grew up in a rough neighborhood in New Orleans, known as The Battleground, but was able to go on to become one of the most famous jazz musicians of all time.
The song:
Resources
About the song: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_of_Me_(jazz_standard)
https://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-0/allofme.htm
About Louis Armstrong: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Armstrong
https://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/biography/
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Monday, April 18, 2022
Music Mondays: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?, performed by Bing Crosby
April 18
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," performed by Bing Crosby, music by Jay Gorney, lyrics by Yip Harburg (1932)
I can hardly talk about the 1930s without featuring a song by the inimitable Bing Crosby, who actually went solo in 1931. It’s likely that everyone who reads this has heard at least one song by Crosby, most likely the Christmas hit, “White Christmas,” which is still the best selling single of all time. I don’t want to spend loads of time talking about Crosby, but if you want to know more about him, the Wikipedia link below has tons of info. I also included a link to his biography.com entry, in case you’r not a fan of Wikipedia.
Today, the song is just as interesting as the singer and may ring true for people today as it did when it was written during the Great Depression. It was written for the musical, Americana, which actually did not do very well, but this song became a hit. It differed from the norm of popular songs at the time, in that it features a minor key and directly confronts the feelings many Americans had during the Depression. Many (or most) popular songs at the time were upbeat and focused on being happy, while this song unabashedly discussed the frustrations of seeing the American Dream that so many had believed in come crashing down around them with the stock market crash of 1929 and ensuing long-lasting financial depression. Honestly, I feel like I know people who would relate with these same sentiments in today’s economy.
So this week, take a few minutes to listen to a great song, with an unfortunately enduring sentiment, sung by a great singer.
Lyrics
Once I built a railroad, made it run
Made it race against time
Once I built a railroad, now it's done
Brother can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower to the sun
Brick and rivet and lime
Once I built a tower, now it's done
Brother can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits
Gee, we looked swell
Full of that yankee Doodle De Dum
Half a million boots went slogging through hell
I was the kid with the drum
Say don't you remember, they called me Al
It was Al all the time
Say don't you remember, I'm your pal!
Brother can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits
Gee, we looked swell
Full of that yankee Doodle De Dum
Half a million boots went slogging through hell
I was the kid with the drum
Say don't you remember, they called me Al
It was Al all the time
Say don't you remember, I'm your pal!
Brother can you spare a dime?
Buddy can you spare a dime?
The song:
Resources
About Bing Crosby: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bing_Crosby
About the song: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother,_Can_You_Spare_a_Dime%3F
Monday, April 11, 2022
Music Mondays: River Stay 'Way from My Door, performed by Kate Smith
April 11
"River, Stay ‘Way from My Door," performed by Kate Smith, Music by Harry M. Woods, Lyrics by Mort Dixon (1931)
Today’s song was number 13 on the top 60 chart of 1932. There are actually two versions that appear in this chart, but this one, sung by Kate Smith, ranked higher. I mostly chose this one because Kate Smith was one of the few (only) women listed in the top 60 for 1932. When I started this project, I wanted to be sure to include at least one female artist for each decade. Of course, the first song I highlighted featured the female vocalist Ivie Anderson, but the song itself was billed as Duke Ellington. (And to be fair, Ellington composed the song and led the band and singer.) Anyway, Kate Smith was a contralto who became so popular that she became known as “the first lady of radio.” She had a popular radio show called, “Kate Smith Sings” on CBS from 1931-1947. During that time, Irving Berlin also granted her exclusive on-air rights to sing the popular patriotic song, “God Bless America.” You might have heard her voice singing this patriotic song during the 7th inning stretch at a Yankees game, though she has become somewhat controversial in recent years for racist songs she recorded during her career. This particular song is somewhat sultry and provides a great vehicle to hear her contralto voice.
The song:
Resources
"River, Stay ‘Way from My Door," performed by Kate Smith, Music by Harry M. Woods, Lyrics by Mort Dixon (1931)
Today’s song was number 13 on the top 60 chart of 1932. There are actually two versions that appear in this chart, but this one, sung by Kate Smith, ranked higher. I mostly chose this one because Kate Smith was one of the few (only) women listed in the top 60 for 1932. When I started this project, I wanted to be sure to include at least one female artist for each decade. Of course, the first song I highlighted featured the female vocalist Ivie Anderson, but the song itself was billed as Duke Ellington. (And to be fair, Ellington composed the song and led the band and singer.) Anyway, Kate Smith was a contralto who became so popular that she became known as “the first lady of radio.” She had a popular radio show called, “Kate Smith Sings” on CBS from 1931-1947. During that time, Irving Berlin also granted her exclusive on-air rights to sing the popular patriotic song, “God Bless America.” You might have heard her voice singing this patriotic song during the 7th inning stretch at a Yankees game, though she has become somewhat controversial in recent years for racist songs she recorded during her career. This particular song is somewhat sultry and provides a great vehicle to hear her contralto voice.
The song:
Resources
About Kate Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Smith
About Harry M Woods (composer): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_M._Woods
About controversy surrounding Kate Smith: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2019/04/23/kate-smith-heres-why-her-racist-recordings-are-controversial/3550061002/
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Music Mondays: It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra
April 4
"It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)," Music by Duke Ellington, lyrics by Irving Mills (1931)
New month, new decade! We’re now into the 1930s, and I am certain that a much greater number of us have heard of most of these singers and will know a lot more of the songs from here on out.
Let’s start the month out with the legendary Duke Ellington, and his 1931 composition “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing).” The first recording of this song was released in February 1932, and the singer was Ivie Anderson. This particular recording of the song actually joined the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. Interestingly, though the title of the song mentions “swing,” the swing era of music did not really start until several years later. The title of the song is actually attributed to a few different sources, all associated with Ellington’s orchestra. This song actually helped to propel the idea of “swing” into the popular imagination, so even though it did not herald the swing era of jazz, it played an important part in bringing it about. Apparently, Ellington at one point said that the word “swing” was simply “Harlem for rhythm” (https://www.songfacts.com/facts/duke-ellington/it-dont-mean-a-thing-if-it-aint-got-that-swing)
Duke Ellington is well regarded as a great composer and band leader, and this song is the one that really cemented his reputation as a composer. He was known for tailoring his pieces to fit particular soloists. Even today, 90 years later, he and his orchestra are still considered to be models of jazz. Ellington was born in Washington, DC, and later moved to NYC, where he was based for the rest of his life, though he traveled extensively with his orchestra. I think it would be fair to say that we would not know jazz as we do today if not for Duke Ellington.
Ivie Anderson joined Ellington’s orchestra as the lead singer in 1931, and this recording was her first record appearance. It is probably fair to say that her performance on this song helped launch both her and the song itself to stardom. Anderson would tour with Ellington and his orchestra for about a decade, but she unfortunately had to retire in 1942, due to chronic asthma.
Now that you’ve learned just a tad about the composer and the vocalist, go ahead and enjoy this jazz standard.
Song:
Resources:
"It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)," Music by Duke Ellington, lyrics by Irving Mills (1931)
New month, new decade! We’re now into the 1930s, and I am certain that a much greater number of us have heard of most of these singers and will know a lot more of the songs from here on out.
Let’s start the month out with the legendary Duke Ellington, and his 1931 composition “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing).” The first recording of this song was released in February 1932, and the singer was Ivie Anderson. This particular recording of the song actually joined the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. Interestingly, though the title of the song mentions “swing,” the swing era of music did not really start until several years later. The title of the song is actually attributed to a few different sources, all associated with Ellington’s orchestra. This song actually helped to propel the idea of “swing” into the popular imagination, so even though it did not herald the swing era of jazz, it played an important part in bringing it about. Apparently, Ellington at one point said that the word “swing” was simply “Harlem for rhythm” (https://www.songfacts.com/facts/duke-ellington/it-dont-mean-a-thing-if-it-aint-got-that-swing)
Duke Ellington is well regarded as a great composer and band leader, and this song is the one that really cemented his reputation as a composer. He was known for tailoring his pieces to fit particular soloists. Even today, 90 years later, he and his orchestra are still considered to be models of jazz. Ellington was born in Washington, DC, and later moved to NYC, where he was based for the rest of his life, though he traveled extensively with his orchestra. I think it would be fair to say that we would not know jazz as we do today if not for Duke Ellington.
Ivie Anderson joined Ellington’s orchestra as the lead singer in 1931, and this recording was her first record appearance. It is probably fair to say that her performance on this song helped launch both her and the song itself to stardom. Anderson would tour with Ellington and his orchestra for about a decade, but she unfortunately had to retire in 1942, due to chronic asthma.
Now that you’ve learned just a tad about the composer and the vocalist, go ahead and enjoy this jazz standard.
Song:
Resources:
About the song: https://www.songfacts.com/facts/duke-ellington/it-dont-mean-a-thing-if-it-aint-got-that-swing
https://www.kuvo.org/stories-of-standards-it-dont-mean-a-thing-duke-ellington/
About Duke Ellington: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/duke-ellington-about-duke-ellington/586/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington
About Ivie Anderson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivie_Anderson
https://www.kuvo.org/stories-of-standards-it-dont-mean-a-thing-duke-ellington/
About Duke Ellington: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/duke-ellington-about-duke-ellington/586/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington
About Ivie Anderson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivie_Anderson
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