But not the famous Alfred E Newman

An interesting take on the famous folk song "Oh My Darling Clementine" by surf rock duo Jan and Dean from 1959.

Rick,  "Street Scene" is one of my favorite modern musical compositions.  "Rhapsody In Blue" would probably be #1, but "Steet Scene" runs a close second.  It has been used as  dramatic theme music in many Film Noir style movies, plus other movies that are more mainstream.   Some of the movies listed are,  Cry of the City", Kiss of Death, I Wake up Screaming, The Dark Corner, Gentlemen's Agreement and How to Marry a Millionaire.

And related to my last post, we have this. An Austrian singer doing "Clementine" with a horribly exaggerated American country accent...

Quote from: Marilyne on January 28, 2023, 10:43:52 PM"Street Scene" is one of my favorite modern musical compositions.  "Rhapsody In Blue" would probably be #1, but "Steet Scene" runs a close second.

Both pieces that I really like.  Can't say that I have any one particular favorite I would call #1.  I like so many - in different ways. There's a couple that should only be done by a strong men's choir or strong male voice. Yet others just the opposite.

Another song with a local connection. King Records was located about 15-20 minutes from me. This became one of Grandpa Jones' signature songs - and he was in his early 30s when this was recorded.

Another fun one from Grandpa Jones. Unlike "Mountain Dew", the origin of this song seems to be lost to time. In one performance on YouTube, Jones claims he learned it from a couple of Swiss musicians who were part of a band he was in in the Cleveland area. I did manage to find another recording (although no video or audio of it) from 1948, but the label for that record just credits it to "traditional", so it's anyone's guess where this originated. Still a fun song either way.

Speaking of Grandpa ---

The original version of that song, from 1947. Later made famous by Homer & Jethro among many others.

Another that's easy to listen too.

Thanks Rick, I enjoyed both of those very much!  Ella's voice was all over the place in "Birdland"!     I saw her once at the Monterey Jazz Festival - I think in the early 60's?  It was a different world back then.

All the talk today in S&F about the freezing weather, made me remember this oldie from 1936.  There's Frost on the Moon,  Artie Shaw's Orchestra and Peg LaCentra on the vocal.  I love looking at these wonderful photos from so long ago.  I think I see my parents in some of them!   

A fun version of "I Wanna Be Like You", featuring Andy Cooper on lead vocals (who also provides funny sound effects), with great scat vocals by bandleader Kenny Ball. This is probably from 1969 or 1970 as the band recorded the song on their 1969 album King of the Swingers. If you're not familiar with the song, it was written for the 1967 Disney adaptation of The Jungle Book and originally performed/recorded by Louis Prima.

"The Jungle Book", 1967, is my favorite of the later Disney cartoon movies.  The songs were perfect, and the stars  who voiced the characters were some of the best of that era. Kaa/Sterling Holloway, Mogli/Sebastian Cabot, Baloo/Phil Harris, King Louis/Louis Prima, and the evil Shere Khan/George Sanders.

Thanks for the Artie Shaw clip Marilyne. The old pix sure brought back memories. Now I have an urge to drag out my old photos. I remember Artie Shaw; I don't remember that particular song.

Here's another fun jazz tune. This was a huge hit in the US, peaking at #2 in November of 1963.

Enjoy -----

Here's one I've always liked.

I like that one too, and all the rest of his recordings.  He was a fabulous clarinet player, who lived a very unconventional life!   As most people know, he was married eight times!   All of his wives were high profile celebrities, authors, Movie stars and musicians.  Lana Turner and Ava Gardner were two of the most famous.  He also had long term relationships with his band vocalists Helen Forrest, Lena Horne, as well as many other high profile women like Judy Garland, Betty Grable, etc. . . . and on and on it goes! 

Another "fav" of mine. I think I have posted this before but a repeat wont hurt. 

Then there's something a bit more lively

I watched the movie "Sun Valley Serenade" a couple of days ago.  An oldie from 1941, with Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, Sonja Henie, Milton Berle, John Payne, and other stars from that era. A couple of closeups of Glenn M, playing his trombone, and Tex Beneke, on the sax.  This segment from the movie features Milton B at the beginning, then the band playing a popular song from 1941, "I know Why, (And So Do You)

Found this tonight. Also recorded by Homer & Jethro. I'd love to know the story behind this. It was written by Vaughn Horton, who wrote "Choo Choo Ch'boogie" and numerous other songs. Dick Todd was a well-known Canadian singer whose career started in the early 1930s when he was still in his late teens. He would have been in his early 50s when he recorded this, but sadly died at the age of 58 in 1973.

Another nice one -

Oldiesman, since the Pennsylvania Turnpike runs right near me, and I have traveled, at one time or another, the whole length (including the Northeast extension), I have taken an interest in investigating your question. So far, I have found a biography of Dick Todd. A rather sad ending to the guy who was billed as the Canadian Bing Crosby. http://greatentertainersarchives.blogspot.com/2011/04/disappearance-of-dick-todd.html The PA Turnpike song is mentioned, but now I am on the hunt for who composed the piece. Apparently, the song was a favorite of a Pittsburgh area radio station. Will post more if I find anything.

Okay, quick addition Vaughn Hortn, the composer was also a Pennsylvanian  http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/Site/inductee?entry_id=4862

I've driven a good portion of the turnpike as well - most recently in 2018 when I went to Hershey for a few days. If all goes as planned I'll be back out that way for a few days next summer because Dorney Park, an amusement park in Allentown, is building a new coaster next year and I've been wanting to get back to Hershey anyway. I might add a day trip to Philadelphia as well while I'm in that part of the country so I can see the Liberty Bell and other famous historical sites there.

Oldiesman, you come down the Northeast Extension? I lived in Bethlehem for about six years. Went by Dorney Park numerous times, but never went in. Not a fan of roller coasters. I was a merry-go-round and pony ride kind of gal.