The Rich Musical Past
Ida James was a singer who combined striking beauty with a honey-smooth voice. Nicknamed “The Shoo Shoo Baby”, she can be heard in this episode with the Nat King Cole Trio.
Two versions of “Singin’ in the Rain”: one by Dave Brubeck, the other by Cliff Edwards, aka “Ukulele Ike”, who scored a hit with the song in 1929. Despite his cheerful songs, however, his life took a far more troubled path, ultimately leading to a tragic death.
Also featured are the pianist with the turbo-charged fingers, Erroll Garner, singing about trains; Carol Sloane; John Kirby’s “The Biggest Little Band in the Land”; and “Little Miss Dynamite”, Brenda Lee.
And then there are “the band without plugs”, The Animal Crackers, with the shortest track we have ever featured on The Palace.
Playlist:
*JIMMY SMITH – Fever
*UNA MAE CARLISLE – There’ll be some changes made
*JOHN KIRBY – Dawn on the desert
*BRENDA LEE – Send me some lovin
*DESI ARNAZ & Elsa Miranda – La borrachita
*IDA JAMES – Close to you
*DAVE BRUBECK – Singin’ in the rain
*CLIFF EDWARDS – Singin’ in the rain
*ERROLL GARNER TRIO – 7-11 Jump
*EYDIE GORME – Desafinado
*‘LITTLE’ JIMMY DICKENS – Night train to Memphis
*DUKE ELLINGTON – Daybreak express
*CAROL SLOANE – Cotton tail
*ANIMAL CRACKERS – Animal crackers
*ANIMAL CRACKERS – The way I fell
*CLARK TERRY e.a. – Chuckles
*VINCENT LOPEZ & HIS SUAVE SWING ORCHESTRA – Nola
*BARNEY KESSEL – The look of love
