Will Friedwald’s book Stardust Memories tells the stories behind twelve of my favorite songs. Here are the featured songs I haven’t already noted.
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“As Time Goes By” (Herman Hupfeld), 1931 Everyone knows and loves this song because of the movie Casablanca, but the song was actually written years earlier for the show Everybody’s Welcome, and would’ve been forgotten like the show, if not for the insistence of Murray Burnett, the author of the play that Casablanca was based on, that the song be used in the movie. It was played in the movie by pianist Dooley Wilson, and was his claim to fame. There are a lot of nice versions of this classic, but my personal favorite is that of Schnozzola–Jimmy Durante (which was the version used in the movie Sleepless in Seattle–I like it anyway).
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“Night and Day” (Cole Porter), 1932 “Night and Day” is a fine song, but it’s not one of my favorite Cole Porter numbers. Still, Porter had to make an appearance on this list. I like Sinatra’s version and Ben Webster’s instrumental version.
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“Stormy Weather” (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler), 1933 This song is identified with Lena Horne, and her version may be the only one I have, except for the odd-but-enjoyable doo-wop version by The Spaniels.
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“Summertime” (George Gershwin/DuBose Heyward), 1935 Although Gershwin deserves to be on this list twice, and “Summertime” is a great, timeless song, I might’ve preferred that Duke Ellington got representation on this list. “Summertime” has been done by so many singers, known and unknown, that it’s hard to get a handle on “best versions.” I’m not crazy about Janis Joplin’s version, I’ll say that. I love the recording by Ella & Louis, and a later treatment by Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso. I like Nina Simone’s version, and the Miles Davis version from his Porgy & Bess album. Friedwald mentions a version by the African singer Angelique Kidjo, but I haven’t heard it. A sentimental-favorite version is the live rendition I heard at Stubbs’ Barbecue about 35 years ago. It was performed with great flair by Mr. Stubbs himself, whose BBQ sauce is our family favorite.
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“My Funny Valentine” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart), 1937 This is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, I must say, and it’s even improved by the uncoventional lyrical touch of Hart. It was featured in the musical Babes in Arms. Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett both recorded great versions of this song, but I am always happy to hear two of my music friends when they sing it. Gabrielle West sings it sweet ‘n’ high and Tim Trosper sings it sweet ‘n’ low.
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“Lush Life” (Billy Strayhorn), 1938 So, in a way, Duke Ellington is represented on this list, by his sidekick Mr. Strayhorn. “Lush Life” is a wonderfully odd song, with its unusually long opening verse and its night-life lyrics. I’m a big Strayhorn fan and I really like this song that Duke never got around to playing much. Strayhorn wrote it at the age of 18. The best-known version is the one with John Coltrane on sax and Johnny Hartman on vocal. The oddest version I’ve heard is one on the album The Peaceful Side, a Billy Strayhorn project. It features the “oohs” and “ahhs” of a French vocal group, the Blue Stars.
Great book. Find it!
Running/Breathing 