BostonPete.com News Updates

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:52:00 +0000

Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote “Why Was I Born?” for their Broadway show =Sweet Adeline= in 1929, hoping to duplicate their earlier, smash hit production of =Show Boat=!! It was fairly successful, but not like their blockbuster of 1927. The song, introduced in each show by Helen Morgan, was a carbon copy of “Can’t Stop Lovin’ Dat Man” from =Show Boat= by writing it in the same tone and theme. You’ll also hear their legendary, 1940 composition “All The Things You Are” with Oliver Jones and Charlie Biddle from Montreal. ==================================================================================== Also in 1927, The Gershwins wrote “S’Wonderful” for their Broadway production of =Funny Face= and now, Diana Krall gives it a new interpretation on this week’s show. Carlos Antonio Jobim has two songs, Zim Zemerel’s Orchestra play his “Meditation” and Frank Sinatra sings “How Insensitive” Steve Allen’s All Stars play Gus Kahn and Isham Jones’ “The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else.” The Swing Legacy do Rogers and Hart‘s “Blue Moon” with vocalist Carol Akerson, Jane Monheit sings a lovely version of “Blame It On My Youth,” and Mike Douglas sings “Then I’ll Be Happy.” ==================================================================================== There’s a medley on this week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA with .....a French twist! The LA Supersax play “April In Paris,” written in 1932 by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg, Ella Fitzgerald sings Cole Porter’s “I Love Paris” and from the 1958 Academy Award winning film, Lerner and Lowe’s sound track of =Gigi= you'll hear two songs. The title song sung by Louis Jordan, followed by Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold’s duet of “Thank Heaven For Little Girls.” Thank heaven for all of you listening, please tell others about the web site and The BostonPete(dot)com Radio network! EMAIL THE SHOW: russ@bostonpete.com Thanks! =Russ Butler

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:53:00 +0000

Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote “Why Was I Born?” for their Broadway show =Sweet Adeline= in 1929, hoping to duplicate their earlier, smash hit production of =Show Boat=!! It was fairly successful, but not like their blockbuster of 1927. The song, introduced in each show by Helen Morgan, was a carbon copy of “Can’t Stop Lovin’ Dat Man” from =Show Boat= by writing it in the same tone and theme. You’ll also hear their legendary, 1940 composition “All The Things You Are” with Oliver Jones and the late-Charlie Biddle from Montreal. ===================================================================================== Also in 1927, The Gershwins wrote “S’Wonderful” for their Broadway production of =Funny Face= and now, Diana Krall gives it a new interpretation on this week’s show. Carlos Antonio Jobim has two songs, Zim Zemerel’s Orchestra play his “Meditation” and Frank Sinatra sings “How Insensitive” Steve Allen’s All Stars play Gus Kahn and Isham Jones’ “The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else.” The Swing Legacy do Rogers and Hart‘s “Blue Moon” with vocalist Carol Akerson, Jane Monheit sings a lovely version of “Blame It On My Youth,” and Mike Douglas sings “Then I’ll Be Happy.” ==================================================================================== There’s a medley on this week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA with .....a French twist! The LA Supersax play “April In Paris,” written in 1932 by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg, Ella Fitzgerald sings Cole Porter’s “I Love Paris” and from the 1958 Academy Award winning film, Lerner and Lowe’s sound track of =Gigi= you'll hear two songs. The title song sung by Louis Jordan, followed by Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold’s duet of “Thank Heaven For Little Girls.” Thank heaven for all of you listening, please tell others about the web site and The BostonPete(dot)com Radio network! EMAIL THE SHOW AT russ@bostonpete.com Love to hear from you! =Russ

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:38:00 +0000

There’s a “double play” of a song by Herman Hupfeld on today‘s program. Herman wrote “As Time Goes By” in 1931 for the musical =Everybody’s Welcome=, Rudy Vallee recorded it then with some success. However, it wasn’t until it was revived in the 1942, Humphrey Bogart film =Casablanca= that it became a really big hit! You’ll hear Patti Page and Perry Como singing this “double play” title. =================================================================================== Remember Felicia Sanders singing the theme from =Moulin Rouge= with the lush, Percy Faith orchestral arrangement? It was a top record in 1953. Percy Faith was one of the “founding fathers” of easy listening, and was a child prodigy on the piano, but his hopes for a career as a concert pianist ended when he injured his hands in a fire when he was 18. He switched to arranging and conducting, working in hotel and theater orchestras in Toronto, Canada and eventually landing his own radio show on CBC in 1938. He headed South and by 1950 he was working for Mitch Miller on the Columbia Records label. He also wrote several film scores in Hollywood and was always in demand by legendary recording vocalists for his arrangements and smooth, easy style orchestral accompaniment. He died in 1976. ================================================================================== There are two Ellington songs on SONGBOOK AMERICA: “Prelude To A Kiss” by June Christy and the Duke’s theme, “Take The ‘A’ Train.” Sinatra, Lena Horne, Julie London, Dinah Washington and Nat Cole all make a musical appearance; Dizzy Gillespie leads his band while Johnny Hartman sings “You Go To My Head”; Gerry Mulligan, Eddie Harris. The Paul Smith Trio and The Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band are all on this week’s show. Pretty good stuff as always, eh? Listen in and tell your friends about the BostonPete (dot) com Radio Network! Thanks!

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:31:00 +0000

JIMMY McHUGH, SONGWRITER He was a Bostonian, but settled in Hollywood to become a most prolific songwriter. Three of his hits are showcased on SONGBOOK AMERICA this week: “When My Sugar Walks Down The Street” sung by Vic Damone; “Where Are You?” by Aretha Franklin; and, Andy Williams recording of “It’s A Most Unusual Day.” In all, Jimmy wrote over 279 songs from the 1920’s to 1950’s and you’d know every one! Stan Kenton does a cha cha of his famous “Opus In Chartreuse” - Keely Smith sings “A Foggy Day,” the way London was described by The Gershwins for their 1937 production of =Damsel In Distress=. Chet Baker and an ensemble of legendary West Coast musicians all play “Darn That Dream” - Helen Merrill does a fine interpretation of Frank Loesser’s “If I Were A Bell” and John Pizzarelli sings “All I Saw Was You” while Tony Tedesco plays brushes…on a phone book! Now, that’s something different, right? And, Kenny Rogers sings “It Had To Be You” - that’s a departure from his usual recording repertoire. Dean Martin stands on the corner and watches the girls go by, of course - it’s another Frank Loesser tune from 1956 Broadway‘s =Most Happy Fella=. Ella Fitzgerald has blues in the night, Frank Sinatra see strangers in the night while Julie London cries a river. Hoagy Carmichael has a couple of songs on the program, too: “Stardust” by the Glenn Miller Orchestra and “Small Fry” by Rebecca Kilgore. It’s all for you right now on SONGBOOK AMERICA. Thanks for listening and tell your friends about the BostonPete (dot) com Radio Network =Russ Butler EMAIL THE SHOW: russ@bostonpete.com

The History of Making Beer in America on DVD

pkenney@bostonpete.com (bostonpete) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:37:00 +0000

From colonial brewmasters to today's micro-brews, Anheuser-Busch to the trials of Prohibition, trace the fascinating history of American brewing. Brewing beer is one of humanity's oldest activities, dating back thousands of years before the birth of Christ. When the Puritans first landed on America's shores, they brought recipes and thirst with them. BREWED IN AMERICA is a comprehensive history of an often-overlooked industry that has long been a mainstay of the American economy. Extensive interviews with industry insiders including Richard Yuengling (president of the oldest brewery in America), August Pabst and William Coors provide a privileged view of their companies. Anheuser-Busch corporate historian Dr. William Vollmar details the impact and legacy of social movements like Temperance and Prohibition on American brewing, and visits to breweries show how beer is made today, from craft-brewing to corporate giants like Miller. And explore the massive impact that advertising has had in shaping the modern brewing industry. From the original Sam Adams to Carrie Nation to Bud Light, this is the fascinating history of BREWED IN AMERICA.

The Kentuckian: Western Legends - Burt Lancaster (DVD)

pkenney@bostonpete.com (bostonpete) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:09:00 +0000

The Kentuckian: Western Legends - Burt Lancaster (DVD) Burt Lancaster both directed and starred in this tale of a Kentucky woodsman who dreams of settling in the west. Big Eli sets off for Texas along with his son and dog, but along the way he finds more adventure, danger and romance than he imagined possible. Among the people he encounters are an indentured servant girl trying to free herself from the nasty barman who "owns" her; an attractive small-town schoolteacher who temporarily diverts Eli from his journey; and several backwoods villains. Film debut for Walter Matthau. Color by Technicolor. Shot in CinemaScope. Additional cast: Donald MacDonald (Little Eli).

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:54:00 +0000

Happy New Year from all of us at The Boston Pete (dot) com Radio Network!! On SONGBOOK AMERICA beginning this first week in the new year, some legendary favorites like Sinatra, Ella, Streisand (from her newest CD), Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, and Dean Martin. But wait…there’s more! ================================================================================== Queen Latifa sings the Barbara Lewis hit from 1963, “Hello Stranger,” The Flamingos repeat their 1956 big record “I Only Have Eyes For You” which was originally written in 1934. Ahmad Jamel in concert at The Alhambra plays “We Kiss In A Shadow” from The King And I. Andre Gagnon, another talented pianist from Montreral plays “Embraceable You” from The Gershwins 1930 Girl Crazy production. =================================================================================== The big band and jazz orchestras are also on board the program this week: Buddy Bregman’s “All Of You” a hit song from Cole Porter’s last Broadway production Silk Stockings in 1955, Henry Mancini plays “Robin’s Nest” and DIVA, the all-woman jazz orchestra from NYC swing “80 Chestnut Street” from their No Man’s Band CD. =================================================================================== It’s all online right now at www.bostonpete.com/russ Thanks for your support of the web site and programs all year with your secure purchases from the BostonPete Timeless Media Store. Well, 2010 is now ahead of us, so let’s just get out there, keep on dancing’, make the most of it, be positive, stay healthy and everything will be alright! All the best to you in 2010. Thanks for listening. =Russ Butler Email the show: russ@bostonpete.com

pkenney@bostonpete.com (bostonpete) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:11:00 +0000

Checkout The Great Singers of the Century for only $24.95 at BostonPete.com! Frank Sinatra: beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became a successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, being the idol of the "bobby soxers." Anita O'Day: O'Day was admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer". Billy Eckstine: An American singer of ballads and bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s in popular music. Helen Humes: An American jazz and blues singer. Humes was successively a teenaged blues singer, band vocalist with Count Basie, saucy R&B diva and a mature interpreter of the classy popular song. Mildred Bailey: was a popular and influential American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as "Mrs. Swing". Her number one hits were " I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", " A Ghost Of A Chance", and " It Had To Be You".

Happy New year from SONGBOOK AMERICA !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:44:00 +0000

A musical journey to Brazil with the Spitfire Band, Bing Crosby with Rosemary Clooney going to the Mardi Gras and Sinatra duets with Luis Miguel taking us there, flying with them on this week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA. There are two “Andys” on the program as well: Andy Williams with a “loverly” song from My Fair Lady and Andy Russell’s imagination is creative. Peggy Lee says she must know, a little known song written by Neal Hefti and Lil Mattis, but Beegie Adair’s piano playing says it’s all right with her. Tony Bennett is always chasing rainbows, Nancy Wilson says for heaven’s sake and Gerry Mulligan is feeling good. Ella Fitzgerald with “her fellas” (I suspect it’s The Delta Rhythm Boys from 1946) sing for sentimental reasons, The Falconaires see the sunrise and serenade it. Lena Horne serenades in blue while the Four Freshmen rub blue velvet. Kenny Werner’s piano and Toots Thielsmans harmonica duet a beautiful duet to celebrate the dolphin. It’s all on right now all this week at www.bostonpete.com/russ SONGBOOK AMERICA. Email the show at russ@bostonpete.com Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!! CHEERS!! =Russ Butler

MERRY CHRISTMAS from SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:16:00 +0000

12.21.2009 We all wish you and yours a peaceful and blessed Christmas, Kwanza and Hanukkah with the music of the holiday on SONGBOOK AMERICA this week! There are some favorite performers with traditional music of the season, and a few artists who have different musical interpretations. There’s Sinatra, Ella and Dean, of course, and Les Brown’s big band swingin’ to keep us “warm“, The Beegie Adair trio, Mel Torme, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole and Bobby Darin. You’ll also hear Joe Derise sing “Blackberry Winter” by Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon; Judy Holliday and Gerry Mulligan who together wrote “It Must Be Chrisrmas”, Patti Austin with saxophonist Kirk Whalom do “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and Fourplay does a nice job with “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen”. When Paul McCartney performed with Wings they recorded “Wonderful Christmas Time” and trumpeter Bobby Medina and his band do the Latin tempo “Feliz Navidad.” I think you’ll like everything you hear on SONGBOOK AMERICA. Let me know, email the show at russ@bostonpete.com - I’ll get back to you on that! Thanks for listening, come back again. =Russ Butler

Merry Christmas from "The Folk Connection"

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Munro) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Hi "Folk Connection" fans! I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the very best and happy listening for 2010.Christmas is a family time and I hope you and yours have the opportunity to get together and enjoy the season. If you are in the Florida area don't forget the great Christmas parades at Disney and the fireworks at night. There is a free fireworks show at the town of Celebration on New Years Eve and the town streets are covered in artificial snow! Well worth a visit. This week I've added music by The Wailin' Jennys, new John Gorka from his recent CD So dark you see, Adrienne Young, Catie Curtiss, Chely Wright,The Clancy Bros and Tommy Makem,Amy Grant and several others. The music is all in the tradition of "The Folk Connection" so I hope you'll enjoy it. All the best,Alan.

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:42:00 +0000

Everybody‘s swingin‘ on SONGBOOK AMERICA this week. Chris Tedesco, a very busy and in-demand trumpet player in LA has a new CD with his own LA jazz big band playing his “Lewiston“ composition. Ernestine Anderson swings Dizzy‘s “A Night In Tunisia“ - Mel Torme is outstanding singing “Just Friends“ with The Rob McConnell Big Band from Toronto. Lou Rawls’ rocks singing Hoagy Carmichael’s famous “Old Rockin’ Chair” - Gerald Wilson’s jazz orchestra performs Sammy Cahn’s “I Should Care” originally from 1944 - Lena Horne taps her toe singing “Squeeze Me” - Sinatra’s big hit “New York, NY” with a jumpin’ Don Costa arrangement - a Billy Byers’ chart of “Hey, Jealous Lover” is an upbeat version by The Jazz Members Big Band of Chicago. Canadian singer Pricilla Wright’s “Fever“ is a winner while Peggy Lee does a Latin arrangement of another Hoagy Carmichael tune, “I Get Along Without You Very Well.“ Nat Cole sings, partly en francaise, “Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup,” Ella sings from the Cole Porter Songbook, “Night An Day” and the Henry Mancini Orchestra and chorus do “Just For Thought” from the film Hatari. There’s romance on the show too. Tony Bennett’s “My Romance” by Rogers and Hart in 1937 and “I’ll Take Romance“ on the piano with strings by Beegie Adair from the 1937 movie musical written by Oscar Hammerstein and Ben Oakland. Thanks for listening to SONGBOOK AMERICA. Email the show, I’ll respond to your message in my inbox at russ@bostonpete.com Cheers! =Russ

Christmas music added to the Folk Connection

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Munro) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Hi Folk Connection fans! This week I have added some Christmas selections to the playlist. These are not your tired and worn Christmas songs but some new and interesting material from some of your favorite folk artists and I think you will really enjoy them..Check out my favorite "The Governor's dream" by Roger Whittaker. A truly great song by this Kenyan artist who delights audiences around the world.Also great is Glen Campbell's "The best and brightest song of the morning." Amy Grant also joins the mix with "Another Tennessee Christmas."Amy was a recent guest on Mike Huckabee's show on Fox News Channel where she also sang a Christmas song.Anyway ,have a great week and may your hearts be warmed by the music and the thought of seeing family and friends at Christmas this year.....Alan Munro.

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Two “”Indie” recordings on SONGBOOK AMERICA this week. Independent artists who produce their own CD’s are encouraged by Boston Pete to become part of The BostonPete.com Radio Network with all music formats for airplay, online download and CD sales at this secure website. (See the “Submit My Music” link on the left side of the home page for details on how to submit your own Inde CD) -or go to: http://www.bostonpete.com/indie-artists.html Amanda Carr from the Boston area sings “Don’t-Cha Go Away Mad” with the Kenny Hadley Big Band from Southern New England on her Inde CD titled Common Thread. From California, The Les Rose Swing Jazz Ensemble performs “Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid” on his Independent label CD called Jump, Swing, Boogie. Music from both artists is available for purchase on the BostonPete.com home page and you help to support the website and streaming music when you order online (and BostonPete.com ships your purchase anywhere in the world). Thanks for supporting “Inde” artists and BostonPete.com. The big trumpet of Jack Sheldon blows “There Will Never be Another You” the Harry Warren-Mack Gordon tune, and he sings a chorus too in his inimitable style. Harry Connick, Jr. does Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehaving’” with lots of piano playin‘ - Cleo Laine tells “The Lies Of The Handsome Men” - and Jack Jones (who is the 1930’s actor-singer, Alan Jones’ son, incidentally) sings like his Father with “’Cause I Got So Much Lovin’ In Me” - Antonio Carlos Jobim has a singing duet with Frank Sinatra on Bart Howard’s hit song “Fly Me To The Moon” and Sergio Mendez Brazil ‘66 continues the Brazilian beat with “Main Que Nada.” Beegie Adair’s terrific piano style and trio do a jazz version of Elvis Presley’s “Fools Fall In Love” a 1967 ballad melody. You remember Elvis’ dancing talent, well, on SONGBOOK AMERICA there is a double-play about “dancing”. Legendary dancer, Fred Astaire sings the Schwartz-Dietz standard “Dancing In The Dark” from their Bandwagon Review in 1931 starring Astaire. The Bob Keene Big Band does Rogers-Hart’s “Dancing On The Ceiling” from their 1930 Simple Simon show produced by Ziegfeld who also requested another tune for the show at the last minute before opening on Broadway. Rogers-Hart wrote “Ten Cents A Dance” melody and lyrics in less than an hour! It became the big hit melody of the show. Two other double-plays to hear: Harry James’ trumpet and orchestra does “The Mole” instrumental and the 1930‘s “I Cried For You” with vocalist Helen Forrest. Gerry Mulligan and Judy Holliday are composing together, “Night Lights (The Lonely Night)” with Gerry on baritone sax with strings, and Gerry recorded Gordon Jenkins’ “Blue Prelude” sung by Judy Holliday. Thanks for listening, come back every week for a new SONGBOOK AMERICA. Email the show: russ@bostonpete.com =Russ Butler

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:32:00 +0000

There’s a musical segment for Johnny Mercer on SONGBOOK AMERICA this week. It’s Johnny’s 100th Anniversary this year. He was born in 1909 and composed music or lyrics for over 1,000 songs in his career. “Hooray For Hollywood“ with Doris Day is a 1938 composition; “I’m Way Ahead Of The Game” with Tony Bennett was from the 1964 musical comedy “Foxy” starring Bert Lahr in the title role (the show lasted only 72 performances on Broadway). Another collaboration with composer Harold Arlen produced “Blues In The Night” sung here by Arlen. (It was Dinah Shore’s first million selling recording!). Happy Anniversary, Johnny and thanks for the good stuff! Irving Berlin’s “Remember” sung by Anita O’Day is a 1925 vaudeville tune; Buddy Greco does the Ray Bolger signature song “Once In Love With Amy” from Where’s Charlie, the 1949 Frank Loesser big hit musical and Johnny Guarneri’s piano solo of “Cherokee” will truly amaze you! He must have six hands to play the 88 keys!! Barbra Streisand performs the haunting “Quiet Night” with Robert Mersey’s strings; Robert Goulet sings “Take Me In Your Arms” and Paquito D’Rivera’s “Vereda Tropical” originally from Mexico is accompanied only by a tasteful guitar. Woody Herman selected “Almost Like Being In Love” composed by Lerner and Lowe for their Brigadoon musical; Sarah Vaughn duets with Joe Williams on “If I Were A Bell” from Frank Loesser’s Guys And Dolls with the Basie band, who also swing with “Basie - - Straight Ahead!” a Sammy Nestico original for The Count. Frank Sinatra does “Moonlight In Vermont” in the recording studio, and you’ll hear several takes until he gets it right. Rebecca Parris sings “I’ll Be Seeing You” perfectly with The Kenny Hadley Big Band and Stan Kenton Alumni, Bill Russo has a tribute Kenton band, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble to recreate the 1953 “Loverman” tour de force which then featured alto sax legend Lee Konitz. On this week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA we’ll hear the equally talented saxophonist, Pat Mallinger play his dulcet alto. Thanks for listening and I hope you’ll let me know where you are when you email the show russ@bostonpete.com Cheers! -=Russ

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Some colorful musical images of Fall on this week's SONGBOOK AMERICA. There's “Shine On Harvest Moon” from 1908 with a danceable, big band chart, Nancy Wilson sings “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” (by the fireplace) and Nat Cole’s “Orange Colored Sky” (his only recording with Stan Kenton‘s Orchestra). Ivan Lins wrote “Sweet Presence” with references to the seasons sung by Diane Reeves and, in concert, Barry Manilow takes us to a “Weekend In New England” with all of the beauty of the Northeast. Frank Sinatra was one of the composers of “I‘m A Fool To Want You“ performed by pianist Joyce DiCamillo and her Trio; Frank sings the Academy Award song “Pennies From Heaven“ from 1936 as does Ranee Olstead with Chris Botti‘s trumpet written by Arthur Johnson and Johnny Mercer. Remember the song “Laura” from the film-noir mystery starring Dana Andrews? There was this compelling portrait of Laura, (played by the lovely Gene Tierney) above the fireplace mantel. There was also some comedy with Clifton Webb. Vincent Price and Judith Anderson also starred in this classic drama. The song was originally a theme written for the 1944 film by David Raskin, then, Johnny Mercer added lyrics in 1945. Woody Herman had a million selling record and, on this show, we hear Toroto’s legendary big band, The Spitfire Band. In 1976, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton and Teddy Edwards performed in a jazz concert in Tokyo. In their gig to an overwhelming audience, they included “Like Someone In Love” a Jimmy Van Huesen and Johnny Burke. The song was written for the film “Belle Of The Yukon” sung in the 1944 film by Dinah Shore and it has become a jazz classic. Bing Crosby had a Hit Parade hit of it in 1945. “Moonglow” lyrics were originally written by Eddie DeLang in 1934 with Will Hudson’s melody for The Casa Loma Orchestra. In 1955, Steve Allen revised with new words incorporating lyrics for his song Picnic with a counter-melody written by George Dunning for the 1955 film of Picnic. On SONGBOOK AMERICA, you‘ll hear Toni Tennile’s interpretation. Englebert Humperdink does Jobim’s “Quiet Nights” as you might hear him perform in Las Vegas, then Toots Thielsmans plays the “Felicia and Bianca” melody from Brazil. Hope you enjoy the program, and email the show anytime, I’ll get back to you from my in-box: russ@bostonpete.com Thanks for listening, and please tell your friends about The BostonPete.com Radio Network and SONGBOOK AMERICA. =Russ Butler

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:24:00 +0000

Double-Feature TV Christmas Special

pkenney@bostonpete.com (bostonpete) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:58:00 +0000

We just got the Double-Feature TV Christmas Special in!... Rankin-Bass present "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town: & "The Little Drummer Boy" for only $8.95 at BostonPete.com! About Rankin-Bass Animated Entertainment: An American stop-motion production company, known for its seasonal television specials. Rankin/Bass stop-motion features are recognizable by their visual style of doll-like characters with spheroid body parts, and ubiquitous powdery snow. Often, traditional cell-animation scenes of falling snow would be projected over the action to create the effect of a snowfall. Rankin-Bass present: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town / The Little Drummer Boy (DVD) Only $8.95 Click to BUY Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) (TV): The Mailman decides to answer some of the most common questions about Santa Claus, and tells us about a small baby named Kris who was left on the doorstep of the Kringle family (toymakers). When Kris grew up, he wanted to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown. But its Burgermeister (Herr Meisterburger) is too mean to let that happen. And to make things worse, there's an evil wizard named Winter who lives between the Kringles and Sombertown, but Kris manages to melt Winter's heart and deliver his toys. The Little Drummer Boy (1968) (TV): The classic story of a lonely little boy who visits a manger in Bethlehem and discovers the greatest gift of all--love. Teddy Eccles provides the voice for Aaron, an orphaned boy with a knack for drumming whose only friends are a lamb and a donkey. After joining a party of three royal kings, Aaron finds himself part of a convoy to witness the birth of Jesus. As the wealthy kings bestow incense and myrrh on the babe, Aaron searches for a gift of his own--a song. Director: Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass Region 1 Keep Case Full Frame - 1.33 ...more BostonPete.com Bargains! Use your American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard or PayPal at http://www.BostonPete.com.

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:45:00 +0000

Check out SONGBOOK AMERICA for the best nostalgia music on the Internet. Listen to selections from The Great American Songbook, songs by the legendary composers and performers who recorded America’s Greatest Popular Music. It’s all here now for your listening and dancing pleasure. It’s a new program streaming right now at: www.BostonPete.com/russ I hope you’ll email the show at russ@bostonpete.com Thanks for listening! =Russ Butler

The Folk Connection audience grows!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan Munro) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Hi Folk Connection fans. I got a nice e-mail from Alan Cavadini who owns an auto repair shop in Coon Valley Wisconsin. He says he enjoys John Denver,Mary Chapin Carpenter and Nancy Griffith so we give him a lot to listen to! Speaking of John Denver if any of you are time travellers,please go back in time to Oct 1997 to the Spyglass Country Club where John Denver,after completing a round of golf with friends drove to the nearby airport and took off in an experimental plane with not enough gas.Tell him not to go! It would be nice to have had him around a few more years to write and play some more songs for us. One of my favorite artists and I'm sure one one of your too! Be sure to tell your friends about the Folk Connection...Have a great week,Alan.

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Swingin’ sessions on this week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA. The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra from Providence, RI do “I Love You” with a marvelous big band chart; The Jazz Ambassadors of The US Army Field Band recorded in concert, “More Today Than Yesterday” ( the one-hit wonder in 1969 by Spiral Starecase ); Michael Buble swings “A Foggy Day” (in London town); Keely Smith takes on the Count Basie repertoire with a nice, swinging band arrangement of “You Go To My Head”. On the Latin side, Hilton Ruiz’s piano leads this great Latin band with “Mambo Inn”; Laurie Holloway at the piano does “A Dream Of Olwen” in a Latin tempo (originally, it was a score of a 1947 thriller film renamed with that title because of the song’s popularity); Andy Russell recorded “Yours” in 1947, and it sounds just as good today; Ranee Lee, from Montreal, sings Jobim’s “One Note Samba with outstanding Quebec musicians; The Four Lads from Toronto, Canada chose a subtle Latin arrangement in their version of “Tonight” from West Side Story (…and, you’ll be blown away, as am I, by the high tenor voice of the late-Jimmy Arnold on this one!). By the way, Peggy Lee is not related to Ranee Lee. Peggy swings a big band chart on “Come Back To Me” by Alan Jay Lerner and Burton Lane; but, Ella Fitzgerald with Frank Devol’s Orchestra recorded a quiet “So Rare” in 1957 ; Mel Torme, from his Smooth As Velvet LP does “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me” West Coast style; Sinatra’s “Ill Wind” from his Wee Small Hours album; Stephan Grappelli and Yo-Yo Ma perform an intriguing version of Cole Porter’s “So In Love” with jazz violin and classic cello. a TOUR DE FORCE not to be missed!! One more track to tell you about: Donald Byrd’s 1963 Blue Note recording of the very moving “Cristo Redentor” was digitalized in 1998. You’ll clearly hear the voices, the trumpet of Byrd, Hank Mobley on tenor, Donald Best on vibes, Kenny Burrell, guitar, Herbie Hancock, piano, Butch Warren, bass and on drums, Lex Humphries. It was an emotional experience of composer Duke Pearson when he first saw the huge white statue of Christ, The Redeemer atop Corcovado arriving in Rio de Janeiro in 1961 then touring with Nancy Wilson. I hope you’ll enjoy it and be moved by it’s beautiful chords. Email the show : russ@bostonpete.com Thanks for listening. =Russ Butler

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:33:00 +0000

Music Diversity on this week‘s SONGBOOK AMERICA. Basie and Company swing “Pensive Miss“ scored by Neal Hefti’s big band chart, The Falconaires, the US Air Force Big Band from Colorado, recreate the Glenn Miller chart of “I Know Why And So Do You” working with Norman Leyden, Miller’s original arranger. Jerry Vale sings “This Is All I Ask” ; Billie Holiday says “Please Don’t Talk Abnout Me When I’m Gone”; an early Sinatra sings with Tommy Dorsey on therir 1941 record of Irving Berlin‘s “Blue Skies” and the great Johhny Hodges alto sax “Day Dreams” with The Duke. Elaine Elias scats her “Just Kidding” composition, Cab Calloway is accurately reprised by Bombay Jim and The Swinging Sapphires who do his “Minnie The Moocher” (Hi-dee, Hi-dee Ho!) then Jim Dapogny and The Chicago Jazz Band do Nick Kenny’s (The Ink Spots) positive composition “Laughing At Life” It’s all in good fun, take a listen! Sue Raney’s version of Cole Porter’s “Everytime We Say Goodbye” features Alan Broadbent on piano and a sweet trombone solo by Bill Watrus, Eddie Fisher does Jobim’s “Once I Loved” with Nelson Riddle’s Orchestra, then Boots Randolph (remember his“Yakety Yak” in 1963?) shows us a different style of his saxophone with the Tom Jones’ hit “It’s Not Unusual”. The late-Al Martino’s signature hit “Spanish Eyes” is on SONGBOOK AMERICA as a tribute to his music, Ginette Reno from Montreal sings Stevie Wonder’s “My Cheri Amour” and the great Jeff Linksy performs Jobim’s “Wave” on his guitar with a terrific back up band! I hope you\’ll like the show and come back every week for something new. Email the show russ@bostonpete.com Thanks for listening. =Russ Butler

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:21:00 +0000

On this week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA - Sinatra makes us feel young, Woody Herman takes us to Spain, and the best is yet to come from Tierney Sutton. There‘s Gershwin‘s “But Not For Me“ sung by Cleo Laine, Richard Rogers‘ “It Never Entered My Mind“ by Vic Damone and Sarah Vaughn sings Rogers’ sweetest sounds! Beegie Adair tinkles the ivories in San Francisco where she left her heart, and Dick Katz’s piano and quartet takes us to an afternoon in Paris where Tony Bennett reminds us that there’s love for sale there. The Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band from Portland, OR gives a superb reading of Noro Morales and Johnny Mandell’s “Ponce”. The Kenney Hadley Big Band with vocalist Rebecca Parris are watching so many stars and, Andy Williams begins the beguine. All on today’s program at www.bostonpete.com/russ Thanks for listening to SONGBOOK AMERICA - Email the show: russ@bostonpete.com.

SONGBOOK AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Russ) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:24:00 +0000


What a beautiful time of the year - Autumn!  This week’s SONGBOOK AMERICA
features some of the legendary songs and artists who recorded for this Fall
season.  “Autumn In New York” of course, Sarah Vaughn sings her version with
strings and Carl Saunders’ flugelhorn with his big band do a nice instrumental
arrangement of Vernon Duke’s 1935 song.

Roger Williams’ piano and orchestra recording of “Autumn Leaves” in 1953 sold
over 2 million copies worldwide.  It was first a French popular song in 1947. 
On today’s show, hear Roger and a chorus do a sparkling rendition.  Kay Kyser’s
popular “sweet band” orchestra with vocalist Ginny Sims perform “Indian Summer”
by Victor Herbert and Al Dubin.  Victor composed a piano version in 1919, but
not until Al Dubin’s lyrics did the song become a hit - in fact, it was “the
number one music-machine recording for 12 weeks” on the Your Hit Parade / Lucky
Strike radio show in 1939! (Remember “Be happy, go Lucky” and LS/MFT? If you do,
send me an email and we'll talk radio show trivia!!)

Tex Beneke with The Glenn Miller Orchestra recorded “The Falling Leaves” in
1941, song by Mack David and Frankie Carle (the popular pianist and band leader
from Providence RI);  Sue Raney with legendary Los Angeles jazz musicians do
“’Tis Autumn” Alan Broadbent on piano; Kevin Mahogany sings the Barry
Manilow-Johnny Mercer “When October Goes” featuring James Weidman on piano;
Woody Herman’s “Herd” recorded “Early Autumn” Woodrow Wilson Herman on clarinet
and it’s a Fall classic.

Lorne Green recites lyrics and sings in his deep bass voice, “September Song”
and Frank Sinatra sings “Summer Winds” - swan songs to say goodbye to Summer. 
Henry Mancini composed “Blue Satin” and his instrumental is just marvelous, it
actually feels like blue satin. Listen.

Sultry voiced, Jeri Southern sings The Cole Porter Songbook with “Get Out Of
Town”;  Vic Damone’s “Speak Low” is a great interpretation; Diana Krall sings
Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are” performed live in Paris and, if you’re off
to Brazil, listen to Oscar Castro-Nevis with “Ipanema Afternoon” and you’ll get
the feeling of being on that beach!

Thanks for listening at www.bostonpete.com/russ - select the “Play Latest Show”
link.  Send an email to russ@bostonpete.com and I’ll reply to everyone in my
personal Inbox.  =Russ Butler

The Three Stooges in Color: Ultimate Restored Collection with Bonus Extras on 3 DVDs)

pkenney@bostonpete.com (bostonpete) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Available in color for the first time! "The Three Stooges: Triple Whammy!" Moe, Larry and Curly are at their bumbling best in this side-splitting musical romp about a talented nightclub owner who goes head-to-head with his powerful, overprotective father. Greatest Routines" and "Extreme Rarities" - Get ready to laugh as everyone's favorite trio stumbles from one hilarious mishap to the next!