Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue

The reviewer at Allmusic.com bemoans the fact that ASV opts to include less popular versions (or British) vs. the hit versions, specifically Gene Austin's version of today's post title. I think he misses the point - that the collection is about the songwriter, not the performer. Relying on the hit versions would be too easy. Besides, Austin is represented here and now we get to hear the California Rambers (at least one of their lineups) and widen our exposure to the great music of the 20s and 30s. On another note, I can't imagine how Paul Robeson must have felt when he was given Henderson's tune to record. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Best Things in Life Are Free - Jack Hylton Orchestra
2. I'm Sitting on Top of the World - Frank Crumit
3. Don't Bring Lulu - Nathan Glantz & His Orchestra
4. Lucky Day - Howard Lanin & His Orchestra
5. Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl) - California Ramblers
6. (Here I Am) Brokenhearted - Gene Austin
7. Black Bottom Stomp - Annette Hanshaw
8. Bye Bye Blackbird - Layton & Johnstone
9. Magnolia - Johnny Marvin
10. Varsity Drag - Zelma O'Neal
11. Sonny Boy - Al Jolson
12. You're the Cream in My Coffee - Ruth Etting
13. If I Had a Talking Picture of You - Sam Browne with the Jack Hylton Orchestra
14. I'm a Dreamer, Aren't We All? - Frank Luther
15. Sunny Side Up - Joe Cassidy
16. Button up Your Overcoat - Ruth Etting
17. My Song - Rudy Vallée
18. That's Why Darkies Were Born - Paul Robeson
19. Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries - Hutch
20. Thrill Is Gone - Rudy Vallée
21. My Dog Loves Your Dog - Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
22. Animal Crackers in My Soup - Shirley Temple
23. Birth of the Blues - Bing Crosby, Jack Teagarden Orchestra
24. Together - Helen Forrest, Dick Haymes
25. Let's Call It a Day - Hutch

My Blue Heaven

Today marks one year since I began this blog. I meant to post some WWI tunes for Remembrance Day but my audio software is on my other computer somewhere at sea. Instead, this post was published on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This is another series that I like. Often these collections are routine retreads of everything that has already been published on 45 different cds or LPs (think of all those "anthologies" that are little more than a couple of tracks by Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Ellington, etc.). I like this cd because it doesn't include either Frenesi or Begin the Beguine. One of my favorite tunes of all time is My Blue Heaven, and I think Shaw gives it a pretty good treatment. At the time I purchased this, I was familiar with only a couple of titles. For me, that is the best time to pick up some music. It is an opportunity for discovery. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Love and Learn
2. Moon Face
3. The Same Old Line
4. You Can Tell She Comes from Dixie
5. Sobbin' Blues
6. Copenhagen
7. Cream Puff
8. My Blue Heaven
9. Streamline
10. Sweet Lorraine
11. Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You
12. No More Tears
13. Moonlight and Shadows
14. Was It Rain?
15. All Alone
16. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
17. It Goes to Your Feet
18. Because I Love You