Hear My Song Violetta

I didn't plan to post this one quite so soon, however it turns out that I have the box set with me on my travels. Therefore, to follow up the Connie Haines collection here is the first volume of the complete Tommy Dorsey / Frank Sinatra recordings. This is a fantastic collection, first because it contains their complete studio recordings together, second because it lets the listener hear how Sinatra grew as a vocalist, third because it has Connie Haines, and fourth because it shows just how really good the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra really was. Disc Five is a collection of airchecks. Some of my favorites from this disc are tracks 9, 10 and 11. I thought Jack Leonard was a fine vocalist with Dorsey, but Sinatra hits East Of The Sun like no one else, and combined with Tommy's trombone it is tops . I also recommend picking up the set for the booklet information. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. The Sky Fell Down
02. Too Romantic (From 'The Road To Singapore') [1994 Remastered]
03. Shake Down The Stars [1994 Remastered]
04. Moments In The Moonlight
05. I'll Be Seeing You (From 'The Royal Palm Revue') [1994 Remastered]
06. Say It (From 'Buck Benny Rides Again') [1994 Remastered]
07. Polka Dots and Moonbeams [1994 Remastered]
08. The Fable of the Rose [1994 Remastered]
09. This is the Beginning of the End (From 'Johnny Apollo') [1994 Remastered]
10. Hear My Song Violetta
11. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread) [1994 Remastered]
12. Devil May Care
13. April Played the Fiddle (From 'If I Had My Way') [1994 Remastered]
14. I Haven't the Time to Be a Millionaire (From 'If I Had My Way') [1994 Remasterd]
15. Imagination
16. Yours Is My Heart Alone
17. You're Lonely And I'm Lonely (From 'Louisiana Purchase') [1994 Remastered]
18. East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) [1994 Remastered]
19. Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra. Head on My Pillow [1994 Remastered]
20. It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow (From 'Louisiana Purchase') [1994 Remastered]
21. I'll Never Smile Again
22. All This and Heaven Too [1994 Remastered]
23. Where Do You Keep Your Heart

You Made Me Love You

The posts have been fewer lately, however I've been busy with travel and summer. Things should pick up again next month. This compliation is getting a bit far from the Prohibition era music that I like best, but I like Connie Haines' music and she does some songs from the period. My first exposure to her singing was listening to old 1940s Abbott & Costello radio programs where she provided the weekly vocals. About 20 years ago or so I found an address and wrote to her for an autograph. Was I stunned! She sent several items including her autobiography, a cassette (which I still need to transfer), photos, press clippings, etc. Connie Haines got her big break with the Harry James orchestra, where Sinatra also started. Later she made the jump to the Tommy Dorsey orchestra, where Sinatra also went. The two did not get along at all, and apparently some of the band members didn't take to Frank's attitude toward Connie either. Nevertheless, the two sounded great together while with Dorsey. Haines had some solo success including a tribute album of Helen Morgan tunes, and later formed a gospel quartet with Jane Russell, Beryl Davis, and Della Russell. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Why Do I Love You
2. Bill
3. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
4. Man I Love
5. Lover Man
6. Stormy Weather
7. My Man
8. You Made Me Love You
9. Will You Still Be Mine?
10. Que Sera Sera
11. Teasin'
12. But What Are These?
13. How Come You Do Me Like You Do?
14. I Must Have That Man
15. What Has Happened To Joe
16. You're Sensational
17. Weary Blues
18. Ol' Man Mose
19. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
20. Mississippi Mud
21. Darktown Strutters Ball