75 years of "Star Dust" and Hoagy Carmichael songs

[guy incognito]

The Detroit Free Press had an interesting story today about the Hoagy Charmichael-penned standard.

http://www.freep.com/entertainment/music/star7_20020407.htm

[ArneW]

But, surprisingly, very few (if any) major artists attempted to record the "Hoagy Carmichael Songbook". Seems to me that the only one that's out is the one by himself: "Hoagy Sings Carmichael". I passed it by somehow - didn't buy it and never gave it a listen. I wonder what his voice might sound like, has anyone here heard it? With Johnny Mandel's backing, it could be worth a try... Weird though that it does not include "Stardust". However, Frank Sinatra did very well on his songs - I particularly like "I Get Along Without You Very Well". Keely Smith also gave a fine rendition of "Stardust".

Arne

[Steve Hoffman]

Hoagy had a wonderful voice.

You must have seen the movies "To Have And Have Not" and "The Best Years Of Our Lives". An amazing talent!

[RDK]

The Pacific Jazz "Hoagy Sings Carmichael" is very nice. It is a wonder, though, why there was never an "Ella Fitzgerald sings the Hoagy Carmichael Songbook." Now that woulda' been something!

I've head "Old Buttermilk Sky," a collection of Hoagy's Decca sides put out by Collector's Choice, but the sound quality sucks. Lemme put it this way: most of the tracks are taken from 1930s-40s 78s, but they've been so no-noised that they're as quiet as can be. And just as lifeless...

Ray

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Hoagy had a wonderful voice.

You must have seen the movies "To Have And Have Not" and "The Best Years Of Our Lives". An amazing talent!

Not to mention voicing an animated version of himself on a classic episode of The Flintstones. In the episode, Hoagy composes a song based on Fred's trademark catch phrase, "Yabba-dabba-doo!" It's included on Rhino's Flintstones collection, cleverly titled Modern Stone-Age Melodies.

[Steve Hoffman]

God, I forgot about that! Wow!

[J Epstein]

Hoagy had a mellow voice, like Bing Crosby's but not as strong and rounded, if that helps. All his recordings that I have heard are great. There was a Bluebird reissue LP, maybe it came out on CD too.

-j

[Steve Hoffman]

There is a Hoagy CD that has him singing his own compositions. I'm damned if I can remember what label it's on, but it sounded pretty good.

You know, Hoagy Carmichael wrote some amazing songs:

Stardust
(Up The) Lazy River
For All We Know
Hong Kong Blues (as covered by George Harrision)
Georgia On My Mind
Rockin' Chair
Small Fry
Skylark
The Nearness Of You
In The Cool Cool Cool Of The Evening
Ole Buttermilk Sky
Am I Blue
Barnacle Bill the Sailor
Daybreak (great by Frank Sinatra)
Heart And Soul
Lazybones
My Resistance Is Low
Old Piano Roll Blues
Sing Me a Swing Song (And Let Me Dance)
Sleepy Time Gal
The Lamplighter's Serenade
Two Sleepy People

And I'm sure I'm missing a bunch.

Love that guy!

[RDK]

Great list, Steve, but you left out one of my favorites: "Baltimore Oriole." My favorite version of this song is by (don't laugh!) The Four Freshmen. There's a demo version on the Mosaic box that is stunning.

Jack Teagarden had a way with a Carmichael lyric as well.

[Steve Hoffman]

Yes, great song. I'm sure I left out many great Hoagy songs.

Jack Teagarden is my favorite 'bone player, and I love his lazy sounding voice. I'm actually surprised and pleased to see his name typed in a post on my forum. ("We're not worthy")

[Todd Fredericks]

I just got the Mosaic Complete Capital Fifties Jack Teagarden lp set the other week. I was spinning the discs this weekend. Yes, he had a very soothing voice. I love his music...

Todd

[John DeAngelis]

I'd definitely recommend "Hoagy Sings Carmichael". It was cut in the late 50s, I believe, with a great small group of L.A. jazz guys, it's the best-sounding Hoagy lp (a decent mastering job, I seem to remember), and while Hoagy doesn't have a "great" voice by conventional standards, it fits the music like a comfortable pair of slippers fits your feet.

John D

[J Epstein]

Todd:

How do you like the sound?

My friend Doug Pomeroy did the transfers.

-j

[Todd Fredericks]

J,

You're friend Doug did a very nice job. I've been enjoying the set since last weekend. I'll report back when I've heard the whole set. Most likely after my move is finished. I sign a lease tomorrow, yeah!!

Todd

[Reader]

Steve, I've got Hoagy Carmichael " Stardust, and Much More" cd. Is that the one you're thinking about? It's Bluebird 8333-2. Hoagy sings mostly his own compositions, many on your list and considering that the recordings are from the late 20's and 30's it's still enjoyable.

[Steve Hoffman]

I think so, yes...