Sony/ATV’s "Musical Notes" #52 - Big Band Blast
Feb 08, 2010
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
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BIG BAND BLAST!
(Pictured Clockwise from Top Right: Harry James; Duke Ellington; Count Basie; Glenn Miller)
In the 1930’s and 1940’s, jazz-based big bands were the rage as crowds regularly flocked into dance clubs. The most memorable bands were led by a coterie of outstanding musicians including pianists Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton and Count Basie, trombonists Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, clarinetists Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman and Jimmy Dorsey (he also played alto sax), vibes king Lionel Hampton, trumpeters Harry James and Louis Armstrong, sax-playing Jimmie Lunceford and Charlie Barnet plus one of the swing era’s finest drummers: Gene Krupa.
The bands themselves played both original compositions and current favorites of the time including movie songs such as, for example, “That Old Black Magic” which was written for and introduced in a 1942 Paramount picture (“Star Spangled Rhythm”) before being recorded by Glenn Miller.
Big bands were also recruited by Hollywood to appear in movies; Duke Ellington was seen in a number of different films beginning back in 1930 when he and his Orchestra were featured in a comedy called “Check And Double Check” in which “Ring Dem Bells” was heard.
Harry James also had extensive ties with the movie industry…he was married to glamorous pin-up star Betty Grable, appeared with his band in several pictures and sold a million copies of the Paramount hit song “I Don’t Want To Walk Without You”. SATV also publishes “Ciribiribin”, the tune that Harry adapted from an Italian melody and which became his signature theme.
The extensive list below provides details of some outstanding works:
AFTER YOU (Coslow/Siegel)
By Tommy Dorsey & His Clambake Seven w/vocal by Edythe Wright (Victor/Sony: 1937)
ALL TOO SOON (Ellington/Sigman)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
ARTHUR MURRAY TAUGHT ME DANCING IN A HURRY (Schertzinger/Mercer)
By Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen O’Connell (Decca/Universal: 1941)
AZURE (Ellingtion/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Master: 1937) US #13 Pop
BACK BEAT BOOGIE (James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1944) US #24 Pop
BEALE STREET MAMA (Turk/Robinson)
By Cab Calloway & His Orchestra/Vocal: Cab Calloway (Banner/Sony: 1932)
BLACK AND TAN FANTASY (Ellington/Miley)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1928) US #15 Pop
By Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1935) US #19 Pop
BLUEBIRDS IN THE MOONLIGHT (Rainger/Robin)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Marion Hutton (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
BOJANGLES (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Featuring Ben Webster (Victor/Sony: 1943) US #19 Pop
CARAVAN (Ellington/Tizol/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Featuring Juan Tizol (Master/Sony: 1937) US #4 Pop
By Barney Bigard & His Jazzopators Featuring Juan Tizol, Cottie Williams & Duke Ellington (Variety/Sony: 1937) US #20 Pop
CARNIVAL OF VENICE (James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
CIRIBIRIBIN (James)*
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1939)
CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET (James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1939)
COTTON TAIL (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
CREOLE LOVE CALL (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Adelaide Hall (Victor/Sony: 1928) US #19 Pop
DAYBREAK EXPRESS (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1934) US #20 Pop
DAY DREAM (Ellington/Strayhorn/Latouche)
By Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra (featuring Duke on piano)(Bluebird/Sony: 1940)
DO NOTHIN’ TILL YOU HEAR FROM ME (Ellington/Russell)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Feat.Cootie Williams (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #1 R&B, #10 Pop
By Woody Herman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Woody Herman (Decca/Universal: 1944) US #4 R&B, #7 Pop
By Stan Kenton & His Orchestra/Vocal by Red Dorris (Capitol/EMI: 1944) US #8 R&B, #10 Pop
DOLORES (Alter/Loesser)
By Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal: Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers (Victor/Sony: 1941)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Dick Haymes (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
DON’T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE (Ellington/Russell)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1943) US #1 R&B, #8 Pop
By Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra/Vocals by Kenny Sargent & The LeBrun Sisters (Decca/Universal: 1943) US #7 Pop
DON’T YOU KNOW I CARE (OR DON’T YOU CARE TO KNOW)(Ellington/David)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Al Hibbler & Kay Davis (Victor/Sony: 1945) US #4 R&B
DROP ME OFF IN HARLEM (Ellington/Kenny)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #17 Pop
By Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1944)
DRUM STOMP (Higginbotham)
By Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1937)
EAST ST. LOUIS TOODLE-OO (Ellington/Miley)
By The Washingtonians feat. Duke Ellington (Columbia/Sony: 1927) US #10 Pop
ECHOES OF HARLEM (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Feat. Cootie Williams (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #8 Pop
FAITHFUL FOREVER (Rainger/Robin)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Eberle (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
THE FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE (Arr: James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Variety: 1940) US #20 Pop
THE GAL FROM JOE’S (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #20 Pop
By Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1939) US #13 Pop
HARMONY IN HARLEM (Ellington/Hodges/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #15 Pop
I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU (Ellington/Russell)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra/Vocal by Thelma Carpenter (Columbia/Sony: 1945) US #21 Pop
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Joya Sherrill (Victor/Sony: 1945)
I DON’T MIND (Ellington/Strayhorn)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Ivie Anderson (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #9 R&B
I DON’T WANT TO WALK WITHOUT YOU (Loesser/Styne)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen Forrest (Columbia/Sony: 1942) US #1 Pop
By Artie Shaw & His Orchestra/Vocal: Paula Kelly (Victor/Sony: 1941)
I GOT IT BAD AND THAT AIN’T GOOD (Ellington/Webster)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Ivie Anderson (Victor/Sony: 1942) US #13 Pop
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Peggy Lee (Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #25 Pop
I HAVE EYES (Rainger/Robin)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1938)
I LET A SONG GO OUT OF MY HEART (Ellington/Nemo/Redmond/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #1 Pop
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1938) US #1 Pop
By Hot Lips Page & His Band (Bluebird/Sony: 1938) US #9 Pop
I REMEMBER YOU (Schertzinger/Mercer)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen Forrest (Columbia/Sony: 1942) US #24 Pop
By Artie Shaw & His Gramercy Five (Decca/Universal: 1955)
I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (Ellington/James/George/Hodges)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Joya Sherrill (Victor/Sony: 1945) US #4 R&B, #6 Pop
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Kitty Kallen (Columbia/Sony: 1945) US #1 Pop
I’M JUST A LUCKY SO AND SO (Ellington/David)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Al Hibbler (Victor/Sony: 1945)
IF YOU WERE IN MY PLACE (WHAT WOULD YOU DO?)(Ellington/Nemo/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Ivie Anderson (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #10 Pop
IN A MELLOW TONE (Ellington/Gabler)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD (Ellington/Kurtz/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #14 Pop
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1936) US #13 Pop
By The Mills Blue Rhythm Band (Columbia/Sony: 1936) US #19 Pop
By Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1936)
IT DON’T MEAN A THING (IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING)
(Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Ivie Anderson (Brunswick/Sony: 1932) US #6 Pop
JAZZ LIPS (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1936) US #20 Pop
JINGLE JANGLE JINGLE (Harriott/Carey)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
JUST A-SITTIN’ AND A-ROCKIN’ (Ellington/Strayhorn/Gaines)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Ivie Anderson (Victor/Sony: 1941)
JUST SQUEEZE ME (BUT DON’T TEASE ME)(Ellington/Gaines)
By Duke Ellington & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Nance (Victor/Sony: 1946)
KO KO (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940) US #25 Pop
THE LADY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU (Lane/Loesser)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1939)
By Gene Krupa & His Orchestra/Vocal: Irene Day (Brunswick/Sony: 1939)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Tex Beneke (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
LISTEN MY CHILDREN AND YOU SHALL HEAR (Freed/Lane)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra w/vocal by Jimmy Rushing (Decca/Universal: 1937)
MAIN STEM (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Featuring Ben Webster (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #1 R&B, #23 Pop
MANDY MAKE UP YOUR MIND (Turk/Johnston/Clarke/Meyer)
By Louis Armstrong (Decca/Universal: 1957)
By Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1942)
MERRY-GO-ROUND (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1935)
By The Mills Blue Rhythm Band (Columbia/Sony: 1936) US #15 Pop
THE MOOCHE aka THE MOOCH (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1929) US #16 Pop
MOOD INDIGO (Ellington/Bigard/Mills)
By The Jungle Band (aka Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (Brunswick: 1930)
By Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1931) US #3 Pop
By Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1934) US #19 Pop
THE MOOD THAT I’M IN (Sherman/Silver)
By Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra/Vocal: Lionel Hampton (Victor/Sony: 1937)
MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU (Burke/Van Heusen)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Skip Nelson & The Modernaires (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
MOTEN SWING (Moten/Moten)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1940)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1946)
MUSIC MAKERS (James/Raye)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #9 Pop
MY OLD FLAME (Coslow/Johnston)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Peggy Lee (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
THE NEARNESS OF YOU (Washington/Carmichael)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Eberle (Bluebird/Sony: 1940)
OH BABE, MAYBE SOMEDAY (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #8 Pop
ONE DOZEN ROSES (Donovan/Jurgens/Washburn/Lewis)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Jimmy Saunders (Columbia/Sony: 1942) US #4 Pop
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: The Modernaires (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
By Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra/Vocal: Pee Wee Hunt (Decca/Universal: 1942)
OUT OF NOWHERE (Heyman/Green)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938)
By Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
THE PEANUT VENDOR (Simon/Sunshine/Wolfe)
By Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (Capitol/EMI: 1947)
By Red Nichols & His Five Pennies/Vocal: Paul Small (Brunswick/Sony: 1931) US #5 Pop
By Louis Armstrong & His New Cotton Club Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1931) US #15 Pop
By Louis Armstrong & His New Cotton Club Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1941 re-issue) US #25 Pop
PRELUDE TO A KISS (Ellington/Gordon/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Feat. Johnny Hodges (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #18 Pop
By Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra/Vocal: Mary McHugh (Vocalion/Sony: 1938) US #13 Pop
RAGGING THE SCALE (Claypoole/Ringle)
By Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1937)
RING DEM BELLS (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Orchestra/Vocal: Cootie Williams (Victor/Sony: 1930) US #17 Pop
By Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1938)
ROCKIN’ IN RHYTHM (Ellington/Carney/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (aka The Jungle Band)(Brunswick/Universal: 1931) US #19 Pop
SATIN DOLL (Ellington/Mercer/Strayhorn)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Capitol/EMI: 1953) US #27 Pop
SCATTIN’ AT THE KIT KAT (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Master: 1937) US #9 Pop
SENTIMENTAL LADY (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1943) US #1 R&B, #19 Pop
SEPIA PANORAMA (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940) US #24 Pop
SMARTY (YOU KNOW IT ALL)(Freed/Lane)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1937)
SOLITUDE (Ellington/DeLange/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #2 Pop
By The Mills Blue Rhythm Band/Vocal: Chuck Richards (Columbia/Sony: 1935) US #8 Pop
SOMEONE (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #7 R&B
SOPHISTICATED LADY (Ellington/Parish/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #3 Pop
By Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1933) US #4 Pop
By Don Redman & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #19 Pop
By Billy Eckstine (National/Denon: 1948) US #24 Pop
STELLA BY STARLIGHT (Washington/Young)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1947) US #21 Pop
TANGERINE (Schertzinger/Mercer)
By Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/
Vocals: Helen O’Connell & Bob Eberly (Decca/Universal: 1941)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Art Lund (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC (Mercer/Arlen)
By Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra/Vocal: Frances Wayne (Decca/Universal: 1942)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Skip Nelson & The Modernaires (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
TOO ROMANTIC (Burke/Monaco)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Eberle (Bluebird/Sony: 1940)
TRUMPET BLUES AND CANTABILE (James/Matthias)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1942)
TRUMPET RHAPSODY (Matthias)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #18 Pop
VINE STREET BOOGIE aka VINE STREET BLUES (McShann)
By Harry James & His Band (V Disc: 1947)
WHISPERING (Coburn/Rose/Schonberger)
By Tommy Dorsey & The Sentamentalists/Vocal: Frank Sinatra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1938)
YEARNING FOR LOVE (Ellington/Parish/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #16 Pop
YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY HEART (Rainger/Robin)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1937)
YOU’RE A SWEET LITTLE HEADACHE (Rainger/Robin)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1938)
By Artie Shaw & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen Forrest (Bluebird/Sony: 1938)
*A lyric by Jack Lawrence was added to CIRIBIRIBIN and was initially recorded in November 1939 on a Columbia session by Harry James And His Orchestra featuring a vocal by Frank Sinatra; it charted at #10 on the hit parade.
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CHIPMUNK FEVER!
The second Chipmunks movie: “Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” opened here in December; it became a huge box-office success and its soundtrack featuring three SATV songs: the Ray Davies classic YOU REALLY GOT ME, Nile Rodgers’ Sister Sledge milestone WE ARE FAMILY plus the Beyoncé hit SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT) is in the Top Ten album chart.
Here’s a reminder of other SATV songs included on both the original David Seville & The Chipmunks records and on the later Alvin & The Chipmunks releases:
ALL MY LOVING (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
CAN’T BUY ME LOVE (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
DON’T ROCK THE JUKEBOX (Stegall/Murrah/Jackson)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1992)
THE GAMBLER (Schlitz)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1981)
GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN (Hazard)
By Alvin & The Chipmunks (Sony: 1994)
A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
HEARTBREAK HOTEL (Axton/Durden/Presley)
By The Chipmunks (in a 2007 PC game)
(HEY WON’T YOU PLAY) ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG (Butler/Moman)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1981)
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT (Schwartz)
By The Chipmunks (RCA/Sony: 1982)
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
KING OF THE ROAD (Miller)
By The Chipmunks (Liberty/EMI: 1965)
MAMMAS DON’T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS (Bruce/Bruce)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1981)
MR. TAMBOURINE MAN (Dylan) controlled ex-US & Canada
By The Chipmunks (Liberty/EMI: 1965)
P.S. I LOVE YOU (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
RAGTIME COWBOY JOE (Clarke/Abrahams/Muir)
By David Seville & The Chipmunks (Liberty/EMI: 1959)
SILVER BELLS (Livingston/Evans)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1962)
THERE AIN’T NOTHIN’ WRONG WITH THE RADIO (Brock/Tippin)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1992)
TWIST AND SHOUT (Russell/Medley)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville(Liberty/EMI: 1964)
WOOLY BULLY (Samudio)
By Alvin & The Chipmunks (Hip-O/Universal)
Associated Playlists:
Musical Notes #52 (1 of 2)
Musical Notes #52 (2 of 2)
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R.I.P.: CARL SMITH (1927-2010)
Tennessee-born country singer/guitarist Carl Smith died earlier this month. Two of his biggest sellers are Sony/ATV songs namely ARE YOU TEASING ME by Charlie & Ira Lovin with which Carl hit #1 on the Country chart in 1952; his record of Boudleaux Bryant’s composition HEY JOE! also topped that chart a year later.
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US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
Here is a link to a complete list of earlier “Musical Notes” bulletins:
Between The Notes Archive
1/29/10
Feb 08, 2010
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
***************
BIG BAND BLAST!
(Pictured Clockwise from Top Right: Harry James; Duke Ellington; Count Basie; Glenn Miller)
In the 1930’s and 1940’s, jazz-based big bands were the rage as crowds regularly flocked into dance clubs. The most memorable bands were led by a coterie of outstanding musicians including pianists Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton and Count Basie, trombonists Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, clarinetists Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman and Jimmy Dorsey (he also played alto sax), vibes king Lionel Hampton, trumpeters Harry James and Louis Armstrong, sax-playing Jimmie Lunceford and Charlie Barnet plus one of the swing era’s finest drummers: Gene Krupa.
The bands themselves played both original compositions and current favorites of the time including movie songs such as, for example, “That Old Black Magic” which was written for and introduced in a 1942 Paramount picture (“Star Spangled Rhythm”) before being recorded by Glenn Miller.
Big bands were also recruited by Hollywood to appear in movies; Duke Ellington was seen in a number of different films beginning back in 1930 when he and his Orchestra were featured in a comedy called “Check And Double Check” in which “Ring Dem Bells” was heard.
Harry James also had extensive ties with the movie industry…he was married to glamorous pin-up star Betty Grable, appeared with his band in several pictures and sold a million copies of the Paramount hit song “I Don’t Want To Walk Without You”. SATV also publishes “Ciribiribin”, the tune that Harry adapted from an Italian melody and which became his signature theme.
The extensive list below provides details of some outstanding works:
AFTER YOU (Coslow/Siegel)
By Tommy Dorsey & His Clambake Seven w/vocal by Edythe Wright (Victor/Sony: 1937)
ALL TOO SOON (Ellington/Sigman)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
ARTHUR MURRAY TAUGHT ME DANCING IN A HURRY (Schertzinger/Mercer)
By Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen O’Connell (Decca/Universal: 1941)
AZURE (Ellingtion/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Master: 1937) US #13 Pop
BACK BEAT BOOGIE (James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1944) US #24 Pop
BEALE STREET MAMA (Turk/Robinson)
By Cab Calloway & His Orchestra/Vocal: Cab Calloway (Banner/Sony: 1932)
BLACK AND TAN FANTASY (Ellington/Miley)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1928) US #15 Pop
By Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1935) US #19 Pop
BLUEBIRDS IN THE MOONLIGHT (Rainger/Robin)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Marion Hutton (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
BOJANGLES (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Featuring Ben Webster (Victor/Sony: 1943) US #19 Pop
CARAVAN (Ellington/Tizol/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Featuring Juan Tizol (Master/Sony: 1937) US #4 Pop
By Barney Bigard & His Jazzopators Featuring Juan Tizol, Cottie Williams & Duke Ellington (Variety/Sony: 1937) US #20 Pop
CARNIVAL OF VENICE (James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
CIRIBIRIBIN (James)*
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1939)
CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET (James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1939)
COTTON TAIL (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
CREOLE LOVE CALL (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Adelaide Hall (Victor/Sony: 1928) US #19 Pop
DAYBREAK EXPRESS (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1934) US #20 Pop
DAY DREAM (Ellington/Strayhorn/Latouche)
By Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra (featuring Duke on piano)(Bluebird/Sony: 1940)
DO NOTHIN’ TILL YOU HEAR FROM ME (Ellington/Russell)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Feat.Cootie Williams (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #1 R&B, #10 Pop
By Woody Herman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Woody Herman (Decca/Universal: 1944) US #4 R&B, #7 Pop
By Stan Kenton & His Orchestra/Vocal by Red Dorris (Capitol/EMI: 1944) US #8 R&B, #10 Pop
DOLORES (Alter/Loesser)
By Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal: Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers (Victor/Sony: 1941)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Dick Haymes (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
DON’T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE (Ellington/Russell)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1943) US #1 R&B, #8 Pop
By Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra/Vocals by Kenny Sargent & The LeBrun Sisters (Decca/Universal: 1943) US #7 Pop
DON’T YOU KNOW I CARE (OR DON’T YOU CARE TO KNOW)(Ellington/David)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Al Hibbler & Kay Davis (Victor/Sony: 1945) US #4 R&B
DROP ME OFF IN HARLEM (Ellington/Kenny)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #17 Pop
By Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1944)
DRUM STOMP (Higginbotham)
By Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1937)
EAST ST. LOUIS TOODLE-OO (Ellington/Miley)
By The Washingtonians feat. Duke Ellington (Columbia/Sony: 1927) US #10 Pop
ECHOES OF HARLEM (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Feat. Cootie Williams (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #8 Pop
FAITHFUL FOREVER (Rainger/Robin)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Eberle (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
THE FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE (Arr: James)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Variety: 1940) US #20 Pop
THE GAL FROM JOE’S (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #20 Pop
By Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1939) US #13 Pop
HARMONY IN HARLEM (Ellington/Hodges/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #15 Pop
I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU (Ellington/Russell)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra/Vocal by Thelma Carpenter (Columbia/Sony: 1945) US #21 Pop
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Joya Sherrill (Victor/Sony: 1945)
I DON’T MIND (Ellington/Strayhorn)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Ivie Anderson (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #9 R&B
I DON’T WANT TO WALK WITHOUT YOU (Loesser/Styne)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen Forrest (Columbia/Sony: 1942) US #1 Pop
By Artie Shaw & His Orchestra/Vocal: Paula Kelly (Victor/Sony: 1941)
I GOT IT BAD AND THAT AIN’T GOOD (Ellington/Webster)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Ivie Anderson (Victor/Sony: 1942) US #13 Pop
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Peggy Lee (Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #25 Pop
I HAVE EYES (Rainger/Robin)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1938)
I LET A SONG GO OUT OF MY HEART (Ellington/Nemo/Redmond/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #1 Pop
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1938) US #1 Pop
By Hot Lips Page & His Band (Bluebird/Sony: 1938) US #9 Pop
I REMEMBER YOU (Schertzinger/Mercer)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen Forrest (Columbia/Sony: 1942) US #24 Pop
By Artie Shaw & His Gramercy Five (Decca/Universal: 1955)
I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (Ellington/James/George/Hodges)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Joya Sherrill (Victor/Sony: 1945) US #4 R&B, #6 Pop
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Kitty Kallen (Columbia/Sony: 1945) US #1 Pop
I’M JUST A LUCKY SO AND SO (Ellington/David)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Al Hibbler (Victor/Sony: 1945)
IF YOU WERE IN MY PLACE (WHAT WOULD YOU DO?)(Ellington/Nemo/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Ivie Anderson (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #10 Pop
IN A MELLOW TONE (Ellington/Gabler)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD (Ellington/Kurtz/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #14 Pop
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1936) US #13 Pop
By The Mills Blue Rhythm Band (Columbia/Sony: 1936) US #19 Pop
By Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1936)
IT DON’T MEAN A THING (IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING)
(Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Ivie Anderson (Brunswick/Sony: 1932) US #6 Pop
JAZZ LIPS (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1936) US #20 Pop
JINGLE JANGLE JINGLE (Harriott/Carey)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
JUST A-SITTIN’ AND A-ROCKIN’ (Ellington/Strayhorn/Gaines)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal: Ivie Anderson (Victor/Sony: 1941)
JUST SQUEEZE ME (BUT DON’T TEASE ME)(Ellington/Gaines)
By Duke Ellington & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Nance (Victor/Sony: 1946)
KO KO (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940) US #25 Pop
THE LADY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU (Lane/Loesser)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1939)
By Gene Krupa & His Orchestra/Vocal: Irene Day (Brunswick/Sony: 1939)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Tex Beneke (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
LISTEN MY CHILDREN AND YOU SHALL HEAR (Freed/Lane)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra w/vocal by Jimmy Rushing (Decca/Universal: 1937)
MAIN STEM (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Featuring Ben Webster (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #1 R&B, #23 Pop
MANDY MAKE UP YOUR MIND (Turk/Johnston/Clarke/Meyer)
By Louis Armstrong (Decca/Universal: 1957)
By Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1942)
MERRY-GO-ROUND (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1935)
By The Mills Blue Rhythm Band (Columbia/Sony: 1936) US #15 Pop
THE MOOCHE aka THE MOOCH (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1929) US #16 Pop
MOOD INDIGO (Ellington/Bigard/Mills)
By The Jungle Band (aka Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (Brunswick: 1930)
By Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1931) US #3 Pop
By Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1934) US #19 Pop
THE MOOD THAT I’M IN (Sherman/Silver)
By Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra/Vocal: Lionel Hampton (Victor/Sony: 1937)
MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU (Burke/Van Heusen)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Skip Nelson & The Modernaires (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
MOTEN SWING (Moten/Moten)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1940)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1946)
MUSIC MAKERS (James/Raye)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #9 Pop
MY OLD FLAME (Coslow/Johnston)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Peggy Lee (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
THE NEARNESS OF YOU (Washington/Carmichael)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Eberle (Bluebird/Sony: 1940)
OH BABE, MAYBE SOMEDAY (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #8 Pop
ONE DOZEN ROSES (Donovan/Jurgens/Washburn/Lewis)
By Harry James & His Orchestra/Vocal: Jimmy Saunders (Columbia/Sony: 1942) US #4 Pop
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: The Modernaires (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
By Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra/Vocal: Pee Wee Hunt (Decca/Universal: 1942)
OUT OF NOWHERE (Heyman/Green)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1938)
By Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (Bluebird/Sony: 1939)
THE PEANUT VENDOR (Simon/Sunshine/Wolfe)
By Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (Capitol/EMI: 1947)
By Red Nichols & His Five Pennies/Vocal: Paul Small (Brunswick/Sony: 1931) US #5 Pop
By Louis Armstrong & His New Cotton Club Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1931) US #15 Pop
By Louis Armstrong & His New Cotton Club Orchestra (OKeh/Sony: 1941 re-issue) US #25 Pop
PRELUDE TO A KISS (Ellington/Gordon/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Feat. Johnny Hodges (Brunswick/Sony: 1938) US #18 Pop
By Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra/Vocal: Mary McHugh (Vocalion/Sony: 1938) US #13 Pop
RAGGING THE SCALE (Claypoole/Ringle)
By Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1937)
RING DEM BELLS (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Orchestra/Vocal: Cootie Williams (Victor/Sony: 1930) US #17 Pop
By Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1938)
ROCKIN’ IN RHYTHM (Ellington/Carney/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (aka The Jungle Band)(Brunswick/Universal: 1931) US #19 Pop
SATIN DOLL (Ellington/Mercer/Strayhorn)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Capitol/EMI: 1953) US #27 Pop
SCATTIN’ AT THE KIT KAT (Ellington/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Master: 1937) US #9 Pop
SENTIMENTAL LADY (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1943) US #1 R&B, #19 Pop
SEPIA PANORAMA (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1940) US #24 Pop
SMARTY (YOU KNOW IT ALL)(Freed/Lane)
By Count Basie & His Orchestra (Decca/Universal: 1937)
SOLITUDE (Ellington/DeLange/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #2 Pop
By The Mills Blue Rhythm Band/Vocal: Chuck Richards (Columbia/Sony: 1935) US #8 Pop
SOMEONE (Ellington)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1944) US #7 R&B
SOPHISTICATED LADY (Ellington/Parish/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #3 Pop
By Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1933) US #4 Pop
By Don Redman & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #19 Pop
By Billy Eckstine (National/Denon: 1948) US #24 Pop
STELLA BY STARLIGHT (Washington/Young)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1947) US #21 Pop
TANGERINE (Schertzinger/Mercer)
By Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/
Vocals: Helen O’Connell & Bob Eberly (Decca/Universal: 1941)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Art Lund (Columbia/Sony: 1941)
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC (Mercer/Arlen)
By Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra/Vocal: Frances Wayne (Decca/Universal: 1942)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Skip Nelson & The Modernaires (Bluebird/Sony: 1942)
TOO ROMANTIC (Burke/Monaco)
By Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal: Ray Eberle (Bluebird/Sony: 1940)
TRUMPET BLUES AND CANTABILE (James/Matthias)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1942)
TRUMPET RHAPSODY (Matthias)
By Harry James & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #18 Pop
VINE STREET BOOGIE aka VINE STREET BLUES (McShann)
By Harry James & His Band (V Disc: 1947)
WHISPERING (Coburn/Rose/Schonberger)
By Tommy Dorsey & The Sentamentalists/Vocal: Frank Sinatra (Victor/Sony: 1940)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (Victor/Sony: 1938)
YEARNING FOR LOVE (Ellington/Parish/Mills)
By Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #16 Pop
YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY HEART (Rainger/Robin)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1937)
YOU’RE A SWEET LITTLE HEADACHE (Rainger/Robin)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Martha Tilton (Victor/Sony: 1938)
By Artie Shaw & His Orchestra/Vocal: Helen Forrest (Bluebird/Sony: 1938)
*A lyric by Jack Lawrence was added to CIRIBIRIBIN and was initially recorded in November 1939 on a Columbia session by Harry James And His Orchestra featuring a vocal by Frank Sinatra; it charted at #10 on the hit parade.
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CHIPMUNK FEVER!
The second Chipmunks movie: “Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” opened here in December; it became a huge box-office success and its soundtrack featuring three SATV songs: the Ray Davies classic YOU REALLY GOT ME, Nile Rodgers’ Sister Sledge milestone WE ARE FAMILY plus the Beyoncé hit SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT) is in the Top Ten album chart.
Here’s a reminder of other SATV songs included on both the original David Seville & The Chipmunks records and on the later Alvin & The Chipmunks releases:
ALL MY LOVING (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
CAN’T BUY ME LOVE (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
DON’T ROCK THE JUKEBOX (Stegall/Murrah/Jackson)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1992)
THE GAMBLER (Schlitz)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1981)
GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN (Hazard)
By Alvin & The Chipmunks (Sony: 1994)
A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
HEARTBREAK HOTEL (Axton/Durden/Presley)
By The Chipmunks (in a 2007 PC game)
(HEY WON’T YOU PLAY) ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG (Butler/Moman)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1981)
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT (Schwartz)
By The Chipmunks (RCA/Sony: 1982)
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
KING OF THE ROAD (Miller)
By The Chipmunks (Liberty/EMI: 1965)
MAMMAS DON’T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS (Bruce/Bruce)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1981)
MR. TAMBOURINE MAN (Dylan) controlled ex-US & Canada
By The Chipmunks (Liberty/EMI: 1965)
P.S. I LOVE YOU (Lennon/McCartney)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1964)
RAGTIME COWBOY JOE (Clarke/Abrahams/Muir)
By David Seville & The Chipmunks (Liberty/EMI: 1959)
SILVER BELLS (Livingston/Evans)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville (Liberty/EMI: 1962)
THERE AIN’T NOTHIN’ WRONG WITH THE RADIO (Brock/Tippin)
By The Chipmunks (Epic/Sony: 1992)
TWIST AND SHOUT (Russell/Medley)
By The Chipmunks with David Seville(Liberty/EMI: 1964)
WOOLY BULLY (Samudio)
By Alvin & The Chipmunks (Hip-O/Universal)
Associated Playlists:
Musical Notes #52 (1 of 2)
Musical Notes #52 (2 of 2)
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R.I.P.: CARL SMITH (1927-2010)
Tennessee-born country singer/guitarist Carl Smith died earlier this month. Two of his biggest sellers are Sony/ATV songs namely ARE YOU TEASING ME by Charlie & Ira Lovin with which Carl hit #1 on the Country chart in 1952; his record of Boudleaux Bryant’s composition HEY JOE! also topped that chart a year later.
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US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
Here is a link to a complete list of earlier “Musical Notes” bulletins:
Between The Notes Archive
1/29/10
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© 2007 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
© 2007 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC