Thursday, March 20, 2014

Bob Crosby and His Orchestra: What's New aka I'm Free - Summertime


"What's New?" is a 1939 popular song composed by Bob Haggart, with lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was originally an instrumental tune titled "I'm Free" by Haggart in 1938, when Haggart was a member of Bob Crosby and His Orchestra. The tune was written with a trumpet solo, meant to showcase the talents of band-mate Billy Butterfield. Crosby's orchestra recorded "I'm Free" the same day it was written.
The following year, the music publishers hired Johnny Burke to write lyrics for the tune. Burke's telling of the torch song is unique, using one side of a casual conversation between former lovers. Thus the song was retitled using the song's first line, "What's New?" The song was recorded with the new title in 1939 by Bob Crosby And His Orchestra With Vocalist Teddy Grace. The song reached a peak chart position of #10.
Other popular 1939 recordings of "What's New" include Hal Kemp and His Orchestra with Vocalist Nan Wynn, which peaked at #11, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with vocalist Louise Tobin, which peaked at #7, and a recording by Bing Crosby which peaked at #7. (from wikipedia)



"I'm Free", as it was known then, was released on the F.7000 Decca 78rpm  featuring a very nice arrangement of "Summertime" on the flip side. Both are included in this 78rpm rip, enjoy.


Monday, March 17, 2014

Hampton Hawes - Trio And Quartet 1951-56 - Live & Studio Sessions


Nice twofer containing early Hampton Hawes live & studio work having appeared before mostly on the Xanadu label.

 CD-1: Live Sessions

1. Buzzy
2. What Is This Thing Called Love
3. Bud's Blues
4. Another Hair Do
5. All the Things You Are
6. Blue Bird
The Haig Club, September 22, 1951.
Hampton Hawes (p), Harper Crosby (b), Lawrence Marable (dr)

7. I'll Remember April
8. Where or When
9. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
The Surf Club, February 12, 1952.
Hampton Hawes (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Larry Bunker (dr)

10. Jumpin' Jacque
11. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
12. Hawes' Paws
13. It's You or No One
14. Buzzy
The Haig Club, September 9, 1952.
Hampton Hawes (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne (dr)

15. Just One of Those Things
16. Again
17. What a Difference a Day Made
18. Blue Bird
The Haig Club, December 23, 1952.
Hampton Hawes (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne (dr)


CD-2: Studio Sessions (except live tracks #16-18)

1. Night and Day
2. Where or When
Spring 1952.
Hampton Hawes (p), Harry Babasin (b, cello), Larry Bunker (dr, vib)

3. Jumpin' Jacque
4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
5. It's You or No One
6. Thou Swell
September 10, 1952.
Hampton Hawes (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Shelly Manne (dr)

7. Terrible T
8. Fanfare
9. Just Squeeze Me
10. I'll Remember April
11. Hamp's Paws
12. Move
13. Once in a While
14. Buzzy
December 1952.
Hampton Hawes (p), Larry Bunker (vib), Clarence Jones (b), Lawrence Marable (dr)

15. I Hear Music
May 2, 1955.
Hampton Hawes (p), Red Mitchell (b), Mel Lewis (dr)

16. All the Things You Are
17. I Got Rhythm
18. How High the Moon
Embers Club, May 15, 1956.
Hampton Hawes (p), Red Mitchell (b), Chuck Thompson (dr)