Showing posts with label Mary Martin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary Martin. Show all posts

January 16, 2019

20,000 vinyl LPs 165: Ford 50th Anniversary Television Show

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10" vinyl LP
album cover photographer unknown 
photo of album by Styrous®


This is a recording of the 1953 television special celebrating the Ford Motor Company's 50th anniversary which brought together two of the greatest leading ladies Broadway has ever known Ethyl Merman (link below) and Mary Martin (link below). The highlight of the program is Merman and Martin's 13-minute duet medley, where they sing the songs that made them famous. Martin performs a brilliantly comic routine about changes in fashion over the first half of the 20th century; it was staged by director Jerome Robbins (link below).           


10" vinyl LP detail
album cover photographer unknown 
detail photo of album by Styrous®


The TV Special was broadcast on June 15, 1953, and featured a stunning array of music and movie talent: Marian Anderson, Wally Cox (Mr. Peepers), Bing Crosby, Eddie Fisher, Oscar Hammerstein II, Anna Held, Edward R. Murrow, Frank Sinatra, Lowell Thomas, Rudy Vallee, and many other stars!      


10" vinyl LP detail
detail photo of album by Styrous®


The recording is listed in the United States Library of Congress (link below) as an historical recording in the Performing Arts Encyclopedia as part of the Show Music on Record category. The original film was screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on May 3 & 4 of 1963 (link below).     


10" vinyl LP detail
album cover photographer unknown 
detail photo of album by Styrous®


Merman sings “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “Mademoiselle from Armetières” and Martin & Merman perform a Vaudeville Pantomime, “ Your Folks and My Folks” by (Fields, Hall; Carlin America) which was recorded in 1925 by Billy Jones and Ernest Hare (“The Happiness Boys”).      

Together, Martin & Merman perform a medley:  

1. There’s No Business Like Show Business (Berlin)
2. A Wonderful Guy (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
3. By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Edwards, Madden)
4. Wait ‘Till the Sun Shines Nellie (Sterling, Von Tilzer)
5. I’m the Sheik of Araby (Smith, Snyder, Wheeler)
6. When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along (Woods)
7. Melancholy Baby (Burnett, Norton)
8. You Made Me Love You (McCarthy, Monaco)
9. Mississippi Mud (Barris, Cavanaugh)
10. I Cried For You (Arnheim, Freed, Lyman)
11. I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles (Kenbrovin, Kellette)
12. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows (Mc Carthy, Carroll)
13. I’m in the Mood for Love (Fields, McHugh)
14. I Love a Parade (Arlen, Kohler)
15. I’d Climb the Highest Mountain (Clare, Brown)
16. I’m Sitting on Top of the World (Henderson, Lewis, Young)
17. I Got a Feeling You’re Fooling (Brown)
18. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Fields, McHugh)
19. I’ll Get By (Turk, Ahlert)
20. You’re Just in Love (Berlin)
21. I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
22. I Get a Kick Out of You (Porter)
23. I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Porter)
24. My Heart Belongs to Daddy (Porter)
25. I Got Rhythm (Gershwin)
26. Indian Love Call (Friml)
27. Tea For Two (Caesar, Youmans)
28. Stormy Weather (Arlen, Koehler)
29. Isn’t it Romantic? (Rodgers & Hart)
30. I Got Rhythm (Gershwin)
31. There’s No Business Like Show Business     




10" vinyl LP label, side 2
photo by Styrous®     
     
   
Tracklist:

Side 1:

A – Ethel Merman And Mary Martin - The Actual Recording Of The Duet From The Ford 50th Anniversary Television Show, Conductor, Arranged By [Orchestra] – Jay Blackton, Producer – Leland Hayward, Stage Manager [Staged By] – Jerome Robbins

Side 2:
   
B1 – Mary Martin - Mountain High, Valley Low, Directed By [Orchestra] – Raymond Scott, written by Bernard Hanighen*, Raymond Scott
   
B2 – Ethel Merman - Eadie Was A Lady, Directed By [Orchestra] – Jay Blackton, written by B. G. De Sylva, R. Whiting, written by Herb B. Nacio*
   
B3 – Mary Martin - I’ll Walk Alone, Directed By [Orchestra] – Camarata*, written by Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
   
Notes:

A - Recorded During Telecast

Ethel Merman And Mary Martin ‎– The Actual Recording Of The Duet From The Ford 50th Anniversary Television Show
Label: Decca ‎– DL 7027
Format: Vinyl, 10", LP
Country: US
Released: 1953
Genre: Pop, Stage & Screen
Style: Music Hall, Soundtrack, Vocal



Viewfinder links:
   
Bing Crosby            
Mary Martin     
Ethel Merman       
Jerome Robbins     
Raymond Scott     
Frank Sinatra          
    
   
Net links:
      
MOMA screening       
   
YouTube links:              
    
Ford 50th Anniversary Television Show  
     Mary Martin & Ethel Merman Medley (11 min., 30 sec.)   
     Mary Martin & Ethel Merman Medley (3 min. video)   
     Mary Martin - Fashion Show (6 min. 40 sec. video)     
     1953 Ford 50th Anniversary - original commercial        



Styrous® ~  Wednesday, January 16. 2019   


           






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Salvatore "Tutti" Camarata articles/mentions

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Leonard Bernstein ~ On the Town   
Ford 50th Anniversary Television Show  
  


Salvatore "Tutti" Camarata     
date & photographer unknown    

  


  










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December 28, 2018

20,000 vinyl LPs 163: Leonard Bernstein ~ On the Town in 1944

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vinyl LP album cover detail
detail photo by Styrous®


On December 28, 1944, the musical On the Town premiered on Broadway at the Adelphi Theater in New York City and ran for 462 performances. It featured the song, New York, New York.               

The production starred John Battles (Gabey), Cris Alexander (Chip), Nancy Walker (Hildy), Sono Osato (Ivy), Betty Comden (Claire), and Adolph Green (Ozzie). The musical director was Max Goberman.     

Although Comden and Green sing some of the songs, this is not an original cast recording and it is on side two of the record. It is a 1950 re-issue of monaural 78 RPM recordings of songs from On the Town. Other singers on the recording are Nancy Walker, Toots Camarata, Lyn Murray and Mary Martin (link below). It featured the Lyn Murray chorus and orchestra.        


vinyl LP album back cover detail
detail photo by Styrous®


Side one of the recording has the music from Lute Song which features songs from that production sung by Mary Martin.  The orchestra was directed by Raymond Scott (link below) who also wrote the music.

         
vinyl LP album cover 
photo by Styrous®


The big hit from the On the Town was, New York, New York, sung by Lyn Murray on this recording; the famous line from the song is, "New York, New York, a helluva town. The Bronx is up but the Battery's down." (link below).               

Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Jules Munshin performed New York, New York in the 1949 MGM musical film version of On the Town (links below). The film was directed and choreographed by Kelly.      


vinyl LP album back cover
photo by Styrous®


The other songs from On the Town never reached the popularity of New York but they are a lot of fun (links below). They are typical of the bebop music, à la the The Andrews Sisters (link below), of the period.        



vinyl LP album back cover detail
detail photo by Styrous®







 

Side 2:    

        On The Town

       
B1a – Lyn Murray Chorus And Lyn Murray Orchestra - On The Town Opening
    –     I Feel Like I'm Not Out Of Bed Yet, Lyrics By Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By Leonard Bernstein
   
B1b – New York, New York, Lyrics By Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By Leonard Bernstein
   
B2 – Betty Comden And Adolph Green With Lyn Murray Orchestra - I Get Carried Away, Directed By Lyn Murray, Lyrics By Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By Leonard Bernstein
   
B3 – Mary Martin With Toots Camarata And His Orchestra - Lucky To Be Me, Directed By Tutti Camarata, Lyrics By Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By Leonard Bernstein
   
B4 – Mary Martin With Toots Camarata And His Orchestra - Lonely Town, Directed By Tutti Camarata, Lyrics By Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By Leonard Bernstein
   
B5 – Nancy Walker With Leonard Joy Orchestra - I Can Cook Too, Directed By  Leonard Joy, Lyrics By – Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By – Leonard Bernstein
   
B6 – Nancy Walker With Leonard Joy Orchestra - Ya Got Me, Directed By Leonard Joy, Lyrics By Betty Comden-Adolph Green, Music By Leonard Bernstein

   
Notes:

Also available in Decca 78 rpm albums: Lute Song: A-445; On The Town: A-416
Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Matrix / Runout (Side A label): (MG 1624)
    Matrix / Runout (Side B label): (MG 1625)

Various ‎– Selections From 'Lute Song' And 'On The Town'
Label: Decca ‎– DL 8030
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1950
Genre: Stage & Screen
Style: Musical
 
 
    
     
Viewfinder links:            
            
The Andrews Sisters        
Leonard Bernstein
Gene Kelly       
Mary Martin       
Raymond Scott       
Frank Sinatra   
   
Net links:            
           
Plot summary       
    
YouTube links:            
            
Lyn Murray ~ I Feel Like I'm Not Out Of Bed Yet / New York, New York
1949 MGM musical film ~ New York, New York                
Mary Martin ~ Lucky To Be Me     
                     ~ Lonely Town         
Nancy Walker ~ I Can Cook Too    
                       ~ Ya Got Me        
Betty Comden & Adolph Green ~ I Get Carried Away        
     
    
     
       
      

On the Town theater poster ~ 1945
       
      
    
     
Styrous® ~  Friday, December 28. 2018   


 











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Ethel Merman articles/mentions

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Annie Get Your Gun ~ 1946     
Ford 50th Anniversary Television Show 
  
mentions: 
Ernest Borgnine ~ Marty        
   
  
   
  
   
Ethel Merman - 1936    
photo by Herbert Mitchel     
  
  
   
  
   












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March 24, 2018

Raymond Scott & his Electronium

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Composer, bandleader and inventor Raymond Scott was among the unheralded pioneers of contemporary experimental music.

His music is familiar to millions because Carl Stalling adapted it in over 120 classic Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and other Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animated shorts.    

Of all of Scott's accomplishments, however, none was more important than the Electronium, one of the first synthesizers ever created in 1949. An "instantaneous composing machine," the Electronium generated original music via random sequences of tones, rhythms, and timbres; Scott himself denied it was a prototype synthesizer — it had no keyboard — but as one of the first machines to create music by means of artificial intelligence, its importance in pointing the way towards the electonic compositions of the future is undeniable. His other inventions included the "Karloff," an early sampler capable of recreating sounds ranging from sizzling steaks to jungle drums; the Clavinox, a keyboard Theremin complete with an electronic sub-assembly designed by a then 23-year-old Robert Moog; and the Videola, which fused together a keyboard and a TV screen to aid in composing music for films and other moving images.

Raymond Scott in his studio 
photographer unknown


Devo founding member Mark Mothersbaugh purchased Scott's only (non-functioning) Electronium in 1996, with the intention of restoring it to working order. In November 2012, the restoration team was able to get the Electronium running and producing basic sounds.        

photographer unknown


Scott was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 10, 1908. His real name was Harry Warnow. His brother, Mark Warnow, a conductor, violinist, and musical director for the CBS radio program Your Hit Parade, encouraged his musical career.            

He was a 1931 graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied piano, theory and composition. Scott, under his birth name, began his professional career as a pianist for the CBS Radio house band. His older (by eight years) brother Mark conducted the orchestra. Harry reportedly adopted the pseudonym "Raymond Scott" to spare his brother charges of nepotism when the orchestra began performing the pianist's idiosyncratic compositions.     

In late 1936, Scott recruited a band from among his CBS colleagues, calling it the "Raymond Scott Quintette." It was a six-piece group, but Scott thought Quintette (his spelling) sounded "crisper"; he also told a reporter that he feared "calling it a 'sextet' might get your mind off music." The original sidemen were Pete Pumiglio (clarinet); Bunny Berigan (trumpet, soon replaced by Dave Wade); Louis Shoobe (upright bass); Dave Harris (tenor sax); and Johnny Williams (father of the film composer) on drums. They made their first recordings in New York on February 20, 1937, for the Master Records label, owned by music publisher/impresario Irving Mills (who was also the manager of Duke Ellington).            

The Quintette represented Scott's attempt to revitalize Swing music through tight, busy arrangements and reduced reliance on improvisation. He called this musical style "descriptive jazz," and gave his works unusual titles like New Year's Eve in a Haunted House, Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals (recorded by the Kronos Quartet in 1993), and Bumpy Weather Over Newark. There is a great video of his War Dance For Wooden Indians on YouTube (link below). While popular with the public, jazz critics disdained it as novelty music. Besides being a prominent figure in recording studios and on radio and concert stages, Scott wrote and was widely interviewed about his sometimes controversial music theories for the leading music publications of the day, including Down Beat, Metronome, and Billboard.        

After serving as CBS radio music director for a number of variety programs (such as Broadway Bandbox) from 1942 to 1944, Scott left the network to pursue other projects. He composed and arranged music (with lyrics by Bernie Hanighen) for the 1946 Broadway musical, Lute Song, which was based on the 14th-century Chinese play Tale of the Pipa (Pi-Pa-Ji) by Gao Ming, and starred Mary Martin and Yul Brynner. 


Lute Song publicity still


In 1950 Scott composed his first—and only known—"serious" (classical) work, entitled Suite for Violin and Piano. The five-movement suite was performed at Carnegie Hall on February 7, 1950, by violinist Arnold Eidus and pianist Carlo Bussotti (link below).         
      
By the middle of the 1960s, Scott began turning increasingly away from recording and performing to focus on writing and inventing; a 1969 musical celebrating the centennial of Kentucky Bourbon was his last orchestral work, with his remaining years spent solely on electronic composition. Among his latter-day innovations was an early programmable polyphonic sequencer, which along with the Electronium later caught the attention of Motown chief Berry Gordy Jr., who in 1971 tapped Scott to head the label's electronic music research and development team. After retiring six years later, he continued writing — his last known piece, 1986's Beautiful Little Butterfly, was created on MIDI technology.          

During the second half of the 1960s, as his work progressed, Scott became increasingly isolated and secretive about his inventions and concepts; he gave few interviews, made no public presentations, and released no records. In 1966-67, Scott (under the screen credit "Ramond Scott") composed and recorded electronic music soundtracks for some early experimental films by Muppets impresario Jim Henson.         

In 1969, Motown Records impresario Berry Gordy, tipped off about a mad musical scientist engaged in mysterious works, visited Scott at his Long Island labs to witness the Electronium in action. Impressed by the infinite possibilities, Gordy hired Scott in 1971 to serve as director of the Motown electronic music and research department in Los Angeles, a position Scott held until 1977. No Motown recordings using Scott's electronic inventions have yet been publicly identified.  


Berry Gordy in Motown studio, 1960s 
photographer unknown

Largely forgotten by the public by the 1980s, Scott suffered a major stroke in 1987 that left him unable to work or engage in conversation. He died on February 8, 1994, in North Hills, Los Angeles, California; he was 85 years old. 

His legacy underwent a revival in the early 1990s after Irwin Chusid discovered a vast collection of unreleased recordings of rehearsals and studio sessions. In 1992, the release of Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights on Columbia produced by Irwin Chusid (with Hal Willner as executive producer) was the first major-label CD compilation of his groundbreaking 1937–39 six-man quintet. A year earlier, Irwin Chusid and Will Friedwald produced a CD of live Scott quintet broadcasts titled The Man Who Made Cartoons Swing for the Stash label. Around this time, the director of The Ren & Stimpy Show, John Kricfalusi, began hot-wiring his cartoon episodes with original Scott quintet recordings. In the late-1990s, The Beau Hunks (a Dutch ensemble originally formed to perform music created by Leroy Shield for the Laurel and Hardy movies) released two albums of Scott's sextet (a.k.a. "Quintette") repertoire, Celebration on the Planet Mars and Manhattan Minuet (both released on Basta Audio-Visuals).            
    
        
Viewfinder links:         
         
Duke Ellington   
King Crimson & "Boz" Burrell        
Kronos Quartet               
    
Net links:         
         
Raymond Scott website           
Raymond Scott blog           
Discography (LP and CD)         
NY times ~      
           Beethoven Sonata and Scott Novelty at Carnegie Hall       
Boing Boing ~ Raymond Scott: The First 100 Years          
University of Missouri ~ Raymond Scott Collection   
San Diego Reader ~    
          Carl Stalling & Raymond Scott: composers of Looney Tunes music
Weirdo Music ~ Raymond Scott: Soothing Sounds For Baby       
NY Times ~ Raymond Scott, 85, Composer For Cartoons and Stage, Dies    
        
YouTube links:         
         
Raymond Scott -       
            Twilight in Turkey   
            Cindy Electronium (1959)
            Ectoplasm (1957)
            Happy Birthday To You - 1940         
The Raymond Scott Quintette -      
            War Dance For Wooden Indians     
            Ali Baba Goes to Town - 1937   
            Suicide Cliff
            Manhattan Minuet - 1939          
Mark Mothersbaugh & Raymond Scott's Motown Electronium   
        
       
         
         
           
         
Styrous® ~ Saturday, March 24, 2018













         

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Mary Martin articles/mentions

 ~    

 Leonard Bernstein ~ On the Town         
Ford 50th Anniversary TV Show          


    
     

CBS promo photo
      
       
          
    
        
      


























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