Monday, 25 July 2022

Al Morgan--Al Jolson--Eddie Calvert--Issy Bonn--Jerry Gray--Don Cornell


 Not much colour on this selection but maybe a glimmer of pink and rose may peep thro'

1. Jealous Heart.......Al Morgan
2. Turnabout Is Fair Play.......Al Morgan
3. Anniversary Song......Al Jolson
4. Avalon.......Al Jolson
5. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White......Eddie Calvert
6. Roses Of Picardy......Eddie Calvert
7. My Friend......Issy Bonn
8. Mom - E - El......Issy Bonn
9. Sound Off......Jerry Gray & Orchestra
10. The Lonesomest Whistle......Jerry Gray & Orchestra
11. Hold My Hand......Don Cornell
12. I'm Blessed......Don Cornell

                                            Al Morgan
Al "Flying Fingers" Morgan (November 14, 1915 – November 18, 1989) was a popular nightclub singer, pianist and composer who is known for his hit recordings "Jealous Heart", "I'll Take Care Of Your Cares," and "The Place Where I Worship."
While playing in Wisconsin Morgan had the idea to make a big band arrangement of the Jenny Lou Carson song, "Jealous Heart". Rumor has it that Morgan first sang "Jealous Heart" as a part of a medley in his act. That song, recorded in Chicago and released on Universal in 1949, became a local hit. Decca Records in England was starting a new label called London Records and deal was struck to release "Jealous Heart" on London.
"Jealous Heart" was released in 1949 and was his biggest hit, said to have sold in excess of 12 million copies. Morgan performed at various theaters, churches, supper clubs and Las Vegas concert halls for over 40 years. He is best known for his flamboyant style of piano playing where he would raise his hands over his shoulders and flop them down on the keys, hitting all the correct notes, earning him the title, "Flying Fingers."

Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian-American singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the United States' most famous and highest-paid stars of the 1920s, and was self-billed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer." Jolson was known for his "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach" towards performing, as well as for popularizing many of the songs he sang. Jolson has been referred to by modern critics as "the king of blackface performers."


Issy Bonn (born Benjamin Levin; 21 April 1903 – 21 April 1977) was a British comedian, singer, actor, and theatrical agent. His signature song was "My Yiddishe Momme".
 He joined an existing comedy and singing group, the Three Rascals, and used the stage name Benny Levine. He went solo in the early 1920s. He took the stage name Issy Bonn . He combined sentimental songs such as "My Yiddish Momme" and "Let Bygones Be Bygones", with Jewish humour and sketches, many featuring the fictitious Finkelfeffer family. He made his first recordings in 1942, for the Rex label, and later recorded for Decca and Columbia. He toured Europe with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), and starred in his own road shows including The Big Broadcasts and The Melody Lingers On.
In the 1950s, his style of humour, trading on traditional Jewish stereotypes, went out of fashion, but he continued to appear on radio, television, and in pantomimes, and toured, often with the popular trumpeter Eddie Calvert. He later retired from performing and became a theatrical agent, and a producer of variety shows around the country. He made his last appearance as a performer in 1963. His image appears on the cover of The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Jerry Gray (July 3, 1915 – August 10, 1976)[1] was an American violinist, arranger, composer, and leader of swing dance orchestras (big bands) bearing his name. He is widely known for his work with popular music during the Swing era. His name is inextricably linked to two of the most famous bandleaders of the time, Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller. Gray, along with Bill Finegan, wrote many of Miller's arrangements during the late 1930s and early 1940s. In the latter part of Gray's career, his orchestra served as the house band at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont Hotel, Dallas.
 Hits included the obligatory recreations of Miller classics, new compositions in the Miller style such as "Restringing the Pearls", and other distinctive tunes such as "Sound Off".


Don Cornell (born Luigi Francisco Varlaro; April 21, 1919 – February 23, 2004) was an American singer.In his teens he played guitar in a band led by jazz trumpeter Red Nichols. When he was eighteen, he was a vocalist in the Sammy Kaye band. He became a solo act in 1949. Between 1950 and 1962, twelve of his records were certified gold. These included "It Isn't Fair" "I'll Walk Alone", "I'm Yours", and "Hold My Hand". He appeared often on television programs hosted by Perry Como, Jackie Gleason, and Arthur Godfrey during the 1950s and 1960s.

    (Most Of The Info On This Blog is Taken From Wikipedia And Edited)

                         
          11. Hold My Hand

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