This 60’s hit single for Freddie Cannon was almost not meant to be. It was released as the B-Side to ‘June, July & August’ and was played by mistake one night by a DJ in Flint, Michigan. The song was an immediate hit and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This one is a fun, bouncy Rock ‘N Roll classic!
Archives: Arrangements
Arrangement set encompassing one or more Engravings
Frank Loesser wrote many popular tunes, but it’s tough to beat the ear-worm capabilities of this swingin’ classic — ‘On A Slow Boat To China’. Bette Midler teamed up with friend and long-time collaborator Barry Manilow to give this one the Vaudvilian treatment for her 2003 album ‘Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook’. Their witty shtick makes this tune — perfect to be performed as a Duet or equally strong as a solo feature.
My Shining Hour’ was originally written for the 1943 film ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. The number, penned by the great song writing duo of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer became a popular and jazz standard. Sammy Davis Jr. adopted the song and it quickly became one of his calling cards of his live performances.
This 1954 single, written by Pat Ballard was recorded by the girl group ‘The Chordettes’. It reached #1 on the Billboard US charts and reached high peaks internationally — and has become a beloved popular classic. It has been re-worked as a holiday favorite under the title ‘Mr. Santa’, but most folks will most fondly associate this tune and its 50’s, pop/Doo-Wop stylings with its original Ballard version. The Chordettes would go on to entertain for years onwards, including their other big hit with ‘Lollipop’ in 1958.
This Sinatra signature tune is a Frank Loesser composition from his hit musical ‘Guys & Dolls’. The song is a feature for gambler ‘Sky Masterson’ as he tells the tale of both bets and ladies won and lost. Frank first recorded this number on his Reprise album ‘Sinatra ’65’, but it found regular play in his setlist for years to come. A must have for any Frank-styled vocalist’s repertoire!
This 1946 hit for Louis Jordan and his Typany Five was the product of a collaboration between New Orleans Blues singer ‘Lovin’ Sam Theard and Jordan’s long-time writing partner and wife, Flecie Moore. The combination of RnB bounce and Jive swing landed the song a #2 spot on the US R&B charts, and a place in history as one of the best-loved RnB tunes of all time. It has been covered by many artists from Ray Charles to B.B. King and finally Quincy Jones for his album ‘Q’s Juke Joint’ — a love letter to the days of RnB with a modern twist!
Lean Baby’ is a fun and humorous love song from Frank Sinatra’s 8th studio album, ‘Swing Easy!’. Featuring the lyrics of Roy Alfred and the musical stylings of Billy May this ‘bonus’ track was not realeased on the original Capitol records print. It has since grown to become one of the beloved, lesser known Sinatra hits. A great example of Old Blue Eyes at his phrasing best!
Recorded in the Newhaven, CT basement of Saint Bernadette Catholic School, ‘In The Still Of The Night’ is a corner stone of the great Doo-Wop movement of the 50’s. Written by the leader of the Five Satins, Fred Parris the song was a moderate hit on its initial release. It wasn’t until it was included in a Doo-Wop compliation in the late 50’s and, later it’s inclusion on the soundtrack for the 80’s movie ‘Dirty Dancing’ that secured it’s place as one of Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Songs Of All Time’.
A musical favorite — Jerry Herman’s ‘Hello Dolly!’ represents not only the iconic song, but the timeless show of the same name. The song has a history all unto itself: 1963 while the first Broadway cast was preparing to stage the play Louis Armstrong was brought into the studio to record a cut of the number for promo purposes. When released in 1964 the song rocketed to #1 on the US charts — knocking the Beatles off their perch of the last 14 consecutive weeks. This Bobby Darin take on ‘Hello Dolly!’ is a play on Darin’s previous success with ‘Mack The Knife’ and it’s endless modulations. The tune ends with none other line than “Look out ’cause Doll-y is back!”.
Emerging from the phsycedelic haze of the late 60’s, 1970 saw the introduction of Californian rock group ‘Sugarloaf’. Headlined by Jerry Corbetta and Dave Riordan this group had a number of hits that introduced US listeners to the forthcoming Progressive Rock movement. ‘Green Eyed Lady’ was their first single from their self-titled debut album. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Top 100 in the USA.