Where else but Hollywood would someone get the idea of making a movie called the Jazz Singer - and then cast a non-singer in the title role.
That's what the Warner Bros. did in this, the middle version of the tale of the cantor's son who wants to sing My Mammy (Al Jolson version)/Living the Life I Love (Thomas version)/Love on the Rocks (Neil Diamond version).
Well, at least Neil and Jolie were famous singers. Danny Thomas, star of the 1952 version, was a comic actor. I haven't seen this edition, so I can't tell you how convincing he is in the role, but I have heard this 10-inch LP (or EP set, in this case) and can tell you his singing is more enthusiastic than virtuosic.
The real singer in the cast is Peggy Lee, who was coming off her big hit with Lover, where her languid manner contrasts with Gordon Jenkins' Latin-style arrangement to great effect. That song was so popular that it was interpolated into the film, which also featured one of Lee's best compositions, This Is a Very Special Day.
The album above is one of those non-soundtrack soundtracks, in which the star remakes the songs from the film with a studio orchestra. Thomas cut these eight sides with Frank DeVol for RCA Victor. Peggy Lee was a Decca artist at the time, and she recorded Special Day and I Hear the Music Now for that company.
This package includes the Danny Thomas LP along with the three Peggy Lee songs mentioned above. As always on this blog, unless noted otherwise, all recordings are the original issues from my collection.
8 comments:
I'm amazed that you keep coming up with such interesting posts. I've never come across this one before (I'm sure it was never issued in my country). Thanks so much!
Make that "these two"...
I went to Best Buy this weekend to buy a new flat bed scanner. Evidently, they don't carry them anymore. All you can get are all-In-One machines. I guess I'll have to break down and order one online.
You might want to look at the Canon CanoScan line of flatbeds. I've used them for about three years and am very pleased with the quality and performance. I do a lot of slide/negative scanning and love the 8800, but that may be overkill if most of your scanning is confined to LP art.
Thanks for the Thomas. I was just reading about his career in radio this afternoon.
I can confirm what Chris said about the Canon CanoScan line - I have the LiDE30 which is inexpensive and works extremely well. You should be able to find one (or a similar model) without too much difficulty.
I've been looking for Danny Thomas for a while. Thank you so very much. :)
Dear Buster!
Can you reupload this album?
Thank you!
Remastered version (Apple lossless):
https://www.mediafire.com/?o6oshf84tnd1174
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