The First Buddy DeSylva Tribute Album

A few days ago, I published a private record that Capitol issued to commemorate the 1950 death of Buddy DeSylva, one of its founders.

At that time, I lamented the fact that Capitol didn't see fit to use its own artists to celebrate DeSylva's songwriting career rather than repurposing a radio show from seven years earlier.

Buddy DeSylva examines his catalog. "Mother Me,
Tennessee" and the other songs here
did not make the cut for this collection.

Two friends of the blog, Bryan and Randy, quickly drew my attention to the fact that Capitol had indeed issued an earlier DeSylva tribute using its own stars, back in 1947.

I felt a little embarrassed by my forgetting this album, particularly because I have a copy of it in my collection. I told Bryan that I could not transfer it, however, because my 78 turntable is having speed-regulatory seizures. So Bryan sent along a link to an Internet Archive transfer, which I have remastered for this post.

Promo in Capitol News

The Capitol set is called Somebody Loves Me: The Beloved Songs of Buddy DeSylva - no doubt especially beloved at the company because he was chairman of the board. But I will admit that he wrote lyrics for many excellent songs, and this collection does a good job at presenting eight of them.

Among those who contributed vocals were Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Nat Cole and Margaret Whiting. They may need no introduction, but here are a few words about the other artists involved.

Andy Russell was a fine balladeer who had many hits for Capitol. Russell's popularity waned in the 1950s, when he relocated to Mexico. Even though he was born in Los Angeles and spoke little Spanish, he was of Hispanic descent and quickly became a star in Latin America, returning to the US (and Capitol) in the 1960s. He performs one of DeSylva, Brown and Henderson's best songs, "Just a Memory."

Martha Tilton and Johnny Mercer

Martha Tilton came to prominence as a Benny Goodman band singer in the late 1930s. She joined Capitol early in its history, and here is paired with company mogul Johnny Mercer for another DeSylva, Brown and Henderson item, "If I Had a Talking Picture of You."

Clark Dennis was a radio singer who made records for Capitol from 1946-50. You can read more about him via this post on my other blog. He also has appeared on this blog, providing vocals for a 1939 Paul Whiteman set. On this album, he sings the famous DeSylva-Brown-Henderson waltz, "Together."

If Hal Derwin's vocals did not dazzle you,
his outfit's clashing patterns would

The most obscure name in the lineup may be Hal Derwin, but his easy manner is perfectly suited to "When Day Is Done." Derwin was a bandleader during the 40s and 50s, but I believe he recorded for Capitol solely as a vocalist.

Capitol repurposed the inside front cover of this 78 set as the front cover of the later 10-inch LP. That image and other photos and scans are in the download, including a Capitol News article announcing the project. The ad below comes from the June 1947 Capitol News.

A Tribute to Buddy DeSylva

Songwriter-producer Buddy DeSylva was one of the three founders of Capitol Records in 1942, so when he died in 1950, the record company issued this  memorial LP, presumably sending it to the company's executives and business associates. It was not in general circulation, as far as I can tell.

DeSylva first made his name as a lyricist, although he also wrote music at times. His first successes were writing material for Al Jolson, and it wasn't long before he was working with the illustrious George Gershwin. The song "Somebody Loves Me," featured here recently, was among the Gershwin items, dating from 1924, when DeSylva was still in his twenties.

Ray Henderson, Lew Brown and Buddy DeSylva

Shortly thereafter he formed a team with lyricist Lew Brown and composer Ray Henderson. Their most famous product was the 1927 musical Good News.

In the 1930s, he transitioned to movie production, including Shirley Temple's films (although we won't hold that against him), becoming executive producer at Paramount from 1941-44. Betty Hutton was a protégé.

During this period he also produced shows on Broadway, at one time being responsible for Panama Hattie, DuBarry Was a Lady and Louisiana Purchase.

Johnny Mercer, Glenn Wallichs and Buddy DeSylva

At Capitol, DeSylva's co-founders were composer Johnny Mercer and music store exec Glenn Wallichs. DeSylva was president from 1942-44 and remained a director until his death.

As a memorial, Capitol pressed an aircheck of a radio show dating from 1943 that spotlighted DeSylva's gifts as a lyricist. This edition of the Fitch Bandwagon was one of a number that focused on well-known songwriters.

The band on the Fitch Bandwagon at the time was that of Freddy Martin, a musicianly group if hardly avant garde. Martin was well respected in the business, particularly as an alto saxophonist. The host of the show was Tom Reddy.

Freddy Martin and Buddy DeSylva,
possibly at this show's broadcast

Martin, Reddy and DeSylva combined to produce a breathless 25 minutes, managing to cram 23 songs into the alloted space along with all manner of stiff, under-rehearsed banter. The only singer credited in this barrage was Gene Conklin, who was with Martin for several years.

This particular show in the Fitch Bandwagon series appears not to be in general circulation - so there's that for those of you who fancy OTR. The sound is good.

One wonders why Capitol didn't have its own people record a tribute to DeSylva - after all, they ran a recording studio and had a library of songs. But this is what transpired. At least they excised the ads for Fitch Shampoo. For those who feel cheated by this editing, I've enclosed several print ads in the download - including the one below. Also included are many additional photos.

Scared by Freddy Martin's music