A Buster Bonanza: Kay Thompson, Johnny Costa and Paul Whiteman

Because I've been away most of the past two weeks, I wanted to get some new material up on the blog quickly. So I've turned to several items that I've had in the queue for some time, but never posted for one reason or another. Here are some abbreviated thoughts about each.

Kay Thompson Singles

Kay Thompson was one of the strongest influences on 20th century vocal arrangements, especially in her work for vocal groups and in Hollywood musicals. She has appeared here before in a collection of Johnny Green melodies produced in the 1940s, when she and Green were both at M-G-M.

The current collection of 10 songs from singles begins with two early solo sides made in 1937 and attributed to "Kay Thompson and her Rhythm Singers." The backing singers include such well-known names as Bea Wain, Hugh Martin, Al Rinker and Ken Lane. The uncredited orchestra is the band of Jack Jenny, her husband at the time.

We next have a few rare items on the Viking label from 1941. Viking records were notoriously fragile - I think the surface consisted of a thin layer of shellac over cardboard. I have a copy of this single that is in awful shape, so I've used a somewhat better (but still imperfect) transfer found on Internet Archive.

Next are four 1947 selections with her proteges the Williams Brothers - including some repartee with Andy. The final item is her 1956 single on the Cadence label. It's notable because on one side she portrays the heroine of her popular children's books, Eloise, "the little girl who lived on the top floor of the Plaza Hotel in New York."

Johnny Costa - In My Own Quiet Way

Johnny Costa is best known for his many years as the music director of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. He was an immensely talented pianist, who has been featured here twice - for his Savoy LP Introducing Johnny Costa, and his Coral LP Piano Solos, both from 1955.


Those two records were showcases for Costa's Tatum-style improvisations. Today we have his piano with string backing, on a 1959 Dot LP called In My Own Quiet Way. The album does not say who wrote the arrangements, but it seems likely that Costa did so.

Amidst the lush sound of strings, Costa moderates his baroque improvisations, with the result ending up close to the easy listening genre. Still, it's enjoyable, and I recommend it to all who enjoy his other LPs. Please note that there are a few queasy patches where the pitch drops momentarily.

Paul Whiteman - Irving Berlin Songs

Paul Whiteman's legacy has been explored on this blog periodically, primarily via his many Gershwin recordings. In today's post he tackles the songs of Irving Berlin in the form of a album collecting eight sides recorded in 1939.

Six of the eight were made with an orchestra, the other two with "Paul Whiteman's Woodwinds." Vocalist Clark (here "Clarke") Dennis joins him for three of the songs; Joan Edwards for two of the others. Both are competent singers who were on the radio with Whiteman at the time, although Dennis can turn shrill on high notes, and Edwards is bland. Also appearing, uncredited, on some of the songs are the Modernaires. The great accordionist Joe Mooney is in the band on one of the dates.

These are unremarkable records, but well done and vividly recorded. They come via lossless needle-drops found on Internet Archive and restored by me.

Bonus: Blue Stars Singles with Blossom Dearie

Finally, a reup by request of three single sides that the great singer Blossom Dearie made with the Blue Stars of Paris in 1956. I originally prepared these as a tribute to Dearie upon her death a decade ago. She does not solo, but the three songs are nevertheless entertaining. They are "Broadway at Basin Street," "Hernando's Hideaway" (here called "Amour, Castagnettes et Tango") and "Jumpin' at the Woodside."

Please go to the original post for a link to this particular upload, now newly remastered.

Introducing Johnny Costa

André Previn's recent death reminded me that I had intended to present the first LP by another pianist strongly influenced by Art Tatum - Johnny Costa.

Costa's wizardry has appeared on this blog before, via a 1955 Coral LP, available here in a newly remastered version.

That Coral album dates from July 1955; this present record comes from February of the same year and was issued by Savoy. It's in the 10-inch format, although Savoy put it out later as a 12-incher.

Costa's first instrument was the accordion

My previous post tells you something of Costa's background. Here, let me just mention that he was the music director of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for nearly 30 years until Costa's death in 1996. That show was produced in Pittsburgh, where both Costa and Fred Rogers spent most of their careers. Costa's early LPs, however, date from his time in New York, where this record was taped. His rhythm section on the date included the well-known bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Kenny Clarke.

I know that many of you enjoy André Previn's early recordings and those of Cy Coleman, both of whom play in a similar style. I can almost guarantee that you will like Johnny Costa as well.

I want to mention that my vintage copy of the LP was in deplorable shape - it sounded like it was recorded under a tin roof in a hail storm. But after some restoration, the sonics are good, save some slight discoloration on the piano tone. I've included a brief excerpt from the unrestored transfer for those who want to hear where I began.

Follow @BusterBig10Inch

Johnny Costa

Johnny Costa isn't especially well known, but you won't find many pianists with more technique or imagination.

This LP is from what amounted to his breakout year, 1955, when he made records for both Savoy and Coral. He went on to make a number of other LPs solo and with the First Modern Piano Quartet later in the 50s. From there until a series of albums for Chiaroscuro in the 90s, his only recording was a rare LP of music from a children's television program.

US residents will be familiar with the TV program if not the record - it was Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which Costa served as music director from the program's debut in 1968 until the pianist's death in 1996.

This post is dedicated to my friend Jazzman. By the way, he is looking for Costa's LP from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - please let me know in the comments if you have it.

The sound on this record is good, but the pressing has its unfortunate moments, as do many Decca products of this vintage. Below is Coral's ad introducing the record in Billboard - they gave pride of place to Larry Welk and his stable of vocalists.