The Wonder of You. It was a really cold, winter night and I had a choice – TV or Mr. Dino Well, Mr. Dino won. We decided to play a pretty song from 1958. It was written by Baker Knight and was originally recorded by Vince Edwards in 1958, but this recording has never been released. In 1959, “The Wonder of You” was first released by Ray Peterson as a single. Then, Elvis Presley had a no. 1 hit in the UK and a Top 10 hit in the U.S. with his 1970 live version of “The Wonder of You” recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada in February 1970.… Read the rest
Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool – I saw this on one of the oldies lists posted the other day and thought, lets do it! I played it as a straight acoustic accordion piece with a little country swing. Mr. Dino has been complaining about Mr. Roland getting to do all the good songs, so I thought I would dust off poor Mr. Dino and make a video! LOL “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” is a song written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield that was a No. 1 hit for Connie Francis in 1960. A polka-style version in German, “Die Liebe ist ein seltsames Spiel”, was the first German single recorded and released by Connie Francis, and it reached No. 1 on the single chart in 1960 in West Germany.… Read the rest
Japanese Sandman. I am in my time travel hat and Mr. Dino and I have traveled back 101 years to 1920 when this song was written by Egan & Whiting. I opened the fake book to this page and it was the first song at the top. Played it once – played it over and over. So pretty, such optimistic lyrics. Just a happy song. No indication about tempo in the fake book. Sounded like a beautiful ballad that you would play at a nice lounge as background music. Wow, was I wrong! It was a really popular song recorded by many artists from 1920 thru 1953 by both Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Desmond. Also used in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) with Julie Andrews. It turns out to be a fast ragtime piece. Only one performer played it slowly. So I am now the second to play it slowly. So pretty. I hope you enjoy it. I had fun learning all about this song.… Read the rest
Funny How Times Slips away written by Willie Nelson in 1961. I’ve been playing thru my big book of Country and Western Songs. Played this once, played it twice – knew I should make a video. Such pretty music. Great lyrics which I included. Just 3 peaceful minutes of music for your enjoyment. Background video from Pixabay.… Read the rest
Lyin’ Kisses. For a few of my local friends that like country music. Sounded pretty much like a country song. It was recorded by Dick Caruso in 1959. I just had fun with this one. Could not find a recording of it on You Tube which is unusual. Found a copy of the sheet music from Rosemary Lane version in the UK. I hope you enjoy my little country song about Lyin’ Kisses… Read the rest
Please is presented as a Musical Memory from 1932 – Songs I remember hearing and playing when I grew up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I often played out of the two old Black Fake Books my Mom bought. I thought I would share some of those wonderful songs of the past. Beautiful songs with rich chords, melodies, rhythms and wonderful words. How so many wonderful songs have been born from those 7 white keys and 5 black keys is a true miracle of music to me. The number of song choices is in the thousands. I hope you enjoy the little bit of the past I share with you. Please was written by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger.… Read the rest
Love On A Greyhound Bus. Another oldie from 1945. I thought I would start the New Year with an imaginary trip since Covid has stopped so much travel. Another cute song from 1945presented as a Musical Memory – Songs I remember hearing and playing when I grew up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I often played out of the two old Black Fake Books my Mom bought. I thought I would share some of those wonderful songs of the past. Beautiful songs with rich chords, melodies, rhythms and wonderful words. How so many wonderful songs have been born from those 7 white keys and 5 black keys is a true miracle of music to me. The number of song choices is in the thousands. I hope you enjoy the little bit of the past I share with you. The words & music by Ralph Blane, Kay Thompson, & George Stoll. Recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1945.… Read the rest
Let’s Start The New Year Right – Written by Irving Berlin in 1942. My wish to you – Happy New Year! Another absolutely beautiful song from 1942 presented as a Musical Memory – Songs I remember hearing and playing when I grew up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I often played out of the two old Black Fake Books my Mom bought. I thought I would share some of those wonderful songs of the past. Beautiful songs with rich chords, melodies, rhythms and wonderful words. How so many wonderful songs have been born from those 7 white keys and 5 black keys is a true miracle of music to me. The number of song choices is in the thousands. I hope you enjoy the little bit of the past I share with you. Bing Crosby sang this song in the film Holiday Inn to ring the New Year in.… Read the rest
Just Because You’re You. Another absolutely beautiful song from 1952 presented as a Musical Memory – Songs I remember hearing and playing when I grew up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I often played out of the two old Black Fake Books my Mom bought. I thought I would share some of those wonderful songs of the past. Beautiful songs with rich chords, melodies, rhythms and wonderful words. How so many wonderful songs have been born from those 7 white keys and 5 black keys is a true miracle of music to me. The number of song choices is in the thousands. I hope you enjoy the little bit of the past I share with you. Just Because You’re You was composed by Leigh-N. P. Brown in 1952. Jo Stafford recorded it with Paul Weston and his orchestra.… Read the rest
Black and Blue from 1929. Something quite different than I usually do. Just for fun. It seems quite the perfect Covid song, so I ended up playing and singing it. I don’t think my future is as a blue singer, but again having fun.
Musical Memories – Songs I remember hearing and playing when I grew up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I often played out of the two old Black Fake Books my Mom bought. I thought I would share some of those wonderful songs of the past. Beautiful songs with rich chords, melodies, rhythms and wonderful words. How so many wonderful songs have been born from those 7 white keys and 5 black keys is a true miracle of music to me. The number of song choices is in the thousands. I hope you enjoy the little bit of the past I share with you. Black and Blue”(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue” is a 1929 jazz standard composed by Fats Waller with lyrics by Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Hot Chocolates (1929) by Edith Wilson. Blues singer Ethel Waters’s 1930 version of the song became a hit, and the song has been recorded by many artists since then.… Read the rest
Ring Telephone Ring is another beautiful old song from 1941. It just felt like the kind of song to play on an old, grey winter day. Would like to have done it perfectly, but the gig is not a paying gig, so I didn’t bother to record it several times trying to be perfect. Perfect is a difficult goal at this age. Most people don’t listen to the songs more than 30 seconds, so I have that covered. I hope my friends enjoy the nostalgic song from the past. Ring Telephone, Ringwas written by Peter Tinturin & Buck Ram.… Read the rest
Silhouettes. Another fun, old song from 1957. I missed not having the doo-wops in the background, but did a little humming. LOL “Silhouettes” is a song made famous by the doo-wop group the Rays in 1957. A competing version by the Diamonds was also successful. In 1965 it was a number 5 hit in the US for Herman’s Hermits, and in 1990 it was a number 10 hit in the UK for Cliff Richard.… Read the rest
