Hollywood On 52nd Street
Something’s Gotta Give was composed by Johnny Mercer for his friend Fred Astaire who starred in the 1955 film Daddy Long Legs. It is the love song duet between him and Leslie Caron. The song playfully uses the irresistible force paradox – which asks what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object – as a metaphor for a relationship between a vivacious woman and an older, world-weary man. The man, it is implied, will give in to temptation and kiss the woman.
The film also stars Terry Moore, Thelma Ritter, Fred Clark and Ray Anthony who appears as himself with his orchestra. Filming took place on location at 20th Century Fox Studios in Hollywood and the Andrew Carnegie Mansion in Manhattan.
Storyline
On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendleton III (Astaire) sees an 18 year old girl Julie Andre (Caron) in an orphanage. Immediately enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages and what the press may report should his involvement be discovered, he anonymously sponsors her to attend fictional college in New England. She writes him letters, which he doesn’t read. After 3 years, he goes to visit her at a dance, not telling her that he is her benefactor. They fall in love, but the usual movie-type difficulties get in the way before they can get together at the end.
Hollywood On 52nd Street
Too Late Now is a song composed by Burton Lane and the lyrics written by Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 film Royal Wedding. The song was performed by Jane Powell.
The Story: The film centers around brother and sister dance team Tom and Ellen Bowen whose show closes in New York. Their agent, Irving Klinger (Keenan Wynn), books them in London for the same period as the Royal Wedding. They travel by ship where Ellen (Jane Powell) meets and becomes involved with Lord John Brindale (Peter Lawford). This causes her to miss a rehearsal. Tom (Fred Astaire) uses the time to dance with a hat rack and gym equipment.
Later Tom and Ellen attempt a graceful dance number as the ship rolls to and fro. Upon arrival brother and sister are met by Edgar Klinger (Wynn) who settles them into their hotel. Shortly afterward Tom holds auditions and meets Anne (Sarah Churchill). There is much indecision by the siblings about their romantic partners even though they are in-the-clouds. Ellen sings her third ballad, this time an open declaration of love, to Lawford with Too Late Now. Tom dances on the walls and ceiling of his hotel room. All ends well in this light musical. By the way, there is a vaudeville-style dance number in their show that features slapstick.
Too Late Now is the only song from this film that was to become a jazz standard.
Requisites
King Pleasure Sings, Annie Ross Sings is an album released in 1952, the same year Ross met Prestige Records owner Bob Weinstock, who asked her to write lyrics to a jazz solo, in a similar way to King Pleasure, a practice that would later be known as vocalese. The next day, she presented him with Twisted, a treatment of saxophonist Wardell Gray’s 1949 composition of the same name, a classic example of the genre. The song, first released on the 1952 album King Pleasure Sings/Annie Ross Sings, was an underground hit, and resulted in her winning DownBeat magazine’s New Star award.
The cover art design is by Marc Rice, the photographs were taken by Esmond Edwards and the liner notes were written by Ira Gitler. Of the twelve tunes that comprise the album, eight of them are King Pleasure’s, taking all of side A and two tracks on side B. the remaining four tracks belong to Annie Ross.
The track list is as follows for King Pleasure Sings: Red Top, Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid, Sometimes I’m Happy, This Is Always, What Can I Say Dear, Don’t Get Scared, Parker’s Mood and I’m Gone.
Annie Ross Sings four tracks are: Twisted, Farmer’s Market, The Time Was Right and Annie’s Lament.
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Requisites
Ella Swings Lightly is an album released in 1958 by Ella Fitzgerald for Verve Records. Recorded on November 23rd and 24th with the Marty Paich Dek-tette, the 58:34 minute long session was produced by Norman Granz. Sheldon Marks created the cover design with photography by Phil Stern..
Comprised of sixteen jazz and musical standards of the day Side 1 featured Little White Lies, You Hit The Spot, What’s Your Story Morning Glory, Just You Just Me, As Long As I Live, Teardrops From My Eyes, Gotta Be This Or That and Moonlight On The Ganges. The first track on Side 2 is My Kind Of Lover, followed by Blues In The Night, If I Were A Bell, You’re An Old Smoothie, Little Jazz, You Brought A New kind Of Love To Me, Knock Me A Kiss and 720 In The Books.
Verve offered four bonus tracks on the CD reissue which are Oh What A Night To Love, Little Jazz (Alternate Take), Dreams Are Made For Children (Previously Unreleased) and Oh What A Night For Love (45 rpm 7” Single Version)
The Dek-tette brought in Bud Shank (alto sax), Bill Holman (tenor sax),Med Flory (baritone sax), Lou Levy (piano), Joe Mondragon (bass), Mel Lewis (drums), Don Fagerquist, Al Porcino (trumpet), Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone, tenor sax) and Vincent DeRosa (French horn).
The album won Ella the 1960 Grammy award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo.
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Requisites
Alexandria The Great was recorded in 1964 by vocalist Lorez Alexandria and released and distributed on the MCA Impulse! label. Emerging from the Los Angeles, California studio, this now classic recording sessions, three, each with a different group of musicians, rendered ten songs for a total time of 36:25, proving that greatness does not require length.
The compositions are a group of standards that we’ve heard time and again but not in the emotive manner that Lorez relates. This album reflects her soulful, playful and swinging sides with a hint of her gospel roots. Her ballads remind of us how good love is as she speaks to our hearts of relationships new and old.
The songs are listed as: Show Me, I’ve Never Been in Love Before, Satin Doll, My One and Only Love, Over the Rainbow, Get Me to the Church On Time, The Best Is Yet to Come, I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face, Give Me the Simple Life and I’m Through With Love.
Along with vocals added finger snaps and contributing to the liner notes, her musical colleagues included Paul Chambers on bass, Jimmy Cobb on drums, Ray Crawford on guitar, Victor Feldman on piano and vibraphone, Paul Horn on flute and alto saxophone, Wynton Kelly on piano, Al McKibbon on bass and Bud Shank on flute.
Session and design personnel were Tutti Camarata/producer and original recording producer, Bill Marx/arranger, Ken Druker/executive producer, Mark Cooper Smith/production assistant, Sherniece Smith/art producer, Bob Thiele/producer & liner notes, Joe Lebow/liner design, Hideaki Nishimura/mastering, Hollis King/art direction, Bryan Koniarz/producer, Roger Marshutz/photography and cover photo, and Robert Flynn did the cover design.
Though Lorez Alexandria never received her due as a jazz singer, probably due in part to her long layoff from recording for 11 years. This, however, is an excellent introduction to a fine vocalist worthy of much wider recognition.
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