The Gershwin brothers George and Ira wrote "I Got Rhythm" for Ethel Merman in their 1930 musical "Girl Crazy." In the pit band were future band leaders Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Tommy and brother Jimmy Dorsey. Here is Tommy's version of "I Got Rhythm" which is a tour de force for his marvelous trombone. Buddy De Franco gets his licks in on his clarinet as the piece ends decisively.
More >
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" for their 1936 stage extravaganza "Jumbo." She must be quite a swinger judging from this hipper than hip arrangement with Tommy Dorsey playing on his muted trombone and accompanied by strings and a back-up vocal group adding to the musical pallette. It's very infectious with an interesting scatting break for the vocali...
More >
George Gershwin created one of the best examples of serious American music when he wrote his opera "Porgy and Bess." Not only does it follow the popularity of "Carmen" by Bizet but it also brings a totally genuine American feel that is refreshingly real with every phrase revealing a breath of fresh air. Tommy Dorsey breathes some fresh air into his performance of "Summertime" with his famous long
More >
What would a music program be without the Dorsey theme song signaling the end of the show and Harry Von Zell's soothing voice coming in at the right moment? The end also spotlights the familiar overplaying of the AFRS theme song for this show which is another example of the phrase "vamp 'till the end!"
More >
"The New Moon" was the work of lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II and composer of operettas Sigmund Romberg. Out of this tuneful 1928 opus comes "Lover Come Back to Me" which serves as a showcase for the sensuous trombone of Tommy Dorsey with a steamy background by the full orchestra (this comes from the time that Dorsey sported an additional string section which set off the ballads perfectly).
More >
Another score written for the Geraldo and his Orchestra during Bill Finegan's 1948 to 1950 European stay, "Comin' Through the Rye" is a Scottish folk song known to everyone. Here, Finegan weaves a clever set of variations that builds in texture, color and dynamics. The opening of this arrangement has a slow walk flavor that runs throughout the arrangement which was recorded February 20, 1950..
More >
This alternative lullaby and lament was originally written in 1935 for George Gershwin's ultimate composition, his opera "Porgy and Bess." Finegan writes a chart that makes its own independent statement with Tommy Dorsey playing and elegant solo that weaves in and out in the complex fabric of the arrangement. Charlie Shavers plays a stinging muted trumpet part that is as steamy as it can possib...
More >
Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr wrote "South of the Border" in 1939 describing the allure of picaresque Mexico. The arrangement is hard driving swing with a vigorous and pulsating big band playing. Note Charlie Shavers gets the muted trumpet solo that is full of incendiary flames. Then Dorsey gets his swinging trombone side blazing for a few choruses with ensemble passages providing the needed s...
More >
Long before Paris Hilton was a gleam in her father's eyes was the creation of the immortal "April in Paris." Written in 1932 with words by E. Y. Harburg and music by Vernon Duke (a pseudonym of Vernon Dukelsky), it appeared in their stage musical "Walk a Little Faster" starring the forever witty Beatrice Lillie. Since that time, it has been the property of numerous singers, a tribute to the son...
More >
Lovely Frances Langford was indeed very fortunate to have this sensuous song written just for her polished rendition of this long time favorite. This particular chart was written by Bill Finegan but not for Dorsey. It is an early arrangement for the ill fated Les Elgart band of the 1940's which quickly folded in 1946. Fortunately for us, Tommy Dorsey bought some of the charts written for Elgart...
More >
A great favorite of the World War 2 era was "When the Lights Go On Again (All Over the World)" which was created in 1943 by Edward Seiler, Sol Marcus and Bennie Benjamin. They in turn based their song on Beethoven's Menuet in G. The odd melodic line is made even more so in this performance which is pseudo boppish in its style with a knuckle busting instrumental break for the pianist as well as ...
More >
The title of "Bingo, Bango, Boffo" means an ever increasing sense of praise for something that one just can't put their finger on but that it's great. Once again, Charlie Shavers on trumpet and Don Lodice on tenor sax carry the piece which features a gradual change by Finegan of textural and harmonic grids that have a rocking kaleidoscopic feel that is infectious yet quite subtle.
More >
"Charmaine" had the pleasure of being string-master Mantovani's theme song. Originally written in 1926 by classical musician Erno Rapee and Lew Pollack, it receives a large orchestra treatment with cooing back-up vocalists and a warmer than warm performance by Tommy Dorsey. The strings actually do make a try at the Mantovani-version with spiraling strings although this device isn't tried more t...
More >
Another operetta favorite is "Indian Love Call," written by Rudolf Friml and lyricists Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1924 hit stage musical "Rose Marie" The most memorable performance on film will always remain Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald warbling for each other. In this rendition, Tommy Dorsey is the leading voice in this satin smooth encore for that muted romantic Dors...
More >
Bill Finegan wrote "Pussy Willow" which shares its title with a Duke Ellington work of the same title. Other than the title, there is very little that resembles anything Ellingtonian. The title comes from the introduction with eliding phrases actually speaking the title musically, being a study in thirds. The only solos are brief exchanges between Boomie Richman on tenor sax and the band. It's ...
More >
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
