Nelson Riddle Plays “Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time”

Nelson Riddle was one busy person in July 1957. He was the music director and arranger for Nat "King" Cole's ill fated NBC television show, receiving lots of air time for his own arrangements for orchestra thanks to Cole's selfless promotion of his great friend's work. Except for one telecast (where his spot was taken over by Gordon Jenkins), Riddle stayed with his friend Nat Cole until the bitter end that December. On the lighter side, Riddle also managed to squeeze in recording his next album "C'mon...Get Happy!" The 1928 silent movie "Lilac Time" had a gorgeous tune written by Nathaniel Shilkret with words added by L. Wolfe Gilbert. The song was better known as "Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time" and became one of the hits of that era. This opening arrangement on the album slowly gathers up storm starting with trombones and congas. There are staggered interjections by brass and saxes in dissonance before the strings smooth the textures out, something which is a feature of this chart. Harry "Sweets" Edison plays more of his inventive muted trumpet fillers in between brass figures. Then the saxes take over with Edison getting his licks in. Things quiet down to a smooth and easy conclusion.