Saturday, January 04, 2014

AL JOLSON : HAUNTING MELODY (12)









               




Jolson (born Asa Yoelson; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, film actor, and comedian. At the peak of his career, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer".

His performing style was brash and extroverted, and he popularized a large number of songs that benefited from his "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach".Numerous well-known singers were influenced by his music, including Bing Crosby] David Bowie, Bob Dylan and others, Dylan once referred to him as "somebody whose life I can feel".] Broadway critic Gilbert Seldes compared him to the Greek god Pan, claiming that Jolson represented "the concentration of our national health and gaiety."

In the 1930s, he was America's most famous and highest-paid entertainer.Between 1911 and 1928, Jolson had nine sell-out Winter Garden shows in a row, more than 80 hit records, and 16 national and international tours. Although he's best remembered today as the star of the first 'talking picture', The Jazz Singer (1927), he later starred in a series of successful musical films throughout the 1930s. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jolson became the first star to entertain troops overseas during World War II. After a period of inactivity, his stardom returned with The Jolson Story (1946). Larry Parks played Jolson, with the singer dubbing for Parks. The formula was repeated in the sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949). In 1950 he again became the first star to entertain GIs on active service in the Korean War, performing 42 shows in 16 days. He died just weeks after returning to the U.S., partly owing to the physical exertion of performing. Defense Secretary George Marshall afterward awarded the Medal of Merit to Jolson's family.

According to the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, "Jolson was to jazz, blues, and ragtime what Elvis Presley was to rock 'n' roll." Being the first popular singer to make a spectacular "event" out of singing a song, he became a “rock star” before the dawn of rock music. His specialty was performing on stage runways extending out into the audience. He would run up and down the runway and across the stage, "teasing, cajoling, and thrilling the audience," often stopping to sing to individual members; all the while the "perspiration would be pouring from his face, and the entire audience would get caught up in the ecstasy of his performance." According to music historian Larry Stempel, "No one had heard anything quite like it before on Broadway." Author Stephen Banfield agreed, writing that Jolson's style was "arguably the single most important factor in defining the modern musical...."

He enjoyed performing in blackface makeup, a theatrical convention since the mid 19th century. With his unique and dynamic style of singing black music, such as jazz and blues, he was later credited with single-handedly introducing African-American music to white audiences. As early as 1911 he became known for fighting against anti-black discrimination on Broadway.

Birth name Asa Yoelson
Born May 26, 1886
Seredžius, Kovno Governorate, Russian Empire
Died October 23, 1950 (aged 64)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres Vaudeville
Pop standards
Jazz
Pop
Occupations Actor
Comedian
Singer
Years active 1911–1950
Labels Victor, Columbia, Little Wonder, Brunswick, Decca




1.   THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE


The moon belongs to everyone
The best things in life are free
The stars belong to everyone
They gleam there for you and me
The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sunbeams that shine
They're yours, they're mine

And love can come to everyone
The best things in life are free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeLE9beOeAE


2.   IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU

I can be happy
I can be sad
I can be good
Or I can be bad
It all depends on you
I can be lonely
Out in a crowd
I can be humble
I can be proud
It all depends on you
I can save money or spend it
Go on livin' or end it
You're to blame, honey
For what I do
I know that I can be bigger

I can be king
I can be almost any old thing
It all depends on you

I can save money or spend it
Go right on livin' or end it
You're to blame, honey
For what I do
I know that I can be bigger
I can be king
I can be almost any old thing
It all depends on you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQOa9HIeBLA


3.   I'M SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD

i'm sitting on top of the world,
i'm rolling along,
i'mrolling along.
i'm quitting the blues of the world,
just singing a song,
just singing a song.
glory hallelujah, i just phoned the parson,
hey, par, get ready to call.`
just like humpty dumpty,
i'm going to fall.
i'm sitting on top of the world,
just rolling along,
just rolling along.`
some people have diamonds
and beautiful pearls,
while others have children,
just kiddies with curls.
keep all of your fortunes,
keep all of your fame,
i just found a sweetie
who`s changing her name.
[chorus]:
i'm sitting on top of the world,
just rolling along,
just rolling along.
i'm quitting the blues of the world,
just singing a song,
just singing a song.
glory hallelujah, i just phoned the parson,
hey, par, get ready to call.`
just like humpty dumpty,
i'm going to fall.
i'm sitting on top of the world,
just rolling along,
just rolling along.`
don`t want any millions,
i'm getting my share.
i've only got one suit,
that's all i can wear.
a bundle of money won`t make you feel gay.
a sweet little honey is making me say:
i'm sitting on top of the world,
just rolling along,
just rolling along.
i'm quitting the blues of the world,
just singing a song,
just singing a song.
glory hallelujah, i just phoned the parson,
hey, par, get ready to call.`
just like humpty dumpty,
i'm going to fall.
i'm sitting on top of the world,
just rolling along,
just rolling along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVrJoA2O7E4


4.    SONNY BOY


Climb up on my knee Sonny Boy
Though you're only three Sonny Boy
You've no way of knowing
There's no way of showing
What you mean to me Sonny Boy.

When there are grey skies,
I don't mind the grey skies.
You make them blue Sonny Boy.
Friends may foresake me.
Let them all foresake me.
I still have you Sonny Boy.

You're sent from heaven
And I know your worth.
You made a heaven
For me here on earth.

When I'm old and grey dear
Promise you won't stray dear
For I love you so Sonny Boy.

When there are grey skies,
I don't mind grey skies.
You make them blue Sonny Boy.
Friends may foresake me.
Let them all foresake me.
I still have you Sonny Boy.

You're sent from heaven
And I know your worth.
You've made a heaven
For me here on earth.

And the angels grew lonely
Took you because they were lonely
I'm lonely too Sonny Boy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2cYWxLQW9Y



5.    APRIL SHOWERS

Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,
When the sun gives way to April showers,
Here's a thought that we should never miss:
Though April showers
May come your way,
They bring the flowers
That bloom in May;
And if it's raining,
Have no regrets;
Because, it isn't raining rain, you know,
It's raining violets.
And when you see clouds
Upon the hill,
You soon will see crowds
Of daffodils;
So keep on looking for the bluebird,
And listening for his song,
Whenever April showers come along.
Though April showers
May come your way,
They bring the flowers
That bloom in May;
And if it's raining,
Have no regrets;
Because, it isn't raining rain, you know,
It's raining violets.
And when you see clouds
Upon the hill,
You soon will see crowds
Of daffodils;
So keep on looking for the bluebird,
And listening for his song,
Whenever April showers come along

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX9PzUbP5tU


 6     CALLIFORNIA HERE I COME

When the wintry winds starts blowing
And the snow is starting in the fall
Then my eyes went westward knowing
That's the place that i love best of all
California i've been blue
Since i've been away from you
I can't wait 'till i get blowing
Even now i'm starting in a call

California, Here I Come
Right back where I started from
where bowers of flowers
bloom in the spring
each morning at dawning
birdies sing at everything
a sunkissed miss said, "Don't be late!
that's why I can hardly wait
open up that golden gate
California, Here I Come

California, Here I Come (yeaaaaaah!)
Right back where I started from
where bowers of flowers
bloom in the spring
each morning at dawning
birdies sing at everything
a sunkissed miss said, "Don't be late!"
that's why I can hardly wait (come on!)
open up (open up! open up!) that golden gate
California, Here I Come

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXDS1HkzF2I


  7.     YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU


I didn't wanna do it
I didn't wanna do it
You made me want you
And all the time you knew it
I guess you always knew it

You made me happy sometimes
You made me glad
But there were times
You made me feel so bad

You made me cry for
I didn't wanna tell you
I didn't wanna tell you
I want some love that's true
Yes, I do, 'deed I do
You know I do

Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, gimmie what I cry for
You know you've got the brand of kisses
That I'd die for
You know you made me love you

You made me cry for
I didn't wanna tell you
I didn't wanna tell you
I want some love that's true
Yes, I do, 'deed I do
You know I do

Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, gimmie what I cry for
You know you've got the brand of kisses
That I'd die for
You know you made me love you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0onTy0JHwiM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5FAwhjrNE


   8.    ANNIVERSARY SONG

Oh how we danced
On the night we were wed.
We vowed our true love
Though a word wasn't said.

The world was in bloom
There were stars in the skies
Except for the few
That were there in your eyes.

Dear as I held you close in my arms
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms
Two hearts gently beating murmuring low
Darling I love you so.

The night seemed to fade
In the blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew
But the the dance lingered on.

Could we but recall
That sweet moment sublime
We find that our love
In unaltered by time.

Darling I love you so.

The night seemed to fade
In the blossoming dawn.
The sun shone anew
But the dance lingered on.

But we but recall
That sweet moment sublime
We find that our love
Is unaltered by time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QugrM1eagL4



  9.      ROCK A BYE YOUR BABY WITH A DIXIE MELODY


Mammy mine, your little rolling stone that rolled away, rolled away,
Mammy mine, your little rolling stone is home today, there to stay!
I want to see your smiling face, smile a welcome smile,
I want to feel your fond embrace, listen, Mammy mine!

Rock-a-bye your baby with a Dixie melody.
When you croon, croon a tune
From the heart of Dixie.
Just Hang that cradle mammy mine
Right on that Mason-Dixon line
And swing it from Virginia
To Tennessee with all the soul that's in ya.

Weep no more, Weep no more my lady.
Mammy, sing it again for me.
And "Old Black Joe"
Just as though
You had me on your knee.
A million baby kisses I'll deliver
If you will only sing that Swanee River.
Rock-a-bye your rock-a-bye baby with a Dixie melody.

Rock-a-bye,
Rock your little baby
With a Dixie melody.
When you croon, croon a little tune
from the heart of Dixie
Just hang that cradle mammy mine
Right on that Mason-Dixon line
And swing it from Virginia
To Tennessee with all the soul that's in ya.

Mammy, mammy listen to what they're playing.
They're playing Weep No More My Lady.
Sing it again for me.
And you remember, remember " Old Black Joe"
God love you Mammy, you sang when I was on your knee.
A million baby kisses -- [kissing sounds] -- I'll deliver,
Mammy sing that Swanee River.
Rock-a-bye your rock-a-bye baby with a Dixie melody.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59lJP5OOYLE


 10.   I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU


Are the stars out tonight?
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
'Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
The moon may be high
But I can't see a thing in the sky
'Cause I only have eyes for you.

I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
Cause I only have eyes for you

I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
Cause I only have eyes for you
Yeah, I only have eyes for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J52M9OYZWoQ



    11.      YOU ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL


You are too beautiful, my dear, to be true
And I am too drunk with beauty
Drunk with a feeling that the arms that possess you
Really caress you too

You are too beautiful for one man alone
For one lucky fool to be with
When there are other men
With eyes of their own to see with

Love can not stand sharing
Not if one cares
You will be comparing
My every kiss with theirs

You know I care and I'll be faithful to you
Not through a sense of duty
You are too beautiful
And I am too drunk with beauty

Like all fools I believe what I want to believe
My foolish heart can see what foolish hearts can see
I thought I'd found a miracle, I thought that you adored me
But it was not a miracle it was merely a mirage before me

You are too beautiful, my dear, to be true
And I am too drunk with beauty
Drunk with a feeling that my arms that possess you
Really caress you too

You are too beautiful for one man alone
For one lucky fool to be with
When there are other men
With eyes of their own to see with

Love can not stand sharing
Not if one cares
You will be comparing
My every kiss with theirs

You know I care and I'll be faithful to you
Not through a sense of duty
You are too beautiful
And I am too drunk with beauty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D6OqnEfvH0

   12.      WHEN YOU WERE SWEET SIXTEEN


When first I saw the love light in your eye
I dreamt the world had not but joy for me
And even though we drifted far apart
I never dream but when I dream of thee

I love you as I never loved before
Since first I met you on the village green
Come to me or my dream of love is over

I love you as I loved you
When you were sweet
When you were sweet sixteen

Come to me or my dream of love is over

I love you as I loved you
When you were sweet
When you were sweet sixteen


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWKbNzMgkE

  HAUNTING MELODY  FIRST SONG OF AL JOLSON


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVr0LFRXoUE