Harbinger Records
Forgotten Gems from Stage & Screen / David Jenness
$9.49
Details
- Composer
- VARIOUS
- Artist
- David Jenness
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Harbinger Records
- Released
- May 01, 2020
- Catalog #
- HCD3603
- UPC
- 632433360323
About
"Mr. Jenness, who passed away in 2017 at age 80, had a straightforward, unpretentious approach, which fondly put the spotlight on craft and moods of the songs, not on him as a performer. While singing was not his main occupation, and he doesn't have the most dazzlingly distinctive or resonant sound, there are some appealing and endearing qualities that make the listening rewarding beyond the satisfaction of hearing so many rare and rarified pieces. There's infectious joie de vivre in numbers like "Have Feet, Will Dance" (Burton Lane/ Dorothy Fields, from the TV musical Junior Miss) and the gleefully goofy "Gus the Gopher," an independent song with music and lyric by Sheldon Harnick. Serious and sad subject matter like the lamenting "Paris Is a Lonely Town" (Harold Arlen/ E.Y. Harburg, from the feline-focused animated Gay Purr-ee) doesn't hesitate to cue earnest, melancholy approaches, but doesn't sink into mopey morass … Accompaniment is uncluttered: the sturdy (but subtle when needed) piano work of Bert Dalton, sometimes joined by bass and percussion, never pulling focus or adding swaths of instrumental time … If you're looking for a big portion of high-quality theatrical treats from the 1930s to the 1960s to drink in and savor, with 26 samples provided by David Jenness, your cup will runneth over." -Rob Lester (Talkin' Broadway)
David Jenness (1937–2017) is best known as the co-author of the widely read and influential book "Classic American Song: The Second Half-Century, 1950–2000.” In it he explores the final work of the Masters and introduces us to songs written by the next generations of composers and lyricists who upheld the demanding criteria established by their forebears. But Jenness was also a cabaret singer held in the highest regard in Santa Fe clubs. Between 1993 and 1998 he made frequent visits to recording studios, preserving his performances of songs he held dear. He said, “I’ve always loved good songs from the theater and film. In my life I’ve been lucky enough to get to know some of the forgotten songs of songwriters and performers—the kind of songs that singers like to sing late at night during the last set or at a party, or the songs that songwriters have a sneaky love for. “There’s kind of a revival going on of cabaret and theater tunes from earlier eras. I wanted to get the ones I know and love down on tape, hoping you’ll like them, too.” Jenness, who passed away three years ago, only shared his recordings on cassettes with friends. This release marks the first chance all of us have to appreciate a warm, understated vocal style that always honored the songwriters’ intent. He’s accompanied by piano or a tasty jazz trio. And the hall-of-fame songwriters include Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Arlen & Koehler, Kern & Hammerstein, Rodgers & Hart, Lane & Loesser, Ellington & Latouche, Hugh Martin and Stephen Sondheim. This album is nirvana for all lovers of vintage American popular song—especially those who want to be introduced to rarely heard (or completely unknown) material courtesy of Jenness’s marvelous interpretations.
David Jenness (1937–2017) is best known as the co-author of the widely read and influential book "Classic American Song: The Second Half-Century, 1950–2000.” In it he explores the final work of the Masters and introduces us to songs written by the next generations of composers and lyricists who upheld the demanding criteria established by their forebears. But Jenness was also a cabaret singer held in the highest regard in Santa Fe clubs. Between 1993 and 1998 he made frequent visits to recording studios, preserving his performances of songs he held dear. He said, “I’ve always loved good songs from the theater and film. In my life I’ve been lucky enough to get to know some of the forgotten songs of songwriters and performers—the kind of songs that singers like to sing late at night during the last set or at a party, or the songs that songwriters have a sneaky love for. “There’s kind of a revival going on of cabaret and theater tunes from earlier eras. I wanted to get the ones I know and love down on tape, hoping you’ll like them, too.” Jenness, who passed away three years ago, only shared his recordings on cassettes with friends. This release marks the first chance all of us have to appreciate a warm, understated vocal style that always honored the songwriters’ intent. He’s accompanied by piano or a tasty jazz trio. And the hall-of-fame songwriters include Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Arlen & Koehler, Kern & Hammerstein, Rodgers & Hart, Lane & Loesser, Ellington & Latouche, Hugh Martin and Stephen Sondheim. This album is nirvana for all lovers of vintage American popular song—especially those who want to be introduced to rarely heard (or completely unknown) material courtesy of Jenness’s marvelous interpretations.
Tracklist 27 tracks
-
1 Dancing on a Dime 02:45
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Dancing on a Dime
- Duration
- 02:45
- Composer
- Burton Lane
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
2 Introduction to the Songs 01:31
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Introduction to the Songs
- Duration
- 01:31
- Composer
- na Not Applicable
-
3 Higher and Higher: Nothing But You 02:32
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Higher and Higher: Nothing But You
- Duration
- 02:32
- Composer
- Richard Rodgers
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
4 Varsity Show: Have you got any castles, baby? 01:59
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Varsity Show: Have you got any castles, baby?
- Duration
- 01:59
- Composer
- Richard A. Whiting
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
5 Three Sisters: Lonely Feet 03:19
- Track
- 5
- Title
- Three Sisters: Lonely Feet
- Duration
- 03:19
- Composer
- Jerome Kern
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
6 Las Vegas Nights: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary 01:39
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Las Vegas Nights: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
- Duration
- 01:39
- Composer
- Louis Alter
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy
-
7 The Cat and the Fiddle: She Didn't Say Yes 04:22
- Track
- 7
- Title
- The Cat and the Fiddle: She Didn't Say Yes
- Duration
- 04:22
- Composer
- Jerome Kern
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy, Ricky Malachi
-
8 Pepe: The Faraway Part of Town 03:03
- Track
- 8
- Title
- Pepe: The Faraway Part of Town
- Duration
- 03:03
- Composer
- Dory Previn
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
9 All That Glitters: This Can't Be True 02:03
- Track
- 9
- Title
- All That Glitters: This Can't Be True
- Duration
- 02:03
- Composer
- Stephen Sondheim
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
10 Gus the Gopher 01:36
- Track
- 10
- Title
- Gus the Gopher
- Duration
- 01:36
- Composer
- Sheldon Harnick
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
11 Cabin in the Sky: Love Turned The Light Out 03:31
- Track
- 11
- Title
- Cabin in the Sky: Love Turned The Light Out
- Duration
- 03:31
- Composer
- Vernon Duke
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
12 Born to Dance: Rap Tap On Wood 02:02
- Track
- 12
- Title
- Born to Dance: Rap Tap On Wood
- Duration
- 02:02
- Composer
- Cole Porter
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
13 O Mistress Mine: Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye 03:36
- Track
- 13
- Title
- O Mistress Mine: Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye
- Duration
- 03:36
- Composer
- Cole Porter
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
14 By the Beautiful Sea: I've Been Alone Too Long 01:58
- Track
- 14
- Title
- By the Beautiful Sea: I've Been Alone Too Long
- Duration
- 01:58
- Composer
- Arthur Schwartz
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
15 On Your Toes: It's Got To Be Love 02:14
- Track
- 15
- Title
- On Your Toes: It's Got To Be Love
- Duration
- 02:14
- Composer
- Richard Rodgers
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy, Ricky Malachi
-
16 Sweet Bye and Bye: Low and Lazy 01:55
- Track
- 16
- Title
- Sweet Bye and Bye: Low and Lazy
- Duration
- 01:55
- Composer
- Vernon Duke
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
17 Miss Liberty: Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun 03:17
- Track
- 17
- Title
- Miss Liberty: Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun
- Duration
- 03:17
- Composer
- Irving Berlin
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
18 A Star is Born: Here's What I'm Here For 03:30
- Track
- 18
- Title
- A Star is Born: Here's What I'm Here For
- Duration
- 03:30
- Composer
- Harold Arlen
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
19 Cotton Club Parade: Happy As the Day Is Long 01:25
- Track
- 19
- Title
- Cotton Club Parade: Happy As the Day Is Long
- Duration
- 01:25
- Composer
- Harold Arlen
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy, Ricky Malachi
-
20 Out of this World, Act I: Use your imagination 02:55
- Track
- 20
- Title
- Out of this World, Act I: Use your imagination
- Duration
- 02:55
- Composer
- Cole Porter
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
21 Beggar's Holiday: Take Love Easy 03:24
- Track
- 21
- Title
- Beggar's Holiday: Take Love Easy
- Duration
- 03:24
- Composer
- Duke Ellington
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy, Ricky Malachi
-
22 Look Ma, I'm Dancin': Tiny Room 05:21
- Track
- 22
- Title
- Look Ma, I'm Dancin': Tiny Room
- Duration
- 05:21
- Composer
- Hugh Martin
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
23 Junior Miss: Have Feet, Will Dance 01:13
- Track
- 23
- Title
- Junior Miss: Have Feet, Will Dance
- Duration
- 01:13
- Composer
- Burton Lane
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
24 Gay Purr-ee: Paris is a Lonely Town 03:45
- Track
- 24
- Title
- Gay Purr-ee: Paris is a Lonely Town
- Duration
- 03:45
- Composer
- Harold Arlen
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy, Ricky Malachi, Gary Cardile
-
25 Reuben, Reuben: Monday Morning Blues 03:55
- Track
- 25
- Title
- Reuben, Reuben: Monday Morning Blues
- Duration
- 03:55
- Composer
- Marc Blitzstein
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton
-
26 Two on the Aisle: So Far, So Good 01:29
- Track
- 26
- Title
- Two on the Aisle: So Far, So Good
- Duration
- 01:29
- Composer
- Jule Styne
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton, John Belzaguy, Ricky Malachi, Gary Cardile
-
27 The Member of the Wedding: Something Known 02:44
- Track
- 27
- Title
- The Member of the Wedding: Something Known
- Duration
- 02:44
- Composer
- Mary Rodgers
- Performer
- David Jenness, Bert Dalton