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Product Description
Product Description
On this 29 track album you will hear songs, some well- known and some rare gems, performed by Oscar-winning lyricist and founder of Capitol Records, Johnny Mercer, sung in his inimitable and genial style, recorded over four decades from the 1940s to the 1970s.
From the 1940s are five fun songs appearing on CD for the first time and from the 1950s are songs Mercer recorded with the Paul Smith Trio, and appearing in stereo for the first time. Also included are nine demo songs Mercer composed with Hoagy Carmichael for an aborted film project, "The Keystone Girl" to star Betty Hutton. These demos with Mercer performing and Carmichael accompanying on piano are appearing on CD for the first time and include the first ever recorded version of the Oscar-winning "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening". The final four tracks are demos from the Mercer/Andre Previn West End stage musical "The Good Companions" starring Judi Dench. One of the four tracks, "Little Lost Dream" got rejected from the final production and how wonderful to hear it being sung here by the lyricist with piano accompaniment by the composer Andre Previn.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A. POLLOCK
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
Songwriters don't necessarily have the best vocal ability for interpreting their own own or others songs but I've always enjoyed listening to Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) and this excellent collection of rare material is no exception. It's mix of a late Fifties album, some Capitol singles and rare demos which make an entertaining compilation as well as reminding us Mercer was not only one of the most prolific lyricists, but also a composer, band singer, radio personality, occasional big-screen actor and co-founder of Capitol Records - home of Sinatra, Nat Cole, Peggy Lee and so many other iconic singers of the Forties and Fifties.
Recorded in 1957 in early stereo JOHNNY MERCER SINGS JUST FOR FUN, features the singer accompanied by the Paul Smith and the Notables for re-treads of some of his own songs - BLUES IN THE NIGHT and ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE - but mainly placing focus on those by others including the well-known LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, THEM THERE EYES, and ST. LOUIS BLUES. Moving on, five Capitol singles provide rarity value including MY GAL IS MINE and TAKE ME BACK TO LITTLE ROCK - both accompanied by The Piedpipers whilst JAMBOREE JONES is a rare extract from a TV show with Nelson Riddle providing accompaniement. Even rarer are demo recordings of songs intended for an aborted 1950 movie project, THE KEYSTONE GIRL starring Betty Hutton with his collaborator Hoagy Carmichael accompanying Mercer on the piano. A similar quartet of song demos from 1974 represent the stage musical THE GOOD COMPANIONS which played 261 performances in London with Mercer's song-writing partner Andre Previn proving piano backup.
Excellent remastered sound and Sepia's usual care for detail ensures relevant notes, photos and track information.
Recorded in 1957 in early stereo JOHNNY MERCER SINGS JUST FOR FUN, features the singer accompanied by the Paul Smith and the Notables for re-treads of some of his own songs - BLUES IN THE NIGHT and ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE - but mainly placing focus on those by others including the well-known LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, THEM THERE EYES, and ST. LOUIS BLUES. Moving on, five Capitol singles provide rarity value including MY GAL IS MINE and TAKE ME BACK TO LITTLE ROCK - both accompanied by The Piedpipers whilst JAMBOREE JONES is a rare extract from a TV show with Nelson Riddle providing accompaniement. Even rarer are demo recordings of songs intended for an aborted 1950 movie project, THE KEYSTONE GIRL starring Betty Hutton with his collaborator Hoagy Carmichael accompanying Mercer on the piano. A similar quartet of song demos from 1974 represent the stage musical THE GOOD COMPANIONS which played 261 performances in London with Mercer's song-writing partner Andre Previn proving piano backup.
Excellent remastered sound and Sepia's usual care for detail ensures relevant notes, photos and track information.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
So there I was trying to explain to someone who Johnny Mercer was, without beating them brutally about for the head for ignorance, when a quick Amazon trawl threw up another splendid release from Sepia Records. Now, as they're responsible for my favourite release of 2012 so far - the soundtrack to "Up In Central Park" with Deanna Durbin - I chucked down my money and ran off laughing.
And it was worth it. If you don't know, and too many people don't, Johnny Mercer was your actual musical genius. He may not have been the greatest singer in the world, although his warm, rich timbre is always enjoyable, but he wrote the lyrics to some of the greatest songs ever. I couldn't list all 1500 plus here, but he was co-responsible for the likes of 'Lazy Bones', 'Hooray for Hollywood', 'You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby', 'Jeepers, Creepers!', 'Fools Rush In', 'Blues In The Night' and many, many more. And that's when he wasn't busy co-founding Capitol Records, appearing in films and making his own records.
This CD is remarkably good, and would have been so, just for the first ten tracks. Those are the songs performed with the Paul Smith Trio, and sees him taking on 'Blues In The Night', 'Accentuate The Positive' and others, before you head off into nine demos he composed with contemporary and colleague Hoagy Carmichael for an aborted film project, "The Keystone Girl" which was to star Betty Hutton. It's just Mercer singing and Carmichael playing the piano, and is thoroughly enjoyable. The last four tracks are demos from a Mercer / Andre Previn stage musical "The Good Companions", which starred a young Judi Dench. They're the least essential off the 29 tracks, but are certainly of historical interest.
As always with Sepia, the booklet provides some useful biographical information and some delightful pictures. An absolute winner.
And it was worth it. If you don't know, and too many people don't, Johnny Mercer was your actual musical genius. He may not have been the greatest singer in the world, although his warm, rich timbre is always enjoyable, but he wrote the lyrics to some of the greatest songs ever. I couldn't list all 1500 plus here, but he was co-responsible for the likes of 'Lazy Bones', 'Hooray for Hollywood', 'You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby', 'Jeepers, Creepers!', 'Fools Rush In', 'Blues In The Night' and many, many more. And that's when he wasn't busy co-founding Capitol Records, appearing in films and making his own records.
This CD is remarkably good, and would have been so, just for the first ten tracks. Those are the songs performed with the Paul Smith Trio, and sees him taking on 'Blues In The Night', 'Accentuate The Positive' and others, before you head off into nine demos he composed with contemporary and colleague Hoagy Carmichael for an aborted film project, "The Keystone Girl" which was to star Betty Hutton. It's just Mercer singing and Carmichael playing the piano, and is thoroughly enjoyable. The last four tracks are demos from a Mercer / Andre Previn stage musical "The Good Companions", which starred a young Judi Dench. They're the least essential off the 29 tracks, but are certainly of historical interest.
As always with Sepia, the booklet provides some useful biographical information and some delightful pictures. An absolute winner.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have always admired the work of Johnny Mercer and he crammed a lot into his life. the words he added to music really were perfection because everything fits and to hear him sing those words is a treat indeed. Once again Sepia are bringing us riches that might otherwise have remained closed behind doors. Johnny Mercer worked with many composers and could be forthright but the results prove that he did the correct thing. Many well known numbers are included alongside rare items so be prepared for variety. his cheerful "Accentuate the Positive" sounds as fresh as the day it was recorded. "In the cool cool cool of the evening" likewise is a jaunty number that shows off his voice so effectively. Bringing together material from the 1940s to the 1970s shows how he kept a fresh view on the world of music. Interesting liner notes and good sound make this a Mercer must have. Good overall value.
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