The Big Band Era

Song Number ONE: Long before there was the hotel chain, Holiday Inn was a film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The highest grossing film musical up to that time, the Inn referred to in the title was one which was only open on holidays. Berlin's assignment was to write a song for each of the national holidays. This song introduced by Crosby was intended to be the big hit. However, the public reaction to another song, "White Christmas" made this song, celebrating Saint Valentine's Day, just another Bing Crosby hit. This version by a strings augmented Tommy Dorsey band with vocal by Frank Sinatra also sold many records. "Be Careful It's My Heart."

Song Number TWO: In 1909, as recounted by Furia* lyricist Irving Berlin was asked if there was music to the words he was trying to sell. Inspired by the prostpect of having a song published, Berlin said, "Yes." In the time it took to cross the hall to reach the piano he composed a matching melody in his head and from then on it was words and music by Irving Berlin. This song from the Berlin scors for the 1939 Sonja Henie film Second Fiddle was introduced by Tyrone Power and reprised by Rudy Vallee. This record a top ten charted seller for Artie Shaw with a fine Helen Forrest vocal. "I Poured My Heart Into A Song."

Song Number THREE: This 1938 song with words and music by Irving Berlin was introduced in the film Carefree by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This charted recording is by Hal Kemp with vocal by Bob Allen. Kemp's sweet sounding college initiated band was not known for it's instrumental soloists, but for it's triple-tonguing trumpets as heard here. The style is said to have originated because some band members could not sustain the notes. Here they give us Berlin's " The Night Is Filled With Music."

Song Number FOUR: Berlin songs however era-specific had a certain timelsessness to them. For instance, when introduced in 1932 in the depths of the Depression by Katherine Carrington and J. Harold Murray in the musical Face The Music this song became an immediate hit for Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. However, in 1942 Glenn Miller with Marion Hutton, Ernie Caceres and The Modernaires found it's advice still quite appropriate for another time, and the public again agreed: "Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee."

Song Number FIVE: Ethel Merman, Ethel Waters, Bing Crosby, Astaire and Rogers, the interpreters of Berlin balads are legion. A really good song sounds good whoever the singer or instrument. A case in point is this 1937 song from Berlin's brilliant score for the film "On The Avenue." Introduced by crooner Dick Powell, the most popular charted version is heard here as performed by Fats Waller and his Rhythm. Fats provides the vocal, while deserting the piano for a while to feature the celeste. "You're Laughing At Me."

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