Playlist: 29 Dec 2012

COPING WITH ADVERSITY...

ELLA FITZGERALD and PEGGY LEE

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Don't Be That Way - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio, Duke Ellington Orchestra: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

2. You've Changed - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio, Duke Ellington Orchestra: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

3. Let's Do It - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio, Duke Ellington Orchestra: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

4. On the Sunny Side of the Street - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio, Duke Ellington Orchestra: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

5. It's Only a Paper Moon - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

6. If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight) - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

7. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones Trio: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

8. Cotton Tail - Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World

9. Day In - Day Out - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

10. Call Me Darling - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

11. One Kiss/My Romance/The Most Beautiful Boy in the World - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

12. But Beautiful/The Second Time Around - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

13. Fever - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

14. I'm Gonna Go Fishin' - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 22 Dec 2012

SONGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: PART TWO

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Jingle Bells - Johnny Mercer: single

2. This Time of Year - June Christy: This Time of Year

3. The Things We Did Last Summer - Ernestine Anderson & George Shearing: A Perfect Match

4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Diana Krall: Christmas Songs

5. Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday - Mighty Blue Kings: The Christmas Album

6. The Difficult Season - John Sheridan's Dream Band & Rebecca Kilgore: Hooray for Christmas!

7. A Marshmallow World - Bing Crosby & Ella Fitzgerald: Swingin' with Bing

8. The Christmas Waltz (Awayteam Remix) - Nancy Wilson: Merry Mixmas

9. The Christmas Blues - Dean Martin: A Winter Romance

10. Whatever Happened to Christmas? - Frank Sinatra: The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas

11. Winter Weather - Jo Stafford: Happy Holiday

12. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Harry Connick Jr: Harry for the Holidays

13. White Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas

14. All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) - Nat King Cole: single

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 15 Dec 2012

SONGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: PART ONE

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams: The Andy Williams Christmas Album

2. Winter Wonderland - Lena Horne: Merry from Lena

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Todd Gordon: single

4. Christmas Is - Lou Rawls: Merry Christmas - Ho! Ho! Ho!

5. Please Come Home for Christmas - Aaron Neville: Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas

6. The Christmas Song - Carmen McRae: A Merry Jazzmas

7. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas

8. The Little Drummer Boy - Peggy Lee: Christmas Carousel

9. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Janet Seidel: Hooray for Christmas

10. Blue Christmas - Harry Connick Jr: Harry for the Holidays

11. White Christmas - Tony Bennett: Bennett/Berlin

12. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Sarah Vaughan & Billy Eckstine: Sing the Best of Irving Berlin

13. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey: single

14. That's What I Want for Christmas - Nancy Wilson: single

15. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town - Frank Sinatra: The Christmas Collection

16. 'Zat You, Santa Claus? - Louis Armstrong: Yule Be Miserable!

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 8 Dec 2012

THREE GIRLS AND A BOY... DINAH WASHINGTON, JANET SEIDEL, DAKOTA STATON & DICK HAYMES

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. I've Got You Under My Skin - Dinah Washington: Dinah Jams

2. Mad About the Boy - Dinah Washington: Single

3. A Rockin' Good Way - Dinah Washington & Brook Benton: The Two of Us

4. All of Me - Dinah Washington: Queen of the Blues

5. Fools Rush In - Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge (Vol 1)

6. Love for Sale - Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge (Vol 1)

7. Sentimental Journey - The Art of Lounge (Vol 2)

8. Moonglow - The Art of Lounge (Vol 3)

9. Forties Medley - Dick Haymes: Dick Haymes Comes Home (Live at the Cocoanut Grove 1973)

10. Whistling Away in the Dark - Dick Haymes: Dick Haymes Comes Home (Live at the Cocoanut Grove 1973)

11. You Stepped Out of a Dream - Dick Haymes: Look at Me Now!

12. The More I See You - Dick Haymes: Rain or Shine

13. Anything Goes - Dakota Staton: Dynamic!

14. You Showed Me the Way - Dakota Staton: The Late, Late Show

15. Willow Weep for Me - Dakota Staton: Time to Swing

16. Indiana - Dakota Staton: 'Round Midnight

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 1 Dec 2012 - The 100th Edition

THE 100th EDITION of THE SINGERS & THE SONGBOOK

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. (Love Is) The Tender Trap - Frank Sinatra & Count Basie: Sinatra-Basie

2. In the Heat of the Night - Nancy Wilson: Welcome to My Love

3. The Folks Who Live On the Hill - Peggy Lee: The Man I Love

4. Route 66 - Perry Como: Como Swings

5. At Sundown - Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge (Vol 1)

6. I'm Havin' a Good Time - Alberta Hunter: Amtrak Blues

7. Mack the Knife - Ella Fitzgerald: Ella & Duke at the Côte d'Azur

8. Dindi - Carmen McRae: Carmen McRae at The Great American Music Hall

9. Some of These Days - Jimmy Rushing: The Jazz Odyssey of James Rushing Esq

10. How Am I to Know? - Rosemary Clooney: Rosie Solves the Swingin' Riddle

11. Unforgettable - Aretha Franklin: Unforgettable (A Tribute to Dinah Washington)

12. Charade - Harry Connick Jr: Come By Me

13. Seems Like Old Times - Diane Keaton: Annie Hall (Soundtrack)

14. Manhattan - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon with Jacqui Dankworth: Helping the Heroes 

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: The Summit

Taking full advantage of the Rat Pack's success in the early 1960s, this is the cover of a rare LP that was released by Reprise Records in 1965 featuring core members of the famous - if not infamous - group: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, plus one of Sinatra's personal singing heroes, Bing Crosby.

This week...

Todd has taken a short vacation, so there is no edition of The Singers and The Songbook this week, but an earlier programme will be repeated in its place. Next week, however, will feature the 100th edition of the show. Watch this space!

Playlist: 17 Nov 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Mood Indigo - Nina Simone: My Baby Just Cares for Me

2. Ellington Medley: Cotton Tail/I Didn't Know About You/Don't Get Around Much Any More/I'm Beginning to See the Light - Mel Tormé & George Shearing: Mel & George "Do" World War II

3. All or Nothing At All - Ann Richards & Stan Kenton: Two Much!

4. Something - Peggy Lee: Is That All There Is?

5. My Sweet Lord - Peggy Lee: Where Did They Go

6. All the Things You Are - Ella Fitzgerald: The Jerome Kern Song Book

7. Why Was I Born? - Ella Fitzgerald: The Jerome Kern Song Book

8. A Fine Romance - Ella Fitzgerald: The Jerome Kern Song Book

9. Am I Blue? - Eddie Condon & Jimmy Rushing: Eddie Condon in Japan

10. Cold, Cold Heart - Aretha Franklin: Unforgettable (A Tribute to Dinah Washington)

11. Evergreen - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon: Helping the Heroes

12. You Never Give Me Your Money - Sarah Vaughan: Songs of The Beatles

13. In My Life - Sir Sean Connery & Sir George Martin: In My Life

14. Runnin' Wild - Marilyn Monroe: Some Like It Hot! (Soundtrack)

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Four Freshmen and Five Guitars

Ah, those were the days... when top artists released two, three or sometimes four studio albums a year! And the album spawned singles, as well as EPs - usually in three volumes so that the entire album could be purchased in stages. How things have changed!

This is the third EP volume of Four Freshmen and Five Guitars. Last week's show featured their version of Don't Worry 'Bout Me - one of the other tracks from the album. You can hear it again (over the next fortnight) by visiting RadioTodd.

Playlist: 10 Nov 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. From This Moment On - Anita O'Day: An Evening with Anita O'Day

2. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues - Sarah Vaughan & Count Basie Orchestra: Send In the Clowns

3. You're Breaking My Heart - Long John Baldry: Long John's Blues

4. Fredy - Ertha Kitt & Perez Prado: Single

5. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Joe Williams: Joe Williams & That Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

6. Autumn in New York - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon with Carol Kidd: Helping the Heroes

7. I'm Having a Good Time - Alberta Hunter: Amtrak Blues

8. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles: The Living Legend

9. Ray Charles Tribute - Peggy Lee: Peggy at Basin Street East

10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You - Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie: A Classy Pair

11. Yesterday When I Was Young - Lena Horne & Gabor Szabo: Watch What Happens! 

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 3 Nov 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Forty-Second Street - Mel Tormé: Sings Sunday in New York (and Other Songs About New York)

2. Old Devil Moon - Anita O'Day: Incomparable!

3. I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do - Carol Sloane: We'll Meet Again

4. Margie - Ray Charles: Dedicated to You

5. I Understand - The Four Freshmen: Four Freshmen and Five Guitars

6. They Can't Take That Away from Me - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon (with Janet Seidel): Helping the Heroes

7. Easy Living/Days of Wine and Roses/It's Impossible - Carmen McRae: The Great American Songbook

8. Fascinatin' Rhythm - Sarah Vaughan: Gershwin Live

9. Lush Life - Charlie Wood: Lush Life

10. Do I Love You? - Judy Garland: Judy In Love

11. You Go to My Head - Susanna Bartilla: I Love Lee

12. Sent for You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today) - The Mills Brothers & Count Basie: Annual Report

13. Dream a Little Dream of Me - Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie: Ella and Basie! 

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Helping the Heroes

The Royal Air Force Squadronaires and Todd Gordon release Helping the Heroes in the UK on November 5th. Worldwide digital release to follow shortly.

This is the acclaimed big band's first vocal album and Todd duets on several tracks with wonderful guest vocalists (see artwork). Featuring new arrangements, it's a great "feel-good" album, recorded under the watchful eyes and ears of veteran producer Ken Barnes who's worked with many of "the greats" such as Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Fred Astaire, Johnny Mercer and Jack Jones.

All profits from the sale of the album will go to the British charity, Help for Heroes.

You can order it now from Amazon and other online retailers as well as record stores - and click here for the first review...

"Helping The Heroes brings some of Britain's finest singers together with one of the country's best big bands. The result is a definitive big band album: dynamic, technically impressive and hugely enjoyable." - All About Jazz (Canada)

Playlist: 27 Oct 2012

ACROSS AMERICA

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Chicago - Anita O'Day: There's Only One...

2. Basin Street Blues - Dr John: Goin' Back to New Orleans

3. Los Angeles Blues - Peggy Lee: Blues Cross Country with The Quincy Jones Orchestra

4. You're In Kentucky (As Sure As You're Born) - Rosemary Clooney: Dedicated to Nelson

5. Mississippi Mud - Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer: Two of a Kind

6. St Louis Blues - Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie: A Perfect Match

7. Spanish Harlem - Aretha Franklin: single

8. Way Down Yonder in New Orleans - Bing Crosby & Louis Armstrong: Bing & Satchmo

9. New York State of Mind - Carmen McRae: Live at Umbria Jazz

10. Moonlight in Vermont - Margaret Whiting: Love Songs by Margaret Whiting

11. (I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon (with The Swingcats): Helping the Heroes

12. Manhattan - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon (with Jacqui Dankworth): Helping the Heroes

13. Autumn in New York - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon (with Carol Kidd): Helping the Heroes

14. I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Royal Air Force Squadronaires & Todd Gordon: Helping the Heroes

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Rosemary Clooney & Nelson Riddle

This week's opening track, Angry, comes from Rosie Solves the Swingin' Riddle! - a 1960 studio album by Rosemary Clooney (George's aunt!) and arranged by Nelson Riddle. It's the first of a couple of albums that Clooney and Riddle recorded together; the two were having an affair at the time of the recording which broke up their respective marriages. Their second album, Love, was released in 1963 on Frank Sinatra's label, Reprise Records.

Playlist: 20 Oct 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Angry - Rosemary Clooney & Nelson Riddle: Rosie Solves the Swingin' Riddle!

2. Lullaby of the Leaves - Billy Eckstine: Billy Eckstine's Imagination

3. I'll Be Seeing You - Dinah Shore & André Previn: Dinah Sings, Previn Plays

4. When Your Lover Has Gone - Ella Fitzgerald: Twelve Nights in Hollywood

5. When the Wind was Green - Eydie Gormé: Love Is a Season

6. (Love's Got Me in a) Lazy Mood - Bobby Troup: Sings Johnny Mercer

7. The Man I Love - Carmen McRae: Can't Hide Love

8. South of the Border - Keely Smith: Keely Sings Sinatra

9. You're Getting to be a Habit with Me - Dolores Gray: Warm Brandy

10. Love Has a Mind of Its Own - Ray Charles: My World

11. I Wanna Be Loved - Peggy Lee: Pretty Eyes

12. Black Coffee - Chris Connor & Maynard Ferguson: Double Exposure

13. On Green Dolphin Street - Sarah Vaughan: Sassy Swings The Tivoli

14. Time After Time - Sarah Vaughan: Sassy Swings The Tivoli

15. What Is This Thing Called Love? - Sarah Vaughan: Sassy Swings The Tivoli

16. You Do Something to Me - Frank Sinatra: Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!!

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Nancy Wilson/Welcome to My Love

There's a track included this week from one of the finest albums Nancy Wilson ever recorded: Welcome to My Love. Also featuring fantastic arrangements by Oliver Nelson.

Playlist: 13 Oct 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. The Gal That Got Away - Frank Sinatra: The Great Years

2. Watch What Happens - Sophie Milman: In the Moonlight

3. Once in a While - Johnny Hartman: Unforgettable

4. People Will Say We're in Love - Norma Winstone: Manhattan in the Rain

5. Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga - Mel Tormé: Olé Tormé

6. Use Me - Esther Phillips: Alone Again (Naturally)

7. Goin' Out of My Head - Ella Fitzgerald: Live from The Cave Supper Club, Vancouver

8. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most - Ian Shaw: A Ghost in Every Bar

9. I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco - Nancy Wilson: Welcome to My Love

10. Let There Be Love - Carmen McRae: Live at Sugar Hill, San Francisco

11. If I Had to Live My Life Over - Lou Rawls: Nobody But Lou

12. I Wanna Be Loved By You - Marilyn Monroe: Some Like It Hot! (Soundtrack)

13. I'm Late - Ann Richards: The Many Moods of Ann Richards

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Della / Cha, Cha, Cha

From the pairings we had this week, here are two vintage Della Reese LP covers: Della and Della - Cha, Cha, Cha.

Playlist: 6 Oct 2012

SAD & HAPPY & HAPPY & SAD!

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad - Nancy Sinatra: Nancy Sinatra

2. Things - Nancy Sinatra & Dean Martin: Single

3. Baby, Won't You Please Come Home - Della Reese: Della

4. Come-on-a My House - Della Reese: Della - Cha, Cha, Cha

5. Gone with the Wind - Frank Sinatra: Only the Lonely

6. Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra: Strangers in the Night

7. Say It Isn't So - Peggy Lee: If You Go

8. I've Got Those Feelin' Too Good Today Blues - Peggy Lee: Sings Leiber & Stoller (aka Mirrors)

9. Day by Day - Carmen McRae: The Great American Songbook (Disc 1)

10. All By Myself - Carmen McRae: Can't Hide Love

11. Yes Indeed! - Dinah Shore: Dinah, Yes Indeed!

12. I'll Be Seeing You - Dinah Shore & André Previn: Dinah Sings, Previn Plays

13. Help Me Make It Through the Night - Johnny Hartman: Today

14. Isn't It Romantic? - Johnny Hartman: Unforgettable

15. Russian Lullaby - Ella Fitzgerald: The Irving Berlin Song Book, Vol 1

16. Old MacDonald - Ella Fitzgerald: Whisper Not

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Morgana, Andy & Toni...

Examples of album artwork for the three featured singers in this week's show.

Playlist: 29 Sep 2012

FOCUS ON... MORGANA KING, ANDY WILLIAMS & TONI HARPER

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. I Found a New Baby - Morgana King: Let Me Love You

2. At Sundown - Morgana King: The Greatest Songs Ever Swung

3. More Than You Know - Morgana King: Morgana King Sings The Blues

4. The Shadow of Your Smile - Morgana King: Wild Is Love

5. The Look of Love - Morgana King: Gemini Changes

6. Solitaire - Andy Williams: Solitaire

7. Canadian Sunset - Andy Williams: Canadian Sunset

8. Can't Get Used to Losing You - Andy Williams: Can't Get Used to Losing You

9. Music to Watch Girls By - Andy Williams: Born Free

10. Last Tango in Paris - Andy Williams: Solitaire

11. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Andy Williams: Love, Andy

12. Days of Wine and Roses - Andy Williams: Days of Wine and Roses

13. You and the Night and the Music - Toni Harper: Night Mood

14. Where Flamingos Fly - Toni Harper: Night Mood

15. The Other Woman - Toni Harper: Lady Lonely

16. In the Still of the Night - Toni Harper: Night Mood

17. He Was a Man - Toni Harper: Lady Lonely

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 22 Sep 2012

BIG BAND VOCALS

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Only You - Diane Schuur: Diane Schuur & The Count Basie Orchestra

2. Madrid - Nat King Cole: Big Band Cole

3. Cotton Tail - Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington: The Stockholm Concert (1966)

4. Nobody Like My Baby - Ann Richards with Stan Kenton Orchestra: Two Much!

5. Skyliner - June Christy: Big Band Specials

6. Manhattan - RAF Squadronaires, Jacqui Dankworth & Todd Gordon: from the forthcoming album, Helping the Heroes

7. Chicago - Sy Oliver: For You

8. On the Sunny Side of the Street - Keely Smith: Politely

9. I've Heard That Song Before - Harry James & Helen Forrest: Harry James in Hi-Fi

10. Come Sunday - Joe Williams: Joe Williams & That Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra

11. You're Getting to be a Habit with Me - Carmen McRae & The Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band: November Girl

12. I'm a Dreamer, Aren't We All? - Cleo Laine: All About Me

13. Fortune In Dreams - Frank Sinatra Jr & Pat Longo Super Big Band: Billy May for President!

14. I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Sarah Vaughan & Benny Carter: The Explosive Side of Sarah Vaughan

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: The Harold Arlen Songbook

This is the original Verve Records artwork for the two volumes of Ella Fitzgerald's Harold Arlen Songbook. Surprisingly, this has not reappeared in subsequent LP or CD releases.

Playlist: 15 Sep 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. South of the Border - Frank Sinatra: Come Fly with Me (bonus track)

2. Deep Purple - Janet Seidel: Moon of Manakoola

3. These Foolish Things - Nat King Cole: Just One of Those Things

4. Gentleman Is a Dope - Terry Morel: Songs of a Woman in Love

5. On Broadway - Lou Rawls: Carryin' On

6. This Time the Dream's On Me - Ella Fitzgerald: The Harold Arlen Songbook

7. Sing My Heart - Ella Fitzgerald: The Harold Arlen Songbook

8. When the Sun Comes Out - Ella Fitzgerald: The Harold Arlen Songbook

9. One for My Baby - Ella Fitzgerald: The Harold Arlen Songbook

10. Over the Rainbow - Ella Fitzgerald: The Harold Arlen Songbook

11. Now You Has Jazz - Bing Crosby & Louis Armstrong: High Society (Soundtrack)

12. Fly Too High - Janis Ian: Foxes (Soundtrack)

13. Let There Be Love - Carmen McRae: Live at Sugar Hill, San Francisco

14. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - Harry Connick Jr & Carmen McRae: 20

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Harold Lane (Hal) David
25 May 1921 - 1 September 2012

Playlist: 8 Sep 2012

A TRIBUTE TO HAL DAVID

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Walk On By - Aretha Franklin: Running Out of Fools

2. Magic Moments - Perry Como: Catch a Falling Star

3. American Beauty Rose - Frank Sinatra: Come Swing with Me!

4. I'll Never Fall in Love Again - Ella Fitzgerald: Ella

5. Broken Hearted Melody - Sarah Vaughan: The Magic of Sarah Vaughan

6. The Look of Love - Vic Damone: Live from Las Vegas

7. Alfie - Carol Kidd & Nigel Clark: Tell Me Once Again

8. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - Johnny Hartman: I've Been There

9. One Less Bell to Answer/A House Is Not a Home - Barbra Streisand: Barbra Joan Streisand

10. Do You Know the Way to San Jose? - Dionne Warwick: Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls

11. Message to Michael - Lena Horne: Watch What Happens

12. This Guy's In Love with You - Herb Alpert: The Beat of the Brass

13. (They Long to Be) Close to You - Carmen McRae: The Great American Songbook

14. Trains and Boats and Planes - Astrud Gilberto: The Very Best of Astrud Gilberto

15. What the World Needs Now - Sammy Davis Jr & Buddy Rich: The Sound of '66

16. We Have All the Time in the World - Louis Armstrong: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Soundtrack)

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: I'm a Woman

The gifted songwriting partnership of Leiber and Stoller provided Peggy Lee with the title song of this album - which also contain's this week's opening number, The Alley Cat Song. The artwork features a photo of Miss Lee, complete with hallmark blonde hair, immaculate lipstick and beauty spot.

This was a vintage period for her voice, too. Impeccable diction and enunciation, complemented by her innate ability to swing effortlessly, whilst create an intimacy that is practically unrivalled to this day.

Playlist: 1 Sep 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. The Alley Cat Song - Peggy Lee: I'm a Woman

2. Straight to Baby - Janet Seidel: Charade

3. Dance Ballerina Dance - Nat King Cole: Big Band Cole

4. Seems Like Old Times - The Four Freshmen: Freshmen Favorites

5. Baby, Won't You Please Come Home - Dinah Washington: Drinking Again

6. Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week) - Helen O'Connell: Here's Helen

7. Bein' Green - Helen Merrill: Just Friends

8. Only You (and You Alone) - Ringo Starr: Goodnight Vienna

9. Passing By - Irene Kral: Better Than Anything

10. Star Eyes - Irene Kral: Second Chance

11. I Fall In Love Too Easily - Irene Kral: Just for Now

12. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart - Irene Kral: The Band and I

13. Only Why No More - Ian Shaw: A Ghost In Every Bar

14. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (with Ray Nance): Côte d'Azur Concerts (Disc 7)

15. Thou Swell - Carmen McRae: Live at Bubba's

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Ella and Rosie

The original LP artwork for Ella Fitzgerald's first Songbook for Verve Records. Producer Norman Granz wanted Nelson Riddle for the project but he wasn't available so the honours went to Buddy Bregman. Three years later, Ella and Nelson did join forces on the George & Ira Gershwin Songbook project.

The track I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry in the current playlist comes from this rare Rosemary Clooney album with artwork that seems to have been influenced by a Doris Day movie or two!

Playlist: 25 Aug 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. All Through the Night - Ella Fitzgerald: The Cole Porter Songbook

2. Close Your Eyes - Doris Day & André Previn: Duet

3. Message to Michael - Dionne Warwick: Heartbreaker

4. My Father - Nina Simone: Baltimore

5. Memphis Blues - Nat King Cole: St Louis Blues

6. Come On-a My House - Rosemary Clooney: single

7. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans - Rosemary Clooney: Dedicated to Nelson

8. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Rosemary Clooney: Country Hits from the Heart

9. Bali Ha'i - Rosemary Clooney & Perez Prado: A Touch of Tobasco

10. How Am I to Know? - Rosemary Clooney & Nelson Riddle: Rosie Solves the Swingin' Riddle!

11. Hindustan - Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney: Fancy Meeting You Here

12. I'm Checking Out... Goodbye - Rosemary Clooney with Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: Blue Rose

13. Gold Brazilian Sun - The Hi-Lo's: The Hi-Lo's Happen to Bossa Nova

14. Blue Turning Grey Over You - Maxine Sullivan: A Tribute to Andy Razaf

15. Back in Your Own Back Yard - Peggy Lee: Jump for Joy

16. Potholes - Randy Newman: Harps and Angels

17. Taking a Chance on Love - Patti Page: In the Land of Hi-Fi

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 18 Aug 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. All the Things You Are - Sarah Vaughan & The Count Basie Orchestra: Send in the Clowns

2. Falling in Love with Love - Mark Murphy: This Could Be the Start of Something

3. Moondance - Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson: Meant to Be

4. Cherokee - Vic Damone: The Lively Ones

5. Close Your Eyes - Dolores Gray: Warm Brandy

6. Goodbye/We'll Be Together Again - Ray Charles & Betty Carter: Ray Charles & Betty Carter

7. Come and Get It, Honey - Nellie Lutcher: Real Gone

8. I Remember Clifford - Ernestine Anderson & George Shearing: A Perfect Match

9. The Gal That Got Away - Jackie Paris: Jackie Paris Sings the Lyrics of Ira Gershwin

10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You - Jimmy Scott: All the Way

11. What a Little Moonlight Can Do - Billie Holiday: The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945-1959 (Disc 3)

12. Close Enough for Love - Dianne Reeves: That Day...

13. Memories of You - Frank Sinatra: Classic Sinatra II

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Sammy & Buddy / George & Dakota

A couple of examples of cover artwork from this week's playlist. Firstly, Sammy Davis Jr with Buddy Rich and his band, recorded in the wee small hours during their engagement at The Sands in Las Vegas.

And secondly, a rarely-heard Capitol album by the George Shearing Quintet with Dakota Staton, entitled In the Night.

Playlist: 11 Aug 2012

I have been in the studio this week putting the finishing touches to my new album with the Royal Air Force Squadronaires big band, so there's no new show this week. However, I hope you'll enjoy this repeat.

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel 

1. If It's the Last Thing I Do - Sammy Davis Jr & Buddy Rich: The Sounds of '66

2. Goin' to Chicago Blues - Ernestine Anderson: When the Sun Goes Down

3. Confessin' the Blues - Dakota Staton & George Shearing: In the Night

4. There Ain't No Sweet Girl That's Worth the Salt of My Tears - Bobby Darin: I Wanna Be Around

5. Gershwin Medley: But Not for Me/Love Is Here to Stay/Embraceable You/Someone to Watch Over Me - Sarah Vaughan: Ronnie Scott's Presents Sarah Vaughan, Vol 2

6. Evergreen - Carmen McRae: Live at Ronnie Scott's, London

7. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - Anita O'Day: Live at Ronnie Scott's

8. Happy Blues - Ella Fitzgerald: Live in London

9. With a Song in My Heart - Larry Browne: Sweet & Lovely

10. I'll Be Around - Jimmy Scott: All the Way

11. Squeeze Me - Lena Horne: An Evening with Lena Horne, Live at the Supper Club

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Playlist: 4 Aug 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Don't Rain on My Parade - Bobby Darin: In a Broadway Bag

2. The Midnight Sun - Mel Tormé & George Shearing: A Vintage Year

3. You're Making Me Crazy - June Christy: Something Cool

4. My Old Addiction (aka Chet Baker's Unsung Swan Song) - k d lang: Drag

5. Too Little, Too Late - Nat King Cole: Let's Face the Music!

6. How Blue Can You Get? - Esther Phillips: From a Whisper to a Scream

7. Yes We Can Can - Harry Connick Jr: Oh, My Nola

8. S'posin' - Perry Como: We Get Letters

9. Lover Come Back to Me - Roberta Gambarini: Easy to Love

10. Everybody Needs Love - Jackie Paris: The Song Is Paris

11. At Sundown - Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge 1

12. Lonesome Lover Blues - Billy Eckstine & Count Basie: Basie/Eckstine Incorporated

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Undecided (78rpm)

One of Ella Fitzgerald's hits with drummer Chick Webb and his Orchestra. Released in 1939, and the opening track in this week's show.

Playlist: 28 Jul 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. Undecided - Ella Fitzgerald: 75th Birthday Celebration (Disc 1)

2. You Showed Me the Way - Dakota Staton: The Late, Late Show

3. Charade - Harry Connick Jr: Come By Me

4. Mary C Brown and the Hollywood Sign - Kate Dimbleby & Naadia Sheriff: Beware of Young Girls (The Songs of Dory Previn)

5. Indiana - Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer: Two of a Kind

6. Warm Hearted Woman - Dinah Shore: Bouquet of Blues

7. What Now My Love? - Frank Sinatra & Aretha Franklin: Duets

8. Good Times - Aretha Franklin: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

9. Ain't No Way - Aretha Franklin: Lady Soul

10. I Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin: Aretha Now

11. The Thrill Is Gone - Aretha Franklin: Spirit in the Dark

12. You Are My Love - Nat King Cole: Tell Me All About Yourself

13. No Fool Like an Old Fool - Peggy Lee: Somethin' Groovy!

14. I Get Along Without You Very Well - Kurt Elling: Flirting with Twilight

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea

Album Cover: Shakin' Up Vegas and Ella's 5-album Gershwin Songbook

From this week's playlist, here's a couple of examples of accompanying artwork. Firstly, the very-much-of-its-time cover for Shakin' Up Vegas! And an example of the original box cover artwork for the 5LP set, Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George & Ira Gershwin Songbook.

Playlist: 21 Jul 2012

Intro: If You Could Read My Mind - Todd Gordon & Jacqui Dankworth: Ballads from the Midnight Hotel

1. (I Would Do) Anything for You - Nat King Cole: Tell Me All About Yourself

2. Make Believe - Peggy Lee: Two Shows Nightly

3. Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye - Eydie Gormé: Eydie Gormé Vamps the Roaring '20s

4. Empty Tables - Frank Sinatra: Single

5. I Hadn't Anyone Till You - Lena Horne: Lena on the Blue Side

6. Without You - Janis Ian: Stars

7. Fool That I Am - Etta James: The Second Time Around

8. Skylark - Dick Haymes: Moonbeams

9. I Can Dream, Can't I? - Cass Elliot: Bubble Gum, Lemonade... and Something for Mama

10. What Now My Love? - Sammy Davis Jr & Buddy Rich: The Sounds of '66

11. A Foggy Day (in London Town) - Ella Fitzgerald: The George & Ira Gershwin Songbook

12. He Loves and She Loves - Ella Fitzgerald: The George & Ira Gershwin Songbook

13. 'S Wonderful - Ella Fitzgerald: The George & Ira Gershwin Songbook

14. The Man I Love - Ella Fitzgerald: The George & Ira Gershwin Songbook

15. The Things That I Used to Do: Big Joe Turner: Things That I Used to Do"

16. Who's Sorry Now? - Guy Pastor, Tony Pastor & Tony Pastor Jr: Shakin' Up Vegas!

17. As Long As I Live - June Christy: The Song Is June!

Outro: Holding On - Todd Gordon: Made in Korea