Great American Songwriters, Vols. 1-5 [Box]

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: 1995
• Type: Collection (various artists), Box set
• Genre: Vocal Music

Review

Rhino's Great American Songwriters, Vol. 1-5 gathers all of the volumes of the Great American Songwriters series into a five-disc box set. The collection celebrates the talents of George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin, and Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, collecting some of the finest pop and vocal jazz interpretations of their songs. Highlights include Fred Astaire's quintessentially dapper reading of the Gershwins' "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," Sammy Davis, Jr.'s version of Mercer's "That Old Black Magic," the Chet Baker Quartet's incomparably smoky, sensual interpretation of Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine," Bing Crosby's classic rendition of Berlin's "White Christmas," and Mel Tormé's witty, elegant take on Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train." However, virtually every track is a classic and the set is virtually a who's-who of 20th century pop and vocal jazz. Simply put, this set is a must for anyone who appreciates singing and songwriting at its finest. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Someone to Watch over Me	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Nancy Wilson, Gerald Wilson Orchestra
How Long Has This Been Going On?	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Tony Bennett
Isn't It a Pity?	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Johnny Mathis, Glenn Osser
I've Got a Crush on You	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Bobby Hackett, Lee Wiley, Joe Bushkin & His Swinging Strings
Embraceable You	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Jo Stafford, Paul Weston
But Not for Me	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Chris Connor
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Fred Astaire, Johnny Green & His Orchestra
They All Laughed	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson Trio
They Can't Take That Away from Me	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Fred Astaire, Johnny Green & His Orchestra
The Man I Love	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Peggy Lee
Nice Work If You Can Get It	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Sarah Vaughan, George Treadwell
Love Is Here to Stay	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Dick Haymes
A Foggy Day	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Judy Garland
Somebody Loves Me (Lyrics)	George Gershwin, Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald	Bing Crosby, Victor Young & His Orchestra
Who Cares?	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Kate Smith, Anita O'Day
Bidin' My Time	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Johnny Hartman
Love Walked In	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Barbara Carroll, Sylvia Syms
'S Wonderful	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Count Basie, Joe Williams
It Ain't Necessarily So	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Sammy Davis, Jr., Burnett Thompson
Fascinating Rhythm	George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin	Susannah McCorkle

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I Remember You	Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger	Sarah Vaughan
I Wanna Be Around (Lyrics)	Johnny Mercer, Sadie Vimmerstadt	Tony Bennett
I'm Old Fashioned	Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer	David Allyn, David Allen
Blues in the Night (Lyrics)	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	Rosemary Clooney, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
Laura	Johnny Mercer, David Raksin	Matt Monro
In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening (Lyrics)	Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer	Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman, Four Hits & A Miss, Matty Matlock's All Stars
Midnight Sun	Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke, Johnny Mercer	June Christy, Pete Rugolo
Dream (Lyrics)	Fabian Andre, Johnny Mercer, Wilbur Schwandt	The Pied Pipers, Paul Weston & His Orchestra
This Time the Dream's on Me	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	Anthony Newley
Come Rain or Come Shine (Lyrics)	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	Ray Charles
Fools Rush In	Rube Bloom, Johnny Mercer	Keely Smith, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra
One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	Susannah McCorkle
That Old Black Magic (Lyrics)	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	Sammy Davis, Jr.
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe (Lyrics)	Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren	Judy Garland, Merry Macs, Judy Garland & The Merry Macs
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive (Lyrics)	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	The Pied Pipers, Johnny Mercer
Hooray for Hollywood (Lyrics)	Johnny Mercer, Richard A. Whiting	Doris Day
P.S. I Love You	Gordon Jenkins, Johnny Mercer	Kay Starr, Ben Webster, Gerry Wiggins
Here's to My Lady	Rube Bloom, Johnny Mercer	Joe Williams
When the World Was Young	Johnny Mercer, M. Philippe-Gerard, Angele Marie T. Vannier	Nancy Wilson
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby (Lyrics)	Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren	Bobby Darin

CD 3

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Manhattan	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Dinah Washington
Dancing on the Ceiling	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Jo Stafford, Paul Weston
My Romance	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Johnny Mathis, Glenn Osser
Ten Cents a Dance	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Doris Day
My Funny Valentine	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Chet Baker Quartet
Little Girl Blue	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, T. B. Harms	Jeri Southern
Where or When	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Dick Haymes
The Lady Is a Tramp	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Buddy Greco
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Lyrics)	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Ella Fitzgerald
It Never Entered My Mind (Lyrics)	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Sarah Vaughan
It's Easy to Remember (Lyrics)	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Billie Holiday, Ray Ellis Orchestra
Blue Moon (Lyrics)	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Billy Eckstine, Hugo Winterhalter
I Didn't Know What Time It Was	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Dinah Shore
Lover	Jimmie Davis, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Roger "Ram" Ramirez, Jimmy Sherman	Peggy Lee, Gordon Jenkins
I Wish I Were in Love Again (Lyrics)	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, MGM Studio Orchestra, Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney
Mountain Greenery	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Mel Tormé, Al Pelligrini
You Are Too Beautiful (Lyrics)	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Billy Sherrill, Norro Wilson, Rory Bourke	Bobby Short
Glad to Be Unhappy	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	Chris Connor, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra
You Took Advantage of Me	Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart	June Christy, Pete Rugolo

CD 4

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
White Christmas (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Bing Crosby, John Scott Trotter, Ken Darby Singers
Easter Parade (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Johnny Green, MGM Studio Orchestra
Always	Irving Berlin	Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan
Marie	Irving Berlin	Four Tunes, Sid Bass
A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody	Irving Berlin	Tony Martin
Better Luck Next Time	Irving Berlin	June Christy
Heat Wave (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland	Ethel Waters, Thel Waters
Let's Face the Music and Dance (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Fred Astaire, Johnny Green & His Orchestra
What'll I Do	Irving Berlin	Johnny Mathis, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
Change Partners (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Fred Astaire, Ray Noble & His Orchestra
Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Rosemary Clooney, Paul Weston & His Orchestra
How Deep Is the Ocean?	Irving Berlin	Dick Haymes, Ian Bernard
Cheek to Cheek (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson Trio
The Song Is Ended	Irving Berlin	Dinah Washington
Doin' What Comes Natur'lly	Irving Berlin	Dinah Shore, Spade Cooley & His Orchestra
Blue Skies (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Bobby Darin
All by Myself (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Bobby Darin
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Lyrics)	Irving Berlin	Mills Brothers
Say It Isn't So	Irving Berlin	Peggy Lee
Top Hat, White Tie and Tails	Irving Berlin	Russell Garcia, Louis Armstrong

CD 5

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Lush Life	Billy Strayhorn	Joe Mooney
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)	Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster	Carmen McRae
Sophisticated Lady	Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, Mitchell Parish	Billy Eckstine
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)	Irving Mills, Duke Ellington	Joe Carroll, Ray Bryant Combo
In a Sentimental Mood	Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, Manny Kurtz	Sarah Vaughan
Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me (Lyrics)	Duke Ellington, Bob Russell	Louis Armstrong
Prelude to a Kiss	Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon	Vic Damone
I'm Beginning to See the Light (Lyrics)	Johnny Hodges, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Don George	Kitty Kallen, Harry James & His Orchestra
Take the "A" Train	Billy Strayhorn	Mel Tormé
Day Dream	Duke Ellington, John Latouche, Billy Strayhorn	Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington Orchestra
Solitude (Lyrics)	Irving Mills, Eddie DeLange, Duke Ellington	Billie Holiday
Caravan	Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol	Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Ike Isaacs Trio
Don't Get Around Much Anymore	Duke Ellington, Bob Russell	Al Hibbler, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Something to Live For	Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn	Chris Connor
I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart	Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, John Redmond, Henry Nemo	Mildred Bailey & Her Orchestra
I Didn't Know About You	Duke Ellington, Bob Russell	Sylvia Syms
Satin Doll	Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn	Nancy Wilson, Gerald Wilson Orchestra
It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream	Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Don George	Dinah Washington
Mood Indigo	Irving Mills, Barney Bigard, Duke Ellington	Cleo Laine
Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'	Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Lee Gaines	June Christy, Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

Credits

Ella Fitzgerald (Performer), Frank Sinatra (Conductor), Dick Hyman (Conductor), Fred Astaire (Performer), James Austin (Producer), Doris Day (Performer), Sid Bass (Performer), Susannah McCorkle (Performer), Ian Bernard (Conductor), Dinah Shore (Performer), Merry Macs (Performer), Mills Brothers (Performer), Ray Charles (Performer), Eric Rogers (?), Lee Wiley (Performer), Pete Rugolo (Conductor), George Treadwell (Performer), Ray Noble & His Orchestra (Performer), Hal Mooney (Conductor), Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (Performer), Chet Baker Quartet (Performer), Gerry Wiggins (Performer), Oscar Peterson Trio (Performer), Billy May (Conductor), Ben Webster (Performer), Paul Weston & His Orchestra (Performer), Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra (Performer), Bob Fisher (Remastering), Mort Lindsey (Conductor), Bobby Hackett (Performer), Will Friedwald (Producer), Chris Framan (Research), Ike Isaacs Trio (Performer), Jane Wyman (Performer), Nancy Wilson (Performer), Count Basie (Performer), Patrick Milligan (Research), Frank de Vol (Conductor), Joe Williams (Performer), Chris Connor (Performer), Ian Bernard (Performer), Spade Cooley & His Orchestra (Performer), Tony Natelli (Compilation), Lennie Hayton (Conductor), Carmen McRae (Performer), Don Costa (Conductor), Will Friedwald (Compilation), Matt Monro (Performer), John Scott Trotter (Performer), Johnny Green & His Orchestra (Performer), Dinah Washington (Performer), Mickey Rooney (Performer), Belford Hendricks (Conductor), Billie Holiday (Vocals), Reggie Collins (Project Assistant), Tony Martin (Performer), Peggy Lee (Vocals), Mort Stevens (Director), Louis Armstrong (Performer), Percy Faith (Conductor), Keely Smith (Performer), Joe Carroll (Performer), Judy Garland (Performer), Johnny Hartman (Performer), David Allyn (Performer), Johnny Mathis (Performer), Nat Brewster (Project Assistant), Rosemary Clooney (Performer), Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra (Performer), Anthony Newley (Performer), Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (Performer), Marty Manning (Conductor), Four Tunes (Performer), June Christy (Performer), Vic Damone (Performer), Quincy Jones (Conductor), Thel Waters (Performer), Glenn Osser (Performer), Buddy Bregman (Conductor), Bobby Short (Performer), Meredith Willson (Director), Bing Crosby (Performer), Gerald Wilson Orchestra (Performer), Kitty Kallen (Performer), Russell Garcia (Performer), Cleo Laine (Performer), Victor Young & His Orchestra (Performer), Gary Peterson (Research), Dick Haymes (Performer), Hugo Winterhalter (Performer), The Pied Pipers (Performer), Chuck Sagle (Conductor), Jo Stafford (Performer), Joe Mooney (Performer), Peggy Lee (Performer), Duke Ellington Orchestra (Performer), Al Hibbler (Performer), Johnny Mercer (Performer), MGM Studio Orchestra (Performer), Anita O'Day (Performer), Lambert, Hendricks & Ross (Performer), Sylvia Syms (Performer), Joe Bushkin & His Swinging Strings (Performer), Paul Weston (Performer), Michael Ochs (Photography), Sammy Davis, Jr. (Performer), Will Friedwald (Liner Notes), Sarah Vaughan (Performer), Mildred Bailey (Performer), Bobby Darin (Performer), Ralph Burns (Conductor), Mel Tormé (Performer), Carmen McRae (Vocals), John Breckow (Concept), Billie Holiday (Performer), Johnny Green (Performer), Kay Starr (Performer), Eric Rogers (Accompaniment), Percy Faith & His Orchestra (Performer), Lynn Murray (Director), Al Pelligrini (Performer), Ted Myers (Research), Ken Darby Singers (Performer), Jeri Southern (Performer), Tony Bennett (Performer), Michael Mazzarella (Project Assistant), John Coltrane (Performer), Billy Eckstine (Performer), Gordon Jenkins (Performer), Geoff Gans (Art Direction), Jimmy Jones (Conductor), Harry James & His Orchestra (Performer), Buddy Greco (Performer), David Rose (Director), Pete Rugolo (Performer)