Makin' Whoopie

• Artist: Dorothy Donegan
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1979
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Dorothy Donegan was a virtuoso pianist who dazzled fellow players while she made the rounds with Art Tatum. Whether in the studio or on-stage, Donegan never hesitated to show off her chops, though her abrasive personality may have contributed to a lack of recognition until late in her career. These recordings were made in 1979 for Black & Blue in France, showcasing her exclusively as a solo pianist. She demonstrates her stride chops in a wailing "Lullaby in Rhythm," while her inventive bassline and unusual rhythmic approach to "You Go to My Head" is dazzling. Not just an interpreter of standards, her remarkable arrangement of the Beatles' "Yesterday" gives it a gospel flavor, while incorporating the blues as well. A pair of her originals, "Tonky Honk" (obvious derived from the popular song "Alley Cat") and "Goodbye Blues" (adapted from the well-known "Bye Bye Blues"), prove to be a little disappointing, considering her potential. Better is her bluesy, swinging instrumental "I Just Want to Sing." This is easily one of Dorothy Donegan's best overall releases. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Here's That Rainy Day	Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen	Dorothy Donegan	(3:16)
Lullaby in Rhythm	Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Walter Hirsch, Clarence Profit	Dorothy Donegan	(4:01)
Am I Blue	Harry Akst, Grant Clarke	Dorothy Donegan	(4:49)
These Foolish Things	Harry Link, Jack Strachey, Holt Marvell	Dorothy Donegan	(4:53)
Goodbye Blues	Dorothy Donegan	Dorothy Donegan	(1:56)
I Want a Little Girl	Murray Mencher	Dorothy Donegan	(3:22)
Tonky Honk	Dorothy Donegan	Dorothy Donegan	(2:50)
Yesterday	John Lennon, Paul McCartney	Dorothy Donegan	(5:07)
Makin' Whoopee I	Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn	Dorothy Donegan	(3:24)
Makin' Whoopee II	Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn	Dorothy Donegan	(4:33)
I Can't Get Started	Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin	Dorothy Donegan	(4:47)
You Go to My Head	John Frederick Coots, Haven Gillespie	Dorothy Donegan	(4:02)
All of Me I	Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks	Dorothy Donegan	(2:21)
All of Me II	Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks	Dorothy Donegan	(2:42)
Poor Butterfly	John Golden, Raymond Hubbell	Dorothy Donegan	(3:50)
I Just Want to Sing	Dorothy Donegan	Dorothy Donegan	(2:54)
Lullaby in Rhythm [Take I]	Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Walter Hirsch, Clarence Profit	Dorothy Donegan	(1:56)

Credits

Gerhard Lehner (Engineer), Jean-Pierre Tahmazian (Photography), Tina Biderman (Translation), Dorothy Donegan (Piano)