I don’t know much about Olde Tyme Musik, you know, all that pre-rock, not-even-blues-or-otherwise-proto rock stuff that some Townspeople, such as Hrrundivbakshi, hank fan, and cdm, dig. For years I didn’t want to get near that stuff. Very, very slowly I’ve accepted that it can be very good, even great. Ella Fitzgerald continues to be the Olde Tyme Musik figure I enjoy most. I like how precise and direct she is. Rosemary Clooney is cool too. Of the guys, I get a kick out of Tony Bennett and Dean Martin, but half of the pleasure is from laughing at them. They’re loveably goofy, like some of my Italian-American uncles. I’ve noticed that Nat King Cole is easy for me to dig when he’s fronting his small combo. On the other hand, I can usually leave the legendary Frank Sinatra. As I’ve stated before, he sounds like a dick.
Last night I watched To Have and Have Not for maybe the 10th time. It’s one of my favorite Olde Tyme Films. I really identify with Bogie’s character…Nah, I wish! There’s so much that I love about this film, and each time I watch it one of the things I love more and want to know more about is Hoagy Carmichael, who appears as the bandleader in the club in which most of the story is set. I can only do justice in expressing how I feel about him in my circa 1973, 5th grader terms:
He’s super cool!
And not just Carmichael but his entire band!
I believe this is the first time he appears in To Have and Have Not. You want to see cool? Check out the way the drummer gets into the song. Charlie Watts must have lived his life aiming for that degree of cool.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s got Lauren Bacall nearby in almost every frame, and she holds her own, staying just as sexy as his accompanist as she does Bogart’s. (For comparison, there’s that classic Rita Hayworth movie, Gilda, in which she’s smokin’ hot [OUCH!] until she sings and dances [YIKES!]. For those unfortunate minutes you may be reminded of the movie title They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?) But I digress.
Beside how cool the scenes with Carmichael and his band are shot, I love the way they deliver the music. It’s low key and direct while maintaining a high degree of showmanship, if that makes any sense. I don’t believe Carmichael is known for his own singing (isn’t he better known as a songwriter?), but I like hearing his simple, unadorned voice.
I know nothing else about this guy except for my introduction to him through some Bugs Bunny or Flinstones cartoon from my childhood. Is there an entire album or collection of this kind of Hoagy Carmichael music I might be able to buy? I don’t want to hear him from a Big Fucking Band. Almost all that stuff sounds the same to me. I don’t want to hear Billie Holiday slur through his songs with the weight of the world on her shoulders. I don’t want dog-ugly Fred Astaire anywhere near those songs! I’m seeking recommendations on the music of Hoagy Carmichael, done in the style of the music in the film To Have and Have Not. Thanks!
PS – I finally remembered to look up the purpose sleeve garters played in the dress of Olde Tyme Piano players. Check it out, if you too have ever been curious!
Louis Armstrong’s 1931 recording of Stardust is the single greatest version of any Carmichael song. But it is one of the greatest recordings of any song. Period.
For some good, old-timey recordings by the man himself, this is a good collection
http://www.amazon.com/Hoagy-Carmichael-1927-1939/dp/B0000249QZ/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1265063793&sr=1-24
Uh… I’m down with the coolness of Carmichael & Co., but — yeesh! Lauren Bacall needs to keep her singing’ mouth *shut*! Girlfriend sounds like a frog!
She’s a MAN, baby!
Thanks for being helpful, misterioso. I’ll check out your recommendation.
Hrrundi, I thought you, of all people, would don your courdoroy patched lab coat and teach me something. It’s a sad day…
Outside of Philly, he’s known as Hero Carmichael.
I have an album of his called Hoagie Sings Carmichael or something like that. I recall it being good and fairly unadorned but I haven’t listened to it in years. I’ll revisit and report back.
I also have a version of Billie Holiday doing Am I Blue if you are interested, Mod.
As for the cool factor, it should be noted that Keith Richards sang a Hoagie song to Patti at their wedding. He could have gone with Wild Horses or Angie, but no…
There has long been a rumor that Bacall does not her own singing in 2 Have; in fact, that it was done by (the even younger) Andy Williams. Apparently this is still up in the air–Williams said he sings it, Bacall says he didn’t. As they say: You Make the Call.
Nice one, cher.
As for the Andy Williams rumor, what do you have to say for yourself now, HVB?
You probably want “Hoagy Sings Carmichael” recorded in 1956 for Pacific Jazz. Johnny Mandel arrangements for a small band that never overwhelms Carmichael’s light croon. Doesn’t do all his best known tunes (no “stardust”) but does a sweet version of “Two Sleepy People.”
You crack me up with the “olde time”. The Beatles records are forty-five years old, but 55 years, “man, that’s olde.”
I’ll send you a great Hoagy solo of Star Dust. Stunning. I also used to have a rip from 2 Have of the song about cocaine in Chinatown… Great stuff. I heard the Andy Williams claim years ago, and after much review buy it not at all. I know what people mean when they complain about her voice. But it doesn’t sound male. Of course, as a fan of Lou Reed, Dylan, Nico, for Pete’s sake! – I am used to people coming up with bizarre detractions for singers I like…
Hong Kong Blues is on emusic… not the self-same track as the movie, I believe. (Isn’t there fiddles and things in the film?) But it is decent. Also, what’s wrong with Astaire? He’s one of my favorite singers of that era.
Thanks for sending those tracks, General! They confirm my suspicion that I can like this guy. I’ll report back when I acquire the recommended albums.