On February 15, The Jonathan Channel celebrates the birthday of Harold Arlen. A cantor’s son from Buffalo, NY, Arlen is best known for composing the music to The Wizard of Oz. Forever billed as “the composer of Over the Rainbow,” Harold Arlen wrote some of the greatest melodies in what is considered the American Songbook.
"Get Happy," "Stormy Weather," "Blues In The Night," "One For My Baby," "It's Only A Paper Moon," "Let's Fall In Love," "Come Rain Or Some Shine,"
"That Old Black Magic" "The Man That Got Away,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “My Shining Hour” and many more.
For over four decades he infused his music with complex melodies and a blues sensibility that has made his music particularly popular with jazz musicians around the world.
Episode Playlist:
Frank Sinatra – Get Happy – Swing Easy
Oscar Peterson – Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea – American Songbook Series: Harold Arlen
Lena Horne – Stormy Weather – The Lady And Her Music
Harold Arlen – Stormy Weather – Hits Of The 20’s And 30’s, Vol. 3
Mandy Patinkin – If I Only Had A Brain - Kidults
Groucho Marx – Lydia, The Tattooed Lady – American Songbook Series: E.Y. Harburg
Bloomer Girl Chorus – When The Boys Come Home – Bloomer Girl
Harold Arlen – Evelina – The Music Of Harold Arlen
Dooley Wilson – The Eagle And Me – Bloomer Girl
Maureen McGovern – Right As The Rain – Another Woman In Love
Louis Armstrong – I’ve Got The World On A String – The Complete RCA Recordings
Bing Crosby – I’ve Got The World On A String – 16 Most Requested Songs
Rebecca Kilgore – Down With Love/Hooray For Love – Lovefest At The Pizzarelli Party
Frank Sinatra – The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else – Vegas
Frank Sinatra – Don’t Cry Joe – Vegas
Frank Sinatra – Imagination – Vegas
Frank Sinatra – Moonlight In Vermont – Vegas
Frank Sinatra – Without A Song – Vegas
Frank Sinatra – In The Still Of The Night – Vegas
Frank Sinatra – Too Marvelous For Words – The Televison Years
Frank Sinatra – Ol’ Man River – The Concert Sinatra
Frank Sinatra – Lover Come Back To Me – The Sinatra Saga
Nancy LaMott – That Old Black Magic – Come Rain Or Come Shine
Harold Arlen – My Shining Hour – Harold Arlen Rediscovered
Jo Stafford – It Was Written In The Stars – The Capitol Rarities: 1943-1950
Harold Arlen – Minuet – The Music Of Harold Arlen
Nancy LaMott – Out Of This World – Demonstration Record
Nat King Cole – It’s Only A Paper Moon – After Midnight
Judy Garland – The Man That Got Away – A Star Is Born
Frank Sinatra – Last Night When We Were Young – In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra – Come Rain Or Come Shine – Sinatra And Strings
Diahann Carroll – A Sleepin’ Bee – House Of Flowers
Peggy Lee – As Long As I Live – Mink Jazz
Richard Rodney Bennett – Let’s Take The Long Way Home – I Never Went Away
Ella Fitzgerald – Let’s Take A Walk Around The Block – The Harold Arlen Songbook
Mel Torme – When The Sun Comes Out – Lulu’s Back In Town
Harry Allen – This Time The Dream’s On Me – Love Songs Live!
Frank Sinatra – Blues In The Night – Only The Lonely
Judy Garland – Paris Is A Lonely Town – Gay Purr-ee
Lena Horne – Fun To Be Fooled – Love Is the Thing
Frank Sinatra – I’ve Got The World On A String – The Complete Capitol Singles Collection
Tony Bennett – Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe – Tony Sings For Two
Nancy LaMott – What’s Good About Goodbye? – Demonstration Record
Nelson Riddle – Let’s Fall In Love – The Riddle Touch