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New Standards

Moon Playlist

The Moon

We've put together a playlist "full" of Great American Classics:

1. "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" A song written in 1934 London by Harry M. Woods, but made famous a year later by Lady Day. Here she is performing it live in 1958 (A year before her death).

2. "Moonlight Serenade" Glenn Miller's signature tune had lyrics added by Mitchell Parish the same man that added words to Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride." Here is one of the first recordings with those words:

3. "It's Only a Paper Moon" one of Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg's earlier collaborations, this song is a preview of their great collaborations to come. Here it is performed by Nat "King" Cole: 

4. "Moonlight in Vermont" The unofficial state song of Vermont is ever more beautiful as a duet. Here it is by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald: 

5. "Old Devil Moon" The second song by Yip Harburg on the list! This one was composed by Burton Lane for the 1947 musical Finian's Rainbow. Here it is sung seductively by Chet Baker:

6. "Moon River" The song won Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Here its performed by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's:

7. "Blue Moon" This Rodgers and Hart standard had two lives. Once as standard in the 1930's and 40's then again in the 1950's with Rock and Roll. Here is Dean Martin having a little fun:

8. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke's 1940's hit was also Sinatra's first hit. And may we say "the beginning of a beautiful friendship" between the songwriter and singer? Here it is performed of Sarah Vaughan: 

9. "Fly Me To the Moon" Is possibly the song most associated with Sinatra following "New York, New York" and "My Way." It was originally named "In Other Words." Here is Sinatra:

10. "How High is the Moon" Ella Fitzgerald ask the question on many minds tonight: