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Johnny Mercer, singer & songwriter: Too Marvelous For Words - His 55 Finest 1933-1962
£10.99
In stock
Catalogue Number
RTS4401
Here is the definitive collection of Johnny Mercer (1909-1976), a show-business phenomenon. Not only did he write the (usually witty, polished) lyrics for more popular songs than any other songwriter in history, as well as composing many fine numbers himself, he also founded Capitol Records in 1942 and, as a performer, his genial vocal style won him huge popularity in its own right – and 29 chart successes. In short, he was simply Too Marvelous For Words. Retrospective’s 2 CD survey presents, on the first disc, 28 of his finest creations, in each case sung by its best contemporary interpreter. He collaborates with 17 different composers, notably Harold Arlen (e.g. That Old Black Magic – Judy Garland), Hoagy Carmichael (e.g. Skylark – Dinah Shore) or Harry Warren (e.g. Jeepers Creepers – Louis Armstrong), as well as his very own songs (e.g. I’m An Old Cowhand – Bing Crosby). The second disc shines the spotlight on Johnny Mercer the singer. And what a great performer he was! Opening with a rare, superb version of his and Hoagy Carmichael’s Lazybones from 1933, the selection includes 14 of his top 20 hits. Mercer was always at his best when performing with other top personalities, and 10 duets are included with such stars as Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Jack Teagarden and Bobby Darin. The whole programme contains no fewer than 10 Oscar-winners or nominations (In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening, Moon River)!
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk
Reviews:
“To condense the prolific output of Johnny Mercer, composer, lyricist and singer down to 55 of the best is an ambitious task….He was exposed to black music as child and this was a big influence on him. He had a gift for incorporating colloquialisms in his lyrics and using everyday, idiomatic speech to make memorable phrases. At the same time his technical mastery of the language enabled him to come up with the most unlikely but pleasing rhymes. His ear for language served him well so that even in the '60s he was able to conjure up a phrase like 'my huckleberry friend' in MOON RIVER. There are two discs, the first features his songs, sung by a variety of artists, the second spotlights Mercer the singer, although he has a hand in many of the songs as well. …. His easy going, often humorous vocals are showcased in a variety of settings as a solo artist or in duets,over the 27 tracks...Mercer was of course one of the founders of Capitol Records, a label that was responsible for so much quality music from 1943 onwards and he was involved in many top class productions such as BLUES IN THE NIGHT, an Arlen-Mercer number in which he duets with Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers.…This is an absolute 'must have' collection and even this early in the year it is difficult to see it being surpassed. The usual high production qualities of the Retrospective label put the gloss on a truly top class compilation.” - In tune international - Gerry Stonestreet