Hal Derwin with Artie Shaw

This is a follow-up to the recent post of 25 Hal Derwin vocals, which can be found on my main blog. Those Capitols come from 1946-47. Just before then, Derwin was singing with Artie Shaw's band under the name "Hal Stevens." Today we have four of the records he made with Shaw, all in 1945.

In July, Derwin and Shaw set down two songs that had been written for major musicals of the time. The wonderful "That's for Me" had been introduced by Vivian Blane and Dick Haymes in Rodgers and Hammerstein's superb State Fair. The less-wonderful but still enjoyable "Yolanda," from Freed and Warren, comes from the Fred Astaire vehicle Yolanda and the Thief.

Soon thereafter, Shaw switched to the small but ambitious label Musicraft. In August or September, he and Derwin were in the studio for two standards, "(I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance" and "How Deep Is the Ocean."

Hal Derwin

Throughout these sides, Derwin sings well, with a warmth similar to his Capitol singles, but via a more formal, "band singer" presentation. Shaw's band is always a pleasure to hear. The leader takes solos on most of the tunes, and there is a glimpse of trumpeter Roy Eldridge on "Ghost of a Chance."

None of the vocals are particularly well recorded, but the overall sound is adequate, with occasional background rustle.