Showing posts with label Eddie Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eddie Jackson. Show all posts

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Jimmy Durante's Songs in 'Two Sisters from Boston'

The 1946 film Two Sisters from Boston gained its musical credibility from the presence of the great tenor Lauritz Melchior. His songs from that production appeared on my other blog some time ago and have now been reworked in ambient stereo.

In addition to the mighty Melchior, the musical also employed vaudevillian and popular radio personality Jimmy Durante as the character Spike, and gave him two songs to perform. "G'wan Home, Your Mudder's Callin'" and "There Are Two Sides to Ev'ry Girl" might not have been right for a heldentenor, but they suited the Schnoz just fine.

The songs were written by Sammy Fain and Ralph Freed, but about half of each song consists of Durante's asides, one-liners and other comic riffs, no doubt drawn from a lifetime on the stage.

Both songs made it to a single on the short-lived but interesting Majestic label. Durante is joined by Eddie Jackson, a frequent collaborator, who sings harmony. Ted Dale and his band provide the backing.

The numbers are well performed, well recorded and highly amusing.

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Jimmy Durante in Two Sisters from Boston. He seems to be enjoying himself.
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