Tweet Early Jerome Kern

The mention of Till the Clouds Roll By in the PD thread reminded me how much this film got me hooked on Jerome Kern's music from the time I was 12. Even back then, of course, I knew that the film wasn't an accurate depiction of his life, but it exposed me to long-forgotten shows like The Girl from Utah, Oh, Boy! and Leave It to Jane in addition to his standard-bearers Sally, Sunny, Show Boat, The Cat and the Fiddle, Roberta et al.

Listening to the EDVR's sound files of early Kern recordings over the last few weeks has been quite a revelation--it's wonderful to be able to hear his songs as they likely were originally presented (or at least a fascsimile thereof--original cast members made records rather less frequently back then). In particular, "The Siren's Song" in its 1917-18 recordings comes across as a quick-tempo, snappy tune unlike its rather plaintive arrangement in the MGM film (it's sung at the end of the opening credits, right before the Show Boat scene). The quiet poetry of "They Didn't Believe Me" as sung by Harry MacDonough and Olive Kline comes across even better than in the film (and we get to hear the verse!).

Youtube has also been a good resource; the Columbia disk of "Till the Clouds Roll By" sung by Anna Wheaton and James Harrod is there, as is "The Land Where the Good Songs Go" by Charles Harrison and Olive Kline (a Victor recording, but not yet posted on EDVR), inter alia. There's also a nice, modern rendition of "Cleopatterer", sung with brio and taste by Maria Russo, unlike the number in the MGM film by a player who shall remain nameless.

Here are the Victor masters with Jerome Kern compositions up to 1928: http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/talent/detail/42947/Kern_Jerome_composer

Not all of them have sound files yet, but those that do are a glorious window into a lost Broadway. Any other Kern fans here?

-Harold

One of my very favorite CDs is the 1993 Jerome Kern Collection, a set of rarely heard Kern songs produced by John McGlinn and featuring a host of great singers (George Dvorsky, Thomas Hampson, Jeanne Lehman, Rebecca Luker).

I'm also a big fan of McGlinn's "historically authentic" Show Boat revival 3-disc set. [/quote]

Anyone who is unfamiliar with them should try toe Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks. There are some lesser-known Kern songs in that one that are delightful.

Bob

Among my small collection of CD's with silent film music is "Our Musical Past Volume 2" featuring vintage scores for two 1916 productions:

Fall of a Nation (Victor Herbert) (sequel to Birth of a Nation!)

Gloria's Romance (Jerome Kern) (1916) (serial)

The Kern music, though, is a series of cues rather than a cohesive score.

I'll admit I haven't listened very much to it, and it may more of a museum piece for specialists than something one puts on for listening pleasure. Still, if you're feeling curious and adventurous:

http://www.amazon.com/Our-Musical-Past-Herbert-Glorias/dp/B00275TGP6

Here are the Victor masters with Jerome Kern compositions up to 1928: http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/talent/detail/42947/Kern_Jerome_composer

Jerome Kern is my favorite composer from this period. I like Kern from ALL periods, but there is something of a Victor Herbertesque winsomeness about his early stuff that I find particularly appealing.
Thanks, Harold, for the tip of the recordings on the website--they are really terrific!

Art Pierce

It's interesting to hear early recordings of broadway tunes and see how many are sung by high tenors and sopranos. It's an artifact of the days before everyone used a microphone- those high clear voices were audible to the back of the house.

Yes, in this era of the body mike the ability to project seems to be a lost art!

Art Pierce

It may still have a place in opera, but hearing a singer's genuine voice is becoming rare, and on Broadway everything is enhanced to sound like a movie. A lot of new musicals are just live action movies.

Don't see a link to audio, but this is a "very good" one:

http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/700002145/C-17126-Gems_from_Very_good_Eddie

spadeneal

Any other Kern fans here?
-Harold

You betcha!!! His Edwardian days in London are good and there was an LP of some of the recordings from this time on the British World Record Club label, naturally called, Jerome Kern in London or similar. Show Boat is probably my favorite score.

I have a 1916 piano roll of "Babes in the Woods" (Very Good Eddie)hand played by William Berge. It's Rythmodik Roll #B14232 listed as a "Fox Trot for Dancing" Berge's style is fun and snappy and it appears to be an authentic recreation of the period. Sounds great on my large upright. It was this roll that encouraged me to explore Kern's earlier music, especially the show tunes. Someday I hope to get this roll and others on You Tube, if I have time.