On September 24, 1940, a concert took place that was not only unique but can accurately be called incredible in its own way. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of ASCAP and the closing of the San Francisco and New York World's Fairs, a pair of music festivals were organized. All of the playing from September 24 (never previously released) is on this four-CD set. While the first CD has an afternoon symphonic concert, the nighttime performances captured on the other CDs are truly memorable, with 32 composers and lyricists (many of whom rarely appeared in public) performing their own songs.
Jerome Kern,
Hoagy Carmichael,
Sigmund Romberg, and
Jimmy McHugh take their turns on the piano,
Irving Berlin leads the crowd in "God Bless America," and the originators of such timeless tunes as "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" (Albert Von Tilzer), "My Melancholy Baby" (
Ernie Burnett), "My Blue Heaven" (
Walter Donaldson), "Sweet Adeline" (
Harry Armstrong), "Jeepers Creepers" (
Harry Warren and
Johnny Mercer), and even "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" (a delightful
Ann Ronell) all perform.
George M. Cohan (whose only commercial records were in 1911) sings four of his most famous songs,
W.C. Handy solos on cornet during "St. Louis Blues," and
Harold Arlen plays piano behind
Judy Garland (one year after The Wizard of Oz) on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." One can feel the presence of World War II throughout the program (Pearl Harbor was less than 15 months away), and there are some patriotic moments (including a stirring up-tempo version of "Stars and Stripes Forever"). Although there are only hints of jazz, the historic value of this fascinating set is obvious. ~ Scott Yanow