This post was originally a Good Friday Cocktail Hour from April 15, 2022. I nearly labeled it a Vintage First Draft post, but two years isn't vintage in my book or even on my blog. We at First Draft have standards, admittedly low standards but standards, nonetheless.
I can't even call it a cocktail hour post because who drinks on Easter morning? Not even atheists like me.
I've had to fall back on repeat posts because of my recent illness. As I said yesterday, I'm doing much better BUT I'm still on the low energy side. One of these days I'll get back to the dozens and movie posts on Sundays, but they require more sustained energy than I have at this point. Stay tuned.
I give you seven versions of the Irving Berlin standard as well as a new featured image. Enjoy.
The whole America as melting pot thing was big when I was growing up. The fact that a Jewish songwriter, Irving Berlin, wrote two classic songs about Christian holidays was often cited in support of the melting pot.
As for me, I'm dreaming of a White Christmas after the Easter Parade. Should I wear a Santa hat or an Easter bonnet? Beats the hell outta me.
Back to Irving Berlin month. It continues with a song that went through many changes after it was written in 1917. The melody was originally used for a sappy sounding ditty called Smile and Show Your Dimple. In 1933, Berlin wrote new lyrics for the melody, and it became this week's song, Easter Parade.
I didn't know the story of the song before reading its Wikipedia entry, I know it as the theme song for the 1948 Astaire-Garland musical. That's where we begin this week's Irvingfest or is that Berlinpalooza?
Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine's Irving Berlin album is a classic. I love the sound of their two big voices intertwined. It's magic.
Next up, my homey, Antoine Domino:
Peter Cottontail? I was teased about that as a kid, but it didn't bother me because Rosie Clooney wasn't involved.
Steve Goodman is best known as a folkie, but he turned his hand to the seasonal Berlin classic:
What's a Good Friday Cocktail Hour without a jazz instrumental version of the week's song? This time, trumpet titan Roy Eldridge and FCH regular Oscar Peterson.
Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?
That's it for this week. Let's toast the memory of Chris Owens and her late gentleman friend Mark Davison. They get the last word.
2024 Update: I almost changed the closing meme but why mess with two much-loved and much-missed New Orleans legends?
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