Our headliners for this rousing evening included Jen, Ken, Dan, Anne, Patricia, Louise, Jack, Bill, WendySue, Suzala and a guest who wandered in looking for a holiday program PeggySue. She did sing and did some shakes with Jen's egg shaker.

I found this theme fascinating. There were a few songs I enjoy that had their foothold in this era. JUST A GIGALO/I AIN'T GOT NOBODY (Page 2 & 3) is one example. I had no idea this medley was 2 songs from 1929 and 1927 respectively. I knew it as a very campy number by David Lee Roth in the mid 80's. From Wikipedia:

"Just a Gigolo" is best known in a form recorded by Louis Prima in 1956, where it was paired in a medley with another old standard, "I Ain't Got Nobody" (words by Roger A. Graham and music by Spencer Williams, 1915). Although these two songs have nothing else in common, the popularity of Prima's combination, and of the Village People's 1978 and David Lee Roth's 1985 cover versions of the medley, has led to the mistaken perception by some that the songs are two parts of a single original composition."

There's a cool [G7] walk down with [F#7] and [F7]. We did a good job with this one and I believe enjoyed by all.

The next 2 are also mine. PLEASE DON"T TALK ABOUT ME WHEN I'M GONE from 1930 and I'VE TOLD EVERY LITTLE STAR from 1932. The latter was another that I thought was originally from the 60's when I was a young teen. PLEASE DON"T TALK ABOUT ME WHEN I'M GONE was easy and uses the same chords as FIVE FOOT TWO (pointed out by Dan) so we played that too. Since it's a hit from 1925 the theme enforcement squad left us alone. As for I'VE TOLD EVERY LITTLE STAR, Dan said it was nice and Jen thought it was sweet.

Bill gave us the next five. SHANTY IN OLD SHANTY TOWN (1932) was unfamiliar to all but Dan and it was difficult so we pulled the plug on it. CAROLINA IN THE MORNING (1922) was nice. HEART OF MY HEART (1926) was good but IT"S A SIN TO TELL A LIE (1936) proved too challenging and we threw in the towel. I have played that one in the past and Ultimate Guitar has a nice chord sheet. Check out the very appealing [F] [A7] [Dm] combo. It really is a lovely piece. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY could have summoned the enforcement squad because it was written in 1942 but we kept them at bay with magical candy canes and we played on and very well I might add. Dan told us that Ringo sang it. It's a departure from his usual genre on his first solo album of pop standards in 1970. Louise was amused by the word 'yearny.'

Dan gave us THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME (Fred Astaire, 1937)

I helped Dan create the chord sheet but I made some mistakes. The link is to the corrected version.

Next, (mine) we moved to 3 from the Morristown NJ TIN PAN ALLEY SONGBOOK and did AIN'T WE GOT FUN (Page 6). Funny lyrics but Dan thought it was depressing. Well, it was from the early 20's during the depression after all. The hit of the night, I think everyone will agree, was a fun tune, I WANNA BE LOVED BY YOU (1928) (Page 5). That Morristown group has a unique style so I did a tutorial on how to follow the chord sheet. I think Marilyn Monroe probably made it most famous when she sang it in the movie "Some Like It Hot". Prior to that it was used in Betty Boop cartoons. Everyone loved it and clapped. I think Louise said we should record it. At the very least, let's add it to a concert list. Poo Poo be Doo ooh! And next came a decent SIDE BY SIDE (1927) (Page 9).

Dan never fails to ferret out interesting music. IF I DIDN'T CARE by the Ink Spots, 1939 is an example. I could have sworn The Ink Spots were more from my early teen or pre teen years but these guys were the original group. In the mid 40's several groups started using the name either as is or in assorted versions. Really lovely chords.

We failed miserably on Jen's CHEEK TO CHEEK (1935) by Iving Berlin for the movie Top Hat with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Let's blame the chord sheet. OK?

I was looking forward to this next one most of all. I think it's my favorite song from my favorite show, Funny Girl, starring Barbra Streisand. I'D RATHER BE BLUE was first sung by Fanny Brice in 1929. Dr. Uke has a lovely chord sheet but if you listen to his audio file, he's way too fast. Sing it like Barbra. We did a so-so job on this but friends, just play with it. It's a nice song.

We did an excellent job on WendySue's GOODY GOODY (1936). She also gave us LET ME CALL YOU SWEET HEART (1910). If I recall, WendySue did not care for the chord sheet after all. But Ken spoke about this video featuring Alfalfa (from "The Little Rascals") so I looked for it. Enjoy it here. WendySue's last song was BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT (1928) and we were excellent.

With seconds to spare we squeezed in JINGLE BELL ROCK because was 3 days before Christmas after all. And it sounded great!

Our founder Suzala made a late appearance and I'm so glad she did.

Our next theme is Pre-War Part Two.

Until then - keep strumming,

-- Arlene