Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Surprising origins of 100-year-old "Danny Boy" - UPDATE

CBS NEWS: December 31, 2013, 12:55 PM:
This year marks a century since the song "Danny Boy" first weaved its way into Irish folklore. Its melody could be heard at President Kennedy’s funeral and it also played at the farewell to Elvis Presley.

The ballad that has proved irresistible to some of the biggest names in music is a song of love and loss - a lament for those missing home and each other.

“Danny Boy” arrived a century ago and never left. But arrived from where? Most people assume it’s from Ireland, but it’s not. It was written by an Englishman.

That Englishman was Fred Weatherly, a prolific songwriter - and later successful lawyer - who published 1,500 songs.
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I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU (DEAR READERS) IF YOU DON'T TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO LISTEN TO THIS VERSION OF "DANNY BOY" PERFORMED BY MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE PIANIST, BILL EVANS:
Bill Evans, piano solo, recorded April 4, 1962

UPDATE:
OK, YES, YOU REALLY HAVE TO HEAR A GREAT VOCAL VERSION TOO AND THIS IS IT!




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