MUSICAL HISTORY - GEORGE GERSHWIN LIVE in 1924!

Listen closely to this wonderful composer-pianist playing live in 1924!

Original acoustic recording 10th June 1924 of George Gershwin's classic composition with Gershwin at the piano. Released on both sides of a 12'' 78 rpm record Amazing sound quality for an acoustic recording from the clarinet glissando ( played by Ross Gorman who played it as a joke for Gershwin during rehearsals for the première, Gershwin liked it so it stayed) the piano and orchestra. Gershwin and Whiteman recorded it electrically 21st April 1927. Paul Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin to write him an extended piece aiming to be the first artist to perform an all jazz concert at the Aeolian Hall in New York. He set a target of February 1924. Gershwin refused saying there wasn't enough time, however in early January 1924 his brother Ira brought to his attention an article in the New York Tribune about the concert stating that George was working on a 'Jazz Concerto'.

Gershwin spoke to Whiteman the next morning and was told Vincent Lopez was planning to steal the idea of the concert. Gershwin finally won over set about the work on January 7th and had it completed in a few weeks, Ferde Grofe, Whiteman's arranger was given the score to orchestrate. The concert went ahead on 12th February 1924 with Gershwin at the piano.

https://youtu.be/Ng8QDwkKZsU

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.

READ MORE

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!