Episode 327. Eileen Farrell’s High Standards

Episode 327. Eileen Farrell’s High Standards

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It’s been a tough week all around, not just nationally and internationally, but also personally for me and my family. Because I did not have the time or energy to put out a brand-new episode today, I am presenting to you a former bonus episode first published sometime in the past couple years which features a collection of some of the finest late career recordings of pop standards that Eileen Farrell made between 1988 and 1991 arranged and music directed by Loonis McGlohon or Robert Farnon. The songs all stem from the tradition of the Great American Songbook, whether well-known or more obscure, whether originally written for Broadway shows, for Hollywood, or simply straight from Tin Pan Alley. Backed by either a small combo or an orchestra, Farrell sounds remarkably youthful and always deeply connected to the style and essence of this music, which is no surprise since she had been singing this repertoire from her earliest days and is one of the very finest all-around singers this country has ever produced.

Iman Habibi

Link to Iman Habibi’s article, “We Live In a Singing World,” from which this week’s word of wisdom derived: www.sparksandwirycries.org/magazine/2025/1/11/we-live-in-a-singing-world-iman-habibi

RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE

All tracks feature Eileen Farrell.

Unless otherwise noted, the core group of instrumentalists comprise: Loonis McGlohon (piano and arrangements), Joe Wilder (trumpet, flugelhorn), Phil Thompson (flute, saxophone), Greg Hyslop (guitar), Terry Peoples (bass), Jim Stack (vibraphone), and Bill Stowe (drums)

Alec Wilder

Alec Wilder, Loonis McGlohon: ’s Gonna Be a Cold, Cold Day [1989]

Richard Whiting, Johnny Mercer: Too Marvelous for Words. Loonis McGlohon, Jon Thornton, Jim Pugh, Joe Negri, Bill Stowe [1990]

Richard Whiting

Victor Young, Ned Washington: My Foolish Heart [1991]

Harold Arlen

Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler: Stormy Weather [1991]

Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart: Little Girl Blue [1988]

Richard Farnon

Harry Stoddard, Marcy Klauber: I Get the Blues When It Rains. Arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon [1991]

Yip Harburg

Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg: Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe [1988]

William Engvick and Alec Wilder

Alec Wilder, William Engvick: It’s a Fine Day for Walking Country Style [1990]

David Raksin

David Raksin, Johnny Mercer: Laura. Eileen Farrell, Loonis McGlohon, Jon Thornton, Jim Pugh, Joe Negri, Bill Stowe [1990]

Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz

Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz: Alone Together. Arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon [1991]

Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer: I Wonder What Became of Me [1988]

Billy Barnes: Something Cool [1991]

Alec Wilder, William Engvick: Moon and Sand [1990]

Billy Strayhorn

Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life. Arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon [1991]

Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart: You’re Nearer [1988]

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