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.


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, 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]

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


Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler: Stormy Weather [1991]

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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