The Pathbreaking Walden Records Sessions, 1952-55: Gershwin Rarities

In the 1950s, Walden Records—founded by our friend and Gershwin/Arlen/Berlin/Lerner biographer, the late Edward Jablonski—was a highly respected independent label specializing in the work of the finest American songwriters for theater and film. TMTP/Harbinger has remastered and reissued nearly all of the Walden albums, with expert packaging, informative liner notes and the original cover art by Al Hirschfeld, who donated his talent because he so admired Walden’s mission.

That mission was unusual: to document great songs by the great songwriters, yes, but to pay special attention to lesser-known material. One star headlined the Ira Gershwin collection (Nancy Walker) and one star composer performed on the Harold Arlen disc (Arlen himself), but the rest of the albums featured young, first-rate singers making names for themselves in New York musical theater. Musical direction was by John Morris, David Baker or Peter Matz, not long before Matz catapulted to fame on Barbra Streisand’s early discs.

To be frank, you should treat yourself to all five of these CDs—they are that special...Gershwin Rarities, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin, The Music of Harold Arlen, Melodies of Jerome Kern and Cole Porter/Rodgers & Hart.

Track List 

1    They All Laughed - Kaye Ballard - Kaye Ballard
2    Things Are Looking Up - David Craig - David Craig
3    Where's the Boy? Here's the Girl! - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
4    How Long Has This Been Going On? - Louise Carlyle/Warren Galjour - Louise Carlyle/Warren Galjour
5    Isn't It a Pity? - Kaye Ballard - Kaye Ballard
6    Let's Kiss and Make Up - Louise Carlyle/Warren Galjour - Louise Carlyle/Warren Galjour
7    Funny Face - Betty Gillett - Betty Gillett
8    I Want to Be a War Bride - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
9    Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did? - Kaye Ballard/David Craig - Kaye Ballard/David Craig
10    That Certain Feeling - Warren Galjour - Warren Galjour
11    Soon - Kaye Ballard - Kaye Ballard
12    Sweet and Low Down - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
13    Shall We Dance? - David Craig - David Craig
14    Oh, So Nice! - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
15    Nice Work If You Can Get It - Warren Galjour - Warren Galjour
16    Stiff Upper Lip - Kaye Ballard - Kaye Ballard
17    A Foggy Day - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
18    17 and 21 - Betty Gillett/David Craig - Betty Gillett/David Craig
19    Nightie-Night! - Louise Carlyle/Warren Galjour - Louise Carlyle/Warren Galjour
20    Kickin' the Clouds Away - Kaye Ballard - Kaye Ballard