The Pathbreaking Walden Records Sessions, 1952-55: Music of Harold Arlen

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    I Love a New Yorker - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
2    My Shining Hour - Warren Galjour - Warren Galjour
3    Come Rain or Come Shine - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
4    Let's Take a Walk Around the Block - Louise Carlyle/Bob Shaver - Louise Carlyle/Bob Shaver
5    I Wonder What Became of Me? - Miriam Burton - Miriam Burton
6    Can I Leave Off Weariin' My Shoes? - June Ericson/Harold Arlen - June Ericson/Harold Arlen
7    I Had Myself a True Love - June Ericson - June Ericson
8    Fun to Be Fooled - Bob Shaver - Bob Shaver
9    Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
10    Halloween - Bob Shaver - Bob Shaver
11    Right As the Rain - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
12    One for My Baby - Louise Carlyle - Louise Carlyle
13    Hit the Road to Dreamland
14    Moanin' in the Mornin'
15    Minuet
16    You're the Cure for What Ails Me
17    It's a New World
18    Buds Won't Bud
19    I Never Has Seen Snow
20    Evelina
21    Last Night When We Were Young
22    T' Morra' T' Morra'
23    House of Flowers Waltz
24    Hooray for Love