April Showers, Al Jolson

[residentevlidead]

I can't believe I heard this in a history video and I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN CLASS WHO KNEW WHO AL JOLSON WAS, and, everyone was saying how awesome he was at singing, I was laughing my ass off

[ralahinn1]

A tribute to those Taliban that got pee'd on by the Marines

[sheyy2020]

Bugs Bunny brought me here :)

[toadfan64]

What year is this version?

[DREAUXENTERTAINMENT]

@toadfan64 1921 is when the show Bombo (which this song premiered in) started production and Al Jolson starred in that musical. so based off that, it may be from 1921 but i'm not sure that's when it was recorded because the quality sounds a bit too good for that time

[toadfan64]

@DREAUXENTERTAINMENT

Yeah I thought this one sounded too good for '21

[pedrosmamma]

My Mother had told me years ago that my Grandmother had sang some on the stage with Al Jolson. Her stage name was Anne Capucci if remember correctly.The last time I saw her was in the 60;s before she died. I wonder how I can find out more.

[ralahinn1]

@pedrosmamma I guess the best way to start is to see if there is any one still alive who may have performed with him, or see if any historians may be able to help you. Good luck, I hope you can find the information.

[ralahinn1]

@ralahinn1 there is a show on PBS in America called " History Detectives" you can google them and see if they can find information,I just saw a show about them, they seem pretty good.

[saint4God]

Thank you Looney Tunes for teaching me the classics :-)

[oscarmillerabc]

A true legend

[modderx245]

Wonderful !

[killtheshark]

the worlds greatest entertainer!!

[dexyshotspur]

aaah yes!..my dad sang this so often.......Jolson and Crosby!

[7351cisco]

What the hell? Was he doing blackface at the end?

[berniekav1]

thank you for posting this is my favourite Al Jolson song...

[kcbcrazy1]

At times I think back when I was a young man and I can still hear Al Jolson singing "Mammy"". The world was at peace. It brings back so many good memories. The radio was the communicator. The phonograph was at it's peek.  Then TV In my later years, w hen the movie "The Jolson Story" was made after World War II, I felt I was seeing Al Jolson (played by Larry Parks) in person. "April Showers" was my favorite. It all seemed so peaceful at the time. Thanks for the memories.

[shanks5960]

this was my dads "party song" and how i wish he was here today to sing it. miss you loads dad xxxxxxx

[jaz11mataz]

My grandad absolutely loves this man and so do I just because my grandad loves him so much. A great song, makes me cry every time! :-)

[TheJrRyan]

God how my Dad loved Jolson...And How i loved my Dad Miss him so much

R.I.P Dad the best ever.

[cyrilmaude]

What a wonderful voice! I've heard other vaudevillians like George Burns say "...you couldn't just listen to Jolson, you had to see him". One of the greatest entertainers of the past century.

[Hilaryfan92]

'You ain't heard nothing yet!'

Classic line, I'm only 19 and I love this man's voice!

Al Jolson and Jolson Sings Again are two of my favourite movies and probably always will be!<3

[Jobbies1970]

Totally wonderful - brings back absolutely wonderful and happy happy memories of many a Friday night watching either Jolson sings or Jolson sings again with my wee Brother, my Mum and my Dad....it brings tears to my eyes to remember such wonderful happy times

Outstanding

[NoobDesire]

I sing this in Music Class but in a different version

[loonylinda]

Remembering my old dad....who used to sing all the old jolson songs....RIP

[MrEfreeman]

I work in a nursing home, and i love to sing with my residents after finishing up the song "till the river runs dry," he told me of al jolson and sang this song to me. Good music i like the feel of the music. You dont find the heart in the newer songs as you do in the older ones. Kudos to Mr. Jolson, Mel Torme and countless others.

[paulkate72]

What a wonderful response to Al Jolson! He must have been good to get these kinds of kudos. Yet, here's a man who nearly everyone today wouldn't remember. Still, we do have his music thanks to YT. Lovely comments from all of you.

[63keithernet]

Wow. this guy really had a voice. I've known his work for years only by imitators on Looney Tunes cartoons. I'd like to hear more. I'll keep his CD with my classics, like Louie Armstrong and Glenn Miller

[KatyJaneHughes]

My granddad does this song beautifully!!

i think he sounds just like jolson! he sings every week in the pub which he attends and manages to have every one on thier feet!!

so proud of my farvie

xxxxxxxxxxx

[thephantom1946]

Now this was the original "world's greatest entertainer". He held audiences in the palm of his hands in the first part of the twentieth century. He lived not to far away from us in Encino, and I have many old LP's of his. My mother used to run into him occasionally in the store while shopping. His popularity was amazing. I think I know every song he sang by heart, still, as I played them so much. Great memories for me!

[nnuurr222]

this was the MAN !! i sang in musicals in the 60's and this GOD was so inspirational to me.....and I thank Youtube for providing the opportunity to see so many of his performances and for the listening of his recordings....i would have paid so much to have seen Al perform......I just watched the 1927 Jazz Singer which is readily available on the internet.....soooo worth it.....

[zapdada1]

Al Jolson has always made me feel so alive!

[grandslam1998]

It was al all the time. I'm looking for the blue bird. Bravo Bravo

[toscanini9]

Thank you, Jadore7; thank you very much. My late mother-in-law grew up in Southwest Washington, DC (41/2 Street)...a few doors down from the "Yolson" family. My father and I did exactly what you and your father did, as you display in the final frame. What many forget is that it was Jolson who forced Broadway to open up for Black talent, perhaps the first entertainment civil rights leader. Thank you, again...michael

[ampsanne]

This song always brings tears to my eyes. My Uncle Bill sang it to me when I was a little girl and can still picture him singing it to me. He died at 42 yrs. of age from Hodgekins Disease. I loved him so much. As for Al Jolson he invented this song. I've always loved any of his songs. Thanks for posting this great singer and song,

[RustyRuss19]

I chose this for you dad.God bless.

[chester777ful]

Such a great song a such a great artist also

[stillmarillion]

this is a reminder of my dad he loved al jolson and i grew up to loke him brillant artist never forgotten

[MrMavilla1]

Me and my Dad too

[14doranc]

Jolson is definitely a crooner

[madamerotten]

Is that a very strange edit at around 2:04? The piece seems to lose continuity.

[marcoamedrano]

@madamerotten I noticed it too.  Sounds like an attempt to stretch the song a bit.

[marguerite74494]

my daddy died in january 2010 and i grew up with him listenin and watch al jolson, he was diganosed with cancer in jan and died 19 days later, i actually sang this to him as he was dying as it was his favourite song his birthday was in april and so was mine, i was his baby, the youngest and i miss him so much....... r.i.p daddy love and miss you, pls watch over me not doing to good right now xx

[ermin00]

@marguerite74494 ....a big hug

[madamerotten]

@marguerite74494 God bless you; I cried when I read this. I hope eternal peace will come to all of us, in time.

[4drcoop]

@marguerite74494 . . . .You must make yourself feel better to keep him proud Margie, he IS watching.

[ROXYROXSINGS]

This is like hearing my dad singing. He sang just like Al Jolson.  EXACTLY. Alll these Al Jolson songs make me so happy and sad at the same time. I remember my Dad singing them to me and them my sister and I would sing them. We knew all these by heart.

[LynneGo]

Brings tears to my eyes. Such emotion in that gorgeous voice!!!!

[PianoTuningLover]

I think, that the "secret" of Al Jolson is his really Big Heart. A man with the one can do what he did. I don't think you have to be "great" in order to be GREAT. If you want to find a person who admires you, look for the ones who like Al Jolson. At least you would not be disappointed at the end of your earthal journey. Anyways, let' s listen to an Angel he was.

[PianoTuningLover]

I think, that the "secret" of Al Jolson is his really Big Heart. A man with the one can do what he did.

[298625]

April Showers was Al's favorite song. Mine too.

[margords]

voice from heaven x

[jimthetim8]

My dad had this song played at his funeral yesterday he was 77 , loved al and could do a great version of sonny boy! Im 43 but could jolson sing , I WAS BROUGHT UP ON JOLSON, ELVIS , CASH, what a TRIO! JIM, AYR SCOTLAND UK

[horsters]

what a beautiful voice!!

[Snazzyfireplant]

Gorgeous. Al Jolson, is amazing. Why don't we listen to any OLD songs anymore?

[roselay100]

The version of when he talks some of the song is so nice. Brings a tear to my eye :') I Love Him So Much and I'm only younggg ;) <3

[tranquility321]

It's all my dad sung when he was happy was al jolson. I miss my dad so much. Grew up listening to my dad mimic al jolson, and he did it well.

[TheManInLoveWithYou]

Does anyone know why Jolson performed at the moment in black face?

[rubyrola1959]

@TheManInLoveWithYou well in 1904, or so, a NY comedian joked to him that it would go well w/ his 'southern' accent that he picked up as a boy in D.C, and make him look like an authentic performer. Jolson used it more so as a mask to hide his nervousness from large audiences,and he never felt comfortable w/out it. He also used it as a means to tell white people of the time that blacks were the ones who really created Jazz, and Ragtime, not the white performers who claimed that they had done so.

[Puzzler4879]

He was just sooo great, and this is a classic! Thanks for posting it.

[Plainsryder]

How did you get such a good recording? No scratches and pops?

[louisebelair2010]

i LOVE THIS SONG

THIS WAS MY LATE DAD'S SONG

AND i USE TO SING IT WITH HIM

WISH THE KARAOKE WOULD EXIST SO

I COULD SING IT FOR HIM

THANX FOR SHARING

LOUISE

XX

[ruthy102]

A real talent and a real superstar! He also led the life of a superstar. I understand from George Burns biography he was also a smart businessman an was loaning the banks money during the great depression.

[298625]

This is my favorite Jolson tune. It was his favorite too. thanks.

[ravgoodspeed]

This huge Bowie fan also loves the Great Al Jolson, I was brought up on this music by my dear mother. When I became a dad I used to play his songs while I danced around the room with my wee baby boy when he was teething. I have also seen 3 great Jolson impersonators sing his songs, which I will remember till the day I die. I would have loved to hear the great Jolson live. The Worlds first Superstar. If they ever invent a time machine I am going back to see him live. and buy him a drink. Jim

[execelsior]

@ravgoodspeed I totally agree with you - great stuff.

[Fegen]

I recall hearing it on the radio the day Al Jolson died. I was a child and he was

my favorite male singer at that time. I use to sing his songs and try to sing like

him.

[ruthy102]

You could just feel his energy! A lightening presence.The best!

[faniymx]

amazing

[ruthy102]

NO one has or ever had a voice like Jolson's.

[kountryvaudeville]

beautiful and unmatched

[b42baritone]

This recording sounds like it was digital enhance. If so, what a great baritone voice Jolson has!!

[tonski79]

This was the most requested song during WWII from the GIs..Al loved it !!!

[parmen02]

Has anyone even come close to surpassing this version - is it me or what?

[elliott021]

I, too, grew up listening to Al Jolson. I LOVE this song!!!

[ldFlorida]

I too was brought up listening to Al (and Bing!). Years ago there was an Al Jolson imitator in the Clearwater, Florida area. Don't know if there are any today or not.

[vino1969Ragusa]

No doubt about it , Al Jolson was a class act. His singing brings me back to my childhood days & tears to my eyes!

One of the best ever...........thank you Al

[TheStubbleking]

How did you preserve the sound so well? No crackling or static! Wow!

[MikeEgypte]

Wow, marvelous quality--ich liebe dich for this posting.

Mike

[raycov]

My favourite of Al Jolson's records. The greatest entertainer you bet.

[wog19641]

i have always liked al jolsen i would have liked to see him preform thanks for posting this vid

[maureen1938]

Thanks for posting this beautiful video, Al Jolson was a wonderful singer and entertainer and will be remembered for a long long time.

[mjcwalls]

I like his looks, he ain't ugly!! He had class.

[Majik47]

He's wonderful. Ironic, with his looks, he wouldn't get a foot in the door today.

[gerrygeorge1]

Are you kiddin', Majika47 ? This guy made a come-back at aged 61 in 1947, and wowed the Bobby-soxers in the aisles with this very number and many more...and went on to earn another four million dollars, to add to a fortune made on the stage and in the movies, dating back from his Vaudeville debut at the turn of the 20th Century. Al Jolson was dynamite; his charisma, lung-power and quick-fire repartee sending audiences wild, wherever he worked. *The World's Greatest Entertainer*, he sure was.

[lisa91316]

I love Al he was a great entertainer, i think probably the greatest ever,just goes to show a great voice never ages,his songs are still loved today, i could listen to hin all day and im 34.

[AudreyMarguerite1]

ths reminds me of my late husband. he was always singing his songs, great

[Corrie121]

this is a great Jolson post, and I thank you for sharing it.

[sessnazx]

Memories...

Thank You So Much...

[tukilala]

Maravilloso video !!!!!!

[alovetozinga1]

best singer in the world even today top man to me

[emmakehr]

Al Jolson is my great uncle! And I'm still 11! Rest in peace al!

[butterfly3436]

: )my great grat granpa wrote this song (buddy desylva)

[Majik47]

Bless him for this gem. :-)

[elliott021]

@butterfly3436

You should be very proud. It is a great song!!

[waynebaal]

I LOVE Al Jolson...My Grandad introduced him to me when I was about 2 year old!! Maybe younger!

[berniekav1]

i put this on my quick list when im on and listen to it all the time...but in future i will be rating it when it comes on...this is my favourite Jolson song...because it reminds me of my Dad thanx

[pax41]

I have a lot of his early pieces but this must be one of his 40's recordings.

[sammipink]

loved this mans voice he was such a beautiful singer thanks for posting

[Wehategod]

the Great Asa Yoelson aka Al Jolson what a voice and what a preformer. His presence is still felt today. I hate to say this but I would prefer Al Jolson to Frank Sintra Don't get me wrong Sinatra was good but Jolson was beyond good just the greatest preformer and voice of that time period. Eddie Cantor is my second Favorite.

[GravelGrunt]

I love Al Jolson's voice. What a singer. I only regret he was before my time. What modern singers could hold a candle to him? :)

[ugha323a]

Jolson loved God which gave him the ability to LOVE his audience.

[cunningsophie]

@Wehategod My Grandad introduced me to Al Jolson.He was superb!

[CanadaPisces]

Jolson does a wonderful rendition of an old favourite.....no one can do it any better!

[FLOOBERNINO]

Al Jolson could really bring the meat when he performed. He is the ultimate meat beast.

[steffidude]

My dad told me Al Jolson performed for the troops in Korea. he was always proud that he was able to see Jolson in person. Thank God for Al! When alive dad talked more about that then the purple heart he earned. Al had a heart of gold.

[298625]

Get in touch with the International Al Jolson Society. They are collecting accounts of servicemen who saw Jolson perform live in Korea. Check out their fantastic website.

[ThirdTimeChangedKBA]

What does "strewn" mean, as in "Life is not a highway strewn with flowers"?

[Mrphantomstalker]

strewn means to scatter

[ThirdTimeChangedKBA]

So Al Jolson meant "Life is not a highway scattered with flowers"?

[Mrphantomstalker]

Yes thats what strewn means

[CarlDuke]

Third, you still seem a little confused. Perhaps filled with flowers would better explain the intent of this line in the song. Hope that helps.

[ThirdTimeChangedKBA]

That helps even more.

[meclaudine]

The Al Jolson Story is one of the most touching movies of all time..  I saw it on TV long long ago and did not forget it since then.

[CarlDuke]

I agree completely with your comment. It might be interesting to you that one of the proposed names for that film before deciding on the title The Jolson Story was April Showers.

[PyRoMaNiAcRlB]

My favourite one

[MrGeorgealan64]

try george alan singing AL JOLSON

[Surenity]

I remember hearing Bugs Bunny singing this. XD

[StormtheRebel]

Eh? I'm searching that now.

[DiScOiSkEwL]

Al Jolson - The Grandaddy of 'em all :)

[Janine11155]

I love this. I've read that Jolson loved to sing so much, he'd sing anywhere at the drop of a hat, couldn't wait to perform anywhere.

The year? 1921

Until now I would have said it was the definition of corny, but I think we could use this kind of optimism again

[298625]

my favorite Jolie song. He's incomparable. Thanks for posting.

[BlackSockSounds]

Thank You

[kevbhoy82]

i used to listen to al jolson with my dad when i was a wee boy im only 26 now but love to listen in to al when im feeling emotional cos my dads not here any more nobody my age knows or has heard of al jolson lol

[wellermanjack]

im 25 and a big asa yolson fan, nice to see im not alone mate

[madamerotten]

I know several Jolson fans under the age of 20.

[PyRoMaNiAcRlB]

and now you know another ^.^

[72fay]

same here. loved to listen with dad

[EmpressDR]

Jolson is one person that I would like to have met and known when he was alive. All the movies, etc, give me the sense of a tribute to a man who has passed away --he seemed so vibrant, powerful, unforgettable while alive. His dynamic, living force must have been an amazing thing. I would have loved to have experienced it.

[EmpressDR]

I think Parks didn't capture Jolie --Parks seemed to be trying to imitate a black man, minstral-style than doing Jolson's moves. Jolson used blackface to release any inhibitions to be emotional --an audience could accept emotions from a man of color more readily than from a white man, and Jolie was more exuberant, free, fluid than other male performers of his day. I think only some rock performers can compare --those with movements and emotions.

[EmpressDR]

This was beautiful, thanks for posting. I've gotten a re-appreciation for Jolson with all the youtube postings. I'd always loved him, now I get to see the real thing, instead of just Larry Parks

[callisurfer22]

whats the year on this?!?!???

[CLASSICLOSTINSPACE]

THIS ROCKS......

[keepthemusicplaying0]

So good to hear him again! What a delivery!! 5/5

[isthatmusicicanhear2]

thanks barbara ' nothing better than the oldies also thanks jadore7 for the post and by the way its august here in the uk and its still showery 'issy

[Rumpep]

Really love these oldies, 5*.....Barbara

[Havago1]

Well done Jadore7! I enjoyed it very much! :)