Darktown Strutters Ball - Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians

[monteleone1010]

Other great vocals by Cliff Grass I have found: "Anything Goes" and "I Got Rhythm". (from a Guy Lombardo six-record pack released by Readers' Digest several years ago).

[monteleone1010]

another great vocal by Cliff Grass: "No More", recorded in the mid-50's. In this song, he formed a vocal duo with Bill Flanagan.

[MisterStereo]

@monteleone1010 Cliff was a fine singer.

[Crockerish]

I wonder what happened to Cliff,he had quite a different voice,he has to be gone?

[monteleone1010]

@Crockerish Yes, he passed away in 1993-1994. He was from Indiana. Besides making vocals with the GL band, he also played sax and clarinet with the band. He stayed with the band 30yers+.

[B17EFlyingFortress]

I only learned about this band by reading my Canadian history textbook...since I like Miller, Shaw, and Goodman, I thought I should listen to Guy Lombardo, too. They are awesome.

[MisterStereo]

@B17EFlyingFortress I also visited your channel and watched the 3 videos posted.

Excellent.

and awesome they are for sure.

Lloyd.

[lizgrass00]

Darktown Strutters Ball, Cliff Grass.I am wearing out this utube selection. Thank goodness the old TV shows are playing in Florida again and I managed to DVR some of Dad's solos. A lot of his dixieland numbers are there also, including one where Guy asks him about his clarinet and he says it belonged to Benny Goodman. Sad we don't have any video of "Do it", but I thought "Crazy" and "Norman" and others were done on some New Years Eve Show post 1960.

[lizgrass00]

Anyone keeping track ....who from the band of the 1970's is still alive? There was one young kid who joined when he was only 17 - can't remember his name, only that he got carded going in to play a gig one night.

[monteleone1010]

as I said elsewhere on YouTube, I'm sure that Cliff Grass has a strong influence on the light change in Lombardo's music from the late 50's on. From circa 1958, Lombardo albums are, in general, more swingy, more Jazz and Dixieland influenced and have more rhythm. The album "The Lively Guy", from which DST is taken, is one the best Lombardo albums ever (my opinion).

[monteleone1010]

other great vocals by Cliff Grass with the Lombardo Band: "Walkin' My Baby Back Home", "Work Song", "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans", "Nobody", " A Little Bit Of Dixieland", "Sweet Georgia Brown", the hilarious "Lay Something On The Bar Besides Your Elbows", etc...

[NoelGuyALfan]

Cliff Grass did less vocal solos than the others it seems,me thinks more demand for his instrumental work made it difficult to do both!! Loved Cliff's vocalising on "My Extraordinary Gal"/"My Honey's Lovin' Arms"/"My Hearts In The Ring"/"When My Sugar Walks Down The Street"/ and "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You"...If people don't agree,i quote words from "The Chicken Song" (sorry Liz !) " I ain't gonna take it settin' down..."

Regards Noel.

[lizgrass00]

Simple reason: money. Dad made sure he got paid for any vocals on tv/radio/records.,,going to the union if he didn't get paid.  And yes, playing, putting down the horn and running to the mike were difficult, but it wouldn't stop Guy from calling for it.

[NoelGuyALfan]

Do you know Liz whether your Dad was the only member of the Band who had such a deal,as stated? 30 year career with the one organisation with a hectic routine and demand for a family man, must mean he was happy being with the RC's. You must have so much love,admiration and appreciation for your upbringing by your Mom and Dad.

P.S...Excellent additions by all with naming more of Cliff's terrific vocals. Thank you.

[NoelGuyALfan]

Closing my eyes in Aus,going through my collection in my head, i should have mentioned also "Ain't She Sweet", and the clever recital on "Some Little Bug Is Gonna/Going To Find You", a song not many would associate with Lombardo "Folsom Prison Blues", and "Stagger Lee".

When i think of one of your choices Liz, the excellent rendition of "Crazy", i also think of "Norman",which i have warmed to,after only knowing the Sue Thompson hit version for a large chunk of my 56 years...end Pt 1....

[NoelGuyALfan]

Ctd Pt 2....

To all posters, thank goodness for the recorded work of all our favourite artists,for the enjoyment of all generations,past,present and future.

[NoelGuyALfan]

Wabash Cannon Ball...Take Me Along....Step To The Rear....

[monteleone1010]

Cliff Grass has made great vocals, one of the best being"Do It Yourself", from the Gl album "Bells Are Ringing"

[lizgrass00]

Do it Yourself, that was a great one all right. My top two are that and his version of Crazy (all due respect to Patsy Cline).

[lizgrass00]

My Dad, the vocalist, would have found it hilarious that we would be able to sit at a computer and see this recording over and over. He liked that song. Now, if anyone finds them doing "The Chicken Song", don't post it. That one he hated.

[TommyCraw]

My Great-Grandma used to sing this. Man I miss her. :(

[MisterStereo]

Same here - my Gramdma always hummed the big band tunes,

Remember those good times.

Lloyd.

[mktmic7]

great one here too*****

[MisterStereo]

TY again!!

Lloyd.

[weeyin1155]

Would you not just LOVE to sing with these musicians Lloyd. How fantastic that must have been. Thanks for posting my friend. Smiles stars and hugs..Jan (and Susan) ♥

[MisterStereo]

Definately.

The music brings out the best in a singer

Lloyd.