Gertrude Lawrence sings Gershwin "DO-DO-DO" (1926)

DO-DO-DO
sung by Gertrude Lawrence
From the Broadway Musical "Oh Kay"
Music by George Gershwin
Words by Ira Gershwin
Piano accompaniment by Tom Waring
Recorded October 29, 1926

Gertrude Lawrence was born July 4, 1898 in London, England. She died September 6, 1952 in New York, NY. Singing star of Broadway musicals after performing in English music halls and theatres. Talented singer, dancer and actress; glamorous, vital, extravagant personality. As youngster entertained in English pubs and music halls, eventually worked as a chorus girl and understudy to Beatrice Lillie in London show. Broadway debut in Andre Charlot "Revue of 1924" and "Revue of 1925". Both shows from England with English casts. Starred in important musical "Oh, Kay!" (1926). Top New York spots 1927 including Paramount Theatre. Starred in "Treasure Girl" (1928), in play, "Candlelight" (1929) and musical "International Revue" (1930). Co-starred with playwright, Noel Coward in important play, "Private Lives" (1931), later in "Tonight at 8:30" (1936);. Later plays included "Susan and God" (1937), "Skylark" (1939), "Pygmalion" revival (1945), "Tonight at 8:30" revival (1948). Biggest roles in Broadway musicals"Lady in the Dark" (1941) and "The King and I" (1951). In movies "Battle of Paris" (1929), "No Funny Business" (1933), "Rembrandt and Mimi" (1936), "Men Are Not Gods" (1937), "The Glass Menagerie" (1950). During World War II entertained troops in U.S. and abroad. 1968 movie "Star!" based on Lawrence life; Julie Andrews in title role.

"Do-Do-Do"
This is an echo of a memorable moment in musical theatre -- the moment in which Gertrude Lawrence, appearing in her first American production ("Oh, Kay" -- November 8, 1926, sang "Do-Do-Do", a duet with Oscar Shaw. In this "original cast" recording Shaw is absent, and so is the pit orchestra. But what is here in blessed measure is the inenarrable presence of Gertrude Lawrence with her enchanting mixture of pretty wickedness and comedy charm, high art and high artiface. She had made her Broadway debut in a London Import, "Andre Charlot's Review of 1924." It was the beginning of her distinguished career in America, a career that grew in depth and glamour season by season. "Do-Do-Do" was recorded eleven days before "Oh, Kay" opened at the Imperial Theatre and was released in February 1927. The song was a hit when it first appeared and Victor did not release another performance of it that year, possibly because it was banned from the radio. The words spin around "that wonderful kiss," a point that got lost on the "grundies." The Gershwins' tempo marking should have settled that matter. It read: "Gracefully" -- as it is sung by Miss Lawrence.
Notes by James T. Maher

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gertrude
• Lawrence
• Do-Do-Do
• George
• Ira
• Gerswhin
• 1926
• 1927
• Oh
• Kay
• 78rpm
• Broadway
• Musical
• flapper
• Imperial
• Theatre
• vocal

[iVenge]

I agree with the comments about the tempo being right on this version. For example, Helen Morgan's version is too rushed, and as a result the song loses its weight and depth.

[bsgs98]

@iVenge Gertrude Lawrence recorded this again a year later in London, a duet with her singing partner Harold French and it was noticeably a faster tempo. It was probably much closer to her stage performance, but still slower than Helen Morgan.

[zzenzero]

Thank you for upload and nice collage of pictures.

This is indeed the tempo that Gershwin intended.Rather like the Jolson Swanee debate with his 1924 recording being the intended tempo there.

Gertrude is oozing personality in this song and like Fanny Brice was first and foremost a comedienne.It's rather sweet to hear her going to 'town' here and to have seen her on stage must have been a remarkable experience.

Thanks again,bsgs98 and keep 'do'-ing it.

:)

[bsgs98]

@zzenzero Thanks for your nice remarks. She also recorded this as a duet with Harold French in London. I think he may have co-starred with her in the London production of "Oh, Kay!"

[Shabannie]

I enjoyed your sweet tribute!

--------Ellen 

[thechinadesk]

@yelanates

That was my guess too.

I don't mind the slightly faster Helen Morgan rendition. She merely picked up the pace. She didn't distort the overall shape of the song. She didn't destroy its melodic "spine."

What irks me is singers who go too far in "interpreting" a song. A friend of mine called it the "Mel Torme treatment." Barbra Streisand is often guilty of this.

[yelanates]

@thechinadesk I would consider this recording to be moderato. *shrug*

[thechinadesk]

@yelanates

The score of "Do, Do, Do" that I have in front of me reads "moderato grazioso."

I prefer the slower Gertrude Lawrence version of 1926 over the faster Helen Morgan version of 1927.

But both are good. Both honor the original phrasing. Both refrain from "deconstructing" the song.

[BrOkEnCyDebitchh]

I just realized i dont give a fuck who wrote the tempo. THIS SONG IS AMAZING!!! love it!!

[thechinadesk]

I am a sucker for early Broadway show tunes, sung straight without excess embellishment, preserving the original spirit of the song as written by the composers and lyricists.

Absolutely love it!