"Sunny Days!" (Layton and Johnstone, 1930)

A soaringly upbeat Depression-buster performed by the African-American team of Clarence Johnstone and Turner Layton--written by Burton, Jason, Campbell and Connelly.

SUNNY DAYS

Sunny days--never let the darkness fool ya,
Smile with those bright, sunny days.

Sunny days--laugh and shout out "Hallelujah",
Smile with those bright sunny days.

Why wear a nasty old frown?
Why let the blues get you down?

Sunny days, you've got something coming to ya,
Smile with those bright, sunny days!

Life's full of care, it's everywhere,
making the whole world seem blue.
You can be sad--you can be glad,
but it's entirely up to you!

Sunny days, never let the darkness fool ya,
Smile with those bright, sunny days.
Sunny days, laugh and shout out "Hallelujah",
Smile with those bright sunny days!

Here's more on Layton & Johnstone:

A piano/vocals duet with heavy classical influence, Layton & Johnstone were staid but solid interpreters of American popular song during the '20s and early '30s. They sold over 10 million records during their time together, much of which was spent in England (they were one of the most successful acts on Britain's vaudeville scene). Pianist Turner Layton, born in Washington, D.C. in 1894, was the son of a music teacher, a vaudeville performer as of 1920 (occasionally with Henry Creamer), and a recording artist (for the prestigious Black Swan label) just one year later. He also appeared in musicals (often all-black) including Strut, Three Showers, and Miss Liza, then met up with Clarence "Tandy" Johnstone in the early '20s.

The pair made their London debut in 1923, very early on, and performed in the West End, appeared on radio, and recorded dozens of records. A few titles became popular, including "Bye-Bye, Blackbird," "River Stay 'Way From My Door," and "It Ain't a Going to Rain No More." The partnership ended in 1935, when Johnstone was implicated in a divorce suit that caused a scandal. He returned to America (and obscurity), dying in 1953, while Layton continued as a popular soloist. He was also an accomplished songwriter, the tunesmith behind "Dear Old Southland," "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight," and "After You've Gone." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Turner Layton
• Clarence Johnstone
• 1930
• Black
• Singing
• Team
• London
• Burton
• Jason
• Campbell
• Connelly

[duettists]

I love Layton and Johnstone as a duo, but because Layton was such a good pianist he was able to continue as a solo act after Johnstone went back to America. Poor Albert Sandler never got over his wife's infidelity and their subsequent divorce, and died at a relatively young age in the late 1940s.

[RReady555]

I'm grateful for that additional information--they're not nearly well enough known in America.

Best wishes,

-RR

[blackpoolbarmpot]

Layton & Johnstone were extremely popular between 1925 & 1935, and made hundreds of records of virtually all the popular songs of that era.

Although they were partners professionally they did not get on so well off stage, and went their separate ways in 1935, when Clarence Johnstone returned to America.

Turner Layton, continued to enchant audiences in this country with solo performances well into the 1950's.

[blackpoolbarmpot]

It is quite unbelievable - but true - that the only Contract that Layton & Johnstone had with the 'Columbia Graphophone Company' (their recording company), was scribbled down on the back of a menu card in a Hotel Restaurant they were performing in at the time !!!! Just one day before they were due to do an audition for HMV at Hayes.

At that time, 'HMV' (The Gramophone Company) and the 'Columbia Graphophone Co.', were seperate and very keen rivals.

[RReady555]

Fascinating history! There'd be a dozen lawyers hovering over any such contract these days. ;)

Best,

-RR

[RReady555]

Thanks for the insights and information--I've got one other recording by the duo I'll soon be posting.

Best,

-RR

[avdreader1]

This is wonderful! How can you not be cheered up listening to this! Love it.

[KawhackitaRag]

Interesting piano solo! Great tune and vocal duet!

[blackpoolbarmpot]

Even so, Turner Layton and Clarence Johnstone were not the best of friends off stage.

[blackpoolbarmpot]

Yes I know, it was the orchestra leader Albert Sandler and his wife who were the white couple

[Fenhalls]

That is simply not so what you say about Johnstone. The fact is he was caught up in a huge scandal (he was named as a co-respondent in a divorce case involving a white couple) and the newspapers basically destroyed him. After that the partnership became impossible (cat-calls from audiences became a regular occurrence). It's a very long story but Johnstone ended up going bankrupt following which he left for the U.S. (more disasters followed) with the woman from the divorce case.