Dorsey Brothers Orchestra - Singin' in the Rain (1929)

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
Dorsey Brothers Orchestra
Composed by Freed and Brown
Recorded July 12, 1929

Personnel:
Leo McConville, Manny Klein - trumpets
Tommy Dorsey - trombone
Jimmy Dorsey - clarinet, alto sax
Larry Abbott - alto sax
Lucien Smith - tenor sax, cello, violin
Arthur Schutt - piano
Eddie Lang - guitar
Hank Stern - bass brass
Stan King - drums
Irving Kaufman - vocal

Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey first teamed up together on records as the Dorsey Brothers in 1928 but the groups they led through 1933 were strictly studio affairs, featuring classic jazz and hot dance music along with some ballads. In 1934, they decided to put together a regular orchestra and by 1935, with Bob Crosby (and later Bob Eberle) taking the vocals and Glenn Miller providing many of the arrangements, the group was on the brink of success in the early swing era. However, a well-publicized argument at a ballroom over the tempo of "I'll Never Say Never Again Again" led to Tommy Dorsey immediately leaving and starting his own separate orchestra.

By 1953, both brothers had had major success with their bands and had long since patched up their differences. Because their orchestras were struggling, it was decided that Jimmy would breakup his band and co-lead Tommy's. For nearly four years, the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra featured first-class dance music with occasional solos from trumpeter Charlie Shavers and the two brothers; they also had their own television show. With Tommy's sudden death in November 1956 (Jimmy followed seven months later), the partnership came to an end.
---- by Scott Yanow - All Music Guide

The song "Singin' in the Rain" and other Freed-Brown songs would be used in repeatedly in many MGM pictures, starting with Hollywood Revue of 1929. Arthur Freed became a leading producer of musicals at MGM, putting together a talented group known as the Freed Unit after it made The Wizard of Oz in 1938. When MGM purchased the entire backlist or "catalog" of songs from Freed and Brown in March 1949, the song "Singin' in the Rain" became the property of MGM and Freed proposed featuring his song in a backstage-type musical film remake of the 1928 Excess Baggage that was set in vaudeville era. Freed hired Betty Comden and Adolph Green in May 1950 to write the story for the film. Comden and Green had been the writers for On the Town that starred Gene Kelly in 1943. They decided to set the story in Hollywood precisely during the transition to sound when the Freed-Brown songs were originally written. Singin' in the Rain was profitable for MGM in 1952, and has been ranked as one of the greatest musical films of all time. It was featured prominently in MGM's three "That's Entertainment" films of 1974, 1976, 1994, and was widely shown on television.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Tommy
• Jimmy
• Dorsey
• Irving Kaufman
• Singin' in the Rain
• 1929
• 78
• rpm
• Dorsey Brothers

[merv12]

takes me back this does. Days as a kid. with a radio (wireless) under my pillow. :-)

[bsgs98]

@merv12 I used to do that too, with my little crystal radio!

[gib9230]

Who says that Gene Kelly's version is the definitive one? :) I grew up listening to this one, and don't much care for musicals that don't have the correct sense of the time period they are portraying. I'll take this or any original 1929 version anytime!

[bsgs98]

@gib9230 I agree.  I think the early version better reflects the intent of the songwriters. Later versions often are just the chorus and omit the verses.

[MonsoonWinds6]

I could listen to this all day. It makes me feel like I'm in the 30's.

[bsgs98]

@rogharm I knew you would love those violins!

[rogharm]

@bsgs98 Even though the singer 10% is better than great dancer kelly who cannot sing. the orchestration is fabulous with VOILINS CYMBAL CLASHES LOVE THIS SWING PLAYED CORRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. this record has minor key somewhat with the violins. b. a. rolfe is great had you heard it? how did YOU KNOW CORRECTLY what i like in music? do you work for the Culinary Institute of America????? heard MARIE without stuart foster not with tommy dorsey early 30's version that was great. ROGHARM

[rogharm]

@MonsoonWinds6 Agree never heard dorseys with violins this G R E A T!!!! love it!!!!!!!!! ROGHARM and with singer slightly better than gene kelly who dance but could not sing. great arrangement love it and with cymbal clashes.

[VictrolaJazz]

This duo at their best before the big split-up--they'd never sound as good again!

[elddybell]

I need music like this, any suggestions ? by women too :)

thank you

[phredl]

Excellent! Very solid rhythm section.

[Boldorion1958]

I've never heard this version before, but I like it.