Dick Robertson - Moonlight on the Colorado (1930)

Dick Robertson was one of the most popular big band and studio singers from the late 1920s through the early 1940s, but eventually he gravitated away from the microphone, and began writing songs of his own, that today have become American Classics. His catalog of songs includes the slightly melancholy "I'm a Little on the Lonely Side" as well as "We Three", which was a huge hit for The Ink Spots in 1940. Robertson's career opened up in the Roaring Twenties, and was active in live performances as both a soloist and in a duo with Ed Smalle before realizing that his voice was perfectly suited for the newly developing electrical recording methods.
Robertson kept so busy providing vocals for various bands and companies, that he made extensive use of pseudonyms in order to quell potential rebellion amongst the record label managers and the audience alike. Pianist Eubie Blake may have made the most unique use of the Robertson's talents, presenting the vocalist as basically the main solo voice in a large ensemble grouping. The singer also recorded with Duke Ellington, The Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Benny Goodman, Andy Kirk and many others as well as cutting a variety of sides as a leader of of organized ensembles dubbed the Dick Robertson and his Orchestra.
His popularity began to wane after 1942 and his final recording session under his real name took place in 1949 for the Coral label with Owen Bradley producing, suggesting that Robertson may have been on the verge of going country, although this rumor has never been verified.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1920s
• 1930s
• Great Depression
• Big Bands
• Radio
• Hit of the Week
• New York City

[VictrolaJazz]

Wonderful! Wonder if all the states were memorialized in songs back then?