Gertrude Lawrence Limehouse Blues 1931 1950

Editing was needed to present Gerties two versions here.I had to skip the song's introductory verses which musically are excellent but lyrically are best omitted.
I decided to place both versions together which are very different in treatment and rhythm.Limehouse Blues has become a jazz standard over the years but rarely are the lyrics sung.They have been revised since Douglas Furber wrote them in 1921 and it's Philip Braham's music which is mainly heard.
You can see and hear Julie Andrews and one or two others sing Limehouse Blues on You Tube but it was Gertrude Lawrence who introduced the song both in the UK[A to Z in 1921] and in the USA[André Charlot's London Revue of 1924] So time to hear Gertie's versions, albeit with cuts.
Limehouse was never as it was 'painted' by the sensationalists at the time and the song's writers fall into the same category.However it is a compelling song and touches certain chords within.I have worked in Limehouse and it is a fascinating area,steeped in history.But not quite the history that some would have us believe! The East End of London could be a tough place to live but there was an honesty and realism about its people.Then and now.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gertrude
• Lawrence
• Limehouse
• Blues
• Julie
• Andrews
• Star
• East
• End

[JulieQ150]

absolutely fabulous - its decadent and mysterious all at once plus I found it researching Limehouse as found my ancestors living at Limehouse Causeway in 1700's - the original Chinatown! Mariner son, and father an Anchor smith. fascinating, and great to have a song to hum away too whilst learning about the history. cheers and ho ho ho!

[zzenzero]

@JulieQ150

Thank you for your fascinating feedback. It makes uploading songs and videos so worthwhile. I too love genealogy. I very much agree with your description of the song's mood. I have often worked in and around Limehouse, and really have a feel for the area. Happy New Year!! :-)

[RIVERKINGERIC]

MOST ENJOYABLE. THANKYOU!

[zzenzero]

@RIVERKINGERIC

Thank you for your appreciation. I enjoyed putting the two versions together. :-)

[worldtheatre]

I love this side-by-side comparison of the same voice, yet amazingly different, between different periods of sound recording technology! The difference in delivery, sound, arrangement, etc. is astonishing. This is one of my favorite GL songs, and while I agree that some of the lyrics are best edited out, as not P.C. as it were, this song is a product of its time, and certainly a song written in a time when songs were to be taken fairly lightly. Just my take. Great upload and judicious edits.

[zzenzero]

@worldtheatre

Thank you for such interesting and positive feedback, much appreciated. I would agree with all your comments … adding that the introduction to the song is particularly good, and it is sad that I couldn’t include that in the upload for the reasons already established. I do love side by side comparisons and must do one for Jolson soon … with him, I have to judicial with the pictures! All the best, worldtheatre … btw, Gertie and Marianne Faithfull go together very well. :)

[worldtheatre]

@zzenzero Thanks for your comment to my comment! As far as I'm concerned, the more Gertrude Lawrence rarities and surprises uploaded on YouTube the better! Funny your saying Gertie and Marianne Faithfull go well together. Vocally, light-years apart, yet at the same time, timeless posh, and elegant cool!