Al Jolson April Showers

Live performance. Another number from the 1949 Chicago Soldiers Field concert which was part of a personal appearance tour for "Jolson Sings Again."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• April Showers
• Jolson
• live performance
• Soldiers Field

[diarci]

I think I can beat that. My mother took me to see "The Jolson Story" in Sacramento, California when it opened at the Tower Theater in , I think, 1946. I would have been 12 years old. Tower Records (the origibnal) was next door and I made her buy me a 78rpm single of "April Showers.'

D

[diarci]

He looked far too old for Jolson Sings Againy. Sad, but true. And I really think Larry Parks brought an easy charm that Jolson never had. And not to be picky, but he the Bby Face audition clip was for Joslon Sings Again which was released in 1949 when he was 63.

[diarci]

No he wouldn't because no one wants good singing now, just screaming and wailing

[diarci]

He might have been tired. He'd been touring all week and doing several shows a day. More likely, he was just relaxed. Remember, he did both the Barry Gray show and the stev Allen show late at night and sitting at a table.

[dibbledob2]

In his own words, just back from that last Korean tour, Jolie was shakin' with two fits, and there's no doubt that when he and pianist Harry Akst checked into the St Francis Hotel, on that fatal October evening, in 1950, he was still feeling very tired and sick, despite having eaten a big seafood chowder at his favourite waterfront restaurant. He was in Frisco to meet-up with Crosby to agree on a planned third movie, but without Parks, named *Stars & Stripes* but sadly, Akst went home alone.

[MBM1117727]

Wow! Just a year before he died! He was in his sixties here yet...... Listen to his voice.........

[Lampshade51]

According to his bio, CBS had signed him for a television deal about this time, for shows beginning in 1950. Jolson instead went to Korea, saying that his TV debut "could wait until '51", possibly being advised that the coaxial cable would reach the west coast by then, and he could do the show from LA and be seen clearly in the east (not on grainy kinescope film which he hated). The Korea trip was too much for him, and he died just after returning in October 1950.

[zebraboy777]

Gorgeous control. I first heard Al Jolson and didn't get it at all. In the meantime I have realised that his voice have a unique rough beauty that is simply magnificent.

[WhippJunior]

i became a fan as a kid in the 60's sitti

[roselandalvin]

Just great!! He was gone a year later ---May have been sick here,, but you don't hear it in his voice - Wonderful upload --- thanks!

[silent00planet]

so jolson could not get away with that voice (bad) these days ? what do you mean these days and who do you refer to ?genius is genius his was a once in a lifetime voice in any era ?

[106bobkat]

wonderful i cold understand every word. jolson was in a class by himself.

[mug2y]

he will always be the greatest, you ain't heard nothin yet, !