Paul Whiteman - My Blue Heaven (1927)

"MY BLUE HEAVEN"
Music by Walter Donaldson
Lyrics by George Whiting
Performed by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Recorded July 6, 1927, New York
Victor 20828

Personnel:
Henry Busse, Red Nichols - trumpets
Wilbur Hall, trombone, Jack Fulton, Tommy Dorsey - Trombones
Max Farley, Chester Hazlett, Hal McLean, Jimmy Dorsey? - reeds
Charles Strickfaden - alto sax, baritone sax
Kurt Dieterle, Mischa Russell,Mario Perry, Matt Malneck - violins
Harry Perella - piano
Mike Pingitore - banjo
John Sperzel - tuba
Harold MacDonald - drums
Jack Fulton, Chester Gaylord, Austin Young, Bing Crosby, Al Rinker - vocals

Walter Donaldson wrote this song in 1925 at the Friars Club while waiting for a billiards game to begin. Donaldson played the tune for vaudeville star George Whitiing, who was so enthusiastic that he begged to write the lyric. Whiting performed the song but it would not catch on. Later in 1927, Tommy Lyman sang it on the radio and then Gene Austin recorded the song for Victor. That recording and Austin's covers of the song sold more than 5 million copies.
(notes from "The American Songbook: the singers, the songwriters, and the songs" by Ken Bloom)

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[pax41]

Can't believe I missed this one. I like Whiteman's arrangements a lot. I think the Columbia's are some of the best of his recordings.

[bsgs98]

I think Columbia's Viva-Tonal process offered a slight improvement over the Victor recordings.

[Randidan]

I agree -- however improved the Orthophonic system was, the Viva-tonal Columbias sound even better! I have complete (I think) run of the Columbia "Potato Head" Whiteman records in Near-mint to mint condition, which I play only on beautiful modern equipment, so I can really enjoy them, along with the Victors!! ...btw,I keep a few less-than perfect copies to demonstrate on old players...

[bsgs98]

Victor and Columbia were nearly equal in quality in the early electrical era. I think the Columbia recording engineers had a better understanding of microphone placement and I think the discs had a more durable surface. I have dull looking Columbias that sound great and shiny Victors that are noisy.

[Randidan]

...can't figure out how to send you a private msg, so I'll put it here! You DO know how to tell if the (Victor) pressing is going to have the late-Ortho/Circular surfaces? ...the ones marked Z on classical discs? They will be marked with a small 'z' near the VE in the wax, or will have "RCA Manufacturing Co" instead of "Victor Talking Machine Co." at the bottom art of the Scroll design. A really practiced eye can usually spot the superior surfaces... usually!

[bsgs98]

Would you say that the later RCA pressings (scroll) were superior to Victor Talking Machine? I'll be looking more closely now. thanks!

[James Janssen]

My Grandfather, George Hookham, is pictured in Paul's band. He played the tuba. Back then it was called the Sousaphone. Before Paul, George played for John Sousa and was the first to play the newly invented Sousaphone. Before Sousa, George played for the London Orchestra. After performing with George Gershwin and Paul Whiteman he played with the Chicago Orchestra then during the depression played jazz in Kansas City and New Orleans before retiring.

[muggedinmadrid]

what a great life your grandfather lived! i would love to have been around during the jazz and art deco age. i have always had an affinity with the culture of the time, specially the fashion - chic, elegant and exuding charm and class.

[laura OTTOMANO]

I love his songs...make me dream :)

[Art Howard]

Gene

Austin's Version on Victor out sold the most until While Christmas by Bing Crosby........

[Dale Johnson]

I thinks that's a theramin being used in the middle verse. The player may be my great aunt "Auntie Pat" Mrs. Ben Jackson, who owned one of the 3 theramins at one point existing in the USA. A Russian radio instrument that sounds like the violin. Auntie Pat is buried alongside her daughter author Jane Jackson Plumly Meredith just north of Kerrville, Texas. Auntie loved all things musical. She had given violin concerts as a chld in Palestine, Texas. she loved Paul Whiteman

[legionofmerit]

Paul Whiteman was one of the best bands in the 20' and 30's. Bix got a big name from playing in this orchestra. He really showed his prowess in jazz interpretation in small groups.

[centcity12]

Ok....you cant start singing the song and then start going da da da da....it sounds like you forgot the words!!!! There are other, better versions of this really cute song.

[southwriter]

Maybe so, but this is from 1927 and was on Victor Records, not Columbia.

[exileon mainst]

my last name is whiteman i wonder if we are related

[Randidan]

Most definitely! Keep tabs on the surfaces when you play the different style labels - you'll be surprised how soon you become expert at seeing the better wax...  ...and the SOUND of an Orthophonic with the better surfaces is just superb. Good Luck!!