Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards - Singing in the Rain

Although Cliff Edwards, also known as Ukulele Ike, was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1920s he is almost forgotten today. He was the first performer to do the classic "Singing in the Rain," he debuted Gershwin's "Fascinatin' Rhythm" in 1924, and he acted in over 100 movies. Unfortunately, he received no screen credit for his most famous role--as the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney's Pinocchio. His version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" is still the definitive version of that classic song. Cliff Edwards deserves to be remembered, and a good place to rediscover him is on Singing in the Rain, a collection of songs from the 1910s, '20s, and '30s recorded for radio in the early '40s. He accompanies his jazzy vocals with his virtuoso ukulele playing. His performances have a surprisingly modern feel with none of the stilted quality that performers from the '20s can have. --Michael Simmons Amazon.com

Cliff Edwards Golden Voice

I wish more folks would discover how wonderful Cliff Edwards was. At times his delivery is a little corny, but that was the style back then. When he sings in a more contemporary style his voice and his delivery is charming to the point of being heart rending. What a wonderful talent.

John Barnes May 16, 2008

Always puts a smile on my face

I haven't been able to find too many good CDs of Jazz age music, but this is one that I love and one that I come back to whenever I need cheering up. It's just Cliff Edwards and his ukulele - nothing fancy. If a big orchestral sound is what you're looking for, this isn't it. In fact, I'm not sure what Ukelele Ike would have thought of music composition tools such as GarageBand had he lived today. The title song "Singin in the Rain" was first performed on film by Cliff Edwards in "The Hollywood Revue of 1929". I've always felt that Edwards captured the mood of that song better than the version presented in the film of the same name 23 years later, and believe me, I'm a huge fan of the film "Singin in the Rain" as well as Gene Kelly.

As others have mentioned, it is quite tragic that a man who had such a gift for cheering others with his heartfelt and optimisitic music came to such a sad end. The second most famous native of Hannibal, Missouri declared bankruptcy three times, had a long-running battle with substance abuse, and died a welfare patient in a California nursing home in 1971 at the age of 76. It was days before the body was claimed. Sometimes the best music comes from the most tormented of souls. April 20, 2008

Cliff Edwards is the best kept secret in music!

You will not be disappointed with this cd if you are open to hearing all happy music, no sad stuff. April 17, 2008

Wrong CD

I believe that the reviews on this page are for the Audiophile CD, Singing in the Rain, and not the ASV compilation to which the reviews have been attributed. The ASV CD, Singin' in the Rain has the orginal recordings from 1924-1949, and is well worth getting, as is the Yazoo compilation I'm a Bear in a Laddy's Boudoir, which is tough to find at the moment, even as an expensive Japanese import. Please note, also, that some Cliff Edwards recordings are listed under "Cliff Edwards" and others under "Ukulele Ike." December 22, 2007

Ukelele Ike is very versatile

This is a fantastic CD - even my husband was suprised at
how many standards were first made hits by Ukelele Ike.
"Singin' in the Rain", "When You Wish Upon a Star", "My
Weakness" etc. My very favourite is "Just Like a Melody
From Out of the Sky" - it literally gives me goosebumps.
His voice just soars - there is so much emotion in his singing. October 22, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...