Johnny Mercer - Capitol Collectors Series

Johnny Mercer was one of the founders of Capitol Records, so it's fitting that this entry in the label's Collectors Series is such a well-compiled and -designed package. Comprised of 20 key sides made between 1942 and 1949, it captures the Savannah-born singer/songwriter's lazy, bluesy delivery on both his own tunes ("Blues in the Night," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "One for My Baby") and others' (Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside," which Mercer and Margaret Whiting made into a No. 1 hit). Mercer was a major figure in American popular music; this CD makes clear that he was also a highly entertaining performer. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

Mercer at his best!

Johnny Mercer was a great part of the Swing Era, this CD adds to any 40's collection. July 12, 2008

His Contributions To Music Go Way Beyond His Own Hits

Here's a guy whose own considerable contributions as a recording artist [just over 29 hit singles from 1942 to 1952] are far exceeded by his other accomplishments. These include writing the lyrics for over 1,000 songs, among them some of the greatest hits of the 20th Century such as Blues In The Night, That Old Black Magic, and Moon River, as well as founding Capitol Records in 1942 at the tender age of 33.

In this fantastic compilation you get 18 of his own hit singles plus his renditions of Blues In The Night and another of his famous compositions, One For My Baby (And One More For The Road), which became a Sinatra staple. In 1942 there were no less than six hit versions of Blues In The Night [Woody Herman (# 1), Jimmy Lunceford and Dinah Shore (both # 4), Cab Calloway (# 8), Artie Shaw (# 10), and Benny Goodman (# 18), and in 1952 Rosemary Clooney took it to # 17.

His recordings of Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive and On The Atchison, Topeka And Santa Fe, both of which he also wrote, along with Candy [a duet with Jo Stafford] and Personality [which he did not write], all reached # 1 in 1945 and 1946. Seven others made Top 10: Strip Polka [his first in 1942 and which he wrote - # 7]; Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah [# 8 in early 1947 from the Disney film Song Of The South ]; Winter Wonderland b/w A Gal In Calico [# 4 and 5 respectively in 1947]; Huggin' And A Chalkin' [# 8 in 1947]; Sugar Blues [# 4 in 1947]; and Baby, It's Cold Outside [a # 3 duet in 1949 with Margaret Whiting].

With the exception of tracks 1 and 2 and Sam's Got Him [a # 19 in 1944 and not included here], on which he was backed by Freddie Slack & His Orchestra, all his hits had the backing of Paul Weston's band. These included the flip of My Sugar Is So Refined, a tune called Ugly Chile (You're Some Pretty Doll), which reached # 22 in 1946, and I Do Do Do Like You which, as the B-side to Huggin' And A-Chalin', made it to # 13 in 1947. Neither is included here.

On the double-sided late 1947 hits Save The Bones For Henry Jones ('Cause Henry Don't Eat No Meat), and Harmony [not included here) - both # 12 - he shared the billing with The King Cole Trio. On The Glow Worm, for which he wrote additional lyrics, he is backed by Alvino Rey and his orchestra and this, his last hit single, went to # 30 in late 1952. Two of his hits - G.I. Jive [# 13 in 1944] and Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive - both scored as well on what passed then for the R&B charts, reaching # 1 and 4 respectively.

With the insert are three pages of background notes written by Denise Cox, a complete discography of the contents, and a centre spread showing colour reproductions of album covers, song-sheets, posters, and 78 rpm records.

Johnny, who passed away in 1976 at age 67, was honoured with the Grammy's Trustee Award in 1987. Truly one of the giants of the industry, and this entry from the Capitol Collectors Series does him justice. Get a copy at the low price being asked before it goes out of circulation. August 14, 2007

TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS

Johnny Mercer's words and music provided the soundtrack to our lives, especially during the 1940s when the songs on this disc were recorded. Johnny Mercer's impeccable musical taste and his ability to match words with music show us that he was one of the greatest musical artists of the entire twentieth century. This CD proves it.

The CD opens with the playful "Strip Polka" which offers a catchy melody; and Johnny's lyrics work brilliantly on this number. When Johnny sings of the stripper who still remains a lady no matter what, you become enchanted by Johnny's lyrics. "I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City" comes from the film Stormy Weather; Johnny sings his lyrics beautifully with panache. The Johnny Mercer touch makes "I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City" a powerful number.

"G. I. Jive" reverts to a happier tune; Johnny sings his lyrics flawlessly; and his musical arrangement complements the vocals to a tea! "Blues In The Night" features Johnny singing with Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers as Paul Weston & His Orchestra weave their musical spell. Johnny's lyrics match the stunning melody by Harold Arlen, too.

Other gems on this CD include the infectiously happy "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive;" "On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe" written by Johnny with help from Harry Warren and the relentlessly upbeat "Personality." "Personality" lets Johnny sing of how impressed and taken he is with a woman he just met.

"One More For My Baby (And One More For The Road)" is another great ballad written by Mercer and Harold Arlen; Johnny Mercer sings this with passion, flair and masculine sensitivity. Great! "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" is yet another remarkably joyous number that allows Johnny to sing of his happiness to be alive.

One playful number that is new to me is "Save The Bones For Henry Jones ('Cause Henry Don't Eat No Meat)." This number begins with an aborted start; but when they do kick in soon afterward Johnny, a very young Nat King Cole and The King Cole Trio perform this to perfection! I think you will enjoy this happy tune.

The CD ends with strength as we get "Glow Worm" and Baby It's Cold Outside." "Glow Worm" was a big hit for Johnny with audiences young to old; and "Baby It's Cold Outside" hit one out of the ballpark, too. Look for Margaret Whiting to accompany Johnny Mercer for the duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside."

The liner notes include a great essay by Denise Cox; and the digital remastering by Larry Walsh at Capitol Recording Studios shows a lot of hard work went into this project. You also get the song credits and there are great color photos of some of Johnny's records, too.

Johnny Mercer will remain one of the great musical geniuses of the entire twentieth century. His words and music touched countless people with their sensitivity, playfulness and warmth. I recommend this CD for Johnny Mercer fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will cherish this CD for many years to come!
June 17, 2007

Johnny Mercer is capital

This is a great comp, covering Mercer's years with capital. I was first introduced to Mercer via his Duet with Bobby Darin titled "Two of A Kind" another great swing/pop album. Johnny Mercer obviously influenced many including Bobby Darin and was a great song writer. Every track on this album is great. If you appreciate this type of music, you won't be disappointed with this album. March 26, 2007

Johnny Mercer

I host a show on a 50,000-watt FM radio station, playing music of the 1930's-50's. This album is a true find. Wasn't difficult in the past to find Mercer's Top 5 hits, but those that were still a success, but maybe reach #14 on the charts, have been almost impossible to locate. This album cured those short-comings. Thanks for your quality of selections, plus the speed in filling the order, the reasonable rates, plus an acceptable p&h rate, which no other distributor can compare. March 8, 2007

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