I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City - Johnny Mercer, Lange, Johnny
G.I. Jive - Johnny Mercer, Mercer, Johnny
Blues in the Night - Johnny Mercer, Arlen, Harold
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive - Johnny Mercer, Arlen, Harold
Candy - Johnny Mercer, David, Mack
I'm Gonna See My Baby - Johnny Mercer, Moore, Phil [Piano]
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe - Johnny Mercer, Mercer, Johnny
Surprise Party - Johnny Mercer, Bishop, Walter
Personality - Johnny Mercer, Burke, Johnny [Lyri
My Sugar Is So Refined - Johnny Mercer, Dee, Sylvia
One for My Baby (And One More for the Road) - Johnny Mercer, Arlen, Harold
Zip a Dee Doo Dah - Johnny Mercer, Gilbert, Ray
A Gal in Calico - Johnny Mercer, Robin, Leo
Winter Wonderland - Johnny Mercer, Bernard, Felix
Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed - Johnny Mercer, Hughes, Langston
Sugar Blues - Johnny Mercer, Fletcher, Lucy
Save the Bones for Henry Jones - Johnny Mercer, Barker, Danny [Jazz
The Glow Worm - Johnny Mercer, Lincke, Paul
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Johnny Mercer, Loesser, Frank
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... more », 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« less
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
The highest praise from a Johnny-come-lately Mercer fan
06/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amazing that a lyrics fanatic like me, who grew up on Hammerstein, Hart, Harburg, Harnick, Gershwin, et al., only discovered Johnny Mercer in 1999. But thanks to this CD, I am making up for lost time. Johnny Mercer was not only a brilliant lyricist, he was an outstanding vocalist and a charming performer. This CD showcases all three aspects of his glorious contribution to American music.Every song on this disc is a gem, but if I had to pick my absolute favorites, they'd be: "G. I. Jive," "On the Atcheson, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Surprise Party."Treat yourself to this superb CD!"
I love it
Charles Evans | North Carolina | 05/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was born in 1975... a full 35 years after most of these songs were recorded ... and I will admit... I am completely surpised. I am surprised at how much I enjoy this entire CD! It really is amazing... I find myself singing along with songs like "G.I Jive" and "Strip Polka" and I NEVER sing along to music. Everything has such catchy tunes, with crazy little quirks, and such genuine good-natured humor. Really, I find myself laughing everytime I hear put this cd in.
Why this Johnny Mercer CD? Honestly this is the only one that I own, so I don't know if this is any better than the others. However, I do know that has turned into the CD that I listen to on my way home from work (It is especially awesome when I am havign a bad day... "Zippy Do Dah" alway brings a smile to my face!)
My recommedation - even if you don't think that you will like it (I only bought to see if we should use it for dinner music at my wedding!) try it. You may be as amazed as I was.
"
Classic '40s recordings by one of America's best
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 07/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Songwriter Johnny Mercer had considerable success in Hollywood before co-founding Capitol Records in 1942. The maverick Los Angeles-based label had some of the hugest hits of the wartime era, starting with Ella Mae Morse's "Cow Cow Boogie," and continuing on through a slew of other great artists. Mercer himself recorded prolifically, and though his own versions of his songs tended to sell less spectacularly than versions cut by various popular bandleaders, he did alright as a singer, too. Mercer's bluesy, hepcat vocal style is a little hokey, but fun nonetheless, and no expense was spared on the punchy big band arrangements. This disc is packed with great Mercer originals, such as "G.I. Jive," with its goofy Slim Gaillard-style scatting, "Ac-Cent-Chu-Ate The Positive," "Glow Worm" and "The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe." Mercer also did fine versions of songs by other standards writers, such as "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," and Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside." Backing him up throughout are Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers, top talent of the time. The Capitol studios had a great, readily identifiable production style -- clean, punchy, solid arrangements, pointing to a new "vocal" style that would redefine pop music in the wake of the big band era. And there was Johnny Mercer, right at the heart of it all. This is a great collection, well worth checking out."
TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!
"
Johnny Mercer
Taylor E. Irving Jr. | Farmville VA USA | 03/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."