Posted: 12/2/15 at 10:28am
Cole Porter has writing credits for 881 songs per the Cole Porter resource site, the majority of which have been recorded in some form.
This includes an astounding 27 stage musicals, 10 film musicals and a television musical.
What are YOUR favorite lesser known Cole Porter songs (and versions/performances) ?
Updated On: 12/20/15 at 10:28 AM
Posted: 12/2/15 at 10:50am
Hands down my #1 pick is "Should I Tell You I Love You" from his 1946 show AROUND THE WORLD. Here as sung by its originator Mary Healy on the Orson Welles radio broadcast:
Second place, "Ev'ry Day A Holiday" from DuBARRY WAS A LADY. I know only one recording of it, from a BBC radio broadcast with the original arrangements. The vocal arrangements are delish.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 10:54am
From the Mermaid Theatre's recording of Cole:
"See America First"
"Lost Liberty Blues"
"Dizzy Baby"
"You Don't Know Paree"
"I Worship You"
"I'm A Gigolo"
"No Sorrow Tomorrow"
"Come On In" (not on the recording)
"We Shall Never Be Younger"
"Please Don't Monkey With Broadway"
Posted: 12/2/15 at 12:08pm
I could practically write a book about my favorite lesser known Cole Porter songs.
Start with Alice Playten singing "Pets":
http://fscottivers.tumblr.com/post/37458152030/audio-of-the-late-alice-playten-singing-cole
Posted: 12/2/15 at 3:15pm
Pal Joey, i would buy that book and look forward to more of your favorite rarities.
Do you have all the Bagley Porter recordings? Some fantastic gems and should be made more available!
My first contribution is
"After all, I'm only a School Girl" from wake up and dream 1929; only recording I know of is from The ben bagley cole porter oop volume 2, unpublished cole porter
A fun rendition on your tube here....would love to see someone like annaleigh ashford cover this....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T70n_FgtSSA
Naughty Cole at his best.....
Posted: 12/2/15 at 3:23pm
From Nymph Errant
The Physician
Updated On: 12/2/15 at 03:23 PM
Posted: 12/2/15 at 5:35pm
"Come To The Supermarket (In Old Peking)"--Cole Porter's last list song, plus the syncopation reminds me of "Anything Goes"
'When Love Beckoned (On 52nd Street)"--love the rhyme of "Deanna Durbin" and "suburban"
"Why Don't We Try Staying Home"--a surprisingly tender melody and lyric
"Which?"--"Which is the right man? Walt Whitman or Paul Whiteman?"
"Never Give Anything Away"--love Lilo's accent
and agree with the poster above who mentioned "Please Don't Monkey With Broadway"--another syncopated toe-tapper
Posted: 12/2/15 at 5:45pm
What we need is either a new Porter jukebox musical using existing songs put in to an original story . Another option would be a revue of his songs. A third option would be to revive some of his lesser known shows. Hey, why not all 3.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 6:04pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH MISSUS LOWSBOROUGH - GOODBY (Cole Porter, 1934)
Mrs. Lowsborough-Goodby gives weekends
and her weekends are not a success,
but she asks you so often you finally soften
and end by answering "Yes."
When I left Mrs. Lowsborough-Goodby's
The letter I wrote was polite
But it would have been bliss
Had I dared write her this,
The letter I wanted to write:
Refrain Thank you so much, Mrs. Lowsborough-Goodby, Thank you so much. Thank you so much for that infinite weekend with you. Thank you a lot, Mrs. Lowsborough-Goodby, Thank you a lot,
And don't be surprised if you suddenly should be quietly shot
For the clinging perfume
And that damp little room,
For those cocktails so hot
And the bath that was not,
For those guests so amusing and mentally bracing
Who talked about racing and racing and racing,
For the ptomaine I got from your famous tin salmon,
For the fortune I lost when you taught me backgammon,
For those mornings I spent with your dear but deaf mother,
For those evenings I passed with that bounder, your brother,
And for making me swear to myself there
and then Never to go for a weekend again.
Thank you so much, Mrs. Lowsborough-Goodby, Thank you, thank you so much.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 6:35pm
Mr Roxy
I endorse all three and add a fourth
....a musical that's a biopic of Cole's life telling the story through song, dance and more than a few flings with the boys..his life way way more interesting than most movies or musical books.....
Posted: 12/2/15 at 6:50pm
Capital idea. Absolutely brilliant.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 7:39pm
Here is Katharine Hepburn singing "Thank You So Much, Missus Lowsborough-Goodby":
http://fscottivers.tumblr.com/post/116812045789/katharine-hepburn-sings-cole-porters-thank-you
Posted: 12/2/15 at 7:40pm
mr roxy
only version of the physician ive heard is by cole porter. whats your favorite version, and wnat are some other Cole gems you love?
Posted: 12/2/15 at 8:26pm
Only version I have is a studio cast CD of the show. I do not know many of his " lesser " works. I just enjoy any of his standards.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 8:37pm
Would you count "Primitive Man" as lesser known?
Posted: 12/2/15 at 8:45pm
Mr. Roxy and Broadwaysfguy,
There is a version of The Physician by Lisa Kirk that is beyond praise!
Posted: 12/2/15 at 9:05pm
Also from the NYMPH ERRANT score, I love "Georgia Sand" and the title number.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 9:06pm
To answer Clap
No
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:05pm
Mr. Roxy, I love the idea of a Porter jukebox musical!
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:25pm
They sure as hell have a wealth of riches to choose from.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:27pm
"Stereophonic Sound" from Silk Stockings
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:37pm
The previous attempt at a Porter Jukebox was the outrageously unsuccessful HAPPY NEW YEAR in 1980.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:42pm
I second "Stereophonic Sound", and I'd like to thank the John Wilson Orchestra for introducing me to it. Great album, y'all should own it.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:47pm
Don't Fence Me In`only cos nobody remembers it`s Porter.
Posted: 12/2/15 at 11:54pm
I have a confession to make. I am always confusing him with Noel Coward and I've read bios of both and upon finishing them I thought I would never forget which is which. But I did. To this very day, I have to stop and think about which one it is when a reference comes up and I'm only right about half the time.
