The song of the day for Tuesday, March 19, 2013 is Jeepers Creepers.
About This Song
Jeepers Creepers was written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer for the 1938 movie Going Places. Starring Dick Powell, the movie concerns a wild racehorse named Jeepers Creepers; his trainer was played by Louis Armstrong. Only if the trainer played the song on his trumpet or sang it to the horse would the horse allow himself to be ridden. And, apparently, much hilarity ensued. The cast was pretty good, including Ronald Reagan, Eddie Anderson and Maxine Sullivan. This song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
About This Version
Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s album with Count Basie and His Orchestra: Basie/Bennett. It’s a great swinging arrangement by Ralph Sharon and Tony sounds like he’s having a lot of fun singing it.
http://open.spotify.com/track/3ZrWSg01u6dfXiNnMjT3hv
Jeepers Creepers, as well as the full Basie/Bennett album, is available from iTunes.
This is one of my favorite Benedetto- Basie collaborations! It is very musical and both icons were having fun ! That fun resulted in a light hearted, fun filled song that makes the listener feel good! It doesn’t get better then that.
I agree completely. That song never fails to cheer me up and the Basie musicians and the great arrangement are a great match. Though I want to seek out the film now to hear what Louis Armstrong does in it.