WILDERWORLD

Episode 183: 183 - The Alec and Joe Show (1940s)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 15:54:24 +0000

Alec Wilder and his friend Joe Schiff having fun in the studio
ACETATE TITLES (as written on labels):
01 City Nights
02 Dad
03 Italian Song German Song French Song
04 [Untitled]
05 [Untitled part 2]
06 It’s So Peaceful in the Country
07 Nancy Bogle First Part
08 Peaceful II
09 Nancy Bogle Second Part
10 Happy Valley
11 Georgian Bay
12 Opera
13 Crossword Puzzle Part 1
14 Crossword Puzzle Part 2
15 The Storm
16 Interview with Josef Schiff

Episode 182: 182 - American Popular Song: In Reprise and Retrospect (1978)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:21:44 +0000

The final show, # 40, originally broadcast March 30, 1978
Host Alec Wilder
Co-host Loonis McGlohon
Yes, that's Alec singing on If I'd Only Done What Mother Told Me To

181 - If You See Kay (1950)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:42:57 +0000

Sometimes there is just one thing you can say about the world around you, and in that spirit Wilderworld now unleashes upon the world the mythical and hilarious If You See Kay, with words by Alec Wilder and music by Morty Palitz. This recording is from an acetate, privately waxed by Jimmy Carroll and Orchestra in 1950. It has rarely, if ever, been heard over the past 70 years.

In 2011, we asked legendary publisher Howie Richmond, of TRO, about If You See Kay.

He said, "I plead guilty to being 'the publisher.' It was really a joke which Alec, together with Bill Engvick, Morty Palitz and Jimmy Carroll had recorded during one of their sessions. A dub copy was given to a NYC late night disc jockey, named Jack Eigen who had a show at the Paradise Restaurant on the mezzanine floor of the Brlll building. His format was to introduce new releases via advance pressings, requesting the audience to call in and offer their opinions.

"Some of the listeners caught on to the title and that evening there was a genuine commotion. Within a day or two it was gone and forgotten, and Mr. Eigen ceased auditioning new releases."

Bill Engvick's recollection of the song was, "It was played on the air just once, and the switchboard lit up with furious listeners. I resented their waste of a nice tune, so TRO published it under the title If You See Jean."

Enjoy!

Don't miss the 35th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert on November 7, 2020 at 2p EST. You can watch this year's performances from the comfort of your home! See the photo for more details, and go to www.alecwildermusicandlife.com to find the link to the Concert on Youtube, when it is posted.

180 - Peacock Feathers (1964)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 17:20:01 +0000

Music by Alec Wilder, from the film Open the Door and See All the People by Jerome Hill

Orchestra conducted by Samuel Baron

SIDE A - 1. I See It Now 2. 5/4 Dance 3. Love Is When 4. Bill’s Theme 5. Taylor Mead Theme 6. Hat In Sky 7. Potted Palm #1 8. Potted Palm #2 9. Gypsy Theme 10. Recorder and Bass Duet 11. Steak Chase 12. Vespa Waltz

SIDE B – 1. Platform Dance (Two Versions) 2. Astroillogical Parlor 3. Chase Through Woods 4. Mimosa’s Solitude 5. Lonely Girl 6. Mimosa and Me 7. Unbelievable (Two Versions) 8. Mimosa’s Paris Dance 9. Potted Palm #3 10. Dance for B.B.

How many melodies can you pick out that later became Wilder songs?

The film, from a script originally titled Peacock Feathers, can be seen at https://vimeo.com/channels/223455/121184030

The first draft of the script can be found at http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00565/pdfa/mstpeacock.pdf

179 - Entertainment No. 2 (1966)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 08:01:09 +0000

Performed by the Eastman Orchestra, Rochester, New York

Don't miss the 34th annual FRIENDS OF ALEC WILDER CONCERT on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 3 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Avenue in New York City

See photo for details

See you there!

178 - American Popular Song: The Songs of Willard Robison (1976)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 14:43:52 +0000

Recorded in early April 1976, with a broadcast date of October 3, 1976, it's American Popular Song Show #1! This is the first show NPR listeners heard, and, for many, their first exposure to Alec Wilder

Singer Barbara Lea joins Alec and Loonis for a lively exploration of the pastoral songs of Willard Robison (1894-1968), "a strange, indigenous talent"

All songs by Willard Robison, except

Plenty Good Enough For Me lyrics by Loonis McGlohon, music by Alec Wilder

Mel Alexander plays bass, Tony Cooper drums. Clarinet on Deep Ellum Blues by Bob Mitchell

Thank you, SCETV, original producer of this great series! Please consider re-running it again!

For an illuminating contemporaneous look at American Popular Song radio show #1 see
https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/01/archives/radio-alec-wilder-and-the-art-of-pop-song.html

“Songs are part of my emotional being. And I'm not ashamed of it at all. I've written half a ton of concert music. It's an entirely different point of view. And yet I go back to songs like I go back to an old friend, to a garden, to a fireplace, to a cat that's come back after being away.” – Alec Wilder

Don't miss the 33rd Annual FRIENDS OF ALEC WILDER CONCERT at the Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, September 16, 2018! See the photo for details

Alec Lives!

177 - Western Star (1975)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 17:17:29 +0000

A rare example of Alec Wilder singing his own song, accompanied on piano by Loonis McGlohon, recorded October 8, 1975

Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder

From the musical play Western Star, originally titled The Wind Blows Free and based upon the Book of Job

Photo of Alec and Loonis taken February 1970 by Elmer Horton

176 - I'll Be Around (1961)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:55:11 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder (and, on this record only, "S. Murphy")

The 33rd annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert will take place on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place in Brooklyn, New York at 3 p.m. Be there!

175 - When I Get Old Enough to Vote (1953)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 04:07:17 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder. By Jimmy Boyd with the Norman Luboff Choir.

This is an acetate of a never-released Columbia Records recording featuring child singing star Boyd, and produced by Mitch Miller. Very timely tune!

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the day I started the Wilderworld podcast! Thank you to all who have come here over the past decade to enjoy Alec's music. It is gratifying to have had the opportunity to share my extensive Wilder collection with tens of thousands of music appreciators around the world.

As a candidate for the San Francisco School Board in the November 8 election, I hope wherever you are you make sure to get out and vote. Especially if you're in San Francisco and voting for me! Rob Geller for SF School Board! Rob4sfSchoolBoard2016.wordpress.com

173 - Miss Chicken Little (1953)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 07:00:00 +0000

A Cantata for The Theatre

Text by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Miss Chicken Little was broadcast on CBS' Omnibus television program on December 27, 1953

Jo Sullivan as Miss Chicken Little, with Charlotte Rae and Jim Hawthorne

Recording is from a live soundstage air check acetate disc

At 7:29 the missing line is, "It was just an acorn," sung by one of the hens

The late, great wordsmith of this remarkable production, William Clark Engvick, was born on July 1, 1914, 100 years ago today. Happy birthday, Bill!

Obituary: William Engvick, Lyricist for Musicals and Popular Songs, Dies at 98

William Engvick, witty and eloquent writer of musicals from the Golden Age of Television, and lyrics for such popular songs as The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart), Moon and Sand and While We’re Young, died September 4, 2012 in Oakland, California following a brief illness. He was 98.

Engvick, known largely for his many collaborations with eclectic composer Alec Wilder, contributed lyrics to musical versions of Pinocchio and Hansel and Gretel, which aired nationally on NBC Television in the late 1950s, and featured music by Wilder. Some of the top Broadway talent of the day starred in these live productions, including Barbara Cook, Mickey Rooney, Fran Allison, Red Buttons and Stubby Kaye. Met opera star Rise Stevens sang Hansel and Gretel’s Evening Song (Soft Through the Woodland), a typically tender and heartfelt Engvick creation.

As a writer during the peak of the American Popular Song era, Engvick’s mellifluous words filled the mouths of many of the leading singers of the day, from Peggy Lee and Mel Torme to Marlene Dietrich and Johnnie Ray. In 1965, Frank Sinatra recorded Wilder and Engvick’s I See It Now, an autobiographical song with a memorable first stanza that helped put the lyricist’s hometown of Oakland on the map: “That year in Oakland High / When I was 17 / The grass from there to San Jose / Was high and cool and green / I see it now.”

“It was just something that I wanted to write about myself, a true memory piece. The grass really was high and cool and green,” recalled Engvick, who thought Sinatra was attracted to the “touch of seriousness” about the song, and by the line “‘loves have come and gone,’ because that’s precisely what happened to him.”

Called upon frequently by Mitch Miller, head of A&R at Columbia Records and Engvick’s friend and neighbor in Stony Point, New York, Engvick penned such popular tunes as Kiss and Run, Bonnie Blue Gal, Follow Me, All Yours, I’ll Remember Today and Make It Soon. In the last years before rock’n’roll began to dominate the musical landscape, he tirelessly churned out material for many Columbia artists, including Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Don Cherry, Liberace and Jo Stafford.

Engvick’s greatest commercial success came with The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart), an English rewrite of a French song introduced by Zsa Zsa Gabor in the award-winning John Huston film Moulin Rouge. Percy Faith’s recording of it, with Felicia Sanders singing Engvick's lyric, bewitched the radio airwaves throughout the summer of 1953, holding the Number One spot on the Billboard charts for 10 weeks straight. The song inspired sales of over one million copies of sheet music, and has been performed and recorded by hundreds of artists.

Many of Engvick’s assignments were, in fact, to write English words for tunes that had gained popularity in Europe sung in a foreign tongue. Engvick's version usually ended up telling a very different story from the original. “I never learned a foreign language, and didn’t want to know what the original words meant,” said Engvick. “I always started from scratch.” Among the titles he rewrote was Anna, from the movie of the same name, which had been a hit Spanish record for actress Silvana Mangano. The irresistible song about a girl who desires to dance the Bayon hit piano racks across America as a song about a heartbreaker named Anna who’s “got to be kissed.”

Engvick’s various musical collaborators included such luminaries as Cole Porter – their It’s Just Like the Good Old Days was written for Porter’s Broadway-bound musical comedy Mexican Hayride, but went unused – Les Paul, Mark Laub, Roy Kral, Bob Thompson and Edith Piaf, but Engvick said his most satisfying work had always been with Wilder.

Engvick and Wilder first met in 1939 when an agent brought Engvick’s revue Ladies and Gents to the attention of the singular composer, who declared it to be “fresh air” and quickly came up with melodies to match the captivating words. A prolific writing team was born. Over the next three decades, Wilder and Engvick wrote musicals, operas and dozens of songs, at least two of which, Moon and Sand and While We’re Young, written in the early ‘40s with Morty Palitz, remain ubiquitous jazz standards to this day.

Other well-known Engvick and Wilder songs include The Lady Sings the Blues, I Like It Here, The April Age, Who Can I Turn To? and Crazy in the Heart. Wilder, who praised Engvick as a master of the “singing line,” maintained that the writer James Thurber “became obsessed with While We’re Young and claimed it was one of the finest pieces of English writing he had ever heard.”

Although Ladies and Gents was never produced – it came tantalizingly close to a Broadway run – Engvick and Wilder did manage to stage small-scale productions of their operas The Long Way and Miss Chicken Little. The latter, a hilarious take on the classic tale of mass hysteria, was picked up by the prestigious CBS Omnibus television program, which broadcast it in December 1953 with Jo Sullivan Loesser in the title role. Engvick also wrote lyrics for Omnibus’ American premiere of Sleeping Beauty in the Woods, with music by Ottorino Respighi. Together Engvick and Wilder contributed songs to a 1955 off-Broadway production of Once Over Lightly starring Zero Mostel.

At one point Engvick and Wilder were summoned to Hollywood to write songs for the film Daddy Long Legs, but after several months of work a regime change caused the material, which Wilder characterized as being “the very best set of songs we ever wrote,” to be shelved. One of the duo’s most far-reaching and beloved collaborations was on Lullabies and Night Songs, an entrancing book of children’s songs lavishly illustrated by Maurice Sendak and published on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1960s. Engvick edited the book and provided lyrics to several songs.

In 1990, Jackie and Roy dedicated their CD An Alec Wilder Collection to Engvick, calling him “a terrific, intuitive man with a kind heart, gentle soul and the gift of being able to fashion meaningful, poetic lyrics to lovely, though sometimes difficult, melodies.” Engvick cited Remember, My Child, written with Wilder for Jackie, as his favorite of the many songs he composed.

The only child of Clarence and Sadie Engvick, William Clark Engvick was born in Oakland, California on July 1, 1914. Growing up in the shadow of the construction of the huge, elegant Grand Lake Theatre, which he attended on opening day, proved to be a major influence on Bill's career path. He frequently attended performances by such favorite local, soon-to-be-national acts as Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights, and quickly developed a strong interest in music and theater. As a teen he created meticulously-detailed, scale models of the stages and prosceniums of all of Oakland's large theatres.

While a student at UC Berkeley, Bill achieved some noteriety with his madcap revue In Your Hat, for which he wore many hats, including writer, director, actor, piano player and composer of music. Later in life, moving back-and-forth between Oakland and New York, Engvick always kept one foot in the theater, his first love, writing skits, directing and acting in local productions by the Gaslight Troupers and Straw Hat Revue in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the late 1940s, Engvick briefly tried his hand at radio dramas, penning scripts for CBS’ The Whistler and Silver Theatre.

More recently, Engvick wrote songs with longtime friend and Broadway actor Gordon Connell, of Hello Dolly, Big River, and Julius Monk revue fame, and authored lyrics for several new songs based on melodies sourced from Wilder’s film music and ground-breaking Octets.

Active well into his 90s, Engvick famously advised that “if you can’t write a million-dollar song, write a million songs at a dollar a try.”

by Rob Geller

172 - The Lowland Sea (1963)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 04:57:28 +0000

Libretto by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1952

Performed May 16 & 17, 1963 in Dolton, Illinois at the Thornridge High School Spring Musicale

Chorus and Orchestra under the direction of John Pearce

Betty Smith as Dorie Davis, Paul Maddux as Johhny Dee

"The Lowland Sea was written as a remembering of the sea and sea songs - of dunes, of harbors, of voyaging, of loneliness, of waiting. It is hoped that it will seem familiar to anyone who has walked (or wanted to walk) the streets of Nantucket, or has waited for the evening mail boat at Ocracoke. Some of it was suggested by drawings and prints of ships like the Witch of the Waves out of Salem. Part of it comes from a nursery song, Bobby Shaftoe, which has been given a new musical setting for this occasion. The words for The Cuckoo are very old, but the music is new."

Happy Birthday Alec Wilder, who should have been 107 years old today!

171 - Highlights of the 28th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert Part 2 (2013)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 19:20:22 +0000

All music and words by Alec Wilder unless otherwise indicated

Octets introduced by Mike McGinnis and played by the Four Bags

Such a Tender Night
Dance Man Buys a Farm
Little Girl Grows Up
Jack, This is My Husband

The Four Bags are Brian Drye trombone, Jacob Garchik accordion, Sean Moran guitar and Mike McGinnis clarinet

Popular songs by Hilary Kole piano and vocal with Gene Bertoncini guitar

While We're Young with Morty Palitz, words by Bill Engvick
Blackberry Winter words by Loonis McGlohon
The Lady Sings the Blues words by Engvick
Moon and Sand with Palitz words by Engvick
Such a Lonely Girl Am I
A Child is Born music by Thad Jones
I'll Be Around

Thanks to David Litofsky for the recording of Part 2

Pictured is the cover of Philip Lambert's outstanding book on the music of Alec Wilder, published in 2013 by University of Illinois Press. Buy a copy or two!

170 - Highlights of the 28th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert Part 1 (2013)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 17:17:12 +0000

New York City April 14, 2013

Honorary Host and piano Aaron Gandy

All music by Alec Wilder and words by William Engvick, except as noted

Mimosa and Me
Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart), music by Georges Auric
I See It Now
So Long to All That, from the unproduced musical Chance of a Ghost
'Tain't a Fit Night Out
The Long Way
Walking Home in Spring
It's a Fine Day for Walkin' Country Style

Singers include Juliette Trafton, Dewey Caddell, Merrill Grant, Chris Ware and Aaron Gandy, Dennis Michael Keefe upright bass

Vocalise #1 (1971), Small Suite (1960), Answer to a Poem (1979), Air for Flute (1945)

Paul Lustig Dunkel, flute, Barbara Lee, piano

169 - Engvick on Wilder (2001)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 07:58:06 +0000

Bill Engvick delivered this speech at the annual Alec Wilder Concert in New York on April 22, 2001

While We're Young performed by Melinda Dillon from the soundtrack to Staying Together, a Hemdale film, 1989

Pictured are Engvick and Wilder in Stony Point, NY, March 1952
Photo by Fran Miller

Happy Birthday Alec Wilder, who was born 106 years ago on February 16

Be sure to attend the 28th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert on April 14, 2013 at 120 W. 69th Street, New York, at 3 p.m. Among those performing will be Hilary Kole, Aaron Gandy and the Four Bags. A Tribute to William Engvick is planned. See you there!

168 - I See It Now (1972)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:44:38 +0000

Words by Bill Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Performed by Mabel Mercer with Buddy Barnes, piano

From An Evening with Mabel Mercer and Bobby Short, broadcast on PBS Television December 1972

Thank you Mark Walter

See also wilderworld 68

167 - In the Morning (1946)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:56:36 +0000

Words by William Engvick (pictured), Music and Orchestration by Alec Wilder

Performed by Eileen Farrell with Mitch Miller conducting the CBS Symphony, August 29, 1946

My love took wings and flew away
In the morning
In the morning
Said "I'll be back on Saturday
In the morning"
He wore his suit with wings of gold
In the morning
In the morning
And three big coats for up there it's cold
In the morning
He made a joke like he always did
In the morning
In the morning
He kissed me and said "So long kid!"
In the morning
He took the stick and off he went
In the morning
In the morning
Looked as if he were heaven bent
In the morning
I thought I never saw the sky
In the morning
In the morning
Look so far and blue and high
In the morning

I went back to the house on Dover Street
In the morning
In the morning
And thoughts of him came sad and sweet:
Wore his suit with wings of gold
Three big coats, up there it's cold
Made a joke like he always did
Kissed me and said "So long kid!"
Took the stick and off he went
Looked as if he were heaven bent

Saturday I woke at five
In the morning
In the morning
Felt more dead than I felt alive
In the morning
I went down to the field where nothing grows
In the morning
In the morning
And people were saying "She already knows"
In the morning

I can never lift my eyes again
To see those Saturday skies again
In the morning
In the morning

Written in 1942

Rest in peace my dear friend Bill Engvick, who lived to see 98 years worth of mornings

166 - Highlights of the 27th Annual Concert Part 2 (2012)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 06:22:09 +0000

Sonata No. 3 for Bassoon and Piano in Five Movements, played by Carl Rath, bassoon and Jeongwon Ham, piano

I Like It Here words by Bill Engvick, The Sounds Around the House words by Johnny Mercer, Photographs words by Fran Landesman, The Winter of My Discontent, Moon and Sand words by Engvick, Where Is the One? music by Eddie Finckel words by Alec Wilder, I See It Now words by Engvick, Blackberry Winter with Loonis McGlohon, Summer Is a-Comin' In words by Marshall Barer, I'll Be Around performed by Eric Comstock, vocals and piano, Barbara Fasano, vocals, Gene Bertoncini, guitar and Joe Wilder, trumpet

Pictured: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wilder at the Concert

165 - Highlights from the 27th Annual Concert Part 1 (2012)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 08:14:11 +0000

New York City April 15, 2012

All words and music by Alec Wilder unless otherwise indicated

Bob Levy introduces Honorary Guest Host Joe Wilder

If Someday Comes Ever Again words by Johnny Mercer, Ellen and Lovers and Losers words by Bill Engvick, arranged by Roger Wesby and performed by The Salvatones

Suite for Piano I Movement 3, Suite for Piano III Movement 3, Hardy Suite Movements 1 and 3, Suite for Piano II Movement 1, Un Deuxieme Essai Movements 1 and 6, Suite for Piano IV Movements 1 and 4, Sonata Fantasy Movements 2 and 4, performed by John Noel Roberts, piano (pictured)

Recording and photos by David Litofsky - Thanks!

164 - Highlights from the 26th Annual Concert Part 2 (2011)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:12:24 +0000

All music by Alec Wilder except as indicated

Love Among the Young, Walk Pretty, Night Talk, Blue Fool, It's a Fine Day for Walking Country Style - John Carlson trumpet, John Dirac guitar, Douglas Yates bass clarinet

Photographs (words by Fran Landesman), Whistle Stop (music by Hugh Martin, developed by Alec Wilder), While We're Young (words by William Engvick, music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz), I'll Be Around (words and music by Alec Wilder) - Kathleen Landis vocal and piano, Bob Levy trumpet and MC (pictured)

163 - Highlights from the 26th Annual Concert Part 1 (2011)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 05 May 2011 09:27:58 +0000

April 10 in New York brought another rich and varied presentation of the extraordinary music of Alec Wilder

Air for Oboe and Strings oboe Rita Mitsel, piano Maria Dessena

When You Are Old (poem by W. B. Yeats), The Moon (Percy Bysshe Shelley), Suddenly (based upon the poem Everyone Sang by Siegfried Sassoon) vocal Carla Wesby, piano Barbara Lee

Sonata No. 1 for Tuba and Piano tuba Michael Salzman, piano Barbara Lee (pictured)
I Moderato
II Allegro
III Andante
IV Allegro

All music by Alec Wilder

162 - Pantagleize Suite (1966)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:34:30 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder for a production of the play Pantagleize by Michel de Ghelderode at Jerome Hill's 3rd Annual Festival de Cassis in Cassis, France, August 1966

Performed by the New York Woodwind Quintet: Samuel Baron flute, Ronald Roseman oboe, Ralph Froelich french horn, David Glazer clarinet and Arthur Weisberg bassoon

Alec's notes to Jerome: “I wrote a suite keeping in mind your point of ‘les folies.’ Three of the four movements I and Sam [Baron] feel convey this spirit. The only problem will be the style of drumming in Bamboola’s song. It must be straight jazz. I wrote that song and the Lullaby in high keys in keeping with the indications in the play that both are sung in a high hysterical voice.

"Bamboola’s song is fiendishly difficult for one not familiar with scat singing. However strict adherence to the notes is not essential.

“The Lullaby, since the playwright indicates that Pantagleize should sing it in a high voice, is accompanied in a rather petulantly Poulenc fashion. I have, however, added a Glockenspiel two octaves above the voice so that the singer (actor) won’t have too much difficulty maintaining the melody (which is simple and which later is played simply). The soldier’s song is very simple. I picked a middle baritone range, figuring the average male voice would find it comfortable.

“The percussionist should bring the following instruments: Bass drum, Snare drum, Tenor drum, Glockenspiel, Suspended cymbal (large), A variety of mallets, Triangle. There might be a chime.”

161 - Alec Wilder's Tribute to the Phillips Family (1973)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:32:19 +0000

All music by Alec Wilder

1 Song for Carol written 1968

2 Suite No 2 for Tuba and Piano (Jesse's Suite) 1964

3 Suite No 3 for Tuba and Piano (Little Harvey Suite) 1966

4 Suite No 4 for Tuba and Piano (Thomas Suite) 1968

5 Suite No 5 for Tuba and Piano (Ethan Ayer Suite) 1963

All Suites contain four movements

Harvey Phillips, tuba; Bernie Leighton, piano

From LP Harvey Phillips: Alec Wilder's Tribute to the Phillips family... (Golden Crest RE 7054)

R.I.P Harvey Phillips, a giant in the world of tuba and the world of Wilder

160 - Walkin'

Alec Wilder — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:31:21 +0000

All words and music by Alec Wilder except as indicated

Milwaukee words by Marshall Barer, performed by Kitty Kallen (Mercury 5315 1949)

Walkin' Sad music by Loonis McGlohon, sung by Mark Murphy from LP Songs of Alec Wilder (JJA 19795 1979)

Walk Pretty words by Fran Landesman, performed by Jackie and Roy recorded in 1976 from CD Echoes (Jazzed Media 2007)

Will You Come for a Walk with Me? words by Marshall Barer, performed by Mike Stewart with Mitch Miller and Orchestra (Golden R-288 1956)

It's a Fine Day for Walkin' Country Style words by William Engvick, sung by Jo Sullivan and Jim Hawthorne from the CBS production of Miss Chicken Little broadcast December 27, 1953

Walk Softly performed by Mundell Lowe and his Orchestra from LP New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219 1956)

I'd Gladly Walk to Alaska words by Arnold Sundgaard, recorded in 1960, sung by Kathleen Murray from LP Kittiwake Island (Blue Pear 1003 1983)

159 - Piece for English Horn (1953)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:12:48 +0000

aka Barbara

Composed by Alec Wilder

Performed by Mitch Miller on English Horn with Percy Faith and his Orchestra from the LP Music Till Midnight (Columbia CL 551)

wilderworld is saddened by the death last week of Mitch Miller at the great age of 99. No one was more important to the success of Alec Wilder than Mitch, who championed and sustained Alec and his music from day one

158 - Six by Bill Engvick and Alec Wilder (1968)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:13:45 +0000

Words by Bill Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

I See It Now, Ellen and I Like It Here sung by Jack Carroll

The April Age and The Lady Sings the Blues by Elaine Delmar from LP Elaine Sings Wilder (Columbia Records SX 6044 1966)

Lovers and Losers sung by Marlene VerPlanck

The full title of this LP, produced in a small quantity by The Richmond Organization, publishers of much of the music of Alec Wilder, is "Songs for Peggy Lee / Sinatra / Ella / Tony Bennett and singers like that..." Sinatra recorded I See It Now on the LP September of My Years (Reprise F-1014 1965), Tony Bennett has performed The Lady Sings the Blues

Happy 96th Birthday Bill Engvick!

157 - Trio for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon (2010)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:55:39 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder in 1979

Paul Lustig Dunkel flute, Stephen Hart clarinet, Harrison Hollingsworth bassoon

Another selection from the 25th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert on April 11, 2010

Recorded by David Litofsky

Photo by Lou Ouzer

156 - Sunday Excursion (2010)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:03:56 +0000

Libretto by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1953

"Sunday Excursion has been written specifically as a companion piece for those operas, serious in tone but modest in length, which demand a curtain-raiser for their effective presentation. Serving, as it does, the function of welcoming the audience to the theater, it strives to achieve, through the character of its music and story, a lightness of touch and a friendliness of tone."

Performed April 11, 2010 at the 25th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert by Aaron Gandy conductor, piano; Maria Dessena piano; David Auxier, Michael Batusic, Sara Delaney, Tessa Faye and Chris Vaughn vocals

Recorded by David Litofsky (thank you!)

155 - Love All the Quiet Flower People (1976)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:54:07 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1968

Sung by Marlene VerPlanck with the Loonis McGlohon Trio (see wilderworld 107) From LP JJA Presents the Music of Alec Wilder (JJA 19795B 1979)

Originally recorded for the American Popular Song radio program

Ms. VerPlanck (pictured above) will be the Host of the 25th annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert in New York on Sunday, April 11 at 3 pm at the Christ and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 120 West 69th Street. This year's program will include performances of the Trio for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon and the one-act opera Sunday Excursion. Tickets will be available at the door

154 - Suite for Piano (1974)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:13:18 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

From LP Barry Snyder Piano (Golden Crest RE-7058)

"Until Barry Snyder played the pieces he has recorded here, I had never heard them. I wrote them for a friend who though I'm sure was grateful and even enthusiastic about my having written them for her, never got around to performing them.

"A number of years have elapsed since I wrote them, along with perhaps thirty others. So by the time I finally heard them, I had concluded they were inadequate and unworthy of performance.

"I'm still uncertain of their validity but when I hear Mr. Snyder play them, he does so with such extraordinary tenderness, strength, acuity and maturity that at least while he is playing them I do believe in their validity.

"It is a great honor and I am particularly delighted that he has recorded these pieces. For now, when my self-confidence drops to a new low I can quickly put this record on and regain quite a bit of it."

Photo by Lou Ouzer

Happy 103rd Birthday Alec Wilder!!

153 - Whippa Whippa Woo (1950)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:54:27 +0000

Words by William Webster aka Marshall Barer, Music by Conrad Miller aka Alec Wilder

Issued as Columbia 39001

Recorded September 1950

152 - The Reindeers' Dance and Pull Together (1952)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:26:52 +0000

The Reindeers' Dance Music by Alec Wilder (Golden LGR2B)

Pull Together Words by Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder (Golden LGR3F)

151 - Ready to Go Steady (1947)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:14:07 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Eddie Finckel

Recorded August 1946

"The pert rhythm harmonies of the De Marco Sisters spin out with much attraction for the tuneful riff rhythm ditty, Ready to Go Steady, with plenty of bounce quality to both the lyrical blend and the instrumental beat of the studio men, directed by Phil Davis." -Record Review, The Billboard, February 1, 1947

150 - Nonet for Brass (1970)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:00:41 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

1st Moderate
2nd Song
3rd With Good Humor
4th Swing A Little

From Mirafone presents Deskants and Tubens, featuring Members of the Horn Club of Los Angeles (Mirafone SZB-3216 7" for demonstration only, excerpted from LP Angel S-36036) Conducted by Gunther Schuller

"Wilder's Nonet for Brass was composed in the spring, 1969. Direct and to the point, it readily invites listening of the most pleasurable kind. It has been described as a spectacular tour de force for the instruments, including two 'descant' (high F) horns, two normal French Horns, four Wagner Tubens and bass tuba"

149 - The Owl and the Pussycat (1949)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:02:29 +0000

Words by Edward Lear, Music by Alec Wilder

From LP Puff the magic dragon and Other Songs (Golden LP 149) Originally issued as Little Golden Record 25, featuring Anne Lloyd, Mitchell Miller and Orchestra

When visiting Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, be sure to insert your Magic Key in the Storybook Box at the Owl and the Pussycat attraction to hear this recording of Alec Wilder's The Owl and the Pussycat

Pictured above: The Turkey who Lives on the Hill and friends

148 - Where Do You Go? (1961)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:42:51 +0000

Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 91)

From LP Chris Connor and Maynard Ferguson Two's Company (Roulette R-52068) Connor vocal, Ferguson trumpet

Recorded December 22, 1960

R.I.P. Chris Connor, the wonderful singer who died on August 28 at the age of 81. Ms. Connor also recorded masterful renditions of The Lady Sings the Blues (see wilderworld 70) and Trouble is a Man

Pictured above: Wilder writings found on the back of a folded up letter circa 1940s

147 - I'll Be Around (1959)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:36:45 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Perhaps the only version of this oft-recorded song to include an opening verse (not composed by Wilder)

See wilderworld 73

“The Castaleers
*** I’ll Be Around – Felsted 8585 –
Okay reading of the old Mills Brothers hit.
Some coin possible. (Regent, BMI)”
-Billboard Reviews of New Pop Records, August 24, 1959

146 - Station Breaks (1957)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:43:15 +0000

Elegie to a Pet Robin
Aire for Trumpet
Rock Without Rollin'
A Dream Takes Only a Minute

Written and scored by Alec Wilder

From LP Station Breaks (Golden Crest CR 3034), conducted by Jack Zimmermann

"Station Breaks--One Minute Spots--were planned originally as a professional music service to disk jockeys. All of the original compositions in this album are precisely 60 seconds in length. They were especially written to be used as musical 'fillers' when needed to complete a segment of air time on a radio program. There are times when even the most glib disk jockey finds himself at a loss for words and is delighted to be helped out by dependable compositions such as these."

145 - American Popular Song: The Songs of Billie Holiday (1977)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:21:54 +0000

From director Dick Phipps' Columbia, South Carolina lakeside living room it's Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon with another complete one hour episode of their great American Popular Song radio show!

This episode, number 21, originally aired on February 20, 1977 and features guest vocalist Carrie Smith

The Lady Sings the Blues written in 1956, Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 70)

Please note that although Loonis suggests - and Alec assents - that The Lady Sings the Blues was written "in honor of" Billie Holiday, Mr. Engvick has told wilderworld that the song "was completely made up and did not refer to her at all." Clearly the title was lifted from the famous biography of Ms. Holiday (as confirmed by Alec) but according to Engvick: "I didn't know that singer [Holiday] was called 'Lady,' and it was not about her because I never listened to her!"

wilderworld extends the Happiest of Birthday greetings to Bill Engvick, master of the "singing line," who today is 95 years young

144 - Looey the Local Locomotive (1949)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:35:37 +0000

Words by Ben Ross Berenberg, Music by Alec Wilder

This wilderworld episode is dedicated to the memory of Louis "Looey" Geller July 15, 1955 - June 13, 2009

143 - Woodwind Quintet No. 3 (1962)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:19:18 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder in 1958

From notes by Samuel Baron: "Quintet No. 3 is...energetic and angular in its outer movements but it has a characteristic Wilder tenderness in the second movement and characteristic Wilder whimsy in the Scherzo. The original meaning of Scherzo is 'joke' and this particular Scherzo has a joke within a joke. I refer to the section in the middle where the tempo suddenly doubles and assumes a rakish, strutting gait, not a little Chaplinesque. Towards the end of the third movement and in the fourth movement again, there appears a thematic phenomenon not usually associated with the style of Alec Wilder - a twelve-tone row! Dodecaphonic musicologists give careful attention!"

142 - Friends of Alec Wilder Concert Highlights (2009)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:46:55 +0000

This year’s concert in New York was yet another rich and moving presentation of the varied musical talents of Alec Wilder. Here are some highlights from an afternoon of wondrous performances

All words and music by Alec Wilder except as noted

Movements I, III and IV from Suite No. 2 for Tenor Saxophone and Strings (for Zoot Sims 1966) and Movement III from Suite No. 1 for Tenor Saxophone and Strings (for Stan Getz) [see wilderworld 88] David Demsey saxophone, Billy Test piano

Evening Song (Soft Through the Woodland) from Hansel and Gretel; words by William Engvick; Kristin Parker and Adrian Li Donni vocals, Aaron Gandy piano

Nothing is Working Quite Right from Kittiwake Island [see wilderworld 80] words by Arnold Sundgaard; David Auxier, Michelle McConnell and Duane McDevitt vocals, Aaron Gandy piano, Mike McGinnis clarinet

Listen to Your Heart words by Engvick, Douglas Mountain words by Sundgaard; Mike McGinnis clarinet, Mike Fahn trombone, Sean Moran guitar

I'll Be Around singalong led by Jackie Cain, piano by Maria Dessena (pictured above)

The host was John Biderman. Thank you Tom Hampson, Judy Bell and all the Friends of Alec Wilder for continuing to produce these nourishing shows year after year

Alec Lives!

141 - Suite for Soprano Saxophone and Clarinet (1980)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:04:55 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

Paul Brodie saxophone, James Campbell clarinet

Transcribed from Suite for Two Clarinets written in 1976

From LP Paul Brodie and Camerata (Golden Crest CRS 4194) Fibre Sculpture "Enchanted Forest" by Rima Brodie

Recorded April 1980

"This suite exploits some of the similarities and differences between the sonorities of the clarinet and saxophone, heard separately and together. The first and second movements are in 4/4 time, the third movement is in 5/8, 3/4 and 7/8 time and is marked 'Freely'. The fourth movement is in a slow 3/4 time and the fifth and sixth movements are in 6/8 time"

Don't miss the 24th annual Alec Wilder Concert in New York City coming up on Saturday, April 4th, 3:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, 54th and Lexington. Among the performances will be saxophonist and author David Demsey playing Wilder's Suite No. 1 for Tenor Saxophone, aka Three Ballads for Stan (Getz) (see wilderworld 88) Tickets available at the door. See you there!

140 - Rain, Rain (Don't Go 'Way) (1982)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:09:43 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1955

From LP Bernie Knee (Audiophile AP-144) Knee vocal, Loonis McGlohon piano, Terry Lassiter bass and Jim Lackey drums. Recorded November 1977 for the American Popular Song radio program

"Absolutely marvelous, all of you!" - Alec Wilder

Happy 102nd Birthday Alec!!

139 - An Old Friend is the Best Friend (1950)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:54:53 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1945

Recorded August 1950

138 - Project 60 part 2 (1960)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:41:58 +0000

All words and music by Alec Wilder except as indicated

Tacet for Neurotics from LP New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219 1956) [for complete track see wilderworld 36]

Air for Clarinet from LP The New York Woodwind Quintet Plays Alec Wilder (Golden Crest CR 3019 1957)

Animals of Farmer Jones (Golden 13A 1948) Words by Jane Werner

Air for English Horn from LP Frank Sinatra Conducts the Music of Alec Wilder (Columbia ML 4271 1950)

1 Dans Quixotic, 2 Slow and Sweet, 3 Song movements of Suite for Horn and Piano from LP John Barrows and his French Horn (Golden Crest RE 7002 1960) [see wilderworld 47]

Christmas & Sugaring Off from 10" LP The Grandma Moses Suite (Columbia ML 2185 1951) Developed and orchestrated by Alec Wilder from the musical score by Hugh Martin

Did You Ever Cross Over to Sneden's from LP Shannon Bolin Songs for Patricia (Riverside RLP 12-805 1957)

Lonely Seascape, Incantation & Finale from LP Music from The Sand Castle (Columbia CL 1455 1961)

Love Among the Young from LP Jennie Young Love Among the Young (Columbia CL 1242 1959) Words by Norman Gimbel

137 - Project 60 part 1 (1960)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:56:45 +0000

A Personality Portrait of Alec Wilder was written and produced by Loonis McGlohon for WBT Radio in Charlotte, North Carolina

The first of many collaborations between Wilder and McGlohon, who was Musical Director at WBT for several years.

All words and music by Alec Wilder except as noted

I’ll Be Around from LP Percy Faith and Mitch Miller It’s So Peaceful in the Country (Columbia CL 779 1956) [see wilderworld 73]

Seldom the Sun by the Alec Wilder Octet (Columbia 35648 1940) Recorded July 1940 [same personnel as wilderworld 09]

Tuba Showpiece aka Movement III of Suite No. 1 for Brass Quintet from LP New York Brass Quintet Presents Two Contemporary Composers (Golden Crest 4017 1959)

The Happy Man and His Dump Truck (Golden Records R54 1950) Words by Marshall Barer

Air for Oboe from LP Frank Sinatra Conducts the Music of Alec Wilder (Columbia ML 4271 1950) Recorded December 5, 1945 [see wilderworld 39]

Mama Never Dug This Scene from LP Mundell Lowe and his Orchestra New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219 1956)

While We’re Young by Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour (Capitol 1683 1949) Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz [see wilderworld 50]

Trouble is a Man by Sarah Vaughan with the Ted Dale Orchestra (Musicraft 533 1947) [see wilderworld 60]

Definition from LP Shannon Bolin Songs for Patricia (Riverside RLP 12-805 1957) Words by William Engvick

Where Is the One? from LP Frank Sinatra Where Are You? (Capitol W 855 1957) Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Eddie Finckel; Recorded April 10, 1957 [see wilderworld 126]

Photo is of Alec and Loonis at Freedom Park in Charlotte in the early 1960s during filming of a television program with the Newcomers student singing group

136 - Four Studies for Four French Horns (1970)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:27:19 +0000

"Alec Wilder gives us short, pleasant to listen to pieces which amount to three songs and a march"

Written in 1962

Burt Hardin, professor of Horn at Eastern Illinois University, plays all four parts with the aid of modern multi-track recording technology. "If I have any recommendation for anyone contemplating such a project, it is to hire a recording studio and three other horn players. It is much easier in the long run!"

135 - Kalamazoo for Kids

Alec Wilder — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:13:30 +0000

Two examples of Alec Wilder songs rewritten to make them more appealing to children

Kalamazoo to Timbuktu (see wilderworld 38) from Songs of Travel (Golden Record Library RL 9911 1959)

Song of the Sparrow (Golden R343 1956); see wilderworld 48

134 - Summer Rain (1963)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:27:45 +0000

Words by Fred Hellerman, Music by Alec Wilder

From LP An Evening with Carol Lawrence (Cameo C-1077)

Written in 1953

wilderworld recently asked Mr. Hellerman, one of The Weavers of folk legend, about how his unlikely collaboration with Alec on Summer Rain came about:

“Summer Rain has the distinction of being the only song I ever wrote for which I didn't write the music. It's nowhere near being a ‘folky’ type song, but was written as a pop ballad. It came about, oddly enough, when I had read the comments at the graveside of the Rosenbergs by their lawyer, who hoped that the ‘summer rains fall gently on this spot.’ I was very moved by it and wrote a pop lyric around it.

“I gave it to my then-publisher who left it lying around on his desk. Alec Wilder happened to see it, loved it and asked if he could write some music to it. Being a fan of Alec's, I was terribly flattered and excited at the prospect.

“It's hard for me to say what I felt about what he did. As I said, I never before had anybody else write music for a lyric of mine and so I was quite taken aback by it, inasmuch as it was so far from anything I had imagined. But then again, I had absolutely no experience hearing what music someone else might write to a song of mine. I'm not sure what it is that I had in mind, but this was quite different. Not bad, but different.

“In any case, nothing ever happened with it. There was one record of it by Carol Lawrence on some cockamaymee record label. I think it may have sold less than 10 records and then zoomed into oblivion.

“I never knew Alec. I had casually met him several times but never got to know him, so I had to settle for admiring him from afar. But I'm certainly glad to have my name associated with him albeit in some small way.”

133 - Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra (1953)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:13:15 +0000

Music by Alec Wilder

From LP Presenting Robert Farnon (London LL 812); Denny Vaughan, piano, with Robert Farnon and his orchestra

Recorded January 27, 1950

aka From Dawn to Dusk

132 - Wish Me Well (1965)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:23:27 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1952

From LP Morgana King Winter of My Discontent (Ascot AM 13014) (see wilderworld 11)

Clipping from Down Beat Magazine August 13, 1947

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL ENGVICK!! Well and writing at age 94

131 - Horns O' Plenty (1952)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:00:53 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

Fourth of four movements

see wilderworld 14

130 - Hansel and Gretel (1958)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:12:01 +0000

The second of two live NBC television productions to feature music by Alec Wilder aired on Sunday April 27, 1958 (see wilderworld 111)

Words by William Engvick

The Hansel and Gretel Song (Much Too Happy Dancing), Market Today, Men Run the World, Evening Song (Soft Through the Woodland), Morning Song, Eenie Meenie Miney Moe, What are Little Girls Made Of?, Finale

From LP Hansel and Gretel (MGM E3690). Performed by Red Buttons, Barbara Cook, Rudy Vallee, Stubby Kaye and Paula Lawrence

129 - In the Spring of the Year (1951)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:13:41 +0000

Words by Lee Kuhn, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1947

Sung by Lee Kuhn, piano player unknown

Yes, it's spring, so it must be time for the annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert! If you're in the New York area, don't miss the 23rd annual concert this Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm. at St. Peter's Church, 54th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York City. Each year's concert features a wonderful array of artists presenting a wide variety of Alec Wilder material. Highlights from this year's program include a performance of the rarely heard "Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano" and a group led by Mike McGinnis playing "chamber jazz improvisations on popular songs." Tickets are available at the door. Be there!

128 - Entertainment No. 1 (1980)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:55:07 +0000

Movement One
Movement Two
Movement Three
Movement Four
Movement Five

Written in 1960

From LP The Compositions of Alec Wilder (Golden Crest ATH-5070); Performed by the University of South Florida Wind Ensemble, guest conducted by Frederick Fennell

Photo by Lou Ouzer of Alec Wilder with the steel I-beam played in Movement Five of the premiere performance of Entertainment No. 1 in Rochester on May 1, 1961. Wilder's use of the I-beam was in response to a reviewer's criticism that he couldn't write "loud"

127 - Spring Magic (1946)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:08:52 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder and Bert Reisfeld based on a melody from the third, Nocturne movement of the String Quartet in D by Alexander Borodin

Recorded April 15, 1946

126 - Where is the One? (1949)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:42:08 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Eddie Finckel

Decca 24558

Dick Haymes with orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins

Recorded December 21, 1947

125 - Welcome Home (1980)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:06:48 +0000

Words by Judy Holliday, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1976

From LP Mark Murphy Satisfaction Guaranteed (Muse MR 5215)

Photo by Lou Ouzer

HAPPY 101st BIRTHDAY ALEC WILDER!!

124 - Suite for Trumpet and Piano (1972)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:38:50 +0000

In four movements
= 86
= 104
= 60
= 112

From LP Music for Trumpet (Golden Crest RE 7045); Robert Levy trumpet, Amy Lou Levy piano

Written in 1967

wilderworld recently asked Bob Levy about the Suite for Trumpet and Piano and its recording:

WW: How did the Suite for Trumpet and Piano come about?

BL: Forty years ago, when I was a kid of 24, I asked Alec if he would be willing to write a trumpet piano work for me. The result was the four movement Suite. He was very quick to do it and I was thrilled. It was the first piece he wrote for me.

WW: You’ve performed a lot of Alec’s music over the years. How does the Suite compare to other pieces you’ve played?

BL: I think the piece is very much like much of his chamber music. It is highly melodic, angular in nature with its large intervalic leaps, and leaves phrasing largely up to the performer. As with most of his works, the performer must bring more of themselves to fostering a "point of view" in terms of shaping the music. That's the essential thing with Alec's music in my opinion.

WW: What about the Suite to you seems written for Bob Levy?

BL: Perhaps the 3rd movement has had a special sense of having been written for me as it is quite bluesy in nature. Alec knew of my love for jazz and that may have influenced him. Years later I asked him about possibly setting a lyric to the rather haunting melody it has, but its range and form made it less accessible.

WW: Who is Amy Lou Levy?

BL: She's my ex-wife.

WW: Was Alec present for the recording?

BL: Yes, Alec was there at the recording session and actually attended all subsequent recording sessions I did of his music from 1974-1980 (see wilderworld 75). He was most enthusiastic and supportive. Often, when composers attend dress rehearsals or recording sessions the performers can become quite nervous and it's easy to lose concentration, especially if they are continually offering suggestions. Alec always just seemed pleased you were recording his music and his comments were always encouraging. I remember, with recording one of his brass quintets, when after a “take" we all were a bit agitated and wanted to immediately do another, better one. Alec came running in from the recording booth and told us, “That's it; that's the one! Don't you even consider doing another one!"

123 - I Got Big Eyes (1952)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:22:33 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

122 - Ragtime Music (1961)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:11:55 +0000

Composed and orchestrated by Alec Wilder

From the 1960 film The Sand Castle, produced and directed by Jerome Hill

LP The Sand Castle (Columbia CS 8249); Orchestra conducted by Samuel Baron

Ragtime Music, with the addition of newly-composed words by William Engvick, was recently published as the song Jam! in The Alec Wilder Song Collection Centennial Edition (see wilderworld 114)

121 - 'Tain't a Fit Night Out (1943)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:45:54 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Performed by the Four Vagabonds (Standard X-134)

120 - The Amorous Poltergeist (1947)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:14:32 +0000

"'The Amorous Poltergeist' describes the mood of a playful ghost - an 'innocuous phantasm' - who haunts in a 'harmless, flippant fashion' - and who, having fallen in love, feels the futility of his ectoplasmic state, and the realization that his love can never be consummated."

119 - Timmy is a Big Boy Now (1950)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 10:36:18 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder

118 - The Baggage Room Blues (1956)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:24:17 +0000

Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1954

From LP Tom Kennedy On His Way (Golden Crest CR 3011)

117 - The Bowling Song (1942)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:24:09 +0000

Words by Dort DuBois (aka Bill Engvick), Music by Al Alder (aka Alec Wilder)

116 - Sonata for Cello and Piano (1964)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:41:33 +0000

First Movement
Second Movement
Third Movement
Fourth Movement

Written in 1961

David Soyer cello, Harriet Wingreen piano

From LP Golden Crest RE 7009

115 - Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1955)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:55:20 +0000

Words by Fred Ebb, Music by Alec Wilder

114 - Dear World (2006)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:49:29 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

The music was originally composed as Slow Waltz, or Sand Castle Waltz, for Jerome Hill's 1960 film The Sand Castle. It was used during the color dream sequence in the film, but was not included on the soundtrack LP, and lay dormant until words were added in 2005

Jimmy Bennett vocal, Dorothy Martin piano from the Friends of Alec Wilder Concert in New York on March 11, 2006

Dear World has just been published - along with three other freshly-minted Wilder-Engvick collaborations - for the first time in The Richmond Organization's brand new The Alec Wilder Song Collection Centennial Edition (pictured above), now available from Hal Leonard

Today marks one year since the launching of wilderworld, 100 records in 100 days to celebrate 100 years of Alec Wilder. So far over 21,000 visitors, from Denver to Beijing to Haifa to Caracas to Zagreb to just about everywhere, have stopped in to check out some of the most witty, poignant and profound music ever composed and committed to vinyl (or shellac). Thank you all! Special thanks to those who have contributed (sometimes unknowingly) to this podcast, thus furthering the noble cause of quality in a world that often has difficulty recognizing it

Alec Lives!! (see wilderworld 103)

113 - Moon in the Sea (1941)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:59:05 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Enric Madriguera

Recorded March 28, 1941

112 - Jack, This Is My Husband (1949)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:42:53 +0000

Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 59

From LP Alec Wilder Octets (Mercury 25008)

111 - Pinocchio (1957)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:52:42 +0000

On October 13, 1957 - 50 years ago today - NBC aired a live, nationally-televised production of Pinocchio featuring music composed by Alec Wilder. It is widely considered one of the classics from "the Golden Age of Television"

wilderworld recently asked Pinocchio lyricist William Engvick to share his recollections of the production. Here is some of what he related:

“I thought it was pretty good. The night of the broadcast I was in the studio. I watched it from a room - I wasn’t with the players. Mickey Rooney was friendly and nice. I can’t remember if Alec was there. Even if he was, he always pretended he wasn’t. They had never done it live before, and it had to be perfect because you couldn’t edit like you can today. There were a number of rehearsals of which I attended a few.

“It might have been a more pleasant experience were it not for the 'producer' [and scriptwriter], a terrible guy named Yasha Frank who resented us because he wanted to do it all himself. He’d been successful with Pinocchio in WPA days. The real producer was David Susskind of Talent Associates. He was a nice guy. He liked us. He also hired us for Hansel and Gretel [broadcast in April of 1958].

"I worked on Pinocchio from July to September. The Lullaby was something Alec and I had written a while before called Simple As ABC. I thought it would work in the show, suggested it and changed the words. Alec wrote all the music very quickly. It takes me longer to write, so Alec took off for Rochester - or wherever - and left me alone with these monsters! I felt like I was doing all the work. Sometimes he’d never say where he was. I think it was a real weakness of his: he simply couldn’t be tied down to anything, or own anything. Except for books. Bookstore owners loved Alec. He bought loads of books and gave most of them away.

“After Hansel and Gretel, Alec and I decided not to do anymore. We were offered a third program [Hiawatha] but turned it down. The drug company [Rexall] that sponsored them pulled out. Yasha Frank killed himself shortly after that. Several years later his son called me for permission to produce Pinocchio again. I said that would be fine, but nothing came of it.

“That was a long time ago. It’s all part of a dream.”

A video or DVD of the Pinocchio broadcast has never been released commercially, although a kinescope copy of it exists at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Listen to Your Heart, Happy News, Pinocchio's Song, Lullaby, The Fox's Pitch, The Jolly Coachman, The Birthday Song from LP Pinocchio (Columbia CL 1055); Sung by Fran Allison, Stubby Kaye, Mickey Rooney, Gordon B. Clarke, Martyn Green, Jerry Colonna and chorus

110 - It's So Peaceful in the Country

Alec Wilder — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:31:46 +0000

It's So Peaceful in the Country words and music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 15)

by the Delta Rhythm Boys (1941), Creed Taylor Orchestra from LP Shock Music in Hi-Fi (ABC Paramount ABCS-259 1958), Tak Shindo from LP Accent on Bamboo (Capitol ST-1433 1960) and Bill Mays from Alec Wilder Centennial Concert in New York April 29, 2007

Poor Mr. Flibberty-Jib words by Marshall Barer, music by Wilder; Anne Lloyd, Gilbert Mack, Dick Byron, The Sandpipers, Mitchell Miller and Orchestra (Golden Records R53A 1951)

A Month in the Country words by William Engvick, music by Wilder; Frank Baker vocal, Walter Gross piano (1939)

I'm Headin' West (For a Rest) words by Barer, music by Wilder; Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra (Columbia 1-628 1950)

Picture above is an excerpt from Alec Wilder's June 12, 1959 appearance before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. where he spoke in favor of repealing the performance royalty fee exemption enjoyed by jukebox operators

109 - Chicago Centennial Concert (2007)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:07:27 +0000

On August 3 the majestic Harold Washington Library was the site of a marvelous tribute to the music and words of Alec Wilder. The brainchild of Chicago native Richard Wyszynski, conductor and friend of Wilder, the free concert featured orchestral pieces, selections from the Lullabies and Night Songs (see wilderworld 96) and a few Octets. Here are some highlights of that afternoon

All music by Alec Wilder

Air for English Horn (1945) was transcribed for and performed on clarinet by Gail Schechter, with the Cardinal Chamber Orchestra

Star Wish (words traditional), The Answers (words by Robert Clairmont), The Journey (words by William Engvick), and The Cottager to Her Infant (words by Dorothy Wordsworth) feature Alyssa Bennett vocal and Lisa Pustina piano; excerpts from Wilder’s Clues to a Life: Letters I Never Sent read by Wyszynski

The Children Met the Train written in 1940

While in Chicago be sure to visit the Alec Wilder display on the 8th floor of the Harold Washington Library through October 31 (pictured above)

108 - Where's the Man (1948)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:38:40 +0000

Words and music by Alec Wilder

Recorded May 24, 1948

107 - I Wish I Had the Blues Again

Alec Wilder — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:25:13 +0000

Many are familiar with I Wish I Had the Blues Again, the Alec Wilder-Loonis McGlohon song written in 1978 and memorably performed by Marlene VerPlanck. Fewer are aware that 30 years earlier Alec co-wrote a completely different song with the same title: I Wish I Had the Blues Again. With music by Eddie Finckel (see wilderworld 13), it was recorded by Nat King Cole and his trio on November 29, 1947 but rejected by Capitol Records. Alec, not one to let a good idea go to waste, scavenged the title and a line or two

From Nat King Cole 1947-1949 (Classics 1155 2000) Cole (piano), Irving Ashby (guitar), Johnny Miller (bass)

From LP Marlene VerPlanck Sings Alec Wilder (Audiophile AP 218) Loonis McGlohon (piano), Rick Petrone (bass), Mel Lewis (drums) Recorded March 1986

106 - Beguiner's Luck (1956)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:51:53 +0000

“Beguiner’s Luck is a seldom-heard composition from the pen of Alec Wilder. An exciting beguine strongly flavored by the incessant rhythmic sounds of the bongo drums with bass figures predominant in the low-pitched marimbas of the ensemble. An excellent yardstick to guage the low frequency response of any high fidelity system.”

From LP Leo Arnaud and His Orchestra Spectra-Sonic-Sounds!! (Liberty LRP 3009)

Recorded January 1955

105 - Out on a Limb (1939)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:21:12 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded September 18, 1939

Alec's first vocal record!

104 - Whom Can I Turn To, Mildred?

Alec Wilder — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:06:27 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder. The first song they wrote together (see wilderworld 20)

Recorded August 20, 1941

Who Can I Turn To? by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Jo Stafford on vocals (Victor 27701, September 18, 1941)

Hold On by Mildred Bailey and the Alec Wilder Octet (Columbia 35348, November 3, 1939)

Nostalgia was later re-arranged for woodwinds and recorded by the Alec Wilder Octet as Remember Me to Youth (see wilderworld 59). From the Mildred Bailey Show CBS radio broadcast of December 5, 1944

103 - The Moon Just Winked at Me (2007)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 11 May 2007 11:22:01 +0000

The Alec Wilder Centennial Concert in New York on April 29 was a phenomenal event. One highlight was the world premiere of this great song from the long-dormant unused score for the film Daddy Long Legs

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1953

Thrillingly performed by Lily DePaula vocal and Aaron Gandy piano

101 – American Popular Song: Mildred Bailey and the Band Singers Part 1 (1976)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:47:14 +0000

We're back!

And now...From the Columbia, South Carolina lakeside living room of Mr. Dick Phipps,
it's Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon with a complete one hour episode of their great American Popular Song radio show! This episode, number 9, was recorded in March 1976, aired on November 28, 1976 and features guest vocalist Teddi King (photo left)

See wilderworld 40 for more about the American Popular Song radio series

It’s So Peaceful in the Country words and music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 15)

Many of the performances aired on American Popular Song were later released commercially on Audiophile Records; recordings from this episode can be found on Teddi King’s Lovers and Losers and Someone to Light Up Your Life LPs (AP 117 and AP 150 1976). With the exception of a generous excerpt featured on Thelma Carpenter’s A Souvenir CD (Audiophile ACD-111 1997), episodes of American Popular Song are not available. If you feel they should be, call the folks at NPR and request they blow the dust off a few reels of this superb, illuminating radio program

wilderworld would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has offered kind words about and contributions to this website, and to all who have stopped by to sample the brilliant music of Alec Wilder. Please feel free to leave comments

To learn more, visit alecwildercentennial dot com and alecwilder dot org

100 years of obscurity is enough!!

102 – American Popular Song: Mildred Bailey and the Band Singers Part 2

Alec Wilder — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:37:58 +0000

Lovers and Losers words by William Engvick, music by Alec Wilder; written in 1968

Blackberry Winter by Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon (see wilderworld 72)

100 - A Child is Born (1972)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:37:17 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Thad Jones

Written in 1969

From LP Free Design There is a Song (Light In The Attic 015 2005, originally released as Ambrotype 1016)

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY ALEC WILDER!!

99 - Voices of Vista (1965)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:22:11 +0000

While We're Young (Sam Hamilton piano), Did You Ever Cross Over to Snedens? and Goodbye John (Cy Walter and Stan Freeman twin pianos) from LP The Art of Mabel Mercer (Atlantic 2-602 1965)

Did You Ever Cross Over to Snedens? written in 1947

I'll Be Around from LP Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours (Capitol W-581 1955)

Originally aired October 24, 1965

98 - South – To a Warmer Place (1981)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:14:13 +0000

Words by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1980

One of the last two songs composed by Alec Wilder, commissioned by Frank Sinatra for his LP She Shot Me Down (Reprise FS 2305)

Arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins

Recorded July 21, 1981

97 - A Debutante's Diary (1939)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:38:09 +0000

The first Alec Wilder Octet side

Recorded December 19, 1938

96 - Seal Lullaby (1985)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:51:26 +0000

Words by Rudyard Kipling, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1965

Jan DeGaetani vocal; Gretchen Van Hoesen harp; orchestrated and conducted by Rayburn Wright

From LP Lullabies and Night Songs (Caedmon TC 1777)

Illustration by Maurice Sendak from the book

95 - The Sounds Around the House (1978)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 06:51:07 +0000

Words by Johnny Mercer, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1976

From LP Dick Haymes For You, For Me, For Evermore (Audiophile AP 130)

Loonis McGlohon piano; Terry Lassiter bass; Jim Lackey drums

Recorded December 1976 for the American Popular Song radio program (see wilderworld 40)

94 - Effie Suite (1972)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:34:23 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

aka Suite No. 1 for Tuba and Piano

Written in 1959 for a children's album which would depict six imaginary experiences of an elephant named Effie

1. Effie Chases a Monkey; 2. Effie Falls in Love; 3. Effie Takes a Dancing Lesson; 4. Effie Joins the Carnival; 5. Effie Goes Folk Dancing; 6. Effie Sings a Lullaby

Harvey Phillips tuba; Arthur Harris piano; Bradley Spinney drums and xylophone

LP Golden Crest RE-7054

93 - Lack-A-Day (1964)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:05:55 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder

Music by George Barnes

92 - The Churkendoose (1947)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 08:40:05 +0000

Story and Words by Ben Ross Berenberg, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1946

Ray Bolger as The Churkendoose; Orchestra conducted by Mitchell Miller

Decca CU 103

91 - Where Do You Go? (1957)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 06:54:12 +0000

Words by Arnold Sundgaard; Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1948

From the musical play Western Star

From LP Songs for Patricia and other Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-805); Shannon Bolin vocal; Milton Kaye piano

90 - Give Me Time (1940)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 04:09:54 +0000

Written, Arranged and Conducted by Alec Wilder

Recorded January 25, 1940

89 - Sweet Lorena (1955)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:24:30 +0000

Words by Jeremy Stephen aka Arnold Sundgaard

Music by Alec Wilder, derived from Lorena by Joseph Philbrick Webster

From EP Songs of the South

88 - Three Ballads for Stan (1967)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:06:59 +0000

Written in 1963

Recorded August 2, 1966

aka Suite No. 1 for Tenor Saxophone and Strings

87 - Sleep, My Heart (1971)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:58:10 +0000

Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1941

From LP The Heart and Soul of Joe Williams and George Shearing (Sheba ST 102)

Williams vocals; Shearing piano; Andy Simpkins bass; Stix Hooper drums

Recorded March 1971

86 - Suite for Flute and Marimba (1979)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:03:21 +0000

In six movements

Written in 1977

Virginia Nanzetta flute; Gordon Stout marimba

From LP Alec Wilder's Music for Marimba with Other Instruments (Golden Crest CRS-4190)

85 - Be a Child (1982)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:20:33 +0000

Words by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1976

Cleo Laine vocal, Dudley Moore piano, Ray Brown bass, Nick Ceroli drums

84 - Jazz Waltz For a Friend (1974)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:54:45 +0000

Written for Marian McPartland

Jay Leonhart bass; Jimmy Madison drums

83 - The Phoenix Love Theme (1964)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 16:35:35 +0000

English words by Alec Wilder; Music by Gino Paoli

Written in 1961

From LP Peggy Lee In the Name of Love (Capitol T-2096)

82 - Don't Say Love Has Ended (1952)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 08:42:55 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 1952

81 - The House Detective Registers (1941)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:27:43 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

Recorded December 28, 1939

Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 09

Columbia 36188

80 - If Love's Like a Lark (1960)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:37:22 +0000

Words by Arnold Sundgaard; Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1953

Sung by Kathleen Murray and Joe Lautner; from the musical Kittiwake Island, which ran for seven performances from October 12 through October 16, 1960 at the off-Broadway Martinique Theatre

LP Blue Pear BP 1003 1983

79 - Just an Old Stone House (1945)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:48:37 +0000

Words, Music and Arranged by Alec Wilder

Frank Sinatra with Orchestra conducted by Mitch Miller

Originally released on Columbia 38809 1950

Recorded November 15, 1945

78 - Sing Our Song of Love (1952)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:58:47 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder; Music by Nat Shapiro

Recorded December 1951

77 - I'll Wait (1948)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 08:33:57 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1945

Recorded August 25, 1948

76 - Captain Hideous (1954)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 10:04:10 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded November 1953

Columbia 40280

See wilderworld 03

75 - Brass Quintet No. 8 (1980)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:44:32 +0000

I. Insistently
II. Nice and easy does it
III. With a sense of profound loss
IV. Jazz style
V. Get out of my way!

Tidewater Brass Quintet: Chris Gekker trumpet; Martin Hackleman horn; Gary Maske tuba; Michael Powell trombone; Robert Levy trumpet

From LP Tidewater Brass Quintet IV (Golden Crest CRS 4205)

74 - A Heart to Call My Own (1956)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:51:22 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Although the label suggests otherwise, this song is from the CBS-TV Front Row Center Production "The Human Touch" which aired April 15, 1956 and starred Lisa Kirk as a successful singer in a New York night club who is torn between her career and her principles

73 - I'll Be Around (1958)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 06:53:56 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1942

From LP Billie Holiday Lady in Satin (Columbia CL 1157)

Recorded February 19, 1958

72 - Blackberry Winter (1977)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 06:36:06 +0000

Written in 1976

Keith Jarrett piano; Charlie Haden bass; Paul Motian drums

From LP Best of Keith Jarrett (ABC Impulse IA-9348 1978)

Recorded February 1977

71 - Lonely Night (1949)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 07:19:39 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 1949

70 - The Lady Sings the Blues (1959)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 10:27:02 +0000

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1956

From LP Chris Connor Witchcraft (Atlantic 8032)

Recorded October 5, 1959

69 - Alice in Wonderland Suite (1957)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 02:33:06 +0000

Music by Alec Wilder

Performed by the New York Woodwind Quintet

Recorded Summer 1957

68 - I See It Now (1964)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 01:30:16 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1962

Recorded March 10, 1964

67 - Neurotic Goldfish (1939)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 06:39:55 +0000

Recorded December 19, 1938

66 - Where's That Heartache? (1990)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 06:41:06 +0000

Words and piano by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1980

From LP Eileen Farrell sings Alec Wilder (Reference Recordings RR-36)

65 - The April Age (1956)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 01:20:57 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

64 - Don't Leave Me (1939)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 05:32:53 +0000

Music by Clarence Profit and Alec Wilder

From LP The Complete Clarence Profit (Meritt 15 1981)

63 - Roly-Poly Man In the Moon (1959)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 05:39:07 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer; Music by Alec Wilder

Little Golden Record 546

Herman Ermine in Rabbit Town can be listened to at www dot kiddierecords dot com/archive/week_25 dot htm

62 - Since LIFE Began (1961)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:10:58 +0000

Recorded in New York City January 23, 1961

Orchestra conducted by Samuel Baron and including: Dave Soyer, Charles McCracken, Sterling Hunkins cellos; Urbie Green, Merv Gold, Dick Hixon trombones; John Barrows, James Buffington, Earl Chapin French horns; Joe Wilder trumpet; Charles Russo clarinet; Jerome Roth oboe; Don Hammond flute; Arthur Weisberg bassoon; Bernie Leighton piano; Milt Hinton bass; Sol Gubin drums

"In scoring Since LIFE Began Wilder restates, in musical terms of the present, the pace and moods of the era since LIFE's beginning in 1936. Here is a score that not only adds rich dimension to the visual story as it unfolds but provides fuller meaning for the narrative as well.

This work displays the best of Wilder talents - melodic brilliance and virtuosity in orchestrations; evocative passages combining the dissonance of modern serious music with the fresh, uninhibited, swinging sounds of jazz; and respect for the individual art of the musician."

61 - Tell Me True (1952)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 09:56:14 +0000

Words by Arthur Writ and Leo Israel

Recorded February 4, 1952

60 - Trouble Is a Man (1958)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:32:39 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1944

Recorded March 1958

From LP Judy Holliday Trouble Is a Man (Columbia CL 1153)

59 - Little White Samba (1949)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:20:50 +0000

Written and recorded in 1947

Alec Wilder Octet: Jimmy Carroll clarinet; Mitchell Miller oboe and English horn; Eddie Powell flute; Harold Goltzer bassoon; Reggie Merrill bass clarinet; Dick Wolff harpsichord; Frank Carroll bass; Gary Gillis drums

58 - Mimosa and Me (1966)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 20:27:49 +0000

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1964 for the film Open the Door (And See All the People) by Jerome Hill

From LP Jackie and Roy Lovesick (Verve V6-8688)

57 - Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (1964)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 10:43:42 +0000

I. Slow (Recitatif)
II. Bright, And Lyrical
III. Slow (Soliloquy)
IV. Rhythmic (Duologue)

Written in 1963 for Joe Wilder (no relation)

56 - Echoes of My Life (1980)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 06:53:41 +0000

Words by Rogers Brackett, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1976

From LP Mabel Mercer Echoes of My Life (Audiophile AP 161/162)

55 - Moon and Sand (1950)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 11:03:20 +0000

Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz

Written in 1941

Recorded April 1950

54 - It's Silk, Feel It! (1939)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 07:20:44 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 13, 1939

Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 01

From LP Columbia Nonbreakable ML 4271 1950

53 - Listen to Your Heart (1957)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 07:24:57 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Pinocchio aired Sunday, October 13, 1957 on NBC television

52 - Children's Plea for Peace (1969)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 11:52:04 +0000

Written and Narrated by Alec Wilder

Recorded May 1969

The text is derived from essays written by the children of Avon, New York

Performed by the Eastman Children's Chorus and 20 members of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, conducted by Milford Fargo

LP Turnabout TV-S 34413

Alec Wilder died on this date in 1980

51 - How Lovely is Christmas (1957)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 08:12:31 +0000

Words by Arnold Sundgaard

50 - While We're Young (1951)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 04:02:39 +0000

Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz

Written in 1943

Recorded May 31, 1951

49 - City Night (1939)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:00:15 +0000

Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Jack Jenney

Recorded December 6, 1939

Jenney is best known for his trombone solo on Stardust by Artie Shaw

Columbia 10" Lp issued 1951

48 - Song of the Sparrow (1956)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:09:13 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Miller and Miller

Written in 1954

A Man's World originally aired October 1, 1956 on CBS television

47 - First Sonata for Horn and Piano (1960)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:46:30 +0000

Written in 1954

46 - All the Cats Join In (1946)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 05:47:21 +0000

Words by Wilder and Gilbert; Music by Sauter

Written in 1944

Recorded January 31, 1946

45 - Everywhere I Look (1960)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:17:19 +0000

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1945

From LP Something's Coming (Warwick 2012)

44 - Far Off, Close By (1968)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 06:55:54 +0000

Music by Alec Wilder and Willis Conover (see wilderworld 22)

43 - Daddy's Whistle (1951)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 06:28:54 +0000

Words by Jill Jackson

42 - Basta (1952)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 00:49:25 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer

Recorded October 1951

From LP Louis Prima and Keely Smith Breaking It Up (Columbia CL 1206 1958)

41 - Winter of My Discontent (1955)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 07:47:39 +0000

Words by Berenberg

Piano by Milton Kaye, husband of Shannon Bolin. Kaye died on August 14 at age 97 - R.I.P.

40 - Let Me Stay (1976)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 07:11:43 +0000

Words by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1970

The theme of Wilder and McGlohon's American Popular Song series which ran on National Public Radio for 38 episodes between October 3, 1976 and March 30, 1980

Performed by Ed Montiero with the regular American Popular Song backing combo of McGlohon piano, Terry Lassiter bass and Jim Lackey drums. From LP The Songs of Alec Wilder (Box Office JJA 19795 1979)

39 - Slow Dance (1945)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 06:02:58 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

With the Columbia String Orchestra and Woodwind Octet with harpsichord

Recorded December 10, 1945

38 - Kalamazoo to Timbuktu (1952)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:54:00 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer and Margaret Wise Brown, Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded December 1951

37 - Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters (1955)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 02:34:19 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer

Kit Carson was a pseudonym for vocalist Liza Morrow

36 - Tacet for Neurotics (1956)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 08:32:10 +0000

Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 12, 1956

From LP New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219)

Mundell Lowe and his Orchestra: Joe Wilder (tp) John Barrows, Jim Buffington (frh) Don Hammond (fl) Jerry Roth (ob) Bernard Garfield (basn) Jimmy Carroll (cl, bcl) Mundell Lowe (g) Trigger Alpert (b) Ed Shaughnessy (d)

35 - Soft as Spring (1941)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:06:16 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 11, 1941

LP is a 1959 reissue of GL 523, originally issued in 1953

34 - You're Free (1961)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 06:52:59 +0000

Words by Fran Landesman

From Anthony Newley Tony LP (London LL 3252)

Photograph is of Newley

33 - Bobo the Oboe (1954)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 06:39:17 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer

Musical direction and oboe solo by Mitchell Miller with the Golden Symphony Orchestra and Sandpiper Chorus

From A Child's Introduction to the Orchestra and All Its Instruments (Golden GRC1-LP)

32 - Crazy in the Heart (1956)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:44:47 +0000

Words by Engvick

Recorded January 6, 1956

31 - Ellen (1957)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 05:23:55 +0000

Written in 1954

Played by the New York Woodwind Quintet (see wilderworld 17)

From LP Golden Crest CR 3026

30 - Love Me (Baby Can't You Love Me) (1952)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 07:07:08 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

J. Carroll is Jimmy Carroll

Recorded June 1952

29 - All Of Us In It Together (1981)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:31:15 +0000

Words by Alec Wilder; Music with Loonis McGlohon

Written in 1977

From Meredith D'Ambrosio Another Time LP (Sunnyside SSC 1017)

Photograph by Louis Ouzer

28 - Sea Fugue Mama (1939)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 09:54:34 +0000

Recorded June 12, 1939

27 - Ain'tcha-Cha Comin' Out T-Tonight? (1955)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:49:15 +0000

Words by Norman Gimbel, Music by Alec Wilder

26 - Lullaby Land (1949)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 07:34:03 +0000

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 12, 1947

25 - Low in the Lehigh Valley (1952)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:19:12 +0000

Words by Jack Lawrence, Music by Alec Wilder

T. Ravenscroft is Thurl Ravenscroft, best known as the commercial voice of Tony the Tiger

Recorded December 1951

24 - Carl Sandburg Suite (1960)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 02:20:47 +0000

23 - Good For Nothin' (1952)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 06:11:16 +0000

Recorded May 19, 1952

Band leader Jimmy Carroll

Columbia 39812

22 - The Empty Streets (1968)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 06:26:55 +0000

Words by Willis Conover, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1967

aka The City

21 - Blue Fool (1962)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 05:17:50 +0000

Words and Music by Bernie Hanighen and Alec Wilder

Written in 1949

Recorded late 1958

Marcus Belgrave (tp) Zoot Sims (ts) Roland Alexander (ts, fl) Teddy Charles (vib) Mal Waldron (p) Kenny Burrell (g) Addison Farmer, Eustis Guillemet (b) Charlie Persip, Ed Shaughnessy (d) Betty Blake (vo)

LP Bethlehem BCP 6058

20 - Who Can I Turn To? (1951)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 10:24:10 +0000

Written in 1941

Recorded August 1951

19 - Summer is A-Comin' In (1957)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 07:37:54 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer

Written in 1952

Recorded December 9, 1957

From Cleo Laine Cleo's Choice LP (Quintessence QJ-25401 1980)

18 - J.P. Dooley III (1941)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 08:47:13 +0000

Words by William Engvick; Music by Wilder and Morty Palitz

Vocal by Helen Forrest, Dalton Rizzotto, Harry James and the band

Recorded December 11, 1941

17 - Quintet No. 2 for Woodwinds (1957)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:11:53 +0000

Samuel Baron flute; Jerome Roth oboe; David Glazer clarinet; John Barrows horn; Bernard Garfield bassoon

16 - Parker's Lament (1954)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 08:32:39 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Stan Freeman harpsichord, Mundell Lowe guitar, Chauncey Morehouse drums

Recorded December 1953

15 - It's So Peaceful in the Country (1941)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 05:47:08 +0000

Recorded June 24, 1941

14 - Horn Belt Boogie (1952)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:23:45 +0000

Composed by Alec Wilder

First of four movements of Jazz Suite for Four Horns, aka Conversation Piece

Recorded September 1951

13 - Pennsylvania (1948)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 08:35:59 +0000

Words by Wilder; Music by Finckel, who lived in Pennsylvania

Recorded December 31, 1947

12 - There's Doubt in My Mind (1952)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:36:01 +0000

Music by Al Lafett aka Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder

Words by Arnold Sundgaard (who died on October 22 at age 96 - R.I.P.)

Released by the Fontane Sisters on RCA Victor, and shipped coast to coast on June 22, 1952

11 - Your House (1965)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 05:00:30 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1954

Sung by Morgana King from the LP Winter of My Discontent (Ascot AM 13014)

10 - Names From the War (1960)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:45:57 +0000

09 - Dance Man Buys a Farm (1941)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 09:34:46 +0000

Recorded August 7, 1940

08 - You Weren't There (1952)

Alec Wilder — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 20:51:46 +0000

Capitol 1968

Vocal with orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle

Recorded January 10, 1952

07 - You Never Gave It a Try (1955)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 04:14:16 +0000

Words by Wilder; Music by Eddie Heywood

Recorded December 1954

06 - Cottleston Pie (1961)

Alec Wilder — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:35:38 +0000

Words by A. A. Milne

Originally issued in 1951 as Golden Records R62

05 - I'll Dance You (1949)

Alec Wilder — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:52:28 +0000

Words by Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder

04 - Goodbye, John (1956)

Alec Wilder — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 07:30:35 +0000

Words by Edward Eager, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1949

03 - Zorch! (1957)

Alec Wilder — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 07:47:09 +0000

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded November 1953

See redblanchard dot com for context, and to hear Things are Mighty Dimph in South Pahrumph (1961) also by Engvick-Wilder

02 - The Thief (1956)

Alec Wilder — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 07:12:20 +0000

Words by Norman Gimbel, Music by Alec Wilder

01 - Concerning Etchings (1939)

Alec Wilder — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:34:17 +0000

Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded at the first Octet session on December 19, 1938

Gross harpsichord; Carroll clarinet; Mondello bass clarinet; Powell flute; Miller oboe; Goltzer bassoon; Carroll bass; Gillis drums