A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELY SQUARE

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square   Writeni in 1939 by Englshmen Eric Maschwitz and Manning Sherman, This is a loving tribute to an elegant section of London as the song often evokes nostalgic memories of that great city prior to and during WW11. Although this blog is dedicated to songs of the Great American Songbook, this English piece is written in the same excellent tradition as ballads by Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and Richard Rodgers. 
The song features the brillint piano arrangement of George Shearing. who emigrated to America in the late 1940's And the vocal mastery of Mel Torme who is note perfect and who beautifully expresses the praiseworthy lyrics. Shearing's ability to simulate the trilling sound of the Nightingale is a fitting end to this live concert. NOTE;  Ornithologists point out that this bird is more used to rural environments and would not likely be heard singing in the heart of a busy city like London. Nonetheless, it's a most persuasive sentiment and a legitimate exercise in poetic license.
I heard these two artist perform this song in Toronto's Royal York Hotel over twenty years ago as the guest of Malcolm Orme, a now dearly departed friend  It was one of the most moving musical moments I have ever experienced. I hope you are equally transfixed.
  https://youtu.be/_ZMD0ApAxiE

Gershwin's Do It Again.  Although the title might suggest an intimate sexual encounter, It's really about a most sensual kiss that asks to be repeated, given the thrill elicited from the firt osculatory contact.
The arrangement with orchestra and strings undersores the highly suggestive lyrics and singer Calabria Foti offers a convincing evocation of the desire for more of the same- just kissing !

 https://youtu.be/frRJAhTRP3c

CRY  ME  A RIVER:  This is a superior pop song from 1954. It was written by Arthur Hamilton and is very much in the tradition of the torch songs of Harold Arlen. George Gershwin and Cole Porter, noted creators of the Great American Songbook canon.
Elegantly sung by Ella Fitzgerald, she is accompanied by a sumptuous orchestral arrangement by Jorge Callendrelli and played by the London Symphony Orchesta which brings out the sadness inherent in both the melody and the lyrics.

 https://youtu.be/0ZyKaBwRP7o

TOO LATE NOW- but not for Marilyn Maye.  A superb singer, Maye is 91 and still performing. She holds the the record for the most appearances ( 76) by a singer on
Johnny Carsons " Tonight Show."  Even Ella Fitzgerald called Maye her favorite white girl singer, The New Yorker describes her as " A last-of-her kind crooner who can still mesmerize an audience as she interprets the Great American Songbook with an unfussy warnth that feels transported from a less ironic age, She belives that she sings to you, not for you.

Too Late Now is from the 1951 movie " Royal Wedding", music by Buron Lane, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.  There is such ease of expression in Marilyn's singing and she could offer a Master Class to today's strident " divas" who feel evrything must be at a fever pitch in omostrder to impress. Marilyn prefers to tell the story in a flowing. unforced manner. It is conversational =not an assault on the ears. At 91, Mariyn Maye is a most remarkable and enviable performer. 

 https://youtu.be/wPjEJPBuWZE

Country Girl   Tony Bennett sings another Robert Farnon song, Country Girl. It is a reflective song,written in the style of an English folk ballad with lyrics by Kenneth McKellar, a Scottish singer/songwriter. This is a live performance with a large orchestra, conducted by the composer/arranger Robert Farnon. 

https://youtu.be/cYN-R2Qrhx0

How Beautifil Is Night :  This is a rhapsodic blending of music and poetic expression. The composition is by former Torontonian, Robert Farnon. He led a Canadian version of the Glen Miller military band during WW11 and stayed in Great Britain where he established a stellar reputation as a master of Light Orchestral Music. He is acknowledged as the greatest arranger for strings by musical giants like Andre Previn and Quincy Jones. This song, .arranged and led by Farnon, features the Singers Unlimited, four singers who over dub a number of different parts so it sounds like a full chorus.Their vocal arrangements are by Gene Puerling. His reputation as an imaginative arranger for vocal groups is on the same level as Farnon's orchestral writing.
I also include a piano version with George Shearing backed by Faron's orchestra.
Amidst the caterwhauling that describes much of current popular music, the serenity of this piece in the hands of it's creator is quite profound.

https://youtu.be/HQjePvI5FGQ   Singers Unlimited

https://youtu.be/JLkXyJbBB4A    George Shearing

All I ask of You    I am not a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber's music, especially any thing in the rock music vein. The only song I admire is " All I Ask Of Yoiu"  from Phantom of the Opera." It is more in the classic melodic style of Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers.
Here it is sung by Rebecca Luker, a Broadway veteran and fine actress. Ii is sung with the Morman Tabernacle Choir and orchestra. 

https://youtu.be/bqGcB1f6Z9E