PRINCE'S DREAMS
FEBRUARY 2005
The 19 songs offered on this CD provide the closest estimation of the soundtrack to Prince's slumber. In order to provide the most accurate accounting of this state, I have forgone the format used on my previous recordings, of several multitrack channels (me playing various guitars), for the simplified duet format. Yes, that is me playing on the left and right channels of your stereo system. The equipment used are a six string archtop guitar made by Heritage, and on one tune, a Hofner. A tiny bit of reverb is the only effect used in the production process.
The song title link is to a streaming Windows Media Player encoded version. The MP3 link next to the lyrics link is to a 192Kb variable bit rate MP3 of the song.
Luiz Bonfa's creation. His renditions of this tune are still my favorites. Lena's poster is inspired by the lyrics.
It's Easy To Remember lyrics MP3
Bing Crosby first sang this one, in the movie "Mississippi" in 1935, in which he co-starred alongside W.C. Fields.
Polkadots and Moonbeams lyrics MP3 ♫♫♫
Music by Jimmy VanHeusen; words by Johnny Burke. Written in 1939, and I believe first performed by the Glen Miller Orchestra, this was a big hit for Frank Sinatra, then my favorite rendition by Sarah Vaughan. Jimmy Bruno and Howard Alden give an outstanding performance on their duets album "Full Circle." Those guys can play some heavenly music!
Stairway To The Stars lyrics MP3
Music by Matt Malneck and Frank Signorelli, Lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Glenn Miller and Ella Fitzgerald did this ballad in the mid-1930s.
Music by Sergio Mendez, Lyric by Alan & Marilyn Bergman. From the 1968 album released by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, then later performed by pop artists like Carly Simon and Natalie Cole, this is a sweet tune that is one of a small number of Sergio's original compositions. Even with all the strings on the original recording, I like it best.
Nancy (With the Laughing Face) lyrics MP3
Music by James Van Heusen, Lyric by Phil Silvers, this was made popular by Frank Sinatra near the end of World War II (1944). After Frank, John Coltrane recording a remarkable rendition, and since then several jazz players have taken it on, including Pharoah Sanders, Lorne Lofsky, and Karrin Allyson.
Chega De Saudade (No More Blues) lyrics MP3 ♫♫♫
It's difficult to not appreciate Jobim's songs. Lyrical melodies that work in Portuguese and English, and a dozen more languages.
Stars Fell On Alabama lyrics MP3
This 1934 tune has been popular among various pop singers, and jazz musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Cannonball Adderly, Billie Holiday, Johnny Smith, Anita O'Day, and Kay Starr.
Edith Piaf's worldwide favorite. Performed by all of the greats, from Louis Armstrong to Tony Bennett, Marlene Dietrich, Ute Lemper, and hundreds of Chanson lovers around the world.
George and Ira Gershwin's 1930 classic. There are over 1200 recordings of this song listed in the All Music Guide database. Check out Jack Wilkins and Gene Bertoncini playing this tune on their 2000 live recording "Just The Two of Us."
Words by Mack Gordon, Music by Harry Warren. Another one of Harry Warren's beautiful ballads. John Coltrane's recording is a standard not only for sax players.
I Thought About You lyrics MP3 ♫♫♫
Music by Jimmy Van Heusen, Lyric by Johnny Mercer. I'm partial to Johnny Hartmann's singing of this one.
How Deep Is The Ocean? lyrics MP3
Irving Berlin. Sung and played by hundreds of top performers over the last 70+ years.
Sammy Cahn's tune from the 1947 movie "It Happened In Brooklyn," sung by Frank Sinatra. Hey, I lived in Brooklyn ... but not in 1947.
I Could Write A Book lyrics MP3
Rogers and Hart 1940 Broadway play "Pal Joey" included this tune, later done by Frank Sinatra. The play also included the song "Plant You Now, Dig You Later."
There Will Never Be Another You lyrics MP3 ♫♫♫
Words by Mack Gordon, Music by Harry Warren. Yet another one of Harry Warren's beautiful ballads.
The Shadow of Your Smile lyrics MP3
Tony Bennett sang this song for the 1965 movie "The Sandpiper," and it became a standard played by musicans of all genres ever since.
Love Is Here To Stay lyrics MP3
This is an Ira Gershwin tune that has shown up in several movies, and was a hit for artists ranging from Red Norvo (whose trio included Tal Farlow and Charles Mingus, then Jimmy Raney and Red Mitchell, in the Vibes, Guitar and Bass instrumentation), to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Rod Stewart, Larry Clinton, and Dinah Washington.
Jobim's music has been played by many. This song was done especially well by Sarah Vaughn, in my opinion.
Below are the parties responsible for what you see and hear on this page: Lena, me, and his royal highness, Prince.
