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Kritzerland is proud to present the latest release in the Ben Bagley series:
HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS
Music by Burton Lane Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Plus, additional songs with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and music by Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Sammy Fain, Burton Lane, Phil Springer, and Dana Suesse
This wonderful tribute to the genius that was E.Y. “Yip” Harburg starts off with Ben Bagley’s recording of the musical comedy Hold on to Your Hats, which had a book by Guy Bolton, Matt Brooks, and Eddie Davis, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane. It opened on September 11, 1940 at the Shubert Theater and ran for 158 performances. One of its producers was someone named Al Jolson, who also starred in the show – his Broadway comeback and the last show in which he appeared. The rest of the cast was pretty amazing, too, and included Martha Raye, Jinx Falkenberg, Arnold Moss, and Jack Whiting. Bagley’s recording was a very welcome event, the show’s only full recording. He cast it with Bagley regulars, including Helen Gallagher, Carleton Carpenter, Nancy Grennan Hillner, Arthur Siegel, and an ensemble.
To fill out the CD release, Bagley added a bunch of other Harburg songs, rarities, with music by the likes of Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Sammy Fain, Burton Lane, and Dana Suesse. For those songs, we get such wonderful folks as Tammy Grimes, Patrice Munsel, Blossom Dearie, Arthur Siegel, Ann Hampton Callaway and others, plus the one and only Harburg himself.
As we’ve done for all these releases, we’ve considerably spruced up the sound for this new release. And the amazing cover art is, of course, by the great Harvey Schmidt.
HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS is limited to 500 copies only and priced at $19.98, plus shipping. This is a PRE-ORDER – CDs will ship by the first week of January, but as always we strive to get it shipped prior to that. However, lately, the pressing plant has been slower than usual due to the pandemic.
Also note that your PayPal receipt is the only receipt you get – we don’t send out confirmations beyond that.
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(Click on cover for enlarged version)
• Click on titles below to hear a song sample:
• Opening Numbers
Opening Orchestra
Hold On to Your Hats Helen Gallagher and Ranchers
Way Out West Ranchers
Then You Were Never in Love Speedy Gonzales Hillner and Ranchers
Hold On to Your Hats (reprise) Entire Company
• Walking Along Minding My Business Carleton Carpenter
• Would You Be So Kindly Helen Gallagher
Life Was Pie for the Pioneer Arthur Siegel, Helen Gallagher, Carleton Carpenter
The World Is in My Arms Nancy Grennan Hillner and Arthur Siegel
She Came, She Saw, She Can-Canned Helen Gallagher, Ranchers and Ranchettes
Old Timer Carleton Carpenter
Don’t Let it Get You Down Helen Gallagher, Arthur Siegel, and Cynical Bystanders
Finale
Down on the Dude Ranch/There’s a Great Day Coming Manana Helen Gallagher, Arthur Siegel, Carleton Carpenter, and Entire Company
Music by Burton Lane Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Fancy Meeting You E.Y. Harburg
• Moon About Town Tammy Grimes
Sing the Merry Chorus
Where Have We Met Before? Patrice Munsel
Showgirl Couplets Patti Wyss, Lotta Nookie, Mona Lotte
Poor Whippoorwill Blossom Dearie
Saroyan E.Y. Harburg
• The Silent Spring Patrice Munsel and Chorus
Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash Arthur Siegel
• Santa Claus Ali Robertson
Prairie Love Song (The Enchanted Clock) William Cantor
I’m Not Myself Arthur Siegel
A Change of Sky Ann Hampton Callaway
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Music by Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Sammy Fain, Burton Lane,
Phil Springer, Dana Suesse
Vocal and Musical Arrangements by Dennis Deal and Albert Evans
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