BIG BOY
Composers: James
F. Hanley; Joseph Meyer
Lyricist: B.G. DeSylva
Opened: January 7, 1925, Winter Garden Theatre,
N.Y.C.
Performances: 56
Note: A return engagement opened on August 24, 1925 at the 44th Street Theatre and closed after 120 additional performances.
As Long As I’ve Got My Mammy:
1. The Broadway Musicals
Of 1925, CD/Bayview RNBW024 (Walker Jones with the Ross
Patterson Little Big Band)
California, Here I Come (M: Joseph
Meyer; L: B.G. DeSylva; Al Jolson):
I have not attempted to
compile discographical information for anything other than
original cast member performances.
1. 78/Brunswick 2569 (Al Jolson and the Isham Jones Orchestra
with Buddy DeSylva, ukulele) [reissued on Al Jolson, Vol. 3: The
Twenties From Broadway To Hollywood, CD/Pearl Flapper PASTCD
7045]
2. Al Jolson In Songs He Made Famous, 78/Decca album 564 (Al
Jolson with orchestra conducted by Morris Stoloff) [also
45/Decca 91103; 45/Decca 23612; reissued on The Best Of The
Decca Years, CD/Decca MCAD-10505]
3. Al Jolson On The Air, Volume Three, Totem 1019
(Al Jolson)
4. You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet, Living Era AJA-5038 (Al Jolson)
[reissued as CD/ASV/Living Era CDAJA 5038]
5. The Jolson Story, Take Two 103 (Al Jolson)
6. The Man And The Legend, CD/Parade PAR-2004 (Al Jolson)
7. The Jolson Story/Mammy, CD/Great Movie Themes CD60021 (Al
Jolson and Evelyn Keyes with orchestra conducted by Morris
Stoloff)
8. Rose Of Washington Square, CD/Varese Sarabande 66089 (Al
Jolson with orchestra conducted by Louis Silvers)
9. Bing Crosby Meets Al Jolson, CD/Sepia 1053 (Bing Crosby and
Al Jolson)
10. Radio Stars Of America: Al Jolson, CD/Living Era CDAJA 5596
(Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor)
The Dance From Down Yonder:
1. 78/Brunswick 2967
(Bennie Krueger’s Orchestra)
Down South (M/L: Sigmund Spaeth;
William H. Myddleton) (used in the film version;
originally written for the 1929 film version of SHOW
BOAT):
1. 78/Mercury 70470
(Sophie Tucker with David Carroll and His Orchestra) [also
45/Mercury 70470-X45; reissued on The Golden Jubilee
Album, CD/Sepia 1054]
2. 78/Victor 47-4568 (Spike Jones with His Country Cousins)
3. 78/Perfect 14943 (Pete Killeen with Sam Lanin and His
Orchestra)
4. 78/Cameo 1269 (Sam Lanin and His Troubadours)
5. 78/Harmony 604 (Manhattan Dance Makers)
6. 78/Apex 8789 (Leroy Montesanto with Markel's Society
Orchestra)
7. 78/Victor 21321 (Tom Stacks with Harry Reser's Banjo Boys)
8. Flamin’ Guitars, CD/Bear Family Records BCD 15956 (Speedy
West and Jimmy Bryant)
The Handicap March (M: George Rosey; L:
Dave Reed Jr.) (used in the film version):
1. 78/Vocalion 15017
(Sutherland 7th Reg. Band)
2. American Band Concert, Somerset SF-20100 (101 Strings
Orchestra)
A radio transcription performed by Joe E. Howard is also known
to exist.
Hello ‘Tucky:
1. 78/Brunswick 2763 (Al
Jolson with Carl Fenton’s Orchestra and Buddy DeSylva, ukulele)
[reissued on California, Here I Come, CD/Conifer 008]
2. 78/Grafton (The Windsor Orchestra)
3. 78/Brunswick 2798 (Bennie Krueger’s Orchestra)
4. 78/Vocalion 14968 (Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt
Orchestra)
5. The World’s Greatest Entertainer, Decca 9074 (Al Jolson and
the Ray Miller Orchestra)
6. Alabamy Bound, CD/Flapper 9712 (Layton & Johnstone)
Hooray For Baby And Me (M/L: Sidney
Mitchell; Archie Gottler; George W. Meyer) (written for the
film version):
1. 78/Homestead 16070 (Lou
Gold And His Orchestra)
2. The Vitaphone Years, A-Jay Records 3749 (Al Jolson with
orchestra conducted by Louis Silvers) [reissued on From Avenue A
To The Great White Way: Yiddish & American Popular Songs
From 1914-1950, CD/Columbia Legacy C2K 86323]
I’m Tellin’ The Birds - Tellin’ The
Bees How I Love You (M/L: Lew Brown; Cliff Friend) :
1. 78/Emerson 3078 (Bert
Kaplan and His Collegians with vocal chorus) [also 78/Bell 455]
2. 78/Dandy 5245 (Ace Palmer and His Orchestra with vocal
chorus)
3. 78/Harmony 297 H (Frank Bessinger with The Westerners)
4. 78/Harmony 300 H (Jane Gray with piano accompaniment)
5. 78/Romeo 295 (Winnie Smith with piano accompaniment)
6. 78/Cameo 1054 (Bob Haring and His Orchestra)
7. 78/Perfect 11634 (Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, vocal, with
Cliff Edwards and His Hot Combination) [reissued on Fascinating
Rhythm 1922-1935, CD/Retrieval Recordings RTR 79068]
8. 78/Brunswick 3387 (Wendell Hall “The Red Headed Music Maker”
with orchestra and whistling by Carson Robison)
9. 78/Brunswick 3394 (Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt
Orchestra with vocal duet)
10. 78/Oriole 757 (Chas. Dickson with
Bob Green’s Dance Orchestra)
11. 78/Victor 20367 (Bob Borer, Fran Frey, and Bob Rice with
George Olsen and His Music)
12. 78/Victor 20372 (Jack Smith with piano)
13. 78/Columbia 4442 (Bob & Muriel with piano)
14. 78/Columbia 807 D (Charles Kaley
with violin, piano, and celeste)
15. 78/Okeh 40746 (Vaughn De Leath with piano accompaniment)
16. 78/Regal 8176 (Irving Kaufman with The Hollywood Dance
Orchestra)
17. 45/MGM K 12510 (The Four Spices with orchestra conducted by
LeRoy Holmes)
18. In The Garden, CD/Heftone (The Fabulous Heftones)
19. The Red Heads 1925-27, CD/Jazz
Oracle BDW 8043 (The Red Heads)
20. The Roaring 20’s, CD/Saydisc 344 (unknown performer)
If You Knew Susie (M: Joseph Meyer):
I have not attempted to
compile discographical information for this standard.
It All Depends On You (M: Ray
Henderson; L: Lew Brown; B.G. DeSylva) (ASCAP list only;
also used in LIDO LADY, added to the GEORGE WHITE SCANDALS
OF 1926, and used in the film THE SINGING FOOL):
I have not attempted to
compile discographical information for this standard beyond
original cast member performances.
1. 78/Decca 24667 (Al Jolson with Moriss Stoloff and His
Orchestra) [reissued on The Jolson Story, Pt. 3: Rainbow ‘Round
My Shoulder, CD/MCA 27053]
2. The Singing Fool, Take Two 106 (Al Jolson with orchestra
conducted by Louis Silvers) [reissued on Al Jolson at Warner
Bros., CD/Rhino R2 72543]
Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble’s A
Bubble) (M/L: Lewis Gensler; Al Jolson; Buddy G. DeSylva)
(also added after the opening of ARTISTS AND MODELS OF 1925
and used in the film version of THE SINGING FOOL):
1. 78/Brunswick 2763 (Al
Jolson with Carl Fenton’s orchestra) [reissued on Al Jolson,
Vol. 1, Stage Highlights 1911-1925, CD/Pearl Flapper PAST 7748]
2. 78/Decca 23953 (Al Jolson with orchestra directed by Jay
Blackton) [45/Decca 9-23953; [reissued on The Jolson Story, Pt.
3: Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder, CD/MCA 27053]
3. 78/Columbia 36743 (Eddy Duchin, piano, with rhythm
accompaniment)
4. 78/Everybodys 1057 (Arthur Hall, John Ryan, and Orchestra)
5. 78/Esquire 10-221 (Vic Lewis and His American Jazzmen)
6. 78/Commodore 503 (The Bud Freeman Trio) [reissued on The
Chronological Bud Freeman 1928-1938, CD/Classics 781]
7. 78/Parlophone R 2285 (Bud Freeman and His Windy City Five)
[also 78/Decca 18113; reissued on The Bud Freeman All-Star Swing
Sessions, CD/Prestige Records PRCD 242862]
8. 78/Perfect 14379 (Casino Dance Orchestra)
9. 78/Okeh 6112 (Ginny Simms with orchestra)
10. 78/Silvertone 2455 (Majestic Dance Orchestra)
11. 78/Victor 19588 (Shannon Quartet with orchestra)
12. 78/Vocalion 14965 (Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt
Orchestra)
13. 45/Columbia 4-44154 (Tony Bennett with orchestra conducted
by Marion Evans) [also found on For Once In My Life, Columbia
CS-9573; reissued on For Once In My Life/I’ve Gotta Be Me,
CD/Beat Goes On BGOCD 886]
14. Song Hits Of 1924, Vocalion VL 3637 (Bob Grant
Orchestra)
15. The Alternative Takes: 1935-1945, CD/Neatwork RP 2044 (Bud
Freeman and His Windy City Five)
16. Hi Fi Salute To Bunny, CD/Mosaic Select 1016 (Ruby Braff)
17. Adventures In Jazzland, CD/Stony Plain SPCD 1313 (Jeff
Healey)
18. Town Hall Concerts, Vol. 5, CD/Jazzology 1009 (Eddie Condon)
19. The Town Hall Concerts, Vol. 8,
CD/Jazzology 1015 (Eddie Condon)
20. Live At Nick’s & Boston, CD/Vintage Music Productions
0201 (Bobby Hackett)
21. The Best Thing For You, CD/Jasmine Records JASCD 332 (Della
Reese)
22. Only The Best Of The Dorsey Brothers, CD/Collectables 1130
(The Dorsey Brothers with The California Ramblers)
23. Anthology: The Golden Anniversary Collection, CD/EMI 8609562
(Ruby Murray)
24. New York Jazzmen, CD/Upbeat 192 (Vic Lewis’ New York
Jazzmen)
25. Laughing At Life, CD/Stomp Off 1225 (The Orphan Newsboys)
26. Jump Presents Bobby Gordon/Keith Ingham/Hal Smith Trio,
CD/Jump Records 1217 (Bobby Gordon, Keith Ingham, and the Hal
Smith Trio)
27. The Jackie Wilson Story, CD/Epic EGK-38623 (Jackie Wilson)
28. The Singing Fool, Take Two 106 (Al Jolson with orchestra
conducted by Louis Silvers) [reissued on Al Jolson at Warner
Bros., CD/Rhino R2 72543]
Lackawanna:
1. The Broadway Musicals
Of 1925, CD/Bayview RNBW024 (Howard McGillin with the Ross
Patterson Little Big Band)
Little Sunshine (M/L: Sidney Mitchell;
Archie Gottler; George W. Meyer (written for the film
version):
1. Al Jolson at Warner
Bros., CD/Rhino R2 72543 (Al Jolson with orchestra conducted by
Louis Silvers)
Liza Lee (M: Sam H. Stept; L: Bud
Green) (written for the film version):
1. The Vitaphone Years,
A-Jay Records 3749 (Al Jolson with orchestra conducted by Louis
Silvers) [reissued on Al Jolson at Warner Bros., CD/Rhino R2
72543]
2. 78/Brunswick 4899 (Ben Bernie and His Orchestra)
3. 78/Victor 23023 (James Rushing with Bennie Moten and His
Kansas City Orchestra)
4. Airshots & Rarities 1930-1935, CD/Challenge Records RTR
79009 (Boswell Sisters)
5. Okeh Sessions Plus Victor Alternative Takes, CD/Cygnet 1004
(James Rushing with Bennie Moten and His Kansas City Orchestra)
[reissued on Basie Beginnings (1929-1932), CD/RCA 9768]
6. The Broadway Musicals Of 1925, CD/Bayview RNBW024 (Walker
Jones with the Ross Patterson Little Big Band)
Miami (M: Con Conrad; L: B.G. DeSylva;
Al Jolson):
1. 78/Brunswick 3013 (Al
Jolson with Carl Fenton’s Orchestra) [reissued on Al Jolson,
Vol. 1, Stage Highlights 1911-1925, CD/Pearl Flapper PAST 7748]
2. 78/Harmony 38 H (Fred Rich and His Hotel Astor Orchestra)
3. 78/Victor 19868 (George Olsen and His Music with vocal
refrain) [reissued on George Olsen & His Music 1925-1926,
Vol. 2, CD/Renovation 7004]
4. 78/Vocalion 15108 (The Ambassadors with vocal chorus)
5. 78/Columbia 507 D (Clyde Doerr’s Saxophone Orchestra)
Nobody But Fanny (M: Con Conrad; L:
B.G. DeSylva; Al Jolson) (sheet music only):
1. 78/Vocalion 15108 (The
Ambassadors with vocal chorus)
2. 78/Columbia 475 D (Markel and His Orchestra)
3. 78/Victor 19807 (Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders with
vocalist)
One O’Clock Baby (M: Al Jolson; L:
Lew Brown; Buddy G. DeSylva):
1. 78/Lincoln 2631
(Lincoln Dance Orchestra with vocal refrain)
2. 78/Silvertone 5109 (Eddie Miles and His Orchestra with vocal
chorus)
3. 78/Columbia 1036 D (Frank Harris with the Ipana Troubadours
directed by S.C. Lanin)
4. 78/Harmony 438 H (Charles Hart with The Astorites)
5. 78/Perfect 11642 (Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, vocal with
Cliff Edwards and His Hot Combination)
6. 78/Brunswick 3531 (Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt
Orchestra with vocal duet) [reissued on Ben Bernie & His
Orchestra: 1923-1929, CD/Retrieval Recordings RTR 79055]
7. 78/Oken 40834 (Les Reis with The Gotham Troubadours)
8. 78/Bell 516 (Honey Duke and His Uke)
9. 78/Victor 20644 (Franklyn Baur with Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky
Serenaders)
Tomorrow Is Another Day (M: Sam H.
Stept; L: Bud Green) (written for the film version):
1. The Vitaphone Years,
A-Jay Records 3749 (Al Jolson with orchestra conducted by Louis
Silvers) [reissuedon From Avenue A To The Great White Way,
CD/Columbia Legacy C2K 86323]
2. 78/Brunswick 4899 (Ben Bernie and His Orchestra with vocal
chorus)
3. 78/Columbia 2275 D (Ted Wallace and His Campus Boys with
vocal refrain) [reissued on Jack Purvis 1928-1935, CD/Jazz
Oracle BDW 8035]
4. 78/Columbia 2281 D (Irving Kaufman with novelty
accompaniment)
5. 78/Velvet Tone 2202 V (Robert Wood with Frank Auburn and His
Orchestra) [also 78/Harmony 1202]
6. 78/Champion 16064 (Sam Lanin and His Orchestra)
7. 78/Victor 22501 (Billy White with Ted Fiorito and His
Orchestra)
What Will I Do Without You? (M: Joe
Burke; L: Al Dubin) (used in the film version; also used
in the films THE GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY and SALLY):
1. Gold Diggers In
Dixieland, CD/Rhino/Warner Bros. 1374 (Matty Matlock with The
Paducah Patrol)
Who Wants A Bad Little Boy (M: Joe Burke; L: Mark Fisher)
(not in programs):
1. 78/Brunswick 2650
(Al Jolson with Abe Lymna’s California Orchestra)
[reissued on Al Jolson, Vol. 3: The Twenties From Broadway To
Hollywood, CD/Pearl Flapper PASTCD 7045]
2. 78/Victor 19424 (Ted Weems and His Orchestra) [reissued on
Complete, Vol. 1: My Gal Sal, CD/Renovation 7005]
3. Let The Rest Of The World Go By, CD/Audiophile Records 267
(Ian Whitcomb)
Unrecorded Material:
Bookies And Cookies
(Cookies And Bookies)
Born And Bred In Old Kentucky
Come On And Play
The Day I Rode Half Fare
Finale
The Hunt Ball (dance)
I Was Meant For Someone (L: Ballard Macdonald) (ASCAP/Library of
Congress only)
Lead ‘Em On (M: Con Conrad; L: B.G. DeSylva; Al Jolson)
On The Z-R-3 (M: Walter Donaldson; L: Sam M. Lewis; Joe Young)
(ASCAP/Library of Congress only)
The Race Is Over
Something For Nothing
Tamborina
Tap The Toe
True Love
Welcome Home
Who Was Chasing Paul Revere? (M: Lewis E. Gensler; Joseph Meyer)