MR. WORDS (A MUSICAL SALUTE TO IRA GERSHWIN)

MR. WORDS
(A MUSICAL SALUTE TO IRA GERSHWIN)

Composer: George Gershwin
Lyricist: Ira Gershwin

Opened: November 16, 1975, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, N.Y.C.
Performances: 1

Note: I have not attempted to compile discological information for these songs beyond original cast member performances. The recording Peter Howard's Broadway, CD/Original Cast OC 6075 (Peter Howard), contains an unspecified Gershwin medley.

(I've Got) Beginner's Luck (originally used in the film SHALL WE DANCE):

1. Speaking Of Love, Atlantic SD-1262 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Ismael Ugarte, bass, and Sonny Rivera, drums) [reissued on Speaking Of Love/Swing Me A Love Song, CD/Collectables Records 6843]
2. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]

But Not For Me (originally used in GIRL CRAZY):

1. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]

Do Do Do (originally used in OH, KAY!):

1. Warm Brandy, Capitol (M) T 897 (Dolores Gray with orchestra conducted by Sid Feller) [reissued as CD/DRG 5257]

Embraceable You (originally used in GIRL CRAZY):

1. 'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin, Daybreak (S) DR-2009 (Robert Guillaume, Larry Kert, Leslie Uggams, Jack Lemmon, Linda Bennett, Fred Astaire, Peter Nero, and Alan Johnson with orchestra directed by Elliot Lawrence)
2. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]

Fascinating Rhythm (originally used in LADY, BE GOOD!):

1. Turned On Broadway 2: Standing Room Only, RCA AFL1-4512 (Luther Henderson conducting the Broadway Symphony Orchestra) (three renditions)

A Foggy Day (originally used in the film A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS):

1. Let Me Entertain You: Dolores Gray At The Talk Of The Town, Philips (S) SBL 7566 (Dolores Gray with music directed by Sydney Simone)
2. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]
3. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues: The Eileen Farrell Album, CD/Sony MDK-47255 (Eileen Farrell with Luther Henderson and His Orchestra)

How Long Has This Been Going On? (originally used in ROSALIE):

1. Warm Brandy, Capitol (M) T 897 (Dolores Gray with orchestra conducted by Sid Feller) [reissued as CD/DRG 5257]
2. Tammy Grimes, Columbia (S) CS 8589 (Tammy Grimes with orchestra conducted by Luther Henderson) [reissued as Tammy Grimes/The Unmistakable Tammy Grimes, CD/Collectables 7649]

I Can't Get Started (M: Vernon Duke) (originally used in ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1936):

1. Songs By Bobby Short, Atlantic 1214 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Rolly Bundock, double bass, and Larry Bunker, drums) [reissued as CD/Collectables Records 6520]
2. Second Town Hall Concert, Atlantic (S) SD 2-605 (Bobby Short) [reissued on Mabel Mercer & Bobby Short At Town Hall/Second Town Hall Concert, CD/Collectables 6839]
3. Celebrating 30 Years at the Cafe Carlyle, CD/Telarc 83428 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, and His Orchestra)

I Got Rhythm (originally used in GIRL CRAZY):

1. Turned On Broadway 2: Standing Room Only, RCA AFL1-4512 (Luther Henderson conducting the Broadway Symphony Orchestra) (two renditions)
2. Turned-On Broadway, RCA AFL1-4327 (Luther Henderson conducting the Broadway Symphony Orchestra) [reissued as CD/RCA RCD1-4327]

I Loves You, Porgy (L: Ira Gershwin; Debose Hayward) (originally used in PORGY AND BESS):

1. I Wonder What Became Of Me, Epic N-3280 (Anita Ellis with music conducted by Luther Henderson) [reissued as CD/Collectables Records 6891]
2. Turned On Broadway 2: Standing Room Only, RCA AFL1-4512 (Luther Henderson conducting the Broadway Symphony Orchestra) (three renditions)
3. Bobby Short Is K-RA-ZY For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) (part of medley) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]

I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise (originally used in GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS OF 1922):

1. 'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin, Daybreak (S) DR-2009 (Larry Kert with orchestra directed by Elliot Lawrence)

I've Got A Crush On You (originally used in TREASURE GIRL):

1. Love Is Here To Stay, CD/Blue Note 60340 (Sandy Stevens with Bill Charlap, piano)
2. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]

Island In The West Indies (M: Vernon Duke) (originally used in ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1936):

1. Songs By Bobby Short, Atlantic 1214 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Rolly Bundock, double bass, and Larry Bunker, drums) [reissued as CD/Collectables Records 6520]

Love Is Here To Stay (originally used in the film GOLDWYN FOLLIES) :

1. 'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin, Daybreak (S) DR-2009 (Larry Kert with orchestra directed by Elliot Lawrence)
2. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]
3. Love Is Here To Stay, CD/Blue Note 60340 (Sandy Stevens with Bill Charlap, piano)
4. Late Night At The Café Carlyle, CD/Teldec 83311 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Robert Scott, drums)

The Man I Love (cut from LADY, BE GOOD! and subsequently used in STRIKE UP THE BAND):

1. Turned On Broadway 2: Standing Room Only, RCA AFL1-4512 (Luther Henderson conducting the Broadway Symphony Orchestra) (three renditions)
2. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues: The Eileen Farrell Album, CD/Sony MDK-47255 (Eileen Farrell with Luther Henderson and His Orchestra)

My Ship (M: Kurt Weill) (originally used in LADY IN THE DARK):

1. Let Me Entertain You: Dolores Gray At The Talk Of The Town, Philips (S) SBL 7566 (Dolores Gray with music directed by Sydney Simone)

Of Thee I Sing (originally used in OF THEE I SING):

1. Of Thee I Sing, CBS (S) S2M 42522 (Larry Kert, Maureen McGovern, and Chorus with the Orchestra of St. Luke's conducted by Michael Tilson-Thomas) [reissued as CD/CBS Masterworks M2K 42522]
2. Of Thee I Sing, CBS (S) S2M 42522 (Larry Kert and Company with the Orchestra of St. Luke's conducted by Michael Tilson-Thomas) (reprise) [reissued as CD/CBS Masterworks M2K 42522]
3. Of Thee I Sing, CBS (S) S2M 42522 (Larry Kert and Company with the Orchestra of St. Luke's conducted by Michael Tilson-Thomas) (second reprise) [reissued as CD/CBS Masterworks M2K 42522]

'S Wonderful (originally used in FUNNY FACE):

1. The World In My Arms, Elektra (S) EKS 7179 (Anita Ellis with orchestra conducted by Peter Matz) [reissued as CD/Collectables 6392]
2. Out In Front, CD/Soundies 4136 (Anita Ellis)

Strike Up The Band (originally used in STRIKE UP THE BAND):

1. Turned On Broadway 2: Standing Room Only, RCA AFL1-4512 (Luther Henderson conducting the Broadway Symphony Orchestra) (three renditions)

They Can't Take That Away From Me (originally used in the film SHALL WE DANCE):

1. I Wonder What Became Of Me, Epic N-3280 (Anita Ellis with music conducted by Luther Henderson) [reissued as CD/Collectables Records 6891]
2. Bobby Short In K-Ra-Zy For Gershwin, Atlantic (S) SD 2-608 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Atlantic 608-2]
3. Out In Front, CD/Soundies 4136 (Anita Ellis)
4. Puttin' On The Ritz, CD/Telarc CD-80366 (Bobby Short with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra conducted by Erich Kunzel)

Who Cares? (originally used in OF THEE I SING):

Bidin' My Time (originally used in GIRL CRAZY)
By Strauss (originally used in THE SHOW IS ON)
Clap Yo' Hands (originally used in OH, KAY!)
Gotta Have Me Go With You (M: Harold Arlen) (originally used in the film A STAR IS BORN)
It Ain't Necessarily So (originally used in PORGY AND BESS)
My Cousin In Milwaukee (originally used in PARDON MY ENGLISH)
Oh, Lady, Be Good! (originally used in LADY, BE GOOD!)
The Real American Folk Song (originally used in LADIES FIRST and subsequently used in CRAZY FOR YOU)
The Saga Of Jenny (M: Kurt Weill) (originally used in LADY IN THE DARK)
Sam And Delilah (originally used in GIRL CRAZY)
Slap That Bass (originally used in the film SHALL WE DANCE)
Soon (originally used in STRIKE UP THE BAND)
Sunny Disposish (M: Philip Charig) (originally used in AMERICANA)
They All Laughed (originally used in the film SHALL WE DANCE)