Added: Jul 5, 2008
From: kspm01
Duration: 3:18
By special request, I upload the superb studio recording of this lovely song in Richard Himber's version. was an American bandleader, composer, violinist and magician. His parents gave him violin lessons, but when they found him performing in a seedy Newark dive, they took the instrument away from him and sent him to military school. In 1915, he stole away into New York City, where Sophie Tucker heard him play and hired him as a novelty act to play with her and the Five Kings of Syncopation where Himber was the highlight of the cabaret act. He worked his way through Vaudeville and down Tin Pan Alley. He managed Rudy Vallée's orchestra service, which sent out bands for private parties and society functions. He soon had his own band booking agency. In 1932, he finally formed an orchestra of his own, parlaying a gig at New York's Essex House Hotel into national NBC radio exposure. Among the top notch professionals in its ranks were Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and many other future stars of the music world. In 1933 he made his first records, for Vocalion. Among the selections was his own theme song, "It Isn't Fair", which became a hit. In 1934 after a single session for Victor's cheap label Bluebird, he began recording for the full-priced Victor label through until 1939. He led one of the most sophisticated "sweet" dance bands of the era, featuring Joey Nash as his vocalist (1933-1935), who was replaced by Stuart Allen (1935-1939). In later years, his band act often included an interlude of magic, and he conjured on many television shows as well. Although he is now remembered primarily for his musical legacy, his contemporaries recall his incessant practical joking. Himber was the publisher of the R-H Log, a weekly survey of the most popular tunes on radio and television. Popular tunes that Himber composed were "Moments in the Moonlight", After the Rain, Monday In Manhattan, Haunting Memories, Time Will Tell, Am I Asking Too Much, and I'm Getting Nowhere Fast With You. He also wrote the original theme for NBC's Today Show. Among Himber's novel promotions was a traveling bandstand on a flatbed truck, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola. The orchestra used it for free outdoor concerts in the New York City area in the 1960s. It was during one of these concerts in 1966 that Himber suffered a heart attack, dying several hours later. As for this record, it was made for Vocalion on August 7th, 1933. Besides vocalist Joey Nash, also playing clarinet and alto saxophone (second picture), personnel included Johnny McGee and Ruby Weinstein (t); Tommy Dorsey (tb); Jess Carneol and Herman Wolfson (cl, ts); Sam Persoff (vln); Dave Levy (p); Gene Van Halberg (acn); Sam Amoroso (hp); Ernie Capozzi (g); Jack Kimmel (b) and Nat Levine (d).For brilliant footage of Himber with Nash on vocal, I refer to merrihew's channel.
Channel: Music
Tags: 78rpm essex fair himber house isn't it orchestra richard
Rating: 5.00 (14 ratings) Views: 926' favoriteCount='11 Comments: 18
kspm01 Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - Thanks for this sparkling comment :-) I agree this is the absolute top of the early 30's Sweet Bands, this particular rendition being pure golden honey sweet.
muscleco Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - Great side! Wonder what happened to Joey Nash?
phredl Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - Actually met Joey Nash along with Manny Weinstock at a record research meeting in the 80's. Was very pleasent as was Weinstock.Manny Weinstock is best remembered among collectors as "the guy that took Berrigan's place" with Freddy Martin. They really enjoyed the attention that they were given. All but forgotten in the music world they were true gentlemen
phredl Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - The biggest topic that came up when speaking with Weinstock and Nash was just how awful Himber was to work with. Musicians dispised him.
kspm01 Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - Thanks a lot for this info!
uslines Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - I appreciate the "Sugar" bands more and more. Great musicianship and arrangements. Vocalists too. Thanks for your contributions.
kspm01 Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - Then his character must have been quite a contrast to his utterly sweet and gentle arrangements...
kspm01 Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - So glad to read that. In a way it proves that really great craftmanship and artistry stand out anyway, which is definitely the case here.
phredl Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - You're right, you would never believe it by listening to his recordings what kind of person he was. I'm serious when I say they went on for some time relaying different stories about him. I wish I could remember some of them but it's a long time ago. They weren't angry and actually were laughing hysterically about him.
marykmusic Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - I appreciate this long and well written addition to my music history knowledge. Thanks!
betteroffsingle Says:
Jul 9, 2008 - Hi Pat,It's been so long since I have heard this recording that I'd forgotten all about it and how much I liked it way back when. I still do and thanks as usual for the reminder.
kspm01 Says:
Jul 9, 2008 - So glad to read that! Personally I love Himber's sophisticated and smooth style, and it's wonderful to see that this delicacy still is much appreciated today.
phredl Says:
Jul 9, 2008 - Better than the Isham Jones and you will rarely hear me say that about any song.
kspm01 Says:
Jul 10, 2008 - So great you love this version as much as I do.
1950Bob Says:
Jul 21, 2008 - ANOTHER treasure! Thank you for making it a joy for those of us of all ages who love this musical era.
kspm01 Says:
Jul 21, 2008 - So welcome! Thank you for your keen comment.
Oldeejay Says:
Jul 30, 2008 - Used to play the Sammy Kaye/Don Cornell version of this song back in the late 40's or early 50's but never realized it was a Richard Himber original. Thanks for posting it.
kspm01 Says:
Jul 31, 2008 - Most welcome!
KnockelII Says:
Aug 8, 2008 - THANKS a lot for this postingIn heaven (where I'm not very likely to go) Himber and his band will play tunes like this. He'll perform his magic tricks and wink at the audience. Was it all an illusion? No, the better it became, the more real it was.
kspm01 Says:
Aug 8, 2008 - You know, this music is so evocative I easily imagine that heavenly vision got fairly clear :-)
Allrahanda Says:
Aug 22, 2008 - This is pure bliss and I just can't get enough of it. Just wish you would replace the photo of Joey Nash with the one posted by Victrolaman1, titled 'What a difference a day made'. I'm sure Victrolaman1 would be happy to oblige.
kspm01 Says:
Aug 22, 2008 - Thank you for your appreciation. Of course it impossible to pull this video down for one picture, but I may very well use another one in a new post.
Victrolaman1 Says:
Oct 5, 2008 - Joey Nash has a beautiful voice.
kspm01 Says:
Oct 5, 2008 - A wonderful singer indeed.
genia106 Says:
Jul 6, 2008 - HEAVENLY....Those harps remind me of twinkling stars and the melody of moonbeam rays and the sublime romantic plaintive vocal is perfect for cheek to cheek dancing. Thank you Patrick for this exquisite presentation. I LOVE IT!