Jean Gabin had another narrator role in a radio play, De sacs et de cordes, written and orchestrated in 1951 by a young, unproven songwriter named Léo Ferré. It took another two years of song-peddling before Ferré secured a recording contract with Odeon. His debut album Léo Ferré released in 1953 and the single Paris Canaillehelped him break out as one of France's leading songwriters of chansons.
Here is the discography surrounding Léo Ferré's debut album:
Le Chanson du scaphandrier (1950 single)
Le Bateau espagnol (1950 single)
Monsieur Tout-Blanc (1950 single)
Le Flamenco de Paris (1950 single)
L'Inconnue de Londres (1950 single)
L'Esprit de famille (1950 single)
Monsieur William (1950 single)
De sacs et de cordes (1951 radio play) Léo Ferré
Martha la mule (1953 single)
Paris Canaille (1953 single)
When Josephine Baker moved to France, her sudden fame opened a world of opportunities for her. Besides performing on stage, she was able to star as a leading lady in a couple of films. In one of her best films Zouzou, her co-star was the French icon Jean Gabin. The son of a turn-of-the-century chansonier, Gabin's early ambition was to follow in his father's footsteps before the cinema took him. He still had the occasional opportunity to sing in movies and on record though he never released a proper album. However, he is credited as the lead artist on a French audio version of Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Vingt Mille Lieues Sous Les Mers) on which he plays the character Captain Nemo. That album came out in 1955 and several compilations of his songs exist (of which I list the most comprehensive).
Here is Jean Gabin's (mostly) complete discography:
Vingt Mille Lieues Sous Les Mers
Maintenant je sais (1974 single)
Quand on se promène au bord de l'eau (1974 single)
But Now I Know (1975 single)
Étoiles de la chanson (1999 compilation album)
Sissle & Blake's stagework led to breakthroughs for a variety of black performers including Josephine Baker. Known primarily as a stage performer (singer/dancer/actress/comedienne), Baker had a fairly respectable recording career both in the United States and France. Like a lot of artists from the first half of the 20th century, her discography (here and elsewhere) is incomplete and her recording career was mostly over by the time albums came into vogue. Her first album here, Chansons Américaines released in 1951, is a compilation of a handful of her French singles from the 30s and 40s.
Here is the discography surrounding Josephine Baker's "debut" album:
I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight (1925 single)
Sleepy Time Gal (1925 single)
Who? (1925 single)
Feeling Kind of Blue (1926 single)
That Certain Feeling (1926 single)
Dinah (1926 single)
Bam Bam Bamy Shore (1926 single)
I Want to Yodel (1926 single)
You're the Only One for Me (1926 single)
I've Found a New Baby (1926 single)
Always (1926 single)
Skeedle Um (1926 single)
Breezing Along with the Breeze (1927 single)
Where'd You Get Those Eyes? (1927 single)
Then I'll Be Happy (1927 single)
Hello Bluebird (1927 single)
Blue Skies (1927 single)
He's the Last Word (1927 single)
Bye Bye Blackbird (1927 single)
The Loveliness of You (1927 single)
I Love Dancing (1927 single)
La petite tonkinoise (1930 single)
Pardon si je t'importune (1930 single)
Confessin' (1930 single)
Pretty Little Baby (1930 single)
You're Driving Me Crazy (1930 single)
Aux iles Hawaii (1930 single)
Voulez-vous de la canne a sucre? (1930 single)
Suppose! (1930 single)
Love Is a Dreamer (1931 single)
King for a Day (1931 single)
Sans amour (1932 single)
Si j'étais blanches (1932 single)
Madiana (1933 single)
Madiana (1933 single)
Haiti (1934 single)
Rêves (1935 single)
Sous le ciel d'afrique (1935 single)
Mayari (1936 single)
Nuits de Miami (1936 single)
Partir sur un bateau tout blanc (1936 single)
C'est un nid marchand (1937 single)
Afraid to Dream (1937 single)
I'm Feelin' Like a Million (1937 single)
Vous faites partie de moi (1937 single)
J'ai peur de rêver (1937 single)
Message for the Man in the Moon (1937 single)
J'ai un message pour toi (1937 single)
J'attends votre retour (1937 single)
Nuit d'alger (1937 single)
Sur deux notes (1939 single)
O mon Tommy (1940 single)
Brazil (1944 single)
L'amour est un jeu (1944 single)
Paris Chérie (1944 single)
Pardon si je t'importune (1944 single)
Paris, Paris (1949 single)
Minuit (1949 single)
Boneca de pixe (1949 single)
Y a pas trois moyens (1951 single) Chansons Américaines
Complete Recorded Works 1926-1927 (compilation album)
Clip from the film Zouzou starring Josephine Baker
"I'm Just Wild About Harry" by Noble Sissle & Eubie Blake
"Love Will Find A Way" by Noble Sissle & Eubie Blake
One of Adelaide Hall's earliest roles was in the 1921 all-black musical Shuffle Along as Jazz Jasmine. No complete cast recording has yet to be released but a couple of compilations of demos and singles have been released over the years. Fun Fact: The lasting hit from the musical "I'm Just Wild About Harry" was used as the campaign song for Harry Truman.
Here is the an incomplete discography of Sissle & Blake recordings and shows:
Broadway Blues (1920 single)
Crazy Blues (1920 single)
Arkansas Blues (1921 single)
Great Camp Meetin' Day (1921 single)
I've Got the Blues (1921 single) Shuffle Along
Ukulele Baby (1922 single)
If You've Never Been Vamped by a Brown Skin Gal (1922 single)
I've Got the Red, White, and Blues (1922 single)
I'm a Dog Gone Struttin' Fool (1922 single)
I'm Craving for that Kind of Love (1922 single)
Bandana Days (1922 single)
Boo Hoo Hoo (1922 single)
Down Hearted Blues (1923 single)
Waiting on the Evenin' Mail (Sittin' on the Inside, Lookin' at the Outside) (1923 single)
Elsie (1923 musical)
Old Fashioned Love (1924 single)
Sweet Henry (Pride of Tennessee) (1924 single)
Manda (1924 single)
The Chocolate Dandies (1924 musical)
Dixie Moon (1924 single)
Why? (1925 single)
You Ought to Know (1925 single)
Pickaninny Shoes (1925 single)
I Wonder Where My Sweetie Can Be? (1925 single)
A Jockey's Life for Mine (1925 single)
There's One Lane That Has No Turning (1925 single)
Ukulele Lullaby (1925 single)
Oh, Boy! What a Girl (1925 single)
Broken Busted Blues (1925 single)
Dinah (1925 single)
'Deed I Do (1927 single)
Slow River (1927 single)
Everything Made for Love (1927 single)
Hallelujah! (1927 single)
Sometimes I'm Happy (1927 single)
Home, Cradle of Happiness (1927 single)
Harlem Cavalcade (1942 musical)
Art Tatum was a must-see in Toledo when he was still a young talent. Jazz musicians always made sure to hear him play if they were passing through town. Jazz singer Adelaide Hall was the first to do anything more than just listen. She hired him as one of her piano accompanists for her world tour and had him play on a couple of her sides when he relocated to New York City.
Complicated by the fact that she divided her career between the United States and England, Adelaide Hall's recording career has not been well-compiled, so I can't say I've found or heard all she has to offer. She was also not very active during the era of the LP and it appears (again, not 100% sure) that the only LP with original recordings she released in her lifetime was That Wonderful, Yes Sir, That Marvelous Adelaide Hall. It was a collection of re-recordings of her most iconic songs released in 1970. (Note: Her compilation album history is mostly redundant so I only include two on this list).
Here is a partially completed discography of Adelaide Hall:
Creole Love Call (1927 single)
Chicago Stomp Down (1927 single)
I Must Have That Man (1928 single)
Rhapsody in Love (1931 single)
Too Darn Fickle (1931 single)
Baby Mine (1931 single)
Strange as It Seems (1932 single)
You Gave Me Everything but Love (1932 single)
I Must Have That Man! (1932 single)
I Must Have That Man! (1933 single)
Drop Me Off in Harlem (1933 single)
I'm in the Mood for Love (1936 single)
East of the Sun and West of the Moon (1936 single)
I'm Shooting High (1936 single)
After You've gone (1936 single)
There's a Lull in My Life (1937 single)
Stormy Weather (1937 single)
That Old Feeling (1938 single)
I Have Eyes (1939 single)
Deep Purple (1939 single)
A New Moon and an Old Serenade (1939 single)
Don't Worry 'Bout Me (1939 single)
Transatlantic Lullaby (1939 single)
Moon Love (1939 single)
Day In, Day Out (1939 single)
My Heart Belongs to Daddy (1939 single)
Serenade in Love (1939 single)
Where or When (1940 single)
Careless (1940 single)
Chloe (1940 single)
This Can't Be Love (1940 single)
Who Told You I Cared? (1940 single)
Mist on the River (1940 single)
All the Things You Are (1940 single)
Goodnight Again (1940 single)
Our Love Affair (1940 single)
Moon for Sale (1941 single)
Ain't It a Shame About Mame? (1941 single)
It's Always You (1941 single)
Yes, My Darling Daughter (1941 single)
I Hear a Rhapsody (1941 single)
I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much) (1941 single)
As if You Didn't Know (1941 single)
Minnie from Trinidad (1941 single)
Song of the Islands (1941 single)
I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire (1941 single)
A Sinner Kissed an Angel (1942 single)
Tropical Magic (1942 single)
My Devotion (1943 single)
Let's Get Lost (1943 single)
I Don't Want Anybody at All (If I Can't Have You) (1943 single)
Sophisticated Lady (1944 single)
There Goes That Song Again (1945 single)
Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen (1949 single)
Deep River (1949 single)
My Lord, What a Morning (1949 single)
Can't Help Loving that Man of Mine (1951 single)
How Many Times (1951 single)
Bluebird on My Shoulder (1960 single) That Wonderful, Yes Sir, That Marvelous Adelaide Hall
Hall of Fame (1992 compilation album)
The Adelaide Hall Collection 1927-1960 (2012 compilation album)
Adelaide Hall 1980 Interview
"I Got Rhythm" by Adelaide Hall
"I Can't Give You Anything but Love" by Adelaide Hall
In the beginning, Oscar Peterson patterned his style of piano on Art Tatum, widely considered one of the greatest jazz pianists ever. For Art Tatum's "debut", we go back again to The Chronological Classics. The label collected his earliest recordings on The Chronological Classics: Art Tatum 1932-1934.
Here is the discography surrounding Art Tatum's "debut" album:
In the early fifties, Oscar Peterson collaborated with Fred Astaire for The Astaire Story, a collection of modern jazz retellings of every notable song in his recording history. The Chronological Classics: Oscar Peterson 1945-1947 (a recurring label on this blog because they're the best at collecting nearly complete jazz discographies) collects Oscar Peterson's earliest recordings that helped to make his name in the jazz world.
Here is the discography surrounding Oscar Peterson's debut album:
The Chronological Classics: Oscar Peterson 1945-1947
Fred Astaire and George Gershwin became friends when Fred was still a teen and trying, with his sister Adele, to break from Vaudeville, where they grew up, to Broadway. Gershwin eventually wrote for Fred and Adele in a couple of his Broadway musicals Lady, Be Good and Funny Face. After over a decade on Broadway and with a hit record under his belt, Fred "graduated" (while Adele retired) to movies where he led the reinvention of the Hollywood musical. The long-playing record (our unit of measurement on this blog) was non-existent in those days so Fred Astaire made his greatest impact as a singer on singles and celluloid. Come 1953 after a nearly five-decade career, Fred Astaire paired up with Oscar Peterson and his band to freshly record every significant song of his career in a modern, wizen-voiced, and laid-back fashion. The recordings were released as The Astaire Story.
Here is the discography surrounding Fred Astaire's debut album:
Oh Gosh Oh Gee (1923 single with Adele Astaire)
Fascinating Rhythm (1926 single with Adele Astaire)
Hang on to Me (1926 single with Adele Astaire)
Swiss Miss (1926 single with Adele Astaire)
Funny Face (1928 single with Adele Astaire)
High Hat (1928 single)
Not My Girl (1929 single)
Puttin' on the Ritz (1930 single)
The Band Wagon (1931 experimental recording with Adele Astaire)
I Love Louisa (1931 single)
Night and Day (1933 single)
Flying Down to Rio (1934 single)
Cheek to Cheek (1935 single)
Isn't It a Lovely Day? (1935 single)
Never Gonna Dance (1936 single)
The Way You Look Tonight (1936 single)
Change Partners (1937 single)
They All Laughed (1937 single)
Nice Work if You Can Get It (1937 single)
They Can't Take That Away from Me (1937 single)
Things Are Looking Up (1937 single)
The Yam (1938 single)
So Near and Yet So Far (1941 single)
Dream Dancing (1941 single)
I'll Capture Your Heart (1942 single with Bing Crosby)
Holiday Inn (1942 soundtrack album)
Blue Skies (1946 soundtrack album)
Medley from the Film "Three Little Words" (1950 single with Red Skelton)
Easter Parade (1950 soundtrack album with Judy Garland)
How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life (1951 single)
Royal Wedding (1951 soundtrack album with Jane Powell)
Dancing in the Dark (1952 single)
Bachelor Dinner Song (1952 single)
The Belle of New York (1952 soundtrack album)
I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan (1953 single)
The Band Wagon (1953 soundtrack album) The Astaire Story
Sluefoot (1955 single)
The Best of Fred Astaire (1955 compilation album)
Fred Astaire (1955 compilation album)
Cheek to Cheek (1956 EP)
Mr. Top Hat (1956 compilation album)
"Fascinating Rhythm" by Fred and Adele Astaire
"Cheek to Cheek" by Fred Astaire
"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
"How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life" by Fred Astaire & Jane Powell
Oscar Levant, his first time in Hollywood in 1928, met and befriended George Gershwin. This was surely a dream come true for Levant who worshiped Gershwin's work since he first heard it in his teens. Levant came to be known as the man who understood Gershwin best (outside of, perhaps, his brother Ira) and more importantly came to be known as the best interpreter on the piano of Gershwin's compositions (particularly after Gershwin's tragic, early passing).
Rhapsody in Blue was George Gershwin's first major composition that wasn't one of his and Ira's songs or musicals. The orchestral work was written on commission for Paul Whiteman. The first recording of Rhapsody in Blue occurred in 1924 with another, of better and fuller quality, in 1927 both featuring Gershwin on piano.
Here is the discography surrounding George Gershwin's debut album:
Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue (1927 recording)
"Golliwog's Cake Walk / Maid with the Flaxen Hair / Reflection in the Water / Claire de Lune / La plus que lente / The Little Shepherd" by Oscar Levant
Oscar Levant played the piano on the Anton Rubinstein recording from the last entry. A famous pianist and a famous personality in movies, TV and radio, Oscar Levant released his first album Oscar Levant Plays Popular Moderns in 1946 by way of Columbia Masterworks.
Here is the discography surrounding Oscar Levant's debut album:
Rhapsody in Blue (1945 single) Oscar Levant Plays Popular Moderns
"Piano Concerto No. 4 in D Minor" by Anton Rubinstein
Tchaikovsky studied at the Russian Musical Society under one of its founders, composer Anton Rubinstein. Recordings of Rubinstein pieces are not as common (or as easy to find), so the first entry into the blog for Rubinstein is a 1952 release of his Piano Concerto No. 4performed by the New York Philharmonic.
Here is the discography surrounding Anton Rubinstein's debut album:
Piano Concerto No. 4 in D Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 70
For a time in the early 1880s, Debussy was close with Nadezha von Meck and her family, teaching them the piano and performing private concerts. However, von Meck, a wealthy patroness, is more famously known for her financial relationship with the Russian composer Thcaikovsky. Tchaikovsky was a popular subject for early classical recordings, and as usual, the recordings I was able to find are mostly recorded with Leopold Stokowski conducting. His "first album" was a recording of his Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor released in 1932.
Here is the discography surrounding Pyotr Ilyich Thcaikovsky's debut album:
Symphony No. 6, 3rd Movement (Marche Scherzo) (1921 single)
Dance of the Flutes (1922 single)
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, 2nd Movement (Andante Cantabile) (1923 single)
Chant Sans Paroles (1924 single)
Marche Slave (1925 recording)
The Nutcracker Suite (1926 recording)
Romeo and Juliet Overture (1928 recording)
Song Without Words (1928 single)
Symphony No. 4 in F Minor (1928 recording)
Capriccio Italien (1929 recording)
Overture 1812 (1930 recording) Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor
"Symphony No. 5, 2nd Movement" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Did you know Paul Dukas and Claude Debussy were good friends? Claude Debussy's first "album" released in 1940 compiling a handful of Stokowski recordings from the previous decade.
Here is the discography surrounding Claude Debussy's debut album:
Fêtes (1927 single)
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (1927 single)
Nuages (1929 single)
La cathédrale engloutie (1930 single)
Danses sacrée et profane (1931 single)
Claire de lune (1937 single)
Fêtes (1937 single)
Nuages (1937 single)
La Mer (1939 EP performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Sirènes (1939 single) Debussy Selected Works (Orchestra)
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (1940 single)
Olivier Messiaen in turn studied under fellow French composer Paul Dukas. Dukas's first recording (that I could find) was the popular 1937 recording of The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Scherzo for Orchestra) made by Leopold Stokowski (again) and the Philadelphia Orchestra. It was packaged with another recording and released as an album in 1939.
Sidenote: I believe (though not 100% certain) that this is the same recording used in Disney's Fantasia.
Here is the discography surrounding Paul Dukas's debut album:
A note from this blog's curator: composers are tough and don't easily fit into this blog's format (the same goes for jazz musicians and most musicians whose work came out in the first half of the 20th century). I'm going to do my best to find the earliest possible recordings of these artists, but I don't have the time or resources to be a completionist towards their work as I am with modern recordings. A lot of such early recordings are likely to never have made the digitizing jump anyway. Still, I hope to explore as much work of these artists as I can. Back to the show.
Stockhausen studied under French composer and organist Olivier Messiaen. Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur released in 1957. Stokowski (who is very prevalent as a conductor on many early popular classical recordings) recorded a handful of Messiaen compositions and released them in 1949.
Here is the discography surrounding Olivier Messiaen's debut album:
Leopold Stokowski Conducts Messiaen and Vaughan Williams (1949 album) La Nativité du Seigneur
