In honour of a really hot, generally miserable day:

[kniteracy]

Why should I suffer alone?

I invite you all to download and, um, enjoy the Doris Day version of Barbara Allen.

No, really. Don't worry: the horn section swings!

Comments

[tnatj.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. My nostalgia sense tingles.

According to my instant googleplex research, the Doris Day version came out in 1941. I'm certain that I've heard bits of this before ... I'm sure in films of the WWII era; perhaps in clips from documentaries?

[resourceress.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you have. Think "Warner Brothers cartoons". Specifically, Porky Pig sings it in his entrance as Friar Tuck in the Daffy Duck Robin Hood cartoon. That's where I first heard it, anyway. :)

[resourceress.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry, read your comment too fast. You meant this specific version, right? Oops. No, Porky Pig doesn't do a Doris Day impersonation while in the character of Friar Tuck. That would be a bit too surreal even for a Warner Brothers cartoon.

[niquildrvr.livejournal.com]

Bookmarked as a potential class discussion next time I teach ballads. I love Doris Day (surprised?). For some reason, this rendition seems fitting to me--I guess I see ballad as belonging to the people, so translating the tune into a common musical idiom makes sense. It is a bit jarring, though, since it's such a BIG production and so uptempo.

[dancingwriter.livejournal.com]

The horn section is hot, and it actually does work as swing--if you don't know the words. I turned it off when Dodo started singing. :-)

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

That was... special.

I mean, ok, yes, I like swing. As an instrumental, if I didn't know the words, I might like it but...
somehow I can just picture the Barbara Allens in EOTW saying "What the heck did they do to our song!??"

I don't hate Doris Day's singing either. She's a bit on the "perky" side but hey... that's ok for some stuff. But Barbara Allen!??
sigh

I want to add this to the Golden Throats rotation - it appeals to me in the same "What were they thinking?" sense.

Thanks

[lothie.livejournal.com]

I hate you.