New Song-Poem Project (MP3's)

The last few times I have posted Song-Poems, either here or to my own blog, I've received comments or e-mails from people requesting that I post more, or asking where to find more on-line song-poems, now that the American Song-Poem Music Archives site is no longer being updated (and now that it's MP3's are no longer available).

As a result, I've decided to start my own project, "Song-Poem of the Week", at my own blog. This began on New Year's Day, and I hope to continue it indefinitely. Primarily, I intend to use tracks from the many song-poem albums, 45's and 78's I personally own, but will probably move into those which I've received as files or tapes from other collectors, and perhaps those which used to be at the AS/PMA site. Feel free to make requests, either here or at my blog.

As a preview, here's a handful of song-poems I like a lot:

First up, a song which I did submit to the former MP3 page of AS/PMA, and an all time favorite of mine, a rave-up of a tune which, unlike most song-poems, deserved to be a hit:

1.) Jim Hall and the Radio Pals - Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Potassium (MP3)

Oddly enough, I've recently found another version of the above song, by a female singer, on another label, in a sedate, "adult contemporary" setting - a version which appears to predate this one! I'll get to that one at my site, one of these weeks.

Next, two songs by the sadly under-appreciated Cara Stewart, including one which would have been ideal a few days ago:

2.) Cara Stewart - New Year Song (MP3)

3.) Cara Stewart - Any Dance, Any Dance (MP3)

Finally, two songs sung by the ubiquitous (and frequently incognito) Sammy Marshall. "You Insulted Me", in particular, features some fairly tortured turns of phrase:

4.) Chuck Jones and the Links - Sputnik Hit the Moon (MP3)

5.) Ben Tate - You Insulted Me (MP3)

Enjoy!

Comments

[The Cheese Knees]

Excellent idea Bob. I'm a great fan of the Song Poem and it was a sad day when ASPMA shut up shop. Where the hell did all those mp3's go? I've accumulated 300 - 400 song poems give or take so if you're looking to add any to your collection just send me your requests. You never know, I may have it. In the tradition of the 365 Days projects, I suppose it would be too much to ask for one a day instead of one a week?

[martinf]

I've collected all those ASPMA mp3s and they are available at http://brotbeutel.blogspot.com/2008/07/raincoats-and-song-poems.html plus some more. I even managed to extract the one that was removed (Girl Joey: Proud To Be Gay) from another source. But I'm still missing Ted Powers "Are You Now Or Have You Ever (Been In Love With Me)" (written by Phil Milstein) originally posted by sharpeworld.com. Can somebody help?

[motordog]

You must be referring to the "Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Potassium" version sung by Lynne Richards (featuring the Jimmy Etta Orchestra). Quite the peppy little tune. Love you're posts, BTW...

[motordog]

Ack! Of course I meant "Love YOUR posts, BTW"...stoopit grammer!

[stu]

I've never been able to figure out whether the gender-bending in "Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Potassium" was intended on the part of the songwriter, or if it was just coming out of Jim Hall's head...