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    Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal

    01/26/1999 | Bear Family 

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    All Music Guide Review

    Bear Family Records presents an 88-track anthology of what are now termed Depression Era phonograph recordings cut between May 31, 1929, and April 10, 1940. This stretch of time takes in the last few months of the U.S.A.'s already flawed and disintegrating prosperity, the devastating Wall Street crash of October 29, 1929, and the nation's agonizingly gradual economic recovery throughout the 1930s. Musically, this massive compilation maps the mainstream mingling of real jazz with the predominant dance band and pop vocal aesthetic of the decade. Even months before the day when, as visiting Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca put it, the New York Stock Exchange "...lost various billions of dollars, a rabble of dead money that slid off into the sea," Tin Pan Alley composers were already fixating upon what was to become the ever more elusive pursuit of happiness by penning an almost alarming number of "happy" songs, such as "Get Happy" and "Happy Days Are Here Again." As the social fabric of a nation came apart at the seams and swiftly began to unravel, a subgenre of melodies with conspicuously comforting and persistently optimistic lyrics filled the air with phrases like "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams," "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries," and "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee." Sobering responses to the disparity between harsh realities and sugary reassurances included "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," "Remember My Forgotten Man," "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum," "Cheer Up! Smile! Nertz!" (almost angrily delivered by an exasperated Eddie Cantor), and a remarkably cynical opus entitled "It Must Be Swell to Be Laying Out Dead." With the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933 and the implementation of his New Deal programs (see Louis Armstrong's "W.P.A."), a series of frustratingly slow-paced improvements inspired monetarily motivated ditties with giddy titles like "We're in the Money," "We're Out of the Red," "What Have We Got to Lose?," "Buy America!," and the quaintly romantic "With Plenty of Money and You," sung to perfection near the end of this collection by the Ink Spots. The Great Depression has inspired a number of fascinating musicological retrospectives; this one belongs among the best of the lot. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide

    Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • Artist
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • Hittin' the Ceiling
  • Ballew, Smith
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Hittin' the Ceiling from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 2
  • I'm in the Market for You
  • 2:49
  • Sound Clip for I'm in the Market for You from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 3
  • Happy Days Are Here Again
  • Casa Loma Orchestra
  • 3:18
  • Sound Clip for Happy Days Are Here Again from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 4
  • Song of the Bayou
  • Hardy, Marion Alabamians
  • :29

  • 5
  • Eddie Cantor's Tips on the Stock Market (Monologue)
  • Cantor, Eddie
  • 2:23
  • Sound Clip for Eddie Cantor's Tips on the Stock Market (Monologue) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 6
  • A Cottage for Sale
  • Hotel Pennsylvania Music
  • 2:46
  • Sound Clip for A Cottage for Sale from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 7
  • Get Happy
  • Wallace, Ted Campus Boys
  • 3:33
  • Sound Clip for Get Happy from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 8
  • Sweeping the Clouds Away (From: Paramount on Parade)
  • Casa Loma Orchestra
  • 3:25
  • Sound Clip for Sweeping the Clouds Away (From: Paramount on Parade) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 9
  • Laughing at Life
  • McKinney's Cotton Pickers
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for Laughing at Life from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 10
  • It's a Great Life (If You Don't Weaken) (From: Playboy of Paris)
  • Lanin, Sam
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for It's a Great Life (If You Don't Weaken) (From: Playboy of Paris) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 11
  • Cheer Up! Good Times Are Comin'
  • Hotel Pennsylvania Music
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for Cheer Up! Good Times Are Comin' from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 12
  • Cheer Up! Smile! Nertz! (Ballyhoo)
  • 4:06
  • Sound Clip for Cheer Up! Smile! Nertz! (Ballyhoo) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 13
  • Singing a Vagabond Song (From: Putting on the Ritz)
  • Lewis, Ted Orchestra
  • 3:26
  • Sound Clip for Singing a Vagabond Song (From: Putting on the Ritz) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 14
  • Son of the Sun (From: Luana)
  • 2:25
  • Sound Clip for Son of the Sun (From: Luana) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 15
  • Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (From Hallelujah I'm A Bum)
  • Jolson, Al
  • 2:33
  • Sound Clip for Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (From Hallelujah I'm A Bum) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 16
  • Big City Blues (From: Fox Movietone Follies of 1929)
  • Hanshaw, Annette
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Big City Blues (From: Fox Movietone Follies of 1929) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 17
  • There's a Tear for Every Smile in Hollywood (From: Showgirl in ...)
  • Steele, Blue
  • 3:12
  • Sound Clip for There's a Tear for Every Smile in Hollywood (From: Showgirl in ...) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 18
  • Ten Cents a Dance
  • Etting, Ruth
  • 3:17
  • Sound Clip for Ten Cents a Dance from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 19
  • Cigarettes Cigars (From: Ziegfeld Follies of 1931)
  • Etting, Ruth
  • 3:07
  • Sound Clip for Cigarettes Cigars (From: Ziegfeld Follies of 1931) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 20
  • Just a Gigolo (From: Doctor Cheer CBS Radio Transcription)
  • Marvin, Johnny
  • 2:17
  • Sound Clip for Just a Gigolo (From: Doctor Cheer CBS Radio Transcription) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 21
  • Love for Sale (From: The New Yorkers')
  • Holman, Libby
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for Love for Sale (From: The New Yorkers') from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 22
  • We Can Live on Love
  • Ballew, Smith
  • 3:10
  • Sound Clip for We Can Live on Love from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 23 (2)
  • There's No Depression in Love
  • Rose, Vincent
  • 2:53
  • Sound Clip for There's No Depression in Love from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 24 (2)
  • Now's the Time to Fall in Love (From: Palmy Days')
  • Young, Victor
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Now's the Time to Fall in Love (From: Palmy Days') from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 25 (2)
  • I'm an Unemployed Sweetheart
  • Morse, Lee
  • 3:22
  • Sound Clip for I'm an Unemployed Sweetheart from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 26 (2)
  • I Got Five Dollars (From: America's Sweetheart')
  • Coleman, Emil
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for I Got Five Dollars (From: America's Sweetheart') from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 27 (2)
  • I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store)
  • Specht, Paul
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 28 (2)
  • Last Dollar
  • Droesch, Eddie
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for Last Dollar from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 29 (2)
  • Here It Is Monday and I've Still Got a Dollar
  • Bullock, Chick
  • 2:45
  • Sound Clip for Here It Is Monday and I've Still Got a Dollar from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 30 (2)
  • Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
  • Bailey, Mildred
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 31 (2)
  • Whistling in the Dark
  • Lanin, Sam
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for Whistling in the Dark from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 32 (2)
  • Dancing in the Dark (From: The Band Wagon)
  • Selvin, Ben Orchestra
  • 3:07
  • Sound Clip for Dancing in the Dark (From: The Band Wagon) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 33 (2)
  • Alone Together (From: Flying Colors)
  • Young, Victor
  • 3:22
  • Sound Clip for Alone Together (From: Flying Colors) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 34 (2)
  • Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (Excerpt from: Gems from: White, ...)
  • 2:34
  • Sound Clip for Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (Excerpt from: Gems from: White, ...) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 35 (2)
  • (We've Got To) Put That Sun Back in the Sky
  • Boswell Sisters
  • 3:04
  • Sound Clip for (We've Got To) Put That Sun Back in the Sky from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 36 (2)
  • Shoo the Hoodoo Away
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Shoo the Hoodoo Away from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 37 (2)
  • Whistle and Blow Your Blues Away
  • Selvin, Ben Orchestra
  • 3:26
  • Sound Clip for Whistle and Blow Your Blues Away from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 38 (2)
  • Headin' for Better Times
  • Lewis, Ted Orchestra
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for Headin' for Better Times from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 39 (2)
  • Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee (From: Face the Music)
  • Madriguera, Enric
  • 3:17
  • Sound Clip for Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee (From: Face the Music) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 40 (2)
  • Sittin' on a Rubbish Can
  • Gerity, Julia
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Sittin' on a Rubbish Can from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 41 (2)
  • Underneath the Arches
  • Hall, Henry
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for Underneath the Arches from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 42 (2)
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
  • Crosby, Bing
  • 3:13
  • Sound Clip for Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 43 (2)
  • Remember My Forgotten Man (From: Gold Diggers of 1933)
  • Martin, Freddy
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for Remember My Forgotten Man (From: Gold Diggers of 1933) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 44 (2)
  • It Must Be Swell to Be Laying Out Dead
  • Bartha, Alex
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for It Must Be Swell to Be Laying Out Dead from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 45 (3)
  • Supper Time (From: As Thousands Cheer)
  • Reisman, Leo
  • 3:32
  • Sound Clip for Supper Time (From: As Thousands Cheer) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 46 (3)
  • Banking on the Weather (From: Crooner)
  • Carlson, Russ
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Banking on the Weather (From: Crooner) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 47 (3)
  • A Shanty in Old Shanty Town
  • Kardos, Gene
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for A Shanty in Old Shanty Town from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 48 (3)
  • (Here We Are) Rolling in Love (From: The Old Fashioned Way)
  • Morrison, Joe
  • 3:42
  • Sound Clip for (Here We Are) Rolling in Love (From: The Old Fashioned Way) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 49 (3)
  • I'd Rather Be a Beggar With You
  • Bullock, Gene
  • 3:00
  • Sound Clip for I'd Rather Be a Beggar With You from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 50 (3)
  • Here You Come with Love
  • Martin, Freddy
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for Here You Come with Love from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 51 (3)
  • Let's Put Out the Lights (And Go to Sleep)
  • Crosby, Bing
  • 3:11
  • Sound Clip for Let's Put Out the Lights (And Go to Sleep) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 52 (3)
  • The Clouds Will Soon Roll By
  • Prince, Graham
  • 3:07
  • Sound Clip for The Clouds Will Soon Roll By from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 53 (3)
  • Rome Wasn't Built in a Day (From: Roman Scandels)
  • Lyman, Abe
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for Rome Wasn't Built in a Day (From: Roman Scandels) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 54 (3)
  • If I Ever Get a Job Again
  • Kardos, Gene
  • 3:04
  • Sound Clip for If I Ever Get a Job Again from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 55 (3)
  • Them Good Old Times Are Coming Back Again
  • Selvin, Ben Orchestra
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for Them Good Old Times Are Coming Back Again from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 56 (3)
  • Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (From: The Three Little Pigs)
  • Bernie, Ben
  • 4:01
  • Sound Clip for Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (From: The Three Little Pigs) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 57 (3)
  • There's a New Day Coming
  • Lewis, Ted Orchestra
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for There's a New Day Coming from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 58 (3)
  • Buy America!
  • Lewis, Ted Orchestra
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for Buy America! from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 59 (3)
  • Hey! Young Fella
  • Etting, Ruth
  • 2:53
  • Sound Clip for Hey! Young Fella from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 60 (3)
  • The Grass Is Getting Greener
  • Young, Victor
  • 2:41
  • Sound Clip for The Grass Is Getting Greener from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 61 (3)
  • (I Went Hunting) And the Big Bad Wolf Was Dead (From: Cockeyed Cavalie)
  • Fio Rito, Ted
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for (I Went Hunting) And the Big Bad Wolf Was Dead (From: Cockeyed Cavalie) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 62 (3)
  • We're Out of the Red (From: Stand Up and Cheer)
  • 3:15
  • Sound Clip for We're Out of the Red (From: Stand Up and Cheer) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 63 (3)
  • We're in the Money (The Gold Diggers Song) (From: Gold Diggers of 1933)
  • Boswell Sisters
  • 2:34
  • Sound Clip for We're in the Money (The Gold Diggers Song) (From: Gold Diggers of 1933) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 64 (3)
  • The Road Is Open Again (From: The Road Is Open Again)
  • Powell, Dick
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for The Road Is Open Again (From: The Road Is Open Again) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 65 (3)
  • Let 'Em Eat Cake (From: Let 'Em Eat Cake)
  • Coleman, Emil
  • 2:53
  • Sound Clip for Let 'Em Eat Cake (From: Let 'Em Eat Cake) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 66 (3)
  • In a One Room Flat (From: The Way to Love)
  • Martin, Freddy
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for In a One Room Flat (From: The Way to Love) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 67 (4)
  • What Have We Got to Lose? (Hi-Ho-Lack-A-Day)
  • Harris, Phil
  • 3:36
  • Sound Clip for What Have We Got to Lose? (Hi-Ho-Lack-A-Day) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 68 (4)
  • Stringin' Along on a Shoe String
  • Allen, Henry Red-Hawkins, Coleman Orchestra
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for Stringin' Along on a Shoe String from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 69 (4)
  • When My Ship Comes in (From: Kid Millions)
  • Cantor, Eddie
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for When My Ship Comes in (From: Kid Millions) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 70 (4)
  • If I Had a Million Dollars (From: Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round)
  • Boswell Sisters
  • 2:49
  • Sound Clip for If I Had a Million Dollars (From: Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 71 (4)
  • Our Penthouse on Third Avenue
  • Kardos, Gene
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Our Penthouse on Third Avenue from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 72 (4)
  • Raisin' the Rent (From: The Cotton Club Revue)
  • 3:08
  • Sound Clip for Raisin' the Rent (From: The Cotton Club Revue) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 73 (4)
  • Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore
  • Bullock, Chick
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 74 (4)
  • The Boulevard of Broken Dreams (From: Moulin Rouge)
  • Boswell, Connie
  • 3:12
  • Sound Clip for The Boulevard of Broken Dreams (From: Moulin Rouge) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 75 (4)
  • Now I'm a Lady (Goin' to Town)
  • Whiteman, Paul Orchestra
  • 3:10
  • Sound Clip for Now I'm a Lady (Goin' to Town) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 76 (4)
  • I Gotta Get up and Go to Work
  • Rollini, Adrian & the Gang
  • 2:45
  • Sound Clip for I Gotta Get up and Go to Work from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 77 (4)
  • Gotta Go to Work Again (From: My Man Godrey)
  • Wallace, Ted
  • 2:38
  • Sound Clip for Gotta Go to Work Again (From: My Man Godrey) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 78 (4)
  • Are You Making Any Money?
  • Bullock, Chick
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Are You Making Any Money? from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 79 (4)
  • Got the Jitters
  • Nelson, Ozzie
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Got the Jitters from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 80 (4)
  • Rain
  • Bestor, Don
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Rain from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 81 (4)
  • With Plenty of Money and You (From: Gold Diggers of 1937)
  • Ink Spots [1]
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for With Plenty of Money and You (From: Gold Diggers of 1937) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 82 (4)
  • I'm Feeling Like a Million (From: Broadway Melody of 1938)
  • Hill, Teddy
  • 2:41
  • Sound Clip for I'm Feeling Like a Million (From: Broadway Melody of 1938) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 83 (4)
  • Slumming on Park Avenue (From: On the Avenue)
  • Norvo, Red
  • 2:41
  • Sound Clip for Slumming on Park Avenue (From: On the Avenue) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 84 (4)
  • Whistle While You Work (From: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  • Shaw, Artie
  • 2:41
  • Sound Clip for Whistle While You Work (From: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 85 (4)
  • W.P.A.
  • 2:48
  • Sound Clip for W.P.A. from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 86 (4)
  • Hey Pop! I Don't Wanna Go to Work
  • Kyser, Kay
  • 2:43
  • Sound Clip for Hey Pop! I Don't Wanna Go to Work from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 87 (4)
  • Dawn of a New Day
  • Heidt, Horace
  • 2:33
  • Sound Clip for Dawn of a New Day from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


  • 88 (4)
  • Happy Days Are Here Again
  • Selvin, Ben Orchestra
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for Happy Days Are Here Again from Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal


    • Credits of Songs of the Depression: Boom, Bust & New Deal

    • Don Redman
    • Clarinet, Sax (Baritone), Director, Sax (Alto)
    • Ted Lewis
    • Clarinet, Leader, Sax (Alto), Vocals


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