On A Musical Note...

"Oh, I love to go out fishing in a river or a creek, but I don't enjoy it half as much as dancin' cheek to cheek..."

http://kevchino.com/band/billie-holiday/1195

These are part of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, "Cheek To Cheek". The version I love is by Billie Holiday. She's got a great jazzy, soulful voice, and it's just so beautiful to listen to. I noticed the lyric above the other day when I was listening to it, and thought that maybe Billie herself was a fellow fisherman... (doubtful, but maybe).

Personally, I have a deep affection for the jazz music of that era. I spent a few of my younger years singing jazz music with Georgette Labreche, who is highly talented in piano and in her voice. I became interested in singing and enjoying jazz from the time I very little (probably about the age of 6). I listened to a radio station every day called, "92.3 Swing FM" and they played all of the classics from Sinatra, Bennett, and Bing. Unfortunately, the station seemed to disappear from the radio after a couple years but, my love for the music has still carried on.

"Cheek To Cheek", although beautifully covered by Holiday, was originally sung by Fred Astaire in 1935 for the movie, Top Hat. Since then, the song has been covered by many, many other talented artists.

The song was written by the musical genius, Irving Berlin, who has written timeless classics such as:

"I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm"

"Steppin' Out With My Baby"

"There's No Business Like Show Business"

"Puttin' On The Ritz"

Berlin's style was very popular from the 20's through the 40's when jazz music exploded. This type of hot, swinging jazz began in the 1920's around the time when Louis Armstrong recorded his first albums. It spread with its robust dancing beats into the "big band sound" of the 30's. This was the time of the "jitter-bug" which swept across America and Europe.

All of this music really came out of the American Great Depression in the 1930's. America was in a rough spot, and this music really gave people life. It made them feel something other than the effects of the Depression. They were able to get up and dance, and laugh, and sing, using this music as an outlet for America. This music also spoke to the people through the lyrics; They could relate to each other through the music. And that, my friends, is key. Bringing people together, even in the hardest of times. Which is something we should all be thinking about recently with the tragedies in Japan, or any hardships in our own communities. Don't forget to lend a hand.

*Side note: This post was a little different than our usual posts, but I thought you might appreciate it just the same. A little history & culture for yah!

But, if anyone has any other songs that relate to fishing, I'd love to get the tracks. Send them my way!

Morgan Manfredi

The Freeloading Intern