Irving Berlin month continues with a song that he wrote in 1926 for a flop musical Betsy. The song itself was a hit and has been recorded nearly 500 times.
Blue Skies also gave its title to a 1946 Crosby-Astaire movie.
We begin with one of the earliest recordings of Blue Skies by the great Josephine Baker:
Jazz great Johnny Hartman cut the song in 1956:
Next up, Ella Fitzgerald from the Irving Berlin Songbook:
Nina Simone lent her badassery to this live rendition of Berlin’s tune.
Wille Nelson had a number 1 country hit with his cover of the Berlin classic.
Lyle Lovett recorded the Berlin classic for the 1994 movie With Honors. The movie is best remembered for having Joe Pesci and Gore Vidal in the cast. Holy odd couple, Batman.
Finally, my homey Mac Rebennack dba Dr. John:
What would a Friday Cocktail Hour be without a jazz instrumental version of the week’s song? This time, Benny Goodman, Ben Webster, and Oscar Peterson.
Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?
That’s it for this week. Let’s toast everyone who has recorded Blue Skies in the last 96 years. It’s what the cartoon Rat Pack would want. Never argue with them.
