Swing Along – The Songs Of Will Marion Cook

William Brown (tenor), Ann Sears (piano)

Catalog #: TROY0839-40
Release Date: April 1, 2006
Format: Digital
Vocal

Will Marion Cook was one of the earliest African-American composers to achieve significant commercial success in musical theater. However, even though his talents were admired at the turn of the twentieth century, he and his work have since been largely forgotten. With the interest in African-American culture sparked by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and revived interest in all American music during the Bicentennial celebrations of the 1970s, Cook has been rediscovered by such music historians as Thomas L. Riis and Marva Griffin Carter, as well as by such performers as the Black Music Repertory Ensemble of the Center for Black Music Research and, of course, tenor William Brown, who had previously recorded some of Cook's songs on the album Fi-yer! (TROY329). Having studied with Joseph Joachim in Berlin and Antonin Dvorak in New York City, Cook was respected for his pioneering achievements in popular songwriting, Black musical comedies and syncopated orchestral music. His career as a songwriter spanned some 40 years from 1893 to 1934. Cook's memoirs reveal that he believed his ultimate challenge was to right social injustice while at the same time creating beautiful music. Renowned tenor William Brown's repertoire encompassed practically all musical genres. He was a particularly avid performer of American music from all ages and had appeared with major orchestras and ensembles all over the world. Sadly, Mr. Brown died shortly after this recording was made. This CD is a tribute to the memories of both Cook and Brown.

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Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Pensacola Mooch Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Love is The Tend'rest of Themes Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Jump Back Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
My Lady's Lips Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Wid De Moon, Moon, Moon Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Bon Bon Buddy Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Returned Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Down in Lover's Lane Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Red Red Rose Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Swing Along Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
An Exhortation Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Rain Song Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Troubled in Mind Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
An Explanation Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Little Gypsy Maid Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
My Lady Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Springtime Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Who Dat Say Chicken in Dis Crowd Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Dreamin' Town Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
There's A Place in the Old Vacant Chair Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Darktown Barbecue Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Slumber Song Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Little Bit of Heaven Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
Mammy Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
As The Sunflower Turns To the Sun Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano
On Emancipation Day Will Marion Cook William Brown, tenor, Ann Sears, piano

Reviews

  • "There's a reason this music was so popular in its day, and the CD is a pleasure from beginning to end."

    – Afro American Heritage

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.