This musical snapshot of Martha Raye's Hollywood years from 1936-1944 includes her hits from the movies, some appearing on CD for the first time.

Martha Raye sang, danced, and joked her way into the spotlight of the entertainment world with a career that spanned seven decades and encompassed everything from vaudeville to movies to television to entertaining U.S. servicemen overseas. This musical snapshot of her legendary Hollywood years from 1936-1944 includes many of her hits, some appearing on CD for the first time.

Here is an excerpt from a review by Will Friedwald in the Nov. 6, 2024 issue of the Wall Street Journal:

'Martha Raye & Co-Stars in Hollywood' Review: An Entertainer's Virtuoso Vocals

This two-CD set, which collects recordings the singer, comedian and actress made for movies in the 1930s and '40s, emphasizes her status as a superior musician and a top-flight improviser.

...When Ella Fitzgerald died in 1996, I was assigned by Entertainment Weekly to get reactions from other great jazz singers. Tony Bennett and Lena Horne had very well-considered and poignant comments. The response that surprised me the most, however, was from Anita O'Day. She started with "Don't get me wrong, I always loved Ella" and then continued: "But even before I heard Ella, I had already discovered Martha Raye. And the first time I heard her, I said to myself, 'There's my singer!'"...

...One other iconic singer named Raye as an important inspiration. When the young Anthony Benedetto, still a long way from being renamed Tony Bennett, auditioned for the veteran songwriter Hugh Martin around 1950, the latter was impressed enough to proclaim, "this kid is another Martha Raye." Even a lifetime later, Bennett told me that he still felt that was one of the greatest compliments he ever received.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

• If You Can’t Sing It (You’ll Have To Swing It)
• I’m An Old Cowhand
• Vote For Mr. Rhythm
• You Came To My Rescue
• Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Liszt
• Two Birdies Up A Tree
• Who’s That Knockin’ At My Heart?
• So What!
• Okolehao
• Good Mornin’
• If I Put My Heart In My Song
• Public Melody No. 1
• Listen My Children
• It’s On, It’s Off
• After You
• Mama, That Moon Is Here Again
• Truckin’ (They’re Going Hollywood in Harlem)
• How’dja Like To Love Me?
• What A Rhumba Does To Romance
• College Swing
• Havin’ Myself A Time
• A Little Kiss At Twilight
• The Tra-La-La and Oom-Pah-Pah
• Love With A Capital U
• I’ve Got A Right To Sing The Blues

Disc 2:

• The Greeks Have No Word For It
• He And She
• Sing For Your Supper
• Who Are You?; Sing For Your Supper; Falling in Love with Love; This Can’t Be Love
• Navy Blues
• When Are We Going To Land Abroad?
• You’re A Natural
• In Waikiki
• When Are We Going To Land Abroad?; In Waikiki; You’re A Natural; Navy Blues
• I’m Getting Sentimental Over You
• Pig Foot Pete
• The Boy With The Wistful Eyes
• You Don’t Know What Love Is
• Together
• Time On My Hands
• Let’s Keep ‘Em Flying
• Hellzapoppin’
• What Kind Of Love Is This?
• Watch The Birdie
• Conga Beso Pt.1 & 2
• If You Can’t Sing It (You’ll Have To Swing It)
• Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer
• It’s The Old Army Game
• Silent Night
• S.N.A.F.U.
• Red Robins, Bobwhites And Bluebirds
• Yankee Doodle Hayride
• I Have Eyes

Additional Details

Label: Sepia Records

Genre: Soundtrack

Run Time: 150 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/08/24

UPC: 5055122113935