Oh! Boy

Space Age Pop: Eden Ahbez (who wrote “Nature Boy”) was one of the authentic fringe figures in space age pop, a one-shot wonder so dramatically different from anyone else that he became, perhaps, a greater legend than his accomplishments justify. Born a good Jewish boy in Brooklyn, he ended up cultivating a Christ-like appearance and reputation among the fruits and nuts of sunny southern California.

EdenShadow Box Studio : Many years ago, when Nature Boy” was the number one song all over the world, I was on one or two shows. And, on one of the shows, the man said, “What is your background? Where did you come from?”I thought: Oh yeah, I’ll tell him. You really want to know my background? There’s a mystery about you.” And my poem came to my mind, Once far into the desert land I went to search as men are want to search for truth. And there in meditation, all alone, quite suddenly, I came upon a youth,….” (They say – no capital letter – eden ahbez influenced the Hippie movement. Cool Bro!)

Seeklyrics : (The end of the song) “All you can count on are the raindrops that fall on little girl blue. (that must be some top blue paint to cope with the rain) …….. Why won’t somebody send a tender Blue boy to cheer up little girl blue.” (Yes why? at least they could procreate cute little smurfes )

Al Jolson Society : The gross receipts of Al Jolson’s second motion picture, The Singing Fool, were not exceeded until Gone With The Wind, and which introduced the first million seller recording of all time, Sonny Boy. “When Al had finished singing him to sleep, the boy (played by David Lee)’s eyes were closed. The doctor looked at him and explained that Junior would never wake again.” (talk about a sad song)

New York Times : An agreeable surprise awaited those who attended the presentation at Warners’ Theatre last night of a Vitaphone film called “Sonny Boy,” for instead of sitting through scenes with strong doses of sentiment, the spectators were treated to a merry farce-comedy, in which Davey Lee, the youngster who appeared with Al Jolson in “The Singing Fool,” upheld his end in a gallant fashion. (Wait a sec. Is Sonny Boy dead or not?)

Wikipedia : Twitty would go on to enjoy rock-n-roll success with a song like “Danny Boy” and “Lonely Blue Boy”. “Lonely Blue Boy” was originally titled “Danny” and was recorded by Presley for the film King Creole It was not used in the film soundtrack.

Union Square Music : In November 1950 session, Jack Lauderdale of Los Angeles based ˜Swing Time Records” returned to the Ray Charles ‘s trio format, only this time with star guests; Oscar Moore (guitar) and Johnny Miller (bass), original members of the “King” Cole Trio. The Nat-style tune (“I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now”) and the Charles Brown tune (“Lonely Boy”) represented the professional if conservative half of the set.

Gerry Mulligan Info : The material, (on “Jeru”) chosen by mutual consent of the players, comes from a wide variety of sources. The bossa nova “Capricious” and the lazy, insinuating “Inside Impromptu”, etc. etc. and, finally, there is Mulligan’s own “Blue Boy,” a wry commentary on the superfunk which often appears when saxophone player meets conga drummer.

Gerry Mulligan Info : The material, (on “Jeru”) chosen by mutual consent of the players, comes from a wide variety of sources. The bossa nova “Capricious” and the lazy, insinuating “Inside Impromptu”, etc. etc. and, finally, there is Mulligan’s own “Blue Boy,” a wry commentary on the superfunk which often appears when saxophone player meets conga drummer.

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