Barbra to co-chair

29 January 2005

Craig Hall - BarbraNews.com

A special thanks to Steven Housman for this article:

A Family Affair
A Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen
By Steven M. Housman

Ever since the attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, I have become more and more aware of how important and united we are as a nation. Sure, the last election divided us more than I’d like to say, but I think the reason we are so divided is because since that horrible day three and a half years ago, we have all become much more passionate about our country. Passion delivers very strong emotions, so this explains the red states and the blue states. I honestly don’t believe people voted for George W. Bush because they don’t care about this country. Quite the contrary, I think people came out to vote in record numbers this past November because they do care about this country. Whether you agree with the President or not, (just for the record, I don’t) you can’t ignore the fact that the citizens of this country are patriotic.

By now, I know what you must be saying, ‘What in the world does all of this have to do with this music column?’ Well, the reason I have carted out and reviewed the Great American Songbook so much over the past few years is to show my support for this great nation of ours. The best way I know how is through great American music and its creators and interpreters.

My latest profile on Harold Arlen is no exception. Harold Arlen was one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century. For the past two years, his son Sam Arlen, with his music company S.A. Music Co. that was formed in 1996, has been coordinating a celebration to honor Harold Arlen for what would have been his 100th birthday on February 15, 2005. Sam comments, “Because his name is not as well known as his compositions, our goal with the 2005 Centennial Celebration of Harold Arlen is to bring attention to Harold’s enormous catalog of music, to connect the Arlen name with the standards everyone knows so well and the rich body of music he contributed to the 20th century.”

Just so you know how significant Harold Arlen’s music is, the centennial celebration will feature events in cities across the nation and around the world, including all-star gala concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl; major exhibitions and retrospectives through premier cultural institutions like the Lincoln Center and the Library of Congress; and several touring productions at key performing arts centers, concert halls, and festivals. Sam is spearheading the celebration; joining him as co-chairs are Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Michael Feinstein and Marilyn Bergman.

One of the celebrations will be at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert on February 20th. It’s titled Over the Rainbow, a show celebrating a “Century of Harold Arlen” starring Tom Wopat and Faith Prince. This multi-media and musical concert offers a look at Arlen’s life with behind-the-scenes clips from The Wizard of Oz, home movies and photos. Tom Wopat performed at the McCallum in “Chicago,” and Faith Prince won Tony Awards for “Bells are Ringing” and “Guys and Dolls.”

In coordination with the events, Sam’s way of celebrating the 100th anniversary of his father’s birth was to release a new album in tribute titled Arlen Plays Arlen. The CD is produced by Joan Arlen, Sam Arlen and Edd Miller. It was arranged and conducted by Richie Iacona.

Sam is a gifted and well respected tenor saxophone player and bandleader, and through his company, he rounded up some of the best musicians in the business to collaborate with him on this tribute album. He says, “It’s always been a dream of mine to record a big band album. Like Harold, I’ve always loved to perform. In my late teens and early twenties, I performed with various bands at notable New York venues including the Roseland Ballroom. I loved the excitement and the music that seemed such a part of me.”

If you’re a fan of big band music and jazz, you will absolutely love this collection of thirteen Harold Arlen classics which include the Academy Award-winning song of 1939, “Over the Rainbow,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Stormy Weather,” “Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home,” a fantastic medley of “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead/If I Only Had A Brain” and a favorite of mine and many “It’s A New World” featuring Harold Arlen on vocals. The song has always been an Arlen family favorite, so Sam, his wife Joan, and Harold’s 1955 recording, have been remixed with all three of them on the final cut of the album. It’s a true family affair. Ah, technology. For those who may not know, “It’s A New World” was Arlen’s first collaboration with Ira Gershwin since their work twenty years prior on the musical Life Begins at 8:40. Arlen wrote this composition for A Star Is Born with Judy Garland in mind. To demonstrate her vocal abilities, they also composed the film’s most recognized song, “The Man That Got Away.”

It’s no wonder that Garland always referred to Arlen as her favorite songwriter. Her repertoire was practically all Arlen compositions. The sentiments have been repeated by Streisand throughout her career, as well. Every legendary singer has covered many Harold Arlen classics, including Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. To this day, his compositions continue to be covered by the most contemporary popular artists.

Since you’re more familiar with the songs than the man himself, here is a brief overview of this fascinating artist. Harold Arlen was born Hyman Arluck on February 15, 1905 and died April 23, 1986. He wrote some of the greatest hits from the 30's and 40's, including the entire score to the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Songs such as the aforementioned “Over the Rainbow,” “Get Happy,” “Stormy Weather,” “It's Only a Paper Moon,” “I've Got the World on a String,” and “Last Night When We Were Young” are just some of the standards that live on today and have distinguished Harold Arlen as one of the Great American Composers of the 20th Century. With over 400 songs to his credit, it is impossible to mention every song and show ever written by Harold Arlen in this column.
Incidentally, “Over the Rainbow” was named the Number One Song of the 20th Century by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), and also claimed the Number One spot for the American Film Institute’s One Hundred Years - One Hundred Songs which aired on CBS last June. Five Harold Arlen songs altogether made that list, more than any other composer.

Whether you’re a fan of big band, jazz, and Harold Arlen’s compositions, this is one show you shouldn’t miss. If you can’t make it to one of the celebrations, I urge you to pick up the CD, Arlen Plays Arlen - it’s gorgeous. If you can do both, even better! I am a huge fan of pop music, so when I listen to big band and jazz instrumentals, they have to be top-notch. I assure you this CD is a classic, and one that is sure to send you “where happy little bluebirds fly.”

Last, but not least, thank you Harold Arlen for the joy you have brought this world through your amazing music. It will live on forever in our hearts and in our minds.

www.StevenHousman.com