Artist: William Gillespie
Author: Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer
Label: WB
Year: 1941
As the dramatic monologue of a prisoner in film Hot Nocturne, retitled Blues In The Night all for this song's obvious hit-value, before the film was even released.
Covers:
Jimmie Lunceford [in the same film]
Artie Shaw [first release (Victor)]
Charlie Barnet [for Bluebird]
Judy Garland [for Decca]
Dinah Shore [millionseller]
Benny Goodman [vocal: Peggy Lee]
Paul Weston [vocals: coauthor Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers]
Mel Tormé [8 minute version]
Van Morrison [with Georgie Fame]
Nicholas Payton [with Dr. John and Dianne Reeves]
Probably the most famous Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer collaboration. Combines all the classic ingredients of the all American songbook: the night, trains, loneliness and place names.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)