CALIFORNIA HERE I COME

Created on 10/12/2005
Latest update on 16/11/2023

Artist: Al Jolson
Author: Buddy DeSylva/Al Jolson/Joseph Meyer
Label: Brunswick
Year: 1921

With coauthor Buddy DeSylva on ukelele in musical Bombo. New version by Jolson in film Rose Of Washington Square ('39), in '46 in The Jolson Story and in '49 in Jolson Sings Again. Bombo was the musical also introducing Toot Toot Tootsy and April Showers. California Here I Come was a last-minute addition when Al started touring with Bombo.

Covers:

1924:

Cliff Edwards [alias Ukelele Ike]

1924:

California Ramblers

1933:

Claude Hopkins

1960:

Freddy Cannon

1960:

Ray Charles

1977:

Tom Waits [in medley with Jack & Neal]

1982:

Mike Terry

Al Jolson got credits just for being so kind to cut the song. Like Elvis one generation later, Al wasn't particularly notorious for his songwriting. Still he shares coauthorship on some of the biggest Tin Pan Alley tunes ever.

Contact


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)

info@originals.be

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