Ella Fitzgerald

There’s A Small Hotel
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There’s A Small Hotel

Today’s song dates from 1936. There’s A Small Hotel was written by Rodgers and Hart and was included in the musical On Your Toes. It also featured in the 1957 film version of Pal Joey. There’s A Small Hotel has been performed by many artists both as a slow, jazzy number and in a more up tempo version, but it’s Ella Fitzgerald’s version which I know best and which I’ve tried to recreate with my performance.

There are more songs from the 1930s here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my September songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/theres-a-small-hotel

It’s Only A Paper Moon
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It’s Only A Paper Moon

Today’s song dates from 1933. Written by Arlen, Harburg and Rose, It’s Only A Paper Moon first appeared in the unsuccessful Broadway play The Great Magoo, and then was used in the film Take A Chance. It grew in popularity when versions by Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald were recorded in the 1940s.

There are more songs from the 1930s here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my September songs here.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pentleton/its-only-a-paper-moon/s-rUk6m