Episodes

  • “Tea for Two”

    “Tea for Two”
    Mar 2 2021
    The story of "Tea For Two," an old fashioned 1920's standard transformed into a modern musical miracle by a master of jazz improvisation, Anita O'Day.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

    “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
    Dec 8 2020

    For this special holiday episode of Let’s Face The Music, we discover the origin of the happiest sad Christmas song. First introduced by Judy Garland, the song was recorded three times by Frank Sinatra – most shockingly for a war film, soundtracking a brutal execution scene.

    Sources:
    Chris Willman, “The history of a popular holiday song,” January 8, 2007
    Seamus Sweeney, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: The Execution Scene from The Victors,” December 20, 2018

    Audio
    Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, Fresh Air, NPR 1989
    Hugh Martin, Fresh Air, NPR 2006

    Judy Garland Lux Radio Theater, December 2, 1946
    Judy Garland The Judy Garland Show, December 22, 1963
    Frank Sinatra “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1949
    Frank Sinatra “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1957
    Frank Sinatra “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1963
    Dave Brubeck “The Trolley Song,” 1955
    Percy Faith, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 1966

    Theme Songs
    “Let”s Face The Music And Dance,” Ella Fitzgerald, 1958
    “Let”s Face The Music And Dance,” Nelson Riddle, 1966
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”

    “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”
    Nov 24 2020
    From the tragic tale of a talent taken too soon to a dream of 1950's desegregation, the story of George and Ira Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me."
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • “My Favorite Things”

    “My Favorite Things”
    Nov 10 2020
    Let's Face The Music looks at the evolution of "My Favorite Things," from Broadway hit to avant-garde jazz single to film musical sensation.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • “Strange Fruit”

    “Strange Fruit”
    Oct 27 2020
    Let's Face The Music looks at the writing, recording, and legacy of Billie Holiday's anti-lynching anthem, "Strange Fruit."
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins