Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Miles Davis

Old Devil Moon

First performed by Ella Logan & Donald Richards (1947).
First recorded by Charley Spivak & His Orchestra (1947).
Hit versions by Margaret Whiting (US #11 1947), Gene Krupa & His Orchestra (US #21 1947).
Also recorded by Miles Davis (1954), Sarah Vaughn (1954), Frank Sinatra (1956), Chet Baker (1958).

From the wiki: “‘Old Devil Moon’ was composed by Burton Lane, with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow. It was introduced on stage by Ella Logan and Donald Richards. It was first recorded for commercial release by Charley Spivak & His Orchestra. Singer Margaret Whiting spent six weeks on the Billboard music chart in 1947 with her cover recording, from the Margaret Whiting Sings album, peaking at #11.

“Gene Krupa & His Orchestra, with a vocal by Carolyn Grey, also charted in 1947 with an arrangement of ‘Old Devil Moon’.

“Miles Davis recorded a popular instrumental version in 1954 for his Miles Davis Quartet 10″ album that would be reissued two years later, with additional tracks, on the compilation album, Blue Haze, in the new 12″ vinyl LP format.

“Another popular rendition of this song was recorded by Frank Sinatra, who included ‘Old Devil Moon’ on his 1956 Capitol Records LP Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!, an album that peaked at #1 in the UK. Sarah Vaughn and Chet Baker also recorded vocal arrangements for popular albums, released in 1954 and 1958 respectively.”