Can't we be friends - Swift, James (1929) - Ukulele chord-melody w. pdf

Can’t we be friends (1929) - music by K. Swift, lyrics by P. James, written for “The Little Show,” where its stage debut was sung by Libby Holman. Kay Swift and Paul James were a couple, and a couple of interesting specimens. James’s real name was James Paul Warburg. A scion of the famous Warburg clan, well known in both the world of finance and in art history (see under Warburg Institute, University of London), he grew up in an atmosphere of high intellectual and social achievement including, in his case, the role of financial adviser to FDR. It’s not certain why he decided to disguise his identity as his wife’s lyricist; maybe there was a sense that the work was beneath him. Kay Swift, for her part, was a highly trained composer and a great pianist and sight-reader who eventually became a close friend, amanuensis, and lover to George Gershwin. When he died, she probably knew more about him, and his approach to composition, than anyone. And she lived for a long time (1897-1993). See: Vicki Ohl: “Fine and Dandy: The life and work of Kay Swift,” Mitchell James Kaplan: “Rhapsody,” Katherine Weber: “The Memory of All That: George Gershwin, Kay Swift, and My Family’s Legacy of Infidelities.”

The starting point would be the recording by Libby Holman, but youtube also has a very interesting version put out by the Kay Swift Trust, with the composer at the piano. Both of these, especially the one with Swift, are on the slow side, or slower. But, like most of the songs of this era, the tempo has always been open season. It was picked up and redone several times in 1929 alone, with the speed anywhere from easy-going to lickety-split. Among the early interpreters: Red Nichols, Ray Ventura, Smith Ballew, The Georgians, Bing Crosby, Sam Wooding, Hollywood Dance Orchestra. Later covers: Leo Reisman, Scrappy Lambert, Ray Noble, Jack Hylton, Benny Goodman, Sammy Kaye, John Kirby, Lester Young, Red Norvo, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass & Jimmy Rowles, Mildred Bailey, Frank Sinatra (verse), Illinois Jacquet, Gene Ammons, Jane Powell, Anita O’Day, Art Tatum, Betty Carter, Sylvia Syms, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Karrin Allyson, John Pizzarelli, Linda Ronstadt, Sammy Davis Jr., Wild Bill Davidson, Thomas Quasthoff.

It has also been used in eight films, and Second Hand Songs has 183 listings. The first recording I heard, years ago, was the one by Betty Carter. She’s great, but one of a kind. I guess my favourite would be the Louis Armstrong / Ella Fitzgerald.

pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Om6x...