Search - Eddie Cantor :: Radio Songs 30's I

Live! Cantor At His Peak

Christopher J. Clay | Cold Spring, KY USA | 04/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very valuable collection of Cantor radio recordings from the mid-1930's, when he was broadcasting for Texaco and Pebeco. Following on the historic Chase and Sanborn release of a few years ago, this is an album of songs-only and includes some Cantor hits from the 1930's that have never been available in any medium -- "Try a Little Tenderness" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," to name but two. The technical quality of this album reflects the major advances that had been made in live recording by the mid-1930's and the results are generally dazzling. This album gives a glimpse of how effectively Cantor communicated with his Depression-era audience and the genuine enthusiasm that he super-injected into every performance. While those looking for the standard Cantor fare like "If You Knew Susie" and "Margie" will be largely disappointed, this is a must for the Cantor fan and for the old-time radio afficionado. Album also includes rare recording of Cantor singing his composition "Merrily We Roll Along," which has been the Looney Toons theme song since 1937, as well as a poignant recollection by Cantor, recorded in 1961, concerning this famous melody."