(NBC Late Night, 1956 - 1957) [Ernie Kovacs was brought in on Monday and Tuesday nights only, to relieve overworked Steve Allen who was hosting three nights (Wed - Fri), and who also had his own show Sunday nights at the time...]
[as per entry in "Rags & Ragtime--a Musical History" -- ML 3561, R33J29, this piece is based upon "Rialto Ripples" co-written by the teenage George Gershwin with Walter Donaldson. Comparison of the melodies verifies that indeed, the "A" themes of both pieces are nearly identical (only the bridge and overall tempo was changed to protect the guilty.) Rialto Ripples strolls along at a leisurely tempo, but "Oriental Blues" is more of a ragtime romp, with added comedic sound effects during the bridge; Although the erstwhile "composer" of the piece is listed as Jack Newlon who also promoted and published it, credit for arranging "Oriental Blues" is given to Billy James. Jack Newlon was also the original music publisher.] Adapters/Arrangers: Richard Jackson ("Jack") Newlon (ASCAP), and arranged by Billy James (ASCAP) Original Publisher: Jack Newlon Pub. Co. (ASCAP) of Glenside, PA Later Publishers: Damian Music Publishing Co. (ASCAP), and Mokell Music (ASCAP) 1997 Publishers: Damian Music Publishing Co. (ASCAP), and Mokell Music (ASCAP) Copyright Date: Renewal Date: Recordings: 78rpm single: Decca 29183 Tony De Simone Trio 45rpm single: Epic 9059 Tony De Simone also recorded by Jan August
Composers: music by Leroy Alvin Holmes (ASCAP) and lyric by Ernie Kovacs (ASCAP) [professional name of Ernest Edward Kovacs] 1978 Publisher: [listed without publisher in the 1978 ASCAP Index of Performed Compositions] 1997 Publisher: [listed without publisher in the 1997 ASCAP ACE Repertoire database] Copyright Date: Renewal Date: Recordings: