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Moanin' Low

Libby Holman

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This record was produced in New York City in June 1929 featuring Libby Holman vocals, accompanied by "The Cotton Pickers" consisting of Phil Napoleon (or Red Nichols) trumpet, Miff Mole trombone, Jimmy Lytell ? clarinet, Frank Trumbauer c-melody sax & leader, Rube Bloom piano, Harry Reser banjo, and Joe Tarto bass brass.

*"Moanin' Low" was composed by Ralph Rainger, with lyrics by Howard Dietz.

Introduced by Libby Holman in Dietz & Rainger's 1929 musical revue "The Little Show" this song was included in the score to the original theatrical production. The show gave its debut performance on April 30th 1929 at New York's Music Box Theater.

With the tremendous Broadway success of "The Little Show" as its star it wasn't long before Libby Holman was summoned to the studio to make obligatory recordings of hits from the production accompanied by the "Colonial Club Orchestra" which included "Moanin' Low" and it's flip side "Can't We Be Friends ?" But it was "Moanin' Low" that would become her signature song as Libby continued to grasp toward the fleeting success of the stage, all-the-while establishing herself further as a legendary torch singer.

Later that year Miss Holman had a unique opportunity to record "Moanin' Low" again, this time backed by a band representative of the finest white jazz musicians New York City at that time had to offer. Led by c-melody saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer the legendary studio group "The Cotton Pickers" provided an intensely tranquil atmosphere from which to cultivate the fantastic expressive energy and vocal range of the temperamental Broadway star. -Matt Chauvin

-For another rendition of this song sung by Irving Kaufman Click Here.