'S Wonderful

"'S Wonderful" is a popular song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics written by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Funny Face (1927) by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns.

The song is considered a standard and has been recorded by many artists, especially jazz artists. In 1928, Adele Astaire, who introduced the song on stage the previous year, recorded one of the earliest versions with Bernard Clifton. Other vocal versions include those of Brian Wilson, Anita O'Day, Gene Kelly, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Joe Williams, John Pizzarelli, Sarah Vaughan, Karrin Allyson, Diana Krall, João Gilberto and Engelbert Humperdinck. There have also been purely instrumental recordings, for example, by Dave Grusin, Ray Conniff, Lee Konitz and Lennie Tristano, Sonny Stitt, and Lionel Hampton with Oscar Peterson.

The song was included in the 1951 movie An American in Paris, where it was sung by Gene Kelly and Georges Guétary, as well as in the 1957 American musical film Funny Face, in which it was performed by Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Doris Day also sang it in Starlift (1951) and Dean Martin sang it during the opening credits of the 1964 film Kiss Me, Stupid.

'S Wonderful (album)

'S Wonderful is a 1956 album by Ray Conniff, his orchestra and (wordless) chorus. It was his first album released under his name. The album was produced completely in Mono by Mitch Miller at Columbia Records' 30th Street Studios in New York City.

Recording dates*:

November 11, 1955: Stardust / Begin The Beguine (to be released as a single first)

March 26, 1956: Dancing In The Dark / That Old Black Magic

June 15, 1956: September Song / Speak Low / I Get A Kick Out Of You / Sometimes I'm Happy

June 18, 1956: 'S Wonderful / Wagon Wheels / I'm An Old Cowhand / Sentimental Journey (* the dates refer to Ray Conniff's diaries)

Reception

The Allmusic review by William Ruhlmann awarded the album 4.5 stars stating "Conniff updated the big band sound to the '50s, retaining its danceable tempos and building upon the unison section innovations of Glenn Miller...Employing standards with familiar melodies, the imaginativeness of his work became all the more noticeable."

Track listing

References