Wow - these guys know what they're doing.
That was the first thought as I unwrapped the jeweled treasure that is Bobby Darin, "Aces Back to Back" released by Hyena Records this month (Come September). Bobby Darin gets the full-on A-one celebrity treatment with this CD-DVD double-disc package of his on-vinyl history.
The majority of these are NOT the original recordings, and that is a welcome plus. It's a masterful welding of the old and the new. The bonus digital DVD is, ironically, there to show scratched-up, black and white, previously undocumented documentary footage. As well as on-stage performances of eight songs including, "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and, yes, "Mack the Knife."
George Burns, maybe in his early 60s, talks bout taking Bobby Darin on the road, just before Mack the Knife pierced a nation's conscience.
"Mack ..." can considered the first gangsta rock n' roll song. It's got swagger in spades (and hearts, clubs and diamonds - in that ascending order). It was Bobby Darin's only No. 1, also earning a Grammy in 1959.
Now on the sidewalk … uuh, huh … whoo … sunny mornin’ … huh
Lies a body just oozin' life … eeek!
And someone’s sneakin' ‘round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
A-there's a tugboat … huh, huh, huh … down by the river
don’tcha know
Where a cement bag’s just a'droopin' on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky’s back in town.
Now, d'ja hear ‘bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?
...
He didn't have quite the good looks or the mystique of a Frank Sinatra (who also sang a version of Mack the Knife). But Bobby Darin clearly had more fun singing. Yet, not having mystique is different from having a veil of mystery to his personal history. Darin's wasn't an A-to-B-to-C type person.
Article comments
1 - Sim Flora
I enjoyed reading your article. I'd like to find out who wrote Darin's arrangement of Mack the Knife. Any ideas or sources I should check. Thanks--S. Flora
2 - Temple Stark
I can find it, if you're willing to wait a few hours until I get home and look at the CD again.
3 - Sim Flora
Thanks for the help. I found one source that said Richard Wess arranged it. If you can corroborate that information I'd appreciate it. Thanks--S. Flora
4 - Temple Stark
Who wrote? It was Marc Blitzein, E. Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill.
there are two versions of Mack the Knife on this set, one on CD, one on DVD.
At first glance it doesn not reveal who arranged this version. It was either Russ Robinson or, as you say, Richard Wess was a common collaborator
google any of these names and mack the knife for more info. And I'll update tomorrow. er today.
Cheers.
5 - Ava
I would like to know who wrote and who arranged the song "Weeping Willow" -- it is one of Bobby D's most haunting performances --. The black and white lost footage on the DVD is poor quality. I wish there were more --. He is just amazing.