The Forgotten Music

7. “A Taste Of Honey” by Bobby Scott and Rick Marlow (1960)
2:17
Apparently this song is known most popularly as an instrumental, which makes the sung “a taste of honey” parts even more intriguing. And apparently it’s a favorite of Paul McCartney who made it part of the Beatles repertoire for years. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

8. “Love Is Blue” (aka “L’amour est bleu”) by André Popp and Pierre Cour (1967)
2:28
I remember this tune being used in an episode of Millennium (as a brainwashing tool, no less!) and wishing they’d used this version instead. The ending has a melancholy quality that I love. According to Wikipedia, it is “noted as one of the most covered and biggest selling Eurovision Songs ever.”

9. “Autumn Leaves” (aka “Les feuilles mortes”) by Joseph Kosma and Jacques Prévert (1945)
2:32
Here is another older tune, which has become a jazz standard (sung by the likes of Diana Krall, for example). Thanks to Wikipedia, I now know that it is “the only piano instrumental to reach number one.” This was due to the Roger Williams version from 1955. The original French title was “Dead Leaves,” which suits the somber mood of this piece far better than the English translation. The ghostly voices also add to the effect.

10. “Come Back To Sorrento” (aka “Torna a Surriento”) by Giambattista De Curtis and Ernesto De Curtis (1905)
2:23
This one is the oldest of all, from 1905! It was originally composed in Italian but later translated to English. It’s been covered by a whole slew of people including Mario Lanza and Dean Martin. It bears its Italian origins on its accordion-playing sleeve.

11. “The Girl From Ipanema” by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes (1962)
2:18
Probably everyone knows “The Girl From Ipanema” and has heard countless covers of it over the years. But have you ever heard a version in which all the lyrics are whistled? This is that version. I like how some of the whistling is done in that vibrato, “old man” style. It makes this version seem even more quaint and antique.

12. Unknown
2:06
This is a jazzy, almost samba-sounding tune which I wish I knew the name of so badly. Someone has suggested Astrud Gilberto, but I don’t know enough of her music to say for sure.

13. Unknown
2:48
Of all the songs on this tape, this one is my favorite since it’s the most melancholy and unforgettable, with a stand-up bass sound that is exquisite. Sadly, I don’t know the name of it, either. The ending is elegiac, a perfect ending to a perfect series of forgotten pieces of music.

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Songs one through six

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