Blackhurst and Stritch's "The Music of Hoagy Carmichael" Arrives in Stores June 17

By Andrew Gans
June 17, 2008

"Dreaming of a Song—The Music of Hoagy Carmichael" is the title of the newest recording from cabaret favorite Klea Blackhurst — best known for her award-winning Ethel Merman tribute, Everything the Traffic Will Allow — and 42nd Street's Billy Stritch.

Ghostlight Records releases the new CD, which boasts Stritch as musical director and piano accompanist, June 17 in stores and on line.

Joel Moss produced the recording, which features such Carmichael tunes as "Star Dust," "Heart and Soul," "Skylark, "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief, "My Resistance Is Low," "Walk It Off," "I Walk With Music" and "Come Easy Go Easy Love." Stritch also solos on "Georgia On My Mind."

In a statement Blackhurst said, "Hoagy Carmichael's melodies don't always go where I expect them to, but they always sound just right. He provided a treasure chest of gold for us to play with. What strikes me most is a phenomenon that Hoagy himself recognized: 'You don't write melodies,' he said 'you find them. They lie there on the keys waiting... They have always been there.' His songs do indeed seem to have always been there. Can you imagine a world that didn't have 'Heart and Soul'? This project has brought so much joy into my life. I hope listeners will feel the same."

The recording also features Steve Doyle on bass, Mike Berkowitz on drums and Blackhurst on ukulele.

For more information visit www.GhostlightRecords.com or www.sh-k-boom.com.