Re: [Harp-L] Sonny Terry and Finian's Rainbow

[Tom Ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

> L.J. Rose wrote:
> I joined your group in order to help research the music for a local
> production of Finian's Rainbow, the Broadway show.  The original score
> has a long harmonica solo segment written and performed by Sonny Terry,
> but I'm unable to track down a recording of that piece (it was a dance
> number called "Susan's Dance".)  I've investigated a number of cast
> recordings on Amazon, but so far no luck.  If anyone here can point me
> in the right direction to a recording,  I'd be very grateful.
-----------

Hi L.J. and welcome aboard.

There was indeed a cast recording made of the 1947 version of 
Finian's Rainbow, but Sonny only appears on one song, and only plays 
during the intro of it. The song is entitled "This Time Of Year." The 
recording dates from March 30, 1947, and was released on a few 
Columbia 78RPMs (4385M; 4393M; MM686-2.) At one point an LP was also 
issued (Columbia ML 4062,) and there appears to be a CD reissue 
here:  http://tinyurl.com/finianCD

The flip side of this 78 is by the David Wayne Orchestra and features 
another, different song from the play ("When I'm Not Near The Girl I 
Love.")

In the original 1947 Finian's Rainbow Playbill, there is no mention 
of a "Susan's Dance." However there is a mention of a piece called 
"Dance o' the Golden Crock," which identifies the dancer as Anita 
Alvarez, "accompanied by Sonny Terry."  This is the only mention of 
Sonny in the credits, and Anita Alvarez' character is indeed named 
Susan -- so one might surmise that the two pieces are the same?

Unfortunately though, according to both my own research and to Chris 
Smith's exhaustively complete book, "That's The Stuff -- The 
Recordings of Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, Stick McGhee and J.C. 
Burris" (Housay Press, 1999,) no recordings (with Sonny) were ever 
made of songs called either "Susan's Dance" or "Dance o' the Golden 
Crock."

If it's any help, in person Sonny often told a story from the stage 
about playing in Finian's Rainbow, then followed it up with what he 
said was the song he played -- it was a variation of his famous 
Hootin' Blues, filled with whoops and hollers....

Good luck and all best wishes,

Tom Ball
Santa Babs
http://www.tomball.us