Almost Like Being in Love

___________________________________

Almost Like Being in Love (m. Frederick Loewe, w. Alan Jay Lerner) was introduced by David Brooks and Marion Bell in the musical Brigadoon. Gene Kelly sang it in the 1954 film version.

From Wikipedia:

The song was made popular by David Brooks and Marion Bell in the 1947 musical Brigadoon. It was later performed in the 1954 film version by Gene Kelly.

There were three hit versions of the song in the United States in 1947. Frank Sinatra’s version was the highest charting at #20. Mildred Bailey and Mary Martin both charted with the song at #21 that year.^[1]

Nat King Cole recorded more than one version of the song, including a later version that was used as the closing song in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day which starred Bill Murray. Cole’s version, in the key of G major like the original, features a ii–V–I turnaround (2-5-1) in G, a pair of similar 2-5-1 sequences in E major and D major for the bridge, after which it raises the refrain a half-step with a 2-5-1 in A flat major.

The song was revived in a downbeat ballad version by singer Michael Johnson (#32, 1978).^[2]

___________________

David Brooks and Marion Bell — from the Brigadoon Original Broadway Cast album, originally released in May 1947

.

Frank Sinatra with orchestra conducted by Axel Stordahl — recorded on 31 March 1947; issued in June 1947 on the 78 rpm single Columbia 37382, b/w “There But For You Go I”

.

Mary Martin with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians — recorded on 22 July 1947; issued on Decca 24156, as the B-side of “Come to the Mardi Gras”

.

Nat King Cole — recorded on 28 January 1953 at Capitol Recording Studio, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, California; released on the 1953 10″ album Sings For Two in Love, (US) Capitol Records H 420, and in 1955 on the LP (presumably 12″) Capitol Records T420

personnel for the session:
Nat Cole (vocal), Nelson Riddle (arranger/conductor), Skeets Herfurt, Jack Dumont, William Skalak, Ted Nash, Joe Koch (saxes), Mannie Klein, Pete Candoli, Zeke Zarchy, Shorty Sherock (trumpet), Si Zentner, Milt Bernhart, Jimmy Priddy (trombone), Ed Kusby (trombone), Buddy Cole (piano), Jack Costanzo (congas), John Collins (guitar), Charlie Harris (bass), Lee Young (drums)

.

Album: Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet – this track recorded 7 October 1953, NYC — Sonny Rollins (ts) Milt Jackson (vib) John Lewis (p) Percy Heath (b) Kenny Clarke (d)

.

Lee Konitz and the Gerry Mulligan Quartet from Konitz Meets Mulligan, 1953 — Lee Konitz-as, Chet Baker-trp, Gerry Mulligan-bs, Carson Smith-b, Larry Bunker-d

.

Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio – recorded NYC, 4 August 1952 — Lester Young (ts) Oscar Peterson (p) Barney Kessel (g) Ray Brown (b) J.C. Heard (d), released on Lester Young: The President Plays With The Oscar Peterson Trio (Norgran MGN 1054)

.

Judy Garland

• Carnegie Hall, 23 April 1961 – “Almost Like Being in Love” / “This Can’t Be Love” medley, followed by a funny story

.

• Judy Garland Show, Episode #17, taped 20 December 1963

presently unavailable

____________________

• Judy Garland Show, Episode #22, taped 14 February 1964