[Dixielandjazz] Magnolia's Wedding Day

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Cliff,
Further to my reply to your urgent request earlier this morning  
(Sydney, Australia time) here are some details regarding this song  
which you may (or may not) know.
It was composed in 1928 by composer Jimmy McHugh and lyricist Dorothy  
Fields for 'Lew Leslie's 'Blackbirds of 1928', one of Broadway's  
longest running shows (518 performances  at the Liberty Theatre on  
42nd Street) which also included the 'hit' songs "I Can't Give You  
Anything But Love", "Diga Diga Doo", "Porgy", "Doin' the New Low- 
Down", "I Must Have That Man", "Baby" and "Bandana Babies".
Florence Mills was to be the star, but her untimely death prior to  
rehearsals prevented this.
But two other stars emerged from the production: Adelaide Hall and  
Bill Robinson supported by a cast of 100 including principals Aida  
Ward, Tim Moore, Mantan Moreland, Cecil Mack and Nina Mae McKinney  
plus the Plantation Orchestra.
Your comment ".....and, knowing that I'm in touch with such a plethora  
of wonderfully helpful folks in just such emergencies as this, has  
appealed to me - now don't get me wrong - I don't fancy him  
(sniggering leer)" may be 'closer to home' than you realised.
"Magnoli'a Wedding Day" closed the first half with a 'mock' wedding  
featuring a male bride (Blue McAllister)!
The only early recording of the song (without vocal) was recorded for  
Brunswick on 14 August 1929 by Lew Leslie's Blackbirds Orchestra (The  
Plantation Orchestra). It has only been reissued, so far as I know, on  
Harrison LP (LP-R). Which I have.
The tune was revived by Chris Barber's Jazz Band and recorded for Nixa  
on 25 September 1955.
Other groups followed with recordings including: the New Harlem Jazz  
Band (Australia) 1972, Monty Sunshine (UK) 1977, New Black Eagle Jazz  
Band (US) 1981, Keith Nichols (piano solo UK) 1987, DJML lurker Mike  
Durham and His West Jesmond Rhythm Kings (UK) 1987 [I have their 1996  
version], Hot Five Jazzmakers with ex-DJMLer Brian Towers (Canada)  
1990 and Hal Smith (US) 1998.
I have yet to hear a vocal version.
So far as the "bewhiskered cheese sandwich, a genuine relic left over  
from last Christmas" is concerned. Leave it there and I will pick it  
up next time we visit England.
Very kind regards,
Bill.