Customer Reviews

The Pied Piper of Happiness

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This CD features Ted Lewis performing big-band versions of many great songs. "I'm Stepping Out With A Memory Tonight" (mistitled on the CD) is worth the price of the whole disk. If you have not heard him before you may at first be put off by the way he talks as much as sings. Stick with it and you will soon be a convert. His biography is in print and is titled ME AND MY FATHER'S SHADOW.

Ted ( Friedmann) Lewis was an old - time clarinetist, bandleader and entertainer. My father, the late Reuben Kelly Freedman of blessed memory took tremendous enjoyment from him, especially from his great number 'Me and my Shadow'. To my surprise this great song is not on any of the disks of his which I have seen.
Instead this collection features another of his greatest numbers, one he wrote the lyrics for , "The Sunny Side of the Street".
Ted slowly strutted his way along with battered high- hat blacktails and more talking - than- singing would give a truly delightful rendition of this great song.
Here are its words just for the pleasure of seeing and perhaps hearing them again.
"Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street

Can't you hear the pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade with those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid because this rover crossed over!

And if I never had a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
With gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street



I used to walk in the shade with those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid because this rover crossed over!

And if I never had a cent
I'd be rich as *Harry Belafonte*
With *Barry Goldwater* at my feet
On the sunny side of the street