The Stardust Road - Hoagy Carmichael

Hong Kong Blues

The Stardust Road

Hoagy Carmichael
Decca Records DL 8588
1958

From the back cover: From Hoagland Carmichael, Attorney-At-Law, to Hoagy Carmichael, composer requires a great stretch of the imagination. But the two men are identical – for Hoagy Carmichael is a graduate lawyer and at one time practiced law in Florida.

Born in Bloomington, Indiana near the turn of the century, Hoagy learned to play piano by ear. At the law school of the University of Indiana he played in a three-piece college orchestra. During this time he composed two songs that were to attract much attention, "Riverboat Shuffle," and "Washboard Blues." Subsequently, the Wolverines, a popular band, recorded "Riverboat Shuffle," and still later Paul Whiteman recorded "Washboard Blues" which served to augment Hoagy's growing fame.

On graduating from law school, Hoagy turned down an offer to enter a New York music publishing house to practice law in Florida. When his shingle failed to attract many clients he returned to Indiana to join Jean Gold Kette's orchestra. Both "Star Dust" and "Rockin' Chair" were among the songs he wrote during this period.

After the band failed, Hoagy headed for Hollywood with his compositions – the very ones that were later to catapult him into popular acclaim.

From Billboard - June 2, 1958: This collection of Hoagy Carmichael songs includes a group of sides cut by the composer himself over the past decade or so. In his own individual style he pipes such favorites as "Stardust," "Hong Kong Blue," "Rockin' Chair," "Riverboat Shuffle," "Washboard Blues" and "My Resistance Is Low," Bands backing him include the Gordon Jenkins and Glen Gray crew. And on many of the sides Carmichael plays the piano with rhythm accompaniment. There's as audience for this art.

Hong Kong Blues
Star Dust
Rockin' Chair
Riverboat Shuffle
Old Buttermilk Sky
Huggin' And Chalkin'
The Old Music Master
Judy
Washboard Blues
Little Old Lady
Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief
My Resistance Is Low