Great Sophie Tucker

If you did not know of her before, you will come to realize her importance in the 20th century musical sphere. She was dynamic. A tour-de-force performer.

Un phénomène de la chanson populaire. A la fois jazz, blues, gaudriole. Un tempérament hors du commun.Il faut commencer par Sophie.

Clever lyrics, highly amusing, Bette Midler you took on the mantle superbly. Ms Tucker could say what she thought, make you think you thought what she was saying and didn't swear once!

"Ma jiddische momme" von Sophie Tuckerist das Lied, das ich ( geb. 1931 ) erst etwa 1956 kennen lernte, ( indem ich ihre Langspielplatte aus den USA importierte ) - aber Sophie Tucker hat dieses Lied in Amerika ja schon VOR dem zweiten Weltkrieg gesungen !Das Lied ist für mich ein Symbol der Menschlichkeit !

Sophie was actually born Sonia Kalish in 1884 (but always known as Sophie), while her mother was in the process of migrating from Russia to America. The birth took place in Russia, near the Polish border, but they took another three months to reach Boston, where mother and father were re-united. Eventually, the family move south to Hartford, where they bought out a restaurant. This gave Sophie the chance to work as a child waitress, earning extra tips for her singing. From such humble beginnings, Sophie eventually emerged as a star of vaudeville. She became one of the biggest stars of her era, both in America, where she lived, and Britain, where she performed more often than one might expect, considering the difficulties of international travel in those days. Maybe she was able to perform her shows on board ship and if so, the time wasn't wasted.Covering the period from 1929 to 1937, plus one track from 1944, this compilation focuses on Sophie's later recordings. Sophie's records actually started appearing in the popular music charts in 1910, but those very early records were on wax cylinders, so I doubt that they'll appear on CD any time soon, if at all. Among those early cylinders were her first recording of Some of those days, which was a huge hit at the time and became her trademark song. Re-recordings of that song open and close this compilation, though neither of the recordings presented here were hits. Sophie's biggest hit with the song came via a version recorded with Ted Lewis and his band, which was a huge American hit early in 1927. The versions here are a later 1927 recording (with orchestra directed by Ted Shapiro) and a 1937 recording (with Harry Sosnik and his orchestra).In between the two featured versions of her trademark song, you'll find fifty other songs, all different, most of which have long since faded into obscurity, though there a few familiar songs among them. Songs by the famous composers of the era, which are so familiar to those who love the music of the era, are a rarity here although Sophie's excellent recordings of The man I love and The lady is a tramp (which song became Sophie's last American hit in 1937) are included, along with a duet version of April in Paris with Rudy Vallee, which has a long introduction. Of the other songs, My Yiddish Momme was Sophie's biggest hit to be included here and I've heard other versions of this song. I ain't got nobody (one of Sophie's B-sides) is a cover of a song previously popularized by Marion Harris, who had a huge hit with it in 1917 and again with a re-recorded version in 1921. While the other songs have, for the most part, faded into obscurity, they are definitely worth a listen, and were very likely written with Sophie's live performances in mind. Indeed, on some tracks, you'll hear Sophie speaking rather than singing, though she sings most of the time.This compilation provides a fascinating glimpse into a world that vanished even before I was born. As I write this review, it is the most comprehensive collection of Sophie Tucker's music yet released.

Sophie was actually born Sonia Kalish in 1884 (but always known as Sophie), while her mother was in the process of migrating from Russia to America. The birth took place in Russia, near the Polish border, but they took another three months to reach Boston, where mother and father were re-united. Eventually, the family move south to Hartford, where they bought out a restaurant. This gave Sophie the chance to work as a child waitress, earning extra tips for her singing. From such humble beginnings, Sophie eventually emerged as a star of vaudeville. She became one of the biggest stars of her era, both in America, where she lived, and Britain, where she performed more often than one might expect, considering the difficulties of international travel in those days. Maybe she was able to perform her shows on board ship and if so, the time wasn't wasted.Covering the period from 1929 to 1937, plus one track from 1944, this compilation focuses on Sophie's later recordings. Sophie's records actually started appearing in the popular music charts in 1910, but those very early records were on wax cylinders, so I doubt that they'll appear on CD any time soon, if at all. Among those early cylinders were her first recording of Some of those days, which was a huge hit at the time and became her trademark song. Re-recordings of that song open and close this compilation, though neither of the recordings presented here were hits. Sophie's biggest hit with the song came via a version recorded with Ted Lewis and his band, which was a huge American hit early in 1927. The versions here are a later 1927 recording (with orchestra directed by Ted Shapiro) and a 1937 recording (with Harry Sosnik and his orchestra).In between the two featured versions of her trademark song, you'll find fifty other songs, all different, most of which have long since faded into obscurity, though there a few familiar songs among them. Songs by the famous composers of the era, which are so familiar to those who love the music of the era, are a rarity here although Sophie's excellent recordings of The man I love and The lady is a tramp (which song became Sophie's last American hit in 1937) are included, along with a duet version of April in Paris with Rudy Vallee, which has a long introduction. Of the other songs, My Yiddish Momme was Sophie's biggest hit to be included here and I've heard other versions of this song. I ain't got nobody (one of Sophie's B-sides) is a cover of a song previously popularized by Marion Harris, who had a huge hit with it in 1917 and again with a re-recorded version in 1921. While the other songs have, for the most part, faded into obscurity, they are definitely worth a listen, and were very likely written with Sophie's live performances in mind. Indeed, on some tracks, you'll hear Sophie speaking rather than singing, though she sings most of the time.This compilation provides a fascinating glimpse into a world that vanished even before I was born. As I write this review, it is the most comprehensive collection of Sophie Tucker's music yet released.

Born Sonia Kalish in 1884,young Sonia's parents immigrated from eastern Europe and eventually moved to Connecticut.Young Sophie and her sister Anna used to entertain customers at her fathers restaurant.After marrying and inevitably divorcing,Sophie took a shot and hit the bricks in New York trying to obtain work.It was a struggle until she was discovered by a local booking agent who felt ,due to her plainness,that she put on blackface.She debuted as "The World Reknowned Coon Shouter" and was a big hit.1909 saw her performing in the current "Ziegfeld Follies" and throughout the teens and into the early 20s Sophie never looked back,becaming a legitimate star on the stage.She had a distinctive style and ability to engage her audiences,and her popularity grew tremendously.In 1921 Sophie would hire a young piano player Ted Shapiro,who would remain with Sophie until the end of her life(He can be heard on many of the recordings here).The next year Sophie was to travel to England which would begin an audience/performer love affair that was to wain very little over time.She would return over and over again to the British shores to perform,either by design or when bookings in North America started to get a little thin.The 1930s saw her debut in film in England along with a command performance for the reigning King and Queen.During the war Sophie was a tireless performer appearing wherever she could to lift the spirits of the fighting men.She never left the hearts and minds of her fans and gained many new fans over the ensuing years until her death.A tireless and gutsy performer Sophie was gracious to all,with no airs to speak of.She left us in 1966;gone but never forgotten.Like Sophie,many of her original fans are pretty much gone but she has no lack of new ones.This CD is a fitting tribute and as of this writing,is the best available compilation out there.There are a total of 52(!)tracks here and all have been given the velvet glove treatment.Jasmine has gone the extra mile to obtain some very good recording copies here and have applied the CEDAR process judiciously to them to create her music as it should be;as close to the original sound as possible and with a warm immediacy that must be heard to be appreciated.Included with this wonderful double CD is a nice bio and recording dates for each song.Everyone has their faves,mine being "No one man is going to worry me".Included are some great gems including a clip from a Rudy Vallee radio program(Rudy Vallee is NOT a place between two mountains!).It was done just after her return from her command performance in England and she sings "April in Paris".Sophie's growl to the title of the song "Oh,you have no idea",is typical Tucker.I recommend this 2-CD set highly to all.It brings to life some of the best recordings Sophie ever did and they sound the best I have ever heard.Sophie's memory shines ever the brighter in this must have set!