Kid from Brooklyn – Danny Kaye

This collection of vintage material contains several of Danny Kaye's appearances on a variety of Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) programs circa the early- to mid-'40s, broadcast to the women and men overseas during World War II. Kaye joined host Eddie Cantor, Bea Wain and Dinah Shore among others on the debut of Command Performance March 1, 1942. Kaye was currently starring in the Cole Porter musical Let's Face It (1941) and for this auspicious occasion performs the tongue-in-cheek "Pavlova." His dramatic abilities are perfectly suited to the tale of a Russian dancer. It's little wonder as the original comedic number was penned by his wife, Sylvia Fine, who wrote a great deal of his routines. She also developed "Stanivslasky," heard here during a guest spot on Personal Album. "Accentuate the Positive" hails from the same show, as Kaye ably exhibits his seemingly effortless penchant for unfathomable oral acrobatics. In fact, the first 20 seconds of his rapid-fire opening is worth the price of admission alone. His capacity as a competent crooner should not be overlooked and is displayed throughout the ten-song Kid From Brooklyn (2004), most notably on the lyrical love ballad "Eileen" as well as "Deenah." The latter comes off of the August 19, 1944 installment of Command Performance. Lightening the mood once again are the satirical albeit accurate "Parody on Classical Music" and another bout of limber linguistics on "Minnie the Moocher." Concluding the festivities are a duet coupling Dinah Shore's dulcet tones with Kaye's bombastic interjections on "Tess' Torch Song" from the March 29, 1944 edition of Mail Call. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide