Puttin' On The Ritz - The Clevelanders, 1930

[@garyplummer621]

This is the real thing not like it is today...great instrumentals in the background and great vocal also....love it all

[@bobboscarato1313]

It was a big winner back in the day but I like it a lot now in 2022,-

[@240252]

Thank you! That tune is outstanding for me too! It's completely off balance, staggering, with these amazing delayed syncopes... it's most provocative in every sense. I don't find any tune from that time that can be compared with this work of some Paganini of a hot dance era! Therefore in the clip's end I placed a slightly "devilish" photo, which expresses all my amazement and almost fear with that kind of a "roaring" genius

[@Vlad_in_the_Dale]

That is Fantomas! )))

[@williambilyeu9801]

It sounds like the Fred Richman version from the 1930 film "Puttin' On the Ritz." I prefer the Fred Astaire version, and Ray Bolger and Ann Miller to a nice version.

[@cathyl4953]

I prefer the Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle version in the movie Young Frankenstein....Puuuuttttinnnn onn the Reeeeeetz!​@@williambilyeu9801

[@OlymPigs2010]

...The Roaring 20's...what a Fun & Fabulously Fashionable Era!

[@luislaplume8261]

By 1920 my late grandmother was a newly wed adult woman in the upper middle class. 😊

[@JoyceRich-x3q]

Love these ❤old songs so much

[@smurfswacker]

Nice lively version of this tune, with an excellent choice of illustrations. Its energy reminded me of the exchange between the Rhythm Boys in their version of the song: "Look at all those people puttin' on the ritz!" "You look. I'm too tired." Performed by the Clevelanders, approved by Fantomas. Unbeatable combination!

[@airmuseum]

I wish to thank you for the hours of enjoyment your music and photos are giving me as i deal with old age and its infirmities. You must be a very talented and sophisticated person.

[@bobbywimsy6741]

airmuseum Look up Betty Hutton, Annette Handshaw(or Handshaw), Guy Lombardo; just Google em! to lift your spirits, cheer you, and help you, thru music, transcend your travails, and, enfin, prevail.

[@bjbinmke]

It's nice to lose yourself in music when you can't actually go back, isn't it?

[@benzo4029]

Glorious talkie hit from 1930! I've heard thrilling Phil Spitalny foxtrots as by the Clevelanders, but I'd guess this one was by Jack Albin's orchestra. Thanks for sharing this grand 78!

[@everywherevlogs8912]

This is the original stuff l! LOVE IT !l This is my style music, for me! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼✌🏼🤓✌🏼🤘🏼🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊

[@MANFROMMARS46]

This is absolutely fabulous Gregory old chap. It's a totally brilliant video. I love the art deco artwork and the music is out of this world. Into my favourites it goes instantly and five stars +++.

[@silverstring9928]

Sounds like “Istanbul not Constantinople”, just the way the time lilts sometimes. Although to be fair, i should probably have said that the other way around

[@Jean-HubertGUILLOT]

Istanbul not constantinople is another version of this song

[@jenniferjoo3710]

oh! I also think that this song melody is similar to Istanbul is not Constaninople song. now I got it is the same melody with two song.

[@karlsonkab51]

besides whatever harmonic distortion richness was added inherently in the early electrics, those tubas really gave a propulsion to the rhythm

[@paullindemeyer3913]

Invariably just one tuba per band, of course :)

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

"PUTIN ON THE RITZ"?!!!... LOL... Lovely tune, and the "graphics" precious, as usual. You are a MASTER! Thanks once more -:))

[@Shabannie]

I have always liked this song. I may use a version of it later in one of my videos. I love the art deco as well. This is very creative. I appreciate you sharing this with me.

[@kathleenburns7732]

Peter Boyle even sang this as Frankenstein as produced by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. A scream.

[@KutWrite]

Anyone else reminded of "Young Frankenstein" by this song? This song has a kind of minor-key sadness or even forboding to it. I always love the solos on these swing records.

[@Fred-kz5xh]

Yes I remember young Frankenstein scene, hilarious. As was rest of the film.

[@KutWrite]

@@Fred-kz5xh "That's Fron-kon-steen!"

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

I find this version very good... I revisit it from time to time. Let me contribute with some explanations, which in fact I borrowed. These include the original 1929 lyrics: "The original version of Berlin's song referred to the then-popular fad of well-to-do white New Yorkers visiting African American jazz music venues in Harlem. Berlin later revised the lyrics because of the racial references and to make it more generally applicable to going out on the town in style [-and more palatable to censors, or "Hollywood-ized]: Have you seen the well-to-do Up on Lennox Avenue On that famous thoroughfare With their noses in the air High hats and arrow collars White spats and fifteen dollars Spending ev'ry dime For a wonderful time If you're blue and You don't know where to go to Why don't you go where Harlem sits Puttin' on the Ritz Spangled gowns upon the bevee of high browns From down the levee All misfits Puttin' on the Ritz That's where each and ev'ry Lulu-Belle goes Ev'ry Thursday evening with her swell beaus Rubbing elbows Come with me and we'll attend The jubilee, and see them spend Their last two bits Puttin' on the Ritz ** Some lyric explanations: Lennox Avenue - A main thoroughfare in Harlem. High browns - A variation of the phrase "high yellow", referring to someone of mixed racial background, usually with the inference that they're putting on airs beyond their social station. Lulu-Belle - A generic nickname for a black maid. Ev'ry Thursday evening - Typically, the maid's night off. Lyrics Playground (Contributed by Debbie Davis - August 2002)

[@marlitolosa7868]

Thank you

[@GLPMusic]

The 1940s rewrite is absolutely awful. It is so contrived -- Berlin tried to make a 4-syllable word of umbrella. Certainly not one of Berlin's brilliant moments. Screw political correctness -- My band recorded it in 1982 with original lyric -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn7dgqqclpeliaM. By the way, we're using the same stock arrangement.

[@marlitolosa7868]

Thank you

[@rogerwalker1056]

João Furtado-Coelho 64

[@StevenTorrey]

So what does the "fifteen dollars" refer to?

[@wollestoncraft]

This is marvelous, and the pictures gorgeous. If you like this, listen to the version by Phil Spitalny and his All-Girl orchestra from 1930 also. It is fantastic! Thanks for this video!

[@RatPfink66]

That was far back enough that Phil still had his All Male Orchestra (never billed as such, naturally).

[@betteroffsingle]

Grzegorz, Great rendition of a classic. LOVED it and thanks. And what wonderful posters. Well done G. Very well done.

[@lexiphon]

I´ve always enjoyed 'Puttin´on the ritz`, but I really thought, that it was brought up by Fred Astaire! This morning I watched "Terra X" -a German documentary series... They were playing this known song in this old style while showing aerchological finds in Germany. I liked it so much!

[@240252]

Thanks Genia! Thanks! Too many compliments as for one little clip! But I accept them happily. And now - thanks to Barbcard's little vocabulary of the "ritzy" words (see below) - I can also call this clip "posh" or "tony"... Well, I just LOVE all these words!

[@phonophaninfl]

Good rendition, But the art you used in the slideshow WOW ! I could cover the walls of my home with it. Many thanks for sharing.

[@240252]

Thank you Masquerade! Well, my collection is not THAT big as you suggest. Many pictures re-appear in various clips and in different combinations with another photographs. Sometimes - depending on the kind of a scene displayed on the photo - I am tempted to alternate them a little - the work-up programs make it possible almost to no limits.

[@VictrolaJazz]

It was the first version I ever had of this record, long before I had the Brunswick--got it back in the 60's.

[@gardenvalleyranch4796]

This was the recording from "Puttin' On The Ritz" movie ....performed by Harry Richman and chorus

[@derycktrahair8108]

Nothing has changed, it's still sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but in those days the music was better. Those players were musicians.

[@scotnick59]

I'll say - and how!!

[@KutWrite]

...and they got paid next to nothing. Maybe that's the key. They did it for love of music.

[@misterwhitman4368]

Deryck, Yer' only sayin' that cuz it's true!

[@scotnick59]

was the sex better? lol

[@misterwhitman4368]

@@scotnick59 it was less expensive!

[@240252]

Thank you Lockruff for that interesting and rather bitter comment. I also quite often face such problems with the comunication with younger generations in Poland. E.g. when I called a vacuum cleaner "electrolux" - they didn't know what I meant. Electrolux was a firm (Swedish, I think) producing such home devices in 1920/30 and my parents commonly used it (just as in 1970s in London my aunt commonly used the word "a hoover", "hoovering", "to hoover" - also deriving from the name of a company).

[@bjbinmke]

Cool version. This song was written in 1927 by Irving Berlin.

[@jourwalis-8875]

Marvellous music and marvellous pictures!

[@rufflock]

I always use "ritzy" rather than "upscale" which reminds me of "upsize" and "upsell". Ritzy has a more natural sound to it. The others sound like "Newspeak" I was singing this at work tonight and all of the twenty- and thirty- somethings were looking at me with a quizzical look. Then I really confused them by mentioning the Marx Brothers.;)

[@azerall0]

Wow...

[@johnwhitehead3360]

THANKS GREAT TUNE GOOD PICS

[@thardingau]

The best ever version of this song, in my opinion.

[@johnwhitehead3360]

Great - Thank You

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent with good photos

[@captvkm]

Absolutely brilliant. In the same class as Begin the Beguine

[@240252]

Thank you for your precious info. I was sure, our Roaring 20s think-tank will not fail!

[@fredjmp]

How wonderful!

[@jbirsner]

Great slide show.

[@240252]

Thanks fatsfan! I remeber my one and only visit to a mens room at the Ritz Hotel in London, where many years ago, in the 1970s I had a brief appointment with someone in the lobby. I remember, inside all the metalwork was gold-plated. Oh, it wasn't real gold, I presume, but - who knows? I had my torn jeans on me and well-worn adidas shoes, so the attendants looked at me somewhat suspiciously giving me no chance to scratch that "gold" and check what kind of a "ritzy"gimmick it was.

[@fatsfan70]

Barbcard used the word 'POSH' - it goes back to the days of the British Raj in India when the great steamship line P&O marked cabin bookings for wealthy passengers "Port Out- Starboard Home" (shaded from the sun). In 1931 Jack Teagarden and Orchestra sang the song "I Got The Ritz From The One I Love, I Got The Big Go-by". A great record with Fats Waller on piano! Grzegorz - I lke your story of visiting the Ritz gents; I was in there last year and it is not solid gold - only gold plate!

[@RomanAdar]

Beautiful and thanks for sharing!

[@240252]

Thanks B. for that wonderful selection of the ritzy terms! See my answers to Genia and Fatsfan

[@southwriter]

I love the pictures that went with the song! It was great!

[@fatsfan70]

The word "ritzy" derives from the famous hotel chain founded by Cesar Ritz, born to Swiss peasant farmers. 'Tea at the Ritz' in London's Piccadilly is still a great occasion for those who have the money! Oh, and add Cab Calloway and the Casa Loma orchestras to The Clevelanders list.

[@Teal_Moon]

Didn't know this was the original.!!!

[@auletjohnast03638]

Sammy Stone, So you thought Taco's version was the original all this time.

[@joedeegan3870]

Irving Berlin. This is my favorite version !

[@louispanico2845]

Perhaps The Clevelanders was a studio band directed by different individuals at different times, such as Harry Reser and later on Adrian Schubert. :^D 🎺 LP

[@bobboscarato1313]

This was when music was creative and soloists were excellent!

[@HowardAikenCoach_and_Rower]

This song was re-written in the 1940's to turn Lenox Avenue (Harlem) into Park Avenue (downtown, rich and white). You have to listen to the words to know which version you're hearing.....

[@HowardAikenCoach_and_Rower]

If you're blue and you don't know where to go to, why don't you go where Harlem sits, puttin' on the Ritz. Spangled gowns upon a bevy of high browns from down the levee, all misfits, puttin' on the Ritz. That's where each and every lulubelle goes ev'ry Thursday evening with her swell beaus, rubbing elbows. Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee and see them spend their last two bits, puttin' on the Ritz"

[@peterashford7855]

notice how they changed the words later on? dressed up like a million dollar trooper...trying hard to look like Gary Cooper...supa doopa

[@williambilyeu9801]

It sounds like Fred Richman from the 1930 film "Puttin' On the Ritz." There is a clip from the movie on KZbin with him backed by Broadway and Harlem dancers. Richman changed the word "fashion" to "Harlem" in his version. I prefer the Fred Astaire version, and there is a good version by Ray Bolger and Ann Miller.

[@TuanBasikal]

Brian Rust in American Dance Band Discography suggests that the Clevelanders records in 1930 were made by a band led by Adrian Schubert instead of Harry Reser as were the sessions from 1926-29. All were recorded in New York. This one dates from February 17, 1930. The vocalist is unmistakably Harold "Scrappy" Lambert.

[@leilamarialamon6397]

Lovely song👏💕💕💕

[@240252]

Hi D! Well, and here you are, using that lovely word "ritzy". Read barbcard's comment about it.

[@johnwhitehead3360]

Thanks - Very enjoyable

[@240252]

So you have an American version of this side. In 1920s it was common for recordings to be issued on multiple labels. Imperial was a British label. Probably they had a kind of a leasing exchange program between the labels.

[@davidbrown7931]

Fabulous!!

[@AvitalShtap]

This does have a fantastic ending compared to other versions

[@ajevanssinclairfollowyourh2791]

Love the music xoxox

[@jerryg50]

The music from before the 60's was all with real instruments and no synthesizers. They played real music. Very enjoyable.

[@Tadfafty]

Synthesizers first showed up in popular music in 1939 from what I know. There was Theremin in the early 20s but that's not what you mean I'm assuming.

[@haroldgillies3083]

Have you seen the well to do Up on Lenox Avenue On that famous thoroughfare With their noses in the air? High hats and narrow collars White spats and fifteen dollars Spending every dime For a wonderful time If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to Why don't you go where Harlem flits? Puttin' on the Ritz Spangled gowns upon the bevy of high browns From down the levy, all misfits Putting' on the Ritz That's where each and every lulu-belle goesEvery Thursday evening with her swell beausRubbin' elbows Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee And see them spend their last two bits Puttin' on the Ritz Boys, look at that man puttin' on that Ritz You look at him, I can't If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to Why don't you go where Harlem flits? Puttin' on the Ritz Spangled gowns upon the bevy of high browns From down the levy, all misfits Puttin' on the Ritz That's where each and every lulu-belle goes Every Thursday evening with her swell beaus Rubbin' elbows Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee And see them spend their last two bits Puttin' on the Ritz Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee And see them spend their last two bits Puttin' on the Ritz

[@mainaccount131]

Very good

[@wafults3194]

The Roaring Twenties? Dude ... THIS is the Roaring Twenties. We've come 'round full circle! Eeeyarrrgghhh!

[@davidglow3]

Phil Spitalny orchestra was the other main band using this name

[@marlitolosa7868]

Thanks

[@greatadventures7378]

Whoever posted this deserves a mint condition 1929 Duesenburg !!

[@luvbach1]

What a bounce!

[@valentinapaguidas3765]

Automatically when I hear this song I remember the film by Mel Brooks, Frankenstein Junior! :D

[@TheOneTrueKaliban]

Tell me about it. I remember back in '84, when Taco covered this number and all the X-ers were talking about "that new song". All I could do was shake my ( even then) graying head. But, last year I attended Wonder-Con, out in Frisko. To my delight, a group of teenagers showed up as the four Marx Brothers and, boy, they had the characters DOWN! I could have cried. We ain't licked yet, folks!

[@patou1946]

Beautiful, thanks in French. kiss. Patou.

[@HowardAikenCoach_and_Rower]

It's a great song, but the images used here are wrong. Irving Berlin's lyrics refer to the flashy but cheap nights out in Harlem enjoyed by black Americans in the 1920's. The people for whom 15 dollars was a lot of money weren't the rich but chauffeurs and maids. 'Lullubell' was a nickname for any black maid, and 'high browns' were light-skinned, mixed race women. These were the people whose pictures should be associated with this version of the song.

[@joewelnack3283]

Spot on! In the part of the south where I grew up, mixed race were called "high yellow" or colored; which was more socially acceptable. Now the term red bone seems to be in fashion.

[@bobbywimsy6741]

joe welnack That would make Trump high orange and yellow bellied, as in ole BoneSpurs...

[@thardingau]

The band is Jack Albin and his Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra, probably moonlighting on a different record label.

[@BoltBlaster]

fire

[@harponercam]

Bouncy !

[@luismantaras6460]

Great Berlin song acc. with beautiful photos! Thank you.

[@auletjohnast03638]

Luis Mántaras, This song was written by the Greatest Musicians & Composers of All Time "The Beatles"!

[@HarborGuy]

Wonderful I have serveral versions of this ...I think it is originally from Broadway Melody of l929.........

[@benzo4029]

Irving Berlin wrote it for a talkie of the same name! Fantastic tune!

[@joeoverby7039]

this is ritz!!!jo

[@schris413]

If you're sad, go watch poor people spend the last of their money trying to have fun.

[@GlennLaakso-ov1yh]

See it nowadays 🥴

[@VictrolaJazz]

I think I have this on Romeo!

[@amberola1b]

what can I say about this version,, but HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!!

[@auletjohnast03638]

amberola1b, Yes, the Beatles were Hot! 🔥

[@axa1137820]

Блеск. :-) "Спасибо" :-)

[@davidlogansr8007]

Reminds me of Ray Miller

[@angelajohnson9542]

😍,🎵,💓,🎵,💓,🎵,💓,🎵,💓 ,👍

[@barbcard]

Just saw "Upscale" in a Wash. Post article re a new building. "Posh" is a better word; I think it's of British origin. "Tony" is also used. Lockruff is right about the younger generation's ignorance re "ritzy." :(

[@JimPigMuseumOfSound]

Love this song ! The Clevelanders did the definitive version ! Better than Fred Astaire !

[@mosewax]

Love this in a Cumbia version

[@thewanderingmistnull2451]

I didn't realize the version I usually hear was a cover.

[@paullindemeyer3913]

Reser, like many another leader, did have to damp down the distinctive elements of his style to keep working after 1929.

[@ajevanssinclairfollowyourh2791]

I' just love you xoxpx

[@mainaccount131]

Lively melodies

[@vincekane7298]

and a Chicago Typewriter

[@haroldfarthington7492]

I think the penguin woulda liked this version best *shrugs*

[@kennyholland82]

The old ones are best "putting on the Ritz "

[@patrickleahey4574]

to Russia with love

[@yankylichtman2530]

Where is Vladimir??

[@Bigband78]

Great version of this tune,definitely not Harry Richman on the vocal.

[@rareblues78daddy]

+Bigband Lou It's "R.Haines", whomever that is....

[@RatPfink66]

One of the many faces of Harold "Scrappy" Lambert.

[@InBleak]

Gene Wilder u_u

[@AidanTheLoverBoyOhDwyer]

huh

[@СофьяВетер-ь1б]

bro

[@vincekane7298]

A Fifth of Bourbon, a Ford Coupe

[@yankylichtman2530]

I know the " Yiddish lyrics to it ( old advertisement

[@AidanTheLoverBoyOhDwyer]

Vocals?