75 Years of Reckless Nights

On this date, 75 years ago, Raymond Scott returned to CBS studios with his Quintette for their second session to record "Reckless Night On Board An Ocean Liner." The tune was a hit when it was released in 1937, and is immortalized in the classic LOONEY TUNES, "Jumpin' Jupiter," "Hare Lift," and "Mouse Warming." It also serves as the soundtrack for this strange YouTube video by Silent Banana Theatre. ("Note: this film contains banana nudity and references to ambiguous fruit sexuality.") Download the vintage Columbia recording from the iTunes store, or Amazon — and see details about our year-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary here.

Mail for Mrs. Raymond Scott

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that we report Raymond Scott's 93 year-old widow, Mitzi, is in the final stages of her battle with cancer. Receiving cards and letters means a lot to her — as Deb, Raymond's daughter says, "Mitzi really does live for the mail!" 

Please send cards and letters to:

Mitzi Scott
Summerhill Villa
24431 Lyons Avenue
Apt. 226
Santa Clarita, CA  91321
USA

We and the Scott/Warnow family appreciate your support and concern.

—Jeff Winner & Irwin Chusid,
The Raymond Scott Archives

Watch two new TV Spots with Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry

Two new television spots featuring Raymond Scott's music as their soundtracks have hit the air. Hugh Jackman stars in the ad above for Lipton Ice Tea with the 1938 classic "The Penguin," while Stephen Fry, Rupert Grint of "HARRY POTTER," Michelle Dockery, and Julie Walters are seen in the commercial below for British tourism, set to the 1939 tune, "In An 18th Century Drawing Room."

"YOUR EASTER PARADE"

1956 newspaper:

"Bandleader Raymond Scott and his wife, singer Dorothy Collins, of television's 'Your Hit Parade' fame, give a preview of their Easter finery with their daughter, 2½ year-old Debbie, as they prepare in their Manhasset home to join tomorrow's Easter Parade in Nassau. The outlook is for sunny skies and mild weather tomorrow as thousands of Christians on Long Island prepare to attend special midnight and dawn services to celebrate the most joyous of all Christian holidays."

Happy day of technicolor hen-fruit

April Fools' Day prank revealed

Last week, I made an audio discovery during a research mission to Santa Clarita, California. At the home of Mitzi Scott, Raymond's widow, I found a 15-inch tape reel in the garage that contains an electronic 1963 remake of Scott's '30s Quintette classic, "A Boy Scout In Switzerland." • Listen here:

April Fools' Day stunt revealed: Although I did make many discoveries during my recent research mission to Mitzi Scott's home, the track I uploaded yesterday was in fact created by composer, musician, and prankster, Ego Plum (the voice is me, Jeff Winner). The recording was commissioned for the forthcoming 2-CD compilation "SONGBOOK," produced by Takashi Okada. Ego explains his process — and apologizes to Moby (who tweeted it to his approx. 1.5 million followers) — here. Plum and Steve Bartek of Oingo Boingo are curating a concert at the Redcat theater in the Walt Disney Concert Hall to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Raymond Scott's music.