April in Portugal

"April in Portugal" is also named "The Whisp'ring Serenade". The music and lyrics were written by Raul Ferrão as a fado named "Coimbra", about the city of that name. In 1947, English lyrics written by Jimmy Kennedy (1902-1984) were set to the music, though many of the most popular versions of the song were instrumentals.

Bing's album Holiday in Europe was released in 1961, preceded by 101 Gang Songs in 1960, and followed by by Sing Along With Bing Crosby And His Friends in 1961.

Bing Crosby with Malcolm Lockyer (1923-1976) and His Orchestra, recorded on 8 May 1961 in Los Angeles, for the Holiday In Europe album - produced by Project Records and leased to US Decca.

Jimmy Kennedy is also the co-writer of:

Did Your Mother Come from Ireland
http://analogbing.blogspot.com/2012/03/did-your-mother-come-from-ireland.html

Harbor Lights
http://analogbing.blogspot.com/2012/08/harbor-lights.html

Harbor Lights

"Harbor Lights" is a popular song by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Will Grosz, 1894-1939) with lyrics by Henryk Szpilman and translated by Jimmy Kennedy (1902-1984). This song was originally sung in Polish by Irena Santor as "Portowe Swiatla", and then by Frances Langford in 1937, and was published again in 1950.

The song has been recorded by many artists; charting versions were recorded by Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, Ray Anthony, Ralph Flanagan, Elvis Presley, The Platters (peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts in 1960), and Ken Griffin. Other versions were recorded by The Ink Spots, Lawrence Welk, Willie Nelson, Vera Lynn and Jon Rauhouse.

The Bing Crosby recording was released by Decca Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on November 3, 1950 and lasted 11 weeks, peaking at #10.

Jimmy Kennedy is also the co-writer of:

Did Your Mother Come from Ireland
http://analogbing.blogspot.com/2012/03/did-your-mother-come-from-ireland.html

April in Portugal
http://analogbing.blogspot.com/2012/09/april-in-portugal.html

Did Your Mother Come from Ireland

Bing Crosby: "Did Your Mother Come from Ireland?" Written by Michael Carr and Jimmy Kennedy, and published in 1937.

Jimmy Kennedy OBE (20 July 1902 – 6 April 1984) was an Irish songwriter, predominantly a lyricist, putting words to existing music such as "Teddy Bears' Picnic" and "My Prayer", or co-writing with the composers Michael Carr, Wilhelm Grosz (aka Hugh Williams) and Nat Simon amongst others. He also wrote "Love is Like a Violin".Michael Carr (11 March 1905 – 16 September 1968), real name Maurice Alfred Cohen, was a British light music composer born in Leeds. He is best remembered for the song "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)", written with Jimmy Kennedy for the 1939 film of the same name.Bing's United States hit recording of "Did Your Mother Come From Ireland" was preceded by "It Makes No Difference Now" and followed by "Dolores", all released in 1941.

Also recorded by Connie Francis on her album Connie Francis Sings Irish Favorites.

Jimmy Kennedy is also the co-writer of:

Harbor Lights
http://analogbing.blogspot.com/2012/08/harbor-lights.html

April in Portugal
http://analogbing.blogspot.com/2012/09/april-in-portugal.html