Begin The Beguine

[karl]

As Perry sang this earlier on a cd it reminded me to ask a question I have long wondered about.

Is there any such thing as "Beguine" or is it merely a word to go with "Begin"?

I did wonder if it was possibly a dance, perhaps Lena & Harry can answer this?

[Lena & Harry Smith]

The word Beguine is a dance Karl, apparently originated in the Caribbean.
As much as I like this Cole Porter song, few singers seem to be able to sing it in the correct tempo and the notes in the correct order.
I know this sounds like an episode from Morecambe and Wise with Andre Previn, but I'm sure you know what I mean

[karl]

Thanks for that, so what singers do you prefer performing the song?

The song seems to have been around forever, doesn't it?

[Eman]

I remember dancing to a Johnny Mathis disco number called "Begin The Beguine" yet that was back when I was 15..LOL

[mariana44]

I have seen and heard Johnny Mathis sing this live in concert on numerous occasions, going back to 1980.

[karl]

I like Johnny's version, I think I also have a 12" single of it bought in the States.

[Eman]

Mariana and Karl, Yeah I think it's from 1979 from The Best Days of My Life lp. It was good dancing music and I loved the 12inch mix.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

I remember Johnny Mathis version always got a lot of airplay, and Julio Iglesias and Ella Fitzgerald among my favourites.
Also, a reminder of how we have discussed on this forum on more than one occasion, Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing to this tune in one of the best tap dancing routines in musical history.

[hpooch]

The best version and the one that started it all was by Tony Martin originally recorded in 1939..........

[karl]

I know of Tony Martin, Henry dare I ask if you remember this as a new release?

[ROBERT M.]

For the "new" members who have not seen this before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XhIuqsWVk