Two party weekends down, two to go! I’m sure you’re ready for a bit of a breather before rushing back into the holiday fray. So for Day 11 of the December of Drinking set list, we’re gonna slow it way down. This next tune has been recorded by dozens of jazz artists, but my favorite version feels like being in a dive bar in the mid-afternoon of a cold winter’s day.
Joe Mooney – Lush Life
“Lush Life” was written by the great Billy Strayhorn between 1933-38, when he was just a teenager. The song was only performed privately until 1948, when Strayhorn and Kay David performed it with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. It’s one of Billy Strayhorn’s signature tunes, and became a jazz standard covered by dozens of famous artists. Linda Ronstadt’s version even won a Grammy in 1986.
Joe Mooney, on the other hand, isn’t exactly a household name. Mooney, blind from the age of 10, played accordion, piano, and organ. He got his start playing piano and singing on the radio with his brother, Dan. They recorded some tunes as The Sunshine Boys and The Melotone Boys. When Dan moved on to other things, Joe went to work as a pianist and music arranger. He arranged music for Buddy Rogers, Paul Whitman, Les Brown and others.
In 1943, Joe formed his own group, and became well-known as a jazz accordionist (yeah, I didn’t know it was a thing, either). His band was fairly successful, but eventually disbanded. Joe went on to sing with other bands, and recorded a solo album, Lush Life, for Atlantic Records in 1956. He recorded again in the 60s, but retired soon after.
I found this version on a compilation of Duke Ellington songs, and even though I’d heard it dozens of times, it sounded like a fresh take. Joe plays the organ as his only accompaniment, and his mellow croon gives the song the very world-weary air that echoes the original recording.
If you’re feeling a little disenchanted with life (it is Monday, after all), then give Joe Mooney a listen with “Lush Life.”
Drinks List
- King Cole Trio – Scotchin’ With The Soda
- Big Bad VooDoo Daddy – You And Me And The Bottle Makes Three Tonight
- George Thorogood & The Delaware Destroyers – I Drink Alone
- Stick McGhee & His Buddies – Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
- Willie Nelson – I Gotta Get Drunk
- Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
- Nina Simone – Gin House Blues
- Reverend Horton Heat – It’s Martini Time
- The Doors – Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
- The Andrews Sisters – Rum and Coca-Cola
- Joe Mooney – Lush Life