fri 20/12/2024

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, BBC Four | reviews, news & interviews

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, BBC Four

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, BBC Four

Arena and Clint Eastwood's superb evocation of the multi-talented songwriter

Johnny Mercer (right) with Nat King Cole, one of his discoveries for Capitol Records
Jazz enthusiast Clint Eastwood, who co-produced this film with the BBC's Arena, clearly harbours a particular regard for songwriter, singer, impresario and record company mogul Johnny Mercer. When Eastwood made his film of John Berendt's book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in Mercer's home town of Savannah, Georgia and partly shot in Mercer House, built by Johnny's grandfather, the accompanying soundtrack was a newly recorded collection of some of Mercer's most celebrated songs.
Jazz enthusiast Clint Eastwood, who co-produced this film with the BBC's Arena, clearly harbours a particular regard for songwriter, singer, impresario and record company mogul Johnny Mercer. When Eastwood made his film of John Berendt's book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in Mercer's home town of Savannah, Georgia and partly shot in Mercer House, built by Johnny's grandfather, the accompanying soundtrack was a newly recorded collection of some of Mercer's most celebrated songs.

Comments

I saw this on Friday, and was amazed by Mercer's eloquence in lyrics and charm in person; the Lyttleton interview was a gem, and so was the editing in this documentary, which seemed as free and easy as most of the folk featured, Jamie Cullum awkwardly excepted.

I was not aware soon enough to see all of the programme but I was more than impressed with his voice and personality. I actually remember him from before WW 2. I loved his music and was humming his tunes for days afterwards. Is there any way I could get a copy of the programmes referred to?

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