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Comin' Home Baby

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Wikipedia article




"'Comin' Home Baby'" is a song originally written as an instrumental by Ben Tucker and first recorded by the Dave Bailey Quintet in 1961, and shortly thereafter by Herbie Mann. Lyrics were added by Bob Dorough, and the vocal version became a US Top 40 hit for American jazz singer Mel Torm in 1962. The song has since been covered numerous times.

Original instrumental recordings



The tune was first recorded by the Dave Bailey Quintet on 6 October 1961, and issued on '2 Feet in the Gutter'. It was composed by Dave Bailey's bassist, Ben Tucker. The original musicians were Frank Haynes (tenor saxophone), Bill Hardman (trumpet), Billy Gardner (piano), Ben Tucker (bass), and Dave Bailey (drums).

The tune was then recorded six weeks later by Herbie Mann, live at the Village Gate, with Tucker again on bass. Mann's recording, produced by Nesuhi Ertegun and released by Atlantic Records in 1962, became popular and drew wider attention to the tune.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/at-the-village-gate-mw0000188335 Herbie Mann, 'At the Village Gate', Allmusic.com]. Retrieved 19 February 2014

Mel Torm version



Tucker then persuaded his friend, lyricist Bob Dorough (later of 'Schoolhouse Rock!' fame), to write a lyric for the tune, and producer Nesuhi Ertegun persuaded singer Mel Torm, who had recently joined the Atlantic label, to record it. Torm was initially reluctant to record the song, and later wrote that: "It was a minor-key blues tune with trite repetitious lyrics and an 'answer' pattern to be sung by the Cookies, a girl trio that had once worked for Ray Charles".[http://www.jazz.com/music/2008/11/12/bob-dorough-comin-home-baby Bob Dorough, "Comin' Home Baby", at Jazz.com] . Retrieved 19 February 2014 The recording took place in New York City on 13 September 1962.[http://www.meltorme.com/MelTormeDiscographyPart01.pdf George Hulme, 'Mel Torm: a discography', p.2.44]. Retrieved 19 February 2014

Despite Torm's reservations, his version of the song, with an arrangement by Claus Ogerman, rose to no.36 on the 'Billboard' pop chart in November 1962, becoming his biggest hit since the early 1950s; it reached no.13 on the UK singles chart. It was also the title track of his album 'Comin' Home Baby!' (with added exclamation mark).[http://www.allmusic.com/album/comin-home-baby%21-mw0000769411 'Comin' Home Baby!' at Allmusic.com]. Retrieved 19 February 2014 Torm's recording was nominated as Best Male Solo Vocal Performance and Best Rhythm and Blues Performance at the 1963 Grammy Awards.[http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1963-215.html Grammy awards 1963] . Retrieved 19 February 2014

Michael Bubl version



"Comin' Home Baby" was recorded by Canadian crooner Michael Bubl, and released as the fifth and final single from his third studio album, 'Call Me Irresponsible'. The single was released on April 25, 2008, exclusively in Germany. It features vocals from the Grammy Award-winning vocal harmony group Boyz II Men. No video was filmed for the song, and there was little to no promotion, causing the release to not appear in any major charts worldwide. The digital download package features a new remix of the track from Frank Popp. A physical version of the single was also made available in Germany.

Track listing

* 'German CD single'

# "Comin' Home Baby" (Frank Popp Remix) - 3:09

# "Comin' Home Baby" (Album Version) - 3:27

References



Category:1961 songs

Category:2008 singles

Category:Mel Torm songs

Category:Michael Bubl songs

Category:Boyz II Men songs

Category:143 Records singles

Category:Reprise Records singles

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