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Christmas Eve 2001: Photo by Edward McKuen.
©2001 Stanyan Entertainment Group
A Thought for Today
A gift accepted has no strings.
THE 12
DOWNLOADS OF CHRISTMAS
#2 “One By One”
THE STORY BEHIND ONE BY ONE
I wrote “One By One" in
Hollywood in the summer of 1962 and later performed it on Jimmie Rodgers’
Los Angeles TV series. I’ve always wanted to make it part of a children’s
album. Jimmie, Barry McGuire, The Womenfolk & Glenn Yarbrough all made
recordings of it. It’s one of those good-time songs I enjoy singing in
concerts where the audience joins in on the chorus. Arranger Ian Freebarin-Smith’s
use of the French horn choir on this chart betrays his classical
background.
This was part of my first album for Capitol (released in 1964 as “Rod
McKuen sings Rod McKuen”) and it was pretty folksy in nature. “Ally, Ally
Oxen Free,” “Good for Nothin’ Bill” and “Someplace Green" were also
recorded on this date. The session took place at the Capitol Tower in
Hollywood on January 17, 1965. It was conducted by Perry Botkin Jr. and
features The Good Time Singers. The producer was Kermit Walter.
The following year I recorded “One By One” in French in Paris. It was a
thrill to work with the renowned Swingle Singers for the first time. That
arrangement was a bit more progressive & was written by Roland Vincent.
Michel Legrand came to visit me on the recording date. His sister,
Christine, was one of the Swingles & contracted the musicians.
THE WORDS
One By One
Let’s count the times we remember, One By One
Each June, July and September, One By One
Some special day, some special time
Some special spring or summertime,
One By One, One By One, One By One.
There was a time we walked together two by two
In sunny days or chilly weather, two by two
So far away, so long ago
Where did our golden moments go?
One By One, One By One, One by One.
Love comes and goes like the seasons four by four
There are no rhymes and no reasons four by four
It stayed a while, just like your smile
Then went away like the seasons, One By One
One By One, One By One, One By One.
Let’s count the times we remember, One By One
Each June, July and September, One By One
Some special day, some special time
Some special spring or summertime,
One By One, One By One, One By One.
Words & music by Rod McKuen © 1963,
1964 by Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music Co.
CLICK HERE TO COMMENCE DOWNLOAD
OF ONE BY ONE
(A simple left-click on the
above link should start the download automatically. If you're having
problems, try right-clicking on the link and select "save target as....".)
THANKS ROD,
FROM ALL OF US
As the year draws to a close
I'd like to say a very big THANK YOU to Rod for what has been a remarkable
twelve months.
Back in January I wasn't too
sure what direction the year would take and thought the most we could hope
for was a couple of new album releases on CD. Just how wrong I was is best
illustrated by the following list of 2001 McKuen accomplishments:
* the release of a brand new
double CD Greatest Hits collection
* the release of the much
anticipated new book, "A Safe Place To Land" (which turned out to be so
much more than just a book)
* not one but THREE highly
successful concerts
* innumerable other
appearances for various causes throughout America
Add to the above working on a
number of other album projects, contributing to this web site on a daily
basis as well as trying to carve out some quality time for himself and
loved ones, and you'll see why I say it's been a remarkable, though busy,
year for Mr. McKuen.
Two concerts are already
confirmed for 2002 and there's no doubt in my mind there'll be more.
There's a new book on the horizon and, of course, none of us can wait
until 2003 and the planned return to Carnegie Hall. So much to look
forward to.
Thanks, Rod.
Also, a huge thank you to the
people behind the scenes who contributed in no small way to the success of
this year. Edward, Wade, Michael, Jerry, Steve, Susan, Linda and a host of others I
probably don't even know about all played a major role in helping
make things happen this year and everyone who attended a concert, read the
book or played a new CD is immensely grateful to all of you.
Finally, a personal thank you
to all who stop by this web site on a regular basis. Without you, Rod and
I would be rattling around in a pretty lonely cyberspace, not having
nearly as much fun as we've had the past couple of years. That most of you
are still with us means we're doing something right and I hope we can
continue for a long time to come.
Happy New Year to all and I'll
see you in 2002.
- Ken, Johannesburg,
December 26
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