This is arguably the most beautiful song ever recorded by the extremely talented Jo Stafford. We were still in the big band, pre-war era, and the lower, huskier voices still ruled the airwaves. Songs like this, you just want to lean back, close your eyes and dream while they play on.

This 1936 version of the classic song is performed by Gene Autry and the Sons of the Pioneers. Together, they make an icredibly good sound. Well, thy sound pretty good apart, too, for that matter. The Sons of the Pioneers had a lot of good hits, most notably the claassic cowboy song “Clear Water”. But this song is right up there.

The 1930s were a difficult time. Picture it. It’s the height of the great depression. Thousands are starving. There’s no work anywhere, no way for people to make a living. Many lost hope. Many committed suicide, many died of starvation or of diseases brought on by malnutrition, or by weakened bodies. But through it all, pulling people along, there was always music. Songs like I AIN’T GOT NOBODY by the Mills Brothers helped people forget their problems for a while.

There are so many kinds of music, and most are so incredibly good. This particular piece, by the unmatchable Franz Liszt, is a fine example of a Hungarian Rhapsody. It does run a little long, and the dramatic presentation behind it should not be allowed to color your impressions of the music itself, but it definitely needed to be included in this collection. I hope you enjoy it.