Gene Sheldon – 'Hallelujah!' (1955)

Pop instrumental. Walt Disney actor/comedian Gene Sheldon recorded one of a dozen covers of the Sunnysiders' hit "Hey, Mr. Banjo" in 1955, and his instrumental rendition of "Hallelujah!" was the flip side. "Hallelujah!" is from the 1927 Broadway musical 'Hit the Deck,' which was made into a film starring Tony Martin, Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds in 1955. Billboard rated Sheldon's version of "Hallelujah!" 69/100 in the May 7, 1955 edition: "Tasteful banjo soloing by Sheldon on the great oldie, recently revived in the M-G-M movie, 'Hit the Deck.' Picture tie-up may hypo spins." Cash Box gave it a C in the same week's issue: "On this side, the strummer bounches through a banjo instrumental of a great oldie that's currently being featured in the 'Hit the Deck' pic. Cute side." Orchestra conducted by Dick Stabile.