Zip A Dee Doo Dah - Neal Hefti

In 1958 Neal Hefti recorded a two-disc LP of Academy Award winning songs. Volume 2, Coral Records CRL-57242, begins with the 1946 winner, Harry Warren’s and Johnny Mercer’s “On The Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe,” from “The Harvey Girls,” starring Judy Garland and Ray Bolger.

Hollywood gossip columnist Sidney Skolsky composed the liner notes, saying, “I like the fact that Coral has issued this Hollywood Song Book of all the Academy Award Winning Songs, from the first – 1934 – to the most recent – 1957, and that they are played by Neal Hefti And His Orchestra in full melodic, modern and most pleasing manner. I’m delighted that those in charge of this Hollywood Song Book were thoughtful enough not to have vocals by a well-known group or a new group or new singer. Besides, these songs belong to Bing, Judy, Fred, Doris, Frankie and the rest who first sang them in the movies. I don’t want any imposters singing them. These Oscar-winning songs are songs for dreaming, remembering. As I listened to Hefti and his boys play, I sang along with them – to myself, of course, and without making a sound. I was Bing, Judy, Fred, Doris, Frankie and the rest. It’s a nice feeling. You ought to try it.”