Mr. Music

I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.


DEAR JERRY: There is a comedy routine from the 1950s that I just can't get out of my mind.

I know it came out on a 45 rpm and is a parody of the Ed Sullivan Show. This comedian's name finally dawned on me, and it is Will Jordan.

I'd love to get a copy play it on my “Warped Records Radio Show,” which I have been doing for nearly 10 years locally on WSVA 550.
—Jim Bishop, Harrisonburg, Va.

DEAR JIM: As you likely recall, the original title of Ed Sullivan's Sunday night show was “Toast of the Town.”

Ed's distinctive style and mannerisms made him a favorite target of most impressionists. However, Will Jordan's Sullivan act was so good that Ed frequently booked him on “Toast of the Town.

One such Jordan parody routine did come out as a single in 1956, titled “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 1” backed with “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 2” (Jubilee 900). This must be the recording your mind can't discharge.

Billed as “Will Jordan Starring in a One Man Mimicry Show” on this record's picture sleeve, he lampoons other TV celebrities besides Ed Sullivan, specifically Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis; Jackie Gleason; Arthur Godfrey; Groucho Marx; Wally Cox; Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz; and Liberace.

Jordan made other comedy albums in the 1950s and '60s, but Will's most marketable product remained his Sullivan impersonation.

I spotted “Roast of the Town” recently on eBay for about $12, including picture sleeve. While not close to near-mint, it probably would meet “Warped Records Radio Show” requirements.

Congratulations on 10 years of entertaining the beautiful Shenandoah Valley!

DEAR JERRY: Thoroughly enjoyed learning how many single-letter film titles exist, 23 to be exact.

Using various movie references I can confirm all except the N-movie.

Please resolve this cinematic mystery for me.
—Jill Stillman, Hanover, Pa.

DEAR JERRY: Regarding your list of single-letter movie titles. My co-workers dispute there is a 2005 movie titled “N.” Please restore my standing in the officeplace trivia rankings!
—Jim Chandler, Fraser, Mich

DEAR JILL & JIM: “N” is a 2005 German film, an 82-minute historical documentary.

Though “N” is the complete English title, it is better known to Germans as “N wie niemand” (translation: “N as no one”).

You can find it listed accordingly on both the U.S. and German language Internet Movie Database sites.

DEAR JERRY: Did Judy Collins ever record “Wedding Song (There Is Love)”?

I used to hear it on a radio station in Mexico, and I am pretty sure that it was presented like that. Still, after looking for years, I cannot find this song by Judy Collins.

Am I perhaps mistaken about the singer's identity?
—Alfonso de Leon, Mexico City

DEAR ALFONSO: Since I also find no recording of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Judy Collins, one of two possibilities exist:

Either you have the title right and the wrong artist, or the song you recall is “Wedding Song,” a completely different song which is by Judy Collins, from her 1980 LP, “Running for My Life” (Elektra 253).

What has me leaning toward the first option is you clearly mention the complete title, “The Wedding Song (There Is Love).” Judy's “Wedding Song” makes no reference to “There Is Love.”

Three versions of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” do exist by well-known female stars: Petula Clark (1972); Captain & Tennille, featuring Toni Tennille (1976); and Mary MacGregor (1978).

There is a good chance it is one of these you seek.

Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, wrote “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” and his is the top selling and most famous version. It became a Top 25 hit in 1971.

IZ ZAT SO? Completely different than Judy Collins' 1980 “Wedding Song,” and still nothing like “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” is “Wedding Song (Song for Louis).”

This selection is from Judy's 2005 album, “Portrait of an American Girl.”