Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2011


DEAR JERRY: The modern jazz station in our area just played a tune that really caught my attention.

As is often the case, they didn't give a title, but they did say it was “music from Diana Krall.”

I would buy the album it's on, but only if you help by identifying it.

The theme seems to be her ordering food at a diner, yet she does not want French fried potatoes, stewed tomatoes, pork chops, bacon, fish cakes, rye bread, and other common items.

What she craves in this song is flim flam sauce, with what sounds like awecenfay and shefafa.

Who wants just sauce as the main course? What are those other things? Cajun or Moroccan perhaps? Does any of this really exist?
—Donna Dorfman, Vincennes, Ind.


DEAR DONNA: All of the things Diana does not want to eat are real. Unfortunately, not a one of her preferred choices are likely to be found on anyone's menu — unless concocted specifically to tie-in with “The Frim Fram Sauce.”

Yes, that is the correct title, though it may also be shown as just “Frim Fram Sauce.”

Just to get her order straight, Diana, and everyone else who recorded this song, asks for “frim fram sauce with ossenfay, and chifafa on the side.”

In the original hit version, by the (Nat) King Cole Trio, the waiter is understandably unfamiliar with these delicacies. Nat, now a disappointed customer, ends the track with: “Now if you don't have it, just bring me a check for the water.”

The King Cole Trio's record (Capitol 224) came out in December 1945. In February '46, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald joined forces and crafted an excellent version (Decca 23496), which also became a big hit. Not really a vocal duet, Louis sings the first half and Ella the second, meaning they do not sing together on this number.

In March, Les Brown and His Orchestra, with vocal by Butch Stone, gave “The Frim Fram Sauce” the big band treatment (Columbia 36961), though the Brown-Stone waxing did not chart.

There are three easily available Diana Krall albums with “Frim Fram Sauce”: “Stepping Out”; “All for You (A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio)”; and “The Very Best of Diana Krall.”

Being a personal favorite, Diana's often includes “The Frim Fram Sauce” in her concert sets.


DEAR JERRY: It's been at least a year since I heard Susan Boyle being talked about in the entertainment media. Is her singing career in a sophomore slump?
—Samantha Charles, St. Paul, Minn.

DEAR SAMANTHA: Anything but. As of this writing (December 22), Susan's “The Gift” is the No. 1 title on both the Billboard and Cashbox Top Albums charts, and No. 1 on both of their Christmas album surveys.

Meanwhile, Boyle's debut collection, “I Dreamed the Dream,” the No. 1 album exactly one year ago, is still on the charts and even among the Top 70.

Susan may not be the big news story she became in 2009, when she flabbergasted everyone via Britain's Got Talent, but she sure is ringing up the sales.

If Susan Boyle's “The Gift” holding the No. 1 position on both the Pop and Christmas Albums charts seems quite extraordinary, it certainly is.

However, Susan is not the first to accomplish this feat.

In December 2007, Josh Grobin's “Noel” simultaneously topped those two charts.


IZ ZAT SO? Susan Boyle is not the only familiar name, from TV's talent competition shows, on the current Top 200 Albums list.

Here are six others, some of whom you may have even voted for: Jackie Evancho (“O Holy Night”); Crystal Bowersox (“Farmer's Daughter”); Carrie Underwood (“Play On”); Lee DeWyze (“Live It Up”); Fantasia Barrino (“Back to Me”); and (Chris) Daughtry (“Leave This Town”).

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net  Visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/ 

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission