There have been zillions of recordings over the years, but I’ve distilled a playlist of twelve that carry particular historical or musical interest — to me anyway!
Himber Hits It First
Although Duke’s and Johnny Hodges’ 1938 recordings were popular, there seems to have been only one contemporary cover: Richard Himber and his Rhythmic Pyramids Orchestra, with vocalist Stuart Allen, on Victor in 1938:
The tune adapts well to a more “dance band” style, but oddly enough, no other bands or labels picked it up at the time.
A Novachord Nicety
The next version is more of a novelty. Ted Steele and his Novatones recorded it using the early Novachord synthesizer for the 1940 Decca album Mood Indigo, which featured Ted’s interpretations of Ellington songs:
Very intriguing! Kind of ethereal, if you will. And an early "concept" album!
Brown's Brief Blast
After that, “Prelude to a Kiss” went dormant for a few years — but by the mid‑1940s, sparks began to fly again. Les Brown recorded a V‑Disc version in 1944:
It’s a nice reading, but since it wasn’t commercially issued, it didn’t make much of a dent.
Carter’s Capitol Caress
The next commercial release seems to be Benny Carter’s 1947 Capitol recording:
Getz Goes Nordic
By the early 1950s, the floodgates opened. Here’s a 1951 Swedish side by American tenor star Stan Getz:
Very cool!
Teddi Takes the Torch
We finally get another vocal version in 1953, when Teddi King included it on her Storyville album ’Round Midnight:
A flurry of vocal versions followed, including this one from Sarah Vaughan on her 1954 EmArcy album Images:
The song fits The Divine One like a glove.
Eckstine Enters Elegantly
And it’s a Warehouse law that I include any performance of an Ellington number by Billy Eckstine, so here he is on MGM, also from 1954:
The album that track comes from — I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart — is naturally awesome. Oh, and I think it's also mandatory that I say Mr. B" at least once!
Gleason Gets Misty
We shift gears with this lush 1957 version from Jackie Gleason’s Capitol album Music to Make You Misty:
The alto solo is by Toots Mondello — a name that sounds like something Jackie might invent (I believe "Toots Mondello" founded the fictional Raccoon Lodge on The Honeymooners), but Toots (born Nunzio) was a respected big‑band veteran.
Vic's Velvet Version
The lushness continues with Vic Damone’s 1958 Columbia album Closer Than a Kiss:
Lovely backing from Frank DeVol to support Vic’s great voice.
Joya's Jewel-Box Gem
Jumping ahead to 1965, we meet up with my favorite Ellington singer, Joya Sherrill, who included the tune on her 20th Century Fox album Joya Sherrill Sings Duke:
Johnny Hodges and Cootie Williams back Joya on this track — just awesome!
Hodges' Homecoming
And speaking of Mr. Hodges, we’ll sneak back to 1962 for our closing selection: Johnny’s version from his Verve album The Eleventh Hour:
A gorgeous way to bring us full circle to 1938.
Do you have a favorite version — maybe one I didn’t include? Let me know in the comments!
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