I’d talked a bit yesterday about Freddy Martin’s big 1941 hit Piano Concerto in B‑Flat originally being the B‑side of its Bluebird single, and I’d also mentioned vocalist Eddie Stone, so let’s pick up that thread.
Eddie Brings the Energy
Here’s the intended A‑side, Why Don’t We Do This More Often?, with Eddie on the vocal:
Eddie’s bouncy, good‑natured style is all over this — he had that light, smiling delivery that made even a simple pop tune feel like a little party.
I remember reading an interview with Freddy Martin where he said the publisher and/or songwriters (Charles Newman and Allie Wrubel) weren’t thrilled that their song was paired with “some classical piano thing” on the flip. I’m sure the mountain of royalties changed their minds once the “classical piano thing” became one of the biggest hits of the year!
Duet Delight
The most popular version of Why Don’t We Do This More Often? wasn’t Martin’s, though — it was Kay Kyser’s Columbia recording, a duet by Ginny Simms and Harry Babbitt:
I really love this version. Ginny and Harry were two of my favorite band vocalists, and they always blended beautifully — warm, relaxed, and effortlessly musical.
I’ve mentioned before that by the early 1940s the Kyser band had broken free from the strict novelty formula of the 1930s. This cut is Exhibit A. No gimmicks, no winks — just clean, confident dance‑band pop with two pros at the mic.
As Ginny says, everything’s just fine!
