Walter Huston “September Song” / “Lost in the Stars”

This 45 feels like it’s the oldest thing I own—it’s not, of course—I probably have older records, and I have some coins with dates on them going way back, and I have books that are 100 years old—but considering that this is a high-fidelity advanced technology music transmission device—it’s kind of amazing—hearing old Walter Huston right here in the room with me. He was born in the 1800s, after all (died in 1950). He was in a ton of movies, didn’t make a ton of records. My best guess for this one (via internet) is 1947. He released “September Song” a decade earlier, which might be this recording, or maybe this is a later version, I don’t know. I’m not going to worry about it—I’m just enjoying this 2:27 version of the Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson (lyrics) classic that was recorded by everyone. “September Song” is one of those tunes that runs through my head frequently—I should record it. I like “Lost in the Stars” even better, actually. Recorded with Victor Young and His Orchestra. Walter Huston’s voice sounds like the oldest, old-timey thing in town—it’s almost spoken—I really like it. The vinyl is black and the label is that maroon Decca label with silver print—that probably puts a relative date on it—it’s almost contemporary. I’m imagining frequent repressings—a popular enough record. This one likely spent time in someone’s living room hi-fi console cabinet, then in a box in the basement, lingering at a garage sale, wasting away at a thrift store, and resting in my old sewing kit 7-inch box. On the turntable, and it’s alive again, like a Walter Huston hologram—time travel’s no problem.

5.24.24