Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Grenada-born singer and pianist Leslie "Hutch" Hutchinson sings "Gloomy Sunday", recorded in London in 1936, with lyrics by British lyricist Desmond Carter. The words here differ from the lyrics that were written by Sam M. Lewis and used in most American recordings of the song, most famously Billie Holiday's 1941 recording.
LESLIE HUTCHINSON
Vocals and piano, accompanied by unknown violinist and cimbalom player.
Recorded in London on April 2nd, 1936
E-7553-2…….Gloomy Sunday…….Parlophone F-444
Paul Robeson sang Desmond Carter's lyrics in his March 26, 1936 recording of the song, which was recorded in London a week before Hutchinson's version. Personally, I prefer Hutch's version over Robeson's, mainly because of the simple but absolutely stunning accompaniment, featuring Hutch on the piano, backed by a violin and cimbalom ("cymbalum" on the label). The incorporation of the cimbalom is a touch of genius by the arranger - the song was composed by a Hungarian, Rezső Seress, and the cimbalom is a Hungarian instrument; the atmosphere created is highly evocative and beautifully matched to the sentiment of the song.
Hutch was a major star in Britain during the 1920s and 1930s, and was, for a time, the highest paid performer in the country.
Grenada-born singer and pianist Leslie "Hutch" Hutchinson sings "Gloomy Sunday", recorded in London in 1936, with lyrics by British lyricist Desmond Carter. The words here differ from the lyrics that were written by Sam M. Lewis and used in most American recordings of the song, most famously Billie Holiday's 1941 recording.
LESLIE HUTCHINSON
Vocals and piano, accompanied by unknown violinist and cimbalom player.
Recorded in London on April 2nd, 1936
E-7553-2…….Gloomy Sunday…….Parlophone F-444
Paul Robeson sang Desmond Carter's lyrics in his March 26, 1936 recording of the song, which was recorded in London a week before Hutchinson's version. Personally, I prefer Hutch's version over Robeson's, mainly because of the simple but absolutely stunning accompaniment, featuring Hutch on the piano, backed by a violin and cimbalom ("cymbalum" on the label). The incorporation of the cimbalom is a touch of genius by the arranger - the song was composed by a Hungarian, Rezső Seress, and the cimbalom is a Hungarian instrument; the atmosphere created is highly evocative and beautifully matched to the sentiment of the song.
Hutch was a major star in Britain during the 1920s and 1930s, and was, for a time, the highest paid performer in the country.
