Certain songs become what is called a “Standard.”  The popularity of the song is so enduring that you could hear it being sung or performed as an instrumental in a smoky late night jazz bar or on the radio performed by a star of yesteryear or today.  On this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour, we welcome Arthur Hamilton, songwriter of “Cry Me a River” rightfully called a “standard” popularized by singer Julie London and was verifiably recorded by thousands of artists, from singers like Ray Charles, Michael Buble, Diana Krall, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Sam Cooke, Leslie Gore, Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker and Aaron Neville, and as an instrumental by such legendary acts as the Dexter Gordon Quartet.  
Arthur Hamilton has written several successful songs, like “He Needs Me,” and “Sing a Rainbow.”  As a lyricist he’s written songs with composers, such as Michel Legrand, Johnny Mandel and many others.     


Arthur Hamilton Special - The Paul Leslie Hour

In the American Rock ‘n Roll Songbook, there are the two piano men—Billy Joel and Elton John.  Our special guest on this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour is a performer, pianist, vocalist and actor.  Michael Cavanaugh was chosen by Billy Joel to star in the Broadway musical “Movin’ Out,” which was the birth of a career performing with symphony orchestras in cities across the United States performing his show called “Michael Cavanaugh—The Songs of Billy Joel and More.”  2010 saw his second symphony show with the natural follow-up called “Michael Cavanaugh—The Songs of Elton John and More.” Michael Cavanaugh is also a recording artist and original songwriter and he joins us for an interview and we explore his work, and the work of his heroes Billy Joel and Elton John.  Michael Cavanaugh performed 3 concerts in May with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, primarily performing the music of Elton John, who has an Atlanta residence.    

Michael Cavanaugh Special - The Paul Leslie Hour

In 2015, singer and songwriter Judy Collins released an album featuring duets entitled “Strangers Again.”  Joining her on the title track “Strangers Again” was the song’s writer, a young guitarist, singer-songwriter Ari Hest.  Judy Collins has performed several of Ari Hest’s songs in concert and the decision to write and record an album with Ari Hest resulted in the 2016 album by Judy Collins & Ari Hest, “Silver Skies Blue.”  On this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour we welcome concert and recording artist Ari Hest.  A prolific artist, you may find his songwriting to have a classic quality, while not necessarily feeling dated.  The collaborative album “Silver Skies Blue” brings together Judy Collins and Ari Hest vocally and at times as a songwriting pair. 

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