Sad news. Dave Frishberg has died. Frishberg was a wonderful jazz pianist and songwriter. He gave HG laugh filled delight singing his witty, inventive songs in a voice that was perfect for them (and, of course, Dave accompanied his vocals with adroit piano riffs). Ah, those songs: “My Attorney Bernie”, “Do I Miss New York ??”, “I’m Hip”, “Dodger Blue”. These are some of my favorites. There are many more. The most extraordinary and ingenious is “Van Lingle Mungo.” Mungo (1911-1985) was a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. Born in Pageland, South Carolina, he had a long major league career starting in i931. His record: W120–L115. He was an outstanding hitting pitcher and often appeared as a pinch hitter. But, his immortality rests with his unusual euphonious name. He is the centerpiece of Dave’s song. The lyrics are composed of the names of baseball players of Dave’s (and HG’s youth). Two euphonious players of that era were Frenchy Bordagaray and Cookie Lavagetto. Frenchy is in the song but Cookie isn’t. Go figure.
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