Description

Sy Oliver & His Orchestra – Civilization – Vinyl Record

Civilization is a song that was originally written by Bob Hilliard and Carl Sigman in 1947. It became popular when it was recorded by Sy Oliver and His Orchestra with vocals by the Andrews Sisters. The song is often associated with the Andrews Sisters due to their iconic rendition of it.

Sy Oliver and His Orchestra were known for their work in the swing and big band genres during the mid-20th century. Their version of ‘Civilization’ is a lively and upbeat interpretation of the song, featuring the harmonious vocals of the Andrews Sisters.

The song’s lyrics playfully contrast the simplicity of civilization with the more primitive aspects of life, and it became a hit during its time.

Sy Oliver and His Orchestra’s rendition of Civilization is a classic example of the swing and big band music that was popular in the post-World War II era, and it remains a nostalgic and cherished piece of that musical era’s history.

Sy Oliver’s melodic yet sophisticated arrangements helped define the Jimmy Lunceford sound in the 1930s and modernized Tommy Dorsey’s band in the ’40s. A fine trumpeter (excellent with a mute) and a likable vocalist, Oliver made his recording debut with Zack Whyte’s Chocolate Beau Brummels in the late ’20s and also worked with Alphonse Trent.

Joining Lunceford in 1933, Oliver was responsible for such memorable charts as ‘My Blue Heaven,’ ‘Ain’t She Sweet,’ ‘Organ Grinder’s Swing,’ and ”Tain’t What You Do,’ among many others. It was a major blow to Lunceford when Oliver jumped at the chance to make a lot more money arranging and occasionally singing for Tommy Dorsey.

The hiring of Sy Oliver was a major help for Tommy Dorsey in getting Buddy Rich to join his band. Oliver’s arrangement of ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ was his biggest hit for Dorsey. After a brief attempt at leading his own orchestra in 1946, Oliver became a freelance arranger and producer for the remainder of his long career. As late as 1975-1980, he was regularly leading a band but Sy Oliver will always be best known for his classic Lunceford charts.

Brand new, never played , unsealed

Official Records 1989 Copenhagen, Denmark

Track Listing
Hey Daddy-O
Slow Burn
If You Believed In Me
I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)
Lammar’s Boogie
Bread And Butter Woman
Forsaking All Others
Civilization (‘Bongo, Bongo, Bongo’)
You Can’t Tell The Depth Of The Well
Dit Dot Dit
Scotty
Four To Go
Sad Story Blues
You Know What The Trouble Is Baby