Ten Greatest Songs by Al Hirt

The ten greatest songs by Al Hirt are continuing tributes to the man and his music in much the same way as the life like statute that was erected in his memory in New Orleans. Al Hirt was born in New Orleans and absorbed the music of the city as part of his growing up musical experience. Even though he never boasted of being a Jazz musician, his music was a part of the club scene in New Orleans until his death in 1999. He has been gone now almost 10 years but the ten greatest songs by Al Hirt are still remembered and played lovingly by those of us who grew up with his sound.

1."I Love Paris" It could be simply that this was the first Al Hirt recording I ever heard or maybe it's because when I saw Hirt live for the first time in Boston he played this song as an opening piece. Whatever the reason Al Hirt's "I Love Paris" is at the top of any list of Al Hirt songs I would ever put together. I'm not alone in this judgment. "I Love Paris" is found on many Hirt albums and was a part of many concert performances. There is something about the intro to this piece that grabs you and draws you in to the rest of the number. To me it always symbolizes the fun and creative things that Al Hirt could do with his horn.

2. Can't Get Started . A close second in the Al Hirt collection has to be "Can't Get Started". This is a dreamy tune that Hirt often played with some equally dreamy sounding vocalists who filled in with lyrics bits like "You're so supreme, lyrics I write of you... what good does it do." It doesn't matter that this tune was a favorite of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. When Al Hirt went to work on it, it became for many a new old favorite. This song can be found in "Al Hirt - All Time Greatest Hits - Volume I