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Poor Papa,
He's Got Nothing At All

'Whispering' Jack Smith

Whispering Jack Smith

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Recorded in New York City on February 19th 1926 featuring 'Whispering' Jack Smith piano & vocals.

*"Poor Papa, He's Got Nothing At All" was composed by Harry Woods, with lyrics by Billy Rose.

When a man's poor and has a family to provide for there's not much left from his meager wages after the bills are paid, the children are fed and clothed, and his significant other is pacified. This song derives it's comedy from the undeniable truth.

Jack Smith was a popular baritone who began his professional career in 1915 singing with a quartet
at a theater in the Bronx.

In 1918 after serving in World War I, he got a job as a "song plugger" for the Irving Berlin Music Publishing Company. Once a powerful vocalist his voice had been permanently damaged from exposure to mustard gas during the war. While filling in as a pianist at a radio station he got his big break substituting for a singer who failed to show up. It was then discovered that his whispered tone broadcast exceptionally well and 'Whispering' Jack Smith was born.

Smith performed exclusively on the radio at first, but began making records in 1925. He also started performing on-stage on the vaudeville circuit. In 1927 'Whispering' Jack was touring England, performing with the Blue Skies Theater Company singing songs by Rogers & Hart such as "Manhattan", when he was suddenly replaced by a new all girl singing trio, "The Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce." Smith returned to New York where he would eventually come to work for NBC Radio.