Downloading the Repertoire is a 1996 album by American singer John "Jack" Mudurian (May 23, 1929 – September 30, 2013). It consists of an uncut, a cappella field recording of Mudurian, in a stream of consciousness, singing a battery of mostly show tunes, old country-western and folk music, and Tin Pan Alley standards."John Mudurian", Social Security Death Index, via FamilySearch.org.
Mudurian was a resident of Duplex Nursing Home in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1981, David Greenberger, an employee who also edited the zine The Duplex Planet, overheard Mudurian singing at a home talent show, and when Greenberger spoke to him about it, Mudurian boasted that he could sing as many songs as Frank Sinatra. Greenberger brought in a cassette tape recorder and asked him to sing; Mudurian proceeded to sing 129 songs, many from the Tin Pan Alley repertory (and several more than once), continuously over the next 47 minutes.
The recording was issued as Downloading the Repertoire on Arf! Arf! Records in 1996, and it became a cult novelty hit. Neil Strauss, writing about the recording for The New York Times, wrote: "What is most interesting about this CD is not Mr. Mudurian's slurred, rushed singing but the way his entire life story unfolds in his selection of material." In a review for AllMusic, Cub Koda commented: "[Mudurian's]... free association from tune to tune is downright astounding. No matter what kind of music you might have in your collection, it's a good bet you don't have anything that sounds quite like this." A reviewer for CMJ New Music Monthly described the album as "a hysterical, bizarre tour through the history of American popular song."
A shortened version of the music heard on Downloading appeared on Irwin Chusid's compilation of outsider music called Songs in the Key of Z, Vol. 1. Mudurian can also be heard on the compilations The Talent Show (1996), and The Tarquin Records All Star Holiday Extravaganza (2000). After meeting Mudurian, singer Jad Fair transcribed his version of "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)" and performed it in his own live shows.
According to Greenberger, the nursing home at which Mudurian resided closed in 1987, and the two lost touch. Greenberger, who affectionately referred to the marathon recording session as "Jack's and my private Olympic event," recalled: "That June afternoon lives on for me. Planes flew overhead, birds chirped in the trees and another resident... could be heard singing in the background from time to time."
Songs sung on Downloading the Repertoire (in order of songs sung)
Chicago (That Toddlin' Town) It's Been a Long, Long Time Why Am I Always Yearning for Theresa The Halls of Montezuma So Long It's Been Good to Know You Step Right Up (and Help Old Uncle Sam) It's Only a Paper Moon Music! Music! Music! (Put Another Nickel In) Take Me Out to the Ball Game Some Sunday Morning Any Bonds Today? Red River Valley My Bonnie Jimmy Crack Corn The Wabash Cannonball I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Ramona Toot Toot Tootsie! (Goo' Bye) If You Knew Susie Like I Know Susie I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Me) I'll See You in My Dreams Lucky Me I Don't Know Why (I Just Do) Near You South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) I've Been Working on the Railroad Goody-Goody Home on the Range Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho Bell Bottom Trousers Ragtime Cowboy Joe Over the Rainbow When You Wish Upon a Star Pistol Packin' Mama Frankie and Johnnie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jingle Bells I Love You Cuddle Up a Little Closer Ain't She Sweet Rose O'Day (The Filla-Ga-Dusha Song) The Band Played On Sparrow in the Treetop "Pep Talk"/South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) It's Only a Paper Moon California, Here I Come Row, Row, Row Your Boat Singin' in the Rain Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue Lullaby Of Broadway I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Some Sunday Morning For Me and My Gal Blue Skies Smoke That Cigarette Ain't Misbehavin' Cheek to Cheek Let's Call the Whole Thing Off I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts (Roll or Bowl a Ball-A Penny a Pitch) Michael Row the Boat Ashore Row, Row, Row Your Boat When You Wish Upon a Star I'll See You in My Dreams Chiquita Banana Your Cheatin' Heart Sparrow in the Treetop Rock Around the Clock That Old Flying Machine The Man on the Flying Trapeze School Days Take Me Out to the Ball Game Johnson Rag Sugarfoot Rag Chicago (That Toddling Town) Pistol Packin' Mama Boola Boola Honeysuckle Rose Volare Quando Quando Quando (Tell Me When) San Antonio Rose Ragtime Cowboy Joe Chattanooga Choo Choo The Trolley Song "Pep Talk"/Sing Sing Sing Goody Goody "Pep Talk"/Pistol Packin' Mama Any Bonds Today Music Music Music! (Put Another Nickel In) It's Only a Paper Moon Melody Time When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Heartaches Night and Day The Band Played On Rose O'Day (The Filla-Ga-Dusha Song) The Wabash Cannonball "Pep Talk"/Pistol Packin' Mama The Halls Of Montezuma Jingle Bell Rock I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again Million Dollar Baby Shine on Harvest Moon Carolina in the Morning You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby Jimmy Crack Corn Any Bonds Today Rose O'Day (The Filla-Ga-Dusha Song) Michael Row the Boat Ashore Three Blind Mice Ramona Mona Lisa Bye Bye Baby My Baby Just Cares for Me Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue If You Knew Susie Like I Know Susie That's Amore The Music Goes 'Round And Around Jeepers Creepers Some Sunday Morning Alexander's Ragtime Band Any Bonds Today I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire Oh What a Gal The Wabash Cannonball My Bonnie Chicago (That Toddling Town) Rose O'Day (The Filla-Ga-Dusha Song)
References