Lester Young - These Foolish Things (1945)
Any Harlem Globetrotters fans out there? A 1925 standard, but it was this release that most folks remember:
Brother Bones and His Shadows -- Sweet Georgia Brown (1949)
Charlie Parker - Ko-Ko (1945)
Bill Monroe and The Blue Grass Boys -- Blue Moon of Kentucky (1947)
Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters - Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive (1945)
"Blue Moon of Kentucky" seconded.
This is the original version from the film Song of the South:
James Baskett --Zip-a-dee-doo-dah (1946)
(There was also a well-received 1947 cover by Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers)
Woody Herman - Laura (1945)
Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (featuring June Christy) -- Tampico (1945)
cute song: "The song takes a satirical look at the Mexican city of its title, suggesting that at the time, Tampico, Tamaulipas, had become more Americanized than the U.S. itself, and that many of the souvenirs which could be bought there had been manufactured in the United States. 'You buy a beautiful shawl; a souvenir for Aunt Flo. Authentic Mexican art - made in Idaho.'"
The Pied Pipers - Dream (1945)
"Tampico" seconded. And we are at the halfway point for this first period!
Al Dexter & His Troopers -- Guitar Polka (1946)
Charles Trenet - La Mer (1946)
"Guitar Polka" seconded, very light and fun tune.
Roy Rogers - Don't Fence Me In (1949)
This is very witty and fun:
Guy Lombardo -- I'm My Own Grandpaw (1948)
The movie "Don't Fence Me In" was in 1945 but it looks like the song didn't actually come out until 1949: http://www.45cat.com/artist/roy-roge...h-orchestra/us
Johnny Otis - Harlem Nocturne (1945)