“With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming” – Isham Jones and his Orchestra (1934)

The recorded output of Isham Jones on the Victor label is known as some of the finest dance music recorded during the depths of the Great Depression.

Jones led his band in Chicago from 1920-1927 and 1929-1932 in Chicago and recorded extensively on the Brunswick label. After regrouping in New York, Jones signed with the Victor label and recorded over 50 sides over two years, until switching to the Decca label in the summer of 1934.

This show tune was from the film “Shoot the Works”, a Paramount comedy in which the song plays a role, sung by Dorothy Dell accompanied by the Ben Bernie orchestra. The 19-year-old Dell was tragically killed in a car accident in June of 1934 – a month before the film’s public release.

Recorded in New York City on May 10, 1934.
Released as Victor 24643

Credits
Isham Jones – leader, tenor sax
George Thow, Johnny Carlson, Joe Hostetter – trumpet
Mark Bennett, Russ Jenner – trombone
Milt Yaner, Victor Hauprich – clarinet, alto sax
Saxie Mansfield – tenor sax
Eddie Stone – violin
Harold Smith or James Noble – piano
George Wartner or Jack Blanchette – guitar
Richard Kissinger – tuba
Walter Lageson – drums
Joe Martin – vocals