April in Portugal (song)

"April in Portugal" is a popular song, also named "The Whisp'ring Serenade." The music was written by Raul Ferrão, as a fado named "Coimbra", about the city of that name. The original Portuguese lyric was written by Jose Galhardo, in 1947. English lyrics written by Jimmy Kennedy have been set to the music, though many of the most popular versions of the song were instrumentals. It is one of the signature songs of Portuguese fadista Amália Rodrigues.

Charting versions

Charting versions were recorded by the Les Baxter orchestra, by the Richard Hayman orchestra, by the Freddy Martin orchestra, and by Vic Damone.

The Les Baxter recording was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 2374. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on March 28, 1953 and lasted 22 weeks on the chart, peaking at #2. cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
authorlink = Joel Whitburn
title = Top Pop Records 1940-1955
publisher = Record Research
year = 1973 ]

The Richard Hayman recording was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70114. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on April 25, 1953 and lasted 11 weeks on the chart, peaking at #12.

The Freddy Martin recording was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5052. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on May 9, 1953 and lasted 3 weeks on the chart, peaking at #15.

The Vic Damone recording was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70128. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on May 30, 1953 and lasted 3 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16.

On Cash Box magazine's chart, where all versions were combined, the song reached a peak position of #2.

Other contemporary versions

Other versions recorded include those by:
*Tony Martin, recorded on March 26, 1953, released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5279
*Geraldo & his new Concert Orchestra, recorded on April 30, 1953, released by Philips Records as catalog number PB-149
*Louis Armstrong, recorded on April 21, 1953, released by Decca Records as catalog number 28704
*Eartha Kitt with Henri René's Orchestra, recorded on March 13, 1953, released by RCA Victor Records in an Extended Play album, catalog number EPB 3062

Other recorded versions

The song has also been recorded by:

*Earl Bostic - (King Records)
*The Dukes of Dixieland - (Okeh Records)
*Eartha Kitt - (Kapp Records)
*Enoch Light And His Orchestra - (Project 3 Records)
*Buddy Merrill - (Accent Records)
*The Melachrino Strings - (RCA Victor Records)
*Mitchell Ayres And His Orchestra - (RCA Victor Records)
*Lawrence Welk - (Ranwood Records)
*Roger Williams - (Kapp Records)
*Florian Zabach - (Decca Records)
*Chet Atkins - (RCA Victor)
*Eddy Cristiani - (Netherlands-Europe)

References