Sunday 19 November 2023

Joe Venuti--Al Hibber--Sol Hoopii--Tommy Reilly--William MacEwan--Jackie Dennis

I wonder if the Red Brunswick Label is a rare one ????....not seen one before usually they are all Black

1. Moon Glow......Joe Venuti & His Orchestra
2. Cheese And Crackers......Joe Venuti & His Orchestra
3. They Say You're Laughing At Me......Al Hibbler
4. I Can't Put My Arms Around A Memory......Al Hibbler
5. Iniki Malie......Sol Hoopii And His Novelty Quartet
6. Ka Marani Kani Aloha......Sol Hoopii And His Novelty Quartet
7. High Horse......Tommy Reilly
8. Family Joke.....Tommy Reilly
9. The Wonderful Story......William MacEwan
10. I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say......William MacEwan
11. La De Dah......Jackie Dennis
12. You're The Greatest......Jackie Dennis

Giuseppe "Joe" Venuti (September 16, 1903 – August 14, 1978) was an American jazz musician and pioneer jazz violinist.Considered the father of jazz violin, he pioneered the use of string instruments in jazz along with the guitarist Eddie Lang, a friend since childhood. Through the 1920s and early 1930s, Venuti and Lang made many recordings as leader and as featured soloists. He worked with Benny Goodman, Adrian Rollini, the Dorsey Brothers, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Frank Signorelli, the Boswell Sisters.

Solomon Hoʻopiʻi Kaʻaiʻai  1902 – November 16, 1953) was a Native Hawaiian lap steel guitarist. A virtuoso, he was one of the most famous original Hawaiian steel guitarists, along with Joseph Kekuku, Frank Ferera, Sam Ku West and "King" Bennie Nawahi. 
He recorded his best known material 1933 to 1938, as Sol Hoopii's Novelty Trio, Novelty Quartette and Novelty Five on Decca Records and Brunswick Records labels, like the famous Hula Girl, Ten Tiny Toes, and many more brilliant Hawaiian hula and hapa-haole songs penned by the best Hawaiian composers like Johnny Noble and Sol Bright.
Thomas Rundle Reilly MBE (August 21, 1919 – September 25, 2000) was a Canadian-born harmonica player, predominantly based in England. He began studying violin at eight and began playing harmonica at aged eleven as a member of his father's band. In the 1940s, he began parallel careers as a concert soloist and recitalist, a popular radio and TV performer, and a studio musician-composer.
He was signed to Parlophone in 1951 where his recordings were produced by George Martin. He performed music for the soundtracks of many US and European films and television series, including British comedy The Navy Lark (1959) and the TV theme tune for Dixon of Dock Green.

Jackie Dennis (8 October 1942 – 28 September 2020) was a Scottish singer. He was discovered by the comedians Mike and Bernie Winters in 1958. The brothers brought him to the attention of the show business agent Eve Taylor, and he appeared on the television programme, Six-Five Special, at the age of 15, and in a subsequent film spin-off....The kilt-wearing, spiky-haired pop singer enjoyed seven successful years in the show business and toured the world. "La Dee Dah" was his biggest UK hit, reaching number 4 in the UK Singles Chart in 1958, whilst his cover of Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" was his second and final UK hit, peaking at number 29.

          11. La Dee Dah

Thursday 16 November 2023

Harry James--Slim Whitman--Maurice Elwin & Linda Faire--Eddie Calvert--Max Bygraves--Frankie Laine


 1. And Then Its Heaven......Harry James & His Orchestra
2. This Is Always......Harry James & His Orchestra
3. Serenade......Slim Whitman
4. I Talk To The Waves......Slim Whitman
5. They Didn't Believe Me......Maurice Elwin & Linda Faire
6. If You Were The Only Girl In The World......Maurice Elwin & Linda Faire
7. John And Julie......Eddie Calvert
8. Heart Of The Sunset......Eddie Calvert
9. Cowpunchers Serenade......Max Bygraves
10. True Loves And False Lovers......Max Bygraves
11. In The Beginning......Frankie Laine
12. Old Shoes......Frankie Laine

          7. John And Julie

Lita Roza--Reginald Dixon--Arthur Young--Casani Club Orchestra--Eddie Fisher--Lonnie Donegan

Beginning with a female vocal and ending with a 50's top hit

1. Let Me Go Lover......Lita Roza
2. Make Yourself Comfortable......Lita Roza
3. Dixon Hits No 3..Part 1......Reginald Dixon
4. Dixon Hits No 3...Part 2......Reginald Dixon
5. Scatter Brain......Arthur Young & The Hatchett Swingtette.
6. Ting a Ling......Arthur Young & The Hatchette Swingtette.
7. Would You......Casani Club Orchestra
8. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody......Casani Club Orchestra
9. I'm In The Mood For Love......Eddie Fisher
10. A Girl A Girl......Eddie Fisher
11. Rock Island Line......The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
12. John Henry......The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group

Arthur Young & the Hatchette Swingtette was a jazz band that was active in the 1930s and 1940s. The band was led by Arthur Young, who played the piano, and featured a number of other musicians, including Bill Shakespeare on trumpet, Dennis Moonan on clarinet and tenor saxophone, and Chappie d’Amato and Jack Llewellyn on guitar. The band also featured several vocalists, including Beryl Davis. Stéphane Grappelli, a French jazz violinist, was also a member of the band for a brief period in 1939.

The Casani Club Orchestra was a British dance band that was active in the 1930s. The band was led by Archie Mercer and later by Charlie Kunz. The orchestra was also known as Baxter Dance Orchestra and Casani-Club Orchestra.

        6. Ting a Ling....with Stephane Grappelli & Beryl Davis

Tuesday 14 November 2023

Eve Boswell--Edmund Hockridge--Perry Como--Joe Fingers Carr--Stan Freberg--Harry Roy


 No info on this selection...all info further down in other posts !!

1. Pickin' A Chicken......Eve Boswell
2. Blue Star.,.....Eve Boswell
3. My Boy Bill......Edmund Hockridge
4. My Little Girl.....Edmund Hockridge
5. Kewpie Doll......Perry Como
6. Dance Only With me......Perry Como
7. Somebody Stole My Gal......Joe Fingers Carr
8. Heading For Home......joe Fingers Carr
9. The Yellow Rose Of Texas.......Stan Freberg
10. Rock Around Stephen Foster......Stan Freberg
11. Leicester Square Rag.......Harry Roy & His Orchestra
12. That Mysterious Rag......Harry Roy & His Orchestra

          7. Somebody Stole My Gal

Sid Phillips--Donald Peers--Jack Teter Trio--Al Jolson & The Andrews Sisters--Eric Winston--Betty Hutton--Howard Keel

Oh Dear I wonder where's Polly's Gone !

1. Hors D'Oeuvres......Sid Phillips & His Orchestra
2. Oh dear What Can The matter Be......Sid Phillips & His Orchestra
3. The Zither Melody......Donald Peers
4. Medley.....Donald Peers
5. Johnson Rag.....Jack Teter Trio
6. Back Of The Yards......Jack Teter Trio
7. The Old Piano Roll Blues......Al Jolson & The Andrews Sisters
8. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans......Al Jolson & The Andrews Sisters
9. Fanfare Boogie......Eric Winston & His Orchestra
10. Slow Joe......Eric Winston & His Orchestra
11. You Can't Get A Man With A Gun......Betty Hutton
12. My Defenses Are Down......Howard Keel

The Jack Teter Trio was the surprise hit of 1950 with a vocal version of an old jazz standard, “Johnson Rag.”
With this group, Teter’s career was rejuvenated and he enjoyed further success in the early 1950's.
They released a series of records for Sharp and other local labels.



Eric Winstone (born 1 January 1913 in London, died 2 May 1974 in Pagham, Sussex) was an English big band leader, conductor and composer.

Betty Hutton (born Elizabeth June Thornburg; February 26, 1921 – March 12, 2007) was an American stage, film, and television actress, comedian, dancer, and singer. She rose to fame in the 1940s as a contract player for Paramount Pictures, appearing primarily in musicals, and became one of the studio's most valuable stars of that decade. She was noted for her energetic and sometimes manic performance style.Hutton's next screen triumph came in Annie Get Your Gun (1950) for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which hired her to replace Judy Garland in the role of Annie Oakley. The film, with the leading role retooled for Hutton, was a smash hit, with the biggest critical praise going to Hutton. Next, she was billed above Fred Astaire in the 1950 musical Let's Dance.

         9. Fanfare Boogie

Friday 10 November 2023

Bill Haley--Beniamino Gigli--Guy Mitchell--Albert Sammons--Dinah Shore--Vaughan Monroe

A musical mixture of styles from rock to 40's band !

1. Se You Later Alligater.......Bill Haley & His Comets
2. The Paper Boy......Bill Haley & His Comets
3. AveMaria......Beniamino Gigli
4. Agnus Dei......Beniamino Gigli
5. Finders Keepers......Guy Mitchell
6. I'd Like To Say A Few Words About Texas......Guy Mitchell
7. Intermezzo......Albert Sammons
8. Serenade......Albert Sammons
9. Too Late Now......Dinah Shore
10. Down In Nashville Tennessee......Dinah Shore
 11. The Very Thought Of You......Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra
12. There I've Said it Again......Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra

Albert Edward Sammons CBE (23 February 1886 – 24 August 1957) was an English violinist, composer and later violin teacher. Almost self-taught on the violin, he had a wide repertoire as both chamber musician and soloist, although his reputation rests mainly on his association with British composers, especially Elgar. He made a number of recordings over 40 years.
Albert Sammons made his first recording in October 1908; his last was made on 16 April 1946 (Edmund Rubbra's 2nd sonata with Gerald Moore). 

Frank Luther--De Groot Trio--Danny Kaye--The Johnson Brothers--The Keynotes--Jack Gordon--Steve Conway

Coconuts a Swan some Roses and a Classic Painting For Your Perusal!!

1. The Bum Song......Frank Luther
2. Hallelujah I'm A Bum......Frank Luther
3. Londonderry Air......De Groot Trio
4. Le Cygne......De Groot Trio
5. I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts......Danny Kaye
6. The Peony Bush......Danny Kaye
7. The Bandit......The Johnson Brothers
8. A Dime And A Dollar......The Keynotes
9. You Are My Hearts Delight......Jack Gordon
10. Good Night Sweetheart......Jack Gordon
11. Mona Lisa......Steve Conway
12. Ashes Of Roses......Steve Conway

Frank Luther (born Francis Luther Crow, August 4, 1899 – November 16, 1980) was an American country music singer, dance band vocalist, playwright, songwriter and pianist.

The Keynotes, close harmony singers with the British radio comedy 'Take It From Here' or 'TIFH'

Jack Gordon was a British vocalist and drummer from the Dance Band era of the 1930s. He was part of Jack Payne And His Band and Jay Whidden And His New Midnight Follies Band .
 He recorded several songs with Imperial Records, including “Molly”, “There’ll Never Be Another Mary”, “Falling In Love Again”, “Dark Red Roses”, “Good-night, Sweetheart”, “You Are My Heart’s Delight”..

          7. The Bandit

Wednesday 8 November 2023

Mantovani & His Orch--The Deep River Boys--Johnny Dankworth & His Orch--The International Oldtime Dance Orch--Charlie Kunz--Sid Phillips & His Orch

So with a Rumba a Rock a Tango and a Quickstep lets hope the mice had a good night sleep and didn't get gobbled up by the Fox

1. Swedish Rhapsody......Mantovani & His Orchestra
2. Jamaican Rumba......Mantovani & His Orchestra
3. Rock Around The Clock......The Deep River Boys
4. Adam Never Had No Mammy......The Deep River Boys
5. Experiments With Mice......Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra
6. Applecake.....Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra
7. The Olympia Glide......The International Old Time Dance Orchestra
8. Lorraine Tango......The International Old Time Dance Orchestra
9. Piano Medley No 114. Side 1......Charlie Kunz
10. Piano Medley No 114.Side 2......Charlie Kunz
11. Honky Tonk Rag......Sid Phillips & His Band
12. You Turned The Tables On Me......Sid Phillips And His Band

The Deep River Boys were an American gospel music group active from the mid-1930s and into the 1980s. The group performed spirituals, gospel, and R&B.
They began recording as a gospel act in the late '40s and later switched over and became an R&B act and were more popular in Europe for periods of time before coming home to the States for triumphant return engagements.They spent the early '50s shuttling back and forth, working in America with the Count Basie Band during 1951 and Erskine Hawkins, but also signed on for a record-breaking ten-week engagement at the London Palladium....(Edited Info From Wikipedia)

Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, CBE (20 September 1927 – 6 February 2010), also known as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist, clarinettist and writer of film scores. With his wife, jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, he was a music educator and also her music director.
Dankworth formed his big band in 1953. Johnny Dankworth and His Orchestra had a top 10 novelty hit song in 1956 in the UK, "Experiments with Mice" based on "Three Blind Mice", which parodied a number of jazz bands and artists, including Billy May, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Sauter-Finegan, and others. 

          5. Experiments With Mice

Tuesday 7 November 2023

Ted HeathBand--Lita Roza--Dennis Lotis--Billie Worth & Jeff Warren--Peggy Cochrane--Will Starr--Jimmy Durante--The Banjo Kings

Lots of colourful  labels in this selection plus a ride on a train and a visit to a Blacksmith ! and a dance around the highlands !

1. Blacksmith Blues.....Ted Heath Band vocal by Lita Roza
2. Grand Central Station......Ted Heath Band Vocal By Dennis Lotis
3. Something To Dance About......Billie Worth
4. Your Just In Love......Jeff  Warren & Billie Worth
5. Plain And Fancy. Part One.......Peggy Cochrane
6. Plain And Fancy. Part Two......Peggy Cochrane
7. Savoy Scottish Medley......Will Starr
8. Eightsome Reel......Will Starr
9. I'm Durante The Patron Of The Arts......Jimmy Durante
10. Start Off Each Day With a Song......Jimmy Durante
11. That Banjo Rag......The Banjo Kings
12. Stephan Foster Medley......The Banjo Kings

Margaret Tennant Cochrane (12 January 1902 – 9 August 1988) was an English musician, singer and composer. She played both violin and piano, and broadcast and performed successfully from the 1920s to the 1950s.She made her first broadcasts on BBC radio in 1924, in violin recitals.
In 1933, she gave her first performances on television, and the following year started a regular radio slot, "A Tune A Minute", in which she would play 15 tunes in 15 minutes.
She appeared in the films Radio Parade of 1935 (1934) and Rhythm in the Air (1936).In 1937, she began working regularly with bandleader Jack Payne, appearing together at the 1938 Royal Variety Performance. 
Cochrane continued to perform, broadcast and record through the 1950s, releasing the EP Cocktails with Cochrane in 1958 and writing music for films and television. In 1959, she appeared as the guest on Desert Island Discs. (Revised info from Wikipedia )

Will Starr (27 April 1922 – 6 March 1976) was a Scottish solo accordionist.
At the age of thirteen, while making a solo guest appearance at a County Dinner in the Grand Hotel in Glasgow, Will was introduced by Sir Ian Colquhoun to Jock Kilpatrick, the manager of the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. Jock invited him to join the cast as a solo performer, and after being granted permission to take time off school, Will began his initially part-time professional stage career.
Will recorded his first 78 record for Parlophone at the age of 18. The music was of his own composition and was named "Jacqueline" (which is almost always referred to erroneously as "The Jacqueline Waltz") after his then girlfriend. (Revised Info Courtesy Of Wikipedia)

Will Starr was a virtuoso accordionist and consummate showman, regarded as “the king” by the likes of the great Jimmy Shand. A button-row player whose prowess is still venerated among today’s accordion fraternity, Starr took the sound of Scotland to international audiences while remaining firmly rooted in his native mining village of Croy, Lanarkshire. (Full Bio at..... https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/hall-of-fame/will-starr/)

The Banjo Kings were one of the very few (if only) groups recorded by the Good Time Jazz label in the 1950s that could be considered a bit corny.
Formed by banjoists Dick Roberts and Red Roundtree in 1951, the band had either Joe Heimlich, Ernie Anderson or Vito Mumolo on third banjo, plus a three-piece rhythm section that usually included pianist Stan Wrightsman.

          1. Blacksmith Blues

Monday 6 November 2023

The Universal International Orchestra--Ursula Van Diemen--Allan Jones--Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra--Kenny Baker--The Andrews Sisters

It seems that Brunswick is playing bookends with the HMV Dog !!

1. In The Mood......The Universal International Orchestra
2. Pennsylvania 6-5000......The Universal International Orchestra
3. An Die Musik (To Music)......Ursula Van Diemen
4. Wanderers Nachtlied......Ursula Van Diemen
5. Make Believe......Allan Jones
6. Why Do I Love You......Allan Jones
7. Opus No 1......Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra
8. Swing High......Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra
9. A Wandering Minstrel......Kenny Baker
10. The Moon And I......Kenny Baker
11. Lullaby Of Broadway......The Andrews Sisters
12. We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye......The Andrews Sisters

Ursula van Diemen, née Ursula Stürzel, was a German singer and actress.
Ursula Van Diemen (1897 -1988) was born in Schwerin in northern Germany, her father was Dutch and her mother German. She studied singing under Selma Nicklass-Kempner, Lola Beeth and Louis Bachner in Berlin.

Kenneth Laurence Baker (September 30, 1912 – August 10, 1985) was an American singer and actor who first gained notice as the featured singer on radio's The Jack Benny Program during the 1930s.
At the height of his radio fame, and after leaving the Benny show in 1939 (succeeded by Dennis Day, whose tenor voice was very similar to Baker's), he appeared in 17 film musicals. He also starred in the 1939 movie version of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. He later co-starred with Mary Martin in the original Broadway production of Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash's One Touch of Venus (1943).

          7. Opus No 1

Thursday 14 September 2023

Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra--Mario Lanza & Elizabeth Doubleday--Geraldo & His Orchestra--Jussi Bjorling--Allan Jones--June Christy


 2,4,2,2,2...work that one out !!!

1. Tannhauser.(Overture). Part One.......Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
2. Tannhauser.(Overture). Part Two.......Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
3. Deep In My Heart Dear......Mario Lanza & Elizabeth Doubleday
4. Golden Days......Mario Lanza
5. I Do I Do I Do..Geraldo & His Orch.with Doreen Lundy & Denny Vaughan
6. The Echo Told Me A Lie......Geraldo & His Orchestra..with Denny Vaughan
7. La Donna E Mobile......Jussi Bjorling
8. Recondita Armonia.......Jussi Bjorling
9. The Donkey Serenade......Allan Jones
10. Giannina Mia.......Allan Jones
11. The First Thing You Know You're In Love......June Christy
12. Magazines.......June Christy
Gerald Walcan Bright (10 August 1904 – 4 May 1974), better known as Geraldo, was an English bandleader. He adopted the name "Geraldo" in 1930, and became one of the most popular British dance band leaders of the 1930s with his "sweet music" and his "Gaucho Tango Orchestra". During the 1940s, he modernised his style and continued to enjoy great success.Many well-known figures in British post-war jazz "served" in Geraldo's musical navy, such as John Dankworth, Benny Green, Bill Le Sage, Ronnie Scott, and Stan Tracey.
Johan Jonatan "Jussi" Björling  Swedish: 5 February 1911[1] – 9 September 1960) was a Swedish tenor. One of the leading operatic singers of the 20th century, Björling appeared for many years at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and less frequently at the major European opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London and La Scala in Milan. He sang the Italian, French and Russian opera repertory with taste.

June Christy (born Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925 – June 21, 1990) was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a solo career from 1954 and is best known for her debut album Something Cool. After her death, she was hailed as "one of the finest and most neglected singers of her time."

          11. The First Thing You Know You're In Love

Peter Dawson & Ernest Pike--Victor Silvester--Richard Tauber--Billy May--William Norman--Pat Boone


 Left hand side male vocals from the 30's ?....Right hand side definitely 50's music !!

1. The Lost Chord......Peter Dawson & Ernest Pike
2. Watchman What Of The Night......Ernest Pike & Peter Dawson
3. Only Fools.....Victor Silvester & His Ballroom Orchestra
4. Time Alone Will Tell......Victor Silvester & His Ballroom Orchestra
5. Liebestraum (Dream Of Love)......Richard Tauber
6. Elegy......Richard Tauber
7. Main Title From The Man With The Golden Arm..Billy May & His Orch
8. Suzette......Billy May & His Orchestra
9. When The Ebb Tide Flows......William Norman
10. Asleep In The Deep......William Norman
11. A Wonderful Time Up There.......Pat Boone
12. It's To Soon To Know.......Pat Boone

Edward William May Jr. (November 10, 1916 – January 22, 2004) was an American composer, arranger and trumpeter. He composed film and television music 
May wrote arrangements for many top singers, including Frank Sinatra, Yma Sumac, Nat King Cole, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone, Bobby Darin, Johnny Mercer, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Prima, Keely Smith, Jack Jones, Bing Crosby, Sandler and Young, Nancy Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, The Andrews Sisters and Ella Mae Morse. May's charts often featured brisk tempos and intricate brass parts. One distinctive feature is his frequent use of trumpet mute devices. Another was a saxophone glissando, widely known as his "slurping saxes"

          8. Suzette

Wednesday 13 September 2023

Johnnie Ray--Richard Tauber--Al Martino--Jack Payne--Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra--Reginald Gardiner


 Musical variations  galore !...plus a train journey !

1. Just Walking In The Rain......Johnnie Ray
2. In The Candlelight.......Johnnie Ray
3. Jealousy.......Richard Tauber
4. Love's Last Word Is Spoken......Richard Tauber
5. All I Want Is A Chance.......Al Martino
6. You Can't Go On Forever Breaking My Heart......Al Martino
7. When The Poppies Bloom Again......Jack Payne And His Band
8. Everybody Dance......Jack Payne And His Band
9. Show Boat Selection......Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra
10. The Vagabond King Selection......Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra
11. Trains.. Part One......Reginald Gardiner
12. Trains.. Part Two......Reginald Gardiner

The Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra was a musical ensemble that performed at the Coventry Theatre, formerly known as the New Hippodrome, in Coventry, England. The orchestra was conducted by William Pethers, who also composed some of the music for the theatre shows. The orchestra featured various instruments, such as violins, cellos, trumpets, trombones, percussion, and piano. Some of the orchestra members were also singers and actors who participated in the musicals and comedies that were staged at the theatre. The Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra played a variety of genres, such as classical, jazz, swing, and pop. 

William Reginald Gardiner (27 February 1903 – 7 July 1980) was an English actor on the stage, in films and on television.He was also well known to radio listeners, and was known on the air for his amusing train and car noises.
Gardiner recorded a curious and eccentric classic called "Trains", which was regularly played on the 1950s British radio programme Children's Favourites. This record consisted of a tipsy-sounding Gardiner reciting a monologue, which he first introduced in the 1935 Broadway revue At Home Abroad, about steam railway engines (which he claimed were 'livid beasts') and impersonating both the engines themselves and the sound of trains running on the track. This latter he famously characterised as 'diddly-dee, diddly-dum' to mimic the sound pattern as the four pairs of bogie wheels ran over joins between the lengths of track – a sound no longer heard since welded rail joins were introduced. "Trains" was released as a 78 and a 45 by English Decca Records (F 5278) which remained on catalogue into the 1970s. At the end of the record Gardiner signs off with "Well folks, that's all: back to the asylum." He was summoned to Buckingham Palace to give a performance in person.

          5. All I Want Is A Chance

Harry Belafonte--Jack Pleasants--Tom Foy--Jimmy Lloyd--Massed Bands Of Aldershot--Joan Regan--Winifred Atwell


Some colourful labels on this selection and the massed bands are making another appearance ending in a Boogie !

1. Mary's Boy Child.......Harry Belafonte
2. Eden Was Just Like This......Harry Belafonte
3. I'm Shy Mary Ellen I'm Shy......Jack Pleasants
4. I'm I Throuble Agean......Tom Foy
5. The Prince Of Players......Jimmy Lloyd
6. Ever Since I Met Lucy.......Jimmy Lloyd
7. Blaze Away......Massed Bands Of The Aldershot Command--1932
8. Marching Through Georgia...Massed Bands Aldershot Command--1932
9. Someone Else's Roses......Joan Regan
10. The Love I Have For You.....Joan Regan
11. The Poor People of Paris......Winifred Atwell
12. Piano Tuner's Boogie......Winifred Atwell

Jack Pleasants (1876-1924) was a music hall singer and comedian especially popular in the north of England. He played the part of a bashful lover, typified by his popular songs "I'm Shy, Mary Ellen, I'm Shy" (his biggest hit 1911), "I'm Twenty-one Today" and "I Just Got Married Today". His status as one of the top Northern dialect comedians grew. Billed as “The Bashful Limit”, he typically played the part of a "bashful fool",  He wore make-up, a black frock coat, trousers, and a bowler hat, and sported a large marguerite flower.

Thomas Foy (1866 – 7 August 1917) was an English music hall performer and comedian.
He trained as an acrobat and in his spare time, he joined a circus as a clown and scene designer, and made his first music hall performance in Manchester as a lightning cartoonist. He developed a song and dance act, and also joined a Wild West show, before becoming a comedian with a stage Irish persona. He appeared in pantomimes in the north of England before heading to London and finding fame as a comedian and pantomime performer.He was billed as "The famous Little Comedian". As a pantomime performer he specialised in "Idle Jack" and pantomime dames.
Jimmy Lloyd was a singer from Trinidad who came to England in 1956 and made his first appearance on the Six-Five Special on November 30th 1957. He also appeared on other British TV shows such as Oh Boy! and Drumbeat, and recorded several songs for the Philips label. He was known for his energetic and lively style of singing, influenced by rock and roll and calypso music. 

Joan Regan (born Joan Bethel or Siobhan Bethel; 19 January 1928 – 12 September 2013) was an English traditional pop music singer, popular during the 1950s and early 1960s.Her successful singing career began in 1953, when she made a demo record of "Too Young" and "I'll Walk Alone". The demo came to the attention of Bernard Delfont, and that helped her sign a recording contract with Decca Records.
She had a number of Top 40 hits for the label, many of them were cover versions of American hits. Among them were Teresa Brewer's "Ricochet", "Till I Waltz Again with You", and "Jilted", Doris Day's "If I Give My Heart to You" and Jill Corey's "Cleo and Me-O" and "Love Me to Pieces".

          3. I'm Shy Mary Ellen I'm Shy
           12. Piano Tuners Boogie

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Cedric Sharpe--The Ray Ellington Quartet--Billy Eckstine--Massed Bands Of The Southern Command--Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra--Jack Daley


 We start this collection with a couple of smooth cello's  then off behind that door galloping away to some marches ending in the desert in Ireland !!??

1. Londonderry Air......Cedric Sharpe
2. Largo......Cedric Sharpe
3. The Green Door......The Ray Ellington Quartet
4. Giddy Up A Ding Dong......The Ray Ellington Quartet
5. The Bitter With The Sweet.......Billy Eckstine
6. Grapevine......Billy Eckstine
7. Tidworth Tattoo--1933 (Marches)......Massed Bands Of The Southern Command
8. Tidworth Tattoo--1933 (Medley).......Massed Bands Of The Southern Command
9. Maybe You'll Be There......Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra vocalist Charles La Vere
10. On The Painted Desert......Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra vocalist Bob Stevens
11. The Mountains Of Mourne......Jack Daly
12. Rose Of Tralee......Jack Daley
Cedric Sharpe, ARCM, Hon RAM (13 April 1891 – 1978) was a British cellist, composer and music professor of the early to mid-20th century. He studied cello at the Royal College of Music.
He recorded for HMV and was broadcast by the BBC. He composed a number of original pieces mostly for solo cello with piano accompaniment.

Henry Pitts Brown (17 March 1916 – 27 February 1985), known professionally as Ray Ellington, was an English singer, drummer and bandleader. He is best known for his appearances on The Goon Show from 1951 to 1960. The Ray Ellington Quartet had a regular musical segment on the show.
The Ray Ellington Quartet was formed in 1947.The other members of Ellington's quartet were Dick Katz (piano) and Coleridge Goode (bass) and Lauderic Caton (Guitar).. When guitarist Caton moved on he was succeeded in turn by Laurie Deniz, Australian Don Fraser and Judd Proctor, who was a member of the quartet for six years from July 1955.Ellington specialised in jazz but experimented with many other genres and his musical style was heavily influenced by the comedic jump blues of Louis Jordan.
They were also reputedly the first jazz band in the UK to use an amplified guitar, which was produced and introduced by their guitar player, Lauderic Caton. 

          11. The Mountains Of Mourne

Sunday 10 September 2023

Mantovani--Ted Heath--Glen Mason--Russ Morgan--Paul Rich--Sydney Thompson


 Big front names and relatively unknown names doing the vocals on this selection...I wonder if there is any info on the singers....will have lookee and seeeeee !

1. Softly Softly......Mantovani & His Orchestra. vocalist Kim Bennett
2. Longing......Mantovani & His Orchestra
3. Day By Day......Ted Heath & His Music. vocalist Paul Carpenter
4. To Bed Early......Ted Heath & His Music. vocalist Paul Carpenter
5. The Green Door......Glen Mason
6. Why Must You Go Go Go.....Glen Mason
7. So Tired......Russ Morgan & His Orchestra. vocalist Russ Morgan
8. The More We Are Together.....Russ Morgan & His Orchestra. vocalist Russ Morgan
9. All You Have To Do Is Dream......Paul Rich
10. Witch Doctor......Paul Rich
11. Laces And Graces......Sydney Thompson's Old Tyme Dance Orchestra
12. Waltz Medley.......Sydney Thompson's Olde Tyme Dance Orchestra

Paul Carpenter (8 December 1921 – 12 June 1964) was a Canadian actor and singer.
He moved to Britain and sang with Carroll Gibbons and Ted Heath in the 1940's and starred in the BBC Radio serial Riders of the Range (1949–1953) as the cowboy Jeff Arnold.He was also a  leading man in British 1950's second feature melodramas and potboilers. He was also a former war correspondent and ice hockey champion.

Glen Mason was born in Stirling, Scotland, UK, on 16 September 1930.
 Norman Newell, manager for the Philips recording company noticed Mason and after an audition recorded Mason's first two tracks, "The Whistling Kettle and the Dancing Cat" and "Dixieland Tango". Mason introduced him to producer George Martin, and Martin made the Scottish singer "sound American" in his versions of U.S. hits "Glendora" and "Green Door".
They were amply advertised ("Glendora" was described as a record that "really rocks" but, competing with the Perry Como and Jim Lowe originals, they failed to chart, with "Green Door" peaking at #24.

Sydney Thompson was a BBC bandleader of the 1950s. His "Old-Tyme Dance Orchestra" was one of the leading UK bands of the period.

          7. So Tired

The Johnson Brothers--Frankie Laine & Jo Stafford--The Band Of HM Coldstream Guards--Max Bygraves--Joe Loss & His Orchestra--Doris Day & Buddy Clark


 Vocals either side of a marching band with a couple of Hey's complete this selection !

1. Hey There.....The Johnston Brothers
2. Hernando's Hideaway.....The Johnston Brothers
3. Hey Good Lookin'......Frankie Laine & Jo Stafford
4. Gambella......Frankie Laine & Jo Stafford
5. There'll Always Be An England......The Band Of HM Coldstream Guards
6. Lords Of The Air......The Band Of HM Coldstream Guards
7. Meet Me On The Corner......Max Bygraves
8. The Little Laplander......Max Bygraves
9. Laughing On The Outside......Joe Loss & His Orchestra 
10. You Can Be Sure Of Me......Joe Loss & His Orchestra
11. I'll String Along With You......Doris Day & Buddy Clark
12. The Last Mile Home......Doris Day

The Johnston Brothers were a vocal group who had a No. 1 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1955 with their cover version of "Hernando's Hideaway".The group was formed by Johnny Johnston (born John Harold Johnston, 10 July 1919 – 10 June 1998, London).
In 1949, Johnston formed an all-male singing trio, The Johnston Brothers, the other members being Alan Dean, Eddie Lester and Canadian singer Denny Vaughan . They won a recording contract with Decca Records, and had their first UK Top 10 hit in 1953 with "Oh Happy Day". In November 1955, their version of "Hernando's Hideaway", from the movie The Pajama Game, reached the number one spot for two weeks, beating off the American versions by both Johnnie Ray and Archie Bleyer. The Johnston Brothers had a number of smaller follow-up hits in the UK, including the medley "Join in And Sing Again" (1955) and "Heart" (1957), and also recorded with Joan Regan.They provided backing for the British vocalist, Suzi Miller, on their UK No. 14 joint hit, "Happy Days and Lonely Nights" in 1955.

Mitch Miller teamed Laine with many of Mercury and Columbia's biggest artists. He scored hits with Patti Page ("I Love You for That") at Mercury, Doris Day ("Sugarbush"), Jo Stafford ("Hey Good Lookin'", "Gambella (The Gambling Lady)", "Hambone", "Floatin' Down to Cotton Town", "Settin' the Woods on Fire", and many others), Jimmy Boyd ("Tell Me a Story", "The Little Boy and the Old Man"), the Four Lads ("Rain, Rain, Rain") and Johnnie Ray ("Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)").
Both in collaboration with Jo Stafford and as a solo artist, Laine was one of the earliest, and most frequent, Columbia artists to bring country numbers into the mainstream. 

The Band of the Coldstream Guards is one of the oldest and best known bands in the British Army, having been officially formed on 16 May 1785 under the command of Major C F Eley.

                                           Doris Day & Buddy Clark

         9. Laughing On The Outside