Tuesday 31 January 2023

Mantovani--Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra--Andre Kostalanetz & His Orchestra--Beniamino Gigli--Richard Crooks--Paul Robeson


 Sweeping strings, symphonic music, operetta music, a world famous Italian tenor, ending with some classic songs and you have a selection that you can put your feet up and relax and let the music speak !!

1. Moonlight Serenade......Mantovani & His Orchestra
2. Shadow Waltz......Mantovani & His Orchestra
3. La Boheme Selection (Part 1)......Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
4. La Boheme Selection (Part 2 )......Metropoliton Symphony Orchestra
5. Desert Song......Andre Kostalanetz & His Orchestra
6. Deep In My Heart Dear......Andre Kostalanetz
7. O Sole Mia.....Beniamino Gigli
8. Senza Nisciono......Beniamino Gigli
9. Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life......Richard Crooks
10. The Song Of Songs.......Richard Crooks
11. Song Of The Volga Boatman......Paul Robeson
12. An Eriskay Love Lilt......Paul Robeson

Andre Kostelanetz (Russian:December 22, 1901 – January 13, 1980) was a Russian-born American popular orchestral music conductor and arranger who was one of the major exponents of popular orchestra music.
For many years, he conducted the New York Philharmonic in pops concerts and recordings, in which they were billed as Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra.Kostelanetz may be best known to modern audiences for a series of easy listening instrumental albums on Columbia Records from the 1940s until 1980. 
Richard Alexander Crooks (June 26, 1900 – September 29, 1972) was an American tenor and a leading singer at the New York Metropolitan Opera..

          5. Desert Song

Monday 30 January 2023

Slim Whitman--William Thomas--Doris Day--Reginald Dixon--Fats Waller--The Sylvians


2 Singers from the 50's, Organ music I guess from the 40's and a rocking piano also from the 40's and it's anyone's guess about the others mine would be 20's--30's looking at the labels and content !!
1. Lovesick Blues......Slim Whitman
2. Forever......Slim Whitman
3. My Dreams......William Thomas
4. Parted.....William Thomas
5. The Deadwood Stage......Doris Day
6. Secret Love.....Doris Day
7. Dixonland (No 3) Part 1......Reginald Dixon
8. Dixonland (No 3) Part 2......Reginald Dixon
9. When Somebody Thinks Your Wonderful.....Fats Waller
10. Dinah......Fats Waller
11. In An Oriental Garden......The Sylvians
12. Bless Her Little Heart......The Sylvians

William Thomas, a pseudonym for tenor Thomas Jackson. appears to have been quite prolific in Great Britain in the 1910s and 1920s.

Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid much of the basis for modern jazz piano. His best-known compositions, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose", were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1999.

The Sylvians was a short-lived band, based at the Savoy Hotel, London, in 1926 and 1927. It was one of a number of dance bands at that time which did not include a brass section, in order to give it a quieter, more subtle sound to that of the larger bands. Brass instruments were added for the purpose of making gramophone records. 

         9. When somebody Thinks Your Wonderful

Edmund Hockridge--London Piano Accordion Band--Perry Como--The Don Sesta Accordion Band--Charlie Barnet & Orchestra--Fred Hartley's Quintet & Webster Booth


 Accordion bands mixed with swing...and vocals times two, although on the rest of the songs the vocals come in eventually !!.....talk about a late entrance !!....and what a difference in the style of singing on track 4 (????) which is the sound bite, and track 5 (1959)
Selection ending with a classical pitch !!

1. Shangri La......Edmund Hockridge
2. All At Once You Love Me......Edmund Hockridge
3. Please Believe Me......London Piano Accordion Band with Vocal
4. Poor Little Angeline.......London Piano Accordion with Vocal
5. Tomboy......Perry Como
6. Kiss Me And Kiss Me And Kiss Me.....Perry Como
7. Oh Johanna......The Don Sesta Accordion Band with The Destifano Brothers
8. My Moonlight Madonna......The Sesta Accordion Band with The Destifano Brothers
9. Swingin' On Nothin'.......Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra vocal Ford Leary
10. Pompton Turnpike......Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra
11. In Old Madrid......Fred Hartley's Quintet with Webster Booth
12. Toselli's Serenade (Come Back)......Fred Hartley's Quintet With Webster Booth.

          4. Poor Little Angeline

Sunday 29 January 2023

Frank Chaksfields Tunesmiths--The Obernkirchen Children's Choir--Gracie Fields--Maurice Elwin--Tennessee Ernie Ford--New Light Symphony Orchestra


  Just a mixed lot of music and vocal's ending in a Classical Mode !!.....with no Info on the net of The "New Light Symphony Orchestra"

1. Meet Mr Callaghan......Frank Chakfields Tunesmiths
2. Prelude Rag......Frank Chaksfields Tunesmiths
3. The Happy Wanderer......The Obernkirchen Children's Choir
4. Eventide......The Obernkirchen Children's Choir
5. Honey Child......Gracie Fields
6. Papa Won't You Dance With Me.......Gracie Fields with Tommy Fields
7. Just Once For All Times......Maurice Elwin
8. Live Laugh And Love.......Maurice Elwin
9. His Hands.......Tennessee Ernie Ford
10. I'm A Pilgrim......Tennessee Ernie Ford
11. Barcarolle......New Light Symphony Orchestra
12. Cavalleria Rusticana......New Light Symphony Orchestra

"The Happy Wanderer" is a popular song. The original text was written by Florenz Friedrich Sigismund (1791–1877).
The present tune was composed by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller shortly after World War II. The work is often mistaken for a German folk song, but it is an original composition. Möller's sister Edith conducted a small amateur children's and youth choir in the district of Schaumburg, in Lower Saxony, Germany, internationally named Obernkirchen Children's Choir, in Germany named Schaumburger Märchensänger. She adapted Sigismund's words for her choir.
In 1953, a BBC radio broadcast of the choir's winning performance at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod turned the song into an instant hit. On January 22, 1954, the song entered the UK singles chart and stayed on the chart—only a Top 12 at the time—for 26 non-consecutive weeks, peaking at Number 2 (for five consecutive weeks). The amateur choir, many of whose original members were war orphans, turned into an international phenomenon in the following years. The group performed on many international tours under the name Obernkirchen Children's Choir and recorded several albums. They made two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show (November 29, 1964, and December 11, 1966).

Norman MacPhail Blair (14 June 1896 – 5 October 1975), who most often used the pseudonym Maurice Elwin in his professional work, was a British dance band singer and songwriter who was popular between the First and Second World Wars. He used over 60 different pseudonyms, both as a singer and composer, including John Curtis, Maurice Kelvin, Donald O'Keefe, Guy Victor, and Max Wynn, as well as sometimes using the name Norman Blair.
He made his first known recording, as Maurice Elwin, in 1916, though it was not issued at the time, in 1926 he was singing and recording, notably with the Gramophone Company and on the Parlophone label. He recorded many solo performances and duets, as well as uncredited vocals on dance band records, simply noted anonymously as "vocal refrain".
A baritone singer, Elwin was one of the most prolific British recording artists of the era, recording some 2,000 tracks. His style was said to be "understated and subtle", relatively unemotional and with precise diction. Among the many bands with whom he recorded in the 1920s and early 1930s were those of Bert Firman and Arthur Lally. These were regarded at the time as "hot" bands, though Elwin also recorded with more orchestral ensembles, notably the Savoy Orpheans led by Carroll Gibbons in the early 1930s. By 1936, he was said to receive the highest salary ever paid to a British dance band singer.

          1. Meet Mr Callaghan

Johnnie Ray--Mario Lanza--Perry Como--Bing Crosby--Buddy Cole--Tennessee Ernie Ford


 It seems the girl and the boy are traveling to Granada then Copacabana in the moonlight with plenty of time so lets hope they had a lovely night of that year !

1. As Time Goes By......Johnnie Ray
2. To Every Girl To Every Boy.......Johnnie Ray
3. The Loveliest Night Of The Year......Mario Lanza
4. La Donna E Mobile.......Mario Lanza
5. Did You Ever Get That feeling In The Moonlight.....Perry Como
6. Till The End Of Time......Perry Como
7. Granada......Bing Crosby
8.  Copacabana......Bing Crosby
9. You're Breaking my Heart......Buddy Cole
10. Song Of Surrender......Buddy Cole
11. Sixteen Tons......Tennessee Ernie Ford
12. You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry......Tennessee Ernie Ford


Buddy Clark (born Samuel Goldberg, July 26, 1912 – October 1, 1949) was an American popular singer of the Big Band era. He had some success in the 1930s, but his career truly blossomed in the late 1940s, after his return from service in World War II, and he became one of the nation's top crooners. He died in a plane crash in 1949.
In 1949 Clark opened the year with "Powder Your Face With Sunshine" again a duet with Doris Day on a top 15 seller and two more that were top 25 tunes - "I Love You So Much It Hurts" with Earl Hagen's band on and "It's A Big Wide Wonderful World" from the Broadway show "All In Fun" with Mitchell Ayres on In the spring of 1949 Clark recorded another duet, this time with Dinah Shore on the tune "Baby It's Cold Outside" from the film "Neptunes Daughter" on It was another huge hit remaining a top seller for five months and topping out at number four on the national charts. This was followed by another top five seller and a long time hit parade mainstay "You're Breaking My Heart" with the orchestra of Harry Zimmerman on In the fall "A Dreamer's Holiday" was recorded with Ted Dale's orchestra on, and it was another big seller for Clark and Columbia Records that went to number 12 on the charts.

          12. You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry

Saturday 28 January 2023

Al Martino--Eartha Kitt--Anton Karas--Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra--New Mayfair Novelty Orchestra--Doris Vane & Harold Williams


 Three city's we are visiting now Spain France and Vienna...and 3 dances to go with them...Vienna the Waltz's.....Spain maybe the Boogie Woogie and France Fox Trot.. or maybe the other way around !!

1. Before......Al Martino
2. Matador......Al Martino
3. Under The Bridges Of Paris.....Eartha Kitt
4. Lovin' Spree......Eartha Kitt
5. The Harry Lime Theme......Anton Karas
6. The Cafe Mozart Waltz......Anton Karas
7. Boogie Woogie......Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8. Tin Room Blues......Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
9. The Cuckoo Waltz......New Mayfair Novelty Orchestra
10. Nights Of Gladness Waltz......New Mayfair Novelty Orchestra
11. Only A Rose......Doris Vane & Harold Williams
12. Song Of The Vagabonds......Harold Williams

Anton Karl Karas (7 July 1906 – 10 January 1985) was an Austrian zither player and composer, best known for his internationally famous 1948 soundtrack to Carol Reed's The Third Man. His association with the film came about as a result of a chance meeting with its director. The success of the film and the enduring popularity of its theme song changed Karas' life.

Harold John Williams MBE (3 September 1893 – 5 June 1976) was an Australian baritone and music teacher. Born in Sydney, he had a career in England and his native country, performing in opera, oratorio and concerts and giving radio broadcasts.

Can't Find any Info On Doris Vane

         4. Lovin' Spree

Laurie London--Frank Sinatra--The Four Lads--Russ Conway--Charlie Applewhite--The New Stoll Picture Theatre Organ


 A Red A Purple A Blue A Green A Black and a mixture make this selection colourful Labels as well as vintage sounds !!....And a silly sea side place (Is it real ) ???
"Although it is arguably the longest place name mentioned in a song, it does not actually exist."

1. Boomerang......Laurie London
2. The Gospel Train......Laurie London
3. From Here To Eternity......Frank Sinatra
4. My One And Only Love......Frank Sinatra
5. Gilly Gilly Ossenfenffer Katzenellen Bogan By The Sea......The Four Lads
6. I Hear It Everywhere......The Four Lads
7. China Tea...... Russ Conway
8. The Wee Boy Of Brussels......The Four Lads
9. You Were Meant For Me......Charlie Applewhite
10. I Love Paris......Charlie Applewhite
11. Narcissus.......The New Stoll Picture Theatre Organ
12. The Bells Of St Mary's......The New Stoll Picture Theatre Organ

Laurie London (born 19 January 1944) is an English singer, who achieved fame as a boy singer of the 1950s, for both his gospel and novelty songs recording in both English and German. He is best known for his hit single of the spiritual song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".
He made an up-tempo version of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" with the Geoff Love Orchestra for Parlophone Records (45-R4359) which was picked up by its co-owned American sister label Capitol Records (F3891). In April 1958, it reached number 1 on Billboard's "Most Played by Jockeys" chart and remained there for four weeks.

Charlie Applewhite (November 25, 1932 – April 27, 2001) was an American singer and radio host. The height of his fame came as a regular on the Milton Berle show in the mid 1950s, and he became a highly-paid entertainer, performing on records, radio, and television. The advent of the Rock era and a plane crash that left him severely injured curtailed his career.

          1. Boomerang

Friday 6 January 2023

Jimmy Young--Mario Lanza--The Casino Orchestra--Alma Cogan--The Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden--The Andrews Sisters

A couple of waltzes and a dance with blades !..and a guessing game with a dimple !....

1. Unchained Melody.......Jimmy Young
2. Help Me Forget.......Jimmy Young
3. Serenade......Mario Lanza
4. Drinking Song......Mario Lanza
5. Smiles Then Kisses Waltz......The Casino Orchestra
6. Sweet Delusion Waltz.......The Casino Orchestra
7. Where Will The Dimple Be......Alma Cogan
8. Keep Me In Mind.......Alma Cogan
9. Preludium......The Royal Opera Orchestra Covent Garden
10. Berceuse......The Royal Opera Orchestra Covent Garden
11. Heartbreaker......The Andrews Sisters
12. Sabre Dance......The Andrews Sisters

The Casino Orchestra was the House Orchestra in the Columbia studios in London from 1910 to 1918.

The Royal Opera House (ROH) is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. The first theatre on the site, the Theatre Royal (1732), served primarily as a playhouse for the first hundred years of its history. 
From 1934 to 1936, Geoffrey Toye was managing director, working alongside the Artistic Director, Sir Thomas Beecham.
The Royal Opera House reopened on 20 February 1946 with a performance of The Sleeping Beauty in an extravagant new production designed by Oliver Messel. Webster, with his music director Karl Rankl, immediately began to build a resident company. In December 1946, they shared their first production, Purcell's The Fairy-Queen, with the ballet company. On 14 January 1947, the Covent Garden Opera Company gave its first performance of Bizet's Carmen.
(All Info edited from Wikipedia)

         9. Preludium

Thursday 5 January 2023

Jay Wilbur & His Band--The Rhythm Rascals--The King Brothers--David Hughes--P.T.Kirpinchek & P.S. Sellinik--Krasovsky--Vera Lynn--Perry Como,


 It seem like we might be on an Island with a Cossack in the corner in his rockin' shoes holding a letter to his Mother and son and it could be rain in the valley !!!

1. Wheezy Anna//A Letter To My Mother......Jay Wilber And His Band
2. Just an Echo In The Valley//Standing On The Corner......The Rhythm Rascals (Jay Wilbur) ??
3. In The Middle Of An Island......The King Brothers
4. Rockin' Shoes......The King Brothers
5. Love Is a Many Splendoured Thing.......David Hughes
6. Bella Notte......David Hughes
7. Cossack Song.......P.T. Kirpinchek & P.S. Sellinik with Orch Bolshoi Theatre Moscow
8. From Border To Border......Krasovsky with Orch Bolshoi Theatre Moscow
9. My Son My Son......Vera Lynn
10. Our Heaven On Earth......Vera Lynn
11. More Than You know......Perry Como
12. A Garden In the Rain......Perry Como

James Edward Wilbur (1898–1968) was a British bandleader and prolifically recorded musician identified with and influential in the era of Big Band and British dance band music.With his own name and under many pseudonyms, his recordings appeared on a variety of labels, including Imperial, Eclipse, Rex and Crown.
Jay Wilbur and His Band performed extensively for Allied military servicemembers during World War II. He is known for recording established tunes while rendering them in foxtrot style.

          4. Rockin' Shoes

Wednesday 4 January 2023

Teddy Johnson--Al Jolson--Howard Keel--Virginia Gibson--Edmundo Ros--Joe Loss


 Only one bio and pic on this selection all the other bio's and pics are further down posts !!

1. Beloved Be Faithful......Teddy Johnson
2. Wanderin'......Teddy Johnson
3. Chinatown My Chinatown......Al Jolson
4. After You've Gone......Al Jolson
5. Sobbin' Women......Howard Keel
6. June Bride......Virginia Gibson
7. Piano Pops (No 5)..Part 1.......Russ Conway
8. Piano Pops (No 5)..Part 2.......Russ Conway
9. Come Closer To Me......Edmundo Ros And His Rumba Band
10. Cavaquinho......Edmundo Ros And His Rumba Band
11. Painting The Clouds With Sunshine.....Joe Loss And His Orchestra
12. We Won't Live In A Castle.......Joe Loss And His Orchestra

       7. Piano Pops (No 5) Part 1.

Edmundo Ros OBE, FRAM (7 December 1910 – 21 October 2011), born Edmund William Ross, was a Trinidadian-Venezuelan musician, vocalist, arranger and bandleader who made his career in Britain. He directed a highly popular Latin American orchestra, had an extensive recording career and owned one of London's leading nightclubs.
In August 1940, Ros formed his own orchestra, performing as Edmundo Ros and His Rumba Band in the style of Lecuona Cuban Boys directed by Armando Oréfiche. In 1941 he cut his first tracks with Parlophone, the first number being "Los Hijos de Buda". The band played regularly at the Coconut Grove club in Regent Street, attracting members of London's high society and royal family.
         9. Come Closer To Me

Tuesday 3 January 2023

Two Cities Symphony Orchestra--Kay Starr--Peter Dawson--Sammy Davis--Anne Welch & Norton Collyer & Victor Conway


 Two Columbia Two Capitol Two HMV Two Brunswick & Four Decca...starts 2023 off !! plus no info ! on the Orchestra and the trio of singers on Decca !

1. The Way To The Stars. Part One......Two Cities Symphony Orchestra
2. The Way To The Stars. Part Two......Two Cities Symphony Orchestra
3. If You Love Me......Kay Starr
4. The Man Upstairs......Kay Starr
5. Phil The Fluter's Ball.......Peter Dawson
6. The Mountains O' Mourne......Peter Dawson
7. Frankie And Johnny......Sammy Davis
8. Circus......Sammy Davis
9. The Maid Of The Mountains.Vocal Gems. Part 1..Anne Welch-Norton Collyer-Victor Conway
10.The Maid Of The Mountains.Vocal Gems. Part 2..Anne Welch-Norton Collyer-Victor Conway

        5. Phil The Fluter's Ball