Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Ken Jones & His Orchestra--Bing Crosby--Ronnie Hilton & Alma Cogan--Roberto Inglez & His Orchestra--Stan Freberg--Kay Starr


 Freberg was one of the talents recruited by Capitol Records when it launched its spoken-word division....... I guess that by today's standards the dragon & blue riding hood hasn't worn well by time !...Soooooooooo is it funny in the 2022's

1. The Portuguese Washerwoman.......Ken Jones & His Orchestra
2. Sadie's Shawl.......Ken Jones & His Orchestra
3. You Belong To My Heart......Bing Crosby
4. Baia.......Bing Crosby
5. No Other Love......Ronnie Hilton
6. It's All Been Done Before......Ronnie Hilton & Alma Cogan
7. The Wedding Samba......Roberto Inglez & His Orchestra.. (Vocal Pat Hutton)
8. La Raspa (The Dancing Game)...Roberto Inglez & His Orchestra (Vocal Roberto Inglez)
9. St George & The Dragonet......Stan Freberg
10. Little Blue Riding Hood......Stan Freberg
11. Wheel Of Fortune......Kay Starr
12. Wabash Cannon Ball......Kay Starr

Kenneth Jones (2 October 1927 – 25 April 1988) was a British conductor and composer of film and television music. Among his work Jones was musical director for the television chat show Aspel & Company and wrote the scores for several comedy films.
Jones began his music career as a studio arranger for Norrie Paramor, there he worked arranging music for The Zombies, Jim Dale, and Jonathan King. In the 1960s he established his own orchestra and began a career in film and television. Film scores including Fire Down Below, Tom Thumb and The City of the Dead.Also in 1979, Jones conducted the United Kingdom entry at the Eurovision Song Contest which was sung by Black Lace.

Roberto Inglez (born in Elgin, Scotland, 1913; died in Santiago, Chile. 1978) was a Latin American pianist, bandleader and arranger. He made an enormous impression on the popular dance music scene of the late ’40s and early ’50s.

          12 Wabash Cannon Ball

Everly Brothers--Billy Eckstine--Charlie Kunz--Glenn Miller & His Orchestra--Topic Singers & Band--Vera Lynn


 12 retro tracks 5 well known 2 Medley's by piano and a tap tap tappy woodpecker...I hope he keeps away from the piano !!!

1. Bye Bye Love.......Everly Brothers
2. I Wonder If I Care As Much......Everly Brothers
3. I Apologize......Billy Eckstine
4. Free......Billy Eckstine
5. Charlie Kunz's Piano Medley No D73 Part 1
6. Charlie Kunz's Piano Medley No D 73 Part 2
7. The Nearness Of You.......Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
8. Blueberry Hill.......Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
9. The Internationale.......Topic Singer And Band
10. Salute To Life......Topic Singers & Unity String Orchestra
11. The Grandest Song Of All......Vera Lynn
12. The Woodpecker Song.......Vera Lynn


William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award . His recording of "I Apologize" (MGM, 1948) was given the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. The New York Times described him as an influential band leader whose suave bass-baritone and full-throated, sugary approach to popular songs.
In 1944, Eckstine formed his own big band, and it became the finishing school for adventurous young musicians who would shape the future of jazz including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Ceceil Payne, Fats Navarro, Lucky Thompson, John Malachi, Sarah Vaughan, Pearl Bailey, and Lena Horne.
Eckstine became a solo performer in 1947, with records featuring lush, sophisticated orchestrations.He signed with the newly established MGM Records, and had immediate hits with revivals of "Everything I Have Is Yours" (1947), Rodgers and Hart's "Blue Moon" (1948), and Juan Tizol's "Caravan" (1949).Eckstine had further success in 1950 with Victor Young's theme song to "My Foolish Heart," and the next year with a revival of the 1931 Bing Crosby hit, "I Apologize".

Charles Leonard Kunz (August 18, 1896 – March 16, 1958) was an American-born British musician popular during the British dance band era, and who became a pianist.He came to the United Kingdom in 1922 as a pianist in a small dance band.
His debut as a soloist came in 1934 at the Holborn Empire, London followed by countless variety theatres in Britain and the Continent, after playing in hotels, restaurants and ballrooms. The same year saw the beginning of what was to become a continuous output of solo records of "Charlie Kunz Medleys". His signature tune was "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie", and his closing theme was "Pink Elephants".

Alton Glenn Miller (March 1, 1904 – December 15, 1944) was an American big band trombonist, arranger, composer, bandleader and officer in the U.S. Army (Air Corps) in the swing era. He was the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1942, leading one of the best-known big bands. Miller's recordings include "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "A String of Pearls", "At Last", "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo", "American Patrol", "Tuxedo Junction", "Elmer's Tune", "Little Brown Jug", and "Anvil Chorus". In just four years, Miller scored 16 number-one records and 69 top-10 hits—more than Elvis Presley (40 top 10s) and the Beatles (33 top 10s) did in their careers.

          12.The Woodpecker Song

Eddie Calvert--Alma Cogan--Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra--Black Dyke Mills Band--Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra--Patience & Prudence


 The Bees are buzzing around the  cherry pink roses...hope it's not quick sand ! mind the house !

1. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White......Eddie Calvert
2. Roses Off Picardy......Eddie Calvert
3. Why Do Fools Fall In Love......Alma Cogan
4. The Birds And The Bees......Alma Cogan
5. The Shifting Whispering Sands.(Part 1).....Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra
6. The Shifting Whispering Sands.(Part 2).....Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra
7. Bless This House......Black Dyke Mills Band
8. Poem......Black Dyke Mills Band
9. The Acapulco Polka......Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra
10. The Hillbilly Mambo Band......Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra
11. Tonight You Belong To Me......Patience & Prudence
12. A Smile And A Ribbon......Patience & Prudence

                                        Black Dyke Mills Band 1972

Black Dyke Mills
The band was formerly the band of the Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury, West Yorkshire, England, a company owned by John Foster. Foster, a French horn player, joined with others in a small brass and reed band in Queensbury in 1816. This band faltered, and another band formed – called the Queenshead Band – which consisted of 18 musicians around 1843. This second band also faltered, but in 1855, Foster and other musicians established the new mill band, and outfitted it with uniforms made from the mill's own cloth. Most of the musicians in the band also worked at the mill, and a close bond was fostered with the local community. The band has remained active since that time, and still rehearses in its original rooms.
They were voted BBC Band of the Year.

Xavier Cugat ( 1 January 1900 – 27 October 1990) was a Spanish musician and bandleader who spent his formative years in Havana, Cuba. A trained violinist and arranger, he was a leading figure in the spread of Latin music. In New York City he was the leader of the resident orchestra at the Waldorf–Astoria before and after World War II. He was also a cartoonist and a restaurateur. The personal papers of Xavier Cugat are preserved in the Biblioteca de Catalunya.
His music career led to appearing in the films In Gay Madrid (1930), You Were Never Lovelier (1942), Week-End at the Waldorf (1945), Bathing Beauty (1944), Holiday in Mexico (1946), A Date with Judy (1948), On an Island with You (1948), and Chicago Syndicate (1955).
Cugat recorded for Columbia (1940s and 1950s, and Epic), RCA Victor (1930s and 1950s), Mercury (1951–52 and the 1960s), and Decca (1960s). Dinah Shore made her first recordings as a vocalist with Cugat in 1939 and 1940 for RCA Victor. In 1940 his recording of "Perfidia" became a hit. Cugat followed trends closely, making records for the conga, the mambo, the cha-cha-cha, and the twist when these dances were popular. In 1943 "Brazil" was Cugat's most successful chart hit. It spent seven weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine National Best Selling Retail Records chart behind Harry James's song "I've Heard That Song Before".

          9. The Acapulco Polka

Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Ronnie Hilton--Nellie Lutcher--Al Jolson--Josef Locke--Jeanette Macdonald & Nelson Eddy--Norman Long


 I'll  leave this comment open !....Maybe someone can fill it in for me !...by leaving it in the comment below...then I will post it here later !!

1. Wonderful Wonderful......Ronnie Hilton
2. The Miracle Of Love......Ronnie Hilton
3. He's A Real Gone Guy.......Nellie Lutcher
4. You Better Watch Yourself Bud.......Al Jolson
5. Rock a Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody......Al Jolson
6. California Here I Come......Al Jolson
7. Down In The Glen......Josef Locke
8. Within This Heart Of Mine.......Josef Locke
9. Indian Love Call......Jeanette Macdonald & Nelson Eddy
10. Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life......Jeanette Macdonald & Nelson Eddy
11. Monday Morning......Norman Long
12. My Little Austin Seven......Norman Long 

Nellie Rose Lutcher (October 15, 1912 – June 8, 2007) was an American R&B and jazz singer and pianist, who gained prominence in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Lutcher was most recognizable for her diction and exaggerated pronunciation and was credited as an influence by Nina Simone among others.She was signed by Capitol and made several records, including "The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)" and her first hit single, the risqué "Hurry On Down",In 1948, she had a string of further R&B chart hits, the most successful being "Fine Brown Frame", her third No. 2 R&B hit. Her songs charted on the pop, jazz, and R&B charts, she toured widely and became well known. She wrote many of her own which went to No. 2 on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart. This was followed by her equally successful composition "He's A Real Gone Guy", which also made No. 2 on the R&B chart and crossed over to the pop charts where it reached No. 15.
Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965) was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (The Love Parade, Love Me Tonight, The Merry Widow and One Hour With You) and Nelson Eddy (Naughty Marietta, Rose-Marie, and Maytime). During the 1930s and 1940s she starred in 29 feature films, four nominated for Best Picture Oscars (The Love Parade, One Hour with You, Naughty Marietta and San Francisco), and recorded extensively, earning three gold records. She later appeared in opera, concerts, radio, and television. MacDonald was one of the most influential sopranos of the 20th century, introducing opera to film-going audiences and inspiring a generation of singers.

Norman Stuart Long (26 March 1893–10 January 1951) was an English singer, pianist and comic entertainer, who was one of the earliest stars of BBC Radio..
 He made his first stage appearance at the Lewisham Hippodrome in 1919, billed as "A song, a smile, and a piano". He made his first radio appearance in November 1922, on the 2LO station set up by the newly-established British Broadcasting Company. His billing was soon changed to "A song, a joke, and a piano" when it was realised that a smile could not be conveyed over radio, and he described himself as "Norman Long - all teeth and trousers".With his "non-stop patter" as well as his skills as a singer and pianist, he remained a popular radio entertainer over the next 25 years. From 1925 he also made recordings of his own comic songs, mostly released on the Columbia label. These included such titles as "Back I Went to the Ministry of Labour", "Why Is the Bacon So Tough?", and "Never Have a Bath with Your Wristwatch On".

          3. He's A Real Gone Guy

Monty Norman--Allan Jones--Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel--Mantovani & Allan Kane--Josef Locke--Connie Francis


 Four Black Four Yellow Two Red & Two Blue....not exactly rainbow colours but they should light up your day !! or Night !.........No Fooling !!

1. If There Is A Mountain......Monty Norman
2. I've Lost My Heart To You......Monty Norman
3. Do I Love You......Allan Jones
4. The Monkey And The Organ Grinder......Allan Jones
5. Wunderbar......Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
6. (a).We Open In Venice...Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel...(b). Howard Keel
7. Where The Waters Are Blue......Mantovani..(Vocal Alan Kane)
8. You Walk By......Mantovani..(Vocal Alan Kane)
9. Goodbye......Josef Locke
10. My Heart And I.......Josef Locke
11. Who's Sorry Now......Connie Francis
12. You Were Only Fooling......Connie Francis

                                                             Monty Norman

Monty Norman ( 4 April 1928 – 11 July 2022) was a British composer, musician and singer. A contributor to West End musicals in the 1950s and 1960s, he is best known for composing the "James Bond Theme," first heard in the 1962 film Dr. No. He was an Ivor Novello Award and Olivier Award winner, and a Tony Award nominee.
During the 1950s and early 1960s, Norman was a singer for big bands such as those of Cyril Stapleton, Stanley Black, Ted Heath, and Nat Temple. He also sang in various variety shows, sharing top billing with other singers and comedy stars such as Benny Hill, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Harry Worth, Tommy Cooper, Jimmy James, and Tony Hancock. One of his songs, "False-Hearted Lover", was successful internationally.

                                                                Allan Jones
Allan Jones (October 14, 1907 – June 27, 1992) was an American actor and tenor.
Jones is best remembered as the male romantic lead actor in the first two films in which the Marx Brothers starred for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, A Night at the Opera (1935) and A Day at the Races (1937), as well as the film musicals Show Boat (1936) and The Firefly (1937), in which he introduced what became his signature song, "The Donkey Serenade".
Jones's final film for MGM was Everybody Sing (1938) opposite Judy Garland and Fanny Brice, in which he introduced the pop standard "The One I Love".
Jones recorded prodigiously throughout his career, primarily for RCA Victor. His 1938 recording of "The Donkey Serenade" ranks third among the all-time best-selling single records issued by RCA Victor.


                                                                    Alan Kane
British dance band era singer, recording artist and radio performer. (20 September 1913 -20 August 1996)

Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937) known professionally as Connie Francis, is an American former pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Widely recognized as the “First Lady of Rock & Roll,” she is estimated to have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
In 1960, Francis was recognized as the most successful female artist in Germany, Japan, England, Italy, Australia and in every other country where records were purchased.[5] She was the first woman in history to reach No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, just one of her other 53 career hits.

          12. You Were Only Fooling

Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Vera Lynn--Ronnie Hilton--Alma Cogan--Hoagy Carmichael--Rawicz & Landauer--The Andrews Sisters--The Four Knights


 Some top names now to entice you to download and give yourself a listening treat !!!!!!

1. Mexicali Rose......Vera Lynn
2. Angels Never Leave Heaven......Vera Lynn
3. No Other Love......Ronnie Hilton
4. Its All Been Done Before......Ronnie Hilton & Alma Cogan
5. My Resistance Is Low.......Hoagy Carmichael
6. Sacramento......Hoagy Carmichael
7. Liebestrom.......Rawicz & Landauer
8. Humoreske.....Rawicz & Landauer
9. I Didn't Know The Gun Was Loaded......The Andrews Sisters
10. Hurry Hurry Hurry......The Andrews Sisters
11. I Love The Sunshine Of Your Smile......The Four Knights
12. Walkin' And Whistlin' Blues......The Four Nights

Ronnie Hilton (born Adrian Hill; 26 January 1926 – 21 February 2001) was an English singer and radio presenter. According to his obituary in The Guardian newspaper, "For a time Hilton was a star – strictly for home consumption – with nine Top 20 hits between 1954 and 1957, that transitional era between 78 and 45rpm records. A quarter of a century later he became the voice of BBC Radio 2's Sounds of the Fifties series".
He came to fame by supplying smoothly delivered cover versions of popular American songs during the 1950s. His most enduring recordings were "No Other Love"; and his last chart entry in 1965 with "A Windmill in Old Amsterdam" The latter spent a total of 13 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 23 in the chart of 17 February 1965.From a comparatively unknown Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "Me and Juliet" written in 1953, Ronnie Hilton took the hit tune "No Other Love", and scored his one and only UK Number One hit in 1956. In securing the Number One, Hilton fought off competition from the UK-based Canadian Edmund Hockridge.
Despite the prominence of rock and roll in his recording career, he amassed a formidable array of best-sellers in the UK Singles Chart, albeit mainly with cover versions of US hit records. This was common practice at the time, and many British recording artists followed this trend. His chart single recording career alone spanned from 1954 to 1965, which flew in the face of the rapidly changing trends of pop music.

Rawicz and Landauer were an immensely popular piano duo team that performed from 1932 to 1970. They were initially based in Vienna, Austria, but moved to the United Kingdom in the early part of their career. They were known for their arrangements of popular classics.
They escaped Nazi Europe in 1935 and moved to the United Kingdom with their wives, becoming favourites of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). During World War II, like many people originally from mainland Europe, they found themselves considered potential enemies and were interned on the Isle of Man, Rawicz in Hutchinson Camp. After release, they both became British subjects. They transformed many popular classics into duets, sold tens of thousands of records and made regular BBC radio broadcasts.

The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxene Anglyn (January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and mezzo-soprano Patricia "Patty" Marie (February 16, 1918 – January 30, 2013). The sisters have sold an estimated 80 million records. Their 1941 hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" can be considered an early example of jump blues. Other songs closely associated with the Andrews Sisters include their first major hit, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Means That You're Grand)" (1937), "Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel)" (1939), "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" (1940), "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)" (1942), and "Rum and Coca Cola" (1945), which helped introduce American audiences to calypso.

The Four Knights were an American vocal group from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Their 1954 hit, "I Get So Lonely When I Dream About You (Oh Baby Mine)", sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.
The group was formed in 1943, with an original membership of Gene Alford (lead tenor), Oscar Broadway (bass), Clarence Dixon (baritone), and John Wallace (tenor, guitar). This line-up remained the same for much of the band's career.

          5. My Resistance Is Low

Monday, 25 July 2022

Victor Silvester--Paul Robeson--Howard Keel--Bert Lahr--Guy Mitchell--Sid Phillips--Dave King


2 Columbia's 4 Hmv's  2 MGM's 2 Philips 2 Decca's....all hoping to be downloaded and listened to!!

1. I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now......Victor Silvester & His Ballroom Orchestra
2. The Wishing Waltz...Victor Silvester & His Ballroom Orchestra
3. Water Boy......Paul Robeson
4. Steal Away.....Paul Robeson
5. Rose Marie......Howard Keel
6. I'm A Mountie That Never Got His Man......Bert Lahr
7. Knee Deep In the Blues......Guy Mitchell
8. Take Me Back Baby......Guy Mitchell
9. Shanghai......Sid Phillips & His Band
10. Kissing Bug Boogie......Sid Philips & His Band
11. You Can't Be True To Two......Dave King
12. A Little Bit Independent.......Dave King 

Victor Marlborough Silvester OBE (25 February 1900 – 14 August 1978) was an English dancer, writer, musician and bandleader from the British dance band era. He was a significant figure in the development of ballroom dance during the first half of the 20th century, and his records sold 75 million copies from the 1930s through to the 1980s.
The lack of what he felt were adequate records for dancing led Silvester in 1935 to form his own five-piece band, later enlarged and named Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra, whose first record, "You're Dancing on My Heart" (by Al Bryan and George M. Meyer), sold 17,000 copies and was to become his signature tune.

Irving Lahrheim (August 13, 1895 – December 4, 1967), known professionally as Bert Lahr, was an American actor, comedian and vaudevillian. He was best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion, as well as his counterpart Kansas farmworker "Zeke", in the MGM adaptation of The Wizard of Oz (1939). He was well known for his quick-witted humor and his work in burlesque and vaudeville and on Broadway.



         10 Kissing Bug Boogie

Guy Mitchell--The Excelsior Quartette--Edmund Hockridge--Lee Lawrence--Ronnie Ronalde

Some Colour in this one !....and Gran and Grandad get a mention but we are still dancing and roving in Rome !

1. The Roving Kind......Guy Mitchell
2. Your Not In my Arms Tonight.....Guy Mitchell
3. My Grandfathers Clock......The Excelsior Quartette
4. The Mistletoe Bough......The Excelsior Quartette
5. Congress Dances Part 1......Soloists Chorus & Orchestra
6. Congress Dances Part 2......Soloists Chorus & Orchestra
7. By The Fountains Of Rome......Edmund Hockridge
8. I'll Need Your love.......Edmund Hockridge
9. Marta ......Lee Lawrence
10. The World Is Mine Tonight......Lee Lawrence
11. Mockingbird Hill......Ronnie Ronalde
12. Grandmother's Wedding Dress......Ronnie Ronalde

                                             The Excelsior Quartette
This was an African-American vocal group that recorded primarily for Okeh in 1922, although they also recorded two sides for Gennett and two for Black Swan Records as "Excelsior Norfolk Quartette"). Personnel included:....Vernon Jones 1st Tenor...James C. Brown, 2nd Tenor
Johnny Brown, Baritone....C.C. Parker, Bass

Lee Lawrence (born Julius Leon Sirota, 1 September 1920 – 25 February 1961) was a British singer who was popular in the 1950s.He made his first recordings for Decca Records in the late 1940s. His songs included "How Can You Buy Killarney", "Song of Capri", "So Ends My Search For My Dream", all in 1949; "The World is Mine Tonight" (his theme song) in 1950; "With These Hands", "A Beggar in Love", and "Vanity" in 1951; "At Last, At Last" and "The Man in the Black Sombrero" in 1952; "Crying in the Chapel" in 1953; and "Suddenly There's a Valley" in 1955. 
He was a popular attraction on the British variety circuit in the early and mid 1950s, and had his own series on Radio Luxembourg in 1955. After losing popularity to rock and roll performers in Britain, and failing to have a hit with the song "Rock'n'Roll Opera" which parodied such singers as Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent and Tommy Steele, he moved in 1957 to the US, where he performed cabaret shows in the Catskills "Borscht Belt".

          11. Mockingbird Hill

Lew Stone--Vaughn Monroe--Harry Roy--Eddie Fisher--Ted Heath--Tony Brent


 Just a mix of big bands and orchestra's with vocal refrains plus 2 guys saying goodbye to papa in Spain !

1. I Hear A Rhapsody......Lew Stone & His Band
2. The Hut Tut Song......Lew Stone & His Band
3. Moonlight And Roses......Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra
4. Moon Of Manakoora......Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra
5. Ferry Boat Serenade......Harry Roy & His Band
6. The Call Of The Canyon......Harry Roy & His Band
7. Oh My Papa......Eddie Fisher
8. Untill You Said Goodbye.......Eddie Fisher
9. Opus 1......Ted Heath & His Band
10. My Guy's Come back......Ted Heath & His Band
11. With Your Love......Tony Brent
12. On A Little Balcony In Spain.......Tony Brent


Louis Stone known professionally as Lew Stone (28 June 1898 – 13 February 1969) was a British bandleader and arranger of the British dance band era, and was well known in Britain during the 1930s. He was known as a skillful, innovative and imaginative musical arranger.


Vaughn Wilton Monroe (October 7, 1911 – May 21, 1973)[1] was an American baritone singer, trumpeter, big band leader, actor, and businessman, who was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for recording and another for radio performance.


                                   Harry Roy And His Band

Harry Roy (12 January 1900 – 1 February 1971)[1] was a British dance band leader and clarinet player from the 1920s to the 1960s. He performed several songs with suggestive lyrics, including "My Girl's Pussy" (1931), and "She Had to Go and Lose It at the Astor" (1939).


George Edward Heath (30 March 1902 – 18 November 1969) was a British musician and big band leader. Heath led what is widely considered Britain's greatest post-war big band, recording more than 100 albums, which sold over 20 million copies. The most successful band in Britain during the 1950s, it remained in existence as a ghost band long after Heath died, surviving in such a form until 2000.
Heath was inspired by Glenn Miller and his Army Air Force Band, and spoke with Miller at length about forming his own band when Miller toured Britain with the United States Army Air Force Orchestra. Heath admired the immaculate precision of the Miller ensemble, and felt confident that he could emulate Miller's great success with his own orchestra.
The 1950s was the most popular period for Ted Heath and His Music during which a substantial repertoire of recordings were made. In 1958 nine albums were recorded. He became a household name throughout the UK, Europe, Australasia and the US. He won the New Musical Express Poll for Best Band/Orchestra each year from 1952 to 1961. Heath was asked to perform at a third Royal Command Performance for King George VI in 1951, and for Elizabeth II in 1954.
The addition of singers Dickie Valentine, Lita Roza and Dennis Lotis in the '50s gave the band more teenage appeal. 
Heath used Decca's Phase 4 Stereo recording methods in the early 1960s. He continued to commission a huge number of original scores and arrangements and some of his biggest US chart successes came during this time. He performed continuously and successfully until his health faltered in 1964, suffering a cerebral thrombosis on his 62nd birthday, and collapsing on stage in Cardiff. Thereafter the band toured less, but continued to record several albums.

          10. My Guy's Come Back

Al Morgan--Al Jolson--Eddie Calvert--Issy Bonn--Jerry Gray--Don Cornell


 Not much colour on this selection but maybe a glimmer of pink and rose may peep thro'

1. Jealous Heart.......Al Morgan
2. Turnabout Is Fair Play.......Al Morgan
3. Anniversary Song......Al Jolson
4. Avalon.......Al Jolson
5. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White......Eddie Calvert
6. Roses Of Picardy......Eddie Calvert
7. My Friend......Issy Bonn
8. Mom - E - El......Issy Bonn
9. Sound Off......Jerry Gray & Orchestra
10. The Lonesomest Whistle......Jerry Gray & Orchestra
11. Hold My Hand......Don Cornell
12. I'm Blessed......Don Cornell

                                            Al Morgan
Al "Flying Fingers" Morgan (November 14, 1915 – November 18, 1989) was a popular nightclub singer, pianist and composer who is known for his hit recordings "Jealous Heart", "I'll Take Care Of Your Cares," and "The Place Where I Worship."
While playing in Wisconsin Morgan had the idea to make a big band arrangement of the Jenny Lou Carson song, "Jealous Heart". Rumor has it that Morgan first sang "Jealous Heart" as a part of a medley in his act. That song, recorded in Chicago and released on Universal in 1949, became a local hit. Decca Records in England was starting a new label called London Records and deal was struck to release "Jealous Heart" on London.
"Jealous Heart" was released in 1949 and was his biggest hit, said to have sold in excess of 12 million copies. Morgan performed at various theaters, churches, supper clubs and Las Vegas concert halls for over 40 years. He is best known for his flamboyant style of piano playing where he would raise his hands over his shoulders and flop them down on the keys, hitting all the correct notes, earning him the title, "Flying Fingers."

Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian-American singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the United States' most famous and highest-paid stars of the 1920s, and was self-billed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer." Jolson was known for his "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach" towards performing, as well as for popularizing many of the songs he sang. Jolson has been referred to by modern critics as "the king of blackface performers."


Issy Bonn (born Benjamin Levin; 21 April 1903 – 21 April 1977) was a British comedian, singer, actor, and theatrical agent. His signature song was "My Yiddishe Momme".
 He joined an existing comedy and singing group, the Three Rascals, and used the stage name Benny Levine. He went solo in the early 1920s. He took the stage name Issy Bonn . He combined sentimental songs such as "My Yiddish Momme" and "Let Bygones Be Bygones", with Jewish humour and sketches, many featuring the fictitious Finkelfeffer family. He made his first recordings in 1942, for the Rex label, and later recorded for Decca and Columbia. He toured Europe with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), and starred in his own road shows including The Big Broadcasts and The Melody Lingers On.
In the 1950s, his style of humour, trading on traditional Jewish stereotypes, went out of fashion, but he continued to appear on radio, television, and in pantomimes, and toured, often with the popular trumpeter Eddie Calvert. He later retired from performing and became a theatrical agent, and a producer of variety shows around the country. He made his last appearance as a performer in 1963. His image appears on the cover of The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Jerry Gray (July 3, 1915 – August 10, 1976)[1] was an American violinist, arranger, composer, and leader of swing dance orchestras (big bands) bearing his name. He is widely known for his work with popular music during the Swing era. His name is inextricably linked to two of the most famous bandleaders of the time, Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller. Gray, along with Bill Finegan, wrote many of Miller's arrangements during the late 1930s and early 1940s. In the latter part of Gray's career, his orchestra served as the house band at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont Hotel, Dallas.
 Hits included the obligatory recreations of Miller classics, new compositions in the Miller style such as "Restringing the Pearls", and other distinctive tunes such as "Sound Off".


Don Cornell (born Luigi Francisco Varlaro; April 21, 1919 – February 23, 2004) was an American singer.In his teens he played guitar in a band led by jazz trumpeter Red Nichols. When he was eighteen, he was a vocalist in the Sammy Kaye band. He became a solo act in 1949. Between 1950 and 1962, twelve of his records were certified gold. These included "It Isn't Fair" "I'll Walk Alone", "I'm Yours", and "Hold My Hand". He appeared often on television programs hosted by Perry Como, Jackie Gleason, and Arthur Godfrey during the 1950s and 1960s.

    (Most Of The Info On This Blog is Taken From Wikipedia And Edited)

                         
          11. Hold My Hand

Billy Cotton--The Blue Hungarian Band--Folk Dance Orchestra--Paul Robeson--Gordon Jenkins--Perry Como


 Its seems we have a Walk a Stroll And a Waltz with Irene and Ma.....Tzena Chi-Baba

1. Down By The Old Zuyder Zee......Billy Cotton & His band
2. Strolling Down The Strand......Billy Cotton & His Band
3. Merry Widow Waltz......The Blue Hungarian Band
4. A Waltz Dream......The Blue Hungarian Band
5. Tancuj......Folk Dance Orchestra
6. Trojky / La Vinca......Folk Dance Orchestra
7. Trees........Paul Robeson
8. Songs My Mother Taught Me.......Paul Robeson
9. Goodnight Irene......Gordon Jenkins & Orchestra
10. Tzena Tzena Tzena......Gordon Jenkins & Orchestra
11. When You Were Sweet Sixteen......Perry Como
12. Chi-Baba Chi-Baba.......Perry Como

William Edward Cotton (6 May 1899 – 25 March 1969) as Billy Cotton was an English band leader and entertainer, one of the few whose orchestras survived the British dance band era. Cotton is now mainly remembered as a 1950s and 1960s radio and television personality, but his musical career had begun in the 1920s. In his younger years, Billy Cotton was also an amateur footballer for Brentford (and later, for the then Athenian league club Wimbledon), an accomplished racing driver and the owner of a Gipsy Moth, which he piloted himself. His autobiography, I Did It My Way, was published in 1970...After the war, he started his successful Sunday lunchtime radio show on BBC, the Billy Cotton Band Show, which ran from 1949 to 1968. In the 1950s, composer Lionel Bart contributed comedy songs to the show. It regularly opened with the band's signature tune and Cotton's call of "Wakey Wakey". From 1956, it was also broadcast on BBC television. Cotton often also provided vocals on many of his band's recordings, in addition to work as a vocalist on recordings that did not feature his band.


Gordon Hill Jenkins (May 12, 1910 – May 1, 1984) was an American arranger, composer, and pianist who was influential in popular music in the 1940s and 1950s. 
In 1945, Jenkins joined Decca Records. In 1947, he had his first million-seller with "Maybe You'll Be There" featuring vocalist Charles LaVere and, in 1949, had a hit with Victor Young's film theme "My Foolish Heart", which was also a success for Billy Eckstine. At the same time, he regularly arranged for and conducted the orchestra for various Decca artists, including Dick Haymes ("Little White Lies", 1947), Ella Fitzgerald ("Happy Talk", 1949, "Black Coffee", 1949, "Baby", 1954), Billie Holiday ("Crazy He Calls Me", "You're My Thrill", "Please Tell Me Now", "Somebody's on My Mind", 1949, and conducted and produced her last Decca session with "God Bless the Child", "This Is Heaven to Me", 1950), Patty Andrews of the Andrews Sisters ("I Can Dream, Can't I", 1949) and Louis Armstrong ("Blueberry Hill", 1949 and "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", 1951).

          3. The Merry Widow Waltz

Sunday, 24 July 2022

Frank Weir--Paul Robeson--Folk Dance Orchestra--Jane Powell--Howard Keel--Jimmy Dorsey--Kay Kyser--Ron Goodwin


 A trio of film music with the folk dance wanderers at dawn maybe in Paris or Denmark or Latvia or maybe Germany !!

1. The Happy Wanderer......Frank Weir & His Saxophone
2. From Your Lips......Frank Weir and His Saxophone
3. Just a Wearyin' For You.......Paul Robeson
4. At Dawning......Paul Robeson
5. Hattemageren......Folk Dance Orchestra
6. Litenietis / Clap Dance......Folk Dance Orchestra
7. Wonderful Wonderful Day......Jane Powell
8. Bless Your Beautiful Hide......Howard Keel
9. Rag Mop......Jimmy Dorsey & Orchestra
10. Kay Kyser & His Orchestra
11. Theme From Film Limelight......Ron Goodwin & Orchestra
12. The Song From Moulin Rouge.......Ron Goodwin & Orchestra
 
                                                          Paul Robeson
Robeson performed in Britain in a touring melodrama, Voodoo, in 1922, and in Emperor Jones in 1925. In 1928, he scored a major success in the London premiere of Show Boat. Living in London for several years with his wife Eslanda, Robeson continued to establish himself as a concert artist and starred in a London production of Othello, the first of three productions of the play over the course of his career. He also gained attention in Sanders of the River (1935) and in the film production of Show Boat (1936). 
                                 Jane Powell & Howard Keel
Jane Powell (born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; April 1, 1929 – September 16, 2021) was an American actress, singer, and dancer who first appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals in the 1940s. With her soprano voice and girl-next-door image, Powell appeared in films, television and on the stage. She was notable for her performances in A Date with Judy (1948), Royal Wedding (1951), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), and Hit the Deck (1955).

Harold Clifford Keel (April 13, 1919 – November 7, 2004), known professionally as Howard Keel, was an American actor and singer, known for his rich bass-baritone singing voice. He starred in a number of MGM musicals in the 1950s and in the CBS television series Dallas from 1981 to 1991.
 In 1947, Oklahoma! became the first American postwar musical to travel to London, England, and Keel joined the production. On April 30, 1947, at the Drury Lane Theatre, the capacity audience (which included the future Queen Elizabeth II) demanded fourteen encores.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) with Jane Powell was a huge success and made MGM over $3 million in profit.

                                                           
Jimmy Dorsey
James Francis Dorsey (February 29, 1904 – June 12, 1957) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer and big band leader. He recorded and composed the jazz and pop standards "I'm Glad There Is You (In This World of Ordinary People)" and "It's The Dreamer In Me". His other major recordings were "Tailspin", "John Silver", "So Many Times", "Amapola", "Brazil (Aquarela do Brasil)", "Pennies from Heaven" with Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Frances Langford, "Grand Central Getaway", and "So Rare". He played clarinet on the seminal jazz standards "Singin' the Blues" in 1927 and the original 1930 recording of "Georgia on My Mind", which were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

James Kern Kyser (June 18, 1905 – July 23, 1985), known as Kay Kyser, was an American bandleader and radio personality of the 1930s and 1940s.
Although Kyser and his orchestra gained fame through the "Kollege of Musical Knowledge," they were a successful band in their own right. They had 11 number one records, including some of the most popular songs of the late 1930s and early 1940s.

          7. Wonderful Wonderful Day

Saturday, 23 July 2022

Teddy Johnson--Frankie Laine--Folk Dance Orchestra--Mario Lanza--Jan August--Frank Sinatra


 Can't stop the waltz's and folk dance's going thro' Spain (Granada) USA (New Orleans & Tennessee)

1. Tennessee Waltz.......Teddy Johnson
2. I Will Always Love You......Teddy Johnson
3. Granada.....Frankie Laine
4. New Orleans......Frankie Laine
5. Polka Piquee / Fricassee......Folk Dance Orchestra
6. Ungkaa Els Dans......Folk Dance Orchestra
7. Because......Mario Lanza
8. Ave Maria.......Mario Lanza
9. Misirlou.......Jan August
10. Zigeuner......Jan August
11. If I Loved You......Frank Sinatra
12. You'll Never Walk Alone.......Frank Sinatra

 Edward Victor "Teddy" Johnson (4 September 1919 – 6 June 2018) was an English entertainer who gained  highest profile during the 1950s and early 1960s.
He was offered a recording contract by Columbia Records and returned to London to begin a successful recording career. His first record was "Beloved, Be Faithful" and it reached No. 11 in the sheet music sales chart in 1950. In total, he cut 60 sides for the Columbia label as a solo artist enjoying several hits including "Tennessee Waltz" and "I'll Always Love You". He was also a DJ on BBC Radio 2 as the first presenter of the popular programme "All Time Greats".
Pearl Carr and Johnson were married in 1955 and remained so for 63 years. They became known professionally as "Mr. and Mrs. Music" and were frequently on British television light entertainment programmes, such as The Winifred Atwell Show as well as "Big Night Out", "Two of a kind" (with Morecambe and Wise), "Sunday night at the London Palladium", "The Arthur Haynes Show", "Thank your lucky stars", "Blackpool Night Out" and were regulars on the children's TV show "Crackerjack!" with Eamonn Andrews and Ronnie Corbett. They were part of a record breaking season at the London Palladium with Bruce Forsyth and were chosen to appear in "The Royal Variety Performance" in 1960.They represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 and finished second with the song "Sing, Little Birdie". This song peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart

Jan August (born Jan Augustoff; September 24, 1904 – January 9, 1976)[2] was an American pianist and xylophonist. He had a hit with his version of "Misirlou" in 1947 with Carl Frederick Tandberg, he had hits with several other songs that blended classical styles and Latin beats.

          9. Misirlou