I'm surprised I spotted it, but it was a very popular tune at the time, and as you say it comes up a lot. I did wonder if there was a similarly titled song which caused confusion, but then I noticed further up the list 'I'm Confessing' which of course is the jazz standard written by 'Doc' Dougherty. The BBC typist must have lost concentration that day!
Confessin' - is a good tune anyway, but it's selection here was possibly inspired by the Frank Ifield version which hit the charts in 1963, although Cecil Norman naturally plays it 'jazz' rather than 'pop'. I wonder how many people who bought the Frank Ifield record knew they were listening to a Jazz standard from over 40 years previous!
I have added two more programmes. There's some nice piano music from the Bryan Rodwell Quartet (on the MWYW page) and, on the military band page, a tuneful selection from the band of the Royal Corps of Transport. http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/
Latest addition to the MWYW page of my site http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/ is Denny Boyce and his orchestra, a popular palais band of the 50s and 60s. Also included is an edition of the early morning programme 'Bright and Early' featuring the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. I enjoy a good brass band! Hope some of you do, too.
Latest addition to my site http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ is the penultimate broadcast of Jack White and his band in 1966. The band, which was formed in 1925, should get your feet tapping!
Newly added to http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/ is a programme by Jack Dorsey and his orchestra who were the resident band at the Astoria Dance Salon in London's Charing Cross Road.
Newly added to my website http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/ is a programme by Billy Mayerl and his band from 1942 ! Not quite complete, I'm afraid but extremely rare. It can be found on the MWYW page.
Also added is the final broadcast (1964) of Harold Collins and his orchestra, a fine theatre orchestra with a 30 year broadcasting history. Hope you like them!
What a treat to hear an edition of MWYW from 1942, broadcast with its original purpose to increase the war effort. A really good example of a 1940s band, led by the very talented Billy Mayerl. Its a pretty good recording too. It is good to hear Billy on the piano showing why he was so popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
I did a quick check, and Billy Mayerl performed Music While You Work at 3pm on the 15th December 1942 on both the Home and Forces programme. Could that be the date of this broadcast? It might be a bit early for 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas' though.
Logjam - I think that 15th December 1942 is probably right as 'White Christmas' was not only topical but was also a hit at the time. I think I'm right in saying that it became a hit for Bing Crosby in October 1942, in which case it could also be in Billy Mayerl's' MWYW of 10th November. Only a visit to the BBC Written Archives will establish the date. I can't identify quite a few of the tunes but can tell you that the piano feature is Billy's own composition 'Fireside Fusiliers'.
I had completely forgotten that 'White Christmas' was originally a wartime hit record, (not being around at the time! ) It is strange to think of it as being a 'new Christmas song', rather than an 'old favourite'.
I've also been struggling to identify the songs being played. Towards the end is 'Ma, he's making eyes at me', and I do know the first tune, but I can't seem to recall the name of it. I've not heard 'Fireside Fusiliers' before, but it is a fine composition. I did listen out for the famous Mayerl hit, 'Marigold' just in case, but it wasn't included.
While looking for a possible broadcast date for that edition I came across 11 editions of Music While You Work which consisted of a sequence of gramophone records rather than a live band. They were all broadcast during the war years. Perhaps there were rare occasions when there wasn't a suitable band available.
Newly added to my website http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/ is a 1965 broadcast by Harry Leader and his band, who were formed in 1934 and made their final broadcast (which I attended) in 1983. Also included is a delightful light orchestral programme from 1966 played by Sidney Davey and his Players. The players were formed in 1939 and Sidney Davey continued to broadcast until his retirement in 1976.
PS. Logjam - Regarding your last post, MWYW was essentially a studio show, and a vehicle for live bands and orchestras. Records were used for one or two programmes a week until December 1943, after which time, all 21 programmes a week were from studio bands.
Although over two hundred people have looked at my last post, hardly anybody has gone into my site to listen to the programmes - which is, after all, my reason for posting!
Just because something is old, it doesn't mean it isn't any good. Take a leap of faith and give it a go. You may be surprised how much you enjoy it - I still do, fifty years on!
Newly added to my site http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/ are two broadcasts from the early sixties. First the very polished sound of Louis Voss and his Kursaal Orchestra and then (on the MWYW page) - The Don Harper Sextet - Don Harper was an Australian violinist and composer of film music - perhaps best remembered for his 'World of Sport' march.
Please give them a listen - they are worth it!
Latest additions to http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ are a 1983 broadcast by Reginald Leopold and his Orchestra and a 1963 programme by Syd Dean and his band. The trumpeter in this band, Roy Garman tells me that he once fell off his chair during a live MWYW but carried on playing whilst flat out on the floor! That's professionalism!
Two more additions to http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ are programmes by Michael Freedman and his orchestra and Phil Tate and his orchestra. I was actually present at the latter. Give them a try; I think you will enjoy them!
Two more broadcasts from the 1960s now added to my website http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/
The first is a programme of dance music from the Bob Potter orchestra (Bob Potter is now a millionaire entrepreneur! )- and the second is a programme of continental-style light music from Jacques Vallez and his septet. You will find the former on the MWYW page and Jacques Vallez on his own page. Enjoy!
I have added two more MWYW broadcasts to http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ . The first is a very rare complete broadcast from 1942 by A.J. Powell and his Banjo Octet. This band toured the variety theatres during the war and were billed as 'Britain's fastest banjo team'. They really go ape in the final number 'Tiger Rag' in an arrangement which would wowed the theatre audiences but was perhaps less suitable for piping in to noisy factories where it's subtleties would have been lost!
The second programme (from 1966) is also almost unique in that it is by a band which only gave two radio broadcasts plus one TV appearances. Based in Preston, Lancashire, Johnny Wollaston and his music give a slick and polished performance, in this, their first broadcast. A very good dance band which deserved more airtime.
Both of these programmes can be accessed through the 'Music While You Work' page of my site.
I have added another MWYW to http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ -this time featuring Jerry Allen and his Trio. It can be accessed from the MWYW page.
Some of you will remember Jerry Allen from TV in the long-running 'Lunch Box' series.
I have added two more editions of Music While You Work to my website http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/. First is a dance band, Claude Cavalotti and his orchestra and then (on the MWYW page,) the Latin sounds of Lou Whiteson and his Southern Serenade Orchestra. I hope that you enjoy listening to these broadcasts from the past.
As usual it is fascinating to hear these early radio programmes.
A.J. Powell and his Banjo Octet from 1942 is a real treat. This isn't the 'mass banjo' sound like the Banjoliers, but I assume from the name, 8 Banjos, and on this occasion supported by a xylophone.
There is distinctly American flavour to this broadcast, perhaps with one eye on the American GIs station in the UK in 1942. White Christmas might seem an unusual choice for October, but this song wasn't yet a standard, but newly released this month, and very popular.
Sousa's marches are well known, and a few others I knew. I especially liked Schubert's 'Marche Militaire', and as you say, Brian, the performance of 'Tiger Rag' was fantastic. I expect they used that number as the finale in their act - to rapturous applause!
I'll get around to those other ones eventually - but thank you for bringing them to us.
Logjam - The xylophone to which you refer was played by A.J. Powell himself. I have now put a picture of him on the relevant web page. Apparently some of the players also played for Troise! Hearing this programme I think they sound very good but the BBC thought otherwise and dropped them after a few broadcasts, describing them as 'not of the required standard' ! I think it was probably more to do with their arrangements being very detailed and complicated - something that was discouraged as subtleties would be lost in factory conditions. Also they discouraged very fast pieces which they felt 'unsettled' workers. The breakneck speed of 'Tiger Rag' coupled with bits of other tunes played simultaneously would have broken at least two rules of the programme!
I think it was probably more to do with their arrangements being very detailed and complicated - something that was discouraged as subtleties would be lost in factory conditions. Also they discouraged very fast pieces which they felt 'unsettled' workers. The breakneck speed of 'Tiger Rag' coupled with bits of other tunes played simultaneously would have broken at least two rules of the programme!
It is interesting you should say that. As I was listening, the piece in that broadcast entitled 'Pennsylvania Polka ' I thought sounded rather like the banned melody 'Deep in the heart of Texas' in its rhythm - at least at the beginning. I can well imagine that some of these items would have engaged the working audience a little bit too much!
The xylophone went very well with the banjo sound. A captivating instrument when played well.
Newly added to my site http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ an exilarating 1962 broadcast by Isy Geiger and his orchestra and the final broadcast of Ken Beaumont and his sextet in 1967.
Hope you enjoy them!
Latest additions http://mastersofmelody.co.uk/ are a delightful 30 minute edition from Reg Pursglove and the Albany Strings plus a 45 minute broadcast by Bill Savill and his orchestra ( a prolific broadcasting dance orchestra for 20 years. You might also be interested in a BBC letter to Bill Savill in 1961 which, although pompous, is an example of letter- writing at its best!
You will find it on his page, before you get to the broadcast.
Comments
Confessin' - is a good tune anyway, but it's selection here was possibly inspired by the Frank Ifield version which hit the charts in 1963, although Cecil Norman naturally plays it 'jazz' rather than 'pop'. I wonder how many people who bought the Frank Ifield record knew they were listening to a Jazz standard from over 40 years previous!
Many thanks again Brian.
http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/
Also added is the final broadcast (1964) of Harold Collins and his orchestra, a fine theatre orchestra with a 30 year broadcasting history. Hope you like them!
I did a quick check, and Billy Mayerl performed Music While You Work at 3pm on the 15th December 1942 on both the Home and Forces programme. Could that be the date of this broadcast? It might be a bit early for 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas' though.
I've also been struggling to identify the songs being played. Towards the end is 'Ma, he's making eyes at me', and I do know the first tune, but I can't seem to recall the name of it. I've not heard 'Fireside Fusiliers' before, but it is a fine composition. I did listen out for the famous Mayerl hit, 'Marigold' just in case, but it wasn't included.
While looking for a possible broadcast date for that edition I came across 11 editions of Music While You Work which consisted of a sequence of gramophone records rather than a live band. They were all broadcast during the war years. Perhaps there were rare occasions when there wasn't a suitable band available.
The 11 are included in this search. . .
http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?adv=0&q=Music+while+you+work+gramophone&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search
PS. Logjam - Regarding your last post, MWYW was essentially a studio show, and a vehicle for live bands and orchestras. Records were used for one or two programmes a week until December 1943, after which time, all 21 programmes a week were from studio bands.
Just because something is old, it doesn't mean it isn't any good. Take a leap of faith and give it a go. You may be surprised how much you enjoy it - I still do, fifty years on!
Please give them a listen - they are worth it!
The first is a programme of dance music from the Bob Potter orchestra (Bob Potter is now a millionaire entrepreneur! )- and the second is a programme of continental-style light music from Jacques Vallez and his septet. You will find the former on the MWYW page and Jacques Vallez on his own page. Enjoy!
The second programme (from 1966) is also almost unique in that it is by a band which only gave two radio broadcasts plus one TV appearances. Based in Preston, Lancashire, Johnny Wollaston and his music give a slick and polished performance, in this, their first broadcast. A very good dance band which deserved more airtime.
Both of these programmes can be accessed through the 'Music While You Work' page of my site.
Some of you will remember Jerry Allen from TV in the long-running 'Lunch Box' series.
A.J. Powell and his Banjo Octet from 1942 is a real treat. This isn't the 'mass banjo' sound like the Banjoliers, but I assume from the name, 8 Banjos, and on this occasion supported by a xylophone.
There is distinctly American flavour to this broadcast, perhaps with one eye on the American GIs station in the UK in 1942. White Christmas might seem an unusual choice for October, but this song wasn't yet a standard, but newly released this month, and very popular.
Sousa's marches are well known, and a few others I knew. I especially liked Schubert's 'Marche Militaire', and as you say, Brian, the performance of 'Tiger Rag' was fantastic. I expect they used that number as the finale in their act - to rapturous applause!
I'll get around to those other ones eventually - but thank you for bringing them to us.
It is interesting you should say that. As I was listening, the piece in that broadcast entitled 'Pennsylvania Polka ' I thought sounded rather like the banned melody 'Deep in the heart of Texas' in its rhythm - at least at the beginning. I can well imagine that some of these items would have engaged the working audience a little bit too much!
The xylophone went very well with the banjo sound. A captivating instrument when played well.
Hope you enjoy them!
You will find it on his page, before you get to the broadcast.