Forgotten Songs- Back in to the Groove.

Nine songs and three seemingly unconnected singers. All very successful entertainers , who displayed a strong social and moral conscience. Frankie Laine and Eartha Kitt were campaigners and supporters of the Civil Rights Movement in The USA, as well many other causes. George Formby, and his wife and manager Beryl, made a strong stand against apartheid. George's tour of South African in 1946 saw a complete refusal to play to white only audiences and resulted in them being thrown out of the country. Three popular singers who were decent people. Do check out their fascinating life stories online.  

In this episode we heard from: The Washboard Rhythm Kings- I'm gonna play down by the Ohio (1932), Smith Ballew- Sing you sinners(1930), Fred Hall's Sugar Babies, vocals Arthur Fields- Harmonica Harry, Lew Stone and his band- She wore a little coat of blue(1935), Red Nicols and his Five Pennies- Sweet Sue, just you(1932), Jenny Howard- Look up and laugh(1935), George Formby- The Isle of Man(1935), Bye, Bye Blackbird- Billy Desmond(1927), Delia Murphy- If I were a blackbird(1940), Leslie Hutchinson- Sweet Rosita(1935), Lecuona Cuban Boys- Les Yeux Noirs and Negra Merse(1933 and 1934), A.L Lloyd The Unfortunate Rake(1960), Delia Murphy- Down by the Glenside(1940)

A bit of re edit of an episode I'd published on one of my  other podcast channels. On the theme of blues_-loosely! Some old favourites. Play list: Blues in the night_ Benny Goodman sextet, vocals Peggy Lee. Blue Mood part one- Teddy Wilson. Arkansas Blues- Mildred Bailey Wandering Blues- Charlie Barnet Orch., vocals Margaret Ann McCall Mystery Street- Eddie Calvert My Flaming Heart- Nat King Cole Bluesen the Boogie- Hadda Brooks. Cross Hands Boogie- Winifred Atwell Reverie and As Long as You Live_ Mildred Bailey Not I- June Christy Wang, Wang Blues- Teresa Brewer Lovin' Mama Blues- Pete Johnson and Big Joe Turner 10am Blues- Freddy Gardener Blues in C Minor- Teddy Wilson. Guest star- Bela Lugosi! (If you want to get touch in - [email protected])

We start episode two as we finished with episode one, with the golden tones of Maxine Sullivan. This time singing with the Benny Carter Orchestra- What a difference a day made(1941) Blue Rhythm- The Blue Rhythm Boys(1931), Fifteen Cents- Frankie 'Half Pint' Jaxon(1935), Business in F- Stokers of Haddes(1931), I'm gonna make hay while the sun shines in Virginia- Marion Harris(1916), Yes, we have no bananas- The Pennsylvian Sycopaters, vocals Arthur Field(1923), Suite Sixteen- Frank Dailey's Meadowbanks(1925), St Louis Blues- Leroy Smith and his Orch(1928), Out on the deep- Malcom McEachern(1925), Cowboy Jack- Peg Morland(1936), Sweet Violets- Sweet Violet Boys(1936), Sister Lucy- McCravy Brothers(1928), Aye Kneipen On- Curly McKay, Willie Kemp(1936), Starlight Serenade- Harry Torrani(1939), Mama don't allow it- Frankie 'Half Pint' Jaxon(1935). For my previous podcast series just search your podcast provider for 'Forgotten Song from the Broom cupboard.' I can be contacted at [email protected]

Nearly three years ago I finished my podcast series: Forgotten Songs from the Broom Cupboard, it lives here: https://forgottensongs.libsyn.com A hundred episodes. That's it I thought but no. It turns out I can't stop buying 78rpm records. All that great music from the first six decades of the 20th century. I love it. In fact I even like the music that isn't that good. What fascinates me is all popular culture that has faded into obscurity, is only half remembered or completely forgotten. Join me as I select records from my collection and find out some history and back ground of the singers, performers, musicians, composers and record labels that I play. We start with a swing in episode one. Along the way we sample some blues, big band, country and western, folk, boogie woogie and some 1950s sugary pop. We hear from June Richmond, the first African American to sing regularly wirh a white orchestra. King Tempo, he recorded over a dozen sides. We have a photograph but no name. We end with the sublime voice of Maxine Sullivan. A vocalist who was a huge influence on Peggy Lee. Play list is below. Big thanks to The Art Music Lounge, who allowed me to use their excellent research on King Tempo. Check them out, It's a great blog site. We Played: Fit as a fiddle- The Three Key(1932), Cuban boogie woogie- Andy Kirk, vocals June Richmond(1941), Truckin' Lucky Millinder, Mills Blues Rhythm band, vocals Harry Allen Jnr(1935), The wild side of life- Hank Thompson(1958) The Teddy Bears- To know him is to love him(1958), On with the dance- Tempo King, Kings of Tempo, Queen Ada on piano(1937), Blue sea- Erskine Hawkins(1941), Get rhythm in your feet- Harry Allen and his Orch, vocals Harry Allen(1935), Shivery Stomp- Seger Ellis(1930), My little home down in New Orleans- Jimmie Rodgers(1928), Jenny's Ball- Mamie Smith(1928), Every time they play the sabre dance- Andrew Sisters(1947), Day and night(1938) and I'm happy about the whole thing(1939)- Maxine Sullivan. We started with the Forgotten Songs theme tune- Softly as in a morning sunrise_ Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet(1941) Thanks for listening. If you want to get in touch email- [email protected]