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24/05/2009

Turning the spotlight on three fine female balladeers, who surfaced in the 50s but are rarely heard today: Lucy Reed, Audrey Morris and Paula Castle.

Starting with one of last week's topics, the authorship of the lyrics to I May Be Wrong, listener John Housley has written pointing out the different words sung by Hoagy Carmichael in his 1946 recording of the song and asking if this could be Hoagy's own work. The answer is "no" John: Mr Carmichael is singing the FIRST chorus of the original song (as recorded by Libby Holman in 1931). Doris Day & many more use the SECOND chorus which, until proven otherwise, we must assume are Harry Ruskin's.

Thanks partly to recommendations from listeners, and a tidy-up of our shelves, we've unearthed some wonderful albums by singers who deserve to be better known. This week we hear from three - Lucy Reed, Audrey Morris and Paula Castle - and there are already more waiting in the wings. Who, for instance, knows of Helen Carr? Well...keep listening: We hope to spotlight her quite soon - and we don't think you'll forget her.

We also address the subject of songs that are "only just a love-song"; songs such as Frank Loesser's I Go For That ("Your fuzzy hair, your vacant stare..") which we speculated could hardly be sung by a boy to a girl. Well, could it? The best we could come up with was the slightly begrudging I'll String Along With You ("You may not be an angel, but still I'm sure you'll do.."). In these days of sexual equality, surely there are more songs full of fond insults and gentle send-ups? If you can think of some, please let us know.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 24 May 2009 21:00

Music Played

  • Frank Sinatra

    Angel Eyes

    • Sinatra W. The Red Norvo Quintet: Australia 1959.
    • Blue Note.
    • CDP 7243 8 37513 2 7.
  • Lucy Reed

    A Trout, No Doubt

    • β€œThis Is Lucy Reed”.
    • Fantasy.
    • OJCCD-1943-2.
  • Audrey Morris

    I Go For That

    • Girls Of Bethlehem Vol 1 (Audrey+ Paula Castle).
    • Bethlehem.
    • 20-40052.
  • The Nat King Cole Trio

    I'll String Along With You

    • The King Cole Trio (15 Dec ’43 – 6 Sept ’46).
    • Vocalion.
    • CDUS 3004.
  • Lucy Reed

    There He Goes

    • This Is Lucy Reed.
    • Fantasy.
    • OJCCD-1943-2.
  • Annette Hanshaw

    Ain't That A Grand And Glorious Feeling?

    • Columbia & Okeh Joe Venuti & Eddie Lang.
    • Mosaic.
    • Mosaic Md8-213.
  • Clarence Williams’ Blue 5 Feat Sidney Bechet

    Mandy, Make Up Your Mind

    • Sidney Bechet Cventenary Celebration 1997.
    • Cds Records Ltd..
    • RPCD 632.
  • Paul Whiteman Swing Wing & The Modernaires

    Mandy

    • Hooray For Spinach! Paul Whiteman Swing Wing.
    • Hep Records.
    • HEP CD 1028.
  • Lennie Niehaus

    Mandy Is Two

    • The Chronological Bing Crosby Vol 32 (1941-42).
    • Jonzo.
    • JZCD 32.
  • Mel TormΓ©

    Till The Clouds Roll By

    • It’s A Blue World.
    • Bethlehem.
    • 20 30152.
  • I Wonder What Became Of Me

    I Go For That

    • Girls Of Bethlehem Vol 1 (Audrey+ Paula Castle).
    • Bethlehem.
    • 20-40052.
  • Paula Castle

    I'm Shooting High

    • Girls Of Bethlehem Vol 1 (Audrey Morris + Paula).
    • Bethlehem.
    • 20-40052.
  • The Browns

    The Old Lamplighter

    • American Dreams – Berst Of The β€˜60s Vol 2.
    • Rca.
    • ND 90373.

Broadcast

  • Sun 24 May 2009 21:00