Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

26/07/2009

Russell's subject is the songwriter Frank Loesser, with examples of his work in The Most Happy Fella and others. His novelty song Bloop Bleep also leads to the subject of plumbing.

Frank Loesser, songwriter, composer and creator of some of Broadway's and Hollywood's most successful musical shows is under the spotlight this week with Russell singling out examples from The Most Happy Fella (The Four Lads and Jo Sullivan); The Perils Of Pauline (Betty Hutton) and Hans Christian Andersen (Lucy Reed and - from the soundtrack - Danny Kaye & Jane Wyman).

Russell considers the possibility of one subject providing the seed for another, suggesting that a line from Schwartz & Dietz's Shine On Your Shoes is responsible for Loesser's Can't Get Out Of This Mood. One more Loesser novelty song Bloop Bleep , which we hear sung by the composer, gives rise to an exploration of plumbing in song. Russell comes up with some gems like The Bathtub Ran Over Again and - amazingly - Plumbing, a Cole Porter song from his 1933 show Nymph Errant.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 26 Jul 2009 21:00

Music Played

  • The Four Lads

    Standing On The Corner

    • Moments To Remember.
    • Jasmine.
    • JASCD 492.
  • Lucy Reed

    Inchworm

    • The Singng Reed – Lucy Reed With Bill Evans.
    • Fantasy.
    • OJCCD-1777-2.
  • Betty Hutton

    The Sewing Machine

    • It’s Oh So Quiet.
    • Delta Leisure Group.
    • 26601.
  • Sarah Vaughan

    Can't Get Out Of This Mood

    • Sarah Vaughan In Hi-Fi.
    • Columbia Legacy.
    • CK 65117.
  • Mel Torme & George Shearing

    A Shine On Your Shoes

    • The Complete Concord Recordings.
    • Concord.
    • CCD7-2144-2.
  • Original Broadway Cast β€œThe Most Happy Fella”

    Aren't You Glad

    • The Most Happy Fella OST.
    • Sony Broadway.
    • S2K 48010.
  • Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

    Ain'tcha Glad

    • Early BG 1931-1935.
    • Timeless Historical.
    • CBC-1-065.
  • Rosemary Clooney

    They're Either Too Young Or Too Old

    • For The Duration.
    • Concord.
    • CCD-4444.
  • Frank Loesser

    Bloop Bleep

    • Frank Sings Loesser.
    • Koch International Classics.
    • 3-7241-2 H1.
  • Daryl Sherman

    The Bathtub Ran Over Again

    • Daryl Sherman Johnny Mercer Centennial Tribute.
    • Arbors.
    • ARCD 19388.
  • Michael Flanders and Donald Swann

    The Gasman Cometh

    • At The Drop Of Another Hat.
    • Parlophone.
    • CDFSB 12.
  • Emile Belcourt

    Plumbing

    • Cole Porter’s β€œNymph Errant” Complete Recording.
    • EMI Angel.
    • CDC 7 54079 2.
  • Ella Fitzgerald

    Steam Heat

    • Ella Sings Broadway.
    • Verve.
    • 549 373-2.
  • John Lithgow

    Singin' In The Bathtub

    • Singin’ In The Bathtub.
    • Sony Wonder.
    • 63501.
  • Danny Kaye & Jane Wyman

    No Two People

    • Danny Kaye Sings Your Favourite Songs.
    • The Entertainers.
    • CD 340.

Broadcast

  • Sun 26 Jul 2009 21:00