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09/08/2009

Sleep is the main subject in Russell's exploration of popular music. Featuring famous purveyors of lullabies including Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Stacey Kent.

Every Sunday Russell Davies presents the history of popular song, spotlighting its greatest exponents.

The principal subject under Russell Davies' investigation in "The Song Show" this week is the way songwriters have used sleep as a motif in song. Opening with Louis Armstrong's signature theme When It's Sleepy Time Down South (and momentarily diverting for a song Louis famously averred came to him in his sleep, Someday You'll Be Sorry, sung by Lee Wiley) we hear a variety of approaches to the subject; bandleader Don Redman's avuncular Try Getting A Good Night's Sleep, Frank Sinatra complaining through Harold Adamson's lyrics that I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night; and Dean Martin singing Sleep Warm from a 50s album entirely made up of sleep-associated songs.

Russell reminds us that Let's Put Out The Lights And Go To Sleep was originally And Go To Bed until US radio thought that was too suggestive. We hear Rudy Vallee with the original version. We reach back to the 16th Century, courtesy of Richard Thompson, for Thomas Morley's O Sleep, Fond Fancy; and back a little less far to the Second World War for a Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet.

Then for Sir George Shearing's 90th - and retaining the sleep theme - we hear George with Joe Williams and The King's Singers, before The Boswell Sisters sing Sleep, Come On And Take Me and The Swingle Singers wind things up with Count Your Blessings.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 9 Aug 2009 21:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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02/08/2009

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16/08/2009

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Music Played

  • Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars

    When It's Sleepy Time Down South

    • 1955-1966: Columbia Jazz.
    • Columbia.
    • SMM 5096092.

  • Lee Wiley

    Someday You'll Be Sorry

    • As Time Goes By.
    • RCA/BMG/Bluebird.
    • ND 83138.

  • Don Redman and His Orchestra

    Try Getting A Good Night's Sleep

    • Shakin’ The Africann.
    • HEP.
    • HEPCD 1001.

  • Frank Sinatra

    I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night

    • Close To You .. And More.
    • Capitol.
    • 72435 33743 2 7.

  • Dean Martin

    Sleep Warm

    • Sleep Warm (Re-Issue Of 1959 Capitol Album).
    • Collectors’ Choice Music.
    • 09463 43483-2-4.

  • Rudy VallΓ©e and His Connecticut Yankees

    Let's Put Out The Lights And Go To Bed

    • The Vagabond Lover 1929-1942.
    • Living Era.
    • CD AJA 5562.

  • Stacey Kent

    Hushabye Mountain

    • Stacey Kent Collection II.
    • Candid.
    • CCD 79997.

  • Richard Thompson

    O Sleep Fond Fancy

    • 1000 Years Of Popular Music.
    • Cooking Vinyl.
    • RT 1000SP.

  • Ella Mae Morse

    Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet

    • Cow Cow Boogie: 27 Recs 1942-1952.
    • Living Era.
    • CD AJA 5514.

  • Joe Williams & George Shearing - Sleep My Heart

  • George Shearing

    Don't Sleep In The Subway

    • The Ultimate George Shearing.
    • EMI.
    • 7243 5 35935 2 0.

  • George Shearing & The King’s Singers

    Lullaby Of Birdland

    • Get Happy!.
    • EMI Classics.
    • CDC 7 54190 2.

  • The Boswell Sisters

    Sleep, Come On And Take Me

    • Collection Vol 3: 1932-33.
    • Nostalgia Arts.
    • NOCD 3009.

  • The Swingle Singers

    Count Your Blessings

    • Nothing But Blue.
    • Trax Music Ltd..
    • Modem CD 1009.

Broadcast

  • Sun 9 Aug 2009 21:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2