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17/10/2010

Russell opens with one of Duke Ellington's seminal compositions, before featuring recordings by Mae West, Blossom Dearie and the late Norman Wisdom [duetting with Joyce Grenfell].

Russell tells the story behind one of Duke Ellington's seminal compositions, Mood Indigo, recorded 80 years ago today (we hear Ella Fitzgerald's version from 1957) after which the focus turns to curious Ellingtonian vocals, the strangest surely being Mae West, whose My Old Flame follows.

This leads seamlessly to Blossom Dearie and Peel Me A Grape. Next, surely the oldest possible centenary connected to The Great American Songbook: that of Julia Ward Howe, born 1819, who wrote the words to Battle Hymn Of The Republic, which Andy Williams sings.

The recent death of Sir Norman Wisdom, coupled with our quest for the nation's favourite duet, gives us Wisdom's memorable meeting with Joyce Grenfell (Narcissus) and this is followed by a discussion of TV ads use of old songs: Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Tony Bennett/The Apprentice) is cited as is the US case of Astrud Gilberto vs the Frito Lay company. We hear the song in question: The Girl From Ipanema. The Sondheim send-up of same The Boy From ... comes next, via Millicent Martin, and then Russell remembers trombonist-bandleader Buddy Morrow (On The Old Potato Farm) and Morrow's co-writer Herb Hendler (The Kid's A Dreamer, sung by Joe Mooney).

Flagging up a concert celebrating vocal groups, Russell reminds us of Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys and we close with a neglected masterpiece by Mercer & Arlen, sung by Audrey Morris: I Wonder What Became Of Me.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 17 Oct 2010 21:00
麻豆约拍 Radio 2

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Music Played

  • Ella Fitzgerald

    Mood Indigo

    鈥淓lla Fitzgerald - The Duke Ellington Songbook鈥�

    • Verve.
    • 314 519 838-2.

  • Mae West & The Duke Ellington Orchestra

    My Old Flame

    鈥淢ae West 鈥� Come Up And See Me Sometime鈥�

    • Living Era.
    • CD AJA 5604.

  • Blossom Dearie

    Peel Me A Grape

    鈥淏lossom Dearie: My New Celebrity Is You鈥� (2 LPS)

    • Daffodil.
    • BMD 103.

  • Andy Williams - Battle Hymn Of The Republic

    [Backed With 鈥楢ve Maria鈥橾

  • Joyce Grenfell & Norman Wisdom - Narcissus

    鈥�2nd House With Those Wonderful Comedians鈥�

  • Tony Bennett

    The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

    Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett

    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • C4K 46843.

  • Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz

    The Girl From Ipanema

    鈥淗ollywood Swing & Jazz鈥� 2 CD Set

    • Turner Classic Movies/Rhino.
    • R2 79805.

  • Millcent Martin

    The Boy From 鈥�

    鈥淪ide By Side By Sondheim鈥� Original London Cast

    • RCA Victor.
    • GD 81851.

  • Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra

    On The Old Potato Farm

    [Backed With 鈥楾he Boogie Woogie March鈥橾

    • HMV (78 RPM Single).
    • B 10199.

  • Nat King Cole

    Solid Potato Salad

    鈥淣at King Cole Trio: The Early 40鈥檚 1940-1944鈥�

    • Fresh Sound.
    • FSR 139.

  • Joe Mooney

    The Kid's A Dreamer

    鈥淭he Erteguns New York: New York Cabaret Music鈥�

    • Atlantic.
    • 7 81817-2.

  • Paul Whiteman鈥檚 Rhythm Boys

    So The Bluebirds & The Blackbirds Got Together

    The Chronological Bing Crosby Volume 6: 1929

    • Jonzo.
    • JZCD 6.

  • Audrey Morris

    I Wonder What Became Of Me?

    鈥淭he Girls Of Bethlehem Volume One鈥�

    • Bethlehem Classics Jazz Series.
    • 20-40052.

Broadcast

  • Sun 17 Oct 2010 21:00
    麻豆约拍 Radio 2