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03/07/2011

Russell continues to celebrate the art, craft and inspiration of the popular song. This show features Louis Armstrong, Ethel Waters, Edith Piaf, Harry Nilsson and more.

The observation that this week marks the death of one of popular music's most propulsive forces - Louis Armstrong - brings Russell to a short celebration of Satch, through two of his own recordings and one by an admiring contemporary: Ethel Waters.

Next, noticing that Jim Morrison, singer, poet and founder of The Doors died exactly 40 years ago, Russell notes that it's the most visited tomb in the Paris cemetery Pere Lachaise. This leads to a tour round the famous graves therein, through which we meet Dick Haymes and Edith Piaf, singing songs of Bruno Coquatrix. Both Coquatrix and Piaf lie there, as does Gilbert Becaud whose The Day the Rains Came is sung by Jane Morgan.

Chopin, another occupant, is represented by Harry Nilsson's I'm Always Chasing Rainbows. Dancer Isadora Duncan and violinist Stephane Grappelli, who worked for her, are also buried here. Grappelli turns up on Jean Sablon's Prenez Garde Au Grand Mechant Loup. The cemetery is also home to a tomb dedicated to the 12th-century theologian Pierre Abelard, and he's mentioned in Cole Porter's Just One of Those Things [sung here by Rosemary Clooney].

The last Pere Lachaise resident of the show is Yves Montand whose greatest success was Les Feuilles Mortes. Russell then returns to the subject of Louis Armstrong for two more tracks and we close with a wartime novelty by Tony Pastor and His Band, Obey Your Air-Raid Warden!

1 hour

Last on

Sun 3 Jul 2011 21:00

Music Played

  • Louis Armstrong

    When Did You Leave Heaven?

    鈥淟ouis & The Angels/Louis And The Good Book鈥

    • Universal/MCA.
    • MCLD1937.
  • Ethel Waters With Duke Ellington Orchestra

    I Can't Give You Anything But Love

    鈥1932-40 Ellington On Brunswick, Master & Columbia鈥

    • Mosaic.
    • MD11 248.
  • Dick Haymes

    Count Every Star

    鈥淭he Golden Years Of Dick Haymes鈥 [4 CD Box-Set]

    • Jasmine.
    • JASBOX 9-4.
  • 脡dith Piaf

    I Shouldn't Care

    鈥淓dith Piaf 鈥 La Foule鈥 [0 CD Box-Set]

    • EMI France.
    • 8271402.
  • Jane Morgan

    The Day The Rains Came

    鈥淛ane Morgan 鈥 Fascination: The Ultimate鈥 [ CD Set]

    • Jasmine.
    • JASC 489.
  • Harry Nilsson

    I'm Always Chasing Rainbows

    鈥淎 Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night鈥

    • BMG.
    • 195027.
  • Jean Sablon

    Prenez Garde Au Grand Mechant Loup

    鈥淛ean Sablon Featuring Django Reinhardt鈥

    • Conifer Happy Days.
    • 75605 52267 2.
  • Rosemary Clooney

    Just One Of Those Things

    鈥淩osemary Clooney Sings鈥ole Porter鈥 [Disc 2]

    • Concord.
    • CCD6 4933-2.
  • Yves Montand

    Les Feuilles Mortes

    鈥淵ves Montand - Singer鈥

    • EMI.
    • 0777 7 89141 2 9.
  • Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five

    A Monday Date

    鈥淟ouis Armstrong Complete Hot 5 & 7 Recordings鈥

    • Columbia Legacy.
    • C4K 63527.
  • Lennie Niehaus

    I Love You Samantha

    Soundtrack Of Film: 鈥楬igh Society鈥

    • Capitol.
    • 0777 7 93782 2 2.
  • Tony Pastor & His Orchestra

    Obey Your Air-Raid Warden

    鈥101 Songs That Won World War 2鈥 [5 CD Set]

    • Delta.
    • 90521.

Broadcast

  • Sun 3 Jul 2011 21:00