Joyce Grenfell

A double LP on the EMI label from 1978. A much loved comedienne from back in the days of sophisticated comedy and song that seems rather old fashioned and quaint now. Wikipedia says - "Born in London, Joyce was the daughter of architect Paul Phipps (1880–1953), the grandson of Charles Paul Phipps and a second cousin of Ruth Draper, and an eccentric American mother, Nora Langhorne (1889–1955), the daughter of Chiswell Langhorne, an American railway millionaire. Nancy Astor, née Nancy Langhorne, was her mother's sister and Grenfell often visited her at Astor's home, Cliveden. Joyce Phipps grew up around money and privilege. She had a London childhood and considered herself a "townie". Joyce attended the Francis Holland School in Central London, and the Christian Science School, Clearview, in South Norwood, and then she was "finished" in Paris where she attended Mlle. Ozanne's finishing school at the age of 17. In 1927, she met Reginald Pascoe Grenfell (1903–1993); they were married two years later at St. Margaret's, Westminster; they remained married for 50 years (until her death). She made her stage debut in 1939 in the Little Revue. In 1942 she wrote what became her signature song, "I'm Going to See You Today." During World War II, Grenfell toured North Africa, Southern Italy, the Middle East and India with her pianist Viola Tunnard performing for British troops. In 1989, her wartime journals were published under the title The Time of My Life: Entertaining the Troops. Her singing and comedic talents on stage led to offers to appear in film comedies. Although she performed in a number of films, she continued with her musical recording career, producing a number of humorous albums as well as books. As a writer at the BBC during and just after the war, she collaborated with Stephen Potter in writing the "How" series of 30 satirical programmes from How to Talk to Children to How to Listen. During the 1950s she made her name as a sidekick to such comedy greats as Alastair Sim and Margaret Rutherford in films such as The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) and the St Trinian's series. She was also a member of the influential Pilkington Committee on Broadcasting from 1960 to 1962. Her fame reached as far as the U.S.A. and she appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show alongside Elvis Presley." Tracks are as follows - 1. Two Songs My Mother Taught Me 2. Artist's Room 3. Leonie 4. Security Song 5. Ferryboats Of Sydney 6. Committee 7. Come Catch Me Joyce Grenfell - Side Four

Bill Caddick

LP found at boot sale the other day for 35p- on the Park label from 1974. I was intrigued by the name and cover art. I was hoping for a jug band but turns out to be pretty much a finger in the ear traditional folk record but with some nice guitar playing and guest appearances by John and Sue Kirkpatrick and Magic Lantern. Wikipedia says - "Singing since the 1960s in folk clubs and festivals, in 1973 Caddick joined the street theatre group Magic Lantern, formed by Taffy Thomas and described by Mel McClellan on the BBC website as "legendary". He left Magic Lantern in 1975 to concentrate on his solo career, becoming well known as a festival artist in Britain and overseas. In 1977 he joined the Albion Band in the National Theatre productions of 'Lark Rise' and 'The Passion'. Caddick later collaborated with Tim Laycock and Peter Bond in a stage show and album about circus life, called "A Duck on his Head". About this time, he wrote songs for radio and TV, and performed his own songs in a film about the Tolpuddle Martyrs. From 1980 to 1987 Caddick was a member of the renowned folk-rock band Home Service. He continued to write and perform at clubs and festivals, albeit in a more low-key way than before as well as continuing his involvement with the National Theatre, writing and appearing in several plays which included "Don Quixote", and "The Mysteries" (an award winning trilogy performed in the West End, on TV and throughout Europe, as well as at the National). Currently (as at December 2009) Bill Caddick runs a folk club in his home village of Jackfield and, as well as his solo career, is a member of three groups: local band the Jackfield Riverbillies, ceilidh band All Blacked Up and a new venture as part of the Anne Lennox Martin Band.[3] His songs, such as "Unicorns" and "She Moves Among Men", have been recorded by numerous other musicians including June Tabor, Chris Foster, Alex Campbell, Christy Moore, Peter Rowan, John Kirkpatrick, Artisan, Coope Boyes and Simpson and The Yetties." Tracks are - 1. King Sun 2. Rought Band 3. Oller Boller 4. Winter Fair 5. John O'Dreams Bill Caddick - Side Two

Top Pop Club

10" LP on the cheapo Society label in the late 50's . Cover versions of pop hits of the time featuring obscure artistes such as Gerry Grant, Franklyn Boyd and Bill Adams. Similar to the Woolworths Embassy cover versions of the time. Tracks are as follows - 1. Never Be Anyone Else But You - Franklyn Boyd & The Coronets 2. Donna - Gerry Grant 3. Sing Little Birdie - June Marlow & Bill Adams 4. If I Didn't Care - June Marlow 5. By The Light Of The Silvery Moon - Franklyn Boyd & The Society Seven 6. It Doesn't Matter Any |More - Gerry Grant & The Socierty Six 7. Charlie Brown - The Coronets & The Society Six 8. Pink Shoelaces - June Marlow & The Coronets 9. A Fool Such As I - Franklyn Boyd 10. Come Softly To Me - Bill Adams & The Coronets Top Pop Club - Side One Top Pop Club - Side two

Lord Kitchener

I don't think I have featured Lord Kitchener before on this blog - an oversight on my part. This LP (with no sleeve)on the Trinidad label is from 1979 and more Soca than Calypso but still worth a listen. I must admit I prefer the earlier stuff from the 50's and 60's. Wikipedia says - "Aldwyn Roberts (18 April 1922 – 11 February 2000), better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener (or "Kitch"), was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha. Kitchener emigrated from Trinidad, spending six months in Jamaica before traveling on the Empire Windrush to the UK. Kitchener's success began after he moved to England in 1948. During the 1950s he built a large following in the expatriate communities of the West Indian islands. His fame continued throughout the 1950s, when calypso achieved international success. Later, though, he moved towards soca, a related style, and continued recording until his death. Kitchener's compositions were enormously popular as the chosen selections for steel bands to perform at the annual National Panorama competition during Trinidad Carnival. Kitchener became a very important figure to those first 5000 West Indian migrants to the UK. His music[3] spoke of home and a life that they all longed for but in many cases couldn't or wouldn't return to. On June 29, 1950, he immortalised the defining moment for many of the migrants in writing "Cricket, Lovely Cricket". This was one of the first widely-known West Indian songs, and epitomised an event that historian and cricket enthusiast C. L. R. James defined as crucial to West Indian post-colonial societies ( West Indies' victory over England in a Test Match at Lord's). The song, later recorded by Lord Beginner, is rarely credited to Lord Kitchener although Tony Cozier and many who attended the Test at The Oval can attest that it was a Kitch composition. In England, Kitchener started out working in London pubs. At first there were difficulties with English audiences who did not understand all the words, but that did not deter Kitch, and after the BBC gave him a chance to broadcast, he moved on to club bookings, and was soon performing in three clubs every night. Kitchener returned to Trinidad in 1962. He and the Mighty Sparrow proceeded to dominate the calypso competitions of the sixties and seventies. Lord Kitchener won the road march competition ten times between 1965 and 1976, more times than any other calypsonian. For 30 years, Kitchener ran his own calypso tent, Calypso Revue, where which he nurtured the talent of many calypsonians. Calypso Rose, David Rudder, Black Stalin and Denyse Plummer are among the many artists who got their start under Kitchener's tutelage. It was always important to Kitchener throughout his career to gain new experiences that could be woven into his material. This led him to performances in Curaçao, Aruba and Jamaica in the early days, and finally to London, when he was already flying high in Trinidad. Kitchener once said: "I have reached the height of my popularity in Trinidad. What am I doing here? I should make a move." This creator of highly popular and sweet melodies died of a blood infection and kidney failure at Port of Spain's Mount Hope Hospital on 11 February 2000. He is buried in the Santa Rosa Cemetery in Arima. He was later honoured with a statue in Port of Spain. A bust of the beloved entertainer is also on display on Hollis Avenue, Arima, not far from the Arima Stadium." Tracks are as follows - 1. Netball Queen 2. Barataria Sweet 3. No Pan

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Primas Stefan and his Royal Tziganes

Another LP Ive had for a while on the World Record Club label from 1964. Seems to be a pet project by someone called Steven Staryk. Wikipedia Says - "Steven Sam Staryk, OC (born 1932 Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian violin virtuoso. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada[3] of Ukrainian descent, he began his musical education as a child at the Harbord Collegiate Institute. He pursued further studies in the violin with Albert Pratz at The Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) and in New York City. As a renowned teacher, orchestral and chamber musician, and international soloist, he is considered to be the leading Canadian-born violinist of his generation. He is listed in The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada[4] and 23 international publications including The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Awards include the Shevchenko Medal, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, an honorary doctorate of letters from Toronto's York University, and arts awards from the Canada Council. In 1951, he was one of the Symphony six who were denied permission to enter the United States. He was runner-up to Salvatore Accardo in the International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva, 1956. No first prize was awarded that year. Again, he was runner-up at the Carl Flesch International Competition in London where only one prize is awarded. He became concertmaster of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 24, the youngest ever, earning the title "king of concertmasters" from The Strad magazine. He went on to serve as concertmaster of the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam Chamber Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra." Tracks are as follows - 1. Opening Theme 2. Sarba Pomperilor 3. Hora Lui Timosca 4. Utuoso Vasarnap 5. Kuroz Variations 6. Hora Lui Dobrica 7. La Foret

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Super Stars Band Of Ghana

Another Rogers All Stars label LP from the archive. This one from 1979. Catchy highlife similar to King Sunny Ade and Prince Akekunle etc. Wikipedia says - "Highlife is a music genre that originated in Ghana in the 20th century and spread to Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other West African countries by 1920. It is very popular in Liberia and all of English-speaking West Africa, although little has been produced in other countries due to economic challenges brought on by war and instability. Highlife is characterized by jazzy horns and multiple guitars which lead the band. Recently it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound (see Daddy Lumba). Joromi is a sub-genre. This arpeggiated highlife guitar part is modeled after an Afro-Cuban guajeo.[3] The pattern of attack-points is nearly identical to the 3-2 clave motif guajeo shown earlier in this article. The bell pattern known in Cuba as clave, is indigenous to Ghana and Nigeria, and is used in highlife." Tracks are as follows - 1. Oga Sorry 2. Esu A meresu Yi 3. Wawu Anaa?

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Charlie Gillett - James Burton/ Rockabilly Special

Two more Honky Tonk shows courtesy of John Mister who kindly sent me the remains of his HT Archive on some very cheap cassettes so please excuse the sound quality. The first is with guests Charlie Feathers, Buddy Knox and Jack Scott in the midst of a UK Rockabilly package tour. I think they recorded a live album at the Rainbow Theatre that year which was later released. I should check my own blog as it's on here somewhere! The second is with James Burton the session guitarist who has played with many of the great names in rock and country, including Elvis and Ricky Nelson. He was in town with the band backing Emmy Lou Harris who was touring at the time. As usual fascinating snippets of conversation and some great records. Wikipedia says of James Burton- "Born in Minden, the seat of Webster Parish, Louisiana, Burton moved to Shreveport with his family in 1949. He is self-taught, and was playing guitar from his childhood. By the time he was thirteen years old, Burton was playing guitar semi-professionally. A year later he was hired to be part of the staff band for the enormously popular Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. Burton left Shreveport for Los Angeles while in his teens after joining Ricky Nelson's band. In L.A., he made numerous recordings as a session musician. Burton created and played the guitar solo on Dale Hawkins 1957 hit song "Susie Q," a record that would become one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll." Charlie Gillett - James Burton/ Rockabilly Special

Charlie Gillett - Running (Re-up)

Another Charlie Gillett on Capital Radio from the 80's this time a themed show about "Running". The usual eclectic mix of records including The Coasters, Sly & The Family Stone, Spencer Davies Group etc. Trying out a new file system called Dropbox - the files for Running should be here - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7fxz513uk9ab8sg/VJ4G9cU5Qk - If not please let me know.

Charlie Gillett - Roy Brown (RE-Up)

Another great old Honky Tonk radio show from 1978 broadcast on Radio London. Charlie is talking to R&B pioneer Roy Brown and playing some of his hits from the 40's and 50's and tracks from Roy's latest release. Interspersed with some fascinating tales of how it was for black artists in the record business back then - unscrupulous managers and all. Wikipedia says - "Roy James Brown (September 10, 1925 — May 25, 1981 was a pioneering Rhythm & Blues singer, songwriter and musician who had a primary influence on the early development of rock & roll music. Brown sang R&B tunes with a gospel feel, the first blues singer to do so. The "call and response" gospel style was limited to the church prior to Brown's arrival to the music scene. R&B was mostly "jivey" novelty tunes, like "Caledonia" by Louis Jordan and blues sung behind jazzy, boogie-woogie beats like "Roll 'em Pete" by Joe Turner. His seminal "Good Rocking Tonight" was covered by Wynonie Harris, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Pat Boone. In addition, his melismatical pleading, gospel-steeped delivery impacted the vocal styles of B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Jackie Wilson and Little Richard. His role as a crucial link between postwar R&B and rock's initial rise is underappreciated by the masses." Charlie Gillett - Roy Brown Pt. 1 Charlie Gillett - Roy Brown Pt 2

Reggae Girl

Compilation on the Big Shot label from 1968 of various ska and rock steady artistes including The Tennors, Monty Morris , Harmonians etc. Wikipedia says of The Tennors - "The group was formed in Kingston in the mid-1960s by singer George "Clive" Murphy who formed a duo with Maurice "Professor" Johnson. They called themselves the Tennor Twins. They auditioned a song called "Pressure and Slide" in 1967 while sitting in the back of a taxicab for arranger Jackie Mittoo of Studio One. Murphy and Johnson were then joined by Norman Davis, and the trio recorded the song backed by Mittoo. This, their first single, was one of the major Jamaican hits for the year 1967,. The Tennors then went on to form their own label that grew its own stable of artists. The accidental death of Johnson reduced the trio back to a duo, and Murphy and Davis continued as songwriters. They offered their song, "Ride Yu Donkey", to many artists, but ended up recording it themselves after it was turned down. The song was released in 1968 and was a huge hit. Other songs by the Tennors included "Cleopatra (I've Got to Get You Off My Mind)", "Grandpa", Massi Massa", "Girl You Hold Me" and "Rub Me Khaki", "Sufferer", "Sign of the Times", "Biff Baff" (aka "Traitor"), "Bow Legged Girl", "Little Things", "Cherry" and "Oh My Baby". The group became a trio again with the addition of Ronnie Davis in 1968. Other singers who were in the Tennors included Nehemiah Davis, George Dekker, Howard Spencer, and Hilton Wilson. The trio backed singer Jackie Bernard on "Another Scorcher", and moved towards reggae with the song "Reggae Girl"." Tracks are as follows - 1. Reggae Girl - The Tennors 2. Oh My Baby - The Harmonians 3. Khaki - Tennors 4. The Stage - The Tennors 5. Donkey Trot - Clive All Stars 6. While I Was Talking - Romeo Stewart Various - Side One

Nav Ketan

Some delightful songs here from various Bollywood films of the last half century. Featuring such stalwarts as Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Geeta Dutt and Lata Mangeshkar to name but a few. Wikipedia says - "Navketan Films is a film production house based in Mumbai, India. Started in 1949 by actor-director and producer Dev Anand and his elder brother Chetan Anand, whose debut film, Neecha Nagar, bagged the Palme d'Or (Best Film) award, at the first ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Younger brother Vijay Anand, also directed numerous films for the company, like Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967) and Johnny Mera Naam (1970). Chetan and Vijay parted ways with company later and today Dev's son Suneil Anand is currently heading the production house." Tracks are as follows - 1. Jaen To Jaen Kahan ( From the film Taxi Driver) 2. Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer (From the film Baazi ) 3. Dukhi Man Mere (Film - Fantoosh ) 4. Teri Duniya Men ( Film - House No. 44 ) 5. Aankhon Men Kya Ji (Film - Nau Do Gyarah ) 6. Hum Bekhudi Men ( Film - Kala Pani ) Nav Ketan - Side One

Savoy Havana Band/ Columbia Novelty Orch.

Another from the 78 pile which I don't think I've uploaded before.Delightful novelty song from the days of the music hall. Two different bands for the price of one! Wikipedia says - "The Savoy Havana Band was a British dance band of the 1920s. It was resident at the Savoy Hotel, London, between 1921 and 1927. The band was formed by the American saxophonist Bert Ralton in 1921. Originally there were six players including Ralton. It was later increased to ten players. From 1924 it was led by the English violinist Reginald Batten. Both the Savoy Havana Band and their colleagues the Savoy Orpheans were under the management of Wilfred de Mornys. Among the players was a young American saxophonist, Rudy Vallee, whose attempts to become a vocalist were discouraged by his fellow-players. Another member of the ensemble was the pianist Billy Mayerl. The owner of the Savoy Hotel, Rupert D'Oyly Carte, called the original Savoy Havana Band and the Savoy Orpheans "probably the best-known bands in Europe."[2] When de Morny's contractual arrangement with the Savoy Hotel company ended on 31 December 1927, the band went on tour, and disbanded in 1930." Columbia Novelty Orch. - The Little Wooden Whistle Wouldn't Whistle. Savoy Havana Band - Why Did I Kiss That Girl?

Tom Foy

A scratchy 78 from the dusty recesses of a bedroom cupboard. Bought at a charity shop or boot sale - I forget which. Monologue and comic patter from the music hall days. "Music Hall Performer. Born in Manchester, England he served an apprenticeship as a sign painter. Apparently bored, he joined a traveling circus as a scenery artist and clown. He made his first music hall appearance as a lightning cartoonist. His music hall career progressed to comedian to song and dance man. He was famous for his sketches 'Tom Foy and his Donkey' which included a live donkey, and the pantomime 'Idle Jack,' as well as Yorkshire dialect comedy, for which he became known as 'The Yorkshire Lad' despite his origins. He recorded about forty music hall staples on several record labels during his career. He collapsed on stage at Argyle, Birkenhead, England in July 1917. He died two weeks later at the age of 38." Tom Foy - Much Obliged To Me. Tom Foy - In Trouble Again