Bob Fisher & His Skiffle Group

An LP found today in the Oxfam shop for a mere three quid which was a surprise as they usually charge a lot more for rarities like this. I assume it is rare as not much mention of Bob Fisher or his skiffling pals online. The record was made in Canada on the Arc label so they may be Canadians cashing in on the skiffle boom of the late 50's? Any leads greatly appreciated as usual.

Bob Fisher - Have A Drink On Me

Bob Fisher - Putting On The Style

Bob Fisher - Wabash Cannon Ball

Bob Fisher - Maggie Mae

Bob Fisher - Big Midnight Speacial

Bob Fisher - Grand Coulee Dam

The Cranes Skiffle Group - (RE-UP)

Another 78 from the boot sale today. On the Embassy label from 1957. Cranes Skiffle Group was actually Chas McDevitt and His band who had a big hit with "Freight Train" with Nancy Whiskey singing the lead vocal that same year.

"The group had already recorded 'Freight Train' for Oriole Records; thanks to the demo discs produced by their new manager, Bill Varley. Bill ran Trio Recordings, a small studio in Tin Pan Alley. It was Varley who suggested that to get an edge over the other skiffle groups they should include a girl in their line-up. Folksinger, Nancy Whiskey, who had also appeared on the Radio Luxembourg talent competition was invited to join the group. At first reluctant to give up her folksinging, she joined the boys at the end of December 1956. They re-recorded 'Freight Train' with Nancy taking the vocals. On the same session they recorded; 'Cotton Song', 'New Orleans' and 'Don't You Rock Me Daddy O'. The last track was released on Embassy records, Oriole Records' cheap subsidiary that sold in Woolworth's. They used the pseudonym 'The Cranes Skiffle Group'. 'Worried Man', originally recorded for Embassy, whilst Jimmie MacGregor was with the group, was substituted on their second Oriole release."

Discover more about Chas McDevitt HERE.


Cranes Skiffle Group - Cumberland Gap

Cranes Skiffle Group - Freight Train

Cranes Skiffle Group

Another 78 from the boot sale today. On the Embassy label from 1957. Cranes Skiffle Group was actually Chas McDevitt and His band who had a big hit with "Freight Train" with Nancy Whiskey singing the lead vocal that same year.

"The group had already recorded 'Freight Train' for Oriole Records; thanks to the demo discs produced by their new manager, Bill Varley. Bill ran Trio Recordings, a small studio in Tin Pan Alley. It was Varley who suggested that to get an edge over the other skiffle groups they should include a girl in their line-up. Folksinger, Nancy Whiskey, who had also appeared on the Radio Luxembourg talent competition was invited to join the group. At first reluctant to give up her folksinging, she joined the boys at the end of December 1956. They re-recorded 'Freight Train' with Nancy taking the vocals. On the same session they recorded; 'Cotton Song', 'New Orleans' and 'Don't You Rock Me Daddy O'. The last track was released on Embassy records, Oriole Records' cheap subsidiary that sold in Woolworth's. They used the pseudonym 'The Cranes Skiffle Group'. 'Worried Man', originally recorded for Embassy, whilst Jimmie MacGregor was with the group, was substituted on their second Oriole release."

Discover more about Chas McDevitt HERE.


Cranes Skiffle Group - Freight Train

Cranes Skiffle Group - Cumberland Gap


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George Melly's Bubbling Over Four

This tape was sent to me some years ago by persons unknown. It's a programme called Saturday Skiffle Club hosted by Brian Matthew and went out on BBC Light Programme , as it was then, on 23rd. November 1957. Others on the programme are Dick Bishop's Sidekicks and The City Ramblers.

"He was born in Liverpool and was educated at Stowe public school, where he discovered his interest in modern art, jazz and blues and started coming to terms with his sexuality. This period of his life is described in Scouse Mouse, a volume of his autobiography.
He joined the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War because, as he quipped to the recruiting officer, the uniforms were 'so much nicer'. As he related in his autobiography, Rum, Bum and Concertina, he was crestfallen to discover that he would not be sent to a ship and was thus denied the "bell-bottom" uniform he desired. Instead he received desk duty and wore the other Navy uniform, described as "the dreaded fore-and-aft". Later, however, he did see ship duty. He never saw active combat, but was almost court-martialled for distributing anarchist literature."

Discover more about George Melly HERE.


Bubbling Over Four - Casey Jones/Kansas City

Bubbling Over Four - This Train/Sporting Life

Bubbling Over Four - I Want A Butter And Egg Man


These SendSpace files are available for seven days or until exhausted.