Todd Rhodes

Mostly instrumental R&B Lp on the Contact Record label from Denmark - a compilation of tracks from the 50's. "Todd Rhodes (August 31, 1900 – June 4, 1965)[1] was an American pianist and arranger and was an early influence in jazz and later on in R&B. He was born Todd Washington Rhodes, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Rhodes attended both the Springfield School of Music and the Erie Conservatory, studying as pianist and songwriter. In the early 1920s he played with Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Fats Waller, Rex Stewart, Doc Cheatham, and Don Redman in McKinney's Cotton Pickers, a jazz group. Rhodes lived and played in Detroit in the 1930s. In the late 1940s he started his own group, Todd Rhodes and His Toddlers, and started doing more R&B arrangements. With his Toddlers, he recorded "Your Daddy's Doggin' Around" and "Your Mouth Got a Hole In It." Rhodes also worked with Hank Ballard, The Chocolate Dandies and Wynonie Harris. He featured African American female lead singers, such as Connie Allen, who recorded "Rocket 69" in 1951. After she left the band in early 1952, her position was taken by LaVern Baker. Rhodes died in June 1965 in Detroit, at the age of 64." Todd Rhodes - Side One

Maitre Gazonga

Wonderful LP of soukous from central Africa. Recorded in Paris on the Tangent label in the 80's. Wikipedia says - "Born in 1948 in Chad and died on 1 st April 2006 in N'Djamena , Master Gazonga whose real name is Saleh Ahmat Rougalta is undoubtedly singer Chad best known through his country. He is also in Africa after MC Solaar Barely reaching his twenties, Saleh Ahmat had to discover his love for music. He entered the group International Chalal he was a founding member. He recorded his first album Golden Africa in Abidjan in 1984 . He skirted other singers like Manu Dibango , Tiken Jah Fakoly , etc.. Saleh Ahmat just felt a headache that worsened thereafter. He was transported to the "Pavilion of urgency" of the Hopital General de Reference National (HGRN) Capital ndjamenoise . The Master's death coincides with the date of April Fools (1 st April), which is why most of his fans did not believe the news of his death. Gazonga master and his group Chalal had found a way to tour around the Chad while being properly paid a . Gazonga knowing that in rural areas people are often poor, have no money but still want to have fun, the group gave concerts for several months in all regions of Chad, where villagers could pay with that 'they had: the sorghum , the rice , the dried fish , and chicken , the beans ... And the concerts were very successful as well. And while the band went from village to village, two trucks were making round trips to the capital N'Djamena , to sell at the market recovered some of the goods, the other being given directly to the families of musicians. The money collected was able to pay salaries and the profits they could repeat the rest of the year and record some new songs." Tracks are as follows - !. Les Jaloux Saboteurs 2. Koysse Maitre Gazonga - Side One

Celestine Ukwu

Celestine Ukwu - Side One.

A Nigerian LP on the Philips label I've had for a number of years, originally bought at Cheshire Street in the East End of London I think. Delightful ju ju music with xylophone and jazzy brass section. "Born in 1940, Celestine was educated musically by his uncle who taught him how to read music and play harmonium. His grandmother was a folk musician and dancer and his father, who worked as a coal miner, was a popular local performer of igede, ikpa and ode music. His mother was lead singer for a women's dance troupe. After Catholic primary school, where he excelled in drama and music, Celestine went to teacher training school for two years, dropping out in 1960 to join Mike Ejeagha's group as vocalist and maraca player. But he soon left to join a group led by Mr Picolo who were going to tour the Congo. Thus an early exposure to Congolese music had a huge impact on his own musical formation. On his return to Nigeria he briefly joined a group called African Baby Party. Three months later he moved to Maiduguri and formed Freedom Jazz Band, but then he moved to Zaria and formed The Republic Knights with Charles Jebba. But he moved again, to Onitsha, where he fronted the Niger City Starlighters. With this formation he made his debut recordings, and scored hits with "No Condition is Permanent," "Artificial Beauty," "Appolonia," and "Ije Enu." This latter song sold 200,000 copies in 3 months. After nine months he decided to start anew and with the help of Matthias Okafor who owned the Frontline Hotel, Onitsha, and who rented instruments for him, Ukwu was able to start Celestine Ukwu & His Music Royals of Nigeria in April 1962. The band was a huge success for five years. In 1967 the Biafran War broke out and the non-Biafran members of the band fled, while Ukwu recorded "Hail Biafra!" and did his bit to boost morale during the strife. In addition to singing he also played drums and vibraphone on his recordings. The band toured neighbouring countries and even went to West Germany. In 1972 students at the University of Nigeria renamed his band the Philosophers National. In 1977 at the age of 37, Ukwu died in a car wreck." Biography courtesy of www.musikifan.com Tracks are - 1. Ejim Nke Onye 2. Ima Echi

Anarkali

LP I bought in a library sale many years ago. Film soundtrack on the EMI label from 1953.

Features the beautiful voice of Lata Mangeshkar. Wikipedia says - " Anarkali (Hindi: अनारकली, Urdu: اناركلی) is a 1953 film based on the historical legend of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. As per the legend Jahangir revolted against his father Akbar over his love for a common girl called Anarkali. It was the top grossing Hindi film in the year of its release, and one of the biggest Hindi film hits in its decade. Another film on the same theme was Mughal-e-Azam, made in 1960, which was again a major commercial and critical hit." Anarkali - Side One.

Sunny Ade & His African Beats

This Nigerian LP on the African Songs label from 1974 is shared with Sunny Ade's African beats and Apola Sounds by Idowu Animasahun. The sleeve notes say -"The story of Sunny Ade and African Beats dates back a number of years. within this short period of time, however, the African beats has made tremendous impact and completely revolutionised the trend of ju ju music in the country.... The music is called African Beats and the dance style is more recently christened Synchro System Movement." No mention the songs on here so one must assume they are well known hits of the time and need no explaination among the faithful fans of Sunny Ade. Discover more about King Sunny Ade HERE. King Sunny Ade - Nigeria's Sounds Of The Moment

Saturday Night At Flannagans

This LP from the boot sale was inside the wrong sleeve so picked this one from Ebay - not sure it's right but will have to do. It's no great shakes as a sing-along record with boozy pub crown led by Bernard Bedford - whoever he might be? Not much gleaned from the internet. A short extract here to give you some idea of how it sounds. I have fond memories of the TV show from Leeds Varieties in the 60's and 70's which sounded similar to this but somehow better. I suppose it was the injection of humour by the likes of Ken Dodd and Billy Dainty etc. that lifted above the normal mire of pub sing-along and into the realms of the affectionate re-creation of the Victorian Music Hall. Flannagans - Side Two.

The Midnight Minstrels

The last of the 78's from the suitcase you'll be pleased to know! One side is too scratched to play really. This one is another little known outfit but a detective on DailyMotion says - "This appears to be a Stan Greening pseudonym. Like many of the bandleaders who directed music purely for recording, Stan Greening (✩Kensington, UK 1888 - ✛Clapham, UK 1971) is hardly known today. He studied piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music, and worked as a classical musician before WWI. In 1924 he started recording for the Crystalate Company for their Imperial and Mimosa labels, a position he maintained until the early 30s. Around the same time, he worked for Parlophone and is likely to have organised the sessions issued as by The Marlborough Dance Orchestra. At the start of 1925, he began working for Columbia, providing studio dance bands and accompaniments for the Columbia and Regal labels. Greening's recordings were issued on Regal as Corona Dance Orchestra. Other record companies which made use of his services were HMV, Brunswick and Duophone." Midnight Minstrels - Tip Toe Through The Tulips.

Jack Payne

One more 78 from the pile. This time a 10" on the Columbia label. Wikipedia says - Jack Payne (22 August 1899 – 4 December 1969) was a British dance music bandleader who established his reputation during the British dance band era of the 1930s. John Wesley Vivian Payne was born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, the only son of a music publisher's warehouse manager. While serving in the Royal Flying Corps he played the piano in amateur dance bands. Payne served in the Royal Air Force during World War I, and led dance bands for the troops. Prior to joining the Royal Air Force, he was part of "The Allies" concert party. This voluntary group performed to wounded soldiers convalescing around Birmingham. In the 1920s he played in a ten-piece band which became the house band at the London's Hotel Cecil in 1925. This ensemble regularly performed on the BBC in the latter half of the decade. In 1928, Payne became the BBC Director of Dance Music and the leader of the BBC's first official dance band. In 1929 the band was featured in the first ever BBC television broadcast. His signature tune was Say it With Music written by Irving Berlin. [edit]The 1930s and 1940s In July 1930 a reviewer from The Gramaphone magazine wrote that "Jack Payne's Band is public property. It is paid out of the wireless licence fees which you and I supply...As such its one duty is to please the masses. It has to be good musically, it has to entertain, it needn't worry about anything advanced in the way of style, and the last thing it need be is rhythmically hot. I think we must all agree that it does its job well, and that anything it may at times lack in modern rhythmic stylishness is amply compensated by other qualities more important from the public's viewpoint, such as musical ability and versatility". After leaving the BBC in 1932, when he was succeeded by Henry Hall, he returned to playing hotel venues and took his band on nationwide tours and made a film Say it with Music (1932), followed four years later by Sunshine Ahead. Payne had three successful waltzes - Blue Pacific Moonlight, Underneath the Spanish Stars and Pagan Serenade, which he composed and later published in the 1930s. Payne did some jazz recording, including working with Garland Wilson. He toured South Africa and France in the 1930s, but also concentrated his efforts on running a theatrical agency." Jack Payne - You're Gonna Be Young. Jack Payne - You're Gonna Be Young. Jack Payne - Sitting On A Five Bar Gate.

Trying To Make A Living

Some urban blues on the Red Lightnin' label from the 70's. Compilation of 50's recordings by Little Mac, L.C. McKinley, Eddie Boyd etc. "Malcolm Simmons ( Little Mac )was born on January 25, 1933, in the small cotton-farming community of Twist, Arkansas. He was a childhood friend of James Cotton, who was serving as an apprentice of Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller) at the time. The two boys persisted in skipping school together for the more enticing lure of jamming on their harmonicas, and Cotton taught Simmons the harp techniques he was learning from the master. Soon school was dropped completely, and Mack picked cotton and drove a tractor full time. Then at 18, he left for St. Louis, where he lived for two years while working on the railroad. It was here that Simmons met the renowned Robert Nighthawk and made his club debut on Nighthawk's stage. In 1954 Little Mack moved on to Chicago, where he formed his own band and held down a five-year stand at Cadillac Baby's, as well as performing regularly at Pepper's Lounge and at Sylvio's." Here's a bit about Eddie Boyd - "EDDIE BOYD (By Dominic Turner) Born Edward Riley Boyd, 25 November 1914 (some sources say 13 November), Stovall (Mississippi) Died 13 July 1994, Helsinki, Finland Starting out as a guitarist but ultimately making his name as a pianist, Eddie Boyd is universally known in blues circles for his powerful "Five Long Years." But this oft covered Chess blues classic was by no means the only highlight of an excellent career. Born on Frank Moore's Stovall plantation near Clarksdale in the heart of the fertile Mississippi delta (his cousin, Muddy Waters, was born there just a few months later), Boyd taught himself to play the guitar at a young age. After a hard day's work in the fields, he would take to the legendary Mississippi juke joints in the evening, playing and singing the blues to rowdy audiences of black workers. But it was a tough upbringing, and Boyd, frustrated by the unfair segregationist policies, ran into trouble after a fight with a white youth (some accounts suggest that Boyd threw a hayfork!). As a result of that incident, he joined the hordes of Southern blacks who moved further north to seek their fortune, and settled in Memphis around 1931. The move to an even more stimulating musical environment soon rubbed off, and he learned to play the piano, developing a style that owed much to Roosevelt Sykes and Leroy Carr. He continued to play regularly in the city's bars and juke joints, often appearing on Beale Street as a pianist and singer with his band the Dixie Rhythm Boys." Various - Trying To Make A Living Side Two

Bidgood's Broadcasters

More Bidgoodness with Harry and the boys."Harry BIDGOOD (born in London, 1898) recorded both under his own name, and a variety of other names such as Harry Bidgood's Broadcasters, The Riverside Dance Orchestra, Don Porto and His Novelty Accordions, Rossini's Accordions, Primo Scala and His Banjo Band (or: Primo Scala and His Accordion Band) Among his famous vocalists are Vera Lynn, Cavan O'Malley, Sam Costa. Bidgood's career began when he became the pianist with the De Groot Orchestra then resident at London's Piccadilly Hotel. In time, he became the Musical Director for Vocalion Records, and in 1932, for Crystalate Records. Curiously, he is probably better remembered by his pseudonym of "Primo Scala" than by his own English birthname. (He contrived the name from Italy's boxing champion 'Primo Carnera' and a then famous Irish Sweepstakes winner, Signor Emilio Scala.). He died in London in 1957." Bidgood's Broadcasters - Sing A Little Love Song. Bidgood's Broadcasters - Hitting The Ceiling.

Harry Hudson/ Walter Miller

Could not find anything about Walter Miller - another nom de plume perhaps? Delightful double novelty disc with Sarah Jane sounding very much like On Ilkley Moor Bah't At?! "Harry Hudson was a music hall personality who recorded solo comic records for Edison Bell Records..In 1928,the newly formed Edison Bell Radio label was born, and Hudson was approached to become the musical director. So Hudson began recording several hundred records before the depression, finally sank the label, in 1932/33 However from 1934 enterprising Hudson,went on to concentrate on the Variety Club circuit. in Great Britain. Someone informed me that in old age he played piano intros on a TV quiz show in the 1950's..It seemed he had a very upbeat personality. The Radio records have a loud,dynamic sound that showed Hudson's classy studios bands to their best advantage." Harry Hudson - When I Met Connie In A Cornfield. Harry Hudson - Sarah Jane.

The Biltmore Players

"It's an 8 inch record. The smaller ones were I think budget releases and sold in shops like Woolworths in the 20's/30's." Another from the suitcase of scratchy 78's. Not much on the net about the Biltmore players. Another pseudonym for a house band perhaps. These cheapo labels used to have lots of them. Anybody knows different please let us know. Biltmore Players - Betty Co-ed. Biltmore Players - When It's Moonlight By Killarney.

The Clevelanders/ Lou Gold

More from the 78 pile this time two artistes on one record. Not much known about the Clevelanders but found this on a YouTube intro. to this record - "The Clevelanders apparently was a pseudonym for Jack Albin. Although very popular in his day, almost nothing is known of him today. It was a steady outfit that played in New York's best hotels and restaurants, the best known being the Pennsylvania Hotel. With the orchestra based at this hotel, he recorded extensively in 1929 and 1930, and also a few excellent discs for Crown in 1931. Shortly after those sessions, Albin left the music business, and what happened in the rest of his life is totally unknown. As for this lovely record, it was made in 1930. Outstanding vocal by Scrappy Lambert." Same goes for Lou Gold. Here's another snippet of info. I found on YouTube - "Although largely forgotten today, Lou Gold was a very popular orchestra leader during the 1920s. He was born Lewis Milton Goldwasser in 1894, and mainly active in the New York area during the 1920s and 1930s as a composer, pianist and orchestra leader. His orchestra made several recordings both with his own name and with different pseudonyms, depending on what label the recordings were made for. During his life he worked with artists like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Abe Lyman and many others. He died in 1950." Lou Gold - Love Ain't Nothing But The Blues. Clevelanders - Lucky Me, Lovable You.

Roy Fox

Somebody I recognise from the British Dance Band era. A very warped record sadly so only one side will play. Wikipedia says - Roy Fox (b. October 25, 1901, Denver, Colorado, United States - d. March 20, 1982, London, England, UK) was an American dance bandleader whose period of greatest popularity came during his years performing in England during the British dance band era. Roy Fox was raised in Hollywood, California. He began playing cornet when he was eleven years old, and by age 13 was performing in the Los Angeles Examiner's newsboys' band. Soon after he played bugle for a studio owned by Cecil B. DeMille. His first major association came at the age of 16, when he joined Abe Lyman's orchestra at the Sunset Inn in Santa Monica, where he played alongside Miff Mole, Gussie Miller, Henry Halstead, and Gus Arnheim. He developed a soft style of playing there which earned him the nickname "The Whispering Cornetist". [edit]The 1920s and 1930s In 1920 he put together his own band, with whom he recorded in 1925. That same year he also scored a gig on radio broadcasting with Art Hickman's orchestra; this ensemble toured the U.S., then did an extended residency in Florida. After some time in New York City, Fox and Arnheim reconvened in Hollywood, working at the Ambassador Hotel, and Fox continued to broadcast with his own bands. During this time he also did a number of film soundtracks. In 1930 Fox was invited to perform in London, which he first did on September 29, 1930. He recorded on the BBC that year, and when his band returned to the U.S. the following spring, Fox remained behind, recording with a new group for Decca Records and accepting an engagement at the Monseigneur restaurant in Piccadilly. He lost this contract in November 1931 when he fell ill with pleurisy and traveled to Switzerland for a stay at a sanatorium. Upon his return he put together yet another group composed entirely of new members aside from trumpeter/vocalist Sid Buckman, and performed in Belgium as well as the UK. Art Christmas played a variety of instruments in this band. He made the films On the Air and Big Ben Calling in 1933-34, recorded for HMV in 1936, and toured Europe until 1938, when he fell ill again." Roy Fox - Lonely Lane

Harry Hudon's Melody Men

Not much found on the internet about Harry Hudson but David Glow on YouTube seems to know things - "Harry Hudson was a music hall personality who recorded solo comic records for Edison Bell Records..In 1928,the newly formed Edison Bell Radio label was born, and Hudson was approached to become the musical director. So Hudson began recording several hundred records before the depression, finally sank the label, in 1932/33 However from 1934 enterprising Hudson,went on to concentrate on the Variety Club circuit. in Great Britain. Someone informed me that in old age he played piano intros on a TV quiz show in the 1950's..It seemed he had a very upbeat personality. The Radio records have a loud,dynamic sound that showed Hudson's classy studios bands to their best advantage. Here Sylvester Ahola is present on trumpet lead in a hot,tight rendition of this evergreen song. Hudson was not shy man, and took vocals himself,on a number of records,in spite of being a poor singer.Joe Leigh is the vocalist on this record. Hudson seems to have got on well with Al Bowlly as they teamed up again at Decca which he played piano on some of Al's solo records in 1934. He has never had the proper acknowledgement of his massive contribution to British musical history and is not well known today." Harry Hudson - Marie. Harry Hudson - Building A Nest For Mary.

Phil Allen & His Merrymakers

Scarce info. on Phil Allen on the net. He's not even in the British Dance Band Encyclopedia., so maybe he's not British? Anyway a fun song that reminds me of "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life". Maybe Monty Python were influenced by this record? Phil Allen - Looking On The Bright Side. Phil Allen - Your More Than The World To Me.

Harry Bidgood & His Broadcasters

More Harry Bidgood for all his fans out there! Wikipedia says - "Henry Bidgood (1898 – November 15, 1957) known as "Harry" was an English composer, dance band leader and musical director for films.[1] Born in London the son of composer Thomas Bidgood. He studied at The Royal College of Music. Bidgood released dance band music under various names, mostly notably Primo Scala and his Accordion Band.[2] Over the course of 20 years he would frequently broadcast on the BBC. Bidgood was also the musical director for numerous films including several George Formby films." Harry Bidgood - Where Oh Where Do I Live?. Harry Bidgood - Little Brown Baby.

Randolph Sutton

More vintage novelty songs from the 78 pile. Not much known about Randolph Sutton but Wikipedia says - "Randolph Sutton (born Bristol July 1888 and died Brixton 28 February 1969) was an English singer. He was a popular stage entertainer in music hall and variety. He appeared at the "Royal Variety Performance". Sutton made a famous recording of "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" during the 1930s and 1940s, and made a further recording of this song as late as January 1969, shortly before his death. He made his final stage appearance at the City Hall Theatre in St Albans, Hertfordshire on 26 February 1969." Randolph Sutton - There's A Good Time Coming. Randolph Sutton - Over The Garden Wall

Harry Bidgood

More from the ubiquitous Harry Bidgood who also went under several pseudonyms including Ciro's Club Band and Primo Scala's Accordion Band. "Harry Bidgood was born in London in 1898, receiving early musical education from his father prior to attending the Royal College of Music. He commenced his professional career just after the First World War as pianist with De Groot at the Piccadilly Hotel, London. In 1926 he started directing recording sessions for Vocalion, which, in 1928, began to issue the famous 8-inch Broadcast records. Harry directed a 'house band' for these records, known as Harry Bidgood and his Broadcasters. Other studio bands under his direction included: The New York Nightbirds, Ciro's Club Band, The Manhattan Melody Makers, Al Benny's Broadway Boys, The Riverside Dance Band and Nat Lewis and his Dance Band. When accordion bands started to become popular in the early thirties, Harry Bidgood saw the potential and formed a band for Eclipse called Don Porto's Novelty Accordion Band. He also recorded (in 1935) as Rossini's Accordion Band for the Crown label, which sold in Woolworth's stores. It was under the alias of Primo Scala and his Accordion Band, however, that he was destined to become most famous." Bidgood's Broadcasters - All By Yourself In The Moonlight. Bidgood's Broadcasters - I Think Of What You Used To Think Of Me

Kempion/ The Farriers

Two bands on this LP on the Broadside label ( 1976) I found today at a boot sale. Singing songs about the Birmingham canals. Nice English folk tradition which reminds me of The Incredible String Band, Martin Carthy etc. Couldnt find much about the Farriers but this was the line up of Kempion back then- "DAVID OXLEY was born in the West Midlands. He plays fiddle, bouzouki and mandolin. David is classically trained MARK WALLIS is from Somerset. He plays guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and tenor banjo. Mark does session work, often in conjunction with David, for L.P. records and BBC radio. DUNCAN HUDSON is a Scotsman from Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow. He plays the tin whistle and the flute, on both of which he is self taught. A true folk musician. MORRIS McPHIILLIPS is the group's vocalist. His raw, powerful voice is one of the few that can cut through the lively sound of an instrumental group in full flight. Morris also plays the bodhran, or celtic drum, and the Appalachian dulcimer. " Tracks are as follows - I Can't Find Brummagem, The New navigation, Tom King, A New Song For The Opening Of The Birmingham and Liverpool Railway, Norton New Bell Wake, Birmingham On Sea, Birmingham Jack Of All Trades. Farriers/Kempion - Side One