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.

Max Bacon - Requested Re-Up

"Max was the larger-than-life drummer with the Ambrose Orchestra for many years, who also had a unique Jewish-style humour. Prior to joining Ambrose in late 1927, he had been with Leon van Straten's band in 1926 and also was briefly with Fred Elizalde's band (which seems to be made up of Ambrose musicians) and Al Starita's Kit-Cat band (probably a temporary substitute for Eric Little). He was a regular member of Ronnie Munro's band which recorded for Parlophone and Imperial from 1926 to 1929, and also with Arthur Lally's band at Decca in the early 1930s. His stint with Ambrose lasted until 1940 and his wry comments may be heard on a number of comedy titles, including the famous number "Cohen the Crooner (The Crosby of Mile-End)" which is extant on film. On leaving Ambrose, Max went into variety, and also acting, taking small parts in films and television shows."


Max Bacon - William T. Hell

Max Bacon - Little Red Hooding Ride

Max Bacon - Even A Crooner Must Eat


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

Golden Voices Of The Music Hall

An old early 60's compilation on the budget Ace Of Clubs label of music hall artistes from the 30's and 40's I imagine. Not much information on the sleeve.

Ella Shields.
"Ella Shields (September 27, 1879 – August 05, 1952[1]) was a music hall singer and male-impersonator. Her famous signature song, "Burlington Bertie from Bow", written by her manager and first husband, William Hargreaves, was an immediate hit that is still sung to this day. Though American-born, Ella achieved her greatest success in England."

Nellie Wallace
"Nellie Wallace was one of the most famous and best loved music hall performers and is one of the stars commemorated in the new Theatre of Variety at the Grand Theatre Blackpool. She was a 'grotesque', one of a genre that also included Lily Morris, who famously sang 'Why Am I Always the Bridesmaid?' These women made themselves look bizarre and illustrated their comic songs and patter with outlandishly grotesque dances that actually required great dancing skills. They were as loveable and appealing as they were extraordinary to look at and since the characters they portrayed were usually down on their luck, audiences took them to their hearts."


Ella Shields - Burlington Bertie

Ella Shields - The Army

Tom Leamore - Mick MacDonald

Tom Leamore - Percy From Pimlico

Nellie Wallace - The Blasted Oak

Nellie Wallace - Three Times A Day


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

Spike Jones & His City Slickers

No excuses for uplaoding more Spike Jones and his wonderful band. This 1986 LP on the Harlequin label is a compilation of early stuff from 1942 when Spike had not got as wacky as in later years. It only highlights the exceptional musicianship of his eight peice band and hints at things to come, especially in songs like "I Wann Go Back To West Virginia" and "St-St-St-Stella".


"Lindley Armstrong "Spike" Jones (December 14, 1911 - May 1, 1965) was a popular musician and comedian. He was born in Long Beach, California.
His father was a Southern Pacific railroad agent. He got his nickname by being so thin that he was compared to a railroad spike. At the age of eleven he got his first set of drums. As a teenager he played in bands that he formed himself. A chef in a railroad restaurant taught him how to use adapted pots and pans, forks, knives and spoons as musical instruments. He frequently played in theater pit orchestras. In the 1930's he joined the Victor Young Band and thereby got many offers to appear to radio shows including the Al Jolson Lifebuoy Show, Burns and Allen (with George Burns) and Bing Crosby's Kraft Music Hall. In 1940, he had an uncredited part in the film Give Us Wings, and in 1942 as a hillbilly in Pass the Biscuits, Mirandy. He joined up with vocalist Del Porter and performed in Los Angeles, gaining a cult following. By 1941 the band included violinist Carl Grayson. Other band members were George Rock (voice and trumpet), Doodles Weaver (voice) and Red Ingle (voice). They became his backing band The City Slickers.Jones's wife was the singer Helen Grayco, who performed on some of his radio shows. They recorded five records for Victor's label "Bluebird" before receiving their big break."

Discover more about Spike Jones HERE.


Spike Jones - I Know A Story

Spike Jones - John Scotter Trot

Spike Jones - The Sailor With The Navy Blue Eyes

Spike Jones - I Wanna Go Back To West Virginia

Spike Jones - Come Josephine In My Flying Machine

Spike Jones - Love For Sale

Spike Jones - Moanin' Low

Spike Jones - St-St-St-Stella


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

The Polynesians

"The term "Polynesia" was first coined by Charles de Brosses in 1756, and originally applied to all the islands of the Pacific. Jules Dumont d'Urville in an 1831 lecture to the Geographical Society of Paris proposed a restriction on its use, and also introduced the terms Micronesia and Melanesia. This division into three distinct Pacific subregions remains in widespread use today.
Geographically, Polynesia may be described as a triangle with its three corners at Hawai'i, New Zealand, and Easter Island. The other main island groups located within the Polynesian triangle are Samoa, Tonga, and the various island chains that form French Polynesia.
However, in essence it is an anthropological term referring to one of the three parts of Oceania (the others being Micronesia and Melanesia) whose pre-colonial population generally belongs to one ethno-cultural family as a result of centuries of maritime migrations. Then westerners came (more maritime migrations) and alternately abused and enslaved and intermingled with the population."

This record on the Crown label in California features Harry Baty, Sam Kaapuni, Bob Nichols and Joe Keava.


The Polynesians - Pagan Love Song

The Polynesians - Orchid Lei

The Polynesians - Lei Makamae

The Polynesians - Te Manu Pukarua

The Polynesians - Kamahula


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

Bet Lynch's Legs

Bet Lynch as we all know was the brassy barmaid at the Rover's Return pub in Britain's longest running soap "Coronation Street". I don't remember her legs very well but obviously these boys did and named their band after her pins. Other than that I know nothing about them. Two quirky instrumentals from old cowboy films which have been done better but it has a certain charm and certainly different from a lot of stuff that came out in 1979.
I must point out the wealth of other versions can be found at a wonderful blog called "The Cheeze Factory" , who's link you can find at the side here.


Bet Lynch's Legs - Riders In The Sky

Bet Lynch's legs - High Noon


These SendSpace files are available for seven days or until exhausted

Mohd. Rafi

An Indian EP on the Angel label from 1969. Part of a soundtrack to a film called "Tumse Achha Kaun Hai". All the songs here are sung by Rafi but he is joined by Lata Mangeshgar on "Rangat Teri Surat".

"Mohd. Rafi was perhaps the most popular male playback singer ever and maybe the second most popular singer of Indian Cinema after who else Lata Mangeshkar!

Rafi could sing for anyone in any style. At one stage in the 1960s Rafi was the voice of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Johnny Walker, Sunil Dutt, Biswajeet, Joy Mukherjee, Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor and Raaj Kumar! From the classical Madhuban mein Radhika Nachi re to the swinging Aaja Aaja Main hoon Pyar Tera, from the soulful Hum Bekhudi Mein Aapko Pukarein to the comic Sar jo Tera Chakraye, from the philosophical Dekhi Zamaane ki Yaari to the frivolous Aiaiya Karoon Main Kya Sookoo Sookoo, he could sing anything! In fact Rafi was blessed with such a range that he could easily sing in three octaves without veering out of control.

Born in Kotta Sultansingh village in Punjab (now in Pakistan), Rafi moved to Lahore when he was 14. There he studied music under Khan Abdul Waheed Khan, Jeevanlal Matto and Ghulam Ali Khan. He was introduced to radio Lahore by composer Feroz Nizami and made his film debut as playback singer in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (1944).

He moved to Bombay in 1944 where he was first given a break by Naushad in Pehle Aap (1944). Rafi's earlier singing style appeared influenced by G.M. Durrani and his first really big hit was in Jugnu (1947) where he sang the duet Yahaan Badla Wafaa ka Bewafaee ke Siva Kya Hai with Noor Jehan under Feroz Nizami. But his career really took off with the all-time hit Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki from Dulari(1949). From then there was no looking back and Rafi ruled as the undisputed king of playback singing till the early 70s when Kishore Kumar took over. However it took Rafi much of the 50s to establish his superiority over rest of the competition. Kishore Kumar and to a lesser extent Mukesh and Talat Mehmood were preoccupied by their acting while Hemant Kumar saw a decline in his singing career by the end of the 1950s. Manna Dey never really got the breaks his talent deserved and from 1960-1970 Rafi was unchallenged at the top."

Discover more about Mohd. Rafi HERE.

Mohd. Rafi = Janam Janam Ka Saath Hai

Mohd. Rafi - Tumse Achha Kaun Hai

Mohd. Rafi - Rangat Teri Surat


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

Swaranlata & Karamjit Singh Dhuri

An EP on the Odeon EMI from 1973.

"Swaranlata, a tall and alluring Sikh girl from Rawalpindi, was interested in dance, music and films since her childhood. After completing her education, she joined Academy of Music and Arts - Lucknow (UP), and married a rich merchant P.C. Balmoria at the age of 18. Luckily, P.C. Balmoria was himself interested in films and music; therefore, he introduced Swarnlata to the world of films. Swaranlata's first film Awaaz was released in 1942, which was directed by Rafiq Rizvi. Although Swaranlata was cast in a secondary role, she did her role with great confidence opposite such seasoned actors like Maya Banerji and Wasti. Seeing her enthusiasm for films, she was offered the lead role in Najam Naqvi's Tasveer (1943) opposite superstar hero of his time Motilal. Tasveer, a romantic comedy about a philandering doctor did great business at box-office and there was no looking back for Swaranlata. She was showered with offers and was cast as the leading lady in lots of movies including Rattan (1944) which is still considered as one of the greatest hits of Indian Cinema. In 1945, director-cum-producer-cum-actor Nazir started Laila Majnu (1945) under the banner of Hind Pictures, and Swaranlata was cast as Laila. Indian playback singer, Mohd Rafi also appeared in this film, alongside lead pair Swaranlata and Nazir to sing the chorus in tera jalwa jisne dekha. This film, an Arabian love legend, gave rise to a real life romance off the screen as well. Swaranlata converted to Islam and changed her name to Saeeda Bano. Swaranlata and Nazir got married and were inseparable till Nazir's death in 1983".


Swaranlata & Karamjit - Pehli Raat Bada Hi Dar Lagea Si

Swaranlata & Karamjit - Ghund Chuk Mukhra Dikhade

Swaranlata & Karamjit - Thamle De Kol Kol Di

Swaranlata & Karamjit - Ghada Na Chukayo Kudiyo


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

The Ramblers Dance Band

A Highlife LP on the Decca label from West Africa recorded in 1969.

The sleeve notes say-

"It is over a decade now since Decca started recording local artists in West Africa. During this stretch of time dance bands have sprouted and wilted away to die in the true tradition of musicla groups. Somehow one band has satyed around longer than most; it seems to have succeeded where others have failed. The Ramblers Dance Band, nearly eight years old, have introduced glamour to the West African Highlife scene. the band have provided it's dance fans with their highlife tunes, while for those who prefer to listen it has supplied the necessary innovations to the traditional forms."


"From its early development in Ghana through the 1970s, Highlife was Africa's first big popular music trend. Evolving from the the music of society bands and military marching bands, Highlife music re-africanized these contemporary instrumental ensembles, adding local percussion, indigenous rhythms and crafting local lyrics around powerful local themes. Highlife, named for the lifestyle of the high society Africans who were its early patrons, was the first major popular music trend in West Africa. Some of Nigeria's early highlife luminaries Bobby Benson, Cardinal Rex Lawson, EC. Arinze, Stephen Amechi, Inyang Henshaw, Celestine Ukwu and many others are still revered to this day. Though highlife lost some of its national power during the Civil War years, Highlife Heavies like Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and Oliver DeCoque remain powerful National forces. Recentely a young generation has worked to put highlife back on the map."

Discover more about Nigerian Highlife HERE


Ramblers Dance Band - Ekombi

Ramblers Dance Band - Agyanka Dabre

Ramblers Dance Band - Ama Bonsu

Ramblers Dance Band - Nyame Ne Nhyehyee

Ramblers Dance Band - Nyame Mbere

Ramblers Dance Band - Alome

Ramblers Dance band - Knock On Wood


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

Sandy Nelson

"Let There Be Drums" by Sandy Nelson was one of the very first singles I ever bought back in the 60's - probably an ex juke box single with the centre punched out I used to buy cheaply at Pitsea market in Essex.
This compilation of some of his hits is on the budget Sunset label, released in 1962.

Wikipedia says-

"His song "Teen Beat", released on Original Sound Records, rose to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959. Subsequently he signed with the Imperial record label, and pounded out two more Top 40 hits, "Let There Be Drums", which went to #3 in the UK Singles Chart, and "Drums Are My Beat". All three were instrumentals (a feat rarely repeated). Guitar on these hits was by co-writer Richie Podolor (aka Richie Allen), later a respected songwriter / producer in his own right.
He attended high school with Jan Berry, Dean Torrence (who together became Jan and Dean), and Kim Fowley. After gaining respect as a session drummer, he played on such well-known songs as "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (Phil Spector's Teddy Bears, 1958), "Alley-Oop" (The Hollywood Argyles, 1960), "A Thousand Stars" (Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1960) and many more.
Near the end of 1963, Nelson was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. The resulting injuries necessitated amputation of his right foot and part of that same leg. Nonetheless, he managed to resume his drumming career, and Nelson continued to record into the early 1970s, releasing 2 or 3 albums a year, mainly consisting of cover versions of popular hits at the time plus a few original compositions.
Nelson, now approaching his seventies, lives in quiet seclusion in Boulder City, NV. and continues to experiment with music on keyboards and piano."


Sandy Nelson - Teen Beat

Sandy Nelson - Big Noise From The Jungle

Sandy Nelson - Honky Tonk

Sandy Nelson - All Night Long

Sandy Nelson - Drums Are My Beat

Sandy Nelson - Drumming Up A Storm


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

Happy Monsters

A really odd record I bought today at a boot sale. It was released on the Happy House label ( Made In America ) in the 60's I imagine. One side a has a story and the other is all songs ,or rather, tunes- sub funk backing tracks that have percussive intruments like bells, marracas and squeakers layered over the top in a strange haphazard fashion. The resulting mess is quite alarming! I recognise a few tunes here including James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag". Maybe you can spot some others? Goodness knows what children thought of this when it was played at their parties!

Happy Monsters - Ooog Frug

Happy Monsters - Monster Rock

Happy Monsters - See See Monster

Happy Monsters - Clap Your Tentacles

Happy Monsters - Kiss Me Goodnight

Happy Monsters - Adventure In The Land Of Oog


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

Ken Dodd & The Diddymen

Back due to popular demand . This is an LP I found years ago and have only just had the chance to rip the tracks using my new ION USB turntable ( from Santa ). Hopefully I can upload more vinyl now after being restricted to CD tracks for a couple of months. Excuse the pops and crackles.

Wikipedia says-

"Ken Dodd was born on the 8 November 1927 in Knotty Ash on the outskirts of Liverpool, son of a coal merchant, Arthur Dodd and wife Sarah Dodd. He went to the Knotty Ash School, and sang in the local church choir of St. Johns Church, Knotty Ash. At the age of seven, he was dared by his school friends to ride his bike with his eyes shut.....and he did, for about 10 feet and the bike hit the kerb. Ken went flying open-mouthed onto the tarmac, resulting in his famous teeth of today.

He then attended Holt High, a Grammar School in Childwall, but left at 14 to work for his father.[1] Around this time he became interested in showbusiness after seeing an advert in a comic entitled; "Fool Your Teachers, Amaze Your Friends - Send 6d in Stamps and Become a Ventriloquist!" and sending off for the book. Not long after, his father bought him a ventriloquist's dummy and Ken called it Charlie Brown. He started entertaining at the local orphanage, then at various other local community functions.

He got his big break at the age of 27. In September 1954 he appeared at the Nottingham Playhouse. A nervous young man, he sat in a local Milk Bar for most of the afternoon going over and over his lines before going to the theatre. Although he can't remember much of the actual act of that night. He did recall, "Well at least they didn't boo me off". But there wasn't much fear of that, as Dodd's act went from strength to strength, eventually topping the bill at Blackpool in 1958."

For "Happiness Tour" dates go HERE.


Ken Dodd - Song Of The Diddymen

Ken Dodd - Ballad Of Knotty Ash

Ken Dodd - Doddy's Diddy Party

Ken Dodd - Washboard King Of The Dixieland Band

Ken Dodd - How'ya Diddlin'

Ken Dodd - The Diddly-Doo Parade


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

Australia All Over

This is the other Australian cassette I found the other day for a few pennies. Its on the ABC label and based on a radio show of the same name hosted by Ian McNamara who choose all the songs and did the liner notes. In them he says- "This recording is really a slice of life - Australian style. The music overflows with the spirit and the soul of the country. It reflects the humour, lifestyle, natural environment and it's history."

I was thinking the other day that there should be more songs about sheds and lo and behold there is a great one here by John Williamson. Also an amusing song about a snack bar by the Tallowood Bush Band. Ted Egan apparently found the song "Two Little Boys" for Rolf Harris but we won't hold that against him!


Ted Egan - Sayonara Nakamura

John Willimason - The Shed

Tallowood Bush band - Number 97 To The Snack Bar Please


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

Slim Dusty

Found this cassette recently in the local hospice shop with another Australian tape. Its all drinking songs including the big hit "Pub With No Beer". I think this is another version though.

Wikipedia says-

"In 1951, Slim Dusty married Singer-Songwriter Joy McKean and with her help, achieved great success around Australia. In 1954, Slim and Joy launced a full time business career and launched the Slim Dusty Travelling Show His 1957 hit "A Pub With No Beer" was the biggest-selling record by an Australian to that time, and the first Australian single to go gold. In 1958 David Kirkpatrick was born. Over the course of his career, he collected more gold and platinum albums than any other Australian artist. (The "Pub with No Beer" is a real place, in Taylors Arm, not far from Kempsey where Slim Dusty was born)[citation needed]. In 1959 and 1960 Dutch and German cover versions of the song became number one hits (even evergreens) in Belgium, Austria and Germany, brought by the Flemish country singer-guitarist and amusement park founder Bobbejaan Schoepen. 1964 saw the establishment of the annual Slim Dusty round Australia tour, a 30,000 mile 10 month journey. Dusty not only recorded songs written by himself and other fellow Australian performers, but also recorded classic Australian poems by Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson with new tunes, to call attention to the old 'Bush Ballads.' An example is The Man from Snowy River by Paterson.


Slim Dusty plaque at the National Truck Driver Memorial at TarcuttaIn 1970, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music. In 1971 he won Best Single at the Australian Country Music Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival (Slim's wife Joy McKean won Song of the Year as writer of the song for which he won best single). In all, he won a record 35 "Golden Guitars" over the years. The General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee invited him and his wife Joy McKean to perform in 1997, recognizing 50 years contributing to Country Music. He was given the honour to sing Waltzing Matilda in the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, with the whole stadium singing along with him. Slim Dusty, with wife Joy McKean, were patrons of the National Truck Drivers' Memorial located at Tarcutta, New South Wales."


Slim Dusty - He's A Good Bloke When He's Sober...

Slim Dusty - You've Got To Drink The Froth To Get The Beer

Slim Dusty - Pub With No Beer

Slim Dusty - The Hangover Song

Slim Dusty - Mad Jack's Cockatoo


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

Texas Kitty

Jim in Basingstoke sent this cassette to me recently. Its a rare copy of a 10" LP on the Philips label from the late 50's early 60's that he was sent many years ago and he has been wanting to hear more of Texas Kitty but the internet does not tell us much.
The only image I could find is of an EP. called "Texas Kitty" that was put out about the same time and contains some of the same tracks.

Luckily a Dutch friend Jan managed to track down a short biography on a dutch website. Her real name was Kitty Prins.

"She was born in Groningen, The Netherlands. She was not only a singer, but a professional painter as well. However her carreer in our country never really got from the ground. She was more succesfull in Vlaanderen (the Dutch speaking part of Belgium). She also had a fan-club in South Africa and she had contacts with the Country Music Assocation in the VS, where she perfromed in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
After being seriously disappointed in The Netherland by people breaking contracts and so on, she decided to move to Vlaanderen permanently. Untill 1981 she presented a country show on Belgian radio. The last years of her life she spent painting. The website isn't clear about her birth and death date (1900-1900?)."

Thanks for that Jan.

Discover more about Texas Kitty In Dutch HERE.


Texas Kitty - Just A Little Lovin'

Texas Kitty - New Mule Skinner Blues

Texas Kitty - My Sweet Love Ain't Around

Texas Kitty - Mule Train Yodel Blues

Texas Kitty - My Love For You

Texas Kitty - After Dark

Texas Kitty - I Don't Care

Texas Kitty - My Old Grey Car


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

Manolo Escobar

Hazel spotted this in a local charity shop the other day and bought it for me. She was attracted by the sleeve and I can see why. I usually dismiss these Spanish EP's as they are usually souvenirs from holidays in the 60's and very dull flamenco and this is no exception accept for a nice rhumba track "El Porompompero".

Babelfish translation from official Manolo Escobar site-

"Manolo Field of broom married the 10 of December of the 1,959 with Ana Marx, in the Church of San Michael of Colony. Neither it knew to speak the language of the other, and the wedding was celebrated in German and French. The fiancèe and the padrino, their father, following a German tradition, went to the church in a white float thrown by four white horses. The banquet was celebrated in a restaurant property of the parents of Anita. Previously, to 9 in the morning, the civil ceremony had been celebrated. The padrino of the connection was a young Spanish student, friend of Manolo, that also for of interpreter. The young person, something nervous surely, had to translate a phrase that said: "are here you you stop to marry". But what in fact he translated he was: "you Are married". Obvious, Manolo answered that no, which caused the considerable surprise between the assistants, mainly of the fiancèe and their parents. Luckyly, the ambiguity was clarified to the moment, and everything was in an anecdote. Manolo did mili in Larache (Morocco), that in first years 50 still was Spanish protectorate. He was destined in the Establishment of Equine Young and Flat Repair of the Greater one of Larache. It was a consomme' rider, as it demonstrated in the film "the guerrillas"."


Manolo Escobar - Ave maria No Morro

Manolo Escobar - Te Canto Con Mis Guitarras

Manolo Escobar - El Porompompero

Manolo Escobar - El Primer Bautizo


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

The Palm Court Theatre Orchestra

I found this LP at a boot sale last year. Sadly the gate-fold sleeve has been stuck together after being left in the rain so trying to read the sleeve notes is made quite difficult. No information about them could be gleaned from the internet so as far as can make out they were formed in 1978 by Mr. Anthony Godwin, bass clarinettist with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He had inherited a complete library of theatre music dating from 1880 to 1930 and it's from this that their repetoire is mainly drawn. They try and re-create the sound and atmostphere of those early days by using instruments of that era. For instance on the song "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" the soprano Linda Murray is accompanied by David Norton on the musical saw. Linda Murray also sings the other song featured here "Two Little Sausages" that I remember an old uncle of mine singing back in the 60's. This record was released in 1980 on the Chandos label.


Palm Court Theatre Orch. - Down In Zanzibar

Palm Court Theatre Orch. - The Ragtime Bass Player

Palm Court Theatre Orch. - Two Little Sausages

Palm Court Theatre Orch. - In A Persian Market


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

The Billy Cotton Band (Requested - Re-Up )

A Decca LP in the "World of..." budget section. This compilation from the 40's and 50's of some of his "hits".


"William Edward Cotton (May 6, 1899 – March 25, 1969), better known as Billy Cotton, was a British band leader and entertainer, one of the few whose orchestra survived the dance band era. Today, he is mainly remembered as a 1950s and 60s radio and television personality, although his musical talent emerged as early as the 1920s. In his younger years Billy Cotton was also an amateur footballer, an accomplished racing driver and the owner of a Gipsy Moth which he piloted himself.
Born in Lambeth, London, Cotton was a choirboy and then started his musical career as a drummer, an occupation he also pursued in the army during the First World War. In the interwar years he had several jobs such as bus driver before setting up his own orchestra, the London Savannah Band, in 1924. At first a straight dance band, over the years the London Savannah Band more and more tended towards Music Hall/vaudeville entertainment, introducing all sorts of visual and verbal humour in between songs. Famous musicians that played in Billy Cotton's band during the 1920s and 30s included Arthur Rosebery, Syd Lipton and Nat Gonella. The band was also noted for their African American trombonist and tap dancer, Ellis Jackson. Their signature tune was "Somebody Stole My Gal", and they made numerous records – 78s, that is – for Decca.

During the Second World War Cotton and his band toured France with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). After the war, he started his successful Sunday lunchtime radio show on BBC, the Billy Cotton Band Show, which ran for more than 20 years from 1949. It regularly opened with the band's signature tune and Cotton's call of "Wakey Wakey". From 1957, it was also broadcast on BBC television.
In 1962 Billy Cotton suffered a stroke. He died in 1969 while watching a boxing match at Wembley."


Billy Cotton Band - Friends & Neighbours

Billy Cotton Band - I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts

Billy Cotton Band - The Marrow Song

Billy Cotton Band - 'round The Marble Arch

Billy Cotton Band - I Painted It

Billy Cotton Band - Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner

Billy Cotton Band - Sweet Violets


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

Spike Island

I've had this LP on the cut price Avenue label for a few years now and surprised I haven't featured it before here as it's quite rare. Recorded in 1971 by a country and western band which included Dave Peacock (later to be one half of Chas 'N' Dave ).
Not much to be found onthe web about Spike Island but here's a brief biog from the Chas 'N" Dave official website which doesn't mention Spike Island either!

"Pianist Chas Hodges and guitarist Dave Peacock were widely experienced around the British rock scene of the 1960s and early 70s before teaming up with drummer Mick Burt (another much-travelled musician who had gone back to his original trade as a plumber) to form the group. Chas had worked with the legendary producer Joe Meek, backed Jerry Lee Lewis, played with Mike Berry and the Outlaws, along with Ritchie Blackmore, and also the highly respected Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, which had Burt on drums. He then joined Albert Lee’s cult band Heads Hands and Feet before playing with Dave and Albert in Black Claw. Dave had been equally active, Starting out in The Rolling Stones (no, not them!) in 1960. Spells with The Tumbleweeds, Mick Greenwood, Jerry Donaghue, and the above mentioned Black Claw followed prior to the pair coming together to go out on their own as Chas & Dave."

Discover more about Chas "N" Dave HERE.


Spike Island - Making My Way Back To Louisiana

Spike Island - Teach Me To Forget

Spike Island - Jambalaya

Spike Island - Too Far Gone

Spike Island - Banjo Pickin' Man


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

Morgan Fisher - Miniatures

An LP compiled by Morgan Fisher in 1980 on the Pipe label , which featured 51 tracks, all no more than one minute in length. Here's the first 16-

1. ollie halsall & john halsey / bum love
2. the residents / we're a happy family + bali ha'i
3. roger mcgough / the wreck of the hesperus
4. morgan fisher / green and pleasant
5. john otway / mine tonight
6. pete challis & phil diplock / my way
7. robert wyatt / rangers in the nightst
8. stinky winkles / opus
9. mary longford / body language
10. andy 'thunderclap' newman / andy the dentist
11. david bedford / wagner's ring in one minute
12. fred frith / the entire works of henry cow
13. maggie nicols / look beneath the surface
14. joseph racaille / week-end
15. the work / with wings pressed back
16. neil innes & son / cum on feel the noize

Morgan Fisher was overwhelmed by the number of ideas he thought up for albums that he could now record and release. Realising that it was impossible to do everything he conceived, he decided to see how many of these ideas could be included on one album. Rather than recording the music himself, he invited 50 musicians who he admired to send in tracks of up to one minute in length. They responded with unanimous enthusiasm, and as well as receiving tapes through the mail from all over the world, Morgan also packed up his Revox tape recorder and went to several musicians homes to record them there. Original artwork for the sleeve was provided by Ralph Steadman.