Support Week 2022

This week is Support Week at Swing City Radio and The Big Band and Swing Podcast.  If you dig the music you hear on this station and have room in your budget, then I just want to let you know that I can sure use YOUR support.

I've included links below that go to the station's Patreon Page and PayPal Page.  Please take a look when you have a chance.  All I'm asking is for you to just consider it.

No pressure, no pulling on the heart strings - like I said, if it's something that fits into your budget, then I would really appreciate it.

And as always, thank you so much for listening to Swing City Radio and The Big Band and Swing Podcast.

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Lucy Ann Polk

Lucy Ann Polk first came on to the scene as a member of the vocal quintet called the Four Polks, which included her sister and two brothers.  They weren't amongst the biggest names of the era, but did manage to have a nice run.  The Four Polks even filmed a couple of Soundies called "Miss You" and "The Old Oaken Bucket". They eventually changed their name to the Town Criers and performed with the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Bob Crosby, Les Brown and Kay Kyser. 

After the Town Criers disbanded in 1948, Lucy Ann returned to the Les Brown Orchestra in 1949 as a featured vocalist.  She found great success while with Les Brown, in a very similar way Doris Day did years before.  In the early 1950's, she won the Downbeat Reader's Poll as "Best Girl-Singer with Band" three or four times and finished among the Top 15 of Metronome Magazine's "Best Female Singer" Poll.

Les Brown's Orchestra featured many male and female vocalists over the years and, of course, the first one that comes to mind is the great Doris Day.  But, in my opinion, Lucy Ann Polk is right up there next to Doris.  Her voice fit the band so well.

In 1954, Lucy Ann left Brown's band in favor of a solo career. She enjoyed some moderate success for the rest of 1950's.

You can hear the vocals of Lucy Ann Polk with the Town Criers, the Four Polks and as a featured vocalist with Les Brown on Swing City Radio.  

Listen to: "Ill Be Around" by Les Brown featuring Lucy Ann Polk on vocals from 1951.

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Watch: Beware My Heart by Vaughn Monroe

Today's video clip is called "Beware My Heart" and is performed by Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra along with his beautiful "Moon Maids".  This was originally seen in the 1947 musical drama "Carnegie Hall".

The film clip and ballad itself both capture the essence and style of Vaughn Monroe.  What a fantastic piece of footage.

The film "Carnegie Hall" features appearances by some of the prominent music figures of 20th century performing within the legendary concert hall.  Mostly classical music of course, but does contain this little gem as well.

Enjoy!

Watch: "Beware My Heart" by Vaughn Monroe from the 1947 film "Carnegie Hall".

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Podcast: Show 122 - In Search of Pep

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - In Search of Pep - Show 122 - 

Features vintage music by both Tommy Dorsey and Jimmy Dorsey, Vaughn Monroe and Johnny Desmond.  We also follow young Ralph on his quest for better dietary health.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: In Search of Pep (Show 122)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

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Playlist: Added in July 2022

This July, I've added some interesting music into the Swing City Radio rotation. I covered the music from The Abbott and Costello Show in a previous post.  There's more than sixty new tracks from that show now on the platform.

Also added this month so far:

Music from "The Tommy Dorsey Show":

Some select tracks from this show include "Snooty Little Cutie", "Backstage At The Bali" and a fantastic version of "Not So Quiet Please"

Music from "The Woody Herman Show":

Songs from the show include "A Kiss Goodnight", "Put a Ring on That Finger" and a very interesting rendition of "On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe".  I'd like to add more from this series but I'm currently running into a quality issue.  I'll keep you posted if I stumble upon some more music from that show that has audio that I can work with.  Unfortunately, some of the material found in the dusty archives of old time radio were originally poorly recorded.

Music from "Fibber McGee and Molly":

I've added some very good Billy Mills tracks from this show including: "Ive Got A Feeling I'm Falling" and "Holy Smoke, Can't You Take a Joke".

Music from "The Dennis Day Show":

Some of the track highlights include Johnny Mercer performing "Lonesome Polecat" and an excellent performance of "Minnie the Moocher" by Cab Calloway.

I've also added a boatload of old commercial spots, PSA's and clips from those infamous, tacky education films to the "After Dark" playlist.  Keep an ear out for select clips from a film called "Eat For Health".  I think you'll get a kick out of those.  In fact, some of those made it onto the podcast.

And, believe it or not, I working on Christmas music but you won't get to hear them until after Thanksgiving.  😀

Enjoy!

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Watch: Rubber Dolly (My Wubba Dolly)

Today's clip comes from a musical short called "Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra", which was released by Paramount Pictures in February of 1940.  It captures a young Helen O'Connell performing the song "Rubber Dolly" (sometimes referred to as: "My Wubba Dolly").  What a great clip!  Helen sounds amazing and Jimmy's band were at the top of their game at that point in time.

O'Connell looks stunning but take notice of that ridiculous pompom on her dress.  Rumor has it that the cut of her neckline was showing a little "too much" in the opinion of the studio, so they stitched that black pompom on as a fix.

The "Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra" short film this is from also includes the songs: "Contrasts" (Short Intro), "Beebe", "Only a Rose" sung by Bob Eberly and "John Silver".

I almost forgot to add that there is a nice intro for Helen in this clip as well.  Enjoy!

Watch: "Rubber Dolly" performed by Helen O'Connell with Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra from February of 1940.

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Podcast: Show 121 - Whistle In The Pines

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Whistle In The Pines - Show 121 - 

Features vintage recordings by Peggy Lee, Fletcher Henderson and Bunny Berigan.  Ronnaldo plays a fact-filled, classic ad by Dash Soap.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Whistle In The Pines (Show 121)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

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Watch: Gimme Some Skin, My Friend

Today's clip is from a movie called "In The Navy" and features The Andrews Sisters in their prime performing the song "Gimme Some Skin, My Friend". 

"In The Navy" was released in May of 1941 and includes two additional Andrews Sisters songs,  "We're Off to See the World" and "Hula-Ba-Luau".  The film stars the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and was the second of three service comedies they filmed in that same year.  The other two movies were "Buck Privates" (released in January 1941) and "Keep 'Em Flying" (released November 1941).

This is such a great song and I know that many of you will just love the clip for the dancing alone. Enjoy! 

Watch: Gimme Some Skin, My Friend by The Andrews Sisters from 1941

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Music from the Abbott and Costello Show

The comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were huge during the 1940's.  They released a string of VERY successful films and also starred in their own weekly radio show sponsored by Camel Cigarettes.

The Abbott and Costello Show showcased the comedy routines of the duo but also featured some great music.  Some of the bandleaders that led the show's orchestra included Will Osborne, Freddie Rich, Skinnay Ennis, Matty Matlock and Leith Stevens.  Singers that regularly appeared on the show were Amy Arnell, Connie Haines and Marilyn Maxwell.  Most of the music is top shelf.

The show also boasted some great guests including The Andrews Sisters and Frank Sinatra.

Listen for these great musical performances from this classic, long running show right here on Swing City Radio.

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Podcast: Show 120 - Dreamsville

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Dreamsville - Show 120 - 

Features vintage music by Harry James, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman and more.  We also learn a little bit about Family Life in the early 1950's.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Dreamsville (Show 120)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

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Watch: Truckin' by Ina Ray Hutton

Today's video features Ina Ray Hutton and Her Melodears performing a great version of "Truckin".  This film is from the mid-1930's.  I'm guessing about 1936-37 but I could be wrong.

This energy filled clips captures Ina Ray and all of her talent. Just watch her as she glides across the floor waving that baton. She led this "All-Girl" orchestra until about 1939.  Starting in 1940, she led an "All-Male" orchestra which was pretty good too.  George Paxton had a heavy influence on the later band.

Enjoy! 

Watch: Ina Ray Hutton and Her Melodears perform Truckin'

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Clyde Lucas

Clyde Lucas got his start as a young trombonist and singer for a band called the Herb Wiedoeft Orchestra.  In the early 1930's he launched his own band and eventually became known as "Clyde Lucas and his California Dons".  During the early and mid 1930's, just before the Swing movement took over, the "Schmaltzy and Sweet" style was still the most popular on the airwaves and in the ballrooms in the United States.  Lucas embraced this style for a time and grew in popularity. The band also recorded background music for some of the early talkies.  His music was perfect for that.

By the time the 1940's rolled in, Swing had taken the country by storm Clyde Lucas attempted to adapt.  He dropped the "California Dons" and became known simply as, "Clyde Lucas and His Orchestra".  It was about this time that vocalist Gloria Wood joined the band, and they enjoyed some moderate success.

By the end of the 1940's, Clyde decided to call it quits and went on to become a professional golfer in the 1960's.

Listen to "Night Over Shanghai" by Clyde Lucas and his California Dons from 1937.

You can hear some select tracks by Clyde Lucas right here on Swing City Radio.

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Podcast: Show 119 - Inflation and Morse Code

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Inflation and Morse Code - Show 119 - 

Features recordings from Art Mooney, Wingy Manone, Perry Como and Louis Jordan.  We also listen to Inflation warnings from the 1950's.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Inflation and Morse Code (Show 119)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

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Blue Barron

Blue Barron, born Harry Freidman, led one of the more successful "Mickey Mouse" bands of the 1940's and 50's.  Billed as the band that played "The Music of Yesterday and Today", Barron's Orchestra was cut from the same cloth as the bands of Guy Lombardo, Sammy Kaye and Kay Kyser.  He even featured the same "singing song title" gimmick.  He ran the band as a business, and he was VERY good at it and made a boatload of money.

Blue Barron had a huge following for a time. During the early 50's, Barron sold out ballrooms all across the country and was constantly booked and on tour.

I recently cut up and touched up one of his appearances on "One Night Stand".  I hate to admit it, but I found myself liking many of the songs that I heard.  Hmm, maybe my tastes are getting a little more "Sweeter" as I get older. Nah, I refuse to believe that.  I think I was just in some weird mood.  😀

Anyway, you can hear some "select" songs by Blue Barron right here on Swing City Radio.

Listen to: "Cruising Down The River" by Blue Barron

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Watch: Thanks For The Boogie Ride

Today's Soundie is the classic "Thanks For The Boogie Ride" by Gene Krupa.  This 1942 release features Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge on vocals.

As far as Soundies go, the producers appear to have spent some time on this one.  The same set was used for another classic Krupa Soundie, "Let Me Off Uptown".  The camera work is very good and manages to capture the high energy that Krupa performances often gave off.

This Soundie also contains a nice little dance scene that includes Anita O'Day and a motorcycle cop.  Also, the Roy Eldridge solo is fantastic.

~ Enjoy

Watch: "Thanks For The Boogie Ride" by Gene Krupa from 1942

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Podcast: Show 118 - Got Any Stripe Gum, Chum?

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Got Any Stripe Gum, Chum? - Show 118 - 

Features vintage music by Jerry Gray, Lionel Hampton and Ray Anthony.  Ronnaldo talks a bit about the career of bandleader, Ben Selvin.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Got Any Stripe Gum, Chum? (Show 118)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

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