Added to Playlist for Oct 2022

During the month of September I've been quite busy searching for, and restoring, some more vintage recordings to feature on Swing City Radio.  I've added over one hundred tracks into the station rotation that I think you are going to enjoy.

Including:

Glenn Miller Live at the Paradise Restaurant

These 1938 recordings are fantastic.  They capture the raw energy and talent the band had just as they were becoming one the most popular bands of the land.  Keep an ear out for fabulous versions of "Honeysuckle Rose" and "The Dipsy Doodle".

Mel Torme and The Mel-Tones

These tracks were restored from the AFRS show called "Swingtime".  Listen for performances of "Straighten Up and Fly Right", "Always" and "Pale Moon".

Other songs added this month include recordings and performances by: Harry James, Jack Teagarden, Mildred Bailey, Ray Conniff, The Dinning Sisters, The Dorsey Brothers, Buddy Morrow and many more.

Enjoy!

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Podcast: Show 131 - We Can Live On Love, It’s Right Around The Corner

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - We Can Live On Love, It’s Right Around The Corner - Show 131 - 

Features vintage recordings by Bobby Sherwood, Jimmy Mundy and Ziggy Elman.  We also listen to a great Glenn Miller song from a performance at the Glen Island Casino in June of 1939.

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

Listen to: We Can Live On Love, It’s Right Around The Corner (Show 131)

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

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Les Elgart

Les Elgart, along with his younger brother Larry, are most remembered for their famous "Elgart Sound" which arose from the ashes of the Big Band Era in the mid-1950's. The style incorporated a unique blend of brass and reeds and it's popularity led to a string of best selling albums for the Elgart Brothers.  During that time, they also released the now instantly recognized "Bandstand Boogie", which was used by Dick Clark as the theme song for the ABC dance show "American Bandstand".

Les Elgart, himself, got his start playing trumpet in the bands of Raymond Scott, Charlie Spivak, and Harry James, occasionally finding himself alongside his brother Larry.  Les formed his own orchestra in 1945 and hired Nelson Riddle and Ralph Flanagan to write arrangements. The band enjoyed a little bit of success but failed to sustain any real popularity so Les disbanded the orchestra in 1949.

  

Les would end up freelancing in pick-up bands and doing contract work for the next few years. Finally, in 1953, after forming a second band, the "Elgart Sound", which had a familiar Glenn Miller touch to its style, caught on with the public.  In 1957, Les changed the name of his band to "Les and Larry Elgart and Their Orchestra".  The brothers eventually parted ways by the end of the decade and reunited again in the early 1960's. 

Listen to: "Bandstand Boogie" by Les Elgart from 1954

You can hear the music of Les Elgart right here on Swing City Radio.

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Watch: "Jersey Bounce"

Today's film clip comes from the 1944 movie "Sweet and Low-Down."  It features Benny Goodman and His Orchestra performing the classic track "Jersey Bounce". The movie stars Linda Darnell, Jack Oakie and Lynn Bari.

"Sweet and Low-Down" was a fictionalized version of life with Benny Goodman and his band while entertaining at military camps and bases during World War II.

Enjoy!

Watch: "Jersey Bounce" performed by Benny Goodman.

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Podcast: Show 130 - Listening to Music and Sharing Meat

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Listening to Music and Sharing Meat - Show 130 - 

Features vintage music by Sam Donahue, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton and others.  Ronnaldo also plays another Soundie and a couple of Red Nichols tracks from 1930.

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

Listen to: Listening to Music and Sharing Meat (Show 130)

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

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Watch Duke Take the 'A' Train

Today's clip is from a 1943 musical called "Reveille with Beverly" released by Columbia Pictures.  It features Duke Ellington and His Orchestra performing "Take the 'A' Train".  

This same film also featured appearances by some other huge names from the era including: Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, The Mills Brothers, Bob Crosby, Freddie Slack, and Ella Mae Morse.

A very fun performance and a great version of the song.  Enjoy!

Watch: Duke Ellington perform "Take the 'A' Train" in the 1943 film "Reveille with Beverly".

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Podcast: Show 129 - Some Big Names

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Some Big Names - Show 129 - 

Features vintage Big Band recordings by Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Jordan and Harry James.  Ronnaldo also plays music performances by Stan Kenton and Sammy Kaye.

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

Listen to: Some Big Names (Show 129)

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

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Gail Reese

Timing is sometimes more important than talent.  Gail Reese was the featured female vocalist for three of the big-name bands from the Swing Era but her name is often forgotten.

After getting her start in Dick Messner's band in 1936, she soon found herself in the band of Charlie Barnet.  Barnet's band was still trying to find itself in the mid 30's and her time with them didn't last long.

In 1937, Gail joined Bunny Berigan's Orchestra.  As a member of Bunny's band, Reese would go on to make her most memorable recordings and was the featured vocalist on the tracks "I Dance Alone", "Let 'Er Go" and a great version of "Sophisticated Swing", just to name a few.

In 1938, Reese joined Glenn Miller's new band.  She was a part of some of Miller's first radio broadcasts from the Paradise Restaurant in New York City.  She was soon replaced by Marion Hutton and sadly for Reese, she was not a part of the meteoric rise that Miller and his band experienced months later.  As I said before, timing is sometimes more important than talent.

By 1939, Reese had retired from the music business, got married and focused on raising a family.

Listen to: "Why'd Ya Make Me Fall In Love" by Glenn Miller featuring the vocals of Gail Reese.

You can hear the vocals of Gail Reese right here on Swing City Radio.

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Watch: "Skyliner" by Charlie Barnet

Today's video clip is "Skyliner" by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra.  This Snader's Telescription was originally recorded in the early 1950's and Charlie delivers a fantastic version of one of his classics.

"Skyliner" is just one of the many Snader's Telescriptions Barnet took part in.  Others include: "Cherokee", "Andy's Boogie", "My Old Flame" and "Caravan". 

Take note of the production quality of this clip.  The majority of Soundies were usually done on a small budget and rushed.  Snader's Telecriptions were usually more thought out and the camera work was much better.  That being said, and as good as this clip is, I still prefer Soundies over Snaders for some reason.

Enjoy!

Watch: "Skyliner" by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra

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Podcast: Show 128 - Birdseed and Dog Food

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Birdseed and Dog Food - Show 128 - 

Features vintage music by Raymond Scott, Will Bradley, Ralph Flanagan and Cootie Williams.  Ronnaldo thanks some new supporters and also plays a Soundie.

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

Listen to: Birdseed and Dog Food (Show 128)

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

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Jo Stafford

Jo Stafford began her career in the late 1930's and by 1955, she had achieved more worldwide record sales than any other female artist.  Ironically, Jo had originally underwent classical training to become an opera singer before following a career in popular music.

While still in high school, Jo joined up with her two older sisters to form a vocal trio called the Stafford Sisters.  The trio enjoyed some moderate success in radio and film.  In 1938, Jo left her sisters to become the lead singer of the vocal group, The Pied Pipers.  By 1939, bandleader Tommy Dorsey had hired The Pied Pipers to perform back-up vocals for his orchestra.

In the early 1940's, The Pied Pipers experienced a lot of success and exposure performing Dorsey.  Stafford was also used as a featured vocalist for Dorsey as well. 

The mid-forties saw Stafford move on from Dorsey and The Pied Pipers to embark on a solo career. (Note: Stafford would continue to make appearances from time to time with The Pied Pipers throughout the 40's.)  She also performed in MANY U.S.O. concerts for the soldiers during World War II and earned the nickname "G.I. Jo".

Starting in 1945, Stafford became a regular host of NBC's "The Chesterfield Supper Club".  From that point forward, Stafford was all over the radio and later, would have her own TV Show.  Her career would go on to span five decades.

Watch: "It Started All Over Again" by Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers

You can hear the amazing voice of Jo Stafford right here on Swing City Radio.

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Soundie: The Mel-Tones

Today's Soundie is "Back Home In Indiana" by The Mel-Tones.  Unfortunately, it should be billed as "The Mel-Tones minus Mel" since Mel Tormé doesn't appear in this Soundie. An actor name Bernie Parke fills in and lip syncs Tormé's parts.

In researching this Soundie I have found two possible reasons for Tormé's absence.  Some say he was in the military at the time of filming, while others claim it was a contract restriction that kept him off camera.  Either way - he's not shown.

Take note of the quintet that are providing the music to this 1945 Soundie.  It looks like it contains Dave Barbour, Buddy Cole and Nick Fatool.

By the way, I'm sure you've noticed the image is in reverse.  This is a Soundie from an original reel and were produced this way to be shown on a Panoram.  I've covered this before in previous posts.  

Enjoy! 

Watch: "Back Home In Indiana" by The Mel-Tones

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Podcast: Show 127 - The Feeling Is Mutual

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - The Feeling Is Mutual - Show 127 - 

Features vintage recordings by Les Brown, Tommy Dorsey and Ozzie Nelson.  Ronnaldo also plays music performances from an old radio show called The Feeling Is Mutual. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

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

Listen to: The Feeling Is Mutual (Show 127)

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

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