Playlist Additions - Nov 2022

Much like Santa's Elves are at this time of year, I was quite busy this past week as well.  I wasn't building toys for the children of the world, but I was restoring some great Big Band music from the archives of Old Time Radio. Here's a brief overview of what was added into the Swing City Radio rotation:

Music from the AFRS Show "Jubilee":

Some great tracks from artists like: Erskine Hawkins, Lucky Millinder, Benny Carter and Louis Armstrong.  Keep an ear out for "Let's Ball Awhile" and "Tuxedo Junction" by Erskine Hawkins.

"Make Believe Ballroom":

In February of 1940, Glenn Miller's Orchestra was the featured band for the show's 5th Anniversary on the air.  The fantastic performance includes versions of "Tiger Rag", "The Rhumba Jumps" and "Indian Summer".  The Andrews Sisters also made an appearance with "Ciribiribin".

Select performances from "One Night Stand": 

Excellent live recordings featuring: Bobby Sherwood (January 1947), 

Chuck Foster (August 1945), Carl Ravazza (August 1944) and two shows by Jerry Gray (October 1959 and January 1961).  Listen for great versions of "Restringing The Pearls".

Select tracks from "Let's Go To Town":

"Let's Go To Town" was a show that aired in the 1950's as a recruiting tool for The U.S. National Guard.  I've just started to make my way through the show's archives and have already restored and added tracks by Ralph Flanagan, Ray Anthony, Tony Pastor and Woody Herman.  Good Stuff!

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Station Mugs In The Wild

Every now and then, listeners send me pictures of Swing City Radio station swag being used in the wild.  I have to admit, the photos bring a HUGE smile to my face.  These are two of my favorites.  If you'd like a mug of your own, click on the link I've provided below:

15 oz. Coffee Mug - Swing City Radio Design

I want to thank Rhonda, who listens in Pennsylvania and Madison, who listens in California for these great pictures!

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Podcast: Show 139 - Meatballs and Bubble Gum

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Meatballs and Bubble Gum - Show 139 - 

Features vintage Big Band recordings by Les Brown, Larry Clinton and Glenn Miller.  We also listen to a catchy little jingle promoting Nedick's Orange Drink.

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

Listen to: Meatballs and Bubble Gum (Show 139)

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

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The Charioteers

The Charioteers formed in 1930 but did not record their first record until 1935.  They were originally called the Harmony Four but changed their name to The Charioteers, inspired by their favorite song to perform, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".  They originally just focused on gospel music but later moved to Popular Music.

They didn't manage to land a hit until the 1940's.  But, gained a good amount of popularity through radio and live performances.  In fact, they were the studio chorus on Bing Crosby's radio program, "Kraft Music Hall", from 1942 to 1946.  The Charioteers also recorded with Pearl Bailey and Frank Sinatra.

Their biggest hits were: "On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City", "Open the Door, Richard" and "Ooh! Look-a-There, Ain't She Pretty?". All of them charted in the 1940's.

The vocal group lasted for over 25 years and at different times featured the voices of: Wilfred "Billy" Williams, Edward Jackson, Ira Williams, Howard Daniel, Herbert Dickerson, Peter Leubers and John Harewood.

Listen to: "Elmer's Tune" by The Charioteers

You can hear The Charioteers right here on Swing City Radio.

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Soundie: I'm Tired Of Waiting For You

Today's Soundie features Will Bradley and His Orchestra and was released to Panoram in May of 1942.  The song "I'm Tired Of Waiting For You" includes Ray McKinley and Lynn Gardner on vocals.

The Soundie itself was a pretty good production.  Ray and Lynn are in the middle of a relationship squabble that they appear to be working out by singing their feelings to each other.  During this "discussion" a constant parade of distraction parade in between them.  It's actually quite entertaining.

Somewhat lost in all this is that "I'm Tired Of Waiting For You" is very good song.  Ray and Lynn do a great job on the vocals and Will Bradley's band turns in a fantastic performance.  Sadly, that version of Bradley's Orchestra disbanded months later.

Enjoy!

Watch: "I'm Tired Of Waiting For You" by Will Bradley and His Orchestra

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Podcast: Show 138 - Some of the Women That Really Swing

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Some of the Women That Really Swing - Show 138 - 

Features music by Ina Ray Hutton, The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Vivian Garry and Ella Fitzgerald.  We also listen to select audio clips from a 1943 film called "Danger! Women at Work."

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

Listen to: Some of the Women That Really Swing (Show 138)

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

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Willie Bryant

Bandleader and entertainer, Willie Bryant, was known as "The Mayor of Harlem" and was the long time emcee at the Apollo Theater. Bryant got his start in vaudeville and also led a very talented band between 1934 and 1938 that I wish they could have made many more recordings.

At different times, Bryant's orchestra featured names like Teddy Wilson, Cozy Cole, Benny Carter, Eddie Durham and Taft Jordan.

Once his orchestra had called it quits, Bryant moved into acting and disc jockeying. He went on to lead another big band between 1946 and 1948 but it made little impact.  In 1949, he hosted a show called Uptown Jubilee on early television and eventually became the famed Apollo Theater emcee throughout the 1950's.

Listen to: "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by Willie Bryant and His Orchestra from 1936

You can hear the music of Willie Bryant right here on Swing City Radio.

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Soundie: "Loretta"

Today's Soundie features Ronnie Kemper and His Orchestra performing the song "Loretta".  This was released to Panorams in 1942.  Ronnie Kemper was once a vocalist for both Dick Jurgens and Horace Heidt.  Unfortantly, when Kemper finally decided to lead his own band, the Musicians Union Strike of 1942-43 prevented him from making any records. The other Soundie he recorded was "Knit One - Purl Two" also made in 1942. 

This song sounds very similiar to "Cecilia", a single he recorded with Dick Jurgens just a couple years before.  The dancer playing the role of Loretta in this clip is Billie Mayshell.  Well, at least I think it is.

Enjoy!

Watch: "Loretta" by Ronnie Kemper and His Orchestra from 1942

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Podcast: Show 137 - Coax Me a Little Bit, Marie

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Coax Me a Little Bit, Marie - Show 137 - 

Features vintage recordings by Harry James, The Dorsey Bothers and Boyd Raeburn.  We also listen to a Soundie by Connie Haines and learn what product is stronger than dirt.

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

Listen to: Coax Me a Little Bit, Marie (Show 137)

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

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Ray Noble

Ray Noble enjoyed a lot of success both in England and The United States during the Big Band Era. In 1929, he became leader of the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, an HMV Records studio band that featured members of many of the top hotel orchestras of the day. In the early 1930's, Noble had many hits that charted in England including "Turkish Delight", "By the Fireside" and "Goodnight, Sweetheart".

By 1934, Noble was ready to better establish himself in America.  He took Al Bowlly (vocalist) and his drummer Bill Harty to the United States. He then asked Glenn Miller to recruit American musicians to complete the band.  This was before Miller was leading his own orchestra.   The American version of Ray Noble's band had a successful run at the Rainbow Room in New York City with Bowlly as principal vocalist.

Noble and his orchestra appeared in the 1937 film A Damsel in Distress staring Fred Astaire, Joan Fontaine, George Burns and Gracie Allen. Ray himself also had a role in the film.  He would later go on to act in many different roles on radio, film and television.

In the 1940's, Ray found a steady home on the radio and provided music for many shows such as "The Chase and Sanborn Hour", "The Charlie McCarthy Show", "Burns and Allen"" and "On Stage with Cathy and Elliott Lewis".

In the late 1940's he became very popular again when he teamed up with vocalist Buddy Clark.  They had a string of hits together up until Clark's untimely death in 1949 due to a plane crash.

Listen to: "Cherokee" - Ray Noble's Original Version from 1938 

You can hear the great music of Ray Noble right here on Swing City Radio.

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Soundie: "Basin Street Boogie"

Today's Soundie features Will Bradley and His Six Texas Hot Dogs performing "Basin Street Boogie".  This film was released in April of 1942 to Panoram Jukeboxes across the nation.

The Six Texas Hot Dogs shown in this film were a small dixieland band led by trombonist, Will Bradley, and made up of members of his famous orchestra.  Drummer and vocalist, Ray McKinley, would go on (shortly after this filming) to be a featured member of Glenn Miller's AAF Band which entertained the Allied Troops during World War II.  It also looks like Billy Maxted is playing piano in this one having replaced Freddie Slack who had recently left to form his own band.

This Soundie showcases some great music and even contains some decent "Jitterbugs" dancing along to the song.  Enjoy!

Watch: "Basin Street Boogie" by Will Bradley and His Six Texas Hot Dogs

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Podcast: Show 136 - In a Miller Mood and Obligations

The Big Band and Swing Podcast - In a Miller Mood and Obligations - Show 136 - 

Features music by Andy Kirk, Duke Ellington and Tex Beneke.  We also listen to a rockin' version of The Dipsy Doodle by Glenn Miller and learn a little about "Obligations".

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

Listen to: In a Miller Mood and Obligations (Show 136)

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

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