Friday, 12 January 2018

More about Music and My Life (from one of my shows.)

Welcome. to  When  the lights come on again. on Community Radio 97.5  I am Michael Lavalette.  

Starting with Irving Berlin's great "There's No Business Like show Business". There was a  film of the same name, but it was  based on this song which is featured  in Annie Get your gun. It is sung by Ethel Merman and an ensemble cast  The first few songs today are all from shows or movies. After the show business ditty, we have the very popular Jeanette McDonald & Nelson Eddy singing "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life". It is from the film Naughty Marietta which was based on a 1910 Operetta. My mum loved this film and I saw it in the late 50's when the BBC showed old movies on Sunday afternoons.

More songs from Broadway or film productions. First, Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy doing "Almost Like Being in Love" from Brigadoon. I saw the film as a child in Calcutta. Hated it !! Even as a child I usually loved musicals, this one was a yawnfest for me! Then, "Love Me or Leave Me" by Doris Day; it is from the film of the same name.

Here are 2 tunes I never tire of, I hope you enjoy them as much. They are the epitome of 40's & 50's music. "Nancy (with the Laughing Face)" from  Frank Sinatra and the lilting "Mockingbird Hill" from Les Paul & Mary Ford.

Once again, artists that represent the best of that period - Miss Peggy Lee with "You Gotta Have Heart". Miss  Patti Page's "I Went to your Wedding" and then the fabulous harmonies and sophisticated word play of "Glow Worm" by The Mills Brothers.

A favourite of mine, "Carolina Moon" from  Connie Francis and one of the many versions of  "I Remember You" a hit from 1941 done here by Brit  Max Bygraves

Coming up is a classic Doo-wop from the  Dubs, "Could This Be Magic." Followed by the amazing "Twilight Time" from  The Platters, and the magic of Carl Perkins' Rockabilly tune "Matchbox."  Carl also recorded a live version with Ringo and friends that I have played previously when as Daddy Cool,  my alter-ego, I host the Beatles and Beyond  at 6 pm Atlantic time. 

The early 60's saw Folk music becoming popular with the American record buying public. Here is "Michael (Row the Boat ashore)"  from the Highwaymen. It was a No.1 chart hit  in the US and UK.

Some hits from the early 60's showing off amazing girl & boy groups, "Be My Baby" from The Ronnettes and "Heart and Soul" from The Cleftones. Two 45RPM's I played constantly back then.

The last song on the show is "Hey Baby" from Bruce Channel. The legendary hit that brought him to tour the UK, with the Beatles opening for him; Although, in Liverpool, they had equal Billing. The great harmonica intro by Delbert McClinton was admired by John Lennon, but it is a myth that Delbert taught John that playing style. He was already using it in Germany. Great song though. 

SONGS
There's no Business Like show Business - Ethel Merman
Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life - Jeanette McDonald & Nelson Eddy
Almost Like Being in Love - Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy
Love Me or Leave Me - Doris Day 
Nancy (with the Laughing Face) -  Frank Sinatra
Mockingbird Hill - Les Paul & Mary Ford
You Gotta Have Heart - Peggy Lee
I Went to your Wedding - Patti Page 
Glow Worm - The Mills Brothers
Carolina Moon - Connie Francis
I Remember You - Max Bygraves
 Could This Be Magic - The Dubs
Twilight Time -  The Platters
Matchbox - Carl Perkins
Michael (Row the Boat ashore) - The Highwaymen
To Know him is to Love Him - The Teddy Bears
Be My Baby - The Ronnettes
Heart and Soul - The Cleftones
 Hey Baby - Bruce Channel 

No comments:

Post a Comment