R2OK!

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

That was an interesting DID wasn't it Becky...

You cannot really do much else but this series of Desmond's does tend to play the most familar songs of the guests featured...still a good listen though...

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

I see ITV 1 is showing the Betty Driver Story on Tuesday 1st February 8pm-9pm...

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

They showed a little of her interview on Desert Island Discs...

Al Martino on Desmond's programme tonight...he could sing a good song...

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

He sure could.

Hot Toddy was one of those tunes that I knew but couldn't hitherto name.

Great to hear the distinctive tones of Edmundo Ros and good to know that he spent his 100th birthday happily with his family.

Looking forward to their concentrating on Frankie Vaughan and Eve Boswell next week.

Ian.

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

I did not know who was featured next week...I saw Frankie Vaughan on one of his last appearences and he still sounded good and knew how to entertain...

I agree Ted Heath had a great band and that's one of his best tunes.

I had it on the pc somewhere but many of my tunes were lost when I managed to delete them and found some had not been backed up.

Great to hear it again...

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

I really enjoyed tonight's show. Edmund Hockridge had such a gorgeous voice and I enjoyed his songs from The Pyjama Game. Also good to hear such a mixture of well-remembered records from that era.

I wonder if Desmond will get another series when this one ends next week? I do hope so. There is a wealth of great popular music from the fifties just waiting to be played for our delight.

ColinB · Guest

I haven't heard as much of this series as I would like to (timings, doing other stuff at that time, etc) but I really wish I had. What I've heard has been so entertaining and informative. Like that of Brian Mathew's, Desmond's style is so unique and - let's be honest - provides something of an oasis in what is otherwise a desert of mediocrity on Radio 2.

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

I have heard everything and totally agree with Colin B's comments.

Ian.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

aviddiva

Re:Hey There. I can't take this seriously because of Uncle Albert from Only Fools & Horses singing 'Ada, you with the stars in your eyes' - also because my auntie had a friend called Ada!
_________________
We are loonies and we are proud!

- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum'

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

I always ket Mum hear the programme the next day but I missed the start of the last show so downloaded Russ Conway's Sdie Saddle(digitally remastered)and I suspect the original but from the little I could compare of the download/programme, one is faster or slightly higher in pitch...

I hate it when I sometimes have to decide which recording is as near to the original as issued.

It doesn't happen often but can often be blamed on the record company that has re-issued material and you cannot always decide using your own ears Razz

Often you need to hear it from a few sources and go for what seems the one most radio shows decide to play.

Good programme though...and that fact Desmond said the end of the "Present" series suggests it's coming back...

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Russ Conway switched record labels, from EMI's Columbia to Pye, in the early 1970s, and re-recorded all his hits for them. It sounds as if Desmond played it from that time, because it was certainly brighter than the original, which has more of a shuffling rhythm, and the final note was held for much longer.
_________________
Ron

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

Thanks for that RR...

I'm not sure which I prefer now but the version I think I have must be the Columbia issue so that means the original...I overal I still prefer original to re-recordings.

Its pedantic but it also is truer to the spirit of the programme if the original is played.

Side Saddle by Russ only just made it into the charts in the 50's allowing him to be featured in the 50's show...

It would appear that even if he appeared regularly on radio and tv he only had 10 hits in the late 50's and 10 hits in the first part of the 60's...

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

A Judy Garland song was played on last week's programme .....

I don't listen to Elaine Page usually but the other week I was flicking through the stations and caught an interview with Tracie Bennett (anyone remember her as Sharon from Coronation Street?) She has played Judy Garland in a theatre production...End of the Rainbow.... and some of the music from the show, with Tracie singing, was played on the programme ...she sounds astonishingly like Judy Garland

Enjoyed the interviews with the featured artists especially Lonnie Donegan talking about his first time in America with Ronnie Reagan and the banning of The Battle of New Orleans... Smile

Hearing Teddy (91) call Pearl (eighty eight) "babe" made me Very Happy

(You cant' print eighty eight in letters on here...you get a cool smiley for part of it if you do)

ColinB · Guest

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

By that was a trip down memory lane Becky...

Thanks for the link, I remember her now Very Happy

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Desmond has just said there will definitely be more in 'due course', so something to look forward to.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ColinB · Guest

On a sort of related note, this evening I've just edited a short video - to be shown at a family friend's funeral wake - containing digital stills and old video clips to the accompaniment of Mario Lanza's "I'll Walk With God". The song dates from 1954 (before I was born) and it's the first time I've heard the song. What a fabulous song - sung so beautifully by a man who really did have an amazing pair of lungs! His vocal range was incredible.....

Perhaps I should drop Dezzie a note suggesting Mario as a subject for one of his programmes?

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

You prove what we say Colin, if a radio station plays a greater choice of music and people have an open mind they will discover and try other types of music often something they'd not necessarily consider.

When rock musicians are asked for their influences usually it is anything but what would be expected.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

Desmond said, on his programme the other night, there is to be a new series of Icons of the Fifties

It starts on the 7th of March.

This series Desmond shares the presentation with the veteran singer and broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young, who also contributes one of his own records to each programme. Each programme includes words and music from a star personality of the 1950s, first heard on Radio Luxembourg and the BBC Light Programme.

Four icons are featured during the series: first up are the Beverley Sisters, whose irrepressible chat is heard in this first episode. They are followed by Lionel Bart, Malcolm Vaughan and Dorothy Squires.

Desmond comments: "It's great to have a second series of Icons of the 50s because it gives me the chance to wallow in just the sort of music that my listeners love - from Mario Lanza to Alma Cogan, Frankie Vaughan to Shirley Bassey, and then some."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2012/10/desmond-carringtons-icons-of-the-50s.html

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

That's good news Becky! I missed Desmond on Friday and have yet to "Listen Again".

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Thanks Becky. I only heard part of it, and not this announcement.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Great news!

Ian.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

A lovely start to the new series with Jimmy Young choosing the gorgeous Passing Strangers by Billy Eckstine and Sara Vaughan

I was quite surprised to hear J Y say he was never a fan of Doris Day ( I thought she was a favourite with most people) and only chose one of her songs because his wife would kill him if he didn't Laughing

Like Teddy Johnson,J Y sounds much younger than his years .

The Beverley Sisters sound as bubbly as ever.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

Yes I really enjoyed this first in the series. I always love to hear Pearl & Teddy's "Sing Little Birdie" and I was interested to hear JY talking about a gig he did with the Ted Heath Band. Apparently he arrived very late so missed the afternoon rehearsal, but Ted was reassuring as every band member could sight-read and after they had all had a quick look, the gig went perfectly.