Mike Thomas' Dance Band Encyclopaedia

Sound Files

British Dance Bands
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These are all mp3 files. They have been transferred by myself from original 78s in my own collection. You should have something on your computer already which will play these.   
The files are listed by artist. Within each artist the titles are listed by recording date. 

TO PLAY: If you have a fast connection (broadband), then you can just click on the title of the piece and your media player should automatically start; otherwise right click on the title and choose "save target as" and browse to a place on your computer where you wish to save it. This will download the file to your computer so you can play it at your leisure. The file sizes are between 1.2MB and 1.5MB.

PLEASE NOTE: These are for your own listening pleasure only. Please respect this and DON'T sell them or put them up onto your own website as your own files.    I have uploaded other mp3s; see my home page or click here.

As more files get loaded, I am aware it is getting harder to find which are the latest uploads, so to help you, here is a list of the most recent updates with links, latest first (click on the artist's name).

Date updated Artist
February 13, 2010 Jerry Hoey
January 28, 2010 Stan Greening
January 21, 2010 Howard Flynn
January 12, 2010 Billy Cotton
January 1, 2010 Nat Star
December 25, 2009 Debroy Somers
December 20, 2009 George Elrick
December 13, 2009 RMS Homeric Dance Band
December 6, 2009 Ray Starita
November 21, 2009 George Scott Wood
November 6, 2009 Larry Brennan

Page last updated: February 13, 2010   

Ambrose and his Orchestra
Probably the best-remembered bandleader of the period, Bert Ambrose employed the best modern dance musicians and played at the most prestigious residencies in the West End; the May Fair Hotel and the Embassy Club (at different times, of course). His recordings are never less than brilliant. in 1933 and 34, his recordings were issued on the Brunswick label; all other dance band recordings were of American origin, Ambrose being the only British band on the label. Here is a selection of those recordings.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
March 8, 1933 Sweetheart Sam Browne Brunswick 1488 GB-5655-1 May 3, 2009
May 5, 1933 Stormy Weather Sam Browne Brunswick 01523 GB-5849-1 May 3, 2009
May 5, 1933 You've Got Me Crying Again Elsie Carlisle Brunswick 01523 GB-5852-2 May 3, 2009
October 5, 1933 Dinner At Eight Sam Browne Brunswick 01606 GB-6164-2 May 3, 2009
October 14, 1933 Night And Day Sam Browne Brunswick 01609 GB-6181-3 May 3, 2009
October 14, 1933 After You, Who? Sam Browne Brunswick 01609 GB-6182-3 May 3, 2009
November 2. 1933 Love Locked Out Sam Browne Brunswick 01624 GB-6271-2 May 3, 2009
November 2. 1933 I've Got You On My Mind Sam Browne Brunswick 01623 GB-6272-2 May 3, 2009
November 2. 1933 Happy And Contented Sam Browne Brunswick 01624 GB-6274-2 May 3, 2009
December 19, 1933 My Hat's On The Side Of My Head Sam Browne Brunswick 01662 GB-6426-1 May 3, 2009
December 19, 1933 You Ought To See Sally On Sunday Sam Browne Brunswick 01660 GB-6428-3 May 3, 2009
February 2, 1934 Oceans Of Time Sam Browne Brunswick 01695 GB-6527-1 May 3, 2009
March 8, 1934 Because It's Love Sam Browne Brunswick 01729 GB-6638-1 May 3, 2009
May 30, 1934 Cupid Sam Browne Brunswick 01789 TB-1291-2 May 3, 2009
June 12, 1934 When You Climb Those Golden Stairs Sam Browne and chorus Brunswick 01788 TB-1293-4 May 3, 2009

  

Alfredo and his Band
Alfred Gill formed his band in 1925 after leaving Jack Hylton's employ. The band played at the New Princes Restaurant from then until 1930 when Alfredo disbanded the dance band and formed a Gypsy orchestra. From late 1926 onwards, the band personnel was very stable and included Alfie Noakes (trumpet & arranger) and Claude Cavalotti (alto sax), both of whom could play straight or hot. The band recorded solely for Edison Bell, the recordings being issued on Winner, Electron and 8" Radio records.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
March 1928 Is She My Girl Friend? Les Allen Edison Bell Radio 825 88058-4 February 1, 2009
c. July 25, 1928 Singapore Sorrows Les Allen Edison Bell Radio 875 88188-2 February 1, 2009
January 25, 1929 Virginia Eddie Grossbart & Les Allen Edison Bell Radio 925 88484-2 February 1, 2009
June 27, 1929 Huggable, Kissable You Eddie Kollis & trio Edison Bell Radio 1222 88948-1 February 1, 2009
June 28, 1929 Glorianna Eddie Kollis Edison Bell Radio 1282 88953-2 February 1, 2009
September 1929 Am I Blue?   Eddie Grossbart Edison Bell Radio 1248 89309-2 February 1, 2009
April 1930 Singing In The Bath-Tub Hal Swain Edison Bell Radio 1331 89846-3 February 1, 2009
June 1930 On The Sunny Side Of The Street Eddie Grossbart Edison Bell Radio 1375 89813-1 February 1, 2009

 

Harry Bidgood and his Broadcasters
Harry Bidgood made thousands of dance band recordings during his tenure as musical director at Vocalion records between 1925 and 1933. Selecting a few for the site has been quite hard especially as I particularly like his recordings. Bidgood used a fairly stable group of musicians, concentrating on good solid no-frills dance music with very little "hot" playing. Most of the records are of his own arrangements, which just sets them apart from other recorded versions of the same tunes.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
May 11, 1927 If Tears Could Bring You Back To Me John Thorne Broadcast 127 Z-68 August 7, 2009
August 16, 1927 Does She Love Me? Positively, Absolutely! John Thorne Broadcast 149 Z-141 August 7, 2009
August 16, 1927 There Ain't No "Maybe" In My Baby's Eyes John Thorne Broadcast 145 Z-142 August 7, 2009
September 7, 1927 Deep River John Thorne Broadcast 164 Z-176 August 7, 2009
September 7, 1927 Clap Yo' Hands John Thorne Broadcast 163 Z-177 August 7, 2009
September 7, 1927 The Doll Dance   Broadcast 163 Z-180 August 7, 2009
November 1, 1927 Ain't That A Grand And Glorious Feeling? Ramon Newton Broadcast 178 Z-249 August 7, 2009
November 29, 1927 I AIn't That Kind Of A Baby Bobby Sanders Broadcast 183 Z-271 August 7, 2009
December 30, 1927 Gonna Get A Girl Ramon Newton Broadcast 194 Z-298 August 7, 2009
January 24, 1928 Bless Her Little Heart Ramon Newton Broadcast 206 Z-336 August 7, 2009
February 23, 1928 Marvellous Ramon Newton Broadcast 213 Z-369 August 7, 2009
March 12, 1928 Did You Mean It? John Thorne Broadcast 230 Z-387 August 7, 2009
March 23, 1928 When Day Is Done John Thorne Broadcast 226 Z-389 August 7, 2009
May 7, 1928 Wherever You Are (into: Playground In The Sky)   Broadcast 264 Z-453 August 7, 2009
June 1, 1928 A Little Dream Nest Maurice Elwin Broadcast 274 Z-477 August 7, 2009
August 21, 1928 My Pet John Thorne Broadcast 286 Z-562 August 7, 2009
October 31, 1928 Lila Bobby Sanders Broadcast 307 Z-671 August 7, 2009
December 19, 1928 Down My The Old Front Gate John Thorne & chorus Broadcast 329 Z-756 August 7, 2009
February 22, 1929 I Ain't Never Been Kissed John Thorne Broadcast 354 Z-837 August 7, 2009

 

Billy Bissett and his Orchestra
Canadian-born Billy Bissett  spent three years in London, including a season at the May Fair Hotel in London in 1937, and their only recordings (all to be found here) were made in this period. Billy and Alice Mann were married in September 1937. In August 1939, they went to America for a short break, but, due to the outbreak of war, were unable to return to England. Billy formed an American band, and changed his name to Billy Bishop.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
March 2, 1937 Rainbow On The River Billy Bissett HMV BD-5188 0EA-4669-1 February 22, 2009
March 2, 1937 On A Little Bamboo Bridge Billy Bissett and Pat Hyde HMV BD-5188 0EA-4670-1 February 22, 2009
March 2, 1937 All Alone In Vienna Billy Bissett HMV BD-5189 0EA-4671-1 February 22, 2009
March 2, 1937 Ev'rything You Do Billy Bissett HMV BD-5189 0EA-4672-1 February 22, 2009
June 14, 1937 On A Little Dream Ranch Billy Bissett HMV BD-5227 0EA-5024-1 February 22, 2009
June 14, 1937 There's A Lull In My Life Alice Mann HMV BD-5231 0EA-5025-1 February 22, 2009
June 14, 1937 In A Little French Casino Billy Bissett and Alice Mann HMV BD-5227 0EA-5026-1 February 22, 2009
June 14, 1937 Never In A Million Years Billy Bissett and Alice Mann HMV BD-5231 0EA-5027-1 February 22, 2009

Larry Brennan and his Winter Gardens Dance Band
Larry Brennan directed the band at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool at least between 1933 and 1935 when his band made a number of recordings for Regal-Zonophone. These were actually recorded in Blackpool, and I don't believe I've ever seen any re-mastered onto LP or CD, so this could be a first. The band has a distinctive sound, to put it mildly, and a tendency to play numbers rather fast. Here's a selection of those I consider to be the best sides.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
August 31, 1933 I've Found The Right Girl Tom Barratt Regal-Zonophone MR-1044 WAR-2178-1 November 6, 2009
August 31, 1933 Don't Blame Me Tom Barratt Regal-Zonophone MR-1043 WAR-2179-1 November 6, 2009
September 27, 1933 Happy Ending Kathleen Walker Regal-Zonophone MR-1067 WAR-2235-1 November 6, 2009
September 28, 1933 Let The World Go Drifting By Tom Barratt Regal-Zonophone MR-1066 WAR-2234-1 November 6, 2009
September 28, 1933 Oh! Johanna Tom Barratt Regal-Zonophone MR-1048 WAR-2239-1 November 6, 2009
December 4, 1933 Was Love A Dream? Cavan O'Connor Regal-Zonophone MR-1166 WAR-2434-1 November 6, 2009
December 3, 1934 Can I Be Sure Of You? Cavan O'Connor Regal-Zonophone MR-1525 WAR-3091-1 November 6, 2009
January 8, 1935 Wish Me Good Luck, Kiss Me Goodbye unknown Regal-Zonophone MR-1590 WAR-3186-1 November 6, 2009
April 7, 1935 Home Again unknown Regal-Zonophone MR-1679 WAR-3350-1 November 6, 2009
April 7, 1935 Prairie Schooner unknown Regal-Zonophone MR-1679 WAR-3351-1 November 6, 2009
April 7, 1935 March Winds And April Showers unknown Regal-Zonophone MR-1680 WAR-3352-1 November 6, 2009
April 7, 1935 Since We Fell Out Of Love unknown Regal-Zonophone MR-1680 WAR-3353-1 November 6, 2009
May 14, 1935 Dancing In A Dream unknown Regal-Zonophone MR-1734 WAR-3432-1 November 6, 2009

Billy Cotton and his Band
As a small boy, I remember the Billy Cotton band show on TV. It wasn't my sort of thing, so I was pleasantly surprised when I started collecting 78s a few years later, that Billy Cotton's Band had made dance band recordings several years earlier. Cotton's recordings start in 1928 for Metropole/Piccadilly before he switched to Columbia and Regal in 1930. In 1936 he changed to make records for Rex until Decca (who by then produced Rex records) ceased production and Billy moved to Decca. Here is a selection from my collection, tending to lean more towards the earlier period.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
July 1928 I'm A Broken-Hearted Blackbird Joe Ferrie Metropole 1045 1078-2 January 12, 2010
September 1928 Sunny Skies Sid Buckman & Joe Ferrie Piccadilly 108 1204 January 12, 2010
November 1928 Dusky Stevedore Sid Buckman Piccadilly 195 1324-1 January 12, 2010
March 28, 1930 Happy Feet Trio Regal MR-107 WAR-65-1 January 12, 2010
January 3, 1931 Makin' Whoopee (into: I'll Still Belong To You) Sid Buckman Columbia DB-382 WA-11024-2 January 12, 2010
May 5, 1931 It Looks Like Love Sid Buckman Columbia CB-291 CA-11555-1 January 12, 2010
September 4, 1931 Trees Cyril Grantham Columbia CB-350 CA-11941-1 January 12, 2010
March 19, 1932 With Love In My Heart Cyril Grantham Regal MR-557 CAR-1114-1 January 12, 2010
August 24, 1932 Sing A New Song Alan Breeze Regal MR-538 CAR-1381-1 January 12, 2010
October 5, 1932 Sweet Muchacha Alan Breeze & trio Regal MR-738 CAR-1472-1 January 12, 2010
October 20, 1932 Say It Isn't So Cyril Grantham Regal MR-738 CAR-1500-1 January 12, 2010
February 18, 1933 Street Of Dreams Alan Breeze Regal-Zonophone MR-867 CAR-1773-1 January 12, 2010
July 7, 1933 The Gold-Diggers' Song (We're In The Money) Sam Browne Regal-Zonophone MR-1003 CAR-2096-1 January 12, 2010
July 21, 1933 Black And Tan Fantasy   Regal-Zonophone MR-1037 CAR-2134-1 January 12, 2010
December 17, 1933 Doin' The Uptown Lowdown Ivor Rich & Teddy Foster Regal-Zonophone MR-1189 CAR-2439-1 January 12, 2010
September 27, 1934 Yes, Sir, I Love Your Daughter "Chips" Chippendall Regal Zonophone MR-1449 CAR-2884-1 January 12, 2010
November 30. 1934 That's The Way I Like To Hear You Talk "Chips" Chippendall Regal-Zonophone MR-1521 CAR-3073-1 January 12, 2010
February 1, 1935 Blue Moon Alan Breeze Regal-Zonophone MR-1588 CAR-3195-1 January 12, 2010
June 1, 1935 Shadows In The Moonlight "Chips" Chippendall Regal-Zonophone MR-1735 CAR-3463-1 January 12, 2010
February 29, 1936 This'll Make You Whistle Alan Breeze Regal-Zonophone MR-2055 CAR-3959-1 January 12, 2010
October 27, 1936 Midnight Blue Alan Breeze Regal-Zonophone MR-2264 CAR-4254-1 January 12, 2010
August 11, 1937 Midnight In Mayfair   Rex 9106 R-2382-1 January 12, 2010
April 22, 1938 Oooooo-Oh Boom! Jack Doyle & chorus Rex 9290 R-2674-1 January 12, 2010
January 27, 1941 Yesterday's Dreams Alan Breeze Rex 9923 R-5294-1 January 12, 2010
April 14, 1942 The Whistler's Mother-In-Law Alan Breeze Rex 10,120 R-6774-2 January 12, 2010

George Elrick and his Swing Music Makers
When Henry Hall left the BBC In September 1937, George Elrick took the opportunity to strike out on his own. His only problem was that he need a backing band for his act. Luckily for him, Lew Stone was struggling to keep his top-class band of west-end musicians together while he himself was working directing musical shows in theatres, which had no need of expensive dance band musicians. Lew lent his band to George and so these recordings are basically Lew Stone's band, with George Elrick vocalising and nominally directing. By December 1937, Elrick had formed his own band.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
August 17, 1937 Swing, Swing, Dear Mother-In-Law George Elrick Columbia FB-1755 CA-16500-1 December 20, 2009
August 21, 1937 The Lady Who Couldn't Be Kissed George Elrick Columbia FB-1755 CA-16507-1 December 20, 2009
October 14, 1937 Goodnight To You All George Elrick Columbia FB-1796 CA-16614-1 December 20, 2009
October 14, 1937 The Trouble With Me Is You George Elrick Columbia FB-1796 CA-16615-1 December 20, 2009
November 16, 1937 You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming George Elrick Columbia FB-1828 CA-16694-1 December 20, 2009
November 16, 1937 You've Gotta Take Your Pick And Swing George Elrick Columbia FB-1828 CA-16695-1 December 20, 2009

 

George Fisher and his Kit-Cat Band
George Fishberg (better known as George Fisher) was an American pianist who came to Britain in 1920 as part of a quintet under Art Hickman's management.  Around  the beginning of 1928 he formed a band to play at the Kit-Cat restaurant, staying there for about 12 months when Arthur Rosebery took over with his band, at which point Fisher returned to America and nothing more was heard from him, on records at least. During 1928 the band made a number of recordings for Metrolpole / Piccadilly under their own name and moonlighted at HMV as The Rhythm Band. The two sets of recordings show the band in quite different styles, generally. 		 
The Metropole recordings: Here are some of the Metropole & Piccadilly recordings. I must apologise for the variation in recording quality of these sides. The company's recordings suffer from inconsistent quality, often being over-recorded and distorted (as on the first side at least). Some have a fuzzy sound due to the company using pressing stampers after they were worn out. The Piccadilly records were labelled as by Tony Young's Ramblers (except Piccadilly 129 which is as Piccadilly Dance Band).  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. March 27, 1928 I've Found A Horseshoe Three New Yorkers Metropole 1019 M-19-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. May 11, 1928 Miss Annabelle Lee Three New Yorkers Metropole 1026 M-72-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. July 2, 1928 My Pet Phil Arnold Metropole 1081 1049-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. August 3, 1928 Bluebird, Sing Me A Song Phil Arnold Metropole 1074 1127-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. September 6, 1928 Didn't I Tell You? Eddie Grossbart Metropole 1059 1195-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. September 24, 1928 I'm Afraid Of You Eddie Grossbart Metropole 1095 1235-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. September 24, 1928 Collegiana Eddie Grossbart Piccadilly 165 1236-2 Sept 12, 2009
c. September 24, 1928 More Than Anybody Eddie Grossbart Piccadilly 129 1237-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. October 15, 1928 Sascatchewan Eddie Grossbart Piccadilly 190 1289-1 Sept 12, 2009
c. February 5, 1929 Great Camp Meeting Day Cavan O'Connor Piccadilly 211 1597-1 Sept 12, 2009

Howard Flynn and his Orchestra
 Howard Flynn was a songwriter and band organiser who had a financial interest in the Edison Bell company, at least in the early 1930s. The recordings made under his name are likely to be a studio group, though the musicians involved have not yet been identified. There maybe a link with Stanley Barnett's band which played in the restaurant at Madame Tussauds. Here are some of the records the band made for Edison Bell in the early 1930s. 		 
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
July 1933 I Cover The Waterfront Phyllis Robins Winner 5576 EB-1030-2 Jan 21, 2010
October 13, 1933 Dinner At Eight Harry Bentley Winner 5610 EB-1075-1 Jan 21, 2010
October 13, 1933 Night And Day Harry Bentley Winner 5610 EB-1076-2 Jan 21, 2010
November 19, 1933 There's A Home In Wyomin' Harry Bentley Winner 5618 EB-1091-2 Jan 21, 2010
c. December 21, 1933 On A Steamer Coming Over Dan Donovan Winner 5632 EB-1110-1 Jan 21, 2010
c. December 21, 1933 La-Di-Da-Di-Da Dan Donovan and others Winner 5632 EB-1111-1 Jan 21, 2010
January 1934 Faint Harmony Dan Donovan Winner 5642 EB-1126-1 Jan 21, 2010
January 1934 Dusty Shoes Dan Donovan Winner 5642 EB-1127-2 Jan 21, 2010
March 1934 Sittin' On A Backyard Fence Harry Bentley & trio Winner 5654 EB-1148-1 Jan 21, 2010
March 1934 This Little Piggie Went To Market Harry Bentley Winner 5654 EB-1149-2 Jan 21, 2010

 

Carroll Gibbons and the Savoy Hotel Orpheans
From Boston, Mass., Carroll Gibbons arrived in England in 1924 and stayed for the rest of his life, working for the Savoy Hotel Group. After leading the Sylvians and the Savoy Orpheans in the 1920s, he became musical director for the Gramophone Company (His Master's Voice) before directing a reformed Savoy Orpheans from 1931, initially as co-leader with Howard Jacobs, until Gibbons' death in the 1950s. The band recorded exclusively for Columbia.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
December 31, 1931 Sweet Summer Breeze Jack Plant Columbia CB-404 CA-12324-2 February 1, 2009
January 7, 1932 You'll Be Sorry Jack Plant Columbia CB-404 CA-12343-2 February 1, 2009
January 14, 1932 Sunshine And Roses Anona Wynn Columbia CB-413 CA-12350-1 February 1, 2009
January 14, 1932 One Little Quarrel Al Bowlly & Anona Wynn Columbia CB-413 CA-12351-1 February 1, 2009
January 19, 1932 One More Kiss, Then Good-Night Jack Plant Columbia CB-414 CA-12362-2 February 1, 2009
February 1, 1932 Prisoner Of Love Jack Plant Columbia CB-421 CA-12391-1 February 1, 2009
February 4, 1932 I'll Make A Happy Landing Jack Plant Columbia CB-421 CA-12400-1 February 1, 2009
April 26, 1932 Oh! That Mitzi Edward Cooper Columbia CB-449 CA-12629-1 February 1, 2009
April 26, 1932 What Would You Do? Edward Cooper Columbia CB-449 CA-12630-1 February 1, 2009
July 20, 1935 Why Start Come Out At Night Anne Lenner Columbia FB-1090 CA-15168-1 February 1, 2009
July 20, 1935 Why Dream? Anne Lenner Columbia FB-1090 CA-15170-1 February 1, 2009
January 9, 1936 You Were There Robert Ashley Columbia FB-1282 CA-15532-1 March 19, 2009
January 9, 1936 Play, Orchestra, Play Robert Ashley Columbia FB-1282 CA-15533-1 March 19, 2009
October 26, 1936 Miracles Sometimes Happen Anne Lenner Columbia FB-1548 CA-16012-1 February 1, 2009
October 26, 1936 Midnight Blue Brian Lawrance Columbia FB-1548 CA-16013-1 February 1, 2009
June 2, 1937 Let's Call The Whole Thing Off Anne Lenner & George Melachrino Columbia FB-1705 CA-16397-1 February 1, 2009
June 2, 1937 Shall We Dance? Anne Lenner & George Melachrino Columbia FB-1705 CA-16398-1 February 1, 2009

 

Howard Godfrey and his Waldorfians
The nephew of Sir Dan Godfrey, famous symphonic conductor, Howard Godfrey referred to himself as the black sheep of the family, being the only one whose musical direction was towards dance band music. Howard Godfrey directed the band at the Waldorf Hotel in London for some years; the band recorded for Edison Bell Winner, Victory and Piccadilly and was always augmented from it's original five-piece to a full dance band for recordings. Here is a selection.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
July 1929 Excuse Me, Lady   Edison Bell Winner 4952 12392-1 March 19, 2009
July 1929 Louise Howard Godfrey Edison Bell Winner 4952 12393-1 March 19, 2009
Aug 2, 1930 On The Sunny Side Of The Street Al Bowlly Victory 253 945-2 March 19, 2009
April 1931 When I Take My Sugar To Tea Val Rosing Piccadilly 766 4325-2 March 19, 2009
May-June 1931 Thank You Most Sincerely Al Bowlly Piccadilly 781 4366-2 March 19, 2009
August 1931 Cherie, C'est Vous Les Allen Piccadilly 811 4425-1 March 19, 2009
September 1931 Poor Kid Les Allen Piccadilly 816 4457-1 March 19, 2009
October 1931 Over The Blue Al Bowlly Piccadilly 856 4514-2 March 19, 2009

Stan Greening and his Band
Stan Greening worked tenaciously at several record companies as their musical advisor; Crystalate (Imperial, Imperial Junior, Mimosa & Victory records), Edison Bell (WInner records), Duophone, Gramophone Company (HMV). In addition, he was greatly in demand on sessions as an instrumentalist; he usually played banjo, guitar and bass on records, but could also play piano and cello. I shall break the selections down into the different record companies. Here's the first. 		 
Regal recordings
Stan had a finger in many pies, as musical director at a number of different record companies, but his main work was at Crystalate and Columbia and he made many recordings issued on Regal, Columbia's budget label. Stan's name never appears on the label; all were issued under blanket pseudonyms. Here is a selection of his Regal recordings from 1925 (when he started at Columbia) to 1931 when he made his last dance band recording. Stan Greening continued to work occasionally at EMI (as it became) organising bands to accompany singers. 		 
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. January 30, 1925 Eat More Fruit Thomas Jackson ? Regal G-8329 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-1561 Jan 28, 2010
c. February 5, 1925 Tea For Two   Regal G-8333 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-1675 Jan 28, 2010
c. February 13, 1925 In A Little Rendezvous   Regal G-8351 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-1709 Jan 28, 2010
c. April 17, 1925 The Story-Book Ball   Regal G-8379 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-1956 Jan 28, 2010
June 9, 1925 One Little One More Fred Rome ? Regal G-8419 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-2192 Jan 28, 2010
c. September 28, 1925 Comin' Home   Regal G-8469 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-2485 Jan 28, 2010
January 1926 Keep Your Skirts Down, Mary Ann   Regal G-8545 (Corona Dance Orch.) A-4081 Jan 28, 2010
February 2, 1926 Why Do Short Men Like Tall Girls? unknown Regal G-8559 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-2807 Jan 28, 2010
April 27, 1926 Hang On To Me   Regal G-8612 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-3210 Jan 28, 2010
September 13, 1926 Two Little Bluebirds   Regal G-8693 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-3915 Jan 28, 2010
November 25, 1926 I've Never Seen A Straight Banana Maurice Elwin Regal G-8764 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-4524 Jan 28, 2010
April 12, 1927 Sing   Regal G-8871 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-5227 Jan 28, 2010
June 22, 1927 The Devil Is Afraid Of Music Eddie Morris Regal G-8906 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-5747 Jan 28, 2010
November 2, 1927 You Went Away Too Far Eddie Morris Regal G-9005 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-6474 Jan 28, 2010
December 1, 1927 There's One Little Girl Who Loves Me Harry Robinson Regal G-9037 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-6625 Jan 28, 2010
February 6, 1928 I'm Living On Love Eddie Morris Regal G-9094 (Lido Dance Orch.) WA-6915 Jan 28, 2010
April 19, 1928 Since I Met Mary Jane Robert Carr Regal G-9133 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-7267 Jan 28, 2010
July 12, 1928 Happy-Go-Lucky Lane John Thorne Regal G-9174 (Raymond Dance Band) WA-7614 Jan 28, 2010
November 25, 1929 Jollity Farm Tom Barratt Regal G-9440 (Hal Swain & his Band !) WA-9786 Jan 28, 2010
February 6, 1930 Crazy Pirouette   Regal unissued test WAR-5 Jan 28, 2010
August 31, 1931 Whistling In The Dark Leslie Holmes Regal MR-400 (The Rhythmic Troubadours) CAR-781 Jan 28, 2010

Jerry Hoey and his Orchestra
Saxophonist Jerry Hoey too Leslie Norman's place in Jack Hylton's band in 1924, remaining in the band until  late summer 1927. Following a brief spell with the Savoy Orpheans, Jerry joined Jimmy Kelleher's band at the Piccadilly Hotel. He subsequently took over the band on Kelleher's departure, though the band continued to be billed at Kelleher's for a while. The band recorded under Hoey's name in 1931, for (appropriately) the Piccadilly Label. Here is a selection.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. February 1931 Ten Cents A Dance unknown Piccadilly 738 4230-1 Feb 13, 2010
c. February 1931 Rainbow Joe Lee Piccadilly 736 4231-1 Feb 13, 2010
c. March 1931 There's Always Tomorrow Joe Lee Piccadilly 755 4262-2 Feb 13, 2010
c. March 1931 It's Not You Joe Lee Piccadilly 755 4263-2 Feb 13, 2010
c. March 1931 Alone And Afraid Joe Lee Simcha 10007 4267-1 Feb 13, 2010
April 1931 Laughing At The Rain Jack Plant Simcha 10007 4304-1 Feb 13, 2010
September 1931 Song Of Happiness Les Allen Piccadilly 839 4497-1 Feb 13, 2010
September 1931 Time Alone Will Tell Les Allen Piccadilly 840 4498-1 Feb 13, 2010
September 1931 What's Going To Happen To Me? Les Allen Piccadilly 840 4499-1 Feb 13, 2010
October 1931 At Your Command Les Allen Piccadilly 861 4529-1 Feb 13, 2010
October 1931 Sweet And Lovely Les Allen trio Piccadilly 861 4530-2 Feb 13, 2010
November 1931 How's Your Uncle? Les Allen and another Piccadilly 864 4535-2 Feb 13, 2010
November 1931 Just A Blue-Eyed Blonde Les Allen Piccadilly 859 4539-1 Feb 13, 2010
November 1931 You Forgot Your Gloves Les Allen Piccadilly 864 4544-1 Feb 13, 2010
December 1931 Guilty Les Allen Picadilly 883 4593-1 Feb 13, 2010

 

Jack Hylton and his Orchestra
Britain's greatest show band of the 1920s and 30s recorded thousands of dance records between 1921 and 1940, so selecting some for the site is an enormous task. I decided to just choose one year, for the first upload. These represent just a small selection from the first half of 1926. There will be more to come in the future. 		 
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
January 6, 1926 My Girl's Got Long Hair Jack Hylton HMV B-5016 Bb-7627-2 July 26, 2009
January 15, 1926 Why Don't You Say So?   HMV B-5014 Bb-7707-1 July 26, 2009
February 25, 1926 Ukulele Baby Jack Hylton & Chappie D'Amato HMV B-5019 Bb-7969-3 July 26, 2009
March 19, 1926 "Lady Be Good" selection, part 1.
       Intro: So Am I; Hang On To Me; Fascinating Rhythm		 Monty Woolf HMV B-5042 Bb-8190-3 July 26, 2009
April 21, 1926 Oh! Miss Hannah Chappie D'Amato HMV B-5055 Bb-8297-2 July 26, 2009
April 21, 1926 So Does Your Old Mandarin Jack Hylton HMV B-5054 Bb-8296-2 July 26, 2009
April 23, 1926 Rose OF Samarkand (Eric Coates)   HMV B-5056 Bb-8311-3 July 26, 2009
June 8, 1928 Blinky Moon Bay   HMV B-5086 Bb-8507-3 July 26, 2009
June 28, 1926 I'm Taking That Baby Home Jack Hylton HMV B-5099 Bb-8617-1 July 26, 2009

 

Cecil & Leslie Norman and their Orchestras
The Norman brothers were major players in the British Dance Band scene of the 1920s. Having both played in Jack Hylton's band in the very early 1920s, they subsequently played in and/or lead bands at leading venues in London. In the late 1920s they were variously the musical directors for Worldecho and Goodson records; both labels are quite hard to find these days. Here is a selection of the flexible Goodson recordings  from 1930-31. My apologies for some distortion due to the warpage of the records.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label, Issue No. & Pseudonym Matrix No. Upload Date
August 1930 A Bench In The Park Cavan O'Connor Goodson 255 (The Collegians) S-39 June 28, 2009
September 1930 If Your Kisses Can't Hold The Man You Love   Goodson 256 (The Ritz-Carlton Band) S-58 June 28, 2009
October 1930 I Don't Mind Walking In The Rain Jack Plant Goodson 305 (The Savoy Plaza Band) S-75 June 28, 2009
October 1930 Take Along A Little Love Jack Plant Goodson 306 (The Savoy Plaza Band) S-77 June 28, 2009
October 1930 After Your Kiss Jack Plant Goodson 302 (The Radio Revellers) S-80 June 28, 2009
October 1930 Little White Lies Jack Plant Goodson 308 (The Collegians) S-81 June 28, 2009
November 1930 Loving You The Way I Do Jack Plant Goodson 310 (The White Way Serenaders) S-88 June 28, 2009
November 1930 Without My Gal Jack Plant Goodson 310 (The White Way Serenaders) S-89 June 28, 2009
December 1930 Who Cares ? (As Long As There's Love) Jack Plant Goodson 320 (The Savoy Plaza Band) S-119 June 28, 2009
Jan-Feb 1931 Okay, Baby Cavan O'Connor Goodson 330 (The Savoy Plaza Band) S-146 June 28, 2009
Jan-Feb 1931 Sing A Happy Little Thing Jack Plant Goodson 331 (The Radio Revellers) S-151 June 28, 2009

 

Oscar Rabin and his Romany Band
Oscar Rabin's early 1930s recordings are not easy to find; they were made for Sterno and also other British Homophone labels, 4 in 1 and Plaza. None of these turn up that easily these days, they didn't sell in big quantities, though the 6d Plaza records are probably the most common. Reports at the time say that Rabin never lead the band, but was content to sit at the back of the band playing the bass sax, while guitarist Harry Davis stood out front and directed and made the announcements. However, on all the records the bass is a sousaphone (or sometimes a double bass), so it may be Oscar Rabin took no part at all in the recordings.
Here is my collection of Plaza records by this band for your listening pleasure. They were all issued under pseudonyms - noted after the record issue number.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
May 9, 1933 Wear A Great Big Smile Sam Browne & the Three Ginx Plaza P-118 (Plaza Dance Band) L-990 August 31, 2009
May 9, 1933 Deep Water Elsie Carlisle Plaza P-103 (Brockman's Band) L-995 August 31, 2009
June 27, 1933 Hiawatha's Lullaby Jack Plant Plaza P-116 (Ben Fields & his Band) L-1081 August 31, 2009
August 9, 1933 Shuffle Off To Buffalo Harry Bentley Plaza P-128 (The Crackerjacks) L-1128 August 31, 2009
August 9, 1933 You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me Harry Bentley Plaza P-128 (The Crackerjacks) L-1129 August 31, 2009
August 9, 1933 I Don't Like Her Dog Fido Dan Donovan Plaza P-186 (Plaza Dance Band) L-1131 August 31, 2009
September 29, 1933 Night And Day Dan Donovan Plaza P-157 (Plaza Dance Band) L-1229 August 31, 2009
September 29, 1933 Weep No More, My Baby Dan Donovan Plaza P-177 (The Twelve Cavaliers) L-1231 August 31, 2009
September 29, 1933 I've Gotta Get Up And Go To Work Dan Donovan Plaza P-142 (Alf Bertram & his Band) L-1232 August 31, 2009
October 12, 1933 Give A Cheer Dan Donovan Plaza P-157 (Plaza Dance Band) L-1262 August 31, 2009
October 12, 1933 The Golden King Shuffle   Lewis L-28   (Ben Findley's Dance Band) L-1264 August 31, 2009
October 12, 1933 Romany Blues   Plaza P-155 (Alf Bertram & his Band) L-1265 August 31, 2009
October 12, 1933 Betcha Life I Do Harry Davis Plaza P-165 (The Twelve Cavaliers) L-1266 August 31, 2009
October 12, 1933 Wasting The Evening Away Dan Donovan Plaza P-389 (Al Gold & his Band) L-1267 August 31, 2009
November 3, 1933 It's The Talk Of The Town Harry Davis Plaza P-193 (Art Willis & his Band) L-1321 August 31, 2009
January 18, 1934 Violet Ray Blues   Plaza P-209 (Willie Freeman's Dance O) L-1442 August 31, 2009
January 18, 1934 Hawaiian Dream Of Love Harry Bentley Plaza P-210 (Tony Miller & his Band) L-1444 August 31, 2009

 

Bert Ralton and his Havana Band
 Bert Ralton arrived in Britain from America at the start of the 1920s with his New York Havana Band. Bert lead the band on saxophone (usually soprano sax). They played at the Savoy Hotel (changing the band's name to the Savoy Havana Band) until the summer of 1923 when Ralton left to go to Australia. Returning to Britain in late summer 1925, he formed the band we hear here, known as his Havana Band. It contained some young up-and-coming musicians such as Jack Jackson (trumpet), Ben Oakley(trombone), Allen Warren (saxes), Dick Escott (tuba) and, on the last session, Lew Stone (piano). Following the last of these recordings, the band left for a tour of South Africa, where Bert died after a shooting accident.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
November 30, 1925 Isn't She The Sweetest Thing?   Columbia 3826 WA-2585 March 28, 2009
November 30, 1925 Headin' For Home   Columbia 3825 WA-2929 March 26, 2009
December 17, 1925 Over My Shoulder   Columbia 3860 WA-2665 March 28, 2009
February 13, 1926 The Two Of Us   Columbia 3910 WA-2864 March 28, 2009
May 21, 1926 Carolina Harry Shalson Columbia 4019 WA-3295 March 28, 2009
July 2, 1926 Could I? I Certainly Could Harry Shalson Columbia 4041 WA-3533 March 28, 2009
July 2, 1926 The Pump Song Bert Ralton Columbia 4042 WA-3535 March 28, 2009
July 2, 1926 Fiddle-Dee-Dee-Dee-Dee Bert Ralton Columbia 4042 WA-3536 March 28, 2009
September 1, 1926 I Never See Maggie Alone Bert Ralton Columbia 4092 WA-3829 March 28, 2009

R.M.S. "Homeric" Dance Band
 Valentine Buxton Howarth was the director of this band, about which nothing is known of the musicians on thes recordings, apart from the ever-reliable Sam Browne who was brought in to sing the vocals. Howarth played saxophone and violin and presumably does so on these four recordings, the only ones they made, which were recorded in Southampton on board the liner itself.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
June 2, 1933 Talking To You About Me Sam Browne Columbia CB-634 WA-13620-4 Dec 13, 2009
June 2, 1933 I Wish I Had Wings Sam Browne Columbia CB-635 WA-13621-3 Dec 13, 2009
June 2, 1933 My Love Song Sam Browne Columbia CB-634 WA-13695-1 Dec 13, 2009
June 2, 1933 Have You Had A Good Day Today? (6/8) Sam Browne Columbia CB-635 WA-13696-1 Dec 13, 2009

 

Arthur Rosebery and his Kit-Cat Dance Band
 Arthur Rosebery lead bands playing at the Cafe de Paris and the Kit-Cat restaurants in the late 1920s, after which the band played in the orchestra pit for shows such as "Follow Through" and "Wonder Bar". The recordings here cover both the Kit-Cat period and  after, and are typical of this lively and unorthodox dance band. Vocalist Len Lees was also the drummer. Considering how good he was at putting over a number, it is odd that he hardly ever made any records after Rosebery disbanded at the end of 1930		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
March 1, 1929 Spread A Little Happiness Len Lees Parlophone R-303 E-2337-2 May 28, 2009
March 1, 1929 I'm A One Man Girl   Parlophone R-303 E-2338-2 May 28, 2009
February 20, 1930 Sitting On The Cold, Wet Grass Len Lees & chorus Ariel 4517 (Ariel Dance.O.) E-3078-2 May 28, 2009
March 17, 1930 The Wind In The Willows Harry Bentley Parlophone R-610 E-3161-2 May 28, 2009
September 1930 That Night In Venice Len Lees Parlophone R-739 E-3599-2 May 28, 2009
September 1930 My Future Just Passed Len Lees Parlophone R-746 E-3600-2 May 28, 2009
September 1930 The Pick-Up Len Lees Parlophone R-746 E-3601-1 May 28, 2009

Debroy Somers' Band
 William Debroy Somers started his recording career making instrumental recordings for Bulldog records in the immediate post-WWI. Subsequently he had a post as musical director at Aeolian (later Vocalion) records, from 1920-23 before forming the famous Savoy Orpheans to play at the Savoy Hotel. He left the Savoy to pursue his own career and formed his first band in 1926, recordings solely for Columbia for many years. Here is a selection of 80-year old records from 1929, including the famous Savoy Christmas Medley as a suitable nod in the direction of the current season (December 2009)		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
February 21, 1929 Misery Farm Tom Barratt Columbia 5269 WA-8568-1 Dec 25, 2009
February 23, 1929 Just The Type For Me Bobby Sanders Columbia 5302 WA-8599-1 Dec 25, 2009
March 16, 1929 Flower Of Love Miss Horsley Columbia 5325 WA-8713-1 Dec 25, 2009
June 17, 1929 Do Something Tom Barratt Regal G-9408 WA-9175-1 Dec 25, 2009
June 17, 1929 Jericho Tom Barratt Regal G-9408 WA-9176-1 Dec 25, 2009
July 5, 1929 Dancing Goblin   Columbia 5498 WA-9247-1 Dec 25, 2009
September 17, 1929 Savoy Christmas Medley (fox trot) male quartet Columbia 5441 WA-9497-1 Dec 25, 2009
September 17, 1929 Savoy Christmas Medley (one step) male quartet Columbia 5441 WA-9498-1 Dec 25, 2009
November 4, 1929 The Doll's House Tom Barratt Columbia 5630 WA-9708-1 Dec 25, 2009
November 14, 1929 Painting The Clouds With Sunshine Tom Barratt & trio Regal G-9452 WA-9745-2 Dec 25, 2009
December 19, 1929 In The Moonlight (Think Of You, Think Of Me) Tom Barratt Columbia 5700 WA-9869-2 Dec 25, 2009

Nat Star and his Orchestra
 Nat was a pioneer saxophonist in Britain and seems to have spent most of his career in the recording studios. From 1923 to 1934 he was musical director at British Homophone, making records with his hand-picked musicians on the Homochord, Sterno, Plaza, 4 in 1 and various derivative labels. As far as I know, none of his recordings have been made available on LP or CD, so here is a rare chance to hear some. This is a selection covering the whole period mentioned.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
February 14, 1924 Felix Kept On Walking   Homochord H-533 (Selwin's Dance Orchestra) L-00560 Jan 1, 2010
December 22, 1927 Oh, Baby, Don't We Get Along Maurice Elwin Homochord D-1194 HH-11960 Jan 1, 2010
February 21, 1928 I Ain't Got Nobody Maurice Elwin Homochord D-1231 HH-12746 Jan 1, 2010
December 31, 1928 You're In My Heart (But Never In My Arms) Maurice Elwin Homochord P-10013 PL-932-1 Jan 1, 2010
February 26, 1929 Nagasaki Maurice Elwin Homochord D-1321 (Eugene Brockman Dance O.) BL-1012-1 Jan 1, 2010
January 25, 1929 S'Wonderful Fred Douglas Sterno 113 (Lester Conn's Dance Band) S-25-1 Jan 1, 2010
February 28, 1929 Dancing Shadows   Sterno 142 (Bert Maddison's Dance Orch.) S-61-1 Jan 1, 2010
July 12, 1929 Honey Cavan O'Connor Sterno 190 (Bernie Blake & his Orchestra) S-171-1 Jan 1, 2010
November 1, 1929 Smiling Irish Eyes Maurice Elwin Homochord D-1434 (Roylance & his band) BL-1331-1 Jan 1, 2010
November 21, 1929 Every Now And Then Tom Barratt Sterno 278 (Bert Maddison's Dance Orch.) S-332-1 Jan 1, 2010
December 13, 1929 An Old Italian Love Song Joe Lee Sterno 329 (Bernie Blake & his Orch.) S-373-2 Jan 1, 2010
May 12, 1930 You Can't Believe My Eyes Tom Barratt Sterno 413 (Bernie Blake & his Orch.) S-723-1 Jan 1, 2010
August 8, 1930 I Love You So Much Cavan O'Connor Sterno 550 (Bert Maddison's Dance Orch.) S-886-2 Jan 1, 2010
September 24, 1930 Little White Lies Cavan O'Connor Sterno 547 S-1011-2 Jan 1, 2010
March 30, 1931 Blue Again Tom Barratt Sterno 685 S-1494-1 Jan 1, 2010
August 5, 1931 Ho Hum Tom Barratt Sterno 765 S-1771-2 Jan 1, 2010
October 29, 1931 The Longer That You Linger In Virginia Geoff Howard Sterno 817 S-1990-2 Jan 1, 2010
August 6, 1932 Humming To Myself Les Allen Sterno 1008 (Andre Astan & his Orchestra) S-2517-2 Jan 1, 2010
May 15, 1933 Something Came And Got Me In The Spring Sam Browne Plaza P-105 (Brockman's Band) L-1008-1 Jan 1, 2010
October 13, 1933 Certainly! Why Not Tom Barratt Plaza P-162 (Plaza Dance Band) L-1274-1 Jan 1, 2010
June 21, 1934 The Breeze Leslie Douglas Sterno 1451 (Sterno Dance Band) S-3888-2 Jan 1, 2010

Ray Starita and his Band
 American Tenor-saxophone player, Ray Starita came to Britain in the early 1920s and was one of the original members of The Savoy Orpheans. In the mid-1920s, he lead the Piccadilly Revels Band which played at the Piccadilly Hotel, moving to the Ambassadors' Club by 1928. The following recordings are from the Ambassadors' Club period.		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
May 17, 1928 I'm Saving Saturday Night For You Phil Arnold Columbia 4910 WA-7389-1 Dec 6, 2009
May 24, 1928 An' Furthermore Les Reis Columbia 4915 WA-7301-3 Dec 6, 2009
May 24, 1928 Teach Me To Dance Like Grandma Les Reis Columbia 4915 WA-7303-3 Dec 6, 2009
June 13, 1928 I Call You Sugar   Columbia 4943 WA-7493-2 Dec 6, 2009
September 29, 1928 Crazy Rhythm Eddie Grossbart, Ray Starita + 1 Columbia 5137 WA-7906-2 Dec 6, 2009
October 11, 1928 Spread A Little Happiness Eddie Grossbart Columbia 5228 WA-7975-1 Dec 6, 2009
November 28, 1928 I Think Of What You Used To Think Of Me Eddie Grossbart Columbia 5179 WA-8156-2 Dec 6, 2009
March 2, 1929 I Ain't Never Been Kissed Phil Arnnold Couimbia 5304 WA-8641-2 Dec 6, 2009
March 22, 1929 Second Hand Rose Betty Bolton Columbia 5361 WA-8738-2 Dec 6, 2009
May 4, 1929 The Wedding Of The Painted Doll Betty Bolton Columbia 5380 WA-8950-2 Dec 6, 2009
May 4, 1929 Wake Up! Chillun, Wake Up! Betty Bolton Columbia 5380 WA-8951-2 Dec 6, 2009

 

Jay Wilbur and his Band
 Jay Wilbur was musical director for Dominion records between 1928 and 1930 when the company folded. He then moved to Crystalate and remained there even after 1937 when the company was taken over by Decca. Jay Wilbur made thousands of recordings for Dominion, Imperial, Rex, Broadcast, Victory, Eclipse and Crown. Here is a small selection of Eclipse records to start the ball rolling. 		 
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No & Pseudonym Matrix No. Upload Date
December 9, 1931 Sweet And Lovely Sam Browne Eclipse 142 (as The Biltmore Players) JW-504 May 16, 2009
December 9, 1931 Song Of Happiness Sam Browne Eclipse 143 (as The Hottentots) JW-505 May 16, 2009
December 10, 1931 Day After Day Les Allen Eclipse 142 (as The Biltmore Players) JW-511 May 16, 2009
December 10, 1931 How Bright Everything Seems Leslie Rome Eclipse 151 (as The Hottentots) JW-516 May 16, 2009
December 19, 1931 Joey The Clown Leslie Sarony Eclipse 149 (as The Connecticut Collegians) JW-526 May 16, 2009
January 15, 1932 Today I Feel So Happy Leslie Sarony & chorus Eclipse 151 (as The Hottentots) JW-525 May 16, 2009

George 'Scott' Wood and his band
 In the 1930s, Scott Wood was one of EMI's main musical directors, but at the time of the first recordings under his name, in 1931, he was co-directing Jay Whidden's band and it is thought Whidden's musicians may be present on these recordings. (My apologies for the quality of these transfers- they're pretty rare.)		  
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No & Pseudonym Matrix No. Upload Date
February 1931 The One Man Band Maurice Elwin, Fred Douglas and one other Ariel 4687 (as Ariel Dance Orch) E-3959-2 Nov 21, 2009
February 1931 We're Friends Again Maurice Elwin, Fred Douglas and one other Parlophone R-901 E-3960-2 Nov 21, 2009
April 1931 Happy I Found You Maurice Elwin plus one Ariel 4744 (as Ariel Dance Orch.) E-4053-2 Nov 21, 2009

This page was first created on February 1st, 2009.     Last Updated February 13, 2010.