|
Mike Thomas' Dance Band Encyclopaedia |
Sound Files |
British Dance Bands |
| Home page | Introduction | Label Index | Musicians | Sound Files |
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 |
| January 28, 2012 | Roy Fox (Monseigneur Band recordings) |
| December 26, 2011 | Jay Wilbur (Dominion recordings) |
| December 1, 2011 | Charlie Kunz |
| October 8, 2011 | Van Phillips |
| September 3, 2011 | Pete Mandell |
| August 13, 2011 | Rio Grande Band |
| July 10, 2011 | Jack Payne BBC recordings |
| April 29, 2011 | Jack Jackson |
Page last updated: January 28, 2012
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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. I have now added some of his earliest recordings. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| c. April 3, 1923 | China Boy, Go Sleep | Columbia 3285 | 73337 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| c. April 3 1923 | My Buddy | Columbia 3285 | 73338 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| c. April 6, 1923 | Rose Of The Rio Grande | Columbia 3283 | 73347 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| c. April 6, 1923 | Dumbell (intro: Jennie) | Columbia 3283 | 73351 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| April 1927 | The Birth Of The Blues | Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce | Brunswick 105 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| April 1927 | My Heart Stood Still | Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce | Brunswick 105 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| April 1927 | One Summer Night | Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce | Brunswick 107 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| April 1927 | Possibly | Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce | Brunswick 107 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| July 1927 | Take Your Finger Out Of Your Mouth | Brunswick 108 | A-151 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| November 13, 1928 | 'S Wonderful | Brunswick 199 | BB-132-3 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| November 13, 1928 | Roll Away, Clouds | Brunswick 199 | BB-133-1 | Jan 3, 2011 | |
| 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 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| c. July 25, 1928 | Singapore Sorrows | Les Allen | Edison Bell Radio 875 | 88188-2 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| January 25, 1929 | Virginia | Eddie Grossbart & Les Allen | Edison Bell Radio 925 | 88484-2 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| June 27, 1929 | Huggable, Kissable You | Eddie Kollis & trio | Edison Bell Radio 1222 | 88948-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| June 28, 1929 | Glorianna | Eddie Kollis | Edison Bell Radio 1282 | 88953-2 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| September 1929 | Am I Blue? | Eddie Grossbart | Edison Bell Radio 1248 | 89309-2 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| April 1930 | Singing In The Bath-Tub | Hal Swain | Edison Bell Radio 1331 | 89846-3 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| June 1930 | On The Sunny Side Of The Street | Eddie Grossbart | Edison Bell Radio 1375 | 89813-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
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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. |
| Firstly: 8" & 9" records |
| 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 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| August 16, 1927 | Does She Love Me? Positively, Absolutely! | John Thorne | Broadcast 149 | Z-141 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| August 16, 1927 | There Ain't No "Maybe" In My Baby's Eyes | John Thorne | Broadcast 145 | Z-142 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| September 7, 1927 | Deep River | John Thorne | Broadcast 164 | Z-176 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| September 7, 1927 | Clap Yo' Hands | John Thorne | Broadcast 163 | Z-177 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| September 7, 1927 | The Doll Dance | Broadcast 163 | Z-180 | Aug 7, 2009 | |
| November 1, 1927 | Ain't That A Grand And Glorious Feeling? | Ramon Newton | Broadcast 178 | Z-249 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| November 29, 1927 | I AIn't That Kind Of A Baby | Bobby Sanders | Broadcast 183 | Z-271 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| December 30, 1927 | Gonna Get A Girl | Ramon Newton | Broadcast 194 | Z-298 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| January 24, 1928 | Bless Her Little Heart | Ramon Newton | Broadcast 206 | Z-336 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| February 23, 1928 | Marvellous | Ramon Newton | Broadcast 213 | Z-369 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| March 12, 1928 | Did You Mean It? | John Thorne | Broadcast 230 | Z-387 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| March 23, 1928 | When Day Is Done | John Thorne | Broadcast 226 | Z-389 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| May 7, 1928 | Wherever You Are (into: Playground In The Sky) | Broadcast 264 | Z-453 | Aug 7, 2009 | |
| June 1, 1928 | A Little Dream Nest | Maurice Elwin | Broadcast 274 | Z-477 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| August 21, 1928 | My Pet | John Thorne | Broadcast 286 | Z-562 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| October 31, 1928 | Lila | Bobby Sanders | Broadcast 307 | Z-671 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| December 19, 1928 | Down My The Old Front Gate | John Thorne & chorus | Broadcast 329 | Z-756 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| February 22, 1929 | I Ain't Never Been Kissed | John Thorne | Broadcast 354 | Z-837 | Aug 7, 2009 |
| Next: 10" records: This first load is mainly from the Broadcast 12 Super Dance label |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| July 16, 1929 | I'm "Ka-Razy" For You | The Whoopee Boys | Broadcast 12 2504 | L-0290 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| August 19, 1929 | Wedding Bells | Les Allen and trio | Broadcast 12 2512 | L-0315 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| September 26, 1929 | Button Up Your Overcoat | John Thorne | Broadcast 12 2518 | L-0364 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| October 30, 1929 | The Sun Is At My Window | Tom Barratt | Broadcast 12 2527 | L-0395 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| November 22, 1929 | Say It With Songs, medley | Cavan O'Connor & Tom Barratt | Broadcast 12 5125 | L-0420 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| January 3, 1930 | Sweetheart We Need Each Other | John Thorne | Broadcast 12 2536 | L-0472 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| January 31, 1930 | Little By Little | Tom Barratt | Broadcast 12 2542 | L-0499 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| March 28, 1930 | Singing In The Bathtub | Tom Barratt | Broadcast 12 2552 | L-0566 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| April 8, 1930 | Have A Little Faith In Me | Sam Browne | Broadcast 12 2557 | L-0581 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| April 15, 1930 | Keeping Myself For You | Patrick Waddington | Broadcast 12 2560 | L-0595 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| June 17, 1930 | A Man Of My Own | unknown | Broadcast 12 2572 | L-0649 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| July 4, 1930 | On The Sunny Side Of The Street | Sam Browne | Broadcast 12 2578 | L-0698 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| August 19, 1930 | Sing A Little Theme Song | Sam Browne | Broadcast 12 2584 | L-0719 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| October 13, 1930 | My Baby just Cares For Me | Bob & Alf Pearson | Broadcast 12 2595 | L-0772 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| December 12, 1930 | I Don't Mind Walking In The Rain | Alf Pearson | Broadcast 12 2608 | L-0828 | Mar 20, 2011 |
| September 5, 1931 | I Found You | Sam Browne | Panachord 25074 | R-157 | Mar 20, 2011 |
|
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 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| March 2, 1937 | On A Little Bamboo Bridge | Billy Bissett and Pat Hyde | HMV BD-5188 | 0EA-4670-1 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| March 2, 1937 | All Alone In Vienna | Billy Bissett | HMV BD-5189 | 0EA-4671-1 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| March 2, 1937 | Ev'rything You Do | Billy Bissett | HMV BD-5189 | 0EA-4672-1 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| June 14, 1937 | On A Little Dream Ranch | Billy Bissett | HMV BD-5227 | 0EA-5024-1 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| June 14, 1937 | There's A Lull In My Life | Alice Mann | HMV BD-5231 | 0EA-5025-1 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| June 14, 1937 | In A Little French Casino | Billy Bissett and Alice Mann | HMV BD-5227 | 0EA-5026-1 | Feb 22, 2009 |
| June 14, 1937 | Never In A Million Years | Billy Bissett and Alice Mann | HMV BD-5231 | 0EA-5027-1 | Feb 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 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| August 31, 1933 | Don't Blame Me | Tom Barratt | Regal-Zonophone MR-1043 | WAR-2179-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| September 27, 1933 | Happy Ending | Kathleen Walker | Regal-Zonophone MR-1067 | WAR-2235-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| September 28, 1933 | Let The World Go Drifting By | Tom Barratt | Regal-Zonophone MR-1066 | WAR-2234-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| September 28, 1933 | Oh! Johanna | Tom Barratt | Regal-Zonophone MR-1048 | WAR-2239-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| December 4, 1933 | Was Love A Dream? | Cavan O'Connor | Regal-Zonophone MR-1166 | WAR-2434-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| December 3, 1934 | Can I Be Sure Of You? | Cavan O'Connor | Regal-Zonophone MR-1525 | WAR-3091-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| January 8, 1935 | Wish Me Good Luck, Kiss Me Goodbye | unknown | Regal-Zonophone MR-1590 | WAR-3186-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| April 7, 1935 | Home Again | unknown | Regal-Zonophone MR-1679 | WAR-3350-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| April 7, 1935 | Prairie Schooner | unknown | Regal-Zonophone MR-1679 | WAR-3351-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| April 7, 1935 | March Winds And April Showers | unknown | Regal-Zonophone MR-1680 | WAR-3352-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| April 7, 1935 | Since We Fell Out Of Love | unknown | Regal-Zonophone MR-1680 | WAR-3353-1 | Nov 6, 2009 |
| May 14, 1935 | Dancing In A Dream | unknown | Regal-Zonophone MR-1734 | WAR-3432-1 | Nov 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 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| September 1928 | Sunny Skies | Sid Buckman & Joe Ferrie | Piccadilly 108 | 1204 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| November 1928 | Dusky Stevedore | Sid Buckman | Piccadilly 195 | 1324-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| March 28, 1930 | Happy Feet | Trio | Regal MR-107 | WAR-65-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| January 3, 1931 | Makin' Whoopee (into: I'll Still Belong To You) | Sid Buckman | Columbia DB-382 | WA-11024-2 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| May 5, 1931 | It Looks Like Love | Sid Buckman | Columbia CB-291 | CA-11555-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| September 4, 1931 | Trees | Cyril Grantham | Columbia CB-350 | CA-11941-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| March 19, 1932 | With Love In My Heart | Cyril Grantham | Regal MR-557 | CAR-1114-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| August 24, 1932 | Sing A New Song | Alan Breeze | Regal MR-538 | CAR-1381-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| October 5, 1932 | Sweet Muchacha | Alan Breeze & trio | Regal MR-738 | CAR-1472-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| October 20, 1932 | Say It Isn't So | Cyril Grantham | Regal MR-738 | CAR-1500-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| February 18, 1933 | Street Of Dreams | Alan Breeze | Regal-Zonophone MR-867 | CAR-1773-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| July 7, 1933 | The Gold-Diggers' Song (We're In The Money) | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1003 | CAR-2096-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| July 21, 1933 | Black And Tan Fantasy | Regal-Zonophone MR-1037 | CAR-2134-1 | Jan 12, 2010 | |
| December 17, 1933 | Doin' The Uptown Lowdown | Ivor Rich & Teddy Foster | Regal-Zonophone MR-1189 | CAR-2439-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| September 27, 1934 | Yes, Sir, I Love Your Daughter | "Chips" Chippendall | Regal Zonophone MR-1449 | CAR-2884-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| November 30. 1934 | That's The Way I Like To Hear You Talk | "Chips" Chippendall | Regal-Zonophone MR-1521 | CAR-3073-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| February 1, 1935 | Blue Moon | Alan Breeze | Regal-Zonophone MR-1588 | CAR-3195-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| June 1, 1935 | Shadows In The Moonlight | "Chips" Chippendall | Regal-Zonophone MR-1735 | CAR-3463-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| February 29, 1936 | This'll Make You Whistle | Alan Breeze | Regal-Zonophone MR-2055 | CAR-3959-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| October 27, 1936 | Midnight Blue | Alan Breeze | Regal-Zonophone MR-2264 | CAR-4254-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| August 11, 1937 | Midnight In Mayfair | Rex 9106 | R-2382-1 | Jan 12, 2010 | |
| April 22, 1938 | Oooooo-Oh Boom! | Jack Doyle & chorus | Rex 9290 | R-2674-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| January 27, 1941 | Yesterday's Dreams | Alan Breeze | Rex 9923 | R-5294-1 | Jan 12, 2010 |
| April 14, 1942 | The Whistler's Mother-In-Law | Alan Breeze | Rex 10,120 | R-6774-2 | Jan 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 by 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 | Dec 20, 2009 |
| August 21, 1937 | The Lady Who Couldn't Be Kissed | George Elrick | Columbia FB-1755 | CA-16507-1 | Dec 20, 2009 |
| October 14, 1937 | Goodnight To You All | George Elrick | Columbia FB-1796 | CA-16614-1 | Dec 20, 2009 |
| October 14, 1937 | The Trouble With Me Is You | George Elrick | Columbia FB-1796 | CA-16615-1 | Dec 20, 2009 |
| November 16, 1937 | You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming | George Elrick | Columbia FB-1828 | CA-16694-1 | Dec 20, 2009 |
| November 16, 1937 | You've Gotta Take Your Pick And Swing | George Elrick | Columbia FB-1828 | CA-16695-1 | Dec 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 Metropole / 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 |
|
Roy Fox and his Band Born in Denver, Colorado, Roy Fox developed a whispering cornet style that proved very popular in the West Coast bands. He played with Art Hickman, Earl Burtnett and Gus Arnheim before forming his own band in 1929. A year later, Roy came to England with a small band and played at the Cafe de Paris, as a variety act as much as being a dance band. At the end of the contract, Decca offered him a job both organising a recording dance band and helping out technically with their recordings. Roy was subsequently offered the job of leading the band at the newly opened Monseigneur Restaurant and never looked back, becoming one of the most popular and loved bandleaders of the 1930s. As a start, here are some of the recordings of his Decca studio band from 1931, and now some of his Monseigneur Band sides. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| January 5, 1931 | Ten Cents A Dance | Betty Bolton | Decca F-2294 | GB-2497 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| January 5, 1931 | Memories Of You | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2194 | GB-2498 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| January 5, 1931 | You're Lucky To Me | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2194 | GB-2499 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| January 5, 1931 | Thank Your Father | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2312 | GB-2500 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| January 16, 1931 | Can't We Be Friends? | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2220 | GB-2519 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| January 24, 1931 | Lady, Play Your Mandolin | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2220 | GB-2551 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| February 9, 1931 | Maybe It's Love | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2240 | GB-2686 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| February 26, 1931 | You're The One I Care For | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2256 | GB-2700 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| February 26, 1931 | Overnight | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2256 | GB-2701 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| February 26, 1931 | Shout For Happiness | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2263 | GB-2702 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| March 5, 1931 | Bathing In The Sunshine | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2263 | GB-2716 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| March 10, 1931 | Them There Eyes | The Three Ginx | Decca F-2252 | GB-2725 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| March 10, 1931 | That Lindy Hop | The Three Ginx | Decca F-2250 | GB-2726 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| March 13, 1931 | I'm Glad I Waited | The Three Ginx | Decca F-2291 | GB-2731 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| March 25, 1931 | One More Time | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2294 | GB-2751 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| March 25, 1931 | Time On My Hands | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2291 | GB-2753 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| April 21, 1931 | Laughing At The Rain | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2328 | GB-2785 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| April 21, 1931 | Bubbling Over With Love | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2328 | GB-2787 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| May 5, 1931 | Fiesta | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2341 | GB-2805 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| May 5, 1931 | By My Side | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2341 | GB-2806 | Aug 29, 2010 |
| June 1, 1931 | I'm So Used To You Now | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2352 | GB-2852 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| July 21, 1931 | When You Were The blossom Of Buttercup Lane | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2403 | GB-3026 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| August 18, 1931 | Tell Me, Are You From Georgia? | Al Bowlly & Nat Gonella | Decca F-2451 | GB-3134 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| August 18, 1931 | Whispering (Roy Fox's signature tune) | intro by Roy Fox | Decca F-2469 | GB-3136 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| September 18, 1931 | Sweet And Lovely | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2514 | GB-3280 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| October 7, 1931 | Take It From Me | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2582 | GB-3391 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| November 5, 1931 | Over The Blue | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2683 | GB-3539 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| December 30, 1931 | If I Didn't Have You | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2763 | GB-3768 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| January 21, 1932 | Jig Time | Al Bowlly, Sid Buckman & Joe Ferrie | Decca F-2793 | GB-3855 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| February 4, 1932 | Don't Tell A Soul | Joe Ferrie | Decca F-2802 | GB-3925 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| March 7, 1932 | My Sweet Virginia | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2866 | GB-4071 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| April 13, 1932 | When We're Alone | Al Bowlly | Decca F-2922 | GB-4258 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| May 19, 1932 | I Got Rhythm | Al Bowlly, Sid buckman, Joe Ferrie & Nat Gonella | Decca F-3014 | GB-4490 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| July 20, 1932 | One More Affair | Al Bowlly | Decca F-3093 | GB-4681 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| September 9, 1932 | Call It A Day | Al Bowlly | Decca F-3151 | GB-4869 | Jan 28, 2012 |
| September 23, 1932 | All Of A Sudden | Al Bowlly | Decca F-3181 | GB-4939 | Jan 28, 2012 |
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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 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| January 7, 1932 | You'll Be Sorry | Jack Plant | Columbia CB-404 | CA-12343-2 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| January 14, 1932 | Sunshine And Roses | Anona Wynn | Columbia CB-413 | CA-12350-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| January 14, 1932 | One Little Quarrel | Al Bowlly & Anona Wynn | Columbia CB-413 | CA-12351-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| January 19, 1932 | One More Kiss, Then Good-Night | Jack Plant | Columbia CB-414 | CA-12362-2 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| February 1, 1932 | Prisoner Of Love | Jack Plant | Columbia CB-421 | CA-12391-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| February 4, 1932 | I'll Make A Happy Landing | Jack Plant | Columbia CB-421 | CA-12400-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| April 26, 1932 | Oh! That Mitzi | Edward Cooper | Columbia CB-449 | CA-12629-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| April 26, 1932 | What Would You Do? | Edward Cooper | Columbia CB-449 | CA-12630-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| July 20, 1935 | Why Start Come Out At Night | Anne Lenner | Columbia FB-1090 | CA-15168-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| July 20, 1935 | Why Dream? | Anne Lenner | Columbia FB-1090 | CA-15170-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| January 9, 1936 | You Were There | Robert Ashley | Columbia FB-1282 | CA-15532-1 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| January 9, 1936 | Play, Orchestra, Play | Robert Ashley | Columbia FB-1282 | CA-15533-1 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| October 26, 1936 | Miracles Sometimes Happen | Anne Lenner | Columbia FB-1548 | CA-16012-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| October 26, 1936 | Midnight Blue | Brian Lawrance | Columbia FB-1548 | CA-16013-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| June 2, 1937 | Let's Call The Whole Thing Off | Anne Lenner & George Melachrino | Columbia FB-1705 | CA-16397-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
| June 2, 1937 | Shall We Dance? | Anne Lenner & George Melachrino | Columbia FB-1705 | CA-16398-1 | Feb 1, 2009 |
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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 | Mar 19, 2009 | |
| July 1929 | Louise | Howard Godfrey | Edison Bell Winner 4952 | 12393-1 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| Aug 2, 1930 | On The Sunny Side Of The Street | Al Bowlly | Victory 253 | 945-2 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| April 1931 | When I Take My Sugar To Tea | Val Rosing | Piccadilly 766 | 4325-2 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| May-June 1931 | Thank You Most Sincerely | Al Bowlly | Piccadilly 781 | 4366-2 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| August 1931 | Cherie, C'est Vous | Les Allen | Piccadilly 811 | 4425-1 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| September 1931 | Poor Kid | Les Allen | Piccadilly 816 | 4457-1 | Mar 19, 2009 |
| October 1931 | Over The Blue | Al Bowlly | Piccadilly 856 | 4514-2 | Mar 19, 2009 |
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Stan Greening and his Band Stan Greening worked tenaciously at several record companies as their musical advisor; Crystalate (Imperial, Imperial Junior, Mimosa & Victory records), Columbia (Regal & Columbia), 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 |
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Jerry Hoey and his
Orchestra Saxophonist Jerry Hoey took 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 |
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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, plus some of his early 1930's Decca recordings. |
| 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 | Jul 26, 2009 |
| January 15, 1926 | Why Don't You Say So? | HMV B-5014 | Bb-7707-1 | Jul 26, 2009 | |
| February 25, 1926 | Ukulele Baby | Jack Hylton & Chappie D'Amato | HMV B-5019 | Bb-7969-3 | Jul 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 | Jul 26, 2009 |
| April 21, 1926 | Oh! Miss Hannah | Chappie D'Amato | HMV B-5055 | Bb-8297-2 | Jul 26, 2009 |
| April 21, 1926 | So Does Your Old Mandarin | Jack Hylton | HMV B-5054 | Bb-8296-2 | Jul 26, 2009 |
| April 23, 1926 | Rose OF Samarkand (Eric Coates) | HMV B-5056 | Bb-8311-3 | Jul 26, 2009 | |
| June 8, 1928 | Blinky Moon Bay | HMV B-5086 | Bb-8507-3 | Jul 26, 2009 | |
| June 28, 1926 | I'm Taking That Baby Home | Jack Hylton | HMV B-5099 | Bb-8617-1 | Jul 26, 2009 |
| November 2, 1931 | You're My Decline And Fall | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-2664 | GB-3508-3 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| December 1, 1931 | Song Of Happiness | Pat O'Malley & Billy Munn | Decca F-2701 | T-564-1 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| December 22, 1931 | You're Blase | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-2757 | GB-3751-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| January 15, 1932 | Dancing In The Dark | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-2786 | GB-3823-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| February 9, 1932 | Ever Since I Kissed Her On The Volga | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-2878 | GB-3943-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| April 28, 1932 | Lovely Little Silhouette | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-2959 | GB-4342-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| June 23, 1932 | You're Taking A Chance With Me | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3040 | GB-4954-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| September 7, 1932 | Wrap Your Arms Around Me | Pat O'Malley & trio | Decca F-3161 | GB-4837-1 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| October 4, 1932 | Love Is The Sweetest Thing | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3253 | GB-4976-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| October 13, 1932 | Don't Say Goodbye | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3213 | GB-5022-1 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| March 14, 1933 | The Lord Mayor's Show | Pat O'Malley + others | Decca F-3519 | GB-5677-1 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| April 12, 1933 | This Is The Rhythm For Me | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3549 | GB-5753-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| June 30, 1933 | You're Mine, You | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3600 | GB-6006-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| September 16, 1933 | Happy As The Day Is Long | Pat O'Malley, Sonny Farrar & Billy Ternant | Decca F-3671 | TB-1073-3 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| October 20, 1933 | Did My Heart Beat? | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3715 | GB-6224-2 | Apr 4, 2010 |
| November 27, 1933 | By A Waterfall | Pat O'Malley | Decca F-3806 | GB-6362-1 | Apr 4, 2010 |
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Mrs. Jack Hylton and her
Orchestra Mrs Jack Hylton (Ennis Parkes) lead a dance band and toured the country for a number of years. However, she only made recordings for a short spell in 1935-36, for Crown records which were sold for 6d in Woolworths. The recordings (by Crystalate) are of their usual excellent quality and the band contains some excellent musicians. Jimmy Miller (later with the Squadronnaires) was the main vocalist, but, unusually, some members of the orchestra also sang on record. Here is a selection. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| August 8, 1935 | In A Little Gypsy Tea Room | Mrs. Jack Hylton | Crown 1 | H-137-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| October 3, 1935 | I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again | Jimmy Miller | Crown 61 | H-232-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| October 3, 1935 | One-Way Street | Jimmy Miller | Crown 110 | H-234-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| October 3, 1935 | Stolen Moments | Leslie Brian | Crown 110 | H-235-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| October 29, 1935 | I'm Looking At Blue Skies | Chick Smith | Crown 80 | H-275-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| October 29, 1935 | You Are My Lucky Star | Jimmy Miller | Crown 79 | H-276-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| December 2, 1936 | I'm Waiting For A Change In The Weather | Chick Smith | Crown 112 | H-342-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| January 8, 1936 | My Sweetest Dream | Jimmy Miller | Crown 166 | H-382-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| January 8, 1936 | Heaven | Jimmy Miller | Crown 149 | H-384-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| March 23, 1936 | Please Believe Me | Jimmy Miller | Crown 175 | H-467-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| May 16, 1936 | Love, Just Love | Jimmy Miller | Crown 185 | H-516-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| September 23, 1936 | Take My Heart | Mrs Jack Hylton | Crown 243 | H-628-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| September 23, 1936 | A Million Thoughts Of You | Jimmy Miller | Crown 243 | H-629-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
| September 23, 1936 | Shoe-Shine Boy | John Bristol | Crown 244 | H-630-1 | Apr 25, 2010 |
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Jack Jackson and his Orchestra If you remember the 1950s and 60s, you may recall Jack Jackson's manic radio shows on BBC Light Programme. It was just one part of Jack's career which started, as far as recordings are concerned with Bert Ralton's band in the mid-1920s. Jack, however, shone much more when he became the "hot" trumpeter with Jack Hylton's band in 1927, lending plenty of spice to the band's records. Jack moved to Jack Payne's band in 1931. In 1933, Jackson left Payne's band after (allegedly) an serious argument with the bandleader. Interestingly, Jackson had already secured a recording contract with HMV and a residency at the Dorchester Hotel for his band by the time he left Payne! Here is a selection of Jack's recordings with his Dorchester Hotel band between 1933 and 1939. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| February 24, 1933 | I'm Playing With Fire | Al Bowlly & trio | HMV B-6322 | 0B-6450-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| February 24, 1933 | Sitting In The Dark | Al Bowlly | HMV B-6322 | 0B-6451-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| September 18, 1933 | Make Those People Sway (Jack Jackson's sig tune) | Jack Jackson & chorus | HMV B-6402 | 0B-5087-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| September 18, 1933 | I've Found The Right Girl | Jack Jackson | HMV B-6395 | 0B-5089-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| January 16, 1934 | Faint Harmony | Sam Costa | HMV B-6448 | 0B-5857-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| April 9, 1934 | Because It's Love | Jack McCarthy | HMV B-6479 | 0B-5970-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| Srptember 24, 1934 | Sitting Beside O' You | Fred Latham | HMV B-6520 | 0EA-620-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| October 22, 1934 | Have A Little Dream On Me | Fred Latham | HMV B-6537 | 0EA-650-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| October 25, 1934 | I Travel Alone | Alberta Hunter | HMV B-6535 | 0EA-654-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| October 31, 1934 | Two Little Flies On A Lump Of Sugar | Alberta Hunter | HMV B-6541 | 0EA-662-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| December 12, 1934 | I'm On A See-Saw | Fred Latham | HMV B-6565 | 0EA-707-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| January 9, 1935 | My Heart Was Sleeping | Jackie Hunter | HMV BD-109 | 0EA-724-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| May 31, 1935 | My Heart Jumped Over The Moon | Jack Jackson | HMV BD-178 | 0EA-1890-2 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| August 14, 1935 | Turn Your Face To The Sun | Jack Jackson & Mary Cole | HMV BD-207 | 0EA-1952-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| March 19, 1936 | You Have That Extra Something | Jackie Hunter trio | HMV BD-5051 | 0EA-2714-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| November 11, 1937 | Limehouse Blues | Decca F-6568 | DTB-3370-1 | Apr 29, 2011 | |
| November 26, 1937 | The New Swing Alphabet | Jack Jackson & Jack Cooper | Decca F-6568 | DTB-3386-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
| May 2, 1938 | You're An Education | Jack Cooper | Decca F-6678 | DTB-3640-1 | Apr 29, 2011 |
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Tommy Kinsman and his Band Although Tommy Kinsman had a very long career as a bandleader, his recordings have rarely been re-issued, probably because they were made for lesser labels and are often very hard to find, especially the later Octacros recordings. This is a great pity as the band at that time shows itself to be a very competent dance band which swings well. This is a selection from Kinsman pre-WWII recording career, taken from my own collection as usual. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| March 29, 1928 | What'll You Do? | Maurice Elwn | Homochord D-1243 | HH-13133-2 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| March 29, 1928 | Mine - All Mine | Maurice Elwin | Homochord D-1243 | HH-13134-2 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| Late January 1929 | Then Came The Dawn | Maurice Elwin | Homochord D-1322 | BL-973 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. July 1929 | I'm Saving All My Lovin' | Eddie Pola | Piccadilly 349 (Florida Club Dance Band) | 2046-2 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| July 1929 | On Top Of The World, Alone | Cavan O'Connor | Sterno 203 (Florida Club Dance Band) | S-187-2 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| August 1929 | Why Can't You? | Fred Douglas | Sterno 218 (Florida Club Dance Band) | S-207-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| December 1929 | Singapore Sal | Harry Bentley | Piccadilly 444 (Eddie Harding & his Night Club Boys) | 3295-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| September 18, 1931 | Mausie | Tom Barratt | Sterno 790 | S-1858-3 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| November 9, 1931 | You Forgot Your Gloves | Harry Bentley | Sterno 826 | S-2016-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| May 25, 1932 | Lovable | Les Allen | Sterno 987 | S-2436-3 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| December 10, 1932 | Lying In The Hay | Tom Barratt | Sterno 1107 (Fifteen Crimson Dominoes) | S-2779-3 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. March 1935 | You Bring Out The Savage In Me | Clarence Wright | Octacros 1138 | 5510-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. March 1935 | Things Are Looking Up | Clarence Wright | Octacros 1145 | 5516-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. January 1936 | Thanks A Million | Octacros 1214 | 5691-1 | Feb 20, 2011 | |
| c. March 1936 | Where There's You, There's Me | Octacros 1226 | 5727-1 | Feb 20, 2011 | |
| c. June 1936 | What's The Name Of That Song? | Empire E-225 (Regal Cinema Ballroom Dance Band) | 5787-1 | Feb 20, 2011 | |
| c. September 1936 | You Can't Pull The Wool Over My Eyes | Trio | Empire E-137 (Dave Allen and his Band) | 5906-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. November 1936 | I Heard A Song In A Taxi | Tommy Kinsman | Empire E-171 (Regal Cinema Ballroom Dance Band) | 6047-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. December 1936 | South Sea Island Magic | Jack Cooper | Empire E-225 (Regal Cinema Ballroom Dance Band) | 6096-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
| c. January 1937 | "Showboat", Medley | Empire E-250 (Regal Cinema Ballroom Dance Band) | 6122-1 | Feb 20, 2011 | |
| c. February 1937 | There's "Yoo Hoo" In Your Eyes | Octacros 1388 | 6134-1 | Feb 20, 2011 |
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Charlie Kunz and his Casani
Club Band American pianist, Charlie Kunz arrived in Britain in about 1922 and made his first recordings with his Chez Henri band in 1928. He is probably best-known for his time at The Casani Club, during which period he made many recordings with his band. Here is a selection of those from 1933-1941 with an example of the earlier Chez Henry band too. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| October 16, 1928 | I'm Tired Of Waiting (Chez Henri Band) | Columbia 5076 | WA-7986 | Dec 1, 2011 | |
| August 11, 1933 | Moonstruck | Harry Bentley | Sterno 1241 | S-3168 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| September 5, 1933 | The Grass Is Getting Greener All The Time | Harry Bentley | 4 in 1 63 | X-444 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| October 11, 1933 | I Was In The Mood | Eve Becke | Sterno 1272 | S-3296 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| November 14, 1933 | You've Got Everything | Harry Bentley | Sterno 1295 | S-3396 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| January 2, 1934 | Let's Sit This One Out | Eve Becke & Harry Bentley | 4 in 1 81 | X-519 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| March 5, 1934 | Coffee In The Morning | Dawn Davis | Homochord HR-77 | S-3618 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| April 10, 1934 | Goin' To Heaven On A Mule | Harry Bentley | Sterno 1448 | S-3753 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| September 1, 1934 | Nasty Man | Phyllis Robins | Sterno 1471 | S-3946 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| April 1935 | Seein' Is Believin' | George Barclay | Rex 8497 | F-1309 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| August 1935 | Louisiana Fairy Tale | George Barclay | Rex 8560 | F-1430 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| October 1935 | In The Middle Of A Kiss | George Barclay | Rex 8624 | F-1555 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| March 1936 | Love Is A Dancing Thing | George Barclay | Rex 8729 | F-1740 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| May 1936 | Heart Of Gold | Vera Lynn | Rex 8789 | F-1843 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| October 1936 | I Breathe On Windows | George Barclay | Rex 8917 | F-2057 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| January 1937 | When My Dream Boat Comes Home | Vera Lynn | Rex 8964 | F-2135 | Dec 1, 2011 |
| March 12, 1941 | That's For Me | Decca F-7818 | DR-5460 | Dec 1, 2011 |
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Syd Lipton and his Grosvenor
House Band Syd Lipton had previously played (and recorded ) with Billy Cotton's band in the late 1920s, on violin and (apparently) saxophone. He formed his own band at the start of the 1930s and made many recordings for Zonophone and British Homophone (Sterno, Plaza, 4 in 1 etc). These latter recordings are the ones from which I have taken a selection for including here. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| October 7, 1932 | When The Morning Rolls Around | Les Allen | 4 in 1 12 | X-180 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| November 2, 1932 | Little Miss Gadabout | Les Allen | 4 in 1 17 | X-213 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| December 1, 1932 | Say It Isn't So | Les Allen | 4 in 1 24 | X-250 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| December 30, 1932 | Ev'ryone Says "I Love You" | Cyril Grantham | 4 in 1 30 | X-268 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| February 23, 1933 | I'm Sure Of Everything But You | Cyril Grantham and trio | 4 in 1 34 | X-301 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| June 9, 1933 | The Language Of Love | Sam Browne | 4 in 1 50 | X-392 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| June 9, 1933 | I'm In Love With A Sunbeam | Cyril Grantham | 4 in 1 51 | X-393 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| June 30, 1933 | You're Mine, You | Cyril Grantham | 4 in 1 55 | X-410 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| August 1, 1933 | I Promised Sally | Sam Browne | Plaza P-126 | L-1108 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| August 1, 1933 | Everything's Fine With Me | Cyril Grantham | Plaza P-127 | L-1110 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| September 26, 1933 | That's What Life Is Made Of | Ronnie Ogilvie | Plaza P-141 | L-1210 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| October 17, 1933 | Moonlight And Melody, selection | Les Allen & Ronnie Ogilvie | 4 in 1 72 | X-475 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| May 28, 1934 | May I? | Jack Plant | Sterno 1456 | S-3827 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| October 23, 1934 | I Bought Myself A Bottle Of Ink | Gerry Fitzgerald | Sterno 1521 | S-4049 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| December 14, 1934 | What A Diff'rence A Day Made | Gerry Fitzgerald | Peacock BP-634 | S-4141 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| February 14, 1935 | I've Got An Invitation To A Dance | Gerry Fitzgerald | Sterno 1576 | S-4224 | Dec 25, 2010 |
| July 30, 1935 | Lovely To Look At | Sam Browne | Cinecord 014 | S-4269 | Dec 25, 2010 |
|
The London Radio Dance Band This band was directed by Sidney Firman and was the precursor to Jack Payne's famous BBC Dance Orchestra. The London Radio Dance Band was the BBC house band for dancing from 1926 to 1928. The few reviews of the band's broadcasts I have seen tend to criticise the band for playing too fast to be danced to. Anyway, here are all that I have in my collection; one or two are a bit battered, but I have included them anyway as it is unlikely you'll be able to find them elsewhere! Following the band's replacement at the BBC, they made one session for Edison Bell (for their Radio label), now under saxophonist Jack Padbury's direction. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label, Issue No. & Pseudonym | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| October 26, 1926 | Who Taught You This - Who Taught You That? | Columbia 4171 | WA-4322 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| October 25, 1926 | No, Sir! That's Not My Girl | Columbia 4172 | WA-4323 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| November 24, 1926 | Brown Eyes, In Your Dreams | Columbia 4245 | WA-4518 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| January 13, 1927 | Indian Butterfly | Columbia 4280 | WA-4695 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| June 17, 1927 | In A Japanese Garden | Columbia 4556 | WA-5712 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| June 17, 1927 | Mine | Columbia 4556 | WA-5714 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| October 31, 1927 | The Devil Is Afraid Of Music | Columbia 4669 | WA-6458 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| October 31, 1927 | Castillian Nights | Columbia 4669 | WA-6459 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| October 31, 1927 | At The End Of An Irish Moonbeam | Bert Bown | Columbia 4701 | WA-6460 | Dec 4 2010 |
| October 31, 1927 | Clementine | Columbia 4701 | WA-6461 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| November 10, 1927 | Under The Moon | Columbia 4670 | WA-6519 | Dec 4 2010 | |
| November 10, 1927 | Why Can't We Be Sweethearts? | Bert Bown | Columbia 4670 | WA-6520 | Dec 4 2010 |
| November 10, 1927 | Zulu Wail | Bert Bown | Columbia 4685 | WA-6521 | Dec 4 2010 |
| February 7, 1928 | Do That Heebie-Jeebie Dance | Bert Bown | Columbia 4726 | WA-6917 | Dec 4 2010 |
| February 7, 1928 | Sister Phoebe Danced The Heebie-Jeebies | Bert Bown | Columbia 4726 | WA-6918 | Dec 4 2010 |
| February 7, 1928 | I Ain't Got Nobody | Bert Bown | Columbia 4766 | WA-6823 | Dec 4 2010 |
| March 1928 | Didn't I? | Bert Bown & another | Radio 830 | 88067 | Dec 4 2010 |
| March 1928 | It's A Million To One You're In Love | Bert Bown | Radio 830 | 88068 | Dec 4 2010 |
| March 1928 | Highways Are Happy Ways | Bert Bown | Radio 832 | 88071 | Dec 4 2010 |
|
Jock McDermott and his Band Trombonist McDermott and his band were resident at the Carlton Hotel in 1930 before moving to play Covent Garden. Most of his recordings were for Piccadilly records, with later sessions for Edison Bell, Broadcast, Sterno and Octacros. Here is a selection from my collection |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label, Issue No. & Pseudonym | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| September 1930 | Persian Slave | unknown | Piccadilly 660 | 3905-2 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| September 1930 | Scarecrow | unknown | Piccadilly 660 | 3910-2 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| Nov-Dec 1930 | With My Guitar And You | Fred Douglas | Piccadilly 682 | 4072-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| Nov-Dec 1930 | Hullabaloo | Fred Douglas | Piccadilly 694 | 4079-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| December 1930 | Dear! Dear! | Jack Plant | Piccadilly 690 | 4092-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| December 1930 | Roamin' Thru' The Roses | Jack Plant | Piccadilly 692 | 4096-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| January 1931 | Nobody Cares If I'm Blue | Jimmy Allen | Piccadilly 705 (as Al Stewart's New Mexicans) | 4129-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| January 1931 | Love Is Like A Song | Jimmy Allen | Piccadilly 706 | 4134-2 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| January 1931 | Always In All Ways | Jimmy Allen | Piccadilly 710 (as Al Stewart's New Mexicans) | 4145-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| February 1931 | Make Yourself A Happiness Pie | unknown | Piccadilly 718 (as Al Stewart's New Mexicans) | 4190-2 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| February 1931 | Okay, Baby | unknown | Piccadilly 719 (as Al Stewart's New Mexicans) | 4194-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| c. January 5, 1932 | Hold My Hand | Al Bowlly | Edison Bell Winner 5458 | 14115-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| February 1932 | I'm Sorry, Dear | Tom Barratt | Broadcast 827 | J-89-2 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| March 11, 1932 | Songs That Are Old Live Forever | Leslie Holmes | Edison Bell Winner 5473 | 14179-2 | Jan 30, 2011 |
| February 2, 1934 | Faint Harmony | Leslie Douglas | Sterno 1366 | S-3549-1 | Jan 30, 2011 |
|
Pete Mandell and his Rhythm
Masters American banjoist, Pete Mandell arrived in England in 1923 and playing in the newly-formed Savoy Orpheans before forming his own band. In 1929-30 he made a number of recordings at Crystalate, mostly issued on their 7" Victory records, and a few on standard 10" Imperial. Mandell returned to America in June 1930. Here are the Victory recordings. They present a bit of a technical problem to play due to the groove going so close to the centre of the record and also they often play at about 75 rpm. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label, Issue No. & Pseudonym | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| November 14, 1929 | Singing In The Rain | unknown | Victory 155 (as Victory Band) | 749-4 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| January 8, 1930 | Love, Your Spell Is Everywhere | Fred Douglas | Victory 183 | 817-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| January 8, 1930 | Lonesome Little Doll | Fred Douglas | Victory 184 | 818-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| January 8, 1930 | The Doll's House | Fred Douglas | Victory 185 | 819-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| February 4, 1930 | Piccolo Pete | Fred Douglas | Victory 197 (as Victory Dance Orchestra) | 821-3 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| March 22, 1930 | The Punch And Judy Show | Jack Plant | Victory 213 | 885-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| March 22, 1930 | Tip-Toe Thru' The Tulips | Jack Plant | Victory 212 | 887-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| March 22, 1930 | I May Be Wrong, But I Think You're Wonderful | Jack Plant | Victory 214 | 888-2 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| March 22, 1930 | You Baby Me - I'll Baby You | Jack Plant | Victory 209 | 889-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| March 22, 1930 | Oh! Oh! Oh! What I Know About Love | Jack Plant | Victory 211 | 891-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| April 17, 1930 | The Wedding In The Ark | Jack Plant | Victory 221 | 902-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| April 17, 1930 | My Love Parade | Jack Plant | Victory 222 | 905-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| April 17, 1930 | My Love Parade | Victory 222 | 905-2 | Sep 3, 2011 | |
| April 17, 1930 | Singing In The Bath Tub | Jack Plant | Victory 223 | 906-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| April 17, 1930 | I'm Just A Vagabond Lover | Jack Plant | Victory 224 | 907-1 | Sep 3, 2011 |
| May 5, 1930 | Body And Soul | Jack Plant | Victory 231 | 904-4 | Sep 3, 2011 |
|
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 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| September 1930 | If Your Kisses Can't Hold The Man You Love | Goodson 256 (The Ritz-Carlton Band) | S-58 | Jun 28, 2009 | |
| October 1930 | I Don't Mind Walking In The Rain | Jack Plant | Goodson 305 (The Savoy Plaza Band) | S-75 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| October 1930 | Take Along A Little Love | Jack Plant | Goodson 306 (The Savoy Plaza Band) | S-77 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| October 1930 | After Your Kiss | Jack Plant | Goodson 302 (The Radio Revellers) | S-80 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| October 1930 | Little White Lies | Jack Plant | Goodson 308 (The Collegians) | S-81 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| November 1930 | Loving You The Way I Do | Jack Plant | Goodson 310 (The White Way Serenaders) | S-88 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| November 1930 | Without My Gal | Jack Plant | Goodson 310 (The White Way Serenaders) | S-89 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| December 1930 | Who Cares ? (As Long As There's Love) | Jack Plant | Goodson 320 (The Savoy Plaza Band) | S-119 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| Jan-Feb 1931 | Okay, Baby | Cavan O'Connor | Goodson 330 (The Savoy Plaza Band) | S-146 | Jun 28, 2009 |
| Jan-Feb 1931 | Sing A Happy Little Thing | Jack Plant | Goodson 331 (The Radio Revellers) | S-151 | Jun 28, 2009 |
|
Jack Payne One of our best-loved and best remembered bandleaders, Jack Payne's first recordings were with his band from the Hotel Cecil, before he became leader of the BBC dance Orchestra in 1928. In 1932, he left the BBC and became leader of a stage dance band, making many more recordings up until WWII. Here is a selection of recordings from his BBC days. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| October 19, 1928 | Down By The Old Front Gate | Jack Payne and trio | Columbia 5118 | WA-8013 | July 10, 2011 |
| March 21, 1929 | Looking At You | Jack Payne | Columbia 5332 | WA-8731 | July 10, 2011 |
| June 27, 1929 | This Is Heaven | Jack Payne | Columbia 5452 | WA-9132 | July 10, 2011 |
| August 27, 1929 | Get Up Nice And Early | Leslie Sarony; Tommy Handley | Columbia 5555 | WA-9376 | July 10, 2011 |
| December 12, 1929 | Satisfied | Columbia 5678 | WA-9827 | July 10, 2011 | |
| March 1, 1930 | The Man From The South | Jack Payne | Columbia CB-28 | WA-10130 | July 10, 2011 |
| June 28, 1930 | With My Guitar And You | Jack Plant | Columbia CB-107 | WA-10512 | July 10, 2011 |
| September 26, 1930 | That's Where The South Begins | Jack Payne | Columbia CB-143 | WA-10709 | July 10, 2011 |
| October 20, 1930 | Say "Oui", Cherie | Jack Payne | Columbia CB-174 | WA-10804 | July 10, 2011 |
| December 13, 1930 | I Want A Little Girl | Jack Payne | Columbia CB-208 | WA-10976 | July 10, 2011 |
| February 17, 1931 | When Kentucky Bids The World "Good Morning" | Jack Payne | Columbia CB-233 | CA-11207 | July 10, 2011 |
| April 23, 1931 | Come And Have A Cuddle On The Common | Jack Payne; Jack Jackson | Columbia CB-275 | CA-11486 | July 10, 2011 |
| June 12, 1931 | Moonlight Saving Time | Billy Scott-Coomber | Columbia CB-308 | CA-11711 | July 10, 2011 |
| June 25, 1931 | I Found You | Jack Payne | Columbia CB-320 | CA-11752 | July 10, 2011 |
| September 25, 1931 | That's What I Like About You | Billy Scott-Coomber; Jack Payne | Columbia CB-358 | CA-12009 | July 10, 2011 |
| October 26, 1931 | Rhythmatitis | Jack Payne, Billy Scott-Coomber | Regal MR-496 | CA-12131 | July 10, 2011 |
| November 21, 1931 | Guilty | Billy Scott-Coomber | Columbia CB-386 | CA-12205 | July 10, 2011 |
|
Van Phillips Saxophonist, arranger and composer Van Phillips was appointed Columbia's director of popular music in October 1928, a post he held until his resignation in February 1931. During that period he made about 3 dozen recordings under his name with a hand-picked dance band, primarily to showcase his advanced orchestration ideas. About half of those recordings are to be found here. From aural evidence, he was also heavily involved with the other bands recordings for Columbia & Regal, providing arrangements: Debroy Somers, Jack Payne, Ray & Al Starita and Hal Swain. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| November 13, 1928 | Sometimes (waltz) | Al Bowlly | Columbia 5209 | WA-8089-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| November 28, 1928 | A Garden In The Rain | Eddie Brandt | Columbia 5191 | WA-8041-6 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| January 7, 1929 | The Five Step | Eddie Brandt | Columbia 5245 | WA-8300-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| January 29. 1929 | I'm Sorry, Sally | Eddie Brandt | Columbia 5265 | WA-8476-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| November 25, 1929 | Aren't We All ? | Billy Milton | Columbia 5512 | WA-9728-4 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| January 14, 1930 | I'm Like A Sailor | Billy Milton | Columbia CB-6 | WA-9941-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| March 3, 1930 | The Wind In The Willows | Billy Milton | Columbia CB-30 | WA-10136-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| April 17, 1930 | Reach Out For A Rainbow | Sam Browne | Columbia CB-97 | WA-10275-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| April 17, 1930 | I'd Rather Have A Memory Of You | Sam Browne | Columbia CB-60 | WA-10294-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| April 29, 1930 | Just Like In A Story Book | Sam Browne | Columbia CB-67 | WA-10324-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| October 3, 1930 | Without My Gal | Billy Milton | Columbia CB-146 | WA-10726-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| October 3, 1930 | Take Along A Little Love | Columbia CB-160 | WA-10728-2 | Oct 8, 2011 | |
| October 13, 1930 | Living A Life Of Dreams | Lou Abelardo | Columbia CB-158 | WA-10765-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| October 13, 1930 | Two Of Everything | Lou Abelardo | Columbia CB-150 | WA-10767-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| October 20, 1930 | Why Am I So Romantic ? | Lou Abelardo | Columbia CB-161 | WA-10810-1 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| November 12, 1930 | I'm Doin' That Thing | Maurice Elwin | Columbia CB-171 | WA-10895-1 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| November 12, 1930 | Dancing On The Ceiling | Maurice Elwin | Columbia CB-172 | WA-10898-2 | Oct 8, 2011 |
|
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 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| May 9, 1933 | Deep Water | Elsie Carlisle | Plaza P-103 (Brockman's Band) | L-995 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| June 27, 1933 | Hiawatha's Lullaby | Jack Plant | Plaza P-116 (Ben Fields & his Band) | L-1081 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| August 9, 1933 | Shuffle Off To Buffalo | Harry Bentley | Plaza P-128 (The Crackerjacks) | L-1128 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| August 9, 1933 | You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me | Harry Bentley | Plaza P-128 (The Crackerjacks) | L-1129 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| August 9, 1933 | I Don't Like Her Dog Fido | Dan Donovan | Plaza P-186 (Plaza Dance Band) | L-1131 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| September 29, 1933 | Night And Day | Dan Donovan | Plaza P-157 (Plaza Dance Band) | L-1229 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| September 29, 1933 | Weep No More, My Baby | Dan Donovan | Plaza P-177 (The Twelve Cavaliers) | L-1231 | Aug 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 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| October 12, 1933 | Give A Cheer | Dan Donovan | Plaza P-157 (Plaza Dance Band) | L-1262 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| October 12, 1933 | The Golden King Shuffle | Lewis L-28 (Ben Findley's Dance Band) | L-1264 | Aug 31, 2009 | |
| October 12, 1933 | Romany Blues | Plaza P-155 (Alf Bertram & his Band) | L-1265 | Aug 31, 2009 | |
| October 12, 1933 | Betcha Life I Do | Harry Davis | Plaza P-165 (The Twelve Cavaliers) | L-1266 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| October 12, 1933 | Wasting The Evening Away | Dan Donovan | Plaza P-389 (Al Gold & his Band) | L-1267 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| November 3, 1933 | It's The Talk Of The Town | Harry Davis | Plaza P-193 (Art Willis & his Band) | L-1321 | Aug 31, 2009 |
| January 18, 1934 | Violet Ray Blues | Plaza P-209 (Willie Freeman's Dance O) | L-1442 | Aug 31, 2009 | |
| January 18, 1934 | Hawaiian Dream Of Love | Harry Bentley | Plaza P-210 (Tony Miller & his Band) | L-1444 | Aug 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 | Mar 28, 2009 | |
| November 30, 1925 | Headin' For Home | Columbia 3825 | WA-2929 | Mar 26, 2009 | |
| December 17, 1925 | Over My Shoulder | Columbia 3860 | WA-2665 | Mar 28, 2009 | |
| February 13, 1926 | The Two Of Us | Columbia 3910 | WA-2864 | Mar 28, 2009 | |
| May 21, 1926 | Carolina | Harry Shalson | Columbia 4019 | WA-3295 | Mar 28, 2009 |
| July 2, 1926 | Could I? I Certainly Could | Harry Shalson | Columbia 4041 | WA-3533 | Mar 28, 2009 |
| July 2, 1926 | The Pump Song | Bert Ralton | Columbia 4042 | WA-3535 | Mar 28, 2009 |
| July 2, 1926 | Fiddle-Dee-Dee-Dee-Dee | Bert Ralton | Columbia 4042 | WA-3536 | Mar 28, 2009 |
| September 1, 1926 | I Never See Maggie Alone | Bert Ralton | Columbia 4092 | WA-3829 | Mar 28, 2009 |
|
Rio Grande Band The Rio Grande Tango Band was a band of Spanish and Italian musicians which had been making recordings for HMV from late 1925; mainly recordings of tangos and other Spanish dances, as one would expect. However, in late 1927 to early 1928, a series of recordings by a more conventional dance band was made using the plainer "Rio Grande Band" name. The musicians are largely unidentified, but it is believed the director and vocalist was Roger Del Castro. Here are most of their recordings of this period; they consist of minor dance crazes of the period: Yale Blues, Heebie Jeebeies and Stop Trots. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| September 19, 1927 | Zulu Wail | HMV B-5355 (as Rio Grande Tango Band) | Bb-11398-1 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| September 19, 1927 | A Blue Serenade | HMV B-5355 (as Rio Grande Tango Band) | Bb-11399-2 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| November 1, 1927 | Baltimore | HMV B-5392 | Bb-11872-2 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| November 1, 1927 | No-One But You Knows How To Love | HMV B-5392 | Bb-11873-3 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| November 1, 1927 | I Call You Sugar | HMV B-5389 | Bb-11874-3 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| November 1, 1927 | Every Little Thing I Do | HMV B-5389 | Bb-11875-3 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| February 7, 1928 | Do That Heebie Jeebie Dance | HMV B-5438 | Bb-12677-3 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| February 7, 1928 | Sister Phoebe's Danced The Heebie Jeebies | HMV B-5438 | Bb-12678-2 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| April 24, 1928 | Give Me A Tune To Set Me Dancin' | HMV B-5505 | Bb-13225-1 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| April 24, 1928 | The Stop Trot | HMV B-5478 | Bb-13226-2 | Aug 12, 2011 | |
| April 24, 1928 | Broken-Hearted Sue | Roger del Castro | HMV B-5478 | Bb-13227-1 | Aug 12, 2011 |
| June 29, 1928 | Sentimental Baby | Roger del Castro | HMV B-5505 | Bb-13892-2 | Aug 12, 2011 |
|
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 |
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The Savoy Orpheans First formed in 1923 under the direction of Debroy Somers, The Savoy Orpheans were meant to be a more British band to balance the Americans in the Savoy Havana Band. However the band included some American musicians and the influence of the Americans, whose ideas were more advanced than the British musicians at the time, helped to provide a top-flight band. Both bands played at the Savoy Hotel in London. Here are some recordings from 1925-27. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| October 30, 1925 | Dinah | HMV B-2183 | Bb-7133 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| December 22, 1925 | In A Little Bungalow | HMV B-2251 | Bb-7574 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| January 21, 1926 | Clap Hands! Here Comes Charley | chorus | HMV B-5003 | Bb-7751 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| February 16, 1926 | Headin' For Louisville | HMV B-5017 | Bb-7902 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| February 16, 1926 | No Man's Mamma | HMV B-5017 | Bb-7904 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| March 23, 1926 | Fascinating Rhythm | HMV B-5030 | Bb-8146 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| April 19, 1926 | Somebody's Eyes | HMV B-5063 | Bb-8366 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| June 11, 1926 | I'd Rather Charleston | Ramon Newton & Estelle Brody | HMV B-5085 | Bb-8528 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| October 23, 1926 | How Many Times? | Ramon Newton & Joe Cassidy | HMV B-5147 | Bb-9104 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| December 2, 1926 | That's A Good Girl | HMV B-5182 | Bb-9644 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| December 22, 1926 | Hop Skip | HMV B-5198 | Bb-9797 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| Januaary 28, 1927 | I'm Telling The Birds | HMV B-5214 | Bb-10109 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| March 2, 1927 | Idolising | HMV B-5230 | Bb-10233 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| April 27, 1927 | Tea-Time Tomorrow | HMV B-5272 | Bb-10650 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| July 1, 1927 | Me And My Shadow | HMV B-5300 | Bb-11081 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| July 1, 1927 | The Blue Room | Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce | HMV B-5322 | Bb-11082 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| August 16, 1927 | There's Always A Way Into Trouble | Ramon Newton | HMV B-5338 | Bb-11188 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| September 30, 1927 | Yale Blues | HMV B-5369 | Bb-11560 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| September 30, 1927 | Moonlit Waters | Ramon Newton | HMV B-5369 | Bb-11561 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| October 17, 1927 | Blue Baby | Ramon Newton | HMV B-5382 | Bb-11830 | Oct 2, 2010 |
| November 11, 127 | Lonely Melody | HMV B-5404 | Bb-11915 | Oct 2, 2010 | |
| November 30, 1927 | Underneath The Wabash Moon | HMV B-5419 | Bb-12073 | Oct 2, 2010 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Lew Stone and his Band Lew Stone's Monseigneur Band of the early 1930s was, at the time, and since, considered to be one of the best. While I generally agree with this, I feel that his later recordings are somewhat overlooked, so here is a selection of late 1930s Lew Stone recordings. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| November 9, 1935 | Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart | Sam Browne | Decca F-5782 | TB-2052-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| November 9, 1935 | Etude | Decca F-5783 | TB-2055-1 | Jul 10, 2010 | |
| April 16, 1936 | The Glory Of Love | Alfie Noakes, Joe Crossman & Don Barrigo | Decca F-5960 | TB-2114-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| October 6, 1936 | Unbelievable | Bert Yarlett | Decca F-6133 | TB-2531-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| November 20, 1936 | Sing Me A Swing Song | Tiny Winters | Decca F-6289 | TB-2652-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| June 1, 1937 | Was It Rain? | Sam Costa | Decca F-6409 | TB-3089-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| July 3, 1937 | Slumming On Park Avenue | Joe Crossman | Decca F-6451 | TB-3135-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| September 6, 1937 | The Wind And The Rain | Sam Costa | Decca F-6469 | DTB-3215-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| March 21, 1938 | An Amazon Goes A-Wooing | Decca F-6679 | DTB-3609-1 | Jul 10, 2010 | |
| August 15, 1938 | I Won't Tell A Soul | Al Bowlly | Decca F-6763 | DR-2854-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| September 26, 1938 | Plastered In Paris | Decca F-6796 | DR-2929-1 | Jul 10, 2010 | |
| November 28, 1938 | All Ashore | Al Bowlly | Decca F-6890 | DR-3119-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| January 30, 1940 | I Want The Waiter (With Thw Water) | Sid Colin & chorus | Decca F-7397 | DR-4258-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
| May 10, 1940 | Too Romantic | Wendy Claire | Decca F-7490 | DR-4651-1 | Jul 10, 2010 |
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Hal Swain and his Band Born in Yorkshire, Hal Swain emigrated to Canada while a youngster. He returned to Britain in the early 1920s with a band which became called The New Princes' Toronto Band when it played at the New Princes Restaurant. He left the band in early 1926 and later formed a new band for the New Princes, later playing at the Cafe Royal and the Kit- Cat Restaurant. Hal Swain & his bands recorded for Regal, Broadcast and Imperial between 1927 and 1931. Here is a selection of his recordings. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| June 20, 1927 | Half-A-Moon | Hal Swain | Regal G-8903 | WA-5729-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| May 4, 1928 | Sunny Skies | Trio | Regal G-9130 | WA-7327-1 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| January 2, 1929 | You're In My Heart, But Never In My Arms | Hal Swain | Regal G-9252 | WA-8283-1 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| February 21, 1929 | I'm A One-Man Girl | Hal Swain | Regal G-9295 | WA-8586-1 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| May 13, 1929 | Ever So Goosey | Hal Swain & Cecil Woods | Regal G-9363 | WA-9008-1 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| September 26, 1929 | Excuse Me, Lady | Hal Swain | Regal G-9436 | WA-9581-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| February 13, 1930 | Duke Of Ka-Ki-Ak | Tom Barratt | Regal MR-30 | WAR-17-1 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| November 1930 | That's Where The South Begins | Hal Swain | Broadcast 652 | Z-1755-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| February 1931 | Here Comes The Sun | unidentified | Broadcast 688 | Z-1853-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| April 1931 | The Little Things In Life | Tom Barratt | Broadcast 709 | Z-1948-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| June 1931 | Lazy Day | Jack Plant | Imperial 2505 | 5742-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| September 1931 | If You're Really And Truly In Love | Hal Swain | Imperial 2565 | 5839-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
| December 1931 | Yes! Yes! (My Baby Said "Yes") | Hal Swain | Imperial 2608 | 5926-2 | Mar 18, 2010 |
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Jay Whidden and his Band American-born Jay Whidden came to England in partnership with Con Conrad as music-hall artists in the early years of the 20th century. In the mid-1920s he formed an alo-British band to play at the Hotel Metropole, making a number of recordings for Columbia. In 1928 he moved to the Carlton Hotel with a new band and made recorings for Imperial and Victory. Following a solitary session at Decca in 1930, Jay returned to America for good. |
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The Imperial recordings Imperial records, made by The Crystalate Manufacturing Company, had not long introduced Electrical recording when they signed Jay Whidden's Carlton Hotel Band. The recordings are not of the best quality, but the band is good, and helped by some excellent arrangements by Peter Yorke, Lew Stone and the band's own Johnny Swinfen. The hot trumpet heard on many of the sides is the work of Max Goldberg, added to the band for recordings only. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No. | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| August 16, 1928 | Blue Bird, Sing Me A Song | Imperial 1935 | 4932-2 | May 15, 2010 | |
| September 14, 1928 | I Want To Be Alone With Mary Brown | Phil Arnold | Imperial 1957 | 4964-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 5, 1928 | Just A Little Kiss | Jay Whidden | Imperial 1971 | 4997-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 19, 1928 | Sascatchewan | Jay Whidden | Imperial 1982 | 5018-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 19, 1928 | Virginia (There's A Blue Ridge In My Heart) | Jay Whidden | Imperial 1982 | 5019-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 19, 1928 | Sweet Ukulele Maid | Jay Whidden | Imperial 1981 | 5020-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| November 9, 1928 | All By Yourself In The Moonlight | Jay Whidden | Imperial 1996 | 5048-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| January 11, 1929 | She's A Great, Great Girl | Jay Whidden's Rhythm Boys | Imperial 2010 | 5080-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| January 14, 1929 | Louisiana | Fred Douglas | Imperial 2024 | 5086-3 | May 15, 2010 |
| January 14, 1929 | I'm Crazy Over You | Fred Douglas | Imperial 2025 | 5089-3 | May 15, 2010 |
| April 1929 | Spread A Little Happiness | Fred Douglas | Imperial 2053 | 5177-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| April 1929 | A Dicky Bird Told Me So | Fred Douglas | Imperial 2053 | 5178-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| June 12, 1929 | Is Izzy Azzy Wozz? | Fred Douglas | Imperial 2089 | 5215-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| June 12, 1929 | When I Met Connie In The Cornfield | Fred Douglas | Imperial 2088 | 5217-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| July 1929 | Looking At You | Jay Whidden | Imperial 2113 | 5251-2 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 11, 1929 | Hittin' The Ceiling | Jay Whidden | Imperial 2127 | 5275-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 11, 1929 | Hot Footin' It | Jay Whidden | Imperial 2127 | 5276-1 | May 15, 2010 |
| October 11, 1929 | I'm Thirsty For Kisses, Hungry For Love | Jay Whidden | Imperial 2126 | 5277-1 | May 15, 2010 |
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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. We start with some Dominion recordings; these are hard to find in decent condition and have quite a harsh recording sound. Then some Eclipses to follow. |
| Recording Date | Tune Title | Vocalist(s) | Label & Issue No & Pseudonym | Matrix No. | Upload Date |
| October, 1928 | A Room With A View | Eddie Gross-Bart | Dominion A-10 (as Deauville Dance Orch.) | 1001-4 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| October, 1928 | Stay Out Of The South | Eddie Gross-Bart | Dominion A-5 (as Midnight Serenaders) | 1004-3 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| October, 1928 | Sweet So-And-So | Eddie Gross-Bart | Dominion A-15 (as Midnight Serenaders) | 1008-1 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| October, 1928 | Down By The Old Front Gate | Eddie Bross-Bart | Dominion A-20 | 1014-1 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| November, 1928 | Roll Away, Clouds | Eddie Gross-Bart | Dominion A-17 | 1036-2 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| December, 1928 | Where Have You Been All My Life? | Tom Barratt | Dominion A-22 | 1057-2 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| December, 1928 | All By Yourself In The Moonlight | Jack Hart | Dominion A-50 (as Midnight Serenaders) | 1062-2 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| December, 1928 | Oh! What A Night To Love | Jack Hart | Dominion A-51 (as Midnight Serenaders) | 1082-2 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| December, 1928 | What A Wonderful Wedding That Will Be | Jack Hart | Dominion A-54 | 1087-1 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| December, 1928 | Nobody's Fault But Your Own | Jack Hart | Dominion A-53 (as Deauville Dance Orch.) | 1090-2 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| January, 1929 | I'm Crazy Over You | Jack Hart & Cavan O'Connor | Dominion A-64 | 1095-3 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| February, 1929 | I Ain't Never Been Kissed | Cavan O'Connor | Dominion A-82 (as Deauville Dance Orch.) | 1143-3 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| February, 1929 | My Southern Home | Tom Barratt | Dominion A-81 | 1151-1 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| March, 1929 | Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love | Tom Barratt & Jack Hart | Dominion A-91 | 1182-2 | Dec 26, 2011 |
| February 2, 1931 | Here Comes The Sun | David O'Rourke | Eclipse 21 (as The Connecticut Collegians) | JW-124 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| February 3, 1931 | Go Home And Tell Your Mother | Jack Plant | Eclipse 14 (as The Connecticut Collegians) | JW-130 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| March 24, 1931 | Love Birds Are Better Than Blue Birds | Jack Plant | Eclipse 65 (as The Biltmore Players | JW-153 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| March 24, 1931 | You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me | Jack Plant | Eclipse 27 (as The Connecticut Collegians) | JW-155 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| May 18, 1931 | When I Heard You Say "I Love You " | Jack Plant | Eclipse 45 (as The Connecticut Collegians) | JW-242 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| May 26, 1931 | Would You Like To Take A Walk? | Les Allen | Eclipse 58 (as The Connecticut Collegians) | JW-256 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| August 19, 1931 | Time On My Hands | Jack Plant | Eclipse 78 (as The Hottentots) | JW-312 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| September 3, 1931 | Tie A Little String Around Your Finger | Billy Scott-Coomber | Eclipse 91 (as The Ambassadors Twelve) | JW-363 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| September 4, 1931 | Pardon Me, Pretty Baby | Les Allen | Eclipse 96 (as The Radio Syncopators | JW-354 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| October 14, 1931 | I Wonder Who's Under Her Window Tonight | Les Allen | Eclipse 113 (as The Hottentots) | JW-405 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| November 13, 1931 | I Left My Heart In Panama | Les Allen | Eclipse 132 (as The Radio Syncopators) | JW-475 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| 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 15, 1931 | Yes, Yes, My Baby Said Yes! | Les Allen | Eclipse 165 (as The Hottentots) | JW-524 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| 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 |
| January 22, 1932 | When All's Said And Done | Cavan O'Connor | Eclipse 157 (as The Radio Syncopators) | JW-551 | Aug 9, 2010 |
| March 17, 1932 | I Only Hear The Echo | Jack Plant | Eclipse 178 (as The Ambassadors Twelve) | JW-593 | Aug 9, 2010 |
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George 'Scott' Wood 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.). I have now added some of George's Regal-Zonophone recordings from the 1930s. At this period he was musical director for light music at EMI, and was also involved in writing arrangements for Harry Roy's band recording for Parlophone. You may see some similarities in sound with Roy's band on some sides. |
| 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 2009 |
| February 1931 | We're Friends Again | Maurice Elwin, Fred Douglas and one other | Parlophone R-901 | E-3960-2 | Nov 2009 |
| April 1931 | Happy I Found You | Maurice Elwin plus one | Ariel 4744 (as Ariel Dance Orch.) | E-4053-2 | Nov 2009 |
| October 10, 1933 | After You, Who? | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1064 | CAR-2249-1 | Nov 2010 |
| October 30, 1933 | This Is Romance | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1135 | CAR-2354-1 | Nov 2010 |
| December 2, 1933 | Come Up And See Me Sometime | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1171 | CAR-2424-1 | Nov 2010 |
| January 4, 1934 | Who Walks In When I Walk Out? | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1192 | CAR-2463-1 | Nov 2010 |
| February 8, 1934 | Dixie Lee | Trio | Regal-Zonophone MR-1231 | CAR-2549-1 | Nov 2010 |
| March 23, 1934 | Keep Tempo | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1296 | CAR-2644-1 | Nov 2010 |
| March 23, 1934 | Let's Fall In Love | Sam Browne | Regal-Zonophone MR-1285 | CAR-2645-1 | Nov 2010 |
| October 13, 1934 | Sitting Beside O' You | Harry Bentley | Regal-Zonophone MR-1455 | CAR-2936-1 | Nov 2010 |
| December 3, 1934 | I Only Have Eyes For You | Jack Plant | Regal-Zonophone MR-1524 | CAR-3083-1 | Nov 2010 |
| November 12, 1935 | Magic | unknown |
Regal-Zonophone MR-1927 (as "The Moonlight Revellers") |
CAR-3720-1 | Nov 2010 |
| October 25, 1937 | Then You've Never Been In Love | Sam Costa |
Regal-Zonophone MR-2613 (as "Wally Bishop and his Band") |
CAR-4718-1 | Nov 2010 |
| October 12, 1938 | It's The Rhythm In Me | Sam Costa |
Regal-Zonophone MR-2885 (as "Wally Bishop and his Band") |
CAR-5131-1 | Nov 2010 |
| April 15, 1939 | Good For Nothin' | Sam Costa |
Regal-Zonophone MR-3050 (as "Wally Bishop and his Band") |
CAR-5377-1 | Nov 2010 |
This page was first created on February 1st, 2009. Last Updated January 28, 2012.