Dec 11, 2020
Four tracks from Bob Skyles and his Skyrockets- Swinging with the accordion man, I want to live in Loveland and Swing it Mr drummer man. Classic Kendrick Brothers catchy fun from 1938. Donald Peers is a new artist to me. He had a long career and had his own TV show in the 1960s. He sings the lovely- After the sun's kissed the world goodbye. We love daft records here and Al and Pete Livingstone provide that very thing in Eleven more months and 10 more days. Its on the the budget label, Mayfair. Also Frankie Laine, Benny Goodman with vocals by Peggy Lee, Geraldo with vocals by the Doreen Villiers, Hal Kemp with My troubles are over(1928). I play both sides of a Andy Kirk and his clouds of Joy record. Kirk ran the band from the back row and the orchestra was heavily influenced by two women, June Richmond who sings and conducts on Take those blues away and Mary Lou Williams who composed the second song Scratching the gravel. Williams was a pianist and composer, friend and influence to so many major stars, musicians and band leaders. Two tracks also from Jean Goldkette- Pretty girl stomp and So tired. That last track was recorded on 12/12/ 1927 and has vocals by Hoagy Carmichael. Goldkette has a fascinating history. Born in France, well it may have been Greece. Father was unnamed but his mother was a Danish circus performer. He moved to the US and had a long, successful career. Penultimate record is- If I had a talking picture of you. Such an evocation of the new phenomenon of talking pictures. Rodman Lewis does a delightful version. Lewis sang under 29 different aliases. We finish with Bob and the boys and Moonlight Waltz. Stay safe one and all.