May 18, 2020
You can't go wrong with starting with Tex Beneke. We calm things down with a couple from Hutch - that rich, smooth voice- from 1938 and 1941. First time I've played Wurlitzer organ music and its from the 1937 BBC Radio's top star, Reginald Foort. The foremost organist of his day. He developed and designed his own mobile organ, well mobile is questionable, it weighed 30 tons! Early Hammond organ from the Milt Herth Trio (1942) and Bob Hamiton Trio (1938). Bob is playing the marvellous ' Dinner music for a pack of hungry cannibals.' Sheer madness. We also have Don Bestor Orchestra, Paula Green and her Orchestra, Red River Dave and Bud Freeman and his Suma Cum Laude Orch. A cracker from Al Dexter, ' When we go Honky Tonkin.' Hot string, early country music. Two more firsts: A 1955 Japanese track on the Teichiku record label and in Danish, Lulu Zeigler. Great performance of a dark sounding, 'At the docks.' We finish, appropriately, with 'On the Waterfront.' An excellent vocal version by Lorrae Desmond. Love her voice and the lush orchestration of Bob Sharples. Back in the day Bob provided the music for Opportunity Knocks, a British TV talent show. I mean that most sincerely folks!