Aug 5, 2020
Bob is back, three from him. Lovely 30s music and vocals 'On a steamer coming over,' 1933, from Billy Cotton. Eleven times married Charlie Barnet with another mode of transport 'Sky liner.' Think we need a new copy of that record! Also up The Dixie Marimba Players, The Casa Loma Orchestra, The Deep River Boys, Eddie Condon and Joe 'Fingers' Carr, who was in fact Lou Busch. The intriguing singer Billy Banks. Primarily known as a female impersonator on record- sounding male here with the jazz standard 'Margie.' Our oldest record is by GH Ghirgwin, 'Asleep in the Deep,' from 1912. Chirgwin act was 'black face.' An oddly popular style of entertainment until the 1970s. Remember the BBC series The Black and White Minstrel show? I don't usually play the genre but Chirgwin's vocal performance is a straight one and his story is interesting. As is George Price. Performing at the age of six he impressed the mighty Caruso. His stardom was brought to an abrupt halt when he fell out with Jacob Schubert, the theatre magnet. He did return to entertainment though and he shows a strong, unusual voice. Patti Page sings about Johnny Guitar, 'My restless lover. Its another naughty ending with Ozzie Nelson and 'The man who come around'.