In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on “Bless ‘Em All” and its significance during World War II. They discuss the WWI origins of the song, its evolution through various artists and the role of ENSA in providing entertainment to troops. The conversation highlights George Formby's impact on wartime music and the various versions of 'Bless Them All' that have emerged over the years, showcasing the song's enduring legacy and its connection to British culture.
To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN
REFERENCES
George Formby Shelter Concert (1940)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiZC-TgpFXw
George Formby Senior - Standing at the Corner of the Street (1910)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuwbJeuIFR0
The “Beryldene” Auction
https://www.georgeformby.co.uk/auction.htm
Some of George’s banjoleles are still owned and played by:
http://www.andyeastwood.com/
For images mentioned in the episode visit our Instagram account: http://instagram.com/warsongspod
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
02:52 The Origins and Evolution of 'Bless Them All'
06:28 Book Recommendations
07:43 The Role of ENSA in Wartime Entertainment
10:55 Uniforms and Performances in War Zones
13:53 George Formby: A Star in Wartime
22:59 George Formby's Auction
27:15 Musical Elements of Bless ‘Em All
29:18 The Lyrics and Their Impact
30:34 Cultural Significance of 'Blighty'
34:54 Morale and Humor in Wartime Music
35:03 Other Recordings
39:10 Ending
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod
Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil
Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine
CONTACT THE PODCAST
If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at warsongspod@gmail.com to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".
LISTENING LINKS
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318
If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a
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