May 24, 2025 • 57 mins
On this week's Make Believe Ballroom, bringing you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s – one of those shows where we go totally off script almost as soon as we begin and end up with a list of Ralph Kramden's favorite bands. Also, Lenny from Down the Block with his Record Pick of the Week - this and many more great songs and stories to cherish and enjoy on the program.
The Make Believe Ballroom is broadcast on member-supported Jazz 90.1 WGMC in Rochester, NY, as well as on other fine radio affiliates across the United States and the United Kingdom, and is also available as a podcast.
The Make Believe Ballroom is broadcast on member-supported Jazz 90.1 WGMC in Rochester, NY, as well as on other fine radio affiliates across the United States and the United Kingdom, and is also available as a podcast.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Time.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's make men a ball time, PU all your cares away.
All the bands are here to bring.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Good cheer your way.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
It's make really falling time and free to everyone. It's
no time to fret your Dialisa by mine, spose your
eyes and visu lie in your solitude. Your favorite bands
(00:47):
are on.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
This stand, and mister Miller, what you're in the mood.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
It's make really falling time. The are of sweet romance.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Is you make really Come on, jo last dast list.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
Hello world, I'm Jeff Presler, turning on the lights of
the Make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my Crystal
studio for another program of the great big band hits
of the nineteen thirties and forties. Whether you're listening on
the radio via great affiliates like Jazz ninety point one
WGMC in Rochester, New York, or on a podcast or
(01:28):
on internet radio in the United Kingdom, please get ready
as I spin for you some amazing big band jazz, swing,
blues and boogie woogie classics. Folks, you're listening to the
Make Believe Ballroom, broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five,
(01:50):
and to welcome one and all into my crystal studio,
and why don't we get the proceedings underway here today
with a regional band leader who gained popularity nationally through
his radio and record work.
Speaker 6 (03:06):
The very.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
Thinking that was Anson Weeks and his orchestra with their
(04:08):
nineteen thirty nine recording of Delightful Delirium, great name for
a tune. Anson Weeks was a pianist and the leader
of a popular West Coast dance band from the late
twenties all the way up until the nineteen sixties. God
bless antson Weeks. That was a great run, and he
(04:30):
did all of this primarily never leaving his home base
in San Francisco. So a regional band that received national
prominence without ever really leaving home. Let's play one more
from Anson Weeks and his orchestra.
Speaker 7 (06:07):
You will always sign me here beside the sea, because
besides the sea.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
We said a new.
Speaker 9 (06:15):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I don't know where my wandering love.
Speaker 10 (06:17):
Can be, wherever he may be.
Speaker 7 (06:20):
I'm telling you, day after day you're waiting patiently, and
when the only wind is open from the sea, I
pretend that it's the breeze its felling the sail, that
moving the ships, that's bringing my Honney back to me.
I always keep my windows open wide. I like to
(06:43):
let the friendly breeze come ride inside and pretend that
it's the breeze, its felling the sails, that's moving the ships, that's.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Bringing my homney back to me.
Speaker 11 (06:54):
Mister wind, keep blowing stronger.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
Because I'm ti man of mine and every day saying
so much longer.
Speaker 9 (07:05):
Don't forget its daylight saving time.
Speaker 7 (07:10):
I gets the lonesome waiting days and we but every
breath of ether Lingerson, not Geez, seems to whisper. Its
the breeze still in the tale that's moving the ship
to bring him along.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
Me back to me.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
On Brunswick Records, The Breeze by Anson Weeks and his
Orchestra vocal by Kay Saint Germain, recorded in Los Angeles,
July the twentieth, nineteen thirty four, and I haven't listened
to that record in quite some time, and I forgot
what a wonderful voice Kay Saint Germain had. And I
(08:04):
am going to roll the chair here on the Crystal
studio console to the playlist computer. Let me turn this
microphone on. I know I probably have a song or
two from Kay when she wasn't with ants and weeks
(08:28):
as I peruse the playlist. Okay, here's a radio program
featuring a k Saint Germain vocal, and while that's playing,
I'm also going to do a quick google on Kay
Saint Germain.
Speaker 12 (08:44):
We opened the show with.
Speaker 8 (08:45):
So Sweet, So Sweet.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
He's so charming, it's really most alarming.
Speaker 8 (08:54):
No way that I'm falling for you.
Speaker 10 (08:57):
I'm so sweet, so Gentleal.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And Noso sent a metal no wonder Andy like I do.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I love the way you talk, all around you walk,
what more your mind?
Speaker 8 (09:11):
I do read?
Speaker 10 (09:13):
If you will have me, you make my life complete.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I love you because you're so darned sweet, so sweet,
so Jennal and Noso sent a metal no wonder, I
fel like I do.
Speaker 10 (09:36):
I love the way you talk, the doors around you walk.
Speaker 11 (09:40):
What's more, you're my ideal and I can't believe you.
Speaker 12 (09:44):
Bees If you have me, you'll make that I complete.
Speaker 13 (09:49):
I love you.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
From February the ninth, nineteen forty one, the Signal carn
Orchestra directed by Gordon Jenkins, with So Sweet vocal by
Kay Saint Germain and the Signal Airs. I don't know
a lot about the Signal Carnival radio show. Was probably
(10:16):
sponsored by Signal Oil. Considering that Kay was singing for
so long with Danson Weeks, I guess she remained on
the West Coast. Signal Oil was a West Coast oil producer.
They also sponsored for many, many years that wonderful classic
(10:38):
radio program, The Whistler. So maybe the Signal Carnival was
a music variety show sponsored by Signal But the significance
of that clip nevertheless was to hear not about Signal
Oil but Kaye s Germaine sing again. And I also
(11:01):
did a quick Google search of Ka. She was married
for a time to the actor and comedian Jack Carson,
and Kay went on to have a long and successful career,
not only as a vocalist, but also as an actress
who appeared on TV and on the stage. She appeared
(11:23):
for a while as Miss Hannigan in Annie, and also
had roles in episodes of Petticoak, Junction, and The Golden Girls. Now, Kay,
as I mentioned, was married to Jack Carson. They were
married from nineteen forty one to nineteen fifty I don't
(11:45):
know who initiated that breakup. It's actually none of my business,
but as soon as it happened, Jack Carson in that
same year of nineteen fifty dated Doris Day for a
time until she Doris married her longtime husband Marty Melcher
(12:06):
Kay Saint Germain. Here on the one, the only, the
original make believe ballroom broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five,
and friends, While on the subject of Doris Day, I'm
better listen to this.
Speaker 9 (12:28):
You can take the moon, gather up stars and the
robins that sing merrily.
Speaker 11 (12:35):
Bour them in the box tie with the ribbon rum
and the deep bluesy.
Speaker 9 (12:43):
You can take the flowers down in Lover's Lane and
that sentimental poetry.
Speaker 11 (12:51):
Them in the box tie with the ribbon rum in
the deep bluesy.
Speaker 10 (12:57):
Not bumming all that.
Speaker 9 (13:00):
Start the dreams that ruin your sleep, not bummy heaven.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (13:09):
Love is one thing you can't keep.
Speaker 9 (13:13):
You can take the plans and the wedding bells and
whoever sings.
Speaker 10 (13:18):
Or promise me pull them in the box tie with
the ribbon from in the de blue because love and
I we.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Don't agree.
Speaker 9 (14:13):
Handsomes through the park, kisses in the dark, all the
promises made faithfully, pull them in the box tie with
the ribbon from in the deep Blussy, and.
Speaker 8 (14:28):
You won't go wrong.
Speaker 9 (14:30):
If you take a song sung by Frankie.
Speaker 10 (14:32):
Boy or mister c pull them in the box, tie
with the ribbon from.
Speaker 11 (14:40):
In the deep blussy.
Speaker 10 (14:42):
Not for me, all that's die, not for me having life.
Speaker 9 (14:58):
You know what to do with good old Teaper two
and the girl for you, the boy for.
Speaker 11 (15:04):
Me with the bush time with the ribbon from in
the de blue sea, cause.
Speaker 10 (15:13):
Loving with.
Speaker 5 (15:17):
A Darus Day from back in nineteen forty eight with
put him in a box, tie him with a ribbon
and throw him in the deep blue sea. And now,
unfortunately I have lost the track and control of the program.
(15:38):
I always start a show with an outline. Sometimes I
stick to that, sometimes I digress and go in all
different directions. Uh so we show outlined this week disappeared
some time ago as we started the show innocently enough
(15:59):
with and weeks, which led me to play and research
case Saint Germain, and then we meandered onto Darus Day.
So let me try to get some sort of degree
of semblance back into the program. And maybe we can
start that with this.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
Letters letters.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
As I always say, we don't read letters on the show,
but we do read emails. And fortunately, each and every week,
so many of our listeners right into the show, and
that's so deeply appreciated. Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com,
Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com if you'd like
to contact me, and I will now read one of
(16:50):
those said emails, and it comes from Mike Grove who
listens in Austin, Texas, which I assume is via kJ
z X eighty nine point one. That's a wonderful station
that plays so many of the best syndicated jazz programs
(17:11):
from across the country, including this very Make Believe Ballroom.
So Mike writes Jeff, thanks for the Make Believe Ballroom.
There are so few programs that feature big band music
yours Brighton's my day. I always enjoy when you play
songs that were recorded for the first time. You haven't
(17:32):
done that in quite some time when I have been listening.
Can you play one? Thanks you're a loyal listener in
the lone Star state, Mike Grove, and thanks for the
kind words, Mike and checking You're right. I haven't played
a first time ever recorded record in quite a while.
Speaker 14 (17:53):
So for all my.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Friends in Austin, Texas, where I used to live while
working at St. Edgar Words University. This one is for
you as well as my daughter and son in law,
also residing in the state capital.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Bloom.
Speaker 15 (19:11):
You saw me standing alone, without a dream in my haw,
without a love of.
Speaker 8 (19:19):
My old.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Bloom.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You knew just what I was there for.
Speaker 16 (19:28):
You heard me saying a prayer for someone I really
could care for, and then there suddenly appeared before me,
the only one my arms will ever hold. I heard
somebody whisper, please adore me, and when I looked, the.
Speaker 13 (19:48):
Moon had turned to go.
Speaker 11 (19:50):
Bloom.
Speaker 15 (19:52):
Now I'm no longer alone without a dream in my haw.
Speaker 10 (19:59):
With out of love of Mile.
Speaker 5 (21:12):
On Brunswick Records. Blue Moon by Ted Fioredo and his
orchestra vocal by Muzzy Marcelino, recorded in Los Angeles, California,
October nineteenth, nineteen thirty four. And yes, indeed that was
the first time the classic song blue Moon was ever recorded.
(21:37):
You know, come to think of it, it's thinking of
Ted Firedo. It's kind of funny, but the first time
I ever heard the name Ted Fiirrito was on an
old episode of The Honeymooners, one in which Ralph Cramdon,
of course played so well by Jackie Gleason and Ed
(22:01):
Norton played by Art Carney. In that episode, they reminisced
about listening to bands in their youth. Now let me
see if I can find the other band leaders that
were mentioned in addition to Ted Fiarido. If I can
get that holy grail of names, I think it would
(22:23):
be fun to play some of their music. Let me
play around with Google once again and see what I
can come up with. Let me keep up a record
in the meantime to play during my quest for Cramdon
band favorites.
Speaker 17 (23:38):
Now, b look looking, listen while dancing, stop, look and
listen Your chance in your future maybe a lot a
danger and a dancing at a railroad crossing you stop
fall coup in red light, watch for and on rushing headlights.
So white, Hey, chance with your heart when you dance
with so much charming as a trouble stard.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Music sweetsheet s she lifts her eyes, so he signed.
Then when the music so they started out of strings.
Speaker 8 (24:07):
Act just like old friends.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Better stop look, listen to the teacher.
Speaker 17 (24:11):
Are you lean by finding a preacher with bris? Taking
a chance the danger like the danger of us Song.
Speaker 8 (24:17):
And Dance.
Speaker 5 (25:28):
On Columbia Record Stop, Look and Listen by Joe Venuti
and his violin and orchestra vocal by Ruth Lee, recorded
on October the twenty eighth, nineteen thirty five. And I
think I need one more record to play to give
me some time along with Dylan, who was in the
(25:51):
studio prior to recording his own podcast. I speak about
Dylan quite often. Then I think we'll have a Ralph
Crampton playlist already for.
Speaker 8 (26:03):
You, like a little fashion music boss. We just want
(26:42):
you to play. Man keeps singing.
Speaker 17 (26:45):
I Love You twenty four a day like a little
old fashioned music vice.
Speaker 18 (26:50):
Let's give us an ud Mar keeps missing a hearty
singing a song about.
Speaker 8 (26:56):
You, and I'll know the song we know is old,
it still sweety story of ates the low fashion music
maj want you to play. Mark gives it and I
Love You twenty foursday.
Speaker 5 (29:03):
From Runswick Records. Twenty four hours by Teddy Wilson and
his orchestra vocal by Billy Holliday, recorded in New York City,
October the twenty fifth, nineteen thirty five. So, folks, over
the last few records, I have researched the episode on
the Honeymooners where Ralph Cramden and Ed Norton reminisce about
(29:27):
bands of their youth. Ted Fiiredo, as I mentioned, was
in the Honeymooners episode Young at Heart, and that aired
on February eleventh, nineteen fifty six. Ralph and Ed, in
addition to Fiuredo, recalled Aisham Jones, Basil Faumene, Little Jack Little,
(29:51):
and Johnny Messner and his toy piano. Let's start what
I am dubbing the Cramden list with one by I
Sham Jones.
Speaker 6 (30:54):
Didn't need anything.
Speaker 19 (30:58):
Anything, the.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Man a.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Fat from Decca.
Speaker 5 (33:08):
I Found a New Baby by the Aisham Jones Orchestra,
recorded in New York City, August thirty first, nineteen thirty four.
And that was the second of five bands that Jackie
Gleason recalled on the Honeymooner episode Young at Heart, where
Gleason does just a classic roller skating routine. Now, the
(33:32):
gist of that episode Young at Heart, if I clearly recall,
was that after a visit to their apartment from some teenagers,
was a male and a female teenager who were ready
to go out for a big evening on the town.
As a matter of fact, I think the male teenager
(33:53):
was Ronnie Burns. Ronnie Burns, who tried his hand at acting,
was the son of George Burns and Gracie Allen. So
after listening to the two teens talk, Alice Cramden feels
that she and Ralph are starting to get old, and
(34:13):
when Ralph returns from work, Alice tells them about her
discussion with the teens and she wants Ralph to take
her out for some youthful activities, starting with the roller
skating that I just mentioned. But the surly Ralph Cramden
(34:33):
he thinks the idea is ridiculous and at first he
resists it, but finally, as we all know, Ralph Cramden
had a soft spot and he sees that Alice feels bad,
so he goes along with it full force. And I
think at the end of the episode, Ralph and Norton
are alone when they share their reminiscences from their youth,
(34:55):
including whose music they listen to. So another band mentioned
was that of One Basil Famine, It.
Speaker 20 (36:34):
Hot Ginger and Dyna Mine. There's nothing but do as
nice spag and I can tag you by the Bellatu
the bag and the women Wiggy wacky woof the way
they can entertains, would hurry a hurricane Stagg and I
can tag you by the pelleteer, the Baggy and the
women Wiggy wacky woo Woama, you get a mama and
(36:58):
then you're problem in trees his upadaughter, Giorna doora to.
Speaker 14 (37:03):
Your Shakespeare shakes Han Say Bay Kiddy and Buggy my Kingo,
it's worth the price back the Fellow, the Baggy and
the Women Wi.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
Wacky move.
Speaker 5 (38:03):
A Deca record medally of Digga Digga Doo, Nagasaki and
I Fall Down and Go Boom, as performed by Basil
Fomine and his orchestra. I have no info really on
that Decca record to relate to you. Info on Basil
(38:23):
Famine is as scarce as a hound's tooth. All I
know is that Basil Famine was a Russian born band
leader who led an orchestra from the mid nineteen twenties
through the forties. But I do know something about this.
Next Ralph Cramdon favorite, Come.
Speaker 13 (39:32):
On along and listen to the Lallaby of Broadway, the
Hipparay and Balleu a Lallaby of Broadway, The Rumbla Subway train,
the rattle of the Taxis, the daffodils who entertained, and
angelos and maxines. When a Broadway baby says good night,
(39:56):
it's early in the morning. Babies don't sleep tight until
the dawn.
Speaker 19 (40:05):
All good night, babeby, good night, Milkman's on his way,
Sleep time, babyby.
Speaker 13 (40:21):
Sleep tired. Let's call it a day. Hey, come on along.
Then listen to Lalla Bye of Broadway, the high high
end Boo boo doo, the Lallabye of Broadway. The band
begins to go to time, and everyone goes crazy. You
(40:44):
rock a bye your baby wrong till everything gets hazy hush.
If iye ay, buy you this and that, you'll hear
a daddy saying. The baby goes home to her flat
to sleep all.
Speaker 5 (40:59):
Day on Columbia Records. Lullaby of Broadway by Little Jack
(41:52):
Little and his Orchestra vocal by Jack Little, recorded in
New York City, January the twenty first, nineteenth thirty five.
Popular during the Big Band era, Little Jack Little was
a composer and songwriter. I think he wrote the song
of Shanty an Old shanty Town. Jack also played the
(42:14):
piano and did vocals. We heard his fine vocal just
a moment ago with Lullaby of Broadway. Jack had a
well respected orchestra that was a pretty versatile for many
years doing records, theater and radio. Little Jack Little, And
now let's round out Ralph Crampton's list of band leaders.
(42:37):
He and Norton finally remember.
Speaker 1 (43:01):
To thank to that.
Speaker 11 (43:46):
You might U do do my.
Speaker 13 (43:51):
You have know you.
Speaker 8 (43:56):
You you think.
Speaker 5 (44:40):
Johnny Messner and his orchestra with toy piano Jump recorded
in nineteen thirty nine, and I think it was probably
quite difficult when say a Western Union messenger came into
the recording studio when Johnny was making a record and
(45:00):
said he had a telegram for Messner. Five guys would
have yelled that's me.
Speaker 19 (45:07):
You see.
Speaker 5 (45:08):
Johnny Messner was one of five brothers and they all
played in his orchestra, Johnny Messner and his toy piano.
And that was a lot of fun as we just
took a look at the five bands that Ralph Cramdon
and Ed Norton aka Jackie Gleason and Art Carney finally
(45:32):
remembered in the Honeymooner episode Young at Heart and my
recollection something came back to me. Actually, Ralph ed Norton,
Trixie and Alice were all reminiscing at the end of
the show, and that's when Ralph and Norton discussed their
favorite band leaders. So it took a little scraping around
(45:55):
to bring you that segment. But that's what we do
here for you each and every week. And thanks to
the snotty kid Dylan here in the studio this week,
as I mentioned earlier, who sets some of this up
between records. Dylan, at twenty three years old, as I
(46:15):
mentioned on prior programs, came in early once to record
his podcast and heard the Make Believe Ballroom playing through
the PA system and the lobby out here we have
sort of a green room with a couple of couches
and a refrigerator and a coffee machine. And Dylan was
(46:36):
just taken in at twenty three years old by big
band era music and he comes early many weeks before
his show to listen to the show to Make Believe
Ballroom and help me along. And speaking of scraping around,
I know mister Excitement himself who used to help me along,
(47:00):
the producer emeritus of the Make Believe Ballroom when Lenny
from down the block has been scraping around to find
a record gem to talk about here on this week's show.
Speaker 21 (47:14):
Hi gang, Lenny from down the block. Here with my
record pick of the week. One of the most beloved
songs of all time was recorded for a film soundtrack
on October seventh, nineteen thirty eight. Its first release was
for Decca in July of nineteen thirty nine, where it
(47:34):
spent seven weeks at number one on the Your Hit
Parade chart. I'm talking about over the Rainbow, which Judy
Garland sang in the Wizard of Oz. But did you
know that the Harold Arlen and Yip Harberg classic was
also recorded by several big bands. The nineteen thirty nine
(47:54):
Glenn Miller recording on Bluebird Records was number one on
the U Your Hit Parade chart for six weeks that year.
Another popular version was also put on record by Bob
Crosby and his Orchestra. I've listened to several versions, but
my favorite, excluding Judy Garlands and one we will play
(48:16):
for you now, is the recording by Larry Clinton and
his Orchestra with a vocal by b.
Speaker 12 (48:21):
Wayne way Rover The Rainbow Way Up This Lands that
(49:58):
I heard of once.
Speaker 22 (49:59):
In lo loaf, some w over the rainbows, guys are blue,
and the dreams that you dare to dream really to
come true.
Speaker 11 (50:19):
Someday I wish.
Speaker 23 (50:20):
Upon a star and wake up where the clouds are
far behind me. Were troubled melts like lemon drops away
above the chimney top.
Speaker 10 (50:31):
That's way you side, some way over the rainbow.
Speaker 22 (50:40):
Blue birds fly, birds fly over the rainbow.
Speaker 12 (50:48):
Wise and Oh why can't Hide?
Speaker 5 (51:33):
Thanks Lenny. Many might not have realized that the likes
of Miller, Crosby and Clinton also recorded the song. We
certainly appreciate the insight, Lenny, and we will return once
again next week with Lenny, who retired to Tampa, Florida,
(51:55):
and another of his record picks of the week. I
think we have time for a classic before we go,
and what could be more of a big band classic
than Benny Goodman's Let's Dance, recorded on Columbia Records in
nineteen thirty nine. And folks, that's all the time we
(54:46):
have for now. To reach me Jeff at make Believe
Ballroom Radio dot com, Jeff at make Believe Ballroom Radio
dot com, and for pay us shows, Jeff at Make
Believe Ballroom Podcast dot com. Jeff at make Believe Ballroom
pipe gast dot com, and until next week this has
been Jeff Bressler.
Speaker 11 (55:54):
Let's die and imagine a full rule.
Speaker 19 (55:58):
He isn't make believe wall room. Let's darn, Let's darn.
It will double my chances.
Speaker 15 (56:08):
I can see at your glances, room man.
Speaker 16 (56:14):
For while we're swaying and the man is playing music,
dammy charm, you broad tender, sweetly surrender in my willing arm.
Speaker 4 (56:24):
Let's dwn.
Speaker 13 (56:26):
So it's only a small room, you know, make me
leave for room. Let's down.
Speaker 18 (57:00):
Fist active
Speaker 1 (57:39):
In English
Time.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's make men a ball time, PU all your cares away.
All the bands are here to bring.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Good cheer your way.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
It's make really falling time and free to everyone. It's
no time to fret your Dialisa by mine, spose your
eyes and visu lie in your solitude. Your favorite bands
(00:47):
are on.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
This stand, and mister Miller, what you're in the mood.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
It's make really falling time. The are of sweet romance.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Is you make really Come on, jo last dast list.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
Hello world, I'm Jeff Presler, turning on the lights of
the Make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my Crystal
studio for another program of the great big band hits
of the nineteen thirties and forties. Whether you're listening on
the radio via great affiliates like Jazz ninety point one
WGMC in Rochester, New York, or on a podcast or
(01:28):
on internet radio in the United Kingdom, please get ready
as I spin for you some amazing big band jazz, swing,
blues and boogie woogie classics. Folks, you're listening to the
Make Believe Ballroom, broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five,
(01:50):
and to welcome one and all into my crystal studio,
and why don't we get the proceedings underway here today
with a regional band leader who gained popularity nationally through
his radio and record work.
Speaker 6 (03:06):
The very.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
Thinking that was Anson Weeks and his orchestra with their
(04:08):
nineteen thirty nine recording of Delightful Delirium, great name for
a tune. Anson Weeks was a pianist and the leader
of a popular West Coast dance band from the late
twenties all the way up until the nineteen sixties. God
bless antson Weeks. That was a great run, and he
(04:30):
did all of this primarily never leaving his home base
in San Francisco. So a regional band that received national
prominence without ever really leaving home. Let's play one more
from Anson Weeks and his orchestra.
Speaker 7 (06:07):
You will always sign me here beside the sea, because
besides the sea.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
We said a new.
Speaker 9 (06:15):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I don't know where my wandering love.
Speaker 10 (06:17):
Can be, wherever he may be.
Speaker 7 (06:20):
I'm telling you, day after day you're waiting patiently, and
when the only wind is open from the sea, I
pretend that it's the breeze its felling the sail, that
moving the ships, that's bringing my Honney back to me.
I always keep my windows open wide. I like to
(06:43):
let the friendly breeze come ride inside and pretend that
it's the breeze, its felling the sails, that's moving the ships, that's.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Bringing my homney back to me.
Speaker 11 (06:54):
Mister wind, keep blowing stronger.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
Because I'm ti man of mine and every day saying
so much longer.
Speaker 9 (07:05):
Don't forget its daylight saving time.
Speaker 7 (07:10):
I gets the lonesome waiting days and we but every
breath of ether Lingerson, not Geez, seems to whisper. Its
the breeze still in the tale that's moving the ship
to bring him along.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
Me back to me.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
On Brunswick Records, The Breeze by Anson Weeks and his
Orchestra vocal by Kay Saint Germain, recorded in Los Angeles,
July the twentieth, nineteen thirty four, and I haven't listened
to that record in quite some time, and I forgot
what a wonderful voice Kay Saint Germain had. And I
(08:04):
am going to roll the chair here on the Crystal
studio console to the playlist computer. Let me turn this
microphone on. I know I probably have a song or
two from Kay when she wasn't with ants and weeks
(08:28):
as I peruse the playlist. Okay, here's a radio program
featuring a k Saint Germain vocal, and while that's playing,
I'm also going to do a quick google on Kay
Saint Germain.
Speaker 12 (08:44):
We opened the show with.
Speaker 8 (08:45):
So Sweet, So Sweet.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
He's so charming, it's really most alarming.
Speaker 8 (08:54):
No way that I'm falling for you.
Speaker 10 (08:57):
I'm so sweet, so Gentleal.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And Noso sent a metal no wonder Andy like I do.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I love the way you talk, all around you walk,
what more your mind?
Speaker 8 (09:11):
I do read?
Speaker 10 (09:13):
If you will have me, you make my life complete.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I love you because you're so darned sweet, so sweet,
so Jennal and Noso sent a metal no wonder, I
fel like I do.
Speaker 10 (09:36):
I love the way you talk, the doors around you walk.
Speaker 11 (09:40):
What's more, you're my ideal and I can't believe you.
Speaker 12 (09:44):
Bees If you have me, you'll make that I complete.
Speaker 13 (09:49):
I love you.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
From February the ninth, nineteen forty one, the Signal carn
Orchestra directed by Gordon Jenkins, with So Sweet vocal by
Kay Saint Germain and the Signal Airs. I don't know
a lot about the Signal Carnival radio show. Was probably
(10:16):
sponsored by Signal Oil. Considering that Kay was singing for
so long with Danson Weeks, I guess she remained on
the West Coast. Signal Oil was a West Coast oil producer.
They also sponsored for many, many years that wonderful classic
(10:38):
radio program, The Whistler. So maybe the Signal Carnival was
a music variety show sponsored by Signal But the significance
of that clip nevertheless was to hear not about Signal
Oil but Kaye s Germaine sing again. And I also
(11:01):
did a quick Google search of Ka. She was married
for a time to the actor and comedian Jack Carson,
and Kay went on to have a long and successful career,
not only as a vocalist, but also as an actress
who appeared on TV and on the stage. She appeared
(11:23):
for a while as Miss Hannigan in Annie, and also
had roles in episodes of Petticoak, Junction, and The Golden Girls. Now, Kay,
as I mentioned, was married to Jack Carson. They were
married from nineteen forty one to nineteen fifty I don't
(11:45):
know who initiated that breakup. It's actually none of my business,
but as soon as it happened, Jack Carson in that
same year of nineteen fifty dated Doris Day for a
time until she Doris married her longtime husband Marty Melcher
(12:06):
Kay Saint Germain. Here on the one, the only, the
original make believe ballroom broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five,
and friends, While on the subject of Doris Day, I'm
better listen to this.
Speaker 9 (12:28):
You can take the moon, gather up stars and the
robins that sing merrily.
Speaker 11 (12:35):
Bour them in the box tie with the ribbon rum
and the deep bluesy.
Speaker 9 (12:43):
You can take the flowers down in Lover's Lane and
that sentimental poetry.
Speaker 11 (12:51):
Them in the box tie with the ribbon rum in
the deep bluesy.
Speaker 10 (12:57):
Not bumming all that.
Speaker 9 (13:00):
Start the dreams that ruin your sleep, not bummy heaven.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (13:09):
Love is one thing you can't keep.
Speaker 9 (13:13):
You can take the plans and the wedding bells and
whoever sings.
Speaker 10 (13:18):
Or promise me pull them in the box tie with
the ribbon from in the de blue because love and
I we.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Don't agree.
Speaker 9 (14:13):
Handsomes through the park, kisses in the dark, all the
promises made faithfully, pull them in the box tie with
the ribbon from in the deep Blussy, and.
Speaker 8 (14:28):
You won't go wrong.
Speaker 9 (14:30):
If you take a song sung by Frankie.
Speaker 10 (14:32):
Boy or mister c pull them in the box, tie
with the ribbon from.
Speaker 11 (14:40):
In the deep blussy.
Speaker 10 (14:42):
Not for me, all that's die, not for me having life.
Speaker 9 (14:58):
You know what to do with good old Teaper two
and the girl for you, the boy for.
Speaker 11 (15:04):
Me with the bush time with the ribbon from in
the de blue sea, cause.
Speaker 10 (15:13):
Loving with.
Speaker 5 (15:17):
A Darus Day from back in nineteen forty eight with
put him in a box, tie him with a ribbon
and throw him in the deep blue sea. And now,
unfortunately I have lost the track and control of the program.
(15:38):
I always start a show with an outline. Sometimes I
stick to that, sometimes I digress and go in all
different directions. Uh so we show outlined this week disappeared
some time ago as we started the show innocently enough
(15:59):
with and weeks, which led me to play and research
case Saint Germain, and then we meandered onto Darus Day.
So let me try to get some sort of degree
of semblance back into the program. And maybe we can
start that with this.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
Letters letters.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
As I always say, we don't read letters on the show,
but we do read emails. And fortunately, each and every week,
so many of our listeners right into the show, and
that's so deeply appreciated. Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com,
Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com if you'd like
to contact me, and I will now read one of
(16:50):
those said emails, and it comes from Mike Grove who
listens in Austin, Texas, which I assume is via kJ
z X eighty nine point one. That's a wonderful station
that plays so many of the best syndicated jazz programs
(17:11):
from across the country, including this very Make Believe Ballroom.
So Mike writes Jeff, thanks for the Make Believe Ballroom.
There are so few programs that feature big band music
yours Brighton's my day. I always enjoy when you play
songs that were recorded for the first time. You haven't
(17:32):
done that in quite some time when I have been listening.
Can you play one? Thanks you're a loyal listener in
the lone Star state, Mike Grove, and thanks for the
kind words, Mike and checking You're right. I haven't played
a first time ever recorded record in quite a while.
Speaker 14 (17:53):
So for all my.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Friends in Austin, Texas, where I used to live while
working at St. Edgar Words University. This one is for
you as well as my daughter and son in law,
also residing in the state capital.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Bloom.
Speaker 15 (19:11):
You saw me standing alone, without a dream in my haw,
without a love of.
Speaker 8 (19:19):
My old.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Bloom.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You knew just what I was there for.
Speaker 16 (19:28):
You heard me saying a prayer for someone I really
could care for, and then there suddenly appeared before me,
the only one my arms will ever hold. I heard
somebody whisper, please adore me, and when I looked, the.
Speaker 13 (19:48):
Moon had turned to go.
Speaker 11 (19:50):
Bloom.
Speaker 15 (19:52):
Now I'm no longer alone without a dream in my haw.
Speaker 10 (19:59):
With out of love of Mile.
Speaker 5 (21:12):
On Brunswick Records. Blue Moon by Ted Fioredo and his
orchestra vocal by Muzzy Marcelino, recorded in Los Angeles, California,
October nineteenth, nineteen thirty four. And yes, indeed that was
the first time the classic song blue Moon was ever recorded.
(21:37):
You know, come to think of it, it's thinking of
Ted Firedo. It's kind of funny, but the first time
I ever heard the name Ted Fiirrito was on an
old episode of The Honeymooners, one in which Ralph Cramdon,
of course played so well by Jackie Gleason and Ed
(22:01):
Norton played by Art Carney. In that episode, they reminisced
about listening to bands in their youth. Now let me
see if I can find the other band leaders that
were mentioned in addition to Ted Fiarido. If I can
get that holy grail of names, I think it would
(22:23):
be fun to play some of their music. Let me
play around with Google once again and see what I
can come up with. Let me keep up a record
in the meantime to play during my quest for Cramdon
band favorites.
Speaker 17 (23:38):
Now, b look looking, listen while dancing, stop, look and
listen Your chance in your future maybe a lot a
danger and a dancing at a railroad crossing you stop
fall coup in red light, watch for and on rushing headlights.
So white, Hey, chance with your heart when you dance
with so much charming as a trouble stard.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Music sweetsheet s she lifts her eyes, so he signed.
Then when the music so they started out of strings.
Speaker 8 (24:07):
Act just like old friends.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Better stop look, listen to the teacher.
Speaker 17 (24:11):
Are you lean by finding a preacher with bris? Taking
a chance the danger like the danger of us Song.
Speaker 8 (24:17):
And Dance.
Speaker 5 (25:28):
On Columbia Record Stop, Look and Listen by Joe Venuti
and his violin and orchestra vocal by Ruth Lee, recorded
on October the twenty eighth, nineteen thirty five. And I
think I need one more record to play to give
me some time along with Dylan, who was in the
(25:51):
studio prior to recording his own podcast. I speak about
Dylan quite often. Then I think we'll have a Ralph
Crampton playlist already for.
Speaker 8 (26:03):
You, like a little fashion music boss. We just want
(26:42):
you to play. Man keeps singing.
Speaker 17 (26:45):
I Love You twenty four a day like a little
old fashioned music vice.
Speaker 18 (26:50):
Let's give us an ud Mar keeps missing a hearty
singing a song about.
Speaker 8 (26:56):
You, and I'll know the song we know is old,
it still sweety story of ates the low fashion music
maj want you to play. Mark gives it and I
Love You twenty foursday.
Speaker 5 (29:03):
From Runswick Records. Twenty four hours by Teddy Wilson and
his orchestra vocal by Billy Holliday, recorded in New York City,
October the twenty fifth, nineteen thirty five. So, folks, over
the last few records, I have researched the episode on
the Honeymooners where Ralph Cramden and Ed Norton reminisce about
(29:27):
bands of their youth. Ted Fiiredo, as I mentioned, was
in the Honeymooners episode Young at Heart, and that aired
on February eleventh, nineteen fifty six. Ralph and Ed, in
addition to Fiuredo, recalled Aisham Jones, Basil Faumene, Little Jack Little,
(29:51):
and Johnny Messner and his toy piano. Let's start what
I am dubbing the Cramden list with one by I
Sham Jones.
Speaker 6 (30:54):
Didn't need anything.
Speaker 19 (30:58):
Anything, the.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Man a.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Fat from Decca.
Speaker 5 (33:08):
I Found a New Baby by the Aisham Jones Orchestra,
recorded in New York City, August thirty first, nineteen thirty four.
And that was the second of five bands that Jackie
Gleason recalled on the Honeymooner episode Young at Heart, where
Gleason does just a classic roller skating routine. Now, the
(33:32):
gist of that episode Young at Heart, if I clearly recall,
was that after a visit to their apartment from some teenagers,
was a male and a female teenager who were ready
to go out for a big evening on the town.
As a matter of fact, I think the male teenager
(33:53):
was Ronnie Burns. Ronnie Burns, who tried his hand at acting,
was the son of George Burns and Gracie Allen. So
after listening to the two teens talk, Alice Cramden feels
that she and Ralph are starting to get old, and
(34:13):
when Ralph returns from work, Alice tells them about her
discussion with the teens and she wants Ralph to take
her out for some youthful activities, starting with the roller
skating that I just mentioned. But the surly Ralph Cramden
(34:33):
he thinks the idea is ridiculous and at first he
resists it, but finally, as we all know, Ralph Cramden
had a soft spot and he sees that Alice feels bad,
so he goes along with it full force. And I
think at the end of the episode, Ralph and Norton
are alone when they share their reminiscences from their youth,
(34:55):
including whose music they listen to. So another band mentioned
was that of One Basil Famine, It.
Speaker 20 (36:34):
Hot Ginger and Dyna Mine. There's nothing but do as
nice spag and I can tag you by the Bellatu
the bag and the women Wiggy wacky woof the way
they can entertains, would hurry a hurricane Stagg and I
can tag you by the pelleteer, the Baggy and the
women Wiggy wacky woo Woama, you get a mama and
(36:58):
then you're problem in trees his upadaughter, Giorna doora to.
Speaker 14 (37:03):
Your Shakespeare shakes Han Say Bay Kiddy and Buggy my Kingo,
it's worth the price back the Fellow, the Baggy and
the Women Wi.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
Wacky move.
Speaker 5 (38:03):
A Deca record medally of Digga Digga Doo, Nagasaki and
I Fall Down and Go Boom, as performed by Basil
Fomine and his orchestra. I have no info really on
that Decca record to relate to you. Info on Basil
(38:23):
Famine is as scarce as a hound's tooth. All I
know is that Basil Famine was a Russian born band
leader who led an orchestra from the mid nineteen twenties
through the forties. But I do know something about this.
Next Ralph Cramdon favorite, Come.
Speaker 13 (39:32):
On along and listen to the Lallaby of Broadway, the
Hipparay and Balleu a Lallaby of Broadway, The Rumbla Subway train,
the rattle of the Taxis, the daffodils who entertained, and
angelos and maxines. When a Broadway baby says good night,
(39:56):
it's early in the morning. Babies don't sleep tight until
the dawn.
Speaker 19 (40:05):
All good night, babeby, good night, Milkman's on his way,
Sleep time, babyby.
Speaker 13 (40:21):
Sleep tired. Let's call it a day. Hey, come on along.
Then listen to Lalla Bye of Broadway, the high high
end Boo boo doo, the Lallabye of Broadway. The band
begins to go to time, and everyone goes crazy. You
(40:44):
rock a bye your baby wrong till everything gets hazy hush.
If iye ay, buy you this and that, you'll hear
a daddy saying. The baby goes home to her flat
to sleep all.
Speaker 5 (40:59):
Day on Columbia Records. Lullaby of Broadway by Little Jack
(41:52):
Little and his Orchestra vocal by Jack Little, recorded in
New York City, January the twenty first, nineteenth thirty five.
Popular during the Big Band era, Little Jack Little was
a composer and songwriter. I think he wrote the song
of Shanty an Old shanty Town. Jack also played the
(42:14):
piano and did vocals. We heard his fine vocal just
a moment ago with Lullaby of Broadway. Jack had a
well respected orchestra that was a pretty versatile for many
years doing records, theater and radio. Little Jack Little, And
now let's round out Ralph Crampton's list of band leaders.
(42:37):
He and Norton finally remember.
Speaker 1 (43:01):
To thank to that.
Speaker 11 (43:46):
You might U do do my.
Speaker 13 (43:51):
You have know you.
Speaker 8 (43:56):
You you think.
Speaker 5 (44:40):
Johnny Messner and his orchestra with toy piano Jump recorded
in nineteen thirty nine, and I think it was probably
quite difficult when say a Western Union messenger came into
the recording studio when Johnny was making a record and
(45:00):
said he had a telegram for Messner. Five guys would
have yelled that's me.
Speaker 19 (45:07):
You see.
Speaker 5 (45:08):
Johnny Messner was one of five brothers and they all
played in his orchestra, Johnny Messner and his toy piano.
And that was a lot of fun as we just
took a look at the five bands that Ralph Cramdon
and Ed Norton aka Jackie Gleason and Art Carney finally
(45:32):
remembered in the Honeymooner episode Young at Heart and my
recollection something came back to me. Actually, Ralph ed Norton,
Trixie and Alice were all reminiscing at the end of
the show, and that's when Ralph and Norton discussed their
favorite band leaders. So it took a little scraping around
(45:55):
to bring you that segment. But that's what we do
here for you each and every week. And thanks to
the snotty kid Dylan here in the studio this week,
as I mentioned earlier, who sets some of this up
between records. Dylan, at twenty three years old, as I
(46:15):
mentioned on prior programs, came in early once to record
his podcast and heard the Make Believe Ballroom playing through
the PA system and the lobby out here we have
sort of a green room with a couple of couches
and a refrigerator and a coffee machine. And Dylan was
(46:36):
just taken in at twenty three years old by big
band era music and he comes early many weeks before
his show to listen to the show to Make Believe
Ballroom and help me along. And speaking of scraping around,
I know mister Excitement himself who used to help me along,
(47:00):
the producer emeritus of the Make Believe Ballroom when Lenny
from down the block has been scraping around to find
a record gem to talk about here on this week's show.
Speaker 21 (47:14):
Hi gang, Lenny from down the block. Here with my
record pick of the week. One of the most beloved
songs of all time was recorded for a film soundtrack
on October seventh, nineteen thirty eight. Its first release was
for Decca in July of nineteen thirty nine, where it
(47:34):
spent seven weeks at number one on the Your Hit
Parade chart. I'm talking about over the Rainbow, which Judy
Garland sang in the Wizard of Oz. But did you
know that the Harold Arlen and Yip Harberg classic was
also recorded by several big bands. The nineteen thirty nine
(47:54):
Glenn Miller recording on Bluebird Records was number one on
the U Your Hit Parade chart for six weeks that year.
Another popular version was also put on record by Bob
Crosby and his Orchestra. I've listened to several versions, but
my favorite, excluding Judy Garlands and one we will play
(48:16):
for you now, is the recording by Larry Clinton and
his Orchestra with a vocal by b.
Speaker 12 (48:21):
Wayne way Rover The Rainbow Way Up This Lands that
(49:58):
I heard of once.
Speaker 22 (49:59):
In lo loaf, some w over the rainbows, guys are blue,
and the dreams that you dare to dream really to
come true.
Speaker 11 (50:19):
Someday I wish.
Speaker 23 (50:20):
Upon a star and wake up where the clouds are
far behind me. Were troubled melts like lemon drops away
above the chimney top.
Speaker 10 (50:31):
That's way you side, some way over the rainbow.
Speaker 22 (50:40):
Blue birds fly, birds fly over the rainbow.
Speaker 12 (50:48):
Wise and Oh why can't Hide?
Speaker 5 (51:33):
Thanks Lenny. Many might not have realized that the likes
of Miller, Crosby and Clinton also recorded the song. We
certainly appreciate the insight, Lenny, and we will return once
again next week with Lenny, who retired to Tampa, Florida,
(51:55):
and another of his record picks of the week. I
think we have time for a classic before we go,
and what could be more of a big band classic
than Benny Goodman's Let's Dance, recorded on Columbia Records in
nineteen thirty nine. And folks, that's all the time we
(54:46):
have for now. To reach me Jeff at make Believe
Ballroom Radio dot com, Jeff at make Believe Ballroom Radio
dot com, and for pay us shows, Jeff at Make
Believe Ballroom Podcast dot com. Jeff at make Believe Ballroom
pipe gast dot com, and until next week this has
been Jeff Bressler.
Speaker 11 (55:54):
Let's die and imagine a full rule.
Speaker 19 (55:58):
He isn't make believe wall room. Let's darn, Let's darn.
It will double my chances.
Speaker 15 (56:08):
I can see at your glances, room man.
Speaker 16 (56:14):
For while we're swaying and the man is playing music,
dammy charm, you broad tender, sweetly surrender in my willing arm.
Speaker 4 (56:24):
Let's dwn.
Speaker 13 (56:26):
So it's only a small room, you know, make me
leave for room. Let's down.
Speaker 18 (57:00):
Fist active
Speaker 1 (57:39):
In English
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