June 27, 2025 • 58 mins
This week's Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s - a special tribute to Angelo Carbone and the Raphie from Canarsie, Brooklyn Record Club, 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 this week's program.
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
It's make believe ballroom time.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Put all your cares away.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
All the bands are here to bring good cheer your way.
It's make belief ballroom time and free to everyone. It's
no time to friend your Dalis said Bamba.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yours.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Close your eyes and visual lize in your solitude.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Your favorite bands are on this dance and mister Miller,
but you're in the mood.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
It's make believe ballroom time. We are a sweet romance.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
You make believe boom.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Come on to the last dast last.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Hello world, I'm Jeff Bresler, turning on the lights of
the make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal
studio for yet another program of classic big band hits
from the nineteen thirties and nineteen forties. Whether you're listening
today on the radio via one of our great affiliates
(01:26):
like Jazz ninety point one WGMC in Rochester, New York,
or maybe enjoying the show on a podcast, or even
listening over the internet via Internet radio in the United Kingdom,
please get ready as I spin for you some amazing
big band jazz, swing, blues, and boogie woogie favorites. Folks,
(01:50):
You're listening to the Make Believe Ballroom broadcasting almost continuously
since nineteen thirty five. And Hello again for friends, an
action packed show playing for you today, Where I'm going
to play in just a little while a list of
the top ten big band hits of all time? Who
(02:12):
constructed that list? And why am I playing it today? Well,
you'll just have to wait a little while longer to
find that one out.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Doctor Rhythm runs a clinic.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Well, all kinds of people meet where the weary wone
outs and it gets back on history.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Are you troubled?
Speaker 6 (03:24):
Do you wonder why you're filled with doctor spair go
and loser worries?
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Under Doctor Rhythm's care and where it's the case where
a heartache never ends.
Speaker 7 (03:37):
He'll fix your fasts with the smile that will make
a new friends.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
When you think no one can kill you, Doctor Rhythm
rates a chance with one treatment, he least sure you.
Speaker 8 (03:49):
Wife is just a dance.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
D We just heard Doctor Rhythm from the movie of
(05:06):
the same name, Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, along with
a vocal trio on that record that consisted of Bob Everley,
Don Madison and The third of that trio was how
can I forget it was. It was Rock Hillman and
(05:26):
the record Rhythm Doctor Rhythm was recorded on Decca Records
in New York City on January the twenty fifth, nineteen
thirty eight. I'm Jeff Bresler, and you're listening to the one,
the only, the original Make Believe Ballroom, coming to you
today from my Crystal Studio with a new affiliate joining
(05:49):
in on the music Big Make Believe Ballroom. Welcome to
the Great KAFM eighty eight point one and also on
ninety six point nine in Grand Junction, Colorado. Two not one,
but two big hours of the Ballroom each Sunday morning
on this wonderful community radio station that features great talk.
(06:13):
And I've spent some time this past week listening to
a number of their musical programs, and the musical programs
are indeed an eclectic mixture of music certainly not found
anywhere on commercial radio. Take a listen to the great
KAFM eighty eight point one in Grand Junction, Colorado, and
(06:36):
welcome once again. And I now take you from the
Crystal Studio and KAFM to Tampa, Florida and the condominium
apartment of one Lenny from down the block mister Excitement himself,
the producer Meritis of the Make Believe Ballroom with his
(06:57):
record pick Oh the Week.
Speaker 9 (07:00):
High Gang Lenny from down the Block here with my
record pick of the Week. Although the Modernaires are most
closely associated with the string of hits they vocalized for
Glenn Miller, it was another famous band that opened the
door to their success. Songs made popular by Miller and
(07:21):
the Modernaires included Chattanooga Chuchu, I Know Why, Elmer's Tune,
Serenade in Blue, I've Got a Gallant, Kalamazoo, and Jukebox
Saturday Night. The Modernaiirs developed their style while singing with
the likes of Ted Fiorito, Ozzie Nelson, Fred Waring, Charlie Barnett,
(07:43):
and George Hole, before coming into their own by becoming
regulars on the Pole Whiteman radio show in nineteen thirty eight.
They recorded many of the classic songs of the era,
even a few with Jack Teagarden as part of the
Whiteman Orchestra. Here from a September nineteenth thirty eight Poor
Whiteman Chesterfield program. Poor Whiteman and his Swing Wing along
(08:05):
with Jack t Garden and the Modern Airs with and
Hagar's blues.
Speaker 7 (08:31):
Old Deacons Clevin his block was given the way of
Levin Ride. He said, no waning, no ragtime singing.
Speaker 10 (08:46):
Dune had no ragtime sing And the whos do night.
Speaker 7 (08:52):
Up jumped that Hagar and shout it out with all hermides.
Just hear and Hagar's children harmonizing to that.
Speaker 11 (09:07):
Old more all.
Speaker 7 (09:12):
It's like a wire from on high broke glue. If
the devil brought in the good Lord said it.
Speaker 8 (09:28):
Right down to me.
Speaker 7 (09:32):
Oh, let the congregation go on while I played those
loving and.
Speaker 11 (09:40):
Girls blue.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Ain't no use to preaching. Tain't no use the teaching.
Speaker 5 (09:49):
When you hear those.
Speaker 7 (10:27):
Tain't no use of preaching.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
Tain't no use of teaching.
Speaker 8 (10:35):
It's modulation.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
I've sincapasi just tells my feet to dancing.
Speaker 12 (10:43):
I can't refuse when I hear.
Speaker 7 (10:48):
The melody they call the blue Nose.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Ever, love and blues ain't no use in reaching, ain't
no use.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
The thanks, Lenny. I played the record pick early in
today's show because the list of songs I am now
(11:21):
going to play will take us most probably just about
to the end of the show, and in a big way.
The list also has a lot to do with Lenny
Lenny from down the block. I got an email last
week from Tito Savoldi, who's a close friend of Angelo Carbone.
(11:44):
All of our regular listeners know that Angelo, in his
nineties is the sun of the late great Ralphie Carbone,
who along with a group of friends created the Ralphie
from Canars Brooklyn record club list. To give you a
little background, Ralphie and his wife Rose starting in nineteen
(12:08):
thirty five, and they intended on only doing this one time.
They invited a group of friends to come over to
their Brooklyn home to enjoy potluck supper and listen to
and dance to records of the big band era. And
that one get together was so successful that the group
(12:29):
decided to give it a try to do every other
Saturday that potluck supper and music record listening and dancing extravaganza. Well,
the car Bones and their friends obviously at that point
didn't know how successful this would become, because they ran
(12:50):
this record club from nineteen thirty five right up to
the mid nineteen seventies, and in that time they created
a list in order of their favorite big band tunes.
Now over the years, that lists well to over eight
hundred different records. And again, if you're a regular listener,
(13:13):
you know here on the Ballroom, we play a game
where I spin a virtual wheel, select the number that
comes up, and match it up to a song from
the list. And I have all of those eight hundred
plus tunes in the Make Believe Ballroom playlist today, though
(13:34):
you know, I never ran a Ralphie segment where I
played the top ten hits from that list on the program.
Because we do this as sort of a random game.
The first selection I play might be number four and
the next one might be six hundred and seventy five.
So let me get back to Tito's email. He let
(13:57):
me know, unfortunately that Angela had taken a little spill
by the pool at his condo in Naples, Florida. He
was in the hospital for a couple of days. Thank god,
nothing critical.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
Now.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
I mentioned this to Lenny from down the block and
he Lenny decided to drive down to Naples from Tampa
to visit Angelo and hopefully bring him some good cheer,
and Lenny on his phone when he gets to Angelo's
(14:33):
will play this broadcast featuring the ten songs I'm going
to now play, so in honor of you Angelo, first
of all, hoping you're feeling better in a speedy recovery,
and certainly in memory of your beloved parents. Ralphie and
Rose from Canarsi, Brooklyn. Here is the top ten songs
(14:55):
of all time, as determined by Ralphie and the members
of his record club. Let's start with number ten.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Ah, smile again, I'm just smile at.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
You a.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Line again?
Speaker 3 (15:28):
What good would it do? For?
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Tears would build my eyes, my heart would re lie.
Speaker 7 (15:51):
The man.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Long again. I'm sorry love with you. I'll never fall again.
Sunby Within my Heart.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
I know I will never start.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
To smile again.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
Until I smile.
Speaker 7 (16:53):
Let you.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
Within my heart. I know I will never start to
smile again.
Speaker 7 (17:47):
Until I smile.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
I until I smile.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
On Victor Records, I'll Never Smile Again by Tommy Dorsey
and his Orchestra. Vocal by Frank Sinatra and The Pied
Piper is. This huge hit for Dorsey and his at
that time rising star vocalist Frank Sinatra, was the country's
number one record on Billboard's very first National Single Sales
(18:35):
chart in July of nineteen forty, and it remained on
top for a phenomenal twelve weeks, while the song itself
spent seven weeks at number one on the radio program
Your Hit Parade I'll Never Smile Again, number ten on
the All Time Ralphie from Canarsi Brooklyn Record Club List.
(18:58):
Now Friends here there is number nine.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Of all the boys I've known, and I've known some.
Until I first met you, I was lonesome.
Speaker 13 (19:13):
And when you came inside, dear, my heart grew laddinder
somewhere else seem new to me.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
You really swell.
Speaker 13 (19:20):
I have to admit you deserve expressions that really fit you.
And so I've racked my brain offing to explain all.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
The things that you did to me.
Speaker 12 (19:30):
Boy me bester shame. Please let me explain. By me
bester SHAMEE means your brain ball me bester shame Again,
I'll explain. It means you're the fairest in the la head.
(19:52):
I could say.
Speaker 8 (19:53):
Bell, the bell, lifeven sevender bar.
Speaker 12 (19:58):
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are.
I've tried to explain. Call me a pist shame. So
kiss me and say you understand.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Fall me if.
Speaker 12 (20:19):
Pistu shane you've heard it all before. By let me
try to explain. To buy me abys to shame means
that you're grand. Fall me if it'stushane. It's such an
old refrain, and yeah, I shoot. Explain it means I
am begging for your hands.
Speaker 13 (20:39):
I could say.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
Bell, the bell, life and safe and the bye, each
lame which only helps me tell you.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
How grand you are.
Speaker 8 (21:12):
I could say bell, the bell, lifeven seven the bar,
each language only helps me tell you how grand you are.
Speaker 12 (21:23):
I've tried to explain by me mister Shane sung, excuse me,
I say that you will understand.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
The song we just heard was written for an early
nineteen thirties Yiddish musical comedy. The tune by Mere Mister
Shane became a late nineteen thirty sensation, as did the
three Andrew Sisters who recorded it, and many saying we've
mentioned on the program, this is truly the record that
(22:03):
made them the Andrew Sisters famous. From Decca Records, by
Mere Mister Shane, by the Andrew Sisters Orchestra conducted by
Vic Shane, trumpet solo, Nice trumpet solo there by Bobby Hackett,
recorded in New York City, November twenty fourth, nineteen thirty seven.
(22:23):
This is Jeff Bresler and in hoping for a speedy
recovery to Angelo Carbone, Lenny from down the Block is
at his home in Naples playing this program at the
bedside or maybe chair side of Angelo as hopefully a
pick me up for him as he recovers from a
(22:43):
pool side fall a few weeks back. Let's go now
to number eight.
Speaker 5 (23:14):
In Don't You Have a Brother?
Speaker 4 (26:16):
From Victor Records, recorded in nineteen forty one, We just
heard Stardust by Artie Shaw and his orchestra. Stardust was
written by the legendary Hogy Carmichael. It was a collaboration.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
He wrote that.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
They wrote it with with Michael Parrish. They wrote it
and recorded it back in nineteen twenty seven. And you
know I checked. This record since nineteen twenty seven has
been recorded over fifteen hundred times, but most say the
Ardi Shaw version we just heard, arranged by Lenny Hayton
(26:55):
and featuring solos by Artie, Billy Butterfield on the trumpet
and Jack Jenny playing the trombone is certainly the gold standard.
And speaking of gold standards, folks, we are dedicating a
playlist of top ten big band favorites of all time
to the recuperating Angelo Carbone and the top ten list
(27:20):
we are using. As I've mentioned throughout the program, was
created by Angelo's father, Ralph and members of his record
club that started in nineteen thirty five, The Ralphie from
Canarsi Top ten for you Angelo here today on the
Make Believe ballrom.
Speaker 10 (28:00):
Gay Little Loven Lovely, let Me Know, Let Me.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
An Me.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
Ny on Bluebird Records. The nineteen forty one Glenn Miller
and his orchestra recording of Tuxedo Junction number seven on
(31:11):
the Ralphie from Canarsi Record Club list. I've mentioned this
in the past, but in case you were wondering where
Tuxedo Junction was a number of people think it's a
reference to the upstate New York town of Tuxedo, but
in actuality, the song is about a jazz and blues
club in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Ensley, and that
(31:37):
area was referred to as Tuxedo Junction.
Speaker 5 (33:16):
Maybe anything.
Speaker 4 (34:53):
We just listened to number six of the top ten,
and that was beginning the Beginning, which I actually play
just a few weeks back. But how can you ever
tire of this Artie shaw gem begin the beginning? The
Cole Porter Standard recorded on Bluebird Records in New York City,
(35:13):
July the twenty fourth, nineteen thirty eight, from the Cole
Porter Stage Musical Jubilee. We are halfway home to providing
Angelo Carbone with the music of the top ten Big
Band Best List of Hits created by the members of
the Ralphie from Canarci Brooklyn Record Club.
Speaker 2 (36:25):
By that taxs what you said.
Speaker 6 (36:28):
Step aside, partner, it's my day mending here and listen
to my.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
Version a really solid tell Us Sick Excursion.
Speaker 6 (36:45):
Pardon me boy? Is that the Chattanooga ju Ju?
Speaker 11 (36:49):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (36:49):
Yes, why not?
Speaker 12 (36:53):
Boy?
Speaker 11 (36:53):
You can give me a Shane?
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Can you aford you?
Speaker 3 (36:59):
Boy?
Speaker 6 (37:00):
Chad Knoga, I got my fair.
Speaker 3 (37:06):
And just to tagle to Spa.
Speaker 6 (37:09):
You leave the Pennsylvania stationed about a quarter to four,
read the magazine, and then you ran Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
And honor no, I'm a good bar.
Speaker 6 (37:20):
And then to have you having eggs in Carolina when
you hit the vessel bawl and ain't to the barn.
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Sham all the calling God and keep it wrong.
Speaker 5 (37:34):
Oo, chad Uga, there you are.
Speaker 6 (37:40):
There's gonna be a certain party at the station.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
Firmly.
Speaker 6 (37:49):
I used to call Fanny, She's gonna cry until I
tell her that I'll ever wrong. Cadoga Juju, what do
ju ju me home?
Speaker 5 (38:06):
Get a ball?
Speaker 3 (38:13):
Look?
Speaker 6 (38:14):
Juju, what do ju ju me home?
Speaker 11 (38:18):
Ju?
Speaker 4 (38:54):
That was number five the nineteen forty one Bluebird Records
classic Chattanooga Chuo Choo Chattanooga Chuo Cheo Glenn Miller and
his orchestra vocals by Tex Bennicki in the four Modernaires
nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit
from the great movie Sun Valley Serenade, which I think
(39:17):
you can still find to watch on YouTube. Chattanooga Choo
Choo was also the It was the first million selling
recording to be well, let me say this quote unquote
officially recognized with the awarding of a gold record. I've
mentioned on the show many many times. The gold record
(39:41):
Miller received was more of a publicity stunt created by
Victor Records, but it did set the path for the
actual gold records as we know them today. Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
Oh only on.
Speaker 2 (40:28):
Litn't in need.
Speaker 4 (43:06):
Another Miller goody A string of pearls back to back
Glenn Miller and that record sits at number four. The
nineteen forty two recording of a String of Pearls was
the talented Jerry Gray's most famous composition, and to enhance
(43:28):
the song, we heard the great Bobby Hackett with his
carnet solo and of course a string of Pearls also
a number one hit.
Speaker 14 (44:20):
S us should.
Speaker 11 (45:40):
Stop my son shut.
Speaker 5 (47:37):
As the.
Speaker 3 (47:42):
Sun shut.
Speaker 4 (48:40):
Folks, we just listened to number three on the hit list,
the song that brought the house down at the legendary
Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert from January the sixteenth, nineteen
thirty eight, Sing Sing, Sing on Victor Records Benny Goodman
and his Orchestra recorded in Hollywood July the sixth, nineteen
(49:04):
thirty seven. And that song you may not know was
actually first recorded by the great Louis Prima. We are
now down to the top two songs from the Ralphie
from Canarsi Record Club list, and while you folks think
of what the top two songs may be again, we
(49:26):
extend our best wishes to Angelo Carbone for speedy recovery
from a fall he took at his condominium swimming pool
in Naples, Florida, and also an on air. Hello to
Lenny from down the block, who trek down to Naples
from Tampa. I guess that's probably It's probably about a
two and a half hour drive south. And he is
(49:50):
visiting Angelo to play this show for him and also
spend some time with Angelo and find out if he
needs any help, if there's any way we could help him.
Here on the Make Believe Ballroom, I Won't keep you waiting.
Here is number two seas from Victor Records in nineteen
(53:02):
forty one. Take the A Train, the Billy Strayhorn classic
Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra, the song about the
iconic New York City subway train that travels to Harlem
and now the number one pick for the best record
of the big band swing era, as voted on by
(53:24):
the members of the Ralphie from Canarsi Record Club that
started back in nineteen thirty five and ended in the
early nineteen seventies. Their club selected this record as their
number one big band classic.
Speaker 7 (55:06):
Did It.
Speaker 3 (56:49):
Back Up, Back Up.
Speaker 5 (56:58):
Back?
Speaker 4 (57:13):
The Ralphie from Canarsi Record Club list number one hit
in the mood on Bluebird Records, recorded by Glenn Miller
and his orchestra back in August of nineteen thirty nine,
the most recognizable track of the Swing era. It spent
three months of early nineteen forty as the number one
(57:35):
most played jukebox hit in America. So, folks, that is
the Ralfie from Canarsi Record Club list of top ten
hits from the Big Band era. Folks, you might agree
with the countdown placement of songs on the list, or
maybe you have a song you cherish that didn't make
the Ralfie from Canarsi Record Club Top ten list. Let
(57:59):
me know what the songs you would have added or
where their placement would have been on a top ten
I'm Jeff at Make Believe Ballroom Radio dot com. That's
Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroomradio dot com. See you all next week.
It's make believe ballroom time.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Put all your cares away.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
All the bands are here to bring good cheer your way.
It's make belief ballroom time and free to everyone. It's
no time to friend your Dalis said Bamba.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yours.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Close your eyes and visual lize in your solitude.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Your favorite bands are on this dance and mister Miller,
but you're in the mood.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
It's make believe ballroom time. We are a sweet romance.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
You make believe boom.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Come on to the last dast last.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Hello world, I'm Jeff Bresler, turning on the lights of
the make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal
studio for yet another program of classic big band hits
from the nineteen thirties and nineteen forties. Whether you're listening
today on the radio via one of our great affiliates
(01:26):
like Jazz ninety point one WGMC in Rochester, New York,
or maybe enjoying the show on a podcast, or even
listening over the internet via Internet radio in the United Kingdom,
please get ready as I spin for you some amazing
big band jazz, swing, blues, and boogie woogie favorites. Folks,
(01:50):
You're listening to the Make Believe Ballroom broadcasting almost continuously
since nineteen thirty five. And Hello again for friends, an
action packed show playing for you today, Where I'm going
to play in just a little while a list of
the top ten big band hits of all time? Who
(02:12):
constructed that list? And why am I playing it today? Well,
you'll just have to wait a little while longer to
find that one out.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Doctor Rhythm runs a clinic.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Well, all kinds of people meet where the weary wone
outs and it gets back on history.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Are you troubled?
Speaker 6 (03:24):
Do you wonder why you're filled with doctor spair go
and loser worries?
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Under Doctor Rhythm's care and where it's the case where
a heartache never ends.
Speaker 7 (03:37):
He'll fix your fasts with the smile that will make
a new friends.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
When you think no one can kill you, Doctor Rhythm
rates a chance with one treatment, he least sure you.
Speaker 8 (03:49):
Wife is just a dance.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
D We just heard Doctor Rhythm from the movie of
(05:06):
the same name, Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, along with
a vocal trio on that record that consisted of Bob Everley,
Don Madison and The third of that trio was how
can I forget it was. It was Rock Hillman and
(05:26):
the record Rhythm Doctor Rhythm was recorded on Decca Records
in New York City on January the twenty fifth, nineteen
thirty eight. I'm Jeff Bresler, and you're listening to the one,
the only, the original Make Believe Ballroom, coming to you
today from my Crystal Studio with a new affiliate joining
(05:49):
in on the music Big Make Believe Ballroom. Welcome to
the Great KAFM eighty eight point one and also on
ninety six point nine in Grand Junction, Colorado. Two not one,
but two big hours of the Ballroom each Sunday morning
on this wonderful community radio station that features great talk.
(06:13):
And I've spent some time this past week listening to
a number of their musical programs, and the musical programs
are indeed an eclectic mixture of music certainly not found
anywhere on commercial radio. Take a listen to the great
KAFM eighty eight point one in Grand Junction, Colorado, and
(06:36):
welcome once again. And I now take you from the
Crystal Studio and KAFM to Tampa, Florida and the condominium
apartment of one Lenny from down the block mister Excitement himself,
the producer Meritis of the Make Believe Ballroom with his
(06:57):
record pick Oh the Week.
Speaker 9 (07:00):
High Gang Lenny from down the Block here with my
record pick of the Week. Although the Modernaires are most
closely associated with the string of hits they vocalized for
Glenn Miller, it was another famous band that opened the
door to their success. Songs made popular by Miller and
(07:21):
the Modernaires included Chattanooga Chuchu, I Know Why, Elmer's Tune,
Serenade in Blue, I've Got a Gallant, Kalamazoo, and Jukebox
Saturday Night. The Modernaiirs developed their style while singing with
the likes of Ted Fiorito, Ozzie Nelson, Fred Waring, Charlie Barnett,
(07:43):
and George Hole, before coming into their own by becoming
regulars on the Pole Whiteman radio show in nineteen thirty eight.
They recorded many of the classic songs of the era,
even a few with Jack Teagarden as part of the
Whiteman Orchestra. Here from a September nineteenth thirty eight Poor
Whiteman Chesterfield program. Poor Whiteman and his Swing Wing along
(08:05):
with Jack t Garden and the Modern Airs with and
Hagar's blues.
Speaker 7 (08:31):
Old Deacons Clevin his block was given the way of
Levin Ride. He said, no waning, no ragtime singing.
Speaker 10 (08:46):
Dune had no ragtime sing And the whos do night.
Speaker 7 (08:52):
Up jumped that Hagar and shout it out with all hermides.
Just hear and Hagar's children harmonizing to that.
Speaker 11 (09:07):
Old more all.
Speaker 7 (09:12):
It's like a wire from on high broke glue. If
the devil brought in the good Lord said it.
Speaker 8 (09:28):
Right down to me.
Speaker 7 (09:32):
Oh, let the congregation go on while I played those
loving and.
Speaker 11 (09:40):
Girls blue.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Ain't no use to preaching. Tain't no use the teaching.
Speaker 5 (09:49):
When you hear those.
Speaker 7 (10:27):
Tain't no use of preaching.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
Tain't no use of teaching.
Speaker 8 (10:35):
It's modulation.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
I've sincapasi just tells my feet to dancing.
Speaker 12 (10:43):
I can't refuse when I hear.
Speaker 7 (10:48):
The melody they call the blue Nose.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Ever, love and blues ain't no use in reaching, ain't
no use.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
The thanks, Lenny. I played the record pick early in
today's show because the list of songs I am now
(11:21):
going to play will take us most probably just about
to the end of the show, and in a big way.
The list also has a lot to do with Lenny
Lenny from down the block. I got an email last
week from Tito Savoldi, who's a close friend of Angelo Carbone.
(11:44):
All of our regular listeners know that Angelo, in his
nineties is the sun of the late great Ralphie Carbone,
who along with a group of friends created the Ralphie
from Canars Brooklyn record club list. To give you a
little background, Ralphie and his wife Rose starting in nineteen
(12:08):
thirty five, and they intended on only doing this one time.
They invited a group of friends to come over to
their Brooklyn home to enjoy potluck supper and listen to
and dance to records of the big band era. And
that one get together was so successful that the group
(12:29):
decided to give it a try to do every other
Saturday that potluck supper and music record listening and dancing extravaganza. Well,
the car Bones and their friends obviously at that point
didn't know how successful this would become, because they ran
(12:50):
this record club from nineteen thirty five right up to
the mid nineteen seventies, and in that time they created
a list in order of their favorite big band tunes.
Now over the years, that lists well to over eight
hundred different records. And again, if you're a regular listener,
(13:13):
you know here on the Ballroom, we play a game
where I spin a virtual wheel, select the number that
comes up, and match it up to a song from
the list. And I have all of those eight hundred
plus tunes in the Make Believe Ballroom playlist today, though
(13:34):
you know, I never ran a Ralphie segment where I
played the top ten hits from that list on the program.
Because we do this as sort of a random game.
The first selection I play might be number four and
the next one might be six hundred and seventy five.
So let me get back to Tito's email. He let
(13:57):
me know, unfortunately that Angela had taken a little spill
by the pool at his condo in Naples, Florida. He
was in the hospital for a couple of days. Thank god,
nothing critical.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
Now.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
I mentioned this to Lenny from down the block and
he Lenny decided to drive down to Naples from Tampa
to visit Angelo and hopefully bring him some good cheer,
and Lenny on his phone when he gets to Angelo's
(14:33):
will play this broadcast featuring the ten songs I'm going
to now play, so in honor of you Angelo, first
of all, hoping you're feeling better in a speedy recovery,
and certainly in memory of your beloved parents. Ralphie and
Rose from Canarsi, Brooklyn. Here is the top ten songs
(14:55):
of all time, as determined by Ralphie and the members
of his record club. Let's start with number ten.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Ah, smile again, I'm just smile at.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
You a.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Line again?
Speaker 3 (15:28):
What good would it do? For?
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Tears would build my eyes, my heart would re lie.
Speaker 7 (15:51):
The man.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Long again. I'm sorry love with you. I'll never fall again.
Sunby Within my Heart.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
I know I will never start.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
To smile again.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
Until I smile.
Speaker 7 (16:53):
Let you.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
Within my heart. I know I will never start to
smile again.
Speaker 7 (17:47):
Until I smile.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
I until I smile.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
On Victor Records, I'll Never Smile Again by Tommy Dorsey
and his Orchestra. Vocal by Frank Sinatra and The Pied
Piper is. This huge hit for Dorsey and his at
that time rising star vocalist Frank Sinatra, was the country's
number one record on Billboard's very first National Single Sales
(18:35):
chart in July of nineteen forty, and it remained on
top for a phenomenal twelve weeks, while the song itself
spent seven weeks at number one on the radio program
Your Hit Parade I'll Never Smile Again, number ten on
the All Time Ralphie from Canarsi Brooklyn Record Club List.
(18:58):
Now Friends here there is number nine.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Of all the boys I've known, and I've known some.
Until I first met you, I was lonesome.
Speaker 13 (19:13):
And when you came inside, dear, my heart grew laddinder
somewhere else seem new to me.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
You really swell.
Speaker 13 (19:20):
I have to admit you deserve expressions that really fit you.
And so I've racked my brain offing to explain all.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
The things that you did to me.
Speaker 12 (19:30):
Boy me bester shame. Please let me explain. By me
bester SHAMEE means your brain ball me bester shame Again,
I'll explain. It means you're the fairest in the la head.
(19:52):
I could say.
Speaker 8 (19:53):
Bell, the bell, lifeven sevender bar.
Speaker 12 (19:58):
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are.
I've tried to explain. Call me a pist shame. So
kiss me and say you understand.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Fall me if.
Speaker 12 (20:19):
Pistu shane you've heard it all before. By let me
try to explain. To buy me abys to shame means
that you're grand. Fall me if it'stushane. It's such an
old refrain, and yeah, I shoot. Explain it means I
am begging for your hands.
Speaker 13 (20:39):
I could say.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
Bell, the bell, life and safe and the bye, each
lame which only helps me tell you.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
How grand you are.
Speaker 8 (21:12):
I could say bell, the bell, lifeven seven the bar,
each language only helps me tell you how grand you are.
Speaker 12 (21:23):
I've tried to explain by me mister Shane sung, excuse me,
I say that you will understand.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
The song we just heard was written for an early
nineteen thirties Yiddish musical comedy. The tune by Mere Mister
Shane became a late nineteen thirty sensation, as did the
three Andrew Sisters who recorded it, and many saying we've
mentioned on the program, this is truly the record that
(22:03):
made them the Andrew Sisters famous. From Decca Records, by
Mere Mister Shane, by the Andrew Sisters Orchestra conducted by
Vic Shane, trumpet solo, Nice trumpet solo there by Bobby Hackett,
recorded in New York City, November twenty fourth, nineteen thirty seven.
(22:23):
This is Jeff Bresler and in hoping for a speedy
recovery to Angelo Carbone, Lenny from down the Block is
at his home in Naples playing this program at the
bedside or maybe chair side of Angelo as hopefully a
pick me up for him as he recovers from a
(22:43):
pool side fall a few weeks back. Let's go now
to number eight.
Speaker 5 (23:14):
In Don't You Have a Brother?
Speaker 4 (26:16):
From Victor Records, recorded in nineteen forty one, We just
heard Stardust by Artie Shaw and his orchestra. Stardust was
written by the legendary Hogy Carmichael. It was a collaboration.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
He wrote that.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
They wrote it with with Michael Parrish. They wrote it
and recorded it back in nineteen twenty seven. And you
know I checked. This record since nineteen twenty seven has
been recorded over fifteen hundred times, but most say the
Ardi Shaw version we just heard, arranged by Lenny Hayton
(26:55):
and featuring solos by Artie, Billy Butterfield on the trumpet
and Jack Jenny playing the trombone is certainly the gold standard.
And speaking of gold standards, folks, we are dedicating a
playlist of top ten big band favorites of all time
to the recuperating Angelo Carbone and the top ten list
(27:20):
we are using. As I've mentioned throughout the program, was
created by Angelo's father, Ralph and members of his record
club that started in nineteen thirty five, The Ralphie from
Canarsi Top ten for you Angelo here today on the
Make Believe ballrom.
Speaker 10 (28:00):
Gay Little Loven Lovely, let Me Know, Let Me.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
An Me.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
Ny on Bluebird Records. The nineteen forty one Glenn Miller
and his orchestra recording of Tuxedo Junction number seven on
(31:11):
the Ralphie from Canarsi Record Club list. I've mentioned this
in the past, but in case you were wondering where
Tuxedo Junction was a number of people think it's a
reference to the upstate New York town of Tuxedo, but
in actuality, the song is about a jazz and blues
club in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Ensley, and that
(31:37):
area was referred to as Tuxedo Junction.
Speaker 5 (33:16):
Maybe anything.
Speaker 4 (34:53):
We just listened to number six of the top ten,
and that was beginning the Beginning, which I actually play
just a few weeks back. But how can you ever
tire of this Artie shaw gem begin the beginning? The
Cole Porter Standard recorded on Bluebird Records in New York City,
(35:13):
July the twenty fourth, nineteen thirty eight, from the Cole
Porter Stage Musical Jubilee. We are halfway home to providing
Angelo Carbone with the music of the top ten Big
Band Best List of Hits created by the members of
the Ralphie from Canarci Brooklyn Record Club.
Speaker 2 (36:25):
By that taxs what you said.
Speaker 6 (36:28):
Step aside, partner, it's my day mending here and listen
to my.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
Version a really solid tell Us Sick Excursion.
Speaker 6 (36:45):
Pardon me boy? Is that the Chattanooga ju Ju?
Speaker 11 (36:49):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (36:49):
Yes, why not?
Speaker 12 (36:53):
Boy?
Speaker 11 (36:53):
You can give me a Shane?
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Can you aford you?
Speaker 3 (36:59):
Boy?
Speaker 6 (37:00):
Chad Knoga, I got my fair.
Speaker 3 (37:06):
And just to tagle to Spa.
Speaker 6 (37:09):
You leave the Pennsylvania stationed about a quarter to four,
read the magazine, and then you ran Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
And honor no, I'm a good bar.
Speaker 6 (37:20):
And then to have you having eggs in Carolina when
you hit the vessel bawl and ain't to the barn.
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Sham all the calling God and keep it wrong.
Speaker 5 (37:34):
Oo, chad Uga, there you are.
Speaker 6 (37:40):
There's gonna be a certain party at the station.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
Firmly.
Speaker 6 (37:49):
I used to call Fanny, She's gonna cry until I
tell her that I'll ever wrong. Cadoga Juju, what do
ju ju me home?
Speaker 5 (38:06):
Get a ball?
Speaker 3 (38:13):
Look?
Speaker 6 (38:14):
Juju, what do ju ju me home?
Speaker 11 (38:18):
Ju?
Speaker 4 (38:54):
That was number five the nineteen forty one Bluebird Records
classic Chattanooga Chuo Choo Chattanooga Chuo Cheo Glenn Miller and
his orchestra vocals by Tex Bennicki in the four Modernaires
nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit
from the great movie Sun Valley Serenade, which I think
(39:17):
you can still find to watch on YouTube. Chattanooga Choo
Choo was also the It was the first million selling
recording to be well, let me say this quote unquote
officially recognized with the awarding of a gold record. I've
mentioned on the show many many times. The gold record
(39:41):
Miller received was more of a publicity stunt created by
Victor Records, but it did set the path for the
actual gold records as we know them today. Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
Oh only on.
Speaker 2 (40:28):
Litn't in need.
Speaker 4 (43:06):
Another Miller goody A string of pearls back to back
Glenn Miller and that record sits at number four. The
nineteen forty two recording of a String of Pearls was
the talented Jerry Gray's most famous composition, and to enhance
(43:28):
the song, we heard the great Bobby Hackett with his
carnet solo and of course a string of Pearls also
a number one hit.
Speaker 14 (44:20):
S us should.
Speaker 11 (45:40):
Stop my son shut.
Speaker 5 (47:37):
As the.
Speaker 3 (47:42):
Sun shut.
Speaker 4 (48:40):
Folks, we just listened to number three on the hit list,
the song that brought the house down at the legendary
Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert from January the sixteenth, nineteen
thirty eight, Sing Sing, Sing on Victor Records Benny Goodman
and his Orchestra recorded in Hollywood July the sixth, nineteen
(49:04):
thirty seven. And that song you may not know was
actually first recorded by the great Louis Prima. We are
now down to the top two songs from the Ralphie
from Canarsi Record Club list, and while you folks think
of what the top two songs may be again, we
(49:26):
extend our best wishes to Angelo Carbone for speedy recovery
from a fall he took at his condominium swimming pool
in Naples, Florida, and also an on air. Hello to
Lenny from down the block, who trek down to Naples
from Tampa. I guess that's probably It's probably about a
two and a half hour drive south. And he is
(49:50):
visiting Angelo to play this show for him and also
spend some time with Angelo and find out if he
needs any help, if there's any way we could help him.
Here on the Make Believe Ballroom, I Won't keep you waiting.
Here is number two seas from Victor Records in nineteen
(53:02):
forty one. Take the A Train, the Billy Strayhorn classic
Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra, the song about the
iconic New York City subway train that travels to Harlem
and now the number one pick for the best record
of the big band swing era, as voted on by
(53:24):
the members of the Ralphie from Canarsi Record Club that
started back in nineteen thirty five and ended in the
early nineteen seventies. Their club selected this record as their
number one big band classic.
Speaker 7 (55:06):
Did It.
Speaker 3 (56:49):
Back Up, Back Up.
Speaker 5 (56:58):
Back?
Speaker 4 (57:13):
The Ralphie from Canarsi Record Club list number one hit
in the mood on Bluebird Records, recorded by Glenn Miller
and his orchestra back in August of nineteen thirty nine,
the most recognizable track of the Swing era. It spent
three months of early nineteen forty as the number one
(57:35):
most played jukebox hit in America. So, folks, that is
the Ralfie from Canarsi Record Club list of top ten
hits from the Big Band era. Folks, you might agree
with the countdown placement of songs on the list, or
maybe you have a song you cherish that didn't make
the Ralfie from Canarsi Record Club Top ten list. Let
(57:59):
me know what the songs you would have added or
where their placement would have been on a top ten
I'm Jeff at Make Believe Ballroom Radio dot com. That's
Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroomradio dot com. See you all next week.
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