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Harry Parry was born in north Wales in 1912. He trained to be a musical instrument maker but the performance side took over and he moved to London to play in big bands, including Percival Mackey's. He established his own six piece band and was asked by the BBC to lead the band for their Radio Rythmn Club show. He was popular throughout the 1940s and into the 50s. He died at the age of 44 in 1956.  His music was fun, with a real swing and he brought interesting vocalists and musicians to perform and record with the Sextet. Jazz legend George Shearing was his pianist for many years. Check out Bob Stanley's book, 'Let's do it.' It's a great read about the history of British and American pop. It has a complimentary section about Harry in it. BBC Radio one D.J John Peel was a fan of Parry.      Bounce me brother with a solid four, vocalist Doreen Villiers. Mr five by five- vocalist Dave Wilkins. Stars fell on Alabama- vocalist Harry Parry. Black eyes(1941). Crazy rhythm(1942). It don't count(1941). Lonesome road(1946). Blues around my bed, vocalist Ruby Marlow. Pontiac jump. Stardust. Parry opus. My blue heaven. We end with the wonderful Softly as in a morning sunrise.  

Milton Brown and his Brownies- Down by the Ohio(1935) What an extraordinary voice Brown had. A pioneer of Western swing his career was tragically cut short when he died of injuries sustained in a car crash in 1936. Bob Skyles and the skyrockets- Swing it Mr drummer man(1938). Clifford kendrick on drums. Hoosiers Hot shots- Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia. Seemlessly moving into two tracks from the fabulously named Hell broke out in Georgia LP.  First, more great names, Gid Tanner and his Skillet lickers- Don't you cry my honey(1930.) The Swamp rooters- Swamp cat rag(1936) They were led by fiddler Lowe Stokes, a member of the Skillet lickers. We stay with the fiddle but slow it down with The Leake County Revellers- Good night Waltz(1927.) East coast country blues is how the source LP describes the next two tracks. Lottie Kimsbrough and Winston Holmes- Lost Lover Blues(1928) A great track from lesser known artists. I've heard blues and yodelling before but never blues yodelling and birdsong. Fred McMullan and Ruth Mary Willis- Just can't stand it. Little known about these two. Both made a few recordings in the early 30s. McMullan died in the early 60s and was in prison at one point in his life. No further record of Willis's life. Just two examples of artists whose talents were recorded in the 1920s and 30s and then they just disappeared. Meade Lux Lewis- Honky Tonk Train Blues. Jimmy Yancy and Faber Smith- I received a letter. Pine Top Smith-  Pine Tops's Boogie Woogie. The first time boogie woogie appears on a record label and is mentioned in a song. Pine Top Smith was a real pioneer who sadly died at the age of 25. A wee excerpt from a rather 'faded' 78rpm featuring a meeting between The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. The two pioneering acts of early country music. Then it's Jimmie solo, not yodelling, with I'm Lonesome too. Back to Britain. To listen to how the US influenced music here. Harry Torrani- Log Cabin Yodel (1932.) Slim Whitman rated Torrani as the best yodeller of all time. He certainly had a sweet spot voice. Incidentally yodelling was introduced in the US by a Swiss group who toured the whole country in the middle of the 19th century. Bob Mallin- Oh they're tough, mighty tough in the west. A very English delivered comic cowboy song from the late 30's. Lonnie Donegan is no stranger to Forgotten songs. Here he sings Don't let the sun go down on me. One of the many blues, folk and traditional songs from the US that he sang. He was a man who loved the very music we play here. We finish with Mugsy Spanier- Lonesome Road.  A superb laid back, instrumental version of this popular song that was written in the style of an African American folk song by Nat Skillret and Gene Austin.  

Up until now the Forgotten Songs ethos has been to show case forgotten songs and artists from all genres. It's been a real journey of discovery. I've been surprised by how much good music has been neglected. From this episode though I'm focusing on the choice of music. We will concentrate on Americana and American roots. Early folk, country, blues, jazz, boogie woogie, blue grass and, of course, western swing. This is our introduction. Jelly Roll Morton- Oh didn't he ramble. 1939. Sidney Bechet clarinet. Next a four song sequence that shows the development of one song- The unfortunate rake. From its likely Anglo Irish origins in the 18th century to its crossing the Atlantic with early settlers to the US.  We have The unfortunate rake- A.L Lloyd singer, Alf Edwards concertina. One day in May- Holly Wood from a version collected in 1941 in Salem Virginia. The Streets of Loredo- singer Harry Jackson ( Wycomig version of cowboy lament in 1938). St James Infirmary Blues. Saunders King and Orch. Saunders on guitar and vocals. Composer Joe Primrose.                                                                   Songs all the way- Powder river, let'er buck- Powder River Jack and Kitty Lee. Bucking Bronco( My lover is a rider)- Mildred and Dorothy Good. Amade Ardoin- La valse de mon vieux village. Pearl Dickson- Twelve pound daddy. Missippii Matilda- Hard working woman. Doc Watson- Am I born to die? McCravy brothers- Dip me in the golden sea.  Milton Brown and his brownies- Some body has been using that thang. Sons of the west- Sally's got a wooden leg. Cliff Bruners Texas Wanderers- Kangeroo blues. The sweet violet boys- I haven't got a pot to...cook in.     

We're back after a six month break. Less chat, more music this time round. We start with a very laid back Louis Armstrong and his version of Blueberry Hill. Billie Anthony was born Philomena McGeachie Levy in Glasgow in 1932. Here she sings her biggest hit, This Ole House. There were a few covers of this record in the British charts. Rosemary Clooney made no1 but Billie Anthony made no4. She had a great voice and it's surprising that her career had just petered out by 1960.  Tony Martin stirs up  passions with Kiss of Fire. He had a seven decade career and was married to Alice Faye and Cyd Charisse-  but not at the same time!  Strict tempo dance music next. Developed to standardise dance styles strict tempo bands never had a vocalist. I suppose it could be accused of being a little souless but in this section of records its comes over as chilled and relaxing. Two from the king of strict tempo Victor Silvester. A dancer himself he, along with Josephine Bradley, was a founder member of The Imperial Society of teachers of dance. Which I have to say does sound a tad pompous! Silvester sold 70 million records in his time. Check him out below. Its a fascinating read:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Silvester Both Josephine Bradley and Henry Jasques were originally dancers. Indeed Jasques was British Ballroom champion from 1934 to 36. His 1944 book on ballroom is still a highly sort after work. Latvian born Oscar Rabin joins the strict tempo crew with Love is all. Jo Stafford had highly successful career over five decades. Opera trained her voice is very pure. She married the band leader Paul Weston and they produced alot of fine work together. They had a side project though: Jonathon and Darlene Edwards, a truly bad caberet act. Listen here, if you dare: https://youtu.be/NySAbB2JLII Some more obscure artists next. Victor Olof with Tancuf, a Slovakian dance, Harry Wulson yodelling in 1929. He produced a few such records but I cannot find a biog of him. The Accordion Emsemble were probably a Zonophone house band, here they play Espana Valise recorded in 1920. Gene Austin was extremely well known in his time. One of the first crooners he was also a fine songwriter, When My Sugar Walks Down the Street and, Forgotten Songs favourite, The Lonesome Road are just two of his compositions. Here he sings- I've grown so lonesome thinking of you. PIano duo and co bandleaders Victor Arden and Phil Ohman give us Kiddie Kapers. That leads us perfectly to two records on 45rpm. First a track that was very popular in my 1960s and 70s childhood. Sparky's talking piano. It was actually recorded in 1947 with the child actor Henry Blair voicing Sparky. The rather creepy piano's voice was created by a Sonovox voice processor. Which makes the human voice sound, well, both robotic and musical. It was invented in 1939 and had an early notable demonstration by Lucille Ball in a Pathe newsreel. We dissolve seemlessly from that to Sacha Distel singing Ich bin ein spielman. Back to 78s with with Coleman Hawkins with Half step down please. Tito Burns and his Sextet play Sloppy Joe. Burns had a career as a musician, accordian and piano, and as an impresario and manager. He discovered Dusty Springfield, managed Cliff Richard and organised the European tours of Simon and Garfunkle. We close with Joe Daniels and Drumnastics. Hope you enjoy it. Its good to be back.    

The last episode of Forgotten Songs. What a pleasure it has been  discovering, playing and researching these records, songs and artists. A few old favourites and a couple of new discoveries. Alma Cogan- Lizzie Borden, Eartha Kitt- C'est Si Bon, Mel Torme- Mpoutain Greenery, Tennesse Ernie Ford- Sixteen tons, George D'Albert - Your own Street, Bob Skyles and his Sky Rockets- My darling Texas Cowgirl, Lets play love, I'm gonna die with a broken heart, Carl Weismann and his singing dogs, Lonnie Donegan- When the sun goes down, Hal McIntyre- South Bayou shuffle, Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet-Softly as in morning sunsrise, Mugsy Spanier-Lonesome Road and our last record.... the very best of love songs. Nat King Cole- My Flaming Heart. A big thank you for listening. Stay safe, happy and healthy Miles Tubb

Big thank you to Neil Guthrie for the donation of family records featured in this episode. They belonged to Martha and Geordie Hardie of Cowdenbeath.  Lonnie Donegan- Betty, Betty, Betty, Tom Foy- Lizzie, Mimosa 5in record- My Kid, Jutkika Roy- Hindustani song, David McCallum- Scottish melodies,  Callendar Cable Works Band- Swallows Serenade, Miss Lydia Russell You're driving me crazy, Bobby Comber- Peg leg Jack, Buddy Prince- Little pal, Florrie Ford- Ta ta be lucky and lets pretend we're having fun. Bing Crosby(yes Bing Crosby!)- Beautiful dreamer.

Best tracks and stonking tunes from Tex Beneke, Frankie Froba, Teresa Brewer, Fats Waller, Anita O'Day, Lulu Zeigler, Lorrae Desmond, Lonnie Donegan, Les Paul, Mary Ford, Leslie Hutchinson, Sugar Chile Robinson, Jimmie Rodgers, Harry Torrani, Phyllis Robins, McCravy Brothers, Geoffrey Goodheart, Tiny Bradshaw, Bob Crosby, Marion Mann and Frankie Laine.

Thanks to John Hearn for donation of these records. Judy Garland and Fred Astaire- A couple of swells, Perry Como- Magic Moments and Catch a fallen star, Marino Marini- Volare, Edmundo Ross- Rumba Royale, Roberto Inglez- Autumn leaves,  Mantovani- La Cumparista, Benny Goodman- These foolish things remind me of you, Felix Mendelssohn- Scotlandia, Herijati- Kenaghan Masa- (Indonesian song), Carman Cavallaro- Lovely look at, The star gazers- An old beer bottle, Billy Cotton-Two on a tandem, The French can- can, Hang on the bell Nellie.

Ernie Ford- Shot gun boogie, Teddy Johnston- Mandolin Serenade, William Schwartz- song in Yiddish, Nick Lucas- My bundle of love and Moonbeams, Ester Walker-  You gotta know how to love and Hard to get Gertie, Carl, Natalie and Arnold Golmetch- Greensleeves to a ground, Jimmy Young- No arms can ever hold you, Perry Como- Idle gossip, Weston Brothers- Scottish Memories, Robert Wilson- Down in the glen and Victor Sylvester- Autumn Leaves.

The Wang, Wang Blues- Teresa Brewer, Take me in your arms- Les Paul and Mary Ford, The Duke's idea and Skyliner- Charlie Barnet-, Keep your seats please- George Formby, I never knew heaven could speak- Bob Crosby, vocals Marion Mann, Effie Atherton-Dennis the Menace, Jimmie Rodgers- Away out on the mountain, Harry Torrani- The watermill yodel, Claude Hopkins- Ain't misbehaving, Fats Waller- Vipers rag, Albert Ammons- Boogie woogie stomp, Hobo Jack Taylor- The bum's rush, Wingie Malone-South with the boarder, Johnny Rae- What's the use, Frankie Laine- High Noon.

Up this time round: The Six Swingers- Hot Pie, The Stargazers- I see the moon, Savoy Havana Band- A kiss in the dark, Jay Whidden- I'll see you again, Paul Specht- I'm knee deep in daisies, Jelly Roll Morton- Oh didn't he ramble, Mugsy Spanier- Hesitating blues, G.H Elliott- I want to go to Idaho, Ethel Smith- Charmaine, (Whispering) Jack Smith- Ain't she cute, Kay Starr- Three letters, Tony Martin- Flamenco Love, Gene Autry and Jo Stafford- My heart cries for you, Anne Stephens- Buckingham Palace, Rudy Vallee- You're driving me crazy, Charlie Barnet- I like to riff.

Records from 1913 to 1956. Hungarian, Trinidadian and Canadian musicians. We have Winifred Atwell- Cross hands boogie, Mario Lanza- Drinking song, Billy Williams- Little Willie's Woodbines, Mr Herbert Payne- The sunshine of your smile, Nat Gonella- Capri caprice. Frankie Vaughn, Perry Como, Geraldo and Billy Cotton. Joe Petersen- Home on the range, Guy Lomardo- All my love, Blue Hungarian band- The skaters Waltz, Edith Lorand- The woman's heart, Don Roberton- The happy whistler and with Lou Dinning You're free to go. And you are but do come back!