Radio varieties (Sept 1940-June 1941)

PATTER OFF THE PLATTER If you listen to the radio, and if you don't you're one in 57 or 82 or something, you've heard Raymond Paige and his "Musical Americana" programs. You con now take this program home with you on Victor records, a 12-inch, four record, "Musical Americana" album of Paige and his most popular music in an ail-American program. The numbers include excerpts from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess'', Cole Porter's "Night and Day", Rodriguez" "La Cumparsita", Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", Earl's "Beautiful Ohio", Berllin's "Lady of the Evening", Leslie-Nicholl's "Among My Souvenirs", Porter's "Anything Goes", Black-Moret's "Moonlight and Roses", Dietz-Schwctrtz "Louisiana Hayride", Ellington's "Mood Indigo", and De Sylva-Katscher's "When Day is Done". (Album G-28). All the tunes were arranged by Paige himself for his highly specialized 64-piece orchestra, the largest orchestra now being recorded for music of this type. Because of this fact, Victor used a new and bigger studio in New York than the one ordinarily employed for popular orchestras. Mr. Paige himself is currently the highest paid popular musical conductor in radio. Forty-one members of his orchestra are former conductors, thirty-seven have had their own orchestras. He is interested in American music and continually features the works of American composers on his Westinghouse radio program. The famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France, now gone the way of all French music, cut an extraordinary double several years back, titled "Paramount Stomp" and "Swinging with Djcmgo". The first rides out on — of all things — the musical theme of Paramount News while the second is just what the title implies, a double dose of Mr. Reinhardt's amazing guitar technique. Michael Warlop sat in as guest fidler during this session pitting his instrument against Stephane Grappelly's in furious violin duel. (Victor Swing Classic *27272). Alvino Rey's version of "Tiger Rag" was recorded by, popular request and after listening to the record we can see what they mean. It's done very fast with generous slices of Alvino's electric guitar, backed up by the King Sisters and a brilliant band performance. The companion piece is an abrupt about-face, a smooth and lovely "Rose Room" in the m a e s t r o ' s own instrumental arrangement. (Bluebird B11002). These records go on sale January 31. Another 12-incher from Victor this week, this time a luxurious coupling of the music from two continents played by two internationally known orchestras. Wayne King presents a concert rendition of the tango "Escapada" by the English composer Sid Philips, displaying a wealth of rich orchestral effects in a pleasant compromise between classic symphonic performance and straight dance band tempo. On the backing, Jack Hylton's Orchestra offers the Benatzky waltz "Grinzing", carrying on in brilliant style with swirling Viennese tempos. This is listening music of the highest order. (Victor 36387) Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five paint a musical picture of a famous meeting. "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume?" with jungle tom-toms and scorching clarinet work. The reverse is the much pijblicized "When the Quail Come Back To San Quentin", cued from a recent popular song hit, and wrapped up by Mr. Shaw in a neat parcel of solid small band jazz. (Victor Swing Classic *27289). Dick Todd back-to-backs two ballads in the nobody-loves-me mood, lending his man-to-man baritone to "The Mem'ry of a Rose", and "You Forgot About Me". He laments very nicely, and the supporting orchestra fills in elegantly. (Bluebird B-11024). Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys who record the popular favorite "No letter in the mail" on Bluebird — 8611 has had tremendous requests over WSM Nashville for this number. On reverse side "Cryin' Holy Unto My Lord." Glenn Miller scores "I Do, Do You?" for Ray Eberle and his famous sax choir in slow and provocative tempo. The fiveway reeds also highlight the com^ panion piece, "You Are the One" which is still in the slow groove with beautiful, close harmony. Mr. Eberle is also the vocalist here. (Bluebird B-11020). RADIO VARIETIES No. 4, VOLUME 2 FEBRUARY, 1941 Page Patter Off the Platter 2 Visiting the Little Red School House 3 562 Pounds of Musical Glamour 6 Service Can Be Entertaining 7 Gang Busters Celebrate Anniversary 8 Marie McDonald 9 Columbia's Colorful Commentators 10-11-12 Let's Look at WLS 14 Smilin' Ed McConnell 15 F. L. ROSENTHAL, Publisher WILTON ROSENTHAL, Editor Published at 1056 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois. F. L. Rosenthal, Publisher. New York Office: 485 Madison Avenue, Hollywood Office: 3532 Sunset Boulevard. Published Monthly. Single Copies, ten cents. Subscription rate $1.00 per year in the United States and Possessions, $1.50 in Canada. Entered as second class matter January 10, 1940, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the act of March 3, 1879. Every effort wrill be made to return unused manuscripts, photographs, and drawings (if accompanied by sufficient first-class postage and name and address), but we will not be responsible for any losses for such matter contributed. The publishers assume no responsibility for statements made herein by contributors and correspondents, nor does publication indicate approval thereof. P::g9 2 RADIO VARIETIES — FEBRUARY