Recorded in the Tower, Blackpool, on 7th April 1935,  Larry Brennan & the Winter Gardens Dance Band play "Since we fell out of love", with unknown vocalist. The only other recorded version of this song was by Teddy Joyce on HMV. 

MR1680 Larry Brennan & the Winter Gardens Dance Band "Since we fell out of love"

Recorded in May 1932, Jay Wilbur & his band play "What would you do?" from Maurice Chevailer's film  "One hour with you". This  is quite a rhythmic performance and includes some solos - vocal refrain is by Louis Spiro. 

2711 Jay Wilbur & his Band "What would you do?"

From 1934 here is Maurice Elwin's sincere recording of Jerome Kern's ballad "they didn't believe me". He is again assisted by Linda Faire. 

Maurice Elwin (baritone)sings "They didn't believe me"

Here's a good example of Maurice Elwin's later work as a dance band vocalist, with the Savoy Hotel Orpheans version of "Stormy Weather", recorded on 11th May 1933. 

Stormy Weather  by the Savoy Hotel Orpheans with Maurice Elwin

Maurice Elwin sings the delightful "Josephine" from the 1934 film "Little Women".  Well recorded by Rex, with accompaniment by small orchestra probably directed by Jay Wilbur. 

Maurice Elwin (baritone) "Josephine" from the 1934 film "Little Women"

Released in early 1946,  this sentimental and beautiful version of "Home sweet home" probably resonated with many servicemen as they were being demobbed after the war. Sam Browne was principally a dance band singer, but when called upon to sing in different styles he acquitted himself well. I hope you enjoy this. 

Sam Browne with Maurice Winnick & his orchestra "Home sweet home"

Here's one of the last tracks recorded by Jack Payne & his Hotel Cecil Orchestra at their final session on January 17th 1928. Jack himself provides the vocal on "Music and moonlight". This is taken from a well used copy, so please be tolerant of the background noise towards the end of the track. 

Jack Payne & his Hotel Cecil orchestra  "Music & Moonlight" 1928

Here's the only recording of "Sooner or later", described as a quick fox-trot,  by a British dance band. Arthur Lally leads the Million-airs in this bright number, with vocal by Maurice Elwin & Cavan O'Connor. 

Arthur Lally & the Million-airs  "Sooner or later" 1931

Recorded on 22nd November 1932, here's an early record from Roy Fox & his band just after he had transferred to the Cafe Anglais in London. Jack Plant sings on this pleasant track, "A million dreams".

Roy Fox & his band "A miilion dreams" 1932

One of the most beautiful waltzes of 1932, "Moonlight on the river", was ignored by most of the dance bands and clearly did not gain much popularity at the time.  Despite this, had it  been recorded by Al Bowlly with Ray Noble, I am quite certain that it would now be considered as one of Al's greatest recordings. Here, Harry Bentley sings with real feeling and emotion in a delightfully smooth arrangement from carroll Gibbons. Incidentally, Ray Noble did provide the orchestral accompaniment when Melville Gideon recorded the song for HMV, what a pity that he didn't also record a version with his resident vocalist. 

"Moonlight on the river" by Carroll Gibbons & the Savoy Hotel Orpheans

Recorded on 30th August 1934, here is Billy Cotton & his Band with "Spring don't mean a thing to me".  A pleasant melody, the vocal here is taken by Alan Breeze who by then was assigned the lion's share of vocals with the band. 

Billy Cotton & his Band "Spring don't mean a thing to me" 1934

The vocal on a dance band record can either make or break the enjoyment for a listener. This record is unfortunately in the latter category - Alan Breeze adopts a French accent (possibly trying to imitate Maurice Chevalier), in Billy Cotton's recording of "Look what I've got" from the 1933 film "A bedtime story".  All is well initially with a fine performance from the band of this bright and catchy number, until the vocal chorus - no  doubt at the time It was thought that to have a comic French accent would have improved the record, but how much better it would have been if someone like Sam Browne had been engaged to provide the vocal!

Billy Cotton & his Band "Look what I've got" 1933

From the musical show "Mister Cinders" here is Ray Starita & his Ambassadors Band with "Ev'ry little moment". Recorded on 11th October 1928, vocalist is Eddie Grossbart.

5228  Ray Starita & his Ambassadors Band

From the same songwriters who penned "Play to me gypsy" came "Beside my caravan" which, although similar, didn't achieve anything like the same popularity with the public. Here is Maurice Elwin's recording of it, sung in his usual fine style.  

Maurice Elwin (baritone) sings "Beside my caravan" 1934

At first hearing this sounds very much like an American recording, illustrating as it does how much the dance band sound in the UK began to be influenced by the swing music sweeping through America as played by Benny Goodman, Glen Miller & co. "Stop! You're breaking my heart" was recorded in December 1937 at the first recording session by Jack White.  A very different sound to that normally associated with British Dance Bands, but well recorded by Parlophone & interesting to hear. 

Jack White & his Collegians 1937 "Stop! You're breaking my heart"

The Casani Club Orchestra, directed by Charlie Kunz, play the theme tune from Gracie Fields' 1935 film "Look up and laugh".  With an excellent vocal by George Barclay, this happy tune epitomized the feeling of growing optimism in the UK after the great depression, and before the increasing tensions at the end of the decade. 

Casani Club Orchestra (Charlie Kunz)  "Look up and laugh"

The reverse side of Sterno 1237, Sam Browne & Elsie Carlisle sing "Just give me the girl".  I have another unusual duet by them to upload tomorrow. 

Sam Browne & Elsie Carlisle "Just give me the girl"   Sterno 1237

I would welcome any information about this record. Sue & her boyfriends sing "You must have been a beautiful baby", a British recording from 1938 (matrix R3250-1). The reverse side is "Rhythm in the alphabet". I have never found any other record by "Sue", and would be interested to know her full identity, and whether she made any other  records besides this. 

Sue & her Boyfriends  "You must have been a beautiful baby" 1938

Here's a stylish track from Arthur Lally, this is "Tell tales" recorded in Match 1932 with a vocal by Sam Browne. 

"Tell tales"  Arthur Lally & his orchestra  March 1932

Probably because of some contractual reason Elsie Carlisle is only credited as "girl friend" on this charming 1934 record. The only other recording of  "Gee, oh gosh, I'm grateful!" that I know of is by Roy Fox, but it is a perfect choice for Sam & Elsie. 

Sam Browne & Elsie Carlisle "Gee, oh gosh, I'm grateful!"

Another song absolutely right for Elsie Carlisle was her 1931 recording of "Poor kid".  Imperial records were recorded rather softly but I'm pleased with how the restoration has turned out. The reverse side of my copy of this record (Pardon me, pretty baby) suffers from 4 needle digs that cause jumped grooves, so restoration from this copy is challenging!!

Elsie Carlisle  "Poor Kid"  1931

Here is Anne Ziegler & Webster Booth's excellent recording of "What is done" from "The Lilac Domino". Released in 1943, this is most enjoyable and a new addition to my collection. I hope you enjoy it!

Anne Ziegler & Webster Booth "What is done" 1943

Recorded on 24th April 1930, Leslie Sarony provides the vocal on Ambrose & his orchestra's recording of "The Empire Party Song".  Not on You Tube, this is, I think, the only recording made by Leslie Sarony with Ambrose, and has some fine hot playing interspersed in the arrangement.

Mike Taylor

Popular tracks