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Russell Davies

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Russell Davies celebrates the art, craft and inspiration of the popular song

Russell Davies: Russell Davies celebrates Milt Gabler, Fanny Brice and WS Gilbert.

Music: Jazz & Blues

29/05/2011

Russell Davies celebrates Milt Gabler, Fanny Brice and WS Gilbert.

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Russell Davies, Russell Davies celebrates Milt Gabler, Fanny Brice and WS Gilbert.

Russell Davies celebrates the art, craft and inspiration of the popular song.

This week, Russell celebrates record producer Milt Gabler, who was born a hundred years ago this week; singer and actress Fanny Brice; and WS Gilbert, who died on 29 May 1911.

This week, Russell Davies celebrates record producer Milt Gabler, who was born a hundred years ago this week; singer and actress Fanny Brice; and WS Gilbert, who died on 29 May 1911. 

Russell reminds us of Gabler's career and some of his principal achievements. These include famous recordings like Peggy Lee's Lover, Louis Jordan's pre-rock R&B work, Billie Holiday's Fine Mellow, and a song for which he was lyricist, L-O-V-E. 

It is 60 years to the day since Fanny Brice died and we hear the remarkably clear 1921 recording by her of Second Hand Rose. And Johnny Mercer's statement: "We all come from Gilbert" leads to consideration of various aspects of WS Gilbert's legacy to popular music. We hear Mildred Bailey singing an updated version of Tit Willow from The Mikado; Peter, Paul & Mary's folky take on I Have Song To Sing-O (The Yeoman Of The Guard), plus borrowings by Allan Sherman and Tom Lehrer.

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Russell Davies celebrates Milt Gabler, Fanny Brice and WS Gilbert.

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