BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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Russell Davies

Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

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

Russell Davies: 29/01/2012

Music: Jazz & Blues

29/01/2012

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Russell Davies, 29/01/2012

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

After an opener from Johnny Mercer, Russell marks what would've been the 80th birthday of Beverly Kenney. He also features Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Mel Tormé and Anita O'Day.

After a jolly opening from Johnny Mercer with a little seasonal advice to wrap up warm, Russell marks what would have been the 80th birthday of singer Beverly Kenney, who died aged only 28. We hear two of her quite rare performances and Russell quotes from Beverly's youthful opinion - she wouldn't record with strings because "they were hokey". 

Three performances follow by great swing artists backed by strings that Russell contends are anything but hokey - Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Mel Tormé and this begins another thread because the song Sinatra sings is by singer Russ Columbo; Bing's This Love Of Mine has Sinatra's name as co-composer while Mel's I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance was co-written by Bing.

Frankie Laine is up next with a song he wrote with Mel Tormé and the run is completed by Anita O'Day singing Laine's We'll Be together Again. Russell then features guitarist Johnny Smith [already heard with Beverly Kenney on Goodman's Oh Babe] and also a Jeri Southern session; after a brand new and sensational re-working, by Lorraine Feather and Stephanie Trick, of James P Johnson's Caprice Rag.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

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Russell Davies

29/01/2012

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