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

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The Great American Songbook

Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

Sounds of the 50s

Leo Green explores figures associated with the Great American Songbook

The Great American Songbook: Irving Berlin

Music: Country

Music: Folk

23/02/2016

Irving Berlin

BBC Radio 2 - The Great American Songbook, Irving Berlin

Leo Green celebrates Irving Berlin, perhaps the greatest contributor to the Songbook.

Leo Green celebrates the music of Irving Berlin. Not being able to write a note of music didn't exactly hinder Berlin becoming one, if not, the greatest contributor to The Great American Songbook with songs such as Alexander's Ragtime Band, Anything You Can Do, Blue Skies, Change Partners, Cheek To Cheek, Easter Parade, Fools Fall In Love, God Bless America, How Deep Is The Ocean, Isn't This A Lovely Day, Let's Face The Music And Dance, On The Avenue, Puttin' On The Ritz, Top Hat, White Tie And Tails, What'll I Do? and of course White Christmas. He actually wrote in excess of 1000 songs by humming or whistling the melodies to a series of musical secretaries or by bashing them out on his specially designed piano. He could only play in one key and would use only the black notes, employing a specially designed handle on the side of the piano which he used to change key at his desired moment. Jerome Kern probably put it best when he said "Irving Berlin has no place in Amercian music- Irving Berlin is American music .

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