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

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.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 29 May 2011 21:00

Music Played

  • Peggy Lee

    Lover

    “The Best Of Peggy Lee: 1952 - 1956”

    • Music Club.
    • MCCD 157.
  • Nat King Cole

    L O V E

    “Nat ‘King’ Cole Collectors Series”

    • Capitol.
    • CDP 793590 2.
  • Billie Holiday

    Fine And Mellow

    Billie Holiday – The Complete Commodore Records

    • GRP Records.
    • CD 24012.
  • Fanny Brice

    Second-Hand Rose

    “The Roaring ‘20s: Hits Of ’22 – Do It Again!”

    • Living Era.
    • CD AJA 5522.
  • Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

    Choo Choo Ch'boogie

    “Hot Feet – A Celebration Of Us Dance Culture”

    • Fantastic Voyage.
    • FVTD074.
  • Mildred Bailey

    Tit Willow

    “Mildred Bailey Complete Columbia Recordings”

    • Definitive Records.
    • DRCD 11180.
  • Allan Sherman

    When I Was A Lad I Went To Yale

    “My Son The Celebrity – Allan Sherman”

    • Warner.
    • WM 8131.
  • Tom Lehrer

    The Elements

    “The Remains Of Tom Lehrer” [3 CD Box]

    • Warner Archives/Rhino.
    • R2 79831.
  • Bob Shaver & Louise Carlyle

    Let's Take A Walk Around The Block

    “The Music Of Harold Arlen – The 1955 Walden Sessions”

    • Harbinger Records.
    • HCD 1505.
  • Comedian Harmonists

    Night And Day

    “The Essential Collection: The Comedian Harmonists”

    • Avid West End.
    • AVC 810.
  • Michael Flanders and Donald Swann

    Ill Wind

    “Flanders & Swann - At The Drop Of Another Hat”

    • Parlophone.
    • CDP 7974662.
  • Peter, Paul and Mary

    I Have A Song To Sing-O

    “Peter, Paul And Mommy”

    • Warner.
    • WM 1785.
  • Frank Sinatra

    Too Marvelous For Words

    “Frank Sinatra – Songs For Swingin’ Lovers”

    • Capitol.
    • CDP 7 46570 2.

Broadcast

  • Sun 29 May 2011 21:00