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29/11/2009

Russell looks at the artists and songwriters who made their way to the United States via the famous New York entry point of Ellis Island.

Almost the whole of this week's show is made up of artists and/or songwriters who made their way to The United States via the famous New York entry-point, Ellis Island, which closed 55 years ago today.

Russell Davies traces the stories of these families and, thanks to the newly-available web-record of entrants up to 1924, discovers some ambiguities: He notes that Bob Hope and his family (1908) were registered as HAPE; Al Jolson was not, as oft-reported, Asa Yoelson but Eiser Ivelsohn and so on.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 29 Nov 200921:00
BBC Radio 2

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22/11/2009

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06/12/2009

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Music Played

  • Frank Sinatra

    On The Road To Mandalay

    • “Come Fly With Me”1957 Album + 3 Bonus Tks.
    • Capitol.
    • CDP 7 48469 2.

  • Bob Hope & Jane Russell

    Am I In Love?

    • Miss Jane Russell Sings.
    • Sepia.
    • SEPIA 1009.

  • Sophie Tucker

    One Sweet Letter From You

    • “Sophie Tucker: Last Of The Red Hot Mommas”.
    • Memoir.
    • CDMOIR 529.

  • Dick Haymes

    Soft Lights And Sweet Music

    • “Dick Haymes: Till The End Of Time – 1940-1950”.
    • Living Era.
    • CD AJS 287.

  • Ella Logan With Abe Lyman & His Orchestra

    Doin' The Uptown Lowdown

    • “Ella Logan – Swingin’ Scots Lassie 1932-1941”.
    • Retrieval.
    • RTR 79021.

  • Connie Francis

    Happy Days And Lonely Nights

    • “Connie Francis: Fallin’ – Best Of The Early Years”.
    • Jasmine.
    • JASCD 530.

  • Frankie Laine

    You Taught Me How To Love You

    • “I Wanted Someone To Love”.
    • Stateside.
    • 10219.

  • Al Jolson

    About A Quarter To Nine

    • “Al Jolson: Let Me Sing And I’m Happy” (2 CD).
    • Living Era.
    • CD AJS 272.

  • Nino Tempo & April Stevens

    Deep Purple

    • Spirit Of The 60’s: 1963 – The Beat Goes On.
    • Time Life.
    • TL 531/14.

  • Judy Collins

    I Pity The Poor Immigrant

    • “Wildflowers/Who Knows Where The Time Goes”.
    • Rhino.
    • 8122 73393-2.

  • Eddie Cantor

    Makin' Whoopee

    • “Sound Track” Curious Compilation.
    • Hot Record Society.
    • HRS 108.

  • Audrey Hepburn

    How Long Has This Been Going On

    • “Sound Track” Collection Of Movie Memories.
    • Hot Record Society.
    • 8122 73393-2.

  • Frank Sinatra

    It's Nice To Go Trav'lin'

    • “Come Fly With Me” Sinatra With Billy May.
    • Capitol.
    • CDP 7 48469-2.

Broadcast

  • Sun 29 Nov 200921:00
    BBC Radio 2