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10/02/2013

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

Much of this week's show is devoted to telling the story of one of the finest and unluckiest songwriters - Richard A Whiting,who died on February 10th 1938 aged only 47. His name is unfamiliar today though many of his songs are still common currency - and Russell introduces a number of them : 'Ain't We Got Fun' sung by Peggy Lee; 'Till We Meet Again' - the composer's daughter Richard Whiting sings this one; Hooray For Hollywood (Sylvia Syms); 'Louise' (Pauil Whiteman's Rhythm Boys; 'My Ideal' (Sue Raney) and more.

Also in the show are Whispering Jack Smith introducing 'My Blue Heaven' - by the other Whiting: George; The Puppini Sisters singing 'Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen' and a member of that group, 22 year old British singer Emma Smith, who sings 'I'll Be Seeing You' from her debut solo album. Also appearing on the show are cabaret man Hugh Shannon, Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson; The Benny Goodman Sextet with Jane Harvey and, taking us out with one final Richard Whiting song - 'Breezing Along With The Breeze' - Matt Monro.

57 minutes

Last on

Sun 10 Feb 201321:00
BBC Radio 2

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03/02/2013

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17/02/2013

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Music Played

  • Peggy Lee

    Ain't We Got Fun

    “Peggy Lee The Complete Releases 1957-1959 (3 Cds)”

    • Fantastic Voyage.
    • FVTD043.

  • Margaret Whiting

    Till We Meet Again

    “The Reader’s Digest Songbird Sessions”

    • Readers Digest.

  • Sylvia Syms

    Hooray For Hollywood

    “Sylvia Syms – A Jazz Portrait Of Johnny Mercer”

    • Drg.
    • 91433.

  • Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys

    Louise

    “The Chronological Bing Crosby Volume 6”

    • Jonzo.
    • JZCD 6.

  • Sue Raney

    My Ideal

    When Your Lover Has Gone/Songs For A Raney Day

    • EMI/Capitol.
    • 7243 8 59839 2 4.

  • Tony Bennett

    Danny Boy

    “Tony Bennett – Jazz” 2008 Compilation

    • Columbia.
    • 723855.

  • The Puppini Sisters

    Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen

    “The Puppini Sisters – Betcha Bottom Dollar”

    • Universal/UCJ.
    • 954974.

  • Emma Smith

    I'll Be Seeing You

    “Emma Smith: ‘The Huntress’ ”

    • Frantic Music.
    • 2048.

  • The Benny Goodman Sextet

    He's Funny That Way

    “Benny Goodman Sextet – Slipped Disc 1945-1946”

    • CBS.
    • 463337 2.

  • Hugh Shannon

    True Blue Lou

    “True Blue Lou – Hugh Shannon”

    • Audiophile.
    • ACD 140.

  • Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra

    Miss Brown To You

    “Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra: Too Hot For Words”

    • HEP.
    • HEPCD 1012.

  • “Whispering” Jack Smith

    My Blue Heaven

    “Me And My Shadow – Whispering Jack Smith”

    • ASV Living Era.
    • CD AJA 5372.

  • Matt Monro

    Breezing Along With The Breeze

    “Matt Monro – The Rare Monro”

    • EMI Gold.
    • 0946 372558 2 7.

Broadcast

  • Sun 10 Feb 201321:00
    BBC Radio 2