This 1949 recording is, as the cover proclaims, a "musical story," a genre that had been popularized in the 40s by Gordon Jenkins' Manhattan Tower.
The Jenkins work is one of the more popular items presented on this blog. Actually it's popped up
three times - the original LP issue, Jenkins' later expanded version, and a post devoted to the graphics of the original 78 set.
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| Elliott Lewis |
This set will remind you of the Jenkins work, if only because the male lead is the same - Elliott Lewis, who appears here with his wife Cathy. The Lewises were called "Mr. and Mrs. Radio" (at least by their publicist) and were quite active on the network shows of the time. Elliott was best known for his role as Frank Remley on the Phil Harris-Alice Faye show. Cathy was the "my" in My Friend Irma, who was played by Marie Wilson.
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| Cathy Lewis |
The Lewises were pros and perform with the pleasing artificiality that was a feature of old-time radio. The anonymous script has the couple remembering notable holidays in their shared past; in truth, not much of a premise even for a 10-inch, 24-minute LP. Nonetheless, Cathy finds enough motivation to evoke anger, tears, fear, laughter, excitement and love. Elliott is less emotional. It might have been more interesting if they had switched roles, but this presentation is an entirely conventional one.
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| Cigarette card |
Bandleader-composer Ray Noble leads the orchestra and apparently provides the underscore, which includes a wistful theme motif. But unlike Gordon Jenkins in Manhattan Tower, he doesn't compose the songs that are heard, except for The Very Thought of You (which Cathy presents). Instead he presents familiar songs representative of the various holidays.
Noble became a well-known English bandleader before leaving for the US in 1935. He was particularly associated with the superb vocalist Al Bowlly, even though Bowlly made hundreds of records with other bands. The Bowlly versions of Noble compositions Goodnight Sweetheart, The Touch of Your Hand, The Very Thought of You, and Love Is the Sweetest Thing are among the finest romantic pop records ever made.
Bowlly perished in the London blitz and no vocalist appears here. At the time these records were made, Noble had been backing fellow Columbia artist Buddy Clark on some popular disks, until Clark himself was killed in an October 1949 plane crash. (Many
Clark records have appeared on this blog.)
Although this is only partially a Christmas record, its sentimentality and beautiful presentation make it a fitting conclusion to our offerings of this season. Happy holidays, everyone!
