Category: Music

Godawful Godfrey

Arthur GodfreyThe popularity of Arthur Godfrey, a recording then TV star, in the 40’s and 50’s is a mystery to me. He was on television into the 60’s, and I know of at least one friend who liked Godfrey’s easy and relaxed style; but to me he always seemed drunk, and there was something unsettling and decidedly uneasy about him that he kept hidden beneath the surface. Even feeling as I do, I was nevertheless stunned and shocked upon hearing a certain song recorded by Godfrey sixty years ago, in 1948. As much as I wanted some confirmation that my suspicions about the man were correct, I still wasn’t prepared for “Slap Er Down Agin Paw.”

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/MAR/SlapErDownAginPaw.mp3]

This was a top ten hit! I can’t fathom who would have thought this was entertaining in any way at all, even as a novelty tune. As D.F. Rogers says in reference to this horrible song, in an intentionally ironic way, “There are just so many fascinating levels to study…”

Shield-ed Music

If you’re over 40, and you’ve never heard of composer Leroy Shield, that’s because the music he’s best known for was written without credit. If you’re under 40, it’s likely you’ve never heard his music at all, because around 1970 the black and white films of The Little Rascals and Laurel and Hardy, produced by Hal Roach in the 1930’s, were no longer a staple on TV.

WFMU’s Beware of the Blog notes that there is now a Leroy Shield Web site. Thanks go to Tom Tastewar for the tip-off. The audio player has a couple of tunes written by Shield, performed by the Beau Hunks.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/MAR/GoodOldDays.mp3,http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/MAR/OnToTheShow.mp3]

This Is Her Song

Tickets for Petula Clark’s appearance on Mother’s Day at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, a mere 80 miles from here, go on sale today at 10am.

 

P.S. I have my tickets! Ordered them online, and I have a link that lets me print them myself. Also, our man in Scotland, Dave, reports the following has been posted by the British government at this link.

Read the Government’s response

Thank you for your e-petition.

Petula Clark’s achievements in music are well known and respected. It is easy to see why so many people want to see her record formally recognised. This is underlined by the fact over a thousand people have signed the e-petition on the No 10 website calling for her to be made a Dame. Your support has been carefully noted.

This is only acknowledgment that the PET-ition has been noted, not that it is being acting upon. The whole concept of petitioning the UK gov’t online is new, so there’s no way of knowing if this is the standard response. I would point out, however, that there’s no mention of Pet being such a trouper for the troops during WWII. My feeling is her contributions to morale during the war in and of themselves warrant the title of Dame. And of course she’s had such a wonderful career ever since then!

My Favorite Beatles Song

Do I have one single favorite Beatles song? Actually, yes, I think I do. Overall, I tend to favor John over Paul, but this one is my favorite.

[flv:/Video/2008/MAR/HelloGoodbye.flv 440 330]

And while I have the old Laser (pre-DVD) video disc player going, here’s a delightful short scene from Magical Mystery Tour. Seeing this, it’s obvious that John had a kid of his own.

[flv:/Video/2008/MAR/MagicalMysteryTour.flv 440 330]

Extra: That version of “Hello, Goodbye” is obviously not the original stereo mix from Thursday, November 2, 1967. Further, it’s slower. Or perhaps the mix for the record was sped up. I’ll put it here for comparison, taken from the original Capitol Records LP of Magical Mystery Tour that I first heard 40 years ago.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/MAR/HelloGoodbye.mp3]

In the UK, Magical Mystery Tour was a double EP, and it had only the songs on side 1 of the American LP.

Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge

PET-ition Final

The final tally for the PET-ition is 1,129. Thank you to all British citizens and residents who signed.

This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to recommend a Damehood for Petula Clark – which is long overdue.

Submitted by Irene Seaton – Deadline to sign up by: 12 March 2008 – Signatures: 1,129

Seth Swirsky’s Meeting With Norman Smith

As a follow-up to my tribute to the late Norman Hurricane Smith, the Beatles’ first recording engineer at EMI, I’ll send you over to this link, where Seth Swirsky tells of his meeting with Norman.

Also The New York Times has a good obituary for Norman, with some details I haven’t seen elsewhere, including confirmation that the alias Hurricane Smith came from the title of a 1952 movie. At this link.