I was on the "rock'n'roll" in the early 1990s and they used to play black and white films on the telly during the day. This song featured in one of those films, no idea what. It cheered me up then and always has done since. A song of pure optimism. Love it and thank you for playing it.
If you own a copy, could you please upload Easy To Love by Ambrose? All other uploads aren't the greatest quality, either having lots of crackle, or noise reduction so aggressive that it removes all of the high and low frequencies.
Who's been polishing the sun Brightnening the sky today They must have known just how I like it Cause everything's coming my way Who's been teaching all the birds How to sing a roundelay They must have known just how I like it Cause everything's coming my way Yesterday everything looked anyhow Then I met someone and oh- look at it now Who's been polishing the sun Rubbing all the clouds of grey They must have known just how I like it Cause everything's coming my way
"Mr. Polo takes a solo" as someone said many years ago, and Heath takes the trombone solo, everything is alright here! Max Goldberg was American or British? Thanks Andy!
I think it's Sid Phillips on clarinet Luis. It sounds like him and as arranger he usually gave himself plenty of spotlight. I've heard Max Goldberg in an interview stating very definately that he's an Englishman!
I'm inclined to agree with Luis that it's Danny Polo soloing on clarinet. He was the principal clarinet soloist in the band and I've heard it said that Sid Phillips soloed mostly on baritone sax at this time.
Hi Andy Thanks for this fantastic post! What a fantastic tune and band. I have a special request that might interest you. My wife recently found out that she's related to Harry Owen, one of the trumpet players featured in the recording (he's her grandfather!) Apparently his birth name was Hyman Cohen. I'm wondering if you have any way of obtaining more info about Harry's life and career. We're having a difficult time finding anything and would love to get any details about him. Thanks so much! David
Hi David, sorry for the delay in replying. I'm afraid I don't have any personal info about Harry but I can tell you some of the bands he recorded with. As well as Ambrose's band of which he was a mainstay from late 1931 to late 1935 he recorded with:- Percival Mackey's Band 1927-1928 Lou Abelardo and His Orchestra 1930 Jack Harris and his Band 1930 Harry Roy and His R.K. olians 1932 Jack Payne and his band 1933 The Barnstormers 1933-1935 The Masterkeys 1934 Lou Preager and His Band 1934-1935 The Bugle Call Raggers 1935 Charles (Buddy) Rogers and His Band 1935 Scott Wood and His Six Swingers 1935-1936 and 1939 as well as other Scott Wood bands. Jay Wilbur and his band 1939-1941 As you may know, these were some of the top bands in Britain during those years and Harry was much in demand by directors of recording bands such as Jay Wilbur and George Scott Wood. I have contacted someone who may know a little more about Harry and he says he'll put some notes together about him when he's got time. Don't know how long that will be but I'll post it here as soon as I have anything. In the meantime here's a link to Harry playing trumpet with the great "Six Swingers" directed by George Scott Wood. He plays a very solid trumpet lead ruclips.net/video/8hdV_kCkMrE/видео.html Andy.
@@AndyLeMaitre Hi Andy! This is amazing, thanks. Good to know that he was a good soloist. We were wondering if he was taking any leads on the Ambrose recordings. Very exciting stuff, and thanks also for posting the stuff from your friend in the future. Cheers, David
@@waltwhit1 Hi David, I just got this from Terry Brown who has been gathering information for an article about Harry he is in the process of writing. He goes into much more detail so I hope you'll find it interesting. Here's Terry's info:- Harry Owen, Trumpet Player by Terry Brown This is what I’ve managed to piece together on trumpeter Harry Owen’s career, although I’ve not had time to do too much digging at present. There are undoubtedly gaps in this account and he did get around a lot. When I get the opportunity to research more I will, with the intention of putting together an article for Memory Lane. Otherwise, so far : Harry Owen, (born 1897), learnt trumpet in a military band during WW1. After the war he became a professional footballer reaching International level. I don’t know exactly when he began as a full time professional musician and the earliest reference I’ve found is that from December 1926 he was a member of Johnny Swinfen’s New Toronto Band at Aberdeen Palais de Dance, which in May 1927 moved to the Empress Ballroom at Whitley Bay. Later in 1927 he joined Percival Mackey’s organisation playing in Percival Mackey’s Kit Cat Band, Riviera Club Band and Orchestra to July 1928. Later he joined Reg Batten’s New Princes Restaurant Band to late 1929. He then played in George Boulanger’s Orchestra at Claridges from February 1930, (replacing Arthur Niblo), joining Jack Harris’s Band from September 1930. According to Melody Maker and subsequently Rust/Forbes Harry supposedly replaced Dennis Ratcliffe in Ambrose’s Mayfair Hotel Band in September 1931. He didn’t, indeed Rhythm magazine pointed out that in fact Radcliffe had not gone anywhere, but as confirmed by Billy Amstell, Harry did augment the Mayfair combination for recording purposes for the majority of Ambrose records from September 1931 to July 1933. Over this period, in early 1932 he worked with Dave Frost, including his ‘Dixieland Band’, which had a brief stay at the Café de Paris in July 1932, he was then recruited by Harry Roy to play in the RKOlians from August 1932 to January 1933. His next appointment was with Jack Payne from February 1933, (he replaced Jack Jackson) to August 1933, leaving with the breakaway Barnstormers to November 1933. From late November, Harry actually became a member of Ambrose’s organisation, mainly depping and recording with Ambrose’s main band at the Embassy Club, (1934), but more substantively as a member of Ambrose’s ‘gig’ unit, a reconstituted, ‘Blue Lyres’ and a supply combination under Clive Errard. He also recorded with The Masterkeys, (Teddy Joyce), and Lou Preager during the year. In 1935 apart from ‘Gig’ work, he went touring with Ambrose’s stage band, (August/September 1935). He left Ambrose later in 1935, mainly because Ambrose had banned him from recording work with George Scott Wood. Over 1935, he had already been one of GSW’s, ‘Bugle Call Raggers, (March 1935), also played in GSW’s, ‘Masqueraders’ (late 1935), and after leaving Ambrose joined his Six Swingers in January 1936 to February 1937, also played in ‘Wally Bishop & his Band’, (a GSW pseudonym), 1937 to February 1940. He also worked with Jay Wilbur’s recording band on the Rex label, August 1939 to May 1941. Then broadcast and toured with The Six Swingers 1941 to 1943. Played with Bobby Howells Band 1943/44. Formed his own nine piece, ‘Savoy Havana Band’ and toured from August 1944. Then formed own Orchestra which played at the Pavilion Exmouth. From May 1946 resident as, Harry Owen & his Music at Aberdeen Palais de Danse, later at the Pavilion, Torquay. Toured quite a bit over the balance of the 40’s. Later a unit for Mecca. At this point currently the trail goes cold. Another contact, Charles Hippisley-Cox, made this comment:- He was a good all-rounder and could play jazz too when required. His name has been suggested as the hot trumpet man on many recordings on the Piccadilly label by a number of different bands including Allan Selby's. Andy.
Dear Mister Wall! Excuse my, perhaps, not so good English in writing, because I send to you my words from Germany, Berlin, where I live. I am a collector of 78ths shellac-records with Jazz- and Hot-Dance-Music of the 1920ths - '40ths over the last 30 years, and in those decades I got the opportunity to meet some of the old veteran musicians of those "Golden Era of Dance Bands", which not only happened in GB, but also in day-to-day lifestyle in other European Countries and last not least also in Berlin; even instead of the election of Nazi-Power in January 1933, with their anti-jazz attitude, but notwithstanding a lot of jazz- and swing-orientated music was in demand and played there (up to end of the 2nd WW in 1945). However: I am very interested in a portrait or photo of young Harry Owen, when he had his hey-days in late 1920ths to early '30ths. This because I got from several sources the information, that obviously Harry, as a in those days prominent player, was active from 1st September 1931 to 31st January not in London, in fact he was not actually a replacement in the Bert Ambrose Band, (according to the information here from Mr. Terry Brown), but in early 1932 Harry Owen came back to London to continue his career as an highly experienced soloist, sometimes augmenting the Band of Ambrose and to play with other leaders of the name-bands in England. To cut it short: Two veteran musicians identified as an 1. trumpet player Harry Owen within the band of the then in Berlin prominent Oscar Joost and his Orchestra, when this top band played an very well-paid engagement in Kopenhagen in those period from September 1931 to January '32, as written here above. Well, it would be MARVELLOUS for my own research, if you would write to me: here is my e-mail: marko.paysan@gmx.de
One of the great sunny side-up numbers of the 1930s -still works - makes a person feel good
Makes me nostalgic for a time I wasn't born in.
The King's Speech got me here. Plan on playing this for my Aunt Doris who God willing turns 102 on Halloween Oct 31 2023 😊❤
Hi Bruce, Birthday greetings to your Aunt Doris!
The King's Speech brought me here.
Loving this
I was on the "rock'n'roll" in the early 1990s and they used to play black and white films on the telly during the day. This song featured in one of those films, no idea what. It cheered me up then and always has done since. A song of pure optimism. Love it and thank you for playing it.
Poirot's Peril at End House has brought me here. Thanks for the upload!
My great grandfather Tony Thorpe played trombone took me ages to find this but so worth it, thank you so much for uploading!x
That is amazing Summer, he was a great musician.
Utterley charming ! Don't you know....
Simply superb !
A clarinet feast! -- that's some reed section.
Cracking good side, thanks!
If you own a copy, could you please upload Easy To Love by Ambrose? All other uploads aren't the greatest quality, either having lots of crackle, or noise reduction so aggressive that it removes all of the high and low frequencies.
Sorry, don't have that.
Who's been polishing the sun
Brightnening the sky today
They must have known just how I like it
Cause everything's coming my way
Who's been teaching all the birds
How to sing a roundelay
They must have known just how I like it
Cause everything's coming my way
Yesterday everything looked anyhow
Then I met someone and oh- look at it now
Who's been polishing the sun
Rubbing all the clouds of grey
They must have known just how I like it
Cause everything's coming my way
"Mr. Polo takes a solo" as someone said many years ago, and Heath takes the trombone solo, everything is alright here! Max Goldberg was American or British? Thanks Andy!
I think it's Sid Phillips on clarinet Luis. It sounds like him and as arranger he usually gave himself plenty of spotlight. I've heard Max Goldberg in an interview stating very definately that he's an Englishman!
I'm inclined to agree with Luis that it's Danny Polo soloing on clarinet. He was the principal clarinet soloist in the band and I've heard it said that Sid Phillips soloed mostly on baritone sax at this time.
Hi Andy
Thanks for this fantastic post! What a fantastic tune and band.
I have a special request that might interest you.
My wife recently found out that she's related to Harry Owen, one of the trumpet players featured in the recording (he's her grandfather!) Apparently his birth name was Hyman Cohen. I'm wondering if you have any way of obtaining more info about Harry's life and career. We're having a difficult time finding anything and would love to get any details about him.
Thanks so much!
David
Hi David, sorry for the delay in replying. I'm afraid I don't have any personal info about Harry but I can tell you some of the bands he recorded with. As well as Ambrose's band of which he was a mainstay from late 1931 to late 1935 he recorded with:-
Percival Mackey's Band 1927-1928
Lou Abelardo and His Orchestra 1930
Jack Harris and his Band 1930
Harry Roy and His R.K. olians 1932
Jack Payne and his band 1933
The Barnstormers 1933-1935
The Masterkeys 1934
Lou Preager and His Band 1934-1935
The Bugle Call Raggers 1935
Charles (Buddy) Rogers and His Band 1935
Scott Wood and His Six Swingers 1935-1936 and 1939 as well as other Scott Wood bands.
Jay Wilbur and his band 1939-1941
As you may know, these were some of the top bands in Britain during those years and Harry was much in demand by directors of recording bands such as Jay Wilbur and George Scott Wood. I have contacted someone who may know a little more about Harry and he says he'll put some notes together about him when he's got time. Don't know how long that will be but I'll post it here as soon as I have anything. In the meantime here's a link to Harry playing trumpet with the great "Six Swingers" directed by George Scott Wood. He plays a very solid trumpet lead ruclips.net/video/8hdV_kCkMrE/видео.html Andy.
@@AndyLeMaitre Hi Andy! This is amazing, thanks. Good to know that he was a good soloist. We were wondering if he was taking any leads on the Ambrose recordings. Very exciting stuff, and thanks also for posting the stuff from your friend in the future. Cheers, David
@@waltwhit1 Hi David, I just got this from Terry Brown who has been gathering information for an article about Harry he is in the process of writing. He goes into much more detail so I hope you'll find it interesting. Here's Terry's info:-
Harry Owen, Trumpet Player by Terry Brown
This is what I’ve managed to piece together on trumpeter Harry Owen’s career, although I’ve not had time to do too much digging at present. There are undoubtedly gaps in this account and he did get around a lot. When I get the opportunity to research more I will, with the intention of putting together an article for Memory Lane. Otherwise, so far :
Harry Owen, (born 1897), learnt trumpet in a military band during WW1. After the war he became a professional footballer reaching International level. I don’t know exactly when he began as a full time professional musician and the earliest reference I’ve found is that from December 1926 he was a member of Johnny Swinfen’s New Toronto Band at Aberdeen Palais de Dance, which in May 1927 moved to the Empress Ballroom at Whitley Bay. Later in 1927 he joined Percival Mackey’s organisation playing in Percival Mackey’s Kit Cat Band, Riviera Club Band and Orchestra to July 1928. Later he joined Reg Batten’s New Princes Restaurant Band to late 1929. He then played in George Boulanger’s Orchestra at Claridges from February 1930, (replacing Arthur Niblo), joining Jack Harris’s Band from September 1930. According to Melody Maker and subsequently Rust/Forbes Harry supposedly replaced Dennis Ratcliffe in Ambrose’s Mayfair Hotel Band in September 1931. He didn’t, indeed Rhythm magazine pointed out that in fact Radcliffe had not gone anywhere, but as confirmed by Billy Amstell, Harry did augment the Mayfair combination for recording purposes for the majority of Ambrose records from September 1931 to July 1933. Over this period, in early 1932 he worked with Dave Frost, including his ‘Dixieland Band’, which had a brief stay at the Café de Paris in July 1932, he was then recruited by Harry Roy to play in the RKOlians from August 1932 to January 1933. His next appointment was with Jack Payne from February 1933, (he replaced Jack Jackson) to August 1933, leaving with the breakaway Barnstormers to November 1933. From late November, Harry actually became a member of Ambrose’s organisation, mainly depping and recording with Ambrose’s main band at the Embassy Club, (1934), but more substantively as a member of Ambrose’s ‘gig’ unit, a reconstituted, ‘Blue Lyres’ and a supply combination under Clive Errard. He also recorded with The Masterkeys, (Teddy Joyce), and Lou Preager during the year. In 1935 apart from ‘Gig’ work, he went touring with Ambrose’s stage band, (August/September 1935). He left Ambrose later in 1935, mainly because Ambrose had banned him from recording work with George Scott Wood. Over 1935, he had already been one of GSW’s, ‘Bugle Call Raggers, (March 1935), also played in GSW’s, ‘Masqueraders’ (late 1935), and after leaving Ambrose joined his Six Swingers in January 1936 to February 1937, also played in ‘Wally Bishop & his Band’, (a GSW pseudonym), 1937 to February 1940. He also worked with Jay Wilbur’s recording band on the Rex label, August 1939 to May 1941. Then broadcast and toured with The Six Swingers 1941 to 1943. Played with Bobby Howells Band 1943/44. Formed his own nine piece, ‘Savoy Havana Band’ and toured from August 1944. Then formed own Orchestra which played at the Pavilion Exmouth. From May 1946 resident as, Harry Owen & his Music at Aberdeen Palais de Danse, later at the Pavilion, Torquay. Toured quite a bit over the balance of the 40’s. Later a unit for Mecca. At this point currently the trail goes cold.
Another contact, Charles Hippisley-Cox, made this comment:-
He was a good all-rounder and could play jazz too when required. His name has been suggested as the hot trumpet man on many recordings on the Piccadilly label by a number of different bands including Allan Selby's.
Andy.
From “The Kings Speech”.
Dear Mister Wall! Excuse my, perhaps, not so good English in writing, because I send to you my words from Germany, Berlin, where I live. I am a collector of 78ths shellac-records with Jazz- and Hot-Dance-Music of the 1920ths - '40ths over the last 30 years, and in those decades I got the opportunity to meet some of the old veteran musicians of those "Golden Era of Dance Bands", which not only happened in GB, but also in day-to-day lifestyle in other European Countries and last not least also in Berlin; even instead of the election of Nazi-Power in January 1933, with their anti-jazz attitude, but notwithstanding a lot of jazz- and swing-orientated music was in demand and played there (up to end of the 2nd WW in 1945).
However: I am very interested in a portrait or photo of young Harry Owen, when he had his hey-days in late 1920ths to early '30ths. This because I got from several sources the information, that obviously Harry, as a in those days prominent player, was active from 1st September 1931 to 31st January not in London, in fact he was not actually a replacement in the Bert Ambrose Band, (according to the information here from Mr. Terry Brown), but in early 1932 Harry Owen came back to London to continue his career as an highly experienced soloist, sometimes augmenting the Band of Ambrose and to play with other leaders of the name-bands in England. To cut it short: Two veteran musicians identified as an 1. trumpet player Harry Owen within the band of the then in Berlin prominent Oscar Joost and his Orchestra, when this top band played an very well-paid engagement in Kopenhagen in those period from September 1931 to January '32, as written here above. Well, it would be MARVELLOUS for my own research, if you would write to me: here is my e-mail: marko.paysan@gmx.de
Jack Hulberts version is the best.