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Post by Freddie Devere on Jan 9, 2024 23:49:31 GMT
Mairzy Doats (And Crazy Doats) by The Merry Macs (1944) Decca Records.
The group originated in the 1920's and consisted of the McMichael brothers, Ted, Judd, & Joe. Later, they added Cheri McKay and the group became known as The Merry "Macs", due to all of their last names containing "Mc". Somewhere around 1941, Marjorie Garland came into the group and this is the female voice heard on this recording. She would later become Mrs. Judd McMichael.
'Chattanooga Choo Choo' from 'Sun Valley Serenade' (1941) - the first of only two movies featuring The Glenn Miller Orchestra. It also stars the amazing Nicholas Brothers & the beautiful Dorothy Dandridge.
What's not to like! 
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Post by Bruce Partington-Plans on Jan 11, 2024 19:37:30 GMT
Great stuff, Freddie! I had heard of The Merry Macs but knew little else about them so thanks for providing a bit of a backstory - I shall have to look out for more of their songs. The music of Glenn Miller was what partly got me interested in the vintage scene as, growing up, it was the sound of my grandparents' generation so I was exposed to it on a regular basis and it remains among my favourites of that era (I think it's still safe to say I have more Glenn Miller LPs & CDs than any other artist from the 1940s!  ). I must admit I haven't seen Sun Valley Serenade for ages (and Orchestra Wives for even longer!  ) but I do recall it being a great bit of fun. Having said all that about Glenn Miller I recently (and for the first time!  ) stumbled across the excellent original version of Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra, recorded on the 18th July 1939 (a year before Miller would cut his version). Have a listen and tell me what you think. Edit: Admittedly this last video should be in the "Thrilling Thirties" thread, but let's not quibble over 6 months! |
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Post by Freddie Devere on Jan 16, 2024 8:49:39 GMT
Having said all that about Glenn Miller I recently (and for the first time! ) stumbled across the excellent original version of Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra, recorded on the 18th July 1939 (a year before Miller would cut his version). Have a listen and tell me what you think. I’m rather partial to a little Glenn Miller myself. Oh, but this original version - what a significant find! So effortlessly mellow - I think I quite prefer it. It certainly warrants a hearty round of applause!
Regarding 'Mairzy Doats' & 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' - both bring back such happy childhood memories. My uncle would sing the former and my mother, the latter. My father was more of a Buddy Holly fan. He would sing too! People don't sing quite as much as they used to, it seems to me...
Oh, and the hours spent listening to that huge wireless - that took up the whole of the alcove - in my grandmother's sitting room. Magic!  |
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). I must admit I haven't seen Sun Valley Serenade for ages (and Orchestra Wives for even longer! 
) but I do recall it being a great bit of fun.
) stumbled across the excellent original version of Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra, recorded on the 18th July 1939 (a year before Miller would cut his version). Have a listen and tell me what you think.
