WWII music

lestweforget · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:58 pm

Three years ago my wife, some friends, and I went to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra play a free concert in Glasgow's George Square. It was a beautiful summers day and the music was brilliant. There were veterans, and people of all ages there. A great day. My favourites are Pennsylvania 6-500, Little Brown Jug and Moonlight Serenade.
PS. The veterans were by far the most energetic (and rowdy :lol:

) people there!! They certainly made use of the beer tent!

KarenG · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:12 pm

Brain freeze!

If you went to see Glenn Miller a few years ago, who was killed in the plane crash over the English channel during WWII? Was that Tommy Dorsey? I am drawing a complete blank.......again

Karen

lestweforget · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:24 pm

No. It was the Glenn Miller Orchestra. There was a couple of guys who had played back in the day, and the rest were younger musicians. Alas , of course , Glenn wasn't there! There are a couple of Glenn Miller orchestras going. Can't remember which one I saw but I was under the impression it was the US one, but I may be wrong. I very much enjoyed it anyway. Some info here. http://www.glennmillerorchestra.co.uk/

and

http://www.glennmillerorchestra.com/

Django · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:43 pm

Rum and Coca Cola: Andrews Sisters (or really ANYTHING by the Andrews Sisters. :lol:

) Listen to the lyrics. It's not the sweet song is appears to be if you're not paying attention.

One O Clock Jump: Count Basie

Anything by Django Reinhardt (betcha didn't see that coming...

)

Hubba-hubba-hubba: Perry Como (listen for the B-29 reference)

Once Too Often: Betty Grable

Der Fuehrer's Face : Spike Jones (pretty good for a laugh)

No self respecting warbirder should be w/o Frenesi, Shoo Shoo Baby or Sentimental Journey!

My iPod is probably 40% Swing, 40% Rockabilly and 20% '80s Hair Metal. :lol:

Django · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:49 pm

Oh, and am I the only one that likes original recordings vs the "hi-fi" re-releases of the '50s and up? It just sounds weird (less authentic?) in stereo. Which sounds silly. I've been to enough swing dancing events and concerts (plus high school band playing clarinet) to know what a live orchestra is SUPPOSED to sound like vs the wartime recordings. Guess I'm just weird. :lol:

KarenG · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:03 pm

No, you're not weird at all! The encouraging thing to me is that my 19 year old son also agrees with you! Of course, he is a huge Beatles fan, and thought it was very cool when he had the chance to go through his Mom's collection of original LP's.

In my humble opinion, when you are listening to 1940's music, you should hear the scratchy backround noise that you can only get from LP's. It adds to the authenticity, you know?

Great music guys! I have been downloading for days since I started this thread.

Thanks!

Flashonyrsix · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:41 pm

How about the HutSut Song?

Norm

Django · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:50 pm

Flat Foot Floogie

Jumpin' at the Woodside

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:21 am

Wasn't till I got satellite radio and track 4 that i listened to the words, and realized "The Good Ship Lollipop" by Shirley Temple, was an AIRPLANE!!!

Really- listen to all the words...

Robbie

KarenG · **Posted:** Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:57 am

Robbie, you're right! I didn't realize that either, until I started singing the song in my head, and got to the part about "Peppermint Bay" Wow! I just learn so much from you guys!

Django · **Posted:** Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:56 am

Shout and Feel It : Count Basie

The version from the Swing Kids soundtrack was always a popular "jam" song at all the dances we went to, along with Sing Sing Sing. And they always played the longest version they could find.

Anyone else a swing dancer too?

AviaS199 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:40 pm

Good suggestions, gang. Some great musical taste. Love the inclusion of Django Reinhardt.

Artie Shaw's "Begin The Beguine" is a great song, even though - IIRC - it was recorded before the war. Shaw doesn't get nearly enough credit for his wartime service. What Glenn Miller was to England, Shaw was to the Pacific Theater. He led a Navy band that gave concerts aboard Navy ships and at Marine bases in absolutely awful places. Artie and his guys never bellyached about the primitive conditions. They were proud of bringing a taste of home to our guys, no matter where our guys were stationed.

I think the ultimate WWII song may be "I'll Never Smile Again," by The Ink Spots, and later the Pied Pipers. There's something so melancholy about all of the Spots' wartime songs, especially this one. They express the wartime feeling that there can be no happiness until the war is over. It's probably no accident that the Spots fell out of favor when the war ended.

Don't forget "I'll Be Home For Christmas." I've always found the lyric, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams" to be absolutely devastating. It's about GIs longing to be home, and about GIs saying If I'm killed, I'll be with you in spirit. Every time I hear this song, I think about all the good young men who never saw another Christmas.

Can't forget Bing's "It's Been a Long, Long Time," the song that best expressed everyone's feelings at the end of the war. Plus, there's that great Les Paul guitar solo. Slightly off-topic - be sure to check out the documentary "Les Paul - Chasing Sound." Les Paul is a genius.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:05 am

THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER by Vera Lynn. "There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover, tomorrow when the world is free". She was the sweetheart of England in those grim days with a voice like an angel and provided some hope and light when spirits were down.

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