Hello There … Regrettably, this my last programme for, at least, the foreseeable future as I’m being treated for a number of suspected TIAs (mini strokes) but for now … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the May 12 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
Last weekend’s programme has a “Musical Potpouuri” theme spanning the early-1960s to the early-1930s featuring chart hits; cover versions; updates and evergreens.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Perry Como (on his own); Ava Gardner; Eddie Fisher; Ann Blyth; Frank Sinatra; Deanna Durbin and Helen Forrest with Dick Haymes, plus British interests from Vera Lynn; Hutch and dance bands led by Lou Preager; Harry Roy; Jack Payne; Ambrose and Joe Loss, with an opening sequence from Perry Como accompanied this time by the Ray Charles Singers; following Anthony Newley, and first of all Petula Clark.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the May 5 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’S Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to the American lady of song Teresa Brewer, plus the British bandleader Billy Cotton; arranger and orchestra leader Frank Chacksfield; Hollywood stars Alice Faye and Fred Astaire; film composer Dmitri Tiomkin, and first of all, the legendary songwriter Irving Berlin.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the April 28 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’S Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme has an “April Hit Songs & Tunes” through the years theme and, along the way, there are offerings from (among others) John Gary; Peggy Lee; Ray Conniff; Rose Murphy; Billy Daniels; Dorothy Lamour; The Ink Spots; the Mills Brothers and the Hi Los, plus British interests from Gary Miller; Ronnie Harris with Barbara Lyon; Ivor Novello with Mary Ellis and Turner Layton, with an opening sequence from Dean Martin; Barbra Streisand, and first of all Bing Crosby.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the April 21 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
Today’s programme is themed “As You Like It” and it marks this week’s 460th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare, by including the word “As” somewhere in the title of all but one of the recordings featured in the show. In fact, very often that word “As” is embedded in a longer word, so watch-out for that.
Musically speaking, there are offerings along the way from (among others) Ella Fitzgerald; Sarah Vaughan; Frank Sinatra and Anita O’Day, plus American big bands led by Jimmy Dorsey; Harry James; Larry Clinton; Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey, with an opening sequence featuring Margaret Whiting, Jane Morgan and, first of all, from the 1951 London stage production of “Kiss Me Kate”, Sid James and Danny Green’s rendition of “Brush Up Your Shakespeare”.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the April 14 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is themed “Day is the Word” whereby every title in the show features the word “Day” somewhere in its wording, and sometimes more than once.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Judy Garland; Perry Como; Jo Stafford; Dick Haymes; Eydie Gorme; Bing Crosby and Doris Day with Les Brown’s Band of Renown, while British interests come from Matt Monro; Vera Lynn Steve Conway and Suzi Miller with the Johnson Brothers vocal group, with an opening sequence featuring Frank Sinatra; Fred Astaire and, first of all … Richard & Karen … The Carpenters.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the April 7 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme has a “Music Mix” theme spanning the mid-1970s to the early-1930s featuring chart hits; cover versions; updates and evergreens.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Connie Francis; Glenn Campbell; Peggy Lee; Jim Reeves and Slim Whitman, plus British interests from Dorothy Squires; Steve Conway; Vera Lynn and dance bands led by Billy Cotton; Harry Roy; Roy Fox; Ivy Benson and Victor Silvester, with an opening sequence from Roger Whittaker; Gilbert O’Sullivan and first of all Peters & Lee.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the March 31 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
For the most part, this weekend’s programme has a “March Hit Songs & Tunes” through the years theme and, along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Doris Day; Frank Sinatra; Jo Stafford; Vic Damone; Marilyn Monroe and Johnny Ray, plus British interests from Vera Lynn; Vanessa Lee; Bob Manning; Joe Loss & His Band; Jessie Matthews and Hutch.
But, first of all, there’s an Easter Sunday opening sequence from Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians followed Perry Como.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the March 24 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
Today’s programme has a “Musical Potpourri” theme spanning the early-1960s to the mid-1940s, featuring chart hits, cover versions, updates and evergreens. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Al Martino; Judy Garland; Nat ‘King’ Cole; Sammy Davis Jr; Jo Stafford; Johnny Ray; April Stevens and Paul Anka, plus British interests from Teddy Johnson; Lee Lawrence; Shirley Bassey and, first of all, Anthony Newley.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the March 17 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary and Birthday Tributes” to (among others) recording stars Nat ‘King’ Cole; Vera Lynn and Roger Whittaker, plus songwriters Don Ray; Andrew Lloyd-Webber and, first of all, Stephen Sondheim.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
I received the above in my Facebook feed on March 16, 2024, and it stirred a powerful childhood memory, which prompted my response below
Thanks for this Maureen and Annika. Unfortunately, there’s another angle to the above. I came top of the class in 1960, after coming third then second in previous terms. However, there was no praise or congratulations from my parents! All they were able to focus on was one snide comment in my school report by my form master. Sixty-four years later, that report-ruining, deeply hurtful comment can clearly be seen to have its connection with my track record in ‘live’ music, radio and TV since 1962 … that NONE of them could see coming!
If only my headmaster had had the foresight to address such a message to my parents and copied it to my form master.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the March 10 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is themed “Hit Songs & Tunes from 1950 to 1955” and, along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Doris Day; Danny Kaye; Teresa Brewer; Mitch Miller; Nat ‘King’ Cole; Rose Murphy and Al Jolson with the Andrews Sisters, with British interests from Petula Clark; Donald Peers; Alma Cogan; Tony Brent; Lita Roza with The Stargazers vocal group, and the Beverley Sisters, plus (for openers) the America-based country singer Slim Whitman.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the March 3 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is themed “It’s All About Time” whereby every title in the show features the word “Time” somewhere in its wording.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Louis Armstrong; Nat ‘King’ Cole; Doris Day; Dinah Shore; Frank Sinatra; Connie Boswell; Perry Como and the vocal groups the Hi Lo’s and the Ames Brothers, while British interests come from Matt Monro; Vera Lynn and Dickie Valentine, with an opening sequence featuring Glenn Campbell; Jim Croce and, first of all, P.J. Proby.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the February 25 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is an “A to Z of mid-20th Century Music Makers” including Burl Ives; Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra; Kay Kyser & His Orchestra; Mickey Rooney with Judy Garland; Dinah Shore; Eddy Duchin; Rosemary Clooney and, first of all Patti Maxine & Laverne, The Andrews Sisters.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the February 18 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is themed “February Hit Songs & Tunes Through the Years” and, along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Dinah Shore; June Christie; Jane Morgan and the Ames Brothers, plus American big band sounds from Bob Crosby; Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, with British interests from Alma Cogan; Donald Peers; Teddy Johnson and Reggie Goff, plus an opening sequence featuring Nat ‘King’ Cole; Slim Whitman and, first of all, John Gary.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the February 11 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is a “Pre-Valentine’s Special” whereby every title in the show features the word “love” somewhere in its wording. Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Connie Francis; Tony Bennett; Doris Day; Jack Jones; Julie London and Frank Sinatra, plus British interests from Matt Monro; Rosemary Squires; Jimmy Young and Dirk Bogarde, with an opening sequence featuring Robert Goulet; Harry Nillson; Neil Sedaka and, first of all Andrew Gold.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the February 4 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to the US songwriters Burton Lane and Ray Evans, plus the recording stars Norman Wisdom; Frankie Vaughan and, first of all Val Doonican.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the January 28 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s theme is a programme-long “Birthday Anniversary Tribute” to one of the 20th Century’s most prolific and gifted popular song composers … Jerome Kern.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Vic Damone; Joni James; Bing Crosby; Margaret Whiting; Tony Martin; Kathryn Grayson; Dick Haymes with Helen Forrest, plus the Dinning Sisters and Michael Holliday, with an opening sequence featuring Blossom Dearie; Jane Morgan and, first of all … Fred Astaire.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the January 21 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is an all-British “Fifties Family Favourites” theme featuring some two dozen or so recording stars of that decade. Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Alma Cogan; Jimmy Young; Petula Clark; Michael Holiday; Ruby Murray; Dickie Valentine; Vera Lynn and vocal groups The Johnson Brothers and The Stargazers, plus an opening sequence featuring Frankie Vaughan; Tommy Steele and, first of all Shirley Bassey.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the January 14 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is themed “January Hit Songs & Tunes Through the Years” and, along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Ella Fitzgerald; Nat ‘King’ Cole; Peggy Lee; Bing Crosby; Dinah Shore and Andy Williams, plus American big band sounds from Ray Anthony; Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, with British interests from Alma Cogan and Jimmy Young, plus an opening sequence featuring Jack Jones; Jerry Vale; Ronnie Carrol and, first of all, Matt Monro.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
FOR the second time today (January 9, 2024) two foxes appeared in our back garden, and spent a few minutes exploring, and occasionally digging. Thankfully, they both looked very healthy. Possibly a vixen and her adolescent cub?
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the January 7 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is “A Musical Pot Pourri” theme, mixing chart hits with cover versions; updates and evergreens, spanning the late 1960s to the mid-1940s.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Nat ‘King’ Cole; Carmen McRae; Frank Sinatra; Jane Morgan; Pat Boone and Connie Francis, plus British interests from Joan Regan; Dave King; Kathy Kirby and Mike Preston, with an opening sequence featuring Peter Sellers; Val Doonican and, first of all, Petula Clark.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the December 31 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is “A New Year’s Eve Singalong” featuring chart hits, cover versions, updates and evergreens, spanning the early 1970s to the early 1950s. Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Connie Francis; Bobby Darin; Doris Day; Bing Crosby; Vikki Carr; Al Martino; Julie London; Dean Martin; Patsy Cline; Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra, plus an opening sequence featuring Dusty Springfield, Glenn Campbell with Bobby Gentry; Neil Diamond and, first of all … Perry Como.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … And Warm Christmas-tide Greetings. ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the December 24 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is “A Vintage Christmas Eve Special” featuring some of the most famous and sometimes rarely heard Winter & Christmas songs and tunes spanning 1966 to 1944. Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Doris Day; Gene Autry; Patti Page; Bing Crosby; Peggy Lee; the Ames Brothers; the Andrews Sisters and Judy Garland, plus British interests from Lita Roza; the Beverley Sisters; Max Bygraves; Dickie Valentine and David Hughes; with an opening sequence featuring Kate Smith; John Gary; Keely Smith and, first of all, Luann Simms with Percy Faith & His Orchestra. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the December 17 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to the songwriters Andy Razaf; Sy Oliver; Harry Warren … and, first of all … Paul Francis Webster. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
THERE I was, on the morning of December 2, standing at the kitchen worktop prepping my breakfast when a magnificent fox appeared over our back garden wall. It trotted along the rear of the lawn, then stepped-up onto the sunlit bare patch of flower border near the bird feeder, sniffed the ground thoroughly, then settled down for a sleep in the sun.
Despite my severe tremor disability, I managed to lean against the kitchen wall with my iPad in hand, jam my right hand against the spice rack and keep myself steady enough to take a dozen or more shots, a couple of which have turned-out okay.
It had been a very frosty early morning, and I guess the fox must have spent a rather chilly night in its earth or den. Once properly settled, though, the fox dozed for more than half an hour, rousing occasionally, before waking, scratching, yawning and stretching like a cat, then ambling-up onto the decking, and away.
In the meantime, after taking the photos, I’d crept around like a church mouse finishing the prep, then sat down for a hearty breakfast watching the fox snoozing.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the December 10 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is themed “A Hint of a Tint in the Title” whereby all the titles contain at least one colour, somewhere in their wording.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Doris Day; Pat Boone; Jane Morgan; Bobby Darin; June Christy and Jack Jones, plus British interests from Matt Monro; Frankie Vaughan; Ronnie Hilton; Vince Hill and Russ Conway, with an opening sequence featuring The Four Seasons; Roger Miller and, first of all, Neil Diamond.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the December 3 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s show is a programme-long “Birthday Anniversary Tribute” to one of the 20th Century’s most successful popular song lyric writers … Ira Gershwin. Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Jo Stafford; Mel Tome; Ella Fitzgerald; Sammy Davis Jr; Carmen McCrae; Bing Crosby with Rosemary Clooney; Dick Haymes with Betty Grable and Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers, plus an opening sequence featuring Frank Sinatra; Bobby Darin and Matt Monro.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the November 26 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme focuses on some of the memorable hit songs and tunes that became hits in Britain during the month of November in years gone by. Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Johnny Mathis; Teresa Brewer; Guy Mitchell; Jo Stafford; Perry Como; Nellie Lutcher and Nat ‘King’ Cole, plus British interests from Ronnie Hilton; Joan Regan; David Hughes and the Beverley Sisters, with an opening sequence featuring Mark Wynter; The Seekers; Julie London and, first of all, Cilla Black. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the November 19 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme focuses on “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to two of the 20th Century’s most prolific and gifted songwriters … Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer. Along the way in the Hoagy Carmichael tribute, there are offerings from (among others) Ray Charles; Nat ‘King’ Cole; Bobby Darin; Bing Crosby; Dorothy Squires; Matt Monro and Michael Holliday, while the Johnny Mercer tribute includes items from Danny Williams; Ella Fitzgerald; Jack Jones; Jo Stafford; Andy Williams; Henry Mancini; Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the November 12 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show.
This weekend’s programme is a special Remembrance Sunday edition of “Back Tracking” featuring World War I and World War II original recordings from start to finish.
Along the way, there are offerings from (among others) Vera Lynn; George Formby; Gracie Fields and Bud Flanagan with Chesney Allen, plus British dance Bands led by Ivy Benson; Joe Loss; Carroll Gibbons; Ambrose and Geraldo, with an opening sequence of genuine World War I recordings from, first of all, The American Quartet.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the November 5 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to the lyric writer Gus Kahn; lady of song Patti Page; Orchestra leader Ray Conniff; British trombonist and big band leader Don Lusher; crooner Denny Dennis; comedian and recording star Ken Dodd and the Yorkshire-born composer, conductor and bandleader John Barry. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the September 24 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has a “Musical Potpourri” theme spanning the early-1970s to the late-1930s, and featuring chart hits, cover versions, updates and evergreens. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Frankie Laine; Rosemary Clooney; Pat Boone; Julie London; Frank Sinatra and Polly Bergen, plus British interests from Dickie Valentine; Malcolm Vaughan; Russ Conway and Donald Peers, with an opening sequence featuring Julie Rogers; Petula Clark; Mama Cass Elliott and Barbra Streisand. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the September 17 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. For the second week running, this weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to, on this occasion, the popular song composers Fred Ahlert, Tolchard Evans and Billy Reid, plus recording stars Hank Williams; Frankie Avalon and Jimmy Young. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the September 10 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to popular song composers Howard Dietz and Arthur Freed, plus recording stars Mel Torme and Dick Haymes and fellow Goons Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the September 3 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has a theme that celebrates some of the most popular “Vocal Groups of the Mid-20th Century”. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) The Platters; The Hi Lo’s; The Chordettes; The Deep River Boys; The Weavers; The Hilltoppers and The Four Aces, plus British interests from The Johnson Brothers; The Beverley Sisters; The Mudlarks; The Stargazers; The Five Smith Brothers, and The Kaye Sisters (with Frankie Vaughan), with an opening sequence from The King Brothers; The Mamas & Papas and Fifth Dimension. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the August 27 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has another “Musical Potpourri” theme spanning the late-1960s to the late-1930s, and featuring chart hits, cover versions, updates and evergreens. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Dinah Shore; Frank Sinatra; Jo Stafford and Perry Como, plus the American big bands led by Harry James; Leonard Joy; David Rose and Glenn Miller, with British interests from Cyril Stapleton; Eric Winstone and Geraldo (and their respective dance bands), plus an opening sequence featuring Manuel & His Music of the Mountains; Anthony Newley and Anita Harris. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the August 20 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme borrows a line from the 1708 nursery rhyme “Boys & Girls Come Out to Play” by featuring a “Boys & Girls Come Out to Sing” theme whereby 1960s & 1950s ladies and gentlemen of song take turns at the microphone right through to the end of the show. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Connie Francis; Jack Jones; Doris Day; Dean Martin; Julie London; Al Martino; Polly Bergen; Ronnie Hilton; Joan Regan; Matt Monro and Rosemary Squires, plus an All-American opening sequence from Bobby Darin; Barbra Streisand; Sam Cooke and Dionne Warwick. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the August 13 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has a “Musical Potpourri” theme spanning the early-1970s to the mid-1930s, and featuring chart hits, cover versions, updates and evergreens. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Peggy Lee; Frank Sinatra; Teresa Brewer; Bing Crosby; Margaret Whiting and Gordon McCrae, plus the vocal groups The Platters; The Four Preps; The King Sisters and The Mills Brothers, with British interests from David Whitfield; Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson; Russ Conway; Billy Cotton; Max Bygraves, and an all-American opening sequence from John Gary; Vikki Carr and The Carpenters. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the August 6 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to composer-conductor Victor Young, plus recording stars Eddie Fisher; Stan Freberg, Edmund Hockridge and Jeri Southern. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the July 30 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has “A Word in Your Ear” theme whereby the title of every recording throughout show is made-up of just one word. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Dean Martin; Rosemary Clooney; Dick Haymes; Keely Smith; Johnny Mathis; Sarah Vaughan; Al Martino; Shirley Bassey and Bobby Darin, plus an opening sequence featuring Julie London; John Gary; Vera Lynn and Frankie Vaughan.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the July 23 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has a “Musical Potpourri” theme spanning the late-1960s to the late-1940s, and featuring chart hits, cover versions, updates and evergreens. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Perry Como; Eartha Kitt; Sammy Davis Jr; Anita O’Day; Tony Bennett; and Blossom Dearie, plus British interests from Matt Monro; Shirley Bassey; Dave King; Joan Regan; Ronnie Harris and Alma Cogan, with an all-female, Stateside opening sequence from Julie London, Keely Smith and Brenda Lee. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
When William Blake wrote of ‘England’s green and pleasant land’ he must surely have had in mind the patchwork quilt landscape created by the hedgerows which, in those far off days, followed the sweeping contours of most of England’s countryside.
Thankfully, despite the strident efforts of some aspiring East Anglian prairie-makers, many of those hedgerows are still in place. Indeed, as environmental consciousness has gained ground in recent years, it has become clear that hedgerows, both ancient and modern are, quite simply, nature reserves in miniature.
Nevertheless, those who would eradicate hedgerows for purely agri-economic reasons, continue to make their presence felt. For example, the net loss of hedgerows in England between 1984 and 1990 was estimated at more than 20%. Happily, that alarming rate of decline has since slowed significantly.
Ten years ago, there were an estimated 197,000 miles of hedgerows remaining in England, of which 92,000 miles were thought to be ancient. (For a hedgerow to be classed as ancient, it must have been in existence before the Enclosures Acts between 1720 and 1840). Sadly, the use of pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides, plus the lack of general maintenance, and damage caused by livestock have, in recent times, combined to reduce the quality of habitat in many hedgerows.
In their unspoilt form, hedgerows play host to a remarkably diverse range of animal and plant life. Not only do they provide protection for certain species to roam in comparative safety … sometimes up to several miles per day without breaking cover … they also provide abundant hunting and feeding grounds for bats, birds and small ground-based mammals.
Some of the most common mammal species found in England’s environmentally friendly hedgerows include hedgehog, shrew, vole and dormouse. By comparison, those bird species that prefer a hedgerow habitat bring with them, not only highly visible animation, but a sensory bonus as well … a broad spectrum of colour and song. The repertoire of the song thrush, in particular has the potential to lift the spirits of even the most stressed-out human being. Indeed I speak from personal experience, thanks to the fact that my back garden is bordered by trees and a tall Leylandii hedge which, in the past couple of years, has become home to at least one mating pair of song thrushes.
Moreover, that same hedge provides shelter to several of the most common hedge dwelling bird species. For example, the occasional collared dove pays a visit to the garden’s bird bath and lawn, and sometimes, I see a busy dunnock taking tiny scraps of peanut or breadcrumb from my patio. Likewise, the distinctive black cap (the hen’s cap is brown by the way) is also a regular visitor. By contrast, the strikingly beautiful bullfinch, another hedgerow dweller, makes only occasional appearance in my garden, invariably to feed voraciously on the dead flower heads on the lavender shrub. Other bird species more commonly associated with unspoilt hedgerows include the tree sparrow, linnet and yellowhammer.
So, what constitutes typical hedgerow? Traditionally, hedgerows have a predominantly hawthorn-based construction. Nobody knows for sure when hedgerows were first introduced, but there is evidence that some in existence today date back to Tudor times. Hawthorn … a native species … was then and still is, the preferred option for a hedgerow because it can form a dense, livestock-proof barrier in a relatively short period of time.
Over the centuries, Several alternative plant species have been introduced into the art of hedgerow construction. Similarly, through the processes of nature, many plant species have colonised an existing hedgerow, where they’ve thrived in an environment of mutual co-operation with the host plants.
Some of the plant species to have successfully worked their way into primary hedgerow habitat are blackthorn, buckthorn, alder buckthorn, wild cherry, gorse, elder, crab apple, ivy and blackberry. As for the remaining flora noted for colonising hedgerows with the passage of time, the most conspicuous, especially during springtime, are primrose, violet and wood anemone.
That leaves just one other vital component for a hedgerow to thrive and endure … insects! The myriad insect species to inhabit hedgerows are mostly too small, or too inactive by day, to be readily viewed by the human eye. Only close inspection will begin to reveal the microcosm that dwells and survives in our midst, assuming we take time-out from our unnecessarily hectic lives to investigate in the first instance. However, for those of us who are in too much of a hurry to explore, there is one hedgerow-dwelling insect species that has the knack of turning the head of even the most determined of workaholics. Butterflies come in all kinds of colours, shapes and sizes, but they still fascinate. Like bumblebees, butterflies break many of the laws of aerodynamics but they still fly!
In the final analysis, though, we must give ourselves some credit. Hedgerows are, after all, a man-made addition to our environment. Just for once we have enhanced nature, rather than despoiled it. Let’s hope we as a species can learn from this rare environmental success story.
Published in the April 2003 edition of Property Preview magazine.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the July 16 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has an “All You Need is Love” theme whereby every recording contains the word “Love” somewhere in the wording of its title. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Matt Monro; Eve Boswell; Jimmy Young; Alma Cogan; Lita Roza and Malcom Vaughan, plus Stateside interests from Doris Day; Jack Jones; Julie London; Andy Williams; Steve & Eydie and Kate Smith, with an opening sequence from The Association; Herb Alpert and The Beatles.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the July 9 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend it’s a programme-long birthday anniversary tribute to one of the 20th Century’s most gifted and prolific lyric writers … Oscar Hammerstein … who was born in New York 128 years ago this week, on 12th July 1895. Along the way in the tribute there are offerings from (among others) Perry Como; Eydie Gorme; Frank Sinatra; Gogi Grant; Dick Haymes and Kathryn Grayson with Howard Keel, plus British interests from Vera Lynn; Ronnie Hilton; Marion Ryan; Rosemary Squires; Matt Monro; Vince Hill and Julie Andrews. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the July 2 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has a “Music Mix” theme spanning the late-1960s to the mid-1930s. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) the Ink Spots; the Andrews Sisters; Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney; Bob Hope with Shirley Ross; Frank Sinatra; Doris Day; Johnny Mathis and Dinah Shore, plus British interests from Mantovani; Al Bowlly; Chick Henderson; Brian Lawrence; Cilla Black; The Beatles and Matt Monro. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime.
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the June 11 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is crammed full of “Birthday Anniversary Tributes” to songwriters Frederick Loewe and Cole Porter, plus recording stars Judy Garland; Vic Damone and Harry Nilsson. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the June 4 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme is a “Musical Potpourri” theme with mostly vocal, plus a sprinkling of instrumental recordings spanning the early-1970s to the early-1950s. Along the way there are vocal offerings from (among others) Sarah Vaughan; Johnny Mathis; Jane Morgan; Vic Damone; Alma Cogan; Matt Monro; Della Reese; Harry Belafonte; Ella Fitzgerald and Nat ‘King’ Cole, plus instrumental items from Duke Ellington; Acker Bilk and Jerry Murad & His Harmonicats, with an opening sequence from Manuel & His Music of the Mountains; Rod McKuen and Perry Como. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
HARRISON Melluish of Paignton is one of my younger listeners and his Mum Julia sent me a video recently in which, when asked who his favourite Riviera FM presenter is, Harrison replied David Lowe. Julia also mentioned that it was Harrison’s 16th birthday on June 2 so, between us, we organised a meet-up at Riviera FM’s Torquay studios on June 2, when Harrison and Julia were joined by his Dad Rod, and Harrison’s twin brother and, of course, fellow 16th birthday boy, Cooper. Lovely to meet you folks!
I featured a dedication to Harrison and Cooper late in the first half hour of the May 28 edition of my programme ‘Back Tracking’ … see the link below
Hello There … ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the May 28 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme has a bit of a jokey theme titled “Who, What Where, When, Why and How!” whereby all the titles through to the end of the show contain one or more of those words. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Ella Fitzgerald; Nat ‘King’ Cole; Connie Francis; Johnny Mathis; Jeri Southern; Eddie Fisher; Jack Jones; the Kingston Trio and Herb Alpert with His Tijuana Brass, plus British interests from Anthony Newley; Eve Lombard; Matt Monro; Jackie Trent; Michael Holliday and The Beatles. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
ESPECIALLY for fans of mid-20th Century recording stars and their vintage recordings, I’ve uploaded the May 21 edition of “Back Tracking” with yours truly on the UK’s Riviera FM radio to the 24/7 Mixcloud catch-up service. Please see below a link to the show. This weekend’s programme focuses on some of the memorable songs and tunes that became hits in Britain during the month of May in years gone by. Along the way there are offerings from (among others) Dean Martin; Doris Day; Vic Damone; the Andrews Sisters; the Mills Brothers; Lee Wiley; Pat Boone and Frank Sinatra, plus an opening sequence from Bing Crosby; Bobby Rydell and Bobby Goldsboro. I hope you’re keeping safe and well, and I also hope to have your company sometime. Best Wishes David
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