Make Believe Ballroom - 9/18/26 Edition

0:12 It's make-believe ballroom time Put all your cares away All the bands are here To bring good cheer your way It's make-believe ballroom time And free to everyone It's no time to fret, your dial is set for one. Just close your eyes and visualize in your solitude. Your favorite bands are on the stands, and Mr. Miller puts you in the mood. It's make-believe ballroom time, the hour of sweet romance.

0:59 Here's your make-believe. Ballroom, come on children, let's dance, let's dance. Hello world, I'm Jeff Bressler, turning on the lights of the make-believe ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal studio. for another program of classic big band music from the 1930s and 40s. Please get ready as I play for you some amazing jazz, swing, blues, and boogie-woogie favorites. Folks, you're listening to the Make-Believe Ballroom, broadcasting almost continuously since 1935. And welcome, welcome, welcome, one and all. Thanks so much for joining me today.

1:41 Um.... I was in a supermarket a few days ago and getting some peanut butter and jelly, a staple and personal favorite of mine. So I got the peanut butter and then I moved over to the jelly section and I noticed that over the years how the jelly section has grown and It's just like an enormous tsunami of jelly jam and marmalade jars. So I got interested and I decided then and there in the supermarket aisle to take a look at Google because I need instant gratification to find out the difference between jelly jam and marmalade. So I parked my cart and I learned that jelly is the smoothest of the bunch. Jelly is made strictly from fruit juice, which is then strained until it's perfectly clear.

3:00 Then somehow it's jellied up, no chunks, no seeds, just smooth spreading. So to get things started today on The Ballroom, here is my tribute to jelly. Must be jelly cause jam don't shake like that. Must be jelly cause jam don't shake like that.

3:41 Oh, Mama, you're so big and fat. That Mama. That Mama. Said it must be Monday cause I feel low down and blue must be Monday cause I feel low down and blue baby baby see what you can do.

4:25 It must be chilly cause stew don't get that hot It must be chilly cause stew don't get that hot Hey Satch, what else have you got? It must be shorty cause Joe's got lots more hair It must be shorty cause Joe's got lots more hair. He sure did put. A rug up. There Must be merry cause Tilly's big and fat Baby, you must be merry cause Tilly's big.

5:08 And fat. Mary, Mary, don't you get like that? ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶.

5:53 Must be jelly cause it ain't like jam. If it ain't jam, I don't know what it am. It sure looks like jelly to me. Recorded on a V-desk April the 5th, 1944 in New York City, we just heard Woody Herman and his orchestra... Vocals by Woody and Francis Wayne with It Must Be Jelly, cause jam don't shake like that. So, we covered via Mr. Herman Jelly, and Woody was so kind as to mention jam also in that song, which now allows me to explain what jam is versus jelly via my Google search.

6:47 So whereas jelly is smooth, like I was telling you before, jam, I guess the best way to explain it is it gets a lot closer to nature. Jam is made from crushed or chopped whole fruit. And because the fruit flesh is cooked right in, jam becomes thick, spreadable, and it's bursting with that real fruit texture. Bursting? Like this song.

9:28 Thank you. From Victor Records, the Sea Jam Blues. by Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra, recorded in Chicago on January the 21st, 1942.

10:10 A unique swinger by Duke in that the Ellington jazz standard we just heard is a 12-bar piece in C major, which featured only two notes, G and C. Interesting fact about the C jam blues. So we have covered, from my supermarket excursion, jam and jelly. But what about marmalade? So so.

11:42 So so. So so From Vocalion Records, Clarinet Marmalade, Bobby Hackett and his orchestra, recorded in Los Angeles, California, January the 25th, 1940.

13:15 So to round out the Trinity.... Marmalade is a slightly bitter cousin to jam and jelly. Marmalade is basically jam, but it's made exclusively from citrus fruits like oranges. Do they have grapefruit.

14:00 Marmalade? I don't know. And it includes the fruit rind and the peel. And that's what gives it those chewy, those little strands. I guess you'd call them chewy ribbons. And that signature tangy bite from marmalade. So juice from jelly, whole fruit for jam, and citrus peel for marmalade. Now you know what I learned on Google as I perused the shelves at a public supermarket just a few days ago. I'm Jeff Bressler, and I am perusing another record to play for you now here on the weekly edition of the Make Believe Ballroom.

14:44 And the record I have perused and placed on the turntable is this lively piece by Midge Williams. Whether it's a serenade in Spain Whether it's a love song by the Seine In any language they're saying the same I love you Whether it's a Russian refrain Or if it's by Mephistocene In any language they're saying the same I. Love you. In any clime, with any rhyme, what do the lips of lovers impart?

15:27 There is no. Other tongue, love is the mother tongue of each and every heart. Out on a Venetian blue lagoon, off beneath the Yankee doodle moon, in any language they're saying. The same, I love you. ¶ ¶ Whether it's a serenade in Spain, whether it's a love song by the same, in any.

16:29 Language they're saying the same, I love you. Well, there is a Russian refrain, or if it's by me, this is shame. In any language, they're saying the same, I love you. In any clime, with any rhyme. What do the lips of lovers impart? There is no other tongue, love is a mother tongue. Of each and every heart out on a Venetian blue lagoon. All beneath a Yankee doodle loon.

17:10 In any language they're saying the same, I. Love you. In any old language they're saying the same, I love you. In Any Language was recorded during a prolific four-track studio session on June the 10th, 1938, in New York City for Vocalion Records. Midge Williams and her jazz jesters, and those jesters over the time, Midge had that group included Glenn Miller, Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, and the like, and...

17:56 really established Midge Williams as a top jazz vocalist. So much so that she literally, right after that four-track studio session, made the decision to stop fronting her own recording groups and instead joined Louis Armstrong's orchestra as their featured female vocalist, touring with him for a few years until 1941. But strangely, no recordings were ever made of her singing with Louis Armstrong's orchestra. Kind of strange, kind of bizarre. Let's listen to another record by Midge Williams recorded during that four-track session.

18:56 Where in the world can my lover be? Where in this wonderful world is there someone for me? He may be standing. In a corner On a lonely. Street But tell me how will we happen to meet Where in the world.

19:39 Is that moment divine Where are those arms? Where are those lips to whisper? Will you be mine. Where you are if you're waiting Patiently waiting for. Me Oh, how in. The world will I know. Where in the world. You may be.. Where in the world.

20:43 Is that moment divine? Where are those arms? Where are those. Lips to whisper, will. You be mine? Where you are if you're waiting patiently waiting for me oh how in the world will i know.

21:26 Where in the world. You may. Midge Williams and her jazz jesters with Where in the World, recorded during the Vocalion Session. We spoke about a few minutes ago on June the 10th, 1938. Where in the World with the wonderful vocalist Midge Williams. And friends, no matter where in the world you are, one thing is for certain. You're listening to the one, the only, the original Make-Believe Ballroom, America's third longest-running musical radio program. And I am Jeff Bressler, and thank you so much for joining me today. Let's spin another disc and then a movie review.

22:23 ¶ ¶ so so.

24:45 Recorded for Victor Records in New York City on February the 16th, 1939. Peckin' with the Penguins. Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra. And what a pleasant tune that was. And I watched a pleasant movie on YouTube a few days ago. Probably the hundredth time I've seen it. So let's hop into the make-believe ballroom time machine and head straight back to 1941 to look at a true masterpiece from the big band era. And I'm talking about 20th Century Fox's Winter Wonderland musical, Sun Valley Serenade. Now, if you're looking for a deep, complex plot, don't go to YouTube. because you might want to look elsewhere. The story is light and makes little sense. It's about a band adopting a Norwegian war refugee as a publicity stunt. That band, being Glenn Miller and his orchestra, So they expect a 10-year-old child, but instead out steps three-time Olympic gold medalist ice skater Sonia Henney. And as in many movies of the era, a romantic triangle quickly spins out of control between Sonia Henney,

26:20 a handsome piano player played by John Payne, and a glamorous band singer. And that is it. I can't remember much more, except for the great music that came out of that film. And having the chance to see the 1941 version of the Glenn Miller Orchestra performing on screen. And perform they did with an amazing dance number by Dorothy Dandridge and the Nicholas Brothers. And what song did the Nicholas Brothers dance to?

27:02 ¶ ¶ © BF-WATCH TV 2021.

27:59 Step aside, partner, it's my day. Bend an ear and listen to my version of a. Really solid Tennessee excursion. Pardon me, boy, is that the Chattanooga juju? Yes, yes, track 29. Boy, you can give me a shine. Can you afford to board a Chattanooga choo-choo? I got my fare. And just a trifle to spare.

28:40 You leave the Pennsylvania station about a quarter to four. Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore. Dinner in the diner, nothing could be fun. Then you have your ham and eggs and carol. When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar Then you know that Tennessee is not very. Far Shamalola callin', gotta keep it rollin' Ooh, ooh, Chattanooga, there you are. There's gonna be a certain party at the station. Sat and lay. I used to call funny face.

29:24 She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam. So Chattanooga choo-choo. Won't you choo-choo me home? Chattanooga, Chattanooga. Get aboard Chattanooga, Chattanooga. All aboard Chattanooga, Chattanooga Chattanooga. Choo-choo Won't you choo-choo me. Home Chattanooga choo-choo.

30:26 On Bluebird Records, Chattanooga Choo Choo by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, vocal by Tex Beneke and the Four Modernaires. Nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing, Sun Valley Serenade. And as we have discussed many times over the years on this program, Chattanooga Choo Choo, the first million-selling recording to be officially recognized with the awarding of a gold record. Chattanooga Choo Choo. Another Miller classic now from the movie.

31:08 Chattanooga Choo Choo All right.

34:42 On Bluebird Records, In the Mood by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, recorded back in August of 1939. Many say, and I have to agree, the most recognizable track of the swing era. And the record spent an amazing three months recording. of early 1940 as the number one most played jukebox hit in America. Let's play one more Miller Standard that the orchestra played in the movie, Sun Valley Serenade.

36:00 Thank you.

36:50 Thank you. Thank you. © transcript Emily Beynon.

38:46 The iconic Glenn Miller hit, Moonlight Serenade, recorded on April 4th, 1939, during the band's third Bluebird recording session. So folks, head to YouTube when you have a free moment and see these wonderful Miller standards performed on the screen by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in Sun Valley Serenade. I'm Jeff Bressler, and you are listening to the Make Believe Ballroom. To reach me, I'm Jeff at MakeBelieveBallroomRadio.com. That's Jeff at MakeBelieveBallroomRadio.com.

39:32 And I got a note from Madge from the Sarasota Make Believe Ballroom condo group who for Many years, and this is so cool. Listen to the ballroom at the pool of their condo in Sarasota each and every Saturday morning, and that's so great. So Madge asked for an Ink Spot song that is not played very often. And for you guys in Sarasota, hopefully the weather is pool weather. Here is said requested Ink Spots tune.

40:12 Yes, yes. Whoa, does my baby call me honey? Yes, sir. Mm, does she let me spend her money? Yes, sir. Whoa, when I hear her gentle sighs and she rolls them big black eyes, will that make goose pimples rise? Yes, sir. Take it, Charlie. Whoa is that gonna be a win yes sir with the news around already spreading yes sir when we truck up side by side and the play hit comes a bride will i be poked out with pride yes.

41:06 Sir take it brother hoppy. With a chicken yowzer didn't. We cats have a sweet bone pig in yowzer whoa. When the neighbors count their flock and the mist that plumbers rock. Ain't they gonna have a shot.

42:00 On Sally Springle. Didn't the chocolate drop say she was single whoa when I went up to a flat someone demanded who was dead I trucked on out without my hat yeah. Recorded on February the 5th, 1937 for Decca Records. That was the Ink Spots. And a lightly played song. Yes Sir.

42:44 That record spun at the request of Madge and the Saturday Morning Condo Pool Group in Sarasota, Florida. And guys, if it's not too hot, how about some coffee at the pool? I love coffee, I love tea. I love the java jive and it loves me. Coffee and tea and the java and me. A cup, a cup, a cup, a. Cup, a cup, boy.

43:26 I love java, sweet and hot. Whoops, Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pie. Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot. A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Oh, slip me a slug from the wonderful mug. I'll cut a rug. Till I'm stuck in the jug. A slice of onion and a raw one. Draw one. Waiter, waiter, percolator. I love coffee. I love tea.

44:08 I love the java jive and it loves me. Coffee and tea and the java and me. A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Oh, Boston beans, soy beans, green beans, cabbage and greens. I'm not cheating upon a bean. Unless it is the cheery, cheery bean boy. I love coffee. I love tea. I love the java, java that loves me. Coffee and the tea and the java and me.

44:54 A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Yeah. I love java, sweet and hot. Whoops, Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot. Shoot me the pot and I'll throw me a shot. A cup, a cup, a cup. Oh, throw me that slug from the wonderful mud. I'll get a rug till I'm snug in the jug. Drop a nickel in the pot, Joe. I take him a slope. I love coffee.

45:41 I love tea. I love the java jive and it loves me. Coffee and tea and the java and me. Yeah. A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Bones. From Decca Records in 1941, the Ink Spots with one of their big hits, Java Jive. Why don't I stick with a few more male vocal groups? Groups like the Delta Rhythm Boys.

46:25 What's the good of having money when you haven't got your honey? I don't go out walking. I ain't for no talking. My baby done left me. Just a sitting and a rocking. Now if I had been scheming. Instead of just dreaming. She'd never have left me. Just a-sittin' and a-rockin'. Now sittin' all day without holdin' my baby, I'm such a lonely papa.

47:10 If she don't hurry and come back. I'm a saint to blow my top off Now. If I don't find her I. Hope you'll remind her That I'm staying where she left me Just a-sittin' and a-rockin' all day Never. Go out walkin' You never hear me talkin' And I. Guess I'll never be the. Same, baby Till you return, please act.

47:50 Right and give me a call. And some night we will have a ball. You were meant. For me, so baby. Won't you please come home? Feeling so blue now. Yes, I'm feeling so blue now. What shall I do now? I don't know what to do now. My baby's done left me just a-sitting and a-rocking.

48:35 Now if I don't find her, I hope you'll remind her that I'm staying where she left me. Just a-sittin' and a-rockin' all day. I sit and rock, and rock, and rock. And rock. Just a-sittin' and a-rockin' all day. From Deco Records, Just a-sittin' and a-rockin'. That's a Duke Ellington tune. Here by the Delta Rhythm Boys, recorded... July.

49:18 The 9th, 1941. Delta Rhythm Boys, who performed as a group for over 50 years. And if you think 50 years together might be some sort of record, try 57 years. Hold that tiger. Hold that tiger. Hold that tiger. Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger? Here's that tiger. Where's that tiger? Here's that tiger.

49:59 Where's that tiger? Here's that tiger. Thank you. Thank you.

50:41 Hold that tiger. Hold that tiger. Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger? Here's that tiger. Where's that tiger? Here's that tiger. Where's that tiger? Here's that tiger. No, no, no, no. Hold that tiger. A smash hit by the Mills Brothers on their debut Brunswick release. And it says on the label of this record, No musical instruments or mechanical devices used in this recording other than one guitar. Hard to believe. From Brunswick Records, Tiger Rag by the Mills Brothers. Recorded in New York City, October the 9th, 1931. So we had 50 years for the Delta Rhythm Boys, 57 years for the Mills Brothers performing, How about a group of male vocalists who have been around for over 90 years?

52:09 And now, the Golden Gate Quartet. Said the general to the captain, Pops, we gonna cause a commotion. Then one early morning they up and gone. The general jumped, he jumped and gone. Said the captain. To the private man, we gonna flannel the channel. Then one early morning. They up and gone. The general jumped, he jumped and gone. Bye-bye, bye-bye. Bye-bye. I'll see you in the sky at foresight. Drop in.

52:50 Drop in. Drop in. Drop in. We'll have a barbecue in Berlin. Said the private to the general, Jack, my jeep is ready and steady. Then one early morning, up and gone, the general jumped, jumped that dog. The general had a groovy crew, a. Million lads, and I'm telling you, they were white men, black men on the beam. A real solid all-American team. He had tall men, small men, fat and lean. The fightin'est crew that you've ever seen Every creed and color and every belief From. An Eskimo to an Indian. Chief We had a Sergeant Swenson, a Captain Kelly A Corporal Rosen and a Cook Morelli Lieutenant Jackson and a Private Joe.

53:37 Then the General said, let's hit the road We'll. Jump two, three, four Remember, boys, we gotta win the war Said the Private to the General Jack, my jeep stays ready and steady. When early morning, they up and gone. The General, the General jumped at dawn. The General jumped at dawn by the Golden Gate Quartet, recorded as a soundie back in 1944. The Gospel Oriented Quartet, founded in 1934 and still performing as a group, albeit with different vocalists today. The Golden Gate Quartet.

54:26 The Golden Gate Quartet Recorded on Parlophone Records in London

56:25 on May the 26th, 1944. Harry Parry and his orchestra with Boogie Bounce. And folks, we are out of time. Big hand on the big bull of a clock here in the Crystal Studio is approaching the top of the hour. Thanks so much for joining me today. To reach me, I'm Jeff at makebelieveballroomradio.com.

57:08 That's Jeff at makebelieveballroomradio.com. For past shows or recorded requests, please go to makebelieveballroom.com. That's makebelieveballroom.com. Big thanks to our syndicators and distributors for offering the Make Believe Ballroom cost-free to commercial-free public community and university radio stations. They are the Public Radio Exchange, PRX, the Pacifica Network, and Global Community Radio. The program's flagship affiliate is Jazz 90.1 WGMC in Rochester, New York. The Ballroom is also heard on your favorite podcast provider. So friends, until next week, this has been Jeff Bressler.