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The Deepest Shelter in Town - Blitz and Bobs
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on the song 'The Deepest Shelter in Town.' They discuss the impact of music during World War II, the life of performer Florence Desmond and the role of entertainers in boosting morale. The conversation delves into personal anecdotes about their experiences on the London cabaret scene, the Blitz and it’s effect on Britain, ARP (air raid precautions) and even the sex workers of London during WW2. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES Nellie Wallace “Under the Bed” (1929) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtWvFJWZAug Sally in Our Alley (1931) https://m.ok.ru/video/2989760187060 Florence Desmond’s Hollywood Party (1933) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p32znXVIqSI&t=8s Holborn Empire http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/westons.htm Vivienne Hole https://www.cwgc.org/stories/stories/civilian-vivienne-hole-ensa-entertainment-s-national-service-association-every-night-something-awful/ Dunsborough House https://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/dunsborough-park-the-elegant-surrey-home-once-owned-by-a-daredevil-aviator-who-had-an-affair-with-shirley-bassey-153415 Anderson Shelters https://andersonshelters.org.uk/ Morrison Shelters https://andersonshelters.org.uk/other-shelters/morrison-shelters/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Opening Chat and Catch Up 03:30 Exploring Florence Desmond's Career 06:36 The Impact of World War I on Music Hall 07:30 The Influence of Noel Coward 08:30 Florence Desmond on Film 11:32 Impersonations and Their Popularity 12:12 The Dark Side of Fame: Lead Poisoning and Its Consequences 13:13 Café de Paris: A Legacy of Performance 14:48 The Impact of War on Theatre: The Story of Applesauce 15:52 The Tragic Fate of the Hoblorn Empire 16:43 Royal Appearances: Theatre and the Royals 17:13 The Role of Entertainment During War: ENSA and Its Performers 18:45 A Tragic Loss: The Story of Vivian Fair 19:53 Life After War: Florence's Continued Stardom 20:41 Love and Loss: Florence's Marriages 21:06 Dunsborough: A Home of Hospitality and Celebrities 22:25 The Life of Charles Hewesden: A Daring Aviator 22:40 The Song Behind the Story: Leslie Julian Jones 23:35 The Blitz: A Historical Context 26:45 Anderson Shelters: The Homefront's Response to Bombing 29:22 The British Spirit: Defiance in the Face of Adversity 29:39 The Morrison Shelter: A Grim Necessity 30:46 Public Shelters: A Social Experiment 32:10 Underground Shelters: A Unique Experience 33:28 Looking at the Song: “The Deepest Shelter in Town” 34:24 Sex Work in Wartime London 36:30 “Lost” Songs from the 1940s 38:10 Lyric Analysis 40:49 The Craft of Comedy in Wartime Songs 43:30 Other Listening Recommendations 47:52 “Mentioned in Dispatches” 49:54 Outro SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS You can follow the podcast on social media: http://instagram.com/warsongspod https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod Find more information about Lili Redman here: https://liliredman.com/https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/ https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil Or Tom Carradine here: https://www.tomcarradine.com/https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine CONTACT THE PODCAST If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [email protected] to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318 If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.
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51:16
Adolf - Biting Off More Than He Can Chew?
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on their cultural significance during World War I and II. They discuss the podcast's concept, the song 'Adolf', and the lives of notable figures like Annette Mills and Arthur Askey. The conversation delves into the role of variety shows, the impact of propaganda songs, and the legacy of entertainers like Billy Cotton. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next episode, promising more insights into wartime music. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES The Boomps-a-Daisy Dance https://youtu.be/ZErUWG84N2Q?si=EBmwbl-xsth1J18q “Lambeth Walk - Nazi Style” by Charles A. Ridley (1941) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdmk3GP3iM Arthur Askey finds a sleeping Hitler in the shelter - “I Thank You” (1940) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1KkTxa49d0 Arthur Askey in “Bandwagon” (1940) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUP8n9mmwa0 For images mentioned in the episode visit our Instagram account: http://instagram.com/warsongspod CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:51 The Goal of the Podcast 05:22 Exploring the Song 'Adolf' 07:39 The Life of Annette Mills 09:53 The Evolution of Variety Shows 12:22 Arthur Askey and His Impact 14:56 The Art of Comedy in Music 15:58 World War II Films and Their Impact 17:36 Propaganda Songs and Their Significance 18:48 Lyrics and Cultural Commentary 22:45 The Role of Music in War 26:52 Humor as a Psychological Weapon 30:04 Legacy of Propaganda Songs 33:04 The Legacy of Billy Cotton 34:48 Billy Cotton's Diverse Career 37:29 The Impact of Television on Variety Shows 38:06 Billy Cotton's Family Connections 39:35 Recap and Favorite Songs SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS You can follow the podcast on social media: http://instagram.com/warsongspod https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod Find more information about Lili Redman here: https://liliredman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/ https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil Or Tom Carradine here: https://www.tomcarradine.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine CONTACT THE PODCAST If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [email protected] to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318 If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.
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41:25
Bless 'Em All - The Long and the Short of It
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on “Bless ‘Em All” and its significance during World War II. They discuss the WWI origins of the song, its evolution through various artists and the role of ENSA in providing entertainment to troops. The conversation highlights George Formby's impact on wartime music and the various versions of 'Bless Them All' that have emerged over the years, showcasing the song's enduring legacy and its connection to British culture. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES George Formby Shelter Concert (1940)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiZC-TgpFXw George Formby Senior - Standing at the Corner of the Street (1910) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuwbJeuIFR0 The “Beryldene” Auction https://www.georgeformby.co.uk/auction.htm Some of George’s banjoleles are still owned and played by: http://www.andyeastwood.com/ For images mentioned in the episode visit our Instagram account: http://instagram.com/warsongspod CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:52 The Origins and Evolution of 'Bless Them All' 06:28 Book Recommendations 07:43 The Role of ENSA in Wartime Entertainment 10:55 Uniforms and Performances in War Zones 13:53 George Formby: A Star in Wartime 22:59 George Formby's Auction 27:15 Musical Elements of Bless ‘Em All 29:18 The Lyrics and Their Impact 30:34 Cultural Significance of 'Blighty' 34:54 Morale and Humor in Wartime Music 35:03 Other Recordings 39:10 Ending SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS You can follow the podcast on social media: http://instagram.com/warsongspod https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod Find more information about Lili Redman here: https://liliredman.com/https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/ https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil Or Tom Carradine here: https://www.tomcarradine.com/https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine CONTACT THE PODCAST If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [email protected] to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318 If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.
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41:18
Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer - Bombs Away and Barely Making It Back
In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer.' They pay tribute to John Paddy Hemingway, discuss the impact of the musician strike during WWII, and delve into the cultural significance of these songs. The conversation highlights personal stories, the diversity within the RAF, and the legacy of wartime music, showcasing how these melodies provided hope and resilience during challenging times. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES Paddy John Hemmingway Obituary https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/30/john-hemingway-obituary Winston Tastes Good Like a Cigarette Should (Aeroplane Advert) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9o5i9eNPhY The damaged port-side fuselage of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, P5005 'DY-N', of No. 102 Squadron RAF, after returning from a bombing raid to the Ruhr on the night of 12/13 November 1940. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209994 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Wartime Songs 01:46 Tribute to John Paddy Hemingway 02:43 Exploring 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer' 04:57 The Song Spinners and Their Impact 07:34 The Musician Strike of 1942-1944 10:16 Censorship and Reception of Wartime Songs 12:55 The Context of 1943 in WWII 15:33 Heroic Stories of RAF Bombers 18:20 The Inspiration Behind the Song 21:10 The Legacy of 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer' 23:14 Wartime Music and Cultural Reflections 25:35 Exploring the Song's Origins 26:18 The Impact of Bomber Command 28:11 Diversity in the RAF 29:12 Musical Interpretations of the Song 31:55 Versions of 'Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer' 38:45 Comparing Iconic Performances 40:44 Aviation Songs and Their Legacy SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS You can follow the podcast on social media: http://instagram.com/warsongspod https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod Find more information about Lili Redman here: https://liliredman.com/https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/ https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil Or Tom Carradine here: https://www.tomcarradine.com/https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine CONTACT THE PODCAST If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [email protected] to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318 If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.
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46:01
Welcome to the A to Z of Wartime Song
Welcome to the A to Z of Wartime Song. Let Lili and Tom take you on a journey through the songs that helped people laugh, cry and carry on during the dark days of the wartime. Each episode they'll explore a different wartime song, unpacking its story, who sang it, and why it resonates with us and hopefully you today. Expect fascinating history, toe-tapping melodies and plenty of gossip along the way. So whether you're a history buff, a vintage music lover, or just looking for a podcast filled with fascinating stories, then this is the podcast for you. And of course they'd love to hear from you. If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at [email protected] to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". They're building a community of like-minded vintage song fans, and they'd love for you to be a part of it. The first three episodes will drop on Sunday the 6th of April and after that new episodes will be available to listen to every Sunday. The A to Z of Wartime Song is your weekly dose of history and harmony with a few surprises along the way. Until then, chin up, cheerio and carry on!
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1:54