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The A to Z of Wartime Song

Tom Carradine and Lili Redman
The A to Z of Wartime Song
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  • Moonlight Serenade – A Signature Sound and a Vanished Star
    In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore one of the most iconic and romantic tunes of the wartime era - Glenn Miller’s ā€œMoonlight Serenade.ā€ They trace the song’s evolution from a jazzy instrumental to a timeless anthem of love and longing, and reflect on the life and legacy of bandleader Glenn Miller, from his early days milking cows to buy a trombone, to his meteoric rise with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and his mysterious disappearance over the English Channel in 1944. Along the way, they delve into the technical brilliance behind the ā€œMiller Sound,ā€ the influence of composer and teacher Joseph Schillinger, and the song’s haunting ability to evoke warm summer nights and faraway loves. Lili and Tom also discuss Miller’s wartime service, his ambitious efforts to modernise military music, and the immense morale-boosting power of his performances for Allied troops in Europe. The episode is filled with musical gems - from lesser-known early recordings and rival versions by Count Basie, Gene Krupa and Dick Todd, to behind-the-scenes stories of collaborations with the likes of Al Bowlly, the Nicholas Brothers, and Dorothy Dandridge. As always, Lili and Tom share personal memories, historical trivia, and their infectious passion for the music that helped people laugh, cry, and carry on. Don't miss this tender and toe-tapping tribute to a wartime classic and a bandleader whose music still serenades us under the moonlight. REFERENCES Royal Hospital Chelsea https://chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/ Siren Tickets https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lili-redman-siren Moonlight Serenade (in Sun Valley Serenade 1941) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmvsUo4XnQM Jumpin’ Jive - The Nicholas Brothers - Stormy Weather (1943) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yGGtVKrD8 Sun Valley Serenade (1941) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnfyeup29B0 Chattanooga Choo Choo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDgwsMqF-6k St Louis Blues (as a March) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFR3HMWOQ4A Twinwood Festival https://twinwoodevents.com/ RAF Twinwood Farm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Twinwood_Farm Moonlight Serenade (Sheet Music) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LMNH8TKzo4 Lyceum Theatre / Ballroom http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LyceumTheatre.htm CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:52 Catch Up 02:25 An Announcement 03:06 M = Moonlight Serenade 04:12 Glenn Miller 10:28 The Nicholas Brothers 13:09 Miller Releases "Moonlight Serenade" 16:47 Miller's Military Service 22:45 Miller's Work in England 27:39 The Tragic Fate of Glenn Miller 30:39 Discussing the Sheet Music 32:24 Discussing the Lyrics and Music 38:21 The Creation of the Miller Sound 42:26 Chart Success and Reception 44:33 Discussing Recordings 45:09 Dick Todd and the Three Reasons 46:00 Jan Savitt: the "The Stokowski of Swing" 46:24 Count Basie (with Helen Humes) 48:00 Gene Krupa 48:15 Our Favourite Recordings? 50:40 Mentioned in Dispatches 51:49 Teaser for Next Episode 52:14 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]Ā  to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify:Ā 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. Ā 
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  • Lili Marlene - From Berlin to El Alamein: The Song that Crossed the Front Line
    In this episode, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history and emotional impact of wartime songs, focusing on the iconic ā€œLili Marleneā€.Ā  They discuss its origins, adaptations and the various artists who have performed it, including Marlene Dietrich and Lale Anderson. The conversation delves into the song's significance for soldiers during World War II and its lasting legacy in music history. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here:Ā https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES Lauder @ Hoxton Hall https://hoxtonhall.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173660809 East Kirkby Airfield https://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/ Down at the Old Bull and Bush - History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1NwbuVzoRg Bombs On England (ā€žBomben auf Engellandā€œ) - Norbert Schultz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH9sHgQSwQ4 Lale Anderson - Song of the Young Soldier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM1Wac7sd-c The Biggest Aspidistra in the World - Gracie Fields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHN-ZQzkJJU With a Lamppost Attached to My Mac - Paul O’Grady (as Lily Savage) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjiWfVHB3Fo You Gotta Get a Gimmick - Cilla Black, Barbara Windsor and Lily Savage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LOIGfjcxZE Allo Allo - Lili Marlene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xOfPIckAtk Marlene Dietrich - Musical Saw (film) https://youtu.be/07esLvRHJPA?si=3mH-9u5ApEpaRBMa Marlene Dietrich - Music Saw (audio) https://youtu.be/zo97E2H2Ec8 We’ll Never Forget Our Boys https://digitalnz.org/records/32376509 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 04:48 L = Lili Marlene 07:13 The Impact of Lili Marlene on Soldiers 11:24 The Controversy Surrounding the Song 13:30 The Evolution of 'Lili Marlene' 15:22 Marlene Dietrich's Impact on Soldiers 18:10 Discussing the Sheet Music 19:07 Where Did We First Hear This Song? 20:18 Discussing the Lyrics 24:10 Parodies and Variations of the Song 28:45 Marlene Dietrich: Icon and Entertainer 32:07 Discussing the Music 33:23 The Freedom of Interpretation in Music 34:10 Discussing Recordings: Lale Anderson 34:42 The Global Popularity of 'Lili Marlene' 5:23 The Beauty of Language in Song 36:14 Diverse Versions of 'Lili Marlene' 37:57 Theatricality in Musical Interpretations 39:34 Unexpected Artists and Their Contributions 40:42 Hildegard's Unique Take on 'Lili Marlene' 43:29 Marlene Dietrich's Iconic Performance 45:07 Which Are Our Favourites? 46:36 Personal Favorites and Final Thoughts 47:59 Mentioned in Dispatches 49:15 Teaser for Next Week 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]Ā  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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  • Keep the Home Fires Burning - Poetry and Pop Music
    In this episode of the A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine discuss Ivor Novello’s 1914 hit ā€œKeep the Home Fires Burningā€.Ā  They explore Novello’s life and WW1 service, his collaboration with lyricist Lena Guilbert Ford and her tragic death in a Zepplin raid on London in 1918.Ā  Alongside this their conversation covers the sad tale of WW1 poet and composer Ivor Gurney and Novello’s connection to another WW1 poet, Seigfied Sassoon. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES Mr Fogg’s Tavern Sing-a-long https://www.mr-foggs.com/event/tavern-cockney-sing-a-long/ Ivor Novello - Blue Plaque https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/ivor-novello/ Ivor Novello - Biography / Locations https://britainunlimited.com/ivor-novello/ Ivor Gurney - Biography https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/ivor-gurney-composer-poet-soldier/ Heytesbury House in Wiltshire (home to Sassoon and Gatty) https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1198088 Pics of Ivor’s West End Flat https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/heritage-architect-creates-west-end-home-for-cameron-mackintosh/5097491.article Till the Boys Come Home - Roger Foss https://www.amazon.co.uk/Till-Boys-Come-Home-British/dp/0750960663 Heytesbury House in Wiltshire (Sassoon’s Home) https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1198088 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:50 Opening Chat 01:50 K = Keep the Home Fires Burning 02:57 The Life of Ivor Novello 10:07 The Tragic Story of Ivor Gurney 14:09 Novello in London 17:06 Lena Guilbert Ford's Contribution 19:20 The Premiere of 'Keep the Homefires Burning' 20:43 The Song's Impact and Reception 21:32 Siegfried Sassoon and Ivor Novello's Connection 22:06 Siegried Sassoon 25:49 Ivor Novello's Post-War Success 26:57 Novello's Military Service in WW1 29:48 Discussing the Sheet Music 31:31 Discussing the Lyrics 34:05 Discussing the Music 36:26 Discussing Recordings - Frederick Wheeler 37:37 Stanley Kirkby 40:19 John McCormack 42:11 Olive Gilbert 42:53 Our Favourite Recordings 44:20 If You Liked That You'll Like This ... 46:15 Mentioned in Dispatches 49:59 A Teaser for Next Week 50:24 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]Ā  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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    51:04
  • Jolly Good Luck to the Girl Who Loves a Soldier - Drag Kings and Things
    In this episode of the A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the rich history of wartime songs, focusing on Vesta Tilley’s 1907 hit ā€œJolly Good Luck to the Girl Who Loves a Soldierā€.Ā  Along the way they discuss the life of Vesta Tilley, the use of Music Hall in recruitment for Kitchener’s Army in WWI and highlight a number of the trailblazing male impersonators and their contributions to the Music Hall. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here:Ā https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES Melton Mowbray 1940s Festival https://www.facebook.com/1940sMeltonMowbray/ Vesta Tilley https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp64790/vesta-tilley-matilda-alice-nee-powles-lady-de-frece Vesta’s Dandy Style https://www.magnetmanchester.org/dandy-style-vesta-tilley-patrick/2023/3/8/dandy-style-vesta-tilley-patrick Algy or the Piccadilly Johnny with the Little Glass Eye https://folksongandmusichall.com/index.php/algy-or-the-piccadilly-johnny-with-the-little-glass-eye/ Mark Sheridan Memorial https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25931453/mark-sheridan/photo Mark Sheridan Biography https://musichallalice.wordpress.com/2021/01/15/a-comedians-tragedy/ The Pals Battalions of WWI https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-pals-battalions-of-the-first-world-war The Jingo Song https://folksongandmusichall.com/index.php/macdermotts-war-song/ Ella Shields sings Adeline https://youtu.be/4jopFBMCouY?si=2EScTDLxuxSBYgwN Burlington Bertie from Bow - Anita Harris (1990) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGNutjop1g0 Ā  Ella Shields / Nellie Wallace Memorial Plaque https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6305183/ella-shields Hetty King Documentary - Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNx_n2uKiTk Hetty King Documentary - Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qlw6o8uf84 Hetty King Documentary - Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6CXCW1Nuss Maggie Smith sings ā€œI’ll Make a Man of Youā€ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1d2TWaw41k CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:51 Opening Chat 02:04 J = Jolly Good Luck to the Girl Who Loves a Soldier 03:12 Vesta Tilley: A Biography 10:20 Discussing the Song 12:34 Mark Sheridan 18:57 Fred W. Leigh and Kenneth Lyle 21:25 Music Hall and Recruitment in WWI 24:32 The Impact of Pals Battalions on Communities 27:09 The Sheet Music 28:19 How Did We Discover the Song 30:07 The Jingoistic Nature of War Songs 32:57 The Evolution of Performance Styles 34:39 If You Liked That You'll Like This 34:57 Ella Shields 39:56 Hetty King 46:08 Mentioned In Dispatches 47:06 A Clue for Next Week 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]Ā  to be "Mentioned in Dispatches". LISTENING LINKS Listen on Spotify:Ā 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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    48:15
  • I'll Be Seeing You - Sentimentality and Separation
    In this episode, hosts Tom Carradine and Lili Redman delve into the emotional and historical significance of the wartime song 'I'll Be Seeing You.' They explore its origins, the songwriters behind it and its impact during World War II. Their conversation highlights various interpretations and recordings of the song, emphasizing its universal themes of love, loss and hope. Through their musical analysis and personal anecdotes, the hosts bring to life the enduring legacy of this classic ballad. To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here:Ā https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN REFERENCES Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome https://www.stowmaries.org.uk/ I’ll Be Seeing You - Film (1944) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCLBcHf71Rc Secret Love - Doris Day https://youtu.be/H8P_p7dB2dw?si=9DZr-7lvbV-NNXyn Mahler’s Third Symphony Last Movement (Listen at 1:04) https://youtu.be/M622tyRUYKg?si=N5zH3KL_CZkYVVsz&t=64 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:50 Opening Catch Up 02:03 I = I'll Be Seeing You 07:22 Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal 13:21 The Sheet Music 14:46 Discovering the Song 17:04 Discussing the Lyrics 19:04 Universal Themes in Love Songs 23:35 Discussing the Music 29:15 Recordings - Dick Todd / Bing Crosby 34:36 Tommy Dorsey (with Frank Sinatra) 36:03 Billie Holiday 39:35 Joe Loss (with Harry Kaye) 41:17 Anne Shelton and Stanley Black 43:08 Ambrose 43:44 Our Favourites? 46:11 Other Listening Recommendations 49:19 Mentioned in Dispatches 50:44 A Clue for Next Week 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]Ā  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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    51:53

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About The A to Z of Wartime Song

šŸŽµ Hosted by @tomcarradine & @lili_redman ✨ Exploring iconic songs from the frontlines to the home front šŸ“œ History, harmony & heart from WWI to WWII
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