All Poms

All British today - just click here

Max Bygraves - Any dream will do

The Drifters - no it is the Shadows - South of the Border. They changed their name so they wouldn't get mixed up with the US singing group.

Alma Cogan - With a little bit of Luck from My Fair Lady

Eddie Calvert of Oh My Papa fame with a bit of Italy Il Silenzio

Seeking something modern

Some modern stuff here if the mid 60's is modern.

The Seekers: Kumbaya, Just a closer walk with thee, Four strong winds.
An African, religious and Canadian song from an all Australian group.

Talking about Australians (was I) this has been a good year for us (Kiwis) versus the old enemy Oz in sport. We won the Netball and Rugby 7's at the Games as well at the Bledisloe Cup and the League Four Nations.

Fleetwoods - Come Softly To Me (1965 Version). This is an updated version (is it better - I don't think so) of their great hit.

Well back to the music - Beach Boys - Sloop John B parody. An interesting version.

And last but not least we go back a bit further in time to a Dutch oldies group Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers with a medley of oldies called - Do you remember.

Pacific Time

I am back from my trip to OZ so to start off all from the Pacific region.

I remember like yesterday the short but popular Alan "Red" Hewitt (Rhythm Guitar / Vocals) leading his group The Buccaneers (Johnny Willetts - Lead Guitar George Jones - Drums Gary Daverne - Piano / Sax Peter Cox - Bass Guitar) with his big hit cover of Robbin' the cradle. Although I slightly preferred the Tony Bellus version at the time I still thought Red's version was terrific.

It destroyed the US version in Auckland and he was all the rage for about a year or so.

Sadly I read that Red passed away in 2006 but he was still playing to the end.

So today we have

Red Hewitt - Robbin' the Cradle and The Girl in the Teddy bear Coat - both from 1960.

Australians Barry Crocker with the Donald Peers hit - Please don't go and Johhny O'Keefe - Shout.

Kiwi Johnny Devlin - Honey Don't

And from Tahiti Terorotua & His Tahitians - Vini Vini (1958-Tamoure), Die Tahiti - Tamoures - Tamoure (Vini-Vini).

All here

Eddie Fisher dead at 82

Edwin Jack Fisher was born on 10 August 10, 1928, in Philadelphia so he was 82 at his death. I thought he was older. Taking the name of Eddie Fisher, his matinee-idol looks and big baritone voice made him one of the most popular singers of the 1950s. I for one always enjoyed his songs and have in addition to the one for today I have loaded some up previously - just use the search facility to find them.

He made headlines when in 1959 he divorced Debbie Reynolds to marry Elizabeth Taylor who in turn left him for Richard Burton. In those more puritan and less liberal days it was the kiss of death for his career.

So here today is Eddie Fisher with Dungaree Doll.

As a special I also have NZ's own Dinah Lee with New Orleans and Johnny.

(Expect no action here for a few weeks as we will be away)

Another mixture of oldies

Listen to these -

Willie Nelson - America the beautiful. And he is in full voice and just beautiful
Herb Alphert - America - from West Side Story
S & G - Bye bye love (live) - almost but not quite as good as the Everlys
Graham Bonnet - I''ll be your baby tonight
Delaney Bonnie and Friends - Never ending song of love. Interestingly Eric Clapton often used to perform with the group.
Joe Brown and the Bruvvers - A picture of you
Reg Lindsey of Australia with his version of the John Stewart favourite about the first man on the moon - Armstrong
Left Banke - Walk away Renee

Hank and Donna Marie Koopman

Hank and Donna Marie Koopman

I couldn't find out much about this couple. By surname sounded Dutch but I think they are Australian C & W singers. Listen to them here with Caribbean, Mr Fire Eyes, Round and Round, On the wings of a dove, Don't let the stars get in your eyes and Melodie da amour.

Their records are well worth hunting out and buying.

Kiwi

All Kiwi again here.

As an aside I see Mitch Miller died at age 99. His Sing-a-long stuff is not really my cup of tea, but he did do the theme to the River Kwai film (Colonel Bogey) and found several great artists such as Rosie Clooney (Georges Aunt), Guy Mitchell and Tony Bennett. He hated R 'n' R but did take it on board to a degree as he realised it was the way to go.

Back to NZ

Howard Morrison - How great thou art
John Grenell or Hore depending on your taste - I've been everywhere man - Kiwi version
Warratahs (Ozzie name but a Kiwi group)- Cruising on the Interislander
Prince Tui Teka - E Ipo
Unknown - Pokarekare ana