Bert Ambrose and his Mayfair Orchestra: nine “I’m” songs 1928-1940
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Bert Ambrose and his Mayfair Hotel Orchestra
I’m Riding To Glory (m. Harry M. Woods, w. Mort Dixon)
Among the earliest recordings of the song are found variants of the title, including I’m Riding To Glory (with a Glorious Girl) and (according to redhotjazz.com and numerous other sites) in the version by Leroy Smith & His Orchestra, “with a Glorious Blues.” The Smith recording is an instrumental, possibly recorded before lyrics were added.
Ambrose recording, 1928 — no explanation by the provider for the photo of Cole Porter
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I’m on a Diet of Love (m. Abel Baer, w. L. Wolfe Gilbert) from the film Happy Days (1929) – Ambrose recording, vocal: Sam Browne, 1930
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I’m in the Market for You (m. James F. Hanley, w. Joseph McCarthy) was featured in the film High Society Blues (1930) where it was sung by Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.
Ambrose recording with vocal by Sam Browne, 1930
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I’m Just Wearing Out My Heart for You (Layton-Keyes) – Ambrose recording, vocal: Sam Browne, 1931
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I’m Through With Love (w.m. Matty Malneck, Gus Kahn, Fud Livingston) published 1931
Ambrose recording, vocals: Sam Browne and Ella Logan, 1931
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I’m Gonna Wash My Hands of You (m. Franz Vienna, w. Eddie Pola)
- Ambrose recording, vocals: Sam Browne and Elsie Carlisle, 1934. The lyrics include such heartwarming and timeless lines as
Me, a double crosser?
What about that blonde of yours?
Fanny something or other…that’s her name.
I always see you with your Fanny…don’t I?
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- Close harmony vocal group The Radio Three in a British Pathé short (incomplete), issue date: 18 April 1935. The lyrics, different than those in the Ambrose recording, include the lovely couplet
I’m gonna cross you off my list
I’d like to give your neck a twist
I’m presently unable to get the British Pathé player to function on this site. You may view the video at the source by clicking on the link above, or here.
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(above) Al Hirschfield caricatures of some of the stars of Casino Varieties, a vaudeville-like variety show which opened on Broadway in 1934 at the Casino Theatre. Included in the illustration are the Ritz Brothers, emcee Georgie Jessel, and Gertrude Niesen.
I’m All In (m. Louis Alter, w. Arthur Swanstrom) was introduced in the 1934 Broadway show Casino Varieties. Among other songs in the show was If Love Makes You Give Up Steak and Potatoes, Then I Don’t Want Love (w.m. Louis Alter and Lew Brown).
Ambrose and his Orchestra performed I’m All In in the 1936 film Soft Lights and Sweet Music, with vocal by Evelyn Dall. It’s not clear whether this is from the film soundtrack or a separate recording.
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I’m in Love for the Last Time (Hughie Charles, Ross Parker)
vocal: Vera Lynn, year unknown
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I’m Stepping Out With a Memory Tonight (m. Allie Wrubel, w. Herb Magidson)
vocal: Anne Shelton, 1940
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Feb 10, 2013 @ 18:33:44
I was introduced to Ambrose and many other English dance bands by my long and wonderful friendship with noted British muscologist and historian Barry McCanna. Through his guidance I came to listen and appreciate the differences between American bands and the the famous dance bands of the U.K.
The English dance bands played extensive engagements in London’s sophisticated caberets and famous hotel venues. Guided by Mr. McCanna, I learned a great deal of this musical sub-culture and the individual personalities and style of both bandleaders and their vocalists.
The nearest thing in America would have been the society bands like Lester Lanin and Meyer Davis. Neither could approach the arrangements and musicianship of those great English dance bands. Its a delightful subject that deserves more consideration by American dance band collectors.
Feb 11, 2013 @ 19:56:55
Mike,
Would you like to contribute a guest article on British dance bands?
This particular page uses an irreverent premise, but I meant no disrespect and trust that enthusiasts of the sub-culture you mention will not be offended.
I knew nothing about British bands of the 1930s when I began to construct the site three years ago. Gradually, I’ve learned a bit about them. The site has accumulated a number of recordings by several bands associated with the British dance band scene of the 30s and beyond. Some of the bands and bandleaders represented in various feature pages of Songbook include the following:
Ray Noble and his Orchestra
Carroll Gibbons and the Savoy Orpheans
Roy Fox and His Band
Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
Lew Stone and his Band
Bert Ambrose and his Orchestra
Joe Loss and his Orchestra
Henry Hall & his Gleneagles Hotel Band
I’ve probably got more recordings on the site featuring vocals by Al Bowlly than by any other British singer. He appears to have been prolific in his output. When I begin a search for recordings of a 1930s hit or standard, among ballads I should specify, I expect to find a recording by Al Bowlly.
I was knocked out the first time I heard the voice of Denny Dennis. He has easily the smoothest voice belonging to a British dance band vocalist that I’ve heard. Reminds me of Bob Eberly, but Dennis was that smooth several years (I think) before Eberly’s earliest recordings. I was going to do a feature on the following song in January this year, but didn’t get around to it.
June in January (m. Ralph Rainger, w. Leo Robin) introduced by Bing Crosby in the film Here is My Heart (1934)
Roy Fox and His Band, vocal by Denny Dennis — recorded in London on 16 December 1934
Feb 15, 2013 @ 01:23:42
Would you believe I’ve gathered
seveneight more “I’m” songs recorded by Bert Ambrose and his Mayfair Orchestra? I might add these to this piece, and change the title to …sixteenseventeen “I’m” songs. Only a couple of recordings found so far though. If all songs beginning with “I,” including “I’ll,” “I’ve,” etc. are included the list would be much longer.