The Andrews Sisters - "Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch"

Picture of The Andrews Sisters

Throughout the month of February, I've been working hard on cleaning up the audio of a show called "Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch" that featured some great music by The Andrews Sisters.  Since I've spent so much time with the content, I figured I'd write a quick post about the show.

By the end of 1944, The Andrews Sisters had been touring and recording at an amazing pace. They were also amongst the biggest acts in America at the time and an opportunity to host their own radio show presented itself. They jumped at the idea.

On December 31, 1944, "The Andrews Sisters Show", subtitled "Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch", made it's premiere on the Blue Network. It was sponsored by Nash-Kelvinator, the makers of Nash Automobiles and Kelvinator Kitchen Appliances. Vic Schoen and His Orchestra provided the music.

Personally, I'm torn in half with my opinions about the show.  The scripts, storylines and acting were horrible.  The jokes were drawn out and predictable. 

The premise of the show was that the Sisters inherited the fictitious Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch from their Uncle Ed Andrews. But, there was one condition: The Andrews Sisters had to operate it themselves. (Insert laughter here!) 😜

The overall theme for the show just baffles me.  The Andrews Sisters had only two or three hits that were considered "Country" ("Don't Fence Me In" and "Pistol Packin' Mama" come to mind).  So the whole Western theme was quite puzzling.  After the first couple episodes I found myself skipping through the broadcasts just to locate the music.  

But, when I did find that music was well worth it.  There are so many Andrews Sisters gems buried in that audio.  Songs that they never recorded in the studio. Great versions of tracks like "I'm Beginning To See The Light", "The Trolley Song" and "Saturday Night Is The Loneliest Night" to name just a few.  I was able to pull out about 20 songs and they clean up quite good.

So keep tuned to Swing City Radio to hear some fantastic music by The Andrews Sisters from their short lived show. 

Watch: Frances Carroll And The Coquettes

Picture of Frances Carroll And The Coquettes

Today's video is a short film called "Frances Carroll And The Coquettes" and was released to the public by Vitaphone in 1940.  The short movie itself was filmed in 1939.  I have posted this video before in recognition of drummer Viola Smith's passing but I felt it deserved another post as the main focus.

If you are a fan of the "All-Girl Bands" of the 1940's then you will LOVE this.  The film runs close to 10 minutes and includes the songs:
  • "When I Swing My Stick"
  • "Snake Charmer"
  • "The Girl Friend of the Whirling Dervish"
  • "Jitterbug Jump"
The song "Snake Charmer" features a fantastic drum solo by Viola Smith. Frances Carroll And The Coquettes were a great, tight band and in my opinion deserved much more exposure than they got. 

Enjoy!

Watch: The short film "Frances Carroll And The Coquettes" from 1940.

Podcast: Show 150 - Oranges, Lemons and Banana Peels

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The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Oranges, Lemons and Banana Peels - Show 150 - 

Features recordings by Cee Pee Johnson, Andy Kirk and Jimmie Lunceford.  We also listen to a Soundie by Skeets Tolbert and His Orchestra.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Oranges, Lemons and Banana Peels (Show 150)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

Podcast: Show 149 - Reenacting the Playlist

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The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Reenacting the Playlist - Show 149 - 

Features vintage Big Band performances by Kay Kyser, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra and Freddy Nagel. We also learn why you should have an extra package of Alka Seltzer on the side.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Reenacting the Playlist (Show 149)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

Podcast: Show 148 - "Pot" Goes The Weasel

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The Big Band and Swing Podcast - "Pot" Goes The Weasel - Show 148 - 

Features music by Vaughn Monroe, Raymond Scott, Artie Shaw and The Sportsmen Quartet.  We also listen to clips from an old radio program that tackles the marijuana problem. You know, those Reefer Cigarettes.  The Dope!

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: "Pot" Goes The Weasel (Show 148)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

Added To Playlist - Feb 7, 2023

Pic of GI Jill with Bing Crosby

As promised, I've added more great Big Band music containing introductions by radio's sweetheart, G.I. Jill.  These tracks will appear on "After Dark" which streams every night from 8pm (ET) to Midnight.  They were originally broadcasted over the AFRS network in the 1940's on the show "G.I. Jive".  I was able to capture a very good variety of artists including songs by:

Tex Beneke (leading the Glenn Miller Band)
Benny Goodman
Gene Krupa
Bing Crosby
Kay Kyser
Lucky Millinder
Frank Sinatra
Harry James
and Artie Shaw.

More than 70 tracks in all and I got most of them sounding very good so I think you will enjoy them very much.  Keep and ear out for a great track by Woody Herman called "Fan It".  It's an absolute "Killer Diller"!

Enjoy.

Listen to: Ep #602 of "G.I. Jive" starring G.I. Jill

Hot Lips Page

Picture of Hot Lips Page

The name Oran Thaddeus Page might not immediately jump out at you, but as a trumpeter, Oran had a huge influence on The Big Band Era.  More widely known as Hot Lips Page, he began his career as a member of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils in 1927.

Hot Lips played and toured with the Blue Devils until 1931, then joined the ranks of the Bennie Moten Orchestra.  He became known throughout the Midwest as one of the hottest, up and coming trumpet players.  After the death of Moten, Hot Lips spent time with Count Basie's band but was never really known as an official member of the band.  

In 1937, Page formed his own Orchestra and had some immediate success.  But over time, as talented as Hot Lips was, he struggled to maintain a regular working band.  Throughout the 1940's, Page managed to tour the United States and Canada, but it's believed he did so with up to 13 different bands and combos that featured his name.

It's also important to note that in 1941 and 1942, Page joined on with Artie Shaw's band as a vocalist and trumpet soloist.  In that short period of time, he recorded over 40 sides with Shaw.

It's estimated that Hot Lips Page made over 200 recordings during his career is considered by many to be one of the founders of what came to be known as rhythm and blues.  Page passed away in 1954 at the age of 46.

Listen to: "Skull Duggery" by Hot Lips Page and His Band

You can hear the hot trumpet of Hot Lips Page right here on Swing City Radio.

Watch: Drum Boogie from 1941

Picture of Gene Krupa

Today's film clip is from the 1941 film "Ball of Fire".  It features Gene Krupa and His Orchestra in their prime performing the classic "Drum Boogie".  The director of this film did a fantastic job capturing the raw energy that Krupa and the band put into all of their appearances.

The beatiful Barbara Stanwyck appears onstage as the vocalist, but the truth is that Martha Tilton provided the singing voice and Barbara was just lip syncing.

"Ball of Fire" was a comedy film released in 1941 and starred Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. 

Enjoy!

Watch: "Drum Boogie" by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra from 1941

Podcast: Show 147 - Oh! Ma-Ma. I'm Beginning To See The Light.

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The Big Band and Swing Podcast - Oh! Ma-Ma. I'm Beginning To See The Light. - Show 147 - 

Features vintage Big Band recordings by Chick Webb, Ray Noble, Dick Jurgens and Tiny Hill.  Ronnaldo also plays an old ad from Admiral Radio.

* All music in this podcast are Creative Commons.  Artists are credited within the podcast.

Listen to: Oh! Ma-Ma. I'm Beginning To See The Light. (Show 147)

Listen to more episodes of The Big Band and Swing Podcast at: BigBandPodcast.com

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