Make Believe Ballroom - 9/18/26 Edition

0:00Music It's make believe for a room time Put all your cares away All the bands are here to bring good cheer your way It's make believe for a room time And free to everyone It's no time to fret your dialis at barbine Just close your eyes and visualize in your solitude Your favorite bands are on the stands and Mr. Millworth, what you think of who it's Make believe for a room time Be our sweet romance Here's your make believe for a room Come on, turn on the dance, let's dance

1:06Hello world, I'm Jeff Bressler Turning on the lights of the make believe ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal studio For another program of classic Big Band music from the 1930s and 40s Please get ready as I play for you some amazing jazz swing blues and boogie wogie favorites Folks, you're listening to the make believe ballroom Broadcasting almost continuously Since 1935 and welcome welcome welcome one and all thanks so much for joining me today I was in a supermarket a few days ago and getting some peanut butter and jelly A staple and personal favorite of mine So I got the peanut butter and then I moved over to the jelly section And I noticed that over the years how the jelly section has grown into

2:10It's just like an enormous tsunami of jelly jam and marmalade jars So I got interested and I decided then and there in the supermarket aisle to take a look at Google Because I need instant gratification to find out the difference between jelly jam and marmalade So I parked my cart and I learned that jelly is the smoothest of the bunch Jelly is made strictly from fruit juice which is then strained until it's perfectly clear Then somehow it's jellyed up no chunks no seeds just you know smooth spreading So to get things started today on the ballroom here is my tribute to jelly

3:21You Must be jelly cause jam don't shake like that Must be jelly cause jam don't shake like that Oh mama you're so big and fat that mama You Said it must be Monday cause I feel low down and blue Must be Monday cause I feel low down and blue Baby, baby, see what you can do

4:25It must be jelly cause stew don't get that hot It must be jelly cause stew don't get that hot He said what else have you got? It must be jelly cause stew don't get that hot It must be jelly cause stew don't get that hot He's your name put a rug up there Must be merry cause jelly is big and fat Baby you must be merry cause jelly is big and fat Merry, merry, don't get like that

5:36Merry, merry, don't get that hot Must be jelly cause it ain't like jam but ain't jam I don't know what it am it sure looks like jelly to me Recorded on a V-desk April the 5th, 1944 in New York City We just heard Woody Herman and his orchestra Vocals by Woody and Francis Wayne with it must be jelly Cause jam don't shake like that So we covered via Mr. Herman jelly Woody was so kind as to mention jam also in that song

6:37Which now allows me to explain what jam is versus jelly via my Google search So where as jelly is smooth like I was telling you before Jam, I guess the best way to explain it is it gets a lot closer to nature Jam is made from crushed or chopped whole fruit And because the fruit flesh is cooked right in Jam becomes thick, spreadable And you know it's bursting with that real fruit texture Bursting like this song

9:57Back to records the C Jam Blues by Duke Ellington And his famous orchestra recorded in Chicago on January the 21st, 1942 A unique swing by Duke in that the Ellington Jazz standard we just heard Is a 12 bar piece and C major which featured only two notes G and C, interesting fact about the C Jam blues So we have covered from my supermarket excursion jam and jelly What about Marmalade

11:26Marmalade Marmalade

12:26Marmalade From Vocalian Records clarinet Marmalade, Bobby Hackett and his orchestra orchestra recorded in Los Angeles, California, January the 25th, 1940. So to round out the

13:34Trinity, Marmalade is a, well, it's a slightly bitter cousin to Jam and jelly. Marmalade is basically jam, but it's made exclusively from citrus fruits like oranges that I have grapefruit marmalade, I don't know. And it includes the fruit rind and the peel. And that's what gives it those chewy, those little strands, I guess you'd call them chewy ribbons and that signature tangy bite from Marmalade. So juice from jelly, whole fruit for jam and citrus peel for Marmalade. Now you know what I learned on Google is I peruse the shelves at public supermarkets just a few days ago. I'm Jeff Bressler and I am perusing another record to play for you now here on the weekly

14:41edition of the Make Believe Ballroom. And the record I have perused and placed on the turntable is this lively piece by Mitch Williams. And any climb with any rhyme what do the lips of lovers and parts there is no other tongue love is a mother tongue of each and every heart out of an ancient blue lagoon of beneath the Yankee doodle moon and any language that's in the same I love you.

16:19Well, there is a Russian refrain or if it's funny, there's no shame. And any language that's funny, there's no shame. And any time you're in the same I love you. In any climb with any rhyme what do the lips of lovers and parts there is no other tongue love is a mother tongue of each and every heart out of an ancient blue lagoon of beneath the Yankee doodle moon and any language that's in the same I love you. In any language was recorded during a prolific four track studio session on June the 10th, 1938,

17:37in New York City for Vocalian Records, Mitch Williams and her jazz gestures and those gestures over the time, Mitch had that group included Glenn Miller, Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey and the like and really established Mitch Williams as a top jazz vocalist. So much so that she literally right after that four track studio session made the decision to stop fronting her own recording groups and instead joined Louis Armstrong's orchestra as their featured female vocalist, touring with him for a few years until 1941, but strangely no recordings were ever made of her singing with Louis Armstrong's orchestra kind of strange kind of bizarre.

18:37Let's listen to another record by Mitch Williams recorded during that four track session.

20:01I'm not sure if you can hear me or when the world will I know where in the world you may be. Who, where in the world is that moment defined? Where are those eyes? Where are those lips to whisper? Will you be mine?

21:10Where you are if you're waiting? They should be waiting for me or how in the world will I know? Where in the world you may be. Mitch Williams and her jazz gestures with Where in the World recorded during the Vocalian session. I spoke about a few minutes ago on June the 10th 1938 where in the world with the wonderful vocalist, Mitch Williams and friends no matter where in the world you are, one thing is for certain. You're listening to the one the only the original make believe ballroom America's third longest running musical radio program.

22:12And I am Jeff wrestler and thank you so much for joining me today. Let's spend another desk and then a movie review.

24:42Recorded for Victor Records in New York City on February the 16th 1939 pecking with the penguins Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra and what a pleasant tune that was. And I watched a pleasant movie on YouTube a few days ago, probably the hundredth time I've seen it. So let's hop into the make believe ballroom time machine and head straight back to 1941 to look at a true masterpiece from the big band era. And I'm talking about 20th century foxes winter wonderland musical Sun Valley serenade. Now if you're looking for a deep complex plot don't go to YouTube because you might want to look elsewhere.

25:42The story is light and makes a little sense. It's about a band adopting a Norwegian war refugee as a publicity stunt that band, Glenn Miller and his orchestra. So they expect a 10 year old child, but instead out steps three time Olympic gold medalist ice skater Sonya Henny. And as in many movies of the era, a romantic triangle quickly spins out of control between Sonya Henny hands on piano player played by John Paine. And a glamorous band singer. And that is it. I can't remember much more except for the great music that came out of that film and having the chance to see the 1941 version of the Glenn Miller orchestra performing on screen.

26:49And perform they did with an amazing dance number by Dorothy Dandridge and Nicholas brothers. And what song did the Nicholas brothers dance to?

27:49By the text what you say step aside partner it's my day bend an ear and listen to my version of really solid Tennessee excursion. Pardon me boy is that the chat no good you do. Yes, yes, right. Boy, you can give me a shine. Can you afford to bar chat no good you do. I got my fair and just a trifle to spare. You leave the pencil then you station about a quarter to four. Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore. Dinner in the dinner. Nothing could be fine. And to have your ham and eggs and carol on her.

28:54When you hear the whistle blowing eight to the bar, then you know that Tennessee is not very fine. I'm all I call in gotta keep it rolling. There's gonna be a certain party at the station. I used to call funny face. She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roll.

30:00I'm Bluebird Records. Chad and Nuga Chuchu by Glenn Miller. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing. Son Valley serenade and as we have discussed many times over the years on this program. Nuga Chuchu the first million selling recording to be officially recognized with the awarding of a gold record.

31:02Chad and Nuga Chuchu another Miller classic now from the movie. And Nuga Chuchu the first million selling recording to be officially recognized with the awarding of a gold record. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing.

32:08And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing. And the four modernaires nine weeks at number one for that huge Miller hit from the film we are discussing.

34:35I'm Bluebird Records in the mood by Glenn Miller and Azokastra recorded back in August of 1939. Many say and I have to agree, the most recognizable track of the swing era and the record spent an amazing three months of early 1940 as the number one most played jukebox hit in America. Let's play one more Miller standard that the orchestra played in the movie, Sun Valley

38:524, 1939 during the band's third Bluebird recording session. So folks, head to YouTube when you have a free moment and see these wonderful Miller standards performed on the screen by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in Sun Valley, Cerenade. I'm Jeff Bressler and you are listening to the Make Believe Ballroom. To reach me, I'm Jeff at Make Believe BallroomRadio.com. That's Jeff at Make Believe BallroomRadio.com. And I got a note from Madge from the Sarasota Make Believe Ballroom Condo Group who for many years and this is so cool, listen to the ballroom at the pool of their condo in Sarasota each and every Saturday morning and that's so great.

39:54So Madge asked for an ink spot song that is not played very often and for you guys in Sarasota, hopefully the weather is pool weather. Here is said requested ink spots tune. How you doing? Well is that gonna be a win? Yes sir. With the news around already spreading?

40:57Yes sir. When we truck up side to side and play here comes the bride will I be poked I will

42:05sing. When I win up to a flat someone demanded who was there I trucked on out without my hand. Yeah. Recorded on February the 5th, 1937 for Decker Records. That was the ink spots and a lightly played song. Yes sir. That record spun at the request of Madge and the Saturday morning Condo Pool Group in Sarasota Florida and the guys if it's not too hot how about some coffee at the pool? I love coffee, I love tea.

43:09I love the jammer, driving it loves me. Coffee and tea and the jammer and me. I love jammer, sweet and high. Who's Mr. Motto, I'm a coffee fine. Shoot me the pot, now pull me a shine. Who's slid me a sled from the wonderful mud? I've got a rut, I've stuck in the jet. I slide shoved onion and raw one. Raw one. Wait a wait a part a later, I love coffee, I love tea. I love the jammer, driving it loves me.

44:13Coffee and tea and the jammer and me. I've got a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Who bossed the beans, saw it beans? Green beans, cabbage and green. I'm not keen about a bean unless it is a cherry, cherry bean boy. I love coffee, I love tea. I love the jammer, driving it loves me. Coffee and tea and the jammer and me. A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. I love jammer, sweet and high. Whoops Mr. Motto, I'm a coffee fine. Shoot me the pot, not for me a shot.

45:13A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Oh throw me that sled from the wonderful mud. Now I've got a rut, girl I'm snugging the jet. Drop for neglect, go in the pot, Joe. I take them a slow. Wait a wait a percolator. I love coffee, I love tea. I love the jammer, driving it loves me. Coffee and tea and the jammer and me. Yeah. A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup. Boooo! From Decker Records in 1941, the ink spots with one of their big hits, Java Jive. Why don't I stick with a few more male vocal groups,

46:16groups like the Delta rhythm boys? What's the good of having money when you haven't got your honey? I don't go out walking. I ain't for no talking. My baby's unleft me. Just a sitting and rocking. Now if I had been scheming, instead of just dreaming, she'd never have left me. Just a sitting and rocking. Now sit lonely without holding my baby. I'm such a lonely papa. If she don't hurry and come back, I'm a sage to blow my papa.

47:17Now if I don't find me, I hope you'll remind me that I'm staying where she left me. Just a sitting and rocking all day. Never go out walking. You never hear me talking. And I guess I'll never be the same baby till you return. Please act right and give me a call. And tonight we will have a ball. You who were meant for me, so baby won't you please come home? I'm so lonely. I'm so lonely. I'm so lonely.

48:17I'm so lonely. Feeling so blue now. What should I do now? My baby's unleft me. Just a sitting and rocking. Now if I don't find her, I hope you'll remind her that I'm staying where she left me. Just a sitting and rocking all day. I sit and rocking and rocking. And rocking, rocking, all day. From Decker Records, just a sitting and rocking. That's a Duke Ellington tune. Here by the Delta Rhythm Boys recorded July the 9th, 1945.

49:20The Delta Rhythm Boys, who performed as a group for over 50 years. And if you think 50 years together might be some sort of record, try 57 years.

51:04Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger? A smash hit by the Mills Brothers on their debut, Brunswick Release. And it says on the label of this record, no musical instruments or mechanical devices used in this recording other than one guitar, hard to believe. From Brunswick Records, Tiger Rag by the Mills Brothers recorded in New York City, October the 9th, 1931. So we had 50 years for the Delta Rhythm Boys, 57 years for the Mills Brothers performing. How about a group of male vocalists who have been around for over 90 years?

52:10And now the Golden Gate Fortress. The General to the Captain pops, We go to call the convulsion, And then what early morning up had gone? The General Jump, He jumped at dawn, And then we come into the private man, We go to flannel the channel. The General Jump, He jumped at dawn, My boy, My boy, I'll see you on the sky at wasside. Dropping, Dropping, Dropping, Dropping, We'll have a barbecue in Berlin. Said the private to the General, Jack, my Jeep is ready and steady. Then when early morning up had gone, The General Jump, Jump that dawn,

53:10The General had a groovy crew, A million lads, A silver white men black men on the beam, A real solid, All American team, He had tall men small men fat and lean, The fightin' is true that you've ever seen, Every creed and color and every belief. From an Eskimo to an Indian chief. He had a sergeant, Swenson, a Captain Kelly, To call the girls in an accook Morelle, Lieutenant Jackson, And a private Joe, to then the General said, Let's hit the roll. Two, three, four. Remember, boys, you gotta win the wall. Said the private to the General, Jack, my Jeep's team, Ready and steady. When early morning up had gone, The General jumped that dawn. The General jumped that dawn. The General jumped that dawn By the Golden Gate quartet, Recorded as a soundie, Back in 1944,

54:10The Gospel-oriented quartet, Founded in 1934, And still performing as a group, All be it with different vocalists today, The Golden Gate quartet.

55:54The Golden Gate quartet. Recorded on Parlephone Records in London, On May 26, 1944, Harry Perry, And his orchestra with Buggie Bounce. And folks, we are out of time. Big hand on the Big Bull of a Clock here in the Crystal Studio

56:56Is approaching the top of the hour. Thanks so much for joining me today. To reach me, I'm Jeff at Make Believe BallroomRadio.com. That's Jeff at Make Believe BallroomRadio.com. For past shows or recorded requests, Please go to Make Believe Ballroom.com. That's Make Believe Ballroom.com. Big thanks to our centricators and distributors for offering the Make Believe Ballroom. Cost-free to commercial-free public community and university radio stations. They are the public radio exchange, PRX, the Pacifica Network, And global community radio. The program's flagship affiliate is jazz90.1 WGMC in Rochester, New York. The Ballroom is also heard on your favorite podcast provider. So friends, until next week, This has been Jeff Breesler.