Sounds Historical for Sunday 26 October 2014
8:07 Today In New Zealand History 3’49”
Wellington earthquake of 26 October 1848. Read by Peter Harcourt.
8:12 Song: Lullaby of Birdland 3’00”
Artist: Paul Lestre Group
Composer: Shearing
Album: A Nite at the Hi Diddle Griddle
Label: Stebbing sip 1003 CD
Chris Bourke wrote:
The Hi Diddle Griddle was once considered Auckland’s “plushest nightclub”. Opened in 1952, it introduced an alternative for cosmopolitan adults: a restaurant with live music. The owner was a man-about-town called Jim Jennings who had an obscure background: some thought he was an American expatriate, a South Pacific beachcomber who had ‘washed ashore’ after the war. Billy Farnell was certain he was from Tauranga. But he knew how to set up a room with class. Situated at 507 (‘food from heaven’) Karangahape Road, hospitality pioneer Otto Groen could be seen cooking in the window; chicken-in-a-basket made a change from colonial goose. On the dimly lit walls inside were black velvet murals of Polynesian maidens and a mythical Pacific, painted by Kristen Zambucka.
The Hi Diddle Griddle had no dance floor and a tiny stage that showcased small combos led by Lew Campbell, Crombie Murdoch and Nancy Harrie. It would open late, and close even later – sometimes 4.00 am – and visiting musicians such as Nat King Cole might drop in. Late in the 1950s, Paul Lestre – a reed player and violinist from the East End of London – began a residency that led to the 1959 album A Night at the Hi Diddle Griddle, with pianist Lyall Laurent, bassist Bob Ofsoski and the city’s leading jazz guitarist, Ray Gunter. The Hi Diddle Griddle inspired many other venues offering food garnished with music.
8:17 Homework
1. The name of which New Zealand town commemorates a Danish princess?
2. Mystery voice.
3. Who wrote the scripts for a famous BBC comedy show which was one of the highlights of 1940s radio, well known for its catch phrases?
8:18 From the Back Country 12’33”
Alan Smith tells of his fight against government control of the roads in his bid to set up a bus service from Cromwell to Invercargill. Recorded 1992.
8:32 Song: Those Kia Ora Islands 3’02”
Artist: Morgan Clark
Composer: Clark
Album: Kiwi Nostalgia
Label; Platinum 390366
8:36 A Mobile Unit shortwave broadcast in 1947 6’15”
A Mobile Unit shortwave broadcast in 1947 from the old gold-mining field Tokotea Hill above Coromandel. Charlie Hovell, aged 92, describes the scene to Leo Fowler.
8:43 Song: Fantasy on British Sea Songs 6’25”
Artist: Black Dyke Mills Band
Composer: arr: G Langford
Album: Traditionally British
Label: Chandos Chan 6515
(Medley includes; Drummer and the Cook; Blow the Man Down; We’re All Bound to Go; What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor; Sailor’s Hornpipe)
8:51 War Report Episode 13 6’40”
Alfred Mazengarb describes leaving with the Main Body in October 1914 and Colin Franklin-Browne recalls the treatment of men who were not joining up – the white feather letters. A letter home from Private John Thompson of Patearoa Central Otago is read. (From “Patearoa at War”, by Jim Sullivan, Rock and Pillar Press). (Thompson was killed at Gallipoli).
Music – extracts from:
Artist: John McCormack
Song: It’s a Long Way to Tipperary
Composer: n/s
Album: Oh, It’s a Lovely War Vol 1
Label: CD41 486286
Artist: F Wheeler
Song: Here We Are Again
Composer: n/s
Album: Oh, It’s a Lovely War Vol 1
Label: CD 41 4862286
Artist: John McCormack
Song: There’s a Long Long Trail A Winding
Composer: King/Elliott
Album: Oh, It’s a Lovely War Vol 2
Label: CD41 486309
Artist: Radio New Zealand Studio Orchestra
Song: September Morn
Composer: Diamond
Album: Orchestral Gold
Label: Tartar
Artist:Inia Te Wiata (with pianist Maurice Till, recorded 1968)
Song: Murder in the Market
Composer: Trad
Album: Inia Te Wiata A Popular Recital
9:08 As I Remember 5’46”
Gillespies Beach Gold Dredge by Stanley Orr of Nelson, read by Colin Feslier.
9:14 Song: The Blackboard of My Heart 2’10”
Artist: Cole Wilson and his Tumbleweeds
Composer: Thompson
Album: Country Songs
Label: Viking VP 128
Recorded 1964.
9:17 Homework
1. The name of which New Zealand town commemorates a Danish princess?
2. Mystery voice.
3. Who wrote the scripts for a famous BBC comedy show which was one of the highlights of 1940s radio, well known for its catch phrases?
9:18 Audiences were Mixed? Part 2 15’15”
A narrator tells the story of a small concert group touring Wairarapa in the 1910s and introduces various singers and musical items. Recorded 17 Sep 1950. Selwyn Toogood describes a concert by Gretta Williams, Zita Outtrim, Kate Jourdain and John Thompson, at Carterton and their visit to a large sheep station.
9:34 Song: Gas Shells Bombardment
Artist: n/s
Composer: n/a
Album: Oh, It’s a lovely war
Label: CD41 486286
9:38 Visit to Archives New Zealand Dunedin exhibition, Readiness and Sacrifice 4’44”
With curator Vivienne Cuff.
9:37 Song: Andaluza 3’13”
Artist: Peter Cooper (piano)
Composer: Granados
Album: Piano Favourites
Label: Golden Hour GH 554
Peter Cooper (1918-2004) was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and made an international career as a pianist, harpsichordist, teacher and lecturer, as well as making many recordings. He was a pupil of Alfred Bunz and Ignaz Friedman, both of whom studied with Leschetizky, and of Edwin Fischer.
9:46 Skyways - Part One 13’38”
A 1940's documentary on the history of aviation in New Zealand. It features dramatised re-enactments of key moments in the story. [The date of recording is unknown but 1947 is likely as the founding of NAC is mentioned.]
Vivian Walsh of Auckland was the first man to fly in New Zealand on 5 February 1911. [Dramatised re-enactment]. The Walsh brothers established a flight school during World War One. In 1913 a meeting was called in Wellington to set up a branch of the Air League of the British Empire. [Dramatised re-enactment of the meeting, featuring the words of Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, Colonel Herd, and Sir Joseph Ward.] The era of trans-oceanic flights followed and the crossing of the Tasman Sea. Recording of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith speaking in New Zealand 10 September 1928. Other pioneering aviators who flew to New Zealand are listed. Recording of Jean Batten arriving in New Zealand in 1936. Union Airways inaugurated a trans-Tasman service on 30 April 1940. [Dramatised conversation about joining an aero club] Flying for the masses became possible. [Dramatised conversation about model aeroplanes] [Dramatisation of the process of making a reservation to fly from Wellington to Auckland]
9:58 Song: You Needed Me 3’41”
Artist: Radio New Zealand Studio Orchestra
Composer: Goodrum
Album: Orchestral Gold
Label: Tartar