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Chris Muermann on 10 June 2024
The last time I wrote a comment here was over a year ago in May 2023 and since then I didn´t had a day without listening to Serenade Radio. My favourite daily program is Dick Fisher which I hear mostly in the evening from 11 p.m. over midnight to 1 a.m. (these are german times as I´m living in Berlin). I like the style of Dick how he presents his program so very much. After that I hear “Music Box” with Simon McLean as I´m a great admirer of instrumental music. Then I hear the weekly programs “An Hour Of Jazz” with John Hellings and “Big Band Special” with Johnny Beerling. I remember very clearly the same program with Sheila Tracy on Radio 2 years ago. I have my ASTRA satellite system since nearly over 30 years and that´s why I heard Sheila Tracy every week with great recordings of the BBC Big Band sometimes also live programs from different british cities. Great memories! But back to Serenade Radio. Sometimes there are “special” programs which I nearly missed, like “The Music And Mantovani” program on Thursday evenings. So it´s my attention to check the Serenade Radio web site regulary to see what special programs are on. As I´m also a great radio fan in general, of course I searched also for simular stations on my Internet Radio. There are some great jazz stations in the USA which I hear also regulary but Serenade Radio is really unique. Every presenter has it´s own great style but Dick Fisher is my favourite!!! So keep up that wonderful work that you do for us listeners. And everytime I hear Serenade Radio I feel a little british although I´m a german.
Dick Fisher on 10 June 2024
Hi Chris
I for one am so delighted that you get so much pleasure from listening to Serenade. It proves that great music transcends language any day of the week. I too have almost given up listening to other radio stations, simply because Serenade ticks so many musical boxes! Thank you for your kind comments. When you have the opportunity – tell a friend!
Chris Muermann on 11 June 2024
Hi Dick,
I already told my friends about Serenade Radio. And I know three of them are listening to Serenade Radio regulary. I wonder how many people listens to your program in the morning and how many in the evening. I would say a few more listens in the morning. But for me it´s a regular nice constant to hear you in the evening (or in the night) and after your two hours Simon McLeans “Music Box”. And what a coincidence: The first song you played on your show today was “There´ll Be A Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin” by Bing Crosby. Frank Sinatra did also a great version of this song. But you know this better than me. You´re the expert!
Brian Reynolds on 9 June 2024
I enjoyed ‘Evergreen’ on Friday = particularly Maurice Arnold and his sextet, one of my favourite light music ensembles from the sixties, playing ‘Ragamatazz’, written by pianist Cecil Norman, who (with his Rhythm Players), dominated the Light Programme for over 20 years. However, he was NOT the piano soloist, as stated. That was Maurice Arnold himself, who directed the group of three violins, guitar, double bass and percussion, Like Cecil , Maurice was a brilliant pianist and there is a video of him on line, playing a spectacular arrangement of ‘Three Blind Mice’
Nancy on 9 June 2024
Mark Steyn’s On The Town program is our Saturday night date. All the music, stories, and connections make for a very entertaining hour. Pale Hands I Loved is such a beautiful song – and the composer’s life and end was fascinating.
Thank you Mark and Serenade Radio for all the enjoyment!
Mark Steyn on 10 June 2024
Thank you, Nancy. It saddens me that, along with a good ninety per cent of our playlist, “Pale Hands I Loved” is now heard only on Serenade and on no other radio stations. The BBC gets a huge whack of public funds to preserve the glories of our cultural inheritance and ignores almost all of it. Whereas Andy Marriott does it just out of the goodness of his heart. Odd.
Nancy on 10 June 2024
NPR here is no better.
I thank Andy Marriott for providing an excellent station of music and presenters for all musical tastes. SR keeps me company during my day (and night!) and is a reminder of the musical beauty that’s available without selling products and politics. I’m so glad I found SR.
Geoff Jones on 9 June 2024
Thanks Roger great track from Sandy Denny on tonight’s Soft Focus. Good programme. Until next week.
Roger Williams on 15 June 2024
Thanks Geoff, great to know you’re there – it’s very hard to go wrong with Sandy isn’t it?
Roger
Martyn Bassey on 8 June 2024
Fab tunes on the TV Show. All my favourites. Danger Man, Randall and Hopkirk, White Horses, Lightning Tree, Dr Who, The Champions, Department S, and The Saint. Loved every minute of the show. Many thanks Andy.
Andy Grahamme on 8 June 2024
Stuart Linnell….thanks for a smashing programme today (as always) Stuart. Especially loved the 40’s rememberance and also that Vicki Carr track..delightful. Good wishes.
Stuart Linnell on 8 June 2024
Thank you Andy. Best wishes to you too.
Nancy on 8 June 2024
I remember the American version of TWTWTW in the early 60s. Millicent Martin was in my first “grown up” movie “Alfie” with Michael Caine. Great voice!
BTW, playing “You’ll Never Know” threw me off completely – couldn’t get Dame Vera out of my head. Oh well, one more try…
Johnny Mac on 8 June 2024
Isn’t Millicent Martin one of those true stars, and 90 today!
Better luck on the last mini mystery year, Nancy.
Nancy on 8 June 2024
1973. Face palm.
Johnny Mac on 8 June 2024
Well, a pat on the back for the first year of 1956! Thank you for being a stalwart of ‘the best time of the day’ show. Brava, Nancy.
Nancy on 8 June 2024
Happy Friday Johnny Mac – Starting off with Fats is a good start!
Nancy on 8 June 2024
Nailed the first mystery year!
Johnny Mac on 8 June 2024
Ahh. Well done! Is it too late to have a celebratory slice of cake? Or at least a virtual chocolate biscuit across the airwaves! I’ve another two mini mystery years before 6am on A Little Night Music to go, mind…
Barry on 7 June 2024
The votes are in, best tv station,Talking Pictures tv, best radio station, Serenade Radio! no contest!
Barbara Heathcote on 7 June 2024
Hi Andy, just heard you mention Horace Bachelor, that took me back as well. Sunday night if I remember correctly. Always spelt out K e y n s h a m ah when I was young 🤣
Suzy on 6 June 2024
What a lovely song ‘Moments to Remember’ is. I hadn’t heard it before Andy played it by The Four Lads, and I’ve just listened to it by The Ames Brothers – aaahhhh, beautiful.
Steve Shelley on 5 June 2024
Great station. Brings back so many memories. And no depressing news!
Andy – please play the Department S theme, if you get the chance.
Dodie on 3 June 2024
Great music….Great station. Thanks Serenade. x
JOHN WALSH on 3 June 2024
I am an artist and living in Ireland and spend long hours working in my studio and have discovered your beautiful radio channel which i use as background company when i paint . It is terrific to see you have the programme sing something simple. This brings back terrific memories of growing up in the 50s and 60s in Ireland and listening to this particular programme with my father 6.00 every Sunday evening. In Ireland it was called the light programme back in the day. Now with internet radio it is terrific to be able to enjoy once again. Pity my dad is not here anymore, maybe it’s streaming in heaven for him thank you for this beautiful station as i create my paintings in my own retirement.
Nancy on 3 June 2024
If heaven is perfect Serenade Radio is there!
Martyn Bassey on 3 June 2024
Really enjoyed Steve James Late Night Extra as always. I not only enjoy the music but I find the background information about each artiste so interesting. They are mostly bands and singers I’ve never heard of before. Fabulous. Many thanks Steve 👍
Douglas Brown on 3 June 2024
Hi to all at Serenade Radio
Just a note to say thank you to everyone for the hardwork and time given to the station. I found it by chance when looking for listening material for my father – in – law who was dog sitting for us.
I have never seen him so happy listening to any radio station.
Regards
Douglas
Dick Fisher on 3 June 2024
Hi Douglas
Does the dog enjoy Serenade too?
Douglas Brown on 4 June 2024
Very much so, we found both of them in the conservatory fast a sleep while Serenade Radio was still playing in the background
Nancy on 2 June 2024
On The Town last evening was a poignant and sentimental journey of music and history. Mark Steyn is a gifted storyteller and musical historian.
There is so much value in hearing. Thank you all at Serenade Radio for the quality of entertainment and information you offer. I’m so glad I found you.
Karen on 2 June 2024
The sun is out the sky is blue and for the first time this year i am able to listen to the Dawn Chorus with my tea sitting in the garden . Perfect. The actual dawn chorus is a bit loud though. Dont they realise im trying to listen to the radio !
Fraser Sutherland on 2 June 2024
0205 hours BST, listening to ‘The Ash Grove’ sung by Roger Whitaker. Pure pleasure. Pure peace. Thanks Stuart Linnell
Stuart Linnell on 2 June 2024
Thank you Fraser. I’m pleased you enjoyed it, and thank you for listening.
Nancy on 1 June 2024
Have Louie Prima’s recordings ever been featured as Album of the Week”? I loved when Keely Smith was featured!
Dave sunny Donny (I’ll keep wishing)😎 on 1 June 2024
Simon McLean
Thanks for another great show of easy listening, please keep it going.👏👍
Hi Andy just love your TV themes and old commercials May I request the Dr Kildare theme by Johnny Keating and his orchestra please.Great show “Toddle Pip” on 1 June 2024
Dave sunny 😎 Donny I wish !!
Chris Hitchcock . Dublin on 1 June 2024
What a well crafted piece of radio! I’m referring to Mark Steyn’s tribute to the 80th . anniversary to the end of WW2.What better way than through the medium of the music that we love. As a volunteer presenter on local radio myself I can appreciate the amount of work and research that Mark did in compiling this Saturday’s program. This is what makes Serenade Radio so unique. The passion of each presenter shines through.
Mark Steyn on 2 June 2024
Thank you, Chris, and for your appreciation of “the amount of work”, but in fact the amount was precisely zero. It’s pure pleasure to listen to a dozen tracks by Anne Shelton or Vera Lynn and then figure out which ones you’re going to play.
Barbara Heathcote on 1 June 2024
Hi Andy didn’t get down your theme tune email quick enough, so can I request the theme tunes to Rawhide and Wagon Train please. Also I previously requested Eye Level from Van der Valk but as I’ve been on holidays I might have missed it, thank you.
Fraser Sutherland on 1 June 2024
I imagine the audience of Steyn’s new show sitting like Paul Newman in a scene where he listens to his favourite radio programme in the film Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990); totally absorbed, totally concentrated, brooking no interruption and amazed that it finishes so quickly. Great show from all angles.
Nancy on 1 June 2024
Fact.
Mark Steyn on 2 June 2024
Too kind, Fraser. But for a moment I thought you were comparing me to Paul Newman. Which seemed very cool and put a spring in my gait. But then I re-read and realised it’s the audience that’s Paul. Oh, well. Close enough.
Nancy on 1 June 2024
Your #1 fan in Montana sends greetings Johnny Mac! Great show tonight!
Johnny Mac on 1 June 2024
Morning Nancy! Great to have you on board for A Little Night Music, and hope you’re winning on guessing the mini mystery years! JM
Nancy on 1 June 2024
Only fair on the mystery years tonight – off by a year each time.
So sorry for your loss Johnny. May your beloved mother rest in eternal peace.
Johnny Mac on 1 June 2024
Thank you, my friend 🧡
One more mystery year to go, and a final 90th birthday salute to Pat Boone!
peter paul mangan on 30 May 2024
Hearing Andy play Keep Young And Beautiful on his show today,reminded me of David Hamilton’s beauty tips in his Radio 1 days,when he played that song before he read out beauty tips.
Colin J Rous on 27 May 2024
Serenade Radio has just done to me what no other Radio Station has ever done. Children’s Favourites followed by The Ovaltinies has brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood days and the likes of these programmes that we listened to as a family. Thank you so much – you really are the best.
Roger Williams on 27 May 2024
Hello Colin, lovely comments and your story about meeting one of the original Ovaltineys was very special. I’ve a feeling we’ll be doing this again later in the year. Thank you for being there!
Karen on 27 May 2024
Another great children’s favourites… although The three billy goats gruff scared me so much as a child as where i lived… Canvey Island… had lots of dykes with little bridges over them. I shall probably dream about them now 😹 But ending on the hilarious stan freberg was just brilliant. And thank you for playing Wally Whyton too.
David James on 27 May 2024
Big Thanks to Cindy Kent. How wonderful to hear Lena Martell, played on your Saturday show. Lena was a huge star but is sadly seldom played on radio unless it was her only chart hit. Her albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s are full of easy listening gems. Thank you Cindy. You made my day
Nancy on 26 May 2024
From last night’s On The Town program I learned the history of the Wimoweh song and the injustices suffered by its the composer Solomon Linda from Pete Seeger and the sainted Walt Disney, what Victor Herbert and Duke Ellington have in common (Frank Sinatra), and that the Norfolk version of Satin Doll uses the phrase
“Ipswitcharoonie”. All this and great tunes. Mark Steyn, you are a wow.
Mark Steyn on 27 May 2024
Thank you, Nancy; you’re even wowier. This Saturday’s show is a little different (and Ipswicheroonie-free) but I hope you’ll enjoy it too.
Barry Williams on 26 May 2024
What a treat to hear all the Gerry Anderson TV themes last Saturday evening. Barry Gray really was a brilliant composer who’s music perfectly complimented the various wonderful Anderson TV shows
Nick Hingley on 26 May 2024
TV Show: The ‘Man in a Suitcase’ theme really is a corker. It always takes me back to first year French lessons in an ageing wooden shack classroom with primitive heating. We were learning the terms for the positions of things and the teacher was clearly a fan as one of his examples – and the only one I remember – was ‘Un homme dans une valise’.
And then two ‘Daktari’ themes. That same year a new teacher arrived who suffered from convergent strabismus. By morning break the poor fellow had gained his nickname.
Oh how the memories came flooding back!
I think I’ll be giving future shows a miss…
Nancy on 25 May 2024
“99 Miles From LA” – hadn’t heard that in years. Art Garfunkel brought such a haunting quality to this beautiful song. Took me back to the beach town of Santa Cruz in the 70s. Thanks Johnny Mac.
Johnny Mac on 26 May 2024
Thank you, Nancy. It’s truly wonderful, and one of Albert Hammond’s finest compositions. Amazing to think Albert turned 80 last Saturday.
Dave sunny Donny on 25 May 2024
Hi Kevin,
Although I am a regular listener to SR and what truly magnificent music all you SR presenters play 7/24 .
I’ve not had much of an opportunity to listen to your programme, but tonight I would like you to know what a wonderful selection of songs you put together, please May it long continue.
Thanks SR👏😀👍
Kevin Taylor on 26 May 2024
Hi Dave! Thank you so much for your kind comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed the show and musical selections. Great to have you join me from sunny Palm Springs, California! Cheers! Kevin
Ann Whittle on 25 May 2024
Thank you so much Jaques Loussier, I wonderful had given up, gone all weak at the knees. I’m so glad I found you. Ann Whittle
Armando Loni on 25 May 2024
Steve James: S&G Scarborough Fair…. Steve, have you heard the single-guitar version they did in the 60s? They also did a single acoustic version with Andy Williams around the same time. Regards.
Steve James on 26 May 2024
Hi Armando, no I’m not familiar with those other versions of ‘Scarborough Fair’ so thank you for bringing them to my attention. I’ve just looked up S&G singing with Andy Williams on his tv show and it’s rather magical!
Suzy on 25 May 2024
Good morning Ed, and all your Dawn Chorus fans who just heard you ask about Cherry Tunes … Yes, apparently they were discontinued in 2017. (Also, remember Spangles?) You can still find the ‘Dottingham’ ad on YouTube, and Malcolm with his mum’s Vicks Sinex, so clever. They really don’t make ’em like that now. Sending you a big hug (in lieu of Tunes) to speed your recovery having wallowed in the worldwide one you sent out to everyone. LOVE your show. x
Karen on 25 May 2024
I love the BobbyMcFerrin Bach track that you played today Ed. Does it come from an album?
Nancy on 21 May 2024
Maybe listeners or presenters can help me find a song. It’s entitled “She did it last night” and it’s very suggestive and funny and the last line reveals that what she did was get a permanent wave. I heard an elderly street musician sing it in the 70s and I’ve been searching the lyrics with no success.
Thanking you all in advance!
Martyn Bassey on 21 May 2024
Great themes on The TV Show last Saturday. The Saint, No Hiding Place, Dr Who, Man About The House, New Scotland Yard, and the brilliant Public Eye are among my special favourites. Many thanks Andy.👍
Helen on 21 May 2024
It was a real treat to hear..
The Living Strings – When You Wish Upon A Star this morning.
I have heard a couple of versions of this beautiful song over the last couple of days on SR, it is one of my favourite all time songs and without you knowing an early Birthday gift to hear it. Thankyou Serenade Radio 😊
Nancy on 20 May 2024
So many excellent presenters and programs! Shout out to Johnny Mac (heard here in Montana on Friday evenings) and his “name the year” songs. Husband and I have a fairly good record of wins – when we don’t know the songs or singers we can pretty well figure out the year by the tunes vibe. Great craic! Cheers!
Johnny Mac on 20 May 2024
Hi Nancy. Wow! I’m well chuffed ☺️ and sounds like you’re keeping a league table of your wins on the Mystery Years! Best of Irish to you both, JM
Martyn Bassey on 21 May 2024
I also have great fun guessing the mystery year on the Johnny Mac show. Sometimes I get two out of three correct. Which ain’t bad, as Meatloaf once said. 😊 Fabulous show.
Johnny Mac on 21 May 2024
Thank you, Martyn. You get two gold stars 🌟 🌟 (out of three)!
Mary Cobb on 20 May 2024
I tune in almost every day from way across the pond in Elk Grove, California, USA. I love the Big Bands and swing music. Keep playing the gems. Regards
Maggie Brown on 20 May 2024
It was a blessing when I found Serenade Radio. Not only do you play music to which it is worth listening, you feed my soul with countless memories. It was my privilege to visit the UK on several occasions when I learned to love not just your country and the radio stations. Must admit though, with all the beauty of you country, Yorkshire is my favourite. Keep doing a great job.
Mike Vawdrey on 20 May 2024
Vic – I’ve encountered Red Prysock a Hawkins influenced tenorman who like several others shifted to the more profitable waters of R’n’B. An immediate contemporary of John Coltrane he died in 1993 aged 67. The detail from Wikipedia but I was already aware, Remember seeing Arthur Prysock’s Basie LP in the 1960 s but in those young idealistic times I dismissed it along with such abominations as Basie’s Beatle Bag and Basie Does Bond – subject to faulty memory the latter clocked in at only 28 minutes which for me back then would have been 28 minutes too many ! We now live in more inclusive times and there’s been as you will know a total re-think on all that ‘fast buck pop jazz’ ……Of Ray Prysock I know nothing. The other two were unrelated I think. Fascinated by your Frankie Ford story BTW – was he known for Sea Cruise ? – keep on gwine as they may say in NO – best wishes – Mike Vawdrey(Crewe, Cheshire)
Vic Groves on 20 May 2024
Hi Mike, thanks for listening and your reflections. Re Frankie Ford, yes Sea Cruise was his break. It was originally an instrumental by Hughie Piano Smith and the Clowns with the vocal added later by Frankie. He was a regular on the Mardi Gras bill but also worked as a lounge singer and had his own nightclub in New Orleans called Lucky Pierre’s. Whiskey Heaven was a great song of his. Thanks for getting in touch, regards Vic
Mike Vawdrey on 20 May 2024
Vic – thanks for your prompt response. I’m impressed with your knowledge of NO music. Listen to you post John Hellings – as with your predecessor I just leave it on – your refreshingly wide-ranging choices often surprise me – that’s good in my book !
Fraser Sutherland on 19 May 2024
Re Steyn’s new show: well, that’s the quickest radio hour you’re ever likely to spend. Just tremendous and absorbing from the very beginning to the very end. Thank you to Mark Steyn and thank you to Serenade Radio.
Nancy on 19 May 2024
Mark Steyn’ s legacy is vast. He is a raconteur extraordinaire, a talented wordsmith on an immense range of subjects. On The Town gives listeners a return to joyful entertainment.
Nancy on 17 May 2024
Love Val Doonican and I remember his show in the states in the early 1970s.
Jonathan on 17 May 2024
We really enjoyed listening to Laurel & Hardy this morning. Their clever humour has truly stood the test of time. If you are able to do some more, we are all ears!
Dave Cole on 16 May 2024
Thanks for Terry Scott and his ‘My brother’! For a few minutes it was like I was back listening to the much missed ‘Stupot’ Ed Stewart.
Wendy on 16 May 2024
Made me laugh as i was on the coach travelling to see ‘my bruvver’ … Who was just as the song describes when we were kids. I used to think it was about him.
Nancy on 15 May 2024
In the 1980s Mel Torme and George Shearing teamed up for some terrific concerts and I got to enjoy them several times at the Paul Masson Winery in California. So happy Mel’s the album of the week!
Roger Cairns on 14 May 2024
Absolutely LOVE Rambling Syd Rumpo. Thanks Andy!
Edgar on 14 May 2024
Gray and wet here too!
Karen on 14 May 2024
Before I say this I have to admit I am not a huge fan of Mel Torme as his voice does not really do it for me. And I dont, of course, expect to like every track I hear on SR as we all have different tastes. But I am finding this album of the week and the songs we have heard so far quite bizarre and just cant connect with it. I mean to a ‘girl’ with a cockney family “ive got a lovely bunch of coconuts” sounded just wrong and “London pride” too . Quite a lot of the albums of the week I have actually bought when the week was over, but this one is not for me. ( I hope I havent upset the Mel Torme fans too much)
Suzy on 14 May 2024
I found it quite amusing to remember how the Americans used to be quite fond of us quirky Brits and our odd sense of humour with songs like ‘Coconuts’, which is likely why it was chosen for that album ‘Meets the British’. It was an affectionate glimpse, I’m sure, but agree it just doesn’t work sung by a Yank!
Neil on 15 May 2024
Interestingly, the song is partially credited to Lewis Ilda (a pseudonym of American songwriter Irwin Dash). In 1950, I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts was a top-ten hit in the United States for Freddy Martin And His Orchestra with vocalist Merv Griffin and sold over three million copies. The following year, it was a number-25 hit for Danny Kaye. The song also appeared in Judy Garland’s last film, I Could Go On Singing (1963). I think the Dixieland treatment works well for the song – but each to his own.
Karen on 15 May 2024
I have the merv griffin/ freddy martin version. It is sung with an English accent even though i was popular in America. I like that version too . As you say… Each to his own .