Thanks to Simon for giving us something by Ken Moule’s orchestra today.

Funny how us humans can remember the most obscure things from decades ago. The venerable Keith Skues once played a Ken Moule piece on his Night Ride prog on Radio 2. Must’ve been 1971, that sort of year. Messing about with anagrams of musicians’ names, Mr Skues came up with this beauty: Leo Umken.

Just enjoyed The Big Band Show by Johnny Beerling, so informative full of insights to the artists background.
Particularly liked the opening, Riders in the sky given the big band treatment, plus we heard when it was originally composed. Also liked the variation of pace throughout the hour which went far too quickly, one moment the mood was sophoric then awakened with a lively tune . Great balanced programme.

Thank you Mark for another great programme and that sweet little song about a pink taffeta frock. Loved it.

No luck on the mystery year. Brilliant song by Tony Bennett, and three from Dolly Parton to look forward to. Thanks Johnny 👍

Thanks Roger for a good 2 hours. Didn’t Marty Robbins have a hit with the Alamo in the 1950s? That was one of Sandy’s best tracks also Ella’s.

After a night of Presbyterian cold, curtains swept open, earbuds in, “and now here’s Mark Steyn with ‘On the Town’….”. They say the best artists create their own, immediately recognisable world; well, welcome to the Steynian universe. Gwen Verdon, ‘Damn Yankees’, ‘Sweet Charity’, Nino Rota, ‘Le Notti di Cabiria’, and Ornella Vanoni’s release of her new album at the age of 100 years! And that’s just the first 20 minutes, with Frank, Elvis and, yes, King Radio to follow. How come Steyn gets all the best gigs? Gwen running through her ‘Damn Yankees’ dance moves for Mark… I’m not bitter. Fantastic.

Don’t often get the chance to hear Cindy’s show on a Saturday as I’m usually involved in football somewhere but no chance of that today so its nice to chill out and listen to some relaxing music

Great mix of music, great start to the weekend. Many thanks, Johnny!

such nice relaxing music, especially in the afternoons, helping so much in this tumultuous month, and 2 elderly relatives now love the station as well!!

Thank you John McAtasney for a lovely programme of Lost in 2024 some lovely memories and recordings of those we lost in 2024 and so well presented . More please this could turn into a series

Johnny what time is your New Year program again?

Thank you for a lovely programme this morning Bing’s Christmas Rarities presented by John Walton and producer Neil Anthony it was lovely to hear all those rare recordings Thank you John and Neil There have been some wonderful programmes over Christmas

Love Andy`s shows, and all the aired content, particularly enjoyed Cindy Kent`s Christmas Special- so interesting to hear all the stories behind the hymns. Keep it all going gang- were loving it! Happy Christmas!

Help? General enquiry – thinking ahead, is there a support group or helpline for those will suffer from Serenade Radio Christmas Music withdrawal? Or are we all going cold Christmas turkey this Christmas? Absolutely fantastic! Thank you all.

I totally agree with you about that lovely Clannad christmas song Steve James . I have always liked them yet didn’t know they had a christmas song till this last week hearing it on SR. Yet another thing that SR has given me. Merry Christmas to you and everyone at SR. Thank you for all the great work you do.

Loving this Christmas special of musical theatre.
Thanks Adrian

Thank you Johnny Mac for a lovely show today ( as usual I hasten to add) . For anyone who has never heard the show before it really is worth waking up early
for. Wishing you and all my fellow GEMS a very happy Christmas. 🎄

Yes I got 1975 Johnny. Great song by Greg Lake. Thanks for playing O Come O Come Emmanuel as well 👍🧑‍🎄

For Simon: thanks for playing the Holiday Lounge Players and for the opportunity to try and find out who they really were. The orchestra style is Jan Garber – those saxophones harmonising with trumpets. On the full version of the air check recording the announcer says “Roy and the trio” which fortunately confirms Jan Garber’s Orchestra with Roy Cordell and His Trio. Well it’s very likely, I think.

Searching online for “My Favorite Song (1952) – Roy Cordell” gives us the same names on a song performed in the same jaunty manner.

Thanks too for the Sammy Kaye number. His habit of singing the title line while the intro gets going is a delight. Probably done to help identify him and his orch in the very competitive US market. A gimmick as our parents would probably have called it.

All the best to you.

Johnny Mac’s smooth blend of great music and engaging chat always starts our Saturday Serenade perfectly. He sets the high standard that that flows throughout the whole weekend. Thank you to ALL the presenters at Serenade for such wonderful entertainment.

Thank you Johnny Mac for waking me with glorious Edith Piaf just now followed by Roger Whittaker (the piano accompanist was great). I heard RW singing What a Wonderful World in French earlier this week, what a treat. Not as sublime as Louis Armstrong’s version, but a good second. Serenade just keeps getting better and better. Looking forward to Christmas tunes.

What a gorgeous voice Harry Secombe had! I’m grateful to SR for all the wonderful talent they present.

Hello David
I love listening to your programme, but that occurs only when I can’t sleep, as we get it here at a little place called Tea Gardens, in Port Stephens, New South Wales, from midnight. Thanks for the wonderful music you play, and those thoughtful little comments! Earlier this week you played a song, the title of which escapes me, but it contained only two (2) letters. After the song had finished, you said that that was probably the shortest title of any song ever (or words to that effect), and to let you know if there is a shorter title. Well, there is such a song. Back in 1952, Don Cornell recorded a song entitled “I”. Not a big hit, but…. . In closing, I’ll say that I never knew insomnia had an up side. Well, it does! Of course, it’s listening to your programme! Thanks David, all the best, and I wish you, your family, and other presenters at Serenade, a happy and safe Christmas.

Hi Adrian
This is a first for me listening to your SHOWSTOPPERS programme I have thoroughly enjoyed your choice of music and songs.
Absolutely brill loved your last track Cole Porters Night and Day what a great tune/song.

I love Showstoppers , sixty minutes of pure pleasure. Thank you Adrian

Dear Steve James, I hope you can see this message because i want to tell you that your weekend program is the radio highlight of the week for me.
Your choice in records is so fantastic. Your program feels like coming home for me.
We share the same taste. Your choice in music takes me back to a period in my youth(60 s and 70 s) that brought so much melody and harmony.
Thank you so much, you are my hero…..

Warm regards from Holland.

Thanks Roger for another good Soft Fokus. Tom Paxton sounded present day and The Shadows singing! The Linda Thompson track was written by Linda and comes from her Proxy music album. She has that problems with her singing voice. So all tracks are sung by people she has chosen. The one you played is sung by Martha Wainwright. Sister of Rufus and daughter of Louden Wainwright and the late Kate McGarrigle. Catch you again next week. Look forward to it.

I have been reading a book about Harold Arlen and I just got to a chapter called ‘ we’re off to see the wizard ‘ as this week’s ‘Song of the Week’ started ! It was great to hear Harold Arlen singing during the program as apparently he originally wanted to be a singer not a composer so it was good to actually hear his voice. And I can skip the chapter too because Mark Steyn always tells the stories so much better. 😉

Late Night Extra: I’m Just a Drifter – Long John Baldry
What a great version! I only knew the Ray Pollard which is a Northern Soul classic.
Also great to hear the Fairport Convention track.

I’ve been looking for the lyrics of ‘She Got It Last Night’ (suggestive lyrics about a young girl getting a permanent wave) that I’d heard a street musician sing in the 70’s to no avail. Just heard ‘She Had to Go and Lose It at the Astor’ and giggled all through it. Good enough😂

Mark Steyn: Eleanor Roosevelt singing (sorta) ‘High Hopes’? What next – RFK JR singing ‘My Way’? You are so cool sir.