CROONETTE An Elsie Carlisle Discography
by A. G. Kozak
Version 1.0.3 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8307-9716
DOI 10.5281/zenodo.3753041 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Conventions Reference List Abbreviations Discography
1 INTRODUCTION Elsie Carlisle started her career as a child chorus girl on the late Edwardian stage and effectively retired by the end of the Second World War with the well-earned epithet “Idol of the Radio.” Radio was the medium through which millions had come to love her. She had reached the public through other means as well, including short films and television (when that technology was in its infancy). Yet for an appreciation of her contribution to culture, twenty-first-century connoisseurs of popular song are almost entirely dependent on her voice’s persistence on the brittle shellac records of the time (or on the rare alternatives, primitive plastics or cardboard and acetate). In order to distinguish very similar records from one another and to identify which ones preserve which individual takes of a song, and in order to relate the physical discs to the historical recording sessions, we must rely on the aid of a discography. Two discographies have been written about Elsie Carlisle’s artistic output. The first, Edward S. Walker’s Elsie Carlisle – With a Different Style, was no doubt impressive when it was published in 1974, but it has been in almost every respect superseded by Richard Johnson’s 1994 Elsie Carlisle: A Discography. Johnson includes extensive information (often based on archival research) about the identity of bands and accompanists, even going so far as to identify individual band personnel. His work is nearly complete; it omits only one Decca Rhythm Maniacs recording (present in Walker but misidentified by Rust and Forbes), two HMV “C” series sides, and two songs on Panachord. It would be hard to improve upon Johnson’s deep knowledge of band personnel, so I do not attempt to do so. Rather, I aim for greater completeness and accuracy, providing more information about known additional takes and identifying the presence of other singers or speakers, using as my primary evidence the labels, the shellac, and the music itself. I frequently cite other varieties of discography. Ross Laird’s 1996 Moanin’ Low is an ambitious collection of artist discographies documenting the careers of popular female Anglophone singers who recorded from 1920-1933. Laird builds upon Johnson’s work, although the narrower focus of his book necessarily omits the latter half of Elsie’s career. An even more general discography that cannot be overlooked is Brian Rust and Sandy Forbes’s British Dance Bands on Record, which Johnson must have benefited from himself. I also cite the sixth edition of Rust’s Jazz and Ragtime Records. Label discographies are another useful source of information. I include a few of these in my reference list, but by far the most relevant to the study of Elsie Carlisle’s records is Michael Smith’s two-volume study of the Decca “F” series. No less useful are Mike Thomas’s online resources for British 78 rpm record labels, which provide extraorinarily useful information about some of the less well-documented record companies and which continue to be updated regularly. In this discography, session descriptions are based primarily on the wording of the record labels themselves and supplemented when necessary with other known information. Dates are mostly taken from Ross Laird’s book, when possible, and from Johnson in other instances. It should be noted that dating Dominion and Imperial records is notoriously difficult, and those dates will probably always remain approximate. For recording locations, we must always depend on Johnson’s unique research. I wrote the first draft of this new Elsie Carlisle discography while self-isolating during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. It is based on six years’ worth of notes and observations that I have made while collecting Elsie’s records and creating elsiecarlisle.com. My hope is that by publishing my discography online, I will encourage collectors to help me identify previously unattested takes. One result of Michael Smith’s study of ledgers for the Decca “F” series is that we know that many takes existed at one time that have never been particularly identified “in the wild”; I put these takes in dim, grey italics, but I would encourage anyone who has run across an actual copy of one of them (perhaps as a Decca vinyl test pressing?) to contact me so that I may mark it as confirmed. Likewise, there are a number of record labels that I have not been able to inspect myself; these are in black italics, and I would be most grateful to anyone who can share photographs of the labels so that I may improve my session descriptions. And who knows? Perhaps one of us collectors will someday hear Elsie’s voice on a previously unscrutinized record and enable me to add a few lines to this list. I would like to express my gratitude to the following people: Enrico Borsetti Terry Brown Michael Fenwick 2 Charles Hippisley-Cox Jonathan David Holmes Clive Hooley Erik Høst Mick Johnson Erin Elisavet Kozak Barry McCanna Stephen John Paget Ray Pallett Henry Parsons Mike Taylor Mike Thomas Peter Wallace David Weavings John Wright
A. G. Kozak Berkeley, California
3 Conventions Basic Session Information For any given session, this discography attempts to identify singers, speakers, and accompaniment, but not individual band personnel. This information is worded and abbreviated, as much as possible, in accordance with the wording of the record labels. Information in parentheses is supplementary and not on the labels. If a session header is simply a date, that means either that the artists and accompanists are the same as at the last session, or (in the case of uncredited studio bands) that the accompaniment is similarly uncredited. NAMES IN ALL CAPS If a name is capitalized in the session description, that means that the name is actually printed on the label. Italics When a take number is listed in dim, grey italics (e.g. the “-1” in “GB-4589-1-2-3”), it means that the take is only attested in Michael Smith’s label discography and nowhere else. If, by any chance, you happen to own that take, please contact me so that I may mark its present existence as having been confirmed. When a label and catalogue number are italicized (e.g. St 1023), it means that I have yet to inspect that side of the label. If you own that record, please contact me so that I can be sure the description of the session resembles the wording of the label as much as possible. (Songwriter Names) Songwriter names are included after each song name inside parentheses. They are written as much as possible just as they are on the labels; exceptions are when a name has been misspelled on labels, or when a known contributor has been omitted from the label. Underlined Label and Catalogue No. On occasion, an unissued take can be found on an LP; the LP’s label name and catalogue number will be underlined. SMALL, BOLD INITIALS AFTER SESSION Small, bold initials after a session represent salient sources for the information listed (see Sources, below). I have adopted this practice from John Wright’s Len Fillis Discography. I always list BDBR, RJJ, RL, and JRR (see below) when a session is listed in any of those four sources; other texts are referenced by initials only when their contribution to knowledge of a session and its takes is in some way unique or unusual.
4 REFERENCE LIST Andrews, Frank and Dean-Myatt, Bill. The Imperial Records. CLPGS Reference Series No. 33. London: City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, 2014. (ADM) Andrews, Frank and Smith, Michael. “His Master’s Voice” -- the “C” series. Complete Catalogue of Records. Wells- next-the-Sea: City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, 2004. (AS) Badrock, Arthur. Dominion Records: A Catalogue & History. Second Revised Edition. Bournemouth, England, UK: Talking Machine Review, 1986. Badrock, Arthur with Andrews, Frank and Pilcher, Grant. Filmophone Discography. Gillingham, Kent, England, UK: Talking Machine Review, 1998. (AB-Film) Hayes, J. G. Disc Research England. Rex 8000 Series. 8001 to 10241. Sep. 1933 to March 1948. An A to Z Artist Catalogue. Liverpool: J. G. Hayes, 1974. Hill, Dick. Silvester Ahola: The Gloucester Gabriel. Studies in Jazz, No. 14. Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press, 1993. (DH) “H.M.V.” Melody Maker (Archive: 1926-2000) 2, no 24 (Dec 01, 1927): 1271-1273. Johnson, Richard J. Elsie Carlisle: A Discography. Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: Richard J. Johnson, 1994. (RJJ) Johnson, Richard J. “Elsie Carlisle (with a different style).” Memory Lane 174 (2012): 22-26; 175 (2012): 39-43; 176 (2012): 32-37; 177 (2012): 38-43. Laird, Ross. Moanin’ Low: A Discography of Female Popular Vocal Recordings, 1920-1933. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1996. (RL) Hughes, Spike. “Decca Days.” Swing Music 1.4 (June 1935): 83-84, 112. “Needlepoint.” “The Gramophone Review.” Melody Maker (Archive: 1926-2000) 2, no. 20 (Aug 01, 1927): 779-786. Pallet, Ray. They Called Him Al: The Musical Life of Al Bowlly. Albany, Georgia, USA: BearManor Media, 2015. Rust, Brian. Jazz and Ragtime Records 1897-1942. Sixth Edition. Free Personal-Use Edition. Littleton, Colorado, USA: Mainspring Press, 2016. (JRR) Rust, Brian and Forbes, Sandy. British Dance Bands on Record, 1911 to 1945, and Supplement. Bungay, Suffolk, UK: Richard Clay, Ltd., 1989. (BDBR) Smith, Michael. Decca Records Company, Ltd. Royal Blue and Gold ‘F’ Series 10 Inch 78 rpm Records. Volumes I and II. Hunstanton: The Whitley Press, 2009. (MS) Thomas, Michael G. “British 78rpm record labels.” Michael Thomas’ Website. http://mgthomas.co.uk/Records/labelindex-A.htm (Accessed April 7, 2020). Walker, Edward S. Elsie Carlisle – With a Different Style: A Discography. Mastin Moor, Chesterfield, UK, 1974. (ESW) Wright, John A. B. “Len Fillis Discography.” r2ok! - a website dedicated to British pre-pop popular music. http://www.r2ok.co.uk/fillis.htm (Accessed April 3, 2020).
5 ABBREVIATIONS Sources
AB-Film Arthur Badrock. Filmophone Discography. ADM Andrews and Dean-Myatt. The Imperial Records. AGK The evidence of my own collection. AS Andrews and Smith. “His Master’s Voice” -- the “C” series. BDBR Brian Rust and Sandy Forbes. British Dance Bands on Record. DH Dick Hill. Silvester Ahola: The Gloucester Gabriel. ESW Edward S. Walker. “Elsie Carlisle - With a Different Style: A Discography.” JRR Brian Rust. Jazz and Ragtime Records. MGT Michael G. Thomas. “British 78rpm record labels.” MS Michael Smith. Decca Records Company, Ltd. Royal Blue and Gold ‘F’ Series 10 Inch 78 rpm Records. RJJ Richard J. Johnson. Elsie Carlisle: A Discography. RL Ross Laird. Moanin’ Low. Record Labels
Ar Ariel Col Columbia Dec Decca Dn Dominion EBW Edison Bell Winner Ecl Eclipse Film Filmophone Imp Imperial Par Parlophone RZ Regal Zonophone St Sterno Zon Zonophone
6 DISCOGRAPHY ELSIE CARLISLE (as MAISIE RAMSEY on Ariel), comedienne, with piano (Carroll Gibbons). Studio B, Hayes, Middlesex, May 25, 1926. Bb-8425-1-2 Nothing else to do (Bergere-Goodwin-Shay) Commercial test (unissued) Bb-8426-2 I love my baby (Warren) Zon 2772 Bb-8427-1 So is your old lady (Burke-Dubin) Zon 2757, Ar 940, Ar 1006
RJJ, RL, MGT June 21, 1926. Yy-8563-2 Coming thro’ the cornfield (H. Nicholls) Zon 2772 Yy-8564-1-2 Always (Berlin) Zon unissued Yy-8565-3 Nobody’s business (Milne-Gaskell) Zon 2757
NOTE: Richard J. Johnson notes that “[a]ccording to the Recording Ledger, ‘tests of quiet singing’ were made of ‘Coming Thro’ the Cornfield,’ but that “[n]o matrix numbers were allocated to these tests” (1994, 5). RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with piano (Carroll Gibbons). Additional vocals by Carroll Gibbons (-1). Hayes, October 6, 1926. Yy-9071-1 Oh, my bundle of love (Price-Silver) Zon 2829 Yy-9072-2 I’m flirting with you (Harold Leonard) Zon 2829 Yy-9073-2 Ya gotta know how to love (Green-Warren) Zon 2815 (-1) Yy-9074-2 My cutey’s due at two-to-two today (von Tilzer-Robin) Zon 2815 (-1)
NOTE: Richard J. Johnson believes that an Ariel issue was made from this session (1994, 5), but it is probable that he is thinking of Bb-8427-1 on Ariel 940 and 1006, which he omits from his discography. RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with THE GILT-EDGED FOUR. London, February 4, 1927. WA-4788-1 Meadow lark (Fiorito-Keidel) Col 4275 WA-4789-1-2 How many times? (Irving Berlin) Col unissued WA-4790-1-2 For my sweetheart (Donaldson-Kahn) Col unissued
RJJ, RL, JRR London, February 7, 1927. WA-4805-1 I can’t get over a boy like you (Ruskin-Broones) Col 4275
RJJ, RL, JRR
7 ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with piano (Carrol Gibbons) and violin. Studio B, Small Queens Hall, London, April 5, 1927. Bb-10514-1-3 Baby (“Castles in the Air”) (Peck-Wenrich) HMV B-2489 Bb-10515-1-2 Ain’t she sweet? (Yellen-Ager) HMV rejected Bb-10516-1-2 Nesting time (Monaco-Dixon) HMV unissued Bb-10517-1-2-3 Shepherd of the hills (Horatio Nicholls) HMV unissued
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with piano (Arthur Young) and violin. Studio B, Hayes, May 6, 1927. Bb-10514-4-5 Baby (Peck-Wenrich) HMV rejected Bb-10515-3-4-5 Ain’t she sweet? (Yellen-Ager) HMV unissued Bb-10689-2 He’s the last word (Donaldson-Kahn) HMV B-2579 Bb-10690-2-3 Since I found you (Clare-Woods) HMV B-2489
NOTE: Melody Maker’s reviewer “Needlepoint” supposes the accompanists on HMV B-2489 to be Hugo Rignold and Arthur Young (784). The Melody Maker review of HMV B-2579 mentions those two names again as a point of fact (“H.M.V.” 1273). David Weavings confirms the existence of Bb-10690-3. RJJ, RL Studio B, Hayes, August 22, 1927. Bb-11402-1-2 I’m in love again (Cole Porter) HMV unissued Bb-11403-2 What’s the use of crying? (Kindel-Forbstein) HMV B-2579 Bb-11404-1-2-3 Song of the wanderer (Neil Moret) HMV unissued
RJJ, RL With Ronnie Munro and His Dance Orchestra as THE PARLOPHONE VARIETY COMPANY. London, November 12, 1928. E-2180-2 Chloe (in “Dance and song medley, part 4”) (Kahn-Moret) Par E-6108
BDBR, RJJ, RL London, November 13, 1928. E-2181-2 My inspiration is you (in “Dance and song medley,” part 1) (Leslie-Nicholls) Par E-6107
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, the popular comedienne (accompanied by Jay Wilbur and His Orchestra). London, c. December 1928. 1055-1-2 Dada, dada (Dore-LeClerq) Dn A-43 1056-1-2-3 I can’t give you anything but love (McHugh-Fields) Dn A-43
RJJ, RL
8 ELSIE CARLISLE, celebrated comedienne; piano accomp. by KENNETH BROADBERRY. London, c. January 1929. 1074-2 If I had you (Shapiro-Campbell-Connolly) Dn A-57 1075-1-2 I must be dreaming (Dubin-Flaherty-Sherman) Dn A-57
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, the popular comedienne, vocal; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur and His Orchestra). London, c. February 1929. 1110-2 Happy days and lonely nights (Rose-Fisher) Dn A-71 1111-2 That Monte Carlo song (Endor-Steinberg) Dn A-71
RJJ, RL London, c. March 1929. 1147-3 Dreaming of tomorrow (Pola-Cardew) Dn A-83 1148-2 Is there anything wrong in that? (Cleary-Magidson) Dn A-83
RJJ, RL London, c. May 1929.
1251-4 What is this thing called love? (from Cochran’s 1929 Revue “Wake up and Dream”) (Cole Dn A- Porter) 125 1252-2 Let’s do it – let’s fall in love (from Cochran’s 1929 Revue “Wake up and Dream”) (Cole Dn A- Porter) 125
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, the celebrated comedienne, vocal; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur and His Orchestra). London, c. July 1929. 1362-3 Mean to me (Turk-Ahlert) Dn A-168 1363-3 Tell me more about love (Page) Dn A-168
NOTE: Badrock has 1363-2, not -3 (1986, 17). RJJ, RL Vocal refrain: THE RHYTHM MANIACS (Arthur Lally dir.). As PHILIP LEWIS AND HIS DANCE ORCHESTRA on Dec F-1541. Chenil Galleries, King’s Road, Chelsea, London, August 23, 1929.
MB-414-1-2 Why can’t you? (from the film “Say It with Song”) (Jolson-de Sylva- Dec F-1523 Brown-Henderson) MB-415-1 Come on, baby (Gottler-Clare-Pinkard) Retrieval FG-412 MB-415-2 Come on, baby (Gottler-Clare-Pinkard) Dec F-1528
MB-416-1 He’s a good man to have around (Yellen-Ager) Dec F-1541, Retrieval FG-412 MB-416-2 He’s a good man to have around (Yellen-Ager) Dec F-1541
BDBR, RJJ, RL, JRR, MS
9 ELSIE CARLISLE, the celebrated comedienne, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, c. September 1929. 1446-1 I’ll get by (as long as I have you) (Turk-Ahlert) Dn A-180 1447-2 I’m just in the mood tonight (Leslie-Nicholls) Dn A-180
RJJ, RL Vocal refrain: The Rhythm Maniacs as PHILIP LEWIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA (Arthur Lally dir.). Chelsea, London, September 14, 1929. DJ-49-1-2 When my dreams come true (Berlin) Dec F-1539 DJ-50-1-2 To be in love (Turk-Ahlert) Dec F-1541
ESW, DH, RJJ, RL, MS SHEILA KAY, comedienne, with orchestra (Cecil Norman dir.). London, October 16, 1929. 118-1-2 Through (James V. Monaco) Worldecho A-1012 119-1 Am I blue? (Akst-Clarke) Worldecho A-1012 120-1 He’s a good man to have around (from “Honky Tonk”) (Ager-Yellen) Worldecho A-1013 121-1 I’m doing what I’m doing for love (from “Honky Tonk”) (Ager-Yellen) Worldecho A-1013
NOTE: David Weavings confirms the matrices on Worldecho A-1013. RJJ, RL, JRR, MGT ELSIE CARLISLE, the celebrated comedienne, vocal; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, c. October 1929. 1531-1-2 Ain’t misbehavin’ (Waller-Brooks-Razaf) Dn A-215 1532-2 Honey (Simons-Gillespie-Whiting) Dn A-215
RJJ, RL c. December 1929. 1617-1 I’m “ka-razy” for you (Jolson-Rose-Dreyer) Dn A-235 1618-1-2 The one that I love loves me (Turk-Ahlert) Dn A-235
RJJ, RL With the Light Opera Company (Ray Noble dir.; other vocalists are Anona Winn and a male quartet). C Studio, Small Queen’s Hall, London, February 28, 1930. Cc-188897-3 Darling, I love you - vocal gems (Hedley-Acres) HMV C-1871
NOTE: The songs are "Shoo Your Blues Away," "Now I’m in Love," "Lovely Lady," and "I Know Something," but I have not confirmed which ones Elsie sings. AS
10 ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal; orch. accom. (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, March 1930. 1713-1-3-R-R2 Body and soul (Sour-Heyman-Green) Dn C-307 1714-1-2-3-R2 My man o’ war (Williams-Waller-Razaf) Dn C-307, Film 143
NOTE: Richard J. Johnson thinks that the -R and -R2 matrices may be dubs (1994, 9-10), and I can confirm that 1713-R is a dub of 1713-1. Dominion C-307 was issued both with white and red labels. Only some copies of Filmophone 143 have 1713 on them (with Karl Radlach and His Orchestra [as the HOLLYWOOD DANCE BAND] on the reverse), and on some of them Elsie Carlisle goes under the pseudonym AMY BRUNTON. On the others, a re-recording of the song occurs; see below (Badrock 1998, 3). RJJ, RL, JRR ELSIE CARLISLE; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, August 1930. 5448-1-2-3 Exactly like you (Fields-McHugh) Imp 2318 5449-1-2 I like to do things for you (from the film “King of Jazz”) (Yellen-Ager) Imp 2318
RJJ, RL, AGK ELSIE CARLISLE; orchestral accompaniment (?Jay Wilbur dir.). London, September 1930. 5464-3 He’s my secret passion (Valentine-Young) Imp 2333 5465-3 I wonder what is really on his mind (Bryan-Ward) Imp 2333
RJJ, RL London, September 1930. 5464-4-5 He’s my secret passion (Valentine-Young) Imp 2333 5465-4-5-6 I wonder what is really on his mind (Bryan-Ward) Imp 2333
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE; orchestral accompaniment. London, September 1930. 5472-2 Goodbye to all that (Harry S. Pepper-Hackforth) Imp 2346 5473-1-2 Little white lies (Walter Donaldson) Imp 2346
RJJ, RL With Jay Wilbur and His Band. London, September 1930.
5508-2-3 “Dada, dada” (Dore-LeClerq) (in “Imperial Revels – Part 2 – A Pot Pourri of the Year’s Imp 2359 Successes by Famous Imperial Artistes”)
NOTE: Elsie is introduced in song by John Thorne, Albert Whelan, and Jack Plant. After the refrain of “Dada, Dada,” they bid her farewell. RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur and His Band). London, c. October 1930. 5509-1-2 Wasn’t it nice? (Young-Simons) Imp 2362 5510-1-2 More than you know (Vincent Youmans-Rose-Eliscu) Imp 2362
RJJ, RL, AGK
11 ELSIE CARLISLE; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, October 1930. 5535-3-4 Go home and tell your mother (McHugh-Fields) Imp 2381 5536-3-4 Dada! Dada! (Dore-LeClerq) Imp 2381
RJJ, RL London, December 1930. 5573-2 What good am I without you? (Milton Ager) Imp 2400 5574-1-2 That man of my dreams (Beresford—Croom-Johnson) Imp 2400
RJJ, RL London, January 1931. 5602-1 My handy man ain’t handy no more (Razaf-Blake) Imp 2439 5603-1-3 You’re driving me crazy (Walter Donaldson) Imp 2439
RJJ, RL As GRACIE COLLINS, vocal. With orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, February 25, 1931. JW-173-2-3 He’s not worth your tears (Dixon-Rose-Warren) Ecl 50
NOTE: Johnson (1994, 12) and Laird (1996, 74) both understand that takes -1 and -2 are of Elaine Rosslyn singing, but Michael G. Thomas has a handwritten copy of the Eclipse ledger which says that takes -2 and -3 are both of Elsie Carlisle. My own copy of Eclipse 50 is take -2 and has Elsie singing, so it confirms the testimony of his ledger. RJJ, RL, MGT, AGK Vocal chorus: JACK PAYNE AND HIS B.B.C. DANCE ORCHESTRA. London, March 3, 1931. CA-11275-1-2 Ten cents a dance (Hart-Rodgers) Col CB-249, Col DO-393
NOTE: Takes -3 and -4 (unissued) were of Betty Bolton. BDBR (see Suppl.), RJJ, RL London, March 31, 1931. CA-11275-5 Ten cents a dance (Rodgers-Hart) Col CB-249
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.) (-1); piano (and chimes) accompaniment (-2). London, April 1931. 5663-1-2 Ten cents a dance (Rodgers-Hart) Imp 2469 (-1) 5664-2 Crying myself to sleep (Klenner-Wendling) Imp 2469 (-2)
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal; orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, May 1931. 5700 [unknown title] Imp unissued 5701-2 Alone and afraid (Leigh-Trent) Imp 2489
RJJ, RL
12 London, June 1931. 5717-3 My canary has circles under his eyes (Kohler-Pola-Golden) Imp 2489
RJJ, RL With Spike Hughes and His Orchestra. London, June 18, 1931. GB-2920-1-2 Hangin’ on to that man (Myerow-Capano-Filler) Dec rejected
NOTE: Brian Rust lists two unissued takes of "To Whom It May Concern" as having been recorded with Elsie at this session (GB-2917-1-2; Rust 2016, 858), but GB-2917-2 appears on a CD compilation (KCM003/004), and it is Val Rosing who sings. Moreover, Spike Hughes himself remembered the singer as having been Val Rosing when he wrote about this session (“Decca Days,” 84, 112). RJJ, RL, JRR ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal. With orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, July 1931. 5734-1-2 If I had my time over again! (Tilsley-Evans-Stanley) Imp 2511 5735-1-2 You didn’t have to tell me (I knew it all the time) (Donaldson) Imp 2511
RJJ, RL London, August 1931. 5769-2 Pardon me, pretty baby (Klages-Meskill-Rose) Imp 2532 5770-2 Poor kid (Gilbert-Greer) Imp 2532
RJJ, RL With Spike Hughes and His Dance Orchestra as ARTHUR LALLY AND THE MILLION-AIRS. Chelsea, London, September 4, 1931. GB-3182-1-2 Just a dancing sweetheart (Tobias-DeRose) Dec F-2510
BDBR, RJJ, RL, MS As AMY BRUNTON on some issues, as ELSIE CARLISLE on others (with orchestral accompaniment). Verbal interjections by unknown person (-1). London, c. November 1931. F-1890 My man o’ war (Razaf-Williams) Film 143 F-1892 My handy man (Razaf) Film 143 (-1)
NOTE: Some issues have Dominion matrix 1714 from Dominion C-307 (q.v.) on one side and “Hand me down my walking cane” by Karl Radlach’s orchestra (as the HOLLYWOOD DANCE BAND) on the other. Others have the two Filmophone sides described here. For “My Handy Man” the catalogue is at least sometimes misprinted as “134” (Badrock 1998, 3). Matrix F- 1891 for “My handy man” has been reported but not confirmed (Johnson 1994, 14). Michael G. Thomas has December 1931 (“Filmophone”). RJJ, RL, AB-Film, JRR SPIKE HUGHES AND HIS DANCE ORCHESTRA with vocal refrain by ELSIE CARLISLE. London, November 18, 1931. GB-3601-1-2 Hangin’ on to that man (Myerow-Capano-Filler) Dec F-2735, Dec M-1023
RJJ, RL, JRR, MS
13 With orchestral accompaniment. London, November 19, 1931. GB-3608-1-2-3 Nobody’s sweetheart (Kahn-Erdman-Meyers-Schoebel) Dec unissued GB-3609-1-2 (Ladies and gentlemen) That’s love! (from “George White’s Scandals of Living Era AJA- 1931”) (Brown-Henderson) 5019
NOTE: According to Michael Smith, this would have been Decca F-2710, had it been issued (2009, 68). GB-3609-1 was used on Living Era AJA-5019. Barry McCanna confirms GB-3609-2. RJJ, RL, MS With narrator HENRY OSCAR, soloists, full chorus, orchestra, and organ (Ray Noble dir.). Kingsway Hall, London, November 24, 1931.
2B-1546-2 “The merry widow waltz” (Lehár) in “Cavalcade—Descriptive Record (1st Record) (“32 HMV C- Years of England” 2330 2B-1547-1 “I’ll make a man of you,” (Wimperis-Finck) and “Twentieth century blues” (Noël HMV C- Coward) in “Cavalcade—Descriptive Record (2nd Record) (“32 Years of England”)” 2330
AS ELSIE CARLISLE (with orchestral accompaniment). London, February 8, 1932. OY-2687-2 To be worthy of you (Davis-Coots) Zon 6069 OY-2688-2 You try somebody else (DeSylva-Brown-Henderson) Zon 6069
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with orchestral accompaniment. London, February 12, 1932. GB-3954-1-2 I was true (Robinson-Smith) Dec F-2827, Dec M-1127 GB-3955-1-2 One more kiss, then goodnight (Tobias-de Rose) Dec F-2827, Dec M-1127
RJJ, RL, MS ELSIE CARLISLE (with orchestral accompaniment). Ensemble vocal (-1). London, c. March 1932. BT-2155 Balls, picnics and parties (Fredericks-Christie) Film 440 (-1) BT-2156 [Alternate take of either BT2155 or BT2157] BT-2157 She jumped on her pushbike and pedalled away (Wheldon) Film 440
NOTE: Some issues labelled AMY BRUNTON. RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS. Duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, March 2, 1932. S-2274-3 Leave me alone with my dreams (Gilbert) St 923 S-2277-1 An evening in Caroline (Donaldson) St 928 (-1)
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE and AL BOWLLY, with orchestral accomp.; announcements by JOHN WATT. Vocal duet. London, March 7, 1932 GA-4069-2 “My baby just cares for me” (in John Watt’s “Songs from the Shows,” No. 1) Dec K-645
RJJ, RL
14 With AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal Duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, March 18, 1932. OB-3045-2 The wedding glide (in “Dixieland - Medley,” Part 1) (Hirsch) HMV B-6163 OB-3046-2 Back home in Tennessee (in “Dixieland - Medley,” Part 2) (Donaldson) HMV B-6163 OB-3048-2 Won’t you come home, Bill Bailey? (Hughie Cannon) HMV B-6162 (-1)
BDBR, RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS. Vocal duet with Sam Browne and Elsie Carlisle (-1). London, March 18, 1932. S-2372-2 Kiss by kiss (I’m falling in love with you) (Rose-Meskill-Klages) St 952 (-1) S-2373-2 Snuggled on your shoulder (Young-Lombardo) St 943
BDBR, RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS. Vocal duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, June 15, 1932. S-2477-2 You’ll find out (Gottler-Treynor) St 984 (-1) S-2478-3 Let that be a lesson to you (Jones) St 985
BDBR, RJJ, RL With AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, June 17, 1932. OB-3100-2 ’Leven pounds of heaven (McCarthy-Malneck) HMV B-6200
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with orchestra accompaniment. London, June 23, 1932. GB-4589-1-2-3 ’Leven pounds of heaven (Malneck-McCarthy) Dec F-3038 GB-4590-1-2 Hangin’ on to that man (Myerow-Capano-Filler) Dec F-3038
RJJ, RL, MS Vocal refrain: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, July 13, 1932. OB-3134-1 The clouds will soon roll by (Woods-Brown) HMV B-6210
BDBR, RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS (as THE TWELVE RHYTHM MONARCHS on Sterno). Duet with unknown vocalist (-1). Duet with a possibly different vocalist (-2). London, September 1, 1932. S-2557-2 Stop the sun, stop the moon (My man’s gone) (Cook-Robinson-Cook) St 1028 S-2558-2 I heard (Redman-Phillips) St 1023 (-1) X-148-1 Stop the sun, stop the moon (Cook-Robinson-Cook) 4 in 1 6 X-149-2 I heard (Redman) 4 in 1 5 (-2)
NOTE: According to Rust and Forbes (1989, 1021), Melody Maker for November 1932 reported that Ray Starita never returned from his summer vacation in America. If so, it is possible that he was absent from this session and the September 15, 1932 one. Rust and Forbes (ibid.) and Johnson (1994, 17) understand that Rudy Starita is the duettist on Sterno 1023 and leave the man on 4 in 1 5 unidentified. Laird identifies both duets as being with Les Allen (1996, 76). BDBR, RJJ, RL
15 ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with orchestral accompaniment. Chenil Galleries, London, September 7, 1932. GB-4844-1-2 The clouds will soon roll by (Woods-Brown) Dec F-3146 GB-4845-1-2 The night when love was born (Young-Oppenheim-Baer) Dec rejected
RJJ, RL, MS With RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS (as CHICK HALL AND HIS COLLEGIANS on Redwing; as THE TWELVE RHYTHM MONARCHS on 4 in 1 7 from X-161). Duet with Les Allen on (-1); unknown duettist (-2). London, September 15, 1932. S-2582-2 On a dreamy afternoon (Hargreaves-Damerell-Ewing) St 1026 S-2583-2 Gosh darn (Young-Coots) St 1042 (-1) S-2584-2 Sweethearts forever (Friend-Caesar) St 1041, Redwing R-1003 S-2607-? On a dreamy afternoon (Hargreaves-Damerell-Ewing) St 1026 X-160-2 On a dreamy afternoon (Hargreaves-Damerell-Ewing) 4 in 1 7 X-161-1 Gosh darn (Young-Coots) 4 in 1 7 (-1) X-161-2 Gosh darn (Young-Coots) 4 in 1 7 (-2)
NOTE: On some copies of 4 in 1 7, there is a matrix “160+7” (i.e. 160-2, but with no preceding “X”) that seems to include a dub of S-2582-2, rather than an original recording. Elsie does not sing the other songs on matrices X-160 and X-161. Again, Ray Starita may not have been present (Rust and Forbes 1989, 1021). BDBR, RJJ, RL, MGT, AGK ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with orchestral accompaniment. Chelsea Town Hall, London, September 19, 1932. GB-4844-3-4 The clouds will soon roll by (Woods-Brown) Dec F-3146 GB-4845-3-4 The night when love was born (Baer-Young-Oppenheim) Dec F-3146
RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, with instrumental trio. Manchester, September 23, 1932. KB-134-1-2 We just couldn’t say goodbye (Woods) Dec F-3193 KB-135-1-2 You’re my everything (from “The Laugh Parade”) (Dixon-Young-Warren) Dec F-3193
NOTE: The “KB” matrices indicate a mobile operation. Laird has London, not Manchester (1996, 76). RJJ, RL, MS Vocal refrain: The DURIUM DANCE BAND (Peter Rush dir.). London, September-October 1932 E1103-A-B-C Why waste your tears? (Val Holstius) Durium EN-34
BDBR, RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS (Nat Star dir.; as RUDY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS on 4 in 1). S-2692-2 Mad about the boy (from “Words & Music”) (Noel Coward) St 1072 S-2693-2 Rock your cares away (Leon-Towers-Nicholls) St 1072 X-218-2 Rock your cares away (Leon-Towers-Nicholls)/Mad about the boy (Noel Coward) 4 in 1 17
BDBR, RJJ, RL
16 ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with orchestral accompaniment. London, November 9, 1932. GB-5146-1-2 How deep is the ocean? (Berlin) Dec F-3269 GB-5147-1-2 Strange as it seems (Razaf-Waller) Dec F-3269
RJJ, RL, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment. London, November 28, 1932. GB-5256-1-2 Pu-leeze! Mr. Hemingway (Drake-Kent-Silver) Dec F-3312 GB-5257-1-2 Please handle with care (Stride-Ballard) Dec F-3312
RJJ, RL, MS Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Kingsway Hall, London, December 1, 1932. OB-3494-2 Pu-leeze! Mr. Hemingway (Drake-Kent-Silver) RZ MR-769
BDBR, RJJ, RL STANLEY LUPINO AND ELSIE CARLISLE (?Arthur Lally dir.). Vocal duet orchestral accompaniment (and ensemble singing) (-1). Vocal duet with orchestral accompaniment (-2). London, December 1, 1932. GB-5274-1-2-3 I don’t want to go to bed (from “Sleepless Nights”) (Lupino-Gay) Dec F-3319 (-1) GB-5275-1-2-3 Just one more (from “Sleepless Nights”) (Lupino-Gay) Dec F-3319 (-2)
NOTE: Arthur Lally appears in a photograph, presumably of this session, along with Elsie Carlisle and Stanley Lupino. RJJ, RL, MS Vocal chorus: RUDY STARITA AND HIS BAND (as THE BLUE RAMBLERS on Redwing). Vocal duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, December 5, 1932. S-2767-3 Pu-leeze! Mr. Hemingway (Drake-Kent-Silver) St 1096 S-2768-1 Let’s put out the lights (Hupfeld) St 1097, Redwing R-1004 (-1) X-255-2 Let’s put out the lights (Hupfeld) 4 in 1 22 (-1) X-256-2 Pu-leeze, Mr. Hemingway (Drake-Kent-Silver) 4 in 1 29
BDBR, RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: Harry Hudson’s Melody Men as ROLANDO AND HIS BLUE SALON ORCHESTRA (as the SCALA DANCE BAND on EBW 5537). Vocal duets with Sam Browne (-1). London, December 20, 1932. 14568-1 Let’s put out the lights (Herman Hupfeld) EBW 5536 (-1) 14569-2 Pu-leeze! Mr. Hemingway (Drake-Kent-Silver) EBW 5536 14570-1 I don’t want to go to bed (from “Sleepless Nights”) (Lupino-Gay) EBW 5537 (-1)
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment. London, January 13, 1933. GB-5467-1-2 Fit as a fiddle (Hoffman-Goodhart-Freed) Dec F-3411 GB-5468-1-2 ’Twas only a summer night’s dream (Kahn) Dec F-3411
RJJ, RL, MS
17 ELSIE CARLISLE, comedienne, with orchestral accompaniment. London, February 14, 1933. GB-5585-1-2 I wish I knew a bigger word than “love” (Pola-Gideon) Dec F-3435 GB-5586-1-2 Have you ever been lonely? (Brown-De Rose) Dec F-3435
RJJ, RL, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accomp. (-1); ELSIE CARLISLE AND SAM BROWNE, vocal duet, with orchestral accompaniment (-2). Unknown speaker (-3). London, March 3, 1933. GB-5629-1-2 Deep water (Schwartz-Bryan) Dec F-3507 (-1) GB-5630-1-2 My darling (Hoffman-Brown) Dec F-3507 (-1) GB-5631-1-2 Sittin’ in the dark (Adamson-Greer) Dec F-3504 (-2) (-3) GB-5632-1-2 What wouldja like for breakfast? (Kent-Halmy) Dec F-3510 (-2) GB-5633-1-2 Won’t you stay to tea? (Gordon-Revel) Dec F-3510 (-2) GB-5634-1-2 Hold up your hands (In the name of the law of love) (Robinson) Dec F-3504 (-2)
RJJ, RL, MS AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal duet with Sam Browne. London, March 7, 1933. GB-5651-2 What wouldja like for breakfast? (Halmy-Kent) Br 1486
BDBR, RJJ, RL With RUDY STARITA AND HIS BAND. Vocal duets with Sam Browne (-1). London, March 8, 1933. S-2905-2 Sittin’ in the dark (Adamson-Greer) St 1154 (-1) S-2906-1 My darling (Hoffman-Brown) St 1153 X-318-1 Sittin’ in the dark (Adamson-Greer) 4 in 1 37 (-1) X-319-1 My darling (Hoffman-Brown) 4 in 1 39
BDBR, RJJ, RL AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal refrain by Sam Browne, with Elsie Carlisle in extended speaking part. London, March 20, 1933. GB-5690-3 Under my umbrella (O’Flynn-Meyer-Wendling) Br 1487
BDBR, RJJ, RL With AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA (-1); ELSIE CARLISLE, with instr. acc. (Ambrose and His Orchestra, uncredited) (-2). Vocal duet with Sam Browne, with Max Bacon in a speaking part (-3). London, April 7, 1933. GB-5737-1 Hyde Park Corner (Hargreaves-Damerell-Evans) Br 1495 (-1) (-3) GB-5739-1-2 No more love (Dubin-Warren) Dec F-3539 (-2) GB-5740-1-2 The porter’s love song (Razaf-Johnson) Dec F-3539 (-2)
BDBR, RJJ, RL, MS
18 With OSCAR RABIN AND HIS ROMANY BAND (Harry Davis dir.). Vocal duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, April 7, 1933. S-2981-2 Three wishes (Furber-Posford) St 1167 (-1) S-2982-1 Let me give my happiness to you (Furber-Posford) St 1167
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, April 11, 1933. GB-5747-1-2 The girl next door (Everett-Connor) Dec F-3628
RJJ, RL, MS Vocal refrain: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, May 5, 1933. GB-5848-2 When my little Pomeranian met your little Pekinese (Little-Oppenheim-Schuster) Br 01510 (-1) GB-5852-2 You’ve got me crying again (Newman-Jones) Br 01523
NOTE: Edward S. Walker reports GB-5852-1 as being on Grammophon 25232, but this has not been confirmed (1974; Johnson 1994, 22). ESW, BDBR, RJJ, RL Vocal chorus: OSCAR RABIN AND HIS ROMANY BAND (as BROCKMAN’S BAND on Plaza and as PHIL CONRAD’S SERENADERS on Lewis). London, May 9, 1933. S-3002-1 Deep water (Bryan-Schwartz) St 1187 X-362-2 Deep water (Bryan-Schwartz) 4 in 1 44 L-995-1 Deep water (Bryan-Schwartz) Plaza P-103, Lewis L-4
NOTE: The S-3002-1 matrix is misprinted in the shellac as S-30002. BDBR, RJJ, RL, MGT MAURICE WINNICK AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal refrain by Sam Browne with speaking by Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, and one unknown person (-1). Vocal duet with Sam Browne with Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, and Max Bacon speaking (-2). London, May 16, 1933. GB-5875-2 Da-dar-da-dar (Evans-Hargreaves-Damerell) Pan 25529 (-1) GB-5876-2 Seven years with the wrong woman (Miller) Pan 25527 (-2)
BDBR, RL Elsie Carlisle and Sam Browne as BILLY CLERQ AND LALLIE LACK (as THE MASQUERADERS on Plaza). Vocal duets with orchestral accompaniment. London, June 26, 1933. S-3095-1 Time to go (Prince-Paisely) St 1222 S-3096-1 That means falling in love (Mac Boyle-David) St 1222 S-3097-1 Just give me the girl (Donaldson) St 1237 S-3098-1 If I were you (I’d fall in love with me) (Clare-Pola) St 1237 X-400-1 That means falling in love/Time to go (Mac Boyle-David/Prince-Paisley) 4 in 1 53 L-1073-1 Time to go (Prince-Paisely) Plaza P-130 L-1074-1 That means falling in love (Mac Boyle-David) Plaza P-130
RJJ, RL 19 Accompanied by trio. London, July 26, 1933. GB-6060-1-2 I cover the waterfront (Heyman-Green) Dec rejected
NOTE: Michael Smith has July 25, 1933 but omits to mention that these takes were not issued (2009, 121). RJJ, RL, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with instrumental accompaniment. London, August 2, 1933. GB-6060-3 I cover the waterfront (Heyman-Green) Dec F-3628 GB-6072-1-2 Isn’t it heavenly? (Harburg-Meyer) Dec unissued
NOTE: Michael Smith (2009) does not mention the issued take GB-6060-3. RJJ, RL Vocal refrain: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, October 5, 1933. GB-6163-2 ’Leven pounds of heaven (in “Memories of the Mayfair,” Part 2) Br 01605, Dec F-6239
BDBR, RJJ, RL London, October 10, 1933. GB-6175-1-2-3 It’s the talk of the town (Symes-Neiburg-Levinson) Br rejected
BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, October 13, 1933. GB-6185-1-2 Snowball (Carmichael-Mercer) Dec F-3696 GB-6186-1-2 It’s the talk of the town (Symes-Neiburg-Levinson) Dec F-3696
NOTE: Session at 10:30 a.m. (Johnson 1994, 23). RJJ, RL, MS Vocal refrain: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Humming and harsh whispering by orchestra. London, October 13, 1933. GB-6175-4 It’s the talk of the town (Symes-Neiburg-Levinson) Br 01607
NOTE: Session at 12:20 p.m. (Johnson 1994, 23). BDBR, RJJ, RL ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, c. November 8, 1933. GB-6297-1-2 Come up and see me sometime (Alter-Swanstrom) Dec F-3737 GB-6298-1-2 Making conversation (When we ought to be making love) (Carlton-Ritz) Dec F-3737
RJJ, RL, MS Dubbing session; announced by Christopher Stone. London, December 1,1933.
GA6379-2 The Decca A.B.C. part 1 (dub of “I wish I knew a bigger word than ‘love’” from Dec F- Dec K-714 3455)
RJJ
20 Dubbing session with unknown announcer. London, December 7, 1933. GB-6408-1-2-3 The “Daily Herald” dance medley (part 1) (dub of “Snowball” from Dec F-3696) Dec F-3790
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. Unknown voice and sound effects (-1). London, December 19, 1933. GB-6424-1-2 Did you ever see a dream walking? (from “Sitting Pretty) (Revel-Gordon) Dec F-3812 GB-6425-1-2 On a steamer coming over (Goodman-Bergman-Handman) Dec F-3812 (-1)
RJJ, RL, MS London, January 2, 1934. GB-6450-1-2 Without that certain thing (Max and Harry Nesbitt) Dec F-3838 GB-6451-1-2 Who walks in when I walk out? (Goodhart-Hoffman-Freed) Dec F-3838
NOTE: Stephen John Paget confirms GB-6450-2. RJJ, MS Dubbing session. London, January 5, 1934. GA-6470-1 Elsie Carlisle successes Dec rejected
NOTE: If it had been issued, this record would have been Decca K-718; the reverse side would have been “Al Bowlly Successes.” The identities of the songs dubbed are unknown. RJJ, RP Dubbing session. London, January 17, 1934. GA-6470-2-3 Elsie Carlisle successes Dec unissued
NOTE: Same songs as at previous session. RJJ Vocal refrain: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, February 2, 1934 GB-6525-2 This little piggie went to market (from “Eight Girls in a Boat”) (Coslow-Lewis) Br 01694
BDBR, RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment (?Ambrose and His Orchestra). London, February 7, 1934. GB-6531-1-2 Gosh! I must be falling in love (Carr-Nesbitt) Dec F-3887 GB-6532-1-2 This little piggie went to market (from “Eight Girls in a Boat”) (Coslow-Lewis) Dec F-3887
NOTE: Johnson notes that Ambrose’s Orchestra “made the preceding two matrices on the same day,” so it seems all the more likely that they are the uncredited orchestra (1994, 25). RJJ, MS
21 SAM BROWNE AND GIRLFRIEND (i.e. Elsie Carlisle) with two pianos (Bobby McGhee and Eddie Carroll). Vocal duets. London, March 2, 1934. CAR-2593-1 Gee, oh gosh! I’m grateful (Nesbitt Bros.-Carr) RZ MR-1254 CAR-2594-1 What’s good for the goose is good for the gander (Friend) RZ MR-1254
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, May 18, 1934. TB-1258-1-2 Little man, you’ve had a busy day (Wayne-Sigler-Hoffman) Dec F-3990 TB-1259-1-2 The show is over (Dubin-Conrad-Coslow) Dec F-3990
RJJ, MS With Ambrose and His Orchestra. London, June 1, 1934. TB-1294-1-2 When a woman loves a man (Mercer-Hanighen-Jenkins) Br rejected TB-1295-1-2 Little man, you’ve had a busy day (Wayne-Sigler-Hoffman) Br rejected
NOTE: Decca DDV 5003/4 was at one time reported to have used take -1 or -2 of TB-1295, but in fact it uses TB-1295-3 from Brunswick 01790 or 01864. RJJ Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, June 12, 1934. TB-1295-3-4 Little man, you’ve had a busy day (Wayne-Sigler-Hoffman) Br 01790, Br 01864
BDBR, RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, June 14, 1934. TB-1320-1-2 A place in your heart (Coslow) Dec F-5071 TB-1321-1-2 When a woman loves a man (Mercer-Hanighen-Jenkins) Dec F-5071
RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE AND SAM BROWNE; vocal duets, with orchestral accomp. With additional speaker (-1). London, June 22, 1934.
TB-1331-1-2 Mr. Magician (won’t you bring my baby back to me) (O’Flynn-Cavanaugh- Dec F- (-1) Weldon) 5079 TB-1332-1-2 My dog loves your dog (from “George White’s Scandals”) (Henderson-Yellen- Dec F- Caesar) 5079
RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, July 18, 1934. TB-1400-1-2 All I do is dream of you (Freed-Skinner-Brown) Dec F-5122 TB-1401-1-2 Drifting tide (Castleton-Williams) Dec F-5122
RJJ, MS
22 London, August 23, 1934. TB-1497-1-2 With my eyes wide open I’m dreaming (from “Thank Your Stars”) (Gordon-Revel) Dec F-5173 TB-1498-1-2 The spring don’t mean a thing (Kennedy) Dec F-5173
NOTE: The composition “The Spring Don’t Mean a Thing to Me” is elsewhere attributed to “Lane Leighton,” a songwriter whom I have failed to identify. Perhaps this record is revealing him to be Jimmy Kennedy? RJJ, MS Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, October 24, 1934. TB-1672-1-2 Who made little boy blue? (Wayne-George) Dec F-5284
RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, October 31, 1934. TB-1695-1-2 There’s no more you can say (Carter-Delettre) Dec F-5288 TB-1696-1-2 (When your heart’s on fire) Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Harbach-Kern) Dec F-5288 TB-1697-1-2 Who made little boy blue? (Wayne-George) Dec F-5288 TB-1698-1-2 One little kiss (Kalmar-Ruby) Dec F-5289
RJJ, MS Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Sam Browne vocal with Elsie Carlisle speaking (-1). London, November 1, 1934. TB-1702-1 My old flame (Johnston-Coslow) Dec F-5293 TB-1703-1-2 (When your heart’s on fire) Smoke gets in your eyes (Harbach- Dec F-5293, Br A- Kern) 9676 TB-1704-1-2 Let’s make love (Damerell-Evans) Dec F-5297 (-1)
BDBR, RJJ, MS Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal duets with Sam Browne. Singing by the orchestra (-1). November 20, 1934.
GB-6772-1-2 No! No! A thousand times, no! (Sherman-Lewis- Dec F-5318, Dec F-6926, Br A- (-1) Silver) 81929 GB-6777-1-2 I’m gonna wash my hands of you (Pola-Vienna) Dec F-5318
BDBR, RJJ, MS Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Intermittent singing by orchestra. London, December 11, 1934. GB-6806-1-2 Home, James, and don’t spare the horses (Hillebrand) Dec F-5371, Dec F-6926, Br A-81929
BDBR, RJJ, MS London, January 3, 1935. GB-6845-1-2 My kid’s a crooner (Harris-Montgomery) Dec F-5393, Br A-9722
BDBR, RJJ, MS
23 London, January 11, 1935. GB-6868-1-2 His majesty the baby (Wayne-Fleeson-Terker) Dec F-5379
NOTE: Edmund S. Walker has GB-6868-2 appearing on Brunswick A-9722, but this has not been confirmed (1974; Johnson 1994, 28). ESW, BDBR, RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, January 14, 1935. GB-6875-1-2 That’s why you need me, dear (Harris-Montgomery) Dec F-5380 GB-6876-1-2 His majesty the baby (Wayne-Fleeson-Terker) Dec F-5380
RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment (probably the Embassy Rhythm Eight). London February 1, 1935. GB-6925-1-2 Whisper sweet (Johnson-Trent-Nicholls) Dec F-5436
RJJ, MS London, February 5, 1935. GB-6927-1-2 Dancing with my shadow (Woods) Dec F-5436
RJJ, MS Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal duet with Sam Browne (-1). London, February 6, 1935. GB-6935-1-2 The whistling lovers’ waltz (Damerell-Evans) Dec F-5408 (-1) GB-6936-1-2 Thank you so much, Missus Lowsborough-Goodby (Cole Porter) Dec F-5448
BDBR, RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, accompanied by THE EMBASSY [Rhythm] EIGHT. London, February 15, 1935. GB-6978-1-2 I’ve got an invitation to a dance (Symes-Neiburg-Levinson) Dec F-5456 GB-6979-1-2 I’m afraid to open your letter (Sigler-Goodhart-Hoffman) Dec F-5456
RJJ, MS With AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocals by Elsie Carlisle, Sam Browne, Max Bacon, and others. London, February 15, 1935. GB-7004-1-2 A story of London life (a musical melodrama), pt. 1 (Webb-Sonin) Dec F-5478 GB-7005-1-2 A story of London life (a musical melodrama), pt. 2 (Webb-Sonin) Dec F-5478
BDBR, RJJ, RF
24 Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. With vocals by Elsie Carlisle, Sam Browne, and others, with Sam Browne playing the announcer. London, March 7, 1935.
GA-7010-2 “Who’s your lady friend?” in “Ambrose’s Jubilee Cavalcade, Part 1” (David- Dec K-750, Dec K- Lee-Fragson) 913 GA-7011-3 “What’ll I do?” in “Ambrose’s Jubilee Cavalcade, Part 2” (Berlin) Dec K-750, Dec K- 913
NOTE: Rust and Forbes note that Decca K-913’s title is simply “25 years of song and melody (parts 1 & 2).” BDBR, RJJ Vocal chorus: AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocals by Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, and the Rhythm Sisters (Kay Munro-Smyth, Helen Raymond, and Jean Conibear). London, March 20, 1935. GB-7014-1-2 Gertie, the girl with the gong (Sonin-Munro) Dec F-5486
BDBR, RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. Vocals by orchestra (-1). London, April 18, 1935. GB-7070-1-2 A little toy piano Dec unissued GB-7071-1-2 The home where I was born Dec unissued GB-7097-1-2 Algernon Whifflesnoop John (Evans-Keulman) Dec F-5524 GB-7098-1-2 Sweet Flossie Farmer (The lovely snake charmer) (Dixon-Wrubel) Dec F-5524 (-1)
RJJ, MS London, May 28, 1935. GB-7166-1-2 Waiting for the lights to change (Cyril Ray) Dec F-5568 GB-7167-1-2 The gentleman obviously doesn’t believe (Carr-Pola) Dec F-5568
RJJ, MS With AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA. London, May 30, 1935. GB-7186-1-2 Rehearsing a lullaby (Sigler-Goodhart-Hoffman) Dec F-5572
BDBR, RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment (Ambrose and His Orchestra, uncredited) (-1). AMBROSE AND HIS ORCHESTRA; vocal chorus by Elsie Carlisle, Donald Stewart, and the Rhythm Brothers (Ronnie Hill, Clive Errard, and Jack Lorimer) (-2). GB-7241-1-2 Mama, I long for a sweetheart (Collazo-Hill-Raven) Dec F-5586 (-1) GB-7242-1-2 He wooed her and wooed her and wooed her (Lupus-Harrington) Dec F-5586 (-1) GB-7245-1-2 Fare thee well, Annabelle (from “Sweet Music”) (Dixon-Wrubel) Dec F-5590, Br A-9919 (-2)
BDBR, RJJ, MS ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment. London, September 7, 1935. GB-3769-1-2 Conversation for two (Mysels-Hueston-Emmerich) Dec F-5689 GB-7370-1-2 Star gazing (Symes-Neiburg-Levinson) Dec F-5689
RJJ, MS
25 London, November 25, 1935. TB-2010-1-2 The general’s fast asleep (Kennedy-Carr) Dec F-5761 TB-2011-1-2 The little things you used to do (from “Casino de Paree”) (Dubin-Warren) Dec F-5761 TB-2012-1-2 Poor Butterfly (Golden-Hubbel) Dec rejected TB-2013-1-2 Solitude (De Lange-Mills-Ellington) Dec rejected
NOTE: Michael Smith misidentifies TB-2012-1-2 and TB-2013-1-2 as appearing on Decca F-5764, when it is really the third takes that do (see next session). RJJ, MS London, November 29, 1935. GTB-2012-3 Poor Butterfly (Golden-Hubbel) Dec F-5764 GTB-2013-3 Solitude (De Lange-Mills-Ellington) Dec F-5764 GB-7527-1-2 Honey coloured moon (from “Music Hath Charms”) (Wayne-Carter) Dec F-5818 GB-7528-1-2 Public sweetheart No. 1 (from “Seeing Stars”) (Broones-John) Dec F-5818
RJJ, MS London, January 31, 1936. GB-7659-1-2 With all my heart (from “Her Master’s Voice”) (Kahn-McHugh) Dec F-5902 GB-7660-1-2 My shadow’s where my sweetheart used to be (Carr-Ilda) Dec F-5877 GB-7661-1-2 Up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire (Grey-Connelly) Dec F-5877 GB-7662-1-2 He’s an angel (Hodges) Dec F-5902
RJJ, MS JACK HARRIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA; vocalist: ELSIE CARLISLE. Vocals by Elsie Carlisle and chorus (-1). London, October 25, 1937. OEA-5108-1 Moonlight on the waterfall (Williams-Kennedy) HMV BD-5290 OEA-5109-1 I’m a little prairie flower (Sarony-Holmes) HMV BD-5289 (-1)
BDBR, RJJ JACK HARRIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA; vocalist: ELSIE CARLISLE. Vocals by chorus (-1). London, November 1, 1937. OEA-5119-1 The girl in the hansom cab (Kennedy) HMV BD-5289 (-1) OEA-5120-1 The little boy that Santa Claus forgot (Connor-Leach-Kennedy) HMV BD-5290
BDBR, RJJ
26 ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal with orch. (Ronnie Munro dir.). Vocals by orchestra (-1). Studio No. 1A, Abbey Road, London, November 8, 1937.
OEA-5869-1 Elsie Carlisle medley—Part 1 (Intro.: “Gertie the girl with the gong,” “Home, HMV (-1) James, and don’t spare the horses,” “No, no, a thousand times no”) BD-476 OEA-5870-1 Elsie Carlisle medley—Part 2 (Intro.: “Dirty hands, dirty face,” “Little chap with HMV big ideas,” “Little man you’ve had a busy day”) BD-476 OEA-5871-1-2 The parting of the ways HMV unissued OEA-5872-1-2 The bride comes home HMV unissued
RJJ With JACK HARRIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal trio of Elsie Carlisle, Dinah Miller, and Pat Taylor. London, November 29, 1937. OEA-5142-1 Say “si, si” (Stillman-Lubin-Lecuona) HMV BD-5305, Electrola EG-6243
ESW, BDBR, RJJ With JACK HARRIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Vocal duet with Sam Browne. London, December 14, 1937. OEA-5146-1 How many rhymes can you get? (Franklin-Friend) HMV BD-5305, Electrola EG-6243
ESW, BDBR, RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orch. (George Scott-Wood dir.). Studio No. 1A, Abbey Road, London, December 22, 1937. OEA-5949-1 I still love to kiss you goodnight (Bullock-Spina) HMV BD-487 OEA-5950-1 Here comes the sandman (Dubin-Warren) HMV BD-490 OEA-5951-1 So many memories (Woods) HMV BD-499 OEA-5952-1 Remember me (Warren/Dubin) HMV BD-490
RJJ With Jack Harris and His Orchestra (uncredited). Studio 2, Abbey Road, London, January 8, 1938. OEA-5157-2 Little old lady (Adams-Carmichael) HMV BD-487
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orch. (Ronnie Munro dir.).
OEA-5995-1 Little drummer boy (Noel-Pelosi) HMV BD- 499 OEA-5996-1 Carlisle Medley No. 2 - Part 2 (“I can’t give you anything but love,” “You’re driving HMV BD- me crazy,” “Mean to me”) 525 OEA-5997-1 Carlisle Medley No. 2 - Part 1 (“What is this thing called love,” “My heart stood still,” HMV BD- “Just one more chance”) 525
NOTE: 10 a.m. session (Johnson 1994, 35). RJJ
27 Acc. by orchestra (George Scott-Wood dir.). Studio No. 2, Abbey Road, London, April 6, 1938. OEA-6444-1 Somebody’s thinking of you tonight (Symes-Powell-Schuster) HMV BD-544 OEA-6445-1 You’re an education (Warren-Dubin) HMV BD-544
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestra (George Scott-Wood dir.). Studio 1A/2, Abbey Road, London, November 10, 1938. OEA-7055-1 Proud of you (David) HMV BD-611 OEA-7056-1 Everyone must have a sweetheart (Noel-Hart-Grundland) HMV BD-611 OEA-7067-1 Joseph! Joseph! (Cahn-Chaplin) HMV BD-621 OEA-7068-1 Change partners (from the film “Carefree”) (Irving Berlin) HMV BD-621
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment. (George Scott-Wood dir.). Studio 1, Abbey Road, London, February 1, 1939. OEA-7516-1 Two sleepy people (from the film “Thanks for the Memory”) (Loesser-Carmichael) HMV BD-661 OEA-7517-1 The umbrella man (from “These Foolish Things”) (Cavanaugh-Rose-Stock) HMV BD-661 OEA-7518-1 Grandma said (Magidson-Wrubel) HMV BD-663 OEA-7519-1 Deep in a dream (De Lange-Van Heusen) HMV BD-663
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orch. accomp. (Jay Wilbur dir.). Unknown male voice (-1). London, August 4, 1939. R-3786-1 The moon remembered but you forgot (Gay-Eyton) Rex 9610 R-3787-1 Shabby old cabby (Simon-Stillman) Rex 9610 (-1)
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, October 6, 1939. R-3898-1 I poured my heart into a song (Berlin) Rex 9661 R-3899-1 Kiss me goodnight, sergeant-major (Noel-Pelosi) Rex 9646 R-3900-1 Wish me luck (as you wave me goodbye) (from “Shipyard Sally”) (Park—Parr-Davies) Rex 9646
RJJ Acc. by orchestra (Jay Wilbur dir.). Vocals by Elsie Carlisle and orchestra. London, October 20, 1939. R-3940-1 Sweet Fanny Adam’s daughter (Sanford) Rex 9661
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE (among various other artists). Dubbing session. London, October 25, 1939.
R-3970-1 “Wish me luck (as you wave me good-bye)” in “Rex marches on - Part 1” dubbed from Rex 9675 Rex 9646.
RJJ
28 ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, November 1, 1939. R-3983-1 My heart belongs to Daddy (Cole Porter) Rex 9674 R-3984-1 A mother’s prayer at twilight (Noel-Pelosi) Rex 9674
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). Vocals by unknown male (?Jay Wilbur) and orchestra (-1). London, November 22, 1939. R-4065-1-2 Till the lights of London shine again (Connor-Pola) Rex 9693 R-4066-1 Nursie, nursie (Noel-Pelosi) Rex 9693 (-1)
RJJ, MGT ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). Unknown male speaker (?Jay Wilbur) (-1). London, December 27, 1940. R-4142-1 Only a glass of champagne (from “Lights Up”) (Wimperis-Gay) Rex 9708 (-1) R-4143-1 Please leave my butter alone (Mills-Nicholls) Rex 9708
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, February 12, 1940. R-4325-1 Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny, Oh! (Rose-Olman) Rex 9734 R-4326-1 Mr. Jones (Are you coming to bed?) (Annette Mills) Rex 9734
RJJ London, April 11, 1940. R-4520-1-2 Walkin’ thru’ mockin’ bird lane (Peters-Jones) Rex 9775 R-4521-1-2 A little rain must fall (Green-Kaye-Little) Rex 9775
RJJ, MGT ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with novachord accompaniment (?Arthur Young). London, April 11, 1940. R-4799-1 A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square (from “New Faces”) (Maschwitz-Sherwin) Rex 9816 R-4800-1 Don’t ever pass me by (Watson-Denby) Rex 9816
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with instrumental accomp. (Jay Wilbur dir.). Vocals by orchestra (-1). London, August 8, 1940. (D)R-4936-2 Tiggerty-Boo (Hallifax) Rex 9847 (-1) R-4937-2 Shake down the stars (De Lange-Van Heusen) Rex 9847
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with instrumental accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, October 9, 1940. R-5043-1 I’ll never smile again until I smile at you (Ruth Lowe) Rex 9872 R-5044-1 Never took a lesson in my life (Lawrence-Poore) Rex 9872
RJJ
29 Acc. by novachord (Arthur Young). London, November 1, 1940. R-5071-1 All the things you are (Hammerstein-Kern) Rex 9882 R-5072-1 Until you fall in love (Carr-Popplewell) Rex 9882
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, December 31, 1940. R-5203-1 Oh! What a surprise for the du-ce (He can’t put it over the Greeks) (Casiroli-Park) Rex 9904 R-5204-1 When the blackbird says ‘bye-bye’ (Noel-Pelosi) Rex 9904
RJJ With instrumental acc. (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, February 10, 1941. R-5333-1 We three (Robertson-Cogane-Mysels) Rex 9934 R-5334-1 Room five hundred and four (Maschwitz-Posford) Rex 9934
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, April 9, 1941. R-5566-1 When that man is dead and gone (Berlin) Rex 9960 R-5567-1 The little boy who never told a lie (Connor-Sherwin) Rex 9960
RJJ London, May 22, 1941. R-5781-2 Yes, my darling daughter (Lawrence-Sirmay) Rex 9989 R-5782-2 Let there be love (Grant-Rand) Rex 9989
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accompaniment (Jay Wilbur dir.). Shout from orchestra (-1). London, June 24, 1941. R-5917-1 Calliope Jane (from “Road Show”) (Carmichael) Rex 10008 R-5918-1 Sergeant Sally (is coming home on leave) (Kennedy-Evans) Rex 10008 (-1)
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accomp. (Jay Wilbur dir.). Vocals by orchestra (-1). London, July 4, 1941. R-5971-2 The hut-sut song (Killion-McMichael-Owens) Rex 10021 (-1) R-5972-1 She had those dark and dreamy eyes (Douglas-Hughes) Rex 10021
RJJ Acc. by orchestra (Jay Wilbur dir.). Vocals by orchestra (-1). London, September 30, 1941. R-6310-1 The band played on (Palmer-Ward) Rex 10055 (-1) R-6311-1 We both told a lie (Noel-Messini) Rex 10055
RJJ
30 ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accomp. (Jay Wilbur dir.). Vocals by orchestra (-1). London, November 14, 1941. R-6411-1 Ma-Ma-Maria (fee-dle, ee-dle-lee, feedle, ee-dle-la) (Lewis-Stock-Rose) Rex 10067 (-1) R-6412-1-2 You and I (Willson) Rex 10067
RJJ, MGT ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, with orchestral accomp. (Jay Wilbur dir.). London, December 19, 1941. R-6580-2 Why don’t we do this more often? (Newman-Wrubel) Rex 10092 R-6581-2 You’re in my arms (and a million miles away) (Popplewell-Carr) Rex 10092
RJJ ELSIE CARLISLE, vocal, accompanied by JAY WILBUR AND HIS BAND. London, January 27, 1942. R-6600-2 Rose O’Day (the filla-ga-dusha song) (Tobias-Lewis) Rex 10106 R-6601-2 Rustic Rhapsody (George-Erikson) Rex 10106
RJJ
31