Russell Davies - 22/08/2010

Two new CD box-sets and one anniversary make up the theme of this week's show: First, the arrival of a musical tribute to poet Philip Larkin ("Larkin's Jazz") prompts a lyrical reference of Cole Porter via Billie Holiday to poets ('Love For Sale') and Russell examines some of the vocal favourites included in the set, quoting some of Larkin's comments. Lionel Hampton, Muggsy Spanier, Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong are heard. The next set is devoted to Judy Garland and includes a number of extreme rarities, not previously re-issued: We hear three of these, including some extremely early (1929) Vitaphone excerpts with Judy at age 7. The programme concludes with a remembrance of Oscar Hammerstein ll on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his death. We hear Danny Kaye singing 'Honey Bun' from 'South Pacific'; Keely Smith's version of 'Indian Love Call' ('Rose Marie') and another 'South Pacific' number sung, as originally, by Mary Martin: "A Wonderful Guy". A contrast with what else was going on in the musical world from Jackie & Roy with Charlie Ventura leads to Sylvia Syms singing "So Far" before Russell winds up with a look forward to next week's show - a tribute to recently-departed musical overlord Mitch Miller.