Russell Davies - 05/07/2009

The 70th anniversary of a famous Billie Holiday recording of Them There Eyes prompts Russell into a celebration of songs about eyes. The earliest recorded 'eyes' song started out in 1616 as a poem by Ben Johnson, having music added in 1790 to become Drink To Me Only, which Maxine Sullivan sings. Among numerous others we hear a rare recording of I'll Close My Eyes by Ronnie Deauville. while Mel Blanc's Barney Google adds a little comedy to the proceedings.