Russell Davies - 05/12/2010

A short, seasonal opener from Kay Starr before Russell pays tribute to bandleader Edmundo Ros on his centenary (in two days time). We hear a Latin number from his band with a typical Ros vocal. Russell also fishes out one of his earliest recording dates in UK, backing Fats Waller. This is followed by a 90th birthday salute to jazz pianist Dave Brubeck via vocal items by Carmen McRae and Louis Armstrong. 70th birthday wishes also go to bassist Jay Leonhart and we hear him singing with Daryl Sherman before enjoying I'm Loving You A Lot, sung by his daughter Carolyn. As listeners are invited to vote on their favourite recording from a shortlist of ten memorable duets, Russell plays an a capella duet by Maude Maggart & her sister Fiona Apple, and a vintage one by Irving Kaufman and "the original radio girl" Vaughn De Leath. This leads to Elvis' famous Are You Lonesome Tonight (De Leath had had the original hit with it in 1927). Russell sends a farewell to French singer Mimi Perrin with her performance of French Rat Race with Les Double Six. We finally get to play Julie Andrews' Whistling Away The Dark and Kay Starr winds us up with a short scamper through The Best Things In Life Are Free.