Russell Davies - 23/08/2009

The ghost of tenor-sax giant Lester Young looms large over this week's programme on the occasion of his centenary. We hear him, the eminence grise behind two classic Billie Holiday tracks. We also hear him with Jimmy Rushing and a Basie small group; and with Una Mae Carlisle in an extraordinarily titled Fred Fisher song from 1941, Blitzkrieg Baby (You Can't Bomb Me)! Then, on a new release celebrating Johnny Mercer by Scottish singer Todd Gordon, Todd suggests Mercer as the only direct Scottish link to American Songbook Royalty. This has Russell hunting - and finding plenty of other contenders: Hoagy Carmichael (whom we hear), Cole Porter; maybe even Harry Woods. And what about Haven Gillespie, whose Breezing Along With The Breeze we hear breezily sung by Jessica Molaskey? Finally a new one from Paul West rounds off the subject - and the show - Miss You, Mr Mercer.