Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party #03

Summary

Summary of "Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party #03"

Release Date: July 1, 2025
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party #03

---

Introduction

In the third episode of "Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party," listeners are transported back to the vibrant era before television dominated American households. Hosted by the charismatic Alan Freed, with co-host Burn Bennett, the show celebrates the Golden Age of Radio by featuring iconic performances and interviews with legendary artists. This episode, released on July 1, 2025, spotlights prominent figures in the rock and roll scene, including Count Basie and his Orchestra, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, and the Cordettes.

---

Opening Remarks and Count Basie’s Performance

[00:00 - 00:34]
Alan Freed kicks off the show with his signature enthusiasm:

Alan Freed: "Hello, everybody. How are you all? This is yours truly, Alan Freed. Get your dancing shoes on and welcome to the Rock and Roll Dance Party."

Co-host Burn Bennett follows, introducing Freed as the "king of rock and roll":

Burn Bennett: "From New York City, the home of rock and roll, we welcome you to the big beat in popular music in America. And here's the king of rock and roll himself, Al."

The episode officially opens with an introduction to Count Basie and his Orchestra, featuring the smooth vocals of Joe Williams. Freed highlights the orchestra’s exceptional talent:

Alan Freed (03:22): "Hey, folks, you ever notice how you can spot a really fine piece of music right from the start? Like those wonderful choruses by Joe Newman and Frank West. Nobody has to tell you it's great. That's something, you know, first time you hear it."

---

Tony Bennett’s Performance: "One for My Baby"

[03:22 - 06:27]
The show transitions to Tony Bennett, a Columbia recording star and beloved guest. Bennett delivers a heartfelt rendition of "One for My Baby," blending his crooning style with the rhythmic accompaniment of Joe Williams:

Tony Bennett (04:02): "I got a little story you ought to know... I'm feeling so bad. I wish you'd make the music dreamy and sad."

Bennett's performance captures the emotional depth of the song, leaving listeners yearning for more.

---

The Cordettes’ Performance: "Mr. Sandman"

[06:28 - 08:22]
Next, the audience is treated to the harmonious melodies of the Cordettes, who perform their timeless hit "Mr. Sandman." Their flawless vocals and catchy lyrics exemplify the era's pop standards:

The Cordettes (06:53): "Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream. Make him the cutest that I've ever seen..."

Their performance is met with enthusiastic approval from both hosts and listeners alike.

---

Count Basie’s "April in Paris"

[08:22 - 12:11]
Returning to Count Basie and his Orchestra, the band performs a masterful rendition of "April in Paris." Freed praises the arrangement’s elegance:

Alan Freed (12:11): "Wonderful legacy of his orchestra. What an arrangement that is."

The sophisticated instrumentation and Basie’s impeccable timing underscore the orchestra's enduring appeal.

---

Introducing Joe William Joy and "Rock and Roll to Satisfy My Soul"

[12:11 - 16:04]
Freed takes a moment to introduce Joe William Joy, a promising new singer who has recently joined the Basie organization:

Alan Freed: "One of the greatest and brightest new singers in America, Joe William Joy."

Joe William Joy energizes the show with his dynamic performance of "Rock and Roll to Satisfy My Soul," showcasing his vibrant voice and stage presence:

Burn Bennett (12:47): "Let me rock and roll to satisfy my soul..."

Joe Williams adds a playful interjection:

Joe Williams (14:32): "Sam."

The performance is lively and infectious, keeping the audience engaged and enthusiastic.

---

Tony Bennett’s Return: "Always"

[16:04 - 18:45]
Tony Bennett returns to the stage with another beloved classic, "Always." His smooth delivery and heartfelt lyrics resonate deeply with listeners:

Tony Bennett (16:26): "I'll be loving you with a heart that's true always..."

Burn Bennett echoes the sentiment, enhancing the emotional impact:

Burn Bennett (16:27): "You."

The duet between Bennett and the band creates a moving and memorable performance.

---

The Cordettes’ "Eddie, My Love" with Count Basie

[18:45 - 21:17]
The Cordettes return, this time performing "Eddie, My Love," accompanied by Count Basie on the mic. Their harmonious voices blend seamlessly with Basie's smooth jazz stylings:

The Cordettes (19:03): "Eddie, my love, I love you so."

Basie interjects with heartfelt lines, adding depth to the performance:

Count Basie (19:16): "How I want it for you, you'll never know."

The interplay between the Cordettes and Basie highlights the collaborative spirit of the show.

---

Final Performance and Closing Remarks

[21:17 - 24:23]
The episode culminates with Count Basie’s renowned number "Jumpin' at the Woodside," a lively and upbeat track that perfectly encapsulates the excitement of the rock and roll dance party.

As the show draws to a close, the announcer delivers a heartfelt farewell:

Announcer (24:23): "Well, rock and rollers, we don't like to bring this mad session to an end. But time waits for no one. So drop around the same time station next week for a rock and good time with a rock and roll party. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television."

---

Key Takeaways

• Alan Freed’s Nostalgic Hosting: Freed’s engaging and enthusiastic hosting style sets the tone for an evening filled with memorable performances.

• Star-Studded Lineup: Featuring legends like Count Basie, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, and the Cordettes, the episode showcases a diverse range of musical talents that defined the Golden Age of Radio.

• Emotional and Upbeat Performances: The show balances soulful ballads with high-energy rock and roll numbers, catering to a wide array of musical tastes.

• Collaborative Spirit: Interactions between hosts and performers create a warm and inviting atmosphere, embodying the communal spirit of family radio gatherings.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Alan Freed (03:22): "Hey, folks, you ever notice how you can spot a really fine piece of music right from the start? Like those wonderful choruses by Joe Newman and Frank West."

• Tony Bennett (04:02): "I'm feeling so bad. I wish you'd make the music dreamy and sad."

• Burn Bennett (06:27): "Tony Bennett."

• Alan Freed (12:11): "Wonderful legacy of his orchestra. What an arrangement that is."

• Alan Freed (16:04): "Wonderful Joe Williams."

• Tony Bennett (16:26): "I'll be loving you with a heart that's true always..."

• Announcer (24:23): "Time waits for no one."

---

This episode of "Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party" serves as a vibrant homage to the artists and music that shaped a generation. Through captivating performances and heartfelt interactions, Freed and his guests create an unforgettable auditory experience that celebrates the enduring legacy of rock and roll.

Transcript

[Alan Freed]

Hello, everybody. How are you all? This is yours truly, Alan Freed. Get your dancing shoes on and welcome to the Rock and Roll Dance Party.

[Burn Bennett]

From New York City, the home of rock and roll, we welcome you to the big beat in popular music in America. And here's the king of rock and roll himself, Al.

[Alan Freed]

Thank you, Burn Bennett. And welcome to our Camel Rock and Roll Dance Party starring one of the greatest names in music, the swingingest band in the land, Count Basie and his Orchestra. With Joe Williams. Our special guest stars of the week, Tony Bennett and the Cordettes. And away we go. First up, Count Basie and his orchestra with a BLEEP blue.

[Joe Williams]

It'S.

[Alan Freed]

Hey, folks, you ever notice how you can spot a really fine piece of music right from the start? Like those wonderful choruses by Joe Newman and Frank West. Nobody has to tell you it's great. That's something, you know, first time you hear it. And now, one of our great guest stars on our Rock and Roll Dance party, the great Columbia recording star, Tony Bennett.

[Tony Bennett]

It's a quarter, two, three. There's no one in the place except you and so set em up Joe. I got a little story you ought to know. We're drinking, my friend to the end of a brief episode. Just making one for my baby and one more for the road. I got the routine so put another nickel in the machine.

[Joe Williams]

Mm.

[Tony Bennett]

I'm feeling so bad. I wish you'd make the music dreamy and sad. Could tell you a lot. But you've got to be true to your code. So make it one for my baby and one more for the road. You'd never know it. But buddy, I'm a kind of poet. And I got a lot of things to say. And when I'm gloomy you simply gotta listen to me. Before it's all talked away. Well, that's how it goes. And Jo, I know you're getting anxious to close, so thanks for the cheer. I hope you didn't mind my band in your ear that I found must be drowned or its too might explode. So make it one for my baby and one more for the road that long. Wonderful.

[Burn Bennett]

Tony Bennett.

[Alan Freed]

And Tony will be back with us in a little while. Once a Cordette fan, always a Cordette fan. And here they are now, our next guest stars on our rock and roll dance party, the famous Cordettes with their famous hit, Mr. Sandman.

[The Cordettes]

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream. Make him the cutest that I've ever seen. Give him true lips like roses and clover. Then tell him that his love tonights Are over Sandman, I'm so alone don't have nobody to call my own Please turn on your magic beam Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream Mr. Sandman, bring us a dream Give him a pair of eyes with the countess of gleam Give him a lonely heart like Polyachi and lots of wavy hair like Liberace Mr. Sandman, someone to hold Would be so peachy before we're too old so please turn on your magic bead Mr. Sandman, bring us please, please, please Mr.

[Joe Williams]

Sandman, bring us the green.

[Alan Freed]

Mr. Sandman and the cor. And now on with our rock and roll dance party. With the great Count Basie and his orchestra. And his famous arrangement of April in Par.

[Count Basie]

It.

[Alan Freed]

Wonderful calgacy of his orchestra. What an arrangement that is. One more once. And now we're going to introduce a young man who joined the Basie organization a few months back and made musical history. One of the greatest and brightest new singers in America, Joe William Joy.

[Burn Bennett]

Pick me a town in any climb where people like are rocking time and stay awake both day and night Til everybody's feeling good and right Then throw me Mac Dab in the middle Pitch me smack dab in the middle Dump me smack dab in the middle Let me rock and roll to satisfy myself 10 Cadillacs and a diamond mill 10 suits of clothes to dress to and some barbecue and 50 chicks not over 22 then throw me smack dab in the middle Dump me smack dab in the middle Dump me smack dab in the middle and let me rock and roll to satisfy my soul A lot of bread, gangs of meat Oodles of butter and something swee with gallons of coffee to wash it down my carbonated soda Divide the pound Then throw me smack dab in the middle Pitch me smack dab in the middle Hurl me smack dab in the middle Left me rock and roll and satisfy my.

[Joe Williams]

Sam.

[Burn Bennett]

I want Count Basie's band and a hundred chorus girls A street that's paved with natural pearls Bring me a wagon load of buns and socks Then open up the door to Fort Knox and throw me smack dab in the middle Pitch for me smack dab in the middle Hurl me smack dab in the middle Let me rock and roll to satisfy my soul and let me rock and roll to satisfy my soul Let me rock and roll to satisfy my.

[Joe Williams]

Soul.

[Alan Freed]

Wonderful Joe Williams. Dab in the middle and now on with our rock and roll dance party. And here is Columbia recording star Tony Bennett. Back with a great old stander. So it's all yours.

[Tony Bennett]

I'll be loving.

[Burn Bennett]

You.

[Joe Williams]

Oh way.

[Tony Bennett]

With a heart that's.

[Burn Bennett]

True always.

[Tony Bennett]

And when the things you plan Need a helping hand.

[Alan Freed]

I will.

[Tony Bennett]

Understand Always Always Days may not be fair always that's when I'll be there.

[Joe Williams]

Always.

[Tony Bennett]

Not for just an hour not for just a day not for just a year but always I'll be loving I'll be loving I'll be loving you.

[Burn Bennett]

Always.

[Tony Bennett]

With a heart that's true always and when the things you've planned Need a helping hand I will understand Always Always Days may not be fair Always that's when I'll be there away not for just an hour and not for just a day not for just a year but always.

[Alan Freed]

Thank you so very much, Tony Bennett, for being with us on our rock and roll dance party. And right now we'd like to call back to our microphone, the Cordettes. And here they are with a song which is being heard, well, practically on every radio station in America today. One of America's top songs, the Cordet Sing. Eddie. Eddie, my love.

[The Cordettes]

Eddie, my love, I love you so. Eddie, my love, I love you so much.

[Count Basie]

Eddie, my love.

[Tony Bennett]

I love you so.

[Count Basie]

How I want it for you, you'll never know.

[The Cordettes]

Please, Eddie, don't make me way too long. Oh, Eddie. Eddie, I love you so.

[Count Basie]

Eddie, please write just one line.

[The Cordettes]

Tell.

[Count Basie]

Me your love is still only mine.

[The Cordettes]

Please, Eddie, don't make me way too long. You left me last September since that time I've been so low.

[Joe Williams]

Now all.

[The Cordettes]

I do is wish and wait for you Any since you've been gone.

[Count Basie]

Anymore I'm sinking fast the very next day might be my last.

[The Cordettes]

Please, daddy, don't make me way too loud song.

[Joe Williams]

Oh, Eddie.

[The Cordettes]

Eddie, I love you so.

[Count Basie]

Eddie, my love, I love you so.

[Alan Freed]

Thank you for that. And now back to the great Count Basie organization. Count Basie. And one of his most famous numbers jumping at the Woodside Count Basie.

[Joe Williams]

It's.

[Announcer]

Well, rock and rollers, we don't like to bring this mad session to an end. But time waits for no one. So drop around the same time station next week for a rock and good time with a rock and roll party. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television.