Benny Goodman Music Festival 46-07-01 Ep001 Somebody Stole My Gal

Summary

Podcast Summary: Benny Goodman Music Festival 46-07-01 Ep001 "Somebody Stole My Gal"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Description: Delving into the cherished radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio, this podcast transports listeners back to a time before television, when families gathered around the radio to enjoy iconic programs like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and many more.
• Episode: Benny Goodman Music Festival 46-07-01 Ep001 "Somebody Stole My Gal"
• Release Date: July 1, 2025

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Introduction

The episode "Somebody Stole My Gal" from Harold's Old Time Radio features a vibrant celebration of Benny Goodman and his orchestra, spotlighting performances, guest appearances, and insightful commentary that capture the essence of mid-20th-century American music festivals.

Festival Opening and Performances

Bud Collier opens the festival by introducing the main acts on stage: the Benny Goodman Orchestra, Trio Sex Task, and the emerging singing sensation, Art Lund. He also welcomes the homecoming guest, the delightful Martha Tilton, and introduces the commentator, Peter Donald, known for his storytelling prowess on the radio.

Quote:

Bud Collier [00:20]: "Radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio. The time before television and the family all sat around the radio and listened to the shows of the time..."

Benny Goodman's Address

Benny Goodman takes the stage with his signature charm, expressing gratitude to Bud Collier and the audience. He announces the beginning of the festival's overture, titled "Somebody Stole My Galaxy," setting the tone for an evening filled with memorable performances.

Quote:

Benny Goodman [00:52]: "Thank you, Bud Collier, and good evening."

Commentary by Peter Donald

Peter Donald delivers an engaging and humorous commentary on chamber music, blending insightful observations with witty anecdotes. He humorously reminisces about his own (lackluster) experience with the clarinet, providing a light-hearted perspective interspersed with musical trivia and playful jabs at the evolution of chamber music.

Quotes:

Peter Donald [03:43]: "Good evening, lovers of fine art and great music. As well as those of you who think Stravinsky and Mussorgsky were tackles with the Notre Dame team."

Peter Donald [16:48]: "Music is popular and also very profitable. To form a band, you just wave an old used commercial and you get run over by 79 musicians."

Performance Highlights

The orchestra performs "Angels Sing," a classic piece associated with both Benny Goodman and Martha Tilton. The performance is a nostalgic nod to their enduring collaboration and highlights Martha Tilton's vocal prowess.

Quote:

Martha Tilton [08:34]: "Well, that was my first big break. The break I was afraid I'd never get."

The segment includes the lyrical rendition of "The Angels Sing," delivering a heartfelt and melodic experience that resonates with listeners.

Interlude and Discussion on Chamber Music

Peter Donald continues his commentary, delving deeper into the intricacies of chamber music while humorously critiquing its current state and evolution. His monologue provides both entertainment and a subtle critique of contemporary musical trends.

Quote:

Peter Donald [16:48]: "Our chamber music has changed to a great degree. There used to be a song called 'She Was Bred in Old Kentucky.' Today, no Bread."

Introduction of Art Lund

Benny Goodman introduces Art Lund, highlighting his multifaceted talents as a college football star and a former Golden Gloves boxing champion. This introduction bridges the gap between music and popular culture, showcasing the diverse backgrounds of the festival's performers.

Quote:

Benny Goodman [21:02]: "This evening at our Drive In Festival, we'd like to introduce the new singer. He's Art Lund, a college football star and also a former Golden Gloves boxing champ."

Art Lund's Performance

Art Lund delivers an energetic performance of a new favorite song, captivating the audience with his dynamic vocals and charismatic stage presence. His rendition adds a fresh and contemporary flavor to the festival's lineup.

Orchestra's Grand Finale

The episode culminates with the Benny Goodman Orchestra performing one of their greatest recordings, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of Goodman’s musical legacy.

Quote:

Peter Donald [23:49]: "Sing."

Closing Remarks

While the transcript includes some unclear segments and repeating phrases, the overall flow of the episode emphasizes a blend of live performances, personal anecdotes, and expert commentary, encapsulating the spirit of Benny Goodman's music festival.

Conclusion

"Benny Goodman Music Festival 46-07-01 Ep001 'Somebody Stole My Gal'" offers a rich tapestry of musical performances and engaging discussions that transport listeners back to an era where radio was the centerpiece of home entertainment. Through the dynamic interplay of hosts, performers, and commentators, the episode celebrates the timeless appeal of Benny Goodman and his contributions to American music.

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Notable Quotes:

• Peter Donald [03:52]: "To know how I come to qualify as an expert on music. Well, I gotta let you in on a little secret. I sing in the bathtub in my boarding house."

• Martha Tilton [09:03]: "It's still a great song, Martha. And nobody sings it better than the girl it was written for."

• Benny Goodman [08:54]: "Johnny Mercer's first big hit was Goody Goody. And in your case, Martha, it was a song Johnny and Ziggy Elman wrote for you called the Angels Sing."

• Peter Donald [21:28]: "It's just to say, till I met you. I know a little bit about a lot of things."

This episode is a delightful homage to Benny Goodman’s musical prowess and his enduring influence on the Golden Age of Radio, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts of classic American music and radio history.

Transcript

[Sam]

Foreign.

[Bud Collier]

Goodman Music Festival Here on the concert stage are the Benny Goodman Orchestra, Trio Sex Task and new singing star Art Lund. Tonight's homecoming guest is Martha Tilton. And our commentator is radio's storyteller, Peter Donald. Ladies and gentlemen, the man behind the double lornet at the little end of the big clarinet, Benny Goodman.

[Benny Goodman]

Thank you, Bud Collier, and good evening.

[Bud Collier]

Right now, it's the overture Somebody Stole My Galaxy.

[Benny Goodman]

Thank you. And now the time has come to introduce a very important member of the troupe. He's radio's most popular storyteller. But. But tonight he does it with a slight twist. Here he is, our own music expert and commentator himself, Peter Donald.

[Peter Donald]

Good evening, lovers of fine art and great music. As well as those of you who think Stravinsky and Mussorgsky were tackles with the Notre Dame team.

[Benny Goodman]

Now, of course, you kind of want.

[Peter Donald]

To know how I come to qualify as an expert on music. Well, I gotta let you in on a little secret. I. I sing in the bathtub in my boarding house. You gotta sing in the bathtub. There's no lock on the bathroom door. Also, another little surprise. Benny Goodman. Benny doesn't know this, but I used to play the clarinet. Only instead of just pressing a key here and a key there the way he does, I held down all the keys at once. And I got some very interesting notes that way. One was from the Board of Health. But in its basic form, the clarinet is merely a tube or pipe. Or simply a piece of plumbing with built in noise. Mozart first used it in the orchestra in 1770. But it probably was invented many years before in Naples by Signor Arturo. Patti. Patti. You all know Patti Patti. He is the composer of that old Italian song, Come Back to Cemento. Now, in its lower or Shalom o register, the clarinet can be quite pleasant and is somewhat reminiscent of the love call of a delinquent Great Dane. Some authorities say, however, that the highest note, when held for a long interval, accomplishes about the same purpose as a pistol with one bullet in it. Finally, the clarinet should be played by only one person at a time. And almost never while wearing mittens. And now that you know all about the clarinet, let's listen to one of the world's great artists. Benny Goodman thinks nothing of playing one night with Toscanini or Stokovsky. While playing the next night with Stuff Smith. Poker, that is. However, here is Benny's cooling and mighty liquid treatment of on the Sunny side of.

[Benny Goodman]

And now it's homecoming time here at our Drive in Music festival under the Stars. Back with Us tonight for a visit with old friends is one of our top favorites, lovely Miss Martha Tilton. Welcome to our music festival, Martha.

[Martha Tilton]

Thanks, Vinnie. And standing up here with you in front of the band, well, it certainly seems like old times.

[Benny Goodman]

Yes, and good times. Let's see, Martha, where did we first meet?

[Martha Tilton]

Well, it was on one of your programs back in 38, Benny. I was in the back row of the vocal group, and you pointed at me and said, I think that girl can sing.

[Benny Goodman]

For once I was right.

[Martha Tilton]

Well, that was my first big break. The break I was afraid I'd never get.

[Benny Goodman]

You know, Martha, when we were planning this series, we decided to invite back some of our old friends and have them do the big number that made them famous. In my mind, Harry James is associated with. What's the name of that song?

[Martha Tilton]

You made me laugh.

[Benny Goodman]

That's right. Johnny Mercer's first big hit was Goody Goody. And in your case, Martha, it was a song Johnny and Ziggy Elman wrote for you called the Angels Sing.

[Martha Tilton]

Well, that was another big break, Benny. I think I ought to explain that. Benny heard Ziggy Elman playing an old folk tune on his trumpet. Then he got Johnny Mercer to put some words to the tune, and we.

[Benny Goodman]

Recorded it, and then Martha was in. It's still a great song, Martha. And nobody sings it better than the girl it was written for.

[Bud Collier]

Ladies and gentlemen, our homecoming star, Ms. Martha Tilton brings us. And the angels sing.

[Sam]

We meet.

[Art Lund]

And the angels sing. The angels sing the sweetest song I.

[Martha Tilton]

Ever heard.

[Art Lund]

You speak. And the angel sing. Or am I reading music into every word? Suddenly the setting strange. I can see water and moonlight beaming silver waves that break on some undiscovered shore.

[Sam]

Then.

[Art Lund]

Suddenly a seedle change Long widow night With a candle gleaming with all your face that I adore you smile and the angels sing and though it's just a gentle murmur at the star and the angels sing.

[Martha Tilton]

And leave their.

[Art Lund]

Music ringing in my heart.

[Sam]

Sam.

[Art Lund]

K. And the angels sing.

[Sam]

And leave their music singing in my heart.

[Benny Goodman]

I see some fine print in the program notes and it says Peter Donald is to talk about chamber music. Speak up, Mr. Donald.

[Peter Donald]

Yes, music lovers, before you hear the world famous Goodman Sextet, naturally you will want to know a little something about chamber music. Ah, you fools, you. The definitive work on the subject is the 15 volume treatise by Sir Gregory Gluten. Gluti gives us this definition. He said, our chamber music, loosely speaking, is a small group of grown men who ought to know better. Of course, the classic definition is that left to posterity by the immortal Wolfgang Amadeus Stunk, who said, you know something? The prime principles of chamber music is positively and absolutely the most catastrophic. It's phantasmago. It's meteor. Eh, Bap. Rebap. Actually, for people who play chamber music, for people who play chamber music, the reward is very great. Usually dead or alive. But music is popular and also very profitable. To form a band, you just wave an old used commercial and you get run over by 79 musicians. Then to make a million dollars, you call your music Boil and Perk with Johnny mcjerk. And so today, thousands of kids are beating their brains out taking music lessons when they could be out in the fresh air, healthfully driving a beer truck. It used to be in the old days. Practice the piano, Johnny. And when you grow up, everybody will laugh when you sit down. Of course, our chamber music has changed. Our chamber music has changed to a great degree. There used to be a song called she Was Bred in Old Kentucky. Today, no Bread. And now, perhaps it will help you if you just listen to the Benny Goodman sextest. I see Louis Belson on drums, Johnny White on the vibraphone, and of course, Benny Goodman himself on clarinet playing all together. We hope they bring us Gershwin's I Got Rhythm.

[Sam]

It, Sam. It's Sam.

[Peter Donald]

It.

[Benny Goodman]

This evening at our Drive In Festival, we'd like to introduce the new singer. He's Art Lund, a college football star and also a former Golden Gloves boxing champ. Art was with us before the war, and then he was a lieutenant in the navy. We think Art Lund's different, and we hope you're going to like him as much as we do.

[Bud Collier]

Yes, Benny. And let's listen to Art Lund as he sings one of our new favorites. I don't know enough about.

[Unknown]

I know a little bit about a lot of things. But I don't know enough about you. Just when I think you're mine, you try a different line. And baby, what can I do? I read the latest news. No buttons on my shoes. But baby, I'm confused about you. You get me in a spin. Oh, what a stew. I mean. Cause I don't know enough about you. Jack of all trades, master of none. And isn't it a shame? I'm so sure that you'd be good for me. If you'd only play my game. You know I went to school and I'm nobody's fool. That is to say, till I met you. I know a little bit about a lot of things. But I don't know enough about you. I'm confused in a spin. What can I do about you?

[Bud Collier]

And now, here's Benny Goodman's orchestra in the greatest of all the Goodman recordings.

[Peter Donald]

Sing.

[Bud Collier]

Sing.

[Sam]

Sam. It. It's Sam. It's.

[Unknown]

The Penny Goodman Music Festival has been a rebroadcast presentation of the Armed Forces Radio.

[Sam]

Sam.