Voices Down The Wind 1949-03-06 Voices Down The Wind

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio - "Voices Down The Wind" (1949-03-06)

Overview

In the March 6, 1949 episode of Harold's Old Time Radio titled "Voices Down The Wind," host Edward A. Rice presents a captivating selection of musical performances from the Golden Age of Radio. This episode showcases the harmonious talents of soprano Francis Keelan and baritone Donald Johnston, accompanied by Rice and the vibrant string ensemble. The program immerses listeners in a blend of classical compositions and popular melodies, evoking nostalgia for a time when families gathered around the radio for shared entertainment.

Featured Performances

1. Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5

   Timestamp: [01:05] - [07:36]

   The episode opens with Edward A. Rice introducing a dynamic rendition of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5. Known for its spirited tempo and lively strings, this piece sets an energetic tone for the evening. Rice notes, "From the composer of over 50 full-length operas came a spirited song that has exceeded almost all his operas as an international favorite" ([01:05]).

2. "The Song of the Open Road" - Francis Keelan

   Timestamp: [07:36] - [09:04]

   Soprano Francis Keelan delivers a heartfelt performance of "The Song of the Open Road," capturing the essence of freedom and wanderlust. The lyrics resonate with listeners longing for liberation and adventure:

   "Let me live and never worry about tomorrow. Why ever worry about tomorrow? For tomorrow's another day. Let me love and then ride away."
   — Francis Keelan ([07:36])

3. Duet: Francis Keelan & Donald Johnston - "Never Ending Appeal"

   Timestamp: [09:04] - [13:03]

   The seamless blend of Keelan and Johnston's voices brings a tender romantic melody to life. Their duet explores themes of longing and reunion:

   "Since you've gone away, one thing is clear to me."
   — Donald Johnston ([09:26])
   "You were dearer than dear to me from the moment you came."
   — Francis Keelan ([09:33])

   The interplay between their voices creates an emotional depth, enhanced by Rice's direction.

4. Charles Dawes' "Melody"

   Timestamp: [13:03] - [16:56]

   Edward A. Rice introduces a charming selection titled "Melody," composed by Charles Dawes. The piece features vibrant string arrangements, adding a light and uplifting atmosphere to the program.

5. "Day in, Day Out" - Francis Keelan & Donald Johnston

   Timestamp: [16:56] - [20:48]

   Francis Keelan returns with "Day in, Day Out," a song that delves into the constancy of love amidst daily routines. The lyrics highlight the speaker's unwavering affection:

   "Day in, day on that same old voodoo followed we are the same as my heart Whenever I think of you and darling I think of you."
   — Donald Johnston ([17:13])

6. "Make Mine Manhattan" - Donald Johnston

   Timestamp: [20:48] - [24:03]

   Baritone Donald Johnston takes the stage with "Make Mine Manhattan," a lively number that captures the bustling spirit of the city. His powerful rendition brings energy and charisma, engaging listeners with its rhythmic charm.

7. Final Duet: "Just a Memory" - Francis Keelan & Donald Johnston

   Timestamp: [24:03] - [28:53]

   The episode concludes with a poignant duet of Henderson's beloved song, "Just a Memory." Keelan and Johnston deliver an emotionally charged performance, reflecting on lost love and cherished memories:

   "You are calling valid. Fallen through each weary day Only tender memories remain."
   — Donald Johnston ([24:23])
   "Then I knew with you but just a memory, just a memory that is all that matter to."
   — Francis Keelan ([24:59])

   Their harmonious voices, supported by Rice's masterful direction, leave a lasting impression of wistful reminiscence.

Performers and Contributions

• Edward A. Rice: As the conductor and host, Rice seamlessly guides the program, introducing each piece with informative and engaging commentary. His leadership ensures a cohesive and enjoyable listening experience.

• Francis Keelan: The soprano's clear and expressive voice brings a delicate grace to each performance, capturing the emotional nuances of the selections.

• Donald Johnston: The baritone's robust and resonant tones complement Keelan's soprano, adding depth and richness to the duets and solo performances.

• String Ensemble: Under Rice's direction, the ensemble delivers vibrant and dynamic arrangements, enhancing the overall quality of the musical offerings.

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, the announcers intersperse the musical performances with thoughtful reflections and directives:

• Edward A. Rice emphasizes the timeless appeal of the music:

  "The lovely voice of Francis Keelan, the stirring voice of Donald Johnston, the vibrant voices of the strings."
  — ([28:53])

• A safety announcement reminds listeners of the importance of cautious winter driving:

  "Ladies and gentlemen, last year traffic accidents killed over 32,000 and injured 1 1/2 million more."
  — Edward A. Rice ([28:53])

Conclusion

"Voices Down The Wind" is a quintessential episode that encapsulates the charm and elegance of Old Time Radio. Through a curated selection of classical and popular music, accompanied by stellar vocal performances and eloquent hosting, the program offers a nostalgic journey into a bygone era of communal listening. Whether reintroducing timeless classics or presenting new compositions, Harold's Old Time Radio continues to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of radio entertainment.

Transcript

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[Donald Johnston]

Let.

[Francis Keelan]

Myself fill your heart with its melody that grills me like a dream of happiness supreme.

[Edward A. Rice]

The lovely voice of Francis Keelan. The stirring voice of Donald Johnston. The vibrant voices of the strings. Led by Edward A. Rice WGY presents Voices down the Window. Colorful music from the most popular works of Johannes Brahms is heard first this afternoon. Edward A. Rice leads the ensemble in Brahms Hungarian dance number five. From the composer of over 50 full length operas came a spirited song that has exceeded almost all his operas as an international favorite. Soprano Francis Keelan brings us the furious tempo of Giocchino Rossini's La Danza. A vigorous and appealing melody by Albert HE Malotte is heard next as we hear the baritone voice of Donald Johnston in his first selection of the Afternoon. Here is the song of the open road.

[Francis Keelan]

What in the world could be so sweet as a thundering clatter of horses Feet in the song of the old and run. Let me live and never worry about tomorrow. Why ever worry about tomorrow? For tomorrow's another day. Let me love and then ride away. Life is short, they say, and maybe for me so let me be free. See I'm on the road to anywhere. Let me travel on with no more load and no more care. Just like a vagabond. I let a blue sky above me cover my head. Why should I wear a feather bed of. Let me travel and sing my song of the road. The long, long road. The song of the open road.

[Edward A. Rice]

The soprano and baritone voices of Francis Keelan and Donald Johnston are blended now in a tender romantic melody of never ending appeal. It is hatchers when day is dark.

[Donald Johnston]

Since you've gone away, one thing is clear to me.

[Francis Keelan]

You were dearer than dear to me from the moment you came. When day start, I dream of you. When day sun I think of all the joys.

[Donald Johnston]

Renew that yearning. Returning to hold you in my arms.

[Francis Keelan]

Would go long without united.

[Donald Johnston]

And grass is wet with twilight Dew My lonely.

[Francis Keelan]

Heart is singing with the sun.

[Donald Johnston]

O my miss your tender gift I'm Twilight.

[Francis Keelan]

De My lonely heart is singing with the sun.

[Edward A. Rice]

The vibrant voices of the strings are heard as Edward A. Rice directs the ensemble in a listenable and charming selection by Charles Dawes entitled simply Melody.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Edward A. Rice]

Our soprano Francis Keelan returns for her second offering and voices down the wind this afternoon and we hear her singing the lovely Day in, day out.

[Donald Johnston]

Day in, day on that same old voodoo followed we are the same as my heart Whenever I think of you and darling I think of you Day and day I needn't tell you how my days begin When I awake I awaken with a tingle One possibility in view that possibility of maybe seeing you I meet you and to me the day is fine When I kiss your oceans roar a thousand roar can you see it long? Can there be any daw lo when there it is sunshine I meet you and to me the dying When I keep your lip I'm not counting because the ocean's roll a thousand drawn where you see can there be any dawn when there it is.

[Edward A. Rice]

From the current stage, success Make Mine Manhattan. Baritone Donald Johnston is chosen to sing for us. Next, the popular high felon Love with.

[Francis Keelan]

You when lovers talk Their conversation never is bright he says I love you who saw the ship Then they sit and analyze for half of the night how this enchantment could be we don't need to figure it out we know how it came about I fell in love with you Long before I knew you I fell in love I knew the way you'd look in my copy book at school it was you I drew at d dancing classes I smile at all the lasses but none of them were doomed and then strange as it may seem all the things I dreamed of came to be true we met and men all over again I fell in love with you and then strange as this may seem all the things I dreamed of came to be true we met and then it happened again. I fell in love with.

[Edward A. Rice]

For their final duet today, Francis Keelan and Donald Johnston, accompanied by Mr. Rice and the ensemble, offer Henderson's familiar and widely loved song, Just a Memory.

[Donald Johnston]

You are calling valid. Fallen through each weary day Only tender memories remain Memories.

[Francis Keelan]

Then I knew with you but just a memory, just a memory that is all that matter to.

[Donald Johnston]

Me Happiness I guess is just a memory Just a memory When I need.

[Francis Keelan]

The hope to sing in my dreams it seems your face is in to.

[Donald Johnston]

Me.

[Francis Keelan]

In my dream it seems your.

[Donald Johnston]

Grace it will be and it's dear to me.

[Francis Keelan]

With its mag on you that thrills me like a dream of.

[Donald Johnston]

Happiness supreme peace and ch.

[Edward A. Rice]

The lovely voice of Francis Keelan, the stirring voice of Donald James Johnston, the vibrant voices of the strings led by Edward A. Rice. These have been Voices down the Wind. Next Sunday, Voices down the Wind will be heard at 8:05 in the morning, five minutes past eight over many of these same NBC stations. Ladies and gentlemen, last year traffic accidents killed over 32,000 and injured 1 1/2 million more. Remember, accidents don't always happen to somebody else. The chances you may take are the very ones that are causing our present big accident totals. Remember that you are a potential accident victim and cannot afford to be careless, particularly during the extreme hazards of winter driving. To safeguard against them, drive at reduced speeds. Use tire chains through snowy or icy areas. Keep windshields and windows clear. Check and repair all equipment, drivers and pedestrians. Be extra careful this winter. Voices down the Wind originated in the studios of wgy, the General Electric station in Schenectady. Your announcer has been Bob Tennant. This is NBC, the national broadcasting Company.

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