Favorite WWII Song/Composer/Band?

I like, 'Blood upon the risers', quite funny considering what the song is about...

 

lilli marlene by marlene dietrich always touches me. and I'm not alone ...

 

For me it's: "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller.

Next favorite is: "Little Brown Jug," but I don't remember who that was by?

Forgot to also mention: "Don't Fence Me In" which was by Roy Rogers I believe?

 

"Little Brown Jug" was a Glenn Miller song and "Don't Fence Me In" was Bing Crosby & the Andrew Sisters.

"Lili Marlene" is definitely also one that is poignant.

 

Hi Everybody,

I just "love" Swing, Big Band and Jazz from WWII since 3 years. I'm 33 years old, and one of my favorite (for the memories that it brings me everytime I'm hearing it) is "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller because it's the one that my grand-father used to play every Christmas, every anniverssaries and on every occasion the family's gathered. Now, my grandfather is dead since 1998, and the only thing I'm regretting is to have appreciate this music after his death. It could have been something we could hear together if only I've appreciated it sooner...

I'm reading a book by John B. Jones named "Songs That Fought The War : Music in The Home Front 1939-1945" and if you like music of this time, I'm recommending you this book. It's fabulous and it's make me realize that music during the WWII was a popular and homogeneous culture for everybody - in the front, but mostly in the Home Front.
The governement used to hired lyricists for his propaganda, to put about his advices (about air warning, for example) and his needs (needs of money by War Bonds, etc.).
It's just fascinating!!
For those who understand french, I've started a blog about all that. If interest, please send me an e-mail and will be happy to give the link. And if someone would be willing to translate it for much more people to enjoy this blog, have no objection about that!

(Please, be kind to forgive me some mistakes, as you surely note, english is not my first language. thanks! )

G.

 

It's not mine either, but I tend to be rather forgiving when I catch them making mistakes

 

Growing up with music that my parents listened to in that era I have a fondness for Glenn Miller and The Andrews Sisters. Still listen to the stuff.

 

I understand Fench and I'd like to read about your hobby, feel free to either send me the link on a p.m. or post it directly on this thread.

 

The Sacred war by the Red army choir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuLebpUBCio

 

When I was growing through my pre-teen years in the fifties my Dad had this wonderful collection of Big Band records, all in 78. He was a bit of an audiophile (for the pre-stereo time), and had this great old Capehart player with a 12 inch woofer, a bunch of mid-range speakers, and a set of horn tweeters. I still remember the front of that thing, it not only had an "on and off" rocker switch on the front, there were seven (count 'em 7) slide switch rheostat levers for various sound qualities, bass, treble, and volume for each speaker set!

When "rock and roll" came along he most certainly DIDN'T object since one of his all time favorites was Gene Krupa and his wonderful drums. Remember that Gene Krupa, was the man who made the drum solo a part of jazz, "pop", and rock music. Every great drum solo artist from then on owe Krupa a nod, Buddy Rich being the first. He also had a hand in the variable pitch Tom-tom and the development of the High-hat cymbals. Krupa played with Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton (Goodman Quartet), the Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller bands as well as creating his own group. Even after his arrest in 1943 on a marijuana charge, and serving his time, he was welcomed back into the musical fold with gusto.

And let’s not forget Kay Kyser who is called the "ole Professor of Swing". Even though many considered his arrangements and performances by his band to be too commercial and not innovative enough like Goodman and Miller.

Les Brown and his "Band of Renown" was also rather bland band until he featured the 17 year old Doris Day as a vocalist for a year. And when she returned to singing, they recorded "Sentimental Journey"; and in 1944 Brown and Day had made a mark which lasts to now as a "memory" of WW2.

How about Spike Jones and his City Slickers, who recorded an amusing little anti-Nazi war ditty, Der Fuehrer's Face. Dad had a whole bunch of Spike Jones' records, and I never ceased to be amazed at the "musical notes" he could get out of odd stuff.

 

I'm a sucker for a good and sappy romantic song and Jo Stafford's I'll Be Seeing You is one of my favourites.

 

What about classical music as well?

Shostakovich's Symphony No.7 'Leningrad'

And his 8th Symphony untitled Stalingrad.

Classical music has it's place as well you know.


I've not listen for a while but I believe this on line radio station plays old stuff.

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