The Fraser Hayes Four.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,SRD
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 12:01 PM

Mucked that up didn't I?
the link to the site should have been:

this site

I hope

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,SRD
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 11:59 AM

From a href="http://whirligigtv.yuku.com/reply/7930/t/Frazer-Hayes-Four.html#.T00HHPXX-Dc">this site

Fraser Hayes Quartet were formed in the late Forties, disbanded in 53 and reformed in 56. Jimmy Fraser Potts, Tony Hayes, Dave Mason and singer June Ellis were the original members according to 'The Ballad Years' by Don Wicks.
Annabelle Lee replaced June Ellis and married Jimmy Fraser. Dave Mason left the group and was replaced by Nick Welsh. Later they had new vocalist Lynda Russell who herself was replaced by Kerri Sims. Annabelle Lee later rejoined the group, she replaced Barbara Moore who had taken over from Kerri Sims.
They appear to have stayed with Round The Horne into the middle sixties. Jimmy Fraser emigrated to the States to enjoy Florida's sun.

That should give you a few names to google.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Forse1942
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 08:52 AM

The programme you are interested in was called "The Mounties", and was broadcast on a Tuesday Night at 8.30. It ran to least three series,of 6 episodes, and each episode lasted 30 mins. The theme was about the training of a number of rookie constables and their adventures during their early days as Mounties. The only character I can recall was a former travelling salesman, always refered to as " the man with the Gladstone bag", does this ring any bells. I think the theme tune was similar to Allouette, overidden with galloping horses and jingling harnesses. From memory I would place the year of broadcast as 1950-1952, certainly no later.
About the same time, again at 8.30, Jack Hawkins played the main character in a sea going serial " The Windjammers" about rounding the Horn during the 1860's in tea clippers, any one remember this programme?
Other programmes in this time slot were Adventures of Capt.Hornblower,and my personal favourite Paul Temple, I still get a warm feeling if I hear " Coronation Scot" the theme tune.
Hope this info is of interest and has stirred some other memories of the Golden Days of Radio.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Guest Daughter of Arran.
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 12:12 PM

For some good info on The FHF. google Harry Currie, Canadian musician, Conductor, now living in Thailand.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Una,
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 03:11 PM

Tony,!!...Hello,...Are you still living on Heath Street,???..I'd so like to see you again,

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,guest; Brian Reynolds
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 03:16 PM

Jack Emblow, now in his late seventies,but doesn't look it, still performs today and is one of Britain's finest accordionists. The Jack Emblow Sextet was formed in the mid-fifties and gave hundreds of broadcasts, many of them in 'Music While you work' and 'Morning Music'. Although highly regarded among professionals,he remains self-effacing and seemingly unaware of just how good he is! His arrangements for his sextet were outstanding, yet he discarded them when broadcasting dried up. He can still be heard in 'Summer Wine'
playing in the accompanying orchestra - and yes, there is a harmomica in the scoring,which I think is played by Harry Pitch.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,BBC Announcer
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 11:34 AM

Today is not only the first day of summer it is also the beginning of
Coat A Sheep in Raspberry Jam Week. Many events will be held up and down the country and there will be a special feature on BBC Radio 2 hosted by Mike Harding with music provided by The Gruntfuttock 4

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 10:27 AM

I remember Ray on TV singing and playing with the brushes on a snare drum - he had a residency. I can't remember the programme. As you say, rather good.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 08:34 AM

IMHO Ray Ellington was a pretty good singer. Admittedly, some of the songs he performed in those Goon show music breaks sound rather feeble today, but they were probaby chosen for him by the show's producer. And he was a more than competent drummer too - he played as part of Stephane Grapelli's British backing group for a while in the 1940s.

As for Max Geldray, he was an excellent musician who deserves to be celebrated in his own right, not merely remembered as an honorary Goon. And if the memory of "Sing Something Simple" puts you off Jack Emblow, then try listening to his solo work with Martin Taylor's "Spirit of Django" band - "Le Jazz Hot" indeed!

Wassail!

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Julian and Sandy
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 01:14 PM

"How fabulosa to varda your dolly old eek, Mr 'Orne

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 12:17 PM

Is it not an harmonica on Last of the Summer Wine?

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: BanjoRay
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 12:17 PM

I think the musical interludes in the Goon Show and the Kenneth Horna and other programmes were compulsory because the shows were all done in one take, and a solid 30 minutes without a break every week would have been a bit of a strain on the cast. However, I did like Max Geldray - a fine player. I thought Ray Ellington was terrible at the time, but he sounds great now when I hear the odd repeated Goon Show.
Ray

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,accordion friend
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 07:33 PM

Jack was reading CLiff Adams dots, I know because I have seen boxes full of these excellent arrangements.
Jack Emblow is the guvnor' of accordion playing, there is no doubt.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,MuswellHillGirl
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 08:16 PM

As for the Horne series being well before its time, in one opening announcement on one of the shows [and dammit, I cannot remember which one], mention is made of "Lord Podcast". Now that's what I call *WELL* ahead.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Compton
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 08:46 AM

It really is amazing what memories of 40 years of Sing Something Simple has uncovered. A lot of us are obviously of the SSS era.

The word on Jack Emblow was that he was guesting at Accordianist's weekends a few years ago...Perhaps another thread may elicit the information. Who is / was the accordianist on "Last of the Summer wine?"...It sounds a bit Jackish?

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Scrump
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 04:28 AM

But even now the very words Sing Something Simple conjure up in my mind a bleak and desolate old-fashioned Sunday. School in the morning and I haven't done my homework...

I know exactly what you mean, Dave, but it also conjures up memories for me of summer Sunday evenings, being driven back from a visit to my grandma with my parents, and us stopping outside a pub. We kids stayed in the car and they would go in the pub for a drink after bringing us out pop and crisps (proper ones with salt in little blue twists of paper, instead of being smothered in salt and grease like today's 'orrible ones). The car radio would be on and we would all sing along to the songs we knew.

On relfection, maybe "Sing With A Skinful" wasn't so bad idea all.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 03:12 AM

"...a bleak & desolate old-fashioned Sunday.School in the morning and I haven't done my homework..."
Yes! My own teens took place in the seventies but that was my experience also,listening at my Father's insistence as we washed up the Sunday meal stuff a la RtS.
Context clearly informs perception.
Slightly off topic but autolycus mentioned Eddie Braben's autobiography.
It is entitled The Book What I Wrote and I would recommend it to anybody regardless of wether they were fans or not.
It is simply the tale of a very interesting life told with all the wit and warmth you would expect from the person many of us consider the best sketch writer British TV has ever had.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Old Grizzly
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:37 PM

Hmmm,

Mixed feelings about Sing something simple..

evokes strong memories as a little kid of doing my business on the pot and then being second one into the tin bath in front of a roarin coal fire.
One thing is for sure, a combination of a hot bath and that singing was more effective than Temazapam - always out like a light on Sunday nights :o)

For all you mock, they were better by far than the Black & White Minstrals.

PS anyone got the dots for the theme tune to the Navy Lark ???

Dave

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 06:47 PM

Compton,

You have to remember I was talking from the point of view of a teenager in the 60s. It was many many years ago. I wasn't bringing into question the talent or the professionalism of The Adams Singers or Jack Emblow.
But even now the very words Sing Something Simple conjure up in my mind a bleak and desolate old-fashioned Sunday. School in the morning and I haven't done my homework...

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Jim McLean
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:48 PM

Compton,
I don't know. What I meant was when I worked with him. I sincerely hope he is still with us.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: autolycus
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:43 PM

I remember MHT and HWT.

Just.


Eddie Braben was primarily a comedy writer for Al Read,Morecombe and Wise etc. Brought out his auto recently.


Ellington was annoying,usually. Max Geldray was usually excellent.


I much preferred Beyong Our Ken to its successor RtH, which tended to rely more on sex and yoilets,long the stock-intrade of MOR British comedians as a substitute for just being funny.

IMO






      Ivor

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Compton
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 11:46 AM

Hear, Hear, Jim...Was?, is he still with us??

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Jim McLean
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 04:23 AM

When I was a record producer in the 60s, 70s and 80s I worked many times with Jack Emblow who, in my opinion was one of the best 'box' players I have ever heard. My Musical Director and great friend was Nicky Welsh who was an original member of the Fraser Hayes Four. Nick died a few years back otherwise he could have answered all the relevant questions raised. A great character.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Compton
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 04:15 AM

I have to speak a defence for "Sing Something Simple". It always reminds me of sitting by the car on Sunday afternoons with Mum and Dad having picnics. Speaking of Jack Emblow's accompaniment, the arrangemnts are wonderful...probably exactly what was asked for) and the man just probably came in to the studio went into automatic and read the dots...or perhaps after all the years he did it, the accordian played itself!

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:44 AM

When washing up you used a washboard, I guess RtS? :-)

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 12:29 PM

I used to listen to Sing Something Simple in the kitchen while I washed up the Sunday meal stuff. I hated the Jack Emblow arrangements but I used to sing along and the words were nice & clear. What I did to them is another matter...

RtS

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Scrump
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:57 AM

We used to call it "Sing With A Skinful" :-)

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 03:57 AM

It was renamed by a friend of mine to 'sing something senile'.

I'm off to sproggle me grusset fork now.

LTS

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 07:10 PM

Alec,

You were indeed.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:02 PM

You're right Dave.Though I think The Mike Samms Singers did similar stuff.
My Father loved Swing music, I hated it.
He was right, I was wrong.
My Father loved Male Voice Choirs, I hated them.
He was right, I was wrong.
My Father loved Hollywood Musicals,I hated them.
He was right, I was wrong.
My Father loved George Formby,I hated him.
He was right,I was wrong.
My Father loved Brass Bands,I hated them.
He was right,I was wrong.
My Father loved Barbershop Quartets,I hated them.
He was right,I was wrong.
My Father loved "Sing Something Simple" I hated it.
He was wrong,I was right.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:32 AM

Alec (03.02AM)

It wasn't The Mike Sammes Singers on Sing Something Simple, it was The Cliff Adams Singers. But you're right; SSS was the most monumentally boring and depressing music programme in the history of radio. It followed on from the Chart Show (or the Hit Parade as we quaintly called it then) and meant the end of the weekend. I always saw it as a symbolic handing back of the network to the adults after the outrageous and decadent jollities of Alan Freeman and his dangerously modern music.
We mentioned this some time ago in (I think) a thread about Barber Shop Quartets.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Scrump
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 07:04 AM

Perhaps we should all email Mike Harding and propose that Rambling Syd Rumpo be given a Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 BBC Folk Awards :-)

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:30 AM

thanks for that Scrump!

nearly as good as Rambling Sean Lakeman...

I never really minded the FH4. I always thought they were jazzy in that sort of Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep sort of cabaret way.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: The Walrus
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:20 AM

"...Rambling Sid Rumpo - should be named Folk Artist of the century!..."

And still to be heard in repeats of "Round the Horne", on BBC 7, Wednesday 12:00 hrs

W

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:03 AM

Agreed LTS,agreed!

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 07:22 PM

Rambling Sid Rumpo - should be named Folk Artist of the century!

LTS

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:21 AM

"An old traditional tune he wrote..." Why does that phrase have a topical resonance?
The man truly was years ahead of his time!
;0)

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Scrump
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:17 AM

And who could forget this old song, half remembered by Rambling Syd from a drunken old grunger's apprentice, and set to an old traditional tune he wrote himself:

I'll sing you one-oh
Green grows me bogling fork
What is your one-oh?
One is the grunge upon my splod, masking my cordwangle.

I'll sing you two-oh,
Green grows my bogling fork
What is your two-oh?
Two are me loomin' thrums
See how they gangle
One is the grunge upon my splod
Masking my cordwangle

I'll sing you three -oh
Green grows me bogling fork
What is your three-oh?
Three are the times I've lunged my groats
Two are my loomin' thrums
See how they gangle,
One is the grunge upon my splod,
Masking my cordwangle

I'll sing you four-oh
Green grows me bogling fork
What is your four-oh?
Four for me wurdlers bent-oh
Three are the times I've lunged me groats
Two are me loomin' thrums,
See how they gangle
One is the grungle upon my splod
Masking my cordwangle

I'll sing you five-oh
Green grows me bogling fork
What is your five-oh?
Five are the wogglers up my spong
Four for my wurdlers bent-oh
Three are the times I've lunged my groats
Two are me loomin' thrums,
See how they gangle,
One is the grungle upon my splod -
It's ruined my cordwangle.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:47 AM

Not sad at all Valmai (sounds like you've lost your cookie BTW)
There are those of us who believe that Rambling Sid Rumpo is and always will be THE definitive Folk Singer.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 04:15 AM

P.S. Kenneth Horne once introduced the FH4 with the line,

'And now, with a track from their new LP, 'Music To Pick Your Toenails By', the Fraser Hayes Four ...'

I'm afraid that summed them up for me.

Eddie Braben and the Hornblowers must have been put together for the show. Eddie B was occasionally given lines; so was Max Harris, whose Max Harris Group supplied the music for the final series.

I know, I'm a sad b*****d.

Can't understand why I'm appearing as a Guest when I've got a Mudcat
indentity and I'm using my usual machine and provider.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 03:48 AM

I loved Round The Horne and still do, but the FF-4 were excruciating. Tooth-rottingly sweet and blandly mid-Atlantic.

Much better was Kenneth Williams appearing every week as Rambling Sid Rumpo, folksinger. There is a compilation CD available. Specimen lyric:

'Joe he was a young cordwangler,
Munging greebles did he go,
And heloved a bogler's daughter
By the name of Chiswick Flo.

Fair she was and like a grusset
And her gander parts were fine
But she sneered at his cordwangle
As it hung upon the line.'

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 03:02 AM

Thanks for the input everybody.terrier I think your probably right about them being put together for the show.
Interesting idea about them being named for 2 people, I always assumed they were led by some guy called Fraser Hayes.
Slightly off subject but The Mike Sammes Singers,who made Sunday Evenings a living Hell on "Sing Something Simple" also did backing vocals on "I Am The Walrus".
I don't know why I love this fact, I just do.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 01:23 AM

Did you try Emailing the BBC directly? They usually prove pretty informative about these things.

I never liked the Ray Ellington Quartet either, but that's because they interrupted the "plotline" of the Goon show. It took me a while to learn about the strange and convoluted rules of radio broadcasting that meant strange musical interludes during the best bits.

LTS

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: terrier
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 06:49 PM

It seems 'The Fraser Hayes Four' is a forgotten group,possibly they were a group of professional singers who just got together for the RTH series of shows.(also on the same show 'The Hornblowers'?)

Whilst searching, I did find this site. NOSTALGIA rules OK.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,terrier
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 04:50 PM

I almost mis read the thread title as "Moreton Fraser" of the harmonious harmonicas, now I do remember them. I seem to remember there were two harmonica groups around in the 50's, can any of you remember the other one?

I was wandering if the Fraser in the harmonica group was the same Fraser in the Fraser Hayes Four?

Do a search for 'Round The Horne' and there are fleeting references to The Fraser Hayes Four on the BBC Beta site, but not much.

I'll follow up the Moreton Fraser angle to see if anything comes up.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 03:55 PM

Hedley Ward Trio, anybody ? I recall they had a man played an electric stand up bass.

Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 03:33 PM

Alec - I did the obvious and put 'Fraser Hayes Four' into Google. The entry on the second page about Denny Dennis has something of interest (I hope.) I remember them but was never that keen - mind you, I never liked the Ray Ellington Quartet either, or the Malcolm Mitchell Trio. 1950s vocal/instrumental groups seemed to me to be going nowhere!

I did like Elton Hayes, though....

Subject: The Fraser Hayes Four.
From: Alec
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 03:06 PM

Whilst listening to reruns of old episodes of 'Round the Horne on BBC7 I found myself developing a liking for this "Combo".
Typically they would do a "sweet" arrangement of one of the better known British Folk songs set to a vaguely Trad Jazz style rhythm.
(which sounds better to hear than that description.)
Looking out for information about them on line has proven all but fruitless.
Do you know anything about them?