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18 Feb 07 - 03:06 PM (#1971805) Subject: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec 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? |
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18 Feb 07 - 03:33 PM (#1971828) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Terry McDonald 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.... |
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18 Feb 07 - 03:55 PM (#1971846) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: fat B****rd Hedley Ward Trio, anybody ? I recall they had a man played an electric stand up bass. |
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18 Feb 07 - 04:50 PM (#1971896) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,terrier 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. |
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18 Feb 07 - 06:49 PM (#1971996) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: terrier 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. |
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19 Feb 07 - 01:23 AM (#1972196) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Liz the Squeak 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 |
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19 Feb 07 - 03:02 AM (#1972226) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec 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. |
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19 Feb 07 - 03:48 AM (#1972240) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear 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) |
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19 Feb 07 - 04:15 AM (#1972251) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear 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) |
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19 Feb 07 - 05:47 AM (#1972281) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec 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. |
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19 Feb 07 - 06:17 AM (#1972294) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Scrump 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. |
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19 Feb 07 - 06:21 AM (#1972295) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec "An old traditional tune he wrote..." Why does that phrase have a topical resonance? The man truly was years ahead of his time! ;0) |
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19 Feb 07 - 07:22 PM (#1973045) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Liz the Squeak Rambling Sid Rumpo - should be named Folk Artist of the century! LTS |
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20 Feb 07 - 03:03 AM (#1973338) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec Agreed LTS,agreed! |
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20 Feb 07 - 03:20 AM (#1973352) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: The Walrus "...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 |
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20 Feb 07 - 05:30 AM (#1973420) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Big Al Whittle 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. |
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20 Feb 07 - 07:04 AM (#1973475) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Scrump 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 :-) |
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20 Feb 07 - 11:32 AM (#1973763) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Dave Roberts 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. |
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20 Feb 07 - 12:02 PM (#1973796) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec 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. |
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20 Feb 07 - 07:10 PM (#1974305) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Dave Roberts Alec, You were indeed. |
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21 Feb 07 - 03:57 AM (#1974595) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Liz the Squeak It was renamed by a friend of mine to 'sing something senile'. I'm off to sproggle me grusset fork now. LTS |
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21 Feb 07 - 04:57 AM (#1974628) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Scrump We used to call it "Sing With A Skinful" :-) |
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21 Feb 07 - 12:29 PM (#1975049) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Roger the Skiffler 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 |
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22 Feb 07 - 09:44 AM (#1975959) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Scrump When washing up you used a washboard, I guess RtS? :-) |
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23 Feb 07 - 04:15 AM (#1976781) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Compton 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! |
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23 Feb 07 - 04:23 AM (#1976789) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Jim McLean 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. |
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23 Feb 07 - 11:46 AM (#1977062) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Compton Hear, Hear, Jim...Was?, is he still with us?? |
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23 Feb 07 - 12:43 PM (#1977120) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: autolycus 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 |
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23 Feb 07 - 12:48 PM (#1977122) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Jim McLean Compton, I don't know. What I meant was when I worked with him. I sincerely hope he is still with us. |
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23 Feb 07 - 06:47 PM (#1977425) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Dave Roberts 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... |
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23 Feb 07 - 07:37 PM (#1977473) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Old Grizzly 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 |
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24 Feb 07 - 03:12 AM (#1977695) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Alec "...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. |
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24 Feb 07 - 04:28 AM (#1977726) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Scrump 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. |
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24 Feb 07 - 08:46 AM (#1977868) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Compton 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? |
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13 Mar 08 - 08:16 PM (#2287855) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,MuswellHillGirl 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. |
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18 Jun 08 - 07:33 PM (#2369406) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,accordion friend 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. |
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19 Jun 08 - 12:17 PM (#2369911) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: BanjoRay 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 |
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20 Jun 08 - 12:17 PM (#2370819) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST Is it not an harmonica on Last of the Summer Wine? |
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20 Jun 08 - 01:14 PM (#2370864) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Julian and Sandy "How fabulosa to varda your dolly old eek, Mr 'Orne |
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21 Jun 08 - 08:34 AM (#2371346) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: MikeofNorthumbria 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! |
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21 Jun 08 - 10:27 AM (#2371411) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: Big Al Whittle 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. |
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21 Jun 08 - 11:34 AM (#2371430) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,BBC Announcer 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 |
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26 Oct 08 - 03:16 PM (#2476646) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,guest; Brian Reynolds 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. |
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15 Dec 08 - 03:11 PM (#2516107) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Una, Tony,!!...Hello,...Are you still living on Heath Street,???..I'd so like to see you again, |
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23 Feb 12 - 12:12 PM (#3312178) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Guest Daughter of Arran. For some good info on The FHF. google Harry Currie, Canadian musician, Conductor, now living in Thailand. |
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28 Feb 12 - 08:52 AM (#3314511) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,Forse1942 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. |
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28 Feb 12 - 11:59 AM (#3314611) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,SRD 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. |
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28 Feb 12 - 12:01 PM (#3314613) Subject: RE: The Fraser Hayes Four. From: GUEST,SRD Mucked that up didn't I? the link to the site should have been: this site I hope |