Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 01 | Nuisance Of The Neighbourhood | 20151116 | Donald Macleod begins a week of programmes exploring the life and music of one of America's most beloved songwriters. America's brightest musical stars have queued up to record Carmichael's songs ever since he produced his first hit, 'Star Dust' in 1927. Many of his most celebrated numbers such as 'Heart and Soul' and 'Georgia on my Mind' have become standards. A self-taught musician, Hoagy's instinct for a winning tune was always coupled with a sophisticated approach to words and music alongside the swinging influence of his jazz origins. Donald Macleod follows Carmichael's story, from his humble origins as the son of an itinerant electrician in Indiana to the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood. In this first programme, a life in music beckons for the prodigiously talented young pianist. Even so, Hoagy figures a career in law would be the more prudent course. Nat King Cole, singer Gordon Jenkins, conductor Little Old Lady Hoagy Carmichael, singer The Casa Loma Orchestra Glen Gray, conductor The Nearness of You Sarah Vaughan, singer Song of Spring Kenny Sargent, singer Ginger and Spice Hoagy Carmichael, singer and piano Memphis in June Lazybones Harvey Irving Mills & His Hotsy Totsy Gang Riverboat Shuffle Wolverine Orchestra Papa's Gone Bye-Bye Blues Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra Boneyard Shuffle Hitch's Happy Harmonists Washboard Blues When Baby Sleeps Hoagy Carmichael & His Pals Friday Night One Night in Havana Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra Stardust Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra. Donald Macleod focuses on Carmichael's early years. |
| 2015 | 02 | From Clerk To Composer | 20151117 | Donald Macleod explores the life and music of one of America's most beloved songwriters. America's brightest musical stars have queued up to record Carmichael's songs ever since he produced his first hit, 'Star Dust' in 1927. Many of his most celebrated numbers such as 'Heart and Soul' and 'Georgia on my Mind' have become standards. A self-taught musician, Hoagy's instinct for a winning tune was always coupled with a sophisticated approach to words and music alongside the swinging influence of his jazz origins. Donald Macleod follows Carmichael's story, from his humble origins as the son of an itinerant electrician in Indiana to the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood. In this second programme, Hoagy has some success with his first recordings, but he's still uncertain about abandoning his legal career for music. Just a things are looking up, a bad investment wipes out his life savings. Come Easy Go Easy Love Sunny Clapp and his Band O' Sunshine March of the Hoodlums Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra Rockin' Chair Manhattan Rag Irving Mills & His Hotsy Totsy Gang What Kind Of Man Is You? Stardust Isham Jones & His Orchestra High and Dry My Sweet Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra Nat Gonella & His New Georgians New Orleans Ella Logan, singer Hoagy Carmichael and Orchestra Sing It Way Down Low Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra One Morning in May Judy Thanksgivin Skylark Dinah Shore, voice The Red Norvo Quintet How Little We Know Nat King Cole, singer Nelson Riddle, conductor. Donald Macleod on why Carmichael was still uncertain about abandoning a legal career. |
| 2015 | 03 | Hollywood | 20151118 | Donald Macleod explores the life and music of one of America's most beloved songwriters. America's brightest musical stars have queued up to record Carmichael's songs, ever since he produced his first hit, 'Star Dust' in 1927. Many of his most celebrated numbers such as 'Heart and Soul' and 'Georgia on my Mind' have become standards. A self-taught musician, Hoagy's instinct for a winning tune was always coupled with a sophisticated approach to words and music alongside the swinging influence of his jazz origins. Donald Macleod follows Carmichael's story, from his humble origins as the son of an itinerant electrician in Indiana to the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood. Today, as Hoagy reaches his thirties we find him making advances in both his professional and personal lives. A whirlwind romance is followed by the fulfilment of a childhood dream when he finally breaks into the movie business. Charlie Two-Step The Boswell Sisters Moonburn Bing Crosby, singer Ballad in Blue Benny Goodman & His Orchestra Sing Me A Swing Song Helen Ward, vocal Lyin' To Myself Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra Jubilee Nat Gonella & His Georgians Two Sleepy People Shirley Ross, singer Bob Hope, singer Mel Torme Trio Small Fry Matt Monro, singer Jonnie Spence, conductor That's Right I'm Wrong Meredith Blake, singer Jack Teagarden & His Orchestra I Get Along Without You Very Well Evelyn Knight, singer The Rumba Jumps Mel Torme, singer Skylark We're The Couple In The Castle Ray Eberle, singer Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Baltimore Oriole Francis Langford, singer Hoagy Carmichael, whistle The Victor Young Orchestra The Lamplighters Serenade Frank Sinatra, singer Axek Stordahl, conductor Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief Betty Hutton, singer Paul Weston, conductor. Donald Macleod explores how Carmichael finally broke into the film industry. |
| 2015 | 04 | Tonight At Hoagy's | 20151119 | Donald Macleod explores the life and music of one of America's most beloved songwriters. America's brightest musical stars have queued up to record Carmichael's songs ever since he produced his first hit, 'Star Dust' in 1927. Many of his most celebrated numbers such as 'Heart and Soul' and 'Georgia on my Mind' have become standards. A self-taught musician, Hoagy's instinct for a winning tune was always coupled with a sophisticated approach to words and music alongside the swinging influence of his jazz origins. Donald Macleod follows Carmichael's story, from his humble origins as the son of an itinerant electrician in Indiana to the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood. Life seemed just about perfect for Hoagy and his wife Ruth, as the composer churned out hit after hit and they moved easily among the social circles of Hollywood's elite. All was not as it appeared and the movie community were aghast when Hoagy had an affair, throwing his failing marriage into the spotlight. My Christmas Song For You The Mills Brothers Ole Buttermilk Sky Hoagy Carmichael, singer Lou Bring, conductor Rogue River Valley Hoagy Carmichael, vocal and piano Who Killed 'Er Lazy River Bing Crosby, singer Louis Armstrong, voice and trumpet Billy May, conductor Bubble-Loo, Bubble-Loo Peggy Lee, singer Dave Barbour, conductor Ivy Jo Stafford, singer Paul Weston & His Orchestra Put Yourself In My Place, Baby The Rhythmaires When Love Goes Wrong Margaret Whiting, singer Jimmy Wakely, singer Buddy Cole, conductor In the Cool Cool Cool of The Evening Jane Wyman, singer My Resistance Is Low Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra & Chorus A Woman Likes To Be Told Evelyn Knight, singer I Guess It Was You All The Time Matt Monro, singer Ain't There Anyone Here For Love Jane Russell, singer Love Will Soon Be Here Dave Cavanaugh, conductor Casanova Cricket Billy May, director Winter Moon Don Fagerquist, trumpet Art Pepper, alto saxophone Jimmy Rowles, piano and celeste Al Hendrickson, guitar Joe Mondragon, bass Nick Fatool, drums. Why although life seemed perfect for Carmichael and his wife, all was not well for them. |
| 2015 | 05 LAST | A Fading Icon | 20151120 | Donald Macleod explores the life and music of one of America's most beloved songwriters. America's brightest musical stars have queued up to record Carmichael's songs ever since he produced his first hit, 'Star Dust' in 1927. Many of his most celebrated numbers such as 'Heart and Soul' and 'Georgia on my Mind' have become standards. A self-taught musician, Hoagy's instinct for a winning tune was always coupled with a sophisticated approach to words and music alongside the swinging influence of his jazz origins. Donald Macleod follows Carmichael's story, from his humble origins as the son of an itinerant electrician in Indiana to the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood. As the sixties dawned, Hoagy found his brand of classic song writing fall from fashion, as America took up Bill Hailey's injunction to 'Rock around the clock'. His old age was marked by frustration and bereavement but, just before his death, he was honoured when the mayor of New York declared June 27th 'Hoagy Carmichael Day. The Whale Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra One Morning in May The Sage Tracy Thomas, singer Nathan Thomas, piano Music Always Music Mediterranean Love A Perfect Paris Night Gene Barry, singer Johnny Appleseed Suite (Prayer & Cathedral Vision) arr. Van Cleve & Dant Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Raymond Leppard, conductor Ray Charles, singer Ev'ntide Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra Lazy River Fleur de Lys There Goes Another Pal Of Mine Burl Ives, singer Serenade to Gabriel Hoagy Carmichael, vocals and piano Ooh What You Said Marion Hutton, singer Glenn Miller & His Orchestra March of the Hoodlums Ed Land & his Orchestra Stardust Nat Gonella & His Georgians. Carmichael's final years, as he found his brand of classic songwriting were out of fashion |