Stormy Weather
Stormy Weather is a torch song written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. It was a big hit at Harlem’s Cotton Club; such a big hit in fact that when the floor revue from the Cotton Club went on tour the show was called The Stormy Weather Revue. If it makes you skippity-skip around your kitchen, take care don’t spill anything hot!
The Banks of Sweet Primroses
A classic folksong favourite that I understand the world originally learned from the wonderful Gower singer Phil Tanner. I suppose that makes it Welsh – though of course it’s in the original Penguin Book if English Folk Songs.
If I were a Blackbird
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Here’s a song from our attic in Marden…Julie Atkin sings On the Sunny Side of the Street, which was composed in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. I’m accompanying her on my 1912 Jeffries duet concertina.
Bandcamp Friday!
It’s Bandcamp Friday – the Friday when Bandcamp generously waives its fees… So I’d like to remind you all of our lovely Bandcamp offerings!
Some new recordings from our attic!
We hope you enjoy them. Contact us at gmatkin@gmail.com if you’d like us to do a spot or a gig at your online session.
We wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas
The lyrics of this unusual carol are by Spencer family aristocrat and poet William Robert Spencer (1769-1834) and were published in 1811. It’s variously said that the tune is by a Peter Preston or a Ditchling shoemaker and church musician called Peter Parsons. We think it has a lot of the best of Christmas spirit about it, including generosity, and enjoying food and drink and singing.
Sentimental Journey re-released on Bandcamp
We’ve re-released our 2013 album of Julie’s mainly Tin Pan Alley songs accompanied by Gavin’s Jeffries duet concertina and melodeon.
It’s been unavailable for a long time, but it’s now on download from Bandcamp, priced at £5.
We hope you enjoy it!
Julie and Gavin Atkin
Rest You Here – a new album from Gavin Atkin
‘Good vocals and excellent recording quality, and good songs. The cover is good as well… ‘ – Nick Dow
‘A very good selection of material, very nicely played. Particularly pleased to hear your take on True Blue!’ – Andy Turner
‘What a lovely laid-back and relaxed album. I particularly liked the last track Archie’s Fancy + Elsie’s Waltz.’ – Rees Wesson
‘Having just heard the album I think it is lovely. A great collection of songs, and the tunes are good as well. A perfect production too! I hope it gets out to a larger audience.’ – Doug Welch
Rest You Here is on Bandcamp!
And we have some samples on YouTube: