Ambrose with Sam Browne

[Deb545]

Great to actually see Sam Browne singing with this great orchestra!! Thanks for sharing!

[rayhertford]

@iainr222 many thanks for your response. I hadn't heard the recording you referred to, so I searched for it. I must say (IMO), it's a far better song than this one. So thank you for pointing me in the right direction!

[rayhertford]

@iainr222 Sorry, didn't mean to offend. It's just that compared to AB, Sam's voice seems to be more "wooden", if you like, AB seemed to have more "soul" within his voice. Just my opinion of course, it does make you wonder how AB's career would have developed if he hadn't been killed during the German bombing raids, doesn't it?

[iainr222]

@rayhertford Thank you Ray for your courtesy , yes Sam was more the orthodox crooner but nonetheless enjoyable ( I love his version of "I Want a Little Girl " with the Ambrose Orch ) whilst Al was quite the jazzman with Bing-like versatility .

[rayhertford]

He weren't no Al Bowlly was he?

[iainr222]

@rayhertford That's an unnecessary comment ! Of course Al was the best but Sam Browne was also a class act and STILL popular today.

[Cool2BCeltic]

A mushy song and this shows how in the 1930s the titled and moneyed classes were worshipped. Music like this would have been broadcast over the airwaves and ordinary people would have danced to it in their living rooms, feeling good that they were becoming part of the toffs' world.

[deejay830]

@Cool2BCeltic ANd what is different today where "ordinary" people go to even greater extent to ape the lifestyles of incredibly rich celebrities whilst listening to musicians who haven't got a fraction of the ability of the members of this band

[Cool2BCeltic]

@deejay830 Yes, it has to be admiited that the musicians in this film had musical ability.

[davidglow3]

@Cool2BCeltic All the musicians came from rough working class backgrounds.Ambrose's father was a rag and bone man with horse and cart in Shepherds Bush..Sam Browne was from a large poor family..So poor people were given a chance,even then to earn a bob or two

[1912cunard]

I was stunned to see this footage. Sam Browne was pure talent and looks so comfortable in his role. It is just great to actually see the faces behind the recordings which adds to the magic. I wish I could transport myself back to that time and live the moment. However we still have thank goodness many good recordings like these. Sam Browne is pure class....Many thanks just wish it was longer.

[paulkate72]

@1912cunard - Totally agree - how good were they in the 30s. It seems we'll never see their like again, sadly.

[BigBandHeaven]

Great clip - and as always Sam Brownes vocals are superb.

[GriffAtMoreton]

The brilliant Sam Browne.

Lucky we've got so many recordings of Sam with Hylton, Ambrose and others.

[oldrocker1938]

Sam is a great all round singer, here echoing the broadcasts with Ambrose, but I do not recognise any of the musicians as being a part of the Ambrose band.

[davidglow3]

Joe Grossman on Sax

[NancysSnowball]

I am very keen to speak to anybody who might have known Sam Browne, especially after 1956

Alex

[schellack78]

Bert Ambrose and his Orchestra are one of the all-time best formations ever. As can be seen on YouTube I love to remix the old Ambrose records.

[spince2]

Topping, what?!!

[PiccDan]

The May Fair (not Mayfair) hotel is still there. Not sure how much of it is original 1930s though. It's in Stratton Street.

[ashbyjay]

Thank you so much for putting this up here. Sam Browne was magnificent!

[60dirk]

Almost forgotten today, but surely one of Britains greatest 1930s vocalists.

[daveglow2]

TERRIFIC EARLY SAM BROWNE

[henry814]

Just out of curiosity, would anyone know whether the Mayfair hotel in London still exists? There seem to be a number of different London hotels with "Mayfair" as part of their name, but none look like the distinctive exterior shot visible in this clip.

[doublemartiny]

I wonder if that isn't a shot of the BBC building - Bush House, Aldwych maybe?

[blackpoolbarmpot]

I believe it is a shot of broadcasting house in Langham Place (London.

[bogmarsh]

There is a Mayfair hotel on the corner of Berkeley Square, owned by Radisson, I think. The exterior on their website doesn't look like the picture in this clip, but then, hotel facades change like everything else. I will make a point of checking next time I'm in Mayfair. Maybe the ballroom's still in existence...I'll report my findings.

[bogmarsh]

Well, the Mayfair is still there - same building and not too much altered on the outside, but no trace of this interior. The "Crystal Room" downstairs could be the same as on some other shots of Ambrose and the band, but it's hard to say for certain.

[henry814]

Despite its length, still a lovely clip - the ballroom is gorgeous and the dancers are so elegant. That first couple that glides by looks thrilled - who wouldn't be?

[deejay830]

And although the Mayfair was dfinitely a venue for the "Haves" of society, ordinary people would also be dressing as smartly as they could and going their local dance halls to dance to their own local and similarly immaculately turned out dance band. Comapre them to the drink fueled revelry that constitutes a night out for many today.

[henry814]

Amazing! Must be incredibly rare - do you know where this footage came from? I've listened to Ambrose recordings from the 20's and 30's for years, but never thought I'd be able to see the band performing. Wish this was longer!

[deejay830]

Not originally I'm afraid. I got it from one of two old videos I used to have, either "Sam Browne Remembers" or "Don't Fuss Mr Ambrose" I can't recall which, The former was a never broadcast documentary with Laurie Holloway made in the 60s. The latter was a documentary about Billy Amstell

[NancysSnowball]

Hi deejay

I've discovered from family research that I ought to know an awful lot more about Sam Browne, especially from 1956 onwards in London.

I would be very grateful if you could point me to videos, photos, songs.

Alex

[davidglow3]

He spent time in jail in 1950s for unpaid debts incurred from a massive gamblling addiction.He seems never have been associated with a woman.Lastly contrary to popular opinion he and elsie hated each other,anything else you want to know

[NancysSnowball]

Thanks David

My mother left my father and was in London approx 1958-1962 and had a longish relationship with Sam (according to two of my mother's close friends)

I have been researching family stuff but drawn a blank on this particular time

Bizarrely, my father was a compulsive gambler and spent time in prison for debt, also.

Alex

[Chevrondazur]

I have a Vintage series GNP Crescendo GNP-9004 LP Tribute to Cole Porter by Ambrose & his orchestra where Sam Browne sings 9 of the songs. Anne Shelton sings "You'd be so nice to come to" which is on YouTube.

[kspm01]

This scarce single minute of broadcast makes me wish for much and much more...

[HarborGuy]

I know I have commented twice, but I am wishing I could turn on the dial warm up the radio and dance away the evening (sigh)!!

[LadyTwenties]

Magnificent! Sam is PERFECTION. I want to marry his voice! ♥

[HarborGuy]

Best of the Best!!

[HarborGuy]

Wonderful - thank you!

[Freddi41]

What an absolutely georgous voice, Sam Browne is one of the all time best!

[mrbigarms]

I'm so pleased to actually see Sam Brown singing along with our finest 1930's dance band.

Pure magic, thank you so much!