Herman Darewski. 'Sing Song Girl Of Old Shanghai'. 1928

"Sing Song Girl Of Old Shanghai"
Herman Darewski & His Covent Garden Dance Band.
Vocal. Cavan O'Connor.
Recorded. London, November 1st 1928.

From the same session as 'It's Just Because It's You' comes this fox trot. The second side is "Minnetonka" keeping up the oriental theme popular at this point in the 1920's.

What a pleasure it is to be able to present another Darewski recording, such a good band in my view.

Quoted in the Radio Times 'Dance Music Number' of March 6th 1936, Herman Darewski said;
"When I'm on the conductor's platform I have a dual personality. One half of me is watching the performers the other half is living the dreams of the dancers and listeners.
...I wave my baton and I am sharing other folks memories and pleasures. Thus i am inspired to put colour and life in to the playing. For music does more than soothe the savage breast. It makes realities of dreams. And of such dreams are made the human emotions of life'.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Parlophone
• Record
• 78rpm
• Herman
• Darewski
• Covent
• Garden
• Dance
• Band
• 1928

[idelia52]

I used to have this on a 78 but I know not where it gone...thank you for giving it back to to me..I sooo missed it, even though I could still hear it in my mind....xxxx

[85scampi]

A pleasure!!.I would hate to be without this record. This seems to be a very popular upload, the band really is first class though isn't it.

[mic33george]

I really dont know why i never commented on this before!!I love these "oriental fox-trots",like "chinese moon","street of chinese lanterns","mimosa","minetonka"­,etc,etc,and this excellant tune by an excellant band on an excellant label!

[85scampi]

Takes some beating eh?. I love Cavan O'Connor too, an excellent vocalist.

[znuky]

Yes, thanks for this charming old recording, '85scampi'. The European fascination with the "mysterious East" added some enjoyable harmonies to popular music.... but still no sign of a CD along those lines!

[85scampi]

A Herman Darewski C.D is long overdue as is Jack Leon, Harry Bidgood, Tommy Kinsman, Jock McDermott and a host of others.

[bingcro]

tks for posting i was lucky enough as a young lad to stand feet away in our local irish club where cavan would come after his appearance at the empire and entertain us.His wife would play the piano

[henry814]

I'm not sure why I didn't comment on this before - it's stunning. The band has such great "attack," something I love on those early Billy Cottons and now this. The sound is so full and rich too, with that strong bass. Did I hear "oolong" in the lyrics? If so, even more atmosphere - fragrant tea and summer breezes, one of the most perfect of perfect combinations!

[jackpaynefan]

Records by Herman Dareski are seldom seen these days. His records from this period have a lovely rich sound & almost always feature a xylophone contribution. Wonderful Parlophone recording compliments the arrangement.

[saxondog2001]

My life hasn't been the same since I've heard this one. I love it!

[kspm01]

Delicous oriental flavour on this one!