Modernaires - The milkmen's matinee

RCA master BS 00541-1, rec. New York, 24 September 1936.
Hal "Spook" Dickinson, Ralph Brewster, Chuck Goldstein, Bill Conway (vocals) with Charlie Barnets orchestra.
A rare recording from the groups second session when they were still a male quartet. After their first stint with Barnet, the Modern-Aires (as they spelled themselves then) moved on to George Hall, Dolly Dawn, and later Paul Whiteman, before they finally joined Glenn Millers orchestra in 1940. Here they were joined by female singer Paula Kelly, who had married Dickinson in 1939. The rest, as they say, is history.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1930s
• close
• harmony
• American
• male
• vocal
• quartet
• Modernaires
• Charlie
• Barnet
• dance
• novelty
• Victor
• Bluebird

[td1238]

The Modernaires were pretty much a class act on their own, though they combined well with Miller's orchestra.

[kr103]

The Modernaires were maybe one of the most influetial groups of the whole century - it's hard to say how many groups started by covering them. And even decades later in the 1960s they were still able to record absolutely fabulous material.

[Ciceroquiegoreputo]

I listened to this theme every night on WNEW - AM radio in New York City, after listening to Al "Jazzbo" Collins. What memories this recalls.

[virgilxoxo1]

i like the modernaires, my father played their songs a lot when i was young...

[friendsfamilyaccount]

This is great! Didn't know there was another version besides the Glenn Miller one; a totally different sound! :D George - yes, this was the theme song of the Milkman's Matinee show that was on in the middle of the night on the old WNEW AM station. Many a sleepless night as a teen listening to that great show. Several different DJ's hosted the show; I remember it in the 1980's.

[hep2jive]

@shaunsstuff79 make believe ballroom is a great song as well! thanks for reminding of that song! this song has that same 'edge' to it. almost uneasy. i love this song though/

[hep2jive]

Ev'rthings grade A!

[shaunsstuff79]

i used to have this 78!! it always reminded me of make believe ballroom time.

[KDoyle4]

Great record, pre-dating the success of the Miller band by a few years. Even then, the Barnet band could swing rings around the Miller band.

[Georgewos]

This was the theme song for a disc jockey on radio station WNEW in NewYorkCity. I think the Modernaires did it when they were with Glenn Miller. They also did the theme song for Martin Block same radio station called its The Make Believe Ballroom Time.

[greytemp]

Very enjoyable. T Modernaires are always good.