Charlie Palloy - Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?, 1932

Ian Whitcomb (a well known performer and music historian) writes:
„Charlie Palloy is a real obscurity. Obviously he modeled his style on Russ Columbo, but all we know is that he played guitar, led a band for a while, and recorded for the short-lived Crown label. His careful pronunciation of an "s" borders on the sibilant".

Jay Gorney, a composer of „Brother..." was also the autor of „You're My Thrill" from JIMMY AND SALLY, "Baby, Take a Bow" for Shirley Temple in STAND UP AND CHEER, and "What Wouldn't I Do For That Man? " for Helen Morgan in APPLAUSE. Unfortunately, his thriving career was brought to a halt in 1953 when he appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He was blacklisted thereafter.

Recording: Charlie Palloy & His Orchestra, voc. Charlie Palloy - Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? (Jay Gorney), Crown 1932

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Brother
• can
• you
• spare
• a
• dime
• Great
• Depression
• America
• music
• Charlie
• 1930s
• dance
• bands
• Palloy
• nostalgia

[codyki]

Yay-yay-yay!!! Everything old is new today! (Including breadlines and the message of this song, apparently...)

[petereuropa]

Thank's for posting this. I'm crying.

[barcagirl2001]

When I lived in Ariz yrs ago, I spoke to an old realtor that told me that during the depression land could be had for 25 cents per acre, but no one had the quarter.

[shaunthonys]

Probably the best thing I've ever seen in my life was Carl Thompson playing this song on his piano in his old shop.

[daveysan]

Thanks for the posting and the info on Gorney. Very interesting.

[diddypopdiddy]

i heard this version on NPR today.... what a tune! thanks for posting, love it

[RoninAvenger]

That part in the beginning is such a common tune i hear in things that are mentioning the 30s or 40s lol

[jehovahuponyou]

HEY, that ain't Charlie Pride!

[iamfelixthecat]

Why no mention of lyricist Yip Harburg?

[academylord]

@calalou13 Many people have the same name.

[caroleona1]

are we getting the Change we hoped for.... sorry I just don't see it :'(

[wanlockhead]

So tragic that songs like this were ever written, and Brother look at us now ??

Who's going to write the first line, Labour? Conservative? Liberals?

Nothings changed much.