Minnetonka. Herman Darewski & His Covent Garden Dance Band.1928.

"Minnetonka".
Herman Darewski & His Covent Garden Dance Band.
Vocal refrain by Cavan O'Connor.
Recorded London, circa 1st November 1928.

The other side to an earlier Darewski upload of 'Sing Song Girl of Old Shanghai' and just as well played too. Cavan O'Connor seems to have the perfect voice for these 'Oriental Fox- Trots'. I played a small Broadcast Record of Harry Bidgoods band playing this number a few days ago but it somehow does not have the same 'kick' for me!.

Herman Darewski was the most interesting of people also and his 1937 book of jottings 'Musical Memories' is a very good read. In those days popular Entertainers and Songs HAD to be good to get anywhere. Audiences voted with their feet in those pre multimedia days and Darewski was very adept at gauging the public taste.
Darewski did not write this song but , by jove his band plays it well!. Do enjoy!.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Parlophone
• Record
• Herman
• Darewski's
• Band
• 78rpm
• 1928.

[bingcro]

tks for posting i often saw cavan live when he visited our club after he had appeared at the local theatre

[85scampi]

Lucky man. He was one of the GREATS in my book.

[mic33george]

I once sailed down the minnetonka under the light of a chinese moon with dear Mimosa the bell of Santosa.Ithought i heard sing song girl of old Shanghai and saw the twinkling light from a street of chinese lanterns.All was spoilt by the din of tommy atkins teaching the chinese how to Charleston!

[85scampi]

Good that , after a re-read it really sets the scene. Thanks for that mic33!.

[bingcro]

we had a local record presenter called frank wappit who did a series on Cavan and invited him to his show*which i duly recorded and extracted some songs.Many years later frank announced it was Cavans' ninety odd birthday and asked listeners to send a birthday card and he would on pass.This i duely did thanking Cavan O'conner for the pleasure he had given me over the years

[husbondensrost]

Lovley sound in your gramophone, really brings out the best trom the 78´s!

[fredflange1]

Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney i thought on a 1976 version of it .,

[fredflange1]

Thanks for dis .

[jackpaynefan]

It is always good to hear a Herman Darewski record and this is no exception.

So redolent of a more elegant and tuneful era.

[mic33george]

Trust you to know it then!Suppose you have it on 78 hidden away with all your 40s 50s stuff?I only vaguely know tha name-and that explains it-i would not be familiar with a tune 15 years to late for me!

[85scampi]

'Slow Boat To China' ?? Ooh, thats late for you, a hit of 1948!!!.

[mic33george]

What "ditty",i was recalling a distant memory from many years ago when i went on holiday-i caught the slow boat to china of course!