In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore one of the most iconic and romantic tunes of the wartime era - Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade." They trace the song's evolution from a jazzy instrumental to a timeless anthem of love and longing, and reflect on the life and legacy of bandleader Glenn Miller, from his early days milking cows to buy a trombone, to his meteoric rise with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and his mysterious disappearance over the English Channel in 1944.

Along the way, they delve into the technical brilliance behind the "Miller Sound," the influence of composer and teacher Joseph Schillinger, and the song's haunting ability to evoke warm summer nights and faraway loves. Lili and Tom also discuss Miller's wartime service, his ambitious efforts to modernise military music, and the immense morale-boosting power of his performances for Allied troops in Europe.

The episode is filled with musical gems - from lesser-known early recordings and rival versions by Count Basie, Gene Krupa and Dick Todd, to behind-the-scenes stories of collaborations with the likes of Al Bowlly, the Nicholas Brothers, and Dorothy Dandridge. As always, Lili and Tom share personal memories, historical trivia, and their infectious passion for the music that helped people laugh, cry, and carry on.

Don't miss this tender and toe-tapping tribute to a wartime classic and a bandleader whose music still serenades us under the moonlight.

REFERENCES

Royal Hospital Chelsea
https://chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/

Siren Tickets
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lili-redman-siren

Moonlight Serenade (in Sun Valley Serenade 1941)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmvsUo4XnQM

Jumpin' Jive - The Nicholas Brothers - Stormy Weather (1943)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yGGtVKrD8

Sun Valley Serenade (1941)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnfyeup29B0

Chattanooga Choo Choo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDgwsMqF-6k

St Louis Blues (as a March)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFR3HMWOQ4A

Twinwood Festival
https://twinwoodevents.com/

RAF Twinwood Farm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Twinwood_Farm

Moonlight Serenade (Sheet Music)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LMNH8TKzo4

Lyceum Theatre / Ballroom
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LyceumTheatre.htm

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:52 Catch Up
02:25 An Announcement
03:06 M = Moonlight Serenade
04:12 Glenn Miller
10:28 The Nicholas Brothers
13:09 Miller Releases "Moonlight Serenade"
16:47 Miller's Military Service
22:45 Miller's Work in England
27:39 The Tragic Fate of Glenn Miller
30:39 Discussing the Sheet Music
32:24 Discussing the Lyrics and Music
38:21 The Creation of the Miller Sound
42:26 Chart Success and Reception
44:33 Discussing Recordings
45:09 Dick Todd and the Three Reasons
46:00 Jan Savitt: the "The Stokowski of Swing"
46:24 Count Basie (with Helen Humes)
48:00 Gene Krupa
48:15 Our Favourite Recordings?
50:40 Mentioned in Dispatches
51:49 Teaser for Next Episode
52:14 Outro

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod

Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil

Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine

CONTACT THE PODCAST

If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at warsongspod@gmail.com  to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".

LISTENING LINKS

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318

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