In 1946 The Modernaires (male quartet with Paula Kelly) were one of the most popular groups in the USA, having been part of the most successful Big Band in the country, the Glenn Miller Orchestra. It was a long way from when they were called "The Wizards of Ozzie" in New York, singing with bandleader Ozzie Nelson. In 1939, unofficial group leader Hal Dickinson saw a billboard advertising a new cleaning process, "modernizing," and the group christened themselves the Modernaires. Ubiquitous on the radios and jukeboxes of the era, the group was as adept at lush, romantic ballads like "Santa Catalina (Island of Romance)" and "Pennies from Heaven" as they were at jive, swing and novelty numbers, like "The Jingle Bell Polka," "The Stanley Steamer" (with Dinah Shore), and "I Can't Get Offa My Horse," that were the meat and potatoes of any dance band's repertoire. 20 songs, from favorites like "Connecticut" and "It's a Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around)," to silly, fun ones like "One Hour (The Puppy Love Song)" and "Say It With a Slap", this collection takes us right back to the 40's. |
