Ambrose

Bert Ambrose is the bandleader most often associated with Elsie Carlisle. She recorded with him during the years 1932-1935, often accompanied by singer Sam Browne.

Ambrose – Wikipedia
Ambrose – Mike Thomas
Bert Ambrose – John Wright

Ambrose
Ambrose

Her Majesty the Baby

On April 15, 1896, Elsie Carlisle was baptized in the parish of St. James’, Collyhurst, in Greater Manchester. The parish registry gives the date of the baptism and lists her birth as having occurred earlier in the same year, on January 28. Her parents’ names were James and Mary Ellen. They lived at 7 Whitehead St., and her father was described as a greengrocer.

The baptismal font in use in St. James', Collyhurst in 1971
The baptismal font in use in St. James’, Collyhurst in 1971

And now, for a semi-topical musical interlude:

“His Majesty the Baby.” Music by Mabel Wayne, words by Neville Fleeson and Arthur Terker (1935). Recorded by Elsie Carlisle with Ambrose and His Orchestra on January 11, 1935. Decca F. 5379.

His Majesty The Baby. Ambrose & His Orchestra. 1935.

Video by 85scampi (YouTube)

Elsie recorded the song again the next day without Ambrose. Other versions made the very same month were by Henry Hall, Billy Merrin, the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Lou Preager, Harry Roy, Jay Wilbur, and Eddie Wood.

HAPPY 116th BIRTHDAY, SAM BROWNE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAM BROWNE!

Sam Browne (March 26, 1898-March 2, 1972) was an English dance band singer in the 1920s-1940s, most famous for his collaboration with Ambrose and His Orchestra and a frequent recording and touring partner of Elsie Carlisle (1931-1936). He made over 2,000 recordings. In addition to working with Ambrose, he was famous for singing with the orchestras of Jack Hylton, Alfredo, Bertini, Harry Bidgood, Harry Hudson, and Lew Stone. He continued to record into the 1950s.

Sam Browne
Sam Browne

Elsie Carlisle in “Pennies from Heaven”

I wonder how many people first encountered Elsie Carlisle’s music through the 1978 Dennis Potter BBC television series Pennies from Heaven (or through the 1981 movie based on it)?

This clip has Cheryl Campbell miming “You’ve Got Me Crying Again”:

Dennis Potter’s ‘Pennies From Heaven’ – ‘You’ve Got Me Crying Again’

Video from songanddanceman1234 (YouTube)

And here is Bob Hoskins miming “The Clouds Will Soon Roll By” (the Ambrose version):

Dennis Potter’s ‘Pennies From Heaven’ – ‘The Clouds Will Soon Roll By’

Video from songanddanceman1234 (YouTube)

“Ambrose’s Jubilee Cavalcade” Side 2 (1935)

“Ambrose’s Jubilee Cavalcade” continues on side two with Elsie Carlisle singing Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do?” There are also other songs of the ’20s and ’30s sung by Sam Browne and the Rhythm Sisters.

Ambrose’s Jubilee Cavalcade, Continued – Embassy Club, London

Video by Gernot Klawunn (YouTube)

"The Idol of the Radio." British dance band singer of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.