The Bob Bain Archives

Season 2 Episode 9-February 14, 1949

Valentine's Day of 1949 brings us yet another confection, as Bob, Ray Sherman (piano), Jud De Naut (bass), and Ralph Collier (drums) perform both old standards and contemporary hits. After the "Sweet Georgia Brown" intro (and a Frank Barton lecture), the quartet launches into a song Tex Beneke would have success with, "Look Up". Then, song star Margo Powers steps to the mic for her rendition of "Far Away Places", a popular tune that in 1949 would have no less than four different performances on the air: Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, Margaret Whiting, and Perry Como all hit the charts with it. The quartet then smolders once again for "Misirlou" (they'd done it back in January on Episode 4). Margo returns for a tune from the '20's, "Dear Old Southland" before Bob and the guys close out with "Crazy Rhythm". This particular transcription has a little more fuzz, but listen past that and enjoy this Valentine's treat!

Season 2 Episode 10-February 21, 1949

Ah yes, there must've been something special happening on the network on this Monday the 21st, because the show was reduced from the usual fifteen minutes down to ten. Nevertheless, our trusty quartet (Bob, Ray Sherman on piano, Jud De Naut on bass, and Ralph Collier on drums and percussion) manages to pack a full show of entertainment. Our "Sweet Georgia Brown" intro is followed by "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", which the quartet performed less than a month before (Season 2 Episode 7). Our new announcer, John Storm, brings in song star Margo Powers for "I See Your Face Before Me", a tune that was Nelson Riddle's first arranging assignment eleven years prior. Bob and Margo team up for the tune they'd sung two weeks before (Season 2 Episode 8), "You Was". The quartet races for home with a familiar melody that Bob gave new life to (and hilariously credits the original composer): "Turkish Boogie" which is titled "Turkish March" in its original incarnation. It's a showcase for both Bob and Ray Sherman's chops-Wolfgang Amadeus never heard it so good!

Season 2 Episode 11-March 21, 1949

Lost to time is the reason why Bob's show went on hiatus for a month, and why it had been cut down to ten minutes instead of fifteen. But here for all time is yet one more example of young Bob and his quartet making great music, live, for broadcast. Despite the vagaries of the industry, Bob, Ray Sherman (piano), Jud De Naut (bass) and Ralph Collier (drums and percussion) held the bar high yet again in March of '49. After our "Sweet Georgia Brown" standard intro (with Bob's witty recovery at the end), the guys give a energetic rendition of "Crazy Rhythm", a tune that remained in Bob's repertoire for fifty years (we last heard it in Season 2 Episode 9). Dependable song star Margo Powers follows that with her mellow version of "Who Wouldn't Love You". The quartet debuts a Bob Bain original: "The Gal In Malibu" (we're just one Johnny Mercer lyric away from a classic). Margo returns for a confederate anthem "Dear Old Southland" (also heard in Season 2 Episode 9), before we wrap things up short and sweet with "Lady Be Good".

Season 2 Episode 12-March 28, 1949

Here we have another slightly abridged show, clocking in at ten minutes instead of fifteen, but Bob manages to cast a wide musical net nevertheless. After the "Sweet Georgia Brown" intro, the quartet (Bob, Ray Sherman on piano, Jud De Naut on bass, and Ralph Collier on drums and percussion) romps through a very picante "Coca Roca". Check out Ralph Collier's hot bongo work! Our song star Margo Powers calms things down with the rather nebulously titled "When Is Sometime", yet another example of Bob choosing contemporary tunes for his show. In this case, none other than Frank Sinatra had recorded this the same year of 1949 (but didn't make the charts with it). The next tune is again a cover-this time of Dizzy Gillespie's "Dynamo", which was the first release on Dial Records in 1946. Bob's bop chops are not to be missed. Finally, from 1947's Finian's Rainbow, it's the Lane/Harburg classic "Old Devil Moon", beautifully arranged by Bob. We end our very full ten minutes with Bob's interpolation of "Lady Be Good".

Season 2 Episode 13-April 5, 1949

“Music in a style just a little bit different”: that’s a nice summarization of today’s episode, which starts with Bob playing his paraphrased “Lady Be Good” as intro. Ray Sherman eschews his standard piano to play primarily organ for the date. Ralph Collier and Jud De Naut hold forth on drums and bass. The quartet plays a great version of the standard “Fine and Dandy”, then song star Margo Powers lilts her way through “Dreamer With A Penny”. It’s fun to hear Ray underscore Eddie’s copy, introducing “Zeguener”. Margo returns (with Bob’s encouragement) for “Just One Of Those Things”, and we hear Bob’s great ability to both accompany and solo. Ray jumps over to the piano, that’s a double! The quartet plays “Cumana” again, with Ray on both keyboards and Ralph displaying incredible virtuosity as well. Picanté!  

Season 2 Episode 14-April 15, 1949

Imagine the call from the brass at NBC: “Bobby, you’ve been bouncing around on Monday and Tuesday Night, but we need you for next Friday and Saturday night-and we’ll give you a half hour”. Well, that may not have been the way it went down, but indeed for reasons unknown, Bob’s show did indeed get those coveted April nights, and was in fact bulked out to almost 25 minutes. Here’s the Friday night show: Bob leading the quartet, with Ralph Collier on drums and percussion, redoubtable Ray Sherman on keyboards, and the new kid: Irving Eddy on bass. Who is Irving Eddy? He’s good enough to sub for Jud De Naut for the evening (Jud will be back tomorrow night). So after our “Sweet Georgia Brown” intro, the guys play “Hot Canary”, written by Paul Nero and often used to show off chops whether on violin, trumpet, or right here on guitar. Bob keeps this canary as cool as can be. Next up, song star Margo Powers sings “At Long Last Love”, then the quartet (with Ray on organ) walks through “April In Paris”. After that,  from South Pacific it’s “Wonderful Guy”. Bob introduces two new tunes: “Need You” and “Butterfingers”. Margo returns with “Dreamer With A Penny”, then it’s Bob’s original tune “A Gal In Malibu”. Margo’s final tune is “Fine And Dandy” before the quartet blazes through a bravura performance of “’S Wonderful”. 'S Wonderful to have Bob on the air for twenty-five minutes!

Season 2 Episode 15-April 16, 1949

The second of our two back-to-back expanded nights brings a new announcer, and our regular bass player: the voice introduces himself as “Archibald Cresby”. This may or may not be for real, but Bob Bain on guitar, Ray Sherman on piano, Ralph Collier playing drums, and Jud De Naut (once again getting his name mangled!) on bass are all very much the real deal. After the “Sweet Georgia Brown” intro, the quartet swings through “The Continental”, then Margo chimes in to sing “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe”. Bob introduces Ray’s arrangement of “Star Eyes” (with some great changes behind Bob’s brilliant soloing). “Always True To You” is a good vehicle for Margo, and “Tenderly” the perfect showcase for the quartet’s sensitivities. Margo returns with a brand new ballad called “My Ginny”. The quartet plays the moody “Miserlou” (with Ralph playing some very cool bongos). Margo brightens the mood with “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home”, then the quartet races for home with Bob’s great arrangement of the Mozart theme, renamed “Turkish Boogie”, a flag waver and perfect closer for our extended live radio date!

Season 2 Episode 16-April 18, 1949

Well, Bob had a busy weekend (see the previous two episodes), but now, Monday night is here again and we're back to the shorter, ten minute segment on air. The guys from Saturday's gig are back (Ray Sherman on piano, Ralph Collier on drums, and Judy De Naut on bass), but tonight we get yet another staff announcer to make like funny with the gags and sidling up to Margo (this time it's Hal Gibney). Our format is familiar, and in fact all of the tunes had been played on air before, but without question, Bob's enthusiasm brings fresh perspective, and solos, to each. First off, after our "Sweet Georgia Brown" intro, the quartet plays "Coca Roca". Margo comes in and sings "Who Wouldn't Love You". We get to hear Bob's voice again, introducing "Perdido". Margo returns for "Always True To You" before the quartet saunters out on Bob's interpolation of "Lady Be Good". Short but indeed sweet!

Season 2 Episode 17-May 2, 1949

"We're on the air!" says an anonymous voice right at the top, and so we are, once again. Bob took a couple of weeks off-recording in Les Paul's living room for one thing (more on that later!)-but he's back on his regular broadcast for at least a couple of weeks. We get a new announcer (John Storm?) but Bob, Ray Sherman, Ralph Collier, and Jud De Naut return once again, starting off with "Sweet Georgia Brown" and then into a samba, "Tymbales" with Ralph's propulsive percussion killing it on congas. Dear Margo Powers returns once again and this time sings a lovely new ballad, "Again", with Ray doubling on organ. The quartet plays the bop version of "Honeysuckle Rose" (and listen to Ralph on vibes!). Margo comes back for "A Wonderful Guy" (Ray back to the organ) to close out our ten minute piece of beauty. Soon Bob's career takes off and he will leave the comfy confines of the radio studio behind, but don't worry: we'll have a whole new season's worth of rare recordings, outtakes, acetates, and guest appearances. Stay tuned!

Season 2 Episode 18-May 9, 1949

The last of the existent consecutive radio shows for our perusal brings our familiar quartet (albeit in an also familiar truncated ten minute version): Bob, Jud De Naut on bass, Ray Sherman on piano and organ, and Ralph Collier on drums and percussion. Our "Sweet Georgia Brown" theme is followed the guys romping through "Hot Canary", with Jud playing arco bass for extra tone. John Storm introduces Margo Powers' sensitive second pass at "When Is Sometime" (with Ray switching over to organ and Ralph starting out on vibes before going back to the kit), then we get to hear Bob's spoken intro of Ray's "strictly moonlight arrangement" on Star Eyes (Ray's back to piano, but Ralph works the bongos and drums to great effect). Margo comes back to wrap our set with "Old Devil Moon" (Ralph switches back and forth effortlessly once again). Our "Lady Be Good" walkoff sounds extra soulful this week.

Bob's collection of transcriptions has a gap following this show, the next air check is from September of '49. Likely his career was taking off and studio work proved more tempting than that ten-minute air slot. We'll hear the rest, plus other radio shows Bob was a part of, and sample recordings he made as both leader and featured sideman. Stay tuned!