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Thread ID: 76740 2007-02-14 09:07:00 Did you listen to radio in the 1930s? Do you remember Uncle Scrim? Roscoe (6288) PC World Chat
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524628 2007-02-14 09:07:00 Did you listen to radio in the 1930s? Do you remember Uncle Scrim?

Do you know the title of this song? Perhaps you know who sang it?
It is sung by a male and the lyrics are:

"who you are, what you are, where you live, how you live, I don't know men
in the street.
On you go rain or snow, wearily, cheerily, marching on men in the street"

I do voluntary work for The Radio Reading Service in Levin - a charity that reads magazines, newspapers and periodicals for those people, primarily, who can't read or access the printed word.

The Radio Reading Service broadcasts from Levin on 1602am - the signal travels well at night - and 3935 in the shortwave band which can be heard over most of NZ at most times.

I am going to read a book called, "Scrim, Radio Rebel In Retrospect" and I understand that song was used as an introduction and I would like to use that song as an introduction to the twenty half-hour episodes that I will be recording.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Roscoe.
Roscoe (6288)
524629 2007-02-14 10:24:00 Not nearly old enough myself, Roscoe, but as there have been radio documentaries about Uncle Scrim, why not email this query to NZ Radio National (new name?) archive section. No doubt there'll be a link to that on their excellent website.

I expect there'd normally be a charge, but maybe not for a charitable cause?

Worth a try, anyway.
Laura (43)
524630 2007-02-14 17:15:00 I remember the song. Uncle Scrim was compulsory listening every Sunday night.
I don't remember the title of the song though. I think it was called "Man in The Street" I have copied your Query into another Forum where we "oldies" gather and someone will probably come up with an answer.
There was a story at the time that Scrim sung it himself. That would certainly not be true.

As an aside. At the time NZ was run by a Labour Government. Most of the polititians went to gaol in the first war for refusing to join the army. Come the second war and they brought in conscription and put those who wouldn't go in gaol. How's that for hypocrasy?

Radio at the time consisted of three stations in Wellington 2ya, 2zb and 2yd.Even in the city there was considerable static.
The good thing. Announcers were not allowed to talk over the music and were not allowed to swith a record off until it was finished. Announcers were not allowed to become "personalities". They were just voices.
2ZB was the only station with commercials. And even then, only one between records.
JJJJJ (528)
524631 2007-02-16 19:17:00 Thank you for that, Jack.

I was listening, in Wellington, in the 1950s on a crystal set. Because we lived in Hataitai, just underneath the 1YD transmitter, all I could receive was 1YD, crystal sets not being very selective. Although I was supposed to be asleep, I would stay awake until after 10 when 1YD closed, then it was possible to hear other stations from most of the country.

Roscoe.
Roscoe (6288)
524632 2007-02-16 21:25:00 Thank you for that, Jack.

I was listening, in Wellington, in the 1950s on a crystal set. Because we lived in Hataitai, just underneath the 1YD transmitter, all I could receive was 1YD, crystal sets not being very selective. Although I was supposed to be asleep, I would stay awake until after 10 when 1YD closed, then it was possible to hear other stations from most of the country.

Roscoe.
In the early '50s I lived in Metlaville. Built a crystal set. Tuning was a difficulty but it was the "cat's whiskers" :) Probably about 10-12 years old then. I used to read books by torchlight under the blankets as well. Very very naughty.

I think I had more fun than Bailey Junior Kurariki did at a similar age.

Later I moved to Wellington and 2YA was the station of choice by my Father.

From this I learnt to appreciate some classical music. Generally light classical such as Gilbert & Sullivan, Strauss. Later, rock and roll came along and etc.

These days I am more into Country as well as listening to my older ones.
Sweep (90)
524633 2007-02-18 18:49:00 Found them.
Song at the start was "Shake Hands With a Millionaire" and at the finish "Stranger of Galalee".
First was sung by a male vocalist. Second one by a female.
Anyone like to guess their names? The first one could have been Peter Dawson.
JJJJJ (528)
524634 2007-02-19 01:53:00 Well, it is just a guess - but I know that Gracie Fields recorded a version of Stranger of Galilee.
Uncle Scrim's may have been earlier, of course...
Laura (43)
524635 2007-02-19 02:04:00 Well, it is just a guess - but I know that Gracie Fields recorded a version of Stranger of Galilee.
Uncle Scrim's may have been earlier, of course...

Don't think so. People were always asking who she was. Gracie was too well known.
Didn't realise you were so old Laura:)
JJJJJ (528)
524636 2007-02-19 02:42:00 Don't think so. People were always asking who she was. Gracie was too well known.
Didn't realise you were so old Laura:)

Just call me a "student of historic music," Jack..
(And RNZ National is big on replays...)

Did you know Gracie gave NZ concerts in early/mid 60s?
Or maybe you were there?
Laura (43)
524637 2007-02-19 03:09:00 Just call me a "student of historic music," Jack..
(And RNZ National is big on replays...)

Did you know Gracie gave NZ concerts in early/mid 60s?
Or maybe you were there?

I was there, but long before mid sixties. She toured the country not long after the war. Late 1940's.

I am a student of the music of the 1940's/50's. Big bands.
JJJJJ (528)
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