Al Bowlly radio transcription - Pennies From Heaven

Here is a radio transcription by Monia Liter and the Ace of Hearts Orchestra, featuring Al Bowlly.

Al Bowlly is on top form on this recording - his tone is mellow and sonorous, and he sings this famous ballad with genuine feeling; his innate sense of timing and rhythm allows him to interpret the lyrics and the music in an empathic way, as only Al could.

MONIA LITER AND THE ACE OF HEARTS ORCHESTRA
Monia Liter, piano, directing studio dance band including: Max Goldberg, trumpet; Joe Crossman, alto sax; Billy Munn, piano; Albert Harris, guitar; Al Bowlly, vocals

RPX 84-2 Pennies From Heaven HMV transcription record

This side is one of four that Monia Liter made in an HMV session for radio broadcasting purposes only, the others being: "Shoe Shine Boy", "A Little Robin Told Me So" and "The Piccolino". In addition to "Pennies From Heaven", Al sings on "Shoe Shine Boy"; the other two are instrumentals.

The date of the recording is uncertain - some sources state 1938 and some say 1936. Al Bowlly was in America with Ray Noble in 1936, except for August, when they both returned to England for a month. The original intention was for the entire Ray Noble American band to visit the UK for a tour, but the Ministry of Labour wouldn't allow this. However, during the month, Al did record with Ray Noble at HMV - with a British band - and also made a short film "My Melancholy Baby". Given that "Shoe Shine Boy" and "The Piccolino" were also hits in 1936, August 1936 seems more likely than 1938 for the recording date. The first commercial recordings of "Pennies From Heaven" were made in August 1936 in Los Angeles, by Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra.

This is the only recording that Al made of "Pennies From Heaven".

These rare records were in the possession of pianist Billy Munn, who was a member of the band. A transfer of the test pressing was sent by Peter Tanner to Dave Hignett, who very kindly sent a copy to me. It seems odd that Billy Munn played piano on a recording that also features Monia Liter, a well known pianist in his own right, but he can be clearly heard playing a good swinging solo on "A Little Robin Told Me So". Max Goldberg plays the excellent muted trumpet you hear in the first part of "Pennies From Heaven".

[Aces_Archives]

Recorded August 22nd of 1936 while Al Bowlly and Ray Noble were visiting London

[anthonyfrew]

Believed lost for years - Al Bowlly - Pennies from Heaven - how apt

[PaulinesPastimes]

Good old Al. He always delivers. I can hear the hearts fluttering from here :-)

[johnreed]

The definative singing voice of the 30's & 40's

[denverdubois]

Imagine turning on the radio and hearing this instead of crappy rap and middle of the road garbage pop. Just imagine. This is magical. Thanks so much for posting.

[phaasch]

I don't know how I missed this first time around, but I'm sure glad I found it, now!
Nick, like you say, Al is right at the top of his game, here. The orchestra is pretty delicious, too. Gold dust, and such stuff as dreams are made on.

[timefortea]

I have heard this song sung by a 1950s doo wop group and other people, but oh my Al's is by far the best!

[heloise]

Once you hear Al you're hooked. HIs version of Blue Moon has a dramatic final note.

[timefortea]

What a gem. Thank you for sharing this.

[JohnDrago-eqod]

So sad that this great music has disappeared😅

[PiccDan]

Wonderful 30s music, inimitably sung by the great Al B. Thank you for sharing this great rarity, Nick.

[jjakiefte]

What a splendid find! Hope there are more of these!

[essexpeter]

Nick another good piece of history with the write up. Billy Munn was another musician from that era who lived in to relatively modern times. I am sure I heard interviewed on a radio program. Billy crops up on a Pathe reel with Jack Hylton that can be found on youtube.

[geoffreypowell]

HE WAS WONDERFUL. SUCH A TRAGIC END RIP

[SuperVirginiaRose]

When ever I hear this music sung only b6 Al Bowlly I have to go to the piano and play my version x

[dorothywells-wznr]

Wow another way to look at Helene. We will help them recover D