Al Bowlly Sings 'Melancholy Baby' (1934) | British Pathé
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2011
- Jazz singer Al Bowlly sings his popular hit 'Melancholy Baby' in 1934 at Pathé Studios.
Bowlly was South African (although born in Mozambique) yet he became a great star in both the UK and America during the 1930s.
Al Bowlly enjoyed over 15 big hits from 1935 to 1941, acquiring a mass radio following of millions. Tragically he was killed in the Blitz, when his home in St. James was bombed in 1941. He was 43 years old.
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Al Bowlly Sings "Melancholy Baby".
BRITISH PATHÉ'S STORY
Before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the news. British Pathé was at the forefront of cinematic journalism, blending information with entertainment to popular effect. Over the course of a century, it documented everything from major armed conflicts and seismic political crises to the curious hobbies and eccentric lives of ordinary people. If it happened, British Pathé filmed it.
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i was six years old when he died . I will be eighty in a few weeks. he was a hunk .
Yea, its a shame he died so young, I listened to Bowlly when I was younger actually. He's the reason I expanded to older singers plus some actors, like Crosby and Hope.
I'm 42 and discovered Al's music in my teens. He's still my favourite singer & yes, he was very handsome :). Happy 80th birthday to you :)
Happy Birthday! I think this clip reveals a side of him I've never imagined. I can't stop watching him and even made a screenshot from this clip into the wallpaper on my phone.
I hope you have had a wonderful 80th birthday by now. I'm just 70 years old and wasn't born when Al Bowlly died, but I was brought up with his voice - my parents were huge fans of his. I still love listening to his songs, and I hope you continue to do so for many years to come. :-)
+ barbara field He always looked very dapper, and had a wonderful voice :-)
I am 86, I grew up with this music, Mum loved it, and she played all the songs on the piano, as I do myself now. Al Bowlly will live on.xx
How are you doing?
I am only 18 years old, discovered Al Bowllys music last year and love it since
I'm 20 & I am very disappointed that I did not grew up with his music I grew up hearing Elvis Presley Edit:10 months ago in this timeline I just been (metaphorically) eating/ consuming all old music from the 1878s to 1920s & so forth my 2nd favourite old time artist is The Mills Brothers
@@masontatum5101- Java Jive!
So sweet 🥲 Al is immortal through his music!
This is why I have so much respect for old school musicians and singers. No enhancements, no auto tunes, nothing.
Just your voice and your instruments.
Your craft at its pure form.
You either could sing or you couldn't
I like this but I think that’s a little dumb. Before this there was classical music where there was no voices, just compositions. Now I agree there’s talent to this and there is indeed a nice view for people who can sing, but not everyone is gifted with that ability. And it takes a different talent to compose music, they’re both good in their own respects and I respect both mediums of art. I feel like it’s nostalgia goggles to say that type of statement or elitist. Good music is good music, and it may have voice or not, music is sounds and was forever, especially before the 1900s without these recording devices.
Agreed! The vintage singers were so good.
While I do agree with that but some singers/bands dont actually use autotune :/
They also had much more passion for the music. Notice how Al Bowlly moves with the song and not against it.
To see this wonderful man sing , brings tears to my eyes , how sad that he died during that terrible second world war. I will listen to Al , everyday. In remembrance of him and for all those who died during this war and every other war. thank you for posting this beautiful memory of such a gentle man.
Are you still listening to him?
Sad :(
Yea its soo nostalgic whitout him 😞
@@jadonpedroza4220 well, Denyse didn’t answer … but: I am listening to him - not every day but once a week as a minimum since many years and further on. His voice is pure gold and I’m always melting away 🎵🎶… he is not forgotten!
Tengo cuarenta años y me encanta !!! Y la década del 30 me fascina que daría por haber vivido, esos tiempos 😍🇨🇱👍
A Shining example of his era.
Al Bowlly had a wonderful voice, and Monia Liter was a superb pianist.
+Michael Sulman
+1 to both of your comments!
The pianist did a superbe job
I agree with you entirely Mike Sulman two masters of the music art ,The days of melody and, Lyrics he mentions Monia Liter also Excellent I,m 88 very nostalgic
when this guy sings...I'm just left shaking my head like "wow" at so much talent and humor and warmth that comes through
Totally! And all that talent, warmth and humour makes me feel giddy and lighthearted. Al Bowlly was a special breed of artist who really does make one forget all their troubles and cares 🎶
It's said that Ray would actually weep with emotion when he sang. RIP, you sweet crooner, you.
@@keoki82 I know what you mean. His voice washes over you with liquid gold and his personality shines.
@@keoki82 Forget your troubled come on get happy...
@@mortalclown3812 As Shakespeare said so we'll: If music be the fruit of love, play on. It assuredly is and we shall. Al is one such express it.
Al Bowlly needs more recognition
Britain's first pop star. What a voice.
Amazing just a guy singing, a guy playing the piano and two microphones. No protools,no special effects etc.. just perfect.
OMG YES
A perfect example of doing more with less. Like Robert Johnson, a Sears guitar, and a recording system with less fidelity than the dictation feature on an old flip phone. And he's still the King of the Blues.
All it really takes is true talent. And there's not much of that around these days, at least not amongst those promoted to us as "stars."
VIDEOSUPERHIGHWAY
Its called tallent...
And
Character...
The guy on the piano is the great songwriter/ bandleader, Ray Noble.. (Goodnight Sweetheart, The Very Thought of You.)
I don't know much about his personal life but he *radiates* good, genuine energy. Like I would genuinely die for this man.
He was known as the British Bing Crosby towards the end of his life. Born in South Africa and travelled the world playing his music until he was tragically killed during the Blitz in 1941. He was 43. Of course there is a lot more to him however.
@KING VICTROLA why haven’t we banned doors yet? It seems like they have caused enough harm to humanity and it is time for them to go.
Who wouldn’t die for this man?
You can't bring old Al back. But you can forever appreciate his gift 🎁
@@icrushchildrensdreams4556Yeah always bangin opening closing,getting jammed, having to bloody paint them all the time.Yeah let,s ban em?.
Oh wait a minute what about all the good they do?Like keeping out the wind and rain, Burglars, and they enable you to go out so no one can get in while your away.On second thoughts let,s keep them.😂😂😂
Everyday I walk past Al's blue plaque on 26 Charing Cross Mansions, his home when he was in London, and give a little nod. Such an incredible artist.
I had the great honour of being present at the installation of the blue plaque in 2013. There was a celebration,of Al's life, later at The Phoenix Club,in London. A remarkable young man named Brandyn Shaw together with his band,gave an amazing performance as Al Bowlly. You really must watch him on You Tube. He is fantastic.
I know where the plaque is. I go past it almost once a week. My journey takes me past the old Monseigneur Restaurant/Night Club in Jermyn Street as swell as the Cafe de Paris and the Cafe Anglais (both in, or close to Leicester Square).
Thomas Brady 2 things al was the best singer ever and 2nd you have respect which to day is very rare
@@stewartsanders4947 Yes, Al was the best singer ever! Just magical. I adore him.
Please, one for me. Thank you.
What greatness and so sad he was killed by a bomb in WW2. What a loving and happy singer, a very very talented crooner. He played guitar too. Love you Al.
Inspite of ww2 those days good actors singers orchestra ppl were nice
I didn't know that. Wow.
It wasn't the bomb but more or so the parachute mine blowing his door off its hinges and the door flying towards him at high speeds killing him. It's honestly a super crazy way to go out
The trombonist Glenn Miller was killed during ww2 in 1944
Ele tocava guitarra também? ENTÃO ELE ERA DO ROQUE
My dad may have seen the Beatles in concert, but my nan saw Al Bowlly! How I miss her.
It makes me sad to know people like this dont exist anymore
He was such a chad in his years
yes
This song feels like a warm hug
It's almost hard to imagine there was a time when a person had to sing well in order to be called a singer. I'm trying to collect all of his songs on CD.
You should hang out with folk musicians.
Yes. Although what's interesting is that the "crooning" style we now associate with "good singing" from that period was quite often criticised for not being "proper singing"!
Ditto
chris i sell old 78's i'll keep an eye out
I collect em on vinyl
Such a handsome man, and what a beautiful voice. He sang with such passion. Al Bowlly was truly one of the greats.
Incredible, Al Bowlly, velvety, golden voice.I Understad that he tragically died in a London bombardemant in 1941, but his beutiful music keeps flying in the air 80 years lately.
One of the great singers
My God ! He's so good and so is the pianist !!!
Thank you so much to the person, who decided to film Al Bowlly and Monia Liter in 1934 !
Absolutely love this man's voice. A sound of a different era, when life didn't seem as fast. Music to chill to. And what an extensive list of great tunes he sung. Pure magic.
Al's phrasing and vocal control is flawless. Such warmth in his performance too. The pianist is great too. Just a great voice and great piano playing and it sounds perfect- nothing else needed!
Have you noticed the line on his forehead matches up with the part in his hair?
Bowlly sings with complete confidence. He makes it seem effortless, as only a great artist can do.
he truly had a beautiful voice
Forgotten man today sadly but boy
he had talent !!
Does a wonderful job on
this classic !!
Sad that hardly anyone can appreciate this kind of singing and these songs today !!
I know right
I think as you become older you grow to appreciate more different styles of music, I’m 63 yrs of age and I would never listen to this sort of music a few years ago, always being a rock music fan and while I can still enjoy a good guitar solo, I can also appreciate a wonderful singer and songs like this
@@martinpowell5769 I do like 80s stuff and the rap where it’s not mumbling
I believe he is slowly been rediscovered
I love the hand gestures he makes, you can almost feel the word "romance" from it for some reason
I love his singing style.
Me too from Buenos Aires Argentina.
Al Bowlly was like a singing Mozart of the 30's. I would listen to Bowlly over Sinatra any day. He sings in a way that makes me feel like I am alone in the room with him. And not only can you not get that from modern music but it is rare to begin with, even with classics like Sinatra and Crosby. He was such a rare breed of his own. God bless his voice and soul.
+Maddy Hajer 'after hgis birth they have broken the mold
Yeah his voice is unique compared to Sinatra but his voice is slightly similar to Bing Crosby
He wasn't bad, but he sings a lot like Rudy Vallee, I'm sure if he hadn't died he would've faded out alongside Rudy
Faded out! Hardly, Kane. Al was the premier band singer of the 30s and probably the finest band singer of all time. He died too early but his singing lives on.
If he didn't die so young he would've gone down in history alongside Bing Crosby, the 30s and 40s are both forgotten eras for even the people born in the 40s, let alone today. It is so sad, Al Bowlly is and will always be (in my opinion) the greatest singer in history.
So adorable and such a beautiful voice, it’s so incredibly sad he died at a young age :(
It's really sad. If he only he made it to the bomb shelters in time :(
@@DanteTimberwolf He chose not to go. Fortunately I doubt he knew what had happened. It would have been over in seconds.
POV: you not only don't have dementia, but also can remember other Al Bowlly's songs
LITERALLY THE SWEETEST SINGER, I LOVE HIM
Such a handsome and well dressed bloke. Good ol Al. Such a shame his untimely death and his rather tragic short lived life. His voice is and forever will be eternal!
He was extremely handsome and stylish I agree. A magical voice and special man.
It is magical to see and hear him, glad that there is footage of Al singing
Al Bowly sings in recording with the Ray Noble orchestra, "Midnight, The Stars and You", in the final scenes of the 1980 film, "The Shining".
An utterly riveting scene. on March thirteenth I will be 83, " Dave your don't come to the funerals any more'
I love to see people still listen to him, amazing singer! its funny because usually kids my age like the new songs. when I would rather listen to these amazing pieces!
I think any music past the 2000s is just garbage it's rare that there's ever a good song anymore. Songs like these just calm you down, there's no hate or trash in them like today's songs.
@@DanteTimberwolf nice to know
What a superb double act. Wonderful voice Al Bowly had, a talent cruelly taken too early
When singers WERE singers - love that blue note ending ...
Hello beautiful 🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️ how are you?
They can't take this away from us!
Byedung will try!!!
they are trying to
Al certainly was a superb singer whose diction was as a clear as a bell. So glad this little bit of film has been preserved for posterity. 👍🤗
Al Bowlly has something special that conquers despite lack of electronic support, has freshness, simplicity, clarity and very friendly, his music is the awakening of an era that does not die because it is quality that makes it a classic to not disappear, At the beginning of the birth of a melodious romance, to see life less dramatic; greetings from Mexico
I cannot express my love for my Al Bowlly
This is high class. Amazing expressions, face and body. This is not old school anymore. This is prehistory!
They knew how to write lyrics and he knew how to perform them.
Everyone here listening to Al sing and reading comments, understand this, we are all on the same frequency my friends.
I wonder if we wish hard enough, we could bring him back..........if only !!
This gives me nostalgia of a simpler time. I’m a little melancholy baby :’(
I was born in 1992 and i am absolutely fascinated with this era of music.
Also this is some amazing footage. RIP Al Bowlly
He was such a handsome, talented man...I love Al so, so much
When I was a kid my dad had an Al Bowlly album, I used to laugh at it, now it brings a lump to my throat
I wish he was alive in our age, he would be a great sucsessful artist and singer. And the caretaker brought some attention to artists like Al Bowly and Layton and Johnstone, he would be popular enough to continue his career
I was born 40 yrs after his death but he is one of my favorite voices. In love with him. ❤
I can understand that, i think that Al had so much charisma and sensuality its easy to see why he was such hit with women.His gestures remind me of Al Jolson a little, he was known for his stage presence.Its fortunate for us,that Pathe filmed Al like this, for posterity.
My earliest memory is of my dad singing this to me as a lullaby as we sat wrapped in blankets as we sat on the couch watching a thunderstorm out of the windows in our living room when I was like two or three. As a result thunderstorms have always made me feel extremely safe and calm which is I think the opposite of most people.
0:43 what an iconic moment
He breaks my heart. Don’t know why.
I produce bass music etc. Love all genres of music but this man is truly one of my heroes. He is such a gangsta. I would have given anything to chill with him at a club. Just love the man
It’s just a burning memory
You don't know Al Bowlly until you see this video. So earnest, so sweet, so everlasting wonderful. Thank you.
I love this song. I come here often to hear him sing it
Brilliant pianist. Monia Liter - remember him too.
I LOVE this . The pianist is brilliant too. I play it every day, and play my version on my piano, and .(I am 86)
18 year old girl from serbia here. i must say how much i just adore this music right here. it is so human and so honest, as opposed to the big majority of todays disasterous musical and overall artistic culture. it is sad that we need to go so far back in time to be able to hear this beauty, but fortunately we have all of these recordings to remind us of what music truly is❤
Man, what a wonderful human being.
Sadly ,there is no one around today who can turn out a performance like these two. This is real music.
I just came across this looking for the song, as I read an article in Acoustic Guitar by Greg Ruby. First, I get goosebumps at the sound of this man’s voice, now I’m weeping gently over my morning coffee, feeling something I cannot fully understand. I see it in the comments here, too. I’m just grateful in 2022 to be able to connect with this beautiful man, and thankful to all who had a part in preserving this moment from 1934.
I was first introduced to the music of Al Bowlly as an 18 year old working in a hi-fi shop in the late 80s. One of the other assistants used to play it all the time, but only when the boss was out (the boss hated anything other than rubbish modern chart music). Until I saw the name written, I thought it was an Italian surname - 'Alboli'.
When he says, “thank you“, at the end… My reply is… “No, dude, thanks to you!“.
My dad Bert Cooper trombone player and arranger was in the Lew Stone band and worked with Al Bowlley , my dad told me about Monia Liter saying how excellent he was and so it was with great joy I was able to tell my dad I was working in an orchestra with Monia all those years later and yes he was more than excellent to say the least
He was wonderful!
What a wonderful song, he sang so well. My best regards to his family.. Being an old Celit, love the songs and folks.
Pure genius and so, underated
He sings with a real feeling for the lyrics! Something you don't see today.
The way he died and life was cut short makes me want to cry.
90 years this year Al Bowlly was melting teenage hearts and bringing screaming yelling from the girls…😀!
How times have changed. Have a great day!
Watching this man sing never ceases to make me smile everytime.
A pioneer of the microphone. Even then note his brilliant mic technique. He led where all others have followed.
What a lovely speaking voice too💖
Indeed. But that’s absolutely not his real accent. He was brought up in Johannesburg and would almost certainly have had a white South African accent.
Guys..... it’s just a burning memory
Shut up
I've rarely see film of Al, this was wonderful!!!! Thanks for posting this!
The classiest man on UA-cam
I always find this man’s voice to be one of the most hauntingly beautiful ones to ever be recorded.
An unusual talent, amazing, soothing, strong yet vulnerable. A true gem of a performer!
It's interesting that the two greatest male pop singers in the 30s and 40s were both called Al. Very different styles but both phenomenal...
If that doesn't put a smile on your face over the morning coffee nothing will
Al Bowlly and Monia Litter were the best. Wish time travel was possible, would love to hear them perform live. Monia kept putting out albums until the 1970's.
What a superb vocalist with his very clear diction and rhythmic presentation. Al Bowlly was the star of his day. What a terrible shame it was when he was killed in an air raid on London in April 1941 when a Nazi land mine landed right outside of his flat in Jermyn Street, Piccadilly, as he lay on his bed.....he chose not to go down to the shelter when the air raid sirens sounded as he was apparently too tired to get out of bed after a concert in High Wycombe a few hours earlier.
Damian Grant o
Damian Grant o
Beautiful.
Hello beautiful 🌹🌹❤️❤️ how are you?
The quality of this video is amazing
What a talent!
He takes my breath away. The heart in is music is contagious. It feels like he's singing to each one of us.
heavenly singer my dad loved him
HE WAS ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR !
I love Bowlly's voice, music.
Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Time passes and I'm beeing acquinted to many human beeings that completed their missions on Earth. RIP Al Bowly! It was a pleasure to know you!
He's got it all hasn't he.. huge star, fabulous voice, phrasing, timing.. superb. As well as groovy, cool, hip and handsome, in spades.! A nap hand really. I keep thinking, different time, way different style, but.. George Michael.?
I have loved Al Bowlly's singing all my life, but just discovered the treasure trove on here and this lovely Jewel.
Thank you for posting AND.. thank YOU, UA-cam for inviting us in.
Regards. WF
Amazing. He did so many great classics.
I discovered Al Bowlly when I was 16 and I've loved listening to his beautiful voice ever since...
right after a show actually. In High Wycome, they offered him to stay the night there in the town, he chose to go home, took the train back home to London. A Luftwaffe parachute mine detonated right outside his flat, his bedroom door was blasted in apparently hitting him in the head, killing him instantly. Sad thing is he was buried in a mass grave with others killed by the bombs. His name misspelled to read "Albert Alex Bowlly" his middle name was Allick.
According to Wiki his body showed no external injuries caused by the bombing. It was likely the concussion or force (impact) of the explosion that killed him. He was buried in a mass grave shared by other victims of the bombing.
Wow, amazing to have some film footage of Al - never thought we'd be privileged to see him in action. Wonderful singer, highly expressive and great sense of rhythm. Also Monia Liter deserves to be remembered as one of the best pianists of the era. This clip could cheer up anyone's "melancholy" day. Great stuff - thanks!
Best thing I've seen for a long time. It's made my day. Every phrase has something to offer. Anyone could fall in love with him.
He is so so wonderful... what magic!
Hello beautiful 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ how are you?