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Thursday, 14 November 2024

Uncool Singers

I have had a song on loop in my head for two or three days, by one of those uncool singers you would not have admitted you liked to your friends at school. The kind that during the height of sixties and seventies top and rock, would never have been played by Tony Blackburn on Radio 1, and would probably have had their own prime-time television show on a Saturday night. 

There were lots of them: Val Doonican and Clodagh Rodgers, or perhaps in America, Doris Day or Andy Williams. Memories were made of this by Dean Martin, and magic moments by Perry Como. 

We also had Andy Williams. He was pretty good, but most definitely not cool. I much preferred Britain’s Matt Monro, who was not cool either, but his recordings of Portrait Of My Love, Born Free and the James Bond theme From Russia With Love are incredible. What a voice! What a singer! If I was asked to name favourite uncool singers, he would be top of the list. 

I am thankful for that train of thought because it evicted the tune that was stuck in my head. You can have it instead. Any covert Roger Whitaker fans out there?  

He gave the impression of having a high opinion of himself, but Leaving Durham Town possibly vindicates it. Sugary sentiment but a great tune. 

So, who was your favourite uncool singer? Did Yorkshire Pudding have a regular date with Moira Anderson Sings? Did Dave Northsider just pretend he never watched the Des O’Connor show? Was JayCee just an old-fashioned girl who liked Eartha Kitt? Who was yours? You can own up here in complete confidence. Your secret will be safe with us.  

10 comments:

  1. Oh yes! Like you I adored Matt Monro's voice. (Wasn't he a London bus driver at one time?). We had his version of Softly As I Leave You played at my dad's funeral.
    I also loved Nat King Cole's voice. Pure heaven, both of them.

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  2. I wanted to marry Val Doonican when I grew up!
    Anna.

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  3. Nat King Cole - a velvet voice, preserved through smoking, of all things.

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  4. I am often watching comedians on the Des O'Connor Show Tasker. Yesterday I was watching Phil Cool on You Tube. What a comedian and impressionist. I have very eclectic music taste: brass bands to Prog Rock.

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  5. Yes, I'll admit it! I was a big Roger Whittaker back in the day. I even had his album of nothing but his whistling!

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  6. Another big Roger Whitaker fan here.

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  7. Walter Houston, September Song!!

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  8. Nat King Cole - The Autumn leaves slip by my window!

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  9. Hey, you mentioned 4 of mine but I thought they were cool. Doris Day, Dean Martin, Perry Como, There were many many good uncool singers.

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