ISLE OF CAPRI (1934) by Al Bowlly and Monia Liter

This is Al Bowlly singing and playing guitar with piano accompaniment by Monia Liter. I like Al Bowlly singing with this spare accompaniment, as there is more focus on his voice than with the various bands he played with. Many of the 78's he played on did not mention his name on the label and he often only sang half way into the tune. The version featuring Bowlly that he is best known for is that by Ray Noble and his Orchestra

I first heard Bowlly referenced in Richard Thompson's terrific song, "Al Bowlly's in Heaven". Albert Allick "Al" Bowlly (7 January 1898 -- 17 April 1941) was a popular Jazz guitarist, singer, and crooner in the UK and later in the US during the 1930s, making more than 1,000 recordings between 1927 and 1941. Bowlly showcased a diverse range of material unsurpassed by any contemporary other than perhaps Bing Crosby. He was also a truly international recording artist. He was killed by the explosion of a parachute mine outside his flat in Jermyn Street, London during the Blitz.

It was Al's technique, sincerity, diction and his personality that distinguish him from many other singers of the 30s era. As well as singing, Bowlly played both the guitar and the ukulele, with Joyce Stone, widow of Lew Stone saying "You only had to play anything once to Al and he'd got it." Bowlly remains one of the most highly regarded singers of his era because of his extraordinary range, his command of pitch and rhythm, and, above all, the sincerity with which he could deliver a lyric. Ray Noble is often quoted as saying that Al often stepped away from the microphone with tears in his eyes; "never mind him making you cry, he could make himself cry!"

The music for 'Isle of Capri' was written by Wilhelm Grosz (aka Hugh Williams), and the lyrics were by Jimmy Kennedy. The song was published in 1934.

Much of the above was summarised from Wikipedia.

I have done a slideshow for this song and comments are invited,

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