Les Welch was a band leader in the WW2 period and racked up many number ones back in the days before top 40 charts came into existence. His repertoire included novelty, pop and jazz hits all played with his infectious swing style. His early singles include: "And They Call It Dixieland", "Saturday Night Fish Fry", "Mule Train", "Pacific Boogie-Woogie", "I Didn't Know The Gun Was Loaded", "Get Up Offa That Floor Hannah", "That Lucky Old Sun", "Hucklebuck", "Caravan" "Lover's Gold", "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "Music, Music, Music", "If I Knew You Were Coming", "Candy And Cake", "Grose Grobe Mama", "Rosetta", "Mona Lisa's Daughter" which was the flip of "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine", "Les' Yancey Beat", "Count Every Star", "Hand Out Song" "Chug A Lug", "Here You Are", "The Thing", "Hold On"...This list is is just some of the more than 100 singles he released!
He was still working in the 1960s and often backed other artists. One of his 1960s hits was "A Man Called Peter" with singer Daryl Stewart. In fact, there were many artists that had top 40 hits using Mr Welch's arrangements or his band in an uncredited role.
The vinyl album here for download has never been transferred to CD. It contains a few stereo remakes that were coupled with mono original hits from the 1940s and 50s.
Tracks:
I've Got A Luverly Bunch of Coconuts (stereo remake).
Birth Of The Blues.
Elevator Boogie Blues.
In The Book.
Pacific Boogie-Woogie (mono hit mix)
Cigarettes, Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women.
Bucket's Got A Hole In It.
And They Called It Dixieland (original hit mix).
Round The Clock Momma.
Outskirts Of Town.
Saturday Night Fish Fry (stereo remake).
Blues For Yancey.
Basin Street Blues.
You're Driving Me Crazy.
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate.
The files are in a zip with the usual password: http://tommixmusic.blogspot.com/
Please enjoy!
http://rapidshare.com/files/377238029/welch.zip
just bought this on e-bay! ive got a few 78s of les courtesy of my late father's collection and am intrigued by this seemingly 'forgotten' aussie music pioneer! some great boogie tunes, some mad comedy routines, jazz, rock, he did it all. but information very hard to find (other than about his role with festival records) Any pointers would be appreciated mate
ReplyDeletecheers
When channel7 first began broadcasting in Sydney, Les Welch and his orchestra beacame the studio band. I particularly remeber him on 'Sydney Tonight' with Keith Walsh. They must have had a falling out because he suddenly disappeared from the screen - never to return. About 1989 he was a guest of Bob Hudson on a Friday night 2BL radio programme. I remember that he said that his recording of Cigareets and Whusky and Wild Wild Women sold out so fast that the studio had to press more to keep up with the demand.
Deletethank you very much
ReplyDeletethanks a lot man
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ReplyDeleteHi there, my name is Reece Kirby and i just wanted to say thank you so much for the les welch mix. Arthur Guilford- the double bass player was my grandfather, I never met him and I've never been able to listen to his music because all the records we have of him and les are damaged or corroded etc. This has been an amazing experience for me, Im currently keeping the family tradition going as I myself am a professional musician.
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing thank you so much!!
- Reece Kirby.
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Hi there
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate the Les Welch post ... I broke my 78 of 'Coconuts' while moving! What a great under-appreciated Aussie artist....
Only problem is I can't open the Zip file .. could you email the password please to ajhclarke@gmail.com?
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteI'm working on some photos of Les Welch and found your blog while researching. Please, what is the 'usual password' as I downloaded the zip and it won't open. I suppose you know his 'Boogie Woogie Santa Claus' and 'Kings Cross Boogie' are available on iTunes?
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ReplyDeletethank you admin ı love ths blog
ReplyDeleteSome of us have taken this as a sign to step it up.
ReplyDeletereally good
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to know at which Australian recording studios Les Welch (and others) recorded in the early 1950s, before Lee Gordon and Festival Records came along.
ReplyDeleteOt were their recordings done at radio studios?
I'd be interested to know at which Australian recording studios Les Welch (and others) recorded in the early 1950s, before Lee Gordon and Festival Records came along.
ReplyDeleteOt were their recordings done at radio studios?
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI have just found out that Les Welch was my uncle! Not ever knowing my own father I am keen to see if Les is still with us and can fill in the blanks about my family. Can you please help me!
Kind regards,
David Welch
david@davidwelch.com.au
Hello music lovers, They say we never forget anything.
ReplyDeleteI found myself singing 'Mine Tinkit Gibit Love' the other day.
It was a big hit on the radio in Sydney, Australia back in the 1950s or 1960s .
I was unsuccessful in trying to download it from Youtube.
It was written by George English and Derrick Barns as a retort to a remark by visiting artist who stated 'Australians never write music'.
The lyrics were about a love lorn aboriginal youth mooning after his girlfriend Mary.
It was performed and recorded by Les Welch's band and later covered by Jo Stafford.
I think the politically correct police have done away with this part of our heritage which is criminal.
I would love a copy if anyone has it.
Max Bancroft
maxban1938@yahoo.com.au