It is another important date
on the Shady Dell calendar.
Today we remember and honor
Margaret Brown Schneider,
precious child of the Dell.
Blessed with longevity,
Margaret earned the
nickname The Oldest
Living Dell Rat as she
approached and then
passed the century mark.
Margaret died four years ago
at the age of 105. Last month
as we celebrated Margaret's
109th birthday, I posted old
songs Margaret might have
known in her youth. Today,
as we remember Margaret
on the date of her death,
I offer a few more songs
I think she would enjoy.
KATE SMITH AND
THE 5 DeMARCO SISTERS
Our dear Margaret would be the first
to remind you not to dwell on your
setbacks and losses. To remember
Margaret today, here's a song that
urges you to leave your worries on
the doorstep and direct your feet to
the sunny side of the street. Written
in 1930 when Margaret was 18, the
song was introduced in the Broad-
way musical Lew Leslie's Inter-
national Revue. To sing it here
are the Five DeMarco Sisters,
the close harmony group from
Rome, New York, that was a hit
on radio, TV and film from the
30s thru the 60s. In early 1953
the sister act performed the
song with host Kate Smith
on The Kate Smith Hour.
"On The Sunny Side Of The Street"
Kate Smith and The Five DeMarco Sisters
(perf. on Jan. 30, 1953, ep. of The Kate Smith Hour)
Last month on Margaret's birthday
you saw Tatiana Eva-Marie and
her Avalon Jazz Band perform
"Fit As A Fiddle," a popular
standard best known for
being featured in the
1952 movie musical
Singing in the Rain.
I'd like you to hear
how the famous title
song sounded back
in 1929, the year
Margaret (right)
was 17 years old.
THE BROX SISTERS
I present to you The Brox Sisters, a trio of singing siblings that was popular in
the 1920s and 30s. In this rare clip, The Brox Sisters along with the cast of the
film Hollywood Revue of 1929 perform a grand rendition of "Singing in the Rain."
"Singing in the Rain" - The Brox Sisters
and cast of film Hollywood Revue of 1929.
THE SHOUT SISTERS
In last year's post honoring Margaret, I introduced The Boswell Sisters,
the close harmony singing trio of the 1930s jazz and swing era. Today
I present The Shout Sisters, a London-based three-part vocal harmony
group that pays musical tribute to The Boswell Sisters and other
girl groups of the early and mid 20th century. Let's peek over
their shoulders as The Shout Sisters, Louise Messenger,
Noelle Davies-Brock and Elise Roth, gather 'round
the piano and practice their Boswell Sisters
arrangement of "Lullabye of Broadway,"
a song introduced in the musical
film Gold Diggers of 1935.
"Lullabye Of Broadway" - The Shout Sisters
(January 2021)
At the start of 1932, Louis Armstrong had a hit with the popular song
THE SHOUT SISTERS
At the start of 1932, Louis Armstrong had a hit with the popular song
and jazz standard "All Of Me." Some say Billie Holiday's 1941
version is definitive. Here again are The Shout Sisters,
the amazing retro girl group from the UK, doing
their outstanding rendition of "All Of Me."
"All Of Me" - The Shout Sisters
(March 2020)
THE SWING NINJAS
FT. THE SHOUT SISTERS
It's a Shout Sisters triple play! Watch & listen as they do "Bye Bye Blues,"
a popular song and jazz standard written and published in 1925 when
our dear Margaret Schneider was 13 years old. The most successful
version of the song was recorded in 1952 by Les Paul and Mary Ford.
In a performance staged earlier this year, these wonderful warblers,
The Shout Sisters, are backed by the Brighton band The Swing Ninjas.
"Bye Bye Blues" - The Swing Ninjas
"Bye Bye Blues" - The Swing Ninjas
featuring The Shout Sisters
(January 2021)
I hope you enjoyed this musical tribute
to Margaret Schneider... and I can't
help believing that she did, too.
Yours was a long life and
a life well lived, Margaret.
We love you... miss you...
and will remember you always.
Shady,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it's been 4 years already! How is Kathleen and family holding up? I'll light a Yahrzeit Candle for Margaret this afternoon and say a little prayer.
Margaret would have loved these songs! I loved listening to the old showtunes and it reminded me of watching these with Nan. I really loved the Shout Sisters. Their voices are amazing and it makes my heart happy to see gals around my age really get into old showtunes and kitsch from the 1920s and 1930s. I also loved the Swing Band too.
Margaret is dancing in heaven, along with Nan, her husband, Margaret's husband, and all of our dear loved ones. Thank you for this beautiful tribute, dear friend. I may have to use the Swing Sisters next year for Nan's memorial.
Lovely photos too. I hope you all have a peaceful day. <3
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThank you for being the first through the door to pay respects to Margaret, dear friend!
Yessum, it's hard to believe that four years have now passed since that sad day when Margaret's long life ended. Thank you for lighting a candle and saying a prayer. I think about Margaret every single day and I'm sure I will continue to do so the rest of my life. I have never known a finer person.
I'm delighted that you enjoyed these very old songs and that they brought back memories of watching old movie musicals with your Nan.
The Shout Sisters are a wonderful find. I came upon their YouTube channel a year ago and knew their performances would be ideal for use in a tribute to Margaret. It is indeed reassuring to find young artists leapfrogging way back before my time to the Swing years when my parents, The Ettlines and Margaret Schneider were young. It's a lovely thought to envision the departed souls you mentioned dancing in heaven.
Thank you again for your early visit and superb comments, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteDid you see yesterday's Google doodle? I think Margaret might have appreciated the music within the doodle: https://www.google.com/doodles/celebrating-swing-dancing-and-the-savoy-ballroom
I think I'm going to be addicted to this Google Doodle and your post for several more days. :) Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for turning me on to the Google Doodle, dear friend. I hadn't seen it. I enjoyed learning the history of the Savoy Ballroom, the Shady Dell of Swing era Harlem. Can you imagine that dance floor being a city block long? It was a thrill to watch vintage film footage of the incredible dancers doing the Lindy Hop and seeing that young couple creating their interactive Doodle dedicated to the Savoy. Thank you again for showing that to me!
I'm excited to know that you are taking an interest in the young people of Margaret's teenage years, The Roaring Twenties, their music and dancing.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed! A week later, I'm still addicted to the doodle. However, I found the YouTube videos of these songs and I'm thinking about requesting one for WRTI's Jazz At Your Request.
DeleteMusic from the Roaring Twenties was awesome. I'm trying to bring it back for Roaring Twenties 2.0. Hey, why not?
Have a great Tuesday evening, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI hope WRTI answers your request and plays a few of these very old songs for you. Yessum, we are rapidly plowing through The Roaring Twenties of the 21st century. The songs of Margaret's teenage youth are set to turn 100 years old. It's hard to believe, because my folks loved these songs, too, and exposed me to them at a very early age.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
Happy Birthday to you, Margaret! I know you're in a far better place and I know you're keeping an eye on those you love down here below. I betcha you're dancing on the clouds to these beautiful songs playing especially for you. I'm so happy that I got to know at the end of your life thanks to our friend, Tom. You remind me so much of DH's grandmother with your steal trap memory. Thank you for making me life a little better and I know you made life even grander for those who loved and knew you best. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you very much for being here again this year to help me remember Margaret Schneider on the anniversary of her death.
You offered eloquent and inspiring words about Margaret's impact on your life and the lives of others who knew and loved her. That includes me. Margaret, a gentle soul with hidden strength and a sense of humor about life, meant a great deal to me. I still mourn her loss.
It is heartwarming to know that Margaret reminds you of a member of your own family, DH's grandmother. You are the second friend to imagine Margaret dancing in the stars to these oldies from her youth.
Thank you again for coming by and paying your respects to The Oldest Living Dell Rat, our dear friend Margaret Brown Schneider.
Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll see you soon, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteMargaret's generation should be guarded as a national treasure if for nothing else their experiences. We haven't endured near the hardships as these who are no longer with us and it won't be long before all those old timers will be gone. I hope those who are fortunate to have elderly parents/grandparents living I encourage each one to not only savor the remaining days of their lives but to ask questions to learn about the past to keep those memories going for generations to come. Have a blessed Memorial Day, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you very much for returning to follow-up during your holiday weekend, dear friend!
I wholeheartedly agree. Generations that came of age in the early and mid 20th century are to be treasured, their members utilized as sources of knowledge and wisdom. Our numbers are steadily dwindling. Let us hope the lessons of the past will be remembered and mistakes not repeated.
Thanks again for coming over and expressing yourself so eloquently. I wish you and DH a blessed Memorial Day as well, dear friend Cathy!
What a sweet tribute to her.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for stopping by to learn a little more about Margaret Schneider (featured in my right sidebar) and help me mark the 4th anniversary of her death at age 105. Margaret was an inspiration to us all and I will continue to remember and honor her throughout my blogging career.
Thanks again for coming over, dear friend Mary, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Good afternoon my friend. What a wonderful tribute to this fine lady. I am sure she is smiling and dancing to the music.
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet!
DeleteThank you very much for showing up for Margaret, dear friend! It boggles my mind to think of Margaret as a teenager of the 1920s when standards like "Singing In The Rain" were introduced. When I was age 17 as Margaret was in 1929, The Jefferson Airplane was flying high. Young people of The Roaring Twenties could not have imagined all the changes that were about to take place later in the 20th century.
I believe Margaret would approve of the play list in this year's anniversary post. Like you and others who have commented, I love to imagine her reunited with her hubby Ralph and dancing in the clouds.
I'm glad you appreciate this year's tribute to The Oldest Living Dell Rat, our wonderful friend Margaret Schneider. Thanks again for dropping by and paying respects, dear friend Janet!
Happy birthday, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteThe 1920s might seem old-fashioned now--after all, its beginnings is now a hundred years in the past--but, in many ways, it was sociologically a bigger break with the past than even the 1960s, and that includes the music. Young people--"flaming youth" as they were called--listening to jazz and Tin Pan Alley songs raised the same kind of eyebrows on the older folks as did rock a generation or so later (of course, by the 1950s and '60s, the flaming youth WERE the older folks!)
The Brox Sisters in raincoats are shown very briefly at the beginning of 1974's MGM musical compilation That's Entertainment. In the more expanded clip you show, I think I spotted Al Jolson, Buster Keaton, and Marie Dressler in rain coats. I'm sure there are others.
On my own blog some time back, I showed a clip from The Andy Williams Show that had Kate Smith slamming a door on the bear (producer Allan Blye in costume) that always wanted cookies. Smith was known for her considerable heft throughout much of her career, but by that 1970 appearance, she had lost it all and was very much on the thin side.
Again, happy birthday, Margaret.
My parents think I'm crazy and they hate the things I do
DeleteI'm stupid and I'm lazy, man, if they only knew
How flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth, our flag is flying higher and higher and higher
My uniform is leather, and my power is my age
I'm gettin' it together to break out of my cage
Cause flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth will set the world on fire
Flaming youth, our flag is flying higher and higher and higher
- Kiss
Hi, Kirk!
Thank you very much for coming on day one, good buddy. Like friend Cathy (above), you are under the mistaken impression that this is a birthday tribute. Rather it is the anniversary of Margaret's death four years ago. As you recall, I published a post on April 18 for Margaret's birthday and introduced Tatiana Eva-Marie and her gypsy jazz musicians the Avalon Jazz Band.
One of my earliest childhood memories is that of watching The Kate Smith Hour with my folks. I don't remember the DeMarco sisters from boyhood, but in the last year or so have enjoyed learning about them and watching clips of their performances on YouTube.
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 boasted an all-star cast that in addition to The Brox Sisters included Jack Benny, Norma Shearer, Laurel & Hardy, Joan Crawford, Anita Page, Marion Davies, Marie Dressler and Buster Keaton. Buster was instantly recognizable to me as the camera panned down the line of stars at the end of "Singing In The Rain." What a marvelous moment in entertainment history to see the faces of major stars of vaudeville, radio, silent film and early talkies all together in a single production.
Thank you again for being here to help me honor Margaret Schneider on the date of her death. Enjoy the rest of your week, good buddy Kirk!
I am here as I knew I would be today and what a fine tribute to Margaret. She was a special lady to you and so many others and it's cool to listen to the music that was around when she was a teen. Come to think of it, same with my dad who was born in 1913. the Shout Sisters have a great harmony. I love the old Hollywood Revue of 1929 showcasing the big stars of the day. Amongst all the pretty faces is the great Marie Dressler who was born in Cobourg, Ontario. Love seeing Marion Davies, Norma Shearer, and, I think John Gilbert?? My favourite is always Buster Keaton who always does something unique. Bless Margaret who is tapping her feet and smiling.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thank you for making it over to Shady's Place to experience my annual tribute to Margaret Elizabeth Brown Schneider on the anniversary of her death. Thanks for reminding me that your dad was born the same year mine was - 1913. I'm sure our dads and Margaret knew and loved these hits of their youth.
I'm thrilled that you appreciate The Shout Sisters, the Londoners who imitate the vocal style of The Boswell Sisters.
Yessum, John Gilbert was one of the lead players in the cast of The Hollywood Revue of 1929. He played Romeo. In my comment to Kirk (above) I listed some of the other stars in the production whose names I recognize. In addition, Lionel Barrymore was uncredited as the Director of Romeo and Juliet. Ann Dvorak, another name I recognize, was uncredited as a chorus girl.
Yessum, it's blissful to imagine Margaret, if not dancing, then tapping her feet and smiling with that mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Thank you again for being on hand for Margaret again this year, dear friend BB. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady. What a lovely, and fun loving tribute to a beautiful lady! Your opening photo of the pink roses is just gorgeous, and I remember how Margaret loved her gardens, and took such great care of them.
ReplyDeleteThe older photos of Margaret's youth and growing up are always fascinating, and give us an example of fun times, and even hard times during her younger years.
You picked out some pretty good songs for this post, and I have to say, The Shout Sisters are the best! I think my favorite of theirs is "All of Me" because they sang so effortlessly, and naturally. These girls shown as they sang this song, I watched it twice.
The Swing Ninjas are a fabulous group of musicians with their cool, upbeat jazz. They are so talented, I totally loved watching them perform "Bye Bye Blues". A fun video! And, the Shout Sisters had a great time with this one also. Their song and music choices are all feel good!
This is a wonderful, caring tribute, Shady! Yes...I'm sure Margaret would have truly had a great time watching these performances. You did a superb job.
I hope you have cooled down some in your area. We are now embarking on the 80's, and the rain has caused many ants to invade my kitchen. I will have to enlist an exterminator within the next few days as it dries out. But...ALAS! I think we are expecting more rain this week, ugh! The Scootie is out of school now, and pretty excited about going into 7th grade!
Have a great week dear Shady, and take care!
I meant to say the girls "shone", as they sang "All of Me".
DeleteHi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for dropping in to help me remember and honor Margaret Schneider, dear friend!
I learned several years ago that Margaret was fond of the color pink and that the pink rose was her favorite flower. Recently I found a beautiful wallpaper size image, cropped it to fit within my blog margins, and have decided to use it every year on this occasion as a header for her tribute post. Part of honoring Margaret is for those of us who remember her to use our "Margaret I.Qs." I appreciate you recalling how much she loved gardening. I will add that she also loved to mow her lawn using a walk-behind mower. To the astonishment of family members and neighbors, Margaret continued to take care of that chore all by herself until she reached the century mark.
Isn't it wonderful to see those young Brit women, The Shout Sisters, authentically performing those vintage early 20th century songs? Their hairdos, makeup and clothing styles also pay homage to the period. I'm glad you liked their collab with The Swing Ninjas band.
Exercising my Margaret I.Q. once again, I remember that, in her youth in the late 1920s and early 1930s, she enjoyed a social life with friends and danced at ballroom venues. I can't help believing that she knew and liked all of the songs featured in this tribute. Upon marrying husband Ralph, Margaret focused much of her time and attention on being a good wife, housekeeper and mother of three children. How much she followed pop culture during that period of her life is uncertain to me, but I tend to doubt that she paid much attention to it.
No, Suzanne, it is blazing hot here, like an oven, and we still haven't received a drop of that rain you've been promising. :) Seems like you guys are getting too much rain and we're not getting nearly enough. We need to run the sprinklers every few days, but can't keep the lawn green. The rainy season officially gets underway five days from now. That will be a blessing as long as the tropics behave themselves. I'm sorry you are dealing with an ant invasion and need to call an exterminator. At the very least I hope you are feeling much better than you were a while back. Hooray for Scootie becoming a young man now and reaching a milestone, preparing to start 7th grade!
Thanks again for showing up for Margaret this year as we observe the date of her death. As usual, you composed an excellent comment and I greatly appreciate it. Take good care of yourself and Scootie and come back and see me if you can next Wednesday, June 2, when I will have another very special post, a series of brand new pictures that take you on a tour inside the Shady Dell and around the Dell property for the first time in nine years. Until then enjoy the rest of your week and weekend, dear friend Suzanne!
Sending love from Alberta, Canada, friend Shady :) Have been busy putting in my garden. Lilacs are finally blooming. We finished putting barley and canola into the field. Everything is growing in a hurry now. By the end of September the frenzy will be over again. Wishing you continued health and happiness for you and yours. Still in full covid lockdown her ... but I am happy :) Thunderbutt is happy to receive his beloved grass again (Personally, between you and me, I think, he is addicted ...) anyway ... smiles ... https://youtu.be/DFWJUGycHDg
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteIt;s so nice of you to drop by, dear friend! Thanks for coming down for this year's tribute to Margaret Schneider as we remember the Dell V.I.P. on the date of her death four years ago.
I'm happy to know that you are enjoying getting outdoors and doing some gardening now that winter has loosened its grip on your region and spring has finally arrived. Isn't it exciting to see the countryside come alive, plants growing and flowers blooming? It's a wonderful time of year for northerners.
I'm happy to learn that you and Mr. T. Thunderbutt are both doing well. I think about you often, both of you. I thoroughly enjoyed that rendition of the jazz standard "Summertime" performed by the lovely young vocalist Natalie King. Thanks for sending the link!
Thank you again for stopping in. Take good care of yourself and have a safe and happy week ahead, dear friend cat!