Gangnam Style? I’d Rather Charleston!

The history of popular culture is littered with dance crazes.  Most shimmer briefly in the spotlight of public attention then vanish, forgotten, never to be danced again, replaced by a new set of moves.

But occasionally a dance takes on a life beyond its fifteen-minutes of fame and becomes a form of cultural shorthand for a particular era.  The dance that typifies this more than any other is the Charleston which is now seen as the embodiment of the spirit of the 1920s.

The precise origins of the dance are unclear, but it was brought to public attention when the song “Charleston” was included in the 1923 Broadway show, “Runnin’ Wild”.  The Charleston’s infectious rhythm, wild abandon and the fact that it could be danced without a partner made it the dance of choice for  young people around the globe.

It later developed into part of the Lindy Hop and nowadays the dance is a popular feature of the BBC television show “Strictly Come Dancing” which introduced the Charleston in 2009 despite it not being an “official” ballroom dance (as defined by The British Dance Council).

I’m excited that I’ve been able to add a Charleston song to my repertoire.  “I’d Rather Charleston” was written by George Gershwin and Desmond Carter for the 1926 show “Lady Be Good” although I first came across it when Kenneth Branagh used it in his 2000 film version of William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost”.

Having it in my repertoire of songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s is something of a coup.  I don’t know of anyone else in the UK currently singing “I’d Rather Charleston” as part of a self-contained act and I’m confident that it adds further authenticity to my performances.  It means that those people who have already booked me for their “Great Gatsby” themed weddings and parties this year will certainly be getting some bone-fide 1920s entertainment.

Ninety-years on, the Charleston doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of flagging and I for one am delighted about that.  You can keep your latest dance crazes, I would definitely rather Charleston!

Jewels Holland

We’re always hearing tales of  “the death of The British High Street” and the evidence of our own eyes as we walk through the towns and cities where we live would seem to support the stories.  So it’s nice to be able to tell you about someone who is bucking the the trend.

In November 2011, when so many others were literally shutting up shop, designer Sheena Holland took the plunge into retail and opened her own chic, independent boutique in the East Midlands city of Derby.

Having worked for fashion designer Katherine Hamnett in the 1980s then as a freelance florist (creating floral displays for the Queen Mum, Elton John and Michael Jackson amongst others) Sheena began making one-off vintage headbands in 2003 and now makes headbands, bridal tiaras, jewellery and hats using vintage materials including re-worked leather, antique and vintage jewellery and feathers.

The shop is (almost literally!) a goldmine of treasures, all displayed with singular style.

It’s heartening that in a climate where so many small businesses are closing down or, at the very least, retreating online to sell their goods, there are still people like Sheena Holland who are prepared to make a stand on the high street and help keep independent retail alive.

When the first anniversary of the shop’s opening came round in November 2012 Sheena asked me to perform at a party for her friends and customers.  The party was held in the shop itself which meant I found myself performing in a shop window for the first time in my career!

It turned out to be a very special evening.  Sheena has some very loyal supporters who made a very appreciative audience.  My repertoire of songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s was the perfect fit for Sheena’s vintage boutique and I had a wonderful time that ended all too soon.

A very talented designer and a lovely person to boot, I wish Sheena ever greater success in the years to come.

Find out more about Sheena’s unique creations and how to buy them by visiting her website www.sheenaholland.com

And if you have a shop window that needs a singer you can book me via www.simonpartridge.com

Coombe With a View

Regular readers of my Adventures in Easy Listening will know that when it comes to posts about gigs that I’ve done I usually rely on my own photographs.  For today’s post about Laura and Graham’s wedding at Coombe Abbey Hotel though I’m delighted to be able to include some pictures by Northamptonshire-based wedding photographers Melbourne Photography who captured the day.

Coombe Abbey is a favourite venue of mine and from these photos it’s clear to see why it’s a popular choice for weddings.  Even on a less-than-perfect December day it offers some stunning views.

I was booked to keep guests entertained between the wedding breakfast and the evening function.  Sadly the official photographers had wrapped up by then, but I’m grateful to Laura and Graham for sharing this picture that one of their guests took of me singing in the Cloisters bar at the hotel:

The bar has a raised area that makes the perfect stage and I had a wonderful time singing all of the songs from my repertoire that Laura and Graham had chosen.

Thanks to Laura and Graham for letting me share Melbourne Photography’s pictures of their wedding day at Coombe Abbey Hotel.  Find out more about Melbourne Photography at www.melbournephoto.co.uk

For more information on what I do at Warwickshire wedding venues and throughout the UK please visit my website www.simonpartridge.com

Swinfen is Simply Swell

There are many reasons I love Swinfen Hall Hotel in Staffordshire, not least the fact that it’s only five-minutes away from where I live in Lichfield.

But there’s a great deal more to Swinfen than mere convenience for certain local vocalists.  It’s a beautiful Georgian mansion house set in one-hundred acres of parkland and its lovingly restored interiors make it the perfect venue for a romantic wedding day.

I was at Swinfen Hall again last September to sing for Emily and John’s wedding.  They had booked me to keep their guests entertained during the early part of the evening while the impressive oak-panelled ballroom was transformed from wedding breakfast into evening entertainment venue.  I had a great spot in the hotel’s lovely reception area.

I’m indebted to Emily and John’s photographer Jonny Back for this shot of me singing:

It’s always a tricky time of the day, early evening, as guests can get a trifle bored waiting for the festivities to continue, but I’m pleased to say that my repertoire of classic songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s was just the ticket to keep spirits from flagging.

Emily and John had a fabulous day at Swinfen Hall Hotel and it’s not hard to see why.  A splendid Staffordshire wedding venue that I look forward to singing at again very soon.

For more information about Swinfen Hall Hotel please visit www.swinfenhallhotel.co.uk

For more information about my wedding entertainment packages please visit www.simonpartridge.com

A Sort of Tender Curiosity

Look out.  Gatsby is coming.

It’s not released in the UK until May, but the new film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel is already creating quite a stir.  I have to say that I’ve not yet been quite whipped into a frenzy by it myself.  I must confess that the presence of Leonardo DiCaprio in the eponymous role troubles me somewhat, but, to borrow a phrase from the novel itself, I am harbouring “a sort of tender curiosity” towards it and for two good reasons.

Firstly, it’s directed by Baz Luhrmann, a director who is responsible for two of my all-time favourite films; the sublime “Strictly Ballroom”:

and the wonderful “Moulin Rouge”:

Secondly, I adore the style of the 1920s and judging by these shots the film will be a veritable feast for the eyes:

It will be interesting to see how the new version compares with the 1974 version which starred Robert Redford:

and Mia Farrow:

Of course I can’t deny that this renewed interest in all things 1920s isn’t great for business too.  I’ve already taken several bookings for Gatsby and 1920s-themed weddings and parties for later in the year.  My repertoire of songs from that era provides the perfect atmosphere for any event emulating the glamour of the so-called Jazz Age.

I await the release of “The Great Gatsby” with interest and look forward to a swinging summer of bob-haired flappers and dapper gents partying like it’s 1922!

“Night and Day”

It’s no secret that Cole Porter is one of my favourite songwriters.  I’ve written about his work previously on this blog (“Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)”) and I’m always looking to add songs of his to my repertoire.

It’s also no secret that I’m very particular about the backing tracks that I use in my act so I was thrilled, therefore, to get hold of a fabulous accompaniment for one of  Porter’s most popular songs, “Night and Day” courtesy of Jazzback.com.

The song was written for the show “Gay Divorce” which opened on Broadway on November 29th 1932 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and ran for two-hundered-and-forty-seven performances.  The show was Fred Astaire’s last Broadway appearance.

When the show was adapted into a movie in 1934 the title was changed to “The Gay Divorcee” in response to motion picture censors who insisted that divorce itself was not a fit subject matter for gaiety, but a divorcee could be.  In the film Astaire played opposite Ginger Rogers in what was their second film together (after 1933’s “Flying Down to Rio”), but the first in which they received top billing.

As with so much of Cole Porter’s work “Night and Day” sounds beautifully simple, but is in fact a complex concoction of words, melody and rhythm.  I don’t have the technical know-how to do so, but for those interested in such things  there’s a great analysis of the technical intricacy of the musical structure on Jazzstandards.com.

Lyrically, it’s quite a serious affair with Porter delving into the darker, almost obsessive side of love: “Whether near to me or far/It’s no matter darling where you are/I think of you day and night”.

I’m so pleased I now have “Night and Day” in my repertoire.  It’s a wonderful song to perform and adds real “body” to any set, balancing the lighter romantic songs I already sing. .

Maybe I’ll be able to sing it for YOU someday soon.  Who knows?  To find out more about booking my services for your event, whatever and wherever it may be, please visit www.simonpartridge.com

Manor From Heaven

I’ve been so busy over Christmas and New Year that I’ve built up quite a backlog of splendid weddings to share with you.  First up is one which took place back in November in Leicestershire.

The location was the marvelous Cattthorpe Manor, built in 1925 on an estate that dates back to the eighteenth century.

Held exactly one month before Christmas Eve,  Samantha and Ben’s wedding had a winter theme rather than a Christmas one, but was still a highly festive affair.   I loved this seasonal wedding cake topper:

I was there to provide entertainment during the wedding breakfast, held in The Swedish Room.

I’ve no idea why it’s called The Swedish Room as there was nothing particularly Scandinavian about it, but it was a lovely room to sing in and featured beautiful wrought iron pillars at one end and floor-to-ceiling windows at the other.

Despite the rain falling outside the atmosphere in The Swedish Room was warm and jovial and Samantha and Ben’s guests really seemed to enjoy my repertoire of songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

A wonderful, wintery afternoon was enjoyed by all.  Congratulations to Samantha and Ben.

To find out more about Catthopre Manor please visit their website www.catthorpemanor.co.uk.

Finally, a very Happy New Year to you!  I hope that 2013 brings you all you wish for.  I’ve got another busy twelve months ahead of me singing all my favourite songs at weddings, parties and events all over the UK and I look forward to sharing my further Adventures in Easy Listening with you here on my blog.

‘Twas the Knightsbridge Before Christmas

The Lanesborough Hotel in London is an enigmatic old thing.  It certainly doesn’t look much like a five star hotel.  Not for The Lanesborough the external indications of opulence favoured by other such hotels I’ve sung at; the swish revolving door and liveried footmen of Claridge’s or the iconic illuminated signage of The Ritz.  The casual observer would be forgiven for thinking that it was a bank or perhaps some sort of government building.

Sitting in Knightsbridge, opposite Hyde Park Corner, its grand, but curiously anonymous facade offers no clue as to what lies inside.  Then again, when you have guests that are happy to pay anything from £495 to £18,000 (yes, that’s three zeroes) per night you don’t need to make a song and dance about it.  It also might have something to do with the fact that for the first 130-odd years of its life the building was actually a hospital, St George’s.

Designed by architect William Wilkins the hospital opened in 1844 and was operational until it moved to new premises in Tooting in the late 1970s.  The hotel opened for business in 1991.  The interior these days echoes the Georgian style of the exterior.

The Lanesborough is the five-star residence of choice for presidents, oligarchs, film stars and pop royalty.  Michael Jackson stayed there on his final trip to the UK in 2009 and last year Lady Gaga held court in one of the hotel’s suite (even being interviewed by Stephen Fry in the process).

There were no crowds of screaming fans to greet my own arrival at The Lanesborough last week, but at least that made unloading and setting up my equipment less troublesome than usual.

 I was there to sing for Matt and Gill’s evening wedding reception in the hotel’s Belgravia Room.

The bride and groom took their first dance to “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” then I entertained guests for two-hours with classic numbers from my reperoire of songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.  It was a romantic, candlit affair with more than a hint of Yuletide spirit in the air so I ended the night with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.

Its exterior may be anonymous, but the inside of The Lanesborough is anything but and I was delighted to have been able to add a just a dash of my own musical flavour to its atmosphere.  A splendid evening in a glorious setting – an absolute pleasure!

“I Got Lytham, I Got Music…”

Whoever came up with the line “It’s grim up North” had clearly never visited Lytham Hall in Lancashire.

I had the very good fortune to be booked to sing there for the drinks reception of Christian and Nicola’s wedding in September and was bowled over by this charming Grade I listed mansion house.

The mansion was designed by York architect John Carr and completed in 1767 in what I am reliably informed is the Palladian style.

In the latter days of the 20th Century the hall’s fortunes waivered and it began to decline.  Luckily it is now in the hands of Heritage Trust for the North West who are in the process of restoring the building to its former glory.

Despite some evidence of the ravages of time everything about the hall shouts grandeur and elegance, from the gateway into the grounds to the front door of the house itself.

The interior is no less impressive and it’s easy to imagine just how grand a place Lytham Hall must have been in its heyday and no doubt will be again before long.  There’s a magnificent grand staircase at the heart of the building and the reception hall where I was singing had beautiful plasterwork on its walls and ceiling.

The drinks reception was a tremendously elegant affair with drinks flowing freely and a seemingly never-ending stream of delicious-looking canapes courtesy of the Hall’s caterers-of-choice Rowleys.

Christian and Nicola were an absolute delight and it was a pleasure to have been part of their very special day at such a wonderful location.

For more information about weddings at Lytham Hall please visit www.lythamhall.co.uk.

To find out more about my own wedding entertainment packages please go to my website www.simonpartridge.com.

Top Hat and Tales of the Riverbank

In the past six years I’ve performed in all sorts of places in all sorts of circumstances.  Regular readers of my Adventures in Easy Listening will know that as well as performing in swish London hotels and staggeringly splendid castles I’ve sung in marquees, undercrofts, saloons, barns, gardens, village halls, cafes and even an old custard factory, but never on a river bank…  until I was booked to sing at a Golden Wedding Anniversary party at The Lion Hotel in Leintwardine back in July.

The Lion is situated on the banks of the River Teme in the charming village of Leintwardine, Shropshire on the River Teme.  And when I say situated on the banks I mean on the banks!  Here is the view from where I was singing:

The weather was glorious which meant that the atmosphere in the marquee was fantastic.

The wonderful warm weather meant that the marquee was open on three sides giving some of the most interesting views I’ve ever had whilst performing!

The whole afternoon was such a romantic affair.  The couple celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary had held their wedding reception at The Lion on the very same day fifty years earlier.  They were surrounded by family and friends and it was a pleasure to be part of the celebrations.

Find out more about The Lion Hotel by visiting www.thelionleintwardine.co.uk.

For more information about the entertainment I could provide for your anniversary celebration or party visit www.simonpartridge.com.  You can find information on my fees, listen to song clips and read testimonials from previous clients.