#887 (4/8/17 - 4/21/17)

SPOTLIGHT ON THE DEEP RIVER BOYS
(Part Two — 1950s)

"It Doesn't Make Sense To Me"/"Truthfully"
The Deep River Boys
on Beacon 9143
released in 1952

"I Still Love You"/"September Song"
The Deep River Boys
on His Masters's Voice B.10012
released in 1955

"My Castle On The Nile"/"Lucky Black Cat"
The Deep River Boys
on His Masters's Voice B.10633
released in 1955


[The above image is courtesy of Lillemor Lewander.]

Above: The Deep River Boys (L-R) Carter Wilson (first tenor), Edward Ware (bass), Vernon Gardner (second tenor), Cameron Williams (pianist-arranger), and Harry Douglass (baritone).

DETROIT FREE PRESS, April 21, 1950: Deep River Boys At Bowery—Better catch the Deep River Boys at the Bowery, because they're headed back to Europe before long. Their Detroit date is their first in the United States after 22 weeks at the London Palladium. After a week in Pittsburgh they'll be bound for a summer in France, Italy and again to the celebrated English music hall.

THE BILLBOARD, July 8, 1950: ....The Deep River Boys inked a recording deal with His Master's Voice (HMV), the British affiliate of the RCA Victor Company here, prior to their departure for England for a tour which will kick off with a Palladium Theater, London, engagement. The deal calls for the group's disks to be released in the United States on the Victor label....

THE BILLBOARD, May 5, 1951: ....The Deep River Boys left last week for their third annual British tour and will remain abroad at least until fall....

THE BILLBOARD, December 20, 1952: ....The Deep River Boys are due back Saturday from a seven-month tour of Great Britain and the Continent....

THE BILLBOARD, September 26, 1953: Deep River Boys Sign 7th Palladium Pact—The Deep River Boys will make their seventh Palladium appearance in the theater's fall show which begins mid-October. The team, Harry Douglass, Vernon Gardner, Edward Ware, and pianist Cam Williams, has signed for nine weeks and will double in a late-night cabaret appearance at the Colony Restaurant.



[The above image is courtesy of Hans-Joachim Krohberger.]
Above: The Deep River Boys (Back L-R) Al Bishop (bass), Harry Douglass (baritone), Jimmy Lundy (tenor), (Front Center) Ray Durant (pianist-arranger). Circa mid-1950s.


[The above image is courtesy of Hans-Joachim Krohberger.]
Above: The Deep River Boys (L-R) Ray Durant, Al Bishop, Jimmy Lundy, and Harry Douglass. Circa mid-1950s.


Above is from the New York Age dated 11/25/50....
"BREAKS LONDON RECORD: The internationally famous Deep River Boys, headlining an all-star revue at the London Palladium, are shown here with other performers who appeared on the same bill with them; songstress Kip Oldfield, comedian Tommy Trinder, and 'Chi-Chi' girl, Rose Murphy. The 'Deeps' returned to the Palladium where they scored a smash hit last year, and broke all existing records."



(From the Daily Argus Leader [Sioux Falls, SD] dated 11/14/51)
Will Harmonize At Sioux Falls Auto Show
"....Deep River Boys, favorites in the United States, Canada and England, who recently
completed appearances in London. These exclusive RCA-Victor recording artists have
sung on all major networks in this country, Canada and Great Britain, have pioneered in
television and have played major theaters and cafes in three English-speaking countries."

(From the Pittsburgh Courier dated 1/26/52)





(From the Ottawa Journal dated 5/13/55)

(From Afro-American dated 6/23/56)

"BACK TO WORK SOON — The Deep River Boys, winding up a 3-week vacation, resume work, July 4, at Gothenburg, Sweden. The new group is shown as it was closing a recent stand in Buffalo, prior to taking a brief layoff. Left to right, are Jimmy Lundy, top tenor; Al Bishop, bass; Harry Douglass, baritone lead; Mrs. Ruth Bishop, wife of the bass man; Ray Durant, pianist, and Vernon Gardner, second tenor.

Like all good things, vacations have to end. The Deep River Boys, one of the outstanding vocal groups on the international circuit, are winding up one of their rare 'layoffs' and preparing to hit the airlanes again.

Following three weeks in which they were told to 'relax and forget everything,' the Deeps are back to packing their belongings. They open an engagement in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 4. Last year, the Deeps spent more than eight months in Europe alone, where they became the toast of theatrical circles."



EXTRA AUDIO (Windows Media Player):


Above Left: Label image of Pilotone 118-8 recorded on July 18, 1945 and released in 1946.

This is part of a four-record 78-rpm album "Spirituals And Jubilees With The Deep River Boys."

Above Middle: The Deep River Boys (L-R) George Lawson, Vernon Gardner, Rhett Butler, Edward Ware, and Cameron Williams at the piano.

Per Disco-File, the personnel on this Pilotone record are as shown in the above picture.
This is also the likely line-up on the Majestic Thelma Carpenter sides (See Part One).

Listen to "My Castle On The Nile" by The Deep River Boys on Pilotone 118-8 released in 1946.


Above Right: Label image of Select R-177-S released in 1952.

The matrix number indicates that RCA Victor pressed these 78-rpm records for Select.

Listen to "My Old Home Town" by The Deep River Boys on Select R-177-S released in 1952.



Above: Label image of Beacon 9143 recorded on December 20, 1951 and released in February 1952. The personnel for this record are conveniently shown on the label.

The Cash Box Review (3/8/52):

DEEP RIVER BOYS — BEACON 9143.... Truthfully/Doesn't Make Sense To Me
Top deck is a slow, smooth tune that's treated to some good harmony by the Deep River Boys. The lead chant and the soft blend make this an ok side. The bottom dish is another slow ditty that comes out with a good sound via the combined efforts of the boys. Ops might take a gander.

The Billboard Review (5/10/52):

DEEP RIVER BOYS — Beacon 9143....
Truthfully
(66) A slick, smooth vocal rendition by the boys, on a pretty and warm new ballad.
Doesn't Make Sense To Me (64)
Another good vocal performance by the Deep River Boys on a fair piece of material. The quartet sings in a relaxed, easy manner.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 40-69 was considered "satisfactory.")



Above: Label images of His Master's Voice B.10012 and His Master's Voice B.10633, all four sides recorded on May 23, 1955 and both records released later in 1955.

In the 1950s, The Deep River Boys had four records on RCA Victor (1950-53); three records on Beacon (1952); one on Select (1952); one on Jay-Dee (1954); two on Vik (1956); and three on Gallant (1959).

NOTE: Most discographical information provided at this website is from Ferdie Gonzalez' Disco-File.


Listen to this week's selections featuring The Deep River Boys:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

     A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
 
          1. It Doesn't Make Sense To Me - Beacon 9143 - 1952
          2. Truthfully - Beacon 9143 - 1952
          3. I Still Love You - His Master's Voice B.10012 - 1955
          4. September Song - His Master's Voice B.10012 - 1955
          5. My Castle On The Nile - His Master's Voice B.10633 - 1955
          6. Lucky Black Cat - His Master's Voice B.10633 - 1955
 
          ALL SIX played in sequence

     B. Download RealAudio...
 
          1. It Doesn't Make Sense To Me - Beacon 9143 - 1952
          2. Truthfully - Beacon 9143 - 1952
          3. I Still Love You - His Master's Voice B.10012 - 1955
          4. September Song - His Master's Voice B.10012 - 1955
          5. My Castle On The Nile - His Master's Voice B.10633 - 1955
          6. Lucky Black Cat - His Master's Voice B.10633 - 1955

     C. Stream/Download Media Player...
 
          1. It Doesn't Make Sense To Me - Beacon 9143 - 1952
          2. Truthfully - Beacon 9143 - 1952
          3. I Still Love You - His Master's Voice B.10012 - 1955
          4. September Song - His Master's Voice B.10012 - 1955
          5. My Castle On The Nile - His Master's Voice B.10633 - 1955
          6. Lucky Black Cat - His Master's Voice B.10633 - 1955
 
          ALL SIX played in sequence


      [To download audio files, right-click on link and then select "Save (Link) Target As..."]

Click HERE for SPOTLIGHT ON THE DEEP RIVER BOYS (Part One — 1940s).
(Above link will open in a separate window)


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