
Alma Cogan, The Girl With A Giggle In Her Voice
Part one: Of my discography of Alma's backcatalogue has been added to the website today.
www.almacogan.com
More will be added soon, this part deals with the tracks recorded between 1950 and 1955 for HMV UK (Later part of Parlophone/Columbia/EMI) and issued mainly on 78rpm singles.
www.almacogan.com
More will be added soon, this part deals with the tracks recorded between 1950 and 1955 for HMV UK (Later part of Parlophone/Columbia/EMI) and issued mainly on 78rpm singles.
Yes and in just four years, as nothing was released until 1952.
Alma actually only made four complete LP's the rest of her releases were all singles. This was the normal pattern of course up until the mid 1950's and the popularity of the LP. Infact I believe in 1956, with Capitol records releasing Frank SInatra albums on a 10" album with 8 tracks and later a 12" album on 33.3rpm with 10 to 12 tracks. RCA actually invented the vinyl LP as early as 1930 but WWII halted the grow of this market, the real introduction of the classic 12" LP was by Columbia Records in 1948, but it took several years for the record buying public to catch up with this format.
Of course Matt Monro also released many tracks not issued on any original album, and many B-sides that have never been re-issued.
Alma actually only made four complete LP's the rest of her releases were all singles. This was the normal pattern of course up until the mid 1950's and the popularity of the LP. Infact I believe in 1956, with Capitol records releasing Frank SInatra albums on a 10" album with 8 tracks and later a 12" album on 33.3rpm with 10 to 12 tracks. RCA actually invented the vinyl LP as early as 1930 but WWII halted the grow of this market, the real introduction of the classic 12" LP was by Columbia Records in 1948, but it took several years for the record buying public to catch up with this format.
Of course Matt Monro also released many tracks not issued on any original album, and many B-sides that have never been re-issued.
- michduncg
- Posts: 1332
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:03 pm
- Location: Oxon, UK (Originally from Yorkshire)
Hi Dean, and greetings from sunny Hants
By sheer fluke, I stumbled across Alma's recording of 'More' last night on i-tunes! I see what you mean by her later stuff (although not sure what year this version dates from - haven't checked yet). There is clearly 'more' to Alma (if you'll pardon the pun!) than her slightly twee, tongue in cheek 50s stuff (not that she didn't sound fantastic on those too!). On more she actually growls and purrs her way throught the lyrics. I will have to look further into her later stuff!


By sheer fluke, I stumbled across Alma's recording of 'More' last night on i-tunes! I see what you mean by her later stuff (although not sure what year this version dates from - haven't checked yet). There is clearly 'more' to Alma (if you'll pardon the pun!) than her slightly twee, tongue in cheek 50s stuff (not that she didn't sound fantastic on those too!). On more she actually growls and purrs her way throught the lyrics. I will have to look further into her later stuff!
Michael
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......
- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
We have received and watched the DVD "The Fabulous Story of Alma Cogan" and what a great result from "Odeon Entertainment " in the remastering of previously unreleased footage that brought back to us, more memories of how big a star Alma was, and how she lit up our screens with her great personality, her fabulous gowns, her love life, including famous stars who attended her parties, added to this a line up of- who's who in showbusiness do you recognise ? Comments and compliments from well known celebrities throughout and another highlight for us "The British Dance Band " music. There is also a booklet to compliment this DVD, so we recommend you go out and buy it. We thoroughly enjoyed it.



- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
Marian, we didn't realise it was on last night, and was just waiting to watch it this Sunday on BBC4.
From what we have read about the programme it must be the DVD that we purchased recently, but as you say a brilliant programme.
We have a video that we taped from the tv some time ago of Alma's life, of her illness and her passing that's so sad.
From what we have read about the programme it must be the DVD that we purchased recently, but as you say a brilliant programme.
We have a video that we taped from the tv some time ago of Alma's life, of her illness and her passing that's so sad.
Does anyone remember the terrible illness the athlete Lillian Board went through all those years back. She was a star British athlete, when I was a young lad and she became a household name at the time. But like Alma Cogan, Lillian Board also had the same terrible illness. I remember seeing Lillian being filmed from her hospital bedside on the TV news, she looked absolutely terrible. I was very upset, and that image of Lillian Board has stayed with me for all these years



"My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"

Hi Robert--yes I do remember Lilian Board very well--and her brave fight against an awful illness. However, I seem to recollect that Lilian Board had Crohns Disease. And although I had always understood that Alma Cogan died from Leukeamia--in the programme it mentioned Ovarian Cancer.
Whichever way, they were 2 tragedies to 2 very differently talented ladies.
Whichever way, they were 2 tragedies to 2 very differently talented ladies.
Mariana
Just read this BBC news page on Lillian, so tragic. She was only 22.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/date ... 542813.stm (she passed away on Boxing Day 1970 of a virulent form of Bowel cancer) after many complications.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/date ... 542813.stm (she passed away on Boxing Day 1970 of a virulent form of Bowel cancer) after many complications.
"My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
