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6 July 2012

Hear the music of Norman Long

A well-known voice in the 1930s, the music of Sydenham-based Norman Long - a BBC entertainer known for his wit, charm and ability to poke fun at the establishment - has all but disappeared into the ether, but for one South-London-singer who is determined to keep his memory alive.


We are told that Norman Long was the son of a Sydenham bootmaker and lived in a house on Queensthorpe Road. During the First World War, he entertained as part of his service, and despite deciding on a career as an insurance salesman after the war, he found the time to write music which gently mocked the establishment, and became famous after recording songs for various BBC programmes including "A Song, A joke, and a Piano".

South London singer Alexandra Carter has decided to revive his work in a concert that, she believes, may be the first time in around 90 years that anyone has heard Norman Long's songs in concert. For more, see https://sites.google.com/site/alexcartersinger/
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2 comments:

  1. Alex Carter6 July 2012 at 09:35

    Delighted to be here, thank you!

    Yes, Norman Long's songs need sharing with London! The event is part of Sydenham Arts Festival, there will also be Charlie Chaplin and Noel Coward songs.

    Tickets are available from http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk/events/alex-carter-in-concert-fri-6-july/

    Hope to see you there! :) Alex

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  2. Anonymous25 August 2013 at 09:41

    Hello Alex: One of my listeners has asked to hear "Ten Pahnds Dahn possibly by Flanagan & Allen". This was a new title on me, and my searches on the internet seem to point, not to F&A, but to Norman Long as being the recording artiste concerned. Much to my shame Norman's name was new to me too. I was born and grew-up in South London, and attended Sedgehill Comprehensive, just a stone's throw from Sydenham. Anyway ... I digress ... I've managed to locate an MP3 download of Norman Long performing "Ten Pahnds Dahn" and I intend to feature it on-air very soon. However, I can't seem to find confirmation of the composer or publisher of the 'song'. Did Norman write it in collaboration with somebody called "Pounds" or did Norman take sole credit? If you're able to answer my query, and perhaps confirm the name of the publisher too, that would be brilliant. You can reach me by e-mail at DavidLowe7@aol.com or via my Blog at www.mid20thcenturymusictalk.blogspot.com. Best Wishes David Lowe (Producer-Presenter: BBC West & South West: On-line and on the BBC iPlayer)

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