Meet The Minstrels/The Good Old Summertime/Alabamy Bound/The Old Ark’s A Moverin’/Western Style/Your Requests/Ay Ay Ay/More Stephen Foster Melodies/Dry Bones/Goodbye-Ee
The Black & White Minstrel TV show remained a firm favourite with British audiences in the early 1960s, apart from teenagers who much preferred watching programmes that were a bit more ‘with it’ such as 6.5 Special or Oh Boy. (UK:1)
“The musical focus seems to move away from placid accordion strolls towards energetic big band numbers, but the concept is hardly less nullifying, if marginally more listenable. On the weakly positive side, Dai Francis seems to have done a bit more work on his Jolson impressions since last time.”
“In 1957, the BBC decided to run a special entitled 'The 1957 Television Minstrels' and called in Mitchell. With female dancers called 'The Television Toppers' and a rechristened male choir the 'Mitchell's Minstrels', the basis was formed for the show. It was a ratings winner. The following year, the BBC and Mitchell decided to expand the special into a regular weekly series. The newly named 'Black And White Minstrel Show' began broadcasting on Saturday nights, featuring a Mitch Miller-type singalong format for the home audience.”
“In addition to solo and group minstrel numbers, folk, foreign and country/western songs were featured as well. The show was an instant hit and became a Saturday night tradition in England.”
“It's the music that counts, and this is musical entertainment at its very best. I have this and most other B & W LPs.”
“There are times when The Minstrels break away from possum-eating knees-ups, stop pretending to be someone else and begin to sing music they actually feel. Once again the Stephen Foster medley works well because it is clearly heartfelt and no showbiz is involved; just simple but effective choral work and at least the possibility of there being a lump in the throat.”
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