In this episode of the A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine discuss Ivor Novello's 1914 hit "Keep the Home Fires Burning". They explore Novello's life and WW1 service, his collaboration with lyricist Lena Guilbert Ford and her tragic death in a Zepplin raid on London in 1918. Alongside this their conversation covers the sad tale of WW1 poet and composer Ivor Gurney and Novello's connection to another WW1 poet, Seigfied Sassoon.
To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN
REFERENCES
Mr Fogg's Tavern Sing-a-long
https://www.mr-foggs.com/event/tavern-cockney-sing-a-long/
Ivor Novello - Blue Plaque
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/ivor-novello/
Ivor Novello - Biography / Locations
https://britainunlimited.com/ivor-novello/
Ivor Gurney - Biography
https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/ivor-gurney-composer-poet-soldier/
Heytesbury House in Wiltshire (home to Sassoon and Gatty)
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1198088
Pics of Ivor's West End Flat
https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/heritage-architect-creates-west-end-home-for-cameron-mackintosh/5097491.article
Till the Boys Come Home - Roger Foss
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Till-Boys-Come-Home-British/dp/0750960663
Heytesbury House in Wiltshire (Sassoon's Home)
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1198088
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:50 Opening Chat
01:50 K = Keep the Home Fires Burning
02:57 The Life of Ivor Novello
10:07 The Tragic Story of Ivor Gurney
14:09 Novello in London
17:06 Lena Guilbert Ford's Contribution
19:20 The Premiere of 'Keep the Homefires Burning'
20:43 The Song's Impact and Reception
21:32 Siegfried Sassoon and Ivor Novello's Connection
22:06 Siegried Sassoon
25:49 Ivor Novello's Post-War Success
26:57 Novello's Military Service in WW1
29:48 Discussing the Sheet Music
31:31 Discussing the Lyrics
34:05 Discussing the Music
36:26 Discussing Recordings - Frederick Wheeler
37:37 Stanley Kirkby
40:19 John McCormack
42:11 Olive Gilbert
42:53 Our Favourite Recordings
44:20 If You Liked That You'll Like This ...
46:15 Mentioned in Dispatches
49:59 A Teaser for Next Week
50:24 Outro
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod
Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil
Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine
CONTACT THE PODCAST
If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at warsongspod@gmail.com to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".
LISTENING LINKS
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318
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