MOONSHINE IS BETTER THAN SUNSHINE
(vocal by Jack Plant) (Norman & Melville)
COLUMBIA CB62 recorded 23 April 1930
HUSH, HUSH, HUSH, HERE COMES THE BOGEY
MAN ("VARIETY" NOVELTY)
(vocal by Val Rosing) (Lowton & Benson)
COLUMBIA FB2816 recorded 28 September 1932
(reissue of COLUMBIA DB955)

Despite its reputation for being rather high-minded, the BBC understood the need for popular entertainment. In 1928 it appointed bandleader Jack Payne as Director of Dance Music, and he formed the BBC Dance Orchestra for regular broadcasts: they also made many records (billed as 'Jack Payne and his BBC Dance Orchestra'.

The musicians were contracted to Payne, not the BBC, so when he left the BBC in 1932 he took the musicians with him. The BBC appointed Henry Hall as his replacement: Hall was widely experienced, having run bands and been musical director for a chain of hotels, involving running 32 bands. The band he formed for the BBC was of as high a standard as Payne's and rapidly became very popular - they also made many records; Hall additionally made weekly broadcasts in his 'Guest Night' shows (which continued on and off into the early 1950s, even after the band left the BBC in 1937)

You can hear more recordings by the BBC Dance Orchestra in episodes 7, 15 & 36 of my podcast.
JACK PAYNE & HIS BBC DANCE ORCHESTRA
THE BBC DANCE ORCHESTRA directed by HENRY HALL
(Mouse over the details for notes on each record)