365 Days #235 - Bob Anthony - We'd Like To Teach You Sing (mp3s)

MP3:
We'd Like To Teach You To Sing
1 Introduction (1:57)
2 Finding Your Singing Range (4:47)
3 Breathing/Throat and vocal chords (2:57)
4 Producing the correct amplification (1:47)
5 Vowel exercises (1:05)
6 Vibrato (1:12)
7 Vowels and consonants (2:11)
8 Rhythm exercises on scales (10:48)
9 Time demonstration record (1:52)
10 Time backing track (1:53)
11 Contemporary exercise (2:00)
Images: Sing 1, Sing 2, Sing 3, Sing 4, Sing 5

I found this self-help album in a charity shop many years ago. The first thing that struck me was the odd tone of the title. It's not positive as in 'We will teach you to sing!' or 'Learn to sing!' but 'We'd like to teach you to sing'. A bit unsure about itself. It’s sentiments reminded me of comedian Victoria Wood's satirical airport departure lounge sitcom 'We'd quite like to apologize'.

The project was the brain child of one Bob Anthony and his company Pro/Mu/Sing Ltd. He demonstrates all the vocal exercises and sings the songs on the album. However a different, anonymous figure introduces each section. His nasally tone and speech impediment reminds me a little of Lady Penelope's chauffeur Parker from Thunderbirds. I keep expecting him to say 'Yes, M'Lady' after each sentence.

The record claims to be the first teaching LP of singing. It may well have been but at just 33 minutes playing time it's a little light and there are actually not that many exercises to try (a lot of side 2 is taken up with a series of instrumentals in different tempos 'to practice singing to' as well as showcasing Bob's own song Time). It was perhaps a taster to encourage would-be students to sign up to the full singing course that is advertised in the 24 page booklet that accompanies the record.

MORE ABOUT BOB ANTHONY AFTER THE JUMP (with more mp3s and images)...

The booklet text reveals that any budding cabaret stars (not just singers but also comedians and 'all round entertainers') are encouraged to fork out a further £18 for the Pro/Mu/Sing ten-lesson correspondence course. This was probably a good idea because the booklet doesn't give a lot away but includes advice on practicing vowel sounds, breathing exercises, a suggested plan for your cabaret/club act and 'how to sing with a smile in your voice'. But like the record it is somewhat padded out  with headings in 40 point type, line drawings of vocal chords and some photos of Bob at the mike.

Whether anyone did learn to sing by buying this album and/or using Bob and Parker's correspondence course isn't known. The company claims that all aspects of the entertainment business will be covered including booking artists into cabaret, clubs, radio, television as well as recording.

Bob’s own career included making the album Ile D'Amour, a tribute to the holiday island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. It's not clear whether Jersey Tourism sponsored this project or Bob was trying to make a fast buck selling a themed album to culture-hungry holiday makers. Either way it's impressive that he managed to write 12 songs about Jersey, mentioning as many places as he could, but his vocal delivery is an acquired taste. He's okay when doing ballads where he can employ his vowel-juggling cabaret style to the max, but he struggles a bit on the up-tempo disco numbers.

MP3:
Ile D'Amour
12 Ile D'amour (3:24)
13 The Jersey Polka (2:12)
14 Down To St. Helier (2:48)
15 It Happens At St Ouen (3:05)
16 The Castle At Gorey (2:26)
17 The Lighthouse At Corbiere (3:16)
18 Rozel (4:21)
19 The Beautiful Valley Of St. Peter (4:46)
20 The Night At St. Brelade (2:53)
21 At Plemont (3:44)
22 Sunday On The Island (3:58)
23 Au Revoir Ile D'amour (2:46)
Image: Front Cover

Musically it's pretty good and the project clearly had a lot of money thrown at it with a big budget production including an anonymous band with strings, horns and backing singers. The intro to The Light At Corbiere reminds me of the distinctive 1970s BBC 9 O’Clock News theme. Down To St Helier goes all funky with some nice wah-wah guitar licks while Castle At Gorey is a nod to The Beatles All You Need Is Love with it’s French National Anthem intro.

The only worry is Bob's geographical sense which leaves a lot to be desired. Historically The Channel Islands are a mixture of English and French cultures, but Bob delivers The Jersey Polka as a hoe down complete with Spanish 'olés'! While Down To St Helier sees references to 'German Nights and disco lights'. Also check the lyrics of 'It Happens At St Ouen'. Bob keeps repeating the title but never specifies what ‘it’ is. Bob please tell us!

As a bonus I have also included Bob's charming 1978 double A side single on his own Regis Rose label. As it's festive-themed the sleeve doubles as a Christmas card. He presumably figured a lot of guys would buy this for their mums at Christmas. By this time Bob had seemingly relocated from sunny Jersey to less exotic Bognor Regis on the mainland south coast.

MP3:
Single
24 Mama Please Light A Candle For Me (3:52)
25 Christmas In London (2:44)
Image: Front Cover

- Contributed by: David Noades

We'd Like To Teach You To Sing
Media: Album
Label: Pro/Mu/Sing/Eden
Catalogue: Eden LP49
Year: 1973
Credits: Recorded at Eden Studios.

Ile D'Amour
Media: Album
Label:  Ile D'Amour Records
Catalogue: IDA N2
Year: 1975
Credits: Featuring the voice, music and songs of Bob Anthony. Arranged and produced by Peter Bye. Recorded at Basing Street Studios, London. Cover art concept: Bob Anthony.

Mama Please Light A Candle For Me/Christmas In London
Media: Single
Label: Regis Rose
Catalogue: RR29
Year: 1978
Credits: composed and produced by Bob Anthony

Comments

[Doc]

Maybe you already know this, but the LP looks to be of an era wherein the "odd tone of the title" would be a nod to the then-popular New Seekers'/Coca-Cola song, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I'd_Like_to_Teach_the_World_to_Sing).

[David]

Ah good point, no I never thought of that. It's dated 1973 and so would have come just after the Coke song. I wonder if anyone did learn to sing using this album?

[David Noades]

I've just learned that Bob Anthony was a three time World Record holder, listed in The Guiness Book Of Records:

In 1969 he held the record for singing non-stop for the longest time (24 hours), in 1973 (over 50 hours) and in 1979 (153 hours and 10 minutes)!!

These facts were mentioned on the sleeve of a re-issue of Mama Please Light A Candle For Me in 1979. I wonder which songs he sang? Hopefully he did some tracks off the Jersey album.

Bob if you're reading this, please get in touch and tell us!

[John in Jersey]

There's now a link to this site from the BBC Jersey home page!

[Angela Anthony]

Hi, Bob's my Dad! It has made my day finding your site! Bob is 87 now and very sweet and to know his work is available for the world to hear will give him much peace. Even if his music isn't everyones cup of tea, my Dads caberet show was brilliant and he was a great entertainer and gave all who saw him a really good night out! He taught many people how to make the most of their natural 'instrument', both through actual lessons and a later singing book, tape and video, 'Teach Yourself to Sing Correctly'! I was 9 years old when I watched him finish singing and playing the organ for a week for the record attempt and to me then and now he is the coolest man in the world. Also he made an album for Tenerife, in the same format as Jersey. And he won a French song contest with Mama! Dad was and is passionate about music, it is his lifelong love, and this site has given the music he created an unexpected stage! Thank you so very much x

[Julie in Jersey]

[quote]Bob's geographical sense leaves a lot to be desired. Historically The Channel Islands are a mixture of English and French cultures, while the wah-wah guitar driven Down To St Helier sees references to 'German Nights and disco lights'.[unquote]

This is an unfair criticism of Bob Anthony...'German nights' were a popular form of entertainment for both tourists and locals in Jersey the 1970's - one establishment in particular used to feature an 'oom-pa-pa' Bierkeller-style singalong evening, featuring a German singer/accordionist called Bodi.

[Jon Hall]

Hello! Great website; one of my mates (who is a record producer) introduced me to the joys of Bob Anthony a few years back, and I'm chuffed to have stumbled upon more of his quality work. We think Bob is due a Tony Christie style comeback - I'm sure a dance remix of "It happens at St Ouen" would be a hit; such a funky record!

Glad to hear that he's still doing well; can't believe he's 87! Angela - your Dad has cult status amongst a small, slightly strange group of early 30-somethings, and Ile D'Amour gets played whenever we've had a few beers and want a good singalong.

Long live Bob!

[Rich 'the mix']

Wow, Bob is 87!!

I've danced all night tonight to 'It Happens To St Ouens'', still want to know actually what happened at ST Ouen. can anybody enlighten me?

[Mollie Melvin & Dave]

Hi Angela
Delighted to find your Dad is still into music and well.Bob saved my voice after having several nodules removed and Dave and I helped him at Poland Street Studios. We also ran the Cabaret Shows at the Horseshoe Hotel with Bob.
Since May, I have become a member of the Zimmers Rock group appearing on TV in the UK and abroad.
If Bob remembers us this is my Email address
nanhatscats@aol.com

[Anne Rhodes]

To all Bob's fans out there,

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Bob passed away yesterday aged 89. He will be gratly missed by all who knew him, but especially by his daughters Marina & Angela and his grand daughters Oonagh & Emer.

Uncle Bob is now reunited with his wife.

[mollie and Dave Melvin]

How shocked and saddened we were to hear of the passing of our dear friend and colleague. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family.We never actually met his young daughters but felt we knew them as he was so very proud of them and was always talking about them.Husband Dave and myself, were at Bob's very first marathon and also taught at the studio, please see our email posted on this website on 13 /11/08. We would be most grateful to hear from Marina, Angela or their cousin Anne regarding a few personal details about Bob's later life, and of his final resting place.Mollie and Dave Melvin
Nanhatscats@aol.com