Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Al Bowlly and Ella Logan sing the classic American popular song "Frankie And Johnny" (labelled as "Frankie & Johnnie Blues"), recorded in London on November 24th, 1930 and released on British Decca F-2206.
Following this track, you will hear a 'blues' side that Al Bowlly made during the same recording session. Though the song title on the original Decca label contains an offensive word, the lyrics do not actually mention the word, so I've decided to upload the recording with photos of Bowlly in place of the label.
Finally, you will hear Ella Logan singing Spencer Williams' song "She Walked Right Up And Took My Man Away", again from the same recording session. She was only 17 at the time and her voice displays a youthful Glaswegian spirit, adding a notable Armstrong-like growl here and there! Logan subsequently carved out a successful career in the USA. She died of cancer, aged 56, in 1969. Her niece was the jazz singer and actress Annie Ross and her nephew was the actor Jimmy Logan OBE. The photo that you see in the video shows Ella Logan with American trumpeter Bunny Berigan in 1930 (Bunny Berigan was appearing in London with Hal Kemp's band at the time).
AL BOWLLY AND ELLA LOGAN
Al Bowlly (?guitar) and Ella Logan (vocals), with vocal interjections by unknown male.
Recorded in London, November 24th, 1930
BG-2323-1…….Frankie & Johnnie Blues…….Decca F-2206
AL BOWLLY
Al Bowlly (vocals), with vocal interjections by Ella Logan and unknown male
Recorded at same session as above
BG-2322-2…….N****r Blues…………………..Decca F-2560
ELLA LOGAN
Ella Logan (vocals) accompanied by Al Bowlly (?guitar, and vocalising)
Recorded at same session as above
BG-2321-2..She Walked Right Up
And Took My Man Away……….Decca F-2560
Al Bowlly is listed in some discographies as the guitarist on these sides, though this is by no means certain. The guitarist is very good! Interestingly, there is a second unknown male voice heard on the first two sides. Perhaps he is the guitarist! Could it be Len Fillis, who was a friend of Al Bowlly's and could play pretty good rhythm-style and single-string jazz guitar? Listen to Fillis' playing on Fred Elizalde's "Somebody Stole My Gal", for instance. Len Fillis often worked with Bowlly on recording sessions made around this time (though usually playing Hawaiian style guitar).
Al Bowlly and Ella Logan sing the classic American popular song "Frankie And Johnny" (labelled as "Frankie & Johnnie Blues"), recorded in London on November 24th, 1930 and released on British Decca F-2206.
Following this track, you will hear a 'blues' side that Al Bowlly made during the same recording session. Though the song title on the original Decca label contains an offensive word, the lyrics do not actually mention the word, so I've decided to upload the recording with photos of Bowlly in place of the label.
Finally, you will hear Ella Logan singing Spencer Williams' song "She Walked Right Up And Took My Man Away", again from the same recording session. She was only 17 at the time and her voice displays a youthful Glaswegian spirit, adding a notable Armstrong-like growl here and there! Logan subsequently carved out a successful career in the USA. She died of cancer, aged 56, in 1969. Her niece was the jazz singer and actress Annie Ross and her nephew was the actor Jimmy Logan OBE. The photo that you see in the video shows Ella Logan with American trumpeter Bunny Berigan in 1930 (Bunny Berigan was appearing in London with Hal Kemp's band at the time).
AL BOWLLY AND ELLA LOGAN
Al Bowlly (?guitar) and Ella Logan (vocals), with vocal interjections by unknown male.
Recorded in London, November 24th, 1930
BG-2323-1…….Frankie & Johnnie Blues…….Decca F-2206
AL BOWLLY
Al Bowlly (vocals), with vocal interjections by Ella Logan and unknown male
Recorded at same session as above
BG-2322-2…….N****r Blues…………………..Decca F-2560
ELLA LOGAN
Ella Logan (vocals) accompanied by Al Bowlly (?guitar, and vocalising)
Recorded at same session as above
BG-2321-2..She Walked Right Up
And Took My Man Away……….Decca F-2560
Al Bowlly is listed in some discographies as the guitarist on these sides, though this is by no means certain. The guitarist is very good! Interestingly, there is a second unknown male voice heard on the first two sides. Perhaps he is the guitarist! Could it be Len Fillis, who was a friend of Al Bowlly's and could play pretty good rhythm-style and single-string jazz guitar? Listen to Fillis' playing on Fred Elizalde's "Somebody Stole My Gal", for instance. Len Fillis often worked with Bowlly on recording sessions made around this time (though usually playing Hawaiian style guitar).
