Same Name Different Noise 4

For the latest episode in our not particularly acclaimed series we have a guest contribution from The Stalwart George. How you feel about that may depend on your views on whistling and the importance of sticking to the tune.

The first Fred Lowery was a blind professional whistler with a recording career that lasted from the 1930s to the 1970s. He had a Top 10 hit in the US with the theme from the film "The High And The Mighty", and his version of "Indian Love Call" sold over two million copies. 

Both of those achievements pale in comparison to his greatest triumph, the album "Fred Lowery Whistles Your Gospel Favourites", from which today's selection comes. Apparently George once played it to a class of students during a maths test. I imagine they all failed.

The other Fred was a soul singer from Dallas. I have another one of his records on which he is backed by the magnificently named Big Bo & The Arrows. I must dig that one out for you some time.

It was hard to find anything that fits well with the first Fred. In the end I settled for a bit of langarm music, a style that remains popular with South Africans who hanker after the days of joined up dancing. The first Bobby Hendricks was considered by many to be the King of Langarm (although Jimmy of Jimmy's Grand Six fame may beg to differ). 

The other Bobby was very briefly the lead singer of The Drifters in the late 1950s and went on to have a few hits of his own, including this one.

"The Church In The Wildwood" - Fred Lowery

"Wait And See" - Fred Lowery

"Agadoo" - Bobby Hendricks

"Itchy Twitchy Feeling" - Bobby Hendricks

We'll round things off with Slim Whitman and his version of Fred One's million seller. Whistling, yodeling and Agadoo all in one post - it doesn't get any better than this.