The inimitable Tom Carradine, master of the piano and sing-a-long!

Now this blog post has nothing to do with one of my beloved Brompton bicycles. I will not be offended if you pass this one by but it still might hold your interest if you like history, live music and a wonderful pianist, singer and near-custodian of old songs where there is often mention of bananas!

I suppose a little bit of background information is needed for this one. In my formative years, I learnt to play the piano. I wasn’t really an enthusiastic learner, but I relished the idea of swapping the dreadful pieces I was compelled to play for something far more palatable. This made my visits to Chappell of Bond Street (in its original location) a delightful occasion, where I would browse for hours, acquiring a delightful mix of television themes, snippets of film scores, and an assortment of 1980s synthesiser gems. 

Upon returning home, I would proudly place my new treasures on the piano and “play”, although when I say “play”, I truly mean “butcher”. The theme to ‘Hill Street Blues’ was a particular favourite of mine, despite my sad attempt at recreating it under the dubious inspiration for all things piano playing, the late Les Dawson. My poor parents were often compelled to flee the cacophony by indulging in an unscheduled jaunt down the road somewhere in SW7 for a rather calming cup of tea and a slice of cake!

Then there is my brother, a gifted pianist and organist who could effortlessly play any sheet music I laid out. I often contemplated committing fraternal sabotage (a polite way of saying I could have almost hit him), as he would come waltzing in, look at what I was playing and breeze through expertly pieces that took me an eternity to “master” - if one could even call my efforts that!

Having read history at university, I have always relished the opportunity to delve into the past. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you might have gleaned that from my seemingly endless posts about London. As a dedicated P.G. Wodehouse fan, I not only adore the books but also enjoy old tunes of the 1920s and 1930s. Of course, my brother could play them on the piano far better than I ever could. Plus, growing up with parents who lived through WWII, I became quite familiar with the era's songs.

A couple of years ago, I stumbled across Tom Carradine, a fine gentleman if ever there was one. He played the piano with flair, could certainly sing a tune - belting out wonderful songs from a bygone era - and sported a handlebar moustache that could only be described as spectacular. He has been on the Tweed Run and can manoeuvre a penny farthing bicycle. He has an undeniable passion for old music hall songs and those from the 1920s and beyond, spanning the drama of both World Wars. He is also a particularly dapper dresser - someone who could make bow tie look trendsetting! I think that I must have gone past a pub in London where he was in full flight and recognised a song where those in the audience sing out ‘have a banana!’ with enthusiasm at certain points. I am not really a frequenter of pubs, but I did take a mental note of his name on the advertising outside. 

I enlisted Mrs Orange, and we first saw Mr Carradine in a church hall somewhere in Bloomsbury. It was pretty central, wherever it was. The experience was simply marvellous: wonderful songs, brilliant piano playing, and a tremendous amount of audience participation - and opportunities to holler ‘have a banana’ at various junctures throughout the evening! We truly enjoyed ourselves, and despite certain melodies running through my head for weeks on end, we eagerly searched for Mr Carradine’s next London performance. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before he announced a date at the legendary Wilton Music Hall. Naturally, I bagged a couple of tickets. 

Wilton's Music Hall is a wonderful venue that truly enhances those nostalgic songs from the past. Mr Carradine was in splendid form, sounding better than ever. The entire theatre was filled with such a positive vibe that I half-expected a conga line to break out in the aisles! A truly delightful evening out!

Wilton Music Hall, situated in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, is one of the oldest surviving music halls in the world, with its origins dating back to 1859. Initially established as a bespoke venue for musical and theatrical performances, it quickly earned a reputation as an influential cultural hub in the Victorian era. Over the years, the hall has hosted an array of prominent performers, including the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Marie Lloyd, cementing its status within the entertainment industry. 

It stands not only as a remarkable venue but also as a significant historical attraction that highlights London's artistic heritage. Its unique architecture and vibrant past continue to draw audiences and artists alike and it now has a Grade II listing. 

Fast forward a few months, and there I was again with Mrs Orange, again at Wilton Music Hall, witnessing an ensemble that exuded a charmingly old-fashioned variety performance. Imagine my surprise - Basil Brush was there, too! Boom, boom! Once more, Mr Carradine held everything together with his delightful charisma, and once again, Mrs Orange and I counted down to our next night filled with music and merriment.

For those interested in catching Tom live, he has a sort of residency every Thursday at Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden, with select dates at The Green Duck in Tunbridge Wells. You can find all the pertinent details on his website. CLICK HERE I will certainly be going to another performance in the future. 

As for me, I am still an owner of a piano and have a treasure trove of sheet music from my formative years. So, if you happen to stroll past a house in north London and hear someone butchering the theme from ‘Hill Street Blues’ or engaging in a questionable rendition of ‘Sunny Disposish,’ it might just be yours truly! Should you wish to lodge a complaint, kindly direct your grievances towards the ever-charming Mr Tom Carradine as I blame him completely!!

Until next time, stay safe out there people!