Responsive image
# Title Principal Artiste Composers Lyricist / Date written Place Date recorded Matrix Label&cat.no. Additional Information
767 I'm One Of The Lads Of Valencia Ray Noble and His Orchestra Lloyd   London April 25, 1933 OB-6573-3 HMV B-6344 Ray Noble directing Max Goldberg (Melophone and trumpet); Bill Shakespeare (trumpet); Jock Fleming (trombone); Laurie Payne (clarinet, alto and baritone saxophones); Bob Wise (clarinet and alto saxophone); Reg Pink or Harry Carter (clarinets and tenor saxophones); Harry Jacobson (piano); Bert Thomas (banjo, guitar); Jack Evetts (string bass); Bill Harry (drums); Rudy Starita (vibraphone and xylophone); Ace Roland and Max Kester (vocals). London, April 25, 1933. (Some consider this a Bowlly item. It’s included here as reference)


I'm One Of The Lads Of Valencia

I'm One Of The Lads Of Valencia

(Lloyd)

Ray Noble and His Orchestra


There is debate about the vocalist on “I'm one Of the Lads of Valencia”; “The Village Band” and “All over Italy”. Is the vocalist Al Bowlly or Ace Roland? Here is a link to Ace Roland singing with Ray Noble. I personally felt it was Al Bowlly on all three tracks. BUT:

The World Records HMV box set also mentions the exact personnel for these sessions, even stating the absence of Lew Davis and Harry Carter from these sessions. This suggest the researchers had access to the HMV archive listings which put Bowlly at these sessions. BUT

According to Rust and Forbes- British Dance Bands 1911-1945. It clearly states that the vocals are by Ace Roland and Max Kester for all three songs and Ray Noble joining in on All over Italy.

(Some consider this a Bowlly item. It’s included here as reference)


Ace Roland:
You give-a-me the big kiss, eh! señorita
Max Kester:
No, a thousand times, no!
Ace Roland:
Don't you realise, I'm a Spanish count
Max Kester:
Then, you can count me out

Ace Roland:
Ah! señorita, I meet no-one sweeter
You're quite fit to eat eh!
I'm full of da' spell
Max Kester:
Oh!, the Spanish passion, may be the new fashion
Keep off or I'll bash-in your Spanish sombrero

Ace Roland:
I'm always in love, so I know how to love
I've got real Spanish blood in my veins
I'm a wonderful lad, but when the moons high above
I've got rich Spanish blood in my veins
To the sweet señoritas, I give the glad eye
And they all fall for me, would you like to know why!
I'm one of the lads of Valencia, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
I'm full of sweet love and adventureea, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
You can't beat a Spaniard for kissing
Oh! ladies just think, what you're missing
I'm one of the lads of Valencia, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la

I've got such a fine Spanish torso
It's just like boobs, only more so

Chorus:
He's one of the lads of Valencia, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la

Max Kester:
So this is the Spaniards weakness
Now thank God, I know what you're doing
Chorus:
He's one of the lads of Valencia, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la

Ace Roland:
Fly with me to Seville, we will live on oranges and Spanish onions
Every day, I will kiss you
Max Kester:
What, to oranges and onions. Not on your life!
Ace Roland:
Señorita, you spurn me, beware of my vendetta
Max Kester:
No!, don't you try none of your fandango or I'll give you such a sock on the boleros