The Mills Brothers sing "Basin Street Blues" & "Up a Lazy River" with the Boston Pops (1980)

[@buddysims1366]

SO MUCH TALENT> HAVE LOVED THEIR MUSIC SINCE TEEN YEARS. I'M 88 AND STILL DO . :)

[@buddysims1366]

I am 88 also :) GREAT MINDS AND EARS :) THEY WERE THE BEST !!!!!!!!!

[@howardthrongard640]

Only 75! Enjoying their beautiful music. A while back I was watching a you-tube segment with them on the Dean Martin Show. So entertaining.

[@dariorestrepoecheverry]

😮

[@marilynfosseen1541]

I came to love them later in life, but I sure do love them now.

[@TrullaCæmentarìí]

2024 STILL listening!! I'm 54 and the Mills Brothers are the greatest!! This music takes me back to a place and a time that I've never been...💜

[@howardthrongard640]

75 year old listening here in the Philippines. Great music.

[@DorrieWood-q6k]

This is great!

[@karinwetzel1773]

‘shamed to admit I just discovered them today, June 2024. Have a lot of catching up to do - these fellows are sensational!

[@pauljohnson7450]

Absolutely one of the greatest singing groups of all time. Listening to them always brings a smile to my face and lets me forget my troubles for awhile. God Bless them....

[@nielsseniusclausen4432]

Shel silverstein

[@thearblessitt142]

I concur! At 60, there's no way I can ever stop listening to the music that my parents, aunts, & uncles listened to almost daily! So perfect are their harmonies, I thank my dad, a native of N'awlins, & my uncle's for being my Lindy Hop partners! May our good Lord Bless the Mills Bros and their descendants always!

[@dogman4100]

Paul- I couldn't agree more. : )

[@patriciaotoole5930]

Me too. I listened to them on a record I'm 81

[@elescaramujo]

that´s exactly my case!

[@dianasills-bailin3731]

The Mills Brothers singing and doing instrumentals (without instruments) is just the greatest ever. When they do Basin Street Blues my soul sings with them. I’ve never heard a better trio ever in my entire life. God bless them and the musical gifts they left us.

[@edwardmusicman896]

Even the great John Williams smile on these legendary gentlemen. There will never be another Mills Brothers…thanks to KZbin we can still hear them…

[@pamtebelman2321]

I noticed that, too. He knew how great they were. I think the Brothers got a kick out of having a full orchestra behind them, too. John has some beautiful arrangements behind these songs, too, especially the strings on Up A Lazy River. I consider myself fortunate also to be able to hear these performances now.

[@dansheridan4002]

Warning! If you listen to this, your life will get better. I can't believe we live in a world where 13 people gave this a thumbs down.

[@flemit35]

most will be by accident.

[@robertcapo9241]

The best, one of my Dad's favorites, and mine too!

[@daniel66weir]

they honestly don't know spectacular talent when it hits them.

[@williamfeilhauer2667]

We live in a sick world. I was raised on their music.

[@ceediddy925]

It just doesn't get better than this. If only today's music could capture a vibe like this. These guys were incomparable!

[@okiepita50t-town28]

Those guys were so fantastic. Man I could listen to them all day long.

[@clairemorrisdobie9977]

They are amazing. Instrumental voices. Even the conductor is smiling.

[@chorchteacher1079]

You're absolutely right. That's John Williams with the Boston pops (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc) He knew the musical legends the Mills brothers are

[@glennkoons1560]

JOHN WILLIAMS ,THE CONDUCTOR.

[@saltydog4787]

Made my day ,,,, many thanks from Australia!

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Amazing how one of the Mills Brothers could make his voice sound like a trombone and one of the other two can make his voice sound like a coronet! Incredible!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Incredible! Can someone teach me how to do that?

[@Sophmag325]

This is way before my time but my father, a WWII veteran absolutely loved these guys. They’re beyond talented. They’re genius. I can’t believe people actually voted a thumbs down. ❤️👍🏻👍🏻

[@iamfelixthecat7233]

They were an absolute marvel.

[@robertklose2140]

You and I must have had the same dad. Mine was also a WWII vet. When I was a young teen he sat me down, said "Listen to this," put on the Mills Brothers, and the rest was history. What a gift to me.

[@belmarmom]

The good old days when performers actually had talent.

[@MaryMcRobert]

So correct. And they were incredibly humble with it.

[@cmc6295]

That's for sure!

[@bryanrendleman2001]

There are still Plenty of people locally still performing with lots of talent.

[@NanSHart]

❤

[@ginlong5723]

How awesome are they! They make today’s “performers “ look and sound like child’s play. These guys have it!

[@aunord923]

i agree brother

[@MarthalieThurstonSachemPiper]

Fantastic talented gentlemen and Boston Pops with John Williams wow.

[@julienelson8162]

Oh my. This is magical, professional, creative, and perfect. How I miss them…

[@duggydugg3937]

dint know what we had

[@anthonyangeli256]

The Mills Brothers were incredible!

[@eugeniamunari2368]

They are just fantastic 👏👏👏

[@davidwalter2002]

One of my dad's favorite vocal groups. No secret why; they were smooth as silk and blended perfectly.

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for your comment, David. To which I would add, "They could swing, too."

[@davidwalter2002]

@@pianopappy Could they ever!

[@clairemorrisdobie9977]

Same here.

[@dontaylor7315]

Phenomenal. And if I hadn't seen it on video I'd never have known that wasn't a trumpet solo.

[@garykinsey9515]

Absolutely! To me, it sounds exactly like a muted trumpet ..., amazing!!!

[@markscates8185]

Listened to this recording countless times over the years. Continues to be one of the finest Mills Brothers live recordings I have seen. Herbert, Harry, and Donald sounding as good as ever. What character, vocal chops, and entertainment value these cats had. Heard them as a child in the 60s and my ears heard what they were singing. To this day my ears hear what they were singing.

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for sharing, Mark.

[@donnalayton6876]

Still have my recording.

[@pamtebelman2321]

That's a sweet comment!

[@annedeline4421]

They were the very best! So sorry we have lost their exceptional harmony!!! And genius!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Our loss is Heaven's gain.

[@rosse998]

Perché sono morti non li conosco ma sono fantastici

[@no1975]

Oh I wish we had this music back this was a time period that surely will be missed. At least I have it to listen to brings back wonderful memories.

[@josephgiustiniani2834]

IMO, I think a lot of music today is poisoned with fake instruments, fake voice overdubbing, even fake audience applause. These guys started out live with nothing but their voices, and showmanship. Do or die. They did............very well. I'm afraid we will never see the return of talents like these guys. They performed from the 1920's to the 1980's. Just that alone is amazing. I'm a big Dean Martin fan. He learned from the Mills Brothers. All one needs to do is watch the style. Great video.............. THANKS.

[@YerPope]

The Mills Brothers are as good in this as they ever were. Truly a great ensemble of singing talent.

[@daniel66weir]

no words can properly say how awesome these guys were. such talent. ❤❤

[@pamtebelman2321]

Agreed, they leave me speechless!

[@nickeyparadise1]

That vocal trombone solo was chilling!

[@caydenkasongo3534]

I love the trombone and trumpet impressions their older brother John imitated the tuba till he died in 1936

[@jamesconner3437]

Not just a trombone or trumpet, but muted !. This was the age of, and the very definition of, the "cool" era for us who were born around mid-1940s. Swing bands , harmony groups...man, looking back, I didn't fully appreciate the wealth I had.

[@victorarraras2530]

Fantásticos

[@pamtebelman2321]

Can someone teach me how to do that?

[@rudolphdean8556]

Pure class and artistic ability!

[@anitaarnell3274]

Incredable harmonium and perfect pitch wow

[@bvwatcher2]

It don't get any better than this.

[@ceediddy925]

Yeah...what you said

[@buddysims1366]

SO AMAZING. First heard them in the 50s still believe them to be the greatest ever.

[@kranckc.1983]

"Oh no... We forgot the trumpets!" "Fellas... Don't worry. We've got this."

[@dansheridan4002]

That's hilarious! My jaw dropped when I saw that! Great stuff!

[@caydenkasongo3534]

And the trombones

[@fratisekkotvrda6441]

Trombonove sólo, fantazie

[@dianejablonski1092]

My Dad adored this group! He sang Basin St. and Lazy River to me and this was such a treat to listen to eternally classic pieces performed by the original masters! Thank you

[@tonjaraye]

I discovered the Mills Brothers when I was around 10 years old (I'm now 60) from seeing them on PBS and I was recently in New Orleans: these songs were going through my head the entire time I was there. I just loved this! I can listen to them anytime and anywhere.

[@majbrittcastrupjrgensen2874]

Brings me memories about my dad and I listening to their music....an old record...normally I am a heavy metal fan, but I just love Mills Brothers!

[@lindaforsythe2978]

One of the best performances of Mills brothers! Wow!

[@suebouchard8198]

Oh my goodness my dad would listen to them with a BIG smile on his face. I can see him!! Thank you for this makes me sad but also very happy. Love you dad!!💕💕

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for sharing those lovely memories with us, Sue. They still make me smile, too.

[@rosc2022]

What a welcome reminder of a simpler time. Beautiful music...focusing on being happy...

[@kend.6797]

These guys were great! This concert was recorded on May 25, 1980 for those who are keeping track.

[@pianopappy]

Thanks, Ken, for the date. I'm going to add it to my description above. I didn't purchase my first VCR until October of 1980. My notes in my log show that I recorded it from a re-run on August 9, 1981.

[@kend.6797]

@@pianopappy I was curious so I looked up the date on the Boston Symphony and Pops online archive today. I wish someone had the entire program. I enjoyed listening to the selections you did record.

[@jdm6613]

I'm surprised they were still kicking in the 80's. Found a clip of them doing a song called caravan, believe it was from the 30's.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Shortly after this bravura performance by the Mills Brothers with John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra, was the classic Borg-McEnroe Wimbledon final the next month!

[@HestanIslandLad]

I come from cold wet and windy Scotland, but whenever I need to warm myself up little, I just play this clip, and it brings back nostalgia unmeasurable. And, a wee 12 year old single malt also helps the moment.😊

[@michaellazzeri2069]

These men were / are, a national treasure. Why, it took so long for ALL of America to recognize their brilliance, is just a sad statement about race in our nation. Harry Mills had one of THE smoothest voices of all time , & he & his brothers were just awesome. AWESOME !! --------------MJL, 76 y/o

[@donk4926]

I have such great memories of Dad playing their LP's when I was a kid in 1960 to 1970's Always loved their beautiful harmonious voices and slow swinging style. I am so grateful for this being shared on the Tube. Love them From South Africa

[@willeangray1646]

Utterly fantastic,yes they are one of the greatest greatest singing groups of all time, I love Up A Lazy River,👏👏💯💯🙏🙏💕💕

[@1MSmith008]

Truly Beautiful

[@jadezee6316]

singing over 50 years!...by this time the Mills Brothers were without question...without argument...without pause.....the FINEST singing group in music history.............

[@garytomes3015]

And they still are!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Wow, that's a long time! They not only were exceptional musicians, but their music made people visibly happier, and that's a special gift.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

Forgive my pickiness, but the Mills Brothers were a trio not a group.

[@ceediddy925]

Basin Street Blues lyrics : "Where the light and dark folks meet". This video is truly...and spectacularly, where the light and dark folks meet! Man, am I glad you recorded this!

[@dsthorp]

The Mills Brothers are such thorough and complete artists, in any style. Wow!

[@virginiakadera1689]

I had the privilege of seeing them live, amazing harmonies, wonderful memories

[@erockelmtree7868]

Oh my gosh, what genius have I stumbled upon. Just brill

[@ruthwoodin550]

OMG - I don't know why I remember the Mills Brothers, but I was quite young as their music filtered through our house. As I listened to these two songs, so many memories came to me from my childhood. I started singing along quite loudly & my cat jumped up from her sound sleep & raced over to make sure I was OK. I am & thankyou for the memories!!!!

[@edynlopez1702]

What an absolute delight. The Mills Brothers were and are the epitome of talent and class. Lucky audience there that night! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

You cannot get better than this!!

[@krezwan6450]

When you listen to old music you feel calm. New music makes you even more stressed

[@josephgiustiniani2834]

I was saying the very same thing to my wife yesterday as we were driving home. It's NOISE...! ! NOT MUSIC. Way too much bass, and lyrics you can't understand, and if you do, you don't want your kids to know about them. I grew up with this old music, and it always brings me a feeling of relaxation. These guys sang quality music. They were simple songs, but were enhanced with great vocals and harmonies. Your ears are drawn to what they were doing. It's that good.

[@MaryMcRobert]

So correct. Excellent observation.

[@bryanrendleman2001]

That's is the whole plan with current noise !

[@kerryfox1420]

This always makes me smile.

[@graemewebber9948]

Gee, so glad you took this off at the time on VHS. So great. Thanks !

[@jennyandkeith39]

The glances that they give each other, clearly brothers that truly love and respect one another. 🥰🥰

[@reednokleby1420]

If I remember right, one or two of the brothers had already passed away and this was one of their sons with them. Yes, they really capture your heart.

[@dskyyksd]

@@reednokleby1420 This was all three of the surviving brothers. Harry (right) died in 1982, Herbert (left) died in 1989, and Donald (center) passed in 1999.

[@reednokleby1420]

@@dskyyksd Yes, your correct. Don't worry, I'll voluntarily check myself in.

[@johnwilhelm9854]

I’ve read that Harry got diabetes and went blind. It also looks like he lost a lot of weight but he could still swing with the best of them

[@joecarini5699]

UpUp8000099000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000pp LLP

[@hectordelvalle4428]

Such a great pleasure to hear these three singing again. I always love the harmony that they produce.

[@napagirl48]

The very best, thank you Mills Brothers, truly talented! My Dad was a Jazz guitarist who use to play with Nelson Riddle and just loved these guys, great memories!! 🎶💖☺

[@susancampbell5493]

My parents started taking us to see the Mills Bros. when we were 12 & 14 years old...grew up loving them...we were incredibly blessed as they were irreplaceable ❣ 🎶💕🎶💕🎶

[@Jameslopez5682]

Hello Susan how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family

[@jayjay2637]

Chills and tears. It's so damn good, and you can see how much fun there having and how they truly enjoy each other, there talent, harmony and melody is just unreal, how they can manipulate the sound of instruments with just their mouths and as you hear the sound of the instrument you know exactly each word there saying it's just amazing

[@1MSmith008]

Chills and tears...I'm with you

[@countrymusicaust5828]

was lucky enough to meet and perform on stage in sydney n.s.w with the mills bros .1967 was the year i was a member of the singing group the thin men . we were with the mills bros for a month on the show they were fantastic and sat with us at the band table every night great memories piano poppy

[@jimroveto1543]

Such talent, what a career. To keep it going even after losing their bass singing brother John on the 4 string guitar, there dad steps in and they continued on. We are very fortunate that there's the footage to enjoy, works wonders for me after a hard day's work, so therapeutic. R.I.P. guys.

[@bobhull499]

HARRY….HERBERT….DONALD…. THESE ULTRA TALENTED MEN DID THIS AGAINST ALL ODDS. THERE LIKES WILL NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN🥰 BRAVO🎶🎶

[@frankscarborough1428]

Still the greatest, they just got better with age

[@petefriday9953]

Nothing can compare to these brothers!

[@flaviomanderioli643]

Basin Street Blues, one of the first blues I heard when I was a boy in the late 50's, in Argentina, and done with outstanding class by the Mills Bros. ❤

[@merrylmarsh9037]

Spectacular.!!!!! Sweet and smooth. Such talent!!!!

[@1mespud]

Thank you, Mills Brothers for doing your part to help tame mankind with your genius, gift and talent. I did not deserve to hear this but was blessed anyway.

[@daviddoran3164]

What talent, no one can do this.. Mills brothers I would listen all day.🐻

[@usaneebeilles9510]

The wonderful The Mills Brothers music.❤

[@tomreedyjr3631]

When Anerica had REAL TALENT. These men are definitely missed. R.I.P., Gentlemen..

[@FrancesWhite-v5t]

It is a very classy group. Iconic.❤

[@t.p.mckenna]

They were the ultimate folk ensemble. That statement, perhaps, goes against the genre of music they traded in, but I mean in the sense of how they appealed to everyone. No matter the race, the creed, whether young or old, theirs was a universal style. It was infectious also. The emitted so much joy in their appearances and through their music making and I'm sure it was nights like this that kept Harry alive. Pianopappy, thanks so much for sharing and helping keep their music alive.

[@babyblu5590]

Wow... Simply amazing... I wish I could've watched them live. The quality of the voices, those hand whistling. They don't need no instruments. They never lost it! They even improved on some! Wow!

[@keiloibutterfly]

I love this!!! Very talented Brothers 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

[@slashdemonfire5024]

BRILLIANT! WOW! THIS KIND OF MUSIC IS FROM A BYGONE ERA JUST LOVE IT!!!!❤❤❤

[@slashdemonfire5024]

True that

[@homeagain1028]

Trombone vocal!!!! Wow I can’t believe how amazing the Mills Brothers were.....timeless and wonderful ❤️🎵🎶😇

[@larrydewitt]

My late wife loved these guys, especially early on when Dad sang bass. Just beautiful!!!

[@DishiontheRoll]

Perfection is an understatement

[@eliansolis8740]

Someone in 2022 listening this master pieces?

[@lisbetsoda4874]

2024. And loving these three charmers.

[@karimabenzemra9034]

Wouahou 🤩 Un plaisir de les écouter 💖 Des artistes unique. Merci infiniment pour cette pépite. J'adore 😍 Un baume pour le coeur en cette période trouble 🗽🕊🕊💞🕊🕊🗽

[@timothyelder7095]

The British invasion was on the horizon Elvis was trying to revive his popularity after returning from the army my parents took me to see these KINGS for my birthday. She told me I will remember this performance for the rest of my life. as they finished Basin street blues i was mesmerized, from the stage all 3 looked at me smiled and asked me in front of 2000 people if i enjoyed the song i said i loved it. the whole show took on energy that is beyond explanation. when the show was over my mom said to me told you so I was twelve

[@pianopappy]

Thanks very much Timothy.

[@donhathaway3234]

We never missed them whenever they were on tv back in the day!

[@Herm8462]

Pure talent and class. Todays “musicians” should learn something from these gentlemen.

[@marilynd.7938]

An absolutely stunning performance. ❤

[@carolynjohnson9216]

Just now seeing this, amazing so talented, loved it.

[@loupremo]

If you watch any Mills Brothers video on youtube you will notice they always line up in the same order. Love them.

[@josephgiustiniani2834]

And if you watch any of their last shows, this line up was crucial for Harry was almost completely blind by this point. And many never even knew. True showmen. True talent. Boy did we lose a great talent when these guys passed away. My only regret was not knowing about these guys when I was a kid. Got turned on to these guys through............................ Dean Martin. { the other Mills Brother..! Man did Dino love these guys }

[@loupremo]

@@josephgiustiniani2834 wow you can't even tell he was going blind, he looked so natural and happy.

[@hamesh3474]

Totally the greatest.. never be another group like this

[@JLang-bn3hs]

Still enjoy listening to these guys. My dad had a big record collection which included The Mills Brothers.

[@ritaplantamura6027]

Great performance!

[@tamylock]

I knew it was the Pops. I love the Pops! They only invite the best of the best!! I used to live near Symphony.

[@diannenwith2ns114]

My Dad delivered ice to them in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He said he loved going there because they were nice and he often heard them rehearsing. I loved listening to his 33's with him on his Crosley stereo! He would have loved this!❤

[@michaellazzeri2069]

Ladies & GEnts, this is what's known as Class-------that most forgotten quality in our nation today. 1000% Class.

[@annaquinn4810]

Now, my friends, THAT IS MUSIC!!! Not like todays screaming so close to the microphone it looks like they are eating it. Memories of my youth, thank you whoever posted it!

[@pianopappy]

Thanks for your comment, Anna. It's nice to know that my old VHS tape recording has been seen and enjoyed by so many.

[@annaquinn4810]

@@pianopappy you are very welcome! Keep it up lol

[@karenkoe7096]

Actually got to see them in concert once. Went with my mother and am so glad I did. Might have been one of their last concert tours. Wonderful show.

[@Jameslopez5682]

Hello Karen how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family

[@peterharrison5833]

My mom and dad used to play their LPs when I was young, that how I got know them. Years later I was in a concert with them as a member of the USAF Band of Liberty in Boston. Of course, most of them had passed away, but Don Mils was still alive and his son John Mills was singing with him. It was a great night! That was in 1999. Later, after I I retired from the USAF, John hired me for a couple of gigs--he was still doing his father's and uncle's music in 2010, with another man singing one of the harmony parts, still billing as the Mills Brothers. Great memories, and yes, I feel very fortunate to have met and worked with them.

[@kathimorrical9912]

Sir, you were blessed, having that experience! Lucky too! They were without a doubt THE technitions of voice. I'm jealous!

[@peterharrison5833]

@@kathimorrical9912 Well, thank you for your kind words. Yes, I was really blessed to have had the opportunities with them that I did. They'll always be some of my favorite memories.

[@marycunningham2610]

Harmony is harmony and Mills Brothers are HARMONY thank you for the memories in CHGO

[@pianopappy]

You're welcome, Mary. Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for your comment.

[@MrSlatsp1]

Time for another comment about their unbelievable talent. Right here doing a fantastic job on blues, then back to pop. They could sing rock n roll too. They tackled many different styles with ease and perfection. Tell me how many others had that talent.

[@billarmstrong1320]

was listening to them in the 80's around the time they recorded this, my parents loved them, I heard the trombone in the background looked to see the orchestra and to my amazement saw and heard them, using their voices, play the trumpet/cornet and trombone. Words cannot describe adequately, their skill and superb singing skills.

[@pianopappy]

Receiving a comment like yours, Bill, makes me glad that I made this recording and that it held up for 40+ years. Thanks.

[@dskyyksd]

I wish PBS would offer this whole concert on DVD.

[@reednokleby1420]

I've been trying to get that concert for years. I was in high school and this just swept me off my feet.

[@stevevr1965]

I've seen about 4 videos here from this concert. You just have to look for them

[@MichaelJ44]

@@stevevr1965 what does that have to do with it being on DVD?

[@slashdemonfire5024]

for sure

[@dubemccready7438]

another one of the many Golden Oldies that I do appreciate and especially by these great singers - a wonder to behold how gorgeous their voices were, Thank you for sharing just loved it all.

[@albertshivers]

Thanks for posting! I second the other comment! I would love LOVE to see the rest of this concert!