ArtistRack brings to you ‘Joshua Francis – 4077th Heaven, Eddie Calver Live at Rosie’s 1953’
In 1953, Captain Eddie Calver sits wounded in a field hospital somewhere on the southern side of the former Korean border. He isn’t going home so is, in fact, AWOL. After six months he is long-haired and bearded, pretending to be a wealthy, eccentric botonist, should anyone enquire. Until he is deemed fit to finish his war, he has his band of brothers to rejoin.
The MASH hospital 4077th, at which he resides, was deemed so successful after the war that a television drama was based on it.
But here Eddie is with the real characters. The kindly Colonel Potter who wrote to his mother to tell her Eddie’s plan and not to worry; Walter and his animals and drumming; Father Mulcahy with whom Eddie wrote the songs on this, his first live concert; and mostly Charles Emmerson Winchester III for the education and for sacrificing a tape meant for his sister Onoria, to record the show. Charles suggested a dinner show in the crowded bar, so the bravest there first visited the mess tent. And lastly to our host for this evening: Rosie.
The situation – much like in TV’s MASH series 1, episode 24, the USO come to entertain. Unfortunately they all fall ill. The singer and comic has been rendered mute and does not feel tuneful or funny at all.
Eddie, Father Mulcahy and Captain Winchester conspire to make the best of it. With a five string guitar formerly belonging to a man long gone, named Bob, Father Mulcahy on piano and a couple of horns, an accordion, a bass and Walter’s drums.
With Eddie singing lead and some recovering English servicemen on backing vocals, they all give of their best. Especially Eddie’s new pal, Ezekiel H Schmidt. They would become lifelong friends.
Musicians:
Father Mulcahy – Piano – Musical Director
Bass, horns and accordion – The USO
Drums – Walter (Radar) O’Reilly
Harmonies – Ezekiel H Schmidt & The Strep Throat Boys Choir
Eddie Calver – Guitar & vocal
All songs (Mulcahy/Calver)
Aside from removing most of the hiss this is exactly as recorded by Captain Winchester on his very expensive reel to reel tape recorder, In Stereo,
A fantasy.
Written and performed by Joshua Francis
Ezekiel H Schmidt was portrayed by Dougie Dugdale
For my grandmother, Grace Calver, on the 60th anniversary of her passing.
And for my grandfather, Albert Calver, upon whom Eddie is partly based.
And for the 32,000 US troops in South Korea at this present time. Should anyone wish for me to go and sing to them, kindly bear in mind. Bob Hope was British too!
JF. April 7th 2025.
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 O'ReillyHarmonies - Ezekiel H Schmidt & The Strep Throat Boys ChoirEddie Calver - Guitar & vocalAll songs (Mulcahy/Calver)Aside from removing most of the hiss this is exactly as recorded by Captain Winchester on his very expensive reel to reel tape recorder, In Stereo,A fantasy.Written and performed by Joshua FrancisEzekiel H Schmidt was portrayed by Dougie DugdaleFor my grandmother, Grace Calver, on the 60th anniversary of her passing.And for my grandfather, Albert Calver, upon whom Eddie is partly based.And for the 32,000 US troops in South Korea at this present time. Should anyone wish for me to go and sing to them, kindly bear in mind. Bob Hope was British too!JF. April 7th 2025.){kind=link}