Keeping Track - Dateline March 2006

MONTAGUE PHILLIPS volume 2 – BBC Concert Orchestra / Gavin Sutherland Festival Overture (‘In Praise of my Country’) op.71, Hillside Melody op.40, Hampton Court op.76*, Phantasy for violin & orchestra op.16, Charles II Overture op.60, In Old Verona: a serenade for strings, In May Time op.38, Empire March op.68). World premiere recordings, except* recorded at The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, 3-4 August 2005, Epoch CDLX 7158. Around twelve months ago, Dutton Laboratories released what we must now call ‘Volume 1’ of compositions by Montague Phillips (JIM 159). At a stroke, some shamefully neglected music was rescued from oblivion, and Phillips’ rightful place was firmly established on the British musical ‘map’. That first CD has been widely acclaimed, and its success has prompted Mike Dutton to record this second volume. It was known at the time that there was ‘another suitcase-full’ of works patiently awaiting their turn; that wait has been well worth it! Those familiar with the original volume will have no difficulty in recognising the composer’s ‘musical fingerprints’ e.g. his characteristic melodic ideas, and distinctive use of ascending and descending chromatic ‘runs’. Looking back at my earlier review, I have to say that most of the comments apply equally well here. In common with his close contemporaries Haydn Wood and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Montague Phillips had aspirations to be a ‘serious’ composer, and much of the material falls into that category. In several of the pieces, especially the marches, the spirit of Sir Edward Elgar is never far away, and there are occasional suggestions of Frederick Delius and even Edvard Grieg – (was the allusion to the opening bar of the latter’s Piano Concerto in the middle of the Charles II Overture deliberate or unconscious I wonder?). Phillips was a superb orchestrator, and the manner in which he handles his forces has the assured confidence of a true master craftsman, at times reminiscent of Walton. It is inexplicable that music of such high quality has never before (with one exception) been available to the record-buying public. Playing the CD to a professional musician friend, we both felt that it would be almost impossible to better the superb performances by the BBC Concert Orchestra under Gavin Sutherland. The recording venue has changed, this time being Watford Town Hall, from whence engineer Simon Hancock has achieved a very satisfying sound. The informative sleeve notes are once again by Lewis Foreman and credit is due to Fiona Shelmerdine and Michael Ponder for producing what surely deserves to be another winner – and, once again, to Mike Dutton for his initiative in promoting this fine composer. I believe that there may be yet more to come…! This is a definite ‘must-have’ and gets my personal vote of ‘CD of the year’ for 2005. Tony Clayden

...The most ambitious work here is the 12 minute Phantasy for Violin and Orchestra dating from 1912, revised by the composer in 1947, beautifully and movingly played by Matthew Trusler. A particular highlight for me however is the haunting Hillside Melody in which the composer magically recreates the English countryside complete with bird-calls. The 1924 In May Time suite conveys all the freshness and charm of a perfect spring day. The splendid Empire March resulted from a 1942 BBC Proms commission; its noble and poignant trio returns near the end, emphatically crowned by magnificent full organ. Roger Hyslop Editor: to avoid possible correspondence, "Hillside Melody" is not, strictly speaking, a premiere performance, since the Chappell version is included on the Guild CD "Charles Williams and the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra" – GLCD5107.

RON GOODWIN & HIS ORCHESTRA – In Concert THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS: The Carousel Waltz, Some Enchanted Evening, Oklahoma; The Theme from "Love Story"; The Theme from "The Big Country"; The Girl With the Misty Eyes; The Stripper; The Magnificent Seven; The Fool on the Hill; Lancelot and Guinevere; Bridge Over Troubled Water; A TRIBUTE TO HENRY MANCINI: Baby Elephant Walk, Days of Wine and Roses, Charade, Moon River PLAY BACHARACH: Do You Know the Way to San Jose?; Alfie; Wives and Lovers; I’ll Never Fall in Love Again; One Less Bell to Answer; Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head; This Guy’s in Love With You; What the World Needs Now is Love; The Look of Love; I Say a Little Prayer; Walk on By; [They long to be] Close to You (73:19) Vocalion CDLK 4302. Let’s celebrate that Vocalion has begun to reissue material from the much missed Ron Goodwin. The first album on this twofer is a good example of the high quality fare we came to expect from a very nice man who was in the top flight of his profession. It is particularly pleasing to have a modern recording of The Stripper – albeit given a novel arrangement in the style of Holiday for Strings. Another winning track is the shortest: Lennon and McCartney’s Fool, here given expression by rhythmic Latin American strings. Girl and Lancelot are both Goodwin originals. But it is with the second album that Mike Dutton has really scored again, bringing back into circulation another of those "I didn’t ever expect that on CD" releases. All 12 tracks offer something of interest and I immensely enjoyed hearing again Nat Peck’s trombone in the opening number, the French horn of Alan Civil on the haunting One Less Bell, The Look of Love featuring Stan Roderick’s solo flugelhorn, and I Say a Little Prayer with its delectable mix of string pizzicato, flutes and celli. Both albums were recorded in the early 1970s in Columbia’s Studio series – EMI’s answer to Decca’s Phase 4. This disc should be snapped up by Ron’s many admirers in the hope of more to come.Peter Burt

BBC Concert Orchestra / John Wilson. EDWARD GERMAN Symphony No.1 in E minor; Overture – The Tempter; Prelude – Romeo and Juliet; Hamlet – Symphonic Poem; The Willow Song. Recorded at The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, 24-25 May 2005, (77:19) Dutton Epoch CDLX 7156. Edward German was one of the premier English composers of his generation, and it is only right that his work should continue to be represented in new recordings. John Wilson is once again conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra in fine performances that should please German’s fans, and also gain the composer some new admirers. David Ades

JOHNNY DOUGLAS – The Railway Children (music from the film). Johnny Douglas and His Orchestra, Lionel Jeffries (narrator) Dulcima DLCD 120 (2 CDs) www.dulcimarecords.com Tel. 01737 812922. The 1970 film of E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children is acknowledged as being one of the finest children’s films ever made. Although it paid remarkable attention to period detail, shot entirely on location, its score by Douglas was deliberately contemporary; consistently tuneful, atmospheric 1970s light orchestral music. The film was noted for its romantic style without wallowing in sentiment, and the music is such. This two-disc set is a well-produced reissue of two EMI LPs, both in stereo; one a selection of music from the film, the other taken directly from the soundtrack with additional narration by director Lionel Jeffries. Peter Edwards

Guild Light Music: BANDSTAND IN THE PARK (GLCD5117) and BURIED TREASURES (GLCD5118) For full tracklistings please see JIM 166 pages 47 & 49. I’ve always enjoyed brass and military band music. A Salvation Army band regularly used to play in the middle of our North London street in those post WWII traffic-free days, and if our local park was hosting a band I would remain rooted to the spot and my parents would have the greatest difficulty in dragging me away! Of course, bands also made frequent appearances on the old Light Programme and amazingly still feature in the schedules of Radio 2. Fittingly, therefore, BANDSTAND IN THE PARK opens with the signature tune ofListen To The Band, although sadly this Lionel Monckton composition is no longer employed in its rightful role. (What kind of muddle-headed thinking within the BBC decreed several years ago that all sig. tunes were a no-no?) It will come as a surprise to many to learn that the BBC had an in-house Military Band from the earliest days of 2LO – the Corporation even employed its own staff arranger – and this operated until 1943. Although Brass and Military bands are very different breeds, the two types sit well together on this hugely enjoyable CD. There is a good mixture of marches, Light-Classical and Light Music pieces in recordings spanning the years 1929-1954 and this is another worthy addition to the GUILD series which should appeal to all band enthusiasts. I must particularly mention David Ades’ very comprehensive sleeve notes, on both the above CD and BURIED TREASURES. The ‘mission statement’ of the latter is twofold; firstly to reveal long-forgotten musical gems, and secondly to make available previously unknown compositions by leading writers. Unlike many of the recent GUILD releases which have a very definite ‘theme’ running through their programmes, this new release is, perforce, a rather more random collection of pieces. It is particularly good to hear again Valse Serenade – yet another sig. tune. I was often allowed to stay up late to listen to Tuesday Serenade on BBC Radio, where Stanford Robinson was a ‘household name’ in the early post-war years. Target For Tonight was a prestigious documentary film made during WWII with music specially written by Leighton Lucas. Strangely, it was subsequently recorded for inclusion in the EMI Mood Music library, where it must have found further employment because it seems very familiar to me, although I am sure that I have never seen the film. Was the composer’s allusion to Prelude To Act III of Lohengrin (Richard Wagner) deliberate, bearing in mind that this was a film about the conflict with the Germans? Unusually, the quality of Alan Bunting’s digital transfers is at times a bit variable; I felt that two or three tracks needed a bit of ‘taming’ with the treble control, but this is hardly a major problem. All-in all, this is an interesting collection, which will particularly please those who enjoy something a bit ‘out of the ordinary’. Tony Clayden

RICHARD TAUBER – Intermezzo Vienna city of my dreams, Let me awaken your heart, My heart and I, Serenade from The Student Prince, Roses of Picardy, Can I forget you, The English Rose, One day when we were young, I’m in love with Vienna, Don’t be cross, Only a rose, One alone, My hero, Come back my love, Intermezzo, Ideale, Long ago and far away, We’ll gather lilacs, Au revoir (J'attendrai), Pedro the fisherman, Love lost for evermore, My curly headed baby (in German), The song is done (in German), Good-bye (in German) Recorded in the 1930s and ’40s (75:28) CDVS 1910. Today’s youngsters may find it surprising that Richard Tauber was so popular in his day (the same can be said about many entertainers from that era). This generous (in time and price) souvenir of his unique talents will be warmly received by those who can remember him. David Ades

MATTHEW CURTIS – Orchestral works volume 3. Royal Ballet Sinfonia / Gavin Sutherland.On The Move, Flute Concerto, Five Dances For String Orchestra, Divertimento Concertante, At Twilight, Partita. (72:27) Campion Cameo 2055. Although considerably younger than competition in this field, Curtis has mastered the genre and is a force to be reckoned with. I am no expert at reviewing orchestral music such as this so I played it to conductor Vic Lewis. In particular, he thought the Flute Concerto showed great promise and was very well played. Paul Clatworthy

... Curtis writes music of a consistently high standard; his orchestral scoring is rich and colourful, and his mastery of form is very satisfying. Peter Edwards

Matthew Curtis possesses that rare and precious facility for these times of being able to communicate readily and effectively with his listeners, even in his more serious works. Never is this better exemplified than in the engaging three movement Flute Concerto, flawlessly realised by Jennifer Stinton who excels movingly in the beautifully wrought Adagio Cantabile whose principal theme the composer subsequently incorporated into his Later Paths to Urbino suite. This work is surely a valuable, significant and attractive addition to the repertoire of Flute Concertos, and one fervently hopes it will be taken up by other flautists in the concert hall. There is much more on this disc to beguile and enchant the ear; the music of Matthew Curtis is a joy and pleasure to hear, with a quality of melodic invention which never flags or risks straying into an unattractive, unmemorable aridity.Roger Hyslop

MART SANDER and his Swing Swindlers – Five-Fifteen: A Tribute to the BBC Dance Orchestra Five-Fifteen BBC, It’s D’Lovely, Rise ‘n’ Shine, Love is the Sweetest Thing, Jeepers Creepers, By the Sleepy Lagoon, Radio Times, Yours and Mine, I’m getting Sentimental over You, One night of Love, Happy Ending... Divine Art 25034 www.divine-art.com Tel. 01609 882062. This is a sensitively performed, beautifully recorded tribute to Henry Hall’s BBC Dance Orchestra. Hall was the orchestra’s leader during it’s golden age, 1935-37, when the band had adopted an unprecedented lush approach to arranging; that very British sound we love so much, with more strings and less brass. Hearing these songs in digital recording one hears so much fine detail for the first time, though perhaps without some of the natural contemporary drive of the original recordings. Marc Sander’s Swing Swindler’s seem to have captured the original style very well. This kind of music is certainly jazzy but I associate it melodically and harmonically with light orchestral music. It appears that the featured vocalists do not speak English as their first language and this is noticeable although their tone is smooth and diction perfect. Peter Edwards

MANTOVANI – All-American Showcase THE BEST OF SIGMUND ROMBERG Lover Come Back to Me, When I Grow Too Old to Dream, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, The Desert Song, Will You Remember [Sweetheart], Serenade from "The Student Prince" THE BEST OF VICTOR HERBERT Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life, A Kiss in the Dark, Sweethearts, I’m Falling in Love with Someone, Indian Summer, Kiss Me Again THE BEST OF IRVING BERLIN WALTZES The Girl that I Marry, Marie, [You Forgot to] Remember, Always, For the Very First Time, What’ll I Do THE BEST OF RUDOLF FRIML Love Everlasting, Rose Marie, Only a Rose, The Donkey Serenade, Sympathy, Indian Love Call (76:28) Vocalion CDLK 4317. What a joy, at last, to have these lovely melodies on CD in stereo; the 1959 double-LP never having been issued in this country. As Scott Raeburn points out in his admirable liner notes, all the composers were actually immigrants although, presumably, their music was composed in America. I have loved Romberg’s music ever since seeing Colchester Operatic Society perform his "New Moon", "Desert Song" and "Student Prince" when I was a young man. And When I Grow Too Old is one of my all-time favourite songs. Good as they are here, I will probably still turn to Percy Faith for the best of Victor Herbert interpretations, but Monty’s string laden versions of the wonderful Irving Berlin’s waltzes are second to none. The programme is completed with the greatest hits of another who, like Romberg, made his name in the now somewhat neglected world of operetta: the Prague born Rudolf Friml. Arguably his best-known piece, The Donkey Serenade, provides another example of Monty’s musical sense of humour. This disc will give much pleasure to anyone buying it – I encourage you to be one of them. Peter Burt

MANTOVANI – More Mantovani Magic Till, Trees, Theme for a Western, "Fiddler on the Roof" – suite: Fiddler on the Roof, If I Were a Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset, "The Onedin Line" – theme, Spanish Eyes, Snow Frolic, This Way Mary, A Scottish Rhapsody An Evening With Mantovani A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening, Speak Softly Love, The Candy Man, The Summer Knows, The Good Life, With You Gone from "The Great Waltz", Cabaret, Love Theme from "The Valachi Papers", Upstairs, Downstairs, The Me I Never Knew, Amazing Grace [71.02] Vocalion CDLK 4320. Both these albums were recorded in France with French musicians in the early Seventies, two and three years before the close of Monty’s illustrious career when he had become more sparing in the use of his trademark string sound. So they should appeal to most RFS members. ‘An Evening With’ was one original LP that passed me by. The opening number in particular is most beautifully played, yet for all the album’s merits I do not feel it has quite the personality of earlier issues. ‘More Magic’ has always been one of my favourite albums, climaxing with Ronnie Binge’s 7-minute tone poem. Other standout tracks are Trees, an emotional early Twenties piece for which I’ve always had a soft spot; Monty’s own ‘Theme For A Western’, with a nod towards The Magnificent Seven; the three fine tunes from‘Fiddler’ ; Khachaturian’s evocative theme used in a well-remembered BBC TV series; and John Barry’s jewel from the 1972 movie "Mary Queen of Scots". This is the first time on compact disc for both albums and as a reminder of the maestro’s later style is well worth acquiring. Peter Burt

MATTHEW FORD – The Mood I’m in The Mood I’m In, On Days Like These, Always, C’est Magnifique, Call Me, Autumn Leaves, Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, For Once In My Life, I Will Say Goodbye, Nature Boy, A Certain Smile, Oblivion, I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face, You Are So Beautiful, The Impossible Dream, I Get Along With You Very Well. (55:24) Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD004. Singer Matthew Ford toured with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra for five years before launching his solo career. Here he is joined by a ten-piece band with a small string section. Arrangements are by Colin Skinner and James Pearson. I cannot say Matthew has a voice that sets him apart; it is left to his backings to raise the music to a higher level. Half the album is up-tempo, occasionally inappropriately. However, guest guitar soloist Jim Mullen makes for good listening, and Malcolm Laycock has heaped praise on the album calling it ‘stunningly original’. Maybe I am missing something! Paul Clatworthy

Orchestral Jewels – The Composers Conduct. WOLF-FERRARI The Jewels of the Madonna: Act III Intermezzo, The Secret of Suzanne: Overture The Four Peasants: Act II Intermezzo, The Curious Women: Minuet and Furlana Recorded in 1947 Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra conducted by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari; STRAUSS From Strauss to Straus: Selection, The Waltz Dream: Overture, The Chocolate Soldier Recorded in 1947 The New Symphony Orchestra cond. Oscar Straus; SCOTT-WOOD Serenade to Evening, London Caprice featuring Arthur Dulay (piano), Recorded 1949 The New Promenade Orchestra cond. George Scott-Wood; WILDMAN Vienna Concerto Jacqueline Blanchard (piano) Recorded 1949 L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande cond. Charles Wildman (55:05). Dutton CDBP 9760. There are no booklet notes accompanying this CD in Mike Dutton’s ‘Super-budget’ series, but the works by Wolf-Ferrari and Oscar Straus will be familiar to many. Possibly less well-known are the Charles Wildman Vienna Concerto (a pleasant surprise), and the two works by George Scott-Wood. These are fascinating instances of those occasions when musicians associated with the more popular side of the music business feel the urge to venture into the realms of light music. Both are very pleasing numbers, with Serenade to Evening sounding as though it could have existed happily in the Chappell Recorded Music Library alongside pieces by Charles Williams or Sidney Torch.London Caprice is more in the style of the ‘Denham Concertos’ – those numbers who flowed from so many composers’ pens following the success of Warsaw Concerto and the kind of enthusiastic reception enjoyed by Clive Richardson’s London Fantasia. It is worth getting the CD for these two tracks alone, although the other music is very welcome as well. David Ades

CHRIS BOTTI (trumpet) with the London Session Orchestra – When I fall in Love When I Fall In Love, No Ordinary Love, My Romance, Let’s Fall In Love, Cinema Paradiso, Someone To Watch Over Me, La Belle Dame Sans Regrets, Nearness Of You, How Love Should Be, Make Someone Happy, One For My Baby, Time To Say Goodbye. (58:50) Columbia 518841-2. Backed by 28 strings Botti turns in his finest album so far. Four tracks have delectable arrangements by Jeremy Lubbock, the other arrangers coming close second – among them Gil Goldstein, Billy Childs, Bobby Colomby, Jeff Lorber and Brian Bromberg. Childs deserves a special mention for his brass writing on Let’s Fall in Love, the first sweep of strings arranged by Lubbock raises the hairs on the back of your neck, and Bromberg’s bass playing is really something else! Four tracks have vocals, including one by Sting (Botti is part of Sting’s touring band). All thirteen tracks make a wonderful backdrop for a quiet evening in of your choice. Paul Clatworthy

EDMUNDO ROS and His Orchestra – Ros Remembers Vocalion CDLK 4310 The Cuban Love Song, Happy Anniversary, Colonel Bogey, Could It Be, El Rancho Grande, I Yi Yi Yi, Y Viva Espana, Sunshine And Ole, Jungle Fantasy, I Talk To The Trees, Frenesi, South America Take It Away, Pao-Pao, Yellow Bird, Luna Do Brasil, Tango Of Romance, Dolores, The Wedding Samba, Cuanto Le Gusta, Chiu Chiu, Poinciana, Maria From Bahia, Show Me The Way To Go Home. Many of these tracks have been previously issued, but in every new album there are a few delightful surprises. The sleeve notes are by the maestro himself who is still going strong at the age of 95. Alec Hellyer

Music While You Work Music While You Work (Grenadier Guards); Toytown Tattoo (Phil Cardew); Polly (Harold Collins); Coon Band Contest (Troise); Harry Woods Hits (Primo Scala); Double Or Nothing (Jack Simpson); Samum (Harry Fryer); Alpine Festival (Fred Hartley); Tesoro Mio (Ronnie Munro); Knuckledust (Harold Collins); Corn on the Cob (George Scott-Wood); Those Were The Days (Jack Coles); Dance with a Dolly/Trolley Song (Al Collins); Boo Hoo/A Feather In Her Tyrolean Hat (George Elrick); Coon Band Rag (Troise); A Little On The Lonely Side/There Goes That Song Again (Oscar Rabin); East Of The Sun/Careless (Cecil Norman); Light and Shade (Harold Collins); King Steps Out (Richard Crean); Six Hit Medley (Primo Scala); With A Smile and a Song (Reginald Pursglove); Paper Doll/Bye Bye Blackbird/MacNamara’s Band (Jimmy Leach); Gung’l In the Ballroom (Wynford Reynolds); Love Dance Intermezzo (David Java). FBCD 141. Available from Frank Bristow, 2 Cross Street, Brighton  3186, Victoria, Australia. Tel. 03-9528-3167 Credit card / Paypal accepted - no cheques please - details on request. Forget any earlier spurious CDs trying to cash in on this long-running radio programme; this one is the real McCoy. All 24 recordings are taken from the eponymous Decca label which operated between 1943-1949. If you like lively light music – who doesn’t? – then you are bound to enjoy the following vintage tracks which neatly complement the definitive new book on "Music While You Work" by Brian Reynolds. Well done to everyone involved in this major project. Edmund Whitehouse

The Art of CONSTANT LAMBERT – A Centenary Tribute Bliss - Miracle in the Gorbals - 1946 Royal Opera House Orchestra / Constant Lambert; Gordon - The Rake’s Progress 1945 - The British Ballet Orchestra / Constant Lambert; Lambert - Music for Orchestra 1948 - Philharmonia Orchestra / Constant Lambert; Walton Façade excerpts 1929 - Edith Sitwell (spoken voice) Constant Lambert Ensemble / William Walton (71:13) CDBP 9761. This mixture of EMI Columbia, Decca and BBC Transcription recordings provides a worthwhile snapshot of an important figure in British musical life during the first half of the 20^th century. His association with William Walton’s Façade will probably prove to be his most lasting tribute. The excerpts on this CD come from the premiére recording in 1929. David Ades

DAISY CHUTE – Simply Jazz. I Just Found Out About Love, Lazy Afternoon, Dindi, You Go To My Head, Girl Talk, Blackberry Writer, Too Young To Go Steady, If I Were A Bell, Little Girl Blue, Waltz For Debbie, Detour Ahead, Bill, I Like It Here. (46:28) TLCD 001 www.daisychute.com A debut CD for young singer Daisy Chute, supported in sensitive arrangements by the David Patrick trio. Chute makes her mark here and she should go far. Paul Clatworthy

SEMPRINI Serenades Rustle of Spring, Grieg’s Piano Concerto (first movement), Maria Dolores, Revolutionary Study (Chopin), Mansell Concerto (Kenneth Leslie-Smith), Come Back To Sorrento, Mediterranean Concerto (Semprini), Autumn Rhapsody, Malaguena, The Last Rhapsody (Wreford), etc. 25 tracks Sanctuary Living Era CD AJA 5511, 77:27 mins. The pianist Semprini was one of Britain’s most popular broadcasters in the post-war years, and this collection is a fine testament to the kind of repertoire that endeared him to millions. The recordings date from 1951 to 1954, and from the titles above it will be noted that this is a typical mix of Semprini favourites – to quote his own familiar introduction to his radio programmes: "Old ones, new ones, loved ones and neglected ones". Alan Bunting has worked his usual magic on the restorations, and this is a welcome addition to the growing list of CDs reflecting an era that now seems so very long ago. Don’t miss it. David Ades

London, a Vintage Portrait Disc 1: Big Ben chimes, Sing a Song of London (Ambrose), Old Father Thames (Peter Dawson), London Pride (Noel Coward), London Suite – Covent Garden, Westminster, Knightsbridge (Eric Coates), Burlington Bertie (Ella Shields), Barrers in the Walworth Road (Norman Long), Bank Holiday, 'Appy 'Ampstead (Albert Ketelbey), ‘Ampstead Way (Tessie O’Shea), If it wasn’t for the ‘ouses in between (Gus Elen), Underneath the Arches (Flanagan & Allen), Cockneys at heart(Gert & Daisy/Elsie & Doris Waters), Changing of the Guard (Malcolm McEachern), Changing of the Guard (Roy Fox), Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace (Ann Stephens), Horse Guards, Whitehall(Haydn Wood), Life begins at Oxford Circus (Jack Hylton), There’s a lovely lake in London (Gracie Fields), Round about Regent Street (Jay Wilbur), Carry on, London (Jack Payne), London Rhythm(Mills Brothers), Hyde Park (Duke Ellington), London on a rainy night (Harry Roy), A foggy day in London town (Ray Noble). Disc 2: A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square (Hutch), Lambeth Walk (Eddie Peabody), The trees Grosvenor Square (Lou Preager), Down the Mall (Philip Green), The London I love (Vera Lynn), Piccadilly (Ambrose), Piccadilly (Fats Waller) Chelsea (Ted Heath), London Conga (Don Marino Barreto), Bayswater Bustle (Paul Fenoulhet), That autumn in London Town (Joe Loss), Voice of London (Charles Williams), Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner (Hubert Gregg), Leicester Square Rag (Harry Roy), Bow Bells (Donald Peers), Wellington Barracks (Haydn Wood), London Melody (Robert Farnon), Forty fahsend fevvers on a frush (Billy Cotton), On the steps of old St. Paul’s (Billy Cotton), Blues in Mayfair (Harry Roy), Midnight in Mayfair (George Melachrino),Give me the moon over London ((Carroll Gibbons), London by night (Frank Sinatra), When you hear Big Ben, you’re home again (Vera Lynn), Sing a song of London (Peter Dawson), When London is saying goodnight (Billy Thorburn). Living Era CD AJS 2004 (2 CDs)

London Pride Bow Bells (A 10 peal change specially recorded for the BBC in 1926 and used as radio interlude music for 40 years) London Pride (Graham Payn), In Town Tonight (flower seller introduction to BBC Radio Home Service) Knightsbridge March (Eric Coates), Life Begins at Oxford Circus (Jack Hylton), I live in Trafalgar Square (Stanley Holloway), Down at the Old Bull and Bush(Florrie Forde), Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace (Ann Stephens), The Queen’s Horses (Billy Cotton), London Underground train, Round the Marble Arch (Ambrose), London on a Rainy Night(Teddy Joyce), Limehouse Blues (Jack Hylton), The London I Love (Vera Lynn), Lambeth Walk (Sam Costa), Old Father Thames (Peter Dawson), Carry On London (Billy Cotton), Bond Street (Fats Waller), A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Anne Lenner), St Martin-in-the-Fields Church Bells/Oranges and Lemons (Owen Branagan), Bow Bells (Donald Peers), A Foggy Day in London Town (Carroll Gibbons), Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner (Alan Breeze), Big Ben is Saying Goodnight (Sam Browne), Chimes of Big Ben. Evergreen C99.

London CDs listed above Following the appalling events in the Metropolis last July, both Living Era and Evergreen have brought out their own tributes to our capital city. Living Era’s is a double CD while Evergreen’s is an ordinary single. Both are highly recommended; if you like light music, dance band music or ballads then there is something for everyone among the many and varied tracks, only a few of which are duplicated. Edmund Whitehouse

ILONA KNOPFLER – Live the Life I’m Going To Live The Life I Sing About In My Song, Comment Allez-Vous, But For Now, Ask Me Now, Throw It Away, Dansez Sur Moi (Girl Talk), Le Jazz Et La Java, This Is Always,, Paree Que, Alone Together, Les Moulins De Mon Coeur, No Tomorrow. (56:27) Mac Avenue Records MAC1021. www.mackavenue.com Knopfler was born in Paris and this album was produced by Grammy award-winning Jay Ashby- it’s decidedly tasty! The arrangers have perfectly highlighted her excellent. Throw it Away has a languid samba tempo made all the more exotic by use of an instrument called the Oud. Girl talk is sung in French with some Brubeck-inspired piano by Claude Nougaro. On the title track Knopfler’s is backed by some excellent choral work, and Comment Allez Vous is effectively revisited with a big band setting. I will be on the look-out for more recordings by this lady! Paul Clatworthy

LANCE ELLINGTON with John Wilson And His Orchestra – Lessons In Love Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Almost Like Being in Love, I Just Found Out About Love, Nature Boy, A Certain Smile, You Make Me Feel So Young, I Get a Kick Out of You, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Day In Day Out, How Do You Keep the Music Playing, Then I’ll Be Tired of You, Love Me or Leave Me, A House Is Not a Home, Lover Come Back to Me, What Kind of Fool am I. (48:22) Vocalion Digital CDSA6813. Those of us with ‘snow on the roof’ remember Lance’s father, Ray Ellington, who made a great contribution towards the success of ‘The Goon Show’. Robert Farnon fans remember Ray also for that rare LP ‘I Wish You Love’ he recorded with Bob’s orchestra way back in 1979. British TV viewers will have heard (and briefly seen) Lance as one of the singers with Laurie Holloway’s orchestra in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ last year. Happily Lance is firmly in the spotlight on his own in this great collection of numbers by some of the finest songwriters of the past century. He sounds completely at ease in the company of John Wilson and his superb musicians, and surely this album must ensure that his career really takes off from now on. The role call of arrangers is impressive: alongside Angela Morley, Billy May, Nelson Riddle and Neal Hefti are the ‘newer boys’ – Colin Skinner, Mark Nightingale, Andrew Cottee and maestro John Wilson. Most numbers are up-tempo swingers, but there are oases of tranquillity – just listen to Andrew Cottee’s beautiful settings ofNature Boy and A Certain Smile; Andrew’s score for the finale What Kind of Fool am I also deserves special praise. On one track Lance is joined by Jodie Brooke Wilson whom he first met when doing session work backing other singers, and they clearly make a fine team. It’s hard to believe that this is Lance’s first solo CD, because it is such a high quality production in every respect. And once again it is good to find everyone in the orchestra is listed in the booklet. A critic is supposed to criticise, but I cannot honestly say that anything about this CD disappointed me. If you like good songs, excellently arranged and performed, you need look no further. David Ades

PERCY FAITH - The Columbia Singles volume 3 – 1959 to 1967 Theme from "Advise & Consent", Theme from "Lawrence Of Arabia", Melody from "Mahagonny", Love Me Now, Our Language Of Love, Bimini Goombay [Le Marchand De Bonheur], Tia Juana, Hawaiian Lullaby, Bilbao Song, Lover’s Prelude, Theme from "The Last Time I Saw Archie", The Brass Ring, Out Of This World, I Concentrate On You, Music Until Midnight [Lullaby For Adults Only], Jacqueline’s Journey, The Elephant And The Chimp, Perpetual Notion, The Sound Of Surf, La Bamba, Who’s Afraid?, Strangers In The Night, There Was A Time Collectables (67:34) COL-CD-7692. This is the one all Faith-o-philes had been waiting for -- our own Alan Bunting declaring it the greatest issue yet. Your reviewer gave the first two volumes a qualified welcome, so what about this one? Well worth the wait, I’d say, and a great voyage of discovery for those of us who are not too au fait with Faith 45s. There are several singles previously only issued in mono and, better still, five tracks never been released before in any form. There are also four tracks which, due to lack of space, were omitted from the albums‘Bouquet’/’Bouquet Of Love’ [COL-CD-6056] and ‘Tara’s Theme/’Jealousy’ [COL-5843]. The first four items are still in mono as, regrettably, the multi-track masters could not be located and are now presumed lost for ever. The Kurt Weill theme is Faith without strings; but they sing out in the second Weill number, Bilbao Song, and reach the heights on Bimini Goombay, a rather attractive little cha-cha. La Bamba, heard here for the first time, is always welcome. The lovely tune from "Irma La Douce" certainly benefits from stereo; as does The Elephant and the Chimp, originally written for the CBS Television show "A Look at Monaco" [ COL-CD-7611], featuring a tremendous tuba. This is one of nine tracks with the music penned by the great Percy. Other Faith favourites of mine are the gently rock-tinged The Brass Ring, syncopated piano, sawing strings and seductive saxophone combining in Perpetual Notion, and the final item with its classy trumpet that not even the female singers can spoil. Virtually every track is a winner so, unless it’s for the absence of any liner notes [sure Mr Bunting would have obliged], I find it hard to imagine anyone buying this album being disappointed. Peter Burt

London Festival Orchestra & Chorus / STANLEY BLACK – Broadway Blockbusters / Broadway Spectacular (74:43) Vocalion CDLK 4323. Most of the tracks on this CD have been done to death by other arrangers – yet another Oklahoma medley, for instance – but with Stanley Black you are always in for a treat. There are also some less well-known songs from popular shows – Big Dfrom The Most Happy Fella and Lawd I’m on My Way from Porgy and Bess. Brilliant sound quality too; hard to believe these albums are forty years old. Alec Hellyer

LEONARD BERNSTEIN conducts BERNSTEIN Facsimile A Choreographic Essay - RCA Victor Orchestra; On the Town Ballet Music - "On the Town" Orchestra; Jeremiah Symphony Nan Merriman (mezzo-soprano) - St Louis Symphony Orchestra; Ravel Concerto for Piano & Orchestra - Philharmonia Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein (piano). Recorded in the 1940s. (75:50) Dutton CDBP 9758. Leonard Bernstein has received a great deal of well-deserved praise for his illustrious career, so it is hardly necessary to go into great detail about his achievements. This inspired compilation features familiar and less well-known works, all from the 1940s. "On The Town" inspired the film of the same name, although little of Bernstein’s stage music transferred into the screen version. The Ravel Concerto for Piano and Orchestra was recorded in London with Bernstein conducting from the piano. David Ades

FRANCK POURCEL The Importance of Your Love The Lark, Rain and Tears, Congratulations, A Man Without Love, etc. Thinking of You If You Could Read My Mind, Friends, Adelaide, She’s a Lady, It’s Impossible, etc. 26 tracks Vocaliob CDLK4300, 74:14 mins. Franck Pourcel is now enjoying something of a welcome revival, and his many admirers will be glad to see that these two EMI LPs are available once again. David Ades

PEPE JARAMILLO ...meets Manuel High Noon, To Be The Obe You Love, Look Around, Madrid, etc.Moonlight in Mexico Nicola, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars, Get Out of Town, Sunrise Sunset, The Sweetest Sounds, etc. 26 tracks Vocalion CDLK4306, 79:21. When he left his native Mexico and came to England back in the 1960s Pepe Jaramillo’s career really took off, and he made many LPs for EMI. In the first of them on this CD he is teamed with Manuel – in other words the talented Geoff Love who, as ‘Manuel and his Music of the Mountains’, also became a household name with his records being steady sellers for many years. It is good to be reminded of this tuneful era when pianists seemed to be far more popular than they are today. David Ades

A note about... Must Close Saturday Records

Some time ago we mentioned the activities of Adrian Wright of Must Close Saturday Records, who specialises in releasing rare recordings of predominantly post-war British musicals. His latest batch includes some real gems which will have enthusiasts reaching for their cheque  books. The following basic list shows just how dedicated Adrian is to the cause of musical theatre and all six CDs come highly recommended:  Late Joys MCSR 3026 - Victorian Music Hall from the Players Theatre  featuring Hattie Jacques, Bill Owen and Clive Dunn; Streamline and Jill Darling MCSR 3021 - original London cast recordings featuring  Florence Desmond, John Mills and Frances Day; Harry Parr Davies MCSR  3029 – a centenary recital of his most famous songs; Stop the World,  I Want to Get Off  MCSR 3028 – original London cast including  Anthony Newley and Anna Quayle; Virtue in Danger MCSR 3027 –  Patricia Routledge and friends in 1963, (long before she became  Hyacinth Bucket); Noel Coward  MCSR 3030 – last British recordings etc. For a catalogue and further information contact Must Close Saturday Records, 56 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7JT. Tel. 01508-494371 Fax 01508-494471 e-mail enquiries@must-close-saturday-records or websitewww.must-close-saturday-records.co.uk Edmund Whitehouse

MARTIN DENNY The Best of… Exotica, Coronation, Quiet Village, Forbidden Island, Flamingo, Misirlou, Caravan, Jungle Drums, Taboo, etc. 19 tracks EMI 343 3732 54:39 mins. It is said that Martin Denny owes at least part of his international success to the sounds of nearby wildlife while they were performing in the open air at the resort of Oahu in Hawaii. Quite why record companies should assume that people want to listen to music at home interrupted by jungle sounds escapes me, apart from the fact that some musicians need gimmicks to mask their inadequate or non-existent talents. To be fair, such criticisms cannot be levelled at Martin Denny, and the tracks without the extraneous noises are quite enjoyable. It would be nice if modern technology could offer listeners the option to eliminate such annoying ‘extras’ but for the time being we have to put up with them. If you are already a Martin Denny fan you may want to know that only two tracks are new to CD, but the finale is an interview with Mr. Denny recorded in the 1950s and previously unreleased. He died on 2 March 2005 aged 93, and an obituary can be seen on page 67 of JIM 164. David Ades

Brief details of the following... from Wilfred Askew

MITCH MILLER and The Gang – 50 All-American Favourites 2CDs. Original US Columbia Recordings. Collector’s Choice CCM-0516-2. Including You Are My Sunshine, Goodnight Ladies, In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree, Ain’t We Got Fun, Sweet Georgia Brown, Somebody Stole My Gal, Tea For Two, Till We Meet Again... (71:18 + 68:58)

JOE HARNELL, His Piano and Orchestra – Fly me to the Moon / The Bossa Nova Pops Original Kapp recording. Collector’s Choice CCM-0567-2. Including Senza Five, Cry Me A River, Midnight Sun, One Note Samba... (32:01)

MARTIN DENNY – Original Liberty recordings. CDs distributed by Pinnacle. Exotica volume 1CR REV 101; Exotica volume 2 CR REV 102; Exotica volume 3 CR REV 105; Primitiva CR REV 103; Forbidden Island CR REV 104; Hypnotique CR REV 106; Quiet Village CR REV 107; Afro-Desia CR REV 108.

BILLY VAUGHN and His Orchestra – 19 Classic Tracks. Original Dot recordings. Music Club MCCD 466. Including Blue Hawaii, Wheels, Look For A Star, Moonlight And Roses, Red Sails In The Sunset. (49:04)

THE RAY CHARLES SINGERS – Something Special for Young Lovers. Original Command recordings. Collector’s Choice CCM-0538-2. Including More, This Is All I Ask, Hello Dolly, Charade, Sweet Little Mountain Bird... (31:26)

THE RAY CHARLES SINGERS – Al-Di-La and Other Extra Special Songs for Young Lovers.Original Command recordings. Collector’s Choice CCM-0537-2. Including The Girl From Ipanema, Real Live Girl, Satin Doll, Till The End Of Time, You Are Never Far Away From Me... (32:25)