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)

The GUILD series has undoubtedly been an unprecedented success – and still they keep coming, thick and fast!! These five releases cover a very wide timescale and a huge range of different musical styles.

SAY IT WITH MUSIC is the subtitle – taken from the name of the first track – of VOLUME III OF THE 1950s, and spans the years 1952-1955 [GLCD5119]. It follows the established format of combining the well-known with the less-familiar, and features mainly commercial recordings, interspersed with just a few from publishers’ libraries. In addition to works by some of the Great American Songbook composers such as Berlin, Kern, Rodgers and Schwartz, we encounter a number of British, European and American writers, who achieved fame (and hopefully fortune) with their purely orchestral compositions included here. Although some of the titles may not immediately spring to mind, many of the tracks would have been regularly heard on radio broadcasts, certainly those of the BBC. As I have remarked before, there is a definite difference in style and character between Light Music of the mid- to late-’40s on the one hand, and the early-’50s on the other; although this may not have been very obvious at the time, it becomes much more so with the benefit of hindsight, particularly when listening to this very enjoyable new collection.

The next CD marks a significant change in direction for the GUILD series [GLCD5120]. THE HALL OF FAME – VOLUME I – on its own admission – is aimed at newcomers to the World of Light Music, whilst still intending to appeal to established collectors, who are promised some surprises amongst the familiar items. Although a number of the titles may have already appeared elsewhere on CDs, the opportunity has been taken to carry out completely new digital restorations from the original 78s; this is claimed to offer improvements over releases from the late 1990s, due to the more advanced processing technology now available. There is a wide range of musical styles, resulting in a very varied programme – Percy Fletcher’s My Love To You in a 1930s performance by the Reginald King Orchestra, and Nöel Coward’s Mad About The Boy in an André Kostelanetz arrangement from 1955, represent the two extreme time-points. An innovation is the Featured Composer, in this case Clive Richardson, who takes pride of place with three of his popular pieces in recordings dating from 1945-47. Although David Ades’ biographical notes state that Richardson ‘first trained as a doctor’, this is not strictly true; in an exact parallel with Charles Shadwell, he started studying medicine, but soon gave it up in favour of a musical career and certainly never qualified as a physician. All-in-all, a well thought-out programme which happily ‘kept me company’ during a recent long car journey!

For many years, Haydn Wood has been much overshadowed by his contemporary (and rival?), Eric Coates. This is more than a little unfair; Wood was a highly inventive and versatile composer, and his works encompassed a wider range of genres and styles than those of Coates, who tended to keep to a very few well-trodden paths. Whilst most of the items on JOYOUSNESS – THE MUSIC OF HAYDN WOOD [GLCD5121] will not only be familiar but are likely to be in many collections, this is undoubtedly a very worthwhile addition to the GUILD series. It was inspirational to include the Peter Yorke/ Freddy Gardner recording of Roses Of Picardy, together with Wood’s orchestration of Charles Marshall’s I Hear You Calling Me; other highlights are Seville, Bird Of Love Divine, and the Homage March. It is pleasing that Haydn Wood’s music is now getting its due recognition, and the appearance of this new CD can only assist in that regard.

BRITISH CINEMA AND THEATRE ORCHESTRAS – VOLUME II [GLCD5122] covers the years 1927-39; once again, we are presented with a mixture of the very familiar and the almost unknown – but immediately enjoyable! Amongst the conductors, the names of (Arthur) Anton with organist Al Bonnington, Richard Crean, Joseph Muscant and Frank Tours are prominently featured; judging by the number of recordings that they made (some of which have appeared on previous GUILD CDs) they must have achieved great popularity in their day.The programme opens with what is probably the fastest-ever recorded performance of Buccalossi’s Grasshoppers Dance - I am tempted to wonder just what sort of ‘grass’ these particular hoppers were ‘on’!! Although the composer of theEspaña Waltz is credited as Emmanuel Chabrier, the piece here is really a slightly abridged arrangement of Emil Waldteufel’s famous version of the original Chabrier work Rhapsody – España. There seems to be an increasing interest in music of this type (no doubt helped by Volume I -GUILD 5108) and this new CD will certainly appeal to all those who enjoy Light Music of the pre-WWII era.

And so to the final new arrival – GREAT LIGHT ORCHESTRAS SALUTE THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS [GLCD5123]. This is another departure from the usual GUILD format and the booklet notes state that it is the first such SALUTE, the implication being that there will be more to follow. Although the works of Rodgers and his collaborators have been much-recorded, this must surely be the first time that such a diverse collection has appeared on CD in purely orchestral guise, performed by so many different ensembles and conductors. This composer wrote little else but Theatre and Film music, and every track is taken from a show, with the recordings dating from 1949-55. By that time Rodgers (in partnership with Oscar Hammerstein) was arguably at the height of his popularity, although the Rodgers and Hart compositions actually date from much earlier. Considering that most of these pieces were originally conceived as songs with lyrics, they have been very successfully transformed into their new format. In this connection, it is good to report that the names of arrangers are included in the booklet notes where appropriate; too often they are the unsung heroes, without whose talents performances like these could never have happened! This is another enjoyable addition to the series and it would be interesting to know which other composers are destined to appear in future SALUTES – as always, watch this space. Tony Clayden

If any readers would like to know the full contents of these Guild CDs, they were listed in our last issue, starting on page 62. All Guild CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

THE BBC RADIO 4 UK THEME – Royal Ballet Sinfonia / Gavin Sutherland. The moment it was announced that the medley of British folk tunes which has started the day on Radio 4 for the past 33 years was to be scrapped, producer Herbie Flowers arranged for the music to be recorded and released as a single, the ‘B’ side of which is Ronald Binge’s Sailing By. The disc is available for £1.99 in the shops, or 78p per track to download from the internet; proceeds are going to the Light Music Society. The performance here is fresh and solidly assured - quite superior to the original recording broadcast on the radio! Isn’t it fascinating how we don’t tend to appreciate something until we’ve lost it? Perhaps a small but significant event like this will help raise the profile of light orchestral music. The Radio 4 Theme single has no catalogue number - but is available in the UK from Asda, HMV, Tesco, Virgin and Woolworths or at the web address www.savetheradio4theme.co.uk Peter Edwards

IN THE LOUNGE WITH GARY WILLIAMS & HIS MUSICIANS Music to Watch Girls By (Velona; Ramin); Sweet Lorraine (Parish; Burwell); I Thought About You (Mercer; Van Heusen); A Swingin’ Affair (Myers; Cass); I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Fields; McHugh); I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning (Berlin); Lover Come Back to Me (Hammerstein; Romberg); Fly Me to the Moon (Howard); I’m Glad There Is You (Madeira; Dorsey); Baubles, Bangles and Beads (Wright; Forrest); Call Me (Otis; Hendricks); All That Jazz (Carter; Stillman); Change Partners (Berlin); Let’s Get Lost (Loesser); Let There Be Love (Grant; Rand); Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries (De Sylva; Brown; Henderson); As Long as I’m Singing (Darin) Arrangements by Andrew Cottee and Richard Rodney Bennett Recorded at Abbey Road Studio No.3, London, February 2006 Vocalion CDSA 6814. One could describe this collection as ‘cocktail’ or ‘late night’ music, but that would imply that it should be enjoyed while doing something else – possibly more interesting. But that is not the case! Gary’s approach to his lyrics, and his empathy with his musicians demand your full attention, and his choice of numbers confirms what a wonderful period in history the last century was for high quality popular songs. Being the supreme professional that he is, Gary occasionally surprises by slipping in a verse that others have not treated us to previously. The general tone of the album is up-tempo, and the fine musicians performing the great arrangements created specially for Gary include Graham Harvey (piano), Dave Chamberlain (bass), Matt Skelton (drums), Martin Kershaw (guitar), Andrew Cottee (vibes) and Luke Annesley on reeds and flute. If I have one minor criticism it concerns the almost unreadable printing in part of the booklet – but that is the fault of the printers, not the musicians! Gary Williams simply gets better all the time – a great CD. David Ades All Dutton Vocalion CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

LONDON LIGHTS – Streamline (Palace Theatre 1934) New Mayfair Orchestra / Ray Noble; Going Greek (Gaiety 1937) Debroy Somers; Stop Press (Adelphi 1935) New Mayfair Orchestra / Percival Mackey; Seeing Stars (Gaiety 1935)  Debroy Somers; The Little Dog Laughed (Palladium 1939) London Palladium Orchestra / Clifford Greenwood; Operette (His Majesty’s 1938) His Majesty’s Theatre Orchestra / Ben Frankel; Slipping round the corner (from The Good Companions, His Majesty’s 1931) Debroy Somers; On the outside looking in (from The Little Dog Laughed, Palladium 1939) George Scott Wood and his Six Swingers; I’m on a see-saw (from Jill Darling, Saville 1934) Billy Cotton; You’re the top (from Anything Goes, Palace 1935) Jack Hylton;Mad about the boy (from Words & Music, Adelphi 1932) Savoy Hotel Orpheans; After you, who?(from The Gay Divorce, Palace 1933) Henry Hall; Sitting beside ‘o you / What are you going to do?(from Yes Madam? London Hippodrome 1934) George Scott Wood. Evergreen Melodies CL07. Available from: Evergreen Melodies, PO Box 52, Cheltenham, GL50 1YQ, England – tel. 01242 515156 or online at  Credit cards accepted. Price £9.95. Most of the 2,000 musicals which have graced the West End stage since Gilbert and Sullivan have been forgotten so this CD of original orchestras playing the original lively music – complementing the book "London Lights" - is a welcome addition to the Evergreen Melodies catalogue which now boasts almost 150 titles. The first six tracks are tuneful compilations of the complete musical and have never before been released on CD. The other seven tracks are melodic foot tapping singles, all adding up to a delightful light music CD with a swing in the step. Edmund Whitehouse

TEST CARD MUSIC Volume 10 Organ Grinder (Frederick Less), Hora (Ilja Genic), Girline (Less), Scaramuccia (Paul Rolke), Nikolashka (Rudolf Maluck), Pizzi Pizzi (L. Rey), Goodnight Madamoiselle ((Armand Bernard), Countrywise (James Turner), Lonely Journey (Alan Perry – real name Ernest Tomlinson), Welcome Waikiki (Laiser & Laube), Honolulu (Reipsch & Ackerman), Minute for String Orchestra (Capuzzi), Hot Line (William Gardner), Bossa Nova in the Moonlight ((Geo Voumard), Polka on the Rocks (Heinz Hőtter), Five to Play (Hőtter), Shake it Down (Hans Gluck), Bavarian Ramble (Gardner), Rainbow Room (Marino & Rollefson), West One (Gardner), Goo Goo Eyes (Frank Chacksfield) and Filigree (H. Lehmann). Apollo Sound APSCD236, 56:59 minutes. Fans of this enterprising series have been waiting some while for this latest release, but their patience has finally been rewarded. And ‘rewarded’ is the right word, because Test Card Music enthusiasts will find much to delight them in this latest collection – as usual the brainchild of our good friends Heinz Herschmann and Chris Churcher. With the exception of the two Heinz Hőtter numbers from Bosworth & Co., all the tracks are from Mozart Edition GB Ltd. The Orchestra Raphaele is featured on no less than eight tracks, and it is good to hear the fine Cologne Studio Orchestra. There are plenty of pleasant, relaxed light orchestral sounds among the more up-tempo numbers, and I personally think that this is one of the best selections among Apollo Sounds’ recent releases. You can’t help but feel happy when you listen to this CD! David Ades All Apollo Sound CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

PAUL MAURIAT "Le Couturier Musical" 3-CD collection featuring the famous French conductor, composer and arranger in his best-known works. Paul Mauriat plays his International Hits Love is Blue, Sabre Dance, Those Were The Days, New York New York, I Say a Little Prayer, Lara’s Theme, A Man and a Woman, Ebb Tide etc. [22 tracks] Paul Mauriat – Composer I Will Follow Him, Piano Star, Last Summer, Voila Voila, You, Baby [22 tracks, including vocals by Petula Clark, Caterina Valente etc.] Paul Mauriat – Arranger featuring various singers and four tracks under Mauriat’s pseudonym ‘Nico Papadopoulos’ [20 tracks] France Mercury Universal 983 230-5. This superb tribute is the creation of RFS member Serge Elhaik, and it is a beautifully produced box set which will make Mauriat’s fans very happy indeed! A glossy booklet featuring numerous photographs is bound into the box itself, and anyone with basic schoolboy French should not find it too difficult to understand most of the text. This is a high-quality product in all respects, and we send our sincere congratulations to Serge for his splendid work. David Ades This collection is available to special order through the RFS Record Service.

THE SPLENDOUR OF THE MARCH PART 1 - In Concert. The Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music / Lieutenant Colonel F. Vivian Dunn CVO OBE FRAM RM with Frederick Harvey (Baritone). Neville - Silver Bugles; Alford - Old Panama; Hall - The New Colonial; O’Reilly-Sanderson - Drake Goes West; Dodgson-Phillips - The Fishermen of England; Anderson - Bugler’s Holiday; Dunn - The Admiral’s Regiment; Farnon - Derby Day; Sousa - Manhattan Beach, Hands Across the Sea, The Invincible Eagle, The Black Horse Troop, The Pride of the Wolverines; Work - Marching Thro’ Georgia. THE SPLENDOUR OF THE MARCH PART 2 - The 1968 Royal Tournament. The Massed Bands, Corps of Drums and Fanfare Trumpets of HM Royal Marines conducted by Lieutenant Colonel F. Vivian Dunn CVO OBE FRAM RM. Display by the Royal Marines Corps Of Drums and Fanfare Trumpets; The Royal Marines Massed Bands - Marching Display & Finale/Salute and March Off. (59:00) Eastney Collection RMHSEC012. Available from: Eastney Collection, 60 Mayford Road, London SW12 8SN, telephone 0208 673 6157.www.eastneycollection.com The latest arrival from the Eastney Collection features more of Sir Vivian Dunn’s renowned recordings with the Royal Marines Band Service, while he was serving as their Principal Director of Music. The disc divides into two distinct sessions, the first and longer section is based on studio recordings with the Royal Marines School of Music Band, whilst the remainder of the disc emanates from live recordings made at the 1968 Royal Tournament featuring The Massed Bands, Corps of Drums and Fanfare Trumpets of HM Royal Marines. Considering all the obvious difficulties inherent in producing a live recording in such a vast echoing area as Earls Court, the engineers have achieved wonders and the results give the listener a compelling sense of being caught up in a great, historic and thrilling occasion. This was Sir Vivian’s last appearance at a Royal Tournament as PDM of the Royal Marines – he was subsequently to retire a few months later, and amongst the music featured in this sequence is a Kenneth Alford Medley, Cavalry of the Steppes and a stunning Sunset, played by no less than eighty buglers! The studio recordings referred to earlier consist mainly of marches and were made in the famous EMI Abbey Road Studio. Included is one of Vivian Dunn’s own superb essays in the genre, The Admiral’s Regiment, written specially for the 1964 Royal Marines Tercentenary and a quintet of marches by the American March King, John Phillip Sousa; of which The Black Horse Troop, with its simulated hoofbeats is particularly engaging. Sir Vivian was a stalwart champion throughout his life of quality light music and two fine examples of the genre are included in this compilation. Leroy Anderson’s ebullient Bugler’s Holiday, is brilliantly played by three expert Royal Marine musicians, whilst Robert Farnon’s lively Derby Day, is crisply and stylishly delivered. There is incidentally in the booklet notes, a photograph of Robert Farnon and Vivian Dunn discussing the score of A La Claire Fontaine at Deal, which the latter went on to record with the Light Music Society Orchestra and is currently available on a Vocalion CD – CDLK4182. One further strong inducement (if more were needed) to acquire this highly desirable disc is the presence on two of the tracks – Drake Goes West and The Fisherman of England, of the fine baritone voice of Frederick Harvey with its enviable clear articulation. The Eastney Collection is to be congratulated on restoring such valuable and distinguished recordings back to circulation and Brian Culverhouse, an EMI Recording Producer 1952-1972 who supervised the original recording sessions has expertly processed the digital re-mastering of these musical treasures to excellent effect. Roger Hyslop

MARCH MONTAGE – The Band and Bugles of The Light Division featuring the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards Association (Manchester Branch) / Major Calum Gray BA (Hons.) ARCM psm Fucik - Entry of the Gladiators; Meyerbeer/Godfrey - Les Huguenots; Mc Bain -Mechanized Infantry; Williams - Midway March; Mendelssohn – Wedding March; Texidor - Amparito Roca; Greig - Funeral March; Ganne – Marche Lorraine; Ord-Hume - The BB and CF; Alford - The Vanished Army; Sousa - The Stars and Stripes Forever; Jessell arr. Gould - The Parade of theWooden Soldiers (73:00) CHEVRON CHVCD 23. If you are somewhat daunted at the prospect of sitting through 70 minutes or so of non-stop marches, perhaps I might allay such fears by quoting the comments of the Director of Music of the Band of the Light Division, Major Calum C. Gray in the introductory notes to this CD thus – "It would be perfectly understandable, if on picking up a band recording featuring marches, your mind immediately conjures up images of a parade square replete with band, marching troops and a terrifying RSM barking out his orders. Yet as this recording wil demonstrate, the musical genre entitled ‘The March’ is incredibly diverse, capable of stirring up emotions ranging from pride and joy to tragedy and despair". This claim is amply borne out on this new release from Chevron, with a splendidly wide ranging selection representing marches from the Parade Ground, Silver Screen, Stage & Concert Platform and extending in mood from the flamboyant joyous character of the Spanish March Amparito Roca – the provenance of which now seems to be in some doubt – to the solemn heart rending strains of Grieg’s Funeral March, written as a tribute to the composer’s great friend and composer of the Norwegian National Anthem, Rikard Nordraak. Other highlights are the music from Meyerbeer’s opera Les Huguenots, heard each year at the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards and Leon Jessell’s popular Parade of the Wooden [Tin?] Soldiers - famous for its use many years ago for BBC Radio Children’s Hour ‘Toytown’ Series, in Morton Guild’s somewhat quirky arrangement. Kenneth Alford’s poignant march The Vanished Army, dates from 1918, and it is dedicated to the first 100,000 who ‘gave their all’ during the First World War. Further contrast is provided by three appearances by the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards Association, playing medleys of traditional Scottish marching tunes arranged by Major Gray. The sound is excellent, full vivid and detailed and the sessions took place in the Regimental Chapel of Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester. Interestingly, they were recorded, engineered, produced and mastered by the Royal Marines Band Service. A first class product! Roger Hyslop

EMI have recently released a further batch of ‘2 on ones’…

JULIE LONDON "Julie / Love on the Rocks" EMI 3530262.

The release of these two albums has been heavily influenced by requests from the many Julie great standards such as "Somebody Loves Me", and "Bye Bye Blackbird". "Love On The Rocks" is an album which contains outstanding tracks which include "Willow Weep For Me", "A Cottage For Sale", and "Love On The Rocks".

KAY STARR "Just Plain Country/Tears and Heartaches" EMI 3529302.

On "Just Plain Country" Kay Starr proves that even country music isn't beyond her vocal talents, zipping through the classics like "Crazy", "Walk On By", and "Singing The Blues". "Tears And Heartaches Old Records" also contains a few classic country tunes; "Make the World Go Away" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" to name but two.

AL MARTINO "We Could / Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself to Sleep" EMI 3530152. Two great Al Martino albums making their debut on CD. "We Could" is an album of ballads sung with Al Marline's unique rich Latin voice. "Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep" contains the title track as well as "Wiedersehn", "Husbands and Wives", and "You Hurt Me".

JUNE CHRISTY "The Cool School/Do Re Mi" EMI 3510172.

"The Cool School" is an album featuring familiar tunes like "When You Wish Upon A Star", and "Swinging On A Star". In contrast "Do Re Mi" is an album of songs from the Broadway show of the same name. "Cry Like The Wind", "Make Someone Happy" and "Fireworks" are the highlight tracks but the whole album swings in great style.

NANCY WILSON "From Broadway with Love/Tender Loving Care" EMI 3512832.

"From Broadway with Love" contains a dozen great classics from the Broadway show stage. This album features orchestrations which fall into three distinctive styles and as usual Nancy Wilson gives all of these songs her very own treatment. "Tender Loving Care" is an album of love songs but not all sung or orchestrated in the form of slushy ballads. Some are pure romance and love but others really swing. Billy May arranges and conducts on this album.

The Essential NANCY SINATRA Bang Bang, Sugar Town, Somethin’ Stupid, Kind of a Woman, Let Me Kiss You, You Only Live Twice, etc. (26 tracks) EMI 356 2332. If your Dad is someone like Frank Sinatra it could be said that you have a head start in life, but somehow one gets the feeling that Nancy would have made a success of her career whoever her parents had been. Her big hits are here including duets with the likes of Dad (naturally) and Lee Hazlewood. Nancy has penned her own sleeve notes, and fans will certainly want this compilation. David Ades

WIENER MUSIK – Robert Stolz conducting the Berlin and Vienna Symphony Orchestras 12-CD Box Set Sony/BMG 82876678902. In his liner notes for Guild’s ‘Buried Treasures’ album [GLCD 5118], David Ades reminds us that Robert Stolz, who lived to the grand old age of 95, was an acclaimed Austrian composer, extremely popular in his homeland, [who] went to Hollywood to escape the Nazis where he enjoyed success writing music for films such as ‘Spring Parade’ and ‘It Happened Tomorrow’. He returned to the country of his birth in 1946, and as well as being one of the major composers of the last century – he was often described as "the king of the silver operetta" – he was also a fine conductor of 19^th century Viennese dance music. At the age of nineteen he had actually met Johann Strauss Jr. – another "king": of the waltz. We have here 155 of the best tunes not only from the Strauss Family but also from Joseph Lanner, Joseph Libitzky, Joseph Gungl, Philipp Fahrbach, Franz von Suppé, Bélá Kéler, Karl Komzàk Sr, Juventino Roses, Carl Michael Ziehrer, Richard Heuberger, Franz Lehar, Julius Fučik, Leo Fall, Siegfried Translateur, Karl Komzŕk Jr, Emmerich Kálmán and Robert Stolz himself. This really is a super collection, working out at around £2.50 a disc. If, like me, you are captivated by the annual New Year’s Day Concert from the Austrian capital, or if you are just looking for a life enhancing listen, then these dozen discs [the shortest is over an hour, the longest just under 75 minutes] of this most graceful, captivating music – beautifully played and recorded – will enchant you all the year through. Peter Burt

THE TERRY CAVENDISH ORCHESTRA "All In An Afternoon’s Work" Leagueliner, Delicado, Blue Lou, Colonel Bogey, Moonglow, These Foolish Things, Tuxedo Junction, Big Noise from Winnetka, Fools Rush In, Organ Grinder’s Swing, Stay With It, When the Sun Comes Out, I’ll Be Around, 9.20 Special, Time for Change, Agotado, Monomania, Issmak, Crash Pad, Joyride, Hadrian’s Wall Vocalion CDSML 8419. These recordings first appeared in the Boosey & Hawkes Cavendish Music library, from which you will quickly realise that ‘Terry Cavendish’ is simply a made-up name! The real brain behind this fine group of British session musicians is Ray Davies who provided the arrangements and five of the compositions. The first 14 tracks come from CAV LP 9 made in 1973, featuring updated versions of well-known swing classics published by companies in the B&H group – the only exception being the first track composed by Ray. This album was subsequently released commercially by Pye. The final seven tracks are from other Cavendish albums of the same period. The top players include Alan Hawkshaw, Herbie Flowers, Denis Lopez, Alan Parker and Alf Bigden. Oliver Lomax deserves a special mention for his very interesting and informative booklet notes. David Ades

LES BAXTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS Unchained Melodies Unchained Melody, Because of You, Blue Tango, April in Portugal, Tropicana, Ruby, I Love Paris, Gigi, Cornflakes, The High and the Mighty, etc plus tracks from the suites ‘Music Out of the Moon’, ‘Perfume Set to Music’ and ‘Le Sacred u Sauvage’ Sanctuary Living Era CD AJA 5572, 75:40 mins. The music of Les Baxter seems to be enjoying something of a revival (another CD can be found later in this feature) and he is also featured in Guild’s second ‘Hall of Fame’. He made some nice orchestral arrangements alongside his more commercial recordings with voices, and as more of his 1950s items fall out of copyright they are likely to be made available once again. David Ades All Sanctuary Living Era CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

DANIEL SMITH (bassoon), with Martin Bejerano (piano), John Sullivan (bass), Ludwig Afonso (drums) – Bebop Bassoon. Killer Joe (Golson), Anthropology (Parker/Gillespie), Blue Monk (Monk), Sister Sadie (Silver), In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington), All Blues (Davis), Doxy (Rollins), Up Against the Wall (Coltrane), Birk’s Works (Gillespie), Sticky Wicket (Gordon) (45:11). Guild Zah Zah ZZCD9820. Daniel Smith has steadily built up a reputation as ambassador of the contemporary bassoon. He continues to amaze us by his portrayal of the instrument, making it do things we never thought bassoons were meant to do. His latest disc is original in conception and immaculate in execution. The bassoon, whilst being the novelty instrument, is one of four equal voices in the quartet; it is not over-exposed, nor are the microphones unequally balanced as can sometimes be the case with such recordings. Smith gives the bassoon a new voice, bringing out the silky smooth middle and upper register of the instrument in preference to the lower, stereotypically clownish qualities more associated with orchestral solos. The bassoon thrives in this register, perhaps putting itself into the territory of the tenor or alto saxophone; but its tone quality is quite individual. A double reed in jazz is rather special and has to be heard to be believed. Peter Edwards This Guild CD is available from the RFS Record Service.

NIGHTS OF GLADNESS In the Palm Courts of the Thirties Nights Of Gladness - Charles Ancliffe & His Orchestra, Loin Du Bal – Bijou Orchestra, Stephane Gavotte - Ferdy Kaufman & His Orchestra, Clock And The Dresden Figures - Albert Ketelbey & His Concert Orchestra, Serenade Notturno D'Amore - Rendezvous Orchestra, Sizilietta - Charles Prentice Drury Lane Theatre Orchestra, Wedding Of The Rose (Der Rose Hochzeit) - Jack Hylton & His Orchestra, Hearts And Flowers - J.H. Squire & His Celeste Octet, Monsieur Tricotin (A Sketch Of Montmarte) - Mantovani & His Tipica Orchestra, Entr'Acte Gavotte - Marek Weber & His Orchestra, Musette - Fred Hartley & His Quintet, Occhi Di Zingara - Alfredo & His Orchestra, Pierrette - Leslie Bridgewater & His Quintet, Fairies In The Moon - Joseph Nuscant & The Troxy Broadcasting Orchestra, Cuban Serenade - Albert Sandler Orchestra, Poupee Valsante (Waltzing Doll) - Orchestre Raymonde, Nola (A Silhouette) - Serge Krish & His Sextet, Poeme - Edith Lorand & Her Orchestra, Teddy Bears Picnic - Alfredo Campoli & His Salon Orchestra, Jealousy (Jalousie) - Emil Roos, & His Orchestra, Serenade Number 1 - Barnabas Von Geczy & His Orchestra, Cuckoo Waltz - New Mayfair Orchestra, Shy Serenade - New Mayfair Orchestra, Grasshopper's Dance - Troise & His Mandoliers Sanctuary Living Era CD AJA 5601, 74:42 mins. Happily there do not seem to be many duplications with some other recent CDs in a similar vein, and with a generous helping of 24 tracks admirers of this kind of genteel light music should not hesitate to add this latest offering to their collection. Peter Dempsey has made an interesting selection, and his informative booklet notes add to the enjoyment. David Ades

LIGHT FANTASTIC! – The Radio Light Orchestra / Lieutenant Colonel John Ware Alford - On the Quarter Deck; Anderson - Blue Tango; Lewis - Autumn Love/Great Western Railway; Farnon -Westminster Waltz; Lai - A Man and a Woman; Vintner – Screwball; Jenkins - Happy Times/Trumpet Concertino (moderato); Richardson - Beachcomber; Hope - Jaunting Car (The Ring of Kerry Suite); Buttall - Autumn Embers/The Lone Ar-ranger Goes Orchestral! Duncan - Tomboy; Sullivan -Selection: The Pirates of Penzance (53:00) CLOVELLY CLCD13805. Available from: Clovelly Recordings Ltd., 1The Old Cannery, Hengist Road, Deal, Kent CT14 6WY Tel/Fax 01304 239356.www.clovellyrecordings.com The Radio Light Orchestra was established in 1999 in the West Country by ex Royal Marines musicians who make up approxiamately half of the players on this new Clovelly release. Despite the fact that the BBC are apparently so ill informed or out of touch with the current music scene that they continue to peddle the line that there is very little demand for light music, this newly established Light Orchestra has been compelled to move to ever larger venues as their fame spreads and demand grows. It’s most recent appearances have been at Plymouth Guildhall attracting audiences of over 600 people! The Orchestra numbers some 38 members - roughly the size I would guess of the old BBC West of England Light Orchestra, and their conductor is a former Principal Director of Music of the Royal Marines.The programme is nicely varied and whilst some of the titles will be very familiar to readers of JIM, there are one or two surprises which makes this disc a valuable new addition to Light Music discography. Paul Lewis is represented by two items: Autumn Love, the theme from a TV sitcom which starred Jimmy Jewel and his Great Western Railway,inspired by all those picturesque West Country branch lines which conveyed happy holidaymakers to their seaside resorts. Gilbert Vintner’s piece Screwball was conceived as a virtuosi xylophone solo and it is played with great dexterity by Kathryn Northcott, whilst particularly valuable is the inclusion of Trevor Duncan’s Tomboy, which is not otherwise available as far as I’m aware in an equivalent modern recording. Clive Jenkins, a Devon composer who has written many works for solo instrument and orchestra is featured by a cameo piece Happy Times, and by the second movement of hisTrumpet Concertino, which makes a positive impression - particularly when it is as well played as it is here by Andy Stark. Philip Buttell, another Devon composer arranged a rapidly moving ‘quickfire skit on a number of well known tunes as his The Lone Ar-ranger Goes Orchestral, somewhat reminiscent of Kenneth Alford’s Musical Switches. A nice touch and a refreshingly change is a good old fashioned extended selection rather than the far more usual Overture from The Pirates of Penzance, and rest assured that the strings of the RLO cope well enough with Blue Tango and ‘The Guvnor’s‘Westminster Waltz. This is a promising and impressive CD debut from this recently formed ensembe, and its not exactly everyday that a new Light Concert Orchestra appears ‘on the block’, so despite somewhat modest running time they should be given every encouragement from all who support the cause of Light Music. The well detailed, spacious recording was made at Alford Hall, Torpoint, Cornwall. More, gentlemen, please! Roger Hyslop

THE VERY BEST OF REGINALD DIXON 2-CD collection featuring many medleys and selections, plus individual numbers such as Tiger Rag, Twelfth Street Rag, Canadian Capers, Espana Waltz, La Paloma and Czardas. EMI Gold 094635599725. It seems incredible that Reginald Dixon died over 20 years ago, so this fine tribute is perhaps long overdue. Tim Wills has made a good choice from Reg’s EMI LPs from the era of the 1950s to 1970s when music at the English seaside resort of Blackpool simply meant Reg Dixon. "Mr. Blackpool" became a legend in his own lifetime, and the CD booklet contains many nostalgic photos. David Ades

THESE FOOLISH THINGS – The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Includes songs by Mack Gordon, Al Hoffman, Buddy DeSylva, Cole Porter, Brooke Bowman, Harry Warren, Rod Thomas and Jack Strachey, incidental music by Ian Lynn. Vocals by Brian Lawrance, Jack Evetts, Anne Lenner, Cathi Ogden, Pete Zorn, Clare Teal, Judith Owen. (57.00) Sony BMG 82876803782. This disc is a selection of music from the film, which mixes original dance band recordings with newly composed incidental music. The vintage recordings are great, but Ian Lynn’s underscore is trashy and makes no attempt to be in keeping with the period. The final track, Strachey’s beautiful song These Foolish Things is heard in a most unattractive arrangement in which the original harmonies have been simplified and ruined. Peter Edwards

 

FÈTE AU VILLAGE SICILIEN ET NAPOLITAIN France Marianne Melodie 061591 – 49 tracks.This latest 2-CD compilation from Pierre-Marcel Ondher, the foremost authority on vintage light music in France, explores the fascinating repertoire from southern Italy and Sicily. The majority of the recordings come from the first half of the 1950s, but there are generous helpings also from the 1930s and 1940s. There are tarantellas, mazurkas, polkas and waltzes galore, and all tracks have detailed information regarding the recordings. PMO has written the comprehensive booklet notes in French, but English-only readers will be glad to know that Ralph Harvey has contributed some paragraphs in English. Many RFS members have purchased previous collections from this team, and they can be confident that the usual blend of the tuneful, and unexpected, is here in plenty. David Ades This 2-CD set is available to special order from the RFS record Service.

SALONORCHESTER SCHWANEN Conducted by GEORG HUBER Salon Orchestra Favourites Vol. 4 GERMAN HIT SONGS OF THE 1930s, featuring music by Gerhard Winkler, Peter Kreuder and Werner Richard Heymann. The fact that this series has now reached volume 4 is ample proof that there is a healthy demand for this kind of music. Vocals are provided by Annette Postel (in German, of course!) although a few items are purely orchestral. The orchestra performs with obvious enthusiasm, and those of you who purchased the first three volumes are sure to want this one as well. David Ades All Naxos and Marco Polo CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

 

Recent re-releases of classic LP recordings, compiled by Wilfred Askew…

ANDRE KOSTELANETZ (Original Columbia recordings)

Murder on the Orient Express (1975) + Never Can Say Goodbye (1975) Including: Root Beer Rag, Tenderly, Love’s Theme, Stardust, My Own Best Friend, Violets & Silverbells, Maiysha, It’s a Paper Moon. (64:38) Collectable COL-CD-7811.

Wonderland of Sound: Broadway’s Greatest Hits (1962) + Plays Hits of Funny, Finian’s Rainbow & Star! (1969) Including: I believe in You, Tonight, Till there was You, The Rain in Spain, My Favourite Things, My Ship, Funny Girl, My Man. (57:04) Collectables COL-CD-7813.

The Lure of France (1957) + The Lure of Paradise (1959) Including: Mimi, April in Paris, Pizzicato Polka, Reverie, Kalua, Sweet Leilani, Lotus Land, We Kiss in a Shadow. (75:29). Collectables COL-CD-7814

LES BAXTER – The Fruits of Dreams: Ports of Pleasure (1957) + The Sacred Idol (1960) (Original Capitol recordings) Including: City of Veils, Monkey Dance of Bali, Pearls of Ceylon, The Gates of Annam, Fruit of Dreams, Aquaducts, Temple of Gold, Pyramid of the Sun. (70:49) Cherry Red ACMEM57CD.

THE JOHNNY MAN SINGERS – Sixties Man (Original Liberty recordings) Including: The Girl from Ipanema, Snow, Call Me, Cherish, Mrs Robinson, Daydream, Goldfinger, A Taste of Honey. (60:01) Cherry Red ACMEM53CD.

SAMMY KAYE – Midnight Serenade (1959) + Ballroom Date (1960) (Original Columbia recordings) Including: I’ll See You in My Dreams, It Had to be You, I’ll Get By, The Very Thought of You, Baby Face, Blue Prelude, Temptation, Tea for Two. (63:22) Collectables COL-CD-7698.

THE FRANK CHACKSFIELD ORCHESTRA – I Could Have Danced All Night. Including: Wouldn’t it be Lovely, Carousel Waltz, Shall We Dance, On the Street Where You Live, Hello Young Lovers, Stranger in Paradise, Ascot Gavotte, Moon River. (49:23) Start Entertainment Parade PAR 2088

PERCY FAITH – The Oscar: Soundtrack music. Collectables COL-CD-7815

LAWRENCE WELK & HIS CHAMPAGNE MUSIC – Bubbling Over (original mono recordings 1938-1954. Including: Bubbles in the Wine, Two Sleepy People, Maria Elena, Sweethearts or Strangers, Shenandoah Waltz, Moonlight Bay, Ivory Rag, Oh Happy Day. (77:19) Sanctuary Living Era CDAJA 5552.

Finally we have a batch of late April releases from Mike Dutton’s Vocalion label…..

WERNER MÜLLER "ON THE MOVE & THE LATIN SPLENDOUR OF..." ON THE MOVE PFS 4029 (1964) STEREO Istanbul (Kennedy; Simon); American patrol (Meacham arr. Forster); In Hamburg sind die Nächste lang (Bette); Brazil (Barroso; James; Pepper); Arrivederci Roma (Rascel); Mustapha (Assam; Barclay); South of the border (Kennedy; Carr); Vaya con Dios (Russell; James; Pepper); Calcutta (Gaze); A foggy day in London Town (G & I Gershwin); April in Portugal (Kennedy; Ferrao); I love Paris (Porter); Sayonara (Yoshida; Morgan arr. Forster); España (Chabrier; arr. Flor) THE LATIN SPLENDOR OF… PFS 4199 (1970) STEREO Delicado (Azevedo; Lawrence); Perfidia (Dominguez); Pepito (Truscott; Taylor); Yours (Gamse; Sherr; Roig; Rodriguez); Eso es el amor (Iglesias; Elgos; Skylar); Mambo jambo (Prado; Karl; Towne); Frenesie (Dominguez; Charles; Russell); El Cumbanchero (Hernandez); Solamente una vez (You belong to my heart) (Lara); Cumana (Allen; Spina; Hillman); Amor, amor (Ruiz; Mendez; Skylar); A Banda (De Hollanda) TELDEC ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4303.

EDMUNDO ROS "ARRIBA! & BONGOS FROM THE SOUTH" ARRIBA! PFS 4092 (1966) STEREO In a little Spanish town (Wayne; Lewis; Young); Siboney (Lecuona; Morse); The laughing samba (Rizzo; Johnson; Meroff; Spear); Get me to the church on time (Loewe; Lerner); Hello, Dolly! (Herman); Oye negra (Morales; Camacho); Holiday for strings (Rose); Corcovado (Dunn; Rixner); Heartaches (Hoffman; Klenner); From Russia with love (Bart); Al di la (Donida; Mogol; Drake); If you love me (Monnot) BONGOS FROM THE SOUTH PFS 34010 (1962) STEREO Deep in the heart of Texas (Hershey; Swander); Lisbon Antigua (Portela; Galhardo; da Vale); Lady of Spain (Evans; Reaves; Damerell); La comparsa (Lecuona); My old Kentucky home (Foster arr. Ros; Hanmer); Brasil (Russell; Barroso); When the saints go marching in (Trad arr. Ros; Hanmer); Moon over Miami (Burke; Leslie); Roses from the South (Strauss arr. Ros; Hanmer); Taboo (Lecuona; Stillman); In a little Spanish town (Wayne; Lewis; Young); El Cumbanchero (Hernandez) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4313.

MANTOVANI "THE GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE & STOP THE WORLD... & OLIVER!" THE GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE SKL 5216 (1975) STEREO The greatest gift (Mancini; David); The old fashioned way (Garvarentz; Aznavour; Kasha; Hirshorn); Si (Go before you break my heart) (Pilat; Panzeri; Conti; Pace; Newell); Solitude (De Lange; Mills; Ellington); Sing (Raposo); Cool summer evening (Mantovani); What are you doing the rest of your life? (A & M Bergman; Legrand); The day of the locust (Barry); The entertainer (Joplin; arr. Shaw); Send in the clowns (Sondheim); Love song ‘The Freak’ (Chaplin); She (Aznavour; Kretzmer) STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF & OLIVER! PS 270 (1962) STEREO OLIVER! (Bart) I’d do anything; You’ve got to pick a pocket or two; Consider yourself; Where is love?; Oom-pah-pah; Reviewing the situation; Oliver; Who will buy?; As long as he needs me STOP THE WORLD (Bricusse; Newley) Lumbered; Someone nice like you; Meilinki Meilchick; Once in a lifetime; Gonna build a mountain; I wanna be rich; What kind of fool am I?DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4324.

FRANK CHACKSFIELD "VINTAGE ’52 & GREAT COUNTRY AND WESTERN HITS" VINTAGE ’52 PFS 4413 (1977) STEREO Cry (Kohlman; Churchill); (I wonder why) You’re just in love (Berlin); (Ah, the apple tree) When the world was young (Gerard; Vannier; Mercer; Colpet); Lullaby of Birdland (Shearing; Forster); Kiss of fire (Villoldo; Allen; Hill); Wheel of fortune (Benjamin; Weiss) with Kenny Baker (solo trumpet); High noon (Do not forsake me) (Tiomkin; Washington); No two people (Loesser); Under Paris skies (Giraud; Gannon; Drejac); Aufwiederseh’n Sweatheart (Storch; Sexton; Turner) GREAT COUNTRY AND WESTERN HITS PFS 4080 (1966) STEREO with chorus I walk the line (Cash); I can’t stop loving you (Gibson); Sixteen tons (Travis); Anytime (Williams; Jordan); Lovesick blues (Mills; Friend); Don’t let the stars get in your eyes (Willet); El Paso (Robbins); Cold, cold heart (Williams); Jambalaya (Williams; Feltz); Your cheatin’ heart (Williams); Half as much (Williams); Walking the floor over you (Tubb) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4325.

RONNIE ALDRICH "LOVE STORY & THE WAY WE WERE" LOVE STORY PFS 4222 (1971) STEREO It’s Impossible (Manzanero); (I Never Promised You) A Rose Garden (South); My Sweet Lord (Harrison); Mr Bojangles (Walker); Woodstock (Mitchell); I Think I Love You (Romeo); Amazing Grace (Trad arr. Aldrich); What Is Life (Harrison); Theme from "Love Story" (Lai; Sigman); Candida (Wine; Levine); El Condor Pasa (Robles arr. Milchberg); Togetherness (Aldrich) THE WAY WE WERE PFS 4300 (1974) STEREO Love’s Theme (White); The Way We Were (Hamlisch; Bergman); Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress) (Laurie); I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song (Croce); Top Of The World (Bettis; Carpentier); Have You Heard (Pinder); Last Time I Saw Him (Masser; Sawyer); What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (Bergman; Legrand); Vado Via (Riccardi; Albertelli); Wave (Jobim); Happiness Is Me And You (O’Sullivan); Dark Lady (Durrill) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4331.

GUY LOMBARDO "LOMBARDO GOES LATIN & BELLS ARE RINGING" LOMBARDO GOES LATIN ST 1191 (1960) STEREO Cha Cha Cacciatore (Bergman); Ti-Pi-Tin (Grever; Leveen); Besame Mucho (Velasquez); Venezuela (Coleman; Corenzo); Glow Worm (Lincke; Larry arr Owens); Frenesi (Dominguez; Whitcup); Perfidia (Dominguez; Leeds); Cecilia (Dreyer; Herman); The Breeze And I (Lecuona; Stillman); Dinah (Akst; Lewis; Young); A Una Ola (Grever; Dole); Green Eyes (Menendez; Rivera; Utrera; Woods) BELLS ARE RINGING ST 1453 (1961) STEREO Just In Time (Comden; Styne; Green); Do It Yourself (Comden; Styne; Green); It’s A Perfect Relationship (Comden; Styne; Green); Drop That Name (Comden; Styne; Green); I Met A Girl (Comden; Styne; Green); Mu-Cha-Cha (Comden; Styne; Green); Better Than A Dream (Comden; Styne; Green); The Midas Touch (Comden; Styne; Green); Bells Are Ringing (Comden; Styne; Green); The Party’s Over (Comden; Styne; Green); I’m Going Back (Comden; Styne; Green) CAPITOL ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4333.

CARROLL GIBBONS & HIS BOYFRIENDS VOLUME 3 "Life of the party": Introducing; Life of the party; Roses in December; Damsel in distress: Nice work if you can get it; A foggy day; Things are looking up; Double or nothing: Introducing; It’s the natural thing to do; Moon got in my eyes; Smarty; Mr Dodd takes the air: Introducing; Am I in love; Remember me; Carroll Gibbons looks back - Part 1: Introducing; Margie; Whispering; Some of these days; Carroll Gibbons looks back – Part 2: Introducing; Chinatown; My sweetie went away; I ain’t got nobody; Remember? - Part 1: Introducing; You forgot to remember; My heart stood still; I’ll see you again; Remember? - Part 2: Introducing; My blue heaven; Can’t help lovin’ that man; This year’s kisses; That certain age: Introducing; You’re as pretty as a picture; My own; Be a good scout; The gay imposters: Introducing; I wanna go back to Bali; Day dreaming; The Latin quarter; East side of heaven - Part 1: Introducing; Sing a song of sunbeams; That sly old gentleman; East side of heaven - Part 2: East side of heaven; Hang your heart on a hickory limb; What have we got to lose (Heigh ho, lack-a-day); Shuffle off to Buffalo; Stars fell on Alabama; Judy; Let me give my happiness to you; Three wishes; Sleepytime down South; Life is just a bowl of cherries; Black coffee; With thee I swing; If it’s the last thing I do; You can’t have everything - film selection: Introducing; The loveliness of you; Afraid to dream; Please pardon us, we’re in love. Vocalion CDEA 6113.

JACK HYLTON VOLUME 5 • THE DECCA YEARS • "THE LAST ROUND-UP" Nevertheless (I’m in love with you); You’re my decline and fall; Me; I don’t know why; Just once for all time; When the music is playing; Today, I feel so happy; Just friends; Ever since I kissed her on the Volga; Dream sweetheart; You’re taking a chance with me; The flies crawled up the window; I want to cling to Ivy; A bungalow, a piccolo and you; Underneath the arches; Wrap your arms around me; Masquerade; St Louis Blues; Hylton stomp; Love is the sweetest thing; Shadow waltz; We’re in the money; After you; It’s the talk of the town; The last round-up; T’ain’t Vocalists: Pat O’Malley, Eric Breeze, Billy Munn. Vocalion CDEA 6115.

KEN MACKINTOSH, HIS SAXOPHONE & HIS ORCHESTRA "OFF-SHORE" Kiss me again; The man I love; I’ll be around; Plink, plank, plonk; Harlem nocturne; It ain’t necessarily so; Stop! Sit down! Relax! Think!; Strange music; The haunted ballroom; The glow worm; Crew cut; Plymouth sound; The creep; Istanbul; Theme from film ‘Front Page Story’; Off shore; Edwardian; The monster; Air express; Riot in cell block 11; Black velvet; Shifting sands; The very thought of you; Oh my papa; Creeping Tom; Lovers in the dark; That Old Feeling Vocalists: The Mackpies, The Peter Knight Singers. Vocalion CDEA 6116.

KATHY KIRBY "MORE RARITIES & LIPGLOSS!" DECCA SINGLES 1962-66 Big man (Westlake); Who Knows** (Scott; Martin); Playboy (Westlake; Gregory); Too bad for Johnny* (Shuman; Carr); Someone to watch over me (G & I Gershwin); I’ll get by (Ahlert; Turk); Can’t help lovin’ that man (Kern; Hammerstein; Wodehouse); The man I love (G & I Gershwin); I can’t give you anything but love (Mchugh; Fields); Who’s sorry now (Snyder; Kalmar; Ruby); Acapulco 1922 (Allan; Talmy); No regrets (Dumont; Vaucaire; David); Shangri – la (Malneck; Maxwell; Sigman); You’re the answer to everything (Glanzberg); Reach out for me (Bacharach; David); That old feeling (Brown; Fain); Things I want to hear** (unknown); The way of love (Dieval; Stillman); Where in the world (Dunstall); Body and Soul (Green; Sour; Heyman; Eyton); Get Happy (Arlen; Koehler); My Man (Yvain; Charles; Pollock; Willemetz); Till the end of time (Kaye; Mossman); Spanish Flea (Wechter; Stellman)**Unreleased tracks *US release only DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4292.

CATERINA VALENTE WITH SILVIO FRANCESCO DEUTSCHE EVERGREENS SLK 16189-P (1961) STEREO Sing mit mir (Grothe; Dehmel); Kuß mich, bitte, bitte, kuß mich (Carste; Richter); Es war einmal eine Liebe (Jack; Balz); Fur eine Nacht voller Seligkeit (Kreuder; Schwenn); Die kleine Stadt will schlafen gehn (Bochmann; Bergner); Wer ist hier jung, wer hat hier Schwung? (Bochmann; Schulz; Gellen); Ich weiß, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehn (Jary; Balz); Ganz leise kommt die Nacht (Grothe; Dehmel); Haben Sie schon mal im Dunkeln geküßt? (Jary; Beckmann; v. Pinelli); Kauf dir einen bunten Lutfballoon (v. Pinelli); Musik! Musik! Musik! (Kreuder; Beckman); Sag beim Abschied leise "Servus" (Kreuder; Lengsfelder; Hilm) WENN ES NACHT WIRD IN DEN STÄDTEN ND 625 (1965) STEREO Wenn es Nacht wird in den Städten (Peeters); Wer war der Mann neben dir (Peeters); Paris – C’est très chique (Peeters); San Francisco – Sailor’s Nightclub in Golden Frisco (Scharfenberger); Wien – Charly, zünd die Kerzen an (Galatis); London – In allen Kneipen von Soho (Phillips); Der Abend wird schön (Scharfenberger); New York – Blauer Asphalt (Scharfenberger); Berlin – Julius, ach Julius (Galatis); Rom – Schöne schwarze Rose (Scharfenberger); Mexico City – Mexikanischer Wein (Peeters); Wenn es Nacht wird in den Städten – Finale (Peeters) TELDEC ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4305.

JESS CONRAD "JESS FOR YOU & DECCA SINGLES COMPILATION" JESS FOR YOU LK 4390 1961 Walk away (Kaufman; Anthony); Why am I living (Slavin; Gail); That’s my weakness now (Greene; Stept); You too (Crompton; Sutherland); Rag doll (Pomus; Shuman); Cherry pie (Josea; Taub); (I Wanna) love my life away (Pitney); Little ship (Pomus; Shuman); An angel cries (Davis; Edwards); It tears me all to pieces (Pomus; Shuman; Sair); Out of luck (Gluck Jnr.); Mystery girl (Peacock) PLUS DECCA SINGLES COMPILATION DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4326.

ANTHONY NEWLEY "TONY & NEWLEY DELIVERED" TONY LK 4406 (1961) STEREO Yes! We have no bananas (Silver; Cohn); You’re free (Landesman; Wilder); I was never kissed before (Ellis); Drink to me only with thine eyes (arr. Hackney); All or nothing at all (Lawrence; Altman); Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag (Powell; Asaf); Pop goes the weasel (arr. Hackney); Who can say (Salvador); Bye bye blackbird (Dixon; Henderson); I should care (Cahn; Stordahl; Weston); Basin Street blues (Williams; Plante); By myself (Dietz; Schwartz) NEWLEY DELIVERED LK 4654 (1965) What kind of fool am I (Bricusse; Newley); I saw her standing there (Lennon; Mc- Cartney); You made me love you (Monaco; Mc Carthy); I guess it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy (Anthony; Mann); Young only yesterday (Perper); Pop goes the weasel (arr. Hackney); And the heavens cried (Elias; Reid); Girls were made to love and kiss (Léhar; Herbert); Addio addio (Modugno; Migliacci; Sigman); Deep river (Trad. arr. Keating; Newley); There’s no such thing as love (Fraser; Hackney); Letters to my love (Moutet; Newley); Strawberry Fair (Sharp; Baring-Gould; adapt. Clapton); You are too beautiful (Rodgers; Hart); What now my love (Becaud; Sigman); I don’t want to set the world on fire (Marcus; Benjeman; Durham; Seiler) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4327.

GORDON MACRAE VOLUME 2 • "STRANGER IN PARADISE" Two-faced heart; Oh! Oh! Oh! Ophelia; This is heaven to me; River of smoke; I’m yours to command; I’ll buy you a star; Ol’ Man River; On a Sunday at Coney Island; Cuban love song; Last night when we were young; Down the old ox road; Cuddle up a little closer; Baby Doll; Be my guest; Laughing at love; These things shall pass; Gentle hands; Blame it on my youth; There’s a lull in my life; How do you speak to an angel; Congratulations to someone; C’est magnifique; Homin’ time; Stranger in Paradise; Never in a million years; I don’t want to walk without you; High on a windy hill; Soothe my lonely heart Orchestras: Paul Weston’s Dixie Eight, Orchestra conducted by Carmen Dragon, Orchestra conducted by Carlyle Hall, Orchestra conducted by Van Alexander, Orchestra conducted by Frank De Vol, Orchestra conducted by Axel Stordahl Vocalion CDUS 3035.

LIGHT MUSIC CLASSICS "FINGER BUSTIN’" SIDNEY TORCH, CHARLES WILLIAMS, ROBERT FARNON, CAMARATA, PETER YORKE, ERIC COATES, AMBROSE Charmaine; The Horse Guards - Whitehall (signature tune of radio show "Down Your Way"); Coronation Scot (signature tune of radio detective series "Paul Temple"); Dance of an ostracised imp; Shooting star (signature tune of TV arts feature "Kaleidoscope"); Ring around the moon; Shopping centre; Jumping bean; Portrait of a flirt; The runaway rocking horse; Jazz legato; Jazz pizzicato; Fingerbustin’ Rhapsody for saxophone; London suite; London suite again Vocalion CDVS 1946. This is a budget release which, hopefully, will serve to introduce some people to the pleasures of Light Music and encourage them to investigate the available repertoire more fully. RFS members probably have all these pieces in their collections, although they may welcome the opportunity to hear some of these pieces again in new digital restorations.

LES BROWN "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" Leap frog; Out of nowhere; Daybreak serenade; I’ve got my love to keep me warm; I’m a-telling you, Sam; High on a windy trumpet; Lover’s leap; Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief; Day by Day; Jumpy Stumpy; Sentimental Rhapsody; Dardanella; Triskaidekaphobia (Tris-ky-dec-a-fobia); There’s good blues tonight; A foggy day (in London town); Drifting and dreaming; Beware my heart; Floatin’; I bring you Spring; Blue moon; Green eyes; Deep purple; Sentimental journey; Taking a chance on love Vocalists: "Stumpy" Brown, Butch Stone, Doris Day, Eileen Wilson, Jack Haskell Vocalion CDVS 1947.

KEEPING TRACK

Dateline June 2006

The GUILD series has undoubtedly been an unprecedented success – and still they keep coming, thick and fast!! These five releases cover a very wide timescale and a huge range of different musical styles.

SAY IT WITH MUSIC is the subtitle – taken from the name of the first track – of VOLUME III OF THE 1950s, and spans the years 1952-1955 [GLCD5119]. It follows the established format of combining the well-known with the less-familiar, and features mainly commercial recordings, interspersed with just a few from publishers’ libraries. In addition to works by some of the Great American Songbook composers such as Berlin, Kern, Rodgers and Schwartz, we encounter a number of British, European and American writers, who achieved fame (and hopefully fortune) with their purely orchestral compositions included here. Although some of the titles may not immediately spring to mind, many of the tracks would have been regularly heard on radio broadcasts, certainly those of the BBC. As I have remarked before, there is a definite difference in style and character between Light Music of the mid- to late-’40s on the one hand, and the early-’50s on the other; although this may not have been very obvious at the time, it becomes much more so with the benefit of hindsight, particularly when listening to this very enjoyable new collection.

The next CD marks a significant change in direction for the GUILD series [GLCD5120]. THE HALL OF FAME – VOLUME I – on its own admission – is aimed at newcomers to the World of Light Music, whilst still intending to appeal to established collectors, who are promised some surprises amongst the familiar items. Although a number of the titles may have already appeared elsewhere on CDs, the opportunity has been taken to carry out completely new digital restorations from the original 78s; this is claimed to offer improvements over releases from the late 1990s, due to the more advanced processing technology now available. There is a wide range of musical styles, resulting in a very varied programme – Percy Fletcher’s My Love To You in a 1930s performance by the Reginald King Orchestra, and Nöel Coward’s Mad About The Boy in an André Kostelanetz arrangement from 1955, represent the two extreme time-points. An innovation is the Featured Composer, in this case Clive Richardson, who takes pride of place with three of his popular pieces in recordings dating from 1945-47. Although David Ades’ biographical notes state that Richardson ‘first trained as a doctor’, this is not strictly true; in an exact parallel with Charles Shadwell, he started studying medicine, but soon gave it up in favour of a musical career and certainly never qualified as a physician. All-in-all, a well thought-out programme which happily ‘kept me company’ during a recent long car journey!

For many years, Haydn Wood has been much overshadowed by his contemporary (and rival?), Eric Coates. This is more than a little unfair; Wood was a highly inventive and versatile composer, and his works encompassed a wider range of genres and styles than those of Coates, who tended to keep to a very few well-trodden paths. Whilst most of the items on JOYOUSNESS – THE MUSIC OF HAYDN WOOD [GLCD5121] will not only be familiar but are likely to be in many collections, this is undoubtedly a very worthwhile addition to the GUILD series. It was inspirational to include the Peter Yorke/ Freddy Gardner recording of Roses Of Picardy, together with Wood’s orchestration of Charles Marshall’s I Hear You Calling Me; other highlights are Seville, Bird Of Love Divine, and the Homage March. It is pleasing that Haydn Wood’s music is now getting its due recognition, and the appearance of this new CD can only assist in that regard.

BRITISH CINEMA AND THEATRE ORCHESTRAS – VOLUME II [GLCD5122] covers the years 1927-39; once again, we are presented with a mixture of the very familiar and the almost unknown – but immediately enjoyable! Amongst the conductors, the names of (Arthur) Anton with organist Al Bonnington, Richard Crean, Joseph Muscant and Frank Tours are prominently featured; judging by the number of recordings that they made (some of which have appeared on previous GUILD CDs) they must have achieved great popularity in their day.The programme opens with what is probably the fastest-ever recorded performance of Buccalossi’s Grasshoppers Dance - I am tempted to wonder just what sort of ‘grass’ these particular hoppers were ‘on’!! Although the composer of theEspaña Waltz is credited as Emmanuel Chabrier, the piece here is really a slightly abridged arrangement of Emil Waldteufel’s famous version of the original Chabrier work Rhapsody – España. There seems to be an increasing interest in music of this type (no doubt helped by Volume I -GUILD 5108) and this new CD will certainly appeal to all those who enjoy Light Music of the pre-WWII era.

And so to the final new arrival – GREAT LIGHT ORCHESTRAS SALUTE THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS [GLCD5123]. This is another departure from the usual GUILD format and the booklet notes state that it is the first such SALUTE, the implication being that there will be more to follow. Although the works of Rodgers and his collaborators have been much-recorded, this must surely be the first time that such a diverse collection has appeared on CD in purely orchestral guise, performed by so many different ensembles and conductors. This composer wrote little else but Theatre and Film music, and every track is taken from a show, with the recordings dating from 1949-55. By that time Rodgers (in partnership with Oscar Hammerstein) was arguably at the height of his popularity, although the Rodgers and Hart compositions actually date from much earlier. Considering that most of these pieces were originally conceived as songs with lyrics, they have been very successfully transformed into their new format. In this connection, it is good to report that the names of arrangers are included in the booklet notes where appropriate; too often they are the unsung heroes, without whose talents performances like these could never have happened! This is another enjoyable addition to the series and it would be interesting to know which other composers are destined to appear in future SALUTES – as always, watch this space. Tony Clayden

If any readers would like to know the full contents of these Guild CDs, they were listed in our last issue, starting on page 62. All Guild CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

THE BBC RADIO 4 UK THEME – Royal Ballet Sinfonia / Gavin Sutherland. The moment it was announced that the medley of British folk tunes which has started the day on Radio 4 for the past 33 years was to be scrapped, producer Herbie Flowers arranged for the music to be recorded and released as a single, the ‘B’ side of which is Ronald Binge’s Sailing By. The disc is available for £1.99 in the shops, or 78p per track to download from the internet; proceeds are going to the Light Music Society. The performance here is fresh and solidly assured - quite superior to the original recording broadcast on the radio! Isn’t it fascinating how we don’t tend to appreciate something until we’ve lost it? Perhaps a small but significant event like this will help raise the profile of light orchestral music. The Radio 4 Theme single has no catalogue number - but is available in the UK from Asda, HMV, Tesco, Virgin and Woolworths or at the web address www.savetheradio4theme.co.uk Peter Edwards

IN THE LOUNGE WITH GARY WILLIAMS & HIS MUSICIANS Music to Watch Girls By (Velona; Ramin); Sweet Lorraine (Parish; Burwell); I Thought About You (Mercer; Van Heusen); A Swingin’ Affair (Myers; Cass); I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Fields; McHugh); I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning (Berlin); Lover Come Back to Me (Hammerstein; Romberg); Fly Me to the Moon (Howard); I’m Glad There Is You (Madeira; Dorsey); Baubles, Bangles and Beads (Wright; Forrest); Call Me (Otis; Hendricks); All That Jazz (Carter; Stillman); Change Partners (Berlin); Let’s Get Lost (Loesser); Let There Be Love (Grant; Rand); Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries (De Sylva; Brown; Henderson); As Long as I’m Singing (Darin) Arrangements by Andrew Cottee and Richard Rodney Bennett Recorded at Abbey Road Studio No.3, London, February 2006 Vocalion CDSA 6814. One could describe this collection as ‘cocktail’ or ‘late night’ music, but that would imply that it should be enjoyed while doing something else – possibly more interesting. But that is not the case! Gary’s approach to his lyrics, and his empathy with his musicians demand your full attention, and his choice of numbers confirms what a wonderful period in history the last century was for high quality popular songs. Being the supreme professional that he is, Gary occasionally surprises by slipping in a verse that others have not treated us to previously. The general tone of the album is up-tempo, and the fine musicians performing the great arrangements created specially for Gary include Graham Harvey (piano), Dave Chamberlain (bass), Matt Skelton (drums), Martin Kershaw (guitar), Andrew Cottee (vibes) and Luke Annesley on reeds and flute. If I have one minor criticism it concerns the almost unreadable printing in part of the booklet – but that is the fault of the printers, not the musicians! Gary Williams simply gets better all the time – a great CD. David Ades All Dutton Vocalion CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

LONDON LIGHTS – Streamline (Palace Theatre 1934) New Mayfair Orchestra / Ray Noble; Going Greek (Gaiety 1937) Debroy Somers; Stop Press (Adelphi 1935) New Mayfair Orchestra / Percival Mackey; Seeing Stars (Gaiety 1935)  Debroy Somers; The Little Dog Laughed (Palladium 1939) London Palladium Orchestra / Clifford Greenwood; Operette (His Majesty’s 1938) His Majesty’s Theatre Orchestra / Ben Frankel; Slipping round the corner (from The Good Companions, His Majesty’s 1931) Debroy Somers; On the outside looking in (from The Little Dog Laughed, Palladium 1939) George Scott Wood and his Six Swingers; I’m on a see-saw (from Jill Darling, Saville 1934) Billy Cotton; You’re the top (from Anything Goes, Palace 1935) Jack Hylton;Mad about the boy (from Words & Music, Adelphi 1932) Savoy Hotel Orpheans; After you, who?(from The Gay Divorce, Palace 1933) Henry Hall; Sitting beside ‘o you / What are you going to do?(from Yes Madam? London Hippodrome 1934) George Scott Wood. Evergreen Melodies CL07. Available from: Evergreen Melodies, PO Box 52, Cheltenham, GL50 1YQ, England – tel. 01242 515156 or online at  Credit cards accepted. Price £9.95. Most of the 2,000 musicals which have graced the West End stage since Gilbert and Sullivan have been forgotten so this CD of original orchestras playing the original lively music – complementing the book "London Lights" - is a welcome addition to the Evergreen Melodies catalogue which now boasts almost 150 titles. The first six tracks are tuneful compilations of the complete musical and have never before been released on CD. The other seven tracks are melodic foot tapping singles, all adding up to a delightful light music CD with a swing in the step. Edmund Whitehouse

TEST CARD MUSIC Volume 10 Organ Grinder (Frederick Less), Hora (Ilja Genic), Girline (Less), Scaramuccia (Paul Rolke), Nikolashka (Rudolf Maluck), Pizzi Pizzi (L. Rey), Goodnight Madamoiselle ((Armand Bernard), Countrywise (James Turner), Lonely Journey (Alan Perry – real name Ernest Tomlinson), Welcome Waikiki (Laiser & Laube), Honolulu (Reipsch & Ackerman), Minute for String Orchestra (Capuzzi), Hot Line (William Gardner), Bossa Nova in the Moonlight ((Geo Voumard), Polka on the Rocks (Heinz Hőtter), Five to Play (Hőtter), Shake it Down (Hans Gluck), Bavarian Ramble (Gardner), Rainbow Room (Marino & Rollefson), West One (Gardner), Goo Goo Eyes (Frank Chacksfield) and Filigree (H. Lehmann). Apollo Sound APSCD236, 56:59 minutes. Fans of this enterprising series have been waiting some while for this latest release, but their patience has finally been rewarded. And ‘rewarded’ is the right word, because Test Card Music enthusiasts will find much to delight them in this latest collection – as usual the brainchild of our good friends Heinz Herschmann and Chris Churcher. With the exception of the two Heinz Hőtter numbers from Bosworth & Co., all the tracks are from Mozart Edition GB Ltd. The Orchestra Raphaele is featured on no less than eight tracks, and it is good to hear the fine Cologne Studio Orchestra. There are plenty of pleasant, relaxed light orchestral sounds among the more up-tempo numbers, and I personally think that this is one of the best selections among Apollo Sounds’ recent releases. You can’t help but feel happy when you listen to this CD! David Ades All Apollo Sound CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

PAUL MAURIAT "Le Couturier Musical" 3-CD collection featuring the famous French conductor, composer and arranger in his best-known works. Paul Mauriat plays his International Hits Love is Blue, Sabre Dance, Those Were The Days, New York New York, I Say a Little Prayer, Lara’s Theme, A Man and a Woman, Ebb Tide etc. [22 tracks] Paul Mauriat – Composer I Will Follow Him, Piano Star, Last Summer, Voila Voila, You, Baby [22 tracks, including vocals by Petula Clark, Caterina Valente etc.] Paul Mauriat – Arranger featuring various singers and four tracks under Mauriat’s pseudonym ‘Nico Papadopoulos’ [20 tracks] France Mercury Universal 983 230-5. This superb tribute is the creation of RFS member Serge Elhaik, and it is a beautifully produced box set which will make Mauriat’s fans very happy indeed! A glossy booklet featuring numerous photographs is bound into the box itself, and anyone with basic schoolboy French should not find it too difficult to understand most of the text. This is a high-quality product in all respects, and we send our sincere congratulations to Serge for his splendid work. David Ades This collection is available to special order through the RFS Record Service.

THE SPLENDOUR OF THE MARCH PART 1 - In Concert. The Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music / Lieutenant Colonel F. Vivian Dunn CVO OBE FRAM RM with Frederick Harvey (Baritone). Neville - Silver Bugles; Alford - Old Panama; Hall - The New Colonial; O’Reilly-Sanderson - Drake Goes West; Dodgson-Phillips - The Fishermen of England; Anderson - Bugler’s Holiday; Dunn - The Admiral’s Regiment; Farnon - Derby Day; Sousa - Manhattan Beach, Hands Across the Sea, The Invincible Eagle, The Black Horse Troop, The Pride of the Wolverines; Work - Marching Thro’ Georgia. THE SPLENDOUR OF THE MARCH PART 2 - The 1968 Royal Tournament. The Massed Bands, Corps of Drums and Fanfare Trumpets of HM Royal Marines conducted by Lieutenant Colonel F. Vivian Dunn CVO OBE FRAM RM. Display by the Royal Marines Corps Of Drums and Fanfare Trumpets; The Royal Marines Massed Bands - Marching Display & Finale/Salute and March Off. (59:00) Eastney Collection RMHSEC012. Available from: Eastney Collection, 60 Mayford Road, London SW12 8SN, telephone 0208 673 6157.www.eastneycollection.com The latest arrival from the Eastney Collection features more of Sir Vivian Dunn’s renowned recordings with the Royal Marines Band Service, while he was serving as their Principal Director of Music. The disc divides into two distinct sessions, the first and longer section is based on studio recordings with the Royal Marines School of Music Band, whilst the remainder of the disc emanates from live recordings made at the 1968 Royal Tournament featuring The Massed Bands, Corps of Drums and Fanfare Trumpets of HM Royal Marines. Considering all the obvious difficulties inherent in producing a live recording in such a vast echoing area as Earls Court, the engineers have achieved wonders and the results give the listener a compelling sense of being caught up in a great, historic and thrilling occasion. This was Sir Vivian’s last appearance at a Royal Tournament as PDM of the Royal Marines – he was subsequently to retire a few months later, and amongst the music featured in this sequence is a Kenneth Alford Medley, Cavalry of the Steppes and a stunning Sunset, played by no less than eighty buglers! The studio recordings referred to earlier consist mainly of marches and were made in the famous EMI Abbey Road Studio. Included is one of Vivian Dunn’s own superb essays in the genre, The Admiral’s Regiment, written specially for the 1964 Royal Marines Tercentenary and a quintet of marches by the American March King, John Phillip Sousa; of which The Black Horse Troop, with its simulated hoofbeats is particularly engaging. Sir Vivian was a stalwart champion throughout his life of quality light music and two fine examples of the genre are included in this compilation. Leroy Anderson’s ebullient Bugler’s Holiday, is brilliantly played by three expert Royal Marine musicians, whilst Robert Farnon’s lively Derby Day, is crisply and stylishly delivered. There is incidentally in the booklet notes, a photograph of Robert Farnon and Vivian Dunn discussing the score of A La Claire Fontaine at Deal, which the latter went on to record with the Light Music Society Orchestra and is currently available on a Vocalion CD – CDLK4182. One further strong inducement (if more were needed) to acquire this highly desirable disc is the presence on two of the tracks – Drake Goes West and The Fisherman of England, of the fine baritone voice of Frederick Harvey with its enviable clear articulation. The Eastney Collection is to be congratulated on restoring such valuable and distinguished recordings back to circulation and Brian Culverhouse, an EMI Recording Producer 1952-1972 who supervised the original recording sessions has expertly processed the digital re-mastering of these musical treasures to excellent effect. Roger Hyslop

MARCH MONTAGE – The Band and Bugles of The Light Division featuring the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards Association (Manchester Branch) / Major Calum Gray BA (Hons.) ARCM psm Fucik - Entry of the Gladiators; Meyerbeer/Godfrey - Les Huguenots; Mc Bain -Mechanized Infantry; Williams - Midway March; Mendelssohn – Wedding March; Texidor - Amparito Roca; Greig - Funeral March; Ganne – Marche Lorraine; Ord-Hume - The BB and CF; Alford - The Vanished Army; Sousa - The Stars and Stripes Forever; Jessell arr. Gould - The Parade of theWooden Soldiers (73:00) CHEVRON CHVCD 23. If you are somewhat daunted at the prospect of sitting through 70 minutes or so of non-stop marches, perhaps I might allay such fears by quoting the comments of the Director of Music of the Band of the Light Division, Major Calum C. Gray in the introductory notes to this CD thus – "It would be perfectly understandable, if on picking up a band recording featuring marches, your mind immediately conjures up images of a parade square replete with band, marching troops and a terrifying RSM barking out his orders. Yet as this recording wil demonstrate, the musical genre entitled ‘The March’ is incredibly diverse, capable of stirring up emotions ranging from pride and joy to tragedy and despair". This claim is amply borne out on this new release from Chevron, with a splendidly wide ranging selection representing marches from the Parade Ground, Silver Screen, Stage & Concert Platform and extending in mood from the flamboyant joyous character of the Spanish March Amparito Roca – the provenance of which now seems to be in some doubt – to the solemn heart rending strains of Grieg’s Funeral March, written as a tribute to the composer’s great friend and composer of the Norwegian National Anthem, Rikard Nordraak. Other highlights are the music from Meyerbeer’s opera Les Huguenots, heard each year at the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards and Leon Jessell’s popular Parade of the Wooden [Tin?] Soldiers - famous for its use many years ago for BBC Radio Children’s Hour ‘Toytown’ Series, in Morton Guild’s somewhat quirky arrangement. Kenneth Alford’s poignant march The Vanished Army, dates from 1918, and it is dedicated to the first 100,000 who ‘gave their all’ during the First World War. Further contrast is provided by three appearances by the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards Association, playing medleys of traditional Scottish marching tunes arranged by Major Gray. The sound is excellent, full vivid and detailed and the sessions took place in the Regimental Chapel of Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester. Interestingly, they were recorded, engineered, produced and mastered by the Royal Marines Band Service. A first class product! Roger Hyslop

EMI have recently released a further batch of ‘2 on ones’…

JULIE LONDON "Julie / Love on the Rocks" EMI 3530262.

The release of these two albums has been heavily influenced by requests from the many Julie great standards such as "Somebody Loves Me", and "Bye Bye Blackbird". "Love On The Rocks" is an album which contains outstanding tracks which include "Willow Weep For Me", "A Cottage For Sale", and "Love On The Rocks".

KAY STARR "Just Plain Country/Tears and Heartaches" EMI 3529302.

On "Just Plain Country" Kay Starr proves that even country music isn't beyond her vocal talents, zipping through the classics like "Crazy", "Walk On By", and "Singing The Blues". "Tears And Heartaches Old Records" also contains a few classic country tunes; "Make the World Go Away" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" to name but two.

AL MARTINO "We Could / Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself to Sleep" EMI 3530152. Two great Al Martino albums making their debut on CD. "We Could" is an album of ballads sung with Al Marline's unique rich Latin voice. "Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep" contains the title track as well as "Wiedersehn", "Husbands and Wives", and "You Hurt Me".

JUNE CHRISTY "The Cool School/Do Re Mi" EMI 3510172.

"The Cool School" is an album featuring familiar tunes like "When You Wish Upon A Star", and "Swinging On A Star". In contrast "Do Re Mi" is an album of songs from the Broadway show of the same name. "Cry Like The Wind", "Make Someone Happy" and "Fireworks" are the highlight tracks but the whole album swings in great style.

NANCY WILSON "From Broadway with Love/Tender Loving Care" EMI 3512832.

"From Broadway with Love" contains a dozen great classics from the Broadway show stage. This album features orchestrations which fall into three distinctive styles and as usual Nancy Wilson gives all of these songs her very own treatment. "Tender Loving Care" is an album of love songs but not all sung or orchestrated in the form of slushy ballads. Some are pure romance and love but others really swing. Billy May arranges and conducts on this album.

The Essential NANCY SINATRA Bang Bang, Sugar Town, Somethin’ Stupid, Kind of a Woman, Let Me Kiss You, You Only Live Twice, etc. (26 tracks) EMI 356 2332. If your Dad is someone like Frank Sinatra it could be said that you have a head start in life, but somehow one gets the feeling that Nancy would have made a success of her career whoever her parents had been. Her big hits are here including duets with the likes of Dad (naturally) and Lee Hazlewood. Nancy has penned her own sleeve notes, and fans will certainly want this compilation. David Ades

WIENER MUSIK – Robert Stolz conducting the Berlin and Vienna Symphony Orchestras 12-CD Box Set Sony/BMG 82876678902. In his liner notes for Guild’s ‘Buried Treasures’ album [GLCD 5118], David Ades reminds us that Robert Stolz, who lived to the grand old age of 95, was an acclaimed Austrian composer, extremely popular in his homeland, [who] went to Hollywood to escape the Nazis where he enjoyed success writing music for films such as ‘Spring Parade’ and ‘It Happened Tomorrow’. He returned to the country of his birth in 1946, and as well as being one of the major composers of the last century – he was often described as "the king of the silver operetta" – he was also a fine conductor of 19^th century Viennese dance music. At the age of nineteen he had actually met Johann Strauss Jr. – another "king": of the waltz. We have here 155 of the best tunes not only from the Strauss Family but also from Joseph Lanner, Joseph Libitzky, Joseph Gungl, Philipp Fahrbach, Franz von Suppé, Bélá Kéler, Karl Komzàk Sr, Juventino Roses, Carl Michael Ziehrer, Richard Heuberger, Franz Lehar, Julius Fučik, Leo Fall, Siegfried Translateur, Karl Komzŕk Jr, Emmerich Kálmán and Robert Stolz himself. This really is a super collection, working out at around £2.50 a disc. If, like me, you are captivated by the annual New Year’s Day Concert from the Austrian capital, or if you are just looking for a life enhancing listen, then these dozen discs [the shortest is over an hour, the longest just under 75 minutes] of this most graceful, captivating music – beautifully played and recorded – will enchant you all the year through. Peter Burt

THE TERRY CAVENDISH ORCHESTRA "All In An Afternoon’s Work" Leagueliner, Delicado, Blue Lou, Colonel Bogey, Moonglow, These Foolish Things, Tuxedo Junction, Big Noise from Winnetka, Fools Rush In, Organ Grinder’s Swing, Stay With It, When the Sun Comes Out, I’ll Be Around, 9.20 Special, Time for Change, Agotado, Monomania, Issmak, Crash Pad, Joyride, Hadrian’s Wall Vocalion CDSML 8419. These recordings first appeared in the Boosey & Hawkes Cavendish Music library, from which you will quickly realise that ‘Terry Cavendish’ is simply a made-up name! The real brain behind this fine group of British session musicians is Ray Davies who provided the arrangements and five of the compositions. The first 14 tracks come from CAV LP 9 made in 1973, featuring updated versions of well-known swing classics published by companies in the B&H group – the only exception being the first track composed by Ray. This album was subsequently released commercially by Pye. The final seven tracks are from other Cavendish albums of the same period. The top players include Alan Hawkshaw, Herbie Flowers, Denis Lopez, Alan Parker and Alf Bigden. Oliver Lomax deserves a special mention for his very interesting and informative booklet notes. David Ades

LES BAXTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS Unchained Melodies Unchained Melody, Because of You, Blue Tango, April in Portugal, Tropicana, Ruby, I Love Paris, Gigi, Cornflakes, The High and the Mighty, etc plus tracks from the suites ‘Music Out of the Moon’, ‘Perfume Set to Music’ and ‘Le Sacred u Sauvage’ Sanctuary Living Era CD AJA 5572, 75:40 mins. The music of Les Baxter seems to be enjoying something of a revival (another CD can be found later in this feature) and he is also featured in Guild’s second ‘Hall of Fame’. He made some nice orchestral arrangements alongside his more commercial recordings with voices, and as more of his 1950s items fall out of copyright they are likely to be made available once again. David Ades All Sanctuary Living Era CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

DANIEL SMITH (bassoon), with Martin Bejerano (piano), John Sullivan (bass), Ludwig Afonso (drums) – Bebop Bassoon. Killer Joe (Golson), Anthropology (Parker/Gillespie), Blue Monk (Monk), Sister Sadie (Silver), In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington), All Blues (Davis), Doxy (Rollins), Up Against the Wall (Coltrane), Birk’s Works (Gillespie), Sticky Wicket (Gordon) (45:11). Guild Zah Zah ZZCD9820. Daniel Smith has steadily built up a reputation as ambassador of the contemporary bassoon. He continues to amaze us by his portrayal of the instrument, making it do things we never thought bassoons were meant to do. His latest disc is original in conception and immaculate in execution. The bassoon, whilst being the novelty instrument, is one of four equal voices in the quartet; it is not over-exposed, nor are the microphones unequally balanced as can sometimes be the case with such recordings. Smith gives the bassoon a new voice, bringing out the silky smooth middle and upper register of the instrument in preference to the lower, stereotypically clownish qualities more associated with orchestral solos. The bassoon thrives in this register, perhaps putting itself into the territory of the tenor or alto saxophone; but its tone quality is quite individual. A double reed in jazz is rather special and has to be heard to be believed. Peter Edwards This Guild CD is available from the RFS Record Service.

NIGHTS OF GLADNESS In the Palm Courts of the Thirties Nights Of Gladness - Charles Ancliffe & His Orchestra, Loin Du Bal – Bijou Orchestra, Stephane Gavotte - Ferdy Kaufman & His Orchestra, Clock And The Dresden Figures - Albert Ketelbey & His Concert Orchestra, Serenade Notturno D'Amore - Rendezvous Orchestra, Sizilietta - Charles Prentice Drury Lane Theatre Orchestra, Wedding Of The Rose (Der Rose Hochzeit) - Jack Hylton & His Orchestra, Hearts And Flowers - J.H. Squire & His Celeste Octet, Monsieur Tricotin (A Sketch Of Montmarte) - Mantovani & His Tipica Orchestra, Entr'Acte Gavotte - Marek Weber & His Orchestra, Musette - Fred Hartley & His Quintet, Occhi Di Zingara - Alfredo & His Orchestra, Pierrette - Leslie Bridgewater & His Quintet, Fairies In The Moon - Joseph Nuscant & The Troxy Broadcasting Orchestra, Cuban Serenade - Albert Sandler Orchestra, Poupee Valsante (Waltzing Doll) - Orchestre Raymonde, Nola (A Silhouette) - Serge Krish & His Sextet, Poeme - Edith Lorand & Her Orchestra, Teddy Bears Picnic - Alfredo Campoli & His Salon Orchestra, Jealousy (Jalousie) - Emil Roos, & His Orchestra, Serenade Number 1 - Barnabas Von Geczy & His Orchestra, Cuckoo Waltz - New Mayfair Orchestra, Shy Serenade - New Mayfair Orchestra, Grasshopper's Dance - Troise & His Mandoliers Sanctuary Living Era CD AJA 5601, 74:42 mins. Happily there do not seem to be many duplications with some other recent CDs in a similar vein, and with a generous helping of 24 tracks admirers of this kind of genteel light music should not hesitate to add this latest offering to their collection. Peter Dempsey has made an interesting selection, and his informative booklet notes add to the enjoyment. David Ades

LIGHT FANTASTIC! – The Radio Light Orchestra / Lieutenant Colonel John Ware Alford - On the Quarter Deck; Anderson - Blue Tango; Lewis - Autumn Love/Great Western Railway; Farnon -Westminster Waltz; Lai - A Man and a Woman; Vintner – Screwball; Jenkins - Happy Times/Trumpet Concertino (moderato); Richardson - Beachcomber; Hope - Jaunting Car (The Ring of Kerry Suite); Buttall - Autumn Embers/The Lone Ar-ranger Goes Orchestral! Duncan - Tomboy; Sullivan -Selection: The Pirates of Penzance (53:00) CLOVELLY CLCD13805. Available from: Clovelly Recordings Ltd., 1The Old Cannery, Hengist Road, Deal, Kent CT14 6WY Tel/Fax 01304 239356.www.clovellyrecordings.com The Radio Light Orchestra was established in 1999 in the West Country by ex Royal Marines musicians who make up approxiamately half of the players on this new Clovelly release. Despite the fact that the BBC are apparently so ill informed or out of touch with the current music scene that they continue to peddle the line that there is very little demand for light music, this newly established Light Orchestra has been compelled to move to ever larger venues as their fame spreads and demand grows. It’s most recent appearances have been at Plymouth Guildhall attracting audiences of over 600 people! The Orchestra numbers some 38 members - roughly the size I would guess of the old BBC West of England Light Orchestra, and their conductor is a former Principal Director of Music of the Royal Marines.The programme is nicely varied and whilst some of the titles will be very familiar to readers of JIM, there are one or two surprises which makes this disc a valuable new addition to Light Music discography. Paul Lewis is represented by two items: Autumn Love, the theme from a TV sitcom which starred Jimmy Jewel and his Great Western Railway,inspired by all those picturesque West Country branch lines which conveyed happy holidaymakers to their seaside resorts. Gilbert Vintner’s piece Screwball was conceived as a virtuosi xylophone solo and it is played with great dexterity by Kathryn Northcott, whilst particularly valuable is the inclusion of Trevor Duncan’s Tomboy, which is not otherwise available as far as I’m aware in an equivalent modern recording. Clive Jenkins, a Devon composer who has written many works for solo instrument and orchestra is featured by a cameo piece Happy Times, and by the second movement of hisTrumpet Concertino, which makes a positive impression - particularly when it is as well played as it is here by Andy Stark. Philip Buttell, another Devon composer arranged a rapidly moving ‘quickfire skit on a number of well known tunes as his The Lone Ar-ranger Goes Orchestral, somewhat reminiscent of Kenneth Alford’s Musical Switches. A nice touch and a refreshingly change is a good old fashioned extended selection rather than the far more usual Overture from The Pirates of Penzance, and rest assured that the strings of the RLO cope well enough with Blue Tango and ‘The Guvnor’s‘Westminster Waltz. This is a promising and impressive CD debut from this recently formed ensembe, and its not exactly everyday that a new Light Concert Orchestra appears ‘on the block’, so despite somewhat modest running time they should be given every encouragement from all who support the cause of Light Music. The well detailed, spacious recording was made at Alford Hall, Torpoint, Cornwall. More, gentlemen, please! Roger Hyslop

THE VERY BEST OF REGINALD DIXON 2-CD collection featuring many medleys and selections, plus individual numbers such as Tiger Rag, Twelfth Street Rag, Canadian Capers, Espana Waltz, La Paloma and Czardas. EMI Gold 094635599725. It seems incredible that Reginald Dixon died over 20 years ago, so this fine tribute is perhaps long overdue. Tim Wills has made a good choice from Reg’s EMI LPs from the era of the 1950s to 1970s when music at the English seaside resort of Blackpool simply meant Reg Dixon. "Mr. Blackpool" became a legend in his own lifetime, and the CD booklet contains many nostalgic photos. David Ades

THESE FOOLISH THINGS – The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Includes songs by Mack Gordon, Al Hoffman, Buddy DeSylva, Cole Porter, Brooke Bowman, Harry Warren, Rod Thomas and Jack Strachey, incidental music by Ian Lynn. Vocals by Brian Lawrance, Jack Evetts, Anne Lenner, Cathi Ogden, Pete Zorn, Clare Teal, Judith Owen. (57.00) Sony BMG 82876803782. This disc is a selection of music from the film, which mixes original dance band recordings with newly composed incidental music. The vintage recordings are great, but Ian Lynn’s underscore is trashy and makes no attempt to be in keeping with the period. The final track, Strachey’s beautiful song These Foolish Things is heard in a most unattractive arrangement in which the original harmonies have been simplified and ruined. Peter Edwards

 

FÈTE AU VILLAGE SICILIEN ET NAPOLITAIN France Marianne Melodie 061591 – 49 tracks.This latest 2-CD compilation from Pierre-Marcel Ondher, the foremost authority on vintage light music in France, explores the fascinating repertoire from southern Italy and Sicily. The majority of the recordings come from the first half of the 1950s, but there are generous helpings also from the 1930s and 1940s. There are tarantellas, mazurkas, polkas and waltzes galore, and all tracks have detailed information regarding the recordings. PMO has written the comprehensive booklet notes in French, but English-only readers will be glad to know that Ralph Harvey has contributed some paragraphs in English. Many RFS members have purchased previous collections from this team, and they can be confident that the usual blend of the tuneful, and unexpected, is here in plenty. David Ades This 2-CD set is available to special order from the RFS record Service.

SALONORCHESTER SCHWANEN Conducted by GEORG HUBER Salon Orchestra Favourites Vol. 4 GERMAN HIT SONGS OF THE 1930s, featuring music by Gerhard Winkler, Peter Kreuder and Werner Richard Heymann. The fact that this series has now reached volume 4 is ample proof that there is a healthy demand for this kind of music. Vocals are provided by Annette Postel (in German, of course!) although a few items are purely orchestral. The orchestra performs with obvious enthusiasm, and those of you who purchased the first three volumes are sure to want this one as well. David Ades All Naxos and Marco Polo CDs are available from the RFS Record Service.

 

Recent re-releases of classic LP recordings, compiled by Wilfred Askew…

ANDRE KOSTELANETZ (Original Columbia recordings)

Murder on the Orient Express (1975) + Never Can Say Goodbye (1975) Including: Root Beer Rag, Tenderly, Love’s Theme, Stardust, My Own Best Friend, Violets & Silverbells, Maiysha, It’s a Paper Moon. (64:38) Collectable COL-CD-7811.

Wonderland of Sound: Broadway’s Greatest Hits (1962) + Plays Hits of Funny, Finian’s Rainbow & Star! (1969) Including: I believe in You, Tonight, Till there was You, The Rain in Spain, My Favourite Things, My Ship, Funny Girl, My Man. (57:04) Collectables COL-CD-7813.

The Lure of France (1957) + The Lure of Paradise (1959) Including: Mimi, April in Paris, Pizzicato Polka, Reverie, Kalua, Sweet Leilani, Lotus Land, We Kiss in a Shadow. (75:29). Collectables COL-CD-7814

LES BAXTER – The Fruits of Dreams: Ports of Pleasure (1957) + The Sacred Idol (1960) (Original Capitol recordings) Including: City of Veils, Monkey Dance of Bali, Pearls of Ceylon, The Gates of Annam, Fruit of Dreams, Aquaducts, Temple of Gold, Pyramid of the Sun. (70:49) Cherry Red ACMEM57CD.

THE JOHNNY MAN SINGERS – Sixties Man (Original Liberty recordings) Including: The Girl from Ipanema, Snow, Call Me, Cherish, Mrs Robinson, Daydream, Goldfinger, A Taste of Honey. (60:01) Cherry Red ACMEM53CD.

SAMMY KAYE – Midnight Serenade (1959) + Ballroom Date (1960) (Original Columbia recordings) Including: I’ll See You in My Dreams, It Had to be You, I’ll Get By, The Very Thought of You, Baby Face, Blue Prelude, Temptation, Tea for Two. (63:22) Collectables COL-CD-7698.

THE FRANK CHACKSFIELD ORCHESTRA – I Could Have Danced All Night. Including: Wouldn’t it be Lovely, Carousel Waltz, Shall We Dance, On the Street Where You Live, Hello Young Lovers, Stranger in Paradise, Ascot Gavotte, Moon River. (49:23) Start Entertainment Parade PAR 2088

PERCY FAITH – The Oscar: Soundtrack music. Collectables COL-CD-7815

LAWRENCE WELK & HIS CHAMPAGNE MUSIC – Bubbling Over (original mono recordings 1938-1954. Including: Bubbles in the Wine, Two Sleepy People, Maria Elena, Sweethearts or Strangers, Shenandoah Waltz, Moonlight Bay, Ivory Rag, Oh Happy Day. (77:19) Sanctuary Living Era CDAJA 5552.

Finally we have a batch of late April releases from Mike Dutton’s Vocalion label…..

WERNER MÜLLER "ON THE MOVE & THE LATIN SPLENDOUR OF..." ON THE MOVE PFS 4029 (1964) STEREO Istanbul (Kennedy; Simon); American patrol (Meacham arr. Forster); In Hamburg sind die Nächste lang (Bette); Brazil (Barroso; James; Pepper); Arrivederci Roma (Rascel); Mustapha (Assam; Barclay); South of the border (Kennedy; Carr); Vaya con Dios (Russell; James; Pepper); Calcutta (Gaze); A foggy day in London Town (G & I Gershwin); April in Portugal (Kennedy; Ferrao); I love Paris (Porter); Sayonara (Yoshida; Morgan arr. Forster); España (Chabrier; arr. Flor) THE LATIN SPLENDOR OF… PFS 4199 (1970) STEREO Delicado (Azevedo; Lawrence); Perfidia (Dominguez); Pepito (Truscott; Taylor); Yours (Gamse; Sherr; Roig; Rodriguez); Eso es el amor (Iglesias; Elgos; Skylar); Mambo jambo (Prado; Karl; Towne); Frenesie (Dominguez; Charles; Russell); El Cumbanchero (Hernandez); Solamente una vez (You belong to my heart) (Lara); Cumana (Allen; Spina; Hillman); Amor, amor (Ruiz; Mendez; Skylar); A Banda (De Hollanda) TELDEC ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4303.

EDMUNDO ROS "ARRIBA! & BONGOS FROM THE SOUTH" ARRIBA! PFS 4092 (1966) STEREO In a little Spanish town (Wayne; Lewis; Young); Siboney (Lecuona; Morse); The laughing samba (Rizzo; Johnson; Meroff; Spear); Get me to the church on time (Loewe; Lerner); Hello, Dolly! (Herman); Oye negra (Morales; Camacho); Holiday for strings (Rose); Corcovado (Dunn; Rixner); Heartaches (Hoffman; Klenner); From Russia with love (Bart); Al di la (Donida; Mogol; Drake); If you love me (Monnot) BONGOS FROM THE SOUTH PFS 34010 (1962) STEREO Deep in the heart of Texas (Hershey; Swander); Lisbon Antigua (Portela; Galhardo; da Vale); Lady of Spain (Evans; Reaves; Damerell); La comparsa (Lecuona); My old Kentucky home (Foster arr. Ros; Hanmer); Brasil (Russell; Barroso); When the saints go marching in (Trad arr. Ros; Hanmer); Moon over Miami (Burke; Leslie); Roses from the South (Strauss arr. Ros; Hanmer); Taboo (Lecuona; Stillman); In a little Spanish town (Wayne; Lewis; Young); El Cumbanchero (Hernandez) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4313.

MANTOVANI "THE GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE & STOP THE WORLD... & OLIVER!" THE GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE SKL 5216 (1975) STEREO The greatest gift (Mancini; David); The old fashioned way (Garvarentz; Aznavour; Kasha; Hirshorn); Si (Go before you break my heart) (Pilat; Panzeri; Conti; Pace; Newell); Solitude (De Lange; Mills; Ellington); Sing (Raposo); Cool summer evening (Mantovani); What are you doing the rest of your life? (A & M Bergman; Legrand); The day of the locust (Barry); The entertainer (Joplin; arr. Shaw); Send in the clowns (Sondheim); Love song ‘The Freak’ (Chaplin); She (Aznavour; Kretzmer) STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF & OLIVER! PS 270 (1962) STEREO OLIVER! (Bart) I’d do anything; You’ve got to pick a pocket or two; Consider yourself; Where is love?; Oom-pah-pah; Reviewing the situation; Oliver; Who will buy?; As long as he needs me STOP THE WORLD (Bricusse; Newley) Lumbered; Someone nice like you; Meilinki Meilchick; Once in a lifetime; Gonna build a mountain; I wanna be rich; What kind of fool am I?DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4324.

FRANK CHACKSFIELD "VINTAGE ’52 & GREAT COUNTRY AND WESTERN HITS" VINTAGE ’52 PFS 4413 (1977) STEREO Cry (Kohlman; Churchill); (I wonder why) You’re just in love (Berlin); (Ah, the apple tree) When the world was young (Gerard; Vannier; Mercer; Colpet); Lullaby of Birdland (Shearing; Forster); Kiss of fire (Villoldo; Allen; Hill); Wheel of fortune (Benjamin; Weiss) with Kenny Baker (solo trumpet); High noon (Do not forsake me) (Tiomkin; Washington); No two people (Loesser); Under Paris skies (Giraud; Gannon; Drejac); Aufwiederseh’n Sweatheart (Storch; Sexton; Turner) GREAT COUNTRY AND WESTERN HITS PFS 4080 (1966) STEREO with chorus I walk the line (Cash); I can’t stop loving you (Gibson); Sixteen tons (Travis); Anytime (Williams; Jordan); Lovesick blues (Mills; Friend); Don’t let the stars get in your eyes (Willet); El Paso (Robbins); Cold, cold heart (Williams); Jambalaya (Williams; Feltz); Your cheatin’ heart (Williams); Half as much (Williams); Walking the floor over you (Tubb) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4325.

RONNIE ALDRICH "LOVE STORY & THE WAY WE WERE" LOVE STORY PFS 4222 (1971) STEREO It’s Impossible (Manzanero); (I Never Promised You) A Rose Garden (South); My Sweet Lord (Harrison); Mr Bojangles (Walker); Woodstock (Mitchell); I Think I Love You (Romeo); Amazing Grace (Trad arr. Aldrich); What Is Life (Harrison); Theme from "Love Story" (Lai; Sigman); Candida (Wine; Levine); El Condor Pasa (Robles arr. Milchberg); Togetherness (Aldrich) THE WAY WE WERE PFS 4300 (1974) STEREO Love’s Theme (White); The Way We Were (Hamlisch; Bergman); Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress) (Laurie); I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song (Croce); Top Of The World (Bettis; Carpentier); Have You Heard (Pinder); Last Time I Saw Him (Masser; Sawyer); What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (Bergman; Legrand); Vado Via (Riccardi; Albertelli); Wave (Jobim); Happiness Is Me And You (O’Sullivan); Dark Lady (Durrill) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4331.

GUY LOMBARDO "LOMBARDO GOES LATIN & BELLS ARE RINGING" LOMBARDO GOES LATIN ST 1191 (1960) STEREO Cha Cha Cacciatore (Bergman); Ti-Pi-Tin (Grever; Leveen); Besame Mucho (Velasquez); Venezuela (Coleman; Corenzo); Glow Worm (Lincke; Larry arr Owens); Frenesi (Dominguez; Whitcup); Perfidia (Dominguez; Leeds); Cecilia (Dreyer; Herman); The Breeze And I (Lecuona; Stillman); Dinah (Akst; Lewis; Young); A Una Ola (Grever; Dole); Green Eyes (Menendez; Rivera; Utrera; Woods) BELLS ARE RINGING ST 1453 (1961) STEREO Just In Time (Comden; Styne; Green); Do It Yourself (Comden; Styne; Green); It’s A Perfect Relationship (Comden; Styne; Green); Drop That Name (Comden; Styne; Green); I Met A Girl (Comden; Styne; Green); Mu-Cha-Cha (Comden; Styne; Green); Better Than A Dream (Comden; Styne; Green); The Midas Touch (Comden; Styne; Green); Bells Are Ringing (Comden; Styne; Green); The Party’s Over (Comden; Styne; Green); I’m Going Back (Comden; Styne; Green) CAPITOL ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4333.

CARROLL GIBBONS & HIS BOYFRIENDS VOLUME 3 "Life of the party": Introducing; Life of the party; Roses in December; Damsel in distress: Nice work if you can get it; A foggy day; Things are looking up; Double or nothing: Introducing; It’s the natural thing to do; Moon got in my eyes; Smarty; Mr Dodd takes the air: Introducing; Am I in love; Remember me; Carroll Gibbons looks back - Part 1: Introducing; Margie; Whispering; Some of these days; Carroll Gibbons looks back – Part 2: Introducing; Chinatown; My sweetie went away; I ain’t got nobody; Remember? - Part 1: Introducing; You forgot to remember; My heart stood still; I’ll see you again; Remember? - Part 2: Introducing; My blue heaven; Can’t help lovin’ that man; This year’s kisses; That certain age: Introducing; You’re as pretty as a picture; My own; Be a good scout; The gay imposters: Introducing; I wanna go back to Bali; Day dreaming; The Latin quarter; East side of heaven - Part 1: Introducing; Sing a song of sunbeams; That sly old gentleman; East side of heaven - Part 2: East side of heaven; Hang your heart on a hickory limb; What have we got to lose (Heigh ho, lack-a-day); Shuffle off to Buffalo; Stars fell on Alabama; Judy; Let me give my happiness to you; Three wishes; Sleepytime down South; Life is just a bowl of cherries; Black coffee; With thee I swing; If it’s the last thing I do; You can’t have everything - film selection: Introducing; The loveliness of you; Afraid to dream; Please pardon us, we’re in love. Vocalion CDEA 6113.

JACK HYLTON VOLUME 5 • THE DECCA YEARS • "THE LAST ROUND-UP" Nevertheless (I’m in love with you); You’re my decline and fall; Me; I don’t know why; Just once for all time; When the music is playing; Today, I feel so happy; Just friends; Ever since I kissed her on the Volga; Dream sweetheart; You’re taking a chance with me; The flies crawled up the window; I want to cling to Ivy; A bungalow, a piccolo and you; Underneath the arches; Wrap your arms around me; Masquerade; St Louis Blues; Hylton stomp; Love is the sweetest thing; Shadow waltz; We’re in the money; After you; It’s the talk of the town; The last round-up; T’ain’t Vocalists: Pat O’Malley, Eric Breeze, Billy Munn. Vocalion CDEA 6115.

KEN MACKINTOSH, HIS SAXOPHONE & HIS ORCHESTRA "OFF-SHORE" Kiss me again; The man I love; I’ll be around; Plink, plank, plonk; Harlem nocturne; It ain’t necessarily so; Stop! Sit down! Relax! Think!; Strange music; The haunted ballroom; The glow worm; Crew cut; Plymouth sound; The creep; Istanbul; Theme from film ‘Front Page Story’; Off shore; Edwardian; The monster; Air express; Riot in cell block 11; Black velvet; Shifting sands; The very thought of you; Oh my papa; Creeping Tom; Lovers in the dark; That Old Feeling Vocalists: The Mackpies, The Peter Knight Singers. Vocalion CDEA 6116.

KATHY KIRBY "MORE RARITIES & LIPGLOSS!" DECCA SINGLES 1962-66 Big man (Westlake); Who Knows** (Scott; Martin); Playboy (Westlake; Gregory); Too bad for Johnny* (Shuman; Carr); Someone to watch over me (G & I Gershwin); I’ll get by (Ahlert; Turk); Can’t help lovin’ that man (Kern; Hammerstein; Wodehouse); The man I love (G & I Gershwin); I can’t give you anything but love (Mchugh; Fields); Who’s sorry now (Snyder; Kalmar; Ruby); Acapulco 1922 (Allan; Talmy); No regrets (Dumont; Vaucaire; David); Shangri – la (Malneck; Maxwell; Sigman); You’re the answer to everything (Glanzberg); Reach out for me (Bacharach; David); That old feeling (Brown; Fain); Things I want to hear** (unknown); The way of love (Dieval; Stillman); Where in the world (Dunstall); Body and Soul (Green; Sour; Heyman; Eyton); Get Happy (Arlen; Koehler); My Man (Yvain; Charles; Pollock; Willemetz); Till the end of time (Kaye; Mossman); Spanish Flea (Wechter; Stellman)**Unreleased tracks *US release only DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4292.

CATERINA VALENTE WITH SILVIO FRANCESCO DEUTSCHE EVERGREENS SLK 16189-P (1961) STEREO Sing mit mir (Grothe; Dehmel); Kuß mich, bitte, bitte, kuß mich (Carste; Richter); Es war einmal eine Liebe (Jack; Balz); Fur eine Nacht voller Seligkeit (Kreuder; Schwenn); Die kleine Stadt will schlafen gehn (Bochmann; Bergner); Wer ist hier jung, wer hat hier Schwung? (Bochmann; Schulz; Gellen); Ich weiß, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehn (Jary; Balz); Ganz leise kommt die Nacht (Grothe; Dehmel); Haben Sie schon mal im Dunkeln geküßt? (Jary; Beckmann; v. Pinelli); Kauf dir einen bunten Lutfballoon (v. Pinelli); Musik! Musik! Musik! (Kreuder; Beckman); Sag beim Abschied leise "Servus" (Kreuder; Lengsfelder; Hilm) WENN ES NACHT WIRD IN DEN STÄDTEN ND 625 (1965) STEREO Wenn es Nacht wird in den Städten (Peeters); Wer war der Mann neben dir (Peeters); Paris – C’est très chique (Peeters); San Francisco – Sailor’s Nightclub in Golden Frisco (Scharfenberger); Wien – Charly, zünd die Kerzen an (Galatis); London – In allen Kneipen von Soho (Phillips); Der Abend wird schön (Scharfenberger); New York – Blauer Asphalt (Scharfenberger); Berlin – Julius, ach Julius (Galatis); Rom – Schöne schwarze Rose (Scharfenberger); Mexico City – Mexikanischer Wein (Peeters); Wenn es Nacht wird in den Städten – Finale (Peeters) TELDEC ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4305.

JESS CONRAD "JESS FOR YOU & DECCA SINGLES COMPILATION" JESS FOR YOU LK 4390 1961 Walk away (Kaufman; Anthony); Why am I living (Slavin; Gail); That’s my weakness now (Greene; Stept); You too (Crompton; Sutherland); Rag doll (Pomus; Shuman); Cherry pie (Josea; Taub); (I Wanna) love my life away (Pitney); Little ship (Pomus; Shuman); An angel cries (Davis; Edwards); It tears me all to pieces (Pomus; Shuman; Sair); Out of luck (Gluck Jnr.); Mystery girl (Peacock) PLUS DECCA SINGLES COMPILATION DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4326.

ANTHONY NEWLEY "TONY & NEWLEY DELIVERED" TONY LK 4406 (1961) STEREO Yes! We have no bananas (Silver; Cohn); You’re free (Landesman; Wilder); I was never kissed before (Ellis); Drink to me only with thine eyes (arr. Hackney); All or nothing at all (Lawrence; Altman); Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag (Powell; Asaf); Pop goes the weasel (arr. Hackney); Who can say (Salvador); Bye bye blackbird (Dixon; Henderson); I should care (Cahn; Stordahl; Weston); Basin Street blues (Williams; Plante); By myself (Dietz; Schwartz) NEWLEY DELIVERED LK 4654 (1965) What kind of fool am I (Bricusse; Newley); I saw her standing there (Lennon; Mc- Cartney); You made me love you (Monaco; Mc Carthy); I guess it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy (Anthony; Mann); Young only yesterday (Perper); Pop goes the weasel (arr. Hackney); And the heavens cried (Elias; Reid); Girls were made to love and kiss (Léhar; Herbert); Addio addio (Modugno; Migliacci; Sigman); Deep river (Trad. arr. Keating; Newley); There’s no such thing as love (Fraser; Hackney); Letters to my love (Moutet; Newley); Strawberry Fair (Sharp; Baring-Gould; adapt. Clapton); You are too beautiful (Rodgers; Hart); What now my love (Becaud; Sigman); I don’t want to set the world on fire (Marcus; Benjeman; Durham; Seiler) DECCA ARCHIVES • Vocalion CDLK 4327.

GORDON MACRAE VOLUME 2 • "STRANGER IN PARADISE" Two-faced heart; Oh! Oh! Oh! Ophelia; This is heaven to me; River of smoke; I’m yours to command; I’ll buy you a star; Ol’ Man River; On a Sunday at Coney Island; Cuban love song; Last night when we were young; Down the old ox road; Cuddle up a little closer; Baby Doll; Be my guest; Laughing at love; These things shall pass; Gentle hands; Blame it on my youth; There’s a lull in my life; How do you speak to an angel; Congratulations to someone; C’est magnifique; Homin’ time; Stranger in Paradise; Never in a million years; I don’t want to walk without you; High on a windy hill; Soothe my lonely heart Orchestras: Paul Weston’s Dixie Eight, Orchestra conducted by Carmen Dragon, Orchestra conducted by Carlyle Hall, Orchestra conducted by Van Alexander, Orchestra conducted by Frank De Vol, Orchestra conducted by Axel Stordahl Vocalion CDUS 3035.

LIGHT MUSIC CLASSICS "FINGER BUSTIN’" SIDNEY TORCH, CHARLES WILLIAMS, ROBERT FARNON, CAMARATA, PETER YORKE, ERIC COATES, AMBROSE Charmaine; The Horse Guards - Whitehall (signature tune of radio show "Down Your Way"); Coronation Scot (signature tune of radio detective series "Paul Temple"); Dance of an ostracised imp; Shooting star (signature tune of TV arts feature "Kaleidoscope"); Ring around the moon; Shopping centre; Jumping bean; Portrait of a flirt; The runaway rocking horse; Jazz legato; Jazz pizzicato; Fingerbustin’ Rhapsody for saxophone; London suite; London suite again Vocalion CDVS 1946. This is a budget release which, hopefully, will serve to introduce some people to the pleasures of Light Music and encourage them to investigate the available repertoire more fully. RFS members probably have all these pieces in their collections, although they may welcome the opportunity to hear some of these pieces again in new digital restorations.

LES BROWN "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" Leap frog; Out of nowhere; Daybreak serenade; I’ve got my love to keep me warm; I’m a-telling you, Sam; High on a windy trumpet; Lover’s leap; Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief; Day by Day; Jumpy Stumpy; Sentimental Rhapsody; Dardanella; Triskaidekaphobia (Tris-ky-dec-a-fobia); There’s good blues tonight; A foggy day (in London town); Drifting and dreaming; Beware my heart; Floatin’; I bring you Spring; Blue moon; Green eyes; Deep purple; Sentimental journey; Taking a chance on love Vocalists: "Stumpy" Brown, Butch Stone, Doris Day, Eileen Wilson, Jack Haskell Vocalion CDVS 1947.