Keeping Track - Dateline April 2013
Reviewers in this issue: David Ades, Peter Burt, Paul Clatworthy, Tony Clayden, David Daniels, Roger Hyslop, Barry McCanna, Ray Pavene, Edward Trub, Edmund Whitehouse
The KT Editor’s CD Choice for this issue
MARTY GOLD AND HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Sounds Unlimited’ & ‘For Sound’s Sake!’ Dance. Ballerina, Dance; There Goes My Heart; The Donkey Serenade; Skylark; When Your Lover Has Gone;When I Fall in Love; Canadian Sunset; Alone Together; Ol’ Man River; Don’t Worry ‘bout Me; Tonight; Moonlight in Vermont : El Cumbanchero; Baubles, Bangles and Beads; Memories of You; Yesterdays; More Than You Know; In a Sentimental Mood; All the Things You Are; Rockin’ Chair; I Love Paris; September Song; Love is Here to Stay; Mood Indigo Vocalion CDLK 4479 (67:09) Although American arranger/composer/conductor Marty Gold (he died in 2011 aged 95) made 28 albums, none of them has come my way until now. And this 2-on-1 is really good. Originally recorded for RCA Victor in 1963 and 1964, the orchestra of strings and big band swing, staffed I understand by many of New York’s best musicians, perform some imaginative arrangements – presumably by Mr Gold himself – with excellent solos on trumpet, flugelhorn, tuba, alto and tenor sax. The sound is superb with the ear-catching separation of early stereo recordings. Mike Dutton’s remastering from the original analogue tapes is spot-on as usual. If you enjoy this as much as I did, you should note that there is another Marty Gold 2-on-1,which I have not heard, ‘Something Special For Movie Lovers’(1965) & ‘Suddenly It’s Springtime’ (1964) on Vocalion CDLK 4486. PB
ANDRE KOSTELANETZ ORCHESTRA ‘Music Millions Love’ Carousel Waltz; I’m Always Chasing Rainbows; Slowly; Unknown; Here Comes Heaven Again; When Day Is Done; A Prisoner Of Love; If I Loved You; It’s A Grand Night for Singing; Chanson Boheme; Flamingo; You Are Love; BIues In The Night; Begin The Beguine; Night And Day; Day By Day; I Dream Too Much; Jockey On The Carousel; All Through The Night. Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 304 (75:32)) Live performances recorded February 1946. The Kostelanetz Orchestra is joined by Perry Como, at the time just as popular as Bing Crosby. The other vocalist is mezzo-soprano Gladys Swarthout. The music is sumptuous and atmospheric. CD compiler Michael Highton seems to imply he is a bigger fan of Como than Kostelanetz, saying several times the audience had to wait while the Orchestra played! The seldom heard tune Slowly written by David Raksin is my favourite track. PC
GEOFF LOVE AND HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Star Wars and Other Space Themes’ 12 tracks incl. UFO, Star Trek, Barbarella; Space:1999; Thunderbirds; Dr Who … ‘Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and Other Disco Galactic Themes’ 10 tracks incl. the title tune; Logan’s Run; The Time Machine; Blake’s 7; The Omega Man … Vocalion CDSML 8497 (44:29 & 44:14) These 1978 albums are not like Love’s other Music for Pleasure re-issues I have been reviewing in JIM recently. As Oliver Lomax explains in his very comprehensive liner notes, the arrangements and musical direction are the responsibility of Nick Ingram – Geoff just wielded the baton. We are in the realms of disco/funk again here. CD1 does have four conventional orchestral tracks: an excellent version of John Williams’ Star Wars (main title theme) and his Princess Leia’s Theme, Also Sprach Zarathustra, and Bliss’ March from "Things to Come". But Mars ("The Planets") is not what it seems! CD2 is pure disco all the way, which may be too far for some readers. Flight Fantastic, Solar Sailor and Space Patrol are Ingram originals. I’m glad I persevered with these discs and, if you try them, you might be too. Incidentally, it is interesting to read that William Armon was orchestra leader on most of Geoff’s discs, a position he also held from the early ‘70s with Mantovani; and I believe was seen in the famous Morecambe and Wise / André Previn BBC TV sketch. PB
PAUL MAURIAT AND LE GRANDE ORCHESTRE ‘More Mauriat’ & ‘Prestige De Paris’ Black is Black; Sunny; Winchester Cathedral; Guantanamera; Love, Me, Please Love Me; Reach Out I’ll be There; Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down); Lara’s Theme; Is Paris Burning?; En Bandoulière / C’est si Bon; Sous les Ponts de Paris; La Vie en Rose; Moulin Rouge; Domino; La Mer; La Goualante du Pauvre Jean; Les Feuilles Motes; La Seine; Parlez-Moi d’Amour; Fascination; Mon Homme Vocalion CDLK 4482 (58:04)
‘Overseas Call’ & ‘Exclusivamente Brasil (Vol.3)’ 21 tracks incl. You Can Do It; From Jupiter with Love; N.Y One; Eva Come Back, Power Jam (Part 1) …. ? Preciso Muito Amor (You Need Lots of Love); Na Pa Z Do Seu Sorriso (Peace in Your Smile); Começar de Novo (A New Beginning); Infinito Desejho (Infinite Desire); Estrela Radiante (Radiant Star)… Vocalion CDSML 8498 (71:44) There are over 120 Mauriat albums listed online and here are four re-issued on two 2-on-1s by Mike Dutton – how does he make a choice? The French composer, conductor and arranger (1925-2006) studied classical piano early on, attending the Conservatoire de Marseille from the age of 10, soon becoming very interested in both pop and jazz. At age 17 he started his own orchestra. In the late ‘90s his sales were estimated at around 800,000 units every year. It was reckoned that he had sold 60 million recordings by the end of his career. While never exciting me in quite the same way as similar releases from his friend and mentor Franck Pourcel, the first two early albums (from 1966) make for very pleasant listening in M Mauriat’s arrangements. If you are a fan or only know of Mauriat forLove is Blue, you won’t be disappointed.
The second two albums are something quite different and reflect Mauriat’s wide musical tastes. The first, from 1978, was partly recorded in New York’s Power Station Studios and has 11 tracks described as funk/soul; all composed and arranged by Mauriat and his fellow countryman, the pianist Gérard Gambus. The few vocals are in English. Mauriat was "big" in South America (as he was in Japan) and the third volume of Brazilian numbers from 1980 (what happened to the first two volumes?) was recorded in Rio de Janeiro. Arranging is again shared and there are some wordless vocals. An interesting album but if you favour his cut-glass string sound, this CD probably won’t be for you. There are no liner notes for either of these releases, making your reviewer work harder! PB
‘MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK VOL.3’ Calling All Workers Intro Opening Sig Raymond Agoult & His Players; The London Scottish Ronnie Munro & His Orchestra; Morning Glory Bernard Monshin & His Rio Tango Band; Last Night On The Back Porch Nat Allen & His Orch; In The Woodpile; Silly Billy;Windows Of Paris The Banjoliers Directed by Jack Mandel; Alcantara Anton & His Orch; Kumana;Caio,Caio, Bambina Ken Beaumont & His Sextet; Midnight In Mayfair Fredric Cooper & His Tipica Orch; White Wedding Raymond Agoult & His Players; Snow Coach George Scott-Wood & His Music;Oh Mein Papa Jack White & His Band; Paris Metro; Bonita Isy Geiger & His Orch; The Willow WaltzSyd Dean & His Band; Blue Moonlight Cecil Norman & The Rhythm Players; Josita Maurice Arnold & His Sextet; Tanto Gusto The Gerald Crossman Players; Pearly King Polka Harold Collins & His Orch;My Big Best Shoes Norman Whiteley & His Sextet; Little White Lies Jack White & His Band; Three Jolly Sailorman Maurice Arnold & His Sextet; Portrait Of My Love Harold Collins & His Orch; Faire Frou-FrouThe Banjoliers/Jack Mandel; Rio Chambira Bernard Monshin & His Rio Tango Band; Lei On Parle Francaise Frederic Cooper & His Tipica Orch; The Lady Is A Tramp The Eddie Stevens Sextet; Miss Ponytail Raymond Agoult & His Players; Don Roberto George Scott-Wood & His Music; Medley Harry Leader & His Band Cottage Industry Records FBCD 335 (79:04) This new release is Volume 3 in a series of MWYW CDs produced by Frank Bristow in Australia. Whereas the previous two volumes originated from the Decca wartime-issued 78 rpm records, the new programme has been assembled from the enormous – and unique – archive of off-air recordings which Brian Reynolds has amassed over many years. There is a sizeable amount of material here: within the 28 tracks are a total of 39 tunes (because there are some medleys included) and these are performed by around 20 orchestras and ensembles. Most of these were "regulars" and their names will be familiar to aficionados of the programme. All of the performances date from the middle/late Fifties to the early Sixties. Alan Bunting has worked his usual magic on the restorations; some of the recordings were made on very basic domestic equipment and these required a considerable amount of time and skill to bring them up to a decent standard. The accompanying booklet contains a wealth of information and many photographs of the performers. This was originally a joint project of Brian Reynolds and the late Brian Stringer, who very sadly passed away during the preparatory stages, and it has now been entirely taken over by Brian Reynolds. I believe that there are more issues in the pipeline and I personally hope that they will be as thoroughly enjoyable as this one, which has provided very good entertainment during a couple of long stints cleaning and tidying-up in my workshop. Warmly recommended. TC
[Available from Frank Bristow, 2 Cross Street, Brighton 3186, Victoria Australia ( ) Aust. $22.70 (Paypal). A limited quantity also available from Brian Reynolds (details on inside cover].
HAL MOONEY & HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Music In The Mooney Manner’ 48 tracks incl. CD1 ‘Any Time’ (1959): Aries; Taurus; Gemini; Cancer; Leo; Virgo … ‘An Affair To Remember’ (1959): Oh What A Beautiful Morning; Hey There; Anna; I’ll Be Seeing You; Ruby; But Not For Me … CD 2 ‘Woodwinds and Percussion’ (1961): Swampfire; Baby It’s Cold Outside; Lover; Tonight; Old Devil Moon; Bye Bye Blues … ‘Dreamland…USA’ (Stereo Version) (1961): California Here I Come; When It’s Sleepy Time Down South; Beautiful Ohio; Back Home In Indiana; Manhattan; Way Down Yonder In New Orleans …Jasmine JASCD 717 (66:55 & 63:42) This release arrived just before JIM went to press and even on a short acquaintance it has been a very appealing listen. Hal Mooney, Brooklyn NY born in 1911, was a professional pianist as a young man and became an arranger, eventually joining the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. After serving his country during the Second World War he moved to Hollywood as a freelance and began to write for vocalists such as Crosby, Sinatra, Garland, Lee, Starr and Eckstine. In 1956 he was contracted as in-house arranger and A&R Director at Mercury Records, where he remained until the late 1960s. He then joined Universal Studios and became MD on some of the biggest TV shows of the 1970s: ‘Colombo’, Marcus Welby M.D., ‘The Rockford Files’, The Six Million Dollar Man’ and ‘Bionic Woman’. He died in 1995. Billy May meant it as a compliment when he described him as a "nuts and bolts arranger." Like Ossie Dales in his liner notes I must confess that although I was aware of Mr Mooney I’d never paid him much attention. Strings are to the fore on the dozen tracks, originally known as ‘Music Horoscope’, the first (and possibly best) of the four great sounding original albums here, and were all composed by the man himself. The second album is of film themes with a Billy Mayish up-beat big band tempo to them. The third album, in Mercury’s Perfect Presence Sound series, is much as you would expect from its title with even David Rose’sHoliday for Strings, together with the likes of Morton Gould’s Pavanne and Edward B Claypoole’sRagging the Scale, getting the woodwinds and percussion treatment. On the final album a musical tour of the States ends with the title tune, Dreamland...USA, another Mooney composition. Including some outstanding arrangements, this is a quality release. So I’m with Ossie again when I say "Welcome to my CD collection, Hal Mooney", and I too feel sure he will be as welcome on your shelves. PB
THE SHADOWS (1958-1961) ‘Kon-Tiki’ 47 tracks incl. Feelin’ Fine; Don’t Be A Fool With Love; Chinchilla, Serious Charge; Jet Black; Driftin’(all as The Drifters); Saturday Dance; Lonesome Fella; Bongo Blues; Apache; Quatermassters Stores; Man of Mystery; The Stranger; F.B.I.; Midnight; The Frightened City; Back Home; 36-24-36; The Savage; Peace Pipe / Jet Black (live); Driftin’ (live) Be Bop A Lula (live)(all as The Drifters); Mustang; Theme from Shane; Shotgun; Theme from Giant; Shadoogie; Blue Star; Nivram; Baby My Heart; See You In My Dreams; All My Sorrows; Stand Up And Say That; Gonzales … Jasmine JASCD 205 (50:29 & 63:24) The first time around I listened to this 2-CD set at one sitting and wallowed in nostalgia for nearly two hours. CD 1 opens with Jean Dorothyand Teenage Love, the A and B sides of the first and only single from July 1958 by The Five Chesternuts, forerunners of "The Shads". Two of the five were guitarists Hank B Marvin (Brian Rankin) and Bruce Welch (Bruce Cripps). These then joined The Drifters and in 1959, along with Jet Harris (bass) and Tony Meehan (drums), became The Shadows. In September 1961 the Columbia label released their first LP, ‘The Shadows’ (CD 2, tracks 8-20), which along with the title single (CD 1, track 19) and an EP, ‘Shadows to The Fore’ (CD 2, tracks 4-7) were Number 1 in all three of their respective UK charts at the same time … a first. The in-between years had been melody all the way; their style polished and the guitar-playing expert. Personally I could have passed on the occasional vocal. Highly informative liner notes from producer Groper Odson complete a most entertaining package. PB
BILLY VAUGHN ‘Golden Memories Of Billy Vaughn’ Five Original Albums 61 tracks incl. Song of India; At the Woodchopper’s Ball; The Chipmunk Song; Peter Gunn;; Oh; Topsy II; One O’clock Jump; Hernando’s Hideaway; Summit Ridge Drive; 12th Street Rag; Tequila; Patricia; Sentimental Me; Near You; Tennessee Waltz … True Love; The Sound of Music; The Threepenny Opera; Some Enchanted Evening; All the Way; Sayonara; Look For a Star; Snowfall; Mona Lisa; Paper Roses; Greenfields; Beyond the Sunset; Because They’re Young; He’ll Have to Go; Theme from "The Apartment" … Jasmine JASCD 215 (74:14 & 76:19) Richard "Billy" Vaughn (1919-1991) had more popular hits than any other orchestra leader during the rock and roll era, with a total of 36 albums and 42 singles in the Billboard charts. The two well-filled CDs here feature Vaughn’s signature twin sax sound where he uses an alto sax for the melody, with a second alto sax a third away. Supporting instruments always include four tenor saxes for the body, with a rhythm section usually containing one of two guitars, a piano, drums and a bass. Other instruments are also used and there are a number of splendid tracks with a full orchestra. The five original Dot albums are: Golden Hits’,‘Golden Saxophones’, ’Theme From A Summer Place’ (this topped the Billboard chart in 1960), ‘Look For A Star’ and ‘Theme From "The Sundowners"’. Although the majority of titles are familiar, Vaughn’s varied arrangements hold the interest throughout the set. These discs will make a welcome addition to any collection.My wife, who does not always share my enthusiasm for our kind of music, thought they "sounded nice" – from her that’s high praise. PB
FRED WARING & HIS PENNSYLVANIANS ‘Say It With Music – The Many Moods Of Fred Waring’ 51 tracks incl. I Hear Music; Greensleeves; Say It With Music; The Rose of Tralee; Din Skol, Min Skol; Sleep; In The Still of The Night; You and I; Dear Hearts and Gentle People; Zorro; Blueberry Hill; Loch Lomond; The Unconstant Lover; Sleigh Ride … Say It With Music; The Loveliest Night of The Year; Outside of Heaven; High Noon; Silk Stockings; On Top of Old Smokey; Tulips and Heather; Lollytoodum; I Have to Tell You; Be Kind to Your Parents; Mame; ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas; Easter Parade … Jasmine JASCD 725 (77:35 & 79:49) Fred Waring, with his orchestra and choir, has been one of the most famous and popular musicians in American musical history … and no wonder! This 2-CD set is a fine follow-up to another Jasmine release (JASCD 149) I made my "Best Buy for Christmas" in December 2010. Apart from the varied tracks listed above and one of the best versions of Seventy-six Trombones I’ve heard, there are a number of patriotic pieces including God Bless America, Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor and Battle Hymn of the Republic. A number of sacred songs are also given the Waring treatment like Ezekiel Saw the Wheel; Blessed Assurance, Li’l David Play on Your Harp; I Love to Tell the Story, And Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit. Roy Ringwald’s The Song of Easter, celebrating Holy Week, is narrated by Mr Waring himself and has 14 African-American spirituals interwoven into it. Fred was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his work a year before he died in 1984. This release with its excellent musicianship and joie de vivreis guaranteed to lift your spirits. PB
RICHARD CLAYDERMAN ‘Romantique’ 16 tracks incl. Spartacus: Adagio; Les Misérables – Medley; The Flower Duet; West Side Story – Medley; Schindler’s List; Hallelujah; Le Onde; You Raise Me Up; Nessun Dorma; Lara’s Theme … Decca 3724563 (63:11) Once referred to in a Gramophone magazine review as "a French Liberace, without the candlesticks", this is the internationally acclaimed classically trained pianist’s first new studio album for ten years and is a nice-sounding varied compilation. It includes Ballade Pour Adeline, which he first recorded in 1976 and sold 22 million copies in 38 countries, and Prokoviev’s Montagues and Capulets, the theme from the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’. It was recorded in Sofia last September with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Deyan Pavlov. M Clayderman, born Philippe Pag?s in 1953, has recorded over 1,200 melodies, achieved sales of around 90 million worldwide, and is credited with 267 gold and 70 platinum discs. This full-price release is a good buy but would have been even better had the possibility of another four tracks been pursued. PB
REGINALD DIXON ‘The Very Best Of …’ Favourites Forever; Treasured Moments; Organ Magic! 3 CDs Memory Lane / Yesteryear GLM/Y-38-18. [121:46] It would take more than a page to list all the titles, so please forgive the omission! But titles are not really necessary if you are already an admirer of one of Britain’s top theatre organists of the last century. For many years he was a fixture at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom, but he also had many fans around the world who eagerly waited for his latest 78s. This CD covers the period from 1934 to 1938 and most of the tracks are Dixon’s familiar medleys. The nicely illustrated booklet with this 3-CD set contains a biography and a detailed list of all the titles – all that is missing is the original catalogue numbers (this applies to most of the Memory Lane collections reviewed in this issue), but that will not worry organ fans. They will warmly welcome this well restored and expertly compiled collection. DA
BILLY MAYERL ‘Piano Exaggerations’ Christopher Duckett 16 tracks incl. Jazzaristrix; Sweet William; Song Of The Fir Tree; Bats In The Belfry; Loose Elbows; Cobweb; Antiquary; Evening Primrose; Marigold … Shellwood SWCD42 [46:51] Billy Mayerl was an incredible pianist. His mail order school inspired thousands who wanted to emulate his deceptive easy going style, and we know that a number of light music composers (Cyril Watters once confessed to us!) were influenced by him. As well as his piano pieces, Billy also ventured into light music pastures later in his life, to the benefit of production music publishers. It seems that his early death at the age of 56 was hastened by his liking for whisky and smoking, but his work continues to exert a strong influence even today, more than 50 years after his passing. We are familiar with the definitive performances of Eric Parkin, but Mike Lorenzini at Shellwood Productions has discovered an amazing talent named Christopher Duckett. Although his name may be new to some record collectors (and enthusiasts of the piano), Christopher is already known inside the music profession. He graduated from the Royal College of Music (where he had been award the Prokofiev Prize among other awards) and has a busy professional career as a soloist, accompanist and repetiteur. His concert performances have taken him to many countries in Europe, and his love of the kind of syncopated jazz that became Billy Mayerl’s trademark should result in many more recordings in the future. You can’t help smiling when you sit back, relax and wallow in this kind of music. It’s such a shame that today’s pianists don’t get heard on radio and television as much as they deserve. DA [Shellwood CDs are available fromwww.shellwood.co.uk for £11.50 inc. postage worldwide].
BILLY MAYERL ‘Piano Music By Billy Mayerl Vol. 1’ Philip Martin (piano) 21 tracks including Aquarium Suite, Puppets Suite, Three Contrasts … SOMMCD 0124 (76:22) Londoner Billy Mayerl (1902-1959) showed a prodigious talent from a very early age. When little more than a child, he studied piano at Trinity College of Music and around the age of 13 he was the soloist in a performance of Grieg's Piano Concerto at the Queen's Hall, London. Also about this time, he composed his first piano piece in the syncopated style for which he was to become famous, although it had to wait until 1925 when it was published under the title of ‘The Jazz Master'. He was a regular broadcaster in the early days of BBC Radio from the famous 2LO studio in Savoy Hill, London, and he established a friendship with George Gershwin, who entrusted Mayerl with giving the British premiere of Rhapsody In Blue. He enjoyed a varied and very successful career as a performer, arranger, composer and conductor and his Correspondence School for budding pianists ran for 30 years and became a world-wide phenomenon. I well remember his BBC broadcasts in the early post-WWII years, with his Billy Mayerl Rhythm Ensemble. Over the years, Mayerl's compositions have enjoyed good representation on recordings, and anyone aspiring to emulate his dazzling virtuosity faces a formidable task. The Irish-born pianist Philip Martin certainly fills the bill in this respect, and the result is a very pleasing CD, which is warmly recommended to all those who enjoy this style of music. TC
‘SONG OF PARADISE The Piano Music Of Reginald King’ Mark Bebbington 23 tracks, including Song of Paradise, Three Miniatures, Three Impressions, In the Shade of the Palms, Summer Breezes … SOMMCD 0125 (76:25) This disc also features solo music from the same era as that immediately above. The enterprising SOMM Company has achieved quite a "coup" with the first commercial recordings of the compositions of another Londoner, Reginald King (1904-1991). During his lifetime he was considered a significant figure within the Light Music world. His training at the Royal Academy of Music influenced his composing style and his music is suffused with lyrical warmth and a rather restrained "classical feel". The pieces here include at least three which will be familiar to many in their orchestral guise: Song of Paradise (which was the pianist’s signature tune for many years), In the Shade of the Palms and Summer Breezes. The latter was used as the second tune in the famous 'White Kitten' interlude on early post-WWII BBC Television and it is interesting to compare the two versions. Pianist Mark Bebbington definitely "rises to the occasion" and delivers great performances of these works, a good number of which will be probably receiving their first hearing for very many years. Compared with the music of many of his contemporaries, Reginald King's compositions are much less well-known; this new disc can only help to bring his name to a wider audience. Yet another warm recommendation – congratulations are due to all who have been involved in this production. TC
ROGER WILLIAMS ‘America’s Best Selling Pianist’ Four Original Albums 1957-1961 51 tracks incl. Gigi; O Mio Babbino Caro (Oh My Beloved Daddy); An Affair to Remember; Two Different Worlds; Forgotten Dreams; Yellow Bird … Stardust; Stranger in Paradise; Traumerei; Moonlight and Roses; To a Wild Rose; Dark Eyes … Moonglow; Unchained Melody; Tennessee Waltz; Hey There; April in Portugal; My Heart Cries for You … Theme from "The Sundowners"; Theme from "The Apartment"; Temptation; One Finger Symphony; Homesick for New England; La Montana (If She Should Come to You) … Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, Sailor; Main Theme from "Exodus" Jasmine JASCD 718 (78:31 & 77:21) I well remember Roger Williams – born Louis Weentz in 1924 – being one of the most popular virtuoso instrumentalists of the mid-20th century, and it is very surprising that so few of his 116 LPs – 18 receiving gold and platinum awards – have been reissued on CD. Those nice people at Jasmine Records have begun to put that right with two of the four albums on this 2-CD set – ‘With These Hands’ (1959, US Album Chart No.8) and ‘Always’(1960, No.25) – appearing in this format for the first time. The other two albums are ‘Songs of the Fabulous Fifties’ (1957, No 6) and ‘Temptation’ (1960, No.5)*. The final three tracks listed above are from ‘Songs of the Soaring 60’s’ (1961, No.35). Roger’s piano playing is stylish and beautifully fresh throughout and his technique befits one who had a classical training. The US Billboard magazine ranks him as the top-selling piano recording artist in history. He was the first pianist to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also known as the "Pianist to the Presidents", playing for Harry S Truman to George H W Bush. In 2010 he was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. At that time Autumn Leaves (CD 2, track 12) was the best-selling piano solo record ever and the only one to top the Billboard charts. Roger died on October 8, 2011, one week after his 87th birthday. It is encouraging that these recordings are deservedly back in the lists and as Bob Fisher May writes in his liner notes: "If the arrival of Roger Williams original LPs on CD for the first time prove as popular as we hope there are plenty more where these came from". PB
[* ‘Temptation’ coupled with ‘Yellowbird’ is also on Sepia 1196, released in July 2012.]
NEIL DIAMOND ‘The Very Best Of : Original Studio Recordings’ Forever in Blue Jeans; Beautiful Noise; Love on the Rocks; Cherry, Cherry; I Am…I Said; Sweet Caroline; Cracklin’ Rosie; Play Me; I’m a Believer; Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon; Holly Holy; Solitary Man; Song Sung Blue; You Don’t Bring Me Flowers (with Barbra Streisand); Hello Again; Red, Red Wine; If You Know What I Mean; Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show; Pretty Amazing Grace; Kentucky Woman; Shilo; America; Hell Yeah Sony 8876405882 (78:46) You get exactly what it says on the box here. The album stands out, however, from other similar compilations in that Neil has persuaded Sony to include, along with the US Columbia (CBS) recordings, tracks he made prior to joining them in 1973 for Bang Records (mid-‘60s) and Uni/MCA (1968-1972), and for Capitol Records (‘The Jazz Singer’ in 1980). Born in 1941, in his five decades on disc Neil has sold 160 million albums worldwide, with 16 Top 10 albums and 37 Top 10 singles – including that with Barbra Streisand. He possesses probably one of the most distinctive voices in the business, and is second to none in putting a song across. He is also an immensely inventive songwriter. The Monkees recorded his I’m a Believer in 1966 and sold six million copies. Other songs have been covered by the Hollies, Lulu (The Boat that I Row), Elvis Presley, UB4 (UK no.1 with Red Red Wine), and many others. All 23 tracks on this album are self-penned, only four of them being with other artistes. The compilation is further enhanced by four pages of fascinating notes written by Neil himself called "Recollections". Also included in the box are five postcard pictures of the singer. I do hope that if you are not in the habit of buying popular vocal albums you will give this one a listen. PB
SACHA DISTEL ‘From Sacha With Love’ 29 tracks incl. All of Me; Let’s Do It; S’Wonderful; Sans Toi; Scoubidou … Jasmine JASCD 244 (77:11) If French is the language of romance, then surely nobody employed it to greater effect than Sacha Distel. A trained jazz guitarist, he had a musician's respect for the lyrics, and his warm, rich voice was just as seductive when his sang in his accented English. This compilation offers the best of both worlds; the first dozen tracks are from the RCA LP‘From Paris with Love’, which was arranged and conducted by Ray Ellis, the remaining 17 are sung in his native tongue. Sound quality is excellent, but tracklist information is minimal. BMC
GORDON MACRAE ‘High On A Windy Hill’ 56 tracks incl. Cara Mia; It’s Magic; Younger Than Springtime; Summertime; Jim Bowie; Little Brown Church; I Believe; Rock of Ages Jasmine JASCD 723 (78:44 & 79:58) An exemplary compilation of songs, some in stereo, by this exceptional singer. He had a glorious voice, which he used to great effect on screen, most memorably in ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘Carousel’, from which Oh, What a Beautiful Morning and Soliloquy respectively are featured. Many other songs from stage and screen are included, together with sacred songs, Christmas tunes and some singles, and Van Alexander, Frank de Vol and Paul Weston number among the accompanists.BMC
THE MILITARY WIVES ‘Stronger Together’ Presented by Gareth Malone OBE Rule the World; Right Here Waiting; Stronger Together; When Will I See You Again; In the Bleak Midwinter; Annie’s Song; Get Here; One Voice; Long and Winding Road; Songs That Won the War – Medley; Meet You at The Moon; Counting Time; Sing; In My Dreams featuring Jon-Joseph Kerr (Remembrance Version)Decca 3710695 (49:06) A follow-up to the earlier chart-topping ‘In My Dreams’ reviewed in JIM 192. This time the choirs are from Lympstone, Plymouth, Dishforth, Catterick, Portsmouth, Chivenor (the original choir), Warminster, Middle Wallop, Defence Academy, Abingdon, Salisbury Plain, Wattisham, and Marham. The CD is as heart-warming and enjoyable as its predecessor, particularly in the crystal-clear diction of the choirs. Gareth co-wrote the title song with Eliot Kennedy. Sing, of course, was the Diamond Jubilee anthem. Although all of ten minutes longer than the first album it is still short measure from Decca, and I found the small white print on a blue background for the liner notes difficult to read. But proceeds from the sales of the album (a minimum of £1 per unit sold at full price) will again support the Military Wives Choir Foundation to carry on what Gareth Malone has so commendably begun. PB
JANE MORGAN ‘At The Cocoanut Grove’ & ‘What Now My Love?’ Fascination/Love Makes the World Go Round/You and The Night and The Music; Paris Medley; The Second Time Around; The Day the Rains Came; Lillian Russell Medley; It Takes Time/Fascination (Reprise): Guess I’ll Have to Hang My Tears Out to Dry; Black Coffee; The End of the Love Affair; I’m a Fool To Want You; What Now My Love; Goodbye; It Never Entered My Mind; Love Look Away; Here’s That Rainy Day; Waiting for Charley to Come Home; Bonus Tracks: Fly Me to the Moon; Count Every Star Sepia 1215 (74:51) Always welcome to these pages, these are the last two new albums, released in 1962, of the 17 the lovely Jane made for Kapp Records, to whom we should forever be grateful for first recording her in 1956 (‘Jane Morgan – An American Songbird In Paris’ Sepia 1098). The Paris Medley, which Richard Schoener describes in his illuminating booklet notes as "a nostalgic nod to her early days as an American chanteuse in the night clubs of Paris", has Ms Morgan singing three of the five numbers in French: Mon Coeur est un Violon (My Heart is a Violin), La Petite Waltz and La Seine. Lillian Russell was one of the most famous American actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20thcenturies. Among her numbers here are Oh those Hips, Oh those Lips, Don’t Throw Stones at Mother,Moonlight Bay, Daisy Bell and Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet. Throughout the first album the orchestra is under the direction of Dick Hazard. On the second album the MDs are Peter Matz and Burt Bacharach, who also produced the record. A standout track is the title song where Bacharach – like Nelson Riddle for Shirley Bassey (both released in 1962; I wonder who thought of it first?) – uses the theme from Ravel’s Bolero as the music’s framework. The final two items listed above are "Bonus Tracks" with Jack Elliott wielding the baton. Let us hope that sales will justify the continuation of more marvellous Morgan re-issues. PB
PATTI PAGE ‘The Collection’ 18 tracks incl. With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming; Would I Love You (Love You, Love You); Mockin’ Bird Hill; Mister and Mississippi; Detour; Come What May; You Belong to Me; Why Don’t You Believe Me; Changing Partners; Cross Over the Bridge; Let Me Go Lover!; Allegheny Moon; Old Cape Cod; Left Right Out of Your Heart Spectrum 5443222 (50:52) Born Clara Ann Fowler in 1927, Miss Page died on the first day of January this year. With her distinctive vocal colour and good diction she was rated alongside Jo Stafford, Kay Starr and Rosemary Clooney and became the biggest selling female singer of the 1950s. Bigger in the US than in the UK, 111 of her singles (mainly on the Mercury label), spanning from 1948 to 1982, were in the Top 100 Billboard Chart – almost without interruption. Tennessee Waltz spent 13 weeks at the top of the chart in 1950 and went on to sell a reported 10 million copies in the States. There were three more No.1 hit singles between 1950 and 1953 (also included on this disc): All My Love (Bolero), I Went to Your Wedding, and (How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window. The last-named made the UK Singles Chart at No.9. Many of Patti’s hits had her double-tracked in duets with herself, and later releases became increasingly country flavoured. If you are without a Patti Page album on your shelves, this inexpensive digitally remastered compilation from 2001 is well worth acquiring. PB
…. SWINGS THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Andy Williams 47 tracks incl. Misty; Danny Boy; Tonight; Tammy; The Heather on the Hill … Delta 38359 (73:38 & 73:27)
Tony Bennett 48 tracks incl. Blue Velvet; Chicago; Smile; April in Paris; Jeepers Creepers …. Delta 38360 (73:25 & 72:37)
Bobby Darin 50 tracks incl. Lazy River; Things; Skylark; Caravan; Some of these Days … Delta 38361 (69:45 & 72:47)
Ray Charles 45 tracks incl. Georgia on My Mind; My Bonnie; Side by Side; Yes Indeed … Delta 38365 (72:52 & 72:14)
Johnny Mathis 50 tracks incl. Misty; Easy to Love; Stranger in Paradise; My Romance … Delta 38366 (73:57 & 73:08)
These five budget-priced 2-CD sets share the generic title and in a contest the prize would surely go to Bobby Darin. That compilation includes three Atlantic albums, namely ‘That’s All’ and ‘This is Darin’, both arranged and conducted by Richard Wess, and ‘Love Swings’ with Torrie Zito, plus eight tracks from ‘Two of a Kind’, his 1961 collaboration with Johnny Mercer, in which Billy May did the honours. Tony Bennett’s approach to the standards was more cavalier, as evidenced by Love for Saleand Crazy Rhythm, both from his 1957 album ‘The Beat of My Heart’. But his liberties pale in comparison to those of Ray Charles, whose mannerisms are most charitably described as wayward. Both Andy Williams and Johnny Mathis were great ballad singers, and both albums are weighted in favour of that aspect of their art. The songs are for the most part closely associated with the golden age of musicals, both stage and screen and the selections should commend themselves to lovers of the genre. There is a but, which is that it’s not unreasonable to expect the original play or film to be identified, but such information is lacking, as are also any details of the accompaniments. BMC
DAVID WHITFIELD ‘Cara Mia’ Cara Mia; My Son John; When You Lose The One You Love; I’ll Find You; On The Street Where You Live; Song Of The Vagabonds; Climb Ev’ry Mountain; Trees; You Are Too Beautiful; Hear My Song Violetta; Look For The Silver Lining … 66 tracks 3 CDs [178:48]Memory Lane GLM/Y-52 This collection by one of Britain’s most popular singers of the 1950s is divided into three sections: ‘Showcase’, ‘Treasured Moments From Stage And Screen’ and ‘Favourites Through The Years’. The brief track details above include pieces from each of them, so you’ll know what to expect. David Whitfield almost exploded onto the popular music scene in 1954 with Cara Mia, in which he was accompanied by none other than Mantovani (who also co-composed the song). It sold over a million copies in the USA, but the excellent booklet notes by Martin Moritz remind us that it was not actually David’s first taste of chart success. His first Decca singles were released a year before Cara Mia, and his version of Answer Me (the original melody was written by the famous German light music composer Gerhard Winkler) reached the charts accompanied by Stanley Black. Numerous singles followed, in which David was given backings by the top arrangers and conductors on Decca – Roland Shaw, Stanley Black, Cyril Stapleton and, of course, Mantovani. Although he continued working into the 1970s it was the pre-Beatles era of the 1950s that witnessed David Whitfield’s phenomenal success. This is admirably captured in this great souvenir of a very good singer. DA
The following eight reviews are all by Paul Clatworthy
‘THE PHILADELPHIA STORY’ 1940 DSOY 909 (72:07) 17 tracks
‘THE MALTESE FALCON’ 1941 DSOY 902 (73:36) 17 tracks
‘THE PALEFACE’ 1948 DSOY 898 (77:36) 20 tracks
Three more in this series that recreated radio versions of the films, augmented with popular songs of the year. Each sleeve note is a history lesson in miniature, and the tunes are carefully picked and well performed by various bands and singers. PC
LOU STERN and his Jazz Sextet ‘That Was Yesterday’ DSOY 908 (54:07). 20 tracks featuring Billy Butterfield, Peanuts Hucko, Tony Mottola, Bob Carter and Cliff Leeman. PC
JOHNNY MERCER’S ‘Music Shop III’ DSOY 900 (70:49) 28 tracks featuring Jo Stafford, The Pied Pipers with June Hutton, Paul Weston and his orchestra, Wendel Myles, Roberta Lee, Beaulah and Arthur Treacher. PC
JOHNNY MERCER’S ‘Music Shop IV’ DSOY 906 (73:39) 32 tracks featuring Jo Stafford, The Pied Pipers with June Hutton, Paul Weston and his orchestra, guests Roy Rogers and Diana Lynn. PC
PERRY COMO ‘At The Supper Club Part IV’ DSOY 897 (76:10) Twenty eight tracks featuring The Satisfiers, The Modernaires, The Fontane sisters, The Starlighters and guests Connie Haynes, Vivian Blane, Spike Jones, Jerry Colonna and Charles Boyer. PC
BING CROSBY ‘Love Is’ DSOY 903 (72:42) 26 tracks with the Orchestras of VIC Shoen, John Scott Trotter, Victor Young, Joseph Lilley, Morris Stoloff and Lyn Murray. Featured: The Andrews Sisters, The Rhythmaires, Ken Derby Choir, Burl Ives, Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Diana Shore, Peggy Lee and Evelyn Knight. PC
DUKE ELLINGTON ‘Black, Brown & Beige’ Sal Andolina (alto sax) Tony DiLorenzo (trumpet) Amy Licata (violin) Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra / JoAnn Falletta Harlem; Black, Brown, & Beige Suite; Three Black Kings (King of the Magi, King Solomon, Martin Luther King); The River Suite (The Spring, The Meander, The Giggling Rapids, The Lake, The River); Take the A-Train Naxos American Classics 8.559737 (78.30) The best description for this unusual CD is "Symphonic Jazz" with tones of Ferde Grofe discernible, yet all the tracks are quite different. The River in particular is almost straight symphonic music while Harlem is more mainstream jazz. If you like a broad interpretation of a theme with clarinet, alto sax and trumpet solos weaving their melodies backed by a fine brassy orchestra then you will certainly enjoy this. EW
TED HEATH AND HIS BAND ‘Listen To My Music’ 3 CDs 69 tracks. [187:13] Memory Lane GLM/Y-56 Many of us already have Ted Heath’s records in our collections, but the joy of new compilations is that you get the chance to hear the music in a different sequence which – depending upon the expertise of the compiler – can sometimes be a revelation. The first of these 3 CDs is entitled ‘Showcase’, and features well-known Heath favourites such as Dragnet, Take the ‘A’ Train, Hot Toddy, The Faithful Hussar, Swingin’ Shepherd Blues, Tom Hark, Bakerloo Non-Stop etc. On CD 2 we are offered ‘The Pleasure Of Their Company’ in which the Band accompanies the great singers in Heath’s stable, including Lita Roza (Blacksmith Blues, Allentown Jail); Dennis Lotis (Hit And Run Affair, Sam’s Song); Dickie Valentine (You Belong To Me, Mona Lisa); Joan Regan (Heartaches); Paul Carpenter (Try A Little Tenderness); Anne Shelton (Wonderful One); and even Mel Tormé (Walkin’ Shoes). It’s back to the great familiar Heath repertoire for ‘All-Time Favourites’ featuring Tuxedo Junction, Cherokee, I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, etc. Great sound, great booklet, great collection! DA
PAUL ASARO & THE FAT BABIES ‘What A Heavenly Dream’ 14 tracks incl. Truckin'; Your Feet's Too Big; I Wish I Were Twins; Sweet and Slow; I'll Dance at Your Wedding; Blue, Turning Grey Over You; Don't Let It Bother You … Rivermont BSW-2222 (54:28) Fats Waller & his Rhythm was a small swing group whose recordings have added greatly to the gaiety of the human race. Fats himself was a sensational pianist with a great sense of fun and an enormous personality, and anyone wanting to follow in his footsteps faces a daunting task. Hats off then to Paul Asaro, whose group the Fat Babies has succeeded spectacularly in capturing the essence of Fats’ playing and singing. Paul’s liner note sets out the approach they adopted, which aimed to recapture the spirit of Fats’ recordings whilst deliberately avoiding a note-for-note approach. Recording quality is exemplary, and I recommend this CD unreservedly. BMC
‘COME DANCING’ …’In the 1930s’ 22 tracks incl. The Continental (Lew Stone); Pick Yourself Up(Harry Roy); It’s Just The Time For Dancing (Henry Hall); South Of The Border (Joe Loss) … ‘In the 1940s’ 22 tracks incl. I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo (Glenn Miller); Yes My Darling Daughter(Geraldo); Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree (The Andrews Sisters); Stardust (Tommy Dorsey) …’In the 1950s’ 22 tracks incl. La Ronde (Mantovani); Blue Tango (Ray Martin); Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White (Eddie Calvert); The Creep (Ken Mackintosh); The Wedding Samba (Edmundo Ros) …3 CDs [194:51] Memory Lane/ Yesteryear GLM/Y-28. When I first picked up this collection and saw the cover I expected to be in for a non-stop session of Victor Silvester. How wrong I was! Much as I admire Silvester, over 60 tracks of his music might be just a shade too much (he appears on just two). What we have here is an inspired compilation of popular recordings that are also admirably suited to dancing. Each of the decades featured was notable for some great popular records, and you’ll discover many familiar friends, plus a few pleasant surprises. The tracks have been well remastered, and nicely sequenced. Simply 3 CDs of some of the most enjoyable popular music of many of our lifetimes … what more could you ask? DA
HARRY GOLD AND HIS PIECES OF EIGHT ‘Parade of the Pieces’ 28 tracks incl. The Darktown Strutters Ball; An Eight - Piece Band (on a Nine Day Cruise); Blue Ribbon Gal; Long John Stomp; Tin Pan Alley Rag; Ory's Creole Trombone; Rhythm Rag; There'll be Some Changes Made; Davenport Blues; Dixie; Black and Blue; Clarinet Blues …. Dutton Vocalion CDEA 6210 (76.39) Harry Gold formed his band in the late 1940's and modelled his outfit on Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven and Bob Crosby's Bobcats but his style was very much his own built around Harry fronting on bass-sax and his brother Laurie on tenor-sax. They enjoyed about 50 years of playing with regular billing on radio and TV and overcoming the trauma of Rock ‘n' Roll in the mid 1950's – even appearing on the teenage show ‘Six-five Special’ on BBC-TV Saturday nights … remember? The album concentrates on the early days of the band, 1949-52, when the band also included the exciting sounds of Cyril Ellis on trumpet supported by the Norrie Paramor on piano, Bert Weedon on guitar and Geoff Love on trombone before they became national "musical treasures". The material recorded was a mixture of jazz standards and original compositions by Harry, Norrie and Geoff. My personal favourites instrumentally are a rollicking performance of the jazzed-up rendition of National Emblemand Geoff Love's Parade of the Pieces. What makes the CD special are some of the vocal contributions. Before the days of "Manuel" Geoff Love was no mean trad-jazz singer as witnessed onI Love a Mystery, Did You Ever Try Frying Snowballs and The Ghost of Old Man Mose (a Love/Paramor original) with his characteristic rolling "r"s. Harry & Laurie bring their vocals to the fore in an hilarious performance of Old MacDonald resplendent with farmyard noises. In what must be her recording debut, mention must be made of Georgia Brown with her two numbers Sweet Georgia Brown and Don't Bring Me Posies, long before she graced the West End stage as the original Nancy in Lionel Bart's ‘Oliver’. The last nine tracks are from a series of Jazz Club releases which, apart from Harry, Laurie and Geoff, have Sid Phillips, Jack Jackson, Freddy Gardner and Max Abrams in the line-up – bonus treasures indeed. The presentation is first class, with a personal liner note from Harry's son Dave accompanied by photographs from the Gold archive. In the re-mastering department Mike Dutton has again performed miracles. Overall a fabulous album … buy it … enjoy it. BMC
CARROLL GIBBONS & HIS BOYFRIENDS Volume 4 ‘Living In Dreams’ 25 tracks incl. Cabin the Cotton; Give Me a Ring (selection); Tony’s Wife; Ain’t She Dainty; Who do You Think You Are?; Not Bad … Vocalion CDEA 6204 (72:40)
Volume 5 ‘Wake Up And Live’ 24 tracks incl. He’s not Dressing (sel); Sing Baby sing (sel); I Double Dare You; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (selection) … Vocalion CDEA 6209 (73:32)
HENRY HALL & THE BBC DANCE ORCHESTRA Volume 4 ‘What A Perfect Combination’ 26 tracks incl. Balloons; In the Moonlight; Moonstruck; Experiment; After You, Who?; I Don’t Want to go to Bed … Vocalion CDEA 6207 (78:13)
JACK PAYNE & HIS ORCHESTRA Volume 7 ‘Coffee In The Morning’ 24 tracks incl. Over on the Sunny Side; Moon Country; Ill Wind; Who Made Little Boy Blue?; The Moon was Yellow; I Think I Can … Vocalion CDEA 6208 (74:41)
Volume 4 of The Boyfriends spans mid-1932 to mid-1934, three early tracks feature both the American violinist Matt Malneck and vocals by Cecile Petrie, and the selection from Give Me a Ring is a piano solo by Carroll. Fourteen of the tracks include Johnny Green, and the two pianists use On the Air and Not Bad as an opportunity to trade friendly insults. Apart from two May 1934 sides, Volume 5 covers the period from spring 1936 to late 1938, and presents fifteen selections (against the earlier compilation’s four) plus two medleys, so it covers a lot of tunes.
Henry Hall was recruited by the BBC in January 1932, not 1928, as shown in the liner note (mea culpa!) and this compilation covers a year from November 1932. The band was in superlative form, as witness the bouncing rhythm of Balloons, or the drive of What a Perfect Combination, both sung by Les Allen. He provides all but three of the vocals; Bud Flanagan & Chesney Allen duet onDreaming, and Phyllis Robins does the honours on Snowball.
The CD of Henry’s predecessor Jack Payne also offers a 12-month selection, beginning in February 1934, when his recordings began to be issued on the Rex label. He shares vocal honours with Billy Scott-Comber, and Ronnie Genarder gets a look in with True. The band had a very full punchy sound, which could be throttled back for ballads, or let rip on hotter numbers.
All of these compilations offer a great selection of songs, for many of which this is the first reissue, and Mike Dutton’s remastering leaves nothing to be desired. Liner notes are by yours truly. BMC
THE SAVOY ORPHEANS, SAVOY HAVANA BAND & THE SYLVIANS 1923-1927 ’Everybody Stomp’ 24 tracks incl. Raggedy Ann; Everybody Loves My Baby; When My Sugar Walks Down the Street: Stomp Off, Let’s Go; Static Strut; Mississippi Mud ... Retrieval RTR 79070 (73:43) The previous compilation of the early Savoy bands was the World Record Club double-LP, and it's hardly surprising that a dozen of the titles from that selection reappear here. The earliest, Sister Kate, dates from April 1923, and Nick Dellow's liner note refers to its Dixieland feel, although its rhythmic impulse carries strong ragtime echoes. There's a novelty element about this side, most obviously in Bert Ralton's ragged clarinet solo, and this aspect also infuses the next two numbers; the muted trumpet sounding tearful on Farewell Blues, and clucking on Henpecked Blues (not forgetting the Swanee whistle on Any Way the Wind Blows). Initially this may distract from appreciation of the solid musicianship involved, but as the CD progresses the high calibre of sidemen chosen for these recording sessions becomes increasingly evident. Outstanding amongst the early acoustic tracks is a bouncing version of Eccentric that bears comparison with the classic New Orleans Rhythm Kings version, and a Copenhagen which is notable for a doubling-up of the rhythm for the ride-out. Some of the arrangements involve tricky syncopated rhythms, which is where the rock-steady rhythm section pays dividends. Whether playing popular songs of the day, or outright jazz, the various personnel acquit themselves with distinction, and no serious collector of the golden age of British dance bands – or those interested in the development of hot dance music outside of the USA – should be without this splendid reissue, lovingly restored from the original 78s, half of which were recorded acoustically. BMC
‘THEN...THE ROARING TWENTIES’ 80 tracks incl. Gene Austin My Blue Heaven; Fletcher Henderson St. Louis Shuffle; Cliff Edwards Singing in the Rain; Lee Morse Moanin’ Low; Jack HyltonMaybe it’s Me … AUPCD123 (63:05, 61:53, 62:30, 64:41)
‘THEN…THE SWINGING THIRTIES’ 80 tracks incl. Chick Webb Heebie Jeebies; Libby Holman Love for Sale; Douglas Byng Miss Otis Regrets; Andre Kostelanetz Chant of the Weed; Lale Anderson Lilli Marlene; Fats Waller Sextette from Lucia di Lammemoor … AUPCD126 (75:48, 79:44, 78:48, 77:32)
AP Music has produced a series of decade-based 4-CD sets, of which I’ve chosen the first two. They present a cornucopia of jazz, dance bands and personalities from stage, and later screen, drawn mainly from the USA. The net has been cast wider than usual to include some less obvious choices. Sound quality is variable but generally acceptable, and the tracklists are minimal, but at around £7 per set this has to be a gift horse. BMC
AL BOWLLY ‘…. Remembers’ 24 tracks incl. Happy Go Lucky You; Night and Day; Fancy Our Meeting; The Little Dutch Mill; Isle of Capri; Judy; If I had a Million Dollars; Goodnight Angel …Vocalion CDEA 6203 (75:31) Most of Al Bowlly’s recordings have been reissued on CD, and in this case, both Volumes 1 & 2 of the Memory Lane series "Al Bowlly in his Own Right", together with Sunflower and Rex have covered much the same ground. That said, this is a winning selection in which, as Ray Pallett points out in his excellent liner note, Al also sings the verse on the majority of titles, and is featured in a more intimate setting than usual. My favourite track is the very first, which combines a superior reprise of Al’s 1933 recording of Lover Come Back to Me with the evocativeDancing in the Dark. BMC
SOUSA ‘Music For Wind Band • 11’ The Royal Swedish Navy Band / Keith Brion 14 tracks incl. Keeping Step With the Union March; Wolverine March; Globe and Eagle March; On Parade March; Tally Ho Overture; We Are Coming March; National Fencibles March; Guide Right March; You’re the Flower of My Heart – Sweet Adeline Fantasy Naxos 8.559690 (68:06) With the latest instalment in this long running series comes another change of band with Naxos swapping one Scandinavian navy band for another having crossed the frontier between Norway and Sweden to engage the services of The Royal Swedish Navy Band which, according to the informative booklet note, has been going continuously since the 1680’s and comprises 30 full-time professional musicians. Furthermore it is Sweden’s only professional military band and has played a key role in the development of the country’s wind band music. Even for a seasoned Sousa enthusiast most if not all the titles included on this CD will be largely unfamiliar. But fear not, gentle reader, since many of the tunes here will be familiar to you. As an opener the Mother Hubbard March makes effective use of no less than seven nursery tunes, whilst the 18-minute In Parlour and Street Fantasy makes use of popular melodies from the world of opera and operetta including the famous Anvil Chorus. Another Fantasy, In Pulpit and Pew, features well-known hymn tunes commencing with Onward Christian Soldiers and proceeding via others such as Abide With Me to conclude with Adeste Fideles. The final march deploys to good effect what Sousa considered the most beautiful of all folk songs – Annie Laurie. Another march worthy of note is the 1917 Liberty Loan, which commemorates US government bonds sold in support of WW1, with chimes simulating the celebrated Liberty Bell. Production standards are very high indeed with both recording and performances by this superlative band in the demonstration class. So do get on board before you have too big a back log to catch up with! RH
‘THE ROAD TO HONG KONG’ & ‘SAY ONE FOR ME’ 28 tracks incl. ‘The Road To Hong Kong’ Overture*; Let’s Not Be Sensible; Moon Over Hong Kong**; Team Work; The Only Way To Travel*; The Chase**; The Road To Hong Kong; Let’s Not Be Sensible Blues*; Reluctant Astronauts**; Warmer Than A Whisper; Lamasery Chant** / Say One For Me; You Can’t Love ‘Em All; The Girl Most Likely To Succeed; The Night That Rock And Roll Died (Almost\); I Couldn’t Care Less; Chico’s Choo-Choo; The Secret Of Christmas (* Robert Farnon & Orchestra; ** composed by Robert Farnon)Sepia 1216 (75:23) These two Bing Crosby original soundtrack albums appear on CD for the first time so are quite historical aural documents. This was the seventh "Road" movie, words by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen, filmed in 1962 at Shepperton Studios in Middlesex, England starring Bing, Bob Hope, Joan Collins and Dorothy Lamour. But the main interest to JIM readers will probably be that Robert Farnon was the musical director and wrote four of the seven non-singing tracks played by his orchestra. ‘Say One For Me’ is a 20th Century-Fox film from four years earlier and starred Bing, Robert Wagner, Debbie Reynolds and Ray Walston. Words and music are again by Cahn and Van Heusen, conducted this time by Academy Award winner Lionel Newman, who was an Oscar nominee for this score but lost out to André Previn and Ken Darby’s ‘Porgy and Bess’. Pianist Buddy Cole accompanies Bing on I couldn’t care, and Judy Harriett’s voice on The Night Rock and Roll is dubbed by Rosemary June. The CD is completed by three bonus tracks of what are called "Pop Versions" of three Crosby numbers from the film: two with Frank De Vol and his Orchestra, and one with the Percy Faith Orchestra (a track originally rejected!) reminding us that "The Secret of Christmas is not the things you do at Christmastime but the Christmas things you do all year through." The fine sound restoration by Robin Cherry and Malcolm Macfarlane’s mine of information booklet notes are what we have come to expect from this label. I enjoyed it a lot. RP
RICHARD ARNELL ‘The Unnumbered Symphonies’ Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Martin Yates Overture ‘1940’; Sinfonia; Dagenham Symphony - Suite from the film ‘Opus 65’; Landscapes and Figures Dutton Epoch CDLX 7299 (78:20) Richard Arnell died a forlorn figure in 2009 and could not bear to look at his vast repertoire of unplayed and unrecorded music. In 1939 he found himself trapped in America with no return passage so stayed put and made a name there instead. He later returned home and was championed by a number of people including Sir Thomas Beecham. He also composed several film scores, including some for Alfred Hitchcock in Hollywood. The Sinfonia has unmistakable tones of Sibelius with a dash of Walton while the Dagenham Symphony was composed for a Ford car making documentary with the film shot to fit the music!Overture ‘1940’ and Landscapes and Figures are well worth hearing, the latter consisting of eight contrasting pieces. These world premiere recordings would have put a smile on the face of a composer who thought he had been forgotten … not any more! EW
‘BALLROOM CLASSICS’ Waltzes, Polkas & Galops by The Strauss Family • Lanner • Leh?r • Suppé • Waldteufel • Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra / Willi Boskovsky EMI 5099995657127 This jumbo sized 11|CD box set usefully collects together virtually all the recordings of the above repertoire that the inimitable Willi Boskovsky made for EMI throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He did not normally step outside the Viennese dance tradition but what considerably makes this release the more attractive is the inclusion for the first time complete on CD of the two LP recordings (originally on the HMV Greensleeve label) that he made in the 1970s, with the Monte Carlo Opera and the London Philharmonic Orchestras, of an excellent selection of waltzes and polkas by the Parisian "waltz king" Emile Waldteuful. Good though the Marco Polo series devoted to this composer was, I think Boskovsky brings just a little extra sparkle to this music. The box can be acquired for less than £2 a disc. Given generous playing time, consistently good sound and thoroughly idiomatic playing, anyone interested in the dance music of this period should lose no time in grabbing this treasure trove while they can. RH
‘BRITISH OPERA OVERTURES’ Victorian Opera Orchestra / Richard Bonynge 10 tracks containing music by Benedict, Barnett, Balfe, Loder, Wallace, Macfarren, & Goring Thomas SOMMCD 0123 (74:36)
In the latter years of the 19th century it became somewhat fashionable for some of our European cousins to label the British Isles "The Land Without Music". This was not only unfair, it was decidedly untrue. We had music colleges, concert halls, orchestras, conductors and composers aplenty! This new release from SOMM is collaboration with Victorian Opera Northwest, whose Musical Director is the internationally renowned conductor Richard Bonynge. VON was established to promote the many excellent, but largely forgotten, operas of the era by British and Irish composers, whose work used to be extremely popular but has been unjustly neglected in more recent times. The names of the operas, and indeed the composers, will be largely unfamiliar. The only two of the latter which immediately spring to my mind are Julius Benedict (whose Piano Concerto is presently enjoying a bit of a revival, thanks to Classic fM) and Michael William Balfe, whose opera ‘The Bohemian Girl’ (not represented here) includes the well-known aria I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls. The tracks on this release feature overtures from ten operas by seven composers, the productions spanning the years between 1834 and 1893. The well-illustrated booklet features comprehensive notes describing the works and the composers, and also about the English Opera movement, all of which helps to place the music in context. Whilst none of this will be at all familiar to most listeners, it is very accessible and enjoyable, and much credit is due to SOMM and VON for their initiative in producing this CD, which I’m sure will appeal to those who are on the lookout for something a "bit out of the ordinary".TC
ELGAR ‘The Longed-For Light – Elgar’s Music In Wartime’ BBC Concert Orchestra / John Wilson • Simon Callow (speaker) • Susan Gritton (soprano) Tracks incl. Carillon; Sospiri; Carissima; Le Drapeau Belge; Rosemary; Sursum Corda SOMMCD 247 (75:10) The incredibly versatile BBC house band fronted by our starriest younger conductor in his debut on this label brings us an interesting compilation of music from arguably our foremost composer. Apart from the last item listed above –composed in 1894 – the works here were written from shortly before the beginning of the Great War in 1914 until 1917 and are expressions of Elgar’s patriotism and his sorrowfulness at the events unfolding in Europe. The three longest works (none more than 18 minutes) are Polonia, written for the Polish Victims’ Relief Fund Concert in July 1915; Une Voix dans le Désert featuring both speaker (also heard on Carillon and Le Drapeau) and soloist; and The Sanguine Fan, a single-act ballet written as another of the pieces composed to raise money for wartime charities. Neil Varley produced the recording at Watford Colosseum in February 2012. There is a 30-page booklet of background information in English and French. Probably this album is not normal KT fare although, being Elgar, there are some good tunes. So, if the programme appeals, with these artistes and SOMM’s production values a highly satisfying listen is assured. ET
ELGAR ‘Starlight Express’ Simon Callow (narrator) • Roderick Williams (baritone) • Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano) • Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Sir Andrew Davis Chandos CHSA 5111/2 (138.08) A wonderful complete version of this lovely fairy tale set to the background of Elgar’s Wand of Youth Suites in a totally different guise. In addition there are three extra songs and a lengthy suite arranged by Andrew Davis himself. Highly recommended for the music alone but you are sure to enjoy the story too. PW
RICHARD EILENBERG ‘Waltzes Marches & Polkas’ Cologne WDR Radio Orchestra / Christian Simonis CPO 77734212 15 tracks (68:52) The German born Gottlob Richard Eilenberg (1848-1927)) was nothing if not prolific with his opus numbers extending to around 350, encompassing marches, dances, salon music, chamber pieces, a ballet and several operettas. His two most popular works St Petersburg Sleigh Ride and The Mill in the Black Forest are both included on this enterprising new release, the latter a charming piece with simulated bird trills. There are too many delights on this disc to cover all of them in detail, so suffice to say you will discover an archetypal salon piece to enchant the ear, described as a "Love idyll", The Hearts First Beat, a lovely spacious waltz Under Italy’s Blue Sky that would not disgrace any member of the Strauss family, aMandolin Serenade in which the plucked strings of the violin imitate the sound of the aforesaid instrument, and the attractive character study In the Smithy in the Woods – apparently a favourite of Kaiser William! For a composer with such a generous melodic facility his neglect for many years is baffling, as is his continued absence from the New Year’s Day concerts in Vienna. Hopefully this disc will help to make some amends and stimulate an increasing interest in his music. Both recording and performances by one of Germany’s fine radio orchestras are uniformly fine, and this fascinating and appealing disc can be heartily recommended – in fact it was a real tonic to play for the first time on a grey, dismal day. Now let’s hope that CPO get round to producing a CD of the dance music of the Hungarian Joseph Gung’l whose waltzes in particular were regularly played by many light music ensembles during the golden days of BBC radio. RH
RODERICK ELMS ‘Moody Moves’ The Aurora Ensemble Moody Moves - Sextet for Piano and Winds; Il Cygnet; Cygnopations; Twelve Astrological Preludes; Fandango Frivolo; Carillon Festiva; Fandango Fantastico; Carillon da Festa Herald HAVPCD 320 (75:43) We are all familiar with the name of Roderick Elms through his work as a distinguished pianist and organist on many recordings and of course appearances over the years on the BBC paricularly with the BBC Concert Orchestra on programmes such as "Friday Night is Music Night". His music covers many styles and ranges in diversity from solo instrumental to symphonic compositions. I am always reluctant to categorise music but would say his music sits very happily in the company of Richard Rodney Bennett or Philip Lane, his light music is just that: light with a bit extra! Readers will no doubt have heard his very entertaining Christmas disc entitled ‘Festive Frolic’ with the RPO on the Naxos label, or ‘A Little Fall-ish’, recordings of some of his instrumental music from the Dutton stable. It is Roderick Elms’ instrumental music we are concerned with here with this latest disc from the enterprising Herald label. Moody Moves, the title piece, is a six-movement sextet for piano and winds and is for me an enchanting work with such titles as Amorous Antiphon, Retro Romance, Funky Fugato, and the piece ends with a Saucy Saltarello. Think of Britten’s Simple Symphony and you will get the idea. The pianist is Joanna Smith, with the excellent Aurora Ensemble, a young, gifted group formed in 1996, whom our local music society had the pleasure of hearing a couple of years ago. The distinguished saxophonist Kyle Horch appears in two pieces for saxophone and piano again with Joanna Smith, these being originally written for cor anglais but translate superbly to the sax as transcribed by Kyle. Roderick Elms himself appears at the piano for the other main work on the CD here appearing complete for the first time – Twelve Astrological Preludes for piano. Interestingly the work started life as just one short piece Aquarius, but at the suggestion of a BBC producer Roderick wrote the other eleven to create a suite albeit over a period of two years! The character and style of each prelude alludes to certain traits of its birth sign and even more interesting is that the composer adopts an Elgarian mode by adding to that sign the initials of a friend born under the same. This must lead to interesting discussions within the Elms household. There are as you might expect works for organ on the record played on the organ of Brentwood Cathedral by Stuart Nicholson, what you would not expect is that Iwo of the pieces also feature the guitar, played by Victoria Green. Such an unlikely combination you might think – a large organ and guitar? Yet such is the skill of the writing and performing they are quite simply amazing, delightful music; Fandango Frivolo and Fandango Fantastico are the pieces and the solo organ pieces are Carillon de Festa and Carillon Festivo. It is a long time since I heard such an entertaining and varied programme with many pleasant surprises along the way. Warmly recommended. DD
HOWARD GOODALL ‘Inspired’ The Essential Collection Laura Wright (soprano) • Noah Stewart (tenor) • Enchanted Voices • Craig Ogden • Howard Goodall Chamber Orchestra ClassicfM CFMD28 19 tracks (77:25) At the time of writing the personable Mr Goodall is almost as ubiquitous on radio and TV as Clare Balding. His album released earlier this year is a toothsome mix of new and re-arranged works. The title track is one of the former featuring both the renowned guitarist Craig Ogden and the solo violin of the 31-piece orchestra leader John Mills. Listeners will recognize the themes from Mr Bean (Ecco Homo) and The Vicar of Dibley (Psalm 23). The composer is the solo pianist on Piano Fantasy: Tongue-Tied (from Red Dwarf), Shackleton’s Cross, Nocturnes(from the musical Love Story) and Blackadder Went Forth. Laura Wright sings Agnes Dei (fromEternal Light: A Requiem) and Pro Alios Curantibus (For Those Who Care for Others). The major work is a new 10-part oratorio Every Purpose Under the Heaven inspired by the beautiful poetry of the King James Bible to celebrate its 400th anniversary. As well as the noted soloists the 22 Enchanted Voices are joined here by the 25-strong Chamber Choir of Lincoln Minster School. Not perhaps "a modern-day ‘Messiah’" (as I read somewhere) but 46 minutes of music to warm the heart. PB
MICHAEL HURD ‘Orchestral Music & Pop Cantatas’ New London Orchestra & New London Children’s Choir / Ronald Corp Orchestral Music - Overture To An Unwritten Comedy; Sinfonia Concertante; Dance Diversions; Concerto da Camera; Little Suite; Plaine and Fancie; Harlequin Suite. Pop Cantatas - Charms and Ceremonies; Hip Hip Horatio; Nine Of Anon; A New Nowell 2 CDs Dutton Epoch CDLX7297 (135:01) The Michael Hurd Estate has generously provided support for this latest CD of his works, which will help to make his music available to a wide audience. Many of the recordings are world premieres, and it seems such a pity that Hurd (he died in 2006 aged 77) did not live to hear his music performed by such talented musicians. I wonder if he ever came into contact with Sir Vivian Dunn, because the booklet notes tell us that Michael Hurd spent six years on the staff of the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal. Before that he had studied composition with Lennox Berkeley and read music at Pembroke College, Oxford. He has written extensively about music, and today is chiefly known for his vocal and choral works, often with an appeal for young people. The first CD is devoted to orchestral music, and it is all new to me. My main impression is that it is tuneful and accessible, and I will certainly enjoy getting to know it better. The second CD comprising ‘Pop Cantatas’ also has some delightful moments, and the enthusiasm of the soloists and choir is beyond question. If, like me, you are unfamiliar with the music of Michael Hurd, then my advice would be to give strong consideration to adding this collection to your music library. These days it is possible to hear snippets of CD tracks on various internet music sites, and I would recommend that you make use of this helpful facility. Dutton/Epoch are offering these 2 CDs at the usual price for just one, so this is a bargain. It is worth quoting from Epoch’s own publicity: "In this attractive programme, issued as a 2-CD set, Dutton Epoch presents two sides of English composer Michael Hurd's (1928-2006) musical persona. The first disc is devoted to various charming orchestral compositions spanning the late 1960s to the early 1990s, and is effectively another entry in Dutton Epoch's British Light Music series. Lorraine McAslan is the persuasive soloist in Hurd's Sinfonia Concertante, one of Hurd's first substantial orchestral works. Oboist Nicholas Daniel is featured in the Concerto da Camera. Dating from the late 1970s, the composer remarked that it formed a ‘tribute to the genius of Francis Poulenc, and like his work seeks simply to ‘give delight and hurt not' in a world where obfuscation and gloom are too often the order of the day." Over on disc two we have four compositions for large children's choir with orchestral accompaniment and, in some cases, more modest forces. With flair and panache, Ronald Corp leads the New London Orchestra and New London Children's Choir, aided and abetted by various soloists, through this delightful programme, giving us a valuable insight into the colourful musical world of Michael Hurd. DA
MENDELSSOHN ‘Violin Concertos’ Tianwa Yang Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväsklä / Patrick Gallois Naxos 8.55937 (66:41) Those who responded to the review of Tianwa Yang’s Sarasate album in JIM 193 will need no further recommendation to buy her latest release. The 26-year-old Chinese violinist resident in Germany has been called "an unquestionable master of the violin" who "rises above her competition". Here the very popular E Minor Concerto is coupled, not as it invariably is with the Tchaikovsky or Bruch concerti, but with an attractive much lesser known Concerto in DMinor written when Mendelssohn was only 14-years-old. The album is completed by the Violin Sonata in F Minor, another fresh sounding early work, where Miss Yang is accompanied by pianist Romain Descharmes. With outstanding playing throughout, this release is very hard to resist however many other versions of the E minor one already has. ET
‘NEW YEAR’S CONCERT 2013’ Vienna Philharmonic / Franz Welser-M?st 2-CDs Sony 88765411632 Alongside the customary pieces by the Strauss Family et al, this world-famous event from Vienna included works by Suppé, Verdi and Wagner. It was a first performance at one of these concerts for 11 of the 20 tracks. No further recommendation needed! PB
PARRY ‘Works For Chorus and Orchestra’ Amanda Roocroft (soprano) BBC National Chorus of Wales BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Neeme Järvi Chandos CHAN 10740(75:15) This is a very desirable release of melodic music from the somewhat neglected English composer Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918). Four of the six pieces are premiere recordings: the opening Te Deum, written for the coronation of King George V in 1911, the 19-minute suite The Birds of Aristophanes, James Shirley’s funeral ode The Glories of Our Blood and State, andMagnificat, first performed at the 1897 Hereford Three Choirs Festival. England is a musical setting of Shakespeare’s famous speech from Richard II, "This royal throne of Kings, this sceptered island, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars." Jerusalem is in the original version with the soprano singing the first verse. All those taking part in the recording are on top form, none more so than the Estonian conductor. Jeremy Dibble’s booklet notes are enhanced by an introduction from that champion of Parry’s music HRH The Prince of Wales. Wholeheartedly recommended. ET
‘SOUND THE TRUMPET – Royal Music of Purcell & Handel’
Alison Balsom (natural trumpets) The English Concert / Trevor Pinnock (director, harpsichord and organ) 26 tracks EMI 4403292 (66:19) The booklet notes tell us that "trumpeters were the true heroes of the Baroque: the best-paid musicians of their day and the stars that the courts of Europe fought over." For this album the UK’s lovely leading exponent of the instrument switches to the glorious sounding valve-less baroque version to bring us nine works including duets on Handel’s Eternal Source of Light Divine and Purcell’s title piece with countertenor Iestyn Davies; and Purcell’s The Fairy Queen – The Plaint with soprano Lucy Crowe. Here we are transported to another Age, and jolly good it sounds too. ET
LEOPOLD STOKOWSI ‘The Columbia Stereo Recordings’ 10 CDs Sony 88691971152 An outstanding box set from the musical magician of Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ fame with many approachable items including Beethoven’s "Emperor" Piano Concerto (with Glenn Gould); Bizet’s Carmen andL’Arlésienne Suites Nos 1 & 2; Flight of the Bumble Bee, Clair de lune, Perpetuum mobile,Humoresque and six other Stokowski transcriptions; Tchaikovsky’s Aurora’s Wedding (music fromThe Sleeping Beauty); and Bizet’s youthful Symphony in C – this being "Stoky’s" very last recording made shortly before his death, aged 95, in 1977. The first four albums from the 1960s are with the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra (Stokowski was conductor from 1912 to 1938, making it into the world’s plushiest symphony orchestra) and the rest from the late 1970s – four made in West Ham Central Mission, two at the EMI Studios – with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, a specially made up ensemble of top British musicians engaged for recording sessions. Each CD is a miniature copy of the original LP even down to the grooves. You will need a magnifying glass to read the sleeve notes although not for Edward Johnson’s booklet notes. With good sound, this is fantastic value at over eight hours of music for under £16 on the net. ET
SIGMUND GROVEN (harmonica) with Ivar Anton Waagaard (piano) ‘Classical Harmonica’The Sally Gardens (Trad. Arr. Britten); Clair De Lune (Debussy); Fjellvind (E. Groven); Broomy Hill (James Moody); Capricious (Tommy Reilly); Der Var Ein Gong (Sigmund Groven); Bavarian Woodpecker (Tommy Reilly/James Moody) etc… 33 tracks (Norway) Grappa GRCD4393. [75:19] Our good friend (and RFS member) Sigmund Groven continues to produce impressive collections featuring his chosen instrument. For many years he worked closely with Tommy Reilly, so it is hardly surprising that he has become one of the foremost players of the harmonica. As the booklet notes remind us, Sir George Martin has described him as follows: "In the right hands the harmonica can be an instrument of great beauty and sophistication. Sigmund Groven, like Tommy Reilly and Larry Adler before him, makes full use of the wide range and tonal expressions that the harmonica is capable of. His musicianship is superb, and he now unquestionably reigns supreme as one of the finest exponents of the harmonica in the world." Sigmund’s notes in the booklet are in English as well as Norwegian. Collectors who avidly purchase all the CDs featuring Sigmund will already have more than 20 on their shelves. They should not hesitate to add this latest one as well. DA
‘ORGAN SPECTACULAR’ featuring famous organists such as Reginald Dixon, Sidney Torch, Bobby Pagan, Ken Griffin, Ethel Smith, Robin Richmond, Klaus Wunderlich, George Wright, Jesse Crawford, Quentin Maclean, Sandy MacPherson, Lloyd Thomas … 3 CDs. Memory Lane/ Yesterday GLM/Y-30. [196:29] Here’s another treat for organ fans, although this differs from the Reginald Dixon collection mentioned above because there is only one medley. The first two CDs contain what can be described as the "usual" theatre organ repertoire. But the third CD is certainly different, and most welcome! All of the 16 pieces on this are classical works, starting with the famous Toccata from Widor’s Symphony No. 5 (played by Virgil Fox), and ending with the Finale from Saint-Saens’Symphony No. 3 played by Marcel Dupré with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Paray. Other featured organists playing the classics include Karl Richter, Eric Chadwick and Reginald Foort. As usual with releases from this company the CD booklet is well researched and informative.DA
RICHARD TAUBER ‘The Golden Voice’ You Are My Heart’s Delight; Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss; Vienna City Of My Dreams; My Heart And I; Lover Come Back To Me; etc – 3-CDs 66 tracks [208:31] Memory Lane GLM/Y-57 There’s no need for a long list of the contents of this collection, because admirers of this hugely popular tenor will know exactly what to expect. He made an astounding number of records, as anyone with an old Parlophone catalogue will readily confirm. He was forced to leave his native Austria in 1938 to escape Nazi persecution, and settled in England, where he eventually gained British nationality. Austria’s loss was certainly Britain’s gain, because he became a much-loved entertainer, and this is a wonderful souvenir to remind us all of his great talent. The booklet (with informative notes by Martin Moritz) also lists all the tracks, with full information regarding the recording date, matrix number and the catalogue number. Unfortunately the orchestras do not get a mention, but well done Memory Lane! DA
More recent releases recommended by Wilfred Askew
LES BAXTER "The Comedy of Terrors" Original Film Soundtrack (1966) Intrada Special Collection : Vol. 218 (41:53)
CHARLIE BYRD ‘Brazilian Byrd’ / ‘Hollywood Byrd’ 22 tracks incl. Corcovado; Jazz ‘’N’ Samba; The Girl From Ipanema; Dindi; A Time For Love; Georgy Girl; Alfie; Born Free; Any Wednesday; Moment to Moment BGOCD 1059 (62:48) Original CBS albums from 1966/67.
DAVID CARROLL & HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Percussion Orientale’/ ‘Percussion Parisienne’ 26 tracks incl. In a Persian Market; Ballet Egyptian; Twilight In Turkey; Shish-Kebab; Mimi; Alouette; My Uncle; Valentine; The Petite Waltz; Dites-Moi SEPIA 1204 (70:43) Original Mercury recordings from 1960/61.
MATT DENNIS ‘Welcome Matt’ Four complete albums: ‘Plays & Sings’; ‘Songs Of Rodgers & Hart’; ‘Dennis, Anyone?; ‘Welcome Matt Dennis’ 48 tracks Junior & Julie; Angel Eyes; That Tired Old Routine; Mimi; Blue Moon; Mountain Greenery; Where Do We Go From Here?; Old Uncle Fud; Enchanted Memory; Show Me the Way to Go Home; By the Fireside; My Blue Heaven JASMINE JASCD 697 – 2-CD set (143:23)
HUGO FRIEDHOFER "The Rains Of Ranchipur"; "Seven Cities Of Gold"; "The Blue Angel" Kritzerland KR 20024-1 – 2-CD set (139:22)
BERT KAEMPFERT & HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Let’s Go Bowling’ (1964) 14 tracks incl. Holiday For Bells; Holiday in Scotland; Toy Parade; The Bass Walks; Sunday in Madrid; Love After Midnight; Danke Schoen Polydor 278648-2 (37:24)
CARMEN McRAE ‘The Complete Kapp Recordings’ 3 LPs on 2 CDs
‘Book of Ballads’ arr./cond. by Frank Hunter 12 tracks incl. By Myself; My Romance; Isn’t it Romantic; Please be Kind; ‘When You’re Away’ arr./cond. by Frank Hunter* & Luther Henderson 12 tracks incl. The More I See You; Willingly*; I’ll Be Seeing You; I Concentrate on You; ‘Something To Swing About’ arr./cond. Ernie Wilkins 12 tracks incl. Three Little Words; That’s For Me; A Sleepin’ Bee; Alone Together Fresh Sound FSR-CD 677 (11:05)
DAVID RASKIN "What’s The Matter with Helen?" Original Film Soundtrack (1971) Quartet Records SCE 049 (31:34)
RICARDO SANTOS & HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Song Of The Pearlfisher’ The cascading strings of Werner M?ller 50 tracks from 1954-59 on 2 CDs incl. Ole Guapa; La Cumparsita; Tango Americano; Armen’s Theme; Guagliione; Adios Pampa Mia; Serenata; O Sole Mio; Elephant’s Tango; La Seine; Buona Sera; Donkey Serenade Koch 8061981 (141:01)
LEITH STEVENS "The War Of The Worlds" (1953) 2-CD set Intrada Special Collection : Vol. 202 (64:12 & 77:48)
FRANZ WAXMAN "Career" Music from the 1959 Motion Picture Kritzerland KR 20024-5 (49:33)
VICTOR YOUNG "Shane" Music from the 1952 Motion Picture La-La Land LLLCD 1224 (66:03)
"Run Of The Arrow" (1957) & "The Brave One" (1956) OSTs originally issued on LP by US DeccaDisques Cinémusique DCM 136 (73:31)