The KT Editor’s CD Choice

CAROL JARVIS Smile What are you doing on New Year’s Eve; When you wish upon a star; Carol’s Tune; How high the moon; Polka dots and moonbeams; But beautiful; Caravan; Sång till lotta; Night and day; Alfie; For absent friends; Tico-Tico; Principal uncertainty; Spain; In the wee small hours of the morning; Smile Divine Art Diversions DV 24150 [62:47] This is something special. Acclaimed trombonist Carol, who our 12-year-old granddaughter describes as "well pretty", graduated from the Royal Northern College with the highest qualification possible and is now a member of the faculty at Trinity College in London. Since 2004, when she was in her mid-20s, she has been fighting ─ and how ─ the disease of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma involving pioneering treatment. Yet she has maintained her position as one the UK’s leading instrumentalists. She recently learnt that a school in London has a class named after her due to her story. Carol herself says "that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to be a death sentence. It can be a very dark and lonely place but it also opens your eyes to the world. If anything my life is so much better since that diagnosis as I don’t take anything for granted anymore and treasure even the smallest things." Miss Jarvis’s rich as molasses timbre is well suited to a choice selection of tunes, some jazz tinged. The languorous opening track is a Frank Loesser number new to me. Sång till lotta was written by Jan Sandstrom for a friend’s young trombone playing daughter on her birthday. [I understand she now works for the United Nations sanstrombone!] Jimmy Van Heusen’s But beautiful is arranged by Miss Jarvis. She is accompanied throughout by 34 hand-picked musicians, including her pianist brother James, led by Cynthia Fleming. The conductor is Roderick Dunk, who also wrote Carol’s Tune and arranged a number of the tracks: my favourite being the Ellington classic with its clever quotation from Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia used as an intro. I like, too, the staccato start to Tico-Tico. The front of the CD booklet has a Rolf Harris painting of Carol called "Golden Girl" donated by the artist. At least £1.50 + VAT of each CD sold will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support. On grounds of both musicality and contributing to such a worthwhile cause, I hope that JIM readers will not think twice about adding this admirable mid-price album to their collection.

BRITISH CINEMA AND THEATRE ORCHESTRAS – Volume 3 For full tracklisting please see pagexx of this issue GLCD 5168 [79:23] In this latest of the Guild Light Music Series to come my way, prepare yourself for a feast of "get-up-and-go" light music that was an every day "listen to" once ─ but sadly has gone the way of the dinosaur as far as the BBC is concerned. The London Palladium Orchestra conducted by Clifford Greenwood gets the show on the road with a bright and breezy selection of music from productions that have graced the Palladium stage up to when the original recording was made in 1939. It was issued as Palladium Memories but compiler David puts forward the theory that the two sides of the 12" HMV 78 were accidentally reversed in the pressing stage. His full notes in the booklet make interesting reading. After this energetic ‘overture’ the Commodore Grand Orchestra conducted by Joseph Muscant on an Edison Bell Winner recording of 1932 (yes, really) play Leon Jessell’s well known Wedding of the Rose, followed by Arthur Anton conducting the Paramount Theatre Orchestra of London in Waldteufel’s valse militaire, The Grenadier, with Al Bollington at the organ. Another selection, Vincent Youmans’ Hit the Deck is next, played in a spirited performance by the London Hippodrome Orchestra conducted by Joseph Tunbridge and recorded, would you believe, in 1927? It ran for 277 performances. Walter Collins was a composer/conductor I’d love to know more about as he composed and conducted a varied selection of attractive and catchy pieces for the Paxton Library in the 1940s, and I believe he was the musical director of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea earlier in his career. This digressing is caused by track five which has Richard Crean and The London Palladium Orchestra playing what must be Walter Collins’s most popular light composition, Moontime. I’ve got two or three different recordings of it. Now here’s one to take note of on track six: Perfection by J H White, (unknown to me) and played by the Commodore Grand Orchestra, again conducted by Joseph Muscant ─ but it’s the brilliant solo trumpet playing of Albert Coupe, coupled with Alan Bunting’s restoration of this 1933 Edison Bell Winner disc that really makes one sit up. Quite stunning! Another bright and breezy selection played by the Adelphi Theatre Orchestra conducted by Francis Collinson, Home and Beauty by Nicholas Brodszky, is next and it ran for 128 performances, although I think most people would associate Brodszky with the film world. A novelty number by Theo Bendix, The Busy Bee, (nothing to do with Arthur Askey) and played by The Plaza Theatre Orchestra conducted by Frank Tours is a catchy piece as is Les Sylphides by Oliver Cussans and played by The London Palladium Orchestra, Richard Crean conducting. This piece is also in the Boosey and Hawkes Mood Music catalogue. Eduard Kunneke’sThe Song of the Sea selection is played by His Majesty’s Theatre Orchestra, the composer conducting, and regular purchasers of Guild Light Music discs will already have three movements from his Dance Suite. The music from this show is, I think, most impressive and the production ran for 158 performances in 1928. Herman Finck was a prolific composer of highly tuneful light music and the Plaza Theatre Orchestra conducted by Frank Tours recorded his A la Gavotte on a Columbia disc in 1929. It’s one of Two Little Dances, the other being A La Minuet. Really delightful! The Commodore Grand Orchestra with regular conductor Joseph Muscant, but this time from a Regal Zonophone recording of 1934, gently waltz onto the stage with Carl Zimmer’s What the Forest Whispers; then the London Palladium Orchestra play The Valley of the Poppies ─ a catchy number by Charles Ancliffe, usually known for his marches and waltzes although, as noted previously, he has a number of "mood" pieces in the Bosworth Archive catalogue. Frantisek Drola’s Serenade played by The Paramount Theatre Orchestra and Chanson (In Love) by Rudolf Friml from Frank Tours and the Plaza Theatre Orchestra lead up to the penultimate track which is Paul Lincke’s Beautiful Spring, played by the Regal Virtuosi conducted by Emmanuel Starkey with Sidney Torch at the organ. David’s booklet notes tells us that the Virtuosi is actually the second orchestra used by the Regal Cinema and half the size of the original ─ and doesn’t seem to have lasted long. Finally, the curtain comes down on a selection of Emmerich Kalman’s score to Countess Maritza, played in fine style by the New Coventry Hippodrome Orchestra conducted by William (Bill) Pethers. But, unlike the Regal Virtuosi, this theatre orchestra lasted much longer ─ after which the Hippodrome became a Bingo Hall, finally being demolished in 2002. Rather a sad note to end on but a super selection of tunes all the same! Ken Wilkins

Carol is thrilled to have the opportunity

THETTOMMY DORSEY ORCHESTRA starring WARREN COVINGTON Tea For Two Cha Chas Tea for two cha cha; Por favor [Please]; Patricia; I still get jealous – Cha cha; Corazon de melon; Dardanella – Cha cha; Rico Vacilon; I want to be happy cha cha; Together 1-2-3; Trumpet cha cha cha; Dinah- Cha cha; Cha cha for Gia/ More Tea For Two Cha Chas Tea for two cha cha No.2; An occasional man; Santa Isabel De Las Lajas; Dream; Everybody’s cha cha; Santiago de Cuba; Sweet and gentle [Me lo dijo adela]; Nunca; Don’t worry ‘bout me; Silencio; The Sheik of Araby – Cha cha; Esto es Felicidad Sepia 1142 [63:05] I think this is the first orchestral CD I have encountered from this source and it’s a good ’un. Tommy Dorsey died in 1956 and a couple of years later the brilliant trombonist Warren Covington was invited to succeed him. The first album on this 2-on-1 was their first LP recording and the second came in 1959. The orchestra comprises four trumpets [including Covington], three trombones, four saxophones, clarinet, piano, bass and drums. They make a fine sound, brilliantly re-mastered by Robin Cherry. Some might think that just over an hour of cha cha rhythm is too much of a good thing but you don’t have to play all the tracks straight off. I enjoyed every minute of it and if I did not have two right feet [I’m a "leftie"] would probably appreciate it even more for being eminently danceable to. Peter Burt

DENNIS FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA Caution! Men Swinging & The Enchanted WoodsCaution! Men Swinging; Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year; Lover Come Back To Me; Shoo-Shoo Baby; Just You, Just Me; Isle Of Capri; South Of The Border; It Don't Mean A Thing (If it..); Why Don't You Do Right; Three Little Words; Resume Speed / Among My Souvenirs; Moonlove; Cecilia; Right as Rain; Fools Rush In; The Lady Is a Tramp; Snowfall; Winter Wonderland; If You Are But a Dream; I Hear a Rhapsody; Day by Day Vocalion CDNJT 5312 [77:44] Dennis Farnon recordings have always been scarce, and vinyl copies of the these two albums have been notching up some fair prices on Internet dealer sites, so this new 2-on-1 reissue from Dutton is particularly welcome. ‘The Enchanted Woods’ is an intriguing collection because Dennis uses only woodwinds and rhythm on a fine collection of standards featuring on one track, Right as Rain, a sax solo from brother Brian Farnon. There is humour to be found on Cecilia and The Lady is a Tramp. In contrast ‘Caution! Men Swinging’ is pure jazz and features two original numbers from Dennis [Caution! and Resume] plus great standards all played immaculately by some of the best West Coast musicians of the time, many of whom featured on so many recordings of the day. Faultless re-mastering by Mike Dutton brings out all the detail. It's sad that Dennis never returned to big band recordings of this nature, because this is an example of just how good it can get. This CD deserves a place in your Farnon collection.Albert Killman

ANDRE KOSTELANETZ & HIS ORCHESTRA Gershwin, Kreisler, Rachmaninov Love walked in; A foggy day; S’wonderful; Fascinatin’ rhythm; The man I love; Someone to watch over me; Medley: I got rhythm, But not for me, Embraceable you, Wintergreen for President, Promenade; Porgy and Bess Medley; Strike up the band; Tambourin Chinois; Caprice Viennois; The old refrain; Stars in my eyes; Melodie in E; Piano Concerto No.2; 18^th Variation on a Theme of Paganini Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 798 [67:44] Listening to this lush recording brought back happy memories of playing my father’s 78s back in the early fifties. All memorable tunes with one in particular, Fritz Kreisler’s Stars in my eyes, played many times with steel needles becoming almost transparent. Michael Highton’s informative notes worth the price of the CD alone! As I said when reviewing Kosty’s‘Richard Rodgers’ CD, Dick O’Connor’s article on Kostelanatz arrangers in JIM December ‘07 is a mine of information. Paul Clatworthy

STRINGS IN RHYTHM For full tracklisting please see page xx of this issue Guild GLCD 5167[77:57] I thought this sounded a good collective title for this Guild release and it certainly begins with a fiery opening courtesy of Percy Faith and his Orchestra and Victor Herbert’s Habanera from ‘Natoma’ ─ a cracking start. Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra follow with a fine arrangement by Roland Shaw of Swinging on a Star. If you only remember Victor Silvester’s strict tempo dance style, his Silver Strings make a really super job of Cole Porter’s You do Something to Me on track three, followed by Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra with his own composition In the Heat of the Day. There are names that crop up on these Guild Light Music releases that I’m afraid I’ve never heard of and the next two are prime examples of my ignorance: J. George Johnson whose composition Greenwich Village is played by the New World Theatre Orchestra, and Eros Sciorilli. His (?) lively tuneful piece,La Colpa Fu, is played by the Orchestra of the 6th San Remo Festival conducted by George Melachrino. Brass and piano vie with the strings of the Philip Green Orchestra in a relaxing version ofIn a Sentimental Mood; however, the mood changes abruptly with Georges Boulanger’s Da Capo, in a spirited performance by Hans-George Arlt and his Orchestra ─ it really sets the pulses racing. Paul Weston and his Orchestra play In Love in Vain by Jerome Kern from the 1946 Technicolor filmCentennial Summe, starring Jeanne Crain and Cornel Wilde, "a pleasing family comedy with music" according to Halliwell. Noel Coward’s well known Poor Little Rich Girl, in an arrangement by Peter Yorke and played by his Orchestra, is next; but this is followed by a not so well known piece, Sunset on the Tiber, by Dave Dexter (and here’s another example of my ignorance) neither of which I’ve heard of, but the music is a nice catchy piece played in a very smooth manner by Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra, from 1959. While listening to Carmen Dragon and the Capitol Symphony Orchestra playing La Cumparsita, I noticed in the play list Neapolitan Nights Mambo, played by Monty Kelly and his Orchestra, one of the composers being Zamecnik, a name that crops up frequently in early recorded mood music. So I was rather interested to read more about him and to discover John Stepan Zamecnik had written over 2,000 compositions, mainly for the Sam Fox Co. during his lifetime, 1872 to 1953. This particular number was used as the theme music for a silent film, "Fazil" (1925). Pepe Gonzalez and his Orchestra set the feet a-tapping with a spirited performance of La Cucaracha on a Brunswick disc of 1957 as does Otto Cesana with his own piece Let’s Beguine on a Columbia recording of two years earlier. Wonderful sound recording from that era, enhanced by Alan Bunting’s magical touch. Dolf van der Linden and his Orchestra (as Van Lynn) with a delicate piece by Joseph Francois Heyne La Petite Gavotte, is on track twenty two. Would they be the same players who formed the Metropole Orchestra and also recorded for the Paxton Library? Werner Muller and his Orchestra (as Ricardo Santos and his Tango Orchestra) bring this fine collection of light music almost to a close with Jacob Gade’s Glamour-Tango, a worthy successor to his Jealousy. Lastly, theFireworks Polka by Johann Strauss arranged by Robert Farnon (on the label, Jack Saunders) and played by his Orchestra. As the orchestra struck up I thought we were in for The Loveliest Night of the Year, then the fireworks really began. It wouldn’t have been out of place in a New Year’s Day Concert from Vienna. Great stuff! Ken Wilkins

WERNER TWARDY The Fantastic Sound of Werner Twardy 26 tracks incl. Merry Go Round; Ramona; Blueberry Hill; Siberia; Lovely Lady; It’s a lonesome old town; On a Persian market; I’m in the mood for love; Avant de mourir; The more I see you; Always; Old Man Moses … Polydor 06007 5324561 [77:01] Most of the CDs I review have to be bought [a fact reflected in my bank balance!] but sometimes a "freebie" comes my way and this is one of them. The liner notes are nearly all in German but I have discovered that Herr Twardy [1926-77] worked with the Kurt Edelhagen Band as arranger and composer before leading his own orchestra. It seems that only two tracks are by Orchester Werner Twardy [my German not being up to finding out whether they accompany on the others] but the maestro is responsible for all the arrangements, which are mainly tracks taken from Polydor’s ‘In Gold’ series with Hammond organist T.W.Ardy (sic), trumpeters Horst Fischer, Heinz Schachtner and Leif Ulvemark, trombonists Otto Bredl and Jiggs Whigham, clarinetist Henry Arland, and pianists Fritz Schulz-Reichel and Werner himself, with the Gunter-Kallman Choir on nine tracks. The spine of the jewel-box spine refers to "Jazzclub/Easy" and the fact that the album found a degree of favour with two visiting pre-teen grandchildren for dancing to will give you some idea of what to expect. It’s sorta-James Last and at budget price I’ll be surprised if the album does not make you feel happy, too. Peter Burt

JOSHUA BELL At Home With Friends I loves you Porgy; Come again; Oblivion; Cinema Paradiso; Para Ti; My Funny Valentine; Maybe so; Grieg: Violin Sonata No.3, Movement II; Eleanor Rigby; Rachmaninoff: O, cease thy singing, maiden fair, Op.4, No.4; Il Postino; Left Hand Song; Chovendo Na Roseira; Look away; Variant moods: duet for sitar and violin; I’ll take Manhattan; White Christmas Sony Classical 88697554362 [77:37] Chosen by David Mellor on Classic FM as his "Crossover CD of the Year" for 2009, you get what it says on the tin. Classical violinist Joshua Bell joins with some friends on 17 eclectic tracks including Sting [singing Dowland], vocalist Josh Groban, sitar player Anoushka Shankar, trumpeter Chris Botti and pianist/arranger Marlin Hamlisch. Oblivionby Astor Piazzola and Il Postino both feature Carel Kraayenhof playing the bandoneon [a type of concertina popular in South America]. The most fascinating track is the Grieg piece which, by the wonders of modern technology, Bell recorded in July last year with accompaniment at the piano by one Sergei Rachmaninoff, recorded in September 1928! Altogether a disc that is a bit "different" but musically rewarding. Peter Burt

A TOUCH OF CLASS [Four Hands At One And Two Pianos] Rachel & Vanessa FuidgeMilhaud: Scaramouche; Gershwin arr. H Levine: Rhapsody in Blue; Saint-Saens arr. composer: The Carnival of Animals; Philip Lane: Badinages 1 - Mouvement Perpetual; Grieg: Norwegian Dance No.2; Anitra’s Dance; Casella: Puppets; Camilleri: Paganiana; Paola di Biase: Duo Tango; Leroy Anderson:Fiddle Faddle Divine Art DDV 24146 [70:40] Whether to play or hear, piano duets are fun. These players, identical twins born in Glossop in 1988, clearly find them so and the freshness and bloom of their work ensure that we do, too. The Milhaud, unique here in being a two piano work, Gershwin and Saint-Saens are the most recent recordings [2009]. By themselves they would have offered short measure, so the other tracks are taken from an earlier CD, now deleted, made by Dunelm Records in 2005 when the twins were still at school. These latter tracks offer less well-known but equally tuneful items from the duet repertoire. Fine recording; the sense of musical enjoyment is something to treasure. Philip L Scowcroft

PHIL KELSALL Welcome To My World Imperial Echoes; Second Waltz [Shostakovitch]; The Cactus Polka; Vera Lynn Medley [Part 1]; George Gershswin Medley; You raise me up; I’ve got the world on a string/Welcome to my world/What a wonderful world; La Danza; That’s amore/My resistance is low/Que sera sera; Limehouse Blues/Vera Lynn Medley [Part 2]; Wurlitzer March; Jerome Kern Medley; Russian Rag; Jerry Herman Medley; Noel Coward Medley; Twelfth Street Rag Grasmere GRCD 132 [70:08] This album, only recorded in January, celebrates 75 years of the distinctive sounding Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer organ from the current ─ and for the past 35 years ─ king of its keyboard. Available at mid-price, it is a very pleasant selection of nicely varied items. What a potent tune You raise me up is. Based on the Londonderry Air, it has been recorded more than 125 times and become popular at funerals and memorial services, and is well-suited to the Wurlitzer. Peter Burt

A BREEZY BALLAD Songs and Ballads of Haydn Wood Shae Apland [bass-baritone], Sharon Wishart [piano], Marissa Famiglietti [soprano], Marjorie Cullerne [violin] A Breezy Ballad; The Little Ships [Dunkirk 1940]; The Stars Looked down; Khaki and Gold; Casey the Fiddler; Think on these Things; I Bless the Dawn; I Love Your Eyes; Roses of Picardy; Memories of Yesterday; Bird of Love Divine; Three Sea songs: The Call, Ship o’ Mine, The Sea Road; Fairy Water; This is My Dream; Prayer in the Desert [A Soldier – His Prayer]; A Rose Still Blooms in Picardy; Somebody’s in Love With You; Love’s Garden of Roses; The Foray; The End of the World [A Manx Spiritual]; Your Prayers Are Asked; This is the Song of Life [67:39] Haydn Wood wrote many ballads and some more serious songs [his wife Dorothy Court was a popular soprano]. His 50^th anniversary last year brought forth two song CDs, by Peter Dempsey and Guy Rowland and this one, from Canada, which luckily overlaps relatively little ─ even Roses, present on both, appears here in its otherwise unavailable duet version. The principal singer, Shae Apland, a virile-sounding bass-baritone clear and fresh in delivery, is positively accompanied by Sharon Wishart. I could have done with hearing more of Miss Famiglietti ─ perhaps in songs written for Dorothy Court ─ as she is only heard in the Roses duet, but the CD is pleasantly varied: many "outdoor" songs like the grimly portentous The End of the World and others [Khaki, Ships and Prayer] which between them recall two World Wars; the disc spans the period 1910-50. We hear Bird with Wood’s violin obbligato played by his great-niece Marjorie Cullerne, who has devised obbligati for Casey and Love’s Garden. Recommended heartily. Philip L Scowcroft

[Available at £15.00 from www.haydnwoodmusic.com]

GRACIE FIELDS Our Gracie : The Best Of Gracie Fields Gracie’s Requests: Sally – My Blue Heaven – Looking on the bright side; When I grow too old to dream; Wish me luck [as you wave me goodbye]; Walter, Walter lead me to the alter; Red sails in the sunset; Danny boy; A nice cup of tea; Indian Love Call; Little old lady; Love walked in; Sing as we go*; That old feeling*; Irving Berlin Medley*: This year’s kisses – The song is ended – How deep is the ocean; Lancashire Blues*; Smile when you say goodbye*; The biggest aspidistra in the world; Pedro the Fisherman; Bless this house; Oklahoma! Part 1: Oh, what a beautiful mornin’! – The surrey with the fringe on top – People will say we’re in love; Oklahoma! Part 2: I cain’t say no – Out of my dreams – Oklahoma!; How are things in Glocca Morra?; He wooed her and wooed her and wooed her; Take me to your heart again [La vie en rose]; Now in the hour; Gracie Fields featuring Jane Horrocks "Now is the hour" Decca 5324560[79’43"] Following the very successful showing last autumn of the BBC4 drama ‘Gracie’, starring Jane Horrocks, and no doubt hoping to emulate their 2009 best-selling collection from Vera Lynn, Decca bring us a selection of Miss Fields’ best known recordings, plus five [see * above] which have never been released before. These new tracks were taken from Fairy Soap radio programmes made in 1938 that were discovered in a storage facility and saved from destruction. The last track is also fascinating: a duet of Gracie’s biggest chart success, her voice combining with that of Jane Horrocks. Nine of the first ten pre-war tracks were originally on the old Rex label with MDs Jay Wilbur or Fred Hartley. Wish me luck is from a film soundtrack issued by Regal-Zonophone. On the majority of the original Decca tracks the MD is Phil Green although Victor Young wields the baton for Aspidistra, and on La vie en rose Gracie is accompanied by our own Bob Farnon and his Orchestra. Where this new collection scores over previous releases is in the first-rate final restoration and remastering by RFS member Alan Bunting. He was most pleased to be able to do something about an extremely bad edit on the 78 of Wish me luck. Ray Crick is responsible for the compilation and very good booklet notes, although it’s a pity that among other listing errors The Lord’s Prayer track referred to seems to have got lost somewhere along the way! Surprisingly there is not a lot of duplication with the two albums featured in Back Tracks in our March issue. Most enjoyable. Peter Burt

JUDY GARLAND Over The Rainbow : The Very Best Of Judy Garland Over The Rainbow, Stompin’ At The Savoy, You Made Me Love You, Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart, I’m Just Wild About Harry, Embraceable You, Swanee, I’m Nobody’s Baby, I’m Always Chasing Rainbows, How About You, Blues In The Night, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, For Me And My Gal, When You Wore A Tulip, That Old Black Magic, But Not For Me, I Got Rhythm, The Boy Next Door, The Trolley Song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Love, You’ll Never Walk Alone, On The Atchison Topeka And The Santa Fe, Look For The Silver Lining, A Couple Of Swells, Get Happy, Can This be The End Of The Rainbow? Decca 75326184 [77:58] Ray Crick, former manager of ASV’s Living Era label, has already compiled two big sellers for Universal/Decca with his Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields collections. Now it is the turn of Judy Garland, and if Universal fund a similar amount of TV advertising this could well prove to be the most successful of the three. Once again the sound restoration is in the safe hands of Alan Bunting, so I hardly need comment upon the fine quality of the recordings ─ some now incredibly 70 years old (the second track is actually her very first release from 1936 when she was just 14). As for the music, it is a delightful mix of studio recordings and film soundtracks, and many of your own favourites must surely be included. Along the way Judy sings with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, and the forthcoming West End production of "The Wizard Of Oz" will certainly rekindle the public’s interest in the original Dorothy. My promotional copy did not include the CD booklet, but I am confident in predicting that it will be full of useful information about her recording career. Top marks to Ray Crick for a delightful collection. I wonder who he will choose next time? David Ades

MARIO LANZA Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook 22 tracks incl. Tosti: Marechiare; Toselli:Serenade; Tosti: A vucchella; Di Capua: O sole mio; Fusco: Dicitencello vuie; Padilla: Valencia;Cottrau: Fenesta che lucive … RCA Red Seal 88697573892 [66:34] This is rather a splendid new collection at budget price [I paid under £6 online] of reissues with seven previously unreleased recordings by the celebrated romantic tenor prematurely lost to us at age 38 in 1959. As well as the lovely melodies with titles we may not recognize, included are songs such as Siboney, Granada,Besame mucho, Mattinata, Ay-ay-ay, Because and Arriverderci Roma. A number of the tracks were originally recorded for ‘The Mario Lanza Show’ on radio; three of these being introduced by Lanza himself in a voice as mellifluous speaking as it is singing. Conducting duties are shared by Constantine Callinicos and Ray Sinatra. The remastering brings the sound up as fresh as the proverbial paint, and the excellent booklet notes by album compiler Derek Mannering help make a most desirable package. Peter Burt

VERA LYNN Songs From ‘The Vera Lynn Show’ 27 tracks incl. I love to sing; In the middle of an island; When I fall in love; Hey there; Mr Wonderful; No, not much; With all my heart; In the wee small hours of the morning; Witchcraft; Put your arms around me, honey; The last time I saw Paris; Sometimes I’m happy; Only you, I’ll be seeing you … Sepia 1143 [77:15] On 13^th September last year, Dame Vera became the oldest living artist to top the UK album chart, at the age of 92. This album of transcribed radio show numbers, the majority of titles never having been recorded commercially, date from 52 years ago ─ although you would never think so from Robin Cherry’s re-mastering. She did, however, record How green was my valley no less than three times: with Mantovani [1941], Robert Farnon [1947], and Geoff Love [1961]. These are tiptop interpretations from one of the finest vocalists this country has ever produced. It is interesting to hear Vera’s "take" on songs associated with other singers, such as True love, Mangos, Tammy, and Love letters. No standout tracks ─ they’re all good! Vera receives stellar support throughout from the well-remembered Eric Robinson and his Orchestra. If you, like me, are a Lynn fan you will need no encouragement to buy this disc. If you have nothing of hers in your collection, then note Tony Middleton’s reference in his detailed booklet notes to Vera’s "perfect diction, attention to lyrics and overall sincerity" and give this disc a spin. You’ll not regret it. Peter Burt

RUNAWAY LOVE Billy Mayerl’s 1930s Show Songs Alex Hassan [piano], Rachel Barrell [soprano], Colin [baritone] 24 tracks incl. Hand in glove; I feel so safe with you; I’ve got a sweetie on the radio; It’s not fair; I know something that you know; Song of the fir tree; Just a little love; A house on a hill-top; Over she goes, Why not, Madame?; Your sunny disposition and mine; Miss Up-To-Date … Shellwood SWCD39 [70:27] Another new release that has come my way, I’m afraid that there is not a track here that I recognize and the shows they come from ─ ‘Charlotte’s Revue’, ‘Love Lies’, ‘Darling I Love You’, ‘Silver Wings’, ‘Nippy’, ‘Over She Goes’, ‘Runaway Love’, etc. ─ are all equally unknown. But I enjoyed it quite a bit with the performers sounding eminently matched to the material. Alex Hassan in his liner notes writes: "There are some soaring melodies here, mixed with a healthy dollop of toe-tapping syncopation." Agreed! It is for the latter, of course, that most of us will know the name of Billy Mayerl. I understand that this album is a follow-up to an earlier release ‘Honeymoon For Three’ [SWCD28]. So if you liked that, you’ll want this. And if Billy Mayerl the songwriter is new to you, then this is another disc to try. Peter Burt

A SONG FOR YOU Favourite Ballads, Songs of Cabaret and Screen and Piano Solos Peter Dempsey [tenor], Guy Rowland [piano] Trotère: I Did Not Know; E. Purcell: Passing By; Bartlett: A Dream; Lohr: Where My Caravan Has Rested; Silesu: A Little Love; Gartner: Trusting Eyes; Brahe: I Passed By Your Window; Penn: Smilin’ Through; Openshaw: Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses; Kennedy Russell: Just Because the Violets; "Lozanne": Dark-Haveh Marie; Schonberger:Whispering; Strickland: Mah Lindy Lou; Grofe: Wonderful One; Donaldson: My Blue Heaven; C. Gibbons: A Garden in the Rain; Lenoir: Speak To Me of Love; Cole Porter: In the Still of the Night; R. Noble: By the Fireside; Spoliansky: My song For You; Piano solos: Coates: Bird Songs At Eventide; F. Hartley: Starry Night; Mayerl: The Song of the Fir Tree ASFY1 [66:30] Fresh from their success with the CDs of Coates, Haydn Wood and Ketèlby songs, Messrs Dempsey and Rowland enjoyably turn their attention to a miscellaneous disc of ballads, etc. by English composers ─ I like particularly those by Trotère, really Trotter [!], Kennedy Russell and Ray Noble ─ and, even more so, American ones, not to mention Italian [Silesu] and French [Lenoir]. Several were written for or incorporated in films; the time scale of the vocal items is 1890-1937. Mr Dempsey’s passionate, incisive tone and clarity of diction [the French in the popular Lenoir song is not quite idiomatic] do well for this repertoire and he is well supported by Mr Rowland, who extends the CD’s scope with three solo tracks, all by British composers. "Lozanne", incidentally, was Canadian-born Alma Rattenbury, accused in 1934 of murdering her husband but acquitted, ‘though she later committed suicide. Philip L Scowcroft[Available from Mr P Dempsey, 44 Victoria Road, Bedford-on-Avon, Warwicks. B50 4AR [e-mail Demsini @ aol.com] at £9.95 incl. p&p]

THE BEST OF THE COLLIERY BANDS The Music Lives On : Now The Mines Have Gone The Champions – Desford Colliery Band; Gallop from William Tell – Grimethorpe C B; Russian Dance – Point of Ayr C B; Concierto de Aranjuez – Betteshanger Brass Band; Songs of the Tyne – Bearpark & Esh C B; He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – Hatfield Powerfuel C B; New World Symphony – Grimethorpe C B; The Day Thou Gavest – Newbridge Celynen B B; La Danza – Northumbrian Water Ellington C B; Bayview – Buckhaven & Methil B B; Jerusalem – Grimethorpe C B; You Needed Me – Thorseby C B; Lightwalk - Carlton Main Frickly C B; Songs of the Quay – Thorseby C B; MacArthur Park – Grimethorpe C B Island 2732604 [63:25] This would be a good representative album of the genre to have in your CD collection. It comes to mark the 25^th anniversary of the end of one this country’s bitterest and most decisive industrial disputes. Subsequently Margaret Thatcher’s government decimated the pits and the only ones named above still operational are Thoresby and Hatfield, the latter closing in 1994 but re-opening in 2006. Here is quite a varied mix of music with the best pieces being those, like the opening track, written specifically for bands to perform. Most of the items are upbeat with little of the longueurs non-aficionados sometimes associate with brass band music. Barrie Gott’s Lightwalk really swings. New World Symphony is a felicitious rendering of theGoin’ Home theme from that work. The day after this disc arrived I read in The Times that "The British brass band tradition is under threat from all sides." By buying this mid-priced album we could be helping the struggle to keep it alive. Peter Burt

DINNIGTON COLLIERY BAND A Band For Britain Largo; Death Or Glory; Abide With Me; Floral Dance; Annie’s Song; Pirates Of The Caribbean; Jerusalem; Great Escape; Danny Boy; Slaidburn; Conquest Of Paradise; Born Free Decca 2732796 [41:30] 35 years ago there were 35,000 registered brass bands playing in the UK, today there are only 700. The South Yorkshire based aggregation playing here has only survived the demise of the local pit in 1992 thanks to a 3-part BBC television documentary leading to a £1M record deal with Universal. However, they do the band no favours by providing only 41½ minutes of playing time for a tenner. What we do have, conducted by MD Jonathan Beatty, are spirited versions of standard band fare including the ubiquitous ‘Hovis’ theme, the hymn tune beloved by the FA Cup Final crowd, echoes of another band of years past and a Terry Wogan singalong, the John Denver song adopted by Sheffield United ["The Blades"] football team as their signature tune, a quartet of toothsome film themes ─ Conquest by Vangelis stands out for me ─ and a couple of items written to be performed by brass bands. From a revitalized group of musicians, this is an album with soul and a good listen. Ashley Studdal

BAND OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS Music From Trooping The Colour 1952─2008 Ketèlby:With Honour Crowned; Bidgood: St Patrick’s March; Wright: Whitehall; Jansea: The Ambassador;Wagner: Rienzi; Siebert: Marching Sergeants; Jaeger: Freedom of Windsor; Double X; Howe: Scottish Colours; Bellini: Grand March from ‘Norma’; Renton: Guards Independent Parachute Company; Eley:Royal Heritage; Machin: Advance to Glory; etc. … Bandleader BNA 5199 [75:00] This recording brings to an end a series of releases featuring marches played at various Trooping the Colour Ceremonies since 1864, and all have been judiciously selected by the Director of Music, Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones, to minimize duplication for even the most avid collector of military music ─ so there’s not an Alford or Sousa march in sight on this collection. Instead we have contributions from such luminaries as "Jigg" Jaeger, long-term and celebrated DOM of the Irish Guards, Jimmy Howe, long-associated DOM of the Scots Guards, Frank Renton, still happily presenting ‘Listen to The Band’ on BBC Radio 2, and to bring as right up-to-date a march by Greg Machin: Advance to Glory played for the first time in 2008. Also of particular interest is the inclusion of an example, Royal Heritage,composed by the Coldstream Band’s first Music Major, Christopher Eley [1785-1794], in an effective rescoring for modern military band by Graham Jones. Particularly welcome is the first track from a composer usually associated with penning romanticized musical postcards depicting exotic places such as Persian markets and Chinese temple gardens. With Honour was written to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 and featured in the Birthday Parade that year. The only other recording I possess of this piece is in an orchestral version by the London Promenade Orchestra under Alexander Faris on a Philips CD. In sum this is a magnificent cornucopia of military marches, uplifting and stirring, and played by a band at the top of their very considerable form. The album is a superb testimony to the skill and talent of young military musicians who do not always receive the recognition they deserve. With vivid recording and generous playing time this disc is self-recommending. Roger Hyslop

HOLST IN CHICHESTER The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth [The Royal Band] directed by Principal Director of Music, Lt Col Nick Grace RM; Chichester Cathedral Choir directed by Sarah Baldock; Mark Wardell [organ] Holst: First Suite in E flat for military band Op.28 No.1; Second Suite in F for military band Op.28 No.2; Hammersmith Op.52; Turn Back O Man, Planets Suite – Jupiter Op.32; Parry: I Was Glad; Stanford: Te Deum in B flat; Vaughan Williams:English Folk Song Suite Chevron CHVCD30 [71:00] Having acquired some three years ago Gordon Jacobs’ orchestration of the two suites by Gustav Holst ─ available on Lyrita SRCD210 [LPO/Nicholas Braithwaite] ─ I was particularly delighted by this latest and imaginative release from the "in house" label of the Royal Marines Band Service that includes the original military band versions, especially in such outstanding performances as these. Both are delivered with incisive, crisp and stylish playing, as are Vaughan Williams’ attractive and jaunty Suite, a 1923 commission from the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, and Jupiter; whilst the sombre strains of the brooding atmospheric and rarely performed Hammersmith are vividly conveyed by a band that possesses a rich tonal palette. Some slight reservations creep in with regard to the purely choral items. The modest-sized choir seems a little backwardly balanced and thus rather lacking in impact and presence, whilst the organist rarely makes his presence felt. But getting everything into perfect balance within the difficult cathedral acoustic is a well nigh impossible task and I’m sure the Royal Marines engineering team in charge of this production made valiant efforts to obtain the best possible results in attempting to blend together band, choir and organ. So the highlights on this disc are undoubtably the purely wind band items, vividly recorded and reflecting good inner details, and it’s difficult to imagine they could easily be bettered for some considerable time ─ if at all. One final small quibble: it would have been helpful to have included individual track timings. Otherwise strongly recommended. Roger Hyslop[Available from The Blue Band Magazine HQBSRM, HMS Nelson, Queen Street, Portsmoth, Hants PO1 3HH, enclosing a £10 cheque made payable to "The Blue Band", or order online at www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk]

RED NICHOLS AND HIS FIVE PENNIES featuring MARION MORGAN The Navy Swings Dixie; A foggy day in London Town; Corky; Marry a rich woman; Fidgety feet; Come rain or come shine; Buglers Lament; I’m shooting high, Lassus Trombone; Stardust; Blues at midnight; Almost like being in love; Parade of the Pennies; My funny valentine; Maple Leaf Rag; I’ve got a crush on you Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 797 [59‘51"] Featuring jazz veterans of the 1920s who made thousands of records, sometimes under different names. It is complete with all the usual recruitment announcements of the 1950s. Paul Clatworthy

THE OSCAR PETERSON TRIO The Complete World Transcriptions 24 tracks incl. Fine and dandy; Someone to watch over me; Heatwave; Makin’ Whoopee; Just you, just me; Sweet Georgia Brown; A fine romance; Should I?; How about you; Zing went the strings of my heart, September in the rain; Imagination; Don’t blame me … Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 800 [58’06"] Three fine musicians working steadily through a good collection of standards. Of not a single track could I honestly say, "I’ve got to hear that again." One for Peterson completists only. If you have your arm twisted into helping wash-up, good background sound but still conveyer-belt music. Sounds of Yesteryear discs are available from The Woods and other good retailers. Paul Clatworthy

CHOPIN 14 Waltzes, etc. Dinu Lipatti 17 tracks EMI 9659302 [64:48] This year marks the 200^thbirth anniversary of the Polish composer Frederic Chopin, who is described in Classic fM’s ‘Classic Ephemera’ miscellany [Elliott & Thompson ISBN 1904027814] as "sort of a Henry Ford of composers, whose catchphrase might have been ‘you can have any instrument as long as it’s the piano.’" The waltzes recorded in 1950, the year the brilliant 33-year-old Romanian-born pianist tragically died, have never been out of the catalogue and here they are re-mastered in EMI’s new low-priced Masters series. Included are the best-known waltzes Minute [as in tiny] and Brilliant. Delightful!Edward Trub

TCHAIKOVSKY Sleeping Beauty Ballet Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden, conducted by Mark Ermler Sony 88697575302 [172:01] Tchaikovsky’s ballets are surely in a class of their own in possessing a symphonic breadth and sweep unrivalled or surpassed, in my view, either before or since. The Sleeping Beauty received mixed reviews on its first appearance in Russia and its popularity didn’t really begin to take off until Diaghilev staged it with his Ballet Russe in London in 1921. These CDs are a new reissue of an account recorded in 1989 at St-Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb [a church designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens]. It straddles three discs simply because it is commendably played absolutely complete whereas most rival accounts are contained on two CDs, making some cuts unavoidable. This is a magnificent and compelling score, made the more so with melodies pouring from the composer’s pen in a veritable flood and, with sumptuous recording quality and a price tag of around £15 [less online], is treasure trove indeed. Roger Hyslop

SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN Ivanhoe BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by David Lloyd-Jones Chandos CHAN 10578 Sullivan always wanted to break free of his less serious mode and succeeded with Ivanhoe, one of the very few patriotic English grand operas, neatly shown in the packaging which represents the Cross of St. George.  Dedicated to and therefore possibly commissioned by Queen Victoria, it deserves a listing because of its epic story and three hour duration, not to mention its links with the Royal Opera House built specially by Richard D’Oyly Carte but ultimately turning into the Palace Theatre.  If you like grand opera then this is for you. Mid-price for a 3-CD boxed set. Edmund Whitehouse

More releases noted by Wilfred Askew

COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA Play Music by Neal Hefti : On My Way and Shoutin’ Again! 10 tracks incl. Dirty Bumps; Jump for Johnnie; Shanghaied; Skippin’ with Skitch; Rose Bud; Together Again … Verve 1790904 [34:21] Recorded in 1962.

TONY BENNETT For Once In My Life ; I’ve Gotta Be Me Something in your smile; Out of this world; Baby, dream your dream; How do you say Auf Wiedersehen; Keep smiling at trouble … and 4 more Arranged/conducted by Marion Evans, David Rose, Torrie Zito & Ralph Burns / Play it again, Sam; Alfie; What the world needs now is love; They all laughed; A lonely place; Theme from ‘Valley of the Dolls’ … and 5 more Arranged/conducted by Terrie Zito. Original Columbia [CBS] recordings from 1967 and 1969. Beat Goes On Records BGOCD 886 [64:11]

CLASSIC WESTERN SCORES FROM M-G-M, Vol.2 Original Motion Picture Soundtracks Disc 1:Northwest Passage [1940] Herbert Stothart 31 tracks; Disc 2: Many Rivers To Cross [1955] Cyril J Mockridge [cond. Miklos Rozsa] 30 tracks; Escape From Fort Bravo [1953] Jeff Alexander; Disc 3: A Thunder Of Drums [1961] Harry Sukman 25 tracks; The Godchild [1974] David Shire 14 tracksF.S.M. Vol.12 No.18 [217:16] Limited to 2,000 copies.

JOHNNY DANKWORTH Let’s Slip Away Film & TV 1960-1973 [2-CD set] Disc 1 – Big Screen 20 tracks incl. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning; The Servant; Darling; Sands of the Kalihari; Accident; Modesty Blaise … Disc 2 – Home Entertainment 19 tracks incl. The Avengers; Little Nell; Pickwick Club; Aquarius; The Frost Report; Off Duty; Night Owl; Tomorrow’s World; Bitter Lemons …Universal – Eclipse 531761 [107:29] The majority of tracks appeared originally on Fontana between 1960 and 1973; Cleo Laine is on nine of them.

KEN GRIFFIN [Organ] Drifting & Dreaming [2-CD set] 52 tracks incl. Ebb Tide; Green Eyes; Until Tomorrow; Marie; Jealous; Isle of Capri; Always; Valencia, Whispering; All Alone; Now is the Hour; I’m Lost in the Clouds; When Irish Eyes are Smiling; April in Portugal; In the Chapel in the Moonlight … Rex REXX 334 [132:52]

QUINCY JONES Explores The Music Of Henry Mancini 12 tracks incl. Baby Elephant Walk; Dreamsville; Mr Lucky; [I love you] and don’t you forget it; Soldier in the Rain; Moon River; Peter Gunn Verve 1799574 [38:22]

THE MASTERSOUNDS : WES MONTGOMERY Kismet and The King And I 17 tracks Cherry Red ACMEM174CD [78:49] Genteel, chamber jazz reminiscent of the MJQ; and of the Previn/Manne/ Vinnegar recordings of show tunes on Contemporary.

SHIP MARTIN’S ALL STAR JAZZ BAND Symphonies In Jazz Scheherajazz – adapted from Rimskky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade [4 movements]; Swingin’ with Prince Igor - adapted from Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances [4 dances]; Tannhäuser – adapted from Wagner’s overture. Flare ROYCD302 [62:13] The big band alternates with a concert orchestra on all nine tracks, recorded in stereo in 1959.

MIKLÓS RÓZSA TREASURY [1949 – 1968] Original Picture Soundtracks: Madame Bovary; The Red Danube; The Miniver Story; The Ashphalt Jungle; East Side, West Side; The Light Touch; Quo Vadis [on 2 CDs]; The Story Of Three Loves; Young Bess; All The Brothers Were Valiant; Knights Of The Round Table [UK recording]; Crest Of The Wave; Beau Brummell; Something Of Value; Crisis; Tip On A Dead Jockey; King Of Kings; El Cid; Ivanhoe; Knights Of The Round Table [US recording]; The V I Ps; The Power FSM Box 04 [19:13:31] 15-CD set, in 3 cases in a sturdy box with 48pp booklet. Limited to 2,000 copies.

THE BEST OF BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC BBC Concert Orchestra, Martin Loveday [leader], conducted by Vernon Handley 633 Squadron; Coronation Scot; Westminster Waltz; London Suite - Knightsbridge: March; Covent Garden: Tarantelle; Nights of Gladness; Mexican Hat Dance; Sailing By; The Horse Guards - Whitehall; Elizabethan Serenade; Little Suite - March; Jamaican Rumba; Concert Jig; By The Sleepy Lagoon; Puffin’ Billy; Vanity Fair; Jumping Bean; Grasshoppers’ Dance; Barwick Green; Dam Busters March Sony Classical 88697707372 [68:24] Hot from HMV, this release plopped through my letterbox on the last date for reviews to be sent in. Although the last to arrive it is the first this quarter deserving an enthusiastic recommendation. The selection of mellow 1997 recordings here presents no big surprises for the light music lover ─ some of the British connections may raise a quizzical eyebrow or two ─ but it will make a wonderful introduction for someone who has little knowledge of or thinks they have no liking for our kind of music, conducted as it is by the acclaimed British classical conductor and champion of all British music, the late Vernon "Tod" Handley. And it is meat and drink to the orchestra involved. The Concert Jig is from Ernest Tomlinson’s ‘Silverthorn Suite’, the ‘Little Suite is by Trevor Duncan, and Peter Hope arranged theMexican Hat Dance. At a list price of £4.99 [I got it for a pre-release price of £2.99!] it is a great bargain. So, go on, buy it for yourself and treat an "unbelieving" friend. It’s not long until Christmas!Peter Burt 

BUDDY BREGMAN CONDUCTS Symphony Of The Golden West The Brussels World Fair’s Pops Symphony Orchestra Song of the Golden West, The Streets of Laredo, Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie, Colorado Trail, The Cowboy, Whoopee-Ti-Yi-Yo, Billy Boy, Red River Valley, Home on the Range, The Old Chisholm Trail, No Use For Women, Jesse James ; A Lovely Afternoon The Conrad Salinger Orchestra The Continental, I Cover The Waterfront, Long Ago and Far Away, The Boy Next Door, Our Love Affair, That’s Entertainment, I Concentrate On You, Singin’ In The Rain, Let’s Fall In Love, The Trolley Song, I’ve Told Ev’ry Little Star, I’m In Love With A Wonderful GuyFrank Bristow EXCD 59 [67:19]. If you have bought a Guild ‘Golden Age of Light Music’ CD recently, the chances are that one of the tracks from the Conrad Salinger LP ‘A Lovely Afternoon’may have been included. Most of the inspired arrangements from this genius of MGM Musicals have already been made available again on Guild, but this should certainly not stop you from jumping at the chance to get the complete album. If you need any further encouragement, movie-buff Richard Hindley has updated his article on Salinger from JIM which now appears in full in the CD booklet. The LP has been remastered to a very high standard [the booklet doesn’t divulge his or her name] and listening to twelve great movie songs performed so immaculately is surely a great way to escape from the troubles of our modern world. The accompanying LP is almost a bonus. Its subject matter suggests it was aimed at the American market, but it avoids too much corny cowboy nostalgia. Billy Boy [which I had always assumed to be a traditional British air] receives a most melodic treatment that completely transforms it. If you share my enthusiasm for the great days of film musicals, don’t hesitate to get this CD while you can. David Ades For details of how to obtain the Frank Bristow CDs mentioned in this feature, please refer to the review for the Reg Owen albums. 

TEX BENEKE ORCHESTRA Goodbye, Glenn Miller Strings 27 tracks incl. Just you just me; Blue champagne; Cherokee Canyon; The man I love; Saturday date; Can’t help lovin’ that man; A woman always understands; St Louis Blues March; A string of pearls; Until; Every day I love you; Little Jack Frost got lost; East of the sun; At last … Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 811 [79:07] Glenn’s Army Band had a large string section but back in civvy street the economics became too much for its successor’s budget. Compiler Michael Highton has collated some of the last string outings made: some bought from the late Bill Holland, former secretary of The Glenn Miller Appreciation Society, others from broadcasts made by the late Jimmy Crawford. Enjoyable, with the highlights for me being Bill Finegan’s arrangement of My Buddy, Ralph Wilkinson’s setting of Laura, and Henry Mancini cutting the band loose on ‘S Wonderful Paul Clatworthy 

JOHNNY DOUGLAS AND HIS ORCHESTRA & SINGERS On Broadway 10 tracks from ‘No, No, Nanette’ incl. Too many rings around Rosie; I’ve confessed to the breeze; Tea for two; Take a little one step; I want to be happy … ; I believe in you; Paris original; The brotherhood on man; To look upon my love; Inevitable; I’m just taking my time; Comes one in a lifetime; Shalom; Everything beautiful; His own little island Dulcima DLCD 123 [62:36] Our esteemed Editor heaped so much praise on the last Douglas release [JIM 182] he probably thought somebody else should have a bite at this latest cherry of a disc. It comprises two original RCA albums in their Living Strings Collection – the third from this label. The first album is of the 1925 Vincent Youmans’ stage show [filmed 1930, ’40 and ’50] regarded on its original release in 1971 as the best recording of the songs. Youmans went for simplicity and many of his tunes were just a repetition of three or four notes as in Tea for two. The second album, after which this CD is named, is a 1962 selection of unhackneyed hits from the Broadway musicals of the previous year: ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying[Loesser]; ‘Kean’ [Wright/Forrest]; ‘Subways are for Sleeping’ [Comden/Green/Styne]; ‘Milk and Honey’ [Herman]; and ‘Let it Ride’ [Livingston/Evans]. All the arrangements are by the conductor, who captures the real show-music sound from a full orchestra. Although every track is vocal there are some superior string sounds surrounding the singing. Top marks, too, for re-mastering and recording. Peter Burt 

A FIRST A-Z OF LIGHT MUSIC Guild GLCD5169 For full tracklisting please see page 66 of JIM 184 (June 2010)

This sounded an interesting title for the 69^th Guild release promising more to come, alphabetically speaking, and it begins in great style with Vivian Ellis’s Alpine Pastures played by the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Sidney Torch from the Chappell catalogue. I’ve often wondered why a programme producer chooses a particular piece of music [Alpine Pastures was the theme music for the BBC radio programme ‘My Word’ many years ago 1956-1990], considering the hundreds of musical themes available in mood music libraries. Alpine Pastures begins very gently for the first 31 seconds ─ not at all the theatrical opening you might expect a radio producer to look for. Then the main jolly tune comes in and I’ll bet Tony Shryane, the producer [I think it was he], sat back, lit up a cigarette and thought, "that’s the piece." Another very jolly tune is David Rose’s The Christmas Tree as played by his Orchestra. David [Ades] tells us in his notes that this was used each Yuletide on the Red Skelton TV Show, and it’s not hard to see why; it’s just the piece to get the audience in a festive mood. Hans-Georg Arlt and his Orchestra make another appearance on Guild with an attractive number, Through You This World Is Beautiful, on the Ariola label. A composer who’s intrigued me for some time since coming across her works in publishers’ mood music catalogues is Joyce Cochrane, and thanks to David’s notes we know more about her with the inclusion of Flowing Stream from the Francis, Day & Hunter catalogue. Another of her compositions I’d like to see included on a future Guild issue is Round the Square. I’ve got the Chappell 78 but it would be nice to have it on CD. Another mood music composer, very prolific in his lifetime, was Cedric King Palmer, and here’s one of his typically catchy numbers, Going Concern, played by The Grosvenor Studio Orchestra conducted by Dolf Van der Linden on track seven. The sort of happy carefree music that used to come off the soundtracks of short supporting cinema films such as the "Look At Life" series from the Rank Organization. Another composer whom we don’t hear too much about is Henry Croudson whose composition Jump For Joy, played by The Connaught Light Orchestra, is included in this collection. Philip Green [writing as Jose Belmonte] provides an exotic flavour with his number The Kiss played by Angela Morley and her Orchestra, while Hal Mooney and his Orchestra follow on track 12 with his own curious march-like rhythmic piece, Leo. Perhaps it was written in honour of the MGM Lion… who knows? Another curiosity is Moonlight on the Ganges by Sherman Myers [Montague Ewing] and Chester Wallace, played by Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra. Not the sort of dreamy piece I expected from Mr. Ewing, having a number of his lighthearted pieces in my record collection. Joseph Kuhn was another prolific composer judging by the times his name crops up on the 101 Strings recordings, and here’s another of his sparkling contributions, Noche Amour, played by The Rio Carnival Orchestra. George Melachrino conducting the Orchestra of the 6^th San Remo Festival play Parole E Musica by Silvestri, [don’t ask!] Back to my territory, a piece of Bosworth Catalogue Archive music from 1938, Rose-Beetle Goes A-Wooing by Jose Armandola and played by the Regent Classic Orchestra [Louis Voss and his Orchestra?] Still in "mood music" mode, but this time from 1959, the Group Forty Orchestra conducted by Eric Cook gives us Jack Cole’s Sunshine Express from the KPM Library. I first heard this on an LP collection of mood pieces from KPM issued in 1966 by Amateur Cine World magazine. It included a licence to re-record on film or tape without payment of additional dubbing fees and I’m looking at the LP now as I write this, with its photo on the front sleeve of a young couple and a Eumig Projector, the same model I still have. Good old cine days. Yet another library piece, the overture Vanity Fair by Percy Fletcher from Boosey & Hawkes with Jay Wilbur conducting the New Concert Orchestra, recorded at Levy’s Sound Studios I’m sure. It has what I can only describe as that distinct Levy sound, and it made me re-read Bill Johnson’s fascinating article "Memories of Levy’s Sound Studios 1955-1961" in the June 2004 issue [No.159] of Journal into Melody, although Vanity Fair was recorded in 1946. Getting to the end of the alphabet must have been a tricky move but the compilers have done it withXarafes, a tango arranged and played by Dolf Van der Linden and his Orchestra. This is followed by Jeff Alexander’s Yellow, a cheerful piece played by a Symphony Orchestra conducted by Frank Sinatra. And finally Z for Zingara by Cecile Chaminade, a charming number played by The Melachrino Orchestra, and arranged by Arthur Wilkinson. A spirited ending for yet another Guild Light Music CD. Ken Wilkins 

MORTON GOULD & HIS ORCHESTRA Showtime ‘Famous Operettas’: The Waltz Dream; Sari; The Merry Widow; The Vagabond King; The Cat and The Fiddle; Why Do I Love you? … ; ‘Oklahoma – Suite’… 4 tracks // ‘Carousel – Suite’ … 5 tracks; Fanny; Why be afraid to dance?; Almost like being in love; I’m sure of your love; Three-quarter Blues; The perfume of your love; My best love; Merry Andrew; Love for two; Happy with the Blues; Lullabye time; Tonight I love you more; Once in a million moons; Nightwalk Frank Bristow FBCD 220/221 [77:49 & 73:57] Coming to this disc I was aware of Morton Gould [1913-96] for his classical compositions [the ballet Fall River Legend, Latin-American Symphonette, etc.] and The Deserted Ballroom, one of my all-time favourite Mantovani tracks. However, as arranger, pianist and conductor he bridged the musical worlds. This generously timed 2CD-set includes tracks from four albums [one Columbia, three RCA] and is easy listening melody all the way. Two of the operetta tracks, Cole Porter’s Silk stockings and All of you, were originally RCA 45 rpm promotional discs. The Harold Rome numbers, Fanny and Why be afraid to dance?, were also recorded on 45s. The most interesting tracks are the last ten listed above all featuring that master of the harmonica, Larry Adler. In his informative booklet notes [although it’s a pity no recording dates are given] Frank Bristow tells us that these had been discarded for one reason or another by their creators, and discovered only after their deaths, apart from those by Gould himself: Love for two and Nightwalk. Of particular note is George Gershwin’s Lullabye time[c.1919], which came to the attention of Adler and is transcribed here for orchestra with harmonica playing the first violin part. It was premiered by him at the 1963 Edinburgh Festival. 

Time To Listen Love walked in; I’m in the mood for love; Let’s fall in love; Tell me that you love me; Speak to me of love; Easy to love; My silent love; I love you; I love Thee [Ich liebe Dich]; Mack the Knife; Speak low; Lost in the stars; Train to Johannesburg; My ship; I got a marble and star; September song; Mack the Knife; Mary Galante; Surabaya Johnny; Theme from ‘Mahagonny’; Polly’s Song; Bilbao Song; Morton Gould talks about Kurt Weill Frank Bristow FBCD 227 [77:52] Another well-filled RCA originated album arranged and conducted by the phenomenally talented Mr Gould. The first nine tracks are a nice selection of romantic titles; things move a bit up-tempo with some of the remaining Kurt Weill numbers. The first Mack the Knife track is based on the first New York presentation in April 1933, the second on the original Berlin production of 1928. The piece and its composer are the subjects of the last track: an interesting three-minute illustrated talk by the maestro. New to me and very enjoyable are Train, from the 1949 show "Lost In The Stars", andSurabaya, from "Happy End" twenty years earlier. There’s an occasional bit of roughness in the sound and some might have appreciated a little more warmth in the recording, but it’s not just time to listen … it’s time to enjoy. Peter Burt 

THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by José Serebrier; Roderick Elms [piano] 15 tracks of themes & excerpts from ‘The Big Country’; ‘Casablanca’; ‘The Guns of Navarone’; ‘Spellbound’; ‘Psycho’; ‘Ben-Hur’; ‘The Sea Hawk’; ‘Dangerous Moonlight’; ‘Gone with the Wind’; ‘Taxi Driver’; and ‘The Magnificent Seven’ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra RPO017CD [77:26]

THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD 2 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by José Serebrier;

Clio Gould [violin]; Jamie Talbot [alto saxophone] 15 tracks of themes and excerpts from ‘Vertigo’; ‘Citizen Kane’; ‘The Godfather’; ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’; ‘North By Northwest’; ‘Dial M for Murder’; ‘The Caine Mutiny’; ‘The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes’; ‘Sunset Boulevard’; and ‘A Place in the Sun’ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra RPO022CD [73:38]

Composer-conductor José Serebrier continues to surprise. His career has not followed the institutional way of being principal conductor of this orchestra or that. Opportunities are instead offered to him, and sometimes taken, often refused. In this way a real freshness hangs over much that he does. The recording studio has yielded sessions for recording the new, the exotic and fairly often the unfashionable. Examples are legion and his Janáček and Chadwick [Reference Recordings] leap immediately to mind. In the case of these two discs Serebrier squares up to film music. It’s a serious selection too, charting the vintage Hollywood years from 1939 to 1976. While Hollywood film scores are not the be all and end all and the time will surely come to explore methodically the film scores of the USSR, of Germany and France the fact is that Hollywood has been the home of some of the most sumptuous music for the silver screen. That word "sumptuous" certainly applies to the sound secured by the Serebrier and the engineers for Volume 2 at Cadogan Hall in London. Herrmann’s ‘Vertigo’ has never sounded as ripe. There’s also real rosiny grit and the panicky heat of the chase in the violins of the ‘North By Northwest’ prelude. The sound of the music is reminiscent of the chilliness of ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’. Steiner’s ‘Caine Mutiny’ march has the requisite brazen blast and sheer excess ─ strangely at odds with the psychological dimensions of the film. That could never be said of the Herrmann music for ‘Citizen Kane’ with its sour Gothic afflatus contrasted with childlike nostalgia. Serebrier sustains the atmosphere without a single gasp or hesitation. The lush violins are superbly floated for the Korngold ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’. Elmer Bernstein’s miniature suite from ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ has a Gallic lightness and yearning poignancy. Clio Gould cozies up close and husky for the Rozsa ‘Sherlock Holmes’ music which is drawn from the Violin Concerto. The Hungarian skirl is a Rozsa trademark on display again here. The Waxman ‘Sunset Boulevard’ is given a viciously urgent spur and is driven so hard that it moves into Herrmann territory. A year later Waxman turned in another signature score in ‘A Place In The Sun’ complete with world-weary saxophone and uncanny pre-echo of the Shostakovich Symphony No.11 in the chase music. Serebrier is especially good, in these moments, at unleashing a sort of controlled wildness. Tiomkin’s ‘Dial M for Murder’ is a lush romantic score but Tiomkin lacked the blazing genius of Herrmann or Waxman and this shows in what ends up being pleasantly intriguing rather than riveting. Nino Rota’s ‘Godfather’ music is pastoral shimmering in the Sicilian Pastorale, shiveringly doom-laden in Michael and Kay and operatic lump-in-the-throat tender in The Love Theme. There’s lovely legato playing by the RPO’s oboist. This is altogether a classy album. Volume 1 has its moments but seems a notch down from its successor in all settings. There is clarity about the sound but the well known Watford Colosseum, on this occasion, fails to yield the sort of lush amplitude balanced with a degree of transparency found on Volume 2. It’s intrinsically perfectly enjoyable but suffers in the comparison. I found this in the book-end Western themes especially ‘The Big Country’ by Moross, though the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Overture was less affected. Serebrier certainly knows how to accent this music and those eruptive golden horns in the Bernstein are matchlessly glorious. Steiner’s ‘Casablanca’ Suite suffers from what was already pretty much of a hokum score with much tired play made of national anthems. Steiner’s fault ─ I had the same problem with the RCA Gerhardt Steiner Classic Film Music album. Nothing has changed. The ‘Spellbound’ Concerto by Rozsa is nicely dispatched by Elms and the rest. The four movements from ‘Psycho’ have urgency, macabre cold atmosphere and tensely freighted threat ─ the latter wonderfully done in the Sibelian tremble that makes up most of The Stairs. The shrieking violins for The Murder are very sharply delineated. Tiomkin’s ‘The Guns of Navarone’ lumbers somewhat but soon develops a rather English film music style perhaps a little like Addison’s miniature masterpiece ‘A Bridge Too Far’ [Chandos; Ryko; EMI Classics]. Serebrier imparts real tenderness to the Love Theme from ‘Ben-Hur’ and plenty of swagger for the Charioteers’ Parade. Herrmann’s ‘Taxi Driver’ score was his last and was written contra torrentum in a world where cinematic scores seemed to be abandoning the orchestra. Phil Todd delivers a caramel smoochy saxophone solo. I have only recently heard Previn’s LSO ‘Sea Hawk’ music [Korngold’s ‘Sea Hawk’, ‘Prince and Pauper’, ‘Elizabeth and Essex’ and ‘Captain Blood’ - Abbey Road, July 2001, DG 289 471 347-2]. While Serebrier is often more than very good he is a rung down from Previn in terms of sheer sound. That said, the brass interlacing and terracing he secures is impressively and excitingly done. The Addinsell Warsaw Concerto is well executed but failed to stir me. ‘Gone With The Wind’ is more Steiner but this is Steiner at his personal best andTara’s Theme yearns very nicely indeed ─ at first in a delicacy worthy of Elmer Bernstein and later in swooping strings. Speaking of Bernstein I cannot praise too highly again those whoopingly exultant RPO French horns in the final ‘Magnificent Seven’ track ─ glorious glorious. There you have it: two generously packed CDs, well documented, each with great strengths and featuring sharply imaginative and challenging playing. CD 2 stands a step up in recorded sound terms over CD 1. They’re each a great way to survey the Hollywood classic scores. It’s what Serebrier brings to the podium that now makes me want to hear him tackle some of the complete film scores. I keep whitening on about recording Prokofiev’s war-time film music (not Nevsky and not Kijé) but its also well past time that Mario Nascimbene’s score for ‘The Vikings’ and Hugo Friedhofer’s ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ were revived and recorded afresh; the latter has been done in modern sound but Frank Collura’s conducting on Intrada seemed flat and undifferentiated to me. Serebrier would be an ideal choice for these projects. Rob Barnett

The above two reviews are included by kind permission of Rob Barnett and www.musicweb-international.com 

MANTOVANI & HIS ORCHESTRA Mantovani Presents His Concert Successes Charmaine; Die Fledermaus – Overture; Moon River; Hora Staccato; Aquarius; Autumn Leaves; Gypsy Carnival; Seventy-Six Trombones; Greensleeves; Capriccio Italian; Theme from ‘The Virginian’; Fantasy on Italian Melodies: Tarantella/ O Sole Mio/ A Frangesa/ Santa Lucia/ Maria, Mari/ Funiculi, Funicula; Charmaine Vocalion CDLF 8145 [51:23] It is good that Monty’s music lives on and hardly an issue of JIM passes without a review or a mention. This is the first of four new releases. Previously issued studio recordings are used together with actual concert sounds from the Royal Albert Hall. Mantovani introduces the music with what his biographer, Colin Mackenzie, calls "his usual whimsy." The arrangement of Moon River, featuring the soprano sax of Norman Baker, was a new one when the album first came out on LP in 1988. The disc is warmly recommended as a fine reminder of what a Mantovani concert was like. At budget price, it is my CD Choice for this issue. 

The Magic Of Mantovani Double CD set 40 tracks incl. Charmaine; September Song; La Vie En Rose; Cara Mia; Exodus [Main Theme]; Swedish Rhapsody; Some Enchanted Evening; La Mer // Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing; Stardust; As Time Goes By; Till; And I Love You So; Moulin Rouge Theme; Tonight … Decca 5326904 I understand that this has proved something of a sales success thanks to TV advertising. We are told that it "takes a lifestyle approach to the original recording, presenting his best loved recordings via a new and accessible animated TVC treatment which references 1950s animation styles." If any reader can tell me what that means I’ll be grateful [and surprised]. There are no inlay notes and there is a bad error in that Summertime is played twice, the first time instead of the listed Summertime in Venice! For anyone not in possession of a Mantovani compilation CD, however, this with its good sound quality and low price could be the one to have. 

Mantovani The Complete Collection 5-CD set 125 tracks … Spectrum SPECSIG 2046 For little more than the price of the set above you can get this, the biggest collection ever outside of Japan. Most of the tracks you would expect to find are here [there is, of course, some duplication with ‘The Magic Of’’] but there are many less familiar but well-remembered tracks such as Answer Me,Unchained Melody, Over The Rainbow, Vaya Con Dios, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo, Sibony, Faraway Places, I Dream of Jeanie, Blue Star, Jamaica Farewell, A Walk In The Black Forest, The Missouri Waltz, The Yellow Rose of Texas, The Happy Wanderer, The Whiffenpoof Song, Tulips From Amsterdam, If I Only Had Time, The Anniversary Waltz, Little Green Apples, and Where Have All The Flowers Gone? This set does have good inlay notes, by Hugh Palmer, and would be the one I’d go for ─ it’s a veritable stringfest. And ordering from the likes of HMV online it works out at around 8p per track! 

MANTOVANI & MARIO del MONACO A Song For You Serenade [from The Student Prince], Musica Prohibita; Love’s Last Word Is Spoken; To Voglio Tanto Bene; Tonight; Cateri, Cateri; Be My Love; Girls Were Made To Love and Kiss; Cara Mia; Lolita; White Dove [Lehár], Ciao Ciao BambinoVocalion CDLF 8145 This, recorded in London’s Kingsway Hall in 1962 and released in the UK a year later, was never the success it promised to be ─ except in Japan ─ and this is its first appearance here on CD. The last two tracks were not on the original album. Sadly, the once great tenor was past his peak; but not so Monty and his musicians or Cecil Milner’s arrangements, so this is worth acquiring at budget price. Peter Burt 

GEORGE MELACHRINO Rendezvous In Rome & Memories Of The Ballet & Waltzes The Melachrino Strings and Orchestra Rome the City; Volare; Castel Sant’ Angelo from ‘Tosca’; Tesoro mio; Three Coins in the Fountain; View of the Vatican [St Peter’s]; Colosseum; Autostrada; Regazza romanza; Vista Roma; Italian Fantasy; Arriverderci, Roma; Memories of the Ballet … 9 titles; Waltzing through the Operettas … 9 titles; Woodland Revels Vocalion CDVS 1953 [58:20] This joins five other collectable Melachrino CDs on Mike Dutton’s wonderful label: ‘Begin the Beguine’[CDEA6014], ‘Soft Lights and Sweet Music’ [CDVS1956], ‘Our Man in London’ & ‘Lisbon at Twilight [Highlights]’ [CDLK3337], ‘Under Western Skies & ‘The Immortal Ladies’ [CDNJT5205] and ‘Music for the Nostalgic Traveller’ & ‘Music for Relaxation [Highlights]’ [CDVS1960]. Four of the tracks on this new CD’s first album, released as a stereo LP in 1959, are composed by Melachrino himself and are quite evocative of the Eternal City. The renowned oboe player, Leon Goossens, is featured on the ear-catching Vista. There are also some lovely string sounds throughout. Three Coins is given an especially fine arrangement. The dance tempo treatment in the reprise of Volare even makes my feelings towards that tune soften a little. The accordion, which I associate more with Paris than Rome, is used on several tracks. I have always considered Melachrino’s to be the most symphonic sounding of all the great light orchestras and so on the second album they have no problems with the Maestro arranged ballet memories of pieces by Gounod, Delibes, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Respighi, Luigini and Ponchielli. The operetta waltzes come from the pens of Cuvillier, Stolz, German, Messager, Friml, Kerker and Coward. With these selections we are offered that old trick of the early electric recording era, the musical switch. Interestingly this 1956 album originated as a Stereosonic tape. Recording is good without being outstanding. The CD is priced at £2.99, but you try buying it for that [apart from Dutton direct where postage will cost you half as much again]. It is, of course, still worth adding to your collection at any bargain price. Peter Burt 

REG OWEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA

Music For Your Listening Pleasure featuring tracks from the RCA LPs ‘Dreaming’, ‘Cuddle Up A Little Closer’, ‘Coffee Break’ and ‘Holiday Abroad in Dublin’ FBCD229 [79:34].

Come Relax With Me featuring tracks from RCA LPs ‘Dream Time Waltzes’ (with Vienna State Opera Orchestra), ‘Holiday Abroad in Dublin’, ‘I’ll Sing You 1000 Love Songs’, ‘Candlelight & Wine’ and ‘Coffee Break’ FBCD230 [79:48].

Two Faces of Reg Owen featuring Bally LP ‘Swing Me High’ and Palette LP ‘Get Happy’. FBCD231[79:41].

Nice Knowing You featuring tracks from RCA LPs ‘Deep In A Dream’, ‘Girls Were Made To Take Care of Boys’ and ‘Coffee Break’ FBCD232 [78:42].

Parisian Flavoured featuring tracks from RCA LPs ‘Under Paris Skies’, ‘You Don’t Know Paree’ and ‘Deep In a Dream’ FBCD 233 [79:13].

Twixt England and Ireland featuring tracks from RCA LPs ‘Holiday Abroad In London’ and ‘The British Isles’ FBCD234 [79:42]

A Touch of Red, White and Blue featuring the RCA LPs ‘Fiorello’ and ‘The Best of Irving Berlin’FBCD235 [79:42]

Anyone who has previously purchased CDs from our good friend Frank Bristow will know that he seems to be on a mission to make available so much glorious music that the major companies persistently ignore. The latest "neglected" arranger/conductor to receive his attention is Reg Owen, and it is clear from the fact that almost all of these LPs were issued in the USA so it probably made Reg better known in the USA than in his home country of Britain. Unfortunately we don’t have enough space here to include all the track listing details, but you can find this on Frank’s website. You will have noted that each CD enjoys very generous playing time, which is achieved through Frank’s careful selection of extra tracks from certain LPs to fill each disc. The sound quality is consistently good and, although Frank confesses that it has proved difficult to discover a lot of biographical information about Reg, each booklet is well presented. If you want a comprehensive collection of Reg Owen’s music, these seven CDs will fill the bill admirably. Should you just want one or two you have a varied selection from which to choose, ranging from sultry mood music [FBCD229] to big band [FBCD231]. Top marks to Frank for saluting a talented musician who has been unfairly neglected.David Ades

Frank Bristow’s CDs are only available direct from him at 2 Cross Street, Brighton, Victoria 3186, Australia. Tel. 063-9528-3167 Email  website: www.musicfromthepast.comCredit cards and Paypal are accepted, but no cheques – details from Frank on request. 

ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONAIRES In The Mood : The Glenn Miller Celebration In The Mood; Pennsylvania 6-5000; Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree; Moonlight Serenade; American Patrol; Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy; String of Pearls; Chattanooga Choo Choo; Little Brown Jug; Tuxedo Junction; At Last; St. Louis Blues March; Song of the Volga Boatman; Adios Decca 2736453 [46:27] Superlatives cannot do justice to these exquisite renditions of Glenn Miller classics; smooth trombones and saxophones that are the Miller trademark "chromium plated" by the Squads under the direction of their leader Sergeant Ken Miles. This is big band dance music at its best with the orchestral polish of the unique Glenn Miller arrangements. It is difficult to pick out favourites from such jewels, but String of Pearls [written personally by Glenn for his wife] and Adios are particularly evocative. Vocals also deserve an accolade; just listen to voices from the past, the Andrews Sisters, on Track 3. Finally of historical interest: The Squadronaires started out in 1939 as the Royal Air Force Dance Orchestra, which makes their performances span 71 years. Like good port wine they have matured superbly! Roger Chantler 

WAR AND PEACE : LIGHT MUSIC OF THE 1940S Guild GLCD5171 [xx:xx] For full track listing please see page xx of this issue.

Another slice of nostalgia from this new Guild release and it begins in fine style with Charles Shadwell’s Orchestra and a real curtain raiser, Down The Mall, by Tony Lowry and Douglas Brownsmith writing as John Belton. I remember hearing this on the BBC World Service many years ago as intro music to a long forgotten programme. This piece has appeared twice before on previous Guild CDs by Philip Green and his Orchestra and also by Fodens Motor Works Band. Then Percy Faith and his Orchestra with an arrangement by him of Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust which leads us into Eric Coates’s fine concert waltz Footlights, with him conducting the Light Symphony Orchestra [thought to be The London Philharmonic Orchestra]. The Fugue, divorced from the Spitfire Prelude is next, written by Sir William Walton for the 1943 film "The First of the Few", the moving tribute to the Spitfire designer Reginald Mitchell, with the composer conducting the Halle Orchestra, later reissued on an HMV45 7P 312. Amongst the many works by Charles Williams is Girls In Grey, which I think is one of his best and it’s included on this Guild CD played as usual by the Queens Hall Light Orchestra and conducted by him. Boogie Woogie Moonshine from the 1946 film "Piccadilly Incident" is a five minute ballet diversion devised by Wendy Toye and played by Louis Levy and his Music from the Movies, on track ten. The musical director of the film was Anthony Collins and Piccadilly 1944composed by Vivian Ellis was also in the film. The Voice of Industry by Jack Beaver on track 11 was a familiar theme in newsreels and documentaries of this period and it’s used to good effect in a British Railways LMS colour documentary film I have, made I think in 1947. About the same time as I became aware of this Beaver piece, so did I hear on the radio Willie the Whistler by Bob Farnon. Quickly writing to the BBC for information came back the dreaded news that it was"a Chappell recording – not available commercially". Not to be outdone I wrote to Bob Farnon c/o the BBC and lo and behold a copy of Willie the Whistler arrived from Bob, the first Chappell disc I had ever seen and I still have it among my 78s. And that first Bob Farnon composition for Chappells is included on this new Guild CD. The Prelude from the film "A Matter of Life and Death" and played by the Queens Hall Light Orchestra conducted by Charles Williams is among a handful of film scores Allan Gray wrote in his life time. He also wrote the music to the Gaumont British/UFA co-production film "FP1" and the 1938 London Film Production "The Challenge" about the climbing of the Matterhorn. I wish this film’s music could be issued…it was really great. Three very tuneful library pieces follow in succession: Ronald Hanmer’s Olympic Games March, The Fairy and the Fiddlers by Edward White and the grand march Bonaventure by Frederic Curzon. These are followed by Louis Alter’s American Serenadeplayed by Meredith Willson’s Orchestra and for some strange reason the actress Gene Tierney came to mind whilst listening to the piece. Perhaps there were echoes of Laura in the melody. A number from the not so well known EMI Mood Music Library is Marche Fantastique by Leighton Lucas conducting his Orchestra, included on this CD with Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera by Don Gillis and played by the New Concert Orchestra conducted by Rae Jenkins next. And the penultimate 1940s item is Royal Cavalcade by Albert Ketèlbey, played by the Grand Orchestra of Louis Voss. But to round off this 71^st Guild CD is a piece of music from the film "The Phantom of the Opera", a piano concerto by Edward Ward, Lullaby of the Bells. The film starred Claude Rains, Susanna Foster and Nelson Eddy and came out in 1943. A fitting end to another fine collection of ignored light music. Ken Wilkins 

ROSEMARY CLOONEY : JOHNNY GUARNIERI QUINTET Voice Of America I still get a thrill; Come rain or come shine; Grieving’ for you; It’s only a paper moon; A little bit independent; I didn’t slip, I wasn’t pushed, I fell; On an ordinary morning; I didn’t know what time it was; Count every star; I’ll always love you; I’ve got a crush on you; It had to be you; Them there eyes; I never had a worry in the world; Nice work if you can get it; Just you, just me; three little words; How deep is the ocean; Our very own; It’s love; Crying myself to sleep; Thou swell; I had a talk with the wind and the rain; Chicago; Can’t help lovin’ that man; If I were your girl; Bye Bye baby Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 804 [62:32]. I did my National service with a Clooney fan; I am sure he would have given his right arm for this recording! Originally broadcast on the Voice of America so unless a resident of America or having a good radio he would have been deprived of this delightful set. Ably backed by the excellent Quintet of Johnny Guarnieri, Rosemary’s sweet voice works wonders with well known titles plus compositions not so well known but still worthy of a place. Paul Clatworthy 

MARGOT HIELSCHER Hello Fraulein Double CD set 53 tracks incl. 4 with Mantovani: Why, I’ll Never Know; Ding Dong; Frere Jacques; Anette Bear Family BCD 16162 [86:39 & 83:43] Margot is a singer and actress who appeared in numerous German language films over a lengthy period, and this was issued on the occasion of her 90^th birthday in September 2009. She sings with various orchestras and duets twice with Vico Torriani, who recorded with Mantovani in the 1950s and appeared in a couple of films with him. Of interest, too, is a German language version of Yours, the hit Monty recorded with Vera Lynn back in 1942; and even Bert Kaempfert turns up as producer of Margot’s Allein in Barcelona recording. But the bonuses for Mantovani completists are the four tracks she recorded with him at Decca in 1951. These perhaps are meant to show how well she could sing in English [she certainly could] but were never released commercially and appear here for the first time. The orchestra Monty used was a pre-Charmaine one, but the quality nevertheless shines through, and there is additional support from the Stargazers on the last two melodies listed above. It would be interesting to know whether Ronnie Binge did the arrangements. The actual record labels are illustrated in the notes and show that they were made in England and issued as samplers [not for sale] in 78 rpm format. Colin Mackenzie 

TONY MARTIN and GOGI GRANT with DENNIS FARNON & HIS ORCHESTRA Gigi 11 tracks incl.Overture, Thanks Heaven For Little Girls, The Parisians, Waltz at Maxim’s, The Night They Invented Champagne, I Remember It Well … Gogi Grant Welcome To My Heart Title song, The More I See You, Paradise, So Do I, They Didn’t Believe Me, But Beautiful, With All My Heart, How Deep Is The Ocean, At Last At Last, If I Should Lose You Frank Bristow FBCD237 [78:45]. When was Tony Martin born? Certainly not in 1942 as the booklet notes state [obviously a misprint] but was his birthday 25 December 1912 or 1913? It could be either, according to which reference sources on the internet you choose to believe! His style of singing may not be emulated by today’s young popular entertainers [unlike Sinatra], but for many people he had a most pleasing tenor voice and he made a lot of very good recordings that have stood the test of time. In the ‘Gigi’ selection Martin shares honours with Gogi Grant – sometimes in duet while on other tracks each singer solos. This is a splendid album, beautifully arranged by Dennis Farnon with the bonus of a choir in the best Hollywood tradition. All in all this is a sumptuous production that has top quality stamped all through it. The second LP on this disc is entirely Gogi Grant, with a nice selection of carefully chosen standards. If you are unfamiliar with Miss Grant you may be tempted at times to wonder if she went to the Ethel Merman School of Singing, which is occasionally disappointing because she can handle the quieter moments with great charm and very clear diction – today’s singers please note! On both albums arranging and conducting credits belong to Dennis Farnon, the only remaining member of the three talented Farnon brothers, born in 1923. For three years he was Artist and West Coast Album Director for RCA Records, where his conducting and arranging assignments also included albums with Harry Belafonte, George Shearing and the Four Freshmen. Dennis was one of the five founders in 1957 of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, who present the annual Grammy awards. These two LPs form a most entertaining package, with both singers on top form. Farnon’s arrangements are also as good as they get. David Ades 

JANE MORGAN Jane In Spain The moon was yellow; Adios; Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps; Perfidia; You belong to my heart; Baia; Granada; I get ideas; Be mine tonight; What a difference a day made; Let me love you tonight; Magic is the moonlight; Happy anniversary; C’est la vie, c’est l’amour; The sound of music; I’m in love; I’m new at the game; Love is like champagne; With open arms; Climb every mountain; Was it day, was it night?; My foolish heart; It’s been a long, long time; If only could live my life again Sepia 1147 [56:59] Although they are no longer able to supply review copies, I will be forever grateful to Sepia for introducing to me such a wonderful singer – surely one of the most undervalued popular music divas of our time. I recently consulted two leading encyclopaedias of popular music and she did not feature in either of them! Jane was born Florence Catherine Currier on Christmas Day in 1920 and began to train as an opera singer from the age of five, eventually enrolling at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. When she started singing professionally it was considered that "Janie Morgan" was a more glamorous name. Her early opera training is reflected in the excellent quality of her singing, which has taken in night clubs, television and Broadway. This, the fourth compilation since 2007, finds her with orchestra conducted by Frank Hunter in Latin mood as the first 12 tracks comprise the 1959 stereo LP that gives the CD its title. So, for example, we get What a difference as a bolero and I get ideas as a tango. Most of the tunes will be familiar and are recorded in a mixture of original Spanish lyrics and English translations. The second dozen tracks recorded in 1957-59 bring Jane back to some of the American songbook classics that are probably her forte. Dominic McHugh maintains the high standard set by this label with his booklet notes. The CD gives unadulterated pleasure from beginning to end. Peter Burt 

GARY WILLIAMS Gary Williams Meets Frank Sinatra All or nothing at all; I get a kick out of you; Moonlight Serenade; You bought a new kind of love; Dancing in the dark; Where or when; Brazil; The girl from Ipanema; Please be kind; Day in day out; How about you? I’ve got you under my skin; The way you look tonight; They all laughed; Luck be a lady; Let’s face the music BOS 6817[77:00]

The Best Of Abbey Road I remember you; Music to watch girls by; Anything goes; You’re never really dressed without a smile; Why shouldn’t I ?; Life is just a bowl of cherries; Always look on the bright side of life; Sweet Lorraine; I thought about you; This can’t be love; Surrey with the fringe on top; I can’t give you anything but love; More than you know; All I need is the girl; My buddy; You’re sensational; Isn’t it a pity; Save the last dance for me BOS 6808 [72:00] Has Britain got talent? Well, yes, but we don't need second rate TV shows purporting to tell us we have. Now there is a great British talent that has been on the music scene for many years and two new superb CD's have just been released that showcase the fine voice of Gary Williams. Gary played and sang the Sinatra role in the West End production of ‘The Rat Pack’ so he is familiar with "Ole Blue Eye's" songs. On the first CD we have no fewer than 17 selections. Many favourites here and all played in their original arrangements by the great Chris Dean and his Big Band plus strings. Nelson Riddle's arrangements feature prominently including some less often heard gems such as Moonlight Serenade, which Gary gives a lovely reading. The classic Sinatra recording of I've Got You Under My Skin is a tour de force for any singer; Gary handles it skilfully complete with classic trombone break here faultlessly re-created by Gordon Campbell. Nelson Riddle's daughter has personally endorsed this album and has written the sleeve notes ─ that’s praise indeed!

The second collection is a compilation of Gary’s sessions at the legendary studios during 2004 and 2008. It has to be said that Gary works with the best of British musicians and arrangers under the baton of John Wilson. Whilst the songs may be familiar, the inventive arranger can give them a new "coat of paint" and, with the likes of Richard Rodney Bennett, Clive Dunstall and Paul Campbell, be prepared to be surprised. The Monty Python classic Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life is given what must be the smoothest version ever. Small group tracks sit perfectly alongside the lush string ones. The Cole Porter song Why Shouldn't I? is quite stunning, an Andrew Cottee arrangement with a wonderful performance from Gary, is the standout track amongst many. How often have we remarked "they don't make records like that anymore." Well, they still do and here's the glowing proof. There are many so-called "tribute" singers who just seem to go through the motions. Gary, however, shows how it could be and should be done, but then it's Gary who has the talent and, boy, does it show. It seems like a sign of the times that these superb albums are not widely available but can be obtained by mail order from Dress Circle, 57-59 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9DG. telephone (+44 207 240 2227) or as a download from iTunes. Albert Killman 

CLASSIC MARCHES A Grand Procession Of Orchestral Favourites Elgar; Verdi; Strauss; Beethoven; Bizet; Wagner; Tchaikovsky; Prokofiev; Coates; Sousa; Berlioz; Mendelssohn … & moreABC Classics 4763772 [CD1 79:06, CD2 78:59] This very generous 2-CD compilation set from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation is culled from recordings made between 1980 and 2010 featuring mainly the Adelaide, Queensland and West Australian Symphony Orchestras under various conductors. Most of the choices are predictable enough, thus The Dambusters, Colonel Bogey, Pomp & Circumstance No.1, etc, but also included are some welcome surprises including Ron Goodwin’sPlymouth Hoe, a very good account of Mendelssohn’s War March of the Priests, one of the best accounts I’ve heard of Vaughan Williams’ breezy Sea Songs, the splendidly staggering Marche Militaire Français by Saint Saëns, and the quirky Gum-Suckers march by Melbourne born Percy Grainger. Of considerable interest is a piece with the somewhat cumbersome title of The United Australia Commonwealth March by James W Tate, who I believe contributed some of the music for ‘The Maid Of The Mountains’ and is certainly stylistically closely associated with the music of the Edwardian musical theatre. It’s sheer infectious tunefulness positively demands that once heard it demands instant repetition. An even more obscure choice is the Lifesavers March from the ‘Sydney Suite’ by one Tommy Tycho (see www.tommytycho.com.au - KT Ed.). Occupying the longest track at 9’:55" is Tchaikovsky’s glorious March Slave in a splendid performance by the MSO conducted by Hubert Soudant. One disappointment is that the two Sousa items, Washington Post and Stars and Stripes, are inexplicably played straight through without repeats, with the former clocking in at under 2 minutes. With recording dates spanning 30 years some variation in recording quality is inevitable but is never less than good and frequently approaches demonstration standard. The accompanying CD booklet describes the collection as "bold, inspiring and thrilling" and exhorts us to "lift your spirits and put a new spring in your step." At around £21 [cheaper online] this set boasting 40 tracks represents very good value for any connoisseur of the march. And I have nearly forgotten to mention that Eric Coates makes another appearance, not with his famous Knightsbridge but withLondon Calling conducted by John Lanchbery who made some well regarded recordings of all the Tchaikovsky ballets for EMI in the 1970s. Roger Hyslop 

THE REGIMENTAL BAND OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS At Their Very Best : DOM Major R G Swift Walton: Crown Imperial; Alford: Army of the Nile; Colonel Bogey; Ward-Higgs: Sussex by the Sea; Reveille; Pope: Nightfall in Camp … etc. / Sousa: Semper Fidelis; King Cotton; The Stars and Stripes Forever; The Liberty Bell; Holzmann: Blaze Away; Bagley: National Emblem; Teike: Graf Zeppelin; Javaloyes: El Abanico; Texidor: Ampanto Roce; Verdi: Ceremonial March [‘Aida’]; The Slaves Chorus [‘Nabucco’] … etc. METRO 643 [122:36]

This 2-CD set is a reissue of material previously available sometime ago on the Japanese Denon label, and must surely constitute one of the bargains of the year. Available from HMV stores for a mere £8 [less online] and, if you are fortunate enough to track it down, in one of our larger supermarkets it will cost no more than a fiver. What we have here is one of the very best bands in the Household Division on top form recorded in stunningly good sound playing some of the best marches in the military band repertoire, too many to fully detail here. The first CD concerns itself with British Marches including those listed above plus all the Quick and Slow Marches of the Brigade of Guards. Contrast is afforded by Reveille and Nightfall, which are beautifully played and richly atmospheric. The second CD is devoted to American and European Marches, beginning with a group of eight Sousa marches played with tremendous verve and panache, before moving on to such American standards as Blaze Away. It’s refreshing to note amongst the European selection Carl Teike represented not by the very familiar Old Comrades but by the rarely heard Graf Zeppelin. Of the two Spanish items, El Abanico stirs distant memories that many years ago a section of this delightful march was often sung to words which, if I recall accurately, were "You’d be far better off in a home" [!] Does anyone know the origins of this refrain? As for the sprightly charm of Amparito Roce, there is some doubt as to its origin. It is thought that it was composed by a British Director of Music at Kneller Hall, Reginald Ridewood, who apparently failed to apply for the necessary copyright, and Texidor merely rescored the piece and claimed it as his own! Two of the concluding tracks visit Grand Opera. Much of the music here is redolent of a sunlit parade ground conjuring up all the glitter of pomp and pageantry vividly conveyed. These two discs are not just for the military band enthusiast but for the general collector as well, and are surely guaranteed to elevate even the lowest in spirit. Roger Hyslop 

ELGAR The Fringes Of The Fleet Roderick Williams [solo baritone], Nicholas Lester, Duncan Rock, Laurence Meikle, [baritones], Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra cond. Tom Higgins Elgar: The Fringes of the Fleet [for four baritones & orchestra]; Elegy for Strings; Big Steamers [for four baritones unaccompanied]; Ireland: The Soldier; Blowout, You Bugles; German:Big Steamers [songs for solo baritone]; Ansell: Plymouth Hoe; The Windjammer; Wood: A Manx Overture; Elizabeth of England Somm 243 [61:26] The major work on this release is an Elgarian rarity: The Fringes of the Fleet, which duly salutes the contribution of the smaller warships of the Royal Navy in the First World War. Dating from 1917 with words penned by Rudyard Kipling the music, in Elgar’s lighter populist style, was a huge success with performances at the London Coliseum and subsequently at various music halls, and within weeks of the show’s opening a recording from HMV. Alas, Kipling, possibly affected by the death of his soldier son and feeling perhaps the piece was too jingoistic, forbade further performances much to Elgar’s distress. Therefore this new recording is the first orchestral version since the original one. To the light music enthusiast the value of the CD lays probably more in some of the attractive makeweights. Included are both of John Ansell’s nautical overtures and two items by Haydn Wood: the march that closes the disc was a late work ushering in the new Elizabethan age, and the A Manx Overture from the 1930s here receives what is claimed as a premiere recording. While we should be duly grateful to have so much of Eric Coates’ oeuvre in outstanding modern recordings, it is surely about time that the likes of Chandos and Dutton turned their attention more to his illustrious rival, Haydn Wood, and his many as yet unrecorded splendid orchestral compositions. On the strength of this excellently recorded disc, perhaps the Guildford Philharmonic, which is claimed to be the only orchestra in the U.K. completely owned, managed and financed by a local authority, might be just the vehicle for such a project. An interesting, rewarding and enterprising release, then, which can be recommended with enthusiasm and fully justifies a place in one’s CD collection. As an additional inducement, our own Philip Scowcroft gets a mention in the accompanying informative booklet! Roger Hyslop 

LES BROWN & HIS BAND OF RENOWN featuring PEGGY LEE and GISELLE MACKENZIE Lets Go To Town Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 809 [Double CD 58:52 and 61:05] Eight National Guard shows complete with announcements and enthusiastic audience. I have never heard a bad Les Brown outing, this is no exception but the commercials have no relevance today. I admit editing out would have been difficult as the announcer sometimes insists in talking over the opening notes. Paul Clatworthy 

RALPH FLANAGAN ORCHESTRA Plays For Dancing Volume Two Linda, Stars fell on Alabama, Joshua, Ballin’ the Jack, Stardust, Shortnin’ bread, Some enchanted evening, Blue room, Hot toddy, My hero, Penthouse serenade, Joshua, Irving Berlin medley, Careless, Love is here to stay, Hot toddy Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 810 [60:17] I had already submitted the Big Band roundup when this arrived. This second set consists of one night stands split between recordings at Steel Pier Atlantic City and the Starlight Ballroom, Hershey, PA. Vocalists are Kay Golding and Sandy Cee, this time complete with announcements. Paul Clatworthy 

JOHNNY HODGES QUINTET with LALO SCHIFRIN Buenos Aires Blues Mama knows, I’m in another world, Dreary days, I can’t believe You’re in love with me, B.A. Blues, Wanderlust All too soon, Somebody loves me, Away from you, Something to live for, In a Sentimental mood, I didn’t know about you, Guitar Amour, You blew out the flame, Theme from "The eleventh hour" Love song from "Mutiny on the Bounty" Solitude, Satin doll, Don’t blame me, Prelude to a kiss, Warm ValleyLonehill Jazz LHJ 10373 [67:17] The first nine tracks are with a quintet, producer Creed Taylor taking advantage of the fact that Lalo was available. Lalo’s piano skills and Johnny’s ability to weave his tuneful sax into every song is particularly well captured. Second half of the CD has Johnny with an orchestra arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson. Something to live for has a slightly "cheesy" string sound, Johnny saving the day with his beautiful tone and exemplary improvisation. The string work on I didn’t know you shows a good deal more potential. Johnny is on top form throughout but I suspect Oliver Nelson had to work to a short deadline because he has written better! Available from Submarine Records 0208-360-3486.

Paul Clatworthy 

FRANK MANTOOTH Ladies Sing For Lovers If you could see me now [Karrin Allyson]; When did you leave heaven [Kirsten Gustafson]; You’ll see [Paula West]; You don’t know what love is [Sunny Wilkinson]; It never entered my mind [Jay Clayton]; Good morning heartache [Margaret Carlson]; My heart won’t lie [Oleta Adams]; Imagination [Rebecca Parris]; Why stars come out at night [Stacy Rowles; Ballad of the sad young men [Sheila Jordan]; The nearness of you/You’re nearer [Anne Hampton Callaway]; I got it bad and that ain’t good [Dianne Schuur] Meg Jazz MCGJ1OI8 [62:29] I wish I had heard this stunning album when it was first issued in 2005, then maybe it would be easier to obtain. I’ve always loved Frank’s big band writings ─ this was pastures new for him utilizing a full string orchestra. His vivid and moving orchestrations belie the fact! He never lived to see it issued but thanks to Carrie Mantooth and his many friends in the music profession the CD was completed. It is a fitting memorial to his musical talent. Search the Internet, beg, borrow or steal a copy or you will always regret not hearing such a treat in music. Paul Clatworthy 

PHIL NAPOLEON AND HIS MEMPHIS FIVE That’s A Plenty Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY8O5[78:08]. Second volume of a CD I gave a pretty uncomplimentary review to a couple of issues ago so I was surprised to get this one for review! I am not a "Dixieland" fan but as with the first set my main grouse is the inordinate space taken up with commentary. Here there are 31 radio transcription recordings of "Dixie" music fans would probably enjoy without the social history lesson taking up so much space. Evidently the recordings are very rare so serious collectors will put up with narrator Dean Taylor’s sometime humorous commentary. Paul Clatworthy 

LES PAUL & MARY FORD, WOODY HERMAN and HIS THIRD HERD Let’s Go To Town Sounds of yesteryear DSOY 806 [58:34]

LES PAUL & MARY FORD, RALPH MARTERIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA Let’s Go To Town Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 807 [59:02] Two albums with the same format and title, the Marterie band play the sweeter sounds of the big band era, the Herman puts more meat on the bone! Both CDs contain four National Guard shows complete with announcements, commercials and applause. Les Paul and Mary Ford sing and play on their own, the bands also play separately. Both big bands are on good form. Les and Mary were very popular in the fifties; her singing still cuts it but despite Leslie’s dexterity on guitar today’s more advanced technologies make the sounds dated. Compere Eddie Carter’s strident introductions cut into some of the tracks, very annoying! Titles available if you phone me. All Sounds of Yesteryear CDs available from The Woods, Bognor Regis. Paul Clatworthy

ARTIE SHAW AND HIS ORCHESTRA The Complete Thesaurus Transcriptions 1949 52 tracks incl. They can’t take that away from me; Softly as in a morning sunrise; Things are looking up; Stardust; Tea for two … I concentrate on you; ‘S wonderful; Orinoco; Love walked in; Krazy Kat // I cover the waterfront; Carnival; Comes love; Together; Too marvellous for words … Time on my hands; Love for sale; Mucha De Nada; I get a kick out of you; Love walked in Hep Records HEP CD 89/90 [76:08 & 79:09] Arthur Jacob Shaw, once described as one of the two or three outstanding clarinetists in all of jazz, announced in 1948: "I’m through with dance bands. There are only so many times you can play Stardust". How come, then, he is here in 1949 with a new edition of his orchestra? Well, all this and much else is explained in James Langton’s 10½ page background notes for this generously timed 2-CD set. The very acceptable mono recordings were made for RCA/NBC Thesaurus, one of four major transcription services that leased libraries of radio shows to affiliate radio stations. The band line-up was four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, four rhythm and "girl vocalist". Five tracks are by a new edition of Shaw’s Gramercy Five [Shaw, the rhythm section and trumpet] and there are five vocals each for Pat Lockwood and Trudy Richards. Artie is heard introducing and signing off the music. I was surprised how much I enjoyed something I would not normally listen to ─ so recommended. Peter Burt 

BLOSSOM DEARIE Four Classic Albums Plus Avid Jazz AMSC967 [155:20]. I have been a fan of Blossom since hearing Sweet Georgie Fame [still got the 45!] and seeing her perform at Ronnie Scott’s club clinched my devotion. Dave and Anne Bennett have put together four albums plus tracks from ‘The Blue Stars of France’ and ‘King Pleasure’ into one marvellous two-CD package, the re-mastering so good it could have been recorded yesterday. Blossom’s delectable voice and piano playing gets additional help from Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Jo Jones, Mundell Lowe and Ed Thigpen. A recording to treasure! Available from Submarine Records – in case of difficulty you can telephone them on 020-8360-3486. Paul Clatworthy 

NAT "KING" COLE & HIS TRIO The Forgotten 1949 Carnegie Hall Concert 15 tracks incl. Yes Sir, that’s my

baby; Sweet Lorraine; Tiny’s exercise; I used to love you [but it’s all over now]; Laugh cool clown; Lush life; Go bongo, For all we know / Embraceable you; Tea for two … Hep Records HEP CD 91[51:37] I did not get to know and appreciate Nat’s singing until his post trio years, so this is for me an interesting disc ─ with the added frisson of a live performance. Particularly entertaining is Cuba Libra, probably written by Cole, with its quotations from Stars and Stripes Forever, La Marseillaiseand Mendelssohn’s Spring Song. The trio joins up with the mighty Woody Herman Orchestra for the closing number, More moon. Jazz devotees will likely enjoy the album even more than I did. This and the Artie Shaw [reviewed above] are the first releases I have come across from Hep and they are both quality packages, including here half-a-dozen pages of closely printed but readable background notes by Will Friedwald. Peter Burt 

LAURA COLLINS Introducing Laura Collins Ladies in Mercedes, On the street where you live, The night we called it a day, Too close for comfort, Baltimore Oriole, How deep is the ocean, But not for me, Wichita lineman, Go away little boy, Blizzard of lies, A beautiful friendship Spotlight Jazz SPJCD589 [50:33] The sleeve notes contain accolades from several musicians; I am not a musician but I know what I like and there is not a single track on this selection that made me think I must hear that again! In its favour you can hear every word, but the backing group have to drag her along, most times she seems a beat behind, cannot swing and when she "Scats" sounds like she has forgotten the lyrics. It’s almost amateur night down your local [if you still have one!] The recording was sent to me for review via another society member; if it had passed muster I am sure he would have kept it! Paul Clatworthy 

JOHAN HALVORSEN Orchestral Works Vol.1 Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra cond. Neeme Järvi; Marianne Thorsen [violin] Entry March of the Boyars; Andante religioso for violin & orchestra; Suite from Mascarade; La Mélancolie; Symphony No.1 in C minor Chandos CHAN 10584[76:48] This release makes the bold claim that the native composer’s music is one of the best kept secrets in Norway; a claim amply vindicated as one progresses through a generously filled disc. He was associated for many years with the National Theatre in Kristianie [now Oslo] as conductor, and as a result composed a good deal of incidental music for its various productions including Ludvig Holberg’s ‘Mascarade.’ This may best be regarded as quality light music in a delightful inventive and tasteful pastiche style deftly and expertly scored. Halvorsen [1864-1935] turned to the symphony late in life. He was one of those brave and independently minded composers who remained completely unaffected and indifferent to prevailing modern trends in the first part of the 20^th century. He continued to doggedly plough his own furrow, producing accessible and, above all, unashamedly melodic music. The shorter pieces are also well worth having and, since it is one of the few chances you will get to encounter this attractive and beautifully crafted music, better buy this excellently performed and brilliantly engineered disc. Roger Hyslop 

FANTASY – A NIGHT AT THE OPERA Emmanuel Pahud, Juliette Hurel Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra cond. Yannick Nézel-Séguin Fantasies on ‘La Traviata’; ‘Rigoletto’; ‘Der Freischűtz’; ‘Die Zauberflöte’ [‘The Magic Flute’] ; and ‘Carmen’; Lenski’s Aria; Menuet & Dance of the Blessed Spirits; ‘Carmen’ ─ Entr’acte Before Act 3 EMI 4578742 [70:46] This is a very accessible classical album of gorgeous operatic melodies for people who don’t care for the words. It features the flute – the instrument closest to the human voice – played by the acclaimed Swiss born long-time principal flautist of the Berliner Philharmoniker, who is joined on two tracks by the Dutch orchestra’s solo flute. Pahud recently described the background to this album: "In the 18^th and 19^thcenturies, there was a tradition of salon music because people did not have CD or MP3 players as we have nowadays. They had no access to the internet or the radio so they would have to have transcriptions in order to hear this music in their homes." The enjoyment in the making of the disc is reflected in the listening. Incidentally, there is a lovely tune at the start of the Mozart Fantasy on ‘The Magic Flute’ that the KT Editor tells me Methodists use to sing the hymn Behold the servant of the Lord! Edward Trub 

CHARLES MACKERRAS CONDUCTS ERIC COATES Favourite Music Of Eric Coates London Symphony Orchestra The Merrymakers Overture; ‘At The Dance Suite’ – Summer Days; The Man from the Sea from suite ‘The Three Men’; March: Oxford Street from suite ‘London Again’; The Three Bears [A Phantasy]; By the sleepy Lagoon; March: Queen Elizabeth from suite ‘The Three Elizabeths’; Sullivan Overtures Philharmonia Orchestra The Mikado; The Yeoman of the Guard; Iolanthe; Ruddigore Vocalion CDVS 1964 [68:04] The passing of the outstanding Australian-born conductor celebrated for his wide musical sympathies was announced just before we went to print. He had a well documented love of both the composers featured here. So this album taken from original stereosonic tapes [1956-57], released for the first time on CD earlier in the year, now makes a fitting light music tribute re-issue. Peter Burt 

More releases noted by Wilfred Askew

JOHNNY DANKWORTH Let’s Slip Away Film & TV 1960-1973 [2-CD set] Disc 1 – Big Screen 20 tracks incl. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning; The Servant; Darling; Sands of the Kalihari; Accident; Modesty Blaise … Disc 2 – Home Entertainment 19 tracks incl. The Avengers; Little Nell; Pickwick Club; Aquarius; The Frost Report; Off Duty; Night Owl; Tomorrow’s World; Bitter Lemons …Universal – Eclipse 531761 [107:29] The majority of tracks appeared originally on Fontana between 1960 and 1973; Cleo Laine is on nine of them.

KEN GRIFFIN [Organ] Drifting & Dreaming [2-CD set] 52 tracks incl. Ebb Tide; Green Eyes; Until Tomorrow; Marie; Jealous; Isle of Capri; Always; Valencia, Whispering; All Alone; Now is the Hour; I’m Lost in the Clouds; When Irish Eyes are Smiling; April in Portugal; In the Chapel in the Moonlight … Rex REXX 334 [132:52]

SKIP MARTIN’S ALL STAR JAZZ BAND Symphonies In Jazz Scheherajazz – adapted from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade [4 movements]; Swingin’ with Prince Igor - adapted from Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances [4 dances]; Tannhäuser – adapted from Wagner’s overture. Flare ROYCD302[62:13] The big band alternates with a concert orchestra on all nine tracks, recorded in stereo in 1959.

MIKLÓS RÓZSA TREASURY [1949 – 1968] Original Picture Soundtracks: Madame Bovary; The Red Danube; The Miniver Story; The Ashphalt Jungle; East Side, West Side; The Light Touch; Quo Vadis [on 2 CDs]; The Story Of Three Loves; Young Bess; All The Brothers Were Valiant; Knights Of The Round Table [UK recording]; Crest Of The Wave; Beau Brummell; Something Of Value; Crisis; Tip On A Dead Jockey; King Of Kings; El Cid; Ivanhoe; Knights Of The Round Table [US recording]; The V I Ps; The Power FSM Box 04 [19:13:31] 15-CD set, in 3 cases in a sturdy box with 48pp booklet. Limited to 2,000 copies.

DAVID CARROLL Fascination : The Great Hit Sounds of David Carroll & His Orchestra 2-CD set of 64 tracks incl. Now is the hour; Till we meet again; It’s only a paper moon; The ship that never sailed; Sugar loaf; My Evening Star // It’s almost tomorrow; ‘The Swan’ Theme; Blue moon; All I do is dream of you; Tambourin Chinois; I’ll be home for Christmas … Original Mercury recordingsJasmine JASCD 536 [155:12]

COUNT BASIE Dance Along With Basie Count Basie & His Orchestra incl. It had to be you; Makin’ whoopee; Misty; Secret love; Give me the simple life; Back to the apple // M-Squad Theme; Moten Swing; Imagination; Gee baby, ain’t I good to you; Love me, baby; J & B … The original LP’s 11 tracks [1954] + 10 bonus tracks [1957/8], arr. Thad Jones & Frank Foster Poll Winners Records PWR 27206 [75:15]

DIANA DORS Swingin’ Dors with the Wally Stott Orchestra The point of no return; That’s how it is; Let there be love; Namely you; Imagination; Roller Coaster Blues; The gentleman is a dope; April heart; I’m in love for the very first time; Crazy he calls me; Come by Sunday; Tired of love Original 1960 recording for Pye Records Universal-Sanctuary CMFCD 1554 [33:02]

JOE "FINGERS" CARR / LOU BUSCH Let’s Do It Again! 2-CD set of 62 tracks incl. Portuguese Washerwoman; Moonlight Bay; Sam’s song; Margie; Aloha Oe; Down Yonder; The Darktown Strutters Ball … // Zambezi; Eleventh-hour Melody; Sunrise Serenade; Cumana, Friendly persuasion; Nola; Rainbow’s End … Original Capitol recordings Jasmine JASCD 534 [157:34]

JERRY FIELDING ‘Straw Dogs’ Original Motion Picture Score 16 tracks Intrada Special Collection Vol. 126 [41:55] 2.000 copies

ALAN HAVEN [Organ] Haven For Sale & St Elmo’s Fire 10 tracks with Keith Mansfield’s Orchestra [guest Maynard Ferguson] incl. 1,2,3; Goin’ outa my head; Norwegian Wood; Exodus; Love for sale; What the world needs now …. 1969 CBS recording // 10 tracks incl. Charade; St Elmo’s Fire; Girl talk; Soliloquy [‘Carousel’]; Flying free; Air on a G String … 1971 CBS recording. Cherry Red/RPM Retro 864 [78:40]

HENRY MANCINI ‘The Hawaiians’ 2-CD set: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 26 tracks, Original United Artists Score Album 10 tracks Intrada Special Collection Vol. 124 [63:45 & 30:40] 1,500 copies

KEN THORNE ‘Inspector Clouseau’ Original Motion Picture Score 15 tracks Kritzerland KR 20013-9 [34:18]

THE MASTERSOUNDS : WES MONTGOMERY Kismet and The King And I 17 tracks Cherry Red ACMEM174CD [78:49] Genteel, chamber jazz reminiscent of the MJQ; and of the Previn/Manne/ Vinnegar recordings of show tunes on Contemporary.

WINTER WONDERLAND – A Christmas Celebration Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians 32 tracks incl. Ring those Christmas Bells; Caroling, Caroling; Carol. Brothers, Carol; The Star Carol; Gesu Bambino; O Come All Ye Faithful/Come, Dear Children; Bright, Bright the Holly Berries; While By Our Sleeping Flock We Lay; I Wonder As I Wander; Silent Night, Holy Night; O Holy Night …The Meaning of Christmas; The Song of Christmas // The Andrews Sisters, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians 20 tracks incl. Winter Wonderland; Christmas Island; Christmas Candles; Merry Christmas Polka; Stars Are the Windows of Heaven … Dick Haymes There’s A Big Cloud [Next to Heaven]; Christmas Dreaming; The Christmas Song; The First Noel; Cradle Song of the Virgin; Ave Maria [Schubert]; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Joy to the WorldJasmine JASCD 149 [79:29 & 79:06] An essential part of the Christmas celebrations in chez Burt has been Fred Waring’s ‘Now is the Carolling Season’ [Collectors Choice CCM 01662] ever since I bought it on a World Record Club LP more years ago than I care to remember. So imagine my delight on finding this new reissue – sensibly released in good time for this Christmas – with the first [stereo] disc giving us just under three dozen sacred and secular tracks, none taken from the earlier album. Five of the carols were written by jazz musician Alfred S Burt [no relation!] Listening to these pieces, it is no wonder Fred’s Christmas albums were best sellers in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Of the second [mono] disc, it is no surprise to learn that the joint recordings by the Andrews Sisters and Guy Lombardo listed above also sold in their millions. Mr Lombardo, like Robert Farnon Canadian-born, migrated to the USA in the early ‘20s where his Royal Canadians became billed as "The sweetest music this side of Heaven." Completing the disc is the entire Christmas album recorded by Dick Haymes, considered a strong rival to Crosby and Sinatra in the 1940s, appearing on CD for the first time. We have here, then, two attractive exceptionally well-filled discs available for around £9 – and unquestionably my Best Buy for Christmas! Peter Burt

MANTOVANI AND HIS ORCHESTRA Christmas Carols Adeste Fideles [O Come, All Ye Faithful]; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; White Christmas; Good King Wenceslas; O HolyNight; The First Nowell; Joy To The World; Silent Night; Holy Night; O Tannenbaum; Midnight Waltz; Nazareth; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Skaters’ Waltz // Classical Encores Slavonic Dance No.2 In E Minor, Op.46; Etude No.3, Op.10; Tango; Barcarolle [from Tales of Hoffman]; On Wings Of Song; Hungarian Dance No.5; Solveig’s Song [from Peer Gynt]; Air For The G String; Cradle Song; None But The Lonely Heart; Ave Maria; Largo Vocalion [Catalogue number & timings not available on going to press] The Christmas album is the CD Mantovanians have long been expecting from this source. [It was released on the US Collectors Choice Music label CCM 20852 very late last year]. This is the 1958 stereo re-recording and is, along with Percy Faith’s no longer available ‘Music for Christmas’, just about the finest album of Christmas music by a light orchestra. At the Kingsway Hall organ featured on some tracks is Harold Smart, whose father Charles played on the original mono LP ‘An Album of Christmas Music’ in 1953. Midnight Waltz is one of the maestro’s loveliest compositions. The album joins Monty’s follow-up ‘A Song for Christmas’,already available on Vocalion CDLF 8122, and is a happy reminder of the first 78 rpm record I ever bought, White Christmas/ Adeste Fidelis, which began my affair with our kind of music. This new 2-CD set is completed by an album recorded in May 1962 for issue in America but held back until 1965 for British release and then, inexplicably, only briefly available. With it I understand that Vocalion have now reissued all of Monty’s stereo LPs. Including it does mean, of course, that this release is not just for Christmas! And there is also the customary added value of Colin Mackenzie’s authoritative liner notes. Three cheers all round for Mike Dutton. Peter Burt

BOTTICELLI AND HIS ORCHESTRA Presenting Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree; My Love; Killing Me Softly With His Song; It Never Rains in Southern California; Day by Day; Mammy Blue … Unlimited Seasons In The sun; Waterloo; Melody of Love; I Won’t Last a Day Without You; The Air That I Breathe; etc. … 22 tracks Dutton Vocalion CDLK4431 [67:24]. I wonder how many of us missed these recordings the first time, nearly 40 years ago? There seemed to be a glut of similar outfits around, with few clues as to who was responsible for them. The title of the orchestra almost suggests that it might be pseudo-Mozart, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is not what we would call "light music", because there are pop elements in the gentle rhythm and the girly chorus, which happily is only occasionally and quite tastefully used. The music concentrates on what was popular at the time, rather than harking back to the 1920s and 1930s, which many others were still doing in those days. The string section is really quite lush at times – pity it wasn’t used more extensively. I suspect many of the players may have been recruited from the ranks of the superb Metropole Orchestra, because the man behind the "Botticelli" albums was Dick Bakker, who later became conductor of that fine outfit founded in the mid-1940s by Dolf van der Linden. The recordings were made in the Dutch Dureco studios, where Bakker was appointed manager when they opened in 1972. Five years later he started his own music production and focussed on composing, arranging and conducting film music, audiovisuals, company presentations, commercials and album projects. In London he established an orchestra with musicians from The London Philharmonic, St. Martin in The Fields and top musicians from the freelance sector. With this orchestra "The London Studio Symphony Orchestra" he recorded his music for the next fifteen years, often for leading multinational companies. By 1987 Dick Bakker was enjoying his international success which resulted in recognition such as the Edison Award for ‘Musica di Gloria’. Today Bakker remains actively involved as an artistic adviser with productions involving the Metropole Orchestra, and occasional music specials on radio and television. With such a pedigree you’d expect a quality product, and if you enjoy the kind of pleasing, undemanding sounds you sometimes hear in the background in public places, then this is for you. As an accompaniment to happy moments spent simply relaxing, and reminiscing about the 1970s, this could hardly be bettered! David Ades 

PHILIP GREEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA Moments in Mayfair These Foolish Things; Someday I’ll Find You; Room 504; She’s My Lovely; Midnight in Mayfair; Love is the Sweetest thing; London Fantasia; A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; We’ll Gather Lilacs; Limehouse Blues. Music for Leisure – Easy Listening Stardust; La Vie en Rose; Barcarolle; Caravan; Dizzy Fingers; Maneater; Mexican Madness; Farewell Blues; The Merry Mountaineer; Arkansas Traveller; (Back Home Again in) Indiana; West of Pecos; Moonlight in Vermont; St Louis Blues; The Missouri Waltz; By the Waters of Minnetonka Dutton Vocalion CDEA6177 [78:03]. This has to one of the best CDs of 2010. At long last that superb Philip Green 10" Columbia LP from 1956 has been reissued, and now for the first time in stereo! Before stereo LPs arrived EMI issued a small number of "stereosonic" reel to reel tapes, and this was one of them. Very few will have been purchased for two reasons: their high price and the lack of equipment on which to play them. Top marks to Mike Dutton for securing the stereo tapes that have transformed this collection, which sounded great in mono but is now simply amazing. The music has taken on a new vibrancy, thanks to Mike’s expertise, and the sound quality is equal [if not better] to the very latest recordings. The titles confirm that Philip Green chose his material with great care [mostly by British composers] and one assumes that he had a hand in the arrangements. It is nice to hear the romantic theme from Clive Richardson’s London Fantasia which takes on a pleasing new identity divorced from the war atmosphere of most of the work. The title of the other album in this collection has probably prompted some head scratching! Almost as a bonus Mike Dutton has unearthed another early EMI tape to pair with ‘Mayfair’. Before cassettes were invented, EMI and some other companies were trying to encourage us to use our growing number of tape recorders as tape players. The reel to reel tape featuring Philip Green was compiled from various sources – previous 78s, tapes and an LP [the final seven tracks are taken from ‘Pan-American Panorama’]. Highlights include a wonderful – almost hectic – version of Caravan; the Zez Confrey "classic" Dizzy Fingers; Laddie Busby featured on trombone playing his own Maneater; Philip Green’s The Merry Mountaineer; and Mexican Madness by Cyril Stapleton and Bob Sharples. Finally there is even more good news: this great CD is in Dutton’s low price CDEA series. Simply a most enjoyable selection of music, expertly restored, that will be on many RFS members’ "wants" list this Christmas! David Ades

THE LOST TRANSCRIPTIONS Volume 1 For full track listing please see details in the ‘Light Music’ section of this website. Guild GLCD5174. Previous issues in the Guild Light Music Series have explored the vaults of the Recorded Music Libraries. For this release another musical treasure house has been tapped, namely recordings of the various transcription services made of live performances for use by, eventually, broadcasters worldwide, although the practice began in the US in the early 1940s when they were also distributed to Service personnel. A number of such transcriptions have, almost against the odds, survived and a generous selection is reproduced here in recordings excellent in quality for their time and with modern wizardry sounding very enjoyable even in the 21^stcentury. Many of the names of bands and conductors familiar from previous Guild releases reappear here: Dolf van der Linden, Percy Faith, George Melachrino, Philip Green and David Rose. Yet there are surprises to be found among them. Rose’s catchy The Butterfly and the Alligator seems to be otherwise unknown; new to me also were Rose’s Pepper Tree Lane from his ‘Hollywood Bowl Suite’and his arrangement of Ding Dong the Witch is Dead from "The Wizard of Oz" [Rose was briefly married to Judy Garland] which begins like a piece of "train music". A Jota by Anthony Collins and performed by Philip Green’s orchestra has breathtaking energy. Several tracks are from the Second World War, especially those by Melachrino and the young Sidney Torch with the RAF Concert Orchestra, about which not much is known except that it seems to have been based in Blackpool. The junior service, incidentally, headhunted most of the best available musicians during 1939-45. The last nine tracks have perhaps most interest for me personally. Don Gillis is best known for Symphony No.5½; here his Three Sketches [Enchantment, Whimsy, and Day Dreams] are small in scale and economical in instrumentation but are distinctive. Lamar Springfield was also American and his Dance of the Frogs, based on the nursery rhyme A frog he would a-wooing go [inserted, as many will remember, as a fugato in Roger Quilter’s A Children’s Overture], is a gorgeous find. I first encountered Jarnefelt’s Praeludium in the 1940s when it was used to introduce a radio adaptation of one of Walter Scott’s novels; maybe even this performance was used, ‘though at that time there was a commercial 78 of it and its companion piece Berceuse. The name Eric Robinson as conductor of this wartime track is of interest. Eric Coates’ ‘Three Men Suite’ is pieced together by combining recordings, also wartime, from Melachrino’s Orchestra in Khaki [first movement] and Dunn’s Royal Marines Portsmouth Orchestra – a characterful, energetic overall performance. And finally to music by Keler-Bela [1924-84], born in Hungary and who played in theatre or dance orchestras in Vienna and Berlin and later toured Europe, including England, with his own orchestra. He composed 12 overtures, perhaps his major compositions, and lots of dances [a Keler-Bela Czardas was appropriated by Brahms for his Hungarian Dance No.5]; if all have the same colour and sparkle as this Romantic Overture, then a revival of his music generally is overdue, indeed imperative. I hope I have written enough to tempt prospective purchasers; repertoire and performances are alike stimulating, exciting even. Very highly recommended; let’s have more "found" transcriptions!

Philip L Scowcroft 

PAUL MAURIAT AND HIS ORCHESTRA El Condor Pasa Love Story; El Condor Pasa; To Be The One You Love; Melancholy Man; Black Harlem; My Sweet Lord, etc… L.O.V.E. Oh Happy Day; Get Back; Windmills of your Mind; Aquarius; Serenade to a Summertime; etc. … 22 tracks Dutton Vocalion CDLK4437 [xx:xx] When the album ‘El Condor Pasa’ was released in 1971, Paul Mauriat had already made more than thirty LPs, and he was in the happy position of knowing that he had an army of admirers who would readily snap up everything new that he offered them. His ‘L.O.V.E.’ LP had been released two years earlier – in France it was called ‘Un Jour, Un Enfant’ – and both collections tended to reflect the way in which popular music was developing in the post-Beatles era. Considering how prolific Paul Mauriat was [looking at lists on the internet one is tempted to say that he may have made more LPs than any of his peers] it is surprising that new CD releases do not feature many more examples of his work. In 1968 he shot to fame when his recording of Love Is Blue was number one in the US charts for five weeks. It had been written by his fellow countryman André Popp as Luxembourg’s entry for the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest where it came a disappointing fourth [Sandie Shaw was the winner for the United Kingdom that year with Puppet On A String], but Mauriat’s elegant orchestration managed to capture the public’s attention. Already well-known in France, his career was now firmly launched internationally. In 1965 Mauriat signed a recording contract with Polygram, and this lasted until 1993. He produced a large catalogue of recordings, selling more than 40 million albums worldwide. He embarked on the first of many world tours in 1969, visiting countries like United States, Canada, South Korea, Brazil and especially Japan, where he would undertake 28 tours in the following years, during which it is estimated that he conducted well over 1,000 concerts. Such was his popularity in Japan that he appeared in television commercials, and made new recordings with their Pony record label when his Polygram contract expired. Paul Mauriat gave his final performance in 1998 in Osaka, Japan, where tribute concerts have been held in recent years. He died on 3 November 2006 at Perpignan in southern France, aged 81. RFS member Serge Elhaik has been a champion of Mauriat’s music for many years, having written his biography with Mauriat’s blessing. This new Vocalion release should help to make music lovers take further notice of a talented man who created a vast army of adoring fans, especially in Japan. David Ades

GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIRFORCES BAND Medley Time 2 CDs 34 tracks Sounds of yesteryear DSOD812 [79:03 & 77:36] Fourteen medleys that according to sleeve were songs most often requested. Guests include Johnny Desmond, Artie Malvin, Peanuts Hucko, Tony Martin, Bob Carroll and the Crew Chiefs. These fifteen minute medleys were broadcast three times a week: by using this format Glenn could double the tunes used! Paul Clatworthy

THE PRISONER The Complete Chappell Recorded Music Library Cues DJR 001a [58:50] DJR 001b [50:29] DJR002 [65:19] For the benefit of any readers who might still be unfamiliar with the cult 1967 television series, it contains a vast range of often spectacular and very tuneful light music, with many items by Robert Farnon, that can be relied on to cater for all tastes. This special Collectors’ 3-CD set makes available for the first time the complete archive collection of incidental music as used in the 1967 Everyman TV production. Aimed at the connoisseur of "Prisoner" music and specialist communities dedicated to the appreciation of library music, television incidental music and British light music, its features include a 56-page booklet containing an episode by episode, scene by scene listing of all the music library original soundtracks and commercial tracks used in the series. There is a total of 174 minutes of music on 100 tracks, many on CD for the first time, and all in high quality sound. For contractual reasons some commercial tracks are omitted but these can mostly be obtained from other sources. This CD set is beautifully presented in a limited edition of 1,000 sequentially numbered and is highly recommended. It is not available from any shops and is available at £26.99 [+ £1.99 p&p] by personal application only from No2YourVillage, 65 Oxford Avenue, Guiseley, Leeds LS20 9BY or on-line. Further details including track-listing etc. can be seen at www.theunmutual.co.uk Peter Luck

JOHN FOULDS Keltic Suite, etc. BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Ronald Corp Keltic Overture; Keltic Suite; Sicilian Aubade; Isles of Greece; Holiday Sketches – Festival in Nuremburg, Romany from Bohemia, Evening in the Odenwald, Bells at Coblenz; An Arabian Night; Suite Fantastique – Pierrette and Pierrot, Chanson Plaintive, The Wayside Cross, Carnival ProcessionDutton Epoch CDLX7252 [68:06]. A few weeks ago in my locally owned recorded and sheet music/instruments shop I ordered a John Foulds CD I’d seen on a forthcoming issues list, and since receiving it it’s hardly been out of my CD player. Apart from Paxton and Bosworth recordings of his music, I really didn’t know much about John Foulds [1880-1939] but this Dutton Epoch disc is light music at its best. Lewis Foreman in the CD booklet notes that Foulds was frustrated that his light music was played in preference to his more serious works and listening to this CD I can see why. The programme begins with the Keltic Overture, rather similar I think to Hamish MacCunn’s The Land of the Mountain and the Flood and this is followed by The Clans, A Lament and The Call, which make up the Keltic Suite. All very colourful especially The Call, which begins as a jig and works up to a grand martial movement then coming back to its original dance rhythm before once again returning to a martial climax. Sicillian Aubade could have come from a mood music catalogue, it has that Mediterranean melody yet it is one of eleven tracks having their world premiere recordings on this CD. Isles of Greece is a plaintive piece which apparently was dedicated to a couple of dancers, Alexandre and Clotilde Sakharoff , who used it for a short ballet. The suite Holiday Sketches was published by Bosworths but to my knowledge hasn’t ever appeared in their mood music library catalogue as has the Keltic Overture and Lament. The first movement is Festival in Nuremburg but nothing to do with the infamous rallies, it’s a holiday style march and very catchy. The BBC Concert Orchestra’s Cynthia Fleming is the solo violinst for the gipsy Romany from Bohemia as is cello soloist Katherine Wood in the quiet Evening in the Odenwald. Holiday Sketches ends in quite a tumultuous fashion with Bells at Coblenz ringing out. An Arabian Night is a quiet affair with as you’d expect eastern overtones but the CD ends with four movements from the Suite Fantastique; The Wayside Cross builds to an impressive organ climax played by Roderick Elms, and the final movementCarnival Procession has the Concert Orchestra and conductor Ronald Corp sounding as though they’ve enjoyed themselves immensely playing this much neglected composer’s light music. Ken Wilkins

RAIE DA COSTA – The Parlophone Girl Volume 3 The First Thing I Knew; One Hour With You – Medley; Sunshine Susie – Medley; Hexentanz; Fairies’ Gavotte; The Punch and Judy Show; Butterflies In The Rain; Sarie Marais; I’ll Follow My Secret Heart; etc. … 24 tracks Shellwood SWCD 40[70:00]. This is Shellwood’s third collection devoted to a young lady pianist from South Africa with considerable talent, who died at the tragically early age of 29. Many of her recordings could best be described as syncopated piano solos, but sometimes she was joined by musicians such as Fred Hartley [on celeste] and in duets with the likes of Harry Jacobson. From the brief tracklisting details above, keen eyes will have spotted compositions by top songsmiths such as Sherman Myers [who we all now know was Montague Ewing], and she is also featured as composer on Toyland Holiday. If you’ve enjoyed the first two volumes you’ll be keen to get this one as well. The fine restorations are complemented with comprehensive booklet notes and recording information. David Ades If you have difficulty finding Shellwood CDs, they can be obtained from the RFS Record Service.

PETER DEMPSEY My Dreams : Songs by Francesco Paolo Tosti 26 tracks incl. Io son l’amore!; O Ma Charmante; Shall We Forget?; Marechiare; Beauty’s Eyes; Ici-bas!; Triste ritorno; On Lido Waters; Because of You; Le Rose che mi desti; Senza l’amore!; My Dreams; Petite Valse Romantique [piano solo]; Spring; Serenata allegra; Inverno Triste!; Serenata Allegro; Inverno triste!; Seconda mattinata; ‘A vucchella … FPT 1 [78:39] Here is another of tenor Peter Dempsey’s growing collection of CDs devoted to Victorian or Edwardian ballads and notable, as always, for his clear, passionate delivery and admirable diction. Tosti [1846-1916] is best remembered for the English ballad Good-Bye [not recorded here], but his output of 350-plus songs included, besides English ballads [mostly to lyrics by Fred Weatherly, with six of them here], French chansons [three here including the charmingPour un baiser!, beloved of Caruso] and Italian songs, many specifically Neapolitan ones. Strongly recommended, not least because at least 12 of the 25 song tracks have probably not previously been recorded. Recording quality is excellent. Accompanist Guy Rowland, who supports well, arranged his own solo from a Tosti waltz song. Available from Peter Dempsey at 44 Victoria Road, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwicks B50 4AR at £9.95 including postage Philip L Scowcroft

GEORGE BEVERLEY SHEA The Wonder Of It All 2 CDs 48 tracks Jasmine JASCD 674 [65:13 & 69:33] The canyon-deep baritone of "Bev", now in his 102^nd year, was a key part of Dr. Billy Graham’s great Christian crusades held throughout the world during the second half of the 20^thcentury. Many old favourites are here such as Somebody bigger than you or I, If I can help somebody, How great thou art, He’s got the whole world in His hands, The Lord’s Prayer and Blessed assurance. The last 12 tracks on Disc 2 are devoted to Christmas titles. Both generously-timed CDs [at mid-price] will bring back moving memories to many people of their lives being changed. Peter Burt

CENTRAL BAND OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE Reach For The Skies Battle Of Britain March; Fanfare For The Common Man; 633 Squadron; RAF March Past; Lawrence Of Arabia; It’s A Long Way To Go; The Dambusters March; Winston Churchill: "Their finest hour" [Jerusalem]; Reach For The Sky; Danny Boy; Pomp And Circumstance; Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines; Spitfire Prelude; Wind Beneath My Wings; Evening Hymn and Sunrise; Winston Churchill: "Never in the field of human conflict" [The Day Thou Gavest] Decca 2747513 [48:36] Released to mark the 70^thanniversary of the Battle of Britain, this is guaranteed to lift the spirits with its mix of RAF-related classics, including three composed by Ron Goodwin, and tunes traditional and modern. The 45-strong band is conducted by the RAF’s principal director of music, Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs. I am not enthusiastic about the three vocal tracks: It’s a long way sung by Fl. Lt. Matthew Little, which was especially written for the album by two of the bandsmen, Danny Boy [Hayley Westenra], and Wind beneath [Kerry Ellis]. The two speech extracts give added poignancy to an otherwise fine album with a very high level of musicianship. I recall 55 years ago how proud I was to march behind this band with bayonet fixed as RAF Wyton received the Freedom of Huntingdon. Not for the first time my mainquibble with this CD is the short measure. When will Decca match the quality with quantity on their popular band releases? Peter Burt 

BOB SCOBEY AND HIS FRISCO JAZZ BAND featuring CLANCY HAYES Feelin’ The Spirit Frisco jazz parade; Georgia blues; Too much mustard (take five) There’s nothing in Dixie (take three) Memories of bunk; Sudan (take six) Geary Street blues; Feelin’ the spirit; That’s for sure; Strawberry time; My hearts in Dixie (take three) Hobo blues (take two) Don’t count your kisses; Southern comfort; Bourbon street; Tailgate romance; Cable car swing; Clarinet capers; While you are away; Along the Wabash shore; Hobo blues (take three) Too much mustard (take four) What a lonesome day (take five) Bob’s blues (take one) Two beat (take four) Sounds of yesteryear DSOY 817[67:50] One for Chris Barber fans! Paul Clatworthy

JOE VENUTI AND HIS BLUE FIVE Blue Five Swing Hoe-down low down; Tango interlude; Hot ‘N’ trot; Bohemian bounce; Blue five swing; Nobody loves me; Red sea rumba; Fickle fiddle; Orchids; Concerto for new sounds; Black rhythm; Desert flower; Fleur-de-lis; Beautiful Oregon; Loco motives; Gee its great; Could I care; Noveletta; The distant lake; Sambalina. Sounds of yesteryear DSOY 815 [55:02] Joe Venuti is considered the father of jazz violin. He worked with major big bands such as Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden and Benny Goodman. Bing Crosby’s radio show featured him on a regular basis. A great practical joker, he used to send one armed trumpet player Wingy Malone a single cufflink every Christmas. Another time annoyed by a band member’s insistent foot tapping he nailed the culprits shoe to the floor! These tracks were recorded in 1957 and make pleasant listening; few violinists could coax so much joy out of the instrument in a small group setting.

Paul Clatworthy

DON REDMAN ORCHESTRA featuring COLEMAN HAWKINS Free And Easy Last night in town; To the river; Ballad ‘N’ bounce; Dreamy melody; Desert dance; Chevy’s chase; Christmas in the valley; Donnybrook; Ain’t gonna get fooled again; Voodoo; Peetni Petite; Waiting on the corner; My dream of yesterday; Fall leaves; At the swing cats ball; Free and easy; Echoing; Coffee light; The black cat; I dream of summer. Sounds of yester year DSOY 816 [51:58] Don Redman made his mark as an arranger in early big band jazz providing scores for Louis Armstrong, Ben Pollack and Paul Whiteman [my Dad’s favourite band]. He later worked for Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie then as musical director for Pearl Bailey. All twenty tracks are absorbing listening, I would dearly love to know who did the composing and arranging as there are no credits on the sleeve. Coleman Hawkins puts extra colour in to these rare sessions which are undated. The sleeve says Don stopped leading his own band in 1940 so I assume the music predates, if so either excellent first recording or wonders worked in the remastering. I loved the title and tune Chevy’s chase although unfair to pick one among so many goodies. Paul Clatworthy

LALO SCHIFRIN Mambo in Paris featuring the Orchestras of Eddie Warner and Lolo Martinez Harkit Records HRKCD8347 [63:15] Twenty-one tracks arranged by Lalo. His piano teacher told him the Conservatoire de Paris was offering scholarships for foreign students, so he set off with his book of arrangements. The year was 1952, these tracks were originally issued on The Barclay and Odeon labels between 1953 and 1955 A fascinating look at Lalo’s early writings, four original compositions, others by Gillespie, Perez Prado, Juan Tizol, Morales and names familiar in South America but less well known in Europe. Paul Clatworthy

MONICA MANCINI I’ve Loved These Days These days: God only knows; American tune; Blame it on the sun; Without him; How can I be sure; I’ll follow the sun; Ballad of the sad young men; Something so right; I’ve loved these days. Concord 08880072307452 [43:15]. Despite arrangements by Jorge Calandrelli I wish I had given this one a miss. Revisiting hits by others only works if you can improve or add something. Some tracks have the original artists involved but it is still a letdown.

Paul Clatworthy

FOLLOW THAT GIRL 17 tracks incl. Tra La La; I’m away; Follow that girl; Solitary stranger; Life must go on; Three Victorian mermaids; Doh, Ray, Me; Song and dance; The Chase; Taken for a ride; Lovely meeting you at last … & 2 other tracks Hooray For Daisy! 12 tracks incl. She coming on the 4.48; I feel as if I’d never been away; No lullaby; How when and where?; If only you needed me; Nice day … Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3047 [76:21]

FOLLOW THAT GIRL [Original London Cast] 17 tracks …& 7 other tracks Sepia Records Sepia 1156 [72:64]

Not a blast from the past but the gentle zephyr of a breeze! My wife and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary by going to the Vaudeville Theatre in London to see Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds’ delightful follow-up to their then record breaking show "Salad Days." And now, 50 years on, here is not only its first re-issue on CD but mirabile dictu its second as well. Starring Peter Gilmore [later of the popular BBC series ‘The Onedin Line’] and Susan Hampshire [later of ‘Forsyte Saga’ and ‘Monarch of the Glen’ fame] with musical direction by Philip Martell, it ran for 211 performances and was one of the first show recordings to be made in stereo. The story is about a young Victorian girl whose parents want her to marry a businessman so she runs away followed by her two suitors, Tancred and Wilberforce. The policeman sent to find her, who himself was lost 20 years ago while his parents [played by Marion Grimaldi and Newton Blick] were Shopping in Kensington, falls in love with her. Among the good tunes and witty lyrics Waiting for our daughter, sung in mock-opera style by James Cairncross and Patricia [Hyacinth "Bucket"] Routledge, is especially fun. Slade and Reynolds also wrote the Christmassy ‘Hooray for Daisy’, a dozen numbers from which are included on the Must Close album performed by the Bristol Old Vic Company. As well as the tracks from the two stage shows there are two additional tracks: Michael Collins’ orchestral selection from ‘Follow’, and the title tune played as a slow foxtrot by Victor Sylvester and his Orchestra. This CD also has the added appeal of the recording being restored by our friend Alan Bunting. Aside from that the Sepia album is only slightly shorter in length and is £2 or so cheaper. It has some fascinating "bonus" tracks: two selections from ‘Follow’ played by composer Julian Slade himself at the piano, a "pop version" of the title tune sung by Mr Gilmore backed by Tony Osborne and his Orchestra, three tracks [two songs from ‘Follow’] from the 1955 recording ‘The Music of Julian Slade’, and Christmas Madrigal from another Slade show "Look Who’s Here". All wonderfully nostalgic. Peter Burt 

LANG LANG The Best Of Lang Lang 27 tracks Deutsche Grammophon 4779014 [131:70] Here is the phenomenally talented 28-year-old pianist [his name translates as "very brilliant"], about whom some music purists are a bit sniffy, playing on a new mid-price 2-CD collection of recordings ranging from Liebestraum to – of special interest to JIM readers – Nigel Hess’s 23½-minute Piano Concerto, commissioned by The Prince of Wales in memory of the late Queen Mother. In between there is an eclectic mix of pieces: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Träumerei; Tchaikovsky’sPiano Concerto No.1, 3^rd movt.; Mike Oldfield’s Harbinger; Alexandre Desplat’s River Waltz [from the film "The Painted Lady"]; The Yellow River Piano Concerto, 2^nd movt. Ode to the Yellow River; Schiller’s Time for Dreams, other tuneful works by Liszt, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Satie, Rachmaninov, Schumann, and some particularly fascinating ones by Chinese composers, about which I would have liked some information in the booklet notes. Put this on your Christmas gift list.Edward Trub

More reminders from Wilfred Askew of recently received releases

THE CREATIVE SOUNDS OF FRANK DE VOL – Portraits 55 tracks on 2-CDs incl. Stranger in Paradise; Moments to Remember; My Foolish Heart; Unchained Melody; Chances are; Tammy; True Love; Say One for Me; Love Letters in the Sand; Silver Moon; When I Grow Too Old to Dream; Wonderful one; I’ll See You Again …Jasmine JASCD 538 [156:51] Original Capitol, CBS & RCA Recordings including 21 vocal tracks: Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Mel Torme & Gordon Macrae.

MAURICE JARRE ‘Lion Of The Desert’ & ‘The Message’ The Original Film Sountracks on 2-CDsTadlow Music Tadlow 008 [138:32]

HENRY MANCINI Mancini Marches [issued in 1959 as ‘March Step In Hi-Fi’] National Emblem; Entry of the Gladiators; The Billboard March; Under the double Eagle; Colonel Bogey; On the Mall … & six more titles Sousa In Hi-Fi [reissued in 1963 as ‘Sousa’s Greatest Marches’] Semper fidelis; National Fencibles March; Stars & Stripes Forever; The Invincible Eagle March; King Cotton; Manhattan Beach March … & six more titles Collectors’ Choice CCM-959 [65:05] Original Warner Bros. albums from 1959.

RALPH MARTERIE Into The ‘Fifties 50 original Mercury recordings on 2-CDs: Pretend; Caravan; Shish-Kebab; Moonlight in Vermont; La Rosita; Beautiful Ohio; Alice Blue Gown; Alone; Once in a while; Boulevard of Broken Dreams, John and Julie; In a Persian Market … Jasmine JASCD 541[132:13]

THE ARHUR MURRAY ORCHESTRA directed by Ray Carter Arthur Murray’s Music For Dancing Cha Cha 12 tracks incl. Watermelon Heart; Cheerful Little Earful; Arrivederci, Roma; Rico Vacilon; Arthur, you should smile more; It might as well be Spring … Sbme SBMk700725 2 [31:40]Fox Trot 12 tracks incl. Mack the Knife; Autumn Leaves; Canadian Sunset; There’s a small hotel; April in Portugal; Arthur Murray taught me dancing in a hurry … Sbme SBMk 700726 2 [28:26]Mambo, Rumba, Samba, Tango, Meringue 12 tracks incl. Red Petticoats; Tequila; Dansero; Bandolero, [La La] Colette; Ole Guapo … Sbme SBMk700727 2 [29:06] Waltz 12 tracks incl. Tenderly; Wunderbar; Under Paris Skies; A Kiss in the Dark; Alice blue gown; Wonderful One …Sbme SBMk 700728 2 [29:43] Original RCA recordings 1959.

KEN THORNE ‘Juggernaut’ & ‘The Bed Sitting Room’ Original Motion Picture SoundtracksKritzerland 20016-1 [33:56] 1,000 copies

LEROY ANDERSON Orchestral Music Volume 5

BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin; Kim Criswell, Soprano; William Dazeley, Baritone
Goldilocks [excerpts], Suite of Carols [version for woodwinds], Goldilocks: Lady in Waiting [waltz], Shall I Take My Heart [instrumental]Naxos 8.559382 [52:16]

New releases in this series from the man described as "one of the great American masters of light orchestral music" came regularly throughout 2008, Anderson’s centenary year, and very enjoyable they have been. As I write, Vol.3 is No.15 in the Naxos bestsellers list. Although equally welcome for some unfamiliar material, including four world première recordings, this is the last in the series and a less varied collection than its predecessors. ‘Goldilocks’ was a musical from 1958 which ran for 161 performances on Broadway and won two Tony awards. Pyramid Dance is probably its best known piece. To those who, like me, prefer their orchestral CDs voiceless there are three vocal numbers here. I can’t think why Naxos has separated the excerpts [tracks 1-11] from the other two numbers [tracks 18-19] with the Christmas carol arrangements. Richard S Gimell’s booklet notes are again hugely informative; and there is delightful photo of the composer on the cover. Incidentally, not one of this splendid series is reviewed in the latest Penguin Guide – shame on it! Peter Burt

FRANK CHACKSFIELD & HIS ORCHESTRA
Immortal Classics / Immortal Lullabies [Highlights]

Clair de lune, Minuet in G, The Swan, Salut d’amour, Waltz of the flowers, Liebestraum no.3 in A flat major, Melody in F, Morning song, Humoresque, Air on the G string, Valse d’Été / Sweet and low, Sleep, my baby, sleep, An Eriskay love lilt, Mighty lak’ a rose, Slumber Song, Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra! [That’s an Irish lullaby], Lorelei, Golden slumbers, Viennese Lullaby, Brahms’ Lullaby
Vocalion CDLK 4384 [78:09]The first album is another foray into the world of classical music by a light music orchestra, as well played as you would expect from this source. And where else would you hear this kind of programme on disc nowadays? Both albums were originally released as mono LPs in 1951 and 1952 respectively on Decca’s ‘Ace of Clubs’ label. Here they are remastered from the stereo tapes and are quality late night listening material, even if not quite as good as ‘Immortal Serenades’ [reviewed in JIM a year ago]. There are no booklet notes, but the CD is very good value and warmly commended. P B

"The Golden Age of Light Music" : FROM STAGE AND SCREEN

For full tracklisting please refer to page 77 of JIM 178.
Guild GLCD 5152

With the Guild Light Music series up to the fifty-second issue, we’re well and truly into the world of Show Business, and opening with a cracking recording by Geoff Love and his Orchestra of June Is Busting Out All Over from a 1957 disc. Sounds great! Henry Mancini’s theme from "The Glenn Miller Story" played by Jackie Brown’s Orchestra is next, but track 3 for me is a ‘show stopper’ – Geraldo and his Concert Orchestra playing a selection of Frank Loesser’s score to "Guys and Dolls", arranged by Roland Shaw. I’d never given Geraldo much thought before, but this track really made me sit up.It’s Only A Paper Moon and Secret Love played by the orchestras of David Rose and Robert Farnon keep up the musical flow, until the Victor Young Singing Strings take over with Alfred Newman’s theme to the film "Anastasia" with the composer conducting. Not having seen the film I checked it out in Halliwell’s Film Guide and apparently it marked Ingrid Bergman’s return to Hollywood after several years in Europe, and it won an Oscar. Alfred Newman was nominated as musical director. Sidney Torch and his Orchestra follow with the maestro’s own arrangement of music from Ivor Novello’s "The Dancing Years" played in his usual fine style, and I’m positive that Alan Bunting’s restorative treatment gives the recording that extra ‘kick’ – apart from removing unwanted hiss and crackle. As Time Goes By, featured in "Casablanca", but written some years earlier, is played by Ron Goodwin and his Orchestra, then Morton Gould and his Orchestra follow on track 9 playing Old Devil Moon, opening almost in oriental style then turning to a more sophisticated mood. Frank Chacksfield jollies the programme along with The Wedding Of The Painted DollI from the early sound film "Broadway Melody". Percy Faith goes continental with the "Moulin Rouge" theme Where Is Your Heart in an extended version, after which he markedly changes tempo with Show Me from "My Fair Lady". It’s Alfred Newman’s turn again as composer with a smooth rendition arranged by Frank Cordell of theSong From ‘Desiree’ – a very attractive theme in waltz time. This is followed by Victor Young conducting his own theme for "Samson and Delilah" with a powerful performance by The Paramount Symphony Orchestra. ‘Blockbuster stuff’ years before the word was bandied about! George Melachrino’s waltz theme for the film "Dark Secret" deserves to be better known than the film appears to be. Once again I turned to Halliwell’s Film Guide (1999 edition) to see what the rating was, but it wasn’t even mentioned. But "So Long At The Fair" is listed, and Benjamin Frankel’s themes (especially Carriage And Pair) follow in the famous Charles Williams Columbia recording. "Obsession" (1948) does appear in Halliwell but the view is that "it was an implausible, overstretched thriller, but bearable". However, Nino Rota’s themes, as played by the Sidney Torch Orchestra, are more than bearable – in fact they’re very attractive, and was that Arthur Sandford on the piano? "The Passionate Friends" from the novel by H.G. Wells is another 1948 movie, with music by Richard Addinsell and played by the Philharmonia Orchestra under that marvellous film music man Muir Mathieson. And last, but not least, a lively score by Nicholas Brodszky, arranged by Albert Sendrey, to an Anglo-American Technicolor and CinemaScope movie starring Vera Ellen and Tony Martin, described in the afore-mentioned film guide as "a footling musical". Forget the description: just enjoy the music, played from the soundtrack by the Associated British Studio Orchestra conducted by Louis Levy. Another excellent, well-filled Guild Light Music ‘concert’ deserving a wide audience. Ken Wilkins

MANTOVANI & HIS ORCHESTRA
Strauss Waltzes / Mantovani Favourites
Blue Danube, Voices of Spring, Roses from the South, Emperor Waltz, A thousand and one nights, Treasure Waltz …and 6 other titles / Londonderry Air, A walk in the Black Forest, Dream, Dark eyes, Welcome home, The party’s over, The Happy Wanderer, Polonaise in A [Chopin], A trumpeter’s lullaby, The Whiffenpoof Song, Tulips from Amsterdam, Auld Lang Syne 
Vocalion CDLK 4385 [78:19]Mantovani Magic / Concert Encores
Misty, Red roses for a blue lady, Chim chim cher-ee, Love me with all your heart, Goodnight sweetheart, Cara mia, I wish you love, Lover, Stardust, Mona Lisa, Most beautiful girl in the world, Auf wiederseh’n, sweetheart / Clair de lune, Spanish dance [Granados], Can-Can ‘La Boutique Fantasque’, Gipsy airs [Zigeunerweisen], Autumn, Song of India, Schön Rosmarin, Méditation, Perpetuum Mobile
Vocalion CDLK 4388 [77:51]Mike Dutton will never have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for Monty re-issues – they are all top quality – but there cannot be too many stereo albums left now waiting for him to release on CD. For‘Strauss Waltzes’ the wonderful melodies of the waltz king and the signature string sound of the master of light orchestral music were made for each other and the 1952 album, re-made in stereo in 1958, has been a best seller in all its formats. It will no doubt gain a lot more sales in its resurrection here. Arrangements are shared between Mantovani [seven] and Cecil Milner [five]. ‘Favourites’ was one of Monty’s last original issues and is a delightful amalgam from 1977 of material hitherto unreleased, or that had not achieved album status, or had only been issued on the Continent. ‘Magic’is from 11 years earlier and was described in Monty’s biography¹ as "a cracker of an album." Consequently, it went to No.3 in the LP charts – imagine that happening today! The great man himself is the piano soloist on his own composition of Cara Mia. Another early stereo release from1959, ‘Concert Encores’, is a nice souvenir for those of us who attended Monty’s live performances at the Royal Festival Hall and around the country. Mantovani again arranged seven of the items, Milner two, and Respighi the joyful Rossini Can-Can. With generous timings, both CDs are easily recommendable. P B 
¹ A Lifetime in Music by Colin Mackenzie [Melrose Books]

BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC FAVOURITES CD 1: Runaway Rocking Horse, Calling All Workers, Melody On The Move, Muse In Mayfair, Jamaican Rhumba, Greensleeves, Waltz from ‘The Three Bears’, Manhattan Playboy, Pictures In The Fire, etc. 20 tracks. CD2: Portrait Of A Flirt, Peanut Polka, The Old Clockmaker, By The Sleepy Lagoon, Shooting Star, Bells Across The Meadow, etc. 22 tracks. CD3: Devil’s Galop, Jumping Bean, Goodwood Galop, Elizabethan Serenade, The Young Ballerina, Coronation Scot, etc. 20 tracks Reader’s Digest 0349623 price £29.99. A few years ago Reader’s Digest put out a British Music Classical CD set including some light music by Eric Coates, Frederic Curzon and Ronald Binge. The present 3-disc British Light Music set offers a very good transfer to CD of some old favourites from across the spectrum with an occasional transfer into light classical, including a complete performance of Elgar’s Nursery Suite conducted by the composer – well transferred, but with too little space between movements. As regards light music composers none of the 1924 birthday set are included, but Charles Williams, Robert Farnon and Sidney Torch are well represented. There are a couple of errors as regards the list of recordings - the version of Shooting Star is not the Columbia one as stated, but the earlier Chappell; also the performance of Edward White’s Caprice for Strings is not the London Promenade version, but the later replacement by Dolf van der Linden which Paxton substituted some years later. Generally, apart from a rogue sentence in the sleeve note, the whole set is very well produced although – as mentioned in the last issue – most (but not all) of the items are available much cheaper elsewhere. David Mardon

RAY MARTIN & HIS ORCHESTRA

Favourite TV Themes Volumes 1 & 2
European Football ["The World at Their Feet"], Kung Fu: Caine’s Theme, Ironside, Spring and Autumn, Mission Impossible, The High Chaparral, Kojak, Upstairs Downstairs, Hawaii Five-O, Emmerdale Farm, International Golf ["Red Carpet Ride"], Warship, etc. / Van der Valk ["Eye Level"], Nationwide ["The Good Word"], Match of the Day, Softly, Softly – Task Force, News at Ten … and 8 other tracks
Vocalion CDLK 4375 [76:47]Here’s a reminder of many happy hours spent in front of the old "goggle box" way back when. The two albums on this well-filled CD first appeared in 1973 and 1975 respectively. They were recorded following Ray Martin’s 15 year sojourn in the United States and in style bear little relationship to the two earlier ‘In the Martin Manner’ CDs on this label. In his informative booklet notes Oliver Lomax refers to "Martin’s skilful, hip arrangements", so you know what to expect. Film ’74, Sale of the Century, and Star Trek on Vol.2 are previously unissued. There is also a new arrangement of Martin’s [aka Marshall Ross] own Top of the Form ["Marching Strings"] that is not particularly to my liking. Although all well played and recorded, I felt a modicum of disappointment with this release. P B

GEORGE MELACHRINO & HIS ORCHESTRA

The Immortal Ladies / Under Western Skies
Sweet Sue, Liza, Mona Lisa, Dolores, Louise, Laura, Rosalie, Irene, Maria, Sally, Chloe, Dinah / Home on the range, Wagon wheels, Riders in the sky, The last round-up, Colorado River, Cool water, San Francisco, Tumbling tumbleweeds, The one-armed bandit [Nevada], Empty saddles, Red River Valley, Northwest trail
Vocalion CDNJT 5205 [71:17] 
This is the third Melachrino CD we have had from Vocalion recently, so perhaps they are hoping to do for him what they have done so successfully for Mantovani. Although his music making is less distinctive, Melachrino might well be the connoisseurs’ orchestra of choice. First is a mono album from 1956 with an imaginative programme and good sound. The second is from a year later and in stereo apart from the last three tracks. The original LP was given three stars and rated demonstration-worthy in the old Stereo Record Guide, and I would imagine sounds even better here. The arrangements are never less than interesting and especially descriptive are the three pieces Melachrino himself composed [San Francisco, The one-armed bandit and Northwest trail] after visiting the American West. Top trombonist Lad Busby wrote the vivid Colorado River. The hornist’s contribution throughout is engaging and this is altogether a most enjoyable disc, possibly the pick of the CDs I have reviewed this time. P B

PALM COURT SOUVENIRS – Celebrating Victoria's Edwardian Heritage

Palm Court Light Orchestra Conductor Charles Job with Kenneth Lavigne [tenor]The Boulevardier, Moonlight Dance, Poem, Brown bird singing, Rendez-Vous, Bal masque, Karisma, Love's old sweet song, Down the Mall, Fairy on the clock, Piccadilly promenade, Phantom Melody, Macushla, In the shade of the palms, The Dicky Bird Hop, Dusk, Because, Colonel Bogey
CD004 [65:06] 
The term "Palm Court" probably originates from the early days of radio when a small orchestra would give weekly concerts of light music from the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, on a stage bedecked with palm trees. In later years these concerts would transfer to the studio and be broadcast under the title 'Grand Hotel.’ Traditionally the orchestra, which became known as the Palm Court Orchestra, consisted of about nine players with the leader playing his violin at the front of the stage. It was a programme of refined, genteel light music, perhaps at times a little insipid, with rather too much emphasis on nostalgic old melodies which appealed mostly to its older listeners. This recording, which has been privately produced in Canada, retains many of the elements of the Palm Court era and, whilst certainly including some of the sentimental numbers associated with the idiom, also gives us plenty of contrast with a wide range of light music, including many personal favourites such as The Boulevardier, Fairy on the clock, Bal masque, Henry Croudson's Piccadilly promenade and Reginald King's gorgeous In the shade of the palms. There is also a delightful Herman Finck compositionMoonlight Dance, which I must confess is new to me, but I considered one of the best items on the disc.The Palm Court Light Orchestra was formed by Charles Job in 1986 and is regarded as Canada’s Premier Light Orchestra. Charles is the first to admit that, despite its title, it really is a theatre orchestra rather than a Palm Court Orchestra, having twenty-six players and incorporating a brass section, which curiously includes a bass trombone rather than a tenor. Indeed their only tenor is the guest vocalist Kenneth Lavigne who sings four songs.

I have to say that, right from the outset, this orchestra really impressed me. The tight ensemble and crisp performance on this CD suggests an orchestra which not only enjoys what it is playing, but has complete confidence in its conductor. How nice to hear a contemporary orchestra which is happy to play music in the manner intended by its composers. Highly recommended to all light music aficionados! Brian Reynolds
Available from www.palmcourtorchestra.com

SIMPLY ACCORDION Light Music by Norvic Concordia [Accordion Ensemble]

Old Comrades (Teike), In Party Mood (Jack Strachey), Chanson de Matin (Elgar), The Phantom Melody(Ketelbey), Astor Piazzolla Suite, Misty (Garner), Canadian Capers (Chandler, White & Cohen), Longing (Oppenheimer), Heart of Paris (Auric), Spring in Tuscany (Gerhard Winkler), Evensong (Easthope Martin), Standchen (Heykens), March from A Little Suite (Trevor Duncan), The Grasshoppers’ Dance (Bucalossi), Manha do Carnival (Luiz Bonfa), Lazzarella (Domenico Modugno).DJC Records DJC 030, 64:12 mins.

Although always enjoying the occasional burst of accordion on a Mantovani or French music disc [or, indeed, on the Melachrino reviewed above], I have never had to review a complete album of accordion music and here there is not just a solo accordionist but five of them – all non-professional musicians. Although I missed the colouring of a full orchestra the music avoids sounding "samey" by the variety of the pieces played. They go from marches to waltzes, from tangos to swing. I especially enjoyed Jack Strachey’s Party Mood as a reminder of George Elrick on the BBC radio programme ‘Housewives’ Choice’, a fine Chanson de Matin [not a bad composer, that Elgar], the classic piano ragCanadian Capers, George Auric’s descriptive Heart of Paris and Heykens’ bouncy Stänchen [Serenade]. A reviewer in another place who, unlike me, is well-versed in all things accordion has written that "the music is very well arranged and the playing is of a high order." That’s good enough for me. And I rate the recording tiptop, too. P B

Available for £10 + £1 postage & packing from Peter Ayers, 40, St Michaels Way, Brundall, NORWICH, NR13 5PF. (It can also be ordered by sending an e-mail request to

NELSON RIDDLE Sea Of Dreams / Love Tide

Out of the night, Tangi Tahiti, Dream, There’s no you, Bali Ha’i , East of the sun, Till the end of time, Caravan … plus 16 more 
EMIGOLD 5970532 [67:43]

There simply are no adequate words to describe this superb pairing of classic albums arranged, composed and conducted by the great Nelson Riddle. ‘Sea Of Dreams’ has been my favourite album, describing a peaceful, restful getaway from the stresses of the day. The music is uniformly great withMy isle of golden dreams, Drifting and dreaming, and Nelson’s title number being the most beautiful tracks. And from ‘Love Tide’, another wonderful album from about 1961, we have the title track (also written by Nelson Riddle), Ill wind and the haunting Take me into your arms capping the list of musical therapy one could ever have in one lifetime. The transfer to CD preserves the original balances which were always great on Capitol. What Nelson Riddle could have accomplished had Capitol or Reprise let him write his soul! Unfortunately, EMI is deleting much of its magical catalogue in this series, including Paul Weston’s masterworks, as well as of this gentle master, Nelson Riddle. Maybe EMI can be persuaded to just let us have a few more times with these exquisite masterpieces in sound! Richard Jessen 
[Although this is obviously not a new release and has been reviewed in JIM before, we share Richard’s enthusiasm for the CD and have included it in view of his concluding sentence.]

AMBROSE & HIS ORCHESTRA Hors D’Oeuvres

Plain Jane, Early morning blues, A Burmese ballet, Hullabaloo, Deep Henderson, Message from Mars, Swinganola, Hick Stomp. Embassy Stomp, Champagne cocktail, B’wanga … and 14 others 
Vocalion CDVS 1959 [74:03]Here is another of this label’s reissues selling for an almost unbelievable £2.99. The tracks originate from the ten years up to 1945. Many of them were composed by Sid Phillips, including eight of those listed above. Fire Dance is by classical composer de Falla. The Rhythm Sisters are the vocalists on W.C. Handy’s Memphis blues, featured soloists are clarinettists Carl Barriteau on Dance of the potted puppet and Reginald Kell on Swing low, sweet clarinet. Although [Bert] Ambrose was always reckoned to use the best musicians around, I am unable to identify the personnel here as there are no booklet notes [understandably so at the price] but in his time Ambrose included such luminaries as Ted Heath, Lew Stone, Stanley Black, and George Shearing. P B

THE INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY Together
Largo [‘New World Symphony’], Nessun dorma, Somewhere over the rainbow, Nimrod, You raise me up, When I survey the wondrous cross – O Waly Waly, Let it be, Nearer my God to Thee, Wind beneath my wings, Make me a channel of your peace [with Aled Jones], O Christmas tree, In the bleak midwinter, You’ll never walk alone [with Lesley Garrett], Going home [with The Fron Male Voice Choir]UCJ 1782154 [53:32]It is good to see the Salvation Army’s premier band being taken up by a leading commercial label. I understand that good sales were achieved last Christmas and that the proceeds will help "The Army" in its so worthwhile charitable work. The playing is obviously of a very high standard and the repertoire is varied. The added percussion did at times come close to irritating me. The timing of the CD is nowhere near as generous as the cause it supports. P B

GALA NIGHT WITH NIGEL OGDEN

Nigel Ogden at the Wurlitzer Organ of Stockton Town Hall
Lover/ A wonderful day like today, Sons of the brave, Song of the bells, Selection from ‘The History Boys’: L'Accordioniste/ Bewitched/ Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye/ Bye bye blackbird/ Excerpt from Piano Concerto No.2 in C Major/ Happy birthday dear Eliza, Songs of the Sixties: Song of Mexico/ Apache/ Anyone who had a heart/ I remember you/ How do you do it?/ I want to hold your hand/ You don't have to say you love me/ March of the Mods, Georgia, Selection from ‘Mrs. Henderson Presents’: The girl in the little green hat/ All the things you are/ I'll string along with you/ Sails of the windmill/ Goody goody/ Doreen, Waltzing with Waldteufel: Estudiantina/ Dolores/ The Skater's Waltz/ The Sirens/ Mon rêve, Music from France: Ca c'est Paris/ Boom/ Windows of Paris/ Louise/ Pigalle/ I wish you love/ Farandole/ Under Paris skies/ Under the bridges of Paris/ Can-can, Celebration March, The Hour of Parting, The Best of Nacio Herb Brown: Broadway melody/ You are my lucky star/ All I do is dream of you/ Should I?/ Wedding of the painted doll/ You were meant for me
Grasmere GRCD 129 [75:53]The cinema or theatre organ, like the accordion, is an instrument which you either like or you don't. As an exponent (of sorts) of both instruments you can guess where I stand! Many people of my age group remember the regular cinema organ spots on the Light Programme – notably the 10am slot most weekday mornings in the Fifties featuring the likes of William Davies, Lloyd Thomas, Gerald Shaw, Robinson Cleaver and Robin Richmond, who later presented a weekly show entitled 'The Organist Entertains'. Well, that programme is still going but for many years it has been in the capable hands of Nigel Ogden, who is the featured artist on this CD which contains a plethora of tuneful melodies, mostly in the form of medleys. One such medley is ‘Songs of the Sixties’ which, in his accompanying notes, Nigel Ogden describes as "one of the greatest decades for popular song". Personally, I have always considered this period as being the beginning of the end of popular music. Fortunately, for this selection, Nigel has chosen [for the most part] some of the better tunes. There is a curiously titled item called Happy birthday dear Eliza which is based on Beethoven's Für Elise, that I have always disliked ever since being forced to play it in piano lessons as a child! I have often found over the years that cinema organists, [even some of the best known] have a habit of rushing passages and getting out of tempo. There is none of this, however, in Nigel Ogden's performances which are really first class! This is an entertaining and well-played recording, packed with good tunes which will appeal to all enthusiasts of this giant of musical instruments. Brian Reynolds

ARNELL The Great Detective / The Angels – Ballet Music

BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates
Dutton Epoch CDLX 7208 [66:17]Richard Anthony Sayer Arnell, or Tony to his friends, is considered by many to be our leading symphonist. Beecham recorded his ‘Punch and the Child’ in 1950 with the RPO and described Arnell as "one of the best orchestrators since Berlioz…" Having been educated at the Hall School, Hampstead, and University College School, Arnell entered the Royal College of Music in 1935, where he studied composition with John Ireland and piano with St. John Dykes. Vaughan Williams was chair of the panel that awarded him the Farrar Prize for Composition in 1938. He spent a number of years in America where his music was championed by Bernard Herrmann and other conductors and a number of his major works received performances. Back in England after World War II, Beecham became a patron, but Arnell’s prominence eventually faded when composers of anything considered "tuneful" were consigned to near-oblivion by the musical fashion-police, principally William Glock, Controller of Radio 3 [1959-73].Both of these ballets were commissioned by Sadler’s Wells and appear for the first time on CD. ‘The Great Detective’ [1953] is a witty comedic ballet based on the great fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The ballet opens in sparkling fashion and no one can be in any doubt as to the skill of the composer as an orchestrator. The humorousDistressed Ladies episode is reminiscent of the ballet music of Constant Lambert, while the melodramatic Fiends and Villains could well have been written for an old silent film. The Dance of Deduction is another witty episode and the whole work is eventually brought to a satisfying conclusion by a big tune and a few remaining musical heroic afterthoughts.

‘The Angels’ (1957) is more of a substantial piece which takes the form of a three movement symphony. The original scenario is abstract, but concerns a life-giving angel who brings men and women together, selects one of them for immortality and makes them shine with heavenly light. It is a powerful work and seems well suited for the concert hall. Of particular note is the extended centralRoundelay movement – one of Arnell’s most beautiful and inspired slow movements – and here the influence of his extended stay in the US is clearly evident, with echoes of his American contempories, Aaron Copland and Roy Harris.There is much to enjoy on this CD, and for those tempted to explore Arnell further I can thoroughly recommend the Third Symphony (Dutton Epoch CDLX 7161) – a stirring masterful work which has received universal praise. The artwork/sleeve design and copious liner notes make for an attractive package and both the recording and performance from Martin Yates and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are of a high standard. An essential purchase for anyone interested in British orchestral repertoire of the "lost generation" and full marks to Vocalion for making Arnell’s music available to us after decades of neglect. Incidentally, Arnell is now in his nineties and lives in a Musicians’ Benevolent home in Kent where he continues to compose. Malcolm Osman

"The Golden Age of Light Music" : STRINGS AND THINGS GO STEREO!
For full tracklisting please refer to page 76 of this issue.
"Strings And Things Go Stereo" is the first 100% stereo selection in the Guild Light Music series but if, like me, sound technology isn’t your first priority – fear not – the music’s grand and so are the orchestras! Beginning with the curtain opening on Victor Young’s theme to "Around The World in Eighty Days" played by The Cinema Sound Stage Orchestra - and I’d suggest a brighter, breezier recording than the composer’s own version. Still with show music A Wonderful Guy from "South Pacific" (without Mary Martin!) played in fine style by Warren Barker’s Orchestra; I’m afraid I’d never heard of him but thanks to David’s inclusion, and his booklet notes, I have now! Following on from the Rio Carnival Orchestra’s rendition of Brazil is The Trolley Song, originally sung in a similar style by Judy Garland in "Meet Me In St. Louis" – this time played by Buddy Bregman and his Orchestra, but renamed for the original album ‘The Conrad Salinger Orchestra’ in honour of the esteemed arranger responsible. Two more film titles Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing and Change Partners(coupled with Mandy) played by Mantovani and Frank De Vol respectively continue this very entertaining programme; then a restful Tahiti: A Summer Night At Sea by Les Baxter is followed by a smoochie Harlem Nocturne with Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra. First Row Centre by Joe Reisman (any relation to Leo Reisman?) gets the feet tapping again before being lured into Alfred Newman’sStreet Scene with the New World Theatre Orchestra. Then in complete contrast we step straight into the Chappell catalogue with Tony Tamburello’s Saucy Sailor, although it first appeared several years earlier on a US Everest LP as Naughty Nautical, which is how it is listed on this CD. Robert Farnon is conducting his Orchestra in London, although at the time he was still under contract to Decca so the LP credited ‘The Everest Concert Orchestra under the direction of Derek Boulton’ (Bob’s manager!). A super piece of cheery mood music. There’s No You, a romantically tuneful concoction as played by Nelson Riddle, is followed by Morton Gould and his Orchestra with a seductive version of Orchids In The Moonlight written by Vincent Youmans from the RKO film "Flying Down To Rio". It was sung by Raul Roullen to either Ginger Rogers or Dolores del Rio, but I can’t remember which and it doesn’t say on the soundtrack LP I have! Track 14 has David Carroll and his Orchestra with Ron Goodwin’sSwinging Sweethearts but we in Britain know it as Skiffling Strings – thence to Victor Schertzinger’sSand In My Shoes with the Melachrino Strings. It was featured in the 1941 film "Kiss The Boys Goodbye" starring Don Ameche, Mary Martin and Connee Boswell. Hubert Bath’s Cornish Rhapsody, written for Margaret Lockwood to appear to play (but actually recorded for the soundtrack of the 1944 film "Love Story" by Harriet Cohen) is played here by pianists Rawicz and Landauer with Mantovani and his Orchestra – and a very nice performance and recording from all involved. And staying with Hubert Bath, I wonder if David would consider issuing his march Admiral’s All on Boosey & Hawkes 1930s Archive, and his other two nautical pieces on Paxton – Threatening Waves and Ode To the Sea. They deserve a wider audience for this neglected composer. Lucky In The Rain gets a really spirited performance from Robert Farnon and his Orchestra, as does Hal Mooney’s Orchestra playing his own composition Gemini - another piece that could easily come from a mood music catalogue – as could Pavement Pigalle from Joseph Kuhn, a name familiar to anybody with Golden Guinea 101 Strings LPs in their collection. It graces track 19 and is played by the Paris Theatre Orchestra. My LP copy is in mono, but on this CD – like all the tracks – it is in stereo. Canadian Sunset and Saraband are both pretty familiar, but Phil Boutet and his Orchestra playing Evening Starnot so – until I realised that it’s actually an arrangement of O Star Of Eve from Tannhauser by Wagner. The Clebanoff Strings play La Seduccion in a smoth manner, but Leo Shuken’s Spring Madness is alternately spritely then almost pastoral, ending as it began in vigorous style. And finallyThe Song Is Ended by Irving Berlin – a fitting tribute to another fine selection of concert items – which I’m sure the national BBC stations will ignore as usual, but anybody with any musical sense will add to their CD shelf immediately! Ken Wilkins

"The Golden Age of Light Music" : MUSICAL KALEIDOSCOPE - Volume 3

For full tracklisting please refer to page 77 of this issue.
Guild GLCD 5154

With expectations high I put "Musical Kaleidoscope – Volume 3" in the CD player and sat back – and I wasn’t disappointed. Three spectacular pieces to open, the first being Charles Williams’ Winged Messenger in which I thought I could detect strains of his Sons Of The Air on Chappell C209. David Ades writes in the booklet notes that Winged Messenger was used extensively by US networks NBC and ABC in the late 1950s and early 1960s as programme promo music and theme music for radio shows and I can understand why! A very powerful opener – as is track 2 Baden Baden, a grand theatrical-type march which develops into a galop, then simmers down to a definite finale. I’d never heard of the composer ‘Raymond’ but he (she?) wrote a good tune and it is very well played by the Baden Baden Symphony Orchestra – now known, according to David’s notes, as the South West German Radio Symphony Orchestra. The third ‘blockbuster’ on the CD is Holiday For Trombones by David Rose with him conducting in fine fettle. A novelty number by Kermit Leslie is next, which he calls Jalopy and includes a recording of one (a Model T Ford, perhaps?); then in complete contrast a smoochie piece Just For Two by Raymond Ellis and arranged by Angela Morley, rather similar to Dolf van der Linden’s Lady Of Leisure on Paxton. Track 6 is White from ‘Tone Poems Of Color’ by Victor Young; I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a delightful piece of concert music with a sleigh bells opening – very nice indeed. Another great novelty piece to follow – this time Ronald Binge’s Tales Of The Three Blind Mice played by Sidney Torch for the American transcription service Lang-Worth conducting what seems to me to be a slightly larger orchestra than usual, but I could be mistaken. Jack Strachey is another composer featured, and I’m very pleased that David included an unfairly neglected theatre march Shaftesbury Avenue from the Bosworth library – equal, I think, to his more famous Theatreland (already featured on two Guild CDs by B&H’s New Concert Orchestra – GLCD 5102, and Harry Fryer in Decca’s Music While You Work series – GLCD 5137). Irving Berlin’sLady Of The Evening is arranged by Peter Yorke and played by his Concert Orchestra in its usual immaculate manner, followed by Robert Farnon’s Playtime with the Telecast Ensemble and Bob at the piano (replacing the session pianist who wasn’t up to scratch!). I’ve got the Chappell 78 of this piece, and I wondered how long it would be before Alan and David included this number in the Guild Light Music series. Actually David tells me it was a special request from an RFS member! Forgive my ignorance, but I didn’t recognise Domani until Richard Hayman and his Orchestra struck up on track 14, and then the tune became very familiar; but Valse Bluette by Drigo sounds very different to my George Melachrino LP recording, as played here by Victor Young and his Orchestra with trumpeter Rafael Mendez doing his stuff. Harry Fryer was a great light music conductor and he makes a splendid job of Roger Barsotti’s march Banners of Victory. Between That’s All by Bob Haymes and Gershwin’s Swannee is Ecstasy by Otto Cesana and played by his orchestra. A lush melody that could easily find a place in any publisher’s mood music catalogue. Rudy Vallee co-wrote Deep Nightpresumably for himself to sing, and I have an LP of him doing just that – but here it’s played by the Pittsburgh Strings in fine form. Captain Of The Guard was new to me, but La Muse Legere wasn’t, as I’ve had the 78 since it was issued – but I particularly liked Captain Of The Guard and I’m told that it was also a special request, like several more in this collection. Alla Marcia from Sibelius’ ‘Karelia Suite’ and Sinding’s Rustle Of Spring are both very familiar concert items, but Gabriel Pierne’sSerenade not so – at least to me, but very tuneful all the same as played by the Andre Kostelanetz Orchestra. Henry Litolffs’ Scherzo played here by Winifred Atwell is a real eye-opener, especially as she was more identified with her honky-tonk ‘joanna’! And finally two ‘bonus tracks’: Desperate Moment and Sinister Street No. 1 from the De Wolfe library – two good examples of dramatic music used in the Two Ronnies’ comedy serial "The Phantom Raspberry Blower Of Old London Town". If David would like some more suggestions for dramatic items perhaps he’d consider East Of Malta by Ronald Hanmer and Jack Beaver’s The Sword Of Damocles – both from the FDH library for inclusion on future Guild CDs. This is altogether a very satisfying and melodic addition to the series and Alan Bunting’s magical restorations are first class as usual! Ken Wilkins

MAURICE BLOWER SYMPHONY IN C MAJOR 

Havant Symphony Orchestra conducted by Peter Craddock 
with Elgar: Wand Of Youth Suite No.2, and Brahms: Academic Festival Overture [57:00] 
Strange bedfellows? Not really because all three offerings are tuneful delights but, while the latter two are well known, the former piece is a rarity indeed with a fascinating story behind it. Blower died in 1982 and some time later his son Thomas, pottering around in the loft, discovered a symphony which had lain unpublished and unperformed since it was completed in the pre-war summer of 1939. A few years ago he transcribed it into Sibelius software and, with the help of conductor Peter Craddock, set-up the full score for a première performance given in Fareham by the Havant Symphony Orchestra, which took place in March 2008. It was duly recorded for posterity and is now available for £8 from Sandra Craddock, 152 West Street, Havant, PO9 1LP; cheques payable to "HADOS." This is a jolly piece of music which will appeal to all Robert Farnon lovers. Edmund Whitehouse

STOKOWSKI BACH TRANSCRIPTIONS · 2
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra José Serebrier
Toccata and fugue in D minor, Wachet auf [Sleepers Awake!], Ein feste burg [A Mighty Fortress], Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring … etc
Naxos 8.572050 [64:59]Fans of the Disney film ‘Fantasia’ will be familiar with the opening track on this splendid budget priced disc. All the transcriptions by the old musical magician Leopold Stokowski are very come-at-able and as well as the 11 originating from Bach there are half-a-dozen others, eminently tuneful, by Palestrina, Byrd, Jeremiah Clarke [the Trumpet Voluntary tune], Boccherini [Minuet, used in Ealing Films’ ‘The Ladykillers’], Mattheson and Haydn [the well-known Andante Cantabile]. Buy and enjoy! P B 

DAVID NADIEN Beethoven & Mendelssohn Violin Concertos [US] Cembal d’amour CD 137[67:31] To many readers of this review, David Nadien may seem an odd choice for inclusion. Yet he was the leader (or concertmaster) of the recording orchestra Robert Farnon arranged and conducted for Tony Bennett on his famous ‘Snowfall’ Christmas album of nearly 40 years ago. At the time of that distinguished recording, David Nadien had been the leader of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra since 1966 and would be at that post until 1971. Nadien is still with us and occasionally plays in public. On this CD he shows just how insightful of a performer he truly can be in the heavier forms of music. The Beethoven Concerto is considered (with the Brahms) as a test of endurance of the player, for it is nearly as long as a symphony and just as demanding. David lends a special insight and feeling into this very emotional performance. He was aided in this 1952 performance by Leon Barzin and his college level National Orchestral Association. The Mendelssohn Concerto is a case of the soloist bringing a group of unknown musicians, the Chappaqua Orchestra under Wolfgang Schanzer, up to his level of conception. Again, there is a very strong bond between orchestra members and soloist that gives us a rare moment of psychic purity in which each participant accompanies each other with perfect balance. Although this may be a hard to obtain CD, the musical rewards and soothing sound of David Nadien’s artistry combine to create a marvelous listening experience seldom found in today’s musical world. Richard Jessen 
Available from www.cembaldamour.com 

"RHAPSODY BY REQUEST" Por Una Cabeza, Mack the Knife, Souvenirs de Paris, The Girl From Ipanema, La Vie En Rose, Jazz Medley, Tasha’s Waltz, Anne of Green Gables medley, Processional, Viktor’s Tale, Schindler’s List, Heaven Can Wait, Caravan, Les Patineurs Valse, Um Momento, Bohemian Rhapsody Rhapsody Quintet. RHAP CD005, 65:32 mins. Available from Rhapsody Quintet, 1240 Edward Street, Halifax, N.S., B3H 3H4, CANADA. Website www.rhapsodyquintet.comRFS members who have bought previous releases by this versatile Canadian group of musicians will be pleased to learn that a new collection is now available. Familiar favourites are mixed with some less well-known numbers, and the players’ enthusiasm which they display towards their repertoire is certainly infectious. Unlike sixty or seventy years ago, there are few examples of small ensembles playing light music these days, so it is good to know that this more genteel style still survives today.David Ades 

JOPLIN The Easy Winners & Other Rag-Time Music
PREVIN A Different Kind Of Blues
Itzhak Perlman [violin], André Previn, Shelly Manne [pianos], Jim Hall [bass], Red Mitchell [guitar]The Rag-Time Dance, The Easy Winners, Bethena [A Concert Waltz], Magnetic Rag, The Strenuous Life [Rag-Time Two-Step], The Entertainer, Elite Syncopations, Solace, Pine Apple Rag, Sugar Cane / Look at him go, Little Face, Who Reads Reviews, Night Thoughts, A Different Kind of Blues, Chocolate Apricot, The Five of Us, Make Up Your Mind
EMI Encore 2357272 [78:06]A well-filled low-priced disc with premium performers. Ragtime swept the world between c1897-1920, its syncopated melodies set against a march-type bass line. Scott Joplin was thought of as its greatest composer. Here the violin and piano of a classical "dream team" does him full justice on this 1974 album. The Previn piece, from 1980, anticipated the rash of "crossover" albums by classical artists from the late ‘80s onwards and is most enjoyable, with the violin virtuoso clearly taking to the jazz idiom at his first attempt. Previn is reunited with fellow pianist Shelly Manne, reminding us of their classic ‘My Fair Lady’ album [recently reissued with final restoration and remastering by Alan Bunting] on Retrospective RTR 4122. P B 

"LE PIANO ‘BASTRINGUE’" featuring the pianos of Floyd Cramer [Fancy Pants, Five Foot Two Eyes Of Blue], Dolores Ventura [Celebration Waltz], Eddie Smith [Ragtime Melody], Johnny Maddox [St. Louis Tickle], Michel Legrand [La Pendule], Crazy Otto Rag [Will Glahe], Russ Conway [Chicago, The Lantern Slide, Buttons and Bows], Eddie Miller [Somebody Stole My Gal, Whispering], Joe ‘Fingers’ Carr [Maple Leaf Rag, Down Yonder, Entertainer’s Rag], plus Winifred Atwell, Crazy Otto and many more. 61 tracks on 2 CDs. (France) Marianne Melodie 081902. Once again our friend Pierre-Marcel Ondher has put together a varied selection that will delight everyone who enjoys the kind of piano music performed by the talented artists listed above. The 28-page booklet contains comprehensive notes, but you will need to understand French! However the full tracklisting details give alternate titles in English where appropriate and this is a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with talented pianists from France and Germany that may be unfamiliar to you. Highly recommended for those who enjoy popular piano music from the 1950s. David Ades This collection is available from the RFS Record Service to special order. The price is likely to be in the region of £20 but may vary due to current volatility in the currency markets. 

BENNY GOODMAN SEXTET Slipped Disc 1945 – 1946
After you’ve gone; Slipped disc, Rachel’s dream, I got rhythm … plus 14 more songs
Columbia CK 44292 [53:18]Probably one of the unique sounds in the history of jazz was Benny Goodman’s performances with small groups ranging in size from trios to quartets and finally into sextets. Although many prize the Charlie Christian sets (and they are justifiable classics), Goodman in the 1940's had lost none of his touch and continued to record for Columbia some magnificent performances. One that sticks out isAfter you’ve gone which has a great Slam Stewart singing solo on his bass along with crisp playing from vibist Red Norvo. Slipped disc is another fabulous item found on this disc, relating as it does to Goodman’s constant back pains. The music just ripples along like a happy, babbling brook aided in no small part by Teddy Wilson sitting at the piano and dispensing his famous crisp, articulate piano. The engineering from the original recordings is as perfect as can be had on this side of paradise. And of course, this is music for putting one in the mood for the happiest of all days Richard Jessen 

DANIEL SMITH Blue Bassoon
The Jody grind, The double up, Sack of woe, Things ain’t what they used to be, My baby’s gone, Billie’s bounce, Nostalgia in Times Square, Equinox, Scotch and water, From four till late, Break out the blues, Footprints, Solid
Label & release date to be announced [47:50] 
I am not a musician so maybe I am missing something. As I said when reviewing Daniel’s previous CD, ‘The Swinging Bassoon’, his technique is marvellous but as a solo instrument the bassoon in this setting sounds incongruous. The number of musicians has been increased and once again the compositions are all written by veterans of the jazz scene, most no longer around. I can only guess if they would approve of their music with this treatment. One thing is for sure, none of these tunes were written for a bassoon! The CD arrived with an impressive list of accolades from jazz critics with more knowledge than me. I can only repeat the first sentence of this review. Paul Clatworthy 

AL BOWLLY This Is Romance
Double CD, 52 titles
Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY756 [77:05 & &9:14]Fans of Bowlly, who is believed to have influenced many singers in his short lifetime, really get their money’s worth here! The songs are with the bands of Lew Stone, Ray Noble and Geraldo. Most personnel are listed; interestingly the Lew Stone orchestra had Stanley Black and Monia Liter, who later found fame on their own, in its ranks. Recordings date between 1932 and 1939. I was not born until four years after the first was made, so the only titles I was familiar with were Ray Noble’s The touch of your lips, Irving Berlin’s Top hat, Harold Arlen’s As long as I live, and Mack Gordon’s Did you ever see a dream walking. Transfers are painstaking good by John Bennett. Put in on your shopping list for Grandma’s next birthday. Paul Clatworthy
[1936 was a very good year! - KT Ed.] 

BING CROSBY Through The Years Volume Two 1951
25 tracks including Maria Bonita, Granada, Indian summer, The loneliness of evening, Sparrow in the treetop [with The Andrews Sisters], Here ends the rainbow [w. Betty Mullin], Moonlight Bay, When you and I were young, Maggie, Blues [w. Gary Crosby], I whistle a happy tune, Getting to know you, Gone fishin’ [w. Louis Armstrong], Shanghai, Row, row, row 
Sepia 1122 [73:52] 
Another entertaining selection of tracks from "The Old Groaner" with on hand the orchestras of John Scott Trotter [natch!], Vic Scoen, Lynn Murray, Victor Young and Dave Barbour; also The Bando Da Lua, Matty Matlock and his All Stars, and the Jud Conlon Choir. Popular singing par excellence. The music is enhanced by extremely comprehensive booklet notes. P B 

DORIS DAY TODAY A Musical Comedy Special [DVD]BMG 88697176059 [1hr 30 mins]I must admit to having a fondness for music specials and especially anything with Doris Day makes my day. In the waning days of music specials, CBS-TV telecast ‘Doris Day Today’ in 1975. Sadly, this was to be Day’s last major network special. Happily, this is a fun special showing off Day’s talents as actress, comedian and, most importantly, singer. There are vibrant duets with John Denver including probably the greatest filmed performance seen anywhere of songs associated with each performer. There are also comedy sketches with Rich Little offering up his vast repertoire of celebrity impersonations (he was one of the best) as the leading man in the many films Day was involved with, with humour. Another great comedian was Tim Conway who was known for cutting up hilariously with the late Harvey Korman on ‘The Carol Burnett Show.’ Here he has a funny sketch with Doris Day where they are stuck out in the middle of nowhere close to the Grand Canyon. Not only are both hilarious but also there is a brief appearance by Day’s best friend Biggest (a very large but very dignified male poodle). But it’s the music and voice that carries this excellently produced show. There is an update with very fast, edited costume change of the Cole Porter classic Anything goes, a very soulful performance of Day by day from ‘Godspell’ done as only Doris Day could do with a song. The most moving performance is The way we were, where all of Day’s male co-stars are remembered in a deeply emotional performance. There are also extras such as Doris Day’s appearance on the John Denver Show in 1974, 1940's musical short with Les Brown as well as data on her movies and many recordings. This DVD is available on both sides of the Atlantic. Thank you Doris Day for being the wonderful performer and human being you have always been. Here’s hoping you will be around for a few years more! Richard Jessen 

DICK HAYMES It’s A Grand Night For Singing
You’ll never know, It can’t be wrong, How blue in the night, Let the rest of the world go by, The more I see you, I wish I knew, They didn’t believe me, Love letters, Laura, Isn’t it kinda fun, It might as well be spring, That’s for me, It’s a grand night for singing, How deep in the ocean, Oh! what it seemed to be, Aren’t you kinda glad we did, For you, for me, for evermore … and 32 other tracks
Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY759 [74:40 & 72:27]A double album collecting the first nine years of the singer’s solo career with Decca, 1943 to 1952. Many of the titles were rushed through to beat the imminent recording ban of 1948. They do not sound rushed, his distinctive mellow voice coaxing the best out of each tune. Orchestra backing include Tommy Dorsey, Earl Hagen, Gordon Jenkins, Lyn Murray, Artie Shaw, Vic Shoen and Victor Young. Among the vocalists are The Andrews Sisters, Helen Forest, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman and Song Spinners.

Paul Clatworthy 

The Unforgettable PAT KIRKWOOD Just One of Those Things, Save a Little Sunshine (with Dave Willis), Dinah, Nobody’s Sweetheart, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, Most Gentlemen Don’t Like Love, The Only One Who’s Difficult Is You, You’ve Done Something to My Heart, Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh! Where or When, This Can’t Be Love, In the Mood, My Kind of Music, The Victory Roll, South American Way, Listen to Me – and many more. AVID AMSC 966 2-CD set. 66 tracks, total timing 157:19 mins."Glamorous, dynamic, and an international sex symbol, Pat Kirkwood was for two decades the undisputed queen of British stage and screen musicals, with a voice rivalling that of Broadway’s Ethel Merman. Cole Porter, Noël Coward and Leonard Bernstein chose her to play the leading roles in their musicals, and her performances in 15 pantomimes caused a leading critic to hail her as ‘the greatest Principal Boy of the 20th century’. When she died on Christmas Day 2007, the world-wide media coverage focussed on two things: her fabulous legs, once described by Kenneth Tynan as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’, and her rumoured relationship with Prince Philip, a source of feverish speculation by royal biographers and gossip columnists for 60 years. This historic double CD, released by AVID Entertainment to mark the first anniversary of her death, spans 56 years of her glittering career, from her first film at the age of 17, to her last stage appearance in 1994. It features no fewer than 29 performances that have never previously been released on CD. These include a duet with her Hollywood co-star, Van Johnson, recordings she made in the United States, which were never issued in Britain, rare soundtrack footage from her 1950s screen musicals, and five songs in live performance in 1993.Along the way are superlative interpretations of all-time great standards by Cole Porter, Noël Coward, Rodgers and Hart, Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. This superb compilation not only encapsulates the magic of Pat Kirkwood, and of one of the great show business talents, but also the history of the musical in the 20th century." The above details (copied from Avid publicity) give a fair description of the wide-ranging repertoire to be enjoyed in this collection, expertly compiled by Hugh Palmer, who was also responsible for similar recent collections from Avid featuring Jessie Matthews and Frances Day. As well as commercial and private recordings, there are soundtrack excerpts which should delight film buffs. If you are a fan of Pat Kirkwood you will not hesitate to add this to your collection. The well illustrated booklet is packed with information. A top quality product at a very reasonable price.David Ades This 2-CD set is available from the RFS Record Service price £9.00. 

KATHERINE JENKINS Sacred Arias
Abide With Me, Pie Jesu, The Lord’s My Shepherd, Down in the River to Pray, May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You, Hallelujah, Panis Angelicus, In Paradisum, Silent Night, Ave Maria, Misa Criolla: Kyrie, Agnus Dei
UCJ 476 697-2 [48:24]The lovely young mezzo-soprano returns to her Welsh church roots with this album. I guess the booklet’s photographic studies of Miss Jenkins add value to the package, but less than 50 minutes of music is a bit meagre for a top price disc. What we have, however, is very good. The Pie Jesus is by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the Lord is my shepherd is the Howard Goodall version used in ‘The Vicar of Dibley.’ Meredith Wilson wrote May the good Lord and Hallelujah [versions of which were at Nos. 1 and 2 in the pop chart last Christmas] is by Leonard Cohen. Particularly winsome is the old spiritualDown in the river to pray, one of eight tracks enhanced by The Crouch End Festival Chorus. Another standout track is Simon Lindle’s Ave Maria with The Redolfus Choir, who also accompany on three others including the poignant Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber. P B 

MARY MAYO Dancing In The Dark
Molly Malone, Waiting, Just a wearyin’ for you, It seemed so right last night, Dark is the night. Bring back the thrill, Memory book, My love an’ my mule, I can see you, Who but you, I never dreamt, A penny a kiss, a penny a hug, It only takes a minute, Come to baby, do, Heavenly feeling, This is the place … and 9 other tracks
Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY762 [69:19]Mary’s voice has a range of four octaves, well illustrated on CD but not in the "Sumac" manner. Whilst they were both members of the Beneke-Miller Band, bass player and arranger Al Ham fell under her spell and they married. Some of the songs have not been heard for many a year; five are from films, seven recorded with the Tex Beneke Band, the remainder with the bands of Al Ham, Glenn Osser and Ray Wright. Some tracks are a little "Rinky Dink"; others more worthy of her marvellous voice, especially when linked with a large orchestra. I was most intrigued to find a Pete Rugolo written Bring back the thrill, one I had never heard before. The last "live" track is obviously from her later years reunited with the Beneke Orchestra. Charming nostalgia most of the way. Paul Clatworthy 

LIGHT MUSIC FOR PIANO AND VOICE – JOHN McLAIN Cat In A Flap, Into My Heart, Mamble, When June Is Come, The Willow, Renunciation (songs), Soliloquy, Kirsty – in Melancholy Mood, Serendipity, All In Good Time, The Forest At Dusk (piano solos), Templeton – Bach Goes To Town, Coates – Bird Songs At Eventide, Ireland – Sea Fever, Zez Confrey – Dizzy Fingers, Kitten On The Keys, Lehar – Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss, Cyril Scott – Danse Negro, Walforde-Finden – Kashmiri Song, Debussy- Golliwog’s Cakewalk, Coleridge-Taylor- Onaway Awake Beloved, Godron Pullin (tenor), Barbara Manning (piano). This excellently recorded CD is well worth its £5 price to RFS members. Admittedly John McLain’s undoubted lyrical impulse (John is an RFS member), whether in songs or piano solos (which are effectively songs without words) produces results which are very similar in mood and tempo, so it is perhaps as well that contrast is offered by vocals and instrumentals composed by others, which are among the classics of the light music genre. Performances are highly enjoyable; Mr. Pullin’s delivery and diction are notably clear (all tracks are sung in English – words are not supplied in the insert but are really unnecessary), and Miss Manning’s playing, whether solo or in accompaniment, is expressive, fluent and full of character. Available at £5.00 to RFS members from JOHN McLAIN, 42 Osidge Lane, Southgate, London, N14 5JG, England.Philip L. Scowcroft 

"ROSES ALL THE WAY" Songs by Eric Coates The Palace of Roses, Sigh No More Ladies, Melanie, A Dinder Courtship, Asphodel, The Fairy Tales of Ireland, Roses All The Way, Yearning, Mendin’ Roadways, By The Sleepy Lagoon (piano solo), Sea Rapture, Little Snoozy Coon, Bird Songs At Eventide, Music of the Night, Little Lady of the Moon, Always, As I Close My Eyes, Your Name, A Song of Summer, Star of God, Today is Ours. Peter Dempsey (tenor) and Guy Rowland (piano). Eric Coates is mostly remembered as a composer of light orchestral miniatures but he began as a writer of ballads and continued as such for the rest of his life, albeit less so after the mid-1930s. Several of them can be heard today, but there are many which are not (there were about 130 in all); this disc concentrates on the less well-known of those written between 1912 and 1943. Only Bird Songs and (sung here appropriately in a ‘Mummerset’ accent) A Dinder Courtship are at all familiar to most of us, so this release does fill a gap. Further, Peter Dempsey has a limpid, fluent delivery and notably clear diction while Guy Rowland is a sympathetic, positive accompanist; his solo piano version of By The Sleepy Lagoon (presumably arranged by the composer) recalls that many light orchestral favourites could, at one time, be found in the domestic piano stool. Some of these songs sound like other, better known ballads by Coates, but this is common enough in balladry and there is much variety here. We catch an Irish flavour in The Fairy Tales of Ireland; there is a popular, up-tempo character in the title song and the splendidly non-PC Little Snoozy Coon. Sigh No More Ladies ranks high for me in the centuries of Shakespearian vocal heritage, and the last two songs – one to Coates’ own words – movingly recall that he continued penning songs into the Second World War. Recording is admirably clear, and presentation thoughtful. These tuneful imaginations are sure to give pleasure, as they have done to this reviewer. Philip L. Scowcroft This CD is available from PETER DEMPSEY, 44 Victoria Road, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, B50 4AR, England – price £11.99 [including p&p]. 

PIGS COULD FLY Children’s Choir Music 
New London Children’s Choir conducted by Ronald Corp 
Songs by Skempton, Britten, Corp, Bennett, Bliss, Tavener, Vaughan Williams, Maxwell Davies, Chilcott, Bliss, Rutter, Godfrey, Maw, etc.
Naxos 8.572113 [66:07] 
The conductor is well known to tuneful music lovers for several CDs of light music and this choir, which he formed in 1991, is a companion to his New London Orchestra. The repertoire is wide and varied, ranging from lively short pieces to more serious sacred music, with several more in between; 35 different songs in all. The diction is good and for anyone who likes to hear children’s voices then this is a welcome addition to the relatively small catalogue of that genre. Edmund Whitehouse

AN EVENING WITH BEATRICE LILLIE Original Cast
20 tracks including Rhythm, Nanette, Folk Song Cycle, Weary of it all, Piccolo Marina, There are times, Paint, Maud, There are fairies at the bottom of our garden, The party’s over now
Sepia 1123 [78:51]A unique artiste but, possibly, something of an acquired taste. In addition to the above there are seven other tracks including Three little fishies, from the show ‘Auntie Bea’ with an orchestra directed by Eric Rogers. If you are not a Miss Lillie fan, the disc is worth acquiring for her co-star Reginald Gardiner’s classic Decca single Trains [ah, memories!] Nobody should complain about value for money here. Ray Pavene 

IRMA LA DOUCE Original London Cast
Sepia 1120 [74:29]The original Parisian version of this show, music written by Marguerite Monnot, opened in November 1956 and ran for four years. This English language version opened on 17 July 1958 at London’s Lyric Theatre, where it ran for 1,512 performances starring Elizabeth Seal, Keith Michell and Clive Revill. The book and lyrics here are by Julian More, David Heneker and Monty Norman; Peter Brook directs; orchestrations are by Andre Popp; vocal arrangements by Bert Waller; and the orchestra is under the direction of Alexander Faris. Not being familiar with the show – the most recognizable track is probably Our Language of Love – I enjoyed it a lot. Also included on the disc are 11 "Bonus Tracks" in French. Sepia’s customary comprehensive booklet notes complete a well-filled package. Ray Pavene 

‘THIS RECORD IS NOT TO BE BROADCAST’: 75 records banned by the BBC 1931-57 Acrobat Music ACTRCD9015 (3CDs with booklet).
It seems rather ironic that this album should appear at a time that the BBC has been forced to review its public broadcasting standards following the recent Ross/Brand affair. Three CDs and a 48 page booklet comprise a fascinating study of 75 recordings that were effectively black-listed by the BBC during the years 1931-57. With the hindsight of living 50 years on, some of the reasons given by the ‘Dance Music Policy Committee’ for their decisions now seem ludicrous and trivial – especially when judged by what is now considered ‘entertainment’. One such directive ran: "The BBC’s policy is to encourage a more virile and robust output of dance music to accord more closely with the present spirit of the country. To this end any form of anaemic or debilitated vocal performances by male singers will be excluded. Performance by women singers will be controlled to the extent that an insincere and over sentimental style will not be allowed. No numbers will be accepted for broadcasting which are slushy in sentiment or contain innuendo or other matter considered to be offensive." Thus George Formby’s With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock (1939) and Johnny Messner’sShe Had to Go and Lose It at the Astor (1938), both fell foul of the committee. In the case of the latter, both the suggestive lyrics and the fact that mentioning the Astor was tantamount to advertising were more than enough reason for an outright ban. In 1942, the BBC’s Director of Music was none other than the eminent composer Sir Arthur Bliss. Bliss was staunchly against tunes borrowed from classical works. This view led to the banning of whole albums based on classical themes. Thus in 1938 Tommy Dorsey in an arrangement of Song of India (from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sadko) was banned and in 1942 Glen Miller’s The Story of a Starry Night (from Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony), suffered a similar fate. In the words of the committee, "The Story of a Starry Night is not a parody, but a travesty of the original.” Not so much the Pathėtique Symphony as the pathetic in fact…. Perhaps it is hardly surprising that the Spike Jones version of the Blue Danube (1945) was also banned, although this was lifted in 1947 when ‘burlesque’ became permissible but ‘dance tempo distortion’ did not! Sometimes songs were banned for purely practical reasons. Thus Bing Crosby suffered a double ban. Deep In The Heart Of Texas (1942), during working hours, in case factory hands used their tools for banging machinery to keep time with the infectious melody and in the following year I’ll Be Home For Christmas was banned for the reason that it would lower the morale of the fighting troops. There are many more such examples to be found in the lavishly illustrated informative booklet. A fascinating release and one that I think many of our members will find room for in their collection - if only as a curiosity. Copies can be obtained from Acrobat Music or from the RFS Record Service. Malcolm Osman 

Other releases noted by Wilfred Askew
NELSON RIDDLE Let’s Face The Music
Among the 55 tracks are: Let’s face the music and dance, Put your dreams away, The love of Genevieve, Dreamer’s cloth, Darlene, The girl most likely, Younger than springtime, An affair of the heart, Where did he go? Port au Prince, Darn that dream, You and the night and the music, I’m gonna laugh you right out of my life, Lisbon Antigua, Volare, Easter Isle, Accordion Willy, Man on fire, Seven nights a week, Walkin’, Holiday in Naples, Rain, Vilia, Waltz of the blues, Can this be love, Robin Hood, I can’t believe that you’re in love with me …
Jasmine [2-CD set] JASCD 495 [158:18]

THE KEITH MANSFIELD ORCHESTRA
All You Need Is Keith Mansfield
All you need in love, You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling, Everlasting love, Whiter shade of pale, Soul thing, Moanin’, Walk on by, Lovin’ things, Reach out [and I’ll be there], Take five, Boogaloo, Rainbow and [Epic single] Soul confusion
RPM Retro 835 [69:15]1968 CBS recording plus seven tracks by Love Affair, Maynard Feguson, Alan Haven & Selena Jones with Mansfield’s Orchestra. 

JUAN GARCIA ESQUIVEL & HIS ORCHESTRA Mexico Days
Debut album from 1957 including Collar of Perlas, Poppourri Curiel, Medley [Berlin, Rodgers and Hart], Universidad rock and roll, Una y otra vez, Sketch de Glenn Miller … & 6 other titles / Compilation of singles & EPs recorded in Mexico between 1954-56 including To live again, Port au Prince, AMOR, Moonlight enchantment, Nightingale, Nocturnal … & 6 other titles.
Cherry Red ACEM139CD [76:14] 

MIKLOS ROSZA ‘EL CID’ 
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus conducted by Nic Raine
World premiere recording of the complete film score on 3 CDs plus ‘Double Indemnity Suite’ [arr. Palmer].
Tadlow CD005 [182:04] 

HENRY MANCINI & HIS ORCHESTRA 
The Versatile Henry Mancini
Poinciana, Bali Ha’i, Flamingo, Whispering Sea, Return to Paradise, Naked sea, Breeze and I, Driftwood and dreams, Moon of Manakoora, Sleepy Lagoon, Ebb tide, Off shore; plus bonus tracks:What’s it gonna be, Young love, Free and easy, Cha cha cha for Gia 
Cherry Red ACMEM155CD [79:59]His first album, ‘Driftwood and Dreams’, from 1957, appears here in both mono and stereo versions.  

KEN GRIFFIN [Organ] Skate On
52 tracks including Cuckoo Waltz, Take me out to the ball game, Doodle Doo Doo, American Patrol, Little brown jug, If I had you, Bumble bee on a bender, Till we meet again / Louise, For all we know, There’ll be some changed made, The Sycopated Clock, The woman in the shoe, San Antonio Rose, Wunderbar … etc.
Jasmine [2 CDs] JASCD 471 [136:42] 

NORRIE PARAMOR & HIS ORCHESTRA
The Zodiac Suite / Dreams and Desires with the voice of Patricia Clark
An Aries Aria, Taurus Tango, The Gemini Waltz, Cancerian Concerto, Lonely Leo, The Impatient Virgo, A Libra Rhapsody, Seductive Scorpio, The Sagacious Sagittarius, Capricious Capricorn, Mood Aquarius, Ode to Pisces / That’s my desire, You stepped out of a dream, If I had you, I’d love to fall asleep [and wake up in your arms], Once in a while, You’d be so nice to come home to …& 6 other titles
Vocalion CDNJT 5200 [78:20]EMI Columbia recordings from 1957. 

THE WORLD OF SABU
Music [17 tracks] from Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’ [1942] narrated by Sabu with the Victor Symphony Orchestra, composed and conducted by Miklos Rozsa; ‘The Thief of Bagdad’ [1940]narrated by Hugh Gray with the Frankenland State Symphony Orchestra, composed and conducted by Miklos Rozsa; ‘Black Narcissus’ [1946] with the London Symphony Orchestra, composed and conducted by Brian Easdale
El ACMEM151CD [66:54] 

VIVIAN BLAINE On Broadway
‘Songs from the Great White Way’: If I were a bell, People will say we’re in love, Hello, young lovers, Poppa, won’t you dance with me, But not for me, A wonderful guy … & 6 other titles / ‘Songs from The Ziegfeld Follies’: A pretty girl is like a melody, Row, row, row, I can’t get started, You’d be surprised, What is there to say, Shaking the blues away … & 6 other titles
Flare ROYCD 264 [67:45]Original Mercury recordings from 1956, with Glenn Osser’s Orchestra & Chorus.