KEEPING TRACK

KEEPING TRACK
Dateline December 2007

KEEPING TRACK - DECEMBER

Orchestral 

FOUR DECADES OF LIGHT MUSIC – VOLUMES ONE AND TWO
Various artists (GUILD, GLCD 5134 and GLCD 5135) Full tracklistings of all Guild Light Music CDs can be accessed via the link on our home page, or by visiting Guild Music [this company and many other record labels can be found on our links page]. You can also visit the Light Music CDs page on this website.

These two new releases contain a wealth of different styles and sounds, and it becomes increasingly clear just how far compositions, arrangements and orchestras evolved during those four decades. The first volume contains the earliest tracks to appear on any Guild issue, dating from 1926. This is a sub-genre which has not been particularly prominent as far as the RFS is concerned, although of course, it was the core interest of the erstwhile Vintage Light Music Society. Whilst some of the tracks are well known such as Parade of the Tin Soldiers (Jessel), Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Bratton) and Estudiantina (Waldteufel), I believe there are quite a number making their CD debut. There’s a wonderful Percy Fletcher piece entitled Pearl  O’Mine – Lyrical Melody and Charles Orth’s In a Clock Store; this is a superb novelty number with all sorts of effects which must have kept several percussionists busy! Following the success of Eduard Kűnneke’s Overture to his Dance Suite (GLCD 5106), this time another movement – Blues – has been included. From a 1937 Bosworth library recording, Frog King’s Parade (Kronberger; Marriott) makes a surprising, though welcome, second appearance on Guild, but this is very different from the arrangement to be found on the "Bandstand in the Park" CD.  Pieces like Flapperette (Greer) and Lustspiel – Overture (Keler-Bela) have a wonderful ‘period’ feel to them, as does The Selfish Giant of Eric Coates, an early composition which was heavily influenced by the syncopated style of contemporary popular music of the time. I would also single out for special mention In A Merry Mood (Harringer), Raindrops – Pizzicati for Strings (T de la Riviera) and Montague Ewing’s Dancing Clock – timepieces were obviously an inspiration to light music composers! The whole programme is well assembled and highly enjoyable, more so with each listening. It’s from an era about which I am personally very keen to learn more, and I hope that there is further material available which could be incorporated into future releases. 

Like the song What a Difference a Day Made, it’s extraordinary what a difference a few years made as far as our kind of music is concerned!  Volume two covers the 1940s and 1950s and there is often a markedly different character to the compositions and indeed the orchestral performances. As with many other areas of creative activity, light music post-WWII seems to reflect a new order, with pieces like March For Americans (Grofé) and World Of Tomorrow (Beaver) embracing this. A rather surprising inclusion is the more-than-ubiquitous Charles Williams composition The Old Clockmaker. It’s good to hear Charles Shadwell’s signature tune Down with the Curtain again. As a child, I was taken on several occasions to Tom Arnold’s Circus at Harringay, in North London, where CS and his orchestra were the ‘resident band’ - and this piece always introduced the proceedings.  Considering that, for many, the 1940s are the definitive era of light music; it’s a tad disappointing that we are offered a mere ten tracks, compared with seventeen for the 1950s selection. This may be because there is a great deal of 1940s material already available on previous Guild issues, whilst advantage can now be taken to include more recordings from the middle, and late, 1950s, as we approach 2008. I have remarked before that the music of this latter era (particularly from about 1953/54 onwards) is rather more ‘glossy’, more sophisticated, than its predecessors, and this is very evident in the programme presented here. Although several of the titles will be familiar, they are to be heard in wonderful arrangements of the highest quality; particularly worthy of mention are Song Of India (Rimsky-Korsakov) given the Laurie Johnson treatment,  Wally Stott’s reading of the Theme from Spellbound (Rozsa)  and Werner Műller with Forty Second Street (Warren) . With the orchestras of Geraldo, Farnon, Chacksfield, Stanley Black, Ray Martin, David Carroll, Roger Roger and more, this CD is yet another worthy addition to the Guild series.

Tony Clayden 

LIGHT MUSIC FOR ALL SEASONS
Various artists (GUILD, GLCD 5138)

The seasons have provided inspiration for many light music composers over the years and I’m sure that there are dozens more season-related pieces than the 24 represented here. The programme is arranged chronologically (from a Northern Hemisphere perspective) starting with April in Paris (Vernon Duke) and continuing with several spring compositions. May, June and summer themes follow, through Autumn, September, (and even November) and so on, finishing up with George Melachrino’s A Christmas Fantasy. Most of the tracks are taken from commercial recordings, although there are some from the libraries of Paxton, Bosworth, Chappell and Boosey and Hawkes. The performing orchestras include those of Michel Legrand, Gordon Jenkins, Sidney Torch, Dolf van der Linden and his Metropole Orchestra, Ron Goodwin and Richard Hayman.  There’s a very characteristic Robert Farnon arrangement of One Morning in May (Schertzinger) and a similarly distinctive version of Indian Summer (Victor Herbert) by George Melachrino and played by his strings.  A slight departure from the usual is Ethel Smith’s version of Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson), played on the Hammond organ as only she could, and accompanied by a small ensemble. This is a very thoughtfully assembled and extremely enjoyable programme. It’s a definite ‘must-have’ for all those who love the kind of music which was the very backbone of the BBC Light Programme and BBC Radio 2 in its early days.
Tony Clayden 

MUSICAL KALEIDOSCOPE – VOLUME 1
Various artists (GUILD, GLCD 5139)

In distinct contrast to the various ‘themed’ CDs in the Guild series, this new compilation brings together a wonderful array of pieces which do not necessarily fit into neat categories, but sets out to ‘offer a wide variety of styles and ensembles and hopefully spring a few surprises along the way’. The recordings span a period of nearly 25 years, from a Reginald King track of 1932- Roses At Dawning (Kahn, Moret), to three 1956 recordings, including the eponymous Kaleidoscope (Schreckenberger) from a FD&H library disc. As is so often the case, several of the items evoke a reaction of ‘I haven’t heard that for years’ – accompanied by a real ‘buzz ’!  To single out just a few, I would mention Ballet of Madeira (Gregori, Freitas), Fiesta (Jack Coles), Policeman’s Holiday (Ewing) and Sailor’s Holiday (Martell). There are some lovely ‘vintage’ pieces like Cockney Girl (Melachrino), In Happy Mood (Mackey), Legend (Crowdson) and Keep Moving (Charrosin). A section entitled Seven Famous BBC Orchestras includes the two alternate versions of Oranges and Lemons, which were used to open the Light Programme every morning, and  the selection closes appropriately with Billy Cotton’s ‘playout’ music – Legion Patrol (Simpson).  I have played this CD so many times already that had it been a record, it would probably be beginning to wear out! Hugely enjoyable and highly recommended. With the next release the Guild series will reach the ‘Big Four-O’ – an amazing and unparalleled achievement on the part of David Ades, Alan Bunting, and the enterprising company behind the whole project – Guild GmbH of Switzerland.
Tony Clayden 

BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC PREMIERES Volume 4

Ernest Tomlinson – music from "Aladdin"; John Fox – A Surrey Rhapsody; Jim Cooke – Concert Jig; Phillip Lord – Nautical Overture; Richard Valery – The Magic Carpet; Lionel Sainsbury – Cuban Dance No. 2; Adam Saunders - Overture: Pirates Ahoy!; Carey Blyton – Suite: The Golden Road to Samarkand; Peter Flinn – Cinema Suite.
Royal Ballet Sinfonia Conducted by Gavin Sutherland and Paul Murphy (Dutton Epoch CDLX 7190) 77:06 mins.
The music in this collection covers a wide range of styles, with the earliest piece dating from 1940 and the latest 2006. Ernest Tomlinson was certainly on form back in 1974 when he composed "Aladdin", and it is good to have three Jewel Dances plus Aladdin’s Dance of Joy and Young Man In Love. John Fox loves the county of Surrey – and especially the area around Banstead – where he has lived for many years, and his beautiful Surrey Rhapsody is his vision of a wonderful part of the world. From the dawn chorus at the opening, to the excitement of Epsom racecourse (and even a traffic jam on the M 25) we are transported musically around one of the loveliest parts of southern England. John is a master of melody and orchestration, and this work is an important addition to the light music repertoire of the 21st century. If John represents the older school of composers (we celebrated his 80th birthday with him at an RFS London meeting in 2004), then Adam Saunders is certainly an up-and-coming writer who promises to keep the fine traditions going in future years. His contribution is a lively piece Pirates Ahoy! which should appeal to concert promoters as a lively opener. The other varied works on this CD offer an interesting collection which will possibly make their composers better-known. Now that the Sanctuary White Line series has disappeared, we are fortunate that Michael Dutton is willing to continue supporting new light music on his Epoch label, and he deserves the support of us all. David Ades

LIGHT MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK VOLUME TWO
Various artists (GUILD, GLCD 5137)

It is encouraging to note that the success of ‘Light Music While You Work Volume One’ has prompted another selection of delights which, far from being a pale imitation of the first album, is even better! When reviewing the previous CD, I suggested that the London Coliseum Orchestra and the orchestra of Harold Collins, Wynford Reynolds and David Java should be included next time – and sure enough they are all here, together with old friends like Ronnie Munro, Richard Crean, Harry Fryer and Harry Davidson. Perhaps I should point out that Wynford Reynolds (no relation!) was appointed Music While You Work organiser late in 1941, over a year after the radio programme’s inception and contrary to suggestions in the booklet notes, he did not conceive the original idea for the programme. The show came about as a result of a directive from the War Office, who felt that a programme of uninterrupted and tuneful music would boost morale in industry. Although this CD is primarily of light music, the dance music aspect of the series is represented by several Phil Green recordings and one by Reg Pursglove – although Raymond Scott’s excellent Toy Trumpet was often heard played by light orchestras and military bands. Indeed I heard it on a park bandstand quite recently! I am told that when it comes to reviews, I have a reputation for being somewhat ‘picky’. Well, if that is the case, I offer no apologies as I think that a reviewer should give a truthful opinion. It is true that with volume one, I expressed some reservations relating to programme building, but on this occasion there is absolutely nothing to criticise. The programme has been built with great care and is full of contrast – a lovely mixture of marches, waltzes, selections and novelties. I like the way that Calling All Workers (this time it’s the Eric Coates version) has been tailored in such a way that the recording sounds almost like an extended MWYW broadcast. Indeed the opening signature tune has been effectively ‘clipped’ at the end so as to create a natural segue into Marche Lorraine. I think that my favourite item on the disc is Castles in Spain, a super piece which has probably not been performed in decades. It is customary, when reviewing Guild Records, to pay tribute to Alan Bunting for his fine restoration work, but as this goes without saying, I won’t mention it!
Brian Reynolds 

MARCHING AND WALTZING
Various artists (GUILD, GLCD 5136)
‘Marching and Waltzing’ was another famous radio programme from the golden years of radio. It started during the war, continuing intermittently until 1984. It soon developed into a studio production featuring an orchestra to play the waltzes – for many years Wynford Reynolds’ Raeburn Orchestra, alternating with a brass or military band to play the marches. I think that it should be stated at the outset that whilst this CD is inspired by the radio series, it is not intended to replicate it. There are no bands – everything is played orchestrally by some of the finest including Ron Goodwin, Sidney Torch, Cyril Stapleton and a certain Robert Farnon. One surprise inclusion is dance band leader Lou Preager, but on this recording fronting a large concert orchestra. I found this recording quite delightful and in some ways more interesting than the radio series with its broader range of music, particularly amongst the marches. However there is one point in the accompanying notes which is inaccurate. ‘Marching and Waltzing’ was actually probably the only radio series to use two signature tunes and shortened versions of King Cotton and Vienna Blood opened and closed every programme. This is an excellent selection of tunes, with the original recordings as always beautifully restored by Alan Bunting. It has to be one of Guild’s best yet!
Brian Reynolds 

MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK VOLUME 2
Calling All Workers, In the Arena, The Last Tango, Songs of Old England, Show Boat, A Kiss in the Dark, Parade of the Pirates, Temptation Rag, Wood Nymphs, Careless Cuckoo, Linger Awhile, Memories of the Early Twenties, Salad Days, Friml in the Ballroom, Marigold, Teddy Bears Picnic, Tick of the Clock, You Are My Sunshine, Sing-along Medley, Mad About Music, Choristers Waltz, Waldmere March, Lonely Troubadour
Various artists (Frank Bristow, FBCD 166)
This delightful new slice of nostalgia comes superbly remastered and therefore very highly recommended, as one would expect with Brian Reynolds, Brian Stringer and Alan Bunting behind it. You will recognise much of the music but some of it may be unfamiliar which is a good thing. Well done chaps!
Edmund Whitehouse 
Frank Bristow CD’s are ONLY available directly from him at 2 Cross Street, Brighton, Victoria 3186, Australia. Tel. 03-9528-3167. Email: franbris@ozemail.com.au Credit cards and Paypal are accepted, but no cheques — details on request. Please visit his website for further details on CDs in his catalogue www.musicfromthepast.com

ANY OLD IRON
Original Dixieland one-step, By Heck, Stumbling, Steppin’ in Society, Is it True What They Say About Dixie?, Johnson Rag and 22 other tracks
Sid Phillips and his band (Vocalion, CDVS1949) 77:14
This CD arrived on a lovely summery morning in August and seemed an ideal accompaniment to match the mood of the day. At only £2.99 (Yes, £2.99!), and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this most accomplished musician’s birth, it will also make an excellent Christmas stocking filler! I have always had a soft spot for Dixieland music and ‘England’s King of the Clarinet’ was a master of the genre. He recorded more than 200 sides for HMV throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and we have here a selection of tracks made during the years 1951-1956. As well as the likes of The Birth of the Blues, Stardust, Tiger Rag, When the Red Red Robin, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Wabash Blues and the title tune, there are Sid’s own compositions: The Clarinet Cadenza, Stratton Street Strut, High Jinks and The Jolly Jazzers. As a classical music enthusiast, I was fascinated to read in Oliver Lomax’s very informative booklet notes that in 1946 Sid composed a symphony entitled Symphony Russe, premiered and broadcast afterwards by Sir Adrian Boult.
Peter Burt  
Editor: Unless CDs are purchased direct from record shops, please note that postage may be charged on top of the prices quoted in reviews when buying by mail order or the internet.

SULLIVAN
Pineapple Poll, Irish Symphony 
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Lloyd-Jones (Naxos, 8.570351) 78:26
This is Sullivan, without W.S. Gilbert, which is the way I prefer it. Here we have a marvellous melange of Sullivan’s melodies fashioned into a ballet score by the distinguished Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras back in 1951.  Rightly does he write in his comprehensive liner notes of "eminently danceable tunes."  Sir Arthur was of partly Irish descent and the 35-minute symphony originated from a holiday in Northern Ireland when he was 21.  It, too, is very tuneful and approachable.  I would think that the whole disc will appeal to quite a number of light music enthusiasts. 
Peter Burt         

1929-1947 PERFORMANCES
The New Friends of Rhythm (HPCD1086) 76:19
27 intriguing titles, brilliantly remastered, gathering together almost all the groups recordings both commercial and transcription. The group’s cellist and arranger Alan Schulman first started arranging for dance bands coming to the attention of NBC radio, where his group made their debut in 1939. Clever writing and very humorous retitling such as The Barbers Hitch (based on The Marriage of Figaro), Shoot the Schubert to Me Hubert, The Droschky Drag, Coo Dinny Coo are just a few samples. The group consisted of three violins, a viola, cello, bass, guitar, clarinet and a harpist way ahead of her time, Laura Newell. Schulman said "She put in fills I could never have thought of". One critic said "The group is recommended to those who are not adverse to highly arranged parodies of formal music". By 1940, the group had sold 20,000 records and got the title "Toscanini’s Hep Cats". During wartime service, Schulman met Nelson Riddle. Nelson’s later arrangements for Sinatra, Cole and Fitzgerald reflect Schulman’s influence. Schulman’s copyist named him "The classical guy on the jazz bus". Until the CD arrived, I admit that I had never heard of them but the groundbreaking group deserves your attention – you can then enjoy the music that has been circulating in various formats by those who were in the know! Executive Producer, Alastair Robertson deserves plaudits for putting all this delightful music in one package.
Paul Clatworthy         

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND OTHER SEASONAL MUSIC FOR ORCHESTRA
Classic Sleighride, A Christmas Overture, The Last Sleep of the Virgin, Overture on French Carols, The Night Before Christmas, Christmas Tree Suite, On the Twelfth Day 
BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Barry Wordsworth (Naxos, 8.570331)
A truly original and magical Christmas record avoiding the predictable and would make an excellent stocking filler. The familiar name of Philip Lane features large, so enjoyment is guaranteed especially the Overture on French Carols. It is Philip’s piece in the style of ‘Peter and the Wolf’ which gives the disc its title with excellent narration from Stephen Fry. The longest piece on this well filled disc is On the Twelfth Day where the orchestra is joined by the BBC singers and written by film composer Doreen Carwithen. The only work with which I was familiar is The Last Sleep of the Virgin which receives a fine performance from soloist Matthew Lee on cello. All in all a thoroughly fresh and entertaining disc featuring stylish and idiomatic playing you would expect from this orchestra under the baton of Barry Wordsworth with excellent sound from the Watford Coliseum.
David Daniels         

GRIEG AND GOLDMARK
Grieg: Symphony in C Minor, Goldmark: Symphony No 1 in Eb Major (Rustic Wedding) Op26
Bergen Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karsten Andersen/Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos (Decca Eloquence, 4768743) 80:00
Reviews of recordings of symphonies don’t often appear in the columns of Keeping Track but this release of material emanating from the early 1980s is particularly valuable in featuring the first ever commercial recording of Grieg’s youthful Symphony in C Minor, composed mainly at the promptings of the Danish composer Niels W Gade and completed in 1864. The piece received several performances before Grieg subsequently set aside the score with the injunction that it ‘must never be performed’. After his death, it was lodged in the Bergen Public Library and it wasn’t until 1981 that this institution agreed to release the orchestral score and Decca subsequently recorded the symphony with Grieg’s own orchestra. Grieg’s critical judgement of the works worth seems to be have been unduly harsh since it undoubtedly possesses genuine stature and breath and memorable themes all attractively orchestrated and well worth more than an occasional airing.

What makes this disc an even more desirable acquisition is the inclusion of Goldmark’s adorable Rustic Wedding Symphony simply brimming over with heart warming melodies. The structure is perhaps more closely related to a suite rather than a symphony with descriptive titles to individual movements such as Bridal Song, Serenade and the rapturous In the Garden; this could easily come within the compass of ‘quality light music’. Both symphonies receive exemplary performances and the recording retails for £5. Well worth investigating – you will be amply rewarded!
Roger Hyslop 

Solo instrumentalists 

THE SWINGIN’ BASSOON
I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, Well You Needn’t, Hay Burner, Scrapple from the Apple, Mood Indigo, Summer Samba, Out of Nowhere, St Thomas, I Remember You, Home At Last, A Night in Tunisia
Daniel Smith (Zah, ZZCD9824)
When this arrived for review, I was hoping to find Bob Farnon’s last work Romancing the Phoenix on the disc, but alas it is not there but evidently still awaiting its premiere! Well chosen jazz vehicles, but I am afraid the only part that really swings is the rhythm section which is very little to please jazz enthusiasts! Daniel’s technical ability is wonderful but even his powerful lungs cannot make the bassoon a suitable jazz solo instrument! The slightly mournful sound is far better used as colouring in a bank of woodwind and brass scored by the likes of Farnon and Gil Evans, where it comes into context. A brave but misguided recording which will inspire other bassoon players to match the playing but still sitting into the novelty category.
Paul Clatworthy 


THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION 1954-55
Out of This World, There’s a Small Hotel, You Are Too Beautiful, When Your Lover Has Gone, Low Life, With the Wind and Rain in Your Hair etc
Bob Brookmeyer (AVC887)
Right from the opening track, 9:20 Special, Bob’s flowing solo shows he was a total master of the trombone even this early in his distinguished career. By track nine, on this double CD, the limitations of a small group start to become obvious to me as a big band fan. The playing is excellent by the varied line ups but each number seems to merge. Johnny Green’s Body and Soul changes the pattern but is a little too mournful for me. Bob switches to piano on his own Under the Lilacs and Berlin’s They Say It’s Wonderful. Seven tracks include a small string section which I believe originally came out under Bud Shank’s name. Players involved include Red Mitchell, John Williams, Jimmy Rowles, Mel Lewis, Bud Shank, Conte Candoli, Zoot Sims and Stan Levy. 34 tracks essential for small group fans but for me Bob’s writing and playing in larger groups is far more rewarding.
Paul Clatworthy 

GRIEG ALBUM
Arietta, Norwegian Dance No. 2, Solveig’s Song, Anitra’s Dance, I Love Thee, etc. 27 tracks
Sigmund Groven, harmonica with Norwegian Radio Orchestra and soloists (Grappa GRCD4264) 64:56 mins.
RFS members have had the pleasure of meeting Sigmund at our London meetings, and he is especially remembered from the occasions when he came to the Bonnington Hotel with Tommy Reilly. Sigmund is now regarded as one of the finest exponents of the harmonica, and it is hardly surprising that he should choose the music of his famous fellow countryman for his latest CD. Somehow the often melancholic music of Grieg seems well suited to the harmonica, although it is equally suited to the brighter numbers, such as the perky Anitra’s Dance from ‘Peer Gynt’. Lovers of the harmonica will want to add this to their collection. David Ades
This CD can be purchased direct from Sigmund Groven,PO Box 5167, Majorstua, N0302, Oslo, Norway – email sgroven@online.no

Keyboard 

DIZZY FINGERS
Dizzy Fingers, Where’s That Rainbow?, Sahara, Waltz of the Gypsies, It All Depends On You, Swingin’ Down the Lane, A New Kind of Man with a New Kind of Love for Me, Lucky Day, Jerome Kern medley, Blue Skies, Indian Love Call and more
Piano Rolls selected and played by Philip Legg (Shellwood Productions, SWCD33) 71:24
The Pianola, the forerunner to the modern computerised electronic organ, where an individual can sit and play music like Sparky and His Magic Piano! I recall that a visit to my Aunt and Uncle’s meant I could play their Pianola and one of the secrets of playing this instrument is to be able to pedal your feet at the current speed to keep the music playing at the correct tempo.
Philip Legg on this CD has played all the piano rolls, which he also selected, to perfection. There is a varied selection of tunes to suit all tastes and having been originally played for the rolls to be made by different pianists’ results in varied piano styles. This CD comes with a comprehensive set of notes in the foldout booklet describing all the tunes. If you are looking for a CD purely of piano and no backing – this is the one for you with over an hour of entertainment.
Gillian Endacott 

SPORT MODEL ENCORE
Sport Model Encore, On a Spring Note, Colour Scheme, Maple Leaf Hora, Pixie Parade, Black Tulip, Chopins Charleston Dream, Ray Noble medley, Cottontail Rag, Goulash, Joy Jumping, Magia De Ritmi, Foxtrot, Chanuka medley
Alex Hassan (Shellwood Productions, SWCD34) 59:19
This fourteen track CD played by Alex Hassan, an American, takes on the syncopated style similar to Scott Joplin and a complete contrast to the Pianola playing as reviewed previously. Again this is a piano CD without any added backing and Alex has arranged and embellished quite a few of the tunes, with pieces ranging from 1928-1959.
An enjoyable CD to listen to if you champion this style of playing but to anyone who enjoys a relaxing piano CD with contrasting beats and rhythms, then this is not for you. On a Spring Note looses its appeal through this version for my liking.
Gillian Endacott 

Soundtracks 

AUTHOR! AUTHOR!
Original film soundtrack (Varese Sarabande, VCL03071062)
I am encroaching on Jeff Hall’s excellent pastures but I could not let this one pass without a mention, as regular readers will know that I am a dedicated fan of Johnny Mandel’s writing! The final score used was written by Dave Grusin, but record producer Nick Redman whilst delving in the vaults, was amazed to find two scores for this film! The second unused score was by Johnny Mandel! This is no reflection however on the quality of the writing as evidently the film’s producers had decided that they had a bit of a ‘Dodo’ and thought a more pop orientated score would increase the audience. I never saw the film or know if it ever saw light of day, all I know is I am more than a little pleased to get both scores! Grusin’s is good but for me Mandel makes the better of the two, intuitively he ushers melody into the soundtrack, sometimes with a tinge of jazz. Every track is a winner focused yet expansive lyricism, distinguished by quality composition. Another surprise for me was that I had heard some of the tantalising music before! A few years ago, Vic Lewis had visited Johnny Mandel in California whilst he was composing the score and had given Vic a taster of the music which he let me hear. I have no doubt Johnny got paid for his work but the thought that this could have languished in a 20th Century Fox music library does not bear thinking about!
Paul Clatworthy 

Vocal 

SINCERELY YOURS
Disc one: The Coral Years, Disc two: The ABC and Paramount Years
Eydie Gorme (Jasmine, JASCD450) 65:01 and 57:12
Excellent playing time with CD one as very pop orientated and CD two really bringing home the bacon starting on track ten where Eydie’s material is classic vocalising, rivalling the best ballad singers of the era. Backed by the wonderful Don Costa Orchestra on tracks such as I’ll Take Romance, Fine and Dandy, Too Close for Comfort, The Gentleman is a Dope, Be Careful It’s My Heart, Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week and the tear-jerking Guess Who I Saw Today and ballads of similar quality Eydie really shows where she belongs – classic tracks! Other backing by Monty Kelly, Dick Jacobs, Neal Hefti, George Gates and Sid Feller make the pop tracks an enjoyable contrast even if some of the lyrics are slightly cringe making! There are enough excellent performances included here to entice new fans to seek out the many other outings she made solo and with her husband Steve Lawrence, many of them arranged by Don Costa (what a team!)
Paul Clatworthy 

JUMP, JIVE AN’ WAIL: THE ESSENTIAL
Tracks include: That Old Black Magic, Pennies from Heaven, Sing Sing Sing, Just One of Those Things, Hello Dolly!, Cabaret, Civilization and more
Louis Prima (EMI, 3952662)
Another new hits collection featuring the best solo and collaborative work of the big band and swing musician. Most famously known as the voice of King Louie in Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’ which is featured here for the first time on a Prima compilation. Not my cup of tea, but if you are a fan of Prima and or would like to add his work to your collection then this may be the one for you.

Adam Endacott 

GREATEST HITS
Tracks include: I Am a Cider Drinker, Morning Glory, Combine Harvester and more
The Wurzels (EMI GOLD, 3939022)
What can you say about this release? Certainly not ‘our kind of music’ but if you are a fan of novelty records, then this will add nicely to your collection.
Adam Endacott 

THE CAVERN: THE MOST FAMOUS CLUB IN THE WORLD
Tracks include: Apache, Anyone Who Had a Heart, Stand By Me, I Think of You, It’s All Over Now, Go Now and more
Various artistes (EMI)
This three CD set celebrates The Cavern’s 50th anniversary with 50 tracks from artists who have all appeared at the club over the years and can be described as a who’ who of British pop music ranging from The Beatles to Georgie Fame to Arctic Monkeys. Well mastered recordings some of which still sound as fresh today as they did fifty years ago.
Adam Endacott 

Compilations

COMIC CUTS
Various artistes (Sounds of Yesteryear, DSOY732) 105:00. Grandad is seething in the corner, muttering under his breath, rubbish! It is his birthday party and the youngsters are playing the like of the Arctic Monkeys. Time to put a smile to his face by digging out this novel double CD — 36 tracks by bands of the 1930s. Billy Cotton, Carroll Gibbons, Jack Payne, Jack Hylton, Ambrose, Henry Hall and many others feature and all tracks concentrate on the humorous. I am a Grandad but only knew a few of the titles, three of which I did not know, The Pig Got Up and Slowly Walked Away, Airman! Airman! and What Can You Give a Nudist for Their Birthday, giving you some idea of the content. You also get the well known Laughing Policeman, I Like Bananas, Chinese Laundry Blues and many others well aired in the past on the Billy Cotton Band Show and Family Favourites. A fun collection for all the family, especially if those listening are well oiled!
Paul Clatworthy

CD round-up by Wilfred Askew 
WE LOVE NELSON RIDDLE – NELSON RIDDLE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Recorded between 1954 and 1956 for Capitol Records. Tracks include: Shadow Waltz, Robin Hood, Could You, All or Nothing At All, Body and Soul, Farmer’s Tango, Port Au Prince, The Deep Blue Sea etc
(Cherry Red ACMEM118) 73:58 

LAURIE JOHNSON — YOU’RE NEEDED
Original Pye recordings. Tracks include: Bali Hai, My Favourite Things, It’s a Raggy Waltz, The Donkey Serenade, Lock Up Your Daughters, By Myself, South of the Border etc
(Cherry Red ACMEM112) 58:46 

MAESTRO SOPHISTICATE — LEO REISMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Tracks include: You Do Something to Me, Time On My Hands, Night and Day, Poor Butterfly, My Sister and I, Mimi, Love Walked etc. With vocalists such as Lee Wiley, Fred and Adele Astaire, Jack Kitty and Frank Luther – original recordings from 1929-1941.
(Flare, ROYCD244) 76:00

RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS BAND – VOLUMES 1 AND 2
Original recordings from 1928-32. Tracks include Spread A Little Happiness, It’s a Habit of Mine, I Call You Sugar, My Love Affair, Just a Crazy Song, Get Happy etc
(Mellotone Mello 012 and 013) 

GORDON MACRAE – NEVER TILL NOW
Original Capitol recordings on two CDs. Tracks include: One Misty Morning, How Green Was My Valley, Stranger in Paradise, Last Night, Love’s Old Sweet Song, My Love etc.
(Jasmine, JASCD453) 156:19


KEEPING TRACK
Dateline September 2007

Orchestral

BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC PREMIERES VOLUME 4 Ernest Tomlinson:Aladdin (1974) -Jewel Dances, Aladdin’s Dance of Joy, Young Man in Love; John Fox: A Surrey Rhapsody (2006); Jim Cooke: Concert Jig (2004); Phillip Lord: Nautical Overture (1965); Richard Valery: The Magic Carpet (1940); Lionel Sainsbury: Cuban Dance No.2 (1991); Adam Saunders: Overture - Pirates Ahoy! (2006); Carey Blyton: The Golden Road to Samarkand (1991); Peter Flinn: Cinema Suite (2006). Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Gavin Sutherland and Paul Murphy (Dutton Epoch CDLX7190).

The advance publicity for this new release states: This is the latest instalment in Dutton Epoch’s prestigious series of light music CDs and, as with the previous volumes, features Gavin Sutherland conducting the Birmingham Royal Ballet Sinfonia through sparkling recordings of charming light music scores by some of the finest British composers working in the genre. Ernest Tomlinson’s Aladdin opens the disc and bears the hallmarks of grace, elegance and melodic invention for which this figurehead of British light music is so well-known. Among the many other delights on offer include Surrey-born composer John Fox’s orchestral ode to his home county A Surrey Rhapsody, and Carey Blyton’s enchanting The Golden Road to Samarkand orchestral suite. As ever, Gavin Sutherland’s inspired conducting and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia’s impeccable and sensitive playing combine to bring this colourful, beautiful music to life in spectacular fashion. A review of this important new release will appear in our next issue.

NEW GUILD "GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC" CDs

5129 "Beyond The Blue Horizon" full tracklisting in JIM 170, page 15

5130 "Cornflakes" full tracklisting in JIM 171, page 80

5131 "Light Music On The Move" full tracklisting in JIM 171, page 82

Readers who remember the late pianist and composer Albert Semprini may recall how he introduced his regular BBC Radio programmes with what we would today term a ‘mission statement’ – ‘Old ones – New ones – Loved ones – Neglected ones’. This formula could well apply to the entire GUILD series and to these three CDs in particular. [The ‘new’ ones are not actually new, of course - just unfamiliar!]

Beyond The Blue Horizon is a collection of Light Music which presents ‘…a mix of likeable melodies featuring different colours.’ Not surprisingly, Blue definitely predominates here, as it seems many composers have a ‘thing’ about that colour, and it’s featured in 14 of the 27 tracks. Many of these originate from commercial 78s, although there are some interesting library pieces, including Out Of The Blue (Robert Busby) and Blue Mink (Peter Yorke), both of which I well remember were used in BBC tv demonstration transmissions during the early ’50s. Also included is, I believe, another first for GUILD – a rare BBC Transcription recording (The White Scarf by Edgar Bainton). There’s a wonderful Robert Farnon arrangement of Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies, which features the great Dave Goldberg on guitar, and an equally superb Angela Morley treatment of Deep Purple (Parish, De Rose). The highly enjoyable programme is rounded off with another rarity – George Melachrino’s Fantasy Ballet, based on the traditional Little Brown Jug. This is taken from a 1947 recording for the EMI library, which Melachrino was instrumental in setting-up in association with the record company in the early years after WWII.

Cornflakes was not necessarily designed to accompany your breakfast – although it would perform that duty admirably – but, like a number of other GUILD CDs, takes its name from the title of one of its tracks, in this case a Norrie Paramor composition. There are many familiar numbers featuring some leading ’50s musical directors, including Frank Cordell, the aforementioned George Melachrino, Werner Müller, Cyril Stapleton, Mantovani and Malcolm Lockyer. Almost half of the items are grouped together under the title The Polygon Legacy and included in this section are most of the latter company’s tracks which have not already appeared on other GUILD releases. There are some very informative liner notes detailing Polygon’s history and its subsequent demise, when it was subsumed into PYE Records in the mid ’50s. One unfortunate omission, however, is apparent in Song Of The Pearl Fishers’ Tango by the Laurie Johnson Orchestra, which is credited to ‘Heno Gaze – (arr Johnson)’. Whatever became of the actual composer of the tune in question – one Georges Bizet?!

Light Music On The Move is a compilation of mainly upbeat pieces depicting movement in many forms on Land, Sea and Air. Transport features prominently and besides several trains (inevitably!), we are treated to such delights as a Cycling Chimp (Pagan), a few horses and a donkey, a couple of fairground roundabouts and John Malcolm’s famous Non Stop, which must have earned him a penny or two as it was used for many years as the signature tune for Independent Television News on British TV [see also my comments towards the end of this feature]. In contrast you’ll find an Amsterdam Sleepwalker (Steggerda), a space journey, and if you hanker after a more relaxed form of movement, try Drifting On A Cloud (D’Artega - Syracuse ). As with all of these new offerings, LMOTM is a clever assemblage of excellent tracks with Alan Bunting’s digital transfers being of his usual superlative quality. Tony Clayden

BEST OF BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC 2CD compilation

CD 1 includes CURZON: Robin Hood Suite: March of the Bowmen; HEDGES: Overture: Heigham Sound; TOYE: Concert Waltz: The Haunted Ballroom; FARNON: Melody Fair; WOOD: Serenade to Youth; COLLINS: Vanity Fair; TOMLINSON: A Little Serenade; QUILTER: A Children’s Overture; WORLAND: Millennium — A Celebration March; KETELBEY: In a Persian Market; GRAINGER: Country Gardens; ADDINSELL: Goodbye Mr Chips: Theme; GOODWIN: Theme from 633 Squadron"

CD 2 includes BENNETT: Theme and Waltz from ‘Murder on the Orient Express’; WHITE: Puffin’ Billy; TORCH: ALL Strings and Fancy Free; MAYERL: Marigold; DUNCAN: High Heels; ELLIS: Coronation Scot; FARNON: Colditz March; KETELBEY: In a Monastery Garden; BINGE: Elizabethan Serenade; COATES: By the Sleepy Lagoon; COLERIDGE-TAYLOR: Hiawatha Overture; GERMAN: Tom Jones, Act III: For Tonight (Sophia’s Waltz-Song); COATES: Dam Busters’ March Various Orchestras Naxos 8570575-76 (2 CDs). Naxos decided to make this compilation ‘CD Of The Month’ for August, which demonstrates their faith in Light Music. The tracks are taken from previous Naxos and Marco Polo CDs, and represent some of the finest composers of the last century.

MUSIC FROM MOTION PICTURES

Exodus, Cimarron, King of Kings, Ben-Hur, The Bible, Butterfield 8, Colonel Bogey/River Kwai March, The Robe, Lygia, Julie, Romeo and Juliet, Spellbound, Spartacus and more

David Rose and his orchestra (Frank Bristow, FBCD161)

MUSIC FROM STAGE AND SCREEN

Humoresque, Great Pretender, Fascination, Love is a Many Splendoured Thing, Bewitched, Just a Memory, Take My Love, Serenade, What’s New Pussycat, Forbidden Planet, La Strada, I’ll Take Romance, And I Love Her, Pigeon and more

David Rose and his orchestra (Frank Bristow, FBCD162)

A DAVID ROSE COLLECTION

Intermezzo, Beautiful Ohio, Diane, Was It a Dream?, Remember, Satisfaction, King of the Road, Estudiantina, Every Time We Say Goodbye, Downtown, Are You Sincere? and more

David Rose and his orchestra (Frank Bristow, FBCD163)

Our Australian friend, Frank Bristow, has already issued a dozen or so David Rose CDs but he has found another 85 ex-MGM tracks to issue over the span of three CDs (all available separately) with a total playing time of nearly four hours! Without checking each individual track, I can’t say offhand whether there is any duplication with previously issued material, but I’d be inclined to say not. Taking the discs in numerical order, the first one is the best with works by the elite composers of Hollywood embracing works by Steiner, Rota, Tiomkin, Rozsa, Newman et al. It has such best sellers as The Green Leaves of Summer, Laura, Around the World, Summertime in Venice and Tara’s Theme. In fact there isn’t one dud track among them (well, you wouldn’t expect one, would you?)

"Stage and Screen" has more of the same (including the only Rose composition in the whole set, something called Pigeon) plus semi classical pieces, a Beatles hit and other songs of the late 50’s and early 60’s. There are also ten songs from the Moose Charlap and Norman Gimbel’s 1948 Broadway flop "Whoop Up" which, as far as I could hear from the selection, deserved better.

"The Rose Collection" is a hybrid (you could say a motley) melange ranging from Strauss and Romberg to Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. Eleven tracks are devoted to jazzed-up versions of Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Grieg which (to be quite frank) are neither one thing nor the other!

Arthur Jackson

Frank Bristow CD’s are ONLY available directly from him at 2 Cross Street, Brighton, Victoria 3186, Australia. Tel. 03-9528-3167. Email: franbris@ozemail.com.au Credit cards and Paypal are accepted, but no cheques — details on request. Please visit his website for further details on CDs in his catalogue www.musicfromthepast.com

SONGS TO REMEMBER/THE INCOMPARABLE MANTOVANI

With These Hands, Faraway Places, A Very Precious Love, Jamaica Farewell, Tenderly, Blue Star, Gigi, When I Fall In Love, No Other Love, Vaya Con Dios, Two Different Worlds, Tonight/I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now, As Time Goes By, Catch A Falling Star, Where Are You, (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco, I’ll Be Seeing You, Yesterdays, Fly Me To The Moon, I’ll Get By, September In The Rain, Long Ago, More

Mantovani and his orchestra (Vocalion CDLK 4347) 78.07

These albums were both originally issued in 1960 — neither have been issued on CD in Europe or America before — and the first includes some of the best songs of the previous decade in which Mantovani had become world famous. Monty-meister Colin Mackenzie tells me that it is in his top five of favourite albums. The well remembered Edward Rubach is the pianist on Blue Star, which was the theme for the US TV series ‘Medic’; Monty himself plays piano on the lovely When I Fall In Love. My favourite track is Jamaica Farewell with an arrangement by Roland Shaw which I have treasured in my mind for years but for some long forgotten reason did not buy on LP at the time! Richard Rodgers’ No Other Love is delicately played, the big Les Paul and Mary Ford hit Vaya Con Dios (meaning go with God in Spanish) has a nice touch of accordion, and the Bernstein piece is given a powerful rendition. In the June issue of JIM, I was highly enthusiastic about the last Vocalion reissue from Mantovani — my enthusiasm is maintained for this album. The second selection is also attractive with Monty’s trademark swoop of strings very strikingly used on Catch A Falling Star (catchy being the word to describe the Cecil Milner arrangement!), a couple of beautifully arranged Jerome Kern classics, and I Wonder with its effective use of Ivor Mairant’s electric guitar. Incidentally, I was surprised to learn from Colin’s comprehensive liner notes that the song dates from as far back as 1909! We all, including those readers who still resist the Venice born maestro, should be thankful to Mike Dutton for not only enabling Mantovanians to obtain well-loved recordings in a CD format, as well as filling a few gaps in our collections, but also for giving new light music enthusiasts an opportunity to hear someone who really was incomparable.

Peter Burt

LOST ENGLAND

George Butterworth: 2 English Idylls, The Banks of Green Willow
Walter Leigh: Squadron 992, Overture — Jolly Roger, Harpsichord Concertino, The Fairy of the Phone

Kent Sinfonia/Malcolm Riley with Marion Whitehead (harpsichord)

‘Lost’ because both George Butterworth and Walter Leigh were killed in combat during the world wars. The Butterworth pieces have been recorded previously, and possibly better, but these thoughtful performances are worth having. The discs principle interest comes with the Water Leigh items as his music is little heard. Before his premature death, he composed chamber music (issued fairly recently on a Dutton CD), two operettas and some twenty film scores. Here we have the overture to one of the operettas, which is cheerfully nautical, the Harpsichord Concertino is light in touch, but with a hint of his study with Hindemith and two film scores lovingly reconstructed by Malcolm Riley. The Fairy of the Phone was written for a GPO film unit release on how to use the telephone; it is for six vocalists and ten instrumentalists (six of them woodwind) in an engaging ‘1930s popular’ idiom. Squadron 992 comes from a 1940 documentary on the move of an RAF balloon unit and recalls the music of Vaughan Williams and Sir William Walton. All told, a valuable issue well played by Kent Sinfonia whose fresh sound I like, and recorded with commendable clarity if less full toned than many modern releases. Strongly recommended.

Philip L Scowcroft

This CD is only available from Kent Sinfonia, 5 Pine Grove, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2AJ (kwsoloists@hotmail.com) £11 incl. P&P

TOWARDS AN UNKNOWN LAND

Quay and Departure, Towards an Unknown Land, Stars My Compass, Song to the Sea, Dream in the Sun, Lifetime Ago, Eastern Waltz, Loch, Out in the Cold, Sirens

Michael Buck (Prestige, CDSGP9041) 54:40

Close your eyes and listen to the music and you are sure to be transported away on a unique musical journey. What has been achieved in the past with a full orchestra is created here by one man and his imagination. The composer of all ten tracks plays high quality samples that ‘live’ in his computer and are controlled by him from a digital piano (Yamaha P90). Michael also uses several virtual synthesizers (Spectrasonics Atmosphere Synthesizer and East West Symphonic Choirs) to get some of the lovely textured backgrounds. The entire album was produced and recorded in Michael’s own studio which is set-up in his home. Michael would love one day to record with a full real orchestra, but this is currently beyond his reach, but he is nevertheless very happy with this, his first album. Listening to the tracks is like watching a film in your mind, by simply sitting back, relaxing and hearing this musical story. This is a CD to dip in and out of, as listened to in full, readers may find this repetitive and the tracks merge into one. The title track is a highlight along with A Lifetime Ago which are both very reflective. There is certainly some influence from John Barry and Ennio Morricone in some of these tracks. So if you want something new to try, then you won’t be disappointed with this CD release.

Adam Endacott


SPIRIT OF VIENNA
Overture "Reiche Madchen" (Strauss II), music from Operetta "Katz und Maus" (Strauss III), Traumverloren Waltz (Siegfried Translateur), march and waltz from Operetta "Casanova" (Paul Lincke), also works by Alfons Czibulka, Edmund Eysler, Richard Eilenburg and Joseph Hellmesberger Die Flotten Geister, Czech Republic Conducted by Christian Pollack The press release from The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain describes this as a scintillating new recording of rare operetta & Viennese dance music which has been co-issued by the Johann Strauss Societies of Great Britain and the Czech Republic. This album features the renowned European orchestra ‘Die Flotten Geister’ and Viennese supremo Christian Pollack conducting. Warning — this is no ordinary Strauss & Co album — for a start there’s no ‘Blue Danube’ or ‘Radetzky March’! The music featured on this disc comprises worthwhile compositions which have until now escaped the recording studio, making it a premiere recording in every respect. Johann Strauss II (the Waltz King) is represented with two virtually unknown operetta overtures Reiche Mädchen and Fanny Elssler. The waltz is by no means forgotten and the transfix of three/four time is represented by the respective pens of nephew Johann Strauss, Siegfried Translateur, Edmund Eysler, Paul Lincke, and Joseph Hellmesberger. There are marches, polkas, and gavottes by Paul Lincke, Alfons Czibulka and Richard Eilenberg to fill up this jam packed disc which runs for a truly melodic 79 minutes. The recording was produced in the Czech Republic.

"Spirit of Vienna" is available online from:

The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain www.johann-strauss.org.uk

or through Discovery Records Limited, Nursted Road, Devizes, Wilts. SNIO 3DY. www.discovery-records.com

Price £12.99 UK inc. P&P

CASINO DANCES

Hiawatha, Fox Intermezzo, Marusja*, Yearning (Just for You), Musette, Da Capo, Londonderry Air*, Hello Ma Baby, Donkey Serenade, Serenata, Pizzicato Violins, Casino Dances, Sparrow Concerto, Monna Vanna*, Zigeuner Boogie, By the Waters of Minnetonka, Von der Puszta

Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra with Elizabeth Menezes* (soprano).

This CD seeks to recreate the sound of the once popular saloon orchestra with its seven players and follows their previous two CDs in the series. This is indeed a foot-tapping confection, mainly of less familiar material from the light music genre. The Londonderry Air is heard in a less usual version, by the composer Geoffrey O’Connor-Morris. Of the rest I particularly enjoyed Helmut Zacharias’ two gypsy-based titles and it is good to hear a Jacob Gade tango which is not Jealousy. Performances by the orchestra, which includes flute and oboe to add colour, are splendid and well recorded. Highly recommendable.

Philip L Scowcroft

This CD can only be purchased directly from the Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra; please see www.aspidistra.org for further details or send a cheque made payable to ‘Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra’ for £11 (incl. P&P) to 49 Bankside, London, SE1 9JE, England.

THE BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC COLLECTION Volume 1 2CD set Royal Ballet Sinfonia Conducted by Gavin Sutherland Sanctuary CD RSB 205. This is a reissue of two ASV White Line collections: the first was originally released on CD WHL 2113 as "Brian Kay’s British Light Music Discoveries" in 1998; the second CD first appeared in 2000 as "British Light Music Discoveries 2" on CD WHL 2126. The composers include Sir Malcolm Arnold (The Roots of Heaven and Little Suite No. 4), William Alwyn (Suite of Scottish Dances), Clifton Parker (The Glass Slipper – Overture), Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (Little Suite); David Lyon (Joie de Vivre), Paul Lewis (English Overture) and Philip Lane (Suite of Cotswold Folk Dances). These works (and there are more on these CDs) should be in every serious light music collection, so if you missed these the first time round this is your opportunity to remedy the omission. The booklet says there are two more similar volumes of reissues to follow – hopefully the purchase of Sanctuary by Universal will not disrupt these plans. David Ades

CALYPSO/CALYPSO MAN

Saturday Night, All Night Tonight, Sll the Pussy, Papa Says, Margie, Limbo Bar, High Cheek Bones, Run for the Doctor, Melodie d’amour and many more

Edmundo Ros and his orchestra (Vocalion CDLK 4348). How pleasant it is to be able to hear every word on this album (unlike the music of today) especially so as every song tells a story, again unlike today’s music. This is Edmundo Ros at his very best and I highly recommend this release to add to your Latin American collections.

Alec Hellyer

HIGH IN SIERRA

Tap Tap, Sururu, Chica Boa, Jamaica Way, To Be or Not To Be, High in Sierra, Off Shore, Wonderful, Latin Lady, When You’re in Love, So Deep My Love and many more

Roberto Inglez and his orchestra (Vocalion CDEA 6131) 75:39 This disc is great stuff and is the third CD that Vocalion have issued of Roberto Inglez — it is always a pleasure to listen to his orchestra. With 27 tracks this is certainly great value. With the so called summer weather we are having at the moment, it is nice to get this CD to bring some sunshine into the room.

Alec Hellyer

 

SERENATA

Love is Blue, Hungarian Dance No. 5, Penelope, Sabre Dance, A Frenchman in Dublin, Paris Musette, Angelic Demon, Rio Forever, Le Piano Sur La Vague, A Whole New World, Great Brilliant Waltz Op 18, Entr’act of L’Arlesienne, Intermezzo from Carmen, Invitation to the Dance

Paul Mauriat and his orchestra (GLD GK38359)

MOVIE THEMES

Unchained Melody, Lara’s Theme, Calling You (from ‘Baghdad Café’), Beauty and the Beast, I Will Always Love You, Charade, Chariots of Fire, Colours of the Wind, Schindler’s List, Conquest of Paradise

Paul Mauriat and his orchestra (GLD GK38361)

SAYONARA CONCERT

Space Race, My Heart Will Go On, Invitation to the Dance, Etude in a New Form, Piano Concerto No. 21 Andante, Caravan, Thais Meditation, Czardas, Dolls and Dreams, Serenade a Coline, Begin the Beguine, Toccata, Penelope, Love is Blue/El Bimbo, Hungarian Dance No. 5

Paul Mauriat and his orchestra (GLD GK38360)

These three CD’s, released only in Argentina, contain a compilation of songs recorded by Paul Mauriat during the nineties. The ‘Serenata’ CD contains great hits of the sixties and seventies such as Love is Blue, Penelope and Le Piano Sur La Vague whereas the ‘Movie Themes’ CD has a repertoire of film songs of the nineties plus some remembered themes like Lara’s Theme from ‘Doctor Zhivago’ and Charade. The third CD is a live concert released in Osaka, Japan and dated 29 November 1998. Mauriat offers us an interesting selection of his best hits, world-known melodies and some classics. This is a collection of CD’s for every Mauriat fan and collector of his recordings.

Mario Luis Kocian Rossi

GRANDES EXITOS

Que C’est Triste Venice, A Man Without Love, Lamento Borincano, My Sweet Lord, Mariachi, All of Me, Sunny, Aranjuez, Sentimental Paris, Brigitte, Mona Lisa, Unforgettable, Ecology, A Man and a Woman

Franck Pourcel and his orchestra (EMI 72434997278)

This is an interesting compilation released by EMI in Argentina with a total of fourteen tracks including great Pourcel hits. The songs are digitally remastered and the sound quality is excellent.

Mario Luis Kocian Rossi

GRANDES MELODIAS

Strangers in the Night*, My Sweet Lord^, Bridge Over Troubled Water~, Only You, Somewhere My Love*, The Most Beautiful Girl^, Last Tango in Paris~, Singing in the Rain, Melodie D’Amour*, Michelle^, Love Story~, Moon River

Ray Conniff*, Percy Faith^, Andre Kostelanetz~ and Caravelli (Columbia 2-470045)

A reissue product containing songs digitally remastered on CD by Columbia Argentina. This is a good release for lovers of good compilations.

Mario Luis Kocian Rossi

SLEEPY SHORES

Sleepy Shores, Live and Let Die, Aranjuez Concerto, Killing Me Softly, The Morning is Broken, Brother Sun Sister Moon, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree, Summer of 42, If, You’re a Lady, The Green Leaves of Summer, People, Sing, Zarathustra

Johnny Pearson and his orchestra (Carmusic 0203-02)

This rare recording of the composer of the remembered Sleepy Shores contains an interesting repertoire of songs from films of the seventies and great hits like Tie a Yellow Ribbon, Killing Me Softly and Green Leaves of Summer. Now available on CD in Argentina and also available (like the other Argentine releases) for members and collectors.

Mario Luis Kocian Rossi

RFS members who are interested in buying any of the CDs from Argentina reviewed above are invited to write to: Mario Luis Kocian Rossi, Sucre 2815, C 1428, DVY, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

THE COMPLETE MANHATTAN TOWER

Magical City, Happiness Cocktail, I’m Learnin’ My Latin, Once Upon a Dream, Never Leave Me, This Close to the Dawn, Repeat After Me, The Magic Fire, Married I Can Always Get, The Statue of Liberty, The Party, New York’s My Home and bonus tracks

Gordon Jenkins (Sepia Records, 1087) 76:00

Although I am not a fan of the work of Gordon Jenkins, I listened to this CD with a fresh mind and to reappraise his work. The Manhattan Tower work has quite a following and it is released here in its entirety, recorded back in July 1956. The music is well orchestrated and a very polished performance is given by the Gordon Jenkins orchestra but the linking narrative becomes dull and irritating for me. The highlight for me was Never Leave Me which is a very dramatic piece with Elliott Lewis and the Ralph Brewster singers. The bonus tracks are a range of vocal and instrumental pieces from 1953-55 with Gordon at the piano for Angel’s Lullaby. Remastered by RFS member Robin Cherry, the sound quality is excellent and accompanying CD booklet is very detailed and includes all recording dates and personnel. This is certainly for those who remember the Manhattan Tower with affection and for those not accustomed to the work of Gordon Jenkins.

Adam Endacott

ROMANTIC EUROPE Love in Madrid, Under the bridges of Paris, In old Lisbon, Swedish Rhapsody, London by night, Tulips from Amsterdam, Vienna, city of my dreams, Summertime in Venice, Wonderful Copenhagen, Stars over Crete, La Belle Suisse, Wonderland by night

GLAMOROUS HOLIDAY Evening in Paris, Ca c’est Paris, J’attendrai, Mademoiselle de Paris, Clopin-clopant, Parlez-moi d’amour, La vie en rose, Can can, Evening in Rome, Santa Lucia, Anema e core, Mattinata, Catari, Catari, The echo told me a lie, Mama, Come back to Sorrento Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra (Vocalion CDLK 4345) 73:45. Another collectable 2-on-1 from one of Britain’s most popular ever orchestra leaders who, as another reviewer once wrote, "rarely, if ever, puts a foot wrong." The first album was originally issued on a Decca Eclipse album in 1972. In the complete absence of any booklet notes, I am left wondering if like some earlier Ace of Clubs budget issues it was aimed at the North American market. Among the highlights for me is the evocative French horn on London by night and Stars over Crete with its shimmering strings. La Paloma is not as overblown as it sometimes is, and it is interesting to hear Chacksfield’s take on items more associated with Riddle, Faith, Mantovani and Kaempfert. In old Lisbon is different from Frank’s 78 rpm version.

The second album was an early stereo issue in 1958. The titles had already appeared on the 1954/55 mono LPs ‘Evening in Paris’ and ’Evening in Rome’, the CD of which was recently deleted by Vocalion [CDLK 4167]. This has been a disc I have often returned to, and for anyone who missed it here is a chance to get half of the 28 tracks in twin-channelled sound. Chacksfield had a way with Italian melodies throughout his celebrated career. As far as I could tell from the limited time I had to compare them, the arrangements here are not exact copies of the earlier albums. The arrangements throughout the disc [only Leon Young is credited on two tracks] are always interesting and keep the listener involved. The use of accordion, guitar and mandolin is well-judged. The sound is enhanced by Mike Dutton’s customary fine remastering. Peter Burt

GUILD "GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC" CDs

5132 "Continental Flavour" full tracklisting in JIM 172, page 72

5133 "Amor Amor" full tracklisting in JIM 172, page 73

Continuing their successful policy of developing different themes for the series, David Ades and Alan Bunting have come up with one or two new ideas. New to GUILD, that is – both CDs are very much in a similar vein to many albums which made their appearance in the heyday of the LP, although naturally there is a wider variety of performing styles represented here than would normally be the case on a one- orchestra disc.

Continental Flavour provides a mix of European, British and American orchestras; a good number of pieces are by Continental composers, with some British notables (and a sole American) making up the balance. As usual, the familiar ‘rubs shoulders’ with the ‘rarely-if-ever-heard-of’ variety, but there are some most welcome surprises. Listening to this selection a few times, it struck me that there is often a marked difference between the ‘sound’ of British composers and their French, Italian, German and Spanish counterparts. It has a lot to do with the orchestration and sometimes the instrumental lineup employed.

The team is to be congratulated in putting together another very imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable collection, which I’m sure will win many new friends.

Amor Amor – Music For Romance again takes its title from an eponymous track, in this instance by the Frank Cordell Orchestra. The original plan was to call it Cocktails For Two after the opening number, a marvellous arrangement of the Johnson-Coslow composition (originally written to celebrate the end of prohibition in the USA); this could only have been created by Robert Farnon and is faultlessly executed under his baton. The full roll call of orchestras is impressive and includes those of Ron Goodwin, David Rose, Stanley Black, Werner Müller, Philip Green and Gordon Jenkins – several other equals share the honours, with a total of 24 tracks of the highest quality – they don’t come any better than this. The mood is very relaxed and the whole CD would undoubtedly make a perfect accompaniment to an intimate candlelit dinner for two; the only things missing are a suitably exotic meal and some appropriately fine wine - but regrettably, these items are not included in the price!

These two latest releases, together with the previous three reviewed at the top of this feature, were excellent company on a recent lengthy drive from my home in North London to the North West of England and back. They are all extremely worthy additions to the GUILD catalogue, which has now topped well over the 30-mark, but stand by for some more newcomers which I hope to review in the near future.

Tony Clayden

AT THE MOVIES

Over the Rainbow, Moon River, As Time Goes By, Somewhere (from ‘West Side Story’), The Shadow of your Smile, The Pink Panther, The Way We Were, The Summer Knows, It Might be You, Cinema Paradiso Suite, A Whole New World, Schindler’s List Dave Koz, saxophone (Capitol 383 6582). It’s always nice when something turns out to be so much better than you expect. When this CD arrived from EMI I took a quick glance though the booklet (with my magnifying glass!) and read the publicity blurb. Until I actually played the CD I had no idea that the talented jazz musicians were going to be supported by a lush-sounding concert orchestra performing some very pleasant arrangements. Dave Koz is obviously a talented player who solos on soprano, alto and tenor sax (at times supported by trumpeter Chris Botti), with guest singers on most of the tracks – among them Barry Manilow, Anita Baker, Johnny Mathis and Donna Summer. The opening track features an excerpt from Judy Garland singing her most famous song, while there are some spoken words from Ingrid Bergman to introduce As Time Goes By. Rob Mounsey, Rob Mathes, Randy Waldman and Victor Vanacore share the arranging and conducting credits, and at times it seems that the great arrangers of the past half-century are looking over their shoulders. Two numbers – It Might be You and The Shadow of your Smile are reprised at the end in instrumental-only versions. A lot of money has been spent on this recording and the quality is obvious. If you enjoy popular music that is melodious and slightly jazzy, without being too abrasive, then you would do well to sample this. Of course, it isn’t light music in any sense, but I certainly like it and I suspect that many readers of this magazine might also welcome it into their collections as a fine example of today’s younger musicians. David Ades

Classical

BBC LEGENDS: SILVESTRI — ELGAR SYMPHONY NO.1 ETC

Cockaigne Overture, Symphony No. 1 (Sir Edward Elgar), Beckus the Dandipratt (Sir Malcolm Arnold), Symphony No. 2 (Tchaikovsky), Jeux (Debussy), Four Sea Interludes (Sir Benjamin Britten), Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 (Enescu)

Constantin Silvestri and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BBC Legends, BBCL 4182-2). I always tell people if they want to hear a piece of music done the right way, then listen to the old ones — such is the case with this breath taking two CD set! The heart of this release is the greatest single recording ever of Elgar’s First Symphony — it can be made to sound shapeless and formless in less caring hands. Here, Silvestri keeps everything in check with great attention paid to each individual strand and the result is a sharply focused performance with every player knowing their parts and executing them with confidence and assuredness. The same qualities are heard in another troublesome score that of Debussy’s Jeux which is very clear cut. The Tchaikovsky Second Symphony also benefits from Silvestri’s inspired leadership, matching many points brought out by this work’s greatest advocate, composer Igor Stravinsky. The Britten Sea Interludes come from an entirely different concept than Previn’s rather hasty, sloppy performance. Silvestri’s penetrating insight into the gnarled textures of this work result in one of the most satisfying readings available to the general public. The crowning glory was always a great favourite of Silvestri’s, Enescu’s fabulously colourful Roumanian Rhapsody No.1 in which images of a true Roumanian band are more vividly caught than in any other reading. Even if classical music is not your ‘bag’, buy this immensely rewarding set. It will become one of the jewels in your treasure box of favourites!

Richard Jessen

SONG OF THE BIRDS – ENGLISH CELLO MUSIC (Sanctuary White Line CD WHL 2153).

At JIM we do our best to make available details of interesting CDs as soon as they are released; unfortunately, this is one that got away! Published way back in 2004, it seems to have escaped the notice of our stalwart band of reviewers, and might still be in a state of limbo were it not for a chance remark made to me recently by Marjorie Cullerne, on the telephone from Canada, when I was preparing for the unveiling of the commemoration plaque to her great uncle, Haydn Wood (see more details on page ????). The strange thing is, I was aware of plans for a recording of Wood’s Philharmonic Variations For Cello And Orchestra; it was being spoken about by Ray Crick, of Sanctuary Records, a good eight or nine years ago and forms part of this splendid collection. Although the CD box bears the label British Light Music, the four compositions are really at the ‘serious’ end of the genre. They were all published between 1936 and 1951, with the exception of the Rubra work. Herbert Murill (1909-1952) had become organ scholar at Worcester College, Oxford, by the age of 19 and after studying (and later teaching) composition at the RAM, became Assistant Head of Music and then Director of Music at the BBC, an appointment abruptly curtailed by his death at the age of only 43. Written for the composer’s cellist wife, Vera Canning, the Cello Concerto is dedicated ‘…in respect and affection…’ to the great Pablo Casals and features a Catalan folk melody Song Of The Birds which permeates the entire concerto and from which the CD takes its name. Sir George Dyson (1883-1964) was the son of a Halifax, Yorkshire, blacksmith and having gained his FRCO at 16, won an open scholarship to the RCM where he studied under Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. The Prelude, Fantasy and Chaconne was written in 1936 for his daughter Alice who was a cello student at the time, and in effect is a miniature three-movement concerto. Edmund Rubra (1901-1986) hailed from Northampton and although originally a railway booking clerk eventually studied with Gustav Holst at Reading University and later went on to the RCM. His career as a pianist and composer flourished during the 1930s; the Soliloquy was written during WWII, when the composer was the pianist for the Army Classical Music Group. This is no miniature, but a full-blown symphonic movement scored for strings, two horns and timpani. And so to the jewel in the crown; Haydn Wood (1882-1959) also studied with Stanford at the RCM, and has been recounted before, produced a large canon of compositions in both ‘light’ and ‘serious’ genres. In the latter category are Piano and Violin concertos and these Philharmonic Variations, which were given for the first time in 1939 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the composer’s baton. After an introductory solo passage, which seems to allude to the Elgar Cello Concerto, the main theme is stated, followed by seven variations and an extended finale with an elaborate cadenza. The whole work has echoes of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations; it lay forgotten for half a century until revived for a concert performance in 1990 at Eton College. This piece is further proof, if such were needed, of the undoubted composing talents of Haydn Wood, who is only now receiving the recognition which he so richly deserves. The performances are in the highly capable hands of cellist Rafael Wallfisch and the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted this time by the greatly underrated Vernon Hanley, whilst recording engineer Paul Waton has worked the same magic with the acoustic at BBC’s Maida Vale studios that he would repeat some seven months later for the first Montague Phillips (Vocalion) CD.

Tony Clayden

Keyboard

SO WHAT’S NEW?

Calling All Workers, Estrellita, Waltz from Masquerade, Eternally, Temptation Rag, The Rose, Medley: Downtown/YMCA/Avenues and Alleyways, Serenade, Medley: The Girl from Ipanema/Moving South/Eso Beso, Medley: Almost Like Being in Love/May I Have the Next Dream with You/I've Heard That Song Before, Medley: Ragtime/And All That Jazz, The Whistler and His Dog, The Trolley Song, Medley: Under the Sea/You've Got a Friend in Me, Medley: Ciribiribin/Oh Maria Marie/Autumn in Rome/On an Evening in Roma, The Harry Lime Theme, Medley: I Wish You Love/If You Love Me, Medley: So What's New?/Jeepers Creepers/Everything's in Rhythm With My Heart

Phil Kelsall (Grasmere, GRCD127) 71:56

You can always rely on Phil Kelsall to release a CD with a variety of tunes and tempos and ‘So What’s New?’ will not disappoint with just over an hour of Wurlitzer at its best with all the stops pulled out. Tim Wills co-wrote Moving South and Eso Beso (although not credited after the tunes) and also produced this CD. Old favourites such as Calling All Workers, Waltz from Masquerade and The Harry Lime Theme mingle with lesser heard tunes. The Rose has an enjoyable church organ section. Covering three decades Downtown, YMCA and Avenues and Alleyways start the foot tapping and the medley of Italian related songs have you thinking of warm nights and holidays. Disney is not forgotten with Under the Sea and You’ve Got a Friend in Me. This CD was recorded in January 2007 on the Wurlitzer Organ at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool.

Gillian Endacott

ALFRED HOLLINS — ORGAN WORKS

Concert Overture in C major , Benediction Nuptiale, A Trumpet Minuet, Allegretto grazioso, Concert Overture in C minor, Evening Rest, Concert Overture in F minor, Andante in D, A Song of Sunshine, Maytime Gavotte, Theme with Variations and Fugue

Timothy Byram-Wigfield (Delphian DCD34044) 80:00 www.delphianrecords.co.uk

The composer, Alfred Hollins, born in Hull in 1865 had the very considerable handicap of being totally blind, but he enjoyed a high reputation as both a virtuoso concert pianist and organist. His compositions for the latter instrument despite the vagaries of musical fashion have always continued to feature in the repertoire of many organists. It is in this latter regard that a review of this new Delphian disc seems appropriate since Hollins was often dubbed ‘the Eric Coates of the organ loft’. He wrote a number of delightful, often delicate light miniatures, for the ‘king’ of instruments of which several are included here. There’s a radiant A Song of Sunrise, a charming Maytime Gavotte and a resplendent A Trumpet Minuet, Handelian