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BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC CLASSICS Volume 4 Marching
Strings (Ray Martin); Jaunting Car (Peter Hope); High Heels
(Trevor Duncan); Dance of an Ostracised Imp (Frederic Curzon);
Keltic Lament (John Foulds); Rhythm on Rails, A Quiet Stroll
(Charles Williams); By the Sleepy Lagoon (Eric Coates);
Jamaican Rumba (Arthur Benjamin); In a Monastery Garden
(Albert W. Ketèlbey); Demoiselle Chic (Percy Fletcher);
Cavalcade of Youth (Jack Beaver); Elizabethan Masque (Frederic
Bayco); Shepherd Fennel’s Dance (Henry Balfour Gardiner);
Thrills (Charles Ancliffe); The Doge’s March (Frederick
Rosse); Petite Suite de Concert (Samuel Coleridge-Taylor)
The New London Orchestra conducted by Ronald Corp
Hyperion CDA67400, total timing 77:53 minutes. We are
greatly indebted to both Hyperion and Ronald Corp for the
(hopefully) continuing series of British Light Music Classics,
with its targeted emphasis on vintage Light Music ranging
from about the 1890s to the early 1960s – a period
when melody and rhythmic verve was at its most intense and
infectious. Whilst inevitably in such a generous compilation
some duplication with contemporary modern recordings is
unavoidable, and pieces such as By the Sleepy Lagoon
and In a Monastery Garden are doubtless included
to make the CD more commercial, there is plenty of evidence
of some imaginative programme planning and an impressive
knowledge of Light Music repertoire. An excellent curtain-raiser
is Ray Martin’s Marching Strings, played with
plenty of verve and panache. Particularly welcome are the
two Charles Williams miniatures, particularly the charmingly
joyful and jaunty A Quiet Stroll. New to this listener
was John Foulds’ haunting beautiful Keltic Lament,
and remembered from the distant days of childhood Charles
Ancliffe’s fine waltz Thrills (staple fare,
no doubt, in programmes such as ‘Those Were The Days’)
and the Doges March by Frederick Rosse, of which
my father possessed a 78 record. Jack Beaver’s Cavalcade
of Youth – used as the signature tune of ‘The
Barlows of Beddington’ – also made one wistfully
nostalgic. Also welcome is a complete Petite Suite de
Concert in a recording distinctly superior to the Marco
Polo alternative (8.223516) with the Dublin RTE Concert
Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper. Technically the recording
(even by Hyperion’s high standards) is quite superlative
with ample range, depth and amplitude, with many inner details
and ‘effects’ being revealed – often hidden
or obscured in earlier historic recordings. One cannot imagine
this disc not being an automatic ‘must have’ amongst
light music enthusiasts and hopefully the better known pieces
will attract a wider currency amongst the general public.
Anyway it’s up to all of us to encourage Hyperion and
Ronald Corp to keep up their good work. As Andrew Lamb says
in his informative notes to this fourth volume dip into
the well of British Light Music Classics, the source is
as fresh and sparkling as ever! Roger Hyslop
Unless I’m mistaken, nine of these pieces appear as
first-time modern digital recordings. Anyway, here come
the Marching Strings, fresh as ever (what a good
opener they always make) and Jack Beaver’s uplifting
Cavalcade of Youth; here also is Elizabethan Masque,
rather unexpected and all the more welcome for that. Ketèlbey’s
‘monks’ sound really authentic (period performance!),
and though less brisk than the composer’s version Rhythm
on Rails gave me a pleasingly smooth ride. Many moons
ago Charles Ancliffe was constrained to squeeze as much
of Thrills as he could on to a 10" 78 side;
complete with introduction, all repeats and coda it now
gets the full treatment. So too does Petite Suite de
Concert, and its third movement Un Sonnet d’Amour
is given as sensitive an account as any that I know. All
in all, this is an excellent release which will hopefully
make many more friends for our wonderful World of Light
Music. John E. Govier Hyperion CDs are
available from the RFS Record Service for £12 [US $24] each.
PAUL LEWIS Three Decades of TV Themes The
Prisoner of Zenda, Autumn Love, Brendon Chase, Arthur of
the Britons, The Big Knife, King’s Royal, The Dark
Angel, The Benny Hill Waltz, The Island, Woof!, Wreckers
at Deadeye The Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by
Paul Lewis Campion CAMEO 2018, 76:13 mins. At long
last here is a CD which attempts to do justice to Paul Lewis’s
work for British television. I say ‘attempts’,
because incredibly he has been responsible for over 130
TV scores, so there is a vast body of his work still waiting
to be rediscovered. But this new CD makes a fine start,
and the swashbuckling opening from the 1984 "Prisoner
of Zenda" (BBC TV) is in the finest Hollywood tradition.
Autumn Love was originally in the Chappell Recorded
Music Library, but its tender qualities were noticed in
1973 when it was chosen for the Thames TV series "Spring
and Autumn". Subsequently it was arranged by Ray Martin
for commercial LP release, and the Chappell version also
appeared in Grasmere’s third album of famous themes.
Paul knows how to write a catchy theme, and "Brendon
Chase" certainly falls into this category. An RCA EP
of the music sold 5,000 copies back in the 1980s. "Arthur
of the Britons" (HTV 1972) is perhaps the major suite
in this collection, with an impressive opening and plenty
of tender (and exciting!) themes in the rest of the work.
"The Big Knife" (HTV 1989) is sub-titled Romance
for Piano and Strings and one can imagine it filling
both sides of a Columbia 78 back in the late 1940s. "King’s
Royal" (BBC 1981-82) has a very strong theme in the
finest tradition of descriptive writing. "The Dark
Angel" (BBC 1990) is another substantial work which
the composer describes as A Gothic Melodrama for Orchestra.
In complete contrast comes The Benny Hill Waltz,
which is actually a movement called Ballroom from
Paul’s collection "History Book of Music";
the change of title reflects the use of this piece (speeded-up)
in many Benny Hill shows. "The Island" (HTV 1976)
features soprano and orchestra; the producer had asked for
a Laura-type piece, but understandably Paul felt
some reluctance to copy that most famous of all film themes.
The result is a melody employing vocalise (wordless) for
soprano and orchestra – the listener can judge whether
or not the producer had his wish granted. "Woof!"
has to be Paul’s most famous TV theme. Although written
for an ITV children’s programme, it achieved audience
figures above six million, and has been shown in over 64
countries. Tommy Reilly originally played harmonica in the
small Carlton TV orchestra (the Paul Lewis Woof Band), to
be followed by James Hughes from series eight. Even if you
have never seen the TV show, you cannot fail to be swept
along by the sheer fun and exuberance of the music. In this
Fantasy Paul has combined several of the themes he
used during the series, but over the nine years he wrote
many catchy little interludes for all of the main characters.
Finally this delightful collection comes to an end with
"Wreckers at Deadeye" (Thames 1970) – to
quote the composer’s words "…a rip-roaring
yarn of smugglers and shipwreckers." He has certainly
captured it all in his music. The CD is accompanied by an
excellent booklet (mostly written by Paul), generously filled
with photographs. Campion is to be congratulated for including
this highly entertaining CD in their ‘British Composers
series’. This CD should be in the collection of everyone
who enjoys expertly crafted light orchestral music. It is
simply an absolute joy from start to finish. David
Ades Campion CDs are available from the RFS Record
Service for £12 [US $24} each.
BRITISH STRING MINIATURES Volume One Divertimento
(Gareth Walters); Elegy (Edward Elgar); Suite
(Michael Roberts); Two Aquarelles (Frederick
Delius); Fiddler’s Green (Anthony Hedges);
Two Pieces from Henry V (William Walton); Partita
(John Addison). Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by
Gavin Sutherland. ASV Whiteline WHL 2134, 71:37 mins.
If you enjoyed producer Philip Lane’s four English
String Miniatures sequence on Naxos then you will enjoy
his new four-part series on ASV which mixes the familiar
with the less well-known, no bad thing. Gareth Walters is
Welsh and his five-part Divertimento is based on
national folk tunes. Michael Roberts came from Blackburn
in Lancashire and worked for the BBC before going freelance,
parts of his excellent five-movement Suite being
used as television theme tunes. Anthony Hedges has long
been associated with Hull University and all four movements
of Fiddler’s Green relate to places of musical
jollity which sailors enjoyed while ashore. John Addison
was educated at Wellington College and wrote for both the
concert hall and cinema while Elgar, Walton and Delius need
no further introduction. Edmund Whitehouse
Adventurous music-lovers who relish the bite, darkness,
delicacy, light, sweep, tenderness, etc. etc. of well-made
string compositions are unlikely to complain of this! Neither
frivolous nor brow-furrowing, the seven works all add up
to a pleasing, nicely contrasted programme. A short Elgar
work and "tandem" pieces by Delius/Fenby and Walton
balance the others. Gareth Walters and the late Michael
Roberts and John Addison are represented by five-movement
works (the Roberts was assembled from music written in 1962,
’65 and ’71). The newest work, dating from last
year, is by Anthony Hedges – living up to the promise
of its title. Full-toned playing and recording: try a lowish
volume setting for comfort! It appears that more may be
looked forward to. John E. Govier
MATTHEW CURTIS Fiesta, Amsterdam Suite, Pas de
Deux, Paths to Urbino, Two Pieces for Small Orchestra, Outward
Bound Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Gavin Sutherland
Campion CAMEO 2015, 77:18 mins. I must confess to not
having been aware of the music of Matthew Curtis previously,
but how grateful I am that this gap in my musical knowledge
has finally been filled by this splendid new CD from Campion
in their ‘British Composers Series’. The accompanying
booklet informs us that he hails from Embleton in Cumbria,
and that much of his music has been taken up by non-professional
and youth orchestras in Britain and overseas. He composes
in a pleasing style that is instantly accessible, yet full
of delightful orchestral colouring that will provide enhanced
enjoyment with repeated listenings. How good it is that
young composers (Matthew was born in 1959) are still writing
what can be described as ‘traditional’ light music,
although he himself seems to suggest that he regards it
more as contemporary classical that can appeal to performers
and audiences alike. Labels can be misleading: suffice it
to say that anyone who enjoys the kind of light music championed
by Eric Coates and Haydn Wood will find much to please them
here. I look forward to hearing more of his music in the
future. David Ades
‘Something Here’ – The Film and Television
Music of DEBBIE WISEMAN Wilde, Hans Christian Andersen,
Before You Go, Tom & Viv, Judge John Deed, Warriors,
My Uncle Silas, Simon – an English Legionnaire, Tom’s
Midnight Garden, Haunted, Othello, The Ugly Duckling Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Debbie Wiseman
Silva Screen SILKD6035, 71:19 mins. As Debbie herself explains
in the booklet, the album’s title "Something here"
refers to the familiar comment from directors showing their
film to a composer, indicating that some music is needed
at a particular point. This collection brings together some
of her memorable scores for film and TV, the earliest being
"Tom & Viv" (1994) which tells of the tumultuous
marriage of poet T.S. Eliot to his first wife, and no less
than four from 2002, of which the major work has to be Debbie’s
setting of "The Ugly Duckling", narrated by Nigel
Havers in his usual suave manner. Perhaps parts of this
fairy tale might be a bit frightening to very young children,
but it serves as an extremely useful way to get youngsters
interested in the manner in which orchestral music can tell
a story – especially when the writing is as accomplished
as this. Whenever the name ‘Debbie Wiseman’ appears
on the credits for a film or television production, you
know that the music will perfectly suit the situation on
screen. Perhaps she has had rather a lot of serious subjects
to date (and she can certainly tear at your heartstrings!),
but the music for "Hans Christian Andersen" and
"My Uncle Silas" reveal her lighter nature. She
is such a petite, happy and bubbly person in real life that
it is difficult to imagine her writing some of the serious
works her directors demand, let alone control the full forces
of a large symphony orchestra. What a formidable talent
she is! One day she will get an Oscar for the best score
for a major Hollywood film; why it hasn’t happened
already, is Hollywood’s loss. Until the film capital
of the world wakes up and finally takes notice, we in Britain
can be sure that our films and television will continue
to benefit from her superlative scores. David Ades
The Film Music of RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Volume 1 Scott
of the Antarctic, Coastal Command, The People’s Land
BBC Philharmonic conducted by Rumon Gamba Chandos
CHAN 10007, 78:30 mins. Chandos is gradually building up
an impressive library of film music, and it is good to note
that this latest CD has been labelled ‘Volume 1’,
indicating that there are more treats to follow from this
great composer. Because he has been so lauded for his symphonies,
Vaughan Williams’ work for the British cinema has tended
to be somewhat neglected, but on its own it stands as a
fine testimony to his gifts as a descriptive writer. It
is well-known that his score for "Scott of the Antarctic"
provided the basis for his Symphony No. 7 – "Sinfonia
Antartica" – and some critics over the years have
suggested that the symphony was in some ways less satisfying
than the film music. Perhaps this is surprising, because
less than half of the score that VW provided for the film
was actually used by the producers, so this CD, which offers
the premiere recording of the full version, provides the
first opportunity for some of it to be heard. "Coastal
Command" was a wartime documentary made by the Crown
Film Unit in 1942, while "The People’s Land"
described the work of the National Trust and was shot in
colour in 1943 (surprisingly in view of the scarcity of
film stock at that time). The BBC Philharmonic and Rumon
Gamba are definitely in sympathy with film music, as their
previous CDs have proved, and this latest one is no exception.
The booklet is generously illustrated with film stills (but
not from "The People’s Land"), and anyone
interested in British film music should immediately add
this to their collection. David Ades
NELSON RIDDLE: ‘The Unreleased Nelson –
Part 1’ RADIO TRANSCRIPTIONS Isle of May,
Till the End of Time, Our Love, Moon Love, The Lamp is Low,
Full Moon and Empty Arms, In the Hush of Night, Yours and
Mine, Yours is my Heart Alone (You Are my Heart’s Delight),
My Reverie; HEY DIDDLE RIDDLE The Farmer in the Dell, Row
Your Boat, Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be, The Muffin Man,
Little Bo Peep, London Bridge, Tom Tom the Piper’s
Son, Polly Put the Kettle On, Three Blind Mice, Twinkle
Twinkle Little Star, Hickory Dickory Dock NELSON RIDDLE
APPRECIATION SOCIETY NNCD003. Alan Wright is doing a wonderful
job keeping alive the glorious music of Nelson Riddle. Not
only does he produce the regular newsletter "Nelson’s
Notes", but he has also arranged for members of the
NRAS to obtain rare recordings by Nelson that are unobtainable
elsewhere. Alan has kindly allowed us to give details of
his latest release which contains two batches of traditional
tunes, arranged in the unique Riddle manner, that have not
previously been released anywhere. The first ten tracks
(all classical works) are transcriptions recorded late in
1953 for use by radio stations. "Hey Diddle Riddle"
dates from October to December 1959, and is believed to
be for a projected album that didn’t eventually proceed.
Anyone interested in Riddle’s work will find this CD
fascinating, and it is an essential purchase for those wishing
to have a complete Nelson Riddle collection. Audio restoration
was in the hands of Alan Bunting, so you’ll know that
it is of a very high quality. David Ades
This is available only as a private CD through a £10
(incl. p & p) donation to the Nelson Riddle Appreciation
Society, 4 Jardine Cottages, Templewood Lane, Stoke Poges,
Bucks, SL2 4BQ, England. Please mention the RFS when ordering;
cheques should be payable to ‘The Nelson Riddle Appreciation
Society’.
ABC RADIO THEMES : CLASSIC THEMES FROM POPULAR ABC
RADIO PROGRAMMES – (Australia) ABC CLASSICS 472446-2.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has recently released
this CD containing twenty tracks of a variety of radio themes
heard over the years. Many of the themes of current programmes
included are classical pieces from such composers as Respighi,
Charpentier, Beethoven and Mozart. These themes have become
much loved over the years. The older programme themes include
'Pastorale' by Ronald Hanmer, once used as the theme to
the serial 'Blue Hills'; 'Old Mother Hubbard' by Cecil Fraser
from 'The Argonauts'; Clive Richardson's 'Melody on the
Move' from the 'Hospital Half Hour' and the Merrymakers'
Dance by Edward German once used as the theme to the ‘Country
Hour’. There are also two versions of 'Majestic Fanfare'
by Charles Williams. The last nineteen seconds of this has
been used as the ABC Radio News Theme for about fifty years.
Also included is 'Olympia Australia' by the Australian composer
Sean O'Boyle. This stirring and descriptive piece was used
as the theme to the Sydney Olympics and more recently the
Manchester Commonwealth Games. All told a good selection
for regular ABC listeners and those who like theme music.
Barry Freeman
FRANK BRIDGE Orchestral Works Vol. 2 Dance
Rhapsody, Five Entr’actes, Dance Poem, Norse Legend,
The Sea Chandos CHAN 10012, 72:37 minutes. When one
considers how attractive this music is, it is surprising
that this is the only cycle of Bridge’s music ever
undertaken. The opening work Dance Rhapsody (this
is the premiere recording in this version) is an attractive
piece which Bridge first conducted to considerable critical
acclaim in 1908. It enjoyed several more performances until
1918, after which it lay forgotten until 1938. It disappeared
once more, until 1977, which probably says more about our
musical establishment than the quality of the work itself.
I find it enchanting, and I shall listen to it on many future
occasions. The Sea is regarded as Bridge’s most
successful orchestral work and (like a certain Canadian
composer some years later) he chose to get his inspiration
from the south coast of England. Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
deserves to have his work remembered and enjoyed, and this
collection could well provide some very pleasant surprises
for music lovers who are currently unfamiliar with his achievements.
David Ades
ELGAR The Wand of Youth Suites 1 & 2, Three
Bavarian Dances, Polonia, Triumphal March [Carcatacus],
Meditation [The Light of Life] – LPO, conducted by
Sir Adrian Boult – EMI Classics CDZ 5 75295-2.
74 mins. A warm welcome back to the catalogue for an
old friend, Sir Adrian Boult’s peerless performances
of these wistful suites and enchanting dances. Here is light
music of consummate excellence. It’s difficult to believe
these classic and sensitive performances will ever be surpassed.
I have treasured the original HMV LP [ASD 2356] for many
years and it’s a particular joy to have these recordings,
sounding newly minted and mercifully liberated from the
inevitable "snap, crackle and pop", on CD. The
attractions of this issue are further enhanced by some generous
fill-ups: Polonia [a fantasia on Polish national
airs dedicated to Ignaz Paderewski, and with organ judiciously
added to bring the piece to a suitably grandioso conclusion],
the stirring March, and the oratorio Meditation.
With generous playing time, budget price and indisputably
three-star performances this disc is self-recommending.
Roger Hyslop
LES PAUL and Mary Ford ‘How High The Moon’
Title track, Just Because, Blue Skies, Dark Eyes,
It’s Been a Long Long Time (with Bing Crosby), Rumours
are Flying (with Andrews Sisters), Lover, Brazil, Nola,
Goofus, Little Rock Getaway, La Rosita, Whispering, The
World is Waiting for the Sunrise, etc… 30 tracks ASV
Living Era CD AJA 5438, 77:08 mins. There can be few collectors
of popular music around 50 years ago who did not have at
least one Les Paul 78 in their collection. So for many of
us, this new compilation is a welcome reminder of his considerable
talents as a guitar player who, technically, was years ahead
of his time. It is incredible that he achieved such astonishing
results from the primitive recording equipment available
in the late 1940s. I seem to recall reading that his multi-track
records were often made at home in his bathroom, and that
he kept the precise way he did it a closely guarded secret.
Eight-track mixers have been mentioned, presumably linked
to early tape recorders (the CD booklet notes briefly talk
about ‘LP overdubbing’ – but surely this
would have resulted in a build-up of unacceptable surface
noise). Les Paul’s wife Mary Ford sings (also multi-tracked)
on nine of the songs, and all of their big hits (up to 1951)
seem to be here. It is great to be able to enjoy these unique
recordings again. David Ades
MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES The Thirties Music
from the Movies; 1936 Medley; Goldwyn Follies selection;
Jungle of the Jungle; Hollywood Hotel selection; The Wizard
of Oz selection; The Eyes of the World Are Upon You; The
Great Ziegfeld selection; Empire Builders; Gold Diggers
of 1937 selection; I Haven’t Time To Be a Millionaire;
On the Avenue selection; Everybody Dance; Babes in Arms
selection; There’s That Look In Your Eyes Again; Music
from the Movies 1938 Medley. Louis Levy & his
Gaumont British Symphony. ASV Living Era CD AJA 5445,
76:40 mins. Ever wondered how David Ades spends his spare
time? He never has any and this impressive selection of
1930s movie music is yet another product of his fertile
imagination and personal record collection. Louis Levy certainly
comes under the guise of dance band leader but he was much
more than that, being the major pre-war musical voice of
the cinema. The luscious sleeve depicts the opening of the
Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn, North London, and the opening
march Music from the Movies will be instantly recognisable
to all who used to go the flicks when it was not unusual
for there to be 2,000 other people present, more than many
of today’s professional football club crowds! Singers
on the disc include Sam Browne, Gerry Fitzgerald, Janet
Lind, Robert Ashley, Hazel Jean, Edward Molloy and Eve Becke.
If you were a moviegoer then you will know what to expect
but if not then sit back and imagine what it must have been
like when the only screen to watch was a big one, which
most families visited at least once a week. Edmund
Whitehouse
I must comment on the superb sound of this CD. The soaring
strings, wandering all over the place, are warmly supported
by the full, rich sound of the brass which often carries
the main melody. And the singers sound so clear. Alan Bunting
has done a wonderful job restoring these ancient 78s. I
have other Louis Levy albums in my collection, but they
don’t sound as good as this. Raymond Wood Editor:
I am very pleased that members have appreciated the efforts
made by Alan on this CD. Some of the tracks I transferred
for him were edited from up to three different 78s to get
the best results we could, and I have to say (with suitable
modesty) that I think the extra trouble we took was worth
it.
‘POPS ROUNDUP’ - BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA conducted
by ARTHUR FIEDLER. Pops Roundup; Home On the Range
plus 16 other cowboy songs. 61:26. (USA) RCA Victor
Living Stereo 09026-61666-2. Howdy, pardners! Time to get
out your western gear and ride out onto the Plains with
this time honoured classic. Arrangements are by Jack Mason
and Richard Hayman. To set the tone, there's "Pops Roundup,"
a send-up of American TV westerns followed by a gunfight
version of "O Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie." There is
a stunningly beautiful Jack Mason chart for "Home On The
Range" which is treated with graceful dignity. Sons of the
Pioneers admirers will find "Wagon Wheels" and "Tumbling
Tumbleweeds" stunningly elegant. Tacked on at the end of
this charming 1962 recording are 6 tracks from the 1967
follow-up album "Pops Goes West." It's hard to beat
Richard Hayman's lush version of "Shenandoah" or his upbeat
take of "High Noon." As with the earlier recording, the
remastering is formidably life like with Richard Hayman
playing his harmonica enthusiastically. A charming album
from a great era for the Pops and Arthur Fiedler. RCA/BMG
have a vast catalogue of Fiedler recordings including those
of Chet Atkins and Kate Smith which are in desperate need
of being released. How about it, guys? Richard Jessen
STANLEY BLACK, his Piano and Orchestra – Big
Instrumental Hits Holiday for Strings, Ebb Tide,
Patricia, Canadian Sunset, Delicado, 12th Street
Rag, April in Portugal, Lullaby of Birdland, Harry Lime
Theme, Blue Tango, Melody of Love, Cherry Pink and Apple
Blossom White Hollywood Love Themes It’s Magic,
Love is a Many-Splendoured Thing, A Woman in Love, Tammy,
Hold my Hand, Be My Love, Three Coins in the Fountain, True
Love, Friendly Persuasion, Secret Love, Around the World,
My Foolish Heart Vocalion CDLK4159, 69:50 mins. Here’s
a real treat for Stanley Black fans, presenting the two
familiar sides of the master pianist. On the first LP he
is wearing his Latin-American sombrero as he treats a dozen
instrumental favourites from the 1950s to a rhythmic treatment,
often (but not exclusively) with a rich Latin touch - his
sparkling piano assisted by pulsating percussion and a small-ish
mainly string orchestra. For the full, lush Stanley Black
sound of a concert piano, backed by a large light orchestra
playing gorgeous arrangements, you can do no better than
the second collection, focussed on film themes from the
same era. Both albums were recorded in stereo at a time
when the Decca sound engineers were considered to be the
finest around. Michael Dutton has worked his usual magic
on the original tapes, resulting in a superlative CD that
will find its way into many stockings this Christmas. David
Ades
FERDE GROFÉ Death Valley Suite (Funeral
Mountains, 49er Emigrant Train, Desert Water Hole, Sand
Storm), Hollywood Suite (On the Set Sweepers, The Stand-In,
Carpenters and Electricians, Preview, Production Number,
Director-Star-Ensemble), Hudson River Suite (The River,
Henry Hudson, Rip Van Winkle, Albany Night Boat, New York!).
Naxos 8.559017. Grofé was much more than just
Paul Whitemanıs arranger, he was a major composer in his
own right whose works are deservedly now being reheard.
This latest luscious offering is terrific value with never
a dull moment as the busy tunes duck and dive through Hollywood
film sets, deserts and rivers. For those already familiar
with his orchestral colouring then there is no need to elaborate
further but for those new to this genre then wait no longer
because you will certainly not be disappointed.
Peter Worsley
SPIKE JONES & HIS CITY SLICKERS Cocktails for
Two; McNamara’s Band; Glow Worm; Leave the Dishes in
the Sink; Little Bo Peep Has Lost Her Jeep; Clink, Clink,
Another Drink; You Always Hurt the One You Love; Sheik of
Araby; William Tell; Der Fuehrer’s Face; Water Lou;
Oh By Jingo; Mother Goose; Old McDonald; Hawaiian War Chant;
Dance of the Hours; That Old Black Magic; Rhapsody from
Hunger(y); Man on the Flying Trapeze; All I want for Christmas
is My Two Front Teeth; Jingle Bells. Evergreen Melodies
EV83. Spike was a serious musician but enjoyed mucking about
after hours when he added the sound of cow bells, whistles,
saws, breaking glass, pistols and car horns. He even trained
a goat to bleat in the key of C! When he released Der
Fuehrerıs Face in 1942 it came at just the right time
to set his show business career off, literally with a bang!
This selection of his very best are both memorable and amusing
but equally clever in their musicianship which relied on
perfect timing and brilliantly conceived vocals. After each
live performance Spike would bow and say "Thank you music
lovers" in a dead pan expression which never betrayed his
inward feelings. Judge for yourself the brilliant histrionics
of a truly "one off". CD and shorter cassette version are
available only via mail order from Evergreen, PO Box 52,
Cheltenham, GL50 1YQ, England – telephone 01242 515156.
Edmund Whitehouse Editor: Spike Jones has
been well served with recent CD releases. This new Evergreen
collection joins around 20 compilations currently available,
including a recent one from ASV - CDAJA5437. Robert Farnon’s
eldest brother Brian worked with Spike Jones for many years.
ELIZABETHAN SERENADE – Classics of British Light
Music Elizabethan Serenade (Ronald Binge); Knightsbridge
March, The Man About Town, London Calling, Dancing Nights
(Eric Coates); Chanson de Matin (Elgar); Lady O’Connell
(Fredrick Ellard); In a Persian Market (Ketèlbey);
Colonel Bogey (Kenneth Alford); Soldiers of the Queen (Leslie
Stuart); 633 Squadron, The Barbican (Ron Goodwin); Warsaw
Concerto (Richard Addinsell); Rememberance (Archibald Joyce);
Pastorale (Ronald Hanmer); Music from ‘The Fool on
the Hill’ ballet (Lennon, McCartney) (Australia)
ABC Classics 472 509-2, 76:21 mins. This is a compilation
of seventeen pieces previously released on CDs, or recorded
for broadcast over the last few years. All but one of the
tracks is performed by an Australian symphony orchestra,
army band or small orchestra. The odd man out is Albert
Ketèlbey’s In a Persian Market played
by the New Symphony Orchestra. The CD ends with two pieces
from an Australian television ballet The Fool on the
Hill which used music composed by John Lennon and Paul
McCartney, arranged by John Lanchbery. I must admit that
I do not think all the tracks fit into the category of ‘light
music’, still it is nice to know that ABC Classics
think so much of that type of music that they go to the
trouble of releasing a CD of it. The CD comes with an attractive
booklet containing an interesting article tracing the early
history of ‘light’ and ‘mood’ music,
and giving details of each piece and its Australian connection.
Barry Freeman
MARLENE VERPLANCK ‘Speaking of Love’ But
Not For Me, Blues in my Heart, It Was Written in the Stars,
What Comes After the Rainbow, I Let a Song go out of my
Heart, Listen to the Silence, Jamaica Rumba, Romance Medley,
The Moment of Truth, A Christmas Love Song, What Are You
Doing New Year’s Eve, Little Jazz Bird, Day-Dream,
Nearer to your Love, Unless It’s You, My Love Went
to London, Make Some Magic, The Singer, Speaking of Love,
My Bluebird (USA) Audiophile ACD 320. "Listening to
Marlene’s vocal performance on the CD Speaking of
Love is as refreshing as a clear spring day. These are
the sounds that will best serve the future of great popular
music, and long may this mistress of song wait upon our
admiration of her remarkable gifts. What a joy it must be
to record with the wonderful lady." These words are Robert
Farnon’s and quoted from the liner notes in praise
of the CD; Johnny Mandel and Benny Carter also contribute
words of praise. I think I read that this is Marlene’s
seventeenth recording, not only is it superb but many regard
it as her best ever. On it she demonstrates yet again what
a wonderful lyrical singer she is and why fans and critics
alike regard her as one of the finest interpreters of the
American popular song, in the classic tradition performing
today. Throughout her career she has always had taste and
integrity in choosing which songs to sing, always paying
loving care equally to well-known standards, sadly neglected
ones, and new ones by fine composers. The repertoire on
this CD of 22 songs date from Gershwins’ 1924 song
"Little Jazz Bird" through to 2001, perhaps not too many
well known standards, but a very good mix of excellent songs
that many will be delighted to discover for the first time.
Her musical accompaniment is always of the highest order
and for this we have to thank her husband and musical partner
Billy, a veteran of Charlie Spivak, and Tommy Dorsey bands
for his musical direction. Not only was Billy responsible
for all the arrangements on this CD but he contributed two
original songs, and produced and conducted the recording
session. For many years now the VerPlanks have been touring
the UK every March and as a result built up a loyal band
of enthusiastic fans. In this time she has had a long and
fruitful association with the Roy Babbington, and here Roy
provides the backing with his swinging trio, Roy on bass,
Mark Fletcher drums and the dynamic and perhaps underrated
pianist Geoff Eales who I was pleased to hear was given
plenty of opportunity to shine. Just one more added bonus.
On six of the tracks the trio is augmented with Big Band
which Roy recruited from the cream of British session musicians.
The closing track "My Bluebird" was written by Tommy Flanagan
and here he accompanies Marlene to lyrics set by Jay Leonhart
in what was to be his last recording before his death. As
one critic put it writing of this CD: "Even by her own high
standards this is exceptional - it would be a worthy winner
of any jazz vocal recording award of this year or any other
year ". I have to agree. Malcolm Frazer See
also the advertisement on page 31 of this issue.
‘THE PRISONER’ Music used in the 1960s TV
series Various composers and orchestras Silva
Screen FILMCD 601, 602, 603. In 1989 Silva Screen issued
the first CD of library tracks used in this cult TV series,
and others were to follow in the early 1990s. They have
now been repackaged and reissued, although it is likely
that keen fans of the show will already have them in their
collections.
JOLY BRAGA SANTOS Symphonies 1-6 Marco Polo 8.223879,
8.225087, 8.225216, 8.225233 Bournemouth & Portuguese
Symphony Orchestras conducted by Alvaro Cassuto. Classic
FM may be repetitive and at times annoying but it does play
a greater variety of tuneful music than BBC Radio 3. Having
gone to bed early a few months ago (a rare event in itself),
I tuned to Classic FM in despair at the Beeb and immediately
propped up my pillow and began to take notice of a composer
quite new to me. In effect Joly Braga Santos is a Portuguese
George Lloyd and his early symphonies are sheer delight,
full of warm, expansive and extrovert colours. Very approachable
and hugely enjoyable music for those not yet attuned. Marco
Polo brands itself as the "label of discovery"
and so it is. Try this composer’s early music and see
for yourself. Peter Worsley
FAIRY TALES & OTHER WORKS Vyacheslav Grokhovsky
Campion CAMEO 2016 Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted
by the composer. Russian Caprice; The Enchanted Wanderer;
Hans Andersen Fairy Tales (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Thumbelina,
The Emperor’s New Clothes); Gypsy Rhapsody. Can
there be anyone reading this review who has ever heard of
this Russian composer born in 1945? Unlikely because this
is the first time his music has been heard over here and
the best description I can think of is to liken him to a
modern Tchaikovsky. Very Russian and expansive in style
and all the better for it. If you like traditional Russian
romantic fare then you will enjoy this. Edmund Whitehouse
BRITISH COMPOSER SERIES Bill Worland Campion
CAMEO 2017 City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted
by Gavin Sutherland. Curtain Up!; Broadstairs Suite (Viking
Bay & Pierremont Park, Snuff & Nonsense, Pavilion
Waltz, Serene Place, Bleak House & Joss Bay); Sandman
Serenade; Paths of Peace; Intermezzo 45 (Michaela, Little
Ballet, Balalaikas, Finale); For Aida; Rhapsodie Tristesse;
Amaro Dolce; Honky-Tonk Town; Midnight in Manhattan. Those
already familiar with the composer’s Marco Polo disc
can look forward to more thoroughly enjoyable light music
in the best tradition. The "descriptive" Broadstairs
Suite is excellent, much of it based on Victoriana and
Charles Dickens while Intermezzo 45 was composed
as the war drew to a close. In this first of what promises
to be a fine new series deserving our full support, the
other tracks are also good value especially the foot-tapping
Honky-Tonk Town. Edmund Whitehouse
E. J. MOERAN Symphony in G Minor & Sinfonietta
Naxos 8.555837 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted
by David Lloyd-Jones. Stop! Don’t be put off by the
title because the Symphony is beautiful pastoral
music based on the Norfolk landscape of the 1930s while
the Sinfonietta is a bright and breezy nine-part
piece of light music by another name composed during the
last war. There is much tuneful serious British music to
enjoy which is now sadly neglected by the BBC and Moeran
is most definitely part of this wonderful legacy. Highly
recommended for all who simply enjoy good music.
Peter Worsley
JUDY GARLAND: ‘JUDY IN LOVE / ALONE’.
Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart; I Can't Give You
Anything But Love; Day In, Day Out; By Myself; Me And My
Shadow plus 19 other songs. (USA) S&P Records 72435-37-823-2-0.
75:08. Jimmy McHugh, in his liner notes to "Judy In Love,"
called Judy Garland "The Star Studded Cinderella Girl."
Both of these albums, marvellously restored to pristine
clarity by Steve Hoffman, live up to McHugh's opinion. Both
Nelson Riddle and Gordon Jenkins (the arrangers on these
albums) had worked with Ms. Garland on tour in the 1950's).
"Judy In Love" starts with a gem of a score for "Zing! Went
The Strings Of My Heart," with a fantastic building
of inner tensions by Garland combined with a combustible
score by Riddle. A sensuous version of "I Can't Give You
Anything But Love" is followed by an endearingly swinging
"This Is It." There even some mischievous studio chatter
before a swinging version of "Day In, Day Out." Alone
explores a darker world with a deeply moving version of
"Me And My Shadow," sung with probing sensitivity by Garland.
A small jazz combo within the orchestra is heard to brilliant
effect on "By Myself" and "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues."
"Among My Souvenirs" is a desolate tone poem for Judy Garland
with accompanying chorus. No other CD can give you the jazzy
optimist alongside the sublime ballad singer that made up
the one and only Judy Garland. An essential recording for
admirers of this great artist. Richard Jessen
Here are the tracklistings for some new Vocalion releases.
All are expertly remastered by Mike Dutton from the original
tapes, with attractive and informative booklets … in
other words, the usual high quality product you have come
to expect from Vocalion:
GISELE MACKENZIE and HELEN O’CONNELL Water
Can’t Quench the Fire of Love, A Crazy Waltz, Lipstick
Powder ‘n’ Paint, Give Me the Name Age Height
and Size, When the Hands of the Clock Pray at Midnight;
Gisele solo Le Fiacre, Johnny, Adios, Don’t
Let the Stars Get in your Eyes, My Favourite Song, I’d
Rather Die Young, Till They’ve All Gone Home, Seven
Lonely Days, Till I Waltz Again With You; Helen solo
Would I Love You, Green Eyes, Anytime, Slowpoke, Come
What May, Be Anything, No Other Love, Night for Love, Rub-a-Dub-Dub.
Vocalion CDLK4138, 59:27 mins.
EDMUNDO ROS and his Orchestra with The Mike Sammes Singers
SING AND SWING: Guantanamera, Come Closer to Me,
Fly Me to the Moon, If I Were a Rich Man, Sweet and Gentle,
I Searched the World, Quiet Nights, Playtime in Brazil,
Sway, The Girl from Ipanema, You too You too, The Fugitive,
How Near is Love, Be Mine Tonight. SING AND DANCE: Amor
amor, Perhaps perhaps perhaps, Granada, Frenesi, Green Eyes,
Besame Mucho, Adios, Brazil, Tico-tico, Always in my Heart,
Maria Elena, Perfidia, Magic is the Moonlight, Baia, You
Belong to my Heart, Come to the Mardi Gras. Vocalion
CDLK4140, 73:32 mins.
STANLEY BLACK Piano GERSHWIN GOES LATIN: S’Wonderful,
Love is Here to Stay, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,
Nice Work if you Can Get It, Embraceable You, Soon, Bidin’
my Time, A Foggy Day, Love Walked In, Somebody Loves Me,
But Not for Me, Liza. FRIML & ROMBERG in CUBAN MOONLIGHT:
Serenade from ‘Student Prince’, Romance, Wanting
You, One Kiss, Lover Come Back to Me, Softly as in a Morning
Sunrise, Sympathy, Love Everlasting, Indian Love Call, Rose
Marie, Giannina Mia, Donkey Serenade. Vocalion CDLK4142,
62:02 mins.
DICKIE VALENTINE WITH VOCAL REFRAIN: One Two
Button Your Shoe, Bidin’ my Time, Sunday, There’ll
Be Some Changes Made, Singin’ the Blues, Mary, Lucky
Day, Carolina in the Morning, If I Knew I’d Find You,
Back in your own Backyard, Everybody Loves my Baby, When
it’s Sleepy Time Down South. OVER MY SHOULDER: Birth
of the Blues, East of the Sun, Blue, I Kiss to Build a Dream
On, Beautiful Eyes, Somebody Loves Me, Then I Love You,
Gonna Get a Girl, Why Should I Go Home, Te Amo, When I Was
Young, Day Dreams. Vocalion CDLK4147, 76:44 mins.
FIVE FABULOUS FEMALES Marion Ryan: Mangos,
Sixteen Reasons, A Thousand Blue Bubbles, It’s You
That I Love, I Wish You Love, Somebody, No Love But Your
Love, An Occasional Man. Jean Campbell: Vaya Con
Dios, In the Mission of St. Augustine, Count Your Blessings
Instead of Sheep, Two Hearts Two Kisses, The Mama Doll Song.
Ruby Murray: Softly Softly, Heart, From the First
Hello, I’ll Remember Today. Joan Regan: A Love
Like Ours, Have You Ever Been Lonely, May You Always, Take
Me in Your Arms. Lita Roza: What Am I Supposed to
Do, Where Do I Go From Here, Stranger Things Have Happened,
Keep Watch Over Him. Vocalion CDLK4148, 62:48 mins.
THE EILEEN FARRELL ALBUM: ‘I GOTTA RIGHT
TO SING THE BLUES’. Blues In The Night; Wrap
Your Troubles In Dreams; On The Sunny Side Of The Street;
Taking A Chance On Love, plus 20 other songs. (USA)
Sony Masterworks MDK 47255.75:53. No other testament to
a singer could be made than this startling collection of
songs recorded by the late Eileen Farrell between 1959 and
1961. I say startling because Farrell was customarily thought
of as strictly a classical artist. Beneath this, Farrell
was one of the greatest of classic pop singers, ranking
with Frank Sinatra and company. Evidence of this are her
appropriately torchy renditions of "Blues In The Night"
and "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues. " There's
also the uninhibited swinging hipster in "Somebody Loves
Me" and "Taking A Chance On Love" complete with snapping
fingers! Luther Henderson wrote the very tasty big band
charts that provide strong accompaniments to Farrell's vocals.
A magnificent tribute this underrated and under recorded
singer. Richard Jessen
VIKKI CARR: ‘IT MUST BE HIM / FOR ONCE IN
MY LIFE’ plus 2 Bonus Tracks. It Must
Be Him; Can't Take My Eyes Off You plus 9 more songs and
the complete November 1968 Persian Room concert. (USA)
Collectables COL-CD-2850. 79:00. Collectables have released
on CD two long overdue recordings from one of America's
best artists, Vikki Carr. The first is her breakthrough
album that received international acclaim while the second
is Carr's superb yet long neglected concert album. What
makes this a really attractive CD is that we get to hear
studio versions of "It Must Be Him" and "Can't Take My Eyes
Off You" with a chance at hearing "live" versions of the
same songs. Unquestionably, there is more depth and drama
in the live performances although both performances show
the same profound regard for the lyrics. The Persian Room
performance has the drive and intensity one expects from
Carr's best performances. Although these are the original
studio mixes, the sound is as flawless as the performances.
Still radiantly beautiful and in great voice, Vikki Carr
remains one of America's finest artists. Richard Jessen
Some recent releases in Vocalion’s acclaimed British
Dance Band series:
CARROLL GIBBONS Volume 2 Hitting a New High Wake
Up and Live, Swing High Swing Low, Give Me a Heart to Sing
To, The Cat and the Fiddle, What More Can I Ask? etc…
(24 tracks) Vocalion CDEA6073, 71:36 mins.
BILLY MERRIN AND HIS COMMANDERS From the Banjo to
the Baton Everybody Dance, Everything’s
In Rhythm With my Heart, The Londonola, The Little Black
Cat, Dance Your Blues Away, etc… (27 tracks) Vocalion
CDEA6074, 75:41 mins.
THE SKYROCKETS with PAUL FENOULHET and WOOLF PHILLIPS
Sentimental Journey Blue Skies, So Would I,
The ‘Ampstead Way, Money is the Root of All Evil, Mary
Lou, One More Tomorrow, Don’t Blame Me, Night Breezes,
All By Myself, The Trees in Grosvenor Square, Bayswater
Bustle, etc… (24 tracks) Vocalion CDEA6075, 73:52
mins.
JACK WHITE AND HIS COLLEGIANS Let the Band Play Boom,
The Badge From Your Coat, Stop You’re Breaking My Heart,
Chatterbox, In My Little Red Book, Let The People Sing,
etc… (25 tracks) Vocalion CDEA6076, 74:11 mins.
MRS JACK HYLTON AND HER BAND She Shall Have Music
In a Gypsy Tea Room, I’ll Never Say "Never
Again" Again, Vladivostock, Ev’ry Day You’re
Away, You Are My Lucky Star, There’s No Day Like Today,
etc… (27 tracks) Vocalion CDEA7077, 77:15 mins.
Like all the previous issues in this series, each of the
above Vocalion CDs is a gem in its own right. As usual,
compiler Bob Francis has been careful to include the well-known
works by the band featured, but he has also included some
rare items which will please collectors who may have previous
releases in their collections already. The big bonus, of
course, is the high quality of the remastering in the expert
hands of Mike Dutton. And one must not overlook the informative
CD booklets, attractively produced and written by people
who admire and know the work of the artists concerned. All
this, for around £6 per CD! David Ades
HILDEGARDE Volume 2 Songs From The Shows Pennies
From Heaven, But Where Are You, For Sentimental Reasons,
June Is Bustin’ Out All Over, Careless Rhapsody, The
Saga of Jenny, This is New, My Ship, etc… (24 tracks)
Vocalion CDEA6078, 71:36 mins. Following Volume 1 (CDEA6035)
the emphasis now shifts to Hildegarde’s later career,
mainly in the USA, where she worked with the likes of Guy
Lombardo, Harry Sosnik, Bob Grant, Vernon Duke and Ray Sinatra.
There is just one track with Clive Richardson, reminding
us of her fruitful association with him. Before LPs arrived,
albums of 78 rpm records gained popularity in the USA, often
accompanied by sleeve notes. These are reproduced in the
CD booklet, and to say that they are fascinating is a serious
understatement. David Ades
THE BEST OF CILLA BLACK Alfie, Anyone Who Had
a Heart, Step Inside Love, etc… EMI GOLD 541 4442.
We mention this CD because the kind people at EMI sent us
details, and there may be readers who are seeking a Christmas
gift for an elderly uncle. Cilla is the butt of many jokes,
but she is certainly a survivor, and one cannot deny that
she was very successful with her chart hits in the 1960s.
The CD booklet is better than usual from EMI, although it
would have been nice if the orchestras had been credited.
David Ades
DIANA DECKER I’m In Favour of Friendship,
Poppa Piccolino, etc… EMI GOLD 541 4912. This release
contains all of Diana Decker’s recordings and (as with
CB above) the booklet is good – except for a
lack of details regarding the orchestras and the other singers
she performs with on some of the tracks. Diana Decker was
fairly well-known in the 1950s (she also made films with
the likes of James Mason and Shelley Winters), but the EMI
publicity for this new release describing her as a ‘massive
star’ is somewhat over the top! David Ades
Three great new Production Music CDs from Bruton
CLASSIC FILM & TV Volume 1: Spy & Sci-Fi
Locomotion Groove, Seek It Out, Drugsville, Streets
of New York, Drama in Jazz, The Red Room, Hush Hush, Rumble,
The Escape, City of Evil, Secret Shadow (John Scott); The
Scene (Don Phillips); Mood Moderne, Pseudo-Blue, Dramatic
Intent, Weird Bridge (Roger Roger); Hip to the Beat, Persuasion,
Underworld Groove (Johnny Hawksworth); Murder Most Foul
(Anthony Mawer); Premonition of Disaster, The Get Away,
Flight to the Rock Point, Mood for Crime (Arthur Wilkinson);
Unawares (Stuart Crombie); Project X (King Palmer); Phantasm
(Leslie Bridgewater); Radiation Belt, Orchestrated Devices
(Raymond Jones); Space-Time Music (Wilfred Josephs); Blades,
Strange Particles (Roberto Gerhard); Electro Twist (J. Mathews).
Bruton BRO18/353.
CLASSIC FILM & TV Volume 2: Matinee Mania Sport
Today (Felton Rapley); Sporting Type, Gymnastics March (Dennis
Berry); Jubilee Sports (Stuart Crombie & Dennis Berry);
Brave Heritage (Raymond Beaver); Banners Victorious, Marble
Arch, Fanfare for the Empire, Goose Step, Hero of the Sky,
Murder in Mind, Wild Eyes, From the Dead (Ronald Hanmer);
Texas and Beyond (Johnny Scott); Lion King, African Adventure
(Peter Hope); Covered Wagon Song, Serene Melody (Nino Nardini);
The Soothing Touch, Behold the Dawn (King Palmer); Synopsis
(Frank Harlow); Thoughts of Summer, High Hazard, Cellar
Search (Philippe Pares); Pink Lilac (Conrad Leonard); Hillside
Church, Abject Terror (Paul Lewis); Forgotten Love (Werner
Drexler); Romantic Endeavour (Michael Kraus); Brassy &
Bold (Chris Leonard); Crowned Heads (Sidney John Kay); Land
of the Bard, The Jitters, Someone Coming, Primitive Force
(Raymond Jones); Distress Signal (Patrick Beaver & Anthony
King); Drummers and Fifers (Roger Roger); Achievements in
Aviation (Anthony Mawer); Air Power (Sidney Sager); Nautical
Fantasy (William L./ Trytel). Bruton BRO19/354.
CLASSIC FILM & TV Volume 3: Radio Times
Smile for Me, Social Event, Club Rendezvous, Hard Swing
Out, Move to the Bossa Nova (Johnny Scott);Silver Sparkle
(Harry Rabinowitz); Bright Spark, Boy Scout (Harold Smart);
Fast Lane, Cruising Speed (Gary Hughes); Liven Up (Michael
Kraus); Satin Slipper (Raymond Beaver); Floor Show (Cyril
Watters); Racing Page (Fernand Fontaine); What a Dame, Construction
Tower (Bruce Campbell); Bright Lights, Honey Blonde, Show
Opener (Stuart Crombie & Dennis Berry); Timekeeper (Larry
Ashmore); Flitter Flatter, In a Busy Mood, Pull Up Your
Socks (King Palmer); This Year’s Fashions (Vincent
Holland); Pleasant Route (Anthony Mawer); Cinnamon Stick
(Frank Sterling); Jaunty Jane (Malcolm Lockyer); The Merry
Go Round (Harold Smart & Walter Owen); Hollywood Breeze,
Mambo Magnifico (Roger Roger). Bruton BRO20/355.
As far as I can recall, it was around ten years ago that
Zomba acquired the Southern Library of Recorded Music, but
they do not seem to have exploited it to any great extent
– until now. I do not have a complete listing of Southern
titles, but from the limited information available to me
it appears that many (if not all) of the tracks on these
three CDs come from that library. All of the tracks were
originally published in the 1960s, at a time when light
orchestral mood music was still being written in a style
that had become popular in the previous two decades. Of
course, things were gradually changing, and more rhythmic
sounds were creeping in (especially on Volume 1!), but these
enjoyable compilations confirm that a lot of tuneful light
music was still around. The details above give the full
tracklistings, and even a casual glance at the composers
will confirm the quality of the writing (and full marks
to Zomba/Bruton for giving the first names of the composers
in full – Southern often just provided initials on
the original 78s). I think that one or two titles may have
been altered, and in some cases the real name of the composer
is given, rather than the pseudonym which appeared previously.
Volume 1 is perhaps only for enthusiasts of more funky,
way-out, jazzy sounds; if you have enjoyed the ‘Kitsch’
collections from some of the other production music companies,
you may possibly also want to add this to your collection.
Volumes 2 and 3 are far more melodious, and have wider appeal.
All three CDs contain some real gems, but if your pocket
can only afford one then I recommend Volume 3 for some very
happy bright and light sounds. David Ades Bruton
CDs are only available from the RFS Record Service –
price £9 [US $18] each.
SOHO HIPSTERS Boosey & Hawkes ‘lounge funk’
1969-1977 The Trackers, The Rally, The Sandpiper,
Gin and Tonic, Snowmobile, Acapulco Connection, South Bound,
Tournament, The Baltic Caper, Coast Road North, Border Incident,
Pardon??, Taco Brazil, Lady Killers, Soul Type Blues, Motor-Cross,
Shanghai Caper, The Armenian File, Night Driver, Savannah
Flyer (Dennis Farnon); Funkbund (Trevor Duncan); The Big
Score (John Cacavas); Two Bars (Pete Moore); One Way Trip
(Sam Fonteyn); Big Fingers (John Scott). Boosey Media
/ Cavendish CAV CD 147. This really is Dennis Farnon’s
CD, with a little help from other top writers in the B&H
stable at the time. Relentless, ominous, dramatic, bright
funky pop, soul rock, progressive jazz … all these
‘groovy’ sounds are here – and much more!
Dennis is a master at dramatic, driving jazzy numbers, and
if you admire his work in this style you shouldn’t
hesitate to acquire this collection. David Ades
Cavendish CDs are only available from the RFS Record
Service – price £9 [US $18] each.
LONDON LANDMARKS: London Fields: 1. Springtime
at Kew 2. Hampton Court Maze 3. St. James’ Park 4.
Hampstead Heath (Phyllis Tate); London Landmarks:
1. Nelson’s Column 2.Tower Hill 3.Horse Guards Whitehall
(Haydn Wood); London Salute (Philip Lane); Metropolis:
1. Boom & Bust 2.Solar City 3.Street Scene 4.The City
Never Sleeps (David Watts); Rotten Row (Angela
Morley); Festival of London March (Paul Lewis); On
Hungerford Bridge - Saxophone Concerto (Christopher
Gunning). Royal Ballet Sinfonia & Academy of St.
Martin in the Fields – conductors Gavin Sutherland,
Christopher Gunning and Paul Lewis ASV CDWHL2138, playing
time 77 mins. At last! Forgive my jubilation but after years
of campaigning I have finally acquired a CD which includes
Phyllis Tate’s magnificent London Fields, a
piece which I played many times to children at school who
were all as enthusiastic as I was. Composed for the 1958
BBC Festival of Light Music it was much admired by people
such as Steve Race but until now has never been commercially
recorded. What a pity that neither Phyllis nor her musician
husband Alan Frank lived long enough to see it. Composer
Philip Lane is responsible for this majestic compilation
which, apart from his own London Salute, includes
the first recording of Haydn Wood’s London Landmarks
since the days of Charles Williams’ 78rpms after the
war. We all know Horse Guards Whitehall but here
is an opportunity to complete the truly delightful set!
Paul Lewis and David Watts chip in with splendid miniatures,
as does Angela Morley (aka Wally Stott) with her familiar
Rotten Row. The tour de force is Christopher Gunning’s
Saxophone Concerto inspired by an evening stroll
across Hungerford Bridge, the original footbridge not the
wobbly one which came later! It’s a great CD and an
absolute must for all lovers of British Light Music, if
not for London Fields alone which, as a four movement
suite, has rarely if ever been bettered. Edmund
Whitehouse
One’s unbridled joy in having a modern recording of
the entire London Landmarks Suite by Haydn Wood is
in the event slightly tempered by some technical considerations.
Listening to this disc on headphones one is struck by disconcerting
variations in recording levels. Thus for Philip Lane’s
London Salute to make its proper impact the volume
has to be increased. So, too, in the Haydn Wood work where
particularly in the first movement, The Horse Guards,
Whitehall, one becomes aware that the violins in particular
sound over bright and rather too few in number. As a recording
this does not stand comparison with Ronald Corp’s version
on HYPERION CDA 66968: ‘British Light Music Classics
- 2’, where the sound has a far greater depth and range.
Conversely, the Christopher Gunning Saxophone Concerto,
recorded at a different venue, has ample volume. Unfortunately,
in no way should this really come under the category of
Light Music and, at over 19 minutes, is overlong for its
somewhat slender material, and many listeners will become
bored with this piece long before the end. A warm welcome,
however, for David Watts’ highly inventive Metropolis,
Angela Morley’s enchanting Rotten Row, Phyllis
Tate’s atmospheric London Fields Suite, and
the Paul Lewis March. This disc, despite the above
reservations, deserves a strong recommendation. One hopes,
however, that ASV can be encouraged to produce new recordings
of traditional Light Music with a decent sized string section
- a Charles Williams disc would be an excellent starting
point and is long overdue - and become a little less preoccupied
with producing contemporary material some of which stretches
an acceptable definition of Light Music to almost breaking
point. Roger Hyslop
Available from the RFS Record Service for £10 [US $20].
ALFRED REYNOLDS Festival March; Suite –
Alice Through The Looking Glass; Suite – The Toy Cart;
Overture – The Taming of the Shrew; Suite and Ballet
of the Roses from 1066 And All That; Suite of Five Dances
The Duenna (arr. Sydney Baynes); Overture for a Comedy;
The Sirens of Southend; Swiss Lullaby and Ballet; Suite
– Marriage à la Mode; Three Pieces for Theatre
Royal Ballet Sinfonia / Gavin Sutherland Marco
Polo 8225184, 77:26 mins. Alfred Reynolds (1884-1969), conductor
and composer, was a man of the theatre and this CD in Marco
Polo’s admirable British light Music series gives a
representation of his orchestral music for the stage, not
in the original versions for often very small pit orchestras
but in (with one exception) his own transcriptions for full
orchestra. He was indeed a superb orchestrator as these
pieces strikingly show. Most of the tracks are incidental
theatre music, from The Toy Cart (1918, with a melting
Romanza) to Alice (1947, for Stratford), and
including much written for the Lyric, Hammersmith between
1923 and 1932 – three brisk overtures in the British
comedy overture tradition and fine examples thereof, and
other movements showing Reynolds’ gift for composing
baroque pastiche (The Critic entr’acte, the
Marriage à la Mode music and the dances from
The Duenna, one of many 18th Century operas
given new life by Reynolds). And there are the selection
from 1066, a revue-cum-musical comedy and probably
his most popular piece, and the surpassingly beautiful movements
from Swiss Family Robinson. Lovely music – not
quite as individual as Eric Coates or Robert Farnon, but
well worth anyone’s attention – and the performances
and recording are excellent advocacy for it. Philip
L. Scowcroft
Editor: Philip has penned the excellent booklet notes
for this new CD, which is available from the RFS Record
Service for £12 [US$24].
LEROY ANDERSON and his ‘Pops’ Concert Orchestra
Sleigh Ride, The Syncopated Clock, Serenata, A Tumpeter’s
Lullaby, Promenade, Saraband, Jazz Pizzicato – Jazz
Legato, The Waltzing Cat, Plink Plank Plunk, Belle of the
Ball, Blue Tango, Horse and Buggy, The Phantom Regiment,
China Doll, The Penny Whistle Song, Fiddle-Faddle Jasmine
JASMCD 2580. In 1992 MCA Records/Good Music in the USA released
‘The Original Hit Recordings …’ on MSD 35334
(20 tracks), and some collectors have preferred these to
the later stereo re-recordings by the maestro, which were
released on the 2-CD set ‘The Leroy Anderson Collection’
– MCAD2-9815. This recent collection from the British
company Jasmine once again restores the first versions to
the catalogue, so anyone wanting Leroy Anderson’s own
original mono performances now has the opportunity to acquire
them. Selected comparisons between the MCA/Good Music CD
from 1992, and the new Jasmine release indicate that they
are virtually identical. Sadly neither CD gives any recording
dates, but at least Jasmine does say a little about Anderson,
whereas the centre pages of the MCA leaflet were literally
blank. This is a welcome reissue; these recordings should
always be available, so if they are missing from your own
collection you now have the remedy in your own hands. David
Ades This CD is available from the RFS Record
Service for £8 [US $16].
EXHILARATION: Light Music with a Lilt London
Calling (Coates) London Symphony Orch. / Eric Coates;
Cockney Capers (Crantock- pseudonym for Clive Richardson
and Tony Lowry) Harry Davidson & his Orchestra;
Down The Mall (Belton – pseudonym for Tony Lowry
and Douglas Brownsmith) Charles Shadwell & his Orchestra;
Wellington Barracks (Haydn Wood) Queen’s Hall
Light Orchestra/ Sidney Torch; Fireside Fusiliers (Mayerl) Billy
Mayerl & his Forte Fingers; Pedigree On Pomander
Walk (Andre) Billy Mayerl & his Grosvenor House
Band; Popular Song (From "Facade": Walton)
London Philharmonic Orch./ William Walton; Daddy
Long Legs (Wright) The Bohemians; Scrub Brother Scrub
(Warner) Albert Sandler & his Palm Court Orchestra;
Fingerbustin’ (Camarata) Kingsway Symphony Orchestra/
Camarata; Twinkle Toes (Raeburn) Wynford Reynolds
& his Orchestra; Fairies In The Moon (Ewing) Wynford
Reynolds & his Orchestra; The Dancing Clock Orchestre
Raymonde; Montmartre (Haydn Wood) Debroy Somers Band;
Folie Bergere Richard Crean & his Orchestra; A
Cocktail of Happiness Wynford Reynolds & his Orchestra;
Exhilaration (Charles Williams) Charles Williams &
his Concert Orchestra; Comedians Galop (Kabalevsky) Queen’s
Hall Light Orchestra/ Robert Farnon; Snowflakes Piano
Duet by Rawicz & Landauer; Spinning Wheel (Rawicz)
Sidney Torch & his Orchestra; Dance Of the Blue
Marionettes (Leslie Clair) Organ solo by Sidney Torch;
Parade of the Tin Soldiers New Light Symphony Orchestra;
The Toy Trumpet Reginald Pursglove and his Orchestra;
Pan-American Panorama (Philip Green) The Columbia
Orchestra; American Hoe-Down (David Rose) David Rose
& his Orchestra; Chicken Reel Boston Promenade
Orchestra/ Arthur Fiedler. Memoir CDMOIR 554. Following
the success of ‘Fiddle Faddle’ and ‘Red
Sombrero’, Memoir Records have come up with a third
selection of tuneful gems. I know that many light music
enthusiasts are put off purchasing some albums because of
the repetition of recordings already in their collections.
However, they should not hesitate in this instance as many
of the recordings are appearing on CD for the first time
– several being from the Decca ‘Music While You
Work’ series. Amongst the contributors are the orchestras
of Harry Davidson, Debroy Somers, Charles Shadwell, Albert
Sandler, Charles Williams, Richard Crean, David Rose, and
Reginald Pursglove [who Light Programme listeners will recall
as conductor of the Albany Strings]. We are also treated
to the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra conducted by Robert
Farnon and Sidney Torch – the latter is also featured
as cinema organist in The Dance of the Blue Marionettes.
Of particular delight to me is the inclusion of the Orchestra
of Wynford Reynolds [no relation] in three delightful numbers,
two of which are from the pen of Reynolds himself; the third
is an enchanting entr’acte entitled Fairies in the
Moon – it’s worth buying the CD for this piece
alone! It is one of two compositions on this album composed
by the much neglected Montague Ewing – an album of
his music is long overdue! We are also treated to the keyboard
talents of Billy Mayerl and Rawicz and Landauer. This CD
has been compiled by Jim Palm, who has also written the
concise but informative notes. Ted Kendall who, unless my
ears deceive me, does not appear to have changed the original
acoustics by adding reverberation - a fact that will please
the purists - has remastered the recordings. My only criticism
is in the reproduction of the piano features Fireside
Fusiliers and Snowflakes. Both would benefit from a
little more volume and, in the case of the Billy Mayerl
number [a particular favourite of mine], a crisper sound
would have been preferable. Overall, I consider this to
be one of the best light music compilations of recent years.
It is bright, breezy and totally unpretentious – the
perfect antidote to the 21st century!
Brian Reynolds
Available from the RFS Record Service for £10 [US $20].
THE SYMPHONIC ERIC COATES Cinderella, The Selfish
Giant, The Three Bears, Miniature Suite, London Everyday,
Joyous Youth, The Dam Busters BBC Philharmonic Conducted
by Rumon Gamba Chandos CHAN9869, 79:27 mins. It is
wonderful to find that the music of the great Eric Coates
is still considered sufficiently important to warrant expensive
new recordings such as this. However much as we value the
composer’s own interpretations (and thankfully we have
been well served with reissues in recent years), it is always
good that such works should continue to be in the current
repertoire of leading orchestras, and attracting the attention
of conductors of the calibre of Rumon Gamba. Readers will
be familiar with most, if not all, of these Coates classics.
Whether or not you decide to add this to your collection
may depend upon the state of your finances, or your wish
to preserve the memory of much loved performances from the
last century. Whenever a new recording is made of any piece
of music, somehow something different emerges. Tempi obviously
vary even slightly, and the sound engineer’s balance
of the orchestra may reveal a previously unheard instrument
in a particular passage. Personally I feel that anyone who
admires Coates should want to grab this CD with both hands,
if nothing else to ensure that record companies still feel
encouraged to commission new performances from today’s
talented musicians. David Ades Chandos
CDs are available from the RFS Record Service for £12.50
[US $25] each.
A POPS CONCERT Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra NAXOS
NOSTALGIA 8.120520 My Melancholy Baby; Washboard Blues;
Sweet Sue; Among My Souvenirs; The Man I Love; High Water;
La Golondrina; My Heart Stood Still; Together; Moonlight
and Roses; La Paloma; Song of the Swamp; Southern Medley
(My Old Kentucky Home, Carry Me Back to Old Virginny, Old
Folks At Home); Jeannine. These recordings all date
from 1927-29 when Whiteman was arguably in his heyday and
include vocals by Hoagy Carmichael, Bing Crosby, Al Rinker
and Jack Fulton. Originally 12" 78rpm records with
a running time of 4 minutes each, they neatly bridge the
gap between classical, jazz and popular music. For those
who enjoy Whiteman’s style then this budget Naxos release
will be most welcome while anyone who enjoys a jolly good
foot-tapping tune will also be pleased to have it in their
collection. Well done Naxos, more please.
Edmund Whitehouse Naxos CDs are available from
the RFS Record Service for £5 [US $10].
THE PERCY FAITH ORCHESTRA conducted by NICK PERITO Theme
from ‘A Summer Place’; Love theme from ‘Romeo
and Juliet’; Lara’s Theme from ‘Dr Zhivago’;
A Man and a Woman; The Sound of Music; Love theme from ‘The
Godfather’; Born Free; Raindrops Keep Falling on my
Head; The Way we Were; Mon Oncle; Elvira Madigan theme;
The song from ‘Moulin Rouge’; Hello Dolly; Moon
River; Summer of ’42; Tara’s theme from ‘Gone
With the Wind’; Never on Sunday; The Windmills of your
Mind. Castle Pulse PLSCD 583. Although the CD booklet
doesn’t make it clear (there are no notes), this is
a reissue of the 1990s Percy Faith recreations by Nick Perito.
Keen fans will probably already have them, but if you missed
the original releases (which were quite expensive) here’s
your opportunity to acquire 18 tracks at a bargain price.
David Ades Available from the RFS Record
Service for £6 [US $12].
THE RED SHOES – Music from the films of Michael
Powell and Emeric Pressburger Vaughan Williams –
Prelude and Epilogue from 49th Parallel; Allan
Gray – A Matter of Life and Death, The Life & Death
of Colonel Blimp, A Canterbury Tale; Brian Easdale –
Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, Gone to Earth, The Small
Back Room; Jacques Offenbach – Tales of Hoffman. Various
orchestras, etc. CD41 Publishing, CD41-002. 74:00 mins.
The era 1941-51 is well within the great period (c. 1935-1960)
of British films and film music, so this release, which
draws on film soundtracks (including some wholly or mainly
spoken excerpts) and commercial recordings from the 1940s,
is of particular interest. 49th Parallel
was Vaughan Williams’ first film commission and these
expansive extracts will surely please. Allan Gray, Polish-born,
was well respected for his film music and his work for the
recorded music libraries – his music for these three
films (the Prelude to A Matter of Life and Death
is played here by the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra
under Charles Williams) make pleasing listening. More distinguished
are the Brian Easdale items, especially The Red Shoes
music which, though recorded by Columbia at the time (and
still sounds well here) has surprisingly never quite caught
on. Posterity has largely forgotten Easdale (he died as
recently as 1995), which is a pity. The recordings naturally
show their age but the transfers have been well done and
the booklet contains much fascinating information. Recommended.
Philip L. Scowcroft This CD can be obtained
for £10.00 from J. Nice, 1 Spinney Close, Beetley, Dereham,
Norfolk, NR20 4TB, England (telephone/fax 01362 861009.
More information from website: www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk
The EMI collection of British Film Music of the 1940s and
1950s was deleted several years ago, but copies are still
available from the RFS Record Service for £12 [US$24].
JELLY ROLL MORTON Piano Rolls Stratford Hunch,
Big Foot Ham, New Orleans Joys, Perfect Rag, Tom Cat Blues,
State and Madison, Kansas City Stomp, etc… 22 tracks.
Shellwood SWCD22, 72:11 minutes. The first 17 tracks are
new roll re-creations from original 78rpm records, cut by
Mike Meddings. Shellwood obtained a 1912 Aeolian 88 note
Pianola push-up, which has been restored to near perfection.
After pushing it up to a good grand piano they found an
expert pianolist, Julian Dyer, to play the rolls. They succeeded
in eliminating all extraneous mechanical noise, and two
of the tracks are premiere CD recordings. All in all this
is an enterprising release which should fascinate anyone
interested in this kind of music. David Ades Shellwood
CDs are available from the RFS Record Service for £10 [US
$20] each.
BRIGHOUSE AND RASTRICK BAND Popular Classics Dance
of the Tumblers, Elvira Madigan Theme, The Padstow Lifeboat,
Capriccio Espagnol, Pie Jesu, Sutherland’s Law Theme,
Ravel’s Bolero, etc… Grasmere GRCD115. The
Brighouse and Rastrick are one of Britain’s top brass
bands, with a reputation that extends far beyond this island.
If I am honest, I have to say that the light classics chosen
for this CD do not particularly appeal to me, but one has
to admire the musicianship of all the players. I am sure
that there are many brass band admirers who will not hesitate
to add this new release to their CD collection. David
Ades
GEORGE GERSHWIN Gershwin in Hollywood, An American
in Paris, Cuban Overture, Porgy and Bess New Zealand
Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Judd Naxos 8559107,
65:09 mins. This new CD falls into the category: "if
you want this music, it is probably already in your collection".
In other words, at its budget price it has to be accepted
as an introduction to Gershwin for the uninitiated. The
masterpieces are, of course, An American in Paris
and Porgy and Bess. To my mind, Gershwin’s Cuban
Overture only briefly comes alive, and it is not surprising
that it is one of his lesser-known works. The opening track
Gershwin in Hollywood could be so much better: unfortunately
Robert Russell Bennett’s arrangements are disappointing
and only occasionally reveal any imagination or sparkle.
The orchestra sound bored with it all, and I must confess
that I was, too. But, I say again, at a budget price of
around £5, it is a great chance to get acquainted with the
orchestral Gershwin. David Ades
BRITISH SYMPHONIC COLLECTION Vol. 10 Symphony
No. 2 by York Bowen (1884-1961); Symphonic Rhapsody
"Spring" by Frederic Austin (1872-1952); Symphonic
Movement "Genesis" by Edgar Bainton (1880-1956). (Denmark)
CLASSCD 404. Can you remember when serious music was
tuneful and enjoyable and when the listener did not need
a crystal ball or an IQ of 250 to understand what was going
on? Well here it is again! The work by York Bowen is a world
premiere recording and all the better for that, while Austin
and Bainton are rarely heard today, thanks to the self-opinionated
gurus who belittle anything which is not discordant. Well
worth a listen if you enjoy serious tuneful music and what’s
more they’re all British! Edmund Whitehouse Classico
CDs are available from the RFS Record Service for £12.00
[US $24] each.
BRITISH SYMPHONIC COLLECTION Vol. 11 A Celebration
of Malcolm Arnold’s 80th Birthday. Rinaldo &
Armida (ballet suite); Little Suite No. 2; Homage
to the Queen (ballet suite); Concerto for Organ &
Orchestra. Royal Academy of Aarhus Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Douglas Bostock(Denmark) CLASSCD
424. This unusual disc comprises 21 miniatures none of which
lasts more than five minutes with several less than two!
Apart from the Little Suite they are all world premieres
but unmistakably Malcolm Arnold whose lush brass sounds
remind us of his many dramatic film scores. Isn’t it
amazing how much good music there is out there just waiting
to be recorded. Well done Classico for taking the risk.
More please! Edmund Whitehouse
ERIC PARKIN (piano) : Reginald King – piano pieces
Song of Paradise; Humoresque; Sentimental Interlude;
Pierrette on the Balcony; Beside the Lake; Polka Piquant;
In Bluebell Land; Prelude in D; Tropical Moonlight; Passing
Clouds; One Summer Day; Windflowers; Where Water Lilies
Dream; Julia; The Haunted Ballroom (Toye, arr. King); Summer
Breezes; Lilacs in the Rain; Elegy; Marionette; Whispering
Violin; Meditation; Money Spider; Green Valleys; Yorkshire
Relish; June Night on Marlow Reach; Moonlight Reverie; Prelude
in A; Three Miniatures; Cynthia; A Prayer at Eventide. Shellwood
SWCD17 (2 CDs) 108 mins. What a delightful collection
this is! Light music lovers struggle to find recordings
of Reginald King’s compositions today, but here Shellwood
treat us to no less than 34 charming works, performed with
warmth and affection by Britain’s foremost pianist.
In recent years Eric Parkin has become renowned for his
rediscoveries of the piano works of Jerome Kern, George
Gershwin and, most importantly, Billy Mayerl. Reginald King
deserves to be added to this illustrious list, and lovers
of the piano cannot fail to be enchanted. I suspect that
some will half remember hearing many of these works, especially
Summer Breezes which was featured in the BBC Television
Interlude film of the white kitten; the orchestral version
was not taken from one of the usual recorded music libraries,
so it has remained one of those elusive pieces missing from
private collections. The well illustrated CD booklet notes
by John Archer confirm King’s important contribution
to the British musical scene in the middle years of the
last century. This is an important release in all respects,
and it will give a lot of pleasure. David Ades
THE CHEESY LISTENING ALBUM Wheels (cha cha)
- Joe Loss Orchestra; Guatanamera - Geoff Love Orchestra;
Let's face the music and dance - Nelson Riddle Orchestra;
Music to watch girls by – Joe Loss Orchestra; Mas que
nada - Manuel & The Music Of The Mountains; Mexican
hat dance - Geoff Love Orchestra; Tequila - Joe Loss Orchestra;
Do you know the way to San Jose - Ron Goodwin Orchestra;
Quando quando quando - Manuel & The Music Of The Mountains;
Desafinado - Laurindo Almeida & Bossa Nova All Stars;
Girl from Ipanema – Geoff Love Orchestra; This guy's
in love with you - Ron Goodwin Orchestra; Unforgettable
- Starlight Strings; Can't take my eyes off you - Basil
Henrique |
