CHAQUITO The Great Chaquito Revolution & Latin Colours Revolution; Aquarius; Carol of the Bells; Old devil moon; Echo of a Serenade; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Carioca; Mother Earth; Desafinado; Goin’ out of my head; Maria Elena; The Big Country ⁄ Meditation; Trains and boats and planes; Africaan Beat; La Paloma; Light my fire; La Peregrinación; Do you know the way to San Jose; Little Boat; Walk on by; One summer’s day; This guy’s in love with you; Upa, Neguinho Vocalion CDLK 4410 [73:13] Chaquito was the most notable of arranger-composer-conductor John Gregory’s alto egos and his first great aggregation was formed in 1958 as an "authentic" Latin American band. The creative arrangements and the band’s exciting style ─ many of the players coming from the Ted Heath orchestra ─ generated much interest. So much so that in the 20 years to 1977 the Chaquito band went on to record 14 LPs and, including compilations and re-releases, over 20 albums were released during this time, several of which featured in the charts. The first album here dates from 1970 and the second, a slightly gentler selection, from two years later. Everyone will have their favourite tracks: be it Gregory’s own title tune and One summer Day [Un Jour d’Ėté], the joyfulCarol, Carioca with its brilliant trumpet soloists or Bert Kaempfert’s bouncy Africaan Beat, but the whole CD has oodles of oomph and is my Best Disc for this issue.

Peter Burt

JOHN IRELAND: ORCHESTRAL WORKS. HALLÉ ORCHESTRA Conducted by JOHN WILSON. Mai-Dun, The Forgotten Rite, Satyricon Overture, "The Overlanders" – Suite, A London Overture, Epic March. Recorded March 2007 at BBC Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester. Hallé Concert Society HLL7523. Born in Bowdon, Cheshire – just south of Manchester – John Ireland studied composition at the RCM under Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. He subsequently returned to teach at the college, where his pupils included E. J. Moeran, Geoffrey Bush, Helen Perkin (see JIM 182) and – so it is reported – a somewhat uninterested Benjamin Britten. These duties were combined with the post of organist and choirmaster at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea, London. Considering that he created a not insubstantial canon of compositions, which have been well represented on many recordings over the years, it is unfortunate that Ireland is not as universally known as he really should be. Rather, he has tended to languish on the sidelines, in the company of Alwyn, Bax, Finzi and others, all victims of a totally unwarranted prejudice against much of Twentieth Century British music, which has only really evaporated in recent times. As may be deduced from my comments above, all the compositions represented here have previously appeared on record. This new CD is nonetheless most welcome, featuring as it does the undoubted abilities of one of our finest orchestras, under the direction of a prodigiously gifted conductor. John Wilson has a real feel for this music and during a recent conversation said to me that he thinks it is "amazing". Although he lived in Chelsea for much of his life, Ireland was drawn to the countryside, particularly places of historical significance such as hill forts and burial sites. His frequent visits to Sussex, Dorset and the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey are reflected in his compositions, which often also have literary connections. The programme opens with the symphonic rhapsody Mai-Dun, which was inspired by Maiden Castle, a prehistoric fortification near Dorchester, Oxford, and also by the writings of Thomas Hardy. The music depicts the ancient Briton community at the castle, which was invaded by the Romans in AD43, and represents the fort at war and in peace. This is followed by The Forgotten Rite, an orchestral tone-poem which was influenced by visits to Jersey, where two sites were being excavated which were associated with ancient rituals, some sacrificial, some concerned with witchcraft. The overtureSatyricon is based on the eponymous book by the Roman writer Petronius, and is subtitled a recital of lecherous happenings, which include references to the whipping scene in Petronius’s book! Ireland’s first and only foray into the world of film music follows next – a concert suite (arranged by Sir Charles Mackerras in 1971) for the score of the 1946 Ealing Studios production The Overlanders . This patriotic movie tells of an epic journey in Australia, where thousands of cattle were moved great distances to protect them from possible Japanese aerial attack or invasion. The 1936 London Overture evokes a journey around the capital, rather in the spirit of Elgar’s Cockaigne Overture(although not really attaining the musical heights of the latter) and makes use of some of the classic hallmarks of British Light Music in the writing for strings, woodwind and percussion, which are somewhat suggestive of Eric Coates. The final work is entitled Epic March and was composed in 1942 as a patriotic piece of anti-fascist propaganda, in order to foster community spirit and a democratic aspiration for peace. It was written for the wartime Ministry of Information, which commissioned similar works from a number of other composers, including Ralph Vaughan Williams. Whilst much of this music is not on the regular RFS "bill of fare", it is well worth getting to know and this excellent new release deserves to make many new friends. As we go to press, I have just received another CD of British music conducted by John Wilson on the Dutton Epoch label, which I hope to review in the next edition of JIM. Tony Clayden

RON GRAINER & HIS ORCHESTRA The Maigret Theme & Other Film and TV Themes SinglesThe Maigret Theme; Bistro; Night prowl; Petit Louis; Arlette; Golden fleece; & 7 other tracks … / Petit Louis [from the TV series ‘Maigret’] [Grainer]; That Was The Week That Was [Grainer, Sherrin]; Indian Blues [Grainer]; Station Six Sahara [Grainer]; Theme from the film ‘Sparrows Can’t Sing’ [Bart]; The Seventh Dawn [Ortolani, Webster]; Main theme from the film ‘Lolita’ [Harris]; My Lost Love [from the film ‘Big Red’] [Sherman, Sherman]; Sky West and Crooked [from the film] [Arnold]; Madrigal [from the film ‘The Chalk Garden’] [Arnold]; The Kiss [theme from the TV series ‘Love Story’] [Parnell]; ‘The Hidden Truth’ theme [from the TV series] [Parnell]; The Iron Maiden [from the film] [Rogers]; Sweet and Sour [the ‘Bootsie and Snudge’ TV series film] [Franks, Rusby]; Theme from the TV series ‘Sam Benedict’ [Riddle]; ‘Hand in Hand’ theme [from the film] [Black]; The Last Tycoon [from the film] [Jarre] Vocalion CDLK 4044 [75:46] The album on this CD was issued in mono on Decca’s Ace of Clubs label 47 years ago. In stereo Ron Grainer’s pieces portraying Parisian low life in the ‘30s are even more effective; the French capital being the background for the classic 1950’s BBC TV drama of over 50 episodes based on Georges Simenon’s detective starring Rupert Davies in the title role. Ah, memories! The second set is a mixed bag of 17 Decca singles, the earliest being the Bart opus from May ’61 and the latest, the Jarre, from April ’77. Nothing much here to excite although I did enjoy the tuneful My Lost Love with soloist Tommy Reilly, the dramatic‘Hidden Truth’ Theme composed and conducted by Jack Parnell, and Stanley Black’s customary seductive piano on his ‘Hand in Hand’ Theme. Other orchestras involved are conducted by Roland Shaw, Ivor Raymonde, Eric Rogers and Gordon Franks. John Dankworth takes the solos on the last track with the Maurice Jarre Orchestra. Informative booklet notes are provided by Geoff Leonard and Pete Walker. I doubt that anyone would buy this disc for the compilation but it is an interesting addition to an eminently collectable album. Peter Burt

THE VOICES OF WALTER SCHUMANN La Danza, Shadow Waltz, Dancing In The Dark, Sentimental Journey, Orchids In The Moonlight, Spinning Song, Black Is The Colour Of My True Love’s Hair, Cecilia, That Old Black Magic, etc…58 tracks on 2 CDs Jasmine JASCD 670 [total time 154:04].Walter Schumann died in 1958, so his name is probably unfamiliar to most people today. His trademark sound was a small orchestra (often with solo instruments such as the harmonica or saxophone to the fore) backing a choir usually comprising nine girls and sixteen men. Some of the time not a word was sung or spoken: the choir wafts around each melody in a similar manner to many film musicals of the 1930s. Walter’s choir was well trained, and they gained considerable popularity through their concerts and recordings. The final eleven tracks are given over to a feature called "Exploring The Unknown" which is a fictional story about man’s first journey into outer space. It reminded me of Gordon Jenkins’ "Manhattan Tower" in the way that the narrator Paul Frees blended with the choir and orchestra. Certainly an oddity, complete with some sound effects! The composer was Leith Stevens and parts of it might be more enjoyable without the narrator. These two CDs offer a very generous amount of choral music in one go. I suggest you may want to dip into several tracks at a time, rather than leave the discs running without interruption. It is an interesting example of the wide variety of popular music that was around in the middle years of the last century, before rock ‘n’ roll became such an overwhelming force. David Ades

Jasmine Records has recently issued its latest catalogue, running to an impressive 114 pages (plus index). This company has produced many interesting collections (including Robert Farnon on JASCD 661!) and keen collectors should find many pleasant surprises. Through its mail order outfit ‘Jazmail’ you can also obtain CDs released by Sepia, Flare and other labels. If you would like a catalogue, write to: Jazmail, Unit 8, Forest hill Trading estate, Perry Vale, London, SE23 2LX – or email:

‘ORCHESTRAL GEMS IN STEREO’ Full tracklisting on page 72 Guild Light Music GLCD 5165[78:20 mins]. When I saw the title "Orchestral gems In Stereo" I didn’t exactly jump for joy – stereo doesn’t interest me one iota! Who cares which speaker the strings and brass are coming from? Anoraks – that’s who! There’s nothing wrong with a good mono recording and music you like played by a first class orchestra. Okay - rant over! But stereo or not, it is a first class orchestra that opens this Guild CD with Tolchard Evans’ Lady Of Spain arranged by Carmen Dragon, who conducts the Capitol Symphony Orchestra. It meanders a bit in the middle but, on the whole, a spirited performance. Paul Weston and his Orchestra follows on track 2 with Jerome Kern’s She Didn’t Say Yes’ from "The Cat and the Fiddle" – arranged by Weston. The show ran in London in 1932 for 219 performances. A track that caught my eye was Les Baxter’s Shooting Star, recorded in 1958 with the composer’s orchestra. Would it be anything like Sidney Torch’s piece of the same name – no, not a bit. I know which I prefer. Our Love Affair, a very nice piece from "An Affair To Remember", a 1957 CinemaScope release, gets a lush treatment from Conrad Salinger with an orchestra conducted by Buddy Bregman – but it is Bob Farnon’s Mr. Punch played by Leslie Jones and his Orchestra of London which gets the feet a’tapping! I’ve had the EP since its release in 1959. Peter Yorke and his Concert Orchestra provide a rather dreamy rendition of Ivor Novello’s Glamorous Night from the 1935 show of the same name. It ran for 243 performances at the Drury Lane Theatre. Another tune to set the feet a’tapping once again is Cole Porter’s After You on track 11 with an infectious performance by Victor Silvester’s Silver Strings. Quite a difference from his usual ballroom strict-tempo style. But it’s the David Rose Orchestra that really sets the disc alight with his own composition Majorca – a sparkling piece! And in similar lively mood is Ernesto Lecuona’s Damisela Encantadora (quite a mouthful!) played by Percy Faith and his Orchestra, who also arranged it. Billy Mayerl’s ever popular Marigold gets an orchestral treatment for a change, courtesy of Ronald Binge’s arrangement with him conducting his own orchestra. And lastly I was pleased to hear the 101 Strings in an effervescent form with Chabrier’s Espana – a fiery finale! Ken Wilkins

JOHN GREGORY Cascading Strings & Contrasts Raindrops keep falling on my head; Wand’rin Star; The green leaves of summer; Love is blue; Plaisir d’amour; Those were the days; Somewhere my love; The fool on the hill; Four of hearts; Light my fire; Londonderry Air; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly / Diamonds are forever, I don’t know how to love him; Look around and you’ll find me there; Where did they go?; The theme from ‘The Onedin Line’; Devils Highway; The theme from ‘The Persuaders’; Another time another place; Contrasts; My chérie amour; Sleepy Shores [theme from ‘Owen M.D.’]; Spinning wheel Vocalion CDLK 4407 [69:13] There have been a number of light orchestral CDs from Vocalion since our last issue with releases from Frank Chacksfield [2], Will Glahé, Ray Martin, Ricardo Santos, Roland Shaw and a Victor Young soundtrack in addition to those reviewed in this issue. This one is particularly welcome as John Gregory has been sorely neglected in the reissue stakes. Born Giovanni Gregori, he was rated one of the UK’s best ever light orchestra conductors for three decades from the Fifties, as well as writing numerous vocal arrangements and accompanying a range of singers. The success of his Cascading Strings bore witness to his talented writing for that section of the orchestra, likewise his Moods Orchestral series. With great expectations of this 2-on-1 release I can only give it a restrained welcome. All the arrangements are attractive but for my liking the strings don’t "cascade" enough and there is a tad too much rhythmic beat, although the inclusion on some tracks of what sounds like an electric harpsichord is appealing. The best tracks include maestro Gregory’s own compositions Four of Hearts and Contrasts. It is good, too, to hear again the Khachaturian [arr. Gregory], Johnny Pearson’s Sleepy shores, and Spinning Wheel is a fun piece. The orchestra sounds smaller than that fronted by Mantovani or Chacksfield, or it may be Philips not quite matching the legendary Decca sound. Enjoyable enough, these albums just do not "light my fire." Many of you, however, will be looking to add the disc to your CD collection, and will appreciate our esteemed Editor’s extensive booklet notes. Peter Burt

ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Conducted by RONALD CORP Music by Ronald Corp: Guernsey Postcards, Piano Concerto No. 1 (featuring Leon McCawley, piano), Symphony No. 1 Dutton Epoch CDLX 7233 [65:57]. Ronald Corp has been a magnificent ambassador for light orchestral music, and there is no doubt that his landmark recordings for Hyperion have contributed to the revival of light music as an important part of the music scene. It is therefore only right that he should be given the opportunity to record his own music, which makes this CD especially welcome. Guernsey Postcards was a special commission in 2004, and the three contrasting movements must have delighted the locals at the premiere on the island. Ronald’s firstPiano Concerto dates from 1997, and it was also a special commission. Like many similar new works, the listener will gain much from repeated hearings. The most recent work is the Symphony, completed in 2009. I do not feel that I know the work well enough yet to be able to write a proper review; all I will say it that I look forward to becoming acquainted with something which, even on a first hearing, sounds impressive – especially the final movement. I’ve said it many times before, but it needs repeating: today’s lovers of exciting new music owe a great debt of gratitude to Mike Dutton, whose Epoch catalogue now contains some truly wonderful recordings. David Ades

MANTOVANI Golden Hits / More Golden Hits 24 tracks incl. Moon River; Summertime in Venice; Diane; Exodus Main Theme; True Love; La Vie en Rose; Around the World … / Stranger in Paradise; Gigi; Deep Purple; A Certain Smile; Limelight; The way you look tonight; Long Ago [And Far Away] …Vocalion CDLK 4409 [77:31]

Mr Music …. Mantovani / More Mantovani Film Encores 24 tracks incl. Smile; Ebb tide; Softly as I leave you; Spanish flea; Theme from ‘The Oscar’; How soon; Yesterday … / The high and the mighty; A certain smile; Friendly persuasion [Thee I love]; Whatever will be, will be; Tammy; Be my love; April love … Vocalion CDLK 4412 [74:49] It is hard to find anything new to write about Monty’s discs. What other orchestra maintained such a high standard of work over so many years? His arrangements were invariably interesting, not fussy or over-complicated, and the orchestral playing beneath his baton was impeccable. As a Gramophone reviewer [remember the days when they covered our kind of music?] once so rightly wrote about a trio of his albums: "These testify to his unique niche in the annals of international light music." If you are only going to have one Mantovani disc in your collection then I suppose the first 2-on-1 is the one to have with four of Monty’s six singles million sellers on the first album [1967]: Charmaine, The Moulin Rouge Theme, Greensleeves and Swedish Rhapsody, but not Wyoming or Lonely ballerina. Two other stand-out tracks are the string-laden Some enchanted evening ─ surely the best-ever orchestral version ─ and on the second album [1976] the dramatic Love is a many splendored thing, although I don’t think this sounds any better than it did on the LP track I nearly wore out all those years ago! The second CD, with albums from 1966 and 1959, is almost worth its price alone for the spine-tingling string intro toWhen you wish upon a star. It is interesting to learn from Colin Mackenzie’s customary comprehensive booklet notes that two-thirds of the albums arrangements and the piano playing onCara Mia are by the Maestro himself. ‘Mr Music ….’ is less familiar to me than most of Monty’s output and I think is even more enjoyable a listen because of it. Peter Burt

"SHOWTIME – 25 Years of BBC Concert Orchestra Favourites" Crown Imperial (William Walton); Les Petites Valses Parisiennes (arranged by Sidney Torch); Farandole from "L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2" (Georges Bizet); The Two Imps (Kenneth J. Alford); A La Claire Fontaine (Robert Farnon); Aces High from "Battle of Britain" (Ron Goodwin); I Love Paris (Cole Porter, arr. Stanley Black); Main Titles & Love Theme from "Ben Hur" (Miklos Rozsa); Pops Hoedown (Richard Hayman); Showtime Carousel (arr. Gordon Langford); Calling All Workers (Eric Coates). BBC Concert Orchestra Conducted by Roderick Dunk. Dutton Epoch CDLX 7242 [64:41]. A quick glance at the title of this CD might lead some people to think that the BBC Concert Orchestra is only 25 years old, but we all know that it has already celebrated its half century. ’25 Years’ refers to the BBC Concert Orchestra’s Supporters Club who sponsored this CD to celebrate their 25^th Anniversary. Rather than adhere to the usual format of "Friday Night Is Music Night", readers will be relieved to learn that this collection is entirely orchestral. And there are some great gems among some of the more familiar works. Sidney Torch’s arrangement of French waltzes is so typical of many similar delightful selections he created over the years. Another arranger of note is Gordon Langford, whoseShowtime Carousel provides over 14 minutes of great show tunes. Naturally we are pleased to find Robert Farnon’s A La Claire Fontaine appearing in a new performance; at eight minutes conductor Roderick Dunk takes it noticeably slower than the composer, whose Decca version lasts just under six minutes! I have to confess that I always felt that Bob could have slowed it down a bit (which he did in his 1991 recording with the RPO), and Roderick Dunk’s interpretation gives it an added majestic atmosphere. Members of the BBC Concert Orchestra’s Supporters Club received a free copy of this great CD. Everyone else should rush to buy theirs without delay! David Ades Contact details: BBC Concert Orchestra’s Supporters Club, PO Box 213, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 6ZP, UK.

"MEXICO" Cielito Lindo, Pepe, The Three Caballeros,La Cucarache, La Paloma, etc. "WESTWARD HO!" Riders In The Sky, The Yellow Rose of Texas, High Noon, The Big Country, Don’t Fence Me In, The Magnificent Seven, etc. Roland Shaw and his Orchestra. Vocalion CDLK4402 [61:34]. Roland Shaw was one of the great arrangers, and his work provided a touch of class to many Decca LPs, notably for Frank Chacksfield. Perhaps Decca felt that he deserved to emerge from the shadows and have his name on the kind of albums he created for others. "Mexico" is probably what you would expect – some may think it a pity that there are some vocals. I prefer the "Westward Ho!" album, and although an annoying vocal occasionally creeps in most tracks are purely instrumental. No doubt both these collections were commissioned by Tony D’Amato for Decca’s US London label. It’s a shame that there are no notes to tell purchasers something about the talented Mr.Shaw. David Ades

HARD TO FIND JUKEBOX CLASSICS : FABULOUS FIFTIES INSTRUMENTALS & MORE Manhattan Spiritual / Reg Owen*; March From The River Kwai & Colonel Bogey / Mitch Miller*; The Yellow Rose Of Texas / Mitch Miller Orchestra & Chorus; Giant / Les Baxter Orchestra & Chorus; Honey-Babe / Art Mooney Orchestra & Chorus; Children’s Marching Song / Cyril Stapleton with Children’s Chorus*; Joey’s Song / Bill Haley*; Smiles / Crazy Otto; Glad Rag Doll / Crazy Otto; Yellow Dog Blues / Joe Darensbourg & His Dixie Flyers; Little Dipper / The Mickey Mozart Quintet; "Man With The Golden Arm" – Main Titles & Molly-O / Dick Jacobs Orchestra & Chorus; Petticoats Of Portugal / Dick Jacobs Orchestra & Chorus; Theme From "The Threepenny Opera" / Richard Hayman & Jan August; Ciao, Ciao Bambino / Jacky Noguez & His Orchestra*; The Italian Theme / Cyril Stapleton; When The White Lilacs Bloom Again / Helmut Zacharias; The Poor People Of Paris / Lawrence Welk; Theme From "The Threepenny Opera" / Lawrence Welk; The Bandit (O Cangaceiro) / Eddie Barclay; 11^th Hour Melody / Lou Busch; Almost Paradise / Lou Stein; Autumn Leaves / Steve Allen with George Cates & His Orchestra; Around The World / Mantovani; My Beloved / Otto Cesana; Devotion / Otto Cesana*; Fascination / David Carroll*; It’s Almost Tomorrow / David Carroll (with chorus); Melody Of Love / David Carroll (* = Stereo) Hit Parade Records 12310 [72:00] Bill Buster of Canada’s Eric Records has put together this superb collection based on the 1950s American Billboard charts. All of the recordings are the original versions, not later re-recordings. Many of the tracks are orchestral, several with chorus, plus a sprinkling of instrumental and solo ones, some by artists not familiar to me such as Joe Darensbourg, Jacky Noguez and Micky Mozart. One or two tracks may come as a surprise to British listeners as different artists charted the songs in the UK. For example, although there are two excellent versions of Theme From The Threepenny Opera, we are probably more familiar with the one by The Dick Hyman Trio. Similarly I recall that, in my record shop days, we sold more copies of Henry Leca’s The Bandit than the equally good Eddie Barclay one featured here. Nor do I remember the Steve Allen/George Cates version of Autumn Leaves being very popular, although it deserves to have been. Several titles never featured in the UK charts at all so I enjoyed hearing them for the first time. Sound quality is first class with only Mantovani’s Around The Worldand David Carroll’s Fascination not quite attaining the 5-star rating I can give to the impeccable re-mastering on the other 27 tracks. A 12 page booklet with comprehensive and informative notes by Greg Adams completes this very attractive package, very little of which has previously been available on CD. I don’t know if it can be ordered from local record shops in the UK but it’s readily available from several on-line sources including Amazon and Play.com or direct from ericrecords.com. Alan Bunting

SHIRLEY BASSEY The Performance Almost there; Apartment; This Time; I love you now; Our time is now; As God is my witness; No good about goodbye; The Girl from Tiger Bay; Nice Men; After the rain; The performance of my life Geffen 2720780 [42:07] Despite some of the titles this is an album of all new compositions and the 73-year-young diva Dame’s first studio performance for over 20 years. Produced by David Arnold with songs by such popular music luminaries as Gary Barlow, John Barry, Don Black, The Manic Street Preachers and KT Tunstall, to my mind this album is up there with her best ─ a remarkable achievement. The track I have returned to the most, not least for the arrangement, has been Rufus Wainwright’s Cinderella fairytale song The Apartment. The orchestrations and conducting are in the hands of Nicholas Dodd, with a few stellar names among the musicians. No plaudits to Polydor for the short measure, though. Peter Burt

‘HIGHLY STRUNG’ Full tracklisting on page 76 Guild Light Music GLCD 5166 [79:38 mins]. This latest Guild offering begins in cracking style with Jack Mason’s Pops Polka – can’t say I’ve ever heard of him but I’m certainly familiar with the players – the Boston ‘Pops’ (I prefer ‘Promenade’) Orchestra with their long-time conductor Arthur Fiedler. In the notes David reckons his association with the orchestra began in 1930, but I have a 12" HMV 78 of Strike Up The Band which I thought was recorded in 1929, but I could be wrong. Steve Race keeps the rhythm going with one of those pieces that seem so familiar but the title unknown. Here it is – Ring Ding, played by the Knightsbridge Strings. George French wrote the CD’s title tune Highly Strung for the KPM Library and it’s played here by the Group Forty Orchestra conducted by Eric Cook. It dates from 1959 when the Musicians’ Union ban was briefly lifted, allowing production music libraries to record once again with British musicians for a while. It’s a great piece and I hope compiler David looks kindly on the idea of issuing another French composition – from the Paxton Library this time – his Parade Of The Championsplayed by Dolf van der Linden and his Orchestra. Eric Jupp and his Orchestra continue this lively concert with what sounds like a Spanish rhythmic number. But the inspiration comes from just over the border in Portugal, and Song Of Lisbon was a minor hit for Carlos Rocha – whoever he might be. Then a Synchro Library item Paris Pullman by Roger Roger and played by The Paris Studio Orchestra conducted by Philippe Pares, who also contributed library music. Philip Green’s theme from the film"Sapphire" played by the Pinewood Studio Orchestra, conducted by the composer, featuring Johnny Dankworth’s saxophone is next. On the other side of the Top Rank 45 from which this track was taken is Laurie Johnson’s theme to the film "Tiger Bay", and another Rank 1959 45 I have is the music by Tony Crombie for the TV series "Man From Interpol" conducted by the composer. It also appears in the first edition of the Ember Mood Music Library catalogue. The three pieces on the disc are Man From Interpol, Interpol Cha Cha and Interpol Chase. They’re a bit jazzy but might find favour with film and TV music buffs – are you listening, David? Two rather gorgeous pieces played by the orchestras of Boris Sarbek and Ronald Binge respectively – Le Soir (I’d Love To Fall Asleep) andAfraid To Dream (nice juxtaposition of titles) – are followed by Fred Hartley and his Music (a light orchestral name from the past) with his own catchy composition Jack In The Box from the Chappell Library. Gay Spirits by David Rose and played by his own orchestra on MGM could easily have come from a recorded music library catalogue, as does Kurt Schick’s Sheerline (Charles Brull) and Bob Farnon’s Little Miss Molly (Chappell) – two very contrasting items. Morton Gould’s orchestra has fun with Zez Confrey’s Stumbling with what sounds like a bar room piano and xylophone joining in – great stuff! Monty Kelly and his Orchestra spring a surprise part way through Life In New York with a wordless chorus, while Gerard Calvi’s catchy piece Gigue Ecossaise (Scottish Jig) really sets the feet a’tapping. I believe the Harmonic/Charles Brull Library went out of business some years ago (Editor: they were acquired by KPM in the mid-1990s) which seems hard to believe when they could issue such smashing recordings as Frank Chacksfield’s Sunshine Beguine played by the Symphonia Orchestra conducted by Curt Anderson, resplendent in Alan Bunting’s treatment. Ron Goodwin’s orchestra zips along nicely with his own composition All Strung Up, and I’m sure there are echoes of the "Miss Marple" films’ theme in there somewhere! Geoff Love’s orchestra gives a splendid performance of Rudolf Friml’s Ma Belle but it only emphasises the dearth of such light orchestras and programmes from the airwaves today. The string section of Percy Faith’s orchestra really work overtime with his composition Perpetual Notion as we head towards the end of this "strung up" collection of great light music. Irving Berlin’s A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody is the penultimate track played by Peter Yorke and his Concert Orchestra. And finally a piece from the soundtrack from "Some Like It Hot" – Park Avenue Fantasy scored by Adolph Deutsch conducting the Studio Orchestra. A fine way to end another great Guild Light Music compilation! Ken Wilkins

"DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS" & "DALEKS’ INVASION EARTH 2150 AD" Film soundtracks Silva Screen SILCD1244 [75:23 mins]. It is perhaps surprising that only two cinema films were made featuring Dr. Who, considering its huge popularity on TV back in the 1960s. UK readers will not need reminding that Dr. Who is again one of the BBC’s hottest properties in the 21^st Century, after a sustained period of neglect during the closing decades of the last century. Today the music is electronic, but back in the 1960s it was felt that orchestral scores were more appropriate – at least, for the big screen. So those masters of the soundtrack genre, Silva Screen, have finally lovingly restored the only two big screen Dr. Who films ever made - the 1965 release "Dr. Who And The Daleks" and 1966 "Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.". The music was composed respectively by Malcolm Lockyer and Bill McGuffie with sections enhanced by electronic sounds created by Barry Gray. The album also includes contemporary single releases and a 20 page inlay booklet packed with memorabilia and detailed production notes. David Stoner at Silva Screen kindly invited me to contribute some biographical details on Malcolm Lockyer and Bill McGuffie, so fans of Dr. Who will learn something about the two talented composers involved. Malcolm has the larger share of the CD, and his music is more ‘traditional’ light film music: at times I am reminded of Miklos Rozsa’s superb score for "Double Indemnity". The more I hear it, the more I find it very appealing. As usual with releases such as this, the music is often fragmented to fit in with the on-screen action, and the music created for "Dr. Who And The Daleks" is presented in its entirety, including some pieces composed and recorded for the film, but not subsequently used. Sadly the score to "Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D." by jazz pianist and film composer Bill McGuffie no longer exists but some of the music has been retained via a music and sound effects master recording that was sent abroad for foreign dubs to be made on the film. This is used for the CD release and Mark Ayres (who deserves special credit for his restoration) has edited the material to remove sound effects where applicable. Included also on this release are the instrumental singles from the original records that promoted the two features and some of the sound effects (incorporating original material from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop) produced by Barry Gray - famous for scoring many of Gerry Anderson's series. Silva Screen releases are always notable for the very high standard of the booklets, and this one is certainly no exception. If you are a fan of soundtracks and/or Dr. Who, you will not want to pass this by! David Ades

BING CROSBY Through The Years Volume Four 1952─1953 26 tracks incl. On the 10-10 from Ten-Ten-Tennessee; Zing a little zong [with Jane Wyman], The moon came up with a great idea last night & Watermelon Moon [with Peggy Lee]; You don’t know what lonesome is; Open up your heart; To see you is to love you … Sepia 1139 [75:53] There was nobody quite like Bing Crosby and this is another fine selection from his œuvre over the years. As well as the above-named he is also joined by Bob Hope on three tracks from ‘The Road to Bali’, The Andrews Sisters [South Rampart Street Parade], Gary Crosby [Fatherly advice], and Connee Boswell [That’s a-plenty]. Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians are with him on Hush-a-bye and Mother Darlin’; the former earlier recording their part in New York with Bing overdubbing his vocals, allegedly using a portable machine at a golf course. Mitchell Parish’s words to Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride fit Bing to a T ─ or should that be "tee"? Interesting, too, to hear the great crooner’s take on two Bernstein-Comden-Green songs from‘Wonderful Town’: Ohio and A quiet girl. Bing is accompanied on eleven of the tracks by John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra, which includes Red Nichols on cornet and Buddy Cole on piano. A 16-page booklet with authoritative notes by Malcolm Macfarlane gives added value to the disc. Peter Burt

ROSE MARIE 25 tracks incl. the Title tune, Hard-boiled Herman; The Mounties; Lak Jeem; Indian Love Call; Why shouldn’t we; Minuet of the minutes; Door of my dreams … Sepia 1140 [76:17] This is a well-filled disc of two contrasting halves. It has the pedigree of music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart with lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein 2^nd. The first 11 tracks are from the 1958 RCA Victor early stereo studio cast recording made in London to accommodate Julie Andrews who was appearing in My Fair Lady. Her co-star is Metropolitan opera star Giorgio Tozzi who had provided the voice for Emile de Becque in the film version of South Pacific. The proceedings are under the direction of Lehman Engel conducting the New Symphony Orchestra of London with the Michael Sammes Singers. Equally enjoyable are eight tracks by the original 1925 London cast with the Drury Lane Theatre Orchestra conducted by Herman Finck. The last four tracks are the legendary duo Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy singing Indian Love Call from 1936, Marion Bell [sometime wife of Alan Jay Lerner] with Pretty things, and two in stereo, Totem Tom Tom and Finale, sung by Elizabeth Larner with [on the latter] Andy Cole, The Rita Williams Singers and Tony Osbourne and his Orchestra. Sepia’s usual well-produced booklet, notes by Rexton S Bunnett, complete an attractive package. Ray Pavene

FRANK CHACKSFIELD AND HIS ORCHESTRA

The Incomparable Jerome Kern: The Last Time I Saw Paris, All The Things You Are, The Folks Who Live On The Hill, Look For The Silver Lining, etc. FC Plays Hoagy Carmichael: Skylark, My Resistance Is Low, The Nearness Of You, Georgia On My Mind, etc. Vocalion CDLK4408 [75:27].

New York: Broadway Medley, Harlem Nocturne, Manhattan, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, Autumn in New York, etc. The Best of Cole Porter: I Love Paris, Easy To Love, Begin The Beguine, In The Still Of The Night, etc. Vocalion CDLK4413 [77:46]. Just before Christmas Mike Dutton added to his impressive list of Frank Chacksfield reissues with these two generously filled collections. The Kern collection (originally a Phase 4 stereo LP in 1974) was arranged by Roland Shaw, and features the talents of Kenny Baker (trumpet), Keith Bird (clarinet), and Ronnie Price (piano). There is also the occasional wordless choir, and several tracks have anonymous vocals. The arranger responsible in 1977 for Hoagy Carmichael’s melodies is not credited, but Kenny Baker is again featured on trumpet in Georgia On My Mind and a lady called Joanne Brown crops up with vocals on three titles. The original LP sleeve notes are reproduced in the booklet. Eric Rogers arranged the 1970 ‘New York’ collection (most enjoyable!), but we are left to guess who was responsible for Cole Porter’s timeless standards – the earliest LP of the four dating from 1959 before Decca introduced Phase 4. This second CD lacks any notes. The Cole Porter collection is not the same as the one released by Polygram in 1996. David Ades

"WHITE HORSE INN" Selections 23 tracks incl. Introduction/Yodel Speciality; White Horse Inn; I cannot live without your love; High up on the hills [In Salzkammergut]; We prize most the things we miss; It would be wonderful … Sepia 1141 [76:26] This disc is a fascinating compilation. The centrepiece is a 20-minute rare radio broadcast of the titles listed above from the first-ever American 1936 Broadway production of the international hit ─ it premiered at Berlin’s Grosses Schauspielhaus in November 1930 ─ with among others the legendary Kitty Carlisle and William Gaxton. By way of an overture the disc opens with Fox Trot and Waltz Medleys from Jack Hylton and His Orchestra. Later Alfred Drake sings It would be wonderful [from a BBC Radio broadcast of 1959], as does Pat O’Malley who also contributes Your eyes. There is then a track of ‘Vocal Gems’ from 1931 by The Light Opera Company with Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble, followed by Good-bye and My song of love sung respectively by Sam Browne and Cavan O’Connor, both with Rolando and His Blue Salon Orchestra. Max Hanson sings Im Weissen Rössl am Wolfgangsee with the Paul Godwin DanceOrchestra & Animal Imitations [sic], before the disc finishes with seven German language vocals never before heard on CD. Wonderful stuff! Ray Pavene

NEW YEAR’S DAY CONCERT 2010 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Georges Pretre Decca [2CDs] 4782113

Readers who, like me, were glued to their radio/TV for the above will want this as a souvenir of the occasion. It was a happy return to the Austrian capital’s Musikverein for the 95-year-old French maestro who came to eminence conducting for the great opera singer Maria Callas. As well as the customary items by the Strausses [Johann I and II, Josef and Eduard] the programme, with four premieres, also includes pieces by Nicolai, Offenbach and Hans Christian Lumbye. There is also a DVD available. Edward Trub

TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 OVERTURE Mariinsky MARO503 [64:17] There are folk who are no great lovers of classical music but have this overture in their collection, and anyone wishing to join them could do a lot worse than this recent release conducted by the firebrand Ossetian conductor Valery Gergiev with the Orchestra, Soloists and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. It is coupled with four other listenable Tchaikovsky compositions: ‘Moscow’ Cantata, Slavonic March [‘Marche Slave’], Festival Coronation March and Festival Overture on the Danish National Anthem. Good if not demonstration quality sound throughout. Peter Burt

PATTI PAGE with PETE RUGOLO orchestra Nevertheless, Out of nowhere, The lady is a tramp, The thrill is gone, A foggy day, Mountain greenery, I’ve got my eyes on you, My kinda love, I didn’t know about you, My sin, Taking a chance on love, Love for sale, No moon at all, I’m glad there is you, Nice work if you can get it, I never knew, The masquerade is over, What am I here for? Let there be love, Gone with the wind, They all laughed, I guess I’ll have to change my plan, Here I’ll stay, Lullaby in rhythm. (Fresh Sound Records FSR CD 544) 55:08. The first twelve tracks "In the land of hi fi "were issued on CD not long ago and reviewed in these pages. Here it is coupled with her second with Rugolo "The west side" I am now the proud owner of the original LP’s and the first CD transfer! Not something I regret, you never know how long such good material will be in circulation! "The west side" adds arrangers Marty Paich, Bill Holman and Shorty Rogers collaborating with Rugolo, that really is a star team! It’s a good guessing game trying to work out who arranged each tune on the second album! Were they used as presented or did Rugolo do a little tweaking? Definitely the best jazz Patti ever sung! Paul Clatworthy

TRAINCHA with the METROPOLE orchestra "Who’ll speak for love". Any day now, Love is still the answer, What the world needs now, One less bell to answer, In between the heartaches, This girls in love, God give me strength, Who’ll speak for love, Stronger than before, I just don’t know what to do with myself, Don’t go breaking my heart, Don’t make me over, Raindrops keep falling on my head, Painted from memory, On my own. (Blue Note 5099952055126) 62:07. Subtitled "The Burt Bacharach songbook two" this is something special! Given the magnificent Metropole orchestra to work with, arranger Pat Williams pulls out all the stops. Conducted by Vince Mendoza and mixing less familiar Bacharach songs with the hits of the past really is a treat. Evidently it has gone platinum in America, no mean feat nowadays when some pundits are saying CDs and DVDs are on the way out!Paul Clatworthy

JILL COREY with BILLY MAXTEDS Manhattan jazz band "Lets go to town". Another twenty four tracks culled from the National Guard show (see comments in Big Band Roundup) Sounds of yester year (DSOY 795) 61:35 The instrumental songs are firmly in Chris Barber territory of which I am no expert so I will make no other comment! Jill Corey sings with unnamed players with run of the mill arrangements. She has not got the sort of voice that merits repeated playing but that’s probably my fault! Paul Clatworthy

PHIL NAPOLEON and the Memphis Five "Memphis blues". Thirty tracks. Sounds of yester year ( DSOY 793) 70:29. "Dixieland" once again, not my bag! Ten of the tracks are just commentary which in my book is wasted space! Terrific if you want a social history lesson but not much in the way of music! Paul Clatworthy

PADDY ROBERTS Strictly for Grown-Ups. 29 tracks incl : Love Isn't What It Used To Be; Follow Me; Don't Upset The Little Kiddywinks; The Architect; The Big Dee Jay; L'anglais Avec Son Sang Froid; The Ballad Of Bethnal Green; Love In A Mist; A Short Song; Growing Old; I've Got The Blues; Lavender Cowboy; Poor Little Country Girl; I'm In Love For The Very First Time; Evermore; The Heart Of A Man; The Book; It's A Boy; Good Companions; Where There's You There's Me; 'Round The World In Eighty Minutes. Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3046 [76:02]. This enterprising label mainly known for classic West End cast recordings, have recently re-issued one of their most successful non-cast recording titles. The original Decca LP was a surprise hit in the album charts (where it remained for five weeks, peaking at position 8) in September 1959. The best remembered track, and one that received the most airplay on the BBC Light Programme, was The Ballad Of Bethnal Green, winner of an Ivor Novello award for the most outstanding novelty song of 1959. The songs on this LP captured a witty, irreverent public mood, and although they then seemed a bit risqué, their effect today invokes nostalgia, with the self-effacing charm of Paddy Roberts delivery, accompanied by the rather quaint sounding small group arrangements of Dennis Wilson. This CDincludes the complete 1959 album, plus a generous selection of bonus tracks featuring earlier songs written (or co-written) by Paddy Roberts between 1954 and 1959, a period when he was one of the most successful British songwriters on Denmark Street. He had over 80 published songs (including several Top 10 hits) recorded by popular singers of the era including Anne Shelton, Ruby Murray, Frankie Vaughan, and David Whitfield, all artists included on this CD. There are also Paddy Roberts film songs from An Alligator Named Daisy, The Heart Of A Man, and especially The Good Companions. The five tracks from the latter (in excellent Alan Bunting restored sound) benefit from the arranging skills of Laurie Johnson, who skilfully arranges for large orchestral forces (the Associated British Studio Orchestra conducted by Louis Levy) and an angelic chorus in the 8 minute spectacular 'Round the world, arguably the finest song and dance number staged in a 1950s British musical film. This CD will make you feel very nostalgic about the 1950s, and will raise a smile or two as well. My favourite track (among many) has to The big dee jay - I cannot imagine this being written today! Roger Mellor

BERNARD HERRMANN: "Hangover Square", "Citizen Kane". Another release in Chandos’ acclaimed Film Music series. BBC Philharmonic conducted by Rumon Gamba. Chandos CHAN 10577.

More releases [not necessarily new] noted by Wilfred Askew

RAY CONNIFF The Singles Collection Vol.1 26 tracks incl. Moonlight brings memories; I’ve got my eyes on you; Dear world; La Felicidad; A walk in the Spring; Rain; Look homeward Angel; Sleepy shores; Singalong Song; Loss of love … Collectables COL-CD-7697 [68:37] Vol.2 26 tracks incl. Cuddle up a little closer; And this is my beloved; The world looks good again; Winds of change; Song of the Islands; Muskrat Ramble; Charlotte’s Web; Frost Festival; Delta dawn; Are you lonesome tonight? … Collectables COL-CD-7641 [70:50]

PERRY COMO The Scene Changes ─ Perry Goes to Nashville ─ with The Anita Kerr Quartet 12 tracks incl. Funny how time slips away; Here comes my baby; Sweet adorable you; I really don’t want to know; Stand beside me … Lightly Latin ─ conducted by Nick Perito with the Ray Charles Singers 12 tracks incl. How insensitive; The shadow if your smile; Meditation; Yesterday; Dindi; Baia … Collectables COL-CD-7880 [71:52]

BOBBY HACKETT The Most Beautiful Horn In The World w. Glen Osser’s Orchestral Pipe Organ Moods 12 tracks incl. Lazy afternoon; Love letters; Moonlight in Vermont; Polka dots and moonbeams; Chances are … Night Love w. Glenn Osser’s Midnight Strings 12 tracks incl. Themes from 2^nd Piano Concerto [Rachmaninov]; 3^rd Symphony [Brahms]; 5^th Symphony [Tchaikovsky]; Prince Igor [Borodin]; Samson & Delilah [Saint-Saëns] … Collectables COL-CD-7881 [78:34] Original [US] Columbia recordings from 1962

NEIL HEFTI How to Murder Your Wife and Lord Love A Duck CD1: Original Soundtrack Recording of ‘How To Murder Your Wife’ 22 tracks CD2: Original Album Presentation of ‘How To Murder Your Wife’ and Original Soundtrack Recording of ‘Lord Love A Duck’ Kritzerland KR 20013-3 [54:27 & 57:19] – Limited to 1000 copies

ERNEST GOLD Exodus The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nick Raine [2CDs] World Premiere Recording of The Complete Film Score; also music from ‘It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World’; ‘Ship of Fools’; ‘Judith’; ‘QBVII’; ‘Schindler’s List’; ‘Cast A Giant Shadow’; plus ‘Exodus’: Rhapsody for Cello & Orchestra; Concert Overture Tadlow Music: Tadlow 007 [132:36]

FERNANDO LAMAS With Love Original 1958 Roulette recordings conducted by Glenn Osser 24 tracks incl. You belong to my heart; Love is here to stay; Tenderly; I love Paris; Mam’selle; Anema e core; & 10 bonus tracks incl. The Merry Widow Waltz [with Trudy Erwin]; Indian Love Call [with Ann Blyth] … Flare ROYCD 288 [68:06]

JERRY VALE Time Alone Will Tell & Other Great Hits Of Today [1967] Arr.Cond. Marty Manning10 tracks incl. My cup runneth over; Born free; Love me with all of your heart; Games that lovers play; This is my song … This Guy’s In Love With You [1968] Arr./Cond. Jimmy Wisner 11 tracks incl. A man without love; Honey; Do you know the way to San Jose; The look of love; Can’t take my eyes off you; By the time I get to Phoenix … Collectables COL-CD-7877 [63:42] Original [US] Columbia recordings

We apologise that in our last issue the catalogue details for André Previn’s ‘Two For The Seesaw’should have read Kritzerland KR20012-5.

The KT Editor’s CD Choice

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

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

Carol is thrilled to have the opportunity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More releases noted by Wilfred Askew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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