Last spring (2006) David Ades was approached by the British company Jasmine Records to discuss the possibility of a 2CD collection of Robert Farnon recordings. Rather than repeat the repertoire which has already appeared on other labels, the early discussions centred on recordings that were new to CD. However, at the same time Jasmine naturally wanted to include some of Robert Farnon’s best known works, so that the collection would have a general appeal – especially in North America where Jasmine is a strong seller. Jasmine is gradually building up an impressive catalogue of light music releases, with recent issues featuring Mantovani, Gordon Jenkins and Hugo Winterhalter.
David suggested that the inclusion of some of Robert Farnon’s soundtracks from the 1940s would certainly appeal to his admirers, especially as they have never before been available on commercial recordings. It was also agreed that many of his Decca 78s accompanying popular singers deserved to be restored to the catalogue, and gradually the concept for this new release began to take shape.
David recommended that Alan Bunting should handle the digital sound restoration, and work on the project began in earnest last autumn. Rather than mix the vocals and instrumentals, it was decided that the first CD would concentrate on Bob’s famous numbers, with four longer extracts from film soundtracks. The second CD concentrates on the Decca singles he conducted – many of them featuring his own brilliant arrangements. The result is a collection that provides a snapshot of his formative years in Britain, with plenty of tracks being reissued for the first time in over half a century – thereby making the release of great interest to existing Farnon fans, as well as those who will be discovering his genius for the first time.
CD 1 Orchestral and Film Music
1 Portrait Of A Flirt (Robert Farnon)
KINGSWAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
2 Gateway To The West (Robert Farnon)
ROBERT FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
3 Westminster Waltz (Robert Farnon)
ROBERT FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
4 All Sports March (Robert Farnon)
QUEEN’S HALL LIGHT ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
5 "JUST WILLIAM’S LUCK" (1947) film soundtrack excerpts (Robert Farnon)
Orchestra Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
6 Peanut Polka (Robert Farnon)
ROBERT FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
7 How Beautiful Is Night (Robert Farnon)
ROBERT FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
8 Melody Fair (Robert Farnon)
ROBERT FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
"SPRING IN PARK LANE" (1948) film soundtrack excerpts
NEW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and Chorus
Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
9 Opening titles music: Early One Morning (traditional)
10 The Moment I Saw You (Manning Sherwin, Harold Purcell); closing titles music
11 Proud Canvas (Robert Farnon)
QUEEN’S HALL LIGHT ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
12 Manhattan Playboy (Robert Farnon)
QUEEN’S HALL LIGHT ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
13 "WILLIAM COMES TO TOWN" (1948) film soundtrack excerpts (Robert Farnon)
NEW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
14 State Occasion (Robert Farnon)
QUEEN’S HALL LIGHT ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
15 Pictures In The Fire (Robert Farnon)
QUEEN’S HALL LIGHT ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
16 Jumping Bean (Robert Farnon)
KINGSWAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
17 A Star Is Born (Robert Farnon)
ROBERT FARNON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
"MAYTIME IN MAYFAIR" (1949) film soundtrack excerpts
NEW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and Chorus
Conducted by ROBERT FARNON
18 Opening titles music: Maytime In Mayfair (Harry Parr-Davies)
19 Journey Into Melody (Robert Farnon)
20 Maytime In Mayfair ballet (Robert Farnon)
21 Dream Dance; closing titles music (Robert Farnon)
CD 2 Robert Farnon and his Orchestra accompanying singers on UK
1 The Fleet’s In (Victor Schertzinger, Johnny Mercer) THE JOHNSTON SINGERS
2 You’d Be Hard To Replace (from "The Barkleys of Broadway") (George Gershwin, Harry Warren)
VERA LYNN
3 Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep) (Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston)
DENNY DENNIS with THE SONG PEDLARS
4 You Keep Coming Back Like A Song (from "Blue Skies") (Irving Berlin)
BERYL DAVIS
5 Hallelujah (Vincent Youmans, Leo Robin, Clifford Grey)
THE GEORGE MITCHELL CHOIR
6 Maybe You’ll Be There (Rube Bloom, Sammy Gallop)
PAUL CARPENTER
7 Cherry Stones (John Jerome)
LEE LAWRENCE and VERA LYNN
8 Every Time I Meet You (from "The Beautiful Blonde from Bashville Bend") (Josef Myrow, Mack Gordon)
DENNY DENNIS
9 I Am Loved (from "Out of this World") (Cole Porter)
VERA LYNN and THE MITCHELL MEN
10 The Stars Will Remember (Don Pelosi, LeoTowers)
SCOTTY McHARG
11 Goodnight You Little Rascal You (Noel)
ANNE SHELTON
12 Great Day (Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu)
THE GEORGE MITCHELL CHOIR
13 Penthouse Serenade (When We’re Alone) (Will Jason, Val Burton)
VERA LYNN
14 When You Make Love To Me (Jascha Heifetz, Marjorie Goetschius)
PAUL CARPENTER
15 My Resistance Is Low (Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Adamson)
THE JOHNSTON SINGERS
16 Once Upon A Winter Time (Johnny Brandon, Ray Martin)
VERA LYNN
17 If You Ever Need A Friend (Jimmy Harper, Larry Miller)
DENNY DENNIS
18 Kiss The Boys Goodbye (Victor Schertzinger, Frank Loesser)
THE JOHNSTON SINGERS
19 The Way That The Wind Blows (Whitney, Kramer)
BERYL DAVIS
20 In Between The Showers (You’ll Find A Little Sunshine) (McGhee, Walsh, Silberman)DENNY DENNIS
21 I’ll Make Up For Everything (Ross Parker)
VERA LYNN
22 Lovely Lady Let The Roses See You Today (Hardy)
JOHN CAMERON
23 When You’re In Love (O’Connor, Fields, John)
RONNIE RONALDE, whistling
24 A La Claire Fontaine (Traditional, arr. Robert Farnon)
JACQUES LABRECQUE and THE MITCHELL CHORUS
25 "Cinderella" – Walt Disney Film Selection (Mack David, Jerry Livingston, Al Hoffman)
GRACIE FIELDS with THE GEORGE MITCHELL CHOIR
Jasmine JASCD 661
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