Keeping Track - Dateline March 2011
NORMAN CANDLER AND HIS MAGIC STRINGS Try A Little Tenderness Don’t Cry For Me Argentina; Chanson D’Amour; A Sentimental Moment; Another Suitcase In Another Hall; Nancy (With The Laughing Face); Feelings, etc… Candler By Candlelight Candlelight Waltz; Petite Fleur; Spanish Harlem; With A Song In My Heart; The Way We Were, etc… 28 tracks. Vocalion CDLK4430 [78:44]. The name ‘Norman Candler’ hides the true identity of Gerhard Narholz, born in Vöcklabruch, Austria, on 6 June 1937. A classically trained composer, arranger and conductor, Narholz has also used the pseudonyms Otto Sieben, Sammy Burdson, Jurgen Jänner, Walt Rockman, Mac Prindy, John Epping, Jim Harbourg, Renato Pegado and Tony Tape for various aspects of his wide-ranging musical interests. In real life this charming, modest and talented musician is also a successful businessman. In 1965 Gerhard and his wife Rotheide founded the Sonoton Recorded Music Library [now based in Munich, Germany] which supplies music for professional users in films, documentaries, radio and television. Its sister label is Intersound, which was immediately successful upon its launch with recordings by Horst Jankowski, to be followed later by top international conductors including Billy May, Nelson Riddle and Franck Pourcel. Sonoton has grown into the largest independent production music company in the world. During the 1970s Gerhard made around 20 LPs as ‘Norman Candler’, specialising in gently rhythmic treatments of songs that were popular at the time. He also proved his ability to write appealing melodies, and his own works: A Sentimental Moment, The Other Way, Soft And Tender and Days Of No Return fit comfortably alongside some of the better known numbers. Special mention must be made of the great Richard Rodgers classic With A Song In My Heart. It is not surprising to find a superb arrangement by the English composer, arranger and conductor John Fox [b. 1924] included on a Norman Candler album. For many years, right up to the present time, John has been a major contributor to Narholz’s Sonoton library, creating a wide range of orchestral colours which have been widely accepted by the entertainment profession around the world. He is warmly remembered in Britain for his many broadcasts conducting the BBC Radio Orchestra during its glory years of the 1970s and 1980s. The John Fox Strings were regularly heard on Radio 2, and in concerts John often included a choir together with his glamorous singer Joy Devon. He was also welcome in Europe, notably conducting radio orchestras in Germany, and his "Easy Listening" recordings have gained him many new friends in the USA, partly through new internet radio stations specialising in this repertoire. During his mature years John Fox has devoted much of his time to composing a succession of charming orchestral miniatures, often extolling the virtues of the English countryside, especially his beloved Surrey. Fortunately for his many admirers a good number of his works are available on compact discs. In this collection we can admire John’s mastery of the orchestra with his sometimes dramatic treatment of the Richard Rodgers classic With A Song In My Heart. His score is full of interesting diversions which he weaves like the intricate patterns in a mosaic, with the added touch of a discrete, yet effective, wordless chorale. Few arrangers can match his command of the full resources of a modern concert orchestra with such appealing results. This CD is a pleasant reminder of the kind of music that was so prevalent in the 1970s – undemanding yet enjoyable, and perfectly suited as background to gentle pursuits where the attention can be happily allowed to wander. David Ades
THE COMPOSER CONDUCTS VOL.1 for track listing see Light Music pages on this website. Alternatively visit www.guildmusic.com. Guild GLCD5177 [79:05] As compiler David Ades says at the start of his notes you would expect the ensuing music to be as the composer intended seeing as he or she was on the podium and Ron Goodwin is no exception as it is he and the Concert Orchestra who open the proceedings with his Jet Journey, a scintillating start to the programme. Courses de Toros (Bullfights) by Gerard Calvi is as the title suggests a musical depiction of the Spanish appetite for blood letting, [no way can it be called a sport unless the enraged and injured bull can get its horns into its tormentor] but Gerard Calvi really brings the atmosphere of the arena to life. I’ve got a couple of Spanish CDs which include "bull-baiting" music and the engineers have mixed the cheers and clapping of the watching mob…mercifully that doesn’t happen on the Calvi Recording. Two library pieces follow, Angela Morley’s Fun in the Sun from Chappell, a typical lighthearted newsreel and documentary accompaniment, then Cedric Dumont’s more romantic Les Parfums de Paris played by the New Concert Orchestra though I suppose it’s his own Orchestra in Basle. Woolf Phillips’ Parisian Mode on track five, used by BBC Television as signature tune to the panel game ‘What’s My Line’ was originally on a Columbia disc but it sounds tailor made for inclusion in a Mood Music publisher’s catalogue. Was it ever? I don’t know but I’m sure David does [Editor – I have never seen it anywhere else]. Listening to Rudolf Friml’s Puppets on Parade made me wonder why he called it that….it’s a lively catchy number with strains of "city mobility" type music from a mood catalogue…nothing of an eccentric nature you might have expected from the title and an excellent recording by the 101 Strings conducted by Friml. Bad Timing on track eleven is definitely NOT my idea of light music and it comes from something called ‘Billion Dollar Baby’, a Broadway show co-written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Set in the prohibition era on Staten Island and in Atlantic City the score was written by Morton Gould. It opened in 1945 and ran for 220 performances. Not my cup of tea but maybe the rest of the music is more tuneful. More to my taste are the tunes of Roger Roger and one of them, Along the Avenue from the Chappell library is included here plus a couple of very cheerful and catchy numbers, Montana Round-Up by Kermit and Walter Leslie and Raymond Scott’sHuckleberry Duck. Neiani by Axel Stordahl, like Bad Timing is another piece that wouldn’t find shelf room in my CD collection. David says in the booklet notes that Stordahl realised that his style was more suited to slow sentimental ballads. If this one is anything to go by they’d be eminently suitable for putting people to sleep. However, things started looking up when André Popp and his Orchestra burst upon the scene with his lively and tuneful novelty La Bardinetta quickly followed by the sound of coconut shells and starting pistol introducing Percy Faith’s Fiddle Derby. And another track to keep one alert is Frank Perkins’ Fandango, guaranteed to keep the feet tapping. Now we dip once more into the world of newsreels, Pathe, Gaumont British, Movietone and other users of vintage background music with four tracks from Harmonic, Chappell, Boosey and Hawkes and Paxton. Sports Arena by Wilfred Burns conducting the Harmonic Orchestra, Charles Williams conducting the Queens Hall Light Orchestra in one of his best [I think] compositions Trolley Bus followed by Frederic Curzon’s Boulevardier and bringing up the rear Dolf Van Der Linden and his Metropole Orchestra with his catchy and clever Jack the Dancer…all of them just up my street. And to finish off Volume 1 of "The Composer Conducts" two Big Band type compositions…Blende Auf by Werner Muller conducting the RIAS Dance Orchestra and the First Movement of Otto Cesana’s Symphony in Jazz. Any listener with leanings towards Big Band music will certainly like these. Ken Wilkins
THE COMPOSER CONDUCTS VOL. 2 for track listing see Light Music pages on this website. Alternatively visit www.guildmusic.com. Guild GLCD 5178 [78:12] This is a honey of a disc, in repertoire and [with the possible exception of the Ewing selection] performances. It illustrates the fact that so many of our light music composers have been excellent conductors. Several of the 22 tracks are rousing marches: Things To Come [Bliss], the only one in stereo; State Occasion [Robert Farnon]; League of Gentlemen [Philip Green]; Salute the Soldier, not one of Eric Coates best known but thoroughly characteristic; Amethyst [Leighton Lucas] and Naval Occasion [Clifford], both suitably nautical; Sidney Torch’s busy International Sports; and March of the Bowmen, heard in abbreviated form in the Curzon selection. The Melachrino, Walter Collins, Ivor Novello and Arthur Wood items all exemplify lithe, skilful string writing [it is good to hear the Wood in its original orchestral guise, as nowadays, in my experience, it is usually heard in a brass band version]. Charles Ancliffe’s Thrillswaltz is clearly by the same composer as Nights of Gladness and Don Gilles’ Symphony for Funscherzo is worth revival. And we are reminded that the 1940s was the era of the light concerto with Peter Yorke’s Dawn Fantasy and Hubert Bath’s Cornish Rhapsody, from 1944 and stunningly played by Harriet Cohen, the equal of any performance I have heard of this popular piece. Recording dates are widely spread [1930 to 1959] and three are pre-war, but the customary Guild magic makes the best of the available sound. Generally the CD recommends itself without need for me to do so. I enjoyed it enormously, though. Philip Scowcroft
The KT Editor’s CD Choice for this issue
MATTHEW CURTIS : Orchestral Works [Volume IV] Royal Ballet Sinfonia cond. Gavin Sutherland A Festival Overture; Short and Suite; On the River; Striding Edge; Variations on a Theme of Verdi; Four Winds Suite; Autumn Leaves; Sterling Silver; Summer Serenade; Christmas Rush Campion CAMEO 2085 [79:47] I was quite excited when hearing of this latest recording in Campion’s British Composer Series, having greatly enjoyed RFS member Matthew’s previous discs. The CD plopped through my letter box on Christmas Eve so I immediately went to the last track, an effervescent concert march, which Matthew says in his interesting booklet notes he wrote "in order to fill what I saw as a vacancy in the Christmas repertoire for a light music piece capturing the spirit of anticipation unique to that season, yet avoiding overt references to carols, bells, Santa or snowfall." You will find out how successful he was when you hear the disc – for hear it you must. The obviously named Short and Suite and two other works on this disc were especially composed for the National Children’s Orchestra [under-13s] of Great Britain. The second of these, Striding Edge, a place well-known to Lake District climbers, is another concert march; although Matthew says that any attempt on the actual Edge at anything like the tempo of this piece would be to risk injury or worse! The 10½-minute Variations are on the chorus "Viva Simon!" from the original 1857 version of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra – the 1881 revision usually heard today leaves it out. Autumn Leaves is not the familiar standard but a small orchestra elaboration of a piano piece written for Gavin Sutherland. The conductor was a member of the trio that played on the premiere performance of Summer Serenade,also performed here by a small orchestra. Another spirited item, spotlighting the whole ensemble, isSterling Silver [the longest single track at 7:59], written in 2005 to mark the 25th anniversary of the amateur West Lakeland Orchestra. With nearly 80 minutes of music this album is every bit as good as its predecessors, being chock-full of melody well played by the RBS. What a joy it is to celebrate a modern composer who can consistently write such good tunes.
JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA WITH PATTI PAGE Lets Go To Town Manhattan ; That’s A Plenty; This Is My Song; Lets Fall In Love; What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry; Wimoweh; I Went To Your Wedding; South Rampart Street Parade; Lover; Jazz Me Blues; You Belong To Me; Just One Of Those Things; Sweet Georgia Brown; Muskrat Ramble; Hello, Good-Bye, Forget It. Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 822 [59:20]. Four National Guard shows complete with all recruitment announcements, each with opening and closing signature tune So Rare. The Dorsey band sometimes plays Big Band, other times Dixieland. Patti Page, just starting on a solo career, is in fine voice. Paul Clatworthy
BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA, QUINTET & SEXTET AFRS Shows Vol.1 Let’s Dance; Somebody Stole My Girl; On The Sunny Side Of The Street; And The Angels Sing; More Than You Know; I Got Rhythm; I Don’t Know Enough About You; Sing Sing, Sing; Let’s Dance; I Know That You Know; Ain’t Misbehavin’; My Sugar Is So Refined; Blues In The News; Dizzy Fingers; I Don’t Know Why; Oh! Baby: Somebody Stole My Girl; I Know That You Know. Armed forces radio transcriptionsSounds of Yesteryear DSOY 818 [62:37]. Digitally mastered from original discs complete with announcements interspersed with very corny comedy dialogue from Peter Donald. Martha Tilton’s fine vocal on And The angels sing tries to compete with Benny illustrating how fast he can play the clarinet, Second half has guest Johnny Mercer singing My Sugar Is So Refined and Blues In The News. Paul Clatworthy
AFRS Shows Vol.2 Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 828 [60:16]. Second volume of shows previously reviewed, this time containing twenty-six tracks in the same vein from shows three and four. Paul Clatworthy
HITS OF GLENN MILLER AND TOMMY & JIMMY DORSEY IN STEREO The All-Star Alumni Band conducted by Bobby Byrne - featuring original arrangements and musicians 24 tracks incl. Tuxedo Junction; Moonlight Serenade; Little Brown Jug; Sunrise Serenade; Johnson Rag; Marie[Loren Becker, vocalist]; Boogie Woogie; Song of India; Well, Git It!; Opus No.1 … Sepia 1160[77:56] The "big band sound" to people below a certain age probably signifies banks of Marshall or Vox amplifiers with thousands of watts of audio, played by modern pop bands in an open field full of liquid mud in the middle of June. For those above that certain age it evokes memories of ballrooms with sprung Canadian maple dance floors, strict tempo foxtrots, waltzes and jive, accompanied by a genuine no-nonsense high quality dance band orchestra. We danced to such classics as Stardust, In The Mood and String of Pearls [all on this CD] with that special lady with that heady perfume that lingers forever. Just like the perfume our big band sound has and will endure forever. So roll back the carpet, grab "that special lady" and dance, because this CD is irresistible! The two dozen tracks are a good mix of all the old favourite numbers one associates with Glenn, Tommy and Jimmy but with some individual musicality on some of the tracks. That said, the fact that so many alumni musicians came together after the original bands dispersed is in itself no mean feat. Bob Eberly is the vocalist on I understand and The breeze and I, and duets with Dottie Evans on Amapola and Green Eyes. In CD format the stereo remastering and noise reduction of the original recordings is good but not exceptional, particularly the spatial separation. The standout track for me, Stardust, is extraordinary but a lot of you will have your own memories of these recordings and, maybe, that special lady. As a postscript: it is a pity that some of these timeless classics have not been used on the BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ series. Keep on dancing! Roger Chantler
THE HOLLYWOOD FLUTE Louise Ditullio [flute] with Sinfonia Toronto conducted by Ronald Royer Suite from "Hook" [John Williams]; Suite from "Dances With Wolves" [John Barry]; Themes from "Charlotte’s Web" [Danny Elfman]; Theme from "Sleeping With The Enemy" [Jerry Goldsmith]; The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn [Laurence Rosenthal – for unaccompanied flute]; Short Stories [Ronald Royer]; Le Papillon [David Rose]; Theme from ‘Rudy’ [Jerry Goldsmith] [USA] Cambria CD-1194 [72:54]. The track that persuaded me to buy this CD was the composition by David Rose. He wrote it for Louise DiTullio, who had been a regular member of his orchestra since she was eighteen, working on TV shows such as ‘Bonanza’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’. The piece is calledLe Papillon [the Butterfly], and it is so appropriate for the flute – describing the short life of that most beautiful of insects through its many stages. It was premiered in 1980 and thereafter Louise had the opportunity to perform the work several more times with David Rose conducting. He must have been proud of the work, because he mentioned it in correspondence with us [he was a member of the RFS] in the years before he died in 1989. It is clear that David never lost his flair for composing; it is a beautiful work, and deserves a place in every light music lover’s collection. The other tracks are almost a bonus, and they contribute magnificently to a most enchanting collection. David Ades
JOURNEY INTO MELODY Journey Into Melody (Robert Farnon) - Robert Farnon; Red Shawl (Carr) - Philip Green; Enchanted April (The Olive Tree) (Trevor Duncan) - Norrie Paramor; The Waltzing Bugle Boy (Ray Martin) - Ray Martin; Ebb Tide (Maxwell) - Frank Chacksfield; The Road To Ballingarry (Mantovani) – Mantovani; The Elephant Tango (Landes) - Cyril Stapleton; Elizabethan Serenade (Ronald Binge) - Ron Goodwin; Port-Au-Prince (Bernie Wayne) - Frank Cordell; Faded Lilac(Peter Yorke) - Peter Yorke & His Silver Strings; Venezuela (Coleman) - Wally Stott; L'edera(Seracini) - Semprini (piano), conducting the New Abbey Light Orchestra; Swedish Rhapsody (Alfven) – Mantovani; Blue Grotto (Ron Goodwin) - Ron Goodwin; The Peanut Polka (Robert Farnon) - Robert Farnon; Sadie's Shawl (Carstens) - Frank Cordell; Forgotten Dreams (Leroy Anderson) - Cyril Stapleton; Autumn Concerto (Bargoni) - The George Melachrino Orchestra; China Boogie (Helmut Zacharias) - Sidney Torch with Bert Weedon (guitar); In Old Lisbon (Lisbon Antigua) (Portela) – Frank Chacksfield; Tango Of The Bells (Ray Martin) - Ray Martin; Blue Star (Victor Young) - Geoff Love; On A Spring Note (Sidney Torch) – Sidney Torch; Around The World (Victor Young) - Stanley Black; Under Paris Skies (Giraud) – Mantovani; Three Coins In The Fountain (Styne) – Alyn Ainsworth; April In Portugal (Ferrao) - Norrie Paramor; Summer Star (Cyril Ornadel) - Tony Osborne;Westminster Waltz (Robert Farnon) – Robert Farnon. Bygone Days BYD77058 [77:20]. This recent release from the Delta Music Group is welcome for several reasons: first of all it is a generous helping of light music; secondly its bargain price will help to ‘spread the word’ about light music and hopefully reach some people who do not realise how enjoyable it can be; and thirdly it is simply a top quality product in all respects. Although he receives no credit, we understand that the compiler is Peter Dempsey, who has been responsible for many entertaining collections of light music in recent years. He has made a good choice, picking some comparative rarities among the familiar titles which will ensure that the collection is sufficiently attractive to ensure healthy sales. Indeed we have learned that extra copies were pressed soon after release, so let’s hope that another collection will follow soon. The comprehensive booklet notes are by Ralph Harvey, who many readers will already know from his magazine articles and the collections of continental music released by the likes of EMI and French record companies in recent years. The more CDs like this that are issued, the better it will be for light music. The hope is that any casual purchasers will be encouraged to explore the many other CDs that are currently available – not only compilations of older material, but new recordings by top orchestras and conductors. Top marks all round! David Ades
MANTOVANI AND HIS ORCHESTRA Classical Encores & Christmas Album Track listing in JIM 186 Vocalion CDLK 4429 [41:24 & 42:09] We previewed this release in our last issue without any catalogue number or timings. Having now heard the 2-CD set I would include the first album with the beautiful seasonal offering as among the best Mantovani albums of all time, even if the latter does not quite give me the tingle I got from the original vinyl . Peter Burt
PALM COURT LIGHT ORCHESTRA [of Canada] conducted by Charles Job Silver Jubilee Little Serenade [Ernest Tomlinson]; Dancing Stars [Herman Finck]; The Mosquito’s Parade [Howard Whitney]; Love Sends A Gift Of Roses [John Openshaw]; The Mad Major [Kenneth Alford]; A Love Long [Haydn Wood]; Side Saddle [Trevor H. Stanford]; Jealousy [Jacob Gade]; Chanson de Nuit [Edward Elgar]; The Glow-worm [Paul Lincke]; In An Old Fashioned Town [W.H. Squire]; Shaftesbury Avenue [Jack Strachey]; Tango [Isaac Albeniz]; Lucy Long [Fred Godfrey]; In The Shadows [Herman Finck]; Fleurette d’Amour [Percy Fletcher]; Rumbolero [A. Marazit]; Humoresque [Anton Dvorak]; Sons Of The Brave [Thomas Bidgood] Palm Court CD05 [70:06] RFS member Charles Job has been organising and conducting concerts in British Columbia with his Palm Court Orchestra for almost 25 years – they actually celebrate this notable milestone next year. This new CD [dedicated to Ernest Tomlinson] features some of their most popular pieces, and it provides a perfect example of the kind of high quality light music of a traditional kind that is shamefully ignored by today’s broadcasters around the world. Happily we can choose to listen to CDs, rather than the radio, and this delightful collection is warmly recommended to everyone who appreciates this kind of repertoire. David AdesFor more information about the orchestra visit their website: www.palmcourtorchestra.com
ANDR? RIEU & HIS JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA Moonlight Serenade 17 track CD incl. Gold And Silver; Barcarolle; Theme from Romeo & Juliet; My Love Song Should Be A Waltz; Vienna, City Of Dreams; Roses From The South; Serenade; Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Mozart Medley; O Mio Babbino Caro; Lara’s Theme; Romance:The Gadfly .... plus 28 track DVD incl. Seventy-Six Trombones; Blaze Away; Fächerpolonaise; Chianti Song; Nessum Dorma; Elyen A Magyar!; Sportpalast Waltz; The While Horse Inn; Emperor Waltz; Concerto Pour Une Voix; Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again; Botany Bay … Decca 533178 [Total running time 3:28:27] The Dutch violinist was described in The Times as "Today’s face of classical music" while other classical collectors are not so keen. Whatever … this album chart topping outfit has certainly achieved phenomenal success throughout the world in recent years. Mr Rieu is undoubtedly a very good musician and the orchestra play well for him. What I do not understand is why he feels the need to make his own arrangements of everything and does not sometimes leave well alone. Serenade is the beautiful Andante Cantabilefrom Haydn’s String Quartet Op.3 No.5. Moonlight Serenade itself is not played [another Decca slip-up? KT Ed.] Included in the modest price of the CD is a bonus DVD ‘Live In Australia’, which is quite something with its Rieu showmanship and razzmatazz. The enthusiasm from performers and large audience is infectious, giving the viewer a high feel good factor. Despite my initial reservations I found the music on both discs most enjoyable, although long term I shall probably prefer listening to looking. Edward Trub
* Readers who enjoy the music of the Strauss Family and their contemporaries should not overlook the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day Concert, conducted this year by Austrian-born Franz Welser-Möst, on a 2-CD Decca set 4782601 [46:18 & 54.55].
TEX BENEKE AND HIS ORCHESTRA Here’s To The Ladies [Who Sang With The Band] Lillian Lane; Shirley Wilson; Claire Chatwin; Mary Mayo; Helen Lee; Eydie Gorme; Shirley Jones; Lois Lane; Barbara Edwards; Joan Cavanaugh Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 829 [77:21] Twelve tracks with Tex’s own orchestra, eight with The Glenn Miller Orchestra and six with Ray Martin’s Orchestra, all culled from many private collections of his fans. A bouncy version of The Tunnel Of Love has Helen Lee singing with Tex himself. Dreamin’ is my business sung by Helen is a tune well worth reviving. Evidently Eydie Gorme never sang on any of Tex’s MGM recordings because of "mike fright". Her joyful version of Orange Coloured Sky contained here, shows no sign of fright!Paul Clatworthy
PERRY COMO At the Supper Club featuring Lloyd Shafer and His Orchestra Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 824 [74:43] Six Armed Forces radio shows, twenty-eight songs popular in 1946 with guests Nat King Cole, Spike Jones, Peggy Lee, Diana Lynn, Paula Kelly, The Modernaires and The Satisfiers. Putting this many into the programme ensures every listener gets something to enjoy. If you were a devotee of Perry’s later years on TV with the Mitchell Ayers Orchestra you will really notice the voice difference, far less intimate and relaxed. Paul Clatworthy
FAIRY TALES OF IRELAND : Favourite Ballads and Folksong Arrangements Peter Dempsey [tenor], Guy Rowland [piano] 25 tracks incl. Love thee dearest; Killarney; Sweet Emerald Isle; Little Brigid Flynn; The Kerry Dance; An Irish Lullaby; Maire my girl; Open the door softly; The little shawl of blue; The Mountains o’ Mourne; The Rose of Tralee; Irish Love Song; The banks of my own lovely Lee; Duna; Shannon river; Macushla; Ireland, Mother Ireland FT1 [73:07] Peter Dempsey follows his recent CDs of Balfe, Tosti, Ketèlby, Coates and Haydn Wood with this varied selection of Irish melodies. Many are well known, though not all in these arrangements – Down by the Sally Gardens is in a Herbert Hughes’ version not Britten’s, for instance. A few are less often heard. ForThe Fairy Tales he returns to Eric Coates, while the rare but delightful My Irish daddy knows is by Haydn Wood. These are two examples of many here where the songs, music or words, emanate from Englishmen. Whatever the provenance there are considerable differences of mood. Three of my favourites are the deftly sung [and played] Kitty my love, the adorable Star of the County Down and the delicious Dublin Saunter, which seems to have stepped from a World War II musical. There is no weak link here. Mr Dempsey’s razor sharp delivery and admirably lucid diction do all songs proud and Guy Rowland’s accompaniments and two piano solos [Irish Air from County Derry and The Dear Little Shamrock] sparkle. I urge you to explore and be delighted by this disc. Available for £9.95 including p&p from Mr Dempsey at 44 Victoria Road, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwicks. B50 4AR Philip L Scowcroft
FAVORITES IN STEREO Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy 12 tracks incl. Will you remember?; Rosalie; Giannina Mia, Rose-Marie, Italian Street Song; Indian Love Call; Ah sweet mystery of life … Nelson Eddy & Gale Sherwood 12 tracks incl. Wunderbar; One night of love; If I loved you; You and the night and the music; The song is you; Just for tonight; Shall we dance? …Sepia 1161 [67:21] Former opera baritone Nelson Eddy and soprano Jeanette MacDonald in duet were one of the biggest cinema attractions in the 1930s and 1940s, stars of eight operetta films including ‘Naughty Marietta’, ‘Rose-Marie’, ‘The Girl of the Golden West’, ‘New Moon’ and ‘Bitter Sweet’. Here, in stereo recordings made in 1957/8, they sing together on disc for the first time since 1938. And pretty good they sound, too, although MacDonald has never been among my singers of choice. They duet on Will you remember?, Indian Love Call, Ah sweet mystery, and Wanting you; the remaining eights tracks being shared equally between them. MacDonald gives us a Latinate version of The Breeze and I, and closes the album with Beyond the Blue Horizon, and it is nice to hear again an old favourite, Stouthearted Men, sung by Eddy. Orchestras are conducted by Dave Rose [8 tracks] and Engel Lehman. The Canadian soprano Gale Sherwood is the least well known of the trio and was chosen by Eddy to sing with him in his night club act. The dozen enjoyable tracks here were recorded in 1960 with an orchestra conducted by Harry Sosnik. The whole disc is a nice reminder of glamorous times gone by. Ray Pavene
NEW DEAL RHYTHM : Musical Cures For The Depression Blues Doug Bowles [tenor], Alex Hassan [piano] Shellwood Productions SWCD 41 [78:38] Here we have thirty songs, a majority sung by Doug Bowles to Alex Hassan’s ever lovely accompaniments, but some arranged as ebullient piano solos. They date from the America of the 1930s. Best known of them is Brother can you spare a dime? It has been said that over half the songs ever written are about love and even here we have titles like There’s no depression in love, I’m an unemployed sweetheart, Put a tax on love, My baby’s on strike and One big union for two. Bitter sweet some may be but all are entertaining, splendidly performed and excellently recorded. Recommended, though as most have a family likeness, the disc is perhaps best listened to a few tracks at a time. Philip L Scowcroft
PATTI PAGE Sings You Go To My Head and Songs from Manhattan Tower You Go To My Head; While A Cigarette Was Burning; I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart; Deep In A Dream; I Hadn’t Anyone Till You; Spring Is Here; I Thought About You; Darn That Dream; I Didn’t Know What Time It Was; What’s New; I’ll Never Smile Again; You Walk By; I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good; Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Under A Blanket Of Blue; New York’s My Home; Once Upon A Dream; Learnin’ My Latin; Happiness Cocktail; March Marches On; Never Leave Me; Married I Can Always Get; Repeat After Me; Indian Giver; This Close To The Dawn; The PartySepia 1100 [76:46]. Patti grew up to be the best-selling vocalist of all time. She crowned her career by winning a "Grammy" in 1999 at the age of 72. She was a skilled studio technician who could sing almost every kind of music. Some of the songs here beautifully arranged by Jack Rael were done again on a pure jazz album ‘Patti Page in the land of Hi-Fi’ arranged by Pete Rugolo [no doubt at her request]. The last eleven tracks are from Gordon Jenkins’ narrative tone poem Manhattan Towerarranged here by Vic Schoen and became one of her greatest successes high in the "Billboard" LP chart. Patti’s voice was definitely made in heaven, this issue displays it in all its glory. Paul Clatworthy
JERI SOUTHERN Romance In The Dark Imagination; Could’Ja?; Give Me Time; A Mighty Pretty Waltz; You Better Go Now; Baby, Did You Hear? That Old Devil Called Love; Miss Johnson Phoned Again Today; The Very Thought Of You; The Cabin; I’m In Love; Where Walks My True Love? You Forgot Your Gloves; My Ideal; I’ve Got Five Dollars; All Too Soon; If I Had You; What’s My Name; My Old Flame; Am I Blue; No Moon At All; Romance In The Dark; It Must Be True; Everything But You.Bygone Days BYD77042 [73:53]. Backed by orchestras led by Sy Oliver, Victor Young, Camarata, Ralph Burns and some small groups, Jeri works her magic on songs popular in the fifties, some well known others fallen by the wayside. Peter Dempsey’s informative sleeve states that she considered herself a pianist rather than a singer but her delectable intimate style won her many fans. Her last partner was the well known film composer Hugo Friedhofer, her skill at the piano helping him considerably in his studio work. She virtually retired from performance in 1961, in despair at declining standards in popular music, after which she spent most of her time teaching. Paul Clatworthy
JO STAFFORD At The Supper Club with Carl Kress & His Orchestra and Helen Carroll and The Satisfiers All The Things You Are; Personality; My Old Flame; Come Rain Or Come Shine; In Atlanta GA; I’m In The Mood For Love; Walking My Baby Back Home; I’ve Got The World On A String; Sioux City Sue; In The Moon Mist; Irving Berlin Medley; April Showers; S’posin, Cement Mixer; Oh! What It Seemed To Be; Strange Love; Great Day; All Through The Day; Just You, Just Me; I Love You-Zy; I’ve Got The Sun In The Morning; All The Things You Are. Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 823 [59:12]. The delectable voice of Jo was featured on many of the V-discs sent to Service men overseas, a wonderful morale booster! The six shows on this CD were originally broadcast on American armed forces radio in 1946. After her first marriage broke up she teamed up with her musical director Paul Weston; two years later she married him and had a long career as a solo singer on the Columbia and Capitol labels. Paul Clatworthy
GARY STEVENS Sings Again with Tex Beneke and The Glenn Miller Orchestra [1946-1948]This Is The Night; The Old Lamplighter; Anniversary Song; Somewhere In The Night; Every So Often; The Heather On The Hill; Oh But I Do; To Each His Own; The Man Who Paints The Rainbow In The Sky; If My Heart Had A Window; At Last; Too Marvelous For Words; Melancholy; True; Two Loves Have I; The First Time I Kissed You; Don’t Call It Love; Passing Fancy; So Far; Night And Day; The Song Is You; Now Is The Hour; Sleepy Time Gal; But Beautiful; I Have But One Heart. Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 820 [71:29]. A pleasant voice but no spark to separate him from other singers. Certainly nothing to rival his predecessors, namely Johnny Desmond and Ray Eberle. Very few of the songs have moved to the present time but as Cliff Richard and Matt Goss are moving into this mode of vocalising perhaps some will be resurrected. The audience is sometimes edited out but sound, obviously culled from several sources, varies. Michael Highton’s sleeve notes relive Gary’s ninety three years in detail. Paul Clatworthy
MEL TORME The Essence Of Mel Torme - featuring 40 of his greatest recordings Blue Moon; Night And Day; What Is This Thing Called Love; It Happened In Monterey; Born To Be Blue; You’re Driving Me Crazy; Until The Real Thing Comes Along; My Baby Just Cares For Me; Careless Hands; A Stranger In Town; All Of You; Blue Skies; Million Dollar Baby; You Leave Me Breathless; It’s A Blue World; I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good; Isn’t It Romantic; ‘Till The Clouds Roll By; How Long Has This Been Going On; Mountain Greenery; Lulu’s Back In Town; Fascinating Rhythm; Lady Is A Tramp; Lullaby Of Birdland; The Carioca; The Way You Look Tonight; Cheek To Cheek; Something’s Gotta Give; They Can’t Take That Away From Me; Lets Face The Music And Dance; A Fine Romance; Walkin’ Shoes; Cuckoo In The Clock; Hooray For Love; Waltz For Young Lovers; A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square; Gloomy Sunday; ‘Round Midnight; I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life The Christmas Song. Delta 33332 [Disc one 60:57; Disc two 62:12]. There is much of Mel’s vast catalogue available on CD but this is one of the best mixes. Along with some of the "West Coast" sounds provided by Marty Paich and various groups large and small, there are five tracks from the excellent recordings made in England: The Cuckoo In The Clock and Walkin’ Shoes with the Ted Heath orchestra; Hooray For Love with Cyril Stapleton’s orchestra; Waltz For Young Lovers with Roland Shaw’s Orchestra; and top of the list an absolutely superb version of A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square arranged by Wally Stott [Angela Morley]. Paul Clatworthy
V-DISC ALL STARS WITH THE SINGERS Bob Crosby; Martha Tilton; Jo Stafford; Billy Butterfield; Connie Boswell; Yank Lawson; Jack Leonard; Trummy Young; Buck Clayton: Monica Lewis; Betty Roche; Dave Mathews; Buddy Rich; Ella Fitzgerald; Jimmy Brown; Bob Haggart. Sy Oliver Sounds of Yesteryear DS0D827 [2-CD set 76:10 and 67:05] Above you’ll find just a few of the names on these thirty-three tunes carefully and beautifully mastered by Michael Arie from his collection. Nostalgia from the forties to suit just about every taste. Paul Clatworthy
ANDY WILLIAMS National Guard Shows Five Thru Eight Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 826[58:25] Andy eases through 25 popular songs accompanied by Hank Jones, Mundell Lowe, Eddie Safraski, Bobby Rosengarden and Barry Galbraith. Main difference from other Guard shows, Andy does the short announcements and no audience intrusion. A relaxed unpressured set rather than out and out jazz. Paul Clatworthy
WILL BRADLEY AND HIS JAZZ OCTET Ridin’ A Rift Ridin’ A Riff; Lonely Night; Nimble Feet; When Gabriel Blows His Horn; Midnight Special; Silver Dollar Polka; Winter Time; Lady From Castile; Go Way, Love, Go Way; Hysterical Boogie; Dixie Party; Dust Bowl; Footprints; Tasty Dish; Who Cut The Gorgonzola; On A Boogie Beam; A Little Time To Dream; Jungle Magic; A Ia Carte; Roly Poly Polka; Conga Roo; Bayou Ballad; Slow Freight; On The Front Burner; Eight O’clock Date; On The South Side.Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 819 [69:48]. Will’s smooth trombone graced many bands including Glenn Miller, Freddie Rich and our own Ray Noble before forming his own band. Will here features the trumpet of Billy Butterfield and piano of Stan Freeman. Of all the tracks the ballads set the high standard: Lonely Night, Winter Time and A Little Time To Dream are my pick, closely followed by three "bouncy" numbers: Ridin’ The Riff, Tasty Dish and A Ia Carte. The remainder are "Dixieland" numbers. Paul Clatworthy
DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET The Navy Swings Take The "A" Train; I’m In A Dancing Mood; St Louis Blues; Gone With The Wind; For All We Know; Sounds Of The Loop; Someday My Prince Will Come; In Your Own Sweet Way; Tangerine; Watusi Drums; Thank You; Nomad. Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY 830. [58:39]. Four three tune shows each preceded by Brubeck’s signature tune The Duke.Half of the playing time taken up with recruitment notices dated 1948. The sleeve states a "Live" recording. No audible audience on my CD. All the better in my book. Paul Clatworthy
CHRISTIAN CHEVALLIER The Prince of Jazz Night in Tunisia; Summertime; I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’; It Ain’t Necessarily So; Stormy Weather; The Man I Love; Caravan, etc… 63 tracks on 3 CDsEMI France 5099964237329 [199:44]. No doubt our French friends will be familiar with the name Christian Chevallier; for the rest of us this Platinum Collection is a revelation. Compiled by RFS member Serge Elhaik, we are taken back to the 1950s when Christian’s band was paying homage to US giants such as George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Neal Hefti with some charts that really swing. This continues through the second CD [many numbers are his own compositions], until the third finds him mainly in the 1960s with attractive vocal tracks featuring Henri Salvador, Richard Anthony, Gilbert Becaud and Line Renard, with some tasteful string backings – quite a contrast to the earlier big band numbers. In fact the third CD contains some excellent tracks, some of which are in light orchestral territory. I particularly liked the non-vocal versions of four Gilbert Becaud numbers: Le Mur, Si Je Pouvais Revivre Un Jour Ma Vie, Croquemi-toufle and Il Fait Des Bonds. At an RFS meeting a few years back we showed a video of Dolf van der Linden and the Metropole Orchestra playing the last named in a TV broadcast – I always wondered where it came from! I think it true to say that this is a very varied selection which no doubt provides an accurate portrait of Chevallier’s career. The press release says he merits rediscovery, and I certainly agree. David Ades
CHARLIE VENTURA SEPTET Bop For The People Whatta Ya Say We Go; Body And Soul; Lullaby In Rhythm; Birdland; Boptura; Yesterdays; High On An Open Mike; Embraceable/Blue Champagne; I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles; I’m Glad There Is You; 0-Go-Mo; How High The Moon; I Cover The Waterfront; Jam Session. Sounds of Yesteryear DSOY821 [75:04]. The first five tunes are preceded by a lesson on how to sing "Bop" by Charlie Ventura, Jackie Caine and Roy Kral. The second half includes rare broadcasts with among others Charlie Parker’s All Stars and The Miles Davis All Stars. Charlie’s deft sax playing really keeps things moving. A very enjoyable set. Paul Clatworthy
In Paul Clatworthy’s reviews, Delta, Sepia, Bygone Days and Sounds of Yesteryear CDs are available in the UK from usual outlets; in case of difficulty telephone Submarine Records 0208 360 3486. Also available from The Woods [see Big Band Roundup for further details].
FINEST MARCHES The Central Band of the Royal Air Force DOM: Squadron Leader Gordon Bain Imperial Echoes; The Liberators; Action Front; Under the Double Eagle; Wellington; Trafalgar; Blaze Away; The Children of the Regiment; The Britisher; Marche Lorraine; Skywatch; The Royal British Legion; National Emblem; The New Colonials; The Thunderer; Old Comrades; Arromanches; Out of the Blue; Glorious Victory; Royal Air Force March Past Royal Air Force Music RAF MRL008[68:36] Not a new release but a splendid and impressive collection of mainly popular British, American and European marches. The accompanying notes make the interesting point that the majority were composed before 1920 and yet all are still regularly performed at ceremonial occasions and on the concert platform and, until the sharp decline in their regular use, the park and pier bandstand. An exception is a fine modern march Skywatch by R.E.C. Davies dating from the mid-1970s, and it would have been useful to have some information on this piece but the notes are somewhat brief and generalised. All the tempi are superbly judged by the Director of Music who adopts the appropriately more sedate pace for Teike’s famous Old Comrades. The disc ends fittingly with the RAF March Past, which features George Dyson’s noble, dignified and poignant trio tune. The recordings made at RAF Uxbridge are uniformly excellent with production standards exemplary throughout. An undoubted "feather in the cap" for this outstanding band who can certainly look unflinchingly into the eyes of the Household Division and Royal Marines bands. Small wonder that last year they were signed up Decca! Strongly recommended. Roger Hyslop
SOUSA Music For Wind Band, Vol. 8 Band of the Royal Artillery cond. Keith Brion, Martin Hinton [cornet] The High School Cadets; The Northern Pines; Selections from ‘El Capitan’; Boy Scouts of America; Crusader March; Oh Warrior Grim [from ‘El Capitan]; On the Campus; Jack Tar; Comrades of the Legion; Pride of Pittsburgh; Suite: At the King’s Court; The Washington Post Naxos 8.559248 [58:48] If there is ever a composer to cheer one up on a bitterly cold bleak winter’s day [as it evidently was when Roger wrote this. KT Ed.] it must be John Philip Sousa. The most surprising thing about this 2010 release is that the recording sessions for it were held in Woolwich Town Hall as far back as January 2005. As usual with this series the familiar mingles with a considerable number of rarely heard or performed pieces. Thus the popular share the disc with an extended selection from Sousa’s operetta ‘El Capitan’ and a 16-minute suite At the King’s Court’, which Keith Brion tells us in his informative booklet was probably composed in preparation for the Sousa’s Band 1905 tour to England, where it was played for King Edward VII at a command performance. The march Jack Tarreceived its first performance at the Royal Albert Hall with both the King and Queen present and the not inconsiderable forces of the Coldstream, Scots and Irish Guards, Sousa’s Band, a band from New Zealand and the Queens Hall Orchestra – its amazing the roof of the venerable RAH remained intact. Martin Hinton, principal cornetist with the RA Band, takes centre stage with Warrior from the aforementioned El Capitan’ and Campus, an ebullient jaunty piece that comes complete with words by the composer’s daughter and vocalized presumably by the band. This latest release amply vindicates again the reputation of this Band as one of the best in the British Army; and if you haven’t already started collecting this outstanding series – it is not too late! Roger Hyslop
Classical Corner
DVORAK Symphony No.6; Nocturne in B Major; Scherzo Capriccioso Baltimore Symphony Orchestra / Marie Alsop Naxos 8.570995 [68:19] The well received recordings by these forces of Dvorak’s Symphony Nos.7 & 8 [Naxos 8.572112] and the favourite 9th Symphony, ‘From the New World’, coupled with the Symphonic Variations [Naxos 8.570714] have been followed by the latest arrival, the magnificent 6th Symphony, which has been a "Desert Island" choice for me ever since I became acquainted with the classic account by the late Istvan Kertesz [Decca 473 798-2] in the mid-960s. Naxos have added the popular Scherzo and Nocturne, an arrangement for string orchestra of the slow movement from the Fourth String Quartet. Altogether extraordinary value and strongly recommended if you fancy this life enhancing musical masterwork. Roger Hyslop
HALVORSEN Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra / Neeme Jarvi ; *Marianne Thorsen [violin] Air norvégien*; Chant de Veslemoy*; Three Norwegian Dances*; Suite ancienne*; Symphony No 2, ‘Fatum’ Chandos CHAN10614 [75:50] This from the Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen follows hard on the heels of Volume 1 reviewed in JIM 185. It is a particularly attractive release since it includes one of the composer’s most adorable works. The Suite ancienne [1911] was originally conceived as entrácte music for a play by Ludwig Holberg but it was always devised as an orchestral suite in its own right and to begin with was called the Holberg Suite, but to avoid confusion with Grieg’s composition Halvorsen finally settled on ‘From olden days’, which on publication was translated into the French equivalent. He regarded it himself as one of his finest compositions and certainly the 2nd movement, an Air with variations, is heartfelt and enchanting, and it is difficult to imagine anyone could be immune from its charms. The whole piece is simply bursting with melodic interest and thoroughly deserves to be better known. Also included are several short pieces for violin and orchestra, of which the Air norvégien is imbued with a delightful and unmistakeably Nordic freshness. The major work here is Halvorsen’s Second Symphony, to which on revision he attributed the nickname ‘Fatum’ or ‘Fate’. More challenging fare maybe but in no way can this be described as difficult music, with a notably cheerful third movement ‘intermezzo.’ An immensely likeable disc possessing great charm, integrity and above all melody, from a composer who thoroughly deserves a significantly higher profile in the musical firmament – and what better champion could he have than Neeme Jarvi? Well worth investigating. Roger Hyslop
Wilfred Askew reminds us of more recently received releases
CARL’S WAR Czech National Symphony Orchestra cond. Carl Davis The World at War [Concert Version 2010]; Goodnight Mr. Tom; Echoes That Remain; Anne Frank Remembered; Rhapsody on Themes from The Snow Goose Carl Davis Collection CDC 009 [67:58] All music composed by Carl Davis
FRANK COMSTOCK & HIS ORCHESTRA Changing Patterns 24 tracks incl. The Blue Room; One Morning in May; Isn’t it a Lovely Day; Street of Dreams; Sing Something Simple, Coffee Time; Small Fry; Smoke Rings; Adios … Montpellier Mont CD 069 [69:58] Recorded 1958/59
RAY CONNIFF Concert In Rhythm Vol.II [1960] 12 tracks incl. Liebestraum; Yours Is My Heart Alone; None But the Lonely Heart; I’ll See You Again; Warsaw Concerto; One Fine Day … The Perfect "10" Classics [1980] 11 tracks incl. Bolero; Lullaby for Tamara; A Bit of Beethoven; Theme for Elise; Boogie Woogie Humoresque; Mozart in Latin … bonus track: Moonlight SonataCollectables COL-CD 7878 [72:28] Original CBS recordings.
BING CROSBY El Senor Bing arr./cond. Billy May 20 titles on 10 tracks in stereo, followed by the same programme in mono, incl. I could have danced all night; Marta; Rose in her hair; Old devil moon; Cuban Love Song; Andalucia; Malaguena; Down Argentine way; What a difference a day made; Again … plus 6 bonus tracks [1954/5] with Buddy Cole and his Trio incl. Papa loves mambo; You belong to my heart; In a little Spanish town … Collectors’ Choice CCM 2108 [68:02] Issued in UK on LP by M-G-M as ‘Bing Crosby Goes Latin’.
On The Sentimental Side w. Ivor Raymonde Orch. & Chorus [1962] 24 titles [previously unreleased] on 12 tracks incl. My bonnie; Put on your old grey bonnet; All alone; Blueberry Hill, Beautiful dreamer, Roll on silver moon … plus 5 bonus tracks with Buddy Cole Because; Smilin’ through; Love’s old sweet song, Whither thou goest; Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral Collectors’ Choice CCM 2106 [51:36]
Return To Paradise Islands arr./cond. Nelson Riddle [Reprise 1963] 12 tracks incl. The old plantation; Love and aloha; Adventures in Paradise; Frangipani blossom; Forevermore; Farewell my tane … plus 6 bonus tracks w. Buddy Cole Trio incl. My little grass shack, Yaaka hula hickey dula; Ukulele lady; King’s Serenade … Collectors’ Choice CCM 2105 [51:45]
Seasons w. Pete Moore Orchestra [1977] 12 tracks incl. June in January; April showers; Summer wind; Autumn in New York; September song; Yesterday when I was young … plus 13 bonus tracks cond. by Gordon Rose incl. Feels good feels right; Nevertheless; The only way to go; As time goes by; Once in a while … Collectors’ Choice CCM 2104 [73:45]
THE FILM AND TV MUSIC OF CHRISTOPHER GUNNING BBC Philharmonic cond. by Rumon Gamba Poirot Variants; La Móme Piaf; Under Suspicion; Cold Lazurus; The Rosemary and Thyme Caprice; Rebecca; Pollyanna; Firelight; When the Whales Came; The Hollow; Five Little Pigs; Lighthouse Hill Chandos CHAN 10625 [75:57]
MAX GREGER AND HIS ORCHESTRA Greger’s Groove Party 18 tracks incl. Spinning Wheel; Memphis Tennessee; Good morning Starshine; Night Train; Big Train; I Feel Fine; Aquarius …Polydor 530 7296 [48:19]
NEAL HEFTI AND HIS ORCHESTRA ‘ …. and the winner is’ : The Award Winning Songs from 1934 to 1957 [1957 Stereo recordings] 24 tracks incl. The Continental; Lullaby of Broadway; Sweet Leilani; Thanks for the memory; Over the rainbow; You’ll never know; It might as well be Spring; Baby, it’s cold outside; Que sera sera; All the way … Montpellier MONTCD 067 [59:44]