Golden Age of Light Music: Salon, Light and Novelty Orchestras

Before the large light orchestras became firmly established from the 1940s onwards, many people enjoyed light music performed by smaller groups of musicians. The advent of radio in the 1920s brought many of them national – and sometimes international – fame, and there was a strong demand for gramophone records by the most popular ensembles.

At times, the boundaries between light music and dance bands became somewhat blurred, especially when leaders such as Jack Hylton included novelty instrumentals in their concert programmes. Even Ray Noble, who will always be remembered for his superior recordings of dance band music with top vocalists such as Al Bowlly, occasionally strayed into light music territory.

But the big names among the smaller ensembles included Alfredo Campoli, the famous Orchestra Mascotte, J H Squire, Reginald King and Albert Sandler. The high standards demanded by all these orchestra leaders are evident on every track.

Contents:
1. Fairy On The Clock: Sherman Myers, real name Montague Ewing - New Mayfair Dance Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble
2. La Petite Tonkinoise (My Chin Chin Lou): Vincent Baptiste Scotto, Henry Marius Christine - Alfredo Campoli and his Salon Orchestra With Whistling By Ronald Gourlay
3. Parade Of The Pirates: John W Bratton - International Novelty Orchestra
4. Neapolitan Serenade: Gerhard Winkler - Alfredo Campoli and his Salon Orchestra
5. Magic Notes: Fritz Steininger - Rudy Starita, Xylophone with un-named Orchestra
6. Tango Habanera: Jose F. Payan, arr. Fred Hartley - Alfredo Campoli and his Salon Orchestra
7. Intermezzo (Souvenir de Vienne) (from the film 'Escape To Happiness'): Heinz Provost - Jay Wilbur'S Serenaders
8. Secrets Of The Adige - Waltz: Felice Carena - Orchestra Mascotte
9. Grasshoppers' Holiday: Herman Bick - Louis Voss Grand Orchestra
10. Finesse: Bernard Maltin, Anthony Raymond Doll - New Mayfair Dance Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble
11. A Birthday Serenade: Paul Lincke - London Palladium Orchestra conducted by Richard Crean
12. Rose Mousse: Fabrice Gabriel Lemon - International Novelty Orchestra
13. If You But Knew: Reginald King - Reginald King and his Orchestra
14. Hiawatha - Cake Walk: Neil Moret - Alfredo Campoli and his Novelty Orchestra
15. The Wedding Of The Rose: Leon Jessel, arr. Willoughby - J H Squire Celeste Octet
16. Fairy Whispers: Rhode - Victor Ricardo and his Orchestra
17. The Cuckoo In The Clock: Walter R Collins - International Novelty Quartet
18. The Excuse Me Waltz: Nicholas Brodszky - Reginald Pursglove and his Music Makers
19. Fiddle Dance: Percy Fletcher - Albert Sandler and his Orchestra
20. The Dancing Doll (Poupee Valsante): Eduard Poldini - Alfredo Campoli and his Salon Orchestra
21. The Butterfly - Morceau Characteristique: Theo Bendix - Alfredo Campoli and his Salon Orchestra
22. Dolls' Games: Lederer - Victor Ricardo and his Orchestra
23. Sphinx Waltz: Francis Popy - Orchestra Mascotte
24. Dark Red Roses: Philip Braham - Reginald King and his Orchestra
25. King Chanticleer: Seymour Brown, Nat D Ayer - International Novelty Orchestra