Golden Age of Light Music: Contrasts - From the 1960s back to the 1920s Vol.1

The invention of sound recording as the 19th century came to a close, followed by the arrival of radio in the 1920s, hastened changes in musical styles at a far greater pace than had ever happened previously. There is no doubt that our ancestors who listened to what we might term ‘their’ light music in the 1800s would find the sounds of the 1960s too avant-garde for their ears.

The somewhat sedate styles of earlier years were inevitably affected by the influences of the jazz era, the arrival of electrical sound recording in the 1920s and the major impact of the cinema when talking pictures arrived, consuming (and creating) vast amounts of Light Music in its many varied forms.

Finally, by the 1960s the perfection of high fidelity and stereo sound often allowed composers, arrangers and conductors to express themselves in a spectacular fashion previously unimaginable. All this is vividly illustrated in the very varied collection on this CD.

Track Listing:
1. On Green Dolphin Street - Bronislau Kaper, Ned Washington, arr. Brian Fahey: Cyril Ornadel and the Starlight Symphony
2. Ciao, Ciao Bambina - Domenico Modugno, arr. Percy Faith: Percy Faith and his Orchestra
3. Le Cabri Mexicain - Roger Roger: Roger Roger and his Orchestra
4. The Girl In Satin - Leroy Anderson: Leroy Anderson and his Orchestra
5. Focus On Fashion - Walter Stott: Telecast Orchestra conducted by Walter Stott
6. Alcan Highway - Robert Farnon: Robert Farnon and his Orchestra
7. Elephants' Tango - Bernard Landes, real name Ronald Hanmer: Werner Müller and his Orchestra (As 'Ricardo Santos' On Record Label)
8. In Gay Mood - Cyril Watters: New Concert Orchestra conducted by Cedric Dumont
9. Due Teste Sul Cuscino - Furio Rendine: George Melachrino conducting the Orchestra of the 6th San Remo Festival
10. Escapade - Frank Perkins: Frank Perkins and his 'Pops' Orchestra
11. Jezebel - Wayne Shanklin: Roberto Inglez and his Orchestra featuring Roberto Inglez at the Piano
12. March Of Events - Jack Beaver, Henry Thomas Fisher: New Century Orchestra conducted by Sidney Torch
13. Beryl - Paul Desmond, real name Paul Breitenfeld: Royal Artillery Orchestra conducted by Captain Owen Geary
14. Exhilaration - Charles Williams: Charles Williams and his Concert Orchestra
15. Beautiful, Lovable - Billy Munn: Bosworth's Ballroom Orchestra directed by Billy Munn
16. Baa Baa Black Sheep - Traditional, arr. Peter Yorke: BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Charles Shadwell, Leader Frank Cantell
17. Knightsbridge March (from 'London Suite') - Eric Coates: Philip Green and his Orchestra
18. Romanesque Tango - Sonny Miller, Jacob Gade: Alfredo Campoli and his Marimba Tango Orchestra
19. Punch And Judy Show - Ben Black: Jack Hylton and his Orchestra featuring Harry Robbins, Xylophone And Vibraphone
20. Moonbeam - Leo Peter: Reginald King and his Light Orchestra
21. Waltz In Swing Time (from the film 'Swing Time') - Jerome Kern: Johnny Green and his Orchestra featuring Johnny Green at the Piano
22. Sleigh Bells - Lindemann: Athenaeum Light Orchestra
23. Fairy Doll (from 'A Children's Suite') - John Ansell: Decca Light Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Ansell
24. Capricious Music Box - Joan Fresco: Athenaeum Light Orchestra
25. Frog King's Parade - Heini Kronberger, Mary Marriott: The Viennese Café Orchestra