Golden Age of Light Music Vol.69: A first A-Z of Light Music

If anyone ever thought that the term ‘Light Music’ described a small corner of the music scene appealing only to minority interests, then maybe the wide variety of styles on offer in this collection will raise some serious doubts. No two people would probably ever agree on the exact boundaries of the genre, which is in itself an indication of how far it stretches across other musical styles.

Within the 79 minutes of music on this CD, you will find works originally created for light orchestras in the concert hall rubbing shoulders with popular melodies from other fields, given a fresh appeal in the hands of talented arrangers and conductors.

When ‘A to Z’ was chosen as the idea behind this collection, there were initial doubts that suitable titles could be discovered for all the letters of the English alphabet. It was a close run thing (‘X’ was obviously going to be a problem!) but hopefully listeners will enjoy the result of our endeavours, starting with Alpine Pastures and ending with Zingara, meeting top conductors such as Sidney Torch, David Rose, Robert Farnon and George Melachrino along the way.

Contents:
1. Alpine Pastures (Vivian Ellis, arranged by Sidney Torch): Queen's Hall Light Orchestra / Sidney Torch
2. Baubles, Bangles And Beads (Robert Wright; George Forrest): Warren Barker and his Orchestra
3. The Christmas Tree (David Rose): David Rose and his Orchestra
4. Durch Dich Wird Diese Welt Erst Schön (Through You This World Is Beautiful) (Jary; von Pinelli): Hans Georg Arlt and his Orchestra
5. Escape To Monaco (John Scott Trotter): John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra
6. Flowing Stream (Joyce Cochrane): New Century Orchestra / Erich Börschel
7. Going Concern (King Palmer): The Grosvenor Studio Orchestra / Dolf Van Der Linden
8. High Flight (Eric Coates): Michael Freedman and his Orchestra
9. It Wouldn't Be Love (Allan Roberts; Buddy Bernier; Jerome Brainin, arr. Robert Farnon): Robert Farnon and his Orchestra (LP Label Credits ‘Jack Saunders Orchestra')
10. Jump For Joy (Henry Croudson): The Connaught Light Orchestra
11. The Kiss (Jose Belmonte, real name Philip Green): Angela Morley and her Orchestra (As ‘Wally Stott' On 78 Label)
12. Leo (Hal Mooney): Hal Mooney and his Orchestra
13. Moonlight On The Ganges (Sherman Myers, real name Montague Ewing; Chester Wallace): Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
14. Noche Amour (Joseph F Kuhn): The Rio Carnival Orchestra
15. Over The Rainbow (Harold Arlen; E. ‘Yip' Harburg): Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra
16. Parole E Musica (Words and Music) (Silvestri): George Melachrino conducting the Orchestra of the 6th San Remo Festival
17. Quiet Night (Richard Rodgers): Andre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
18. Rose-Beetle Goes A-Wooing (José Armandola): Regent Classic Orchestra
19. Sunshine Express (Jack Coles): Group-Forty Orchestra / Eric Cook
20. Tip-Toe Through The Tulips (Al Dubin; Joe Burke, arr. Ronald Binge): Ronald Binge and his Orchestra
21. Unless (Tolchard Evans, arr. Peter Yorke): Peter Yorke and his Concert Orchestra
22. Vanity Fair (Overture) (Percy Fletcher): The New Concert Orchestra / Jay Wilbur
23. What Is There To Say (from Ziegfeld Follies of 1933) (Vernon Duke): Morton Gould and his Orchestra
24. Xarafes (Guy Brain, arr. Dolf van der Linden): Dolf Van Der Linden and his Orchestra
25. Yellow (Jeff Alexander): Symphony Orchestra / Frank Sinatra
26. Zingara (Chaminade, arr. Arthur Wilkinson): The Melachrino Orchestra / George Melachrino