RECORDED MUSIC

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1931, Page 14

RECORDED MUSIC

NEWS OP THE WEEK. COLUMBIA. Eileen Boyd—Mezzo-Soprano. (1) “It Is Destiny,’ •’ (Grey and Strauss); (2j “Oh! Why?” (Freed,. Stotharr and Woods). Sung by Eileen Boyd on Columbia DO .‘M These two songs are theme tunes from the talkie “A Lady's Morals.” This sound film is allegedly based on “Swedish nightingale.' ’ Eiloeif Boyd's singing is magnificent, and she makes much of these pretty little tunes. Theme song enthusiasts should make a special note ot this disc. Five Regal Successes. From the May list a popular choice is as follows: — The two Gilberts, comedians of a high order, sing “Roger the Lodger” and “Gorgonzola” ou Regal G 209,h1. The “Jolly Old Fellows,” a band of clever harmonisers, present a vocal medley of drinking songs. This is on Regal G 20951. One of the best. Regal sellers is ‘ ‘ The Electric Girl,' ’ and ‘ ‘ Rendezvous —lntermezzo,” played by the Regal Salon Orchestra on G 20937. Two . famous waltz tunes are played by the Bohemia Orchestra— 11 ‘The Merry Widow” Waltz, and “The Waltz Dream”—on Regal G 20948. The Hotel Pennsylvania Music

Makers give us “Falling .in Love Again,” waltz, front “The Blue Angel,” paired with the foxtrot, “Sing Something Simple,” on Regal G 20923. Two Sparkling Waltzes. (1) “Love* of a Gypsy” (Waltz); (2) “Greetings of Spring” (Waltz). Played by the Russian Novelty Orchestra on Columbia DO 85. Two of the prettiest tunes in 3/4time issued during recent months are the titles bracketed above. The Russian Novelty Orchestra is a really excellent combination of players, and they secure some ‘ novel effects ’ that are really novel. The record is in the ten-inch dark*blue series, and with such a- pairing of waltzes should prove immensely popular. Layton and Johnstdne’s Recent ' Successes. (1) “In An Old World Darden” (Pepper); (2) “Ain’t it. Great to be Home Again ” (Gilbert). Sung by Layton and Johnstone, American Duettists, on Columbia DO 36. No pair of singers is more popular than the always entertaining Layton and Johnstone. They can put pep into the tamest theme song, and when, as here, they have two good tunes to warble, .they make a really tine popular disc. The first of those items, “In An Old World Garden,” is from the talkie of the same name. Another Layton and Johnstone success is the' very recent disc of “One Night Alone With You” and “ByeBye Blues.” , These charming numbers are sung as only these two clever, duettists can sing. (Columbia DO 286). ■ A Fine Baritone Record. (1) “The Old Brigade” (F. E. Weatherley and , Odoardo Barri); (2) “When Dull Care” (Old English ’Melody, arr/ H. Lane Wilson). Sung by Dennis Noble, baritone, on Columbia 01864. Quite the best record yet produced of-that rousing song, “The Old Brigade, ” is the version .given by Dennis Noble. Hero is tremendously virile' singing, and a voice that any baritone could be proud of. The folk melody arrangement on the reverse is in a contrasting vein, and makes an admirable foil to the roystering soldiers’ ditty. • The piano accompaniment to “When Dull Care” is an example of particularly good recording- , Two Popular Items by The Maestros. (1) “I Hear You Calling Me” (H. Harford and C. Marshall); (2) “My Ain Folk” (W. Mills.-and L, G. Lemon). Sung by the Maestros on Columbia 21857. 1 The M aestros are easil y ■ male voice quintet that has yet been heard on records. Their singing is ’ musicianly and their voices blend to 1 perfection, giving a quite unusual dark colour to the vocal ensemble. • The songs they bracket on this disc, are well known and well loved, and this sensitive and sympathetic rendering is sure of a wide and welldeserved popularity. A Cinema Organ Disc. Albert W. Ketelbey’s “reverie” entitled “The Sacred Hour” is one of this well-known composer’s most widely enjoyed pieces. Together with “The Monastery Garden” and “The Persian Market,” they are real landmarks in popular British music. On the disc under review Quentin Maclean, 'the wizard of the Royal Cinema, London, has given a two-part version of Ketelbey’s devotional piece from the Christie Unit Console. During part of this deeply-felt music a quartet is heard in a Latin chant — rather reminiscent .of “ The Monas- . tery Garden.” There are very many who will hear,* buy, and treasure this record. (Columbia 03855). “The Spectator’s” Critic on Columbia. The gramophone record critic of “The Spectator”—most famous perhaps of ail existing British journals —has recently made a choice of the twelve best records of the year. In

spit ft of the fact that fhft twelve discs m-(* chosen from the output of four separate recording companies, fully half of the records chosen arc, Columbia—a groat tribute to a very enterprising concern. Five of the six records have boon released in Now Zealand, and these are listed with some of ‘‘The Spectator s comments hereunder: —

The Ballet Music from Gluck’s “Orpheus,” played by M. Moyse (solo (lute) and the Paris Symphony Orchestra under Elie Cohen. Without cavil the most ravishing flute playing ever heard on discs. (Columbia DON 61). The “Rose Cavalier’/ Waltzes (Richard Strauss) played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. “Bruno Walter conducts these with all the care he would put into a. Mozart symphony; the result will please even' a highbrow.” (Columbia LOX 67). Two songs from HenryParcel!’s “The Tempest“ See, the Heavens Smile” and “Arise, ye .Subterranean. Winds.” “Sung by Norman Allin. A [very English pair of songs, by an English composer, snug by an English singer, and recorded by an all-English company.” (Columbia 05085). , “Romanza Andaluza” by ! Sarasate, and “ Mazurka’ ’by Tarzyeki— ‘ ‘ violin solo played by Huberman. These two pieces show off the violin excellently, and have very' cheerful rhythms and tunes.” ...(Columbia 04358).

Mozart’s Quartet in G- Major, K 387. ‘ ‘ The Lenor Quartet is too well known for comment. This is the second movement, and each of the other three can be bought separately on one disc apiece. They are all as worthy of a place on the list as this. ” (Columbia LOX‘2l—set Nos, LOX 30-33). % ( A Fine Regal Disc. The London Novelty Orchestra has forked, its way into popularity by the excellent' recordings it has been making for Regal.. One of the most fascinating numbers that it hag ever done is “The Mosquitoes’ Parade,” coupled with “My Lady Dainty—lntermezzo,” Regal 20933. This record hast a tremendously wide appeal, and is excellently played. : ( \ Two Novelty Fox-Trots. The. Society Serenaclers certainly excelled themselves when they made a recording of “After, Your Kiss,” fox-trot, and “Soldigr on the Shelf,” fox-trot, Regal 20947. This is really a novelty number, and is reminiscent of the “Doll Dance,” “Dainty Misp,” and “Wedding of the Painted‘Doll,” numbers which have been good .sellers in their day. 1 Old-Time Dances on Regal. In the May Regal Supplement there* ,1s a very fine selection of oldtime dances. The London Novelty Orchestra -gives the “Brooklyn CakeWalk,” coupled with “Happy Darkies,” barn' dance. The Melodeon Players make a splendid recording of the “Evelina Mazurka,” Regal 20950. The Four Provinces Orchestra gives ‘.‘Leather Away with the Wattle O” (Polka), Regal 20912, and on the reverse side of' this number the Innisfail Irish Orchestra make a wonderful recording of “A Medley of Two Steps.” The Bohemia Orchestra also give, a good recording of “The Merry Widow Waltz,” bracketed with “The Waltz Dream,” Regal 20948, Green’s Marimba Orchestra excels itself in two old time waltzes, “Drifting, on to Avalon” and “ My Missouri Home,” Regal 20919. _\‘ - * Splendid Hawaiian Recordings, Linn Milford and His well-known on Regal, have made two splendid recordings containing wonderful playing by haunting guitars, and sweet, soothing vocal choruses, on Regal 20931, The titles are.“ Rose Dreams” and “That Little Lock of Hair. ” . • ;