MUSIC IN THE HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 10 (Supplement)

MUSIC IN THE HOME.

GRAMOPHONE RECORDS. HINTS FOR THE WEEK. The records in (his column are of a varied and general nature, and are not necessarily confined to the most recent roleases. The purpose of the column is to draw the attention of the general public to the more desirable forms of recorded music, and the choice is in no sense to bo regarded as academic. A fine variety of records is contained in this week's suggestions for the home gramophone collection. Prominent among the selection is a new organ record by Quentin Mac Lean, one of the outstanding exponents of the Christie unit organ, who has recorded a rendering of Gershwin's '■ Rhapsody in Blue," which is entitled to rank fts a musical masterpiece. The vocal 6ection is headed by a new baritone, James McCafferty, who has given in one record three contrasting Irish songs. The first of these is the ever-popular " I'm Off to Philadelphia," which is sung with excellent feeling and just the right amount of careless gaiety. On the reverse side are two shorfr songs, " Kitty, My Love, Will You Marry Me," a gay and lively little ballad which is taken at a great pace, and a more restrained little song, " Open the Doot Softly. An excellent example of singing by mixed voices is provided in the record by the Salon , Group. On the first side is The Fortune leller;" a collection which introduces a number of pretty tunes, 'Bxtremely well sung. The reverse side contains the duet number, " Kiss Me Again," from " Mademoisolle Modiste," which is a very dainty and attractive piece of singing and orchestral work. The instrumental section is represented by Quentin Mac Lean's organ rendering of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue," which was a prominent musical feature of the pic ture " King of Jazz." In his rendering Mr. Mac Lean has taken several liberties in arranging the composition for the Christie unit organ, but the effect is wholly pleasing and the playing shows a very intelligent study of the modernistic atmosphere in which the rhapsody was conceived. The incidental effects are used with the utmost discrimination 'and tho result is very pleasing. A very attractive "little orchestral record is Springtime in the Forest," Carl Zinimer's delightful little tone popm, which is beautifully rendered by the Little Salon Orchestra. This group of instrumentalists is noted for the warm tones and exquisite harmonies of its playing, and in this number it fully lives .up i to expectations. For entertainment purposes, Frank Crumit's latest songs would be hard to : beat. He has chosen the tramp as a suSject of study this time, and in his droll fashion, .sings of the aesthetic joys of idleness. On the first Bide is "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, Keep On A-tramping," the title of which adequately conveys its subject-matter. On the reverse side is the better song of the two, " I Don t Work For a Living," which has a > delicious underlying vein of humour in it. Oiie of the most appealing fox-trots to be released for some tima is the latest record from Jack Hylton and his Orchestra. On the first side is the number, '- Sitting on a Five-Barred Gate," & fine example of the comedy fox-trot, which possesses a very catchy rhythm. Its infectious refrain is cleverly sung, a rendering by a North Country comedian lending it considerable interest. On the reverse side is a fox-trot which is more definitely comic, but an excellent dance tune at tha same time. Its title is 'Wo All Go, 00, Ha, Ha, Together. " Off to Philadelphia."—James McCsfierty (baritone). (H.M.V. —33.3447.) '* The Fortune Teller."—The Salon Group. (H.M.V. —E8.58.) "Rhapsody in Blue" (Gershwin) . Quentin Mac Lean. (Columbia. —D0a.61.) "Springtime in the Forest" (Zimmer). —The Little Salon Orchestra. Columbia.— D 0.339.) " I Don't Work For o Living."— Frank Crumit. H.M.V. —EA.871.) "Sitting on a Five-Barred Gate."—Jack Hylton and his Orchestra. (H.M.V.—8.6901.) This week's records were supplied by Caddell's, Limited, Queen's Arcade.