MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

Among the brightest records that have been issued recently is " My Chin Chin Lou," coupled with " A Coon Band Contest," a Regal record. Both sides of this record are played by the London Novelty Orchestra, and it is sure to be a very strong favourite with record buyers.

A splendid little dance number entitled " Kiss Me Oood-night, Not Good-bye," coupled with "I'm Just A Dancing Sweetheart," has been issued on .Regal. Fred Rich and his orchestra play both sides of this record. " Kiss Mo Goodnight " is mainly noted for the fact that it is Iho theme song from "Merely Mary Ann," a film which is experiencing heavy bookings throughout New Zealand to-day. " I'm Just a Dancing Sweetheart " looks as if it might be one of the most popular dance numbers in the near future.

A new record of the immensely popular song " Ay, Ay, Ay " appeared quite recently—this time by an artist who himself is Spanish and therefore knows just how to infuse that longing and indescribable sadness that the cancion demands, lie is Pepo Roineu, a tenor singer with a most fascinating voice. With it, is coupled Toselli's most, popular " Serenade," and both are rendered in tho warm, soft Spanish accents that are so much admired. It is a record that cannot fail to lure the listener on to the end. Recording is by Columbia.

An unusually magnificent bass record on Columbia is that of Malcolm McEachern singing two of the finest of Handel's oratorio airs—" Honour and Arms " (from " Samson," 1741) and " Arm, Arm, Ye Brave" (from "Judas Maccabaeus," 1746). Theso wonderful old arias, with their florid runs and grand melodies, represent the composer at his best. McEachern has infused the right spirit into them—pompous and boastful in tlio " Samson," martial and inspiring in the other.

In contrast to iho already published <liscs by the Rotorua Maori Choir, now comes another record of native music sung by a quartet of malo Maori voices. The happy blend and vocalism generally of this disc is most impressive. The titles are as follows: "Hei Konei e te tan" and "E llotu te Manawa." This pairing is, of course, one of the series of recordings which Columbia made at Oliincinutu, on the shores of Lake Rotorua, and which may be regarded as authoritative interpretations of tho most typical of tho native melodies sung by the most beautiful Maori voices in the world to day.

" Funny Face " is the title, as everyono knows, of one of the cleverest, comedies—musical or otherwise—of recent years. And it is safe to say that a great measure of its success is due to that inimitable comedian, Leslie Henson. On a recent Columbia disc arc two excerpts from "Funny Face," both of them uproariously funny. On side one is the comedy sketch " A Few Drinks," in which Leslio Henson is joined by Sydney Howard; and on the reverse is " I ell the Doc " —featuring Leslie Henson and an admirable male quartette. '.l his is sterling recording of really clever humour.

Tho well-known German sacred melody, " Stille Nacht, Helige Nacht " (" Still Night, Holy Night") is expressively sung by Maartje Offers, whose rich and mellow contralto voice is of very beautiful quality. The song begins with the tolling of bells, and Herbert Dawson plays the organ accompaniment. The recording, which is very good, must have been done in a concert hall, for, at times, especially on high notes, the echo can distinctly be heard, a feature which adds to tho realism of the performance. The coupling number, "O du Froeliche Nacht" (" 0 Thou Joyous Night"), is another traditional melody, very well interpreted. Recording is by His Master's Voice.

The Australian soprano Florence Austral sings the lovely old ballad " On the Banks of Alan Water" with infinite charm on a recent His Master's Voice recording. This song is a " gem of tho purest ray serene " among English folk songs, and it is pleasing to see famous singers like Austral turning their attention to these simple old melodies, which are older than most music and which still retain a big place in British music. Austral sings without the slightest trace of sophistication. She is content to adorn this sweet old song with her exquisite voice. The soprano also puts feeling and expression into her singing of. " Ben Bolt," which is on tho other side of the record. This is the beautiful old ballad which has been associated for a number of years now with the famous play " Trilby." Both numbers arc given with orchestral accompaniment arranged by Lawrence Collingwood.