DISC MUSIC.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LI, Issue 117, 27 June 1930, Page 1

DISC MUSIC.

♦ LATEST RECORDS. + * + Columbia’a Maori Records. There is a real treat in store for the lover of good singing this month. This is no less than a scries of twelve records by the Rotorua Maori Choir. It is stated that the records were made on the spot, at Oliinemutu, Rotorua, and they are certainly authentic in style and manner. The choir is recruited from the Ngnti Whaekane, a section of the famous Arawa Tribe which for generationpast has devoted itself to singing. The result is obvious to anyone who listens to one of these records. The Ngati have an instinctive feeling fo. music. It may be doubted if anywhere else in the world a group of singers has acquired such complet. unity. Even the Don Cossacks at their best, when they thrilled the en tire world with their almost unbe lievable control of light and shade could hardly touch them for sher choral loveliness. The songs ai familiar to most of us. It will 1. the manner more than the matter—though that itself is exhilarating enough—which will excite us most in New Zealand. “E Pari Ra,” Si Apirana Ngata’s famous warriors' farewell, is sung by Rotohiko Han papa, with the choir, as also is its pairing, the war song “Haere Tonu," a heart-stirring piece of work. (Col D 051). Most of us will look down the list lor “Hine E Hinc, '’ that incomparable love-song. Heie it is on DOG2. sung by an exquisite soprano, Te Mauri Meihana. Its pairing is another love-song, “Wairangi.” Another popular favorite that will eagerly be sought after is “Pokareknre.” It is done by the whole choir, with some charming variations and paired with another Maori love ditty, “Te Taniwha” (Col. D 054).

On DO,IS is an attractive pairing of two Poi songs, “Haere Haere Roe c Iline” and “Hoea Ra Te Waka.” Other familiar titlrs abound.

Traditional Scotch Songs. News that Elder Cunningham, the famous Scotch basso-baritone, will he touring New Zealand within a year or two lends additional interest to his new series of Scotch songs. ITiv latest is a pairing of two old, hut by no means hackneyed songs—“O' a’ the Airts,” and “Jessie, the Foyer of Dunblane.” Roth of them have the true Scotch sentiment, which has the happy knack of going to the heart and not the head. Cunningham phrases with natural instinctive refinement, indeed, naturalness seems to he his outstanding quality 11 is voice is round and open and records with lifelike fidelity. (Col. 01821). Edgar Coyle. “For Ever and For Ever” and “Beauty's Eyes” (words by Weatherly). The first has an orchestral accompaniment. The second has piano and ’cello. It is doubtful if songs like these will ever be written again—at least not until the Great Cycle brings round again such a combination of emotion and style. And as Tosti’s songs are likely to be stone dead in another fifty or sixty years, it is wall worth while hearing them once again. In most of us they recall tender memories—-if nothing else. (Col. 0191(5). The “Prize Song."

(1) The Prize Song from “The l’atersingers” (Wagner); (2) Recitative and Aria, “Sound an Alarm” from “Judas Maccnbaeus” (Handel). Rung by Francis Fussoll, tenor, with orchestra. (Col. 05082). Francis Russell has this admirable quality in his art—whatever he may be singing his only concern is to keep the music strictly within its, own borders, so to speak. In that rousing air “Sound an Alarm,” he sings with youthful energy, concentration and tumultuous enthusiasm; and the answering trumpet calls are electrifying in their realism. The Wagner excerpt has often been asked for in an English and electrical version. It is here sung in a manner that will satisfy the most exacting Wagner purist. Altogether a bracket of inspiring performances, and a recording that sets a very high standard. Queen of the Music Hall.

Many an old Londoner will hail with delight a record by dear old Florrie Ford, of the music hall days. She sings some of the real die-hards—-here are some of them: “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?”; “Down at the Old Bull and Bush”; “Oh, Oh, Antonio”; “She’s a Lassie from Lancashire”; and six or seven others equally famous. Florrie was the first to sing most of them, and still has the knack of sweeping an audience along with her, whether it’s the old Tivoli packed to the “gods” or three or four of the lads listening to this record on the “gram.” Great stuff! (Col. 05073).

A Will Fyffe Favorite. Those whose famous old Will Fyffe record, “I Belong to Glasgow” and “I’m Ninety-four To-day,” is getting n bit scratchy in the grooves, will be glad of this chance to replace it. Columbia have just reissued it by the electric process. Tile voice is even more lifelike and natural than before, and Will invests his riotous humor with the same irresistible bonhommie. Popular Hits of the Month.

Columbia D 033. The brightly original Jack Payne, conductor of the 8.8. C. Dance Orchestra, who has

made the dance record an entertainment as well as something to dance to, breezes along at his best in a pair of exhilarating novelty fox trots. Ths titles are “Crazy Pirouette” and “Punch and Judy Show.” Columbia 01921. lx-n Maurice, the popular baritone, again pleases mightily with a couple of Theme Songs from “It’s a Great Life.” The numbers are “I’m Following You” and “I’m Sailing on a Sunbeam.” Typical bright music, with effective orchestral accompaniments.

Columbia 0184 G. Two snappy foxtrots are on the Ted Lewis menu this month, served up with his usual sauce and “zip.” They aic, “Wouldn’t it be Wonderful to be in Love with You” and “I’m the Medicine Man for the Blues.” The singing is well over the average.