British Light Music Classics, Vol 4 Hyperion ( 02 September, 2002 ) Music Our Price : £ 12.99 Prices subject to change. usually dispatched within 2 days.

78 minutes of quality light entertainment

Many record companies are currently reporting great success with issues and reissues of British light music dating from the first half of the twentieth century. This Hyperion issue is the fourth in such a series, and it gets a welcome and a recommendation from me. Here are 17 items altogether, offering 78 minutes of quality light entertainment, and a hint that the bottom of the barrel has not been reached yet by any means. Of course, Eric Coates and Albert Ketèlbey are represented, and there is the highly distinguished “Petite Suite de Concert” by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. A favorite of mine, dating from the days of 78s, is the Doge’s March. It also, in more recent years, proved a popular item to include in the repertoire of a school orchestra. Well-researched liner notes and excellent 2002 recording quality contribute to the value of this top priced issue. If Ronald Corp’s directing were sharper and more characterful, this would have earned five stars. Performances tend to be languorous rather than lithe, refined rather than racy.

A total experience in nostalgia

This CD set brought back wonderful memories of my childhood days in London during the 1950s. I remember so many of these tunes including "Emergency Ward 10", "Childrens Favourites" which was a Saturday morning radio habit on the Light Programme, and "Paul Temple" What makes this set so particularly marvelous is that it contains the original recordings of these themes which were mostly unavailable to the public in the 1950s. My one disappointment is that the BBC version of "Barwick Green" is not included, though this is hardly surprising since I have been trying for years to get a copy of it from the BBC, all to no avail. Notwithstanding, there is no question that this is an outstanding treat for anyone who ever heard these programs in the 1950s.

Worth it for the Sea Songs alone

This glorious CD set is worth it if only because its got the unsurpassed Nat Lyll recording of Vaughan Williams Sea Songs on it. OK, old, originally mono, but wonderful. Im sure this was the version Anglia TV used for years to open their broadcasts in the 60s, always followed by my neighbour Dick Grahams voice, btw. Why is this piece so little recorded? Who was Nat Lyll? What happened to light music? Anyway, as others have said, a long afternoon of great enjoyment here.