Golden Age of Light Music Vol.89: Holidays for Strings

As the title of this CD clearly suggests, the emphasis in this collection is on strings, although in the interests of variety the other sections of the orchestra also get their opportunity to shine.

That immensely talented American composer Leroy Anderson sets the tone with his landmark Belle Of The Ball, leaving the equally gifted David Rose to complete a selection of 28 light music cameos with an extended version of his famous Holiday For Strings. Rose is widely credited as the man who injected short, bright pieces of instrumental music with an infectious string sound in the 1940s that would be emulated by many musicians during the following decades.

Both have earned their place in Light Music’s Hall of Fame, but a glance through the list of numbers on this CD confirms that they were not alone in creating the pleasing sounds that once appealed to the majority of music lovers. Ron Goodwin, George Melachrino, Percy Faith, Cyril Ornadel, Robert Farnon, Frank Cordell, Philip Green, Charles Williams and Dolf van der Linden fully deserve to share the limelight, and ‘newcomers’ this time include Jack Shaindlin and Frederick Fennell, two eminent American conductors who will surely be included in future Guild compilations.

Contents:
1. Belle Of The Ball: Leroy Anderson (Leroy Anderson and his Orchestra)
2. Beyond The Blue Horizon (from the film 'Monte Carlo'): Richard Whiting, W. Franke Harling (Jack Shaindlin and his Orchestra)
3. Love Is Sweeping The Country: George Gershwin (Frederick Fennell and his Orchestra)
4. Dance Of The Slave Maidens (also known as 'Stranger In Paradise') (from 'Prince Igor'): Borodin, arr. David Carroll (David Carroll and his Orchestra)
5. Thanks For The Memory: Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger (Geoff Love and his Concert Orchestra)
6. Serenade To Double Scotch: George Martin (Ron Goodwin and his Orchestra)
7. Gigi (Theme from the film): Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe (The Melachrino Strings conducted by George Melachrino)
8. Cumana: Barclay Allen, Roc Hillman (The Clebanoff Strings and Percussion)
9. The Willow Waltz: Cyril Watters (New Concert Orchestra conducted by Monia Liter (As 'Paul Hamilton'))
10. Perfidia: Alberto Borras Dominguez (Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra)
11. Bouquet: Percy Faith (Percy Faith and his Orchestra)
12. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World: Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, arr. William Hill Bowen (The Living Strings conducted by Hill Bowen)
13. Adios: Enric Madriguera, Eddie Woods, arr. Geoff Love (Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains ('Manuel' Is Geoff Love))
14. Then You May Take Me To The Fair (from 'Camelot'): Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe, arr. Brian Fahey (Cyril Ornadel and the Starlight Symphony)
15. Time Waits For Me: Cliff Friend, Charles Tobias (Reg Owen and his Orchestra)
16. Spending Spree: Andy Thurlow, real name Harry Rabinowitz (Dolf Van Der Linden and his Orchestra ('Paul Franklin' On Disc Label))
17. Nurseryland: Angela Morley, as 'Walter Stott' (Telecast Orchestra conducted by Angela Morley ('Walter Stott' On Disc Label))
18. On The Loose: Pat Beaver, Tony King (The Westway Studio Orchestra)
19. The Rebel (Music from the film) Main Title Theme: Frank Cordell (Frank Cordell and his Orchestra)
20. The Rebel (Music from the film) Oo-La-La: Frank Cordell (Frank Cordell and his Orchestra)
21. Vanessa: Bernie Wayne, real name Bernard Weitzner (Charles Williams and his Concert Orchestra)
22. Faraway Music: Steve Race (Steve Race and his Orchestra)
23. The Singer Not The Song - Theme from the Film: Philip Green (The Knightsbridge Strings conducted by Philip Green)
24. Strolling Home: Robert Farnon (String Ensemble conducted by Robert Farnon)
25. Periwinkle: Frank Sterling (The Westway Studio Orchestra conducted by King Palmer)
26. Jeunesse: Anthony Mawer (Hilversum Radio Orchestra conducted by Hugo De Groot)
27. Romance In The Breeze: Edward White (The Bosworth Orchestra)
28. Holiday For Strings: David Rose (David Rose and his Orchestra)