Jan. 2008 No. 25

Patrons: Sir Richard Rodney Bennett Eric Parkin, Susan Tomes, Peter Jacobs 3 2 Contents January 2008 Page No. SWCD33 Dizzy Fingers, Piano Rolls Selected & Played by Philip Legg The history of recorded performances of Dizzy Fingers Alex Hassan 3 to breathe life into, when in comes to rolls. player piano rolls, on LPs and Cds, is Sport Model Encore a review. Mike Harth 4 Forgive me, Phil, but I fast-forwarded indeed a checkered one. Whether the through said tracks...On the other hand, Sometimes when we touch. John Watson 6 Edwardian Musical Comedy Mike Harth 9 ghastly honky-tonked sound of there are some real dazzlers here: the title My Friend Bill John Archer 12 lacquered hammers striking poor, track, for example. Victor Arden, one of defenseless piano strings at runawa train Bugatti Step & Fidgety Digits Mike Lorenzini 15 the preeminent pianist-arrangers of the tempi on 1950s LPs, or the pathetic 20s, breathes imaginative life into what Editor : Mike Harth, artwork & layout : Mike Lorenzini, typing :Kathy Lorenzini attempts of Joseph "Sony Superscope" was to become a fairly tired chestnut of the ------Tushinsky to reanimate classical pianists novelty repertoire. The uncredited of the past in his Keyboard Immortals arrangement of "It All Depends on You" is The BMS now has updated its website. www.billymayerlsociety.co.uk LPs of the 60s, or compilations of a wonderful toe-tapper. J.L.Cook's 1930s courtesy of BMS member Roy Wainwright ragtime/novelty, well into the 1970s, that Kern medley is gorgeous. Arden's "Toot to include a lot of the artwork covers to Billys music. spotlighted numerous poorly regulated Toot Tootsie" is a novelty-lick tour-de- All BMS members on the net please tell as many people as possible to set up links. instruments, in exceptionally spotty force, and the highlight of the disc, to This year's concerts will include Alex Hassan who will be playing audio, one was hard put to find these ears. I love "How Could Red Riding a pianistic tribute to Fats Waller including his take on performances that did ANY justice to this Hood", a fave tune from the 20s, and arr. The London Suite. one-time exceedingly popular recorded by the ever-hot, though elegant, Pete Exciting new talent discovery BMS member Christopher Duckett format. As anyone who has heard the Wendling (one of the most prolific roll will be playing an entirely Billy Mayerl concert , something never pianola "push-up" (aka "vorsetzer") can artists of the period, and a REALLY fine before achieved by anyone playing for the BMS. attest, the musical operatives at pianist as well,based upon pitifully few 78 Shellwood, Mike L., along with Phil Talented Pianolist Julian Dyer will be regaling us with some of the most rhythmic RPM examples) it doesn't disappoint. Legg, have made the humanizing of rolls piano rolls ever made played on Shellwood’s Aeolian NOW, if Phil could have access to the a true labour of love for some time now. 88 note push-up Pianola circa 1912 wealth of rolls in private collections in the The audio results speak for themselves, states, one can only imagine the treasures Our thanks go out to Mike Harth for providing articles and first in the well-received J. Lawrence a challenging word square. that he could apply his copious talents to Cook CD of a couple years back, and now (when he's not editing the glut of CDs by Also to Johns Archer & Watson for their entertaining and informative articles. with Phil's greatest pumped-hits. It was some character named Hassan...). But with some sense of anticipation that I sat that's a future project, I hope. Meanwhile, It remains only for the BMS to wish its members a very happy new year. back to listen to "Dizzy Fingers", my last enjoy the CD at hand! Alex Hassan Concerts are now £14 inc. Refreshments visit to Shellwood, early August. Mike placed the disc in the machine, and, Sunday Concerts & Meetings at Shellwood St Leonards Rd. Thames Ditton 3 - 6pm well....sheer delight! For the most part, Feb 3rd ...... AGM followed by a members' meeting Phil manages to make these March 2nd ...... Concert Alex Hassan piano performances sound like 1920s/30s piano May 18th ...... BMS members' meeting solo/duo 78s, in modern sonics. The Aug 10th ...... Concert Christopher Duckett piano tempos are all, well....human! The Sept 21st ...... BMS members' meeting evenness of the pumping/playing is, by Nov 2nd ...... Concert Julian Dyer pianola and large, remarkable. Needless to say, Dec 14th ...... Members' Xmas concert (£5 per person) we all have our favourites, when it comes to these sorts of anthologies, and Phil has Please try to reserve your programme at least one week before your chosen date. his own tastes. I actually like waltzes, but Members can bring 2 new guests to any concert/meeting subject to availability. Concert reservations are £14 per person and include refreshments. think they are somewhat more difficult Please phone 020 8224 1521 Reservations are not available at the door. 3 2 Contents January 2008 Page No. SWCD33 Dizzy Fingers, Piano Rolls Selected & Played by Philip Legg The history of recorded performances of Dizzy Fingers Alex Hassan 3 to breathe life into, when in comes to rolls. player piano rolls, on LPs and Cds, is Sport Model Encore a review. Mike Harth 4 Forgive me, Phil, but I fast-forwarded indeed a checkered one. Whether the through said tracks...On the other hand, Sometimes when we touch. John Watson 6 Edwardian Musical Comedy Mike Harth 9 ghastly honky-tonked sound of there are some real dazzlers here: the title My Friend Bill John Archer 12 lacquered hammers striking poor, track, for example. Victor Arden, one of defenseless piano strings at runawa train Bugatti Step & Fidgety Digits Mike Lorenzini 15 the preeminent pianist-arrangers of the tempi on 1950s LPs, or the pathetic 20s, breathes imaginative life into what Editor : Mike Harth, artwork & layout : Mike Lorenzini, typing :Kathy Lorenzini attempts of Joseph "Sony Superscope" was to become a fairly tired chestnut of the ------Tushinsky to reanimate classical pianists novelty repertoire. The uncredited of the past in his Keyboard Immortals arrangement of "It All Depends on You" is The BMS now has updated its website. www.billymayerlsociety.co.uk LPs of the 60s, or compilations of a wonderful toe-tapper. J.L.Cook's 1930s courtesy of BMS member Roy Wainwright ragtime/novelty, well into the 1970s, that Kern medley is gorgeous. Arden's "Toot to include a lot of the artwork covers to Billys music. spotlighted numerous poorly regulated Toot Tootsie" is a novelty-lick tour-de- All BMS members on the net please tell as many people as possible to set up links. instruments, in exceptionally spotty force, and the highlight of the disc, to This year's concerts will include Alex Hassan who will be playing audio, one was hard put to find these ears. I love "How Could Red Riding a pianistic tribute to Fats Waller including his take on performances that did ANY justice to this Hood", a fave tune from the 20s, and arr. The London Suite. one-time exceedingly popular recorded by the ever-hot, though elegant, Pete Exciting new talent discovery BMS member Christopher Duckett format. As anyone who has heard the Wendling (one of the most prolific roll will be playing an entirely Billy Mayerl concert , something never pianola "push-up" (aka "vorsetzer") can artists of the period, and a REALLY fine before achieved by anyone playing for the BMS. attest, the musical operatives at pianist as well,based upon pitifully few 78 Shellwood, Mike L., along with Phil Talented Pianolist Julian Dyer will be regaling us with some of the most rhythmic RPM examples) it doesn't disappoint. Legg, have made the humanizing of rolls piano rolls ever made played on Shellwood’s Aeolian NOW, if Phil could have access to the a true labour of love for some time now. 88 note push-up Pianola circa 1912 wealth of rolls in private collections in the The audio results speak for themselves, states, one can only imagine the treasures Our thanks go out to Mike Harth for providing articles and first in the well-received J. Lawrence a challenging word square. that he could apply his copious talents to Cook CD of a couple years back, and now (when he's not editing the glut of CDs by Also to Johns Archer & Watson for their entertaining and informative articles. with Phil's greatest pumped-hits. It was some character named Hassan...). But with some sense of anticipation that I sat that's a future project, I hope. Meanwhile, It remains only for the BMS to wish its members a very happy new year. back to listen to "Dizzy Fingers", my last enjoy the CD at hand! Alex Hassan Concerts are now £14 inc. Refreshments visit to Shellwood, early August. Mike placed the disc in the machine, and, Sunday Concerts & Meetings at Shellwood St Leonards Rd. Thames Ditton 3 - 6pm well....sheer delight! For the most part, Feb 3rd ...... AGM followed by a members' meeting Phil manages to make these March 2nd ...... Concert Alex Hassan piano performances sound like 1920s/30s piano May 18th ...... BMS members' meeting solo/duo 78s, in modern sonics. The Aug 10th ...... Concert Christopher Duckett piano tempos are all, well....human! The Sept 21st ...... BMS members' meeting evenness of the pumping/playing is, by Nov 2nd ...... Concert Julian Dyer pianola and large, remarkable. Needless to say, Dec 14th ...... Members' Xmas concert (£5 per person) we all have our favourites, when it comes to these sorts of anthologies, and Phil has Please try to reserve your programme at least one week before your chosen date. his own tastes. I actually like waltzes, but Members can bring 2 new guests to any concert/meeting subject to availability. Concert reservations are £14 per person and include refreshments. think they are somewhat more difficult Please phone 020 8224 1521 Reservations are not available at the door. 4 5 SWCD34 Sport Model Encore considerable number of excellent songs, piano partnership with Semprini, whose On the back of this new disc It as attractive as the early ones, though in and we are treated to a generous selection BBC broadcasts were a regular feature of (with, I may mention, a particularly a slightly different style. of some of the best, seamlessly blended later years . I possess a copy of 5 of his two- attractive cover design by Mike The multi-talented Sidney Torch (The Very Thought of you, Goodnight piano arrangements, presumably as Lorenzini) Alex informs us that he works is one of the few performers who can Sweetheart, etc - just seeing the titles played by them, and they are for the US Defence Department, and that persuade me to listen to the theatre organ, brings the numbers back to memory stratospherically difficult! These pieces having a wife and two children as well as but here we meet him as composer. On a immediately). Incidentally Mr Noble has are not quite in that league, but they are other unspecified commitments preclude Spring Note is very much in the style of an extra claim on our attention, since it attractively arranged, while the tunes his doing something really FUN for a the orchestral novelties popular during was he who made the arrangement for have the extra charm of unfamiliarity. living. the fifties, but a superior example of the piano and orchestra of Billy's Four Aces Foxtrot by Pantcho Vladigerov his One sympathises, of course: at genre. Suite. real name, he was Bulgarian is the same time I cannot help wondering if We step back some years for the ISED COPYING, H Alex informs us UTHOR IRING a strange but effective UNA , RE ED. NTI RV NG SE , P the need to earn a living from his playing next piece, at least as far as style is RE UB that Joseph Lamb's S LI cross between K C OR PE W R FO ED R wouldn't diminish the fun aspect. As it is, concerned, though the date of publication Cottontail Rag is D M classical and R A O N C C E E R A he is able to combine the freshness and E N (1943) would seem to belie this. Colour his favourite H popular styles, T D

F B O R R O enthusiasm of an amateur with the Scheme by the Australian Sefton Daly is a rag, and it E SWCD34 A with so much N SWCD34 D W C A O S D T standards of a professional, and while he charming novelty with a particularly certainly is I N going on N A G

R O E F may feel this as a loss, we, his audience, C attractive middle section, as delightful to very T that you U H D I S O

R R are the gainers. I doubt very much P E play as to listen to. beautiful, are C E O H

T R

D whether he'd have been able to bring the F Then an arrangement more a especially unlikely O P

R S

O T

H H same freshness of approach to this I in this G free version of the Maple Leaf Rag, B to catch I

I R

E L

D L collection if he'd been playing engendered in self-defence by Alex after tender A it all at a DDD M.C.P.S. professionally all these years. having given countless performances of and Oc 2007 Shellwood Productions first As always, Ale has dipped into the original. It's great fun. loving O p 2007 Shellwood Productions hearing. his gander-bag, containing his huge Back I suppose I should say on performa collection of music of our period, regaling to the fifties for Pixie Parade, which again nce, while Chanuk us with yet more unfamiliar charmers. sounds to me as if it was originally written the touch of a Medley Zez Confrey's fame rests on a small for orchestra, or at least with the orchestra piano-roll features Alex handful of novelties he knocked out at the in mind. Its bouncy style contrasts well style he adds at Taking some very beginning of the era, but he wrote a with the lyrical, slightly bluesy style of the the end seems highly number of other pieces of much less next number, Black Tulip, where once perfectly in entertaining interest, often in a more classical style. again my favourite section comes in the keeping. liberties with a The published versions of the early middle. I wouldn't have number of well-known novelties, with the exception of Kitten on In Chopin's Charleston Dream guessed the next piece, Goulash, seasonal tunes which you should the Keys, give little indication that he was you may find it as tricky to identify the to be as early as 1917 at least, not till the have little difficulty in recognising. a brilliant performer, but presumably his actual Chopin compositions that final section. It's lively and fun, as is the Finally, what can I say about the American publishers didn't have the contribute to this piece as I did, so that one that follows, Joy Jumping, by 'Jim performances? Alex seems to me to have same faith in the abilities of amateurs as eventually I gave up and just enjoyed it. Cowler', actually an Anglicised version of matured considerably over the years we Keith Prowse displayed when they issued No recital would be complete his German name. have had the pleasure of listening to him, Billy's works in the form Billy himself without one of Alex's medleys, and here he Magia di Ritmi are three and on this disc he is at the top of his form. played them. The latter novelty 1937 - turns his attention to Ray Noble, one of collection of Italian popular songs of the Don't deny yourself such a treat! with which Alex starts this selection, the most talented musicians working in wartime era arranged by the brilliant Mike Harth Dec. 2007 Sport Model Encore, was new to me, the field at this time. Not only was he a top pianist Enrico Bormioli, when he had a 2- and I was pleased to find bandleader, but he composed a 4 5 SWCD34 Sport Model Encore considerable number of excellent songs, piano partnership with Semprini, whose On the back of this new disc It as attractive as the early ones, though in and we are treated to a generous selection BBC broadcasts were a regular feature of (with, I may mention, a particularly a slightly different style. of some of the best, seamlessly blended later years . I possess a copy of 5 of his two- attractive cover design by Mike The multi-talented Sidney Torch (The Very Thought of you, Goodnight piano arrangements, presumably as Lorenzini) Alex informs us that he works is one of the few performers who can Sweetheart, etc - just seeing the titles played by them, and they are for the US Defence Department, and that persuade me to listen to the theatre organ, brings the numbers back to memory stratospherically difficult! These pieces having a wife and two children as well as but here we meet him as composer. On a immediately). Incidentally Mr Noble has are not quite in that league, but they are other unspecified commitments preclude Spring Note is very much in the style of an extra claim on our attention, since it attractively arranged, while the tunes his doing something really FUN for a the orchestral novelties popular during was he who made the arrangement for have the extra charm of unfamiliarity. living. the fifties, but a superior example of the piano and orchestra of Billy's Four Aces Foxtrot by Pantcho Vladigerov his One sympathises, of course: at genre. Suite. real name, he was Bulgarian is the same time I cannot help wondering if We step back some years for the ISED COPYING, H Alex informs us UTHOR IRING a strange but effective UNA , RE ED. NTI RV NG SE , P the need to earn a living from his playing next piece, at least as far as style is RE UB that Joseph Lamb's S LI cross between K C OR PE W R FO ED R wouldn't diminish the fun aspect. As it is, concerned, though the date of publication Cottontail Rag is D M classical and R A O N C C E E R A he is able to combine the freshness and E N (1943) would seem to belie this. Colour his favourite H popular styles, T D

R O E F may feel this as a loss, we, his audience, C attractive middle section, as delightful to very T that you U H D I S O

R R are the gainers. I doubt very much P E play as to listen to. beautiful, are C E O H

T R

D whether he'd have been able to bring the F Then an arrangement more a especially unlikely O P

R S

O T

H H same freshness of approach to this I in this G free version of the Maple Leaf Rag, B to catch I

I R

E L

D L collection if he'd been playing engendered in self-defence by Alex after tender A it all at a DDD M.C.P.S. professionally all these years. having given countless performances of and Oc 2007 Shellwood Productions first As always, Ale has dipped into the original. It's great fun. loving O p 2007 Shellwood Productions hearing. his gander-bag, containing his huge Back I suppose I should say on performa collection of music of our period, regaling to the fifties for Pixie Parade, which again nce, while Chanuk us with yet more unfamiliar charmers. sounds to me as if it was originally written the touch of a Medley Zez Confrey's fame rests on a small for orchestra, or at least with the orchestra piano-roll features Alex handful of novelties he knocked out at the in mind. Its bouncy style contrasts well style he adds at Taking some very beginning of the era, but he wrote a with the lyrical, slightly bluesy style of the the end seems highly number of other pieces of much less next number, Black Tulip, where once perfectly in entertaining interest, often in a more classical style. again my favourite section comes in the keeping. liberties with a The published versions of the early middle. I wouldn't have number of well-known novelties, with the exception of Kitten on In Chopin's Charleston Dream guessed the next piece, Goulash, seasonal tunes which you should the Keys, give little indication that he was you may find it as tricky to identify the to be as early as 1917 at least, not till the have little difficulty in recognising. a brilliant performer, but presumably his actual Chopin compositions that final section. It's lively and fun, as is the Finally, what can I say about the American publishers didn't have the contribute to this piece as I did, so that one that follows, Joy Jumping, by 'Jim performances? Alex seems to me to have same faith in the abilities of amateurs as eventually I gave up and just enjoyed it. Cowler', actually an Anglicised version of matured considerably over the years we Keith Prowse displayed when they issued No recital would be complete his German name. have had the pleasure of listening to him, Billy's works in the form Billy himself without one of Alex's medleys, and here he Magia di Ritmi are three and on this disc he is at the top of his form. played them. The latter novelty 1937 - turns his attention to Ray Noble, one of collection of Italian popular songs of the Don't deny yourself such a treat! with which Alex starts this selection, the most talented musicians working in wartime era arranged by the brilliant Mike Harth Dec. 2007 Sport Model Encore, was new to me, the field at this time. Not only was he a top pianist Enrico Bormioli, when he had a 2- and I was pleased to find bandleader, but he composed a 7 6 SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH Spotted by John Playle, the last resting place of that grand old lady Ena Baga, When Dan Hill sang the 1977 chart hit negative toward the athletic and hints at organist/pianist who’s era spanned from Sometimes When We Touch he was not superficiality. the silent cinema to modern times. referring to the piano, as the lyrics make To further clarify this Schiff goes on to I remember her playing piano to clear. The song was certainly pleasing to make an analogy between acrobats and accompany silent movies at the National the ear, but sometimes when we touch the ballet dancers. I prefer a similar Film Theatre, when in her 90s, with great keyboard that is not always the case. There comparison seen elsewhere; that of acrobat panache. Alas there are very few with her are various factors responsible for this, with gymnast. While both may be highly talent left. Mike L some of which will be briefly examined in skilled, the difference lies in presentation, the following paragraphs. where the former (a showman) One aspect of a pianist's playing to deliberately makes the moves look difficult which I shall pay particular attention is while the latter (an artiste) aims for the touch. By this I mean how the keys are seemingly effortless, thereby creating no articulated to produce the resulting distraction to the appreciation of artistic sounds we hear. This of course varies endeavor. considerably from musician to musician, Schiff's two catagories seem rigid, and from those possessed of a light touch to the not allow for any middle ground. Yet the most heavy-handed of thumpers. Touch is way pianists actually play can vary greatly important since it determines beauty of during a concert, on a compact disc, even during one piece. Touch should also be tone. influenced by the instrument and the room Touch is also crucial in forming a acoustic. I believe both schools have their pianist's identity. It can become a merits and a balance should be cultivated. trademark. Consider some of the famous Assuming we agree with the popular pianists of the past. Charlie Kunz, aforementioned catagorisations, how Carroll Gibbons, Billy Mayerl, Fats Waller should we then apply these to both vintage all had a highly individual touch which and modern exponents of syncopated made them readily identifiable after piano? The following random selection is hearing just a few bars. Here it should be my suggestion. You might agree or disagree admitted that their respective styles and with some or all, but why not express your repertoire makes this easier than would be own opinion to the editor? the case for some of their peers. ATHLETIC pianists Esteemed concert pianist Andreas Schiff Billy Mayerl adds an interesting dimension to this Patricia Rossborough subject. Writing in The Independent POETIC pianists Dating from around the 1950s, this Roy Bargy Carmen Cavallaro (15/06’ 2001) he broadly divided pianists Zez Confrey improbable but genuine advert featuring Raie Da Costa a pianist elegantly attired in evening into two opposing camps: "The two George Gershwin Claude Ivy pianisms athletic and poetic can't be Frank Banta Erles Jones gown and house-gloves is difficult to take compared, and shouldn't be set against Alex Hassan Eric Parkin seriously. each other as they are in the Gramophone Tony Caramia Susan Tomes One hopes she is playing something Peter Mintun apt, such as Marigold, Glove is the Awards." Citing Volodos and Hamélin as Helen Crayford examples of the former, he placed himself Frederick Hodges Seen in a 1930s journal, this novel way Sweetest Thing, or perhaps even Mitten into the latter. Schiff is rather of playing is, perhaps, not ideal for on the Keys. © John Watson, November 2007 achieving the best tone. John Watson 2008

7 6 SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH Spotted by John Playle, the last resting place of that grand old lady Ena Baga, When Dan Hill sang the 1977 chart hit negative toward the athletic and hints at organist/pianist who’s era spanned from Sometimes When We Touch he was not superficiality. the silent cinema to modern times. referring to the piano, as the lyrics make To further clarify this Schiff goes on to I remember her playing piano to clear. The song was certainly pleasing to make an analogy between acrobats and accompany silent movies at the National the ear, but sometimes when we touch the ballet dancers. I prefer a similar Film Theatre, when in her 90s, with great keyboard that is not always the case. There comparison seen elsewhere; that of acrobat panache. Alas there are very few with her are various factors responsible for this, with gymnast. While both may be highly talent left. Mike L some of which will be briefly examined in skilled, the difference lies in presentation, the following paragraphs. where the former (a showman) One aspect of a pianist's playing to deliberately makes the moves look difficult which I shall pay particular attention is while the latter (an artiste) aims for the touch. By this I mean how the keys are seemingly effortless, thereby creating no articulated to produce the resulting distraction to the appreciation of artistic sounds we hear. This of course varies endeavor. considerably from musician to musician, Schiff's two catagories seem rigid, and from those possessed of a light touch to the not allow for any middle ground. Yet the most heavy-handed of thumpers. Touch is way pianists actually play can vary greatly important since it determines beauty of during a concert, on a compact disc, even during one piece. Touch should also be tone. influenced by the instrument and the room Touch is also crucial in forming a acoustic. I believe both schools have their pianist's identity. It can become a merits and a balance should be cultivated. trademark. Consider some of the famous Assuming we agree with the popular pianists of the past. Charlie Kunz, aforementioned catagorisations, how Carroll Gibbons, Billy Mayerl, Fats Waller should we then apply these to both vintage all had a highly individual touch which and modern exponents of syncopated made them readily identifiable after piano? The following random selection is hearing just a few bars. Here it should be my suggestion. You might agree or disagree admitted that their respective styles and with some or all, but why not express your repertoire makes this easier than would be own opinion to the editor? the case for some of their peers. ATHLETIC pianists Esteemed concert pianist Andreas Schiff Billy Mayerl adds an interesting dimension to this Patricia Rossborough subject. Writing in The Independent POETIC pianists Dating from around the 1950s, this Roy Bargy Carmen Cavallaro (15/06’ 2001) he broadly divided pianists Zez Confrey improbable but genuine advert featuring Raie Da Costa a pianist elegantly attired in evening into two opposing camps: "The two George Gershwin Claude Ivy pianisms athletic and poetic can't be Frank Banta Erles Jones gown and house-gloves is difficult to take compared, and shouldn't be set against Alex Hassan Eric Parkin seriously. each other as they are in the Gramophone Tony Caramia Susan Tomes One hopes she is playing something Peter Mintun apt, such as Marigold, Glove is the Awards." Citing Volodos and Hamélin as Helen Crayford examples of the former, he placed himself Frederick Hodges Seen in a 1930s journal, this novel way Sweetest Thing, or perhaps even Mitten into the latter. Schiff is rather of playing is, perhaps, not ideal for on the Keys. © John Watson, November 2007 achieving the best tone. John Watson 2008

8 Edwardian Musical Comedy 9 In our last issue I wrote about my discovery of some Edwardian musical the score, or part of it. Most composers working in the field got their start through comedies, and since then I have been able contributing the odd number to scores to delve more deeply into the genre, mainly written by others we may though very little, alas, through remember that Billy wrote Indispensable recordings. But while perusing the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, a huge You, the hit number, for Silver Wings, and contributed to several other shows before web-site well worth investigating by anyone interested in the period even if, he got the chance, with Nippy, to write a complete score. Also, it was quite a incomprehensibly, they are not G&S common practice at the time for aficionados, I found a link to a site which composers to work in tandem, and contains midi files of the musical Monckton in particular rarely wrote a numbers from nearly 150 Edwardian and score on his own: he composed the music Victorian musical comedies and for The Arcadians, the most popular and operettas. Not only that, but many of the probably the best show with which he was songs have the lyrics as well, and if you associated, and one which achieved 809 download a free karaoke player from the performances on its first production, in link offered, you can not only hear the conjunction with Howard Talbot, and it music but read the words concurrently. isn't always easy to guess which of the two These are the love-children of an wrote any particular number. enthusiast named Colin M Johnson, Collaboration with Monckton much of whose spare time, judging by his was something of a two-sided affair, since output, must be spent converting the almost invariably it was he who wrote the music to midi format. most popular numbers, and Ivan Caryll, Of course you don't get a sung for instance, with whom he wrote a version (though you could sing along if number of shows, became jealous of him. you felt so inclined): the accompaniment Monckton indubitably had the finest is played on a piano and the vocal part or melodic gift of the period numbers such as parts on a synthesiser. I am not a fan of Soldiers in the Park and Moonstruck are synthetic sound, and what one gets here is still familiar to quite a number of us. not of sampled quality: nevertheless I The son of London's Town Clerk, don't find it difficult to overlook the he started life in the legal profession, deficiencies of the sound because of the writing drama criticism as a side-line, and charm and vitality of the music. This he was 30 years old before he placed his period was the heyday of English musical first song in a professional show. Then it comedy, and so it is no surprise that the was a case of 'additional n umbers by bulk of the shows are British, but there are Lionel Monckton' till he was given the Finally, after many years of waiting to find a copy of this Lothar Perl piece, Alex Hassan some American shows as well, by Victor opportunity to write his first full score, The tracked it down to a chap from whom he bought the original 78 of Perl playing it. It was the only Herbert and others, as well as a few Country Girl, (Under the Deodar, The one missing from my own collection of Perl’s covers. Lothar’s performance is terrific and will be continental examples. Rajah of Bhong, Yo-ho Little Girls) available soon on a CD called Fidgety Digits (see page 15) The Midland Gershwin Mayerl The chief glories, for me at least, which was an enormous success, running Society celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.... CONGRATULATIONS ...... Mike L are those where Lionel Monckton wrote for 729 performances. After that, though, he 8 Edwardian Musical Comedy 9 In our last issue I wrote about my discovery of some Edwardian musical the score, or part of it. Most composers working in the field got their start through comedies, and since then I have been able contributing the odd number to scores to delve more deeply into the genre, mainly written by others we may though very little, alas, through remember that Billy wrote Indispensable recordings. But while perusing the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, a huge You, the hit number, for Silver Wings, and contributed to several other shows before web-site well worth investigating by anyone interested in the period even if, he got the chance, with Nippy, to write a complete score. Also, it was quite a incomprehensibly, they are not G&S common practice at the time for aficionados, I found a link to a site which composers to work in tandem, and contains midi files of the musical Monckton in particular rarely wrote a numbers from nearly 150 Edwardian and score on his own: he composed the music Victorian musical comedies and for The Arcadians, the most popular and operettas. Not only that, but many of the probably the best show with which he was songs have the lyrics as well, and if you associated, and one which achieved 809 download a free karaoke player from the performances on its first production, in link offered, you can not only hear the conjunction with Howard Talbot, and it music but read the words concurrently. isn't always easy to guess which of the two These are the love-children of an wrote any particular number. enthusiast named Colin M Johnson, Collaboration with Monckton much of whose spare time, judging by his was something of a two-sided affair, since output, must be spent converting the almost invariably it was he who wrote the music to midi format. most popular numbers, and Ivan Caryll, Of course you don't get a sung for instance, with whom he wrote a version (though you could sing along if number of shows, became jealous of him. you felt so inclined): the accompaniment Monckton indubitably had the finest is played on a piano and the vocal part or melodic gift of the period numbers such as parts on a synthesiser. I am not a fan of Soldiers in the Park and Moonstruck are synthetic sound, and what one gets here is still familiar to quite a number of us. not of sampled quality: nevertheless I The son of London's Town Clerk, don't find it difficult to overlook the he started life in the legal profession, deficiencies of the sound because of the writing drama criticism as a side-line, and charm and vitality of the music. This he was 30 years old before he placed his period was the heyday of English musical first song in a professional show. Then it comedy, and so it is no surprise that the was a case of 'additional n umbers by bulk of the shows are British, but there are Lionel Monckton' till he was given the Finally, after many years of waiting to find a copy of this Lothar Perl piece, Alex Hassan some American shows as well, by Victor opportunity to write his first full score, The tracked it down to a chap from whom he bought the original 78 of Perl playing it. It was the only Herbert and others, as well as a few Country Girl, (Under the Deodar, The one missing from my own collection of Perl’s covers. Lothar’s performance is terrific and will be continental examples. Rajah of Bhong, Yo-ho Little Girls) available soon on a CD called Fidgety Digits (see page 15) The Midland Gershwin Mayerl The chief glories, for me at least, which was an enormous success, running Society celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.... CONGRATULATIONS ...... Mike L are those where Lionel Monckton wrote for 729 performances. After that, though, he 10 11 Was back to working in collaboration, Pulled them in. The other big hit was of its period, especially on the Continent, outstanding number in the show, Love, though now as co-composer, and it was not some years later: The Maid of the where its success eclipsed home-grown You Are Lord, also used as the finale of till 1910 that he wrote his next complete Mountains had 1352 performances, products. Charming and well-written Act Three, is not included in The Bel- show, The Quaker Girl, another great though the score, by Harold Fraser- though it is, it doesn't possess Monckton's Etage selection. success which was performed 536 times. easy tunefulness, though I think quite a Incidentally, since my last article Simpson, had to be pepped up with number of us will recall one of its His final bow in the musical I have managed to acquire the recording interpolated numbers by James Tate numbers, The Amorous Goldfish. comedy field was in 1917 with an of many of the numbers from The (brother of the singer Maggie Teyte) I mentioned in my previous Arcadians, now available on the Classics adaptation of Pinero's farce,The whose Broken Doll had been a hit some article that I saw a touring production of for Pleasure label, and as a fill-up it Magistrate ,about a staid and sober years earlier. His A Bachelor Gay, in a The Quaker Girl some fifty-odd years includes six numbers sung by Gwen magistrate who kicks over the traces and quite different style, became one of the ago, and listening to the songs and Catley, a familiar name to us years ago, spends a night on the town. With a book most popular baritone songs of the choruses now it is odd to realise that some among them The Amorous Goldfish presumably more substantial than the period. of the best rather passed me by: it is even mentioned before as well as usual run of musical comedy plots, The The Maid of the Mountains odder that what is in my opinion the most Moonstruck. Boy was another triumph, scoring 801 was revived some years ago in a performances. It was yet again a considerably 'modernised' version, with collaboration with Howard Talbot, and it interpolations such as Pedro the may be of interest to note that when I tried to guess which composer had written Fisherman, which must have stuck out which numbers, I was wrong several times, like a sore thumb I didn't go to see it. It suggesting that they had achieved a degree was also chosen as the second musical of of symbiosis. The original play, the period to be issued on CD by incidentally, achieved a further lease of life Hyperion, after the success of their when it was adapted for film under the title recording of The Geisha, a somewhat Those Were The Days, when it gave Will idiosyncratic choice to my mind. Hay his first starring role. After that, This last show, one of several by though, refusing to adapt his style to the new rhythm- and ragtime-based idiom coming into fashion, he simply stopped writing apart from contributing numbers to a few revues. Let them create the “Golden Era”of popular dance at your function. As you can no doubt guess from Music from 1920-40 inc. Henry Hall, Ambrose, Jack Payne, Carroll Gibbons, Ray Noble, his photo, he was said to be in private life a Roy Fox and Mantovani to name just a few. rather austere man, odd when one This attractive Dance Orchestra is managed by BMS member, Jan Mentha considers the nature of the music he wrote, Visit their website www.fdo.org.uk or email her at [email protected] so full of life and gaiety. Or call 01223 502090 for details. None of these runs could compare with the two great successes of the period, Archive Bookshop Frank Holland’s 83 Bell St. London NW16TB Mechanical Music Museum Chu Chin Chow which ran throughout For books on most subjects Music Books & Has now moved into new purpose made the First World War for an astonishing total Sheet Music Mon-Sat 10.30-6pm 0207 402 8212 premises at : of 2238 performances, but though the The Musical Museum 399 High St. Brentford, score, by Frederic Norton, was full of good Members are reminded that almost all the Middlesex TW8 0DU numbers (Any Time's Kissing Time, The concerts given at Shellwood over the last few Phone 020 8569 8108 years are available on DVD open between 11am & 5.30pm Tuesday to Robber's Chorus, The Cobbler's Song ) it Lionel Monkton Price £10 each. Sunday £7 standard entry fee was more the exotic production that A list is available for those interested. under 16s (with adult) free, pensioners £5 10 11 Was back to working in collaboration, Pulled them in. The other big hit was of its period, especially on the Continent, outstanding number in the show, Love, though now as co-composer, and it was not some years later: The Maid of the where its success eclipsed home-grown You Are Lord, also used as the finale of till 1910 that he wrote his next complete Mountains had 1352 performances, products. Charming and well-written Act Three, is not included in The Bel- show, The Quaker Girl, another great though the score, by Harold Fraser- though it is, it doesn't possess Monckton's Etage selection. success which was performed 536 times. easy tunefulness, though I think quite a Incidentally, since my last article Simpson, had to be pepped up with number of us will recall one of its His final bow in the musical I have managed to acquire the recording interpolated numbers by James Tate numbers, The Amorous Goldfish. comedy field was in 1917 with an of many of the numbers from The (brother of the singer Maggie Teyte) I mentioned in my previous Arcadians, now available on the Classics adaptation of Pinero's farce,The whose Broken Doll had been a hit some article that I saw a touring production of for Pleasure label, and as a fill-up it Magistrate ,about a staid and sober years earlier. His A Bachelor Gay, in a The Quaker Girl some fifty-odd years includes six numbers sung by Gwen magistrate who kicks over the traces and quite different style, became one of the ago, and listening to the songs and Catley, a familiar name to us years ago, spends a night on the town. With a book most popular baritone songs of the choruses now it is odd to realise that some among them The Amorous Goldfish presumably more substantial than the period. of the best rather passed me by: it is even mentioned before as well as usual run of musical comedy plots, The The Maid of the Mountains odder that what is in my opinion the most Moonstruck. Boy was another triumph, scoring 801 was revived some years ago in a performances. It was yet again a considerably 'modernised' version, with collaboration with Howard Talbot, and it interpolations such as Pedro the may be of interest to note that when I tried to guess which composer had written Fisherman, which must have stuck out which numbers, I was wrong several times, like a sore thumb I didn't go to see it. It suggesting that they had achieved a degree was also chosen as the second musical of of symbiosis. The original play, the period to be issued on CD by incidentally, achieved a further lease of life Hyperion, after the success of their when it was adapted for film under the title recording of The Geisha, a somewhat Those Were The Days, when it gave Will idiosyncratic choice to my mind. Hay his first starring role. After that, This last show, one of several by though, refusing to adapt his style to the new rhythm- and ragtime-based idiom coming into fashion, he simply stopped writing apart from contributing numbers to a few revues. Let them create the “Golden Era”of popular dance at your function. As you can no doubt guess from Music from 1920-40 inc. Henry Hall, Ambrose, Jack Payne, Carroll Gibbons, Ray Noble, his photo, he was said to be in private life a Roy Fox and Mantovani to name just a few. rather austere man, odd when one This attractive Dance Orchestra is managed by BMS member, Jan Mentha considers the nature of the music he wrote, Visit their website www.fdo.org.uk or email her at [email protected] so full of life and gaiety. Or call 01223 502090 for details. None of these runs could compare with the two great successes of the period, Archive Bookshop Frank Holland’s 83 Bell St. London NW16TB Mechanical Music Museum Chu Chin Chow which ran throughout For books on most subjects Music Books & Has now moved into new purpose made the First World War for an astonishing total Sheet Music Mon-Sat 10.30-6pm 0207 402 8212 premises at : of 2238 performances, but though the The Musical Museum 399 High St. Brentford, score, by Frederic Norton, was full of good Members are reminded that almost all the Middlesex TW8 0DU numbers (Any Time's Kissing Time, The concerts given at Shellwood over the last few Phone 020 8569 8108 years are available on DVD open between 11am & 5.30pm Tuesday to Robber's Chorus, The Cobbler's Song ) it Lionel Monkton Price £10 each. Sunday £7 standard entry fee was more the exotic production that A list is available for those interested. under 16s (with adult) free, pensioners £5 My Friend Bill by John Archer 13 12 Bill openly admitted, however, that his The Crazy Gang at the Victoria Palace. The death of William (Bill) Davies on By this time the Davies family had moved real love was classical music and after the In 1956, an invitation was extended to the 2nd March 2006 severed our last to Birmingham and Bill took a job with war he wanted to go as a late scholar to the him by the BBC to join their staff as a remaining link with Billy Mayerl and at the Kynoch Division of ICI. This enabled Royal College of Music, but because he pianist, organist, arranger and conductor the same time robbed the light music him to have lessons from the legendary was late being demobbed it meant that he with the London Studio Players an world of a prodigious talent. I am proud to Felton Rapley on the organ of the would have to find work to tide him over invitation he was very pleased to accept. say that I could count him as one of my Gaumont, Birmingham which stood him until he could start in the following He was to spend some eight years or so as more distinguished friends who never in good stead when he was demobbed academic year. “One day, my wife and I a staff member of the BBC before once ceased to amaze me with his skills as a from the RAF in 1946. went to the Granada cinema in Slough and more returning to the freelance world. pianist, organist, harpsichordist, Bill was called up on the outbreak of during the performance up came H. The latter allowed him more time for composer and arranger. In fact, I would war in 1939 into the RAF and was initially Robinson Cleaver on the theatre organ. I concert arrangements whilst continuing question whether the breadth of his posted to Weston-super-Mare. Phil thought I could do at least as well as him, with Radio and TV work. achievements in light music has ever Brown, a BBC announcer from the so after the show I went to the manager and “When I was on the BBC staff I was before been equalled in this country. Birmingham studios learning of Bill's asked if I could see Mr. Cleaver. He duly one of four pianists, the others being Bill was born and raised in Bolton, piano playing ability co-opted him as fill- arranged for me to go back there the next Edward Rubach, Sidney Lancashire in 1921 and was introduced to in pianist for when there were breaks in morning and play for him. After having Bright(Geraldo's brother), and of course, music through the choral activities of his transmission from London due to heard me he gave me the names and Billy Mayerl himself. In a sort of way, this parents who both sang in the local bombings and other emergencies. His job addresses of some places to try and on my wasn't my first encounter with Billy Methodist Chapel Choir. However, it was was to sit around in his RAF uniform, fourth attempt at the Dominion, Mayerl; when I was nine I was an avid his uncle Harold who started giving him drinking copious cups of BBC coffee Tottenham Court Road, Harry Fryer, was collector of autographs of musical piano lessons when he was seven. The waiting for a phone call from London sufficiently impressed by my warming-up celebrities, and seeing an advert for Billy's young William took to the piano “like a asking for “a quarter of an hour of piano playing that he told me not to bother with school in the Radio Times, I wrote off for duck to water” and made rapid progress please!” hoping that at any minute there the programme I had prepared for him and the prospectus. I don't remember what with his lessons. Many years ago I had the would be a break in transmission so that engaged me straightaway.” the cost of the course was but it was pleasure of meeting his mother and I he could play one of his impromptu fill- His first assignment was at the Gaumont, certainly beyond the reach of my parents remember her saying, “when Bill was at ins. Sandy MacPherson was doing a Wolverhampton and then twelve months at the time, so I didn't get his autograph. I home all he ever wanted to do was play the similar job on the theatre organ at that later he was transferred to the Gaumont, told him about this when we were piano; it was difficult sometimes even to time. The BBC from time to time had Finchley, which led to his first organ working together, and he said “Well the get him to take his meals”. He made rapid various bands in residence there including broadcast with the BBC. After a short boots on the other foot now. “Can I have progress with his piano studies and by the Geraldo, Billy Cotton, Joe Loss and period at the Metropole, Victoria he was your autograph!”. “Billy was a charming age of 11 was also receiving church organ George Scott-Wood. This gave Bill the given the plum posting to the “Flagship” of man and I had the greatest admiration for lessons from his uncle who played at the opportunity to play with all of the bands the Gaumont British circuit, The his musicianship and phenomenal local Methodist Chapel. This had the listed above and many more on a Saturday Dominion, Tottenham Court Road. He technique. He was also a real gentleman effect of introducing the young William to night jazz-flavoured radio programme made frequent broadcasts from there as to work with but a hard taskmaster in that the whole new world of organs and he called “Whoopee Club” where he well as on the BBC's Moller organ and he expected a high standard from you”. would soon be found sneaking some developed a taste for George Shearing various other London based organs. “I did have the opportunity of working practice in at the local Odeon with the style music. Jam sessions with Bill playing During all this time he was able to with Billy. I had a half-hour programme connivance of the regular organist. Bill piano accompanied by bass, guitar and continue his studies of classical organ of theatre organ music on Tuesday left school at the age of fourteen and was drums from the bands was a wonderful music composition, orchestration and mornings, ten o'clock to ten-thirty, for apprenticed to a bookbinder but his music experience for him and gave him a liking conducting. In 1953, after a brief tour of which I had a different guest artist ever studies continued apace and after for jazz. Later in the war Bill was sent the Granada circuit he entered London's yweek Max Jaffa, Reginald Kilbey collecting many first prizes at music overseas to Ceylon where he mainly spent Theatreland, as an electronic Organist and Edward Rubach and of course, Billy festivals Bill Gained his ARCM at the age his time entertaining other servicemen. musical director for a number of Jack Mayerl for example. With the of 18. Hylton shows, includingSeasons with My Friend Bill by John Archer 13 12 Bill openly admitted, however, that his The Crazy Gang at the Victoria Palace. The death of William (Bill) Davies on By this time the Davies family had moved real love was classical music and after the In 1956, an invitation was extended to the 2nd March 2006 severed our last to Birmingham and Bill took a job with war he wanted to go as a late scholar to the him by the BBC to join their staff as a remaining link with Billy Mayerl and at the Kynoch Division of ICI. This enabled Royal College of Music, but because he pianist, organist, arranger and conductor the same time robbed the light music him to have lessons from the legendary was late being demobbed it meant that he with the London Studio Players an world of a prodigious talent. I am proud to Felton Rapley on the organ of the would have to find work to tide him over invitation he was very pleased to accept. say that I could count him as one of my Gaumont, Birmingham which stood him until he could start in the following He was to spend some eight years or so as more distinguished friends who never in good stead when he was demobbed academic year. “One day, my wife and I a staff member of the BBC before once ceased to amaze me with his skills as a from the RAF in 1946. went to the Granada cinema in Slough and more returning to the freelance world. pianist, organist, harpsichordist, Bill was called up on the outbreak of during the performance up came H. The latter allowed him more time for composer and arranger. In fact, I would war in 1939 into the RAF and was initially Robinson Cleaver on the theatre organ. I concert arrangements whilst continuing question whether the breadth of his posted to Weston-super-Mare. Phil thought I could do at least as well as him, with Radio and TV work. achievements in light music has ever Brown, a BBC announcer from the so after the show I went to the manager and “When I was on the BBC staff I was before been equalled in this country. Birmingham studios learning of Bill's asked if I could see Mr. Cleaver. He duly one of four pianists, the others being Bill was born and raised in Bolton, piano playing ability co-opted him as fill- arranged for me to go back there the next Edward Rubach, Sidney Lancashire in 1921 and was introduced to in pianist for when there were breaks in morning and play for him. After having Bright(Geraldo's brother), and of course, music through the choral activities of his transmission from London due to heard me he gave me the names and Billy Mayerl himself. In a sort of way, this parents who both sang in the local bombings and other emergencies. His job addresses of some places to try and on my wasn't my first encounter with Billy Methodist Chapel Choir. However, it was was to sit around in his RAF uniform, fourth attempt at the Dominion, Mayerl; when I was nine I was an avid his uncle Harold who started giving him drinking copious cups of BBC coffee Tottenham Court Road, Harry Fryer, was collector of autographs of musical piano lessons when he was seven. The waiting for a phone call from London sufficiently impressed by my warming-up celebrities, and seeing an advert for Billy's young William took to the piano “like a asking for “a quarter of an hour of piano playing that he told me not to bother with school in the Radio Times, I wrote off for duck to water” and made rapid progress please!” hoping that at any minute there the programme I had prepared for him and the prospectus. I don't remember what with his lessons. Many years ago I had the would be a break in transmission so that engaged me straightaway.” the cost of the course was but it was pleasure of meeting his mother and I he could play one of his impromptu fill- His first assignment was at the Gaumont, certainly beyond the reach of my parents remember her saying, “when Bill was at ins. Sandy MacPherson was doing a Wolverhampton and then twelve months at the time, so I didn't get his autograph. I home all he ever wanted to do was play the similar job on the theatre organ at that later he was transferred to the Gaumont, told him about this when we were piano; it was difficult sometimes even to time. The BBC from time to time had Finchley, which led to his first organ working together, and he said “Well the get him to take his meals”. He made rapid various bands in residence there including broadcast with the BBC. After a short boots on the other foot now. “Can I have progress with his piano studies and by the Geraldo, Billy Cotton, Joe Loss and period at the Metropole, Victoria he was your autograph!”. “Billy was a charming age of 11 was also receiving church organ George Scott-Wood. This gave Bill the given the plum posting to the “Flagship” of man and I had the greatest admiration for lessons from his uncle who played at the opportunity to play with all of the bands the Gaumont British circuit, The his musicianship and phenomenal local Methodist Chapel. This had the listed above and many more on a Saturday Dominion, Tottenham Court Road. He technique. He was also a real gentleman effect of introducing the young William to night jazz-flavoured radio programme made frequent broadcasts from there as to work with but a hard taskmaster in that the whole new world of organs and he called “Whoopee Club” where he well as on the BBC's Moller organ and he expected a high standard from you”. would soon be found sneaking some developed a taste for George Shearing various other London based organs. “I did have the opportunity of working practice in at the local Odeon with the style music. Jam sessions with Bill playing During all this time he was able to with Billy. I had a half-hour programme connivance of the regular organist. Bill piano accompanied by bass, guitar and continue his studies of classical organ of theatre organ music on Tuesday left school at the age of fourteen and was drums from the bands was a wonderful music composition, orchestration and mornings, ten o'clock to ten-thirty, for apprenticed to a bookbinder but his music experience for him and gave him a liking conducting. In 1953, after a brief tour of which I had a different guest artist ever studies continued apace and after for jazz. Later in the war Bill was sent the Granada circuit he entered London's yweek Max Jaffa, Reginald Kilbey collecting many first prizes at music overseas to Ceylon where he mainly spent Theatreland, as an electronic Organist and Edward Rubach and of course, Billy festivals Bill Gained his ARCM at the age his time entertaining other servicemen. musical director for a number of Jack Mayerl for example. With the of 18. Hylton shows, includingSeasons with 14 15 1 Bugatti Step 1928 Jaroslav Jezek 1.52 pianists I would always end with a duet, me on 2 Fingerprints 1936 Harry Engleman 2.34 organ and them on piano, and when Billy was 3 Mistletoe 1935 Billy Mayerl 3.13 my guest it was always particularly enjoyable.” 4 The Cop On The Beat, The Man In The Moon And Me 1932 Al Goodhart and Al Hoffman 2.14 5 At The Court Of Old King Cole 1934 Raie da Costa 2.32 William Davies was still on the BBC staff 6 Jim Jams 1922 Roy Bargy 3.14 when Billy Mayerl died and was chosen as the 7 Moonbeams Dance 1930 Carroll Gibbons 3.03 8 Mack Gordon & Harry Revel Selection 2007 arr.Hassan 7.49 piano soloist in the memorial concert for Billy Good Night, Lovely Little Lady / Love Thy Neighbor / Did You Ever See A Dream Walking which was broadcast two months after he died. Don't Let It Bother You / Take A Number From One To Ten / Stay As Sweet As You Are This enabled Bill to pay his own personal 9 Crazy Paving 1936 Ray Mellin (aka) Sidney Harrison 3.04 10 Brother Can You Spare a Dime 1932 Jay Gorney 2.37 tribute to his late colleague and friend. Whilst 11 Flying Fingers Bugatti Step 1933 Lennie Hayton 2.44 associated with the BBC, William Davies was 12 Alone With You 1938 Lew Pollack 2.40 13 Isoldina SWCD35 1928 Wagner / Clement Doucet 2.10 the resident pianist in “Friday Night is Music 14 New Tales part 1 £11.50 1931 Rio Gebhardt 2.30 Night” for 9 years which ensured his fame 15 New Tales part 2 Total playing time ...... 68.09 2.14 with the listening public. He also had a long- 16 New Tales part 3 1.55 17 Humoresque 1937 Dvorak / Phil Saltman 1.19 running series “Just William” which was 18 Trouble In Paradise 1932 Franke Harling 2.39 reprised in the 1980's, was heard on “Strings 19 Quand Vous Verrais-Je (When Will I See You) 1927 Sylvain Hamy 3.33 20 Robin & Rainger Fantasy 2007 arr.Hassan 7.54 by Starlight”, “Music Box” and made many Love Is Just Around The Corner / June In January / It's Terrific (When I Get Hot) / “At the Piano” programmes. In 1972 he William Davies Love Divided By Two / Laugh You Son-Of-A-Gun / Love In Bloom / Please / Look What I've Got. composed the score for Alistair Cooke's award 21 Four American Variations On A Theme By Paganini 1946 Lothar Perl 6.07 winning TV series “America” and in 1975 the Malaga Cathedral the following day. He Dig Re itally P Resto lly 78 red didn't seem at all fazed by the pressure of E y rec TV play “Sunset Across the Bay” by Alan T y rec t ord t ord S s dggee s Bennett. In all, Bill Davies had more than 200 events and as I recall gave superb concerts on FFiid DD compositions and arrangements published. each occasion. The flight was delayed and Both CDs will be iiggii Throughout his career Bill maintained his while we were waiting to be called we chatted available from Shellwood ttss contact with church organ music through his about the forthcoming festival and music in by the end of local churches. He was organist and general. I happened to mention Billy Mayerl February choirmaster at Sutton Baptist church in and that I was trying to work out the best way nn Surrey and played for special services at the of fingering a particular passage in ssaa aass Carmelite Priory in Kensington. I could go on “Marigold” whereupon Bill said “see me HH nnoo eexx iiaa AAll pp listing his achievements but my allocated later in the week and I'll show you how to do Rare sysyncopated piano 7788’’ss ffrroomm collector’s archives space limits me to just a few of the highlights it”. That was Bill, always ready to leap to the of a colourful career. rescue of a student. I did as he suggested and 1 Cowboy 1934 Lothar Perl 2.48 was the lucky recipient of a master class on 2 Mine, All Mine 1927 Lee Simms 2.43 I first met Bill Davies in the outward 3 Spring Feelin’ 1928 Donald Thorne 2.36 bound passenger lounge at Gatwick Airport in Billy Mayerl two days later. 4 Billy’s Own Selection Pt. 1 1933 Billy Mayerl 3.25 Thereafter, I met Bill on many occasions 5 Little Fool played by Jack Bund & Bravour Dance Band 1933 Ernst Fischer 2.52 1983 when I with my wife were en route to 6 Colour Scheme 1943 Sefton Daly 2.58 Torremolinos in Spain. I already knew him by through the Midland Gershwin Mayerl 7 Shim Sham Drag Fidgety Digits 1936 Garland Wilson 3.12 sight, of course, and I introduced myself since Society in Kidderminster for whom he was 8 The Grasshopper SWCD36 1934 Lothar Perl 3.06 Patron, The Billy Mayerl Society in Thames 9 The Varsity Drag £11.50 1928 Raie Da Costa 3.07 he seemedto be alone. He proved to be not 10 Cannon Off The Cush 1935 Harry Engleman 2.22 only very approachable but had a wicked sense Ditton, The Whittington Organ Group in 11 Fidgety Digits played by Patricia Rossborough 1937 Thomas Haines 2.58 of humour. It transpired that we were all Worcester, The Arthur Russell Organ Studio 12 I’m All A-Twitter 1929 Willie Eckstein 3.08 13 How Nice played by: alone. He proved to be not only very in Malvern and during the immense help he The Three Virtuosos with Robert Renard’s Orchestra 1928 Ernst Fischer 2.59 approachable but had a wicked sense of gave me when I was writing “Lightning 14 Raindrops Medley 1935 arr/played by Jack Wilson 3.06 Total playing time ...... 69.36 humour. It transpired that we were all going Fingers” the first biography of Billy Mayerl. 15 Ducky 1932 Lothar Perl 2.47 16 Don’t Worry ‘bout Me / What Goes Up 1939 Arthur Sandford 2.59 to the same organ festival going to the same I feel privileged to have known him and 17 Snakes And Ladders 1936 Harry Engleman 2.31 organ festival to be Where Bill was giving a to have experienced some of the pleasure that 18 Chopsticks 1932 Pauline Alpert 3.06 19 Fourth’s Fever 1927 Neville Melland 2.50 concert that night, appearing on Spanish TV his playing gave to so many. 20 Firecrakers 1928 Donald Thorne 2.44 later in the week and giving a recital from R.I.P. Bill 21 Alexander’s Ragtime Band played by Monia Liter 1934 Irving Berlin 3.13 22 Billy’s Own Selection Pt. 2 1933 Billy Mayerl 2.53 23 The Last Mohican 1933 Lothar Perl 2.26 24 Bless ‘em All played by Isador Goodman 1941 Fred Godfrey 2.33 14 15 1 Bugatti Step 1928 Jaroslav Jezek 1.52 pianists I would always end with a duet, me on 2 Fingerprints 1936 Harry Engleman 2.34 organ and them on piano, and when Billy was 3 Mistletoe 1935 Billy Mayerl 3.13 my guest it was always particularly enjoyable.” 4 The Cop On The Beat, The Man In The Moon And Me 1932 Al Goodhart and Al Hoffman 2.14 5 At The Court Of Old King Cole 1934 Raie da Costa 2.32 William Davies was still on the BBC staff 6 Jim Jams 1922 Roy Bargy 3.14 when Billy Mayerl died and was chosen as the 7 Moonbeams Dance 1930 Carroll Gibbons 3.03 8 Mack Gordon & Harry Revel Selection 2007 arr.Hassan 7.49 piano soloist in the memorial concert for Billy Good Night, Lovely Little Lady / Love Thy Neighbor / Did You Ever See A Dream Walking which was broadcast two months after he died. Don't Let It Bother You / Take A Number From One To Ten / Stay As Sweet As You Are This enabled Bill to pay his own personal 9 Crazy Paving 1936 Ray Mellin (aka) Sidney Harrison 3.04 10 Brother Can You Spare a Dime 1932 Jay Gorney 2.37 tribute to his late colleague and friend. Whilst 11 Flying Fingers Bugatti Step 1933 Lennie Hayton 2.44 associated with the BBC, William Davies was 12 Alone With You 1938 Lew Pollack 2.40 13 Isoldina SWCD35 1928 Wagner / Clement Doucet 2.10 the resident pianist in “Friday Night is Music 14 New Tales part 1 £11.50 1931 Rio Gebhardt 2.30 Night” for 9 years which ensured his fame 15 New Tales part 2 Total playing time ...... 68.09 2.14 with the listening public. He also had a long- 16 New Tales part 3 1.55 17 Humoresque 1937 Dvorak / Phil Saltman 1.19 running series “Just William” which was 18 Trouble In Paradise 1932 Franke Harling 2.39 reprised in the 1980's, was heard on “Strings 19 Quand Vous Verrais-Je (When Will I See You) 1927 Sylvain Hamy 3.33 20 Robin & Rainger Fantasy 2007 arr.Hassan 7.54 by Starlight”, “Music Box” and made many Love Is Just Around The Corner / June In January / It's Terrific (When I Get Hot) / “At the Piano” programmes. In 1972 he William Davies Love Divided By Two / Laugh You Son-Of-A-Gun / Love In Bloom / Please / Look What I've Got. composed the score for Alistair Cooke's award 21 Four American Variations On A Theme By Paganini 1946 Lothar Perl 6.07 winning TV series “America” and in 1975 the Malaga Cathedral the following day. He Dig Re itally P Resto lly 78 red didn't seem at all fazed by the pressure of E y rec TV play “Sunset Across the Bay” by Alan T y rec t ord t ord S s dggee s Bennett. In all, Bill Davies had more than 200 events and as I recall gave superb concerts on FFiid DD compositions and arrangements published. each occasion. The flight was delayed and Both CDs will be iiggii Throughout his career Bill maintained his while we were waiting to be called we chatted available from Shellwood ttss contact with church organ music through his about the forthcoming festival and music in by the end of local churches. He was organist and general. I happened to mention Billy Mayerl February choirmaster at Sutton Baptist church in and that I was trying to work out the best way nn Surrey and played for special services at the of fingering a particular passage in ssaa aass Carmelite Priory in Kensington. I could go on “Marigold” whereupon Bill said “see me HH nnoo eexx iiaa AAll pp listing his achievements but my allocated later in the week and I'll show you how to do Rare sysyncopated piano 7788’’ss ffrroomm collector’s archives space limits me to just a few of the highlights it”. That was Bill, always ready to leap to the of a colourful career. rescue of a student. I did as he suggested and 1 Cowboy 1934 Lothar Perl 2.48 was the lucky recipient of a master class on 2 Mine, All Mine 1927 Lee Simms 2.43 I first met Bill Davies in the outward 3 Spring Feelin’ 1928 Donald Thorne 2.36 bound passenger lounge at Gatwick Airport in Billy Mayerl two days later. 4 Billy’s Own Selection Pt. 1 1933 Billy Mayerl 3.25 Thereafter, I met Bill on many occasions 5 Little Fool played by Jack Bund & Bravour Dance Band 1933 Ernst Fischer 2.52 1983 when I with my wife were en route to 6 Colour Scheme 1943 Sefton Daly 2.58 Torremolinos in Spain. I already knew him by through the Midland Gershwin Mayerl 7 Shim Sham Drag Fidgety Digits 1936 Garland Wilson 3.12 sight, of course, and I introduced myself since Society in Kidderminster for whom he was 8 The Grasshopper SWCD36 1934 Lothar Perl 3.06 Patron, The Billy Mayerl Society in Thames 9 The Varsity Drag £11.50 1928 Raie Da Costa 3.07 he seemedto be alone. He proved to be not 10 Cannon Off The Cush 1935 Harry Engleman 2.22 only very approachable but had a wicked sense Ditton, The Whittington Organ Group in 11 Fidgety Digits played by Patricia Rossborough 1937 Thomas Haines 2.58 of humour. It transpired that we were all Worcester, The Arthur Russell Organ Studio 12 I’m All A-Twitter 1929 Willie Eckstein 3.08 13 How Nice played by: alone. He proved to be not only very in Malvern and during the immense help he The Three Virtuosos with Robert Renard’s Orchestra 1928 Ernst Fischer 2.59 approachable but had a wicked sense of gave me when I was writing “Lightning 14 Raindrops Medley 1935 arr/played by Jack Wilson 3.06 Total playing time ...... 69.36 humour. It transpired that we were all going Fingers” the first biography of Billy Mayerl. 15 Ducky 1932 Lothar Perl 2.47 16 Don’t Worry ‘bout Me / What Goes Up 1939 Arthur Sandford 2.59 to the same organ festival going to the same I feel privileged to have known him and 17 Snakes And Ladders 1936 Harry Engleman 2.31 organ festival to be Where Bill was giving a to have experienced some of the pleasure that 18 Chopsticks 1932 Pauline Alpert 3.06 19 Fourth’s Fever 1927 Neville Melland 2.50 concert that night, appearing on Spanish TV his playing gave to so many. 20 Firecrakers 1928 Donald Thorne 2.44 later in the week and giving a recital from R.I.P. Bill 21 Alexander’s Ragtime Band played by Monia Liter 1934 Irving Berlin 3.13 22 Billy’s Own Selection Pt. 2 1933 Billy Mayerl 2.53 23 The Last Mohican 1933 Lothar Perl 2.26 24 Bless ‘em All played by Isador Goodman 1941 Fred Godfrey 2.33

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October November December S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31 30 Sunday Concerts & Meetings at Shellwood St Leonards Rd. Thames Ditton 3 - 6pm 2008 Concerts are now £14 inc. Refreshments Feb 3rd ...... AGM followed by a members' meeting March 2nd ...... Concert Alex Hassan piano May 18th ...... BMS members' meeting Aug 10th ...... Concert Christopher Duckett piano Sept 21st ...... BMS members' meeting Nov 2nd ...... Concert Julian Dyer pianola Dec 14th ...... Members' Xmas concert (£5 per person)