THE GRAMAPHONE.

Shannon News, 3 September 1929, Page 2

THE GRAMAPHONE.

HIS MASTER’S VOICE. / Dance Records. There are some first-rate dance records among the September releases, and from them the following have been culled for the excellence of reproduction :—' ‘ Makin ’- Whoopee, ’ ’ fox-trot (from the Ziegfield production, ‘ ‘ Whoopee”), vocal refrain by Fran Fey, and “Until You Get Somebody Else,” foxtrot (from “Whoopee”), played by George Olsen and his music; “Because I Know You’re Mine,” fox-trot, vocal refrain by Belle Munn,” and “I Want a Daddy to Cuddle Me,” fox-trot, vocal refrain by Belle Munn, played by Nat Shilkret and his orchestra; “In .a Little Town called Home Sweet Home,’ ’ fox-trot, vocal refrain by Bob Borger, played by George Olsen and his music; and “That’s How I Feel About YouJ” fox-trot, vocal refrain bv P. Waring and chorus, played by Yv'aring’s Pennsylvanians. (H.M.V.) Brilliant ’Cellist.

Lauri Kennedy is undoubtedly a fine ’cellist'. He has a clear tone and a fresh and clean way of. phrasing. He has acted as supporting artist to such celebrities as Chaliapin and John McCormack, and the reasons for his uot•able successes are found in his latest redordi Which includes li’is own arrangements of “Londonderry Air” and “Old Scotch Melody.” The first number is treated with arpeggios, thrills, and harmonics, but the melody is. always paramount. The Scottish piece is indeed a beautiful work enhanced 'by the warm tones of the ’cello. .‘(H.M.V. 1618). Australian Contralto. Essie Ackland, the young Australian contralto, contributes another record, which will prove as popular as its predecessors. Her fine and rich voice is heard with organ accompaniment, in such a well-known song as Nevin’s “The Rosary,” .sung with great conviction and sincerity. She also strikes the right atmosphere in Bond’s “A Perfect Day.” (H.M.V., 82964). Popular Hymnis. The Westminster Central Hall Choir, under the famous, organist Arthur Meale, sings t>vo dignified and impressive hymns by Dykes-—“Jesu, Lover of My Soul,’? and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” The tone and balance are excellent and the power ample. The organ accompaniment, by Arthur L. Harris, maintains the loftiness of the conductor’s conception of these eternal favourites. (H.M.V., 82951). Back to the Old-Time Minstrels. Minstrels (male voices) in “A Minstrel Show,” Part 1: “Make a Lot of Noise,” “Down Where the Water Melons Grow,” “Lazy Moon,” “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.” Part 2: “Alius the Saihe in Dixie,” “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” “Abraham Lincoln Jones,” “Under the Bamboo Tree,” “Carry Me Back to Old Virginity,” “Climbing up the Gojden Stairs.” H.M.V., E 839. - Remember the old-.time minstrel show s of twenty years ago? Could you ever forget them. In this record the.“ Minstrels” take you back to the land of yesterday. You will be able to hear all those fine old songs sung again in true minstrel show style, with orchestral accompaniment. Fine Old Song. Riehard Crooks (tenor) in ‘ ‘ Open the Gates of the Temple” and “The Star of Bethlehem.” (H.M.V. 5.D.10). These two well-known numbers are beautifully rendered by Richard Crooks. A Splendid Operia, Disc.

H.M.Y. D.B.ll99—Rosa Ponselle (soprano) and Giovanni Martineili (tenor), with Metropolitan Opera House 'jChorus and Orchestra, in “II Tr’ova■tore” —“Miserere” (Act IV.), (Verdi). Rosa Ponselle (soprano) and Elzio Pinza (bass), also w r ith Metropolitan Opera House Chorus and Orchestra, in “La Forza del Destiuo” —“La vergine degli angeli” (“May Angels Guard Thee”), (Verdi). . A most dramatic scene —lovely melody for both soprano and tenor —the thrilling tmotional projection of Rosa Ponselle —splendid choral work. Everyone who knows there is such a thing as opera knows the melody, sometimes called the “Prison Song,” from this scene. On the reverse side of this record is the famous duet from the second act of “Forza del Destino,” ir. which Ponselle’s glorious soprano shines in contrast with the rich bass of Ezio Pinza. John Henry and Blossom Again. John Hemy and “Blossom” (talking), in “Joe Murgatroyd’s Letter.” H.M.V. 82930. John Henry is in trouble again! Just as he and Joe Murgatroyd had got everything taped for an evening out, Blossom opened a letter marked “Private and Confidential,” and addressed to John Henry. Then the fat was in the fire. A very amusing record. Favourite Hymns by Famous Band. Croatore’s Band in (a) “Lead, Kindly Light” (Dykejs), (b) “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (Sullivan), and “Nearer, My God, to Thee” (Mason). H.M.V., EB 40. Here we have a twelve-inch leeord played by the Creatore’s Band. All three are well-known sacred tunes that one is never tired of hearing.