COLUMBIA.

Shannon News, 15 October 1929, Page 3

COLUMBIA.

Layton and Johnstone. (1) “I Can't Give You Anything But Love”; (2) “Beloved.” Sung by Layton and Johnstone. Columbia 01430. These brilliant duettists need no introduction to a best of admirers, who range from the Prince of Wales downwards. They can always be ielicd on to treat the popular song hits of .the day in novel and exceptional fashion, with original harmonies that no one else seems to “get away with” Well up to standard —and saying that about Layton and Johnstone means that the record is a winner. Norman Long. (1) “On the Beach at Bangaloo” (Herbert and Mcßain); (2) “Sing Ho! for the Days of Drinking-? ’ (Rose and Sterndale Bennett). Sung by Norman Long. Columbia 01431. This entertainer lives up to his title. He, unlike many entertainers that we have duhed up to us nowadays, is

actually entertaining. Both items are ! above their usual class level, and are got across with some degree of skill in the projection of personality through a wax disc and from a gramophone horn.

The Great Zimbalist. (1) “Ave Maria” (Schubert); (2) “Impromptu” (Aulin). Violin solos by Efrem Zimbalist. Columbia 04220. Efrem Zimbalist lias at last returned to the recording- studios —and Columbia have led him back. The first of his two new electric records gives us a masterly interpretation of Schubert’s well-known “Ave Maria.” On the reverse we have Aulin’s “Impromptu” —not quite so well known, but a brilliant composition nevertheless. Zimbalist’s playing is sheer pleasure to listen ta. His tone is pure and utterly without’the slightest “edge.” And not the most carping critic could find fault with the recording. A Revue on a Record. “How Do You Do ” A Miniature Revue in Two Acts. Mark Daly, Billy Leonard, Emmie Joyce and Company. Columbia 02795, A jolly experiment that passes at once out of the experimental stage, this condensation of an evening’s entertainment on to a 12-inch disc strikes a cheeky note from ’beginning to end. One or two little playlets, songlets, an apology, in the best, revue manner for the absence of the performing elephants, and a fine swinging chorus every now and again, are the ingredients, and one cannot help wondering at the end how they manage to pack so much good material into the record. The “book” is by Harold Simpson, perhaps the most famous of all London’s revue authors, and some capital music has been provided by another London celebrity,' Stanley Holt. Altogether one of the brightest efforts the gramophone has given us.

Alfred O’Shea. (1) “Love’s Garden of Roses”; (2) “When My Ship Comes Sailing Home.” Sung by Alfred O’Shea, tenor. Columbia 04117. Alfred O’Shea, the ever-popular, throws off these two engaging ballads with all his usual ease and freedom. You could almost make each note the subject of a singing lesson. He contrives to meet the most difficult demands of production -without seeming in the least disconcerted, and shades his great power with the nicest discretion. These will be among his most popular contributions. * Maria Kurenko. (I) “Song of India.” (from “Saclko”); (2) “Hymn to the Sun” (from “Coq d’Or”),. Sung by Maria Kurenko, soprano. Columbia 03574. I he" famous ‘‘ Chanson 11 indoue ’ ’ from “Sadlco” is too well-known to need reviewing itself, but this splendid soprano’s extraordinary 'technique is indeed worth special mention with regard to both of these numbers. Two excellently chosen songs, excellently recorded. Gems from Gilbert and Sullivan. . ‘The Mikado’ (Gilbert and Sullivan). Vocal Gems by the Columbia Light Opera 'Company. Columbia 02824/. A pot-pourri tastefully arranged from gome of the finest songs in the everpopulav “Mikado.” The chorus has a rousing way with it, coming out particularly, effectively in the “YumYum” chorus. Perhaps “Tit-willow” could have been included with advantage, but, of course, that is just a personal preference. “The Gondoliers” (Gilbert and Sullivan). Vocal Gems by the Columbia Light Opera Company. Columbia 02821.

There is hardly an air that the average person, remembers from this Venetian burlesque that i 3 not included iu this 12-inch Columbia disc. Particularly fine ensemble singing is again a feature of this vocal fantasia. Both of these Gilbert and Sullivan special releases are certain best-sellers.