Listening In To His Own Song

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 1

Listening In To His Own Song

AN AUSTRALIAN COMPOSER As the good ship Marama glided up the Auckland Harbour last evening from Sydney, Mr. J. S. Lumsdaine listened to himself singing from the

shore. This is not as odd as it sounds Wireless has made such a thing possible.

Australia knows Mr. Lumsdaine as the “Radio Rascal.” As such he records for one of the well-know-n

gramophone companies and broadcasts from the Sydney station. Had the Marama arrived in Auckland on time Mr. Lumsdaine would have sung from the Auckland Broadcasting Station, but as the vessel was late the radio people thought they would welcome him to Auckland with one of his own recorded songs. “It sounded quite nice, although I say it myself,” remarked the visitor later in the evening. In addition to his radio work Mr. Lumsdaine spends his spare time writing and composing songs. Apparently this is quite simple—for him. As he takes his morning plunge in Sydney some tune or line comes into his head. In order to give the new idea time to grow he goes for a stroll round the block and by the time that is over another song has been added to an already long list. Mr. Lumsdaine’s most popular composition is “Calling,” which Elsie Prince sang in the last pantomime in Australia. Others are “Cobber of Mine” and | “Somewhere South of Shanghai.” Mr. Lusmdaine has come to New Zealand under engagement to the j Fuller-Hayward firm and will open in I Auckland at the Majestic Theatre with j avngs at the piano.