A Fantastic collection for a modest price.
Peter J. Doyle | WXXI-FM, 91.5 - Rochester, New York USA | 03/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent tranfers, generous number of recordings (50) highlighting the Bowlly-Noble combination in both English and American recordings from 1930-1936. No liner notes, but for those wishing to have a nice collection this is the one to get."
Al Bowlly delivers Quality and Quantity
Anton Coy | Johannesburg, South Africa | 02/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Al Bowlly died quite a few years before I was born and there is therefore no particular reason why I should identify with his music. Yet over the years my enjoyment of his huge legacy of recordings just grows and grows.With the exception of Bing Crosby, there is really no other male voice of the 1930's which transends the passage of so many decades of changing musical tastes. Given the fact that these recordings span the period from 1931 to 1937, this double C.D. provides surprisingly consistent recording quality. And with a total of 50 tracks to enjoy, this works out to be less than 40 U.S. cents a pop. Show me better value anywhere ! My only regret is that there are no sleeve notes, other than a listing of tracks. If there were, then some surprising detail could have been revealed. The fact that in some of the later recordings Glenn Miller was in Ray Noble's trombone section. And that the tasteful guitar solo in the poignant "Dinner For One Please, James" is by none other than George van Eps, who was still playing and recording more than 60 years later. But the dominant sound here is Bowlly's, especially when he delivers a ballad in a more suitable lower key. If you have always wanted to know why Bowlly still has a huge following more than 60 years after his death, then this collection will answer the question. Buy, relax and enjoy !"
What A Perfect Combination
Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 08/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Between late 1930 and mid-1934 Al Bowlly was called upon frequently by Ray Noble, the musical director for HMV, to record with his studio band, the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra. Originally issued on 78, they've been highly regarded by collectors and reissued countless times, because Al's vocals were backed by the cream of London's musicians, such as Max Goldberg, Nat Gonella, Freddy Gardner, and Harry Berly.
This is a great compilation, on which 42 of the best songs (including Noble's own compositions) have been cherry-picked for the listener's delectation. The remaining 8 tracks are drawn from the recordings Ray and Al made in America, but you'd be hard put to it to work all that out from the minimal information given in the liner. But that's the only minor criticism, and since it's well remastered and represents excellent value for money you should not hesitate to buy it.
"
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1