LET THERE BE MUSIC

This early Spring offering is a backlog from recent months catching up with much that is current.   Included two unreleased Frank Sinatra tracks: Nice and Easy (1960) and If You Are But a Dream (1944), latter on CD for the first time both from latest compilation: Songs From My Heart (EMI 363 3722).

No less than 21 much cherished sides culled from the Capitol Years (1953/60); among these all-winners, the completely irresistible cheerer from 'It Happened in Brooklyn': Time After Time (1947) re- recorded at Capitol (the original is on Columbia-Sony) in November 1957, and the Academy Award winning All The Way from The Joker is Wild first recorded in August 1957; magic name that combines both is that of lilting lyricist, Sammy Cahn,

Similarly   British-bom   singer   who conquered the music scene - and still does on disc, one and only Matt Monro, and a 2 CD set: The Rare Monro (EMI 372 558) many of these rarities unearthed by the marvellous Mrs Monro - Michelle, for which many thanks. Perhaps someone kept some of Matt's many BBC radio shows those with The Show Band and his own series with Johnnie Spence and his Orchestra.

Matt and his distinctive, distinguished voice ably assisted by magnificent maestro Spence, Nelson Riddle and George Martin are a real joy. The Monro/Riddle track is Gershwin's invigorating Strike Up The Band,

Other super standards fom the likes of Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, De Sylva, Henderson and Brown, and Chicago pair John Kander and Fred Ebb - what a happy hall of fame! Song by the latter twosome introduced by Liza Minnelli and charted by Sinatra, New York, New York, gets fabulous fresh feeling from Matt.  What mystifies here are the songs that by rights should be hot hits and even now could easily be discovered.

As always great to listen to and savor the infinite expression that are and always will be Matt Monro.

Matt is also featured and rightfully so in Produced /by George \Martin (EMI) a pleasing enough plethora assembled from no less than 50 years in Recording, apart from the scintillating sound of George's own orchestra (Theme One), another great sound is that of talented, likeable Rod Goodwin on Elizabethan Serenade, and Tommy Reilly who truly rips his harmonica through Clive Richardson's Melody on the Move.

As you would expect from George there's a Beatles side I Want To Hold Your Hand, and among a frenzy of favourites, sides from Cilia Black, Shirley Bassey and Flanders and Swarm. The latter bring gentle fun, and Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren good for a giggle with Goodness Gracious Me, while Spike Milligan dances up delight with his torrid Worm Wood Scrubs Tango.

Many other rarities make up this terrific tribute to Sir George Martin - the man who helped revolutionise recording, records and a great deal of what is termed popular music. Let There Be Music salutes!

Neil Stevens.