Arguably, for those who would care to argue about such things, the best introduction to
Billy Mayerl
(1902-1959) is probably
ASV/Living Era
's
Billy Mayerl Plays Billy Mayerl
, released on compact disc in 1995. A different level of
Mayerl
appreciation was attained a few years later by
Shellwood
through multiple albums packed with
's compositions interpreted by pianists
Eric Parkin
and
Peter Jacobs
, prime exponents of the patented
manner. Yet hearing
himself in action offers an especially delectable thrill that cannot be duplicated by emulators. In 2003
Naxos
reissued a marvelous load of
Original Recordings
in two volumes, each decorated with flowers after which
had named a special composition. As a sequel to the Marigolds of the first installment, Volume Two displays a bouquet of Sweet William blossoms, but it could just as easily have been Mistletoe, for
carefully concocted an etude in honor of that toxic parasitic growth and it too found its way onto this collection. Unlike much of the recorded music associated with
and available today on the digital format, this particular sampling includes vintage radio broadcasts with period banter and other historic recordings with singers and an orchestra under the direction of
George Melachrino
. The timeline (1934-1946) skips the 1920s but allows for a colorful glimpse of later developments.
was a master interpreter of melody whose technique was conspicuously facile. In addition to the piano he is heard operating both the harpsichord and a primitive keyboard synthesizer known as the novachord. This charming visitation from London's most successful "nimble-fingered gentleman" includes fishy profiles from the
"Aquarium Suite,"
an aromatic sprig of
"Orange Blossom,"
a procession of
"Sandwich-Board Men,"
and a version of
Jerome Kern
"All the Things You Are"
complete with the often omitted verse. While Volume One was visited by vocalists
Al Bowlly
Pat O'Malley
, Volume Two features a regular team of singers in
Stanley Lupino
,
Luanne Shaw
Eric Fawcett
George Gee
Hal Gordon
Billy Scott Coomber
Laddie Cliff
, and internationally renowned Austrian tenor
Richard Tauber
. ~ arwulf arwulf