By Request: More Decca Chacksfield

This post is by the request of Mel, via the comments on the Love Letters post... I think I may actually have some more pre-Phase 4 Chacksfield on London "blueback", I'll have to dig through the racks to see if any more can be unearthed.

Another Decca Frank Chacksfield Decca LP from 1959 (although on the label it says "originally published in 1958"), this time featuring songs that have won the Motion Picture Academy of America "Best Song" award, from 1934 to 1945. Very nice arrangements of all the songs, which are presented in annual order. There is talk of a second album, with songs from 1946 to 1955, but I don't have it, nor have I seen it.

It is interesting to note that, according to the liner notes, when "The Continental" won the award in 1934 there were only ELEVEN awards given out... 1934 was the first year of the award for Best Song. The liner notes go on to say that at the time of this record's release, the catagories had expanded to "...over two dozen." Now, it is what, three days, if you count all the Technical Awards that are given out the day before the actual awards ceremony? Amazing how some things were simpler in the 50s...

This LP has the usual lush arrangements, but still quite tightly arranged, and wonderfully performed, and the pressing quality is pure UK Decca. Again, this was one of the stereo discs that the doofus collector passed on because it WASN'T a US London release. These are all pretty standard tunes, but the arrangements make them a treat for the light music afficionado.

I'd like to thank the Academy for giving Frank the inspiration to record these Academy Award Songs!