Customer Reviews

Elizabethan Serenade: The Best of British Light Music

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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If you have always wanted to try out some of Marco Polo's British Light Music series, here is your chance, and for only pennies. This CD whets your appetite for investigating the rest of the series. At first, it seems strange that the orchestras would not be very idiomatic for this music, but the conductor makes these performances shine.There are a few favorites but many pieces that I have never heard before and are welcome in any collection. My favorites are "Sleepy Lagoon", "Dam Busters March", and "Knightsbridge March".These are by Eric Coates, the most famous person on these discs (at least to American Listeners). Fans of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops will recognize "In A Persian Market" with the chanting "Bakseesh, Bakseesh, Allah". Arthur Benjamin is represented by the Jamaican Rhumba,his popular hit (although we need more recordings of his serious music.) Edward German is represented by one work,but it would have been nice to have the Henry VIII dances on here also. You will also recognize "Sleepy Lagoon" and "Roses of Picardy" because they were turned into pop songs in America. Try this one out-it is fun!

This cd will lift your spirits from the first song right through to the end. I loved every song, even though I was listening to many of them for the first time. This is one of my all-time favorite albums. Try it, you'll like it!

A great introduction to the wonderful world of Light Music. This CD encompasses many brilliant work by well known composers in this unique brand of music. Light Music places itself in between classics and popular music. Most of the music have descriptive titles to them and the music cleverly display the character of the title. For example, 'Coronation Scot' is a name of a train/locomotive and the music clearly gives th emotion of a train trudging along the tracks and it is simply magnificent. Incidently, this particular piece was as a theme/signature theme to 'Paul Temple', a popular radio detective show that ran for 4 decades on the BBC Radio.
Do give this CD a listen and the compilation doesn't dissapoint and it features music by the King of British Light Music, Eric Coates.
Enjoy. This type of music holds a special signficant place in the wide and wonderful world of popular music.

The typical light music (not so light really) to carry with you anywhere while driving or walking around. Good performances if not exciting but for the purpose above, more than enough. Money well spent.