Wednesday 31 October 2018

COMPOSER MINI-BIOGRAPHY SERIES


No. 2 - IVOR SLANEY


Ivor Slaney
(27 May 1921 - 20th March 1998)

Born Ivor Ernst Slaney in West Bromwich, United Kingdom in 1921. Ivor was a prolific musical composer and conductor, notably for his work in film, television and radio.

Ivor was educated at the Royal College of Music, and married Mary D Ludlow pianist, Dolores Ventura in 1948. His father, Ernst Wallace Slaney, was a principal cellist in the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in the 1920's and 1930's under Sir Dan Godfrey.

As a youngster Ivor joined the choir of St. Stephen's church, Bournemouth where he was also taught by Percy Whitlock, the church's Director of Music and a colleague of Ernst Slaney at the Bournemouth Pavilion. According to Whitlock's diary, Ivor was known as 'Tiny'.

Ivor's mother was Grace Elizabeth Arney (22nd April 1893 - July 1988). She married Ernst in Bristol in 1920. in 1935, aged just 14, Ivor entered the Kneller Hall, the British Army's School of Music.

Ivor Slaney's son, Adrian S. Slaney was born in 1950.

In later life Ivor Slaney lived in Milford on Sea, Hampshire.

Ivor's best known works include ''Top Dog'', which was used as the theme music for the BBC radio comedy series The Men from the Ministry; and Carlo's Theme (From The Sentimental Agent) for which he won an Ivor Novello award. 

Ivor Slaney also composed hundreds of Mood Music piece, fanfares and stings. Many examples are available on the De Wolfe site. 

He also wrote the music for several Hammer Films, including 36 Hours (1953) The Gambler and the Lady (1953) and The House Across The Lake (1954) as well as the scores to The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977), Prey (1977), Terror (1978), and Death Ship (1980). And many more as scene on his iMDB Page.


Ivor was composer and musical director for the 1970-71 British children's TV Series Here Come the Double Deckers.



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Monday 29 October 2018

78's I AM LOOKING FOR!


I thought i would do a post about some of the 78's i am missing. In order to fill some gaps, so to speak. Figured i would do 1 label a week and hope for the best.

So if anyone has any of the following, that they would like to donate to me, allow me to borrow, sell to me (at a last resort as money is in short supply right now - Cheeky i know) then i would be extremely grateful!

Starting with: 

JW THEMES.

JW:135/137/140/
JW:228/229/230/231/232/233/245/260/264/273/274/275/276/282/287/288/289/290/291/292/293/294/295/296/297/298/299
JW:303/307/308//310/311/313/314/320/321/322/326/333/334/335/336/338/339/347/350/352/354/355/356/357/358/359/361/362/363/366/367/368/370/371/372/373

Obviously the others I have, and will be posting here over time!

I will be posting over the coming weeks on 78's i am missing from other labels like: 

Harmonic
Music De Wolfe
Boosey and Hawkes
Bosworth
Chappell
Mood Music
Paxton

etc.

So if you have any of those too, please feel free to let me know about them. The aim for this blog is to bring as much as humanly possible to the forefront of all of my visitors!

Feel free to either message here or email me at irishadowproductions@gmail.com

Thank you for your time!


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A BIG THANK YOU!


In addition to my post a few days ago about thanking people. There was 1 special person, well 3 really, that I wanted to thank, but felt the need to wait for permission to use their names, before posting!

Yesterday morning I received an email that expressed how much delight it would be to be named.

So in the first instance, I would love to give a big thank you to Helen Chaplin and Helen's 2 wonderful children. If not for Helen's generosity and kindness in delivering to me personally the 78's, we would not be in possession of them, and they would be scattered to the 4 winds.

Additionally, I must give a big thank you to Helen's late Father-in-Law John Fountain. These records belonged to Mr. Fountain. And I would like to make an extra special thank you for Helen's late husband Richard Chaplin, whom fell ill whilst rescuing the records.

I also have it on good authority that Helen's Mother-in-Law is extremely pleased that these records are bringing joy to so many.

So please share with me a heart-felt condolence to both John and Richard, and Helen for allowing me to bring these wonderful Impress/JW Themes and Conroy 78's to you to enjoy.


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Sunday 28 October 2018

IMPRESS MUSIC LIBRARY


'LABEL PHOTOGRAPHY'






















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IMPRESS MUSIC LIBRARY


Yet another great British based Mood Music library label, acquired by Josef Weinberger (JW Media Music) In the mid 1950's

The library was formed by entrepreneur Gordon Barnes with the backing of a rich postcard manufacturer. The name Impress was invented by music editor Richard Taylor, who later became a director. And as much as the music is extremely 'Impress'ive, the IMP in the title actually stands for Inter-Art Publishers.

In the 1950's, as television became increasingly popular, programmes made on thin budgets needed fresh background music. Practically overnight, companies like Impress assembled vast libraries by recruiting young composers to write action, suspense, and comedy themes for them. Not only were composers first-rate, impress music had the luxury of being performed by a large orchestra in Stuttgart, Germany; driven by the union ban on library performances in England at the time.

The music was written with no specific visuals in mind: the libraries would simply request the styles, and the composers would be left to their own devices and imaginations. Composing and producing music cues that ran from anywhere between 4 seconds in length, to 4 minutes in length. Teh msuic would then be catalogued by genre: Dramatic, suspense, romance and so on; some libraries even listed the musical keys of their pieces, making it easier for editors to cut in E-flat action cues to a compatible bridge.

In the mid 1970's, Inter-Art went out of business, the Impress library was picked up via a quit-claim by Weinberger Ltd in England, who still licence the cues when the need arises. Copyrights were renewed by the composers themselves when the original Inter-Art registrations expired.

Unfortunately, the labels themselves have no conductor or Orchestra information on them.

Some extremely talented composers were hired to compose the music, some of which i am sure you will recognise from other leading libraries - such as.

Steve Race
Bruce Campbell
Fred Farmer
Ronald Binge
Van Phillips
Alfred Ralston

Starting from the very first Impress release:

THE MUSIC

1. The Dark Stairway (Steve Race) 1:19
2. The Difficult Journey Pt. 1 (Steve Race) 0:38
3. The Difficult Journey Pt. 2 (Steve Race) 0:36
4. Mystic (Van Phillips) 1:35
5. Clairvoyant (Steve Race) 1:13

1. Dockside Dawn (Van Phillips) 1:21
2. Dockside Twilight (Van Phillips) 1:24
3. Dissolution (Steve Race) 0:31
4. Eerie Chime (Steve Race) 0:37
5. Flannelfoot (Steve Race) 0:53
6. Ominous Interlude (Alfred Ralston) 0:43

1. Royal Finale (Steve Race) 0:36
2. Royal Moment (Steve Race) 0:13
3. Regal (Steve Race) 0:26
4. Pioneer (Steve Race) 0:39
5. To & Fro (Steve Race) 0:22
6. Atlantic Bridge (Ronald Binge) 0:17
7. Poison Pen (Van Phillips)  1:02
8. Tension (Steve Race) 0:37
9. Reunion (Steve Race) 0:31
10. Sudden Embrace  (Steve Race) 0:17

1. Busy Looms (Ronald Binge) 1:14
2. Lost in the Desert (Alfred Ralston) 1:16
3. Mad Pursuit (Ronald Binge) 1:29
4. Mad Pursuit Bridges (Steve Race) 0:18
5. Anguished Moment (Steve Race) 0:23
6. Up & Down (Steve Race) 0:11

1. Staggering Home (Ronald Binge) 1:34
2. Twinkle Toes (Van Phillips) 0:58
3. Fiesta (Ronald Binge) 2:08
4. The Stab (Ronald Binge) 0:10

1. Carefree (Van Phillips) 1:01
2. Mad As A Hatter (Ronald Binge) 0:47
3. Cantering Cats (Steve Race) 0:30
4. Faithful Love (Ronald Binge) 0:48
5. Neapolitan Band (Ronald Binge) 0:41
6. Comedy Canter (Ronald Binge) 0:38
7. Flippant (Steve Race) 0:12

1. Interlude (Ronald Binge) 2:00
2. Slow Thought (Ronald Binge) 0:18
3. Beauty & The Beast (Ronald Binge) 0:29
4. Desert Memory No. 1 (Ronald Binge) 1:32
5. Desert Memory (Ronald Binge) 0:40
6. Country Weekend (Ronald Binge) 0:19
7. Hornpipe Hangover (Ronald Binge) 0:24

1. East Side - West Side (Steve Race) 0:57
2. First Day In Town (Steve Race) 0:32
3. Regal approach (Steve Race) 0:32
4. Conflict (Steve Race) 0:18
5. Cowboy Thriller (Fred Farmer) 1:02
6. Skyline (Steve Race) 0:50
7. Upward Sweep (Steve Race) 0:15
8. Urgent (Steve Race) 0:12

1. Lovers Moon (Bruce Campbell) 1:09
2. Golden Morning (Bruce Campbell) 0:30
3. Waiting for Susan (Bruce Campbell) 0:36
4. Hilltop Honeymoon (Bruce Campbell) 1:20
5. Upland Romance (Bruce Campbell) 0:32
6. Roof Garden (Bruce Campbell) 0:28

1. Quiet Forest (Bruce Campbell) 1:14
2. Wistful (Bruce Campbell) 0:32 
3. Hand In Hand (Bruce Campbell) 0:29
4. Don't Forget (Bruce Campbell) 1:13
5. Yours Sincerely (Bruce Campbell) 0:58

And for those that would like all of the above - Link Here 

Enjoy


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Friday 26 October 2018

UPDATE ON BLOG - A BIG THANKS SHOUT-OUT


Hey there one and all.

I just wanted to make a rather special announcement, as well as some very, from the heart thanks, to you and a few other individuals.

First and foremost. I would like to thank all of my viewers for taking the time out of their day and coming in to view my blog. 

I am not sure how popular, popular blogs are, but in the last 2 weeks, i have had over 1500 viewers peruse what i have to offer. And for me, not really venturing into the blog scene, i think that is amazing, and as such, extremely humbled and thankful to you for stopping by.

In addition, for those that have also taken then time to make a post of thanks, thank you too. It is so good to know that i am at least in some way, delivering what you are looking for, and you are gracious enough to say a thank you!

A very special thank you, to a wonderful lady now, who at the time of writing this blog has not given me permission to use her name (I have emailed her and awaiting to hear back) but needless to say, she knows who she is: The special thanks is given because, despite her circumstances (again i do not wish to divulge such personal situations without her consent) has donated at least 500 78's from 3 labels: JW Themes (10 of which were posted before this post) Impress (working on the first 10 of those now) and Conroy, which will be next label, after Impress, to be posted. These are extremely rare, and because of her generosity, these ear-pleasing musics will be shared here for us all to hear.

*On a side note. If any other person here, or anyone that visits knows of anyone that has any 78's or other library records they would like to donate in order for me to transfer for them for all, please do let me know* Of course i know this is not a 'thing' but thought i would put it out there.

As this is my first update, I wanted to give all of you an incite on how I intend to proceed in the postings on this blog.

It is my intention to post at least 10 78's per week, giving as much in-depth information as i can find on both the label in question, and the tracks, which i have done previously. This has come across as a good thing and people are grateful because of it.
This will give me the time i feel needed to properly transfer and convert, de-click and de-hiss and master the recordings. Bringing them to you in the best possible condition and sound that you deserve.

In addition to the music postings. I will be making a special contribution post about a composer that has done work, of course for Library Music, as i have done already for Charles Williams. In an attempt to make this blog some what a library of itself; a museum and a knowledge base if you will, that will be all encompassing.

If you would like to see any other relevant posts about library music, composers etc. Please do let me know.

This whole blog thing started off for me as a way and means to bring music you may not of heard, to your richly deserving ears. And it has become more of a 'Pet Project' for me now, and i hope to maintain that for the days, weeks, months and even years ahead. And it would be most humbling to take you all along on this journey with me.

Thank you for stopping by.


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Sunday 21 October 2018

JW THEMES MUSIC LIBRARY '78s'


I know i shouldn't say this, but i have REALLY fallen in love with this library. This library, as with the others, has produced some totally amazing music.

Starting it's library music outing in 1957 and founded by Josef Weinberger, and utilising the amazing Crawford Light Orchestra. A lot of the composers here will be very recognisable from other libraries, and despite there being no conductor on any of the labels i have looked at (If anyone can get info on that, please let me know) the music is so phenomenal.

A lot of the music was considered lost and almost impossible to find  - With thanks to a very wonderful person, i have come across an almost complete run of the library, including the very first release from 1957 - Wow are you in for a treat.

Composers, new and old are as follows:

Ernest Tomlinson
Paul Fenoulhet
Ronald Hanmer
Ronald Binge
Herbert Leonard Stevens
Alan Parry
William Davies
Roger Barsotti
Hans May
John Howlett
Jack Beaver
Richard Addinsell

1. Strange Conflict (Ronald Binge) 2:50
2. Mischievous Mac (Ronald Binge) 2:53
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. All Points East (Ronald Hanmer) 2:51
2 Horror-Scope (Ronald Hanmer) 2:56
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Production Line (Paul Fenoulhet) 1:39
2. Fanfare Pomposo (Paul Fenoulhet) 0:32
3. Fanfare Majestic (Paul Fenoulhet) 0:36
4. Night Mysterioso (Paul Fenoulhet) 1:29
5. Fanfare Excitement (Paul Fenoulhet) 0:35
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Panoramic Prelude (Ernest Tomlinson) 2:51
2. Little Serenade (Ernest Tomlinson) 2:36
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Regalia (Ronald Binge) 1:41
2. Lido Fashion Parade (Len Stevens) 2:46
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Fashion Promenade (Alan Parry) 3:00
2. Winner's Medal (Alan Parry) 1:37
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Sports Fever (Ronald Hanmer) 1:28
2. Soaring Aloft (Ronald Hanmer) 1:34
3. Picking Strings (Ronald Hanmer) 2:45
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Gold Cup (William Davies) 1:46
2. Bonanza (Roger Barsotti) 1:26
3. Strange Imagination (Hans May) 1:36
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Scintillating Stars (John Howlett) 1:45
2. Neutral Mood (Hans May) 1:44
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

1. Cool Reception (Jack Beaver) 1:31
2. Eight Drama Bridges (Ronald Hanmer) 1:32
3. Journey To Romance (Richard Addinsell) 2:38
(No Conductor On Label) The Crawford Light Orchestra

And for those that would like all of the above - Link Here!

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Thursday 18 October 2018

HARMONIC MUSIC LIBRARY 

'COVER PHOTOGRAPHY'


Hi Everyone. I have had several requests for the label covers for a few reasons. Mainly to add in tags and another for additional information. I am not sure there are any more additional information on the ones i have already posted, that i have already listed. But feel free to download these to add to your tags; and any other information that you find, all the better!









































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