This selection has been chosen with the aim of recalling the cheerful, bright and breezy style of music that – over fifty years later – our memories tell us seemed prevalent in the 1950s. Typically the entertainment profession at the time was trying to provide an antidote to the post-war misery and austerity that was still afflicting so many countries. Listening to these happy sounds one can be forgiven for forgetting that the early 1950s witnessed rationing and shortages of most luxury items. Of particular interest are examples of light music featuring the young Bert Kaempfert, Franck Pourcel, Cyril Ornadel and Mahlon Merrick alongside established favourites such as Ray Martin, Robert Farnon and Sidney Torch.

Artists

Telecast Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Robert Farnon Orchestra, Ambrose Orchestra with Strings, Bernie Wayne Orchestra, Bert Kaempfert Orchestra, Crawford Light Orchestra, Cyril Ornadel Orchestra, Danish State Radio Orchestra, David Carroll Orchestra, David Rose Orchestra, Dolf van der Linden Orchestra, Franck Pourcel Orchestra, Geoff Love Concert Orchestra, George Liberace Orchestra, George Siravo Orchestra, Grosvenor Studio Orchestra, Louis Voss Orchestra, Mahlon Merrick Orchestra, Monia Liter Orchestra, Ray Martin Concert Orchestra, Robert French Continental Orchestra, Ron Goodwin Concert Orchestra, Stuttgart Radio Orchestra, Robert Farnon, Bert Kaempfert, Cyril Ornadel, Monia Liter, Franck Pourcel, Ray Martin, David Carroll, Ron Goodwin, George Siravo, Bernie Wayne, George Liberace, David Rose, Dolf van der Linden, Elliott Mayes, Frank Sinatra, Geoff Love, Kurt Rehfeld, Laurie Johnson, Louis Voss, Mahlon Merrick, Robert French