NDO - Pure gold 1, ( 2 CD’s ) - in them there is the history in music of the NVO / NDO from its early beginnings at Studio 1, Piccadilly, Manchester, to its later home - the Playhouse Theatre in Hulme.
Broadcasting was difficult in the 1950’s - mixing and recording techniques were in their infancy, with early recordings being cut to disc for transmission, initially to 78 rpm, with a maximum duration of 4 or so minutes, then later to 33 1/3 speed discs which gave a much higher quality sound and longer playing time, before tape became the normal method of recording in Manchester around 1956.
It is no wonder that in its early years, most of the NVO / NDO ’s programmes were broadcast live. All types of media have been used in the production of these CD’s, which take us back to the early 50’s.
We start with one of the oldest recordings known of the NVO, Johnny Roadhouse’s ‘Slaughter on Tenth Avenue’ - this is what he invariably played in band breaks, and became almost his ‘trade mark’. Following this are 10 tracks conducted by the legendary Alyn Ainsworth, before we continue the laid back string based sounds of the NVO, into the Augmented NDO. Gradually the strings disappear, as they did in real life, due to cost constraints, and the NDO as we know it today, emerged, conducted mainly by the extremely talented Bernard Herrmann. CD 2 ’s tracks are set firmly in what I consider to be the best years of the NDO – the band had matured, with the various sections on many occasions sounding like one glorious instrument - this was one of the many unique attributes of this band.
The band solo’s are quite breathtaking .There is only one vocal on this CD - a delightful later track by the lovely Sheila Buxton - comparison with a very early recording of her on CD 1, shows how her voice had developed. She always inspired the band to excellence. A rare piano duet by the talented pianists Brian Fitzgerald and Tom Steer provides a break from band numbers, and highlights the versatility of all the band members, many of whom were capable of ‘doubling’ on other instruments. Both are sadly no longer with us, Tom Steer died earlier this year. I know that these CD’s will enable the extraordinary talents of them both to be heard and appreciated.
Many of the tracks on these CD’s were sent to me after ‘Diamonds’ was produced, so it has been a great pleasure to be allowed to make additional double albums containing many new tracks, many of which I hope you will agree are very special.
My thanks to the BBC and the Musicians Union for their permissions to produce these unique CD’s.
We hope that you will enjoy these unique CD’s, produced at cost, and maybe see your way to sending a small contribution via us to ‘Children In Need’ - Our nominated charity for these CD’s.
For more information please write to:-
NDO PROJECT MAIL, C/O J ROADHOUSE, 123 OXFORD RD, ALL SAINTS, MANCHESTER M1 7DU
Expect 7-10 days for delivery