Fred Hartley (arr:) Good-Bye Blues (McHugh, Fields, Johnson)

[flammasherman]

Fred Hartley was responsible for a lot of continuity and ' test card ' music used by the BBC in the early 1950's.He arranged standards such as ' The Ash Grove ' & ' Bobby Shaftoe' brilliantly intertwineing them in a wonderful score.Recall the music was used prior to the Children's Television Service starting at 5.00p.m.Would love to hear original recordings if any survive.

[BEDOab]

Thank you for that, I real treat to hear 'proper music'

I grew up in the Dance Band Days and always appreciate hearing that sort of music.

[PSearPianist]

@BEDOab Thanks for your most kind comment!

[duettists]

Beautiful performance. You make it sound easy and relaxed, but like Billy Mayerl, Fred Hartley's score is technically challenging. I hope you post more performances in the Fred Hartley style.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you very much. I have some other pieces by him and may well post them. But - you are right - his arrangements are not easy to play!

[myslnat1]

Nice music,great pianist!Bravo!!!!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you - I must do one or two more pieces by him at some stage.

[zrshwe]

Nicely played, very enjoyable.

[PSearPianist]

Thanks!

[jannarta]

Like the style man. You would be a natural to play In the Mood and 12th Street Rag and just maybe The Ivory Rag, Side Saddle and Russ Conway's version of a Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. Did you know, Phillip, that he was awarded the R.N. Distinguished Service Medal for V.S.Comms. in the Artic during W.W.11? Gerald.

[PSearPianist]

Thanks for your kind comment, Gerald. I have no scores of Russ Conway's, but I will see if I can get some.

[gbarnett70]

Awesome!  Totally love this piece.

[PSearPianist]

Thanks! - so do I.

[wolkowy1]

I have a book by Billy Mayerl and thought he was unique. Well, he is, alongside other British between-wars composers, and as this light style is so loveable (one cannot but love it) - I think your liseners are going to have real fun at the near future! Bravo!

[PSearPianist]

Thanks for your kind comment. I have always loved this kind of music, ever since I heard my mother's cousin (to whom this was a native style) play by ear. Other huge influences on me are recordings I have heard of Rae da Costa and the Austrian Kurt Maier. I will record some more - however the reason rhythmic solos are little played today is that they are often extremely difficult (for me at least)!