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

Billy Mayerl is perhaps the best-known British composer of 'novelty' piano solos in the inter-war years, but there were other equally-gifted pianists at work. The Dundee-born Fred Hartley (1905-80) began a broadcasting career in 1925 that culminated in his being made BBC Head of Light Music in 1946. As well as being a solo pianist, from 1931 he had his Novelty Quintet. His most famous solo was 'Dreamy Afternoon' written under the pseudonym Iris Taylor).

This transcription of a 1932 Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields/Arnold Johnson song comes from an album of 'special piano transcriptions' by Hartley, published by Keith Prowse. The word 'special' in this context seems to bave been used by publishers of the time to denote 'swing' or 'rhythmic' arrangements. The trancriptions are amongst the most accomplished of their kind, and brilliantly evoke the prevalent light piano style of their day.
---------------------------------------
Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Piano
• light
• syncopated
• swing
• modern
• Scottish
• Scotland

[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.

[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.

[PSearPianist]

Thanks!

[zrshwe]

Nicely played, very enjoyable.

[PSearPianist]

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