DECEMBER ISSUE OF JOURNAL INTO MELODY


I am indebted to the Robert Farnon Society for continuing to send me a copy of their official magazine Journal Into Melody, even though I have not contributed for some time. I used to run a regular column therein but, as you know, I am having enough trouble keeping up with things here, let alone being able to contribute anywhere else.
Anyway, I just thought I'd give the latest issue a plug, for there is always something screen music-related to enjoy therein, and the current issue is no exception, as we have a piece on the latest album from film & TV composer Nigel Hess, Silent Night, with the composer at the piano, joined by the strings of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a collection of Christmas Carols; a celebration of the centenary of the birth of David Rose, who of course is especially remembered for his work on Bonanza, The Little House on the Prairie and The High Chaparral; part two of "The Great Arrangers," which features Nelson Riddle, of TV's Batman fame; the second part of a feature on "Aviation and Light Music," which mentions a good many high-flying film themes; a tribute by Laurie Johnson (The Avengers, The Professionals et al) to Jack Parnell; reports on John Wilson's splendid Rodgers and Hammerstein Prom; obituaries for Geoffrey Burgon and Mitch Miller (who of course contributed to films such as The Inn of the Sixth Happiness and The The Bridge on the River Kwai); plus short reviews of albums such as Nigel Hess' Ladies in Lavender, Ron Goodwin's That Magnificent Man and His Music Machine, The Prisoner (featuring the complete Chappell Recorded Music Library cues utilised therein), and Lalo Schifrin's Mambo in Paris( which I of course gave a mention to recently).
If you think you may be interested in joining the Society, send an e-mail to the Membership Secretary, Albert Killman, at rfs@mypostoffice.co.uk, or visit the Society's website at www.rfsoc.org.uk.