Presenting Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra

Presenting Frank Chacksfield

Presenting Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra
London LL 1041

Made In England

1954

From the back cover: In July of 1953, American record fans had pushed an English record amongst the most demanded ten in the country. It was the haunting theme from Charlie Chaplin's motion picture, Limelight, and not only did it focus attention on another side of the great comedian's creative talent, that of a composer, it brought into American prominence a distinguished British band leader by the name of Frank Chacksfield. It is not unusual in the record industry to have a virtual unknown break into international prominence on the strength of one particular ear-catching disc. Sadly, it is also not unusual for that acclaim to die as quickly as it began, when succeeding records fall to attain a measure of acceptance accorded the first big hit. Frank Chacksfield was obviously destined for a lasting career in the public eye for his second London record, Bobby Maxwell's wonderful melody, Ebb Tide, became an even greater hit than Limelight, and by October of the same year was the best selling disc in the United States. When Chacksfield's third entry appeared (Golden Violins) and quickly gathered sales momentum, there could no longer be a question on the prominent status of Chacksfield as a leading figure in contemporary popular music, and when his first London long-playing record (Evening In Paris; ll-997) jumped into the healthy five figure markings a bare two weeks after its release even the most cynical of Tin Pan Alley's "experts" were no longer shaking their knowing heads. It is fitting to append here a bit of background on the formidable Mr. Chacksfield.

He was born in Sussex, and made his first public appearance at the age of 14 as a church organist. He was destined for a career at law but as is so often the case with musicians, he could hardly forget his real yearnings and quietly formed his own dance band to play local dates. The group rehearsed diligently and with the high enthusiasm typical of all amateurs prepared for their first professional appearance. It was not to be for some time however as before the group could commence the engagement, England was shocked into silence by the death of George V and all "entertainments" were cancelled. Later, after a few successful but hardly sensational appearances, the declaration of World War II forced the disbanding of the ensemble and Chacksfield along with many of his fellow musicians found himself in the Royal Army Services Corps.

While he was recuperating in a Scottish hospital he made his first broadcast over the BBC, playing and singing popular favorites from the piano. A short time later, while stationed in Southern England, he was appointed staff arranger for the army review "Star In Battledress" which was the British equivalent of of our own "This Is The Army". One of his first jobs after the war was arranging the music for this same show but the time in its popular civilian version.

In 1948, he began conducting for the BBC in association with the orchestras of Henry Hall and Geraldo and in the next five year rose amongst the most sought after maestri in Britain. Limelight and Ebb Tide did the rest and now the saga is up to date. – Remy Van Wyck Farkas

Theme From Limelight

Limelight Incidental Music

Golden Violins

A Girl Called Linda

High Feather

Glorious 

Ebb Tide

Waltzing Bugle Boy

Golden Tango

Song Of Canterbury

Dancing Princess

The Pied Piper