“Just Pure Gold” – which it really is. Just what we need these days in what is becoming a musical desert.

Sound superb. A lot of titles you don’t see very much… It gives record buyers the opportunity to hear these tunes again. a great tribute to John.

Just released on CD this compilation from two original Decca albums ‘The Broadway Waltzes’ (1959) and ‘Golden Strings’ (1963) this CD has a very period feel. It has great tunes, brilliant arranged. I found myself surprised to be reminded how much colour can be found in an orchestra, and I wanted to see the scores to discover how some of Johnny Douglas’ effects were achieved. The orchestration constantly scintillates. I particularly enjoyed This Nearly Was Mine. Charming and easy to listen to.

21 tracks arranged by Johnny Douglas taken from his Decca LPs ‘Golden Strings’ and ‘The Broadway Waltzes’.  Purists will be disappointed that these two albums in total lasted longer than the time available on a CD, necessitating the ‘loss’ of several numbers, but these lovely recordings should surely be in everyone’s collection.

Ranked No.2 in Brian Belton’s Top Ten Releases of 2003.

Without achieving the international fame of several of his contemporaries the late Johnny Douglas gave us much fine music and his talent as an arranger of quality has often gone unrecognised. Through the company he founded, Dulcima Records, we have access to many of his recordings and, recently, the company has released some of his very fine Decca recordings on CD. Two mono albums under the title of A HANDFUL OF STARS came out on Dulcima DLCD 118 a few months ago and now we have this superb sequel CD combining his 1959 LP THE BROADWAY WALTZES with the 1963 album GOLDEN STRINGS.

The liner note quotes the mono LP numbers but I am pleased to say that the CD uses the stereo masters and the sound quality is marvellous. So too is the playing of the full size concert orchestra and Johnny Douglas was one of those MDs who always coaxed the ultimate performance from his musicians. This collection has been programmed as a mix of both LPs and along the way delightful touches occur. An occasional mellow solo alto saxophone, a smooth sounding trombone choir (a Douglas trademark) and (as the CD note states) the ‘shimmering strings’. Johnny’s creative orchestrations contain hidden delights too. His score for CHEROKEE is terrific and the sweeping arrangements for I FEEL PRETTY and OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING are equally splendid.

Oh what a beautiful CD!