Artist: Outkast, Kevin Kendricks, A. Benjamin, Albey Scholl, Andre 3000, Mosquito Puss, Chrysalis Music, 0chrysalis Music, Rosario Dawson, André 3000, Tomi Martin, Aaron Mills, Cutmaster Swiff, Marvin "Chanz" Parkman, Hornz Unlimited, André Benjamin, Gnat Booty

A Superb Collection, 2009-01-24
The complete third volume of 'The Record of Singing' reissued here contains, with a few exceptions, artists recorded between the introduction of electrical recording in 1925 and 1939. The remastering is quite superb and shows - what may be surprising to some - just how good a sound quality was achieved by the engineers of the time. The orchestras may sound somewhat restricted in range but the voices come through with remarkable fidelity and richness.

The various tracks, rather than being arranged in chronological order, have been grouped into various schools - German, Italian, French, etc - and this certainly is a great aid to listening pleasure. All the great names are represented - Gigli, Melchior, Leider, etc - but their work is placed in the context of other, less well-known, singers in the same style. This shows, firstly, how well deserved their reputations are but, secondly, just what a high average standard was achieved during this period. It is difficult to single out individuals among the lesser known voices but I especially enjoyed Florence Austral and Nanny Larsen-Todsen among the sopranos and, among the male singers, Heinrich Schulusnus, Peter Dawson and Walter Widdop.

In spite of its comprehensiveness, I was surprised to note that no recordings of Gilbert and Sullivan were included. During the 1920's and 1930's some of the finest of all G&S specialists were recording for HMV and it is, in my mind, a great pity that room could not have been found for the likes of Henry Lytton, Bertha Lewis, Winifred Lawson and many other fine singers.

However, the set as a whole is quite superb and thoroughly enjoyable. It is an essential purchase for all lovers of fine singing.

Artist: Various Artists