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DAINTY DEBUTANTES
Female Novelty Pianists of the 1930s
Rivermont BSW-1149

Noted novelty piano expert Alex Hassan writes "Dainty Debutantes may be the snappy title of this collection of scintillating rhythmic piano solos and transcriptions, but it's hardly descriptive of the young women responsible for the toe-tapping, driving virtuosity that fills the grooves of so many of these 78 rpm performances...These ladies of syncopation were considerably better schooled technically, and more imaginitive in their arranging abilities, than the vast majority of their male counterparts." The highly arranged, technically sophisticated style of piano playing heard on this CD enjoyed its greatest popularity in England in the early 1930s. With only two exceptions, all of the recordings on this disc were made in London, and few were ever released in the United States, which may in part explain why the names of Raie Da Costa, Renara, Patricia Rossborough, Edythe Baker, Vera Guilaroff, and Beryl Newell sadly remain unknown to most American collectors.

The 12-page booklet that accompanies the disc includes rare photographs, complete discographical information, and insightful commentary by Alex Hassan. All of the selections have been painstakingly remastered directly from the extremely rare Depression-era 78 rpm pressings for superior sound. As Hassan points out, the "flying fingers, propulsive tempos and imagination-run-rampant make repeated listenings so easy." Enjoy a few of the sound samples on this page and see if you don't agree. 79 minutes.
US $16.00
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Click on the buttons to hear full-quality audio samples of selected tracks.

1. Dancing Till DawnEdythe Baker
2. You Are My Heart's Delight (Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz)Edythe Baker
3.I've Got You on My MindRaie Da Costa
4.Thanks (Intro: The Day You Came Along)Raie Da Costa
5. Mr. Whittington Medley, Part 1 (The Sun is Round the Corner / Who Do You Think You Are?)Raie Da Costa
6.Mr. Whittington Medley, Part 2 (Oceans of Time / Weep No More, My Baby)Raie Da Costa
7. Just By Your ExampleRaie Da Costa
8.Ridin' Around in the RainRaie Da Costa
9.Just Humming AlongRaie Da Costa
10.Film Hits Medley, Part 1 (I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm / Will You Remember? / Slumming on Park Avenue)Vera Guilaroff
11.Film Hits Medley, Part 2 (This Year's Kisses / September in the Rain / Let's Call the Whole Thing Off)Vera Guilaroff
12.Jazz Up Your LingerieBeryl Newell
13. Black-Eyed Susan BrownBeryl Newell
14.Two For Tonight Medley, Part 1 (Without a Word of Warning / Takes Two to Make a Bargain)Renara
15. Two For Tonight Medley, Part 2 (I Wish I Were Aladdin / Two For Tonight / From the Top of Your Head)Renara
16.Gershwin Medley, Part 1 (Rhapsody in Blue / Lady Be Good / That Certain Feeling / Looking for a Boy)Renara
17.Gershwin Medley, Part 2 (Wait a Bit Susie / I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise / The Man I Love / I Got Rhythm)Renara
18.Zing! Went the Strings of My HeartRenara
19. Sweet Adeline Medley, Part 1 (Why Was I Born / Don't Ever Leave Me)Renara
20. Sweet Adeline Medley, Part 2 (Lonely Feet / We Were So Young / I Won't Dance)Renara
21.Dainty DebutantePatricia Rossborough
22. Piccadilly PlaytimePatricia Rossborough
23. Darts and DoublesPatricia Rossborough
24.To a Wild RosePatricia Rossborough
25. Crazy Days Medley (Do / Love Was Born / Stranger in a Cup of Tea)Patricia Rossborough
26. The King of HeartsPatricia Rossborough
Credits:
Compilation and liner notes: Alex Hassan / Source recordings: Alex Hassan / Transfers and remastering: Bryan S. Wright / Photographs: Alex Hassan