Chart Toppers of the Thirties [CD]

Different eras seem to trend on the vintage scene – a few years back the 1940s seemed top of the heap, whereas nowadays there seems to be more 1950s to be seen at events, especially with a heavy pinup feel. The 1920s seems popular for themed events, but very few people do it every day, and the 1930s seem pretty neglected, which is a great shame as some fantastic films came out of that well-mannered era, and many of the clothing styles are very wearable still. The music, like the music of the 1920s, is possibly more difficult for modern people to engage with, when you step away from swing. Much of it is as smooth as a marcel wave, as elegant as Carole Lombard in a satin gown, and possibly equally as disconnected from current styles and tastes. Nowadays the place I imagine you're most likely to hear it is one of those 'vintage tea shop' places with mismatched china and embroidered tablecloths. Hmm. Like good embroidery and deco plates, it does have real style and doesn't deserved to be left in the bunting-draping hands of the incorrigibly twee.

This CD is a collection of songs that were massive hits in the 1930s. Al Bowlly popularised 'crooning', a smooth singing style, in that decade, though Bing Crosby is probably the best-known exponent. Here you can hear the former singing 'Love is the Sweetest Thing' and 'The Isle of Capri', and the latter performing 'Pennies From Heaven'. Ella Fitzgerald's 'A-Tisket, A-Tasket' isn't my favourite Ella track, but does work alongside the others on the CD. One of the biggest names in the jazz era, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, contribute 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'. Some still-famous swing bandleaders and their bands also feature: Benny Goodman, is on here with 'The Glory of Love', sung by Helen Ward, and Tommy Dorsey with 'Music, Maestro, Please'. Of course, the disc contains some wonderful songs from the movies. From Fred Astaire, King of the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals, there's 'Night and Day', 'The Way You Look Tonight' and 'Cheek to Cheek'.

I tend to listen to this album on lazy days at home, or days at work when I need something that's enjoyable yet not too fast and energetic, so it will carry me through a steady pile of work. If I had a criticism, it's that sometimes the music is so slick it slides into the background and can be ignored. Listening rarely gets so easy.

While the collection is available as a download from Amazon, you can get it dead cheap on eBay. I've had my copy for years and can't remember where I got it, but the most likely sources are either a gift from Mr Robot or a purchase from the now-closed greatest music store I've ever set foot in, Duck, Son and Pinker. I haven't thought about that shop for ages, but now I recall it I wish so much that it was still around. In recent years, the number of places where I can go to browse CDs and DVDs seems to have dwindled to almost nothing. Local shops - use 'em or lose 'em, people!