And the Band Played On CD

And the Band Played On Bandleader Ian Whitcomb has assembled a playlist of the music that would have been heard on the RMS Titanic during its fateful voyage (a playlist that might have been heard on any White Star Liner, in fact), closing, of course, with "Songe d'Automne," which was the piece being performed by the ship's orchestra as the vessel vanished beneath the waves. Added to this are "The White Star March" (an original composition) and a recitation of "The Convergence of the Twain," a poem about the disaster written by Robert Service. The songs themselves are an intriguing mixture of the familiar ("Glow-Worm," "Alexander's Ragtime Band") and the somewhat less familiar ("Selections From the Musical Comedy, 'The Arcadians'," "That Mesmerizing Mendelssohn Tune"). Whitcomb and his group, with the Musical Murrays taking several vocal cuts, handle the performances with polish and verve. The White Star Orchestra is an accurate reincarnation of the band that played aboard the ill-fated "Titanic" during its maiden, and only voyage, of 1912. It consisted of a string band with piano, all the musicians being English. Ian Whitcomb, who was an advisor on the movie, has here recreated, from the actual songlist of the White Star line, the music offered by the band for the first class passengers. It was a mixture of light classical and musical comedy pieces as well as popular waltzes--all from the Edwardian period. To cover what might have been available to the steerage class passengers, Ian has invented a ragtime ensemble, The Musical Murrays, who play the pop,rag and music hall songs of the period-- on banjo, piano and accordion. This CD was released in 1997 and was a sensation all over the world. Ian's work won him a Grammy (for design) and a nomination (for his liner notes). Tracks from the CD have been since used in movies and even TV soap operas. This is now considered a classic recording. Recorded at Pinto Recorders, Pasadena, California in January and February 1997. Includes liner notes by Ian Whitcomb. TITANIC: MUSIC AS HEARD ON THE FATEFUL VOYAGE won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Recording Package and was nominated for Best Album Notes. Composers: Harry Castling; Lionel Monckton; Howard Talbot; Charles Ridgewell; John A. Glover-Kind; Will Godwin; Charlie Collins. Personnel: Fred Sokolow (guitar, banjo, mandolin); Ian Whitcomb (ukulele, accordion, piano); Terry Glenny, Wallace Hartley, Bobby Bruce (violin); George Woodward, Marston Smith (cello); David Pinto (piano, organ); Fred Clark (double bass). Liner Note Authors: Harold Bride; Lawrence Beesley; Ian Whitcomb. Recording information: Pinto Recorders, Pasadena, CA (01/1997-02/1997). Authors: Harold Bride; Lawrence Beesley. Ensembles: White Star Trio; White Star Duo. Arrangers: Ian Whitcomb; David Pinto. Personnel: Ian Whitcomb (conductor, spoken vocals, ukulele, accordion, piano); Fred Sokolow (guitar, banjo, mandolin); Terry Glenny, Bobby Bruce (violin); Marston Smith (cello); David Pinto (piano, organ, bass).