Light Music

When a Guild Golden Age of Light Music CD provokes a strong reaction from buyers asking for more, it is inevitable that another similar collection will eventually appear. In the case of "Light Music While You Work" this is the third compilation from the Decca series of 78s issued in the 1940s, providing a companion volume to GLCD5128 and 5137. These recordings were issued in response to a need for enjoyable, yet undemanding, music to be played over loudspeakers to factory workers, especially those directly involved in the war effort such as the manufacture of munitions. On 23 June 1940 the BBC broadcast the first "Music While You Work", and such was its popularity that it continued for decades long after hostilities had ceased. Decca used conductors like Reginald Burston, Harold Collins, Richard Crean, Harry Davidson, Wynford Reynolds, Harry Fryer and Ronnie Munro for these now very rare recordings which could be used when the BBC was not broadcasting light music.

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