Light Music

The enthusiastic response from collectors and critics to Guild's first volume of MWYW music from the 1940s (GLCD 5128) virtually demanded that a second volume had to follow. "Music While You Work" was a popular BBC radio programme originally designed to provide uplifting non-stop music to factory workers during the Second World War, and Decca launched a series of 78s (eventually numbering almost 400 before the final ones were issued in January 1947) that could also be played in factories when suitable radio programmes were not being broadcast. The repertoire contained popular tunes of the day, interspersed with show and film selections plus light classics and instrumental novelties. Today these rare 78s provide a fascinating example of the way in which music was employed as an important ingredient in the war effort.

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