My introduction to Frank Westphal’s work was a 78 rpm record I used to have in my collection, called “The Duck’s Quack” which I thought was a delightful novelty number with some good musical skills underneath. I wish that I had had the opportunity to hear more of his work before, so we are indeed fortunate to have Rivermont release this album
Much of Westphal’s work was recorded by Columbia Records (he was advertised as an exclusive Columbia recording artist). I and a number of other collectors have noticed a propensity of Columbia to record at too low a level on occasion. This results in a noise to music ratio which is often unfavorable to the music.
So I am delighted to report that Executive Producer Bryan Wright, who did all the transfers and digital remastering for this album did an extraordinary job of keeping the volume of the music at an excellent level and the “noise” to an absolute minimum. I honestly don’t know how on earth he managed to do it, but the proof is there on the disc. This enables the listener to truly enjoy these amazing arrangements and performances with minimum distraction.
Of all the tracks, my preferences are for “If You Knew,” with its vital and rhythmic banjo solo at the end (it’s not common to hear extended banjo solos on dance band records during these years; and this and “Don’t Bring Me Posies” both feature Al Neilson on b
