City Hall Records

New CD releases from Rivermont Records

Nat Brusiloff and His Orchestra - Out Of A Clear Blue Sky (1930-1934)

Nat Brusiloff (1904-1951), violin virtuoso and dance band conductor, was among the earliest "personality leaders." At the peak of his fame, in the early 1930s, he was musical director for Kate Smith and led hot dance ensembles that broadcast coast-to-coast over the CBS and NBC radio networks. Because he made almost no commercial recordings, his name has slipped into undeserved obscurity. Thankfully, Brusiloff did record several dozen 12-inch 78s for distribution to radio stations, and those extraordinarily rare discs form the basis of this fist-ever Brusiloff collection. The 48-page illustrated booklet by Grammy nominee David Sager tells the entertaining but ultimately tragic story of this mischievous musical prodigy. All selections have been lovingly remastered by renowned sound engineer Doug Benson for the best possible sound. More than 2 1/2 hours of top-shelf early '30s dance music fills the 2 CDs.

The Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra - Jazzin' The Blues Away

The Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra's fourth CD for Rivermont spotlights rare and delightful songs, rags, waltzes, and tangos from the Johnny Maddox collection of over 1,500 ragtime-era orchestrations. Andrew Greene and the PRSO have selected nearly two dozen of these musical gems, ranging from the fiery, bombastic "Listen to That Dixie Band" and "Mr. Trombonology" to the charmingly elegant "Bouclaire Waltzes." Many of these 100-year-old arrangements are recorded here for the first time -- in crisp, high definition 24-bit sound that makes for a sumptuous, thrilling listening experience when played on good equipment. The CD includes a lavish 32-page color illustrated booklet with extensive commentary by PRSO director Andrew Greene and guest pianist Adam Swanson. Features vocals by William Edwards, an audience favorite wherever the orchestra plays. Two bonus tracks feature previously unreleased piano duets by Adam Swanson and Johnny Maddox himself. 76 minutes.