WORDS AND MUSIC



Composer: Noel Coward
Lyricist: Noel Coward

Opened: September 16, 1932, Adelphi Theatre, London
Performances: 164


Children Of The Ritz (subsequently used in SET TO MUSIC):

1. 78/HMV C2463 (The New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
2. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Debroy Somers Band)
3. The Mitford Girls, Philips (S) 6359 088 (Lucy Fenwick and Patricia Hodge, Julia Sutton, Patricia Michael, Colette Gleeson, and Gay Soper with musical direction by John Owen Edwards)


Hall Of Fame (consisting of "Announcement,” “The Man Who Caught The Biggest Shrimp,” “The Oldest Postmistress,” “The Man Who Rowed,” “The Holiday Mermaid,” “The Clergyman,” “My Life Story,” and “Long Live The Press):

1. Noel Coward Revisited, CD/Painted Smiles PSCD-110 (Barbara Lea, Arthur Siegel, and Myvanwy Jenn)
2. Cowards In The Wings, CD/Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3053 (John Knowles, Adrian Wright, and Helen McDermott with Annette Jude, piano)


Housemaid's Knees:

1. Noel Coward Revisited, Painted Smiles PS 1355 (Hermione Gingold and Nancy Andrews with music direction by Norman Paris) [reissued on CD/Painted Smiles PSCD-110]


Let's Live Dangerously:

1. 78/HMV C2463 (New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
2. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Debroy Somers Band)
3. Noel Coward Revisited, CD/Painted Smiles PSCD-110 (Ann Hampton Callaway, Barbara Lea, Myvanwy Jenn, and Arthur Siegel)


Let's Say Goodbye:

1. 78/HMV C2463 (New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
2. 78/Decca F3214 (Gertrude Lawrence with orchestral accompaniment and Claude Ivy, piano) [reissued on Noel & Gertie, CD/Past Perfect PPCD 78135]
3. 78/HMV B4269 (Noel Coward with orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [also 78/Victor 25079; reissued on The Master's Voice: Noel Coward, CD/Angel CDP 7 54919 2]
4. 78/Columbia DB-3009 (Noel Coward with the Café de Paris Orchestra conducted by Syd Simone with Norman Hackforth at the piano) [reissued on The Master's Voice: Noel Coward, CD/Angel CDP 7 54919 2]
5. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Dan Donovan with the Debroy Somers Band)
6. Noel Coward In New York, Columbia ML 5163 (Noel Coward with orchestra direction and piano accompaniment by Peter Matz) [reissued as CD/DRG 19038]
7. The Noel Coward Songbook, CD/EMI Classics 5 57374 (Ian Bostridge with Jeffrey Tate, piano)
8. The Master's Choice, CD/AEI Green Room AEI-CD 605 (Joyce Grenfell)
9. Noel Coward On The Air, CD/Flapper PAST CD 7840 (Noel Coward with David Broekman conducting the Treasury Orchestra)
10. Noel Coward On The Air, CD/Flapper PAST CD 7840 (Noel Coward)


Mad About The Boy (subsequently used in SET TO MUSIC):

I have not attempted to compile discological information for this Coward standard beyond composer performances:
1. 78/HMV Rejected Take (Noel Coward with orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Master's Voice, CD/Angel CDP 7 54919 2]


Mad Dogs And Englishmen (originally used in THE THIRD LITTLE SHOW and subsequently used in NOEL COWARD'S SWEET POTATO):

1. 78/HMV B-4269 (Noel Coward with orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [also 78/Victor 24332; reissued on The Master's Voice, CD/Angel CDP 7 54919 2]
2. 78/Bluebird B 7135 (Rudy Valle and the Gentlemen Songsters with Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees) [reissued on Ho Ho, Everybody, CD/Collectables 0873; Hansel And Gretel/The Yeoman Of The Guard, CD/Sepia 1125]
3. I'll See You Again, 10"/Philips BBR 8028 (Noel Coward with Wally Stott and His Orchestra and Norman Hackforth, piano) [reissued on Noel Coward And Harry Noble Sing Coward, CD/Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3030]
4. Noel Coward At Las Vegas, Columbia (M) ML-5063 (Noel Coward with Peter Matz, piano, and Carlton Davis and His Orchestra) [also 45/Columbia B-2096; reissued as CD/DRG 19037]
5. Noel Coward In New York, Columbia ML 5163 (Noel Coward with orchestra direction and piano accompaniment by Peter Matz) [reissued as CD/DRG 19038]
6. Cowardy Custard, RCA (S) LSO-6010 (Elaine Delmar with orchestra conducted by John Burrows) [reissued as CD/Masterworks Broadway 88883 72394 2]
7. Coward And Novello, Music For Pleasure MFP 1036 (Unknown singer) [reissued as CD/World Record Club TP 220]
8. The King's Singers Sing Flanders & Swann And Noel Coward, EMI (S) EMC 3196 (The King's Singers) [reissued on CAS/Moss Music Group CMG-1120]
9. Down In Jungle Town, MGM (S) SE-4405 (The Yum Yum Kids and the MGM Territorial Orchestra)
10. Show Time Special, EMI (S) CSD 3642 (Dai Francis, John Boulter, and Margaret Savage with orchestral accompaniment directed by George Mitchell)
11. Noel Coward Favorites, STL (S) 5255 (The Les Reed Orchestra)
12. Keith Michell Sings Broadway, Spark (S) SPA-03 (Keith Michell with orchestra conducted by Peter Knight)
13. Noel Coward On The Air: Rare Unknown Broadcasts 1944-1948, CD/Pearl 7840 (Noel Coward)
14. A Talent to Amuse: The Words and Music of Noel Coward, CD/Silva America 3009 (Peter Greenwall)
15. The Words And Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20727 2 (Kenneth Williams with Brian Fahey & His Orchestra)
16. Twentieth Century Blues: The Songs Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 7243 49463127 (Space)
17. A Marvellous Party: The Music Of Noel Coward And Friends, CD/TER CDVIR 8333 (Michael Law with the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra conducted by Michael Law)
18. If Love Were All, CD/Varese Sarabande 302 066 083-2 (Harry Groener with musical direction by Tom Fay)
19. Easy Virtue, CD/Decca B0012871-02 (Andy Caine with the Easy Virtue Orchestra conducted by Marius De Vries)
20. Noel Coward: A Portrait, CD/Aquarius AQCD543 (Peter Pringle)
21. The Noel Coward Songbook, CD/EMI Classics 5 57374 2 (Ian Bostridge and Sophie Daneman with Jeffrey Tate, piano)
22. Stage Musicals: Strike Up The Band, CD/Larrikin D24103 (John Cazabon)
23. Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward, CD/No label 20-06074 (Craig Jessup with Barry Lloyd, piano)
24. A Talent To Amuse, CDr/No label 5 026107 042069 (James Hay with Anne Clements, piano)
25. Noel/Cole "Let's Do It!", CD/Silva Screen SONGCD 910 (Robin Ray with Jason Carr and Paul Bateman, pianos, Steve McManus, bass, and Richard Cole, drums)
26. The Valley Of Song, CD/Chandos Chan 6604 (Rossendale Male Voice Choir)
27. Mad Dogs And Englishmen, CD/President 1097 (Graham Dalby)
28. The Very Best Of Danny Kaye, CD/MCA Records 19049 (Danny Kaye)
29. Mad Dogs And Englishmen, CD/Lmsys 3 (Courtney Kenny)
30. Anywhere With Are, CD/LML Music 168 (Nathan Martin)
31. Bright Young People: The Songs Of Noel Coward, CD/Writers' Theatre (Rob Lindley with Doug Peck, piano)
32. Together With Music, CD/DRG CDXP1103 (Mary Martin and Noel Coward with musical direction by Tutti Camarata)
33. An Evening With Sheridan Morley & Michael Law, CD/Piccadilly Dance Orchestra PICCD 101 (Michael Law, piano and voice)
34. Dennis Olsen At The School Of Arts Café, CD/School Of Arts Café (Dennis Olsen with accompaniment by Malcolm Tapscott)


Maggie (Opening Chorus):

1. 78/HMV C2463 (New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
2. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Debroy Somers Band)


The Party's Over Now (subsequently used in SET TO MUSIC):

1. 78/HMV B4270 (Noel Coward with orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [also 78/Victor 25079; reissued on The Master's Voice: Noel Coward, CD/Angel CDP 7 54919 2]
2. 78/HMV C2463 (The New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
3. 78/Columbia CB 501 (Savoy Hotel Orphean, with Vocal Chorus)
4. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Debroy Somers Band)
5. Noel Coward In New York, Columbia ML 5163 (Noel Coward with orchestra conducted by Peter Matz) [reissued as CD/DRG 19038]
6. Noel Coward At Las Vegas, Columbia (M) ML-5063 (Noel Coward with Peter Matz, piano, and Carlton Davis and His Orchestra) [reissued as CD/DRG 19037]
7. Rare Wine, Vanguard VRS-9003 (Shannon Bolin with Milton Kaye and his Orchestra)
8. The Best Of Noel Coward And Ivor Novello, Pye Golden Guinea (M) GGL 0173 (Peter Knight, his two pianos and his Orchestra)
9. An Evening With Beatrice Lillie, London (M) LL.1373 (Beatrice Lillie with Eadie and Rack at the pianos) [reissued as CD/Sepia 1123]
10. Auntie Bea, London (M) X.5471 (Beatrice Lillie with Eadie and Rack at the pianos and orchestra directed by Eric Rogers) [reissued on CD/Sepia 1123]
11. Oh, Coward!, Bell (S) 9001 (Barbara Cason, Roderick Cook, and Jamie Ross)
12. If Love Were All: The Songs Of Noel Coward, CD/Canzona CANZ CD2 (Dominic Alldis, piano and voice, with rhythm accompaniment) (verse; chorus)
13. Barbara Lea And Keith Ingham Are Mad About The Boy: The Songs Of Noel Coward, CD/Challenge CHR 70073 (Barbara Lea with Keith Ingham, piano, and rhythm accompaniment)
14. A Talent To Amuse, CDr/No label 5 026107 042069 (James Hay with Anne Clements, piano)
15. Noel Coward Songs: A Room With A View, CD/Newport Classic NPD 85647 (Richard Conrad with William Merrill, piano)
16. A Marvellous Party: The Music Of Noel Coward And Friends, CD/TER CDVIR 8333 (Michael Law with the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra conducted by Michael Law)
17. The Noel Coward Songbook, CD/EMI Classics 5 57374 2 (Ian Bostridge with Jeffrey Tate, piano)
18. Bitter Sweet/A Cavalcade Of Coward, CD/EMI Classics For Pleasure 3 35956 2 (Joyce Grenfell with the Lissa Gray Singers and Brian Fahey & His Orchestra)
19. Remember Me And Other Intimate Songs, CD/Sepia Records 1063 (Greta Keller)
20. A Talent To Amuse: The Words And Music Of Noel Coward, CD/Silva America 3009 (Peter Greenwell)
21. Mad Dogs And Englishmen, CD/Lmsys (Courtney Kenny)
22. Bright Young People: The Songs Of Noel Coward, CD/Writers' Theatre (Kate Fry, Rob Lindley, and John Sanders with Doug Peck, piano)
23.Tennessee Williams: Words And Music, CD/Ghostlight 8-3341 (Alison Fraser)


Something To Do With Spring:

1. 78/HMV C2463 (New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
2. 78/HMV B4270 (Noel Coward with orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [reissued on The Master's Voice: Noel Coward, CD/Angel CDP 7 54919 2]
3. 78/Columbia CB 501 (Carroll Gibbons and His Savoy Hotel Orpheans) [reissued on The Words And Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 520727]
4. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Dan Donovan with the Debroy Somers Band)
5. World Weary: The Songs Of Noel Coward, 10"/Heritage (M) H-0054 (Harry Noble with Stuart Ross at the piano) [reissued on Noel Coward And Harry Noble Sing Coward, CD/Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3030]
6. Bobby Short Is Mad About Noel Coward, Atlantic (S) SD 2-607 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Collectables COL-CD-6769]
7. The Master's Choice, CD/AEI Green Room AEI-CD 605 (Noel Coward)
8. The Noel Coward Songbook, CD/EMI Classics 5 57374 2 (Ian Bostridge and Sophie Daneman with Jeffrey Tate, piano)


Three White Feathers (subsequently used in SET TO MUSIC and NOEL COWARD'S SWEET POTATO):

1. Thirty Minutes With Beatrice Lillie, 78/Liberty Music Shop L 251 (Beatrice Lillie with Hugh French with orchestra conducted by Will Irwin) [reissued on The Music Of Broadway: 1939, CD/Encore ENCDNO1/2]
2. 78/Zonophone 6265 (Doris Hare with orchestra conducted by Roy Noble) [reissued on Noel Coward: The Revues, CD/EMI 5 20729 2]
3. Oh, Coward!, Bell (S) 9001 (Barbara Cason, Roderick Cook, and Jamie Ross)
4. Bright Young People: The Songs Of Noel Coward, CD/Writers' Theatre (Kate Fry with Doug Peck, piano)
5. Cowards In The Wings, CD/Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3053 (Adrian Wright with Annette Jude, piano)


The Wife Of An Acrobat:

1. 78/Gala 5006 V-1 (Spivy, piano and voice)
2. 78/Gala 5006 V-3 (Spivy, piano and voice) (alternate take)
3. Noel Coward Revisited, Painted Smiles PS 1355 (Hermione Gingold with music direction by Norman Paris) [reissued as CD/Painted Smiles PSCD-110]
4. The Master's Choice, CD/AEI Green Room AEI-CD 605 (Joyce Grenfell)
5. Cowards In The Wings, CD/Must Close Saturday Records MCSR 3053 (Adrian Wright with Annette Jude, piano)


The Younger Generation:

1. 78/HMV C2463 (Al Bowlly with the New Mayfair Orchestra conducted by Ray Noble) [also 78/ Gramophone B 6238; 78/Victor 25020; reissued on The Great British Dance Bands Play The Music Of Noel Coward, CD/EMI 5 20728 2]
2. 78/Decca F 3185 (Jack Hylton and His Orchestra)
3. 78/Columbia CB 500 (Carroll Gibbons and His Savoy Hotel Orpheans with vocal chorus) [reissued on Volume 6: Sweet And Lovely, CD/Dance Bands CDEA 6134]
4. 78/Columbia DX-393 (Dan Donovan with the Debroy Somers Band)
5. Cowardy Custard, RCA (S) LSO-6010 (Olivia Breeze, Geoffrey Burridge, Jonathan Cecil, Tudor Davies, Elaine Delmar, Laurel Ford, Peter Gale, John Moffat, Patricia Routledge, Anna Sharkey, Una Stubbs, and Derek Waring) [reissued as CD/Masterworks Broadway 88883 72394 2]
6. Bobby Short Is Mad About Noel Coward, Atlantic (S) SD 2-607 (Bobby Short, piano and voice, with Beverly Peer, bass, and Richard Sheridan, drums) [reissued as CD/Collectables COL-CD-6769]
7. If Love Were All, CD/Varese Sarabande 302 066 083-2 (Harry Groener with musical direction by Tom Fay)
8. The Chronological Django Reinhardt 1939-1940, CD/Classics 813 (Django Reinhardt)

Unrecorded Material:

Ballet Announcement
The Debutantes (3 Sequences) (subsequently used in SET TO MUSIC)
Duet: A Gondola On The Rhine
Journey's End
Kleine Pupchen
Love And War
Midnight Matinee
Planters' Wives
Put Out My Shooting Suit, Waters (unused) (also considered for but not used in SET TO MUSIC)
Te Quiero
Yodelling Song