- You've Never Had It So Good:
Songs at the Piano [10" LP]
 Vivian
Ellis plays and sings: You've Never Had It So Good; Rip Van Winkle
Of The Stage; Small Abode; Uproarious Devon; Small Time; This
Is Your Life; I Remember Venice; Stock Exchange Art; Other People's
Babies; Hengist and Horsa
-
- Vivian Ellis, in his own sleeve note, introduces this record
'by the undistinguished composer of forgotten musicals'. This
ten-inch disc, he tells us 'can also be used as a burglar alarm.
Two records, tied with adhesive tape, will make up into a wolf
proof brassiere - many dealers preferring to sell them for this
specific purpose only.' This ten inch LP evokes a style and outlook
on the world that is today barely recognisable. Decca's sound
is superb, close and warm, a situation that suits Ellis's performing
style perfectly. There is no pretension here, for no one could
sound more modest or harmless than Mr Ellis. The humour is gentle,
witty, sympathetic, and there are some gems here. 'Small Time',
a touching evocation of a bottom-of-the-bill music-hall act,
is a lovely piece of writing, with a tender care for its subject.
I doubt if this could be confused with the work of any other
composer. Ellis has fun elsewhere with some of the more dreary
aspects of modern life - the interest in making money out of
paintings ('Stock Exchange Art'), the terrors of being the subject
of the TV programme 'This Is Your Life' (one can't imagine Ellis
ever agreeing to be exposed to its vulgarities), and in 'You've
Never Had It So Good' he makes light of political capital made
out of supposed posterity. One of the main joys is a gently updated
lyric to A. P. Herbert's 'Other People's Babies' - flick knives
and guitars have now come in to it - and how beautifully Ellis
places this lyric. It's an exquisite performance from this master
of his craft.
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