What This Comedian

There is so much to tell about the Comedian Harmonists and their recordings – where to start? Most people will know some of their hits. In 1975 a 4 hours documentary about the Comedian Harmonists was broadcast in German TV. Public demand then led to the reissue of their work on 3 double LPs. This second double LP emphasises the rich variety of their arrangements and vocal artistry: some of their hits, classical compositions, traditional "Volkslieder" in high German or dialect, 2 Italian songs, songs from their film appearances, one of them in French, an adaptation of "Night and Day" written by Cole Porter. If you are an arranger or a singer in a choir or band, you really have a lot to study here.

This double vinyl is the 4th part of the Comedian Harmonists Story released by EMI Electrola in 1977. On side A we find ballads and love songs that didn't make it on the first 3 editions. In 1935, the German Nazis banned the Jewish singers, they moved to Vienna and founded the Comedy Harmonists, their work is presented on side B. The remaining members in Berlin found 3 new singers, they had to change their name to Meister-Sextett, we can hear them on side C. On side D we have later recordings by former members of the Comedian Harmonists.