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Music Hall

Most popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Music Hall derives from the quintessentially British performers who combined pop standards and vaudevillian comedy numbers. It is characterized by kitschy dramatics, sing-along choruses, horns, tinkling pianos, and either stomping beats or smooth crooning. In a sense they were variety shows in music and theater. A number of different musical pieces were performed for the music hall including ballads, select operatic arias, minstrel acts, comic turns, and monologues. Although recordings exist from the pre-WWI era, few performers became recording stars, except for latter-day inheritors such as Stanley Holloway or Noel Coward (and, much later, Anthony Newley). During the '60s, the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Small Faces were some of the first bands to incorporate this style of British music into rock & roll, followed quickly by the whimsical psychedelia of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and early David Bowie. Throughout the next three decades of rock & roll history, a number of British artists dabbled in this tradition, from pub rockers like Ian Dury to ska revivalists like Madness and Britpoppers like Blur.

Music Hall Album Highlights

Once in a Lifetime: The Collection
Anthony Newley Once in a Lifetime: The Collection
The Masters' Voice -- Noel Coward: His HMV Recordings 1928 to 1953
Noël Coward The Masters' Voice -- Noel Coward: His HMV Recordings 1928 to 1953
Noel Coward at Las Vegas
Noël Coward Noel Coward at Las Vegas
The Revues
Noël Coward The Revues
Mad About the Boy
Noël Coward Mad About the Boy
Together with Music
Noël Coward Together with Music
Noel Coward Album: Noel Coward Live from Las Vegas & New York
Noël Coward Noel Coward Album: Noel Coward Live from Las Vegas & New York
Aznavour Live: Palais des Congres 97/98
Charles Aznavour Aznavour Live: Palais des Congres 97/98
Four Women: The Nina Simone Philips Recordings
Nina Simone Four Women: The Nina Simone Philips Recordings
Mad Dogs and Englishmen [Avid Easy]
Noël Coward Mad Dogs and Englishmen [Avid Easy]
I'll See You Again
Noël Coward I'll See You Again
Just a Bowl of Cherries
Al Bowlly Just a Bowl of Cherries
Mr. Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion in 'What a Racket!'
Joe Jackson Mr. Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion in 'What a Racket!'
Leaning on a Lamp Post
George Formby Leaning on a Lamp Post
Proud of You
Al Bowlly Proud of You
HMV Sessions, Vol. 2: 1930-1934
Al Bowlly / Ray Noble HMV Sessions, Vol. 2: 1930-1934
1931 to 1934
Al Bowlly / Ray Noble 1931 to 1934
You Turn Me On: The Very Best of Ian Whitcomb
Ian Whitcomb You Turn Me On: The Very Best of Ian Whitcomb
When I'm Cleaning Windows [ASV/Living Era]
George Formby When I'm Cleaning Windows [ASV/Living Era]
The War and Postwar Years
George Formby The War and Postwar Years
Ultimate Collection
George Formby Ultimate Collection
Through the Years
Nelson Eddy Through the Years
Marvelous Melodies of Peter Mendoza
Al Bowlly Marvelous Melodies of Peter Mendoza
Al Bowlly and the Great British Bands
Al Bowlly Al Bowlly and the Great British Bands
HMV Sessions, Vol. 1: 1930-1934
Al Bowlly / Ray Noble & His Orchestra HMV Sessions, Vol. 1: 1930-1934
The Dance Band Years
Al Bowlly The Dance Band Years
Round the Town: Following Grandfather's Footsteps - A Night at the London Music Hall
Various Artists Round the Town: Following Grandfather's Footsteps - A Night at the London Music Hall
Our Gracie: 23 Favorites 1928-1947
Gracie Fields Our Gracie: 23 Favorites 1928-1947
Count Your Blessings
George Formby Count Your Blessings
England's Famed Clown Prince of Song
George Formby England's Famed Clown Prince of Song
Flanders & Swann: At the Drop of a Hat
Flanders & Swann Flanders & Swann: At the Drop of a Hat
The Lion and Albert
Stanley Holloway The Lion and Albert
At the Drop of Another Hat
Flanders & Swann At the Drop of Another Hat
Titanic Tunes: Sing-A-Long in Steerage
Ian Whitcomb Titanic Tunes: Sing-A-Long in Steerage
A Little of What You Fancy: The Golden Age of the Music Hall
Various Artists A Little of What You Fancy: The Golden Age of the Music Hall
The Three-Disc Symphonion and Other Victorian Musical Boxes
Various Artists The Three-Disc Symphonion and Other Victorian Musical Boxes
How Do You Do?
Happiness Boys How Do You Do?
Bye-Bye, Blackbird [ASV]
Layton & Johnstone Bye-Bye, Blackbird [ASV]
The Saucy Songs (1928-1938)
Various Artists The Saucy Songs (1928-1938)
Sings Bawdy Cockney Songs
Elsa Lanchester Sings Bawdy Cockney Songs
At His Very Best [Empress/Rex]
Stanley Holloway At His Very Best [Empress/Rex]
At His Very Best [Castle Pulse]
Stanley Holloway At His Very Best [Castle Pulse]
Hits of '41
Various Artists Hits of '41
Everybody Dance [ASV/Living Era]
Various Artists Everybody Dance [ASV/Living Era]
A Box of British Humour
Various Artists A Box of British Humour
Noël Coward's Bittersweet [Selections]
1958 Studio Cast Noël Coward's Bittersweet [Selections]
The Very Best of British Dance Bands
Various Artists The Very Best of British Dance Bands
The History Boys
Original Soundtrack The History Boys
I'm in a Dancing Mood
Charlie Kunz I'm in a Dancing Mood
Cockney Kings of Music Hall
Various Artists Cockney Kings of Music Hall
That Old Feeling
Gracie Fields That Old Feeling
Vintage Children's Favorites [ASV/Living Era]
Various Artists Vintage Children's Favorites [ASV/Living Era]
The Golden Years: British Dance Bands
Various Artists The Golden Years: British Dance Bands
Hits of '36
Various Artists Hits of '36
Hits of '32
Various Artists Hits of '32
The Hits of '22: Do It Again!
Various Artists The Hits of '22: Do It Again!
Legends of Ukulele
Various Artists Legends of Ukulele