Recordings from the 1970s

1970 This is Christmas / Carols for Christmas

~new recording
EMI THIS 14 SCX 6425
Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston
Lyn Harry (Conductor) ~ Dilys Lloyd (Organist) with harpists ~ Ann Griffiths (Director), Meinir Heulwen Roberts, Ceinwen Roberts and Eleri Owen
Producer ~ Bob Barratt

Side one
The first nowell ~ Away in a manger ~ We three kings ~ Once in royal David’s city ~ The Coventry carol ~ While shepherds watched
Side two
Hark! the herald angels sing ~ Silent night ~ The holly and the ivy ~ O little town of Bethlehem ~ Ding dong merrily on high ~ O come, all ye faithful

1970 Land Of My Fathers

Starline / EMI SRS 5062
Produced by Bob Barratt
A compilation LP of previously issued items of tracks from recordings made during the Ivor E. Sims, Eurfryn John and Lyn Harry eras.

Side one
Land of my fathers (Eurfryn John -conductor and Jennie Sims -organ. 1964) ~ Myfanwy (Eurfyn John. 1962) ~ Tydiu a Roddaist ( Eurfryn John and Jennie Sims. 1965) ~ Cyfri'r Geifr (Eurfryn John. 1962) ~ Dafydd y garreg wen (Lyn Harry. 1970)

Side two
Chorus of the Hebrew slaves ( Eufryn John and Jennie Sims. 1963) ~ Once in Royal David's City ( Lyn Harry with harps directed by Ann Griffiths. 1970) ~ Lead kindly light (Eurfryn John and Jennie Sims. 1967) ~ Linden Lea (Ivor E Sims. 1959) ~ A man alone (arr. by Eufryn John, musical director Jonny Arthey. 1967) ~ God save the Queen (arr. Ivor Sims, conducted by Eufryn John. 1964)

NOTE: Musical Director for 'A man alone' - John Arthney

1970 Land of Hope and Glory

~new recording

An important issue - the first commercial recording of the MOC with a brass band.

EMI SCX 6406
EMI Studios Abbey Road London
Lyn Harry (Conductor) ~ Stanley H. Boddington ( Conductor of G.U.S [Footwear] Band.
Producer Bob Barratt

Side one
The soldiers' chorus ~ Students' marching song and drinking song ~ Pilgrims chorus ~ The lost chord ~ Finlandia

Side two
Jerusalem ~ Mine eyes have seen the glory ~ Cavalry of the Steppes ~ David of the White Rock ~ The anvil chorus ~ Abide with me ~ Land of hope and Glory.

1971 Holiday in Wales

Record label: Qualiton SQUAD 105 Stereo

A compilation LP featuring the Morriston Orpheus, Treorchy Male and Pendyrus Male Choirs, Stuart Burrows, Pontarddulais Choral Society.

MOC track LP side 2 We'll keep a welcome

1972 Cartref

~new recording
EMI SCX 648
recorded at New Siloh Chapel, Landore, Swansea
Lyn Harry (Conductor )~ Leslie Ryan (organ and piano)~ Doreen Williams (piano)

First sleeve cover was the original and the second sleeve cover was issued in Australia on the World Record Club label no. S5729

Side one
Cartref (solo soprano Nancy Richards) ~ Huntsmens' Chorus ~ Y Pren ar y bryn ~ Morte Christe ~ Little Inocent lamb ~ The Land of Song (solo bass-baritone Nigel Hopkins)

Side two
The Bandits' Chorus ~Unwait etto'n nghymru anwyl (solo soprano Nancy Richards) ~ Exodus Song ~ Tros y garreg ~ My Lord, what a morning (solo bass-baritone NIgel Hopkins) ~ Scarlet Ribbons ~ Kalinka ( solo tenor John Coghlin)

Here is an extract from the LP sleeve notes, written by Gerwyn Hopkins, Secretary of the Morriston Orpheus Choir in 1972:

"On November 27th 1971 the Morriston Orpheus Choir dedicated its rehearsal room to the memory of Ivor E Sims, their founder conductor. The Ivor E Sims Memorial Hall has become the 'musical home' of this famous choir and it is therefore most appropriate in this particular sense that the Choir's first record release since the dedication be entitled CARTREF - HOME.

At this dedication service, which was an important milestone in the history of this Choir, many people paid tribute to Ivor Sims as a man and as a musician. The assembled congregation (which included representatives from 17 male voice choirs) were told that one of his main contributions was the introduction of a new sound in male choral singing which can only be described as a thrilling pianissimo. The introduction and perfection of this new sound gave us the complete dynamic range of vocal range."

1972 Morte Christe and Diolch i'r Ior

A 45 rpm on the EMI label MOC1

EMI SCW 1002

Lyn Harry (Conductor) ~ Leslie Ryan (Organist) ~ solo bass Garfield Jones
Producer Bob Barratt

1973 On Route

~new recording
EMI/Columbia SCX 6535
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
MOC (Conductor ~ Lyn Harry) ~ Leslie Ryan (Organist) with The Band of the Welsh Guards (Director of Music ~ Major D K Walker)
Producer ~ Bob Barrett

Side one
March of the men of Harlech ~ Elizabethan serenade ~ Song of liberty ~ Serenade ~ Kumbayah ~ Amazing Grace (Bass solo ~ Garfield Jones)

Side two
En Route ~ Sometimes I feel like a motherless child (Bass solo ~ Garfield Jones) ~ Pirates chorus ~ Diniweidrwydd ~ Evening hymn and cavalry last post

1973 Llef

~new recording
EMI/Columbia SCX 6549
recorded at Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston
Lyn Harry (Conductor) ~ Doreen Williams (Piano)~ Leslie Ryan (Organ)
Producer ~ Bob Barrett

Side one
Llef ~ Conspirators’ chorus ~ Dana Dana ~ Pie Jesu ~ Heimat ~ Song of all nations

Side two
Roman war song ~ Muss i den ~ Jacob’s ladder ~ Diolch i’r Ior ~ 76 Trombones ~ Force of Destiny

1975 We'll Keep a Welcome ~ The Welsh Choirs

compilation 5 LP boxed set
World Record Club SM391-5

No 1 and 2 Treorchy Male Choir

No 3 Side 1 Morriston Orpheus Choir

CONSPIRITORS’ CHORUS ~ CARTREF (Solo Soprano - Nancy Richards) ~ DAVID OF THE WHITE ROCK (Dafydd y Garreg Wen) ~ KALINKA (Solo Tenor -John Coughlin) ~ LITTLE INNOCENT LAMB ~Y PREN AR Y BRYN ~ CASATSCHOCK

Conducted by Lyn Harry ~ Doreen Williams (piano) ~ Leslie Ryan (piano and organ)
Produced by Bob Barratt

No 3 Side 2 Morriston Orpheus Choir

O ISIS AND OSIRIS ~ GOD BLESS THE PRINCE OF WALES ~ THE SILVER BIRCH ~ BRAHMS’ LULLABY ~ LEAD KINDLY LIGHT ~ MUSS I DENN* ~ THE LORD’S PRAYER

Conducted by Eurfryn John ~ * conducted by Lyn Harry ~ Produced by Bob Barratt

No 4 Side 1

CWM RHONDDA ~ THE ASH GROVE ~ THE HOLY CITY ~ STEAL AWAY ~ BLESS THIS HOUSE ~ AVE MARIE ~ WE’LL KEEP A WELCOME (Solo Tenor ~ Ken Williams)

Morriston Orpheus Choir
Conducted by Eurfryn John ARCO LRAM ATCL
Produced by Bob Barratt

No 4 Side 2

EN ROUTE ~ ELIZABETHAN SERENADE ~ JERUSALEM * ~ THE SOLDIERS’ CHORUS * ~ THE LOST CORD * ~ CAVALRY OF THE STEPPES * ~ LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY *

Morriston Orpheus Choir
Conducted by Lyn Harry With * G.U.S. (FOOTWEAR) BAND conducted by Stanley H Boddington LRAM ARCM
Produced by Bob Barratt

No 5

Side 1 1970 ~ ONE THOUSAND WELSH MALE VOICES

Side 2 1974 ~ ONE THOUSAND WELSH MALE VOICES

1975 The Heart of Wales

~new recording
EMI/Columbia SCX 9577
Recorded at Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston
Lyn Harry (Conductor) ~ Doreen Williams (piano) ~ Leslie Ryan (organ)
Producer ~ Bob Barrett

Side one
Sailors’ chorus (Wagner) ~ Kula serenade (Tenor solo ~ Wyn Ashton)~ Dyma gariad fel y moroedd (What a friend we have in Jesus) (Boy soprano solo ~ Nigel Palmer) ~ I’m a roamer ~ Bandura (tenor solo ~ Cyril McGrane)~ Bwthyn bach to gwellt

Side two
Casatschok ~ O mor be’r yn y man (In the sweet bye and bye) ~ Llangau Madog ~ Evening's pastorale ~ Psalm 100

c.1976 The Very Best of Welsh Choirs

A compilation LP on the EMI label EMC 3099
Morrison Orpheus. Monmouth Massed Male Choir. Treorchy Male and Cory Band
Producer Bob Barratt and Brian Culverhouse

MOC: March of the Men of Harlech ~ David of the white rock~ God bless the Prince of Wales ~ Cartref (solo soprano Nancy Richards) ~ Y Pren ar y bryn ~ Hiraeth ( solo tenor Ken Williams ) ~ We'll keep a welcome.

1976 A Grand Night for Singing

~new recording
EMI TWOX 1049
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London
MOC (Musical Director ~ Leslie Ryan) with the Band of the HM Royal Marines School of Music (Conductor ~ Lt Col Paul Neville)
Producer ~ Bob Barrett

Side one
RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN SHOW-STOPPERS
It’s a grand night for singing ~ Bloody Mary ~ There is nothin’ like a dame ~ Younger than springtime ~ You’ll never walk alone ~ Edelweiss ~ Getting to know you ~ Oklahoma ~ Oh, what a beautiful morning ~ It’s a grand night for singing
THE U.S. MARINE CORPS HYMN ~ I BELIEVE ~ SONGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR Oh! it’s a lovely war ~ It’s a long way to Tipperary ~ There’s a long, long trail ~ Keep the home fires burning ~ Mademoiselle from Armentiers~Over there! ~ Roses of Picardy ~ Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag

Side two
SONGS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
The army, the navy and the air force ~ Bless “em all ~ Kiss me good-night, sergeant-major ~ Lili Marlene ~ I’ll be seeing you ~ Now is the hour ~ This is the army, Mister Jones ~ We’re gonna hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line
CARIBBEAN SUNSHINE
The banana boat song ~ Yellow bird ~ Jamaica farewell ~ Brown-skin gal
MUSICAL COMEDY MEMORIES
The French military marching song ~ Soldiers in the park ~ Robbers’ march ~ The cobbler’s song ~ Song of the vagabonds ~ Stout-hearted men ~ The desert song ~ The riff song ~ Goodbye
Arrangements by Ray Woodfield

From the LP Sleeve: What a splendid idea it was to have one of Wales' premiere choirs join forces with the Band of the Royal Marines School of Music - likewise supreme in its field. In this new recording the Band directed by Lieut. Col Paul Neville MVO, FRAM, RM, displays not only its technical brilliance but also its skill in accompanying and complemening the chorus. Leslie Ryan, the Choral Director of the Morriston Orpheus, also earns our thanks for his painstaking work in preparing and directing the Choir. Voices and band blend richly in the album's title song, while in contrast "Younger Than Springtime" is sung with an intimacy which belies the choir's size.

Remastered CD now on sale

Letter from Ray Woodfield who arranged all the music for the recording, dated September 2014;

Dear Morriston Orpheus Choir,

I was the music arranger for some of your EMI recordings, notably 'A Grand Night For Singing'. When I heard via Desmond Carrington that you have released it as a CD I was highly delighted. I have listened to it frequently and have to say that the quality and balance between choir and band is second to none. There must be many older people who would love to have a copy – I don't have Facebook but I believe it is free and a good method of advertising. The musicality of the choir shines out and is a joy to listen to. Bob Barratt made a good choice with this project and the recording engineer, Stuart Eltham, deserves a round of applause too. I read a review on the Internet that said 'it is an uplifting CD'. It really is, and I thank the 1976 Morriston Orpheus Choir for such an enjoyable and enduring experience.

Warmest regards,

Ray Woodfield

Cassette version released in Australia

No. COM.015

1977 Sing We Merrily

~new recording
EMI NOTE NTS 119
Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston
Leslie Ryan (Musical Director) ~ Leighton Jenkins (Assistant Musical Director) ~ Doreen Williams (piano) ~ Jean Williams (harp)
Producer ~ Bob Barrett

Side one
Ride the chariot ~ Morning star ~ The last words of David ~ Swansea Town (Tenor solo ~ Wyn Ashton) ~ Bugail Aberdyfi (The shepherd of Aberdovey) (Tenor solo ~ Cyril McGrane) ~ Lovely moon ~ Lausanne

Side two
Cytgan y Morwyr (Sailors’ Chorus ~ Parry) ~ Lily of the valley (Tenor solo ~ Ben Edwards) ~ Mulberry Mornings (Soprano solo ~ Penny Ryan and tenor solo ~ Wyn Ashton) ~ Sara
~ Cradle song ~ Sing we merrily (Leslie Ryan)

From the LP sleeve: “This is the first time in the history of the Orpheus Choir, which was formed in 1935, that an original composition has been written for and dedicated to them. It was written to mark my appointment as conductor in 1976. The words are taken from various Psalms and in particular Psalms 81 and 150. The music falls into three broad sections. Special features of the Morriston Orpheus sound have been incorporated in the music: a sustained pianissimo on the word “Alleluia”; a vigorous forte on the words “O sing unto God”; and the ability to achieve a thrilling climax of sound on the words “O praise ye the Lord”. Leslie Ryan

1977 British Berlin Tattoo (Jubilee Year Tribute)

~new recording
Craighall Studios BBT 102
Deutschlandhalle, Berlin
Massed Military Bands, Pipes and Drums, (Senior Director of Music ~ Captain D N Taylor, Welsh Guards) ~ Combined choirs Morriston Orpheus Choir and the Choir of the Welsh Guards ~ Leslie Ryan (Musical Director)
Producer ~ Major Michael Parker
Record Producer ~ Bryce Laing

Choir's involvement ~
With the Massed Bands ~ Slaves Chorus
Choirs’ only ~ Cymru’n un ~ Ar hyd y nos ~ Diolch i’r ior ~ Myfanwy ~ The huntsman’s chorus
Finale with Massed bands ~ Vivat Regina ~ Lead kindly light

From the LP sleeve: "The Berlin Tattoo has grown over the years to become one of the largest military displays to take place outside Great Britain. This exciting show of military skills, pageantry and superb music is one that is always remembered. In Great Britain and throughout the Commonwealth 1977 has a special significance as the Silver Jubilee Year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign. This special significance is reflected in the the programme and music of the 1977 Tattoo which is staged against a backdrop of the Tower of London."

Note: The Choir sang its items and jointly with the Choir of the Welsh Guards (Vivat Regina and Lead kindly light) on a platform on the mock-up of the Tower of London.

1978 The Very Best of Gilbert and Sullivan

~new recording
EMI TWOX 1066
Abbey Road Studios, London
MOC (Musical Director ~ Leslie Ryan) With The Band of HM Royal Marines conducted by Lt Col Paul Neville)
Producer ~ Bob Barrett

Side one
BEHOLD THE LORD HIGH EXECUTIONER
Selection; IOLANTHE
Excerpts from: Overture ~ March of the Peers ~ None shall part us ~ When Britain really ruled the waves ~ He loves! ~ Young Strephon is the kind of lout ~ Finale

TAKE A PAIR OF SPARKING EYES
Selection: THE PIRATES FROM PENZANCE
Excerpt from: I am a pirate king ~ Climbing over rocky mountain ~ How beautiful blue the sky ~ Pirates’ chorus ~ Pour, oh pour, the pirate sherry ~ Poor wand’ring one ~ With cat-like tread ~ Ah, leave me not to pine ~ Pray observe the magnanimity ~ Oh, better far to live and die

Side two
DANCE A CACHUCHA
Selection: THE MIKADO
Excerpts from; If you want to know who we are ~ So please you, Sir. we much regret ~ Three little maids from school are we ~ Brightly dawns our wedding day ~ The sun whose rays are all ablaze ~ The flowers that bloom in the spring ~ Braid the raven hair ~ Tit willow ~ The threatened cloud has passed away

A WAND’RING MINSTREL I
Selection: H.M.S. PINAFORE
Excerpts from; Never mind the why and wherefore ~ Now give three cheers ~ We sail the ocean blue ~ When I was a lad ~ He remains an Englishman ~ I’m called Little Buttercup ~ Never mind the why and wherefore (reprise) ~ We sail the ocean blue (reprise)
Arrangements by Ray Woodfield

From the LP Sleeve: "Gilbert and Sullivan performed by a male choir and a military band? What an unlikely partnership! And yet when you come think about it, what better way could there be to convey the lively rhythms than a well-drilled military band, and who better to sing the rousing choruses and sweet melodies than a Welsh choir?"

Gramophone Review March 1978: This record is going to please a vast number of people and, it seems to me, offend only the strictest dyed-in-the-wool Savoyards. Ray Woodfield's arrangements do no violence to the well-loved music and seem to me to be eminently musical and sympathetic to the originals. Most of the numbers chosen respond very well to the treatment including the singing of solo songs by a hundred or so men. I have commented before that the firmness and good tone of this choir's soft singing is, if possible, even more impressive than the brightness of their tone at its loudest. The four medleys are well chosen and neatly linked. Not a record to replace the originals but to compliement them and one to be remembered especially when Christmas and party season comes round. W.A.C.

Some of the tracks were re-issued as a CD in 1989, tracks from 'A Grand Night For Singing ' were also included.

1978 Golden and New

~new recording
EMI/NOTE NTS 159
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Leslie Ryan (Musical Director) ~ Leighton Jenkins (Assistant Musical Director) ~ Doreen Williams (Piano)
Producer ~ Bob Barratt
Orchestral arrangements by Martin Loewenthal

Side one
Y delyn aur ~ Gloria (Mozart) ~ Ave Verum Corpus ~ The crusaders (Tenor solo ~ Alwyn Jones) ~ Farewell my love (Tenor solo ~ Wyn Ashton) ~ Fantasia on famous Welsh airs

Side two
If I had words ~ When a child is born (Soprano Solo ~ Penny Ryan, Tenor solo ~ John Davies) ~ Mamy Blue ~ (Soprano solo ~ Penny Ryan) ~ Mumbles Train ~ (Soprano solo ~ Penny Ryan, Tenor solo ~ John Davies) ~ The smile beyond the looking glass ~ If I could see the Rhondda one more time (Tenor ~ John Davies) ~ If I were a rich man (Baritone solo ~ Garfield Jones)

1978 A Grand Night for Singing

Cassette tape issued in Australia

No details of label

Morriston Orpheus Choir and the Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music.

MOC tracks taken from LPs: 1976 A Grand Night for Singing and 1987 Golden and New

Side 1: A Grand night for singing ~ If I had words ~ I believe ~ Oh it's a lovely war ~ US Marine Corps hymn

Side 2: The army, the navy and the air force ~ Banana boat song ~ If I were a rich man (solo Garfield Jones) ~ The Legionaire's Song

1978 Gateway to Song

~new recording
Damont DMT 3001
(Bryn Yemm meets the Morriston Orpheus Choir)
Bryn Yemm recorded at Rockfield Studios, Monmouth
Choir recorded at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
MOC (Conductor ~ Alun John) ~ (Accompanist ~ Huw Tregelles Williams) ~ Musical arrangements Bob Potter and Paul White ~ Choral arrangements Brian Davies.
Produced by Bryn Yemm and Davis Charles