I must thank Michael McGeHee for his continued devotion to recording relatively obscure works by Herrmann. His recordings of the CRIME CLASSICS radio scores are wonderful, capturing the true essence of each one of the musically different scores. He has also provided several of Herrmann's "Melodrams" (pieces for orchestra and narrator), which Herrmann wrote for CBS radio in the 1930s (such an CYNARA, THE CITY OF BRASS and ANNABEL LEE). McGehee has wisely chosen to offer these in two versions: with narration and without. It is great to hear the original intention of the intricate mingling of the words and music, but, in my own listening world, it the music-only versions I come back to again and again. I wish him luck with any future projects he might be contemplating.
The image with the "suspected serial conductor" caption suggests an original recording (which are floating around). But as a re-recording, it sounds authentic and therefore lovely, if you enjoy minamalist Herrmann works...which is where we separate the Fanboys from the Fanmen.
