1946 Matty Malneck & Robert Maxwell - Shangri-La (Sides 1 & 2 complete)

Co-written with Malneck, harpist Maxwell’s familiar tune “Shangri-La” (Four Coins 1957, Robert Maxwell 1964, Vic Dana 1964, Lettermen 1969) had originated during WW2 as a more complex instrumental piece titled “Fantasy For Harp.“ It was first recorded by him in 1943 or 1944 while a member of the U.S. 11th Naval District Coast Guard Band, which was conducted at the time by Lt. Rudy Vallee (listen here:    • Rudy Vallee And His U.S. Coast Guard ...   ). Retitled “Shangri-La,” this more widely-available Columbia pressing was recorded a couple of years later.

Note, however, that the melodic line that we know today as “Shangri-La” does not appear until halfway through this 6-minute piece, specifically at the start of Side 2. As I expect that a greater number of people will be more interested in hearing that familiar melody, I have posted both sides individually as well as in a combined “complete” version.

Transferred from the original 78rpm: Columbia 37877 - Shangri-La (Parts 1 & 2) (Malneck-Maxwell) by Matty Malneck & his Orchestra, harp solo by Robert Maxwell, recorded February 7, 1946 .
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