Personnel: Robb Stewart, Norman Hackforth, Peter Matz, Carroll Gibbons (piano). Audio Remasterer: Dave Bennett . Recording information: London, England (07/02/1941-11/02/1956); New York, NY (07/02/1941-11/02/1956); Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn (07/02/1941-11/02/1956). Arranger: Peter Matz. "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" is one of the most intriguing phrases ever cooked up by that inestimable wit, Noel Coward (1899-1973). Small wonder that numerous Coward compilations use it as a title, including this double-disc 44-track anthology of '40s and '50s material released by Avid in 2007. It combines Coward's At Las Vegas and In New York albums (occupying the first portion of each disc) with smatterings of his cleverest and catchiest tunes. Although the orchestra conductor on the Vegas album is listed as Carlton Hughes, it was pianist and arranger Peter Matz who really oversaw the accompaniments at both locations. Coward is also backed by Carroll Gibbons & His Orchestra, pianist Robb Stewart, the Drury Lane and Cambridge Theatre Orchestras, Norman Hackforth & the Caf de Paris Orchestra, and Wally Stott & His Orchestra with Hackforth at the piano. This collection will neatly complement Coward's earlier HMV studio recordings and his posthumously released radio broadcast transcriptions. ~ arwulf arwulf