Rebecca Allen and Dickon Stainer are trading star artist names from Decca’s illustrious history. “Winston Churchill,” opens Stainer. “Dame Vera Lynn,” counters Allen. “Pavarotti.” “Judy Garland.” “Bing Crosby.” “Louis Armstrong.” “David Bowie.” “The Rolling Stones.” “Tom Jones.”

“The Goons.”

“The… Smurfs?” giggles Allen, finally running out of steam. “We can’t forget them. They were pivotal!”

This, as well as possibly being a new game for all the family to play at Christmas, shows the sheer, almost unimaginable history that ...