Sweet And Lovely - Lou Stein

Athena

Sweet And Lovely
Lou Stein
His Piano And Orchestra
Coral CRL 57003
1955

From the back cover: "Sweet and Lovely" is the kind of music Lou Stein has been playing ever since he began. Born in Philadelphia a little more than 30 years ago, Lou tried many instruments in his youth and mastered two of them: saxophone and piano. He was specializing in the reed instrument when he was called on to substitute for a missing piano player, so a pianist he became.

He was lucky with teachers – he speaks with special enthusiasm about Gregory Ashman, who often accompanied violinist, Efram Zimbalist. His career was temporarily interrupted when in 1943 Lou joined the army where for three years he was with Major Glenn Miller's Band.

A few years later, he was in New York with the Charlie Ventura Sextet. He was also heard with such famous personalities as Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Rosemary Clooney, and the Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band. He also appeared on many of the most celebrated TV shows.

Never losing his interest in the classics, Lou Stein is equally at home in modern jazz and music of a traditionally romantic nature. This collection illustrates the latter vein.

From Billboard - May 7, 1955: Pianist Lou Stein and his orchestra play dreamy, romantic music on this LP, which should appeal to deejays in search of first-rate mood music programming for late-night sets. Stein's perceptive, leisurely paced piano work puts the package several notches above the usual mood-music package and gives added meaning to such memorable standards as the title tune. An attractive cover girl aptly illustrates the album's central theme.
Cover photo by Anthony Guyther

Sweet And Lovely
Fools Rush In
Imagination
It's Easy To Remember
Athena
Love Locked Out
Out Of Nowhere
I Only Have Eyes For You
I'll Never Be The Same
Makin' Whoopee