Mist Of The Orient - Sam "The Man" Taylor

Lullaby Of Itsuki

Mist Of The Orient
Sam "The Man" Taylor
Recorded In Japan
MGM E/SE 4066
1962

Based on the terrific cover design, the set is thematically inconsistent if you expect to hear a complete collection of tunes arranged with an "oriental" twist. With that said, the sound is classic Taylor and Billboard loved the LP, giving it "4 Stars".

From Billboard - September 1, 1962: The tenor sax man with the big sound is back playing a variety of material recorded in Japan. The LP contains a number of Japanese songs and a wide-ranging group of standards. He is accompanied by a large string ork and organ and piano on some tracks. The music is lush, with the healthy tenor sound nicely placed in the arrangements.

From the back cover: Taylor, who was born in Lexington, Tenn., in 1918, applied himself seriously to music while still a boy in school. He learned the clarinet and alto sax, then changed to tenor, his specialty. He played tenor in his school band. I 1938 he joined Sherman (Seatman) Crothers in Akron, O. Later he played with the Sunset Royal Entertainers, the Cootie Williams Orchestra, and the Cab Calloway Orchestra. He has toured extensively and made many TV and theater appearances. In the recording files, of course, he is a staple – in demand not only for albums of his own, but also for sessions by other stars who are anxious to avail themselves of his skill with the tenor sax.

Broken Promises
Ame No Blues (Blues Of The Rain)
Harlem Nocturne
Champs-Elysees
Danny Boy
Red Sails In The Sunset
Lullaby Of Itsuki
Hokkiko
Tara's Theme
Night Fall
It’s A Lonesome Old Town
Besame Mucho