Rated X For Excitement - Ron Frangipane

 

Venus

Rated X For Excitement

Ron Frangipane and His Orchestra

Mainstream - A Red Lion Production

Produced by Bob Shad

Recording & Remix: Dave Green

Mastering: Dave Crawford

Cover Design: Bob Flynn

Cover Illustration: Carole Jean

MRL-300 STEREO

1970

Violins

Mac Ceppos

Peter Dimitriades

George Ockner

Sylvan Shulman

Joseph Malignaggi

Driving Spice 

Harry Katzman

Juliua Brand

Henri Aubeng

Violas

David Sackson

Harold Furmansky

Al Brown

Seymour Berman

Celli

Seymour Barab

George Ricci

Harps

Eugene Bianco

Margaret Ross

Reeds

Joe Grim

Phil Bodner

Leon Cohen

George Berg

French Horns

Donald Corrado

Joseph DeAngelis

Trumpets

Joe Shepley

Bernie Glow

Irvin Markowitz

Burt Collins

Trombones

Allan Raph

Mickey Gravine

Eddie Hart

Guitars

Vinnie Bell

Al Gorgoni

Charley Macey

Williard Suyker

Bass

Joseph Mache

Pianos

Frank Owens

Dean Christopher

Percussion (Tuned Bongos, Casbasa, Tabalas, Orchestra Bells, Hairy Drums, Tambourine & Cowbell)

David Bullman

William Storandt

Drums

Robert Gregg

Moog Synthesizer

Ron Frangipane

From the inside (gatefold) cover: Combine thrilling interpretations of some of today's best songs and you really have an album "Rated X For Excitement." How can this recording be anything but! Ron Frangipane has a solid musical background as performer, arranger and orchestrator. He has gathered a full orchestra of highly capable musicians and even has made extensive use of the Moog Synthesizer, which, more and more, is becoming a key ingredient of today's sound. And, sound is the keynote of this recording. Here is the richness of the highest quality of instrumental sound, which brings a new light to these songs, which have been mainstays of such performers as the 5th Dimension, The Grassroots, The Archies, The Beatles, Neil Diamond and Bobby Sherman. The Beatles' "Something," composed by George Harrison, kicks off the album and also is aided by a Moog to go along with this sterling orchestra. The Beatles have contributed so much to the world's popular music and they're still going strong as composers as well as interpreters and innovators as "Something" handily reveals. This 37-man orchestra, with its admirable blending of strings, winds, brasses and percussion, also adds luster to the next exciting tune, The Shocking Blues' "Venus." The unique Moog sound also raises this big song to new heights.

Neil Diamond's "Holly Holy" gracefully follows. The winds glow here followed by equally brilliant work by brasses, then the luxuriant strings. Ron Frangipane's extensive studio work includes playing for Diamond and such other musical luminaries as Judy Collins, Peppermint Rainbow, Laura Nyro, B. J. Thomas, Leslie Gore, Al Kooper, The Happenings, Arlo Guthrie, Dick Gregory and Mandrake Memorial. Important solos were supplied by Frangipane for Don Costa, Al Caiola, Vinnie Bell, The Cuff Links and major rock groups. This rock work seems a far cry from his musical study with major classical composers, including Igor Stravinsky, Paul Creston, Peter Mennin, Burrill Phillips, Bernard Rogers, Howard Houson, Louis Mennini and John La Montaine. However, this classical background, including study in conservatory, has solidified Frangipane's musical knowledge and awareness. Frangipane brilliantly demonstrates his familiarity with what the different instruments can do and how best to produce the exciting sound that is a touchstone of this instrumental series of valuable recordings.

The Grassroots have a knack of coming up with true agreeable music as this sumptuous version of "Heaven Knows" witnesses. "Early in the Morning," which served the Vanity Fare so well, is the next gracious number, building in the soft rock that's such a cheerful element in today's music.

Another group with a knack for finding some of the most glowing of contemporary songs is the 5th Dimension and "Wedding Bell Blues" is a clearcut winner, even more winning as Ron Frangipane and his Orchestra interpret it memorably. Speaking of winners, it's difficult to top the Flying Machines" "Smile A Little Smile For Me," in this glowing version of musicians' musicians.

"Jingle Jangle" has a special place in Ron Frangipane's affections as it is a current winner for The Archies, who our conductor worked with as performer and arranger as he did with Andy Kim and Wayne Newton. He also arranged the Rolling Stones. The inventive treatment given "Jingle Jangle" deserves the "X for Excitement" description.

Billy Joe Royal's "Cherry Hill Park" is today's sound in a fascinating performance, which clearly offers a fit testimonial as to why today's music has such wide appeal. The orchestra sparkles in this selection with the brasses especially thrilling. This performance can be played over and over as can all of the exceptional material here. The beauty of this album is that its wholesome impact grows with each listening.

"Is That All There Is" proved a big one for Peggy Lee, an artist as popular today as she ever was. In addition to her distinctive stylings, a major reason for this popularity is her choice of material. "Is That All There Is" is just such a beautiful tune, that it is admirably suited to Ron Frangipane and his large group of complete musicians. It's a real beauty!

Bobby Sherman is a young singer who's making a big mark today. This album's irresistible excitement is obligingly capped by Sherman's "La La La (If I Had You)." This is a vibrant version of a topflight song. The orchestra soars with melodic and rhythmic magnitude. Here indeed is an album of superb songs brilliantly played by an exceptional orchestra under a young, but experienced conductor who has arrived with a program of stunning performances to remember.

Something

Venus

Holly Holy

Heaven Knows 

Early In The Morning

Wedding Bell Blues

Smile A Little Smile For Me

Jingle Jangle

Cherry Hill Park

Is That All There Is

La La La (If I Had You)