Serenata
Allen Hanlon Picks LeRoy Anderson
Allen Hanlon play guitar
Cover Photos by Pegler
Golden Crest CR 30121957
From Billboard Magazine May 6, 1957: LeRoy Anderson tunes like Sleigh Ride, Syncopated Clock, etc. are well known enough but they are better suited to bigger and more colorful ork groups than that obtained by multi-track guitar disking. Hanlon's technique is tops but it doesn't add up to much of a commercial LP package. Cover seems to have little connection with the contents.
I love the cover, but there isn't much of a relation, images to content. And use of multi-track recording didn't help much to fatten up the sound. The engineering on most tracks makes the audio sound thin and restrained. Serenata (track 3 on the B side) features a touch of personality.
From the back cover: An acknowledgment of Allen Hanlon's contributions to the popularity of modern day guitar playing, can perhaps best be expressed by listing some of the groups and "names" he has played with in the past and present. Among the "name bands" are those of Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Claude Thornhill and the Adrian Rollini Trio. Came the day when the "road" paled and the comfort of remaining in one place beckoned, and Allen joined the ranks of those fortunate to be known as "free-lance studio men." Fortunate, because his ability and flexibility placed him in great demand. Remember the radio shows of Kate Smith, Perry Como, The Chesterfield Show and the Hires Root Beer Show? If so, you heard Allen's guitar. After TV took over, Allen went along with such shows as Jimmy Durante, Danny Thomas, Jack Benny, Eddie Fischer, Howdy Doody, Producer's Showcase, Kraft Theatre, and the Robert Montgomery Show. As for Records, many of those bearing the names of Johnny Ray, Guy Mitchell, Frankie Lane, Jill Corsey, The Four Lads, McGuire Sisters, Mills Brothers, Steve Allen, Don Cornell and Julie Wilson have had the Hanlon guitar "speaking the beat."
Plink Plank Plunk
Syncopated Clock
Horse & Buggy
Song Of The Bells
Jazz Legato
Sleigh Ride
Jazz Pizzicato
Fiddle Faddle
Serenate
Belle Of The Ball
Pennywhistle Song
Oh yes! I LOVE That cover! Nice guitar instrumental!
ReplyDeleteAgreed; this is not his best work. And Allen Hanlon was my uncle. :) Great influence on me; I still compose and perform, singer songwriter: Tom Hanlon.
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