Big Band Beatles Songs - Bob Leaper

All My Loving

Big Band Beatles Songs
Arranged And Directed By Bob Leaper
London LL 3391
1964

This album was reissued in 1968 on Decca/Phase 4. There is a rare and pricey import CD out there apparently remastered from the original recording.

Most Beatles covers albums turn out to be cheesy fun or just not so good... I mean... who can really cover The Beatles? However this album, the first for London by Leaper, features unique arrangements and rocks out The Beatles in big band fashion.

This promotional copy has a solid white label also imprinted with "Not For Sale".  "Happy Radio Gets Results - WWIL" is stamped on the back.

Some Other Street - Johnny Hamlin Quintet

On A Little Street In Singapore

A Hip Trip Down Some Other Street
Johnny Hamlin Quintet
Philips PHS 600-060
1963

From the back cover: The Hamlin Quintet has become an established regular on the nightclub circuit from Las Vegas to Chicago. The group has appeared frequently in the last few years in the lounge of the Riviera Hotel and the Wagon Wheel in Reno. Though such locations as these do not usually allow for much of a jazz presentation to be highlighted, one might say Hamlin's unit has incorporated a jazz feeling into their work in spite of their audiences.

The Theme Scene - Henry Mancini

NBC Nightly News Theme

The Theme Scene
Henry Mancini
RCA AQLI-3051
1978

Here's a Mancini album that you can only find on vinyl. The music is a curious blend of the traditional Mancini sound to include disco and easy. But somehow, even when faced with updating his sound to include disco and arranging 70s TV theme music, Mancini still manages to make an album with great moments.

Works For Chamber Orchestra - Conducted By Bruno Maderna & Luciano Berio

Works For Chamber Orchestra
Conducted By Bruno Maderna & Luciano Berio
Mainstream MS 5004
1970

I believe this is a 1970 reissue of a TIME Records (58002/mono). Both albums features the exact same cover (book-fold) design. Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample.

From the inside cover: Differences, (1958)-(1960) by Luciano Berio, demands the most from the listener and promises him the greatest rewards in return; not only because of the scope of its proportions but also through the abundance, diversity, and unusual character of the elements set into motion. The work makes use of multi-channel tape and five instruments – flute, clarinet, harp, viola and cello (which, recorded directly on the central loudspeaker, provides a line of direction for the work's development). More or less elaborate sound materials, played by all the instruments, are recorded to provide the substance of the accompanying tape, where they appear either in their original form or more or less altered by electro-acoustical means. In this recorded version the tape sounds are placed left and right of the "living" instruments and also at the center behind them (to give a recorded "optical illusion").

Love Is A Hurtin' Thing - Leo Addeo And His Orchestra

Love Is A Hurtin' Thing

Love Is A Hurtin' Thing
Leo Addeo And His Orchestra
RCA Camden CAL 2134
1967

Bahia - The Arthur Lyman Group

Busy Port

Bahia
The Arthur Lyman Group
HIFI Record R815
1959

From the back cover: Bahia is more Arthur Lyman magic from the fabulous Hawaiian Islands, the fiftieth state of the U.S.A. Far out in the mid-Pacific, these lush tropical Islands breed the unusual in all things, including pop music. You will hear in this album familiar tunes with exotic arrangements as well as new, intriguing melodies that are as different as the Islands themselves.

The Arthur Lyman group includes four very special talented guys, Arthur Lyman plays vibes, marimba, guitar, ukulele, bongos and congas; Harold Chang is a percussionist without peer; John Kramer keeps the string bass rhythm, doubling on flute, and Allen Soares makes those gorgeous piano and glockenspiel sounds you will hear. All together they sound like a group of at least eight instead of four. The group plays nightly in the Shell Bar on the grounds of Henry J. Kaiser's famous Hawaiian Village Hotel in Honolulu which has been enlarged twice to accommodate the many people who want to hear the Arthur Lyman group, still being inadequate to take care of the increasing crowds.

Shortly, Arthur and his group will be starting a personal tour of principal cities, including TV appearances, which will answer his many fans' biggest question, "Just how are all those sounds made?" The group will show you, and quite a sight it is! The recording itself was done in the acoustically perfect Kaiser Aluminum Dome, also on the grounds of the Hawaiian Village Hotel, allowing a beautifully translucent sound to enhance the voices of the instruments themselves.

To capture the full frequency and dynamic range heard in this album, AKG mikes and an especially built Ampex three track stereo magnetic 1/2" tape recorder were used. Later tape to disc transfer was down on a fully automatic Neumann (German) cutting lathe, using an advanced design Teldec stereophonic cutting head capable of cutting on disc the truest stereo sound with maximum level. Your ears will quickly pick up on the difference. Pressings are pure virgin vinyl, painstakingly processed and quality controlled.

Bahia

Jungle Jalopy

Caribbean Nights

Bamboo

Return To Me

Tropical

Quiet Village

Happy Voodoo

Busy Port

Maui Chimes

Beyond The Reef

Legend Of The Rain

Don't Look Back - The Johnny Mann Singers

Land Of Love

Don't Look Back
The Johnny Mann Singers

Producer: Jack Tracy

Arrangers: Ivan Freebairn-Smith, Allan Davies & Johnny Mann

Art Direction: Woody Woodward

Cover Photography: Ken Kim

Back Liner Photography: Gerald J. Trafficanda
Liberty Records LRP-3535
1967

From Billboard - December 16, 1967: The Johnny Mann Singers give forth with a bright, contemporary sound. It's easy listening all the way, with a bouncy "Instant Happy" and some good close harmony on the title song. The album is well-paced.

Don't Look Back

Never My Love

Rainbows

What The World Needs Now Is Love

Land Of Love

Come Softly To Me

To Sir, With Love

Instant Happy

Windy

The Singing Bird Will Come

Love Song! Love Song!

Love Of The Common People

Solo Encores - David Carroll And His Orchestra

Big Ben Boogie - Chimes Solo By Frank Rullo

Solo Encores
David Carroll And His Orchestra
Mercury Records SR 60180
1960

Here we have another good David Carroll set. What makes this album interesting is that Carroll allowed each artist featured on the LP to solo on a track, supported by the orchestra under Carroll's direction.

Strings For Young Lovers

Exotic Night

Strings For Young Lovers
Somerset SF-31000

The Best Of '64 - Hugo Winterhalter

Shangri-La

The Best Of '64
Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra
KAPP KS-3407
1964

Here's another Winterhalter album that is frequently left behind at the thrift. The reason could be lackluster cover art or just Winterhalter's typical sedate brand of easy listening. However, Winterhalter's mid-60s stuff can be fun so I was willing to risk my 50¢. There is nothing outrageous to report, but if you like 60s light pop, you should get along fine with this music.

The Musical Body With JoAnn

The Musical Body With JoAnn

Music By Bill Hampton

Today's Top Hits! - David Carroll

Telstar

Today's Top Hits!
David Carroll
Mercury Records 135 304 MCY
1963

Carroll made several albums, such as Percussion Orientale and Percussion in Hi-Fi, which are noted as his standout projects.

Hidden inside this lame cover are a few pop gems. The album turned out to be a nice light pop space age album. Aside from one "traditional" sounding track on side two (a song that seems out-of-place), the album was a great listen.

Lovely Hula Hands

Nani - Alice Namakelua

Lovely Hula Hands
Waikiki Records

This is an obscure compilation set pressed on red vinyl.

Mambo Happy! - Perez Prado

Broadway Mambo

Mambo Happy!
Perez Prado
Designed For Dancing
One Of A Series
Photo: David B. Hecht
RCA Camden CAL 409
1958

From Billboard - March 31, 1958: Time product of its type, with attractive packing. Sound and performance are in keeping with the top reputation of the King of the Mambo. Great for dancing groups, etc.

Go Go Mambo
Syncopated Clock Mambo
Wild Mambo
Broadway Mambo
Kuba Mambo
Rica Mambo
Kon Toma
Memoria a Chano
Timba Timba
Agony
Que es Amor?
No Me Quieras Tanto

Haunani The Voice Of Hawaii

Kawika

Haunani The Voice Of Hawaii

Decca DL 4561
1965

Obscure Hawaiian album.

From the back cover: Already hailed as "The Voice of Hawaii", Haunani headlines the show in the appropriately entitled Monarch Room of the famed Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach.

At times, her back up band sounds like they've been hanging with Martin Denny. Denny was hired in 1970 by Sheraton as entertainment director for the Monarch Room. At that time the policy was changed to book big name acts and to move away from "Hawaiian" music. Certainly all the artists who lived on the island knew Denny and he knew them.

Holiday For Swingin' Trumpet - Jabbo Williams

Blue Moon

Holiday For Swingin' Trumpet
Jabbo Williams And His Quartet
Shoes by Capezio
Harmony - Columbia HS 11019
1960

From Billboard - January 11, 1960: Lightly swinging instrumental treatments of 10 nostalgic standards – "Blue Moon," "Exactly Like You," "All Of Me," etc. Standout trumpet and piano work. Nice mood wax for jocks with hip dialers.

Exactly Like You
My Blue Heaven
Perfidia
I Cried For You
Rockin' Chair
Blue Moon
Besame Mucho
You Made Me Love You
Cocktails For Two
All Of Me

Paul Griffin Swings With 101 Strings

Love For Sale

Paul Griffin Swings With 101 Strings
Audio Spectrum SAS-605
1965

101 Strings
Swing With Hammond Organ
Featuring Paul Griffin
Recorded Under the Direction of D. L. Miller
Alshire Production S-5116
Manufactured by Budget Sound

1968

Spectrum released four "Griffin" LPs. Each release featured similar cover photos.

The album is an interesting hybrid of Griffin's Hammond Organ and the 101 Strings. A number of arrangers were apparently involved on this project and some of them weren't sure how to effectively blend the funky organ sound with strings. Love For Sale has that swinging Monty Kelly touch.

Close Your Eyes
Satin Doll
Pebbles In The Sand
Definitely Blue
Blues In The Night
Love For Sale
Body And Soul
Add Strings
Solitude
Good-Bye

Mac Arthur Park - The Ray Charles Singers

Mac Arthur Park
The Ray Charles Singers
Command ABC Records RS 936 SD
1968

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the cover art

This album, produced several years after Enoch Light sold his label to ABC, is still packaged in same book-fold jacket, although the inside presentation differs from the Light format. The engineering, while very good, doesn't seem to be as crisp or deep as under Light's direction.

None-the-less, this is a fun light pop album to include in your collection.

From Billboard - June 1, 1968: Ray Charles has a sound and style that brings exciting new images to current pop hits. In this set, he does it to "MacArthur Park," "Do You Know The Way To San Jose," "Honey," "Valley Of The Dolls" and "Love Is Blue," among others with that special Charles treatment.

MacArthur Park
Gregory's Chant

Love Is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)
Honey
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Do You Know The Way To San Jose
Theme From "Valley Of The Dolls"
Don't Just Stand There
Sometimes I Remember (E La Chiamono Estate)
Little Green Apples
Let's Go! (Canto De Ossanha)

The Blues And The Beat - Henry Mancini

The Blues

The Blues And The Beat
Henry Mancini
Produced by Dick Pierce
Recording Engineer: Al Schmitt
Recorded at RCA Victor's Music Center of the World, Hollywood, California on February 22, 26 and 29, 1960
Back cover photo: Bobby Helfer
Two Moods
RCA Victor LSP-2147
1960

Personnel:

Woodwinds - Ted Nash, Ronny Lang, Gene Cipriano - Harry Klee - Wilbur Schwartz
Trumpets - Conrad Gozzo, Pete Candoli, Frank Beach, Graham Young
French Horns - Vincent DeRossa, Sinclair Lott, John Graas, Richard Perissi, George Price, Herman Lebow
Piano - Johnny Williams
Guitar - Bob Bain
Bass - Roland Bundock
Drums - Jack Sperling
Vibes and Marimba - Victor Feldman
Vibes - Larry Bunker

From Billboard - August 1, 1960: Mancini and a group of first-class musicians are featured on a group of moody blues themes on one side and excitingly original jazz treatments on the flip. Unusual instrumentation make package particularly effective with appeal for jazz fans as well as the pop market. This album doesn't hav the assist of a big TV show (a la Mancini's "Peter Gunn" and "Mr. Lucky" best sellers) but quality-wise it's first rate.

The Blues
Smoke Rings
Misty
Blue Flame
After Hours
Mood Indigo
The Beat
Big Noise From Winnetka
Alright, Okay, You Win
Tippin' In
How Could You Do A Thing Like That To Me
Sing, Sing, Sing

Folks Songs - Tony Mottola

Wayfaring Stranger

Careless Love

Folks Songs
Tony Mottola
Originated And Produced By Enoch Light
Art Direction By Charles E. Murphy
Command Records RS 823 SD
1961

I wonder how this album sold for Command? When I spied the cover in the bin my first thought was that the record was an early 80s release because the cover graphic looked so "modern". Then seeing that it was a Command/Mottola project, from 1961, no less, I wondered if I should even bother because of the "folk" and "banjo" references on the cover. I wasn't keen on spending money on a "folk" album.  Of course, I took the chance on Mottola.

A buyer in the early 60s may have wondered about the cover/contents just as I had. The album is filled with period Command light pop approaches (almost cartoon-like music... not to say that approach isn't fun) and more subtle, but Command updated covers of traditional folk tunes.

You get all that for better or worse along with the typical superb Command engineering.

Jose Melis In Movieland

Invitation

Jose Melis In Movieland
Mercury Records MG 20648
1961

Melis stuff is generally too conservative for me. However, this LP kicks off with a nice space age groove.

Jankowski Plays Jankowski

Little Old Town

Jankowski Plays Jankowski
Mercury SR 61219
1969

Groovy and inventive light pop with a brass edge. On some tunes Jankowski's piano becomes more of an accent instrument. In the sample... it sounds like he is playing a child's toy piano. Janjowski's playing becomes more a part of the song, rather than the "featured instrument".

The engineering is excellent.

Paradise Moods - Martin Denny

Clair De Lune

Paradise Moods
Martin Denny

A&R Coordinator: Ed Barsky

Art Directions: Woody Woodward

Cover Photo: Ken Kim
Sunset SUS-5102
1966

Temptation

Blue Paradise

Love At Sight

Jungle Madness

Aloha, I Love You

Day Delight (Banana Boat Song)

Singin' In The Rain

Clair De Lune

Siboney

My Reverie

House Of Terror

Ghost Story

House Of Terror!
Parade Records PA 103
1975

I've listened to a number of "Halloween" records since I've been collecting. I have to say, this is one of the best I've stumbled across. This is a 2 record set. There is also a nice comic book included (stapled to the spine). There are a few online references that suggest Neal Adams was the illustrator. Audio stories accompany the comic book.

Parade went the distance to create a great package by hiring good professional voiceover actors, writers and sound engineer(s) to create a fun recording. There are also a few musical numbers on one side. One of which starts out as a story and then morphs into a song (the sample above).

Soft And Sweet - The Three Suns

Flamingo

Soft And Sweet
The Three Suns with String Orchestra
Conducted by Marty Gold and Sid Ramin
Recording made in Webster Hall, New York City
RCA Victor LPM-1041
1955

There Is No Greater Love
A Sinner Kissed An Angel
Moonlight In Vermont
The Rive Seine
Flamingo
Stars Fell On Alabama
The Touch Of Your Lips

Ten For Cocktails

Ten For Cocktails

Mr. Boston
Columbia Special Products

This album was created as an advertising vehicle for Mr. Boston Distiller, Boston, Massachusetts.

It Must Be Him - Al Caiola

Live For Life

It Must Be Him

Al Caiola

United Artists UAS 6637

1968

From the February 24, 1968 Billboard Magazine: Guitarist Al Caiola has supplied his own arrangements for this roundup of songs that take easily to his lush, rhythmic and ballad virtuosity.

A few tracks off this album can be found as purchase/downloads including the fab High Chaparral (theme from the TV show). I've posted a sample that is available only on vinyl as far as I can tell.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Raymond Lefevre

La Passionnata (KS-3510)

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
Raymond Lefevre And His Orchestra
A Riviera Recording
Recorded in France
KAPP Records KL-1510 & KS-3510
1966

"Spanish Eyes" is a sticker fixed to the cover.

From the back cover: He (Lefevre) was born in Calais in 1929 and began his musical studies at a very early age with piano lessons and sight-singing under direction of his father. Soon he added flute and more formal piano studies at a Calais music school. By the time he was 17, Raymond had outgrown Calais musically, and went to the Paris Conservatory where he continued studying piano and flute, and added harmony and advanced composition. It was during this period that he became interested in popular music.

In the late 1940's through the early '50's, he toured Europe and South America with top-name orchestras.

On his return to France, Raymond became active in TV as director of his own orchestra. These days, his trim Van Dyke beard and his boyish smile, not to mention his lovely orchestral music, are highlights of the French musical scene. He records single records and albums that are popular all over the world, and he appears with his orchestra on several TV programs. His leisure time, what little remains, is spent with his wife and their two sons in their Parisian town house. – Dom Cerulli

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
I Love
Yesterday
Love Is All Around
Palmares Des Chansons
La Passionate
Spanish Eyes
A Little Rain Is Necessary
La Boheme
Stars Of The Way
Tears Come
L'Amerique

Ridin' High - Frankie Carle

Ridin' High

Ridin' High
Frankie Carle At The Piano
Vocalion VL 3622
1958

From the October 27, 1958 issue of Billboard: "Will appeal to many who don't cotton to the rock and roll groove."

More, More Piano - Winfred Atwell

Caravan

More, More Piano
Winfred Atwell
London Records B 20040

Here's an album that features a great cover and the music is better, or more "peppy" than the cover suggests.

Winfred Atwell was extremely popular in Europe and Australia in the 50s. She was making about $5,000 a week during her 1955 Australian tour. Read about Atwell on her wiki page.

Ballet HI-FI - Mishel Piastro And His Concert Orchestra

Ballet HI-FI
Mishel Piastro And His Concert Orchestra
Decca Records DL 8777

I was drawn to the album by the quirky cover.  I wish the music had lived up to the quirky cover photo.