Dream Lover
Thirty-Three Sensuous Strings... And A Girl
Capitol Records T10130
1958
Capitol Records T10130
1958
From the back cover: A mood is an intangible, a very private and many-dimensional thing.
But moods can be put to music. Claude Debussy created shimmering moonlight moods with his Clair de Lune. Johana Strauss was a master of the gay mood with his bright and happy Viennese waltzes.
Norrie Paramor has the same gift. Not only with his own compositions (Tenderness and Remorse in this album) but with the superb songs of Cole Porter and other top-rank cleffers of the twentieth century, Paramor's skill in weaving thirty-three sensuous violins with soft woodwinds and the floating, haunting voice of Patricia Clark is making him one of the most talked-about conductors of "pop" orchestras in the world.
Only since 1956 has Norrie been known to Canadian and American audiences. His first long-playing record for Capitol, In London, In Love... quickly established him as a musical of unusual originality. Subsequent albums like New York Impressions, The Zodiac Suite and his more recent London After Dark (a best-seller for many months) leave no doubt as to his eminence.
Now, with the simply-titled Moods, Paramor presents twelve new and intriguing arrangements of favored melodies. All twelve were recorded in London, in what is possibly the finest – the most modern and best-equipped – studio outside the U.S.A. It is a superb example of true high fidelity recording.
Paramor himself attended Trinity School in London. His professional career began as a pianist with the Maurice Winnick, Jack Harris and Billy Berhardt dance orchestras. In 1940 he joined the R.A.F., and wound up as a musical director with Ralph Reader's famous "Gang." In the service, Paramor toured military bases virtually all over the world, including assignments in India. "I suspect," he says, "I played every N.A.A.F.I. piano in the world before the war ended."
In 1944, Norrie attracted attention throughout England as a civilian co-leader (with Harry Gold) or the "Pieces Of Eight," a Dixieland jazz combo. By 1950, Paramor's remarkable arranging, composing and conducting talents led him to recording sessions, or the English Columbia label.
Consistent recording gradually led Norrie away from Dixieland jazz and straight dance band sound into the more challenging and imaginative field of popular mood music.
Then came In London, In Love... for Capitol, the long-playing album which established Europe's Radio Luxembourg, and via BBC's enviable television and radio facilities, Paramor's thirty-three violins and the Ariel-like, compelling voice of Patricia Clark are daringly creating emotional, extremely-moving and deeply personal moods unlike any others on records today.
Moods is indeed a different kind of "listening music" album. The first few spins proves Paramor's prowess.
From Billboard, March 1958: This is an intriguing change from run-of-the-mill mood or background music sets. Norrie Paramour, British composer, a&r man and arranger, has created a new sound by using strings, woodwinds and solo female voice (Patricia Clark). Tempo is relaxed and the sound is excellent.
I'll See You In My Dreams
From Billboard, March 1958: This is an intriguing change from run-of-the-mill mood or background music sets. Norrie Paramour, British composer, a&r man and arranger, has created a new sound by using strings, woodwinds and solo female voice (Patricia Clark). Tempo is relaxed and the sound is excellent.
I'll See You In My Dreams
Once In A While
Frustration
Tenderness
(I'm A Dreamer) Aren't We All
If I Had You
Suspicion
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Remorse
Dream Lover
Sympathy
