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Saturday, December 27, 2014

Continental Gems - Jacques Darieux

Poeme
Continental Gems
Jacques Darieux And His Orchestra
Palace 623

This is a gem of a cover on this budget LP, photo credited to Victor Mikus.

From the back cover: Jacques Darieux started his musical education at the age of seven. By the time he reached his twelfth birthday, he undertook the study of composition. This however, was done against the wishes of his parents as never desired to have their son become a musician. However, the outbreak of World War II postponed the decision, but in a strange way confirmed his desire to become a musician.

Spending some time in a Russian prison camp, he organized his own orchestra among the talented internees which by the end of 1948 consisted of twenty musicians.

Upon his discharge and return to Berlin, he continued his musical education and re-organized his orchestra for performances as well as recording sessions.


Solveyo's Song
Mattinata
Traumerei
Pavane
Poeme
Monti Csardas
Schbert's Serenade
Have Pity With Me
Humoresque
The Music Box

Friday, December 26, 2014

The Magic Beat! - Richard Marino

Fever

The Magic Beat!
The Unique Rhythms Of Richard Marino And His Orchestra
Producer: Felix Slatking
Engineer: Bill Putnam
Liberty Premier
LSS-14003
1961

From the inside cover: Richard Marino, the man whose baton becomes the wand for conjuring up the Magic Beat, brings to this album a rich background in classical and popular music.

Beginning his career as a violinist, Marino later traded his bow for a baton and has turned his attentions mainly to conducting. He has conducted the Glendale, California and El Paso, Texas symphony orchestras; has been associated with radio and television as a musical director and has still found time to build a fine reputation as an arranger and orchestrator.


From Billboard - February 13, 1961: This is one of the first albums in Liberty's new Premier "sound" series and a might exciting one it is, too. Smart, exciting arrangements played by the large ork make this album for stereo fans and hi-fi bugs.

Fever
High Noon
Ziganette
Lover
Rots-A-Ruck
The Trolley Song
Bagdad Express
Lisbon Antigua
Seventy Six Trombones
Hot Sombrero
Poor People Of Paris

The Living Strings Play The Very Lively Music Of The Monkees

Steppin' Stone
The Living Strings Play The Very Lively Music Of The Monkees
Arranged and Conducted by Johnny Douglas
Produced by Ethel Gabriel
RCA Camden CAS-2148
1967

I have to hand it to the arranger, Johnny Douglas, for he somehow managed to blend Monkees tunes and strings together to form a decent easy/light pop album with a fun late 60s groove.

The project is helped along by strong studio guitar work that could be attributed to Mottola or Caiola… Just a guess on my part, but the work sounds familiar to me.

For a less successful blend, but no less interesting Living Voices, check out Positively 4th Street and Other Message Folk Songs.

The Monkees
Steppin' Stone
When Love Comes Knockin'
Last Train To Clarksville
I Wanna Be Free
The Kind Of Girl I Could Love
Take A Giant Step
Mary, Mary
She
I'm A Believer

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

One Has My Name - Barry Young

Yesterday
One Has My Name
Barry Young
Arranger - Ernie Freeman
Vocal Group - The Rex Dennis Singers
Dot DLP 3672
1965

Barry Young died of a brain abscess on December 2, 1966. He was 35 years old.

You'll Never Know
I Gotta Have My Baby Back
I Miss You So
I Still Need You
One Has My Name
Yesterday
Why
Chapel In The Moonlight
I'll Never Smile Again
Since You Have Gone From Me
Show Me The Way
Laughing On The Outside

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Somewhere My Love - Dean Franconi

Theme From Hawaii
The Lush String Sounds of Dean Franconi & His Orchestra
Design Records DLP-261

Painful budget set… Fun cover.

Love Theme From Is Paris Burning
Theme From Hawaii
Danube Waves
Santa Lucia
El Choclo
Somewhere My Love
Fascination
Estrellita
La Cumparsita
Espana Waltz