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Friday, May 8, 2015

Sounds! - Jack Marshall & Shelly Manne

Yesterdays
Sounds!
Jack Marshall (Guitar) & Shelly Manne (Percussion)
Capitol Records ST 2610
Produced by David Cavanaugh
Cover photo by George Jerman
1966

Excellent engineering by Hugh Davies put the sound of these two excellent musicians right in the middle of your living room.

Your experience begins with the understated, but sexy and well designed cover art. On disc you'll enjoy an understated spot-on creative minimalist approach to the arrangements. The relaxed nature of the sound is sweet, but if you play music yourself you will appreciate the amazing control the two artist have over their craft.

From the back cover: When an expert dancer performs a routine, it's done with grace and beauty that belies its intricacy. So with Manne and Marshall in this album, for every second of recording was a test in precision and coordination.

Theme From "Lawrence Of Arabia"
Sweet Sue, Just You
All The Things You Are
Choros
Am I Blue?
The Rain In Spain
Spanish Dance No. 5
S'Posin'
Yesterdays
The Girls Of Sao Paulo
A Day In Brazil - Medley

Monday, May 4, 2015

Classical Gas - Hugo Winterhalter

Rosemary's Baby
Classical Gas
Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra
Eddie Heywood At The Piano
Musicor MS 3170
1968

From Billboard - October 19, 1968: The winning team of Eddie Heywood and Hugo Winterhalter ("Canadian Sunset") are reunited in a potent sales package. An exceptional mood is created with their treatments of "For Love Of Ivy," "Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet" and "Love Is Blue." Heywood's piano, with solid support of the lush Winterhalter arrangements never sounded better. "Land of Dreams" is a gem with hit singles potential.

I have to disagree with Billboard on this release. Winterhalter has trouble finding the space age mood groove on this set and Heywood's talent seems lost or less than "featured" as advertised on the jacket. There are moments in each song that might grab your late 60s mood sensibilities, but even the sample above seems to give up the drama after the intro.

Classical Gas
For Love Of Ivy
MacAthur Park
Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet
Theme From Elvira Madigan
Glad For You, Sad For Me
Land Of Dreams
Rosemary's Baby
Love Is Blue
Winds In Autumn
Harlem Blues
Theme For Margaret