Sleepy People - Claude Thornhill

Snowfall

Sleepy Serenade
Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra
Cover Photo: Milton H. Greene
Design Records DLP 50

From the back cover: The era of the "big bands" in America developed many fine young bandleaders and many original musical styles. None was easier to dance to, more pleasant to listen to and in better taste than the music of Claude Thronhill. Word that Claude's band was at the Glen Island Casion in New Rockelle, New York, then the cradle of the most popular bands in America, was enough to draw teen agers and older folks alike from as far away as Philadelphia to the smart rendezvous. Unlike so many other orchestras of that day, Thornhill had developed a style that was completely unique. It was the practice of many new musical organizations to pattern their style after that of the then "king" of popular dance music, Glenn Miller. Thornhill dared to be different. In doing so, he developed a style and sound that became known throughout the nation as "one finger piano." His smooth blending of reeds and mellow trombones modulated against the mildly etherial tinkle of an almost muted piano presented a sound that was once described as "musical Aphrodisiac." Thousand of dancers came to dance and fall in love to the siren call of the melliferous tones wafted from the bandstand. Claude, a brilliant arranger in his own right, also staffed men like the highly versatile and talented Jack Olsen to produce the sound that captured the heart of dancing America. We have attempted, in this album, to offer the very best of the Thornhill melodies. "Snowfall" a Thornhill composition, is also his theme song. Many consider it the most beautiful of all orchestra themes. – Roy Freeman

Sleep Serenade
Night And Day
Love Tales
Where Or When
Humoresque
Snowfall
Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Early Autumn
Lover Man
Traumerei