South Pacific - Williams and Ruick

 

Bali Ha'i

South Pacific
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, 2nd
Featuring The Duo Pianos of John T. Williams and Walter Buck
Album Production: Dave Pell
Recording Engineer: Thorne Nagar
Cover Photography: Courtesy Matson Lines
Tops Music Enterprises, Corp.
TOPS L1614

From the back cover: John T. Williams

This brilliant young pianist is a native of Flushing, New York, born in 1932.

His father, today a staff drummer of Columbia Studios, began early to encourage John in classical piano studies. When at 15 John moved with his family to Los Angeles, he continued in his music training through high school. His classical background stood him in good stead shortly thereafter as he broke into motion pictures playing.

Since that time, John has recorded a couple of LP's with Belafonte, worked for 10 months with Vic Damone on a coast-to-coast tour and was ballet pianist with dance companies in Hollywood. In addition, John has played concerts and clubs with such top names as Frank Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole and Howard Keel. John also works extensively in the studios with the foremost orchestras, including those of Nelson Riddle, Frank De Vol, Les Baxter and Elmer Bernstein.

Walther Beck

The career of this most capable and versatile pianist-composer might best be summed up in his own words: "At the age of 15 I left my native Boise, Idaho, to pursue a musical background – I worked with a variety of bands in Colorado, Texas and California."

"After deciding to settle on the west coast, I worked in theaters, radio and motion pictures studios as pianist, musical advisor and arranger. This gave me an opportunity to play for for and write dance arrangements for Eleanor Powell (during my 5 1/2 years at MGM), Fred Astaire and Gene Nelson. I also had the chance to write several original dance numbers during that period."

Walter has been associated with most of the distinguished radio and television conductors. He is currently occupied full time with composing and studio work in Hollywood.

There Is Nothin' Like A Dame
Some Enchanted Evening
A Cock-Eyed Optimist
Bali Ha'i
A Wonderful Guy
Younger Than Springtime
Happy Talk
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
Honey Bun
Dites - Moi