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Saturday, February 29, 2020

Lee + 3 - Lee "Roy" Lovett

Judaline
Lee + 3
Lee "Roy" Lovett - Piano
Al Hall - Bass
"Butch" Ballard - Drums
Bob Brown - Tenor and Alto Sax
Wynne Records, Inc. WLP 110

From the back cover: The complete musician – performer, arranger, conductor and writer. This is Lee Lovett.

In his native Philadelphia, where Lovett began studying piano at the age of five, he is considered one of the top ranking musicians in the area. He did arranging for most of the top local Philadelphia dance bands in the mid-forties, and left to enter the big band scene in New York around 1945.

Lovett arranged for the Randy Brooks Orchestra, Lucky Millinder, Tab Smith, Mercer Ellington and Erskine Hawkins, and helped Cat Anderson form a swing big band in 1949.

It was about that time that Lee Lovett decided to enter the recording field, and started handling sessions from Atlantic, Herald, Mercury, Columbia and RCA Victor. In 1952, he joined forces with the great Johnny Hodges and Al Sears, to form one of the finest combos of that era, the "Castle Rock" group.

It was during this period that the talented Mr. Lovett wrote such pop hits as "Can't I," "After The Lights Go Down Low," and "Why," and "All At Once." He also organized a big Afro-American band to produce albums of pop American tunes with Latin rhythms for RCA Victor and Columbia Records.

A stint in California followed with Clef and Norgran Records, where Lovett worked with Norman Granz, in writing and arranging albums for Al Hibbler, Billie Holiday, Bud Powell, Buddy Rick, and many others.

To continue to list the many accomplishments of Lee Lovett would fill many volumes. It would be impossible to include all in a short synopsis. Lovett is the epitome of talent. As head of the A&R department of Wynne Records, he has shown his many-sided abilities in producing every type of music he is called upon to do.

With the aid of the swinging horn of one of Philadelphia's coming giants in Jazz, Bob Brown on Alto and Tenor, with "Butch" Ballard on Drums, and Al Hall on Bass, Lovett has gotten together as aggregation that puts down a tremendous new sound.

Listen to his impression of such lovely standards as Kurt Weill's "My Ship," and Errol Garner's "Misty," and his own compositions, "Can't I." The treatment he gives to these numbers, as well as to the to the others in this album are truly fantastic.

Take a special listen to "My Funny Valentine," and "Plum Street," and the "ABC Hop," These numbers will definitely prove beyond any doubt, that the Lee Lovett group ranks among the finest in the recording industry. – Sid Pastner


My Ship
If It's The Last Thing I Do
Can't I
Judaline
Angel Eyes
A.B.C. Hop
Misty
My Funny Valentine
Plum Street

Sugar 'N' Spice - Peggy Lee

See See Rider
Sugar 'N' Spice
Peggy Lee
Orchestra Conducted by Benny Carter
Produced by Dave Cavanaugh
Photos: John Engstead
Capitol Full Dimensional Stereo ST 1772
1962

Ain't That Love
The Best Is Yet To Come
I Believe In You
Embrasse Moi
See See Rider
Teach Me Tonight
When The Sun Comes Out
Tell All The World About You
I Don't Wanna Leave You Now
The Sweetest Sounds
I've Got The World On A String
Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)

All Star Festival - The Unique Record In Aid Of The World's Refugees

Nobody But You, Lord - Mahalia Jackson
All Star Festival
The Unique Record In Aid Of The World's Refugees
Stereo 88000 DY
1963

From Billboard - December 8, 1962: Geneva – Seven of the world's record companies and 14 disk stars are co-operating by donating exclusive rights for two years to material to make up the "All Star Festival" LP which the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has prepared (BMW, November 17).

It will be released to the public at the end of February on a world basis. Yup Brunner was spokesman and special consultant of UNHCR, who was also chairman of the disk selection panel and has been working on the project for two years.

The disk firms and artists who have agreed to participate are Project Records; Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, MGM Records; Ella Fitzgerald, Maurice Chevalier; Capitol: Nat Cole; American Columbia: Doris Day, Mahalia Jackson, Philips (with Mercury): Yves Montand, Nana Mouskouri, Patti Page, Los Paraguayos, Anne Shelton; EMI (Paris-Marconi): Edith Piaf; Teldec: Catarina Valente.

Net proceeds will be used to help refugees helped by UNHCR. Part of the funds will also be devoted to work carried out by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees. (As reported in BMW last month, Philips is handling the marketing on a world bass).

London – A plea to the British government to waive the substantial purchase tax levied on disks in the case of the United Nations refugee benefit LP, "All Star Festival," was made in Parliament by Lord Astor. Speaking in a debate on refugee matters, he pointed out that as the proceeds were going to refugee funds it would save the national exchequer money, as the government might otherwise have to make up Britain's contribution to the United Nations' fund. "Above all it would give an example for other countries to follow," he said.


From Billboard - March 2, 1963: New York – "All Star Festival," the co-operative record album sponsored by the United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees, will go on sale February 26.

Album was made with the co-operation of Project, Columbia, Fontana, Mercury, MGM, Pathe-Marconi, Philips, Capitol, Teldec, Telefunken and Decca Schallpalatten. Profits from the sale of the record will aid benefit programs for 13 million refugees. Top artists from many countries are on the disk.

Sales of the record in the U.S. and Canada will be handled by Mercury Records, which manufactured, printed and is distributing the disk.

The record will be treated as a priority item all the way and will be available through the Columbia and Capitol Record Clubs. U.N. Secretary General U Thant will accept the first copy of the LP on February 26.

London – British dealers are cutting their profits – some completely – on "All Star Festival," the LP made for the United Nations Refugee Agency.

The Gramophone Record Retailers Association after much deliberation recommended that members cut their margin from 33 1/2 per cent to 20 per cent. The latter share was meant to cover overhead.

There was considerable discussion that the association should recommend no mark up at all. This was supported by a considerable body of the membership. In the end it was agreed to recommend the 20 per cent figure, with the understanding that dealers who wished to contribute more could do so.

The GRRA asked for a leaflet to be enclosed in the album which will encourage the public to contribute more to the fund.

The record will sell for an even pound ($2.80). It went on sale Tuesday (26). Anne Shelton (Philips), the British singer represented, was to have presented a copy of it to the Queen, but she is in Australasia so Miss Shelton was handling it to a court official who was receiving it on the Queen's behalf.


Lazy River
Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong

The Everlasting Arms
Doris Day

Ximeroni
Nana Mouskouri

La Vie Est Une Belle Fille
Maurice Chevalier

First Star I See Tonight
Patti Page

All Of Me
Ella Fitzgerald

Je M'imagine
Edith Piaf

When You Belong To Me
Nat "King" Cole

Greensleeves
Anne Shelton

Adonde Vas, Nino?
Luis Alberto Del Parana

Nobody But You, Lord
Mahalia Jackson

La Golondrina
Caterina Valente

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Featuring The Magic Of Billy Daniels

All Or Nothing At All
Featuring The Magic Of Billy Daniels
Spin-O-Rama M 101 Hi-Fidelity
A Division Of Premier Albums, Inc.

Baby Won't You Please Come Home
You've Got The World On A String
All Or Nothing At All
Perfidia
Oh Susanna
Kentucky Home
Beautiful Dreamer
Come Where My Love
Lies Dreaming
Old Folks At Home

Liberace Plays Rhapsody In Blue

El Cumbanchero
From the Warner Bros. Production "Sincerely Yours"
Liberace Plays Rhapsody In Blue
And Other Favorites
Photo: Wallace Seawell - Paul Hesse Studios
Harmony Columbia LP HL 7237
1966

Rhapsody In Blue (Excerpt)
Traumerei
Cornish Rhapsody
Mozart Sonata No. 9 (Excerpt)
Chopin Polonaise in A Flat Major
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor (Excerpt)
Minuet In G
Chopsticks
El Cumbanchero
Liebestraum

The Voice Of Johnny Horton

Banks Of The Nile
The Voice Of Johnny Horton
Hilltop Records
A Product of Pickwick International, Inc.
JM-6012

From the back cover: Again like many of his contemporaries, Johnny was a Texan, (Tyler was his early home) and he went to college in his home state, at Baylor University. It was there that he first began writing songs, which he would sing for his friends, accompanying himself on the guitar his Mother had first taught him to play when he was only 11 years old. After college, when he was living in Southern California, Johnny took a dare from a friend to enter a singing contest at the Harmony Park Corral in Anaheim. Not only did he win with his performance of all the tunes he knew at the time, but he was heard by a group of recording men as well, who helped him get a coveted spot on "Home Town Jamboree," an El Monte radio program which featured Tennessee Ernie Ford and Cliffie Stone as the co-masters of ceremonies.

The valuable exposure generated an immediate fandom for Johnny and his widening group of followers quickly took to his first recordings, made with a West Coast recording company. Later, Johnny became a star with the famous Louisiana Hayride program in Shreveport, Louisiana, a city which he made his permanent home. It was in Shreveport too, where Johnny became associated with his manager, Tillman Franks, one of the most respected men in the country field, who directed Johnny's burgeoning recording activity.

Fortunately, there is a great treasure house of recorded material from the Johnny Horton catalog. By special arrangement, some of the very best of the Horton repertoire has been gathered for this fine collection. Such memorable titles as "Smokey Joes Barbecue," "Barefoot Blues," "Shadows On The Bayou," and the prophetic "Done Rovin'," are certain to please all fans of the late great stylist, Johnny Horton. – Rev Grevatt - Music Business Manager


Done Rovin'
It's A Long Rocky Road
Smoke Joe's Barbecue
Devilish Love Night
Words
Shadows On The Bayou
Banks Of The Nile
My Home In Shelby County
Barefoot Boy Blues
Old Gobbler

Country's Greatest Love Songs - Paul Martin

A Very Special Love Song
Country's Greatest Love Songs
Paul Martin
Produced by Shelby S. Singleton, Jr.
Recorded at Singleton Sound Studios - Nashville, Tennessee
Plantation Records PLP-509
The Shelby Singleton Corporation
1977

Behind Closed Doors
Hang In There Girl
Country Bumpkin
A Very Special Love Song
You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends
I Love My Friend
Out Of Hand
I'd Be A Legend In My Time
(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Andre Previn In Hollywood

The Last Time I Saw Paris
Andre Previn In Hollywood
Arranged and Conducted by Johnny Williams
Produced by Ed Kleban
Cover Photo: Peter Sahula
Columbia Records CS 8834
1963

From Billboard - September 14, 1963: Previn turns his attention to the Hollywood score scene, one he has seen played many times before. The album showcases the artist's well-disciplined keyboard style in lush treatments for the most part of such outstanding flicks as "Laura," "Gigi," Fascination," "Irma La Douce," "Last Time I Saw Paris" and "Second Time Around."

Gigi
Laura
I'm A Dreamer. Aren't We All?
Theme from "The Best Years Of Our Lives"
The Last Time I Saw Paris
Theme From "Irma la Douce (Look Again)
It Kiss As Well Be Spring
Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
The Second Time Around
Song From "Two For The Seasaw" (A Second Chance)

Pops And Prado - Perez Prado

Manhattan
Pops And Prado
Perez Prado and His Orchestra
Produced by Herman Diaz, Jr.
Recorded in Webster Hall, New York
Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson
RCA Victor LSP-2022
1959

From the back cover: When Damaso Perez Prado burst on the popular music scene in American several years back, the time was ripe for something Latin and saucy and garnished with brass. The indications of this musical volcano had been noted by astute purchasers of the RCA Victor International Series records, and by such an impressionable authority as band leader Stan Kenton. When Kenton spoke of Prado and the crackling brass ensembles, the driving Latin-American beat, the power of this thing called The Mambo, the jazz world listened.

Soon the world of popular music cocked as ear. Perez Pardo started climbing like at ripping trumpets in his orchestra, and he's been soaring ever since.

Originally he played with the Orquesta Casino de la Playa in Havana, and later scored his initial success as leader of his own band in Mexico City in 1948. What followed was international acclaim, virtually fanatical popularity in Latin America, and finally the jackpot in the U.S. His Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White was his first million-seller, and it remains a pop classic today. The million-selling Patricia was America's favorite through the summer of 1958. In between, there has been a steady stream of big records, each crisp and crackling with what has become to be identified as Prado's style... and many bearing the shouted "Ugh!", which has become his trademark. – Dom Cerulli - Co-editor" The Jazz Word (Ballantine Book, Inc.)


From Billboard - August 31, 1959: Accent is on the cha cha in this spicy effort by the Latin orkster. He applies the popular dance beat to a flock of standards – and for highly listenable results. Teen and adult buyers can be sold. Stereo is an important factor and the attractive cover will also help. Tunes include "Paper Doll," "Manhattan" and "Ida".

You're Driving Me Crazy
Manhattan
Isle Of Capri
Three Little Words
Carolina In The Morning
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
Ciribirbin
Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)
Paper Doll
Taking A Chance On Love
Heigh-Ho (The Dwarf's Marching Song)

This Guy's In Love With You - The Midnight Voices

Yellow Days
This Guy's In Love With You
The Midnight Voices
Produced by Snuff Garrett
Cover Design & Photography: Studio Five, Inc.
A Snuff Garrett Production
Bravo STEREO 35500
1968

From Billboard - July 20, 1968: Viva Records introduces its new Bravo label with a distinctive and beautifully blended vocal chorus billed as the Midnight Voices. The smooth, lush treatments of "A Man Without Love," MacArthur Park" and the album's title tune, among others, are perfect programming fare. Album should establish the artists and label with impact.

This Guy's In Love With You
Theme From "Valley Of The Dolls"
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
The Look Of Love
MacArthur Park
Yellow Days
A Man Without Love
Turn Around, Look At Me
Like To Get To Know You
Young Girl
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
Apologize

Calypso In Hi-Fi - Dave Burgess

Calypso Rock And Roll
Calypso In Hi-Fi
Dave Burgess and His Caribbeans
Tops L1565

Bamboo House
They Never Say No In Jamaica
Banana Boat Song
Will His Love Be Like His Rum
Marianne
Happy Man
They Cry For Love, Love, Love
Who's Gonna Cry?
Fire In The Eyes
Calypso Rock And Roll
Pull The Curtain (Close The Blind)
Day-O