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Friday, June 18, 2021

Mood For Love - The Four Aces

 

Pennies From Heaven

Mood For Love
By The Four Aces
Featuring Al Alberts
Vocal With Orchestra Directed By Jack Pleis
Decca Records DL 8122
1955

From the back cover: Although The Four Aces were organized only a few years ago, they have become one of the most prominent groups of singers in the country. They are, as the name indicates, a quartet – a quartet whose manner is unique and whose production is amazing.

The story of how they came together is something of a legend. Al Alberts was finishing a thirty-eight month hitch in the Navy when he met Dave Malhoney in – of all places – Argentia, Newfoundland, where Dave, a skilled musician, was stationed with a Navy band. Before the war Al had sung with Elliot Lawrence and Jan Savitt. He had decided on a career in journalism and was attending Temple University, although Uncle Sam had turned him into a radio operator. His ship put into Argentia for supplies; Al found himself transferred to the Newfoundland base; on his off-time he sang with the band – and there he met Dave. This meeting in far-off Newfoundland was a strange geographical twist, for both boys came from neighboring towns in Pennsylvania.

After being discharged in 1946 Al and Dave decided to concentrate on a combined singing career. Dave was good man on trumpet and sax and, when they decided to form an instrumental group, they added Sod Voccaro on trumpet and Lou Silvestri on drums. It was a pleasant coincidence that Sod and Lou were also local boys – in fact all four grew up and went through school in Pennsylvania.

They began by playing only on a part-time basis – all of them held jobs during this period. Soon, however, there was a great demand for their vocal services. After they made their first great hit with a song called "Sin", they were booked into night clubs and theaters throughout the land. With Decca they produced hit after hit – their first Decca record, "Tell Me Why," reached the million mark.

From Billboard - June 4, 1955: It makes commercial sense to package 12 tunes by the popular group. The disk has the typical Four Aces style and infectious beat. Included are "I'm In The Mood For Love," "Melody Of Love," "Strangers In Paradise," "Let's Fall In Love," "There Goes My Heart," etc. The Album could quickly take its place among the best selling pop packages.

I'm In The Mood For Love
What A Difference A Day Made
Stars Fell On Alabama
There Goes My Heart
Melody Of Love
Pennies From Heaven
Let's Fall In Love
Don't Take You Love From Me
It's The Talk Of The Town
Three Coins In The Fountain 
Stranger In Paradise
I'm Sitting On Top Of The World

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