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Saturday, December 18, 2021

Connie Haines Sings A Tribute To Helen Morgan

 

Yesterdays

Connie Hayes Sings A Tribute To Helen Morgan
Orchestra Conducted by Lew Raymond
Tops L1606
Tops Music Enterprises, Corp.
1958

From the back cover: Helen Morgan was born in 1900 in quiet Danville, Illinois. A restlessness gripped her early in life and in her teens she heeded the challenge of Chicago. Poor and alone, Helen worked at numerous odd jobs in the big city before making her singing debut in a honky-tonk in West Chicago. From then on, she was wedded to show business for better or for worse.

Helen decided to study singing after a stint in the Ziefeld chorus line on the road and in New York. Subsisting on occasional singing chores in Greenwich Village speakeasies, she finally got her first important job at Billy Rose's Backstage Club, New York's hangout studded with show business notable of the day. It was there that George White saw Helen and signed her for his Scandals Of 1925. Within a year Helen Morgan was a celebrated Broadway star.

One of the greatest triumphs was her role of Julie in the original 1927 Flo Ziegfeld production of Show Boat. Other hits followed. New York was hers. When the star toured Europe, she won high acclaim on that side of the Atlantic as well.

Already a stage, radio and notion picture celebrity, Helen had her own night club which, appropriately enough was called Chez Morgan. However, fulfillment eluded her. She drank to forget and sang to remember. A young woman of generous heart, and gracious to all, her fortunes were soon dissipated.

It was in 1935 that Miss Morgan starred with Rudy Vallee in Sweet Music for Warner Bros.

In January 1958 The Helen Morgan Story is scheduled for release by Warner Bros., with the beautiful Ann Blyth playing the dramatic title role. No less than 31 songs of the Morgan era are used in the film, and the cast includes such important personalities as Jimmy McHugh, famed composer of popular music, Walter Winchell, and Rudy Vallee – all of whom figured in Helen's illustrious career.

This then was Helen Morgan. The selections for this album were taken from the best of her repertoire. For extra measure, included are several other fine old standards dating from the Twenties. Most of the ballads remain so charged with emotion, that it takes a full-bodied and heartfelt voice like that if Connie Haines to do them ample justice.

Now, Connie Haines dose NOT like to perch atop the piano. she does like very much, however, to sing the torch tunes of the late chanteuse. Mind you, there's nothing about the pert Connie remotely suggesting the dolor associated with Miss Morgan. A more cheerful, sunnier personality than Connie would be hard to find. With the melodies that Helen made famous, Connie Haines is brilliant, and feels right at home.

The petite and attractive Miss Haines was intimated into show business at the age of four when she made her debut on radio. At ten she had her own popular commercial radio show in Jacksonville, Florida. When only fourteen, Connie was the youngest headliner ever to play the Roxy Theater in New York. 

Later in her teens, there followed stints with Harry James' orchestra and then the renowned Tommy Dorsey aggregation of the early Forties. When the dynamic singer ventured forth on her own, she had a coast-to-coast show on radio, and later starred in other important shows. In the personal appearance field, Connie has played in the most glamorous of the nation's supper clubs, theaters and hotels. She has had hits on at least four different labels.

Today Miss Haines finds exciting potential for herself in television. She has appeared on all the big network shows and is invariably asked to do return stints. Her biggest TV thrill, however, occurred when Ralph Edwards told her life story to the nation on his NBC program This Is Your Life.

Winsome Connie Haines life is indeed a full one. Whether interpreting the blues or bright show tunes, her great talent continues to enrich the world of music. And to this well chosen selection of the best Helen Morgan, Connie's wealth of experience brings stimulating flavor.

Why I Was Born
They Didn't Believe Me
Yesterdays
Broken Hearted
Make Believe 
Mean To Me
Can't Help Loving That Man
Don't Ever Leave Me
More Than You Know
The Way You Look Tonight
Bill
Why Do I Love You

Donald Erb - Dallas Symphony Orchestra

 

The Seventh Trumpet

Donald Erb
Symphony Of Overtures
The Seventh Trumpet
Concerto For Solo Percussionist
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Donald Johanos, Conductor
Marvin Dahlgren, Percussion
Produced by Elite Recordings, Ince.
Engineering: Marc Aubort & Joanna Nickrenz
Turnabout VOX TV-S 34433

Marvin Dahlgren, principal percussionist of the Minnesota Orchestra has been a member of the Orchestra since 1950. He is also a drummer on the staff of the Minnesota Theater Company, performing regularly in the company's seasons of the Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

Mr. Dahlgren graduated from the MacPhail College of Music in Minneapolis, earning his B.A. in 1950. He is the author or co-author of twelve books on percussion and owns and operates the Dahlgren Drum Shop in Minneapolis.

From the back cover: Donald Erb was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1927. After spending his early years as a jazz trumpeter and arranger he received a music degree from Kent State University and subsequent degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Indiana University. His orchestral music has been widely performed in recent years by an impressive array of orchestras including those of Seattle, Atlanta, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Dallas, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Minnesota, Indianapolis and Boston.

Mr. Erb has held grants from the Ford, Guggenheim and Rockefeller foundations, as well as the National Council on the Arts. In 1968-69 he was Composer-in-Residence with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, after which he returned to the position of Composer-in-Residence at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rockin' With Kay - Kay Starr

 

True Blue Lou

Rockin' With Kay
Kay Starr
Produced by Hal Stanley
RCA Victor LPM-1720
1958

From Billboard - June 30, 1958: The wonderful, husky expressiveness of the Starr gal comes thru in strong style on this selection of tunes arranged for rocking delivery. To the accompaniment of sharp and snappy band backings, Miss Starr Solidly sells "Rockin' Chair," "The Glory Of Love" and "Lonesome Road," etc. Cute cover shows an appealing Kay in a rocking chair. Can sell and it's good programming material.

Dry Bones
Rockin' Chair
I Gotta Away From You
Till We Meet Again
True Blue Lou
Lazy Bones
Lonesome Road
The Glory Of Love
I'm Confessin' 
Lover Man
How Deep Is The Ocean
Do I Worry

The Tall, Tall Gentlemen - Carl Smith

 

Take It Like A Man

Carl Smith
The Tall, Tall Gentleman
Produced by Don Law and Frank Jones
Cover Photo: Joe Rudis
Columbia Limited Edition (Re-Released by Popular Demand)
LE 10025
1963

Back Up Buddy
This Orchid Means Goodbye
Loose Talk
No More Loose Talkin'
The Tall, Tall Gentleman
Wait, A Little Longer, Please Jesus
(When You Feel Like You're In Love) Don't Just Stand There
Try To Take It Like A Man
Before I Met You
Live For Tomorrow
Air Mail To Heaven
I Dream Of The Old Rugged Cross

An Original By Bruno - Tony Bruno

Small Town Bring Down

An Original By Bruno
It Happened Overnight!
The Most Compelling Song Stylist Of This Decade
Arranged and Conducted by Artie Butler
Produced by Artie Ripp
Cover Photo: Capitol Photo Studios / Ken Veeder
A Kama Sutra Production
Capitol Records (Canada) - STEREO ST 2957
1968

My Yellow Bird
Somewhere There's Someone
Hard To Get A Thing Called Love
The Grass Will Sing For You
Helania
They Say ( I Don't See)
Yesterday
What's Yesterday
Slow Up
That Lucky Old Sun
Small Town Bring Down
I'll Be Seeing You 

Friday, December 17, 2021

Encore - Joe Carlo

 

Weekend In New England

Encore
Joe Carlo Makes Lowrey Magic
Harmony Records - Toronto, Canada
HRS 1156

From the back cover: The Organ - Lowrey Model H 25-4
A symphonic, orchestral organ console. (Album cover) Four separate speaking channels. Solid state, self contained. No other additional speakers were used for this recording, and no other instruments added. Lowrey features the exclusive Brass Symphonizer and the Symphonic Strings, as well as a fantastic array of other exclusive features and effects.

Also from the back cover: Joe Carlo is well known, world travelled concert organist, who commands the resources and tonal possibilities of the Lowrey organ with precision, dexterity and great depth of feeling - which can come only from a complete understanding of the instrument. This album was programmed with selections of all kinds - including synthesized Bach, all having the most appeal of the average listener. This is the album for those who appreciate an outstanding performance of their favourite selections, played on an organ, with unusual stereo sound from a single instrument. Joe Carlo's credentials, Concert, Radio, TV performer, Church organist, Staff organist for the Lowrey Company. Here then is the great combination – fine music, fine musician, fine instrument... a Joe Carlo "ENCORE".

The Well Tempered Clavier
Volume 1 - Praeludium 2 (Synthesized)
Volume 2 - Praeludium 2
Evergreen
In The Still Of The Night
Nice 'N' Easy
Jean
I Can't Stop Loving You
You're Just In Love
A Certain Smile
Londonderry Air
Weekend In New England

A Musical Trip To Latin America With Lawrence Welk

 

Tabu

A Musical Trip To Latin America With Lawrence Welk
Featuring Jane Walton
Coral Records CRL 57187

In Alcapulco
My Shawi (Ombo)
Night Must Fall
Quien Sera
Tabu
Asi! Asi!
Maria Elena - Jane Walton, Vocalist
Say Si Is - Jane Walton - Vocalist
Stars In Your Eyes - Betty Morales, Vocalist
Capullito De Aleli  - Jane Walton - Vocalist
I'll Always Love You - Betty Morales, Vocalist
Cielito Lindo - Jane Walton - Vocalist

Bouzouki - Roberto Delgado

 

To Treno

Bouzouki
Roberto Delgado
Polydor STEREO 2371 494
1974

The Star Of Myknonos 
The Bouzouki Sounded Through The Summer Night
Velvet Mornings
Maria Me Ta Kitrina
Un Fume Amarokaymos
Beautiful Girl From Arcadia
To Treno
My Friend The Wind
Lindia
Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye
Medley: Memories Of Greece - Zorba's Dance, Never On A Sunday, Acropolis Adieu

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Contrasts - Erroll Garner

 

Rosalie

Contrast
Featuring Erroll Garner
EmArcy Records MG 36001
A product of Mercury Record Corporation
1954

You Are My Sunshine
I've Got The World On A String
7-11 Jump
Part-Time Blues
Rosalie
In A Mellow Tone
Don't Worry 'Bout Me
All Of A Sudden (My Heart Sings)
There's A Small Hotel
Misty
I Wanna Be A Rugcutter

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Los 20 Temas Del Momento - Vol. II

 

Munequita Ibaguerena

Los 20 Temas Del Momento
Arreglos: Ramon Ropain
Ingeniero de Sonido: Armando Benavides
Estudios: Suramericana de Grabciones 
Producido Por Almacenes Discos Bambuco - Bogota, Columbia DBS 5046

La Cocaleca
La Canaguatera
Que Bueno Esta El Cumbion
Tra-Ca-Ta
La Charamusca
Caracoles De Colores
Yo Me Llamo Cumbia
La Brujita
Lucerito
Munequita Ibaguerena
El Graduado (Sonidas del Silencio)
El Campeón
El Seis Chorreao
Corazon Contento
Por Un Caminito
Limon Limonero
Que Bonito Es El Querer
El Carretero
Se Quemo La Maya
Tan Bella Y Tan Presumida

Porgy And Bess - Al Goodman

 

Porgy And Bess

George Gershman's
Porgy And Bess
Al Goodwin and His Orchestra
Pirouette Records FM-21

From the back cover: Al Goodman was a student at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore where he won a general scholarship. He completed his studies on orchestrating with Victor Herbert, the Master, while conducting Herbert's last operetta "My Dream Girl."

Al Goodman in the theatre; musically prepared, frequently acted as co-composer, and conductor of the Broadway performances of over a hundred Operettas. Reviews and Musical Comedies, such as "The Band Wagon," "Good News," "New Moon," "Desert Song," "Student Prince," and all the Al Jolson shows – composed by such eminent names as Romberg, Victor Herbert, Rodgers & Hart, Friml, Oscar Hammerstein, the Gershwin's, Desylva, Brown & Henderson, Kern Irving, Berlin, Schwartz & Deitz, Fred Coots, Harold Arlen. Further, he was appointed General Musical Director for Ziefeld, the Shuberts, Max Gordon, George White, Schwab & Mandel, to name a few.

Al Goodman on Radio; was the musical head and conductor of "Your Hit Parade" for over a period of ten years; "Prudential Family Hour," seven years, which he also created; "Fred Allen Shows" eleven years; both on radio and television; "Maxwell House Show Boat" with Lanny Ross and the "Colgate Beauty Box" operetta series.

Al Goodman on Television; premiered the "Olsen & Johnson Buick Show", from 1950 to 1956 was General Musical Director for the "Colgate Comedy Hour," starring Donald O'Connor, Eddie Cantor, Abbot & Costello, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, etc. Also conducted the "Life Of Riley" TV series for two years.

Al Goodman on Records; in the last twelve years recorded well over a thousand sides and album for RCA Victor. These were primarily operettas, musical comedies and movie music.

Al Goodman's baton has directed such great artists as: Al Jolson, Fred Astaire, Fred Allen, Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Durante, Ezio Pinza, Dinah Shore, Eddie Fisher, Jackie Gleason, Guy Mitchell, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Lane, Ray Bolger, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Milton Berle, Tony Martin, Jan Peerce, Rise Stevens, James Melton, Robert Merrill, Patrice Munsel and other greats too numerous to mention.

Al Goodman on Promenade Records to date, has cut several albums of show tunes; "My Fair Lady" and "The King And I." "South Pacific" and "Oklahoma," and "Al Goodman Salutes Irving Berlin" which contains all-time Berlin favorites.

Prelude
Summertime
Oh I Got Plenty Of Nuttin'
Bess, You Is My Woman Now
It Ain't Necessarily So
A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
My Man's Gone Now
There's A Boat Leaving' Soon For New York
Oh Lawd I'm On My Way
Finale

Slaughter On Tenth Avenue - New York Center "Pops" Orchestra

 

Slaughter On Tenth Ave

Slaughter On Tenth Avenue
And Other Hit Scores
New York Center "Pops" Orchestra
Dyna-Disc ALBUM SCH-818

Slaughter On Tenth Ave.
Street Scene
After Hours
The Sultan On Broadway

Songs Of Hank Williams Played By Billy Mure

 

Ramblin' Man

Songs Of Hank Williams Played By Billy Mure's Guitar & Orchestra
Everest STEREO SDBR-1072
1960

From the back cover: Billy Mure was born and raised a long way from the section of the country that first took Hank Williams to its heart. A New York boy, he graduated from Morris High School. His first instrument was the violin; he later learned to play the tuba, string bass and guitar.

Shortly before World War II, Mure got his first professional job with Mickey Alpert's band – on violin – and then "band-hopped" until he was drafted. Assigned to an Air Force band, he began to write arrangements and added mastery of the tuba and guitar to his list of accomplishments.

Mure joined Station WNEW of New York as staff guitarist in 1947. During his ten years at the station, he wrote songs and continued his arranging. Kim Novak sang his first song in the Columbia Pictures, "Five Agains The House;" he next wrote the title song for the movie "No Down Payment" and then had a novelty click with Got A Match. More recently, Mure has penned Trumpet Cha-Cha and String Of Trumpets, and has written arrangements for two hit recordings – Della Resse's And That Reminds Me and Don Rondo's White Silver Sands.

When asked about his albums, Mure answered: "I enjoyed arranging and playing the melodies of Hank Williams. They're simple and straightforward. In keeping with this, they were done in a manner that parallels this quality.

"I believe I should point out that the instrumentation I used for this album is a little bit different," he continued. "On six of the tunes, there were four guitars, bass and two percussionists – one played drums and the other, bongos or vibes; on the other half-dozen, I retained the same instrumentation and added six voices. Voices blend well with guitars." (ed. note – Mr. Mure played lead guitar and took all the solos in this program.)

The sound, as is the rule with Everest Records, is excellent and distortion-free. Billy Mure, his "Supersonic Guitars," his rhythm and vocal assistants, and the music of Hank Williams, come through clear as a bell. – Burt Korall

From Billboard - February 22, 1960: The top-flight guitarist styles a gourd of the famed cleffer's tunes with attractive backing from the ork. Included are such gems as "Jambalaya (on the Bayou)," "Cold, Cold Heart" and "Your Cheatin' Heart." His approach is thoughtful and inventive, and the set can get wide appeal. Sound is a plus factor.

Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
Hey, Good Lookin'
Honky Tonk Blues
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With  You)
I'm A Long Gone Daddy
Baby, We're Really In Love
Cold, Cold Heart
Kaw-Liga
Your Cheatin' Heart
Ramblin' Man
There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Moanin The Blues

Stan Kenton Conducts The Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra

 

Prelude & Fugue

Stan Kenton Conducts The Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra
Producers: David Axelrod & John Palladino
Recording Engineer: Carson Taylor
Creative World Records ST 1013

Stan Kenton Conducts The Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra
Producers: David Axelrod & John Palladino
Recording Engineer: Carson Taylor
Text and Program Notes by Noel Redder
Capitol Records SMAS 2424
1966

Personnel

Trumpets
Dalton Smith
Gary Barone
Ron Ossa
Frank Huggins
Ollie Mitchell

Trombones
Bob Fitzpatrick
Gil Falco
Vernon Friley
Jim Amlotte

Tuba
Jon Bambridge

Saxophones and Woodwings
Bud Shank
Bob Cooper
Don Lodice
Bill Perkins
John Lowe

Piano 
Claude Williamson

Bass
John Worster

Guitar
Dennis Budimer

Drums
Nick Ceroli

Vibes
Emil Richards

Percussion
Frank Carlson

French Horns
Vince De Rosa
Richard Perissi
Bill Hinshaw
John Cave
Arthur Maebo

Personnel notes (from inside the Capitol jacket):

Dalton Smith - Lead Trumpet
Born in Forest, Mississippi in 1936, Dalton has recorded over 15 albums with the Kenton Orchestra. A high-note specialist, he is in constant demand for movie, television and recording work and has worked with Nelson Riddle, Charlie Barnet, Judy Garland and Johnny Mathis.

Gary Barone - Jazz Trumpet
Following his graduation from Michigan State with aBA degree in Economics, Gary went to Cleveland to play in a television studio orchestra. However, after three months of playing nothing more exciting than entrance and exit music, he came to the West coast determined to join Kenton and the Neophonic Orchestra.

Ron Ossa - Trumpet
Ron joined the Orchestra in 1963, just in time to make the European Tour. Born 30 years ago in San Francisco, he's bolted with Del Courtney, Liberace, Ralph Carmichael, Jane Powell, Leighton Noble and Will Osborne. He's also worked with small groups and big bands in Las Vegas and Reno.

Frank Huggins - Trumpet
Not content to rest on his laurels as a top trumpet player with the bands or Woody Herman, Terry Gibb, Les Brown, Benny Goodman and Stan Kenton – to name only a few – Frank began studying piano and composition last Spring in order to write original music for television and the Neophonic Orchestra.

Bob Fitzpatrick - Lead Trombone
Fitz's lead trombone work with Kenton spans 15 years and 21 albums. Largely responsible for the distinctive choral sound of Kenton's trombone section, he is known throughout contemporary music as a master technician. His recorded solos are widely used as teaching aids in many of the major universities.

Gil Falco - Jazz Trombone
As far as Gil is concerned the opportunity he had to work with Tommy Dorsey was one of the most meaningful experiences of his career. "Tommy was not only a fine musician, but also a gifted and dedicated teacher. The things I learned from him made it possible for me to break into television recording work."

Jim Amlotte - Bass Trombone
Jim not only holds down the bass trombone chair; he's also the road manager for the Kenton Orchestra. when on tour he averages about four hours sleep a night; less if he's signing the band into a foreign country. With the Orchestra since 1956, Jim has also recorded with June Christy and The Four Freshmen.

John Bambridge - Tuba 
John climaxed his musical education in St. Louis by playing with tat city's symphony orchestra. In addition to recording with Shelly Manne, Johnny Williams, Peggy Lee and Nat Cole, John has worked on a number of television series and movies for Warner Bros., Universal and MGM Studios.

Bud Shank - Alto Saxophone and Woodwinds
Bud played lead alto and flute on Stan's "Innovations In Modern Music" Orchestra until 1951. Upon returning to Los Angeles, bud became part of that unofficial group responsible for "West Coast Jazz." In addition to recording with his own group, Shank has written original music for three motion pictures.

Bob Copper - Tenor Saxophone and Woodwinds
An alumnus of Stan's "Artistry In Rhythm" and "Innovations In Modern Music" Orchestras, Coop – together with Bud Shank – is credited with establishing the sax sound for "West Coast Jazz." Bob has recorded a number of albums for Capitol Records and scored a series of documentary films of our space program.

Don Lodice - Tenor Saxophone and Woodwinds
Don considers the yers he spent o the Tommy Dorsey, Bubby Berigan and Gus Bivona Orchards, and the 18 years he's worked at MGM, Desilu, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and Paramount Studios "almost as important – but not quite in the same league – as the love songs I wrote with vocalist Matt Dennis."

Bill Perkins - Tenor Saxophone
"Perk" first worked with Stan in 1954, and was a member of the band Kenton took to Europe in 1956. After touring with the Woody Herman, Louis Bellson, Terry Biggs and Benny Goodman Orchestras for five years, Bill settled down in Hollywood where he is now firmly stabled as a top recording and studio musician.

John Lowe - Bariton Saxophone and Woodwinds
John always clarifies what instrument he should bring to the date. "Otherwise, I'd feel pretty foolish showing up with my flutes, clarinets and saxes the the part called for just a piccolo. During the years I was on the road with Ray Anthony, Les Elgart and Ray Conic my nine instrument cases mad quite a hit with the bus drivers!"

John Foster - Bass
John first worked with small groups up and down the West Coast, and then throughout the country with they big bands of Les Elgart, Ralph Marterie, Ray McKenley and Sam Donahue, "mentally and physically preparing myself for Stan's 1963 tour of the United States, Canada and England."

Dennis Budimer - Guitar
Dennis spent the early part of his career touring with Harry James, Chico Hamilton, Peggy Lee and Julie London. After an endless succession of lonely hotel rooms bromoseltzers before and after meals, and hassles with laundries to deliver his shirts on time, he became a free-lance Hollywood studio musician.

Nick Creole - Drums
Although Nick Calis Niles, Ohio home he hasn't seen much of the Buckeye State since he came West. Successive tours with the big bands of Gerald Wilson, Les Brown, Ray Anthony, Ralph Marterie and Lionel Hampton have taken him to almost every major city, town and hamlet in the United States and Canada.

Emil Richards - Vibes
Since leaving Hartford, Connecticut, Emil has played with George Shearing, Don Ellis, Paul Horn and Shorty Rogers; worked with many of Hollywood's movie and television studios; and written a book of jazz compositions based upon the unusual time signatures – 5 1/2 / 4, 10 1/2 / 4, 19 / 4, 13 /4, 11 /4 – used in India.

Frank Carlson - Percussion 
Remembered by jazz fans as long-time drummer with the first of the great Woody Herman bands, Carlson has in recent years broadened his range of instruments to became a leading percussionist. He has played frequently with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and has recored with most of the notables.

Vince De Rosa - French Horn
Noted critic Alfred Frankenstein said of his playing on a recording of Bach with guitarist Laurindo Almeida, "the most astonishing example of virtuosity on the horn I have ever heard on records." Whenever French horns are heard on a West Coast recording session, Vince De Rosa is likely to be on the date.

Bill Hinshaw - French Horn
Like his four colleagues on this recording, Hinshaw is one of the few iron players whose versatility and skill make it possible for him to excel for both the jazz an d symphony conductor. His past assignments include nearly every orchestra of prominence to use a horn section on a Los Angeles recording.

Richard Perissi - French Horn
Dick is one of those rare players who's equally at home in any style of music. He's played with Arthuro Toscanini and the New York Philharmonic, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, The Surfers, The Lettermen, The Rolling Stones, and made innumerable movies and television shows for Universal Studios.

John Cave - French Horn
John holds the distinction of having been with Artie Shaw when he recorded "Frenesi" and "Begin The Beguine." Born in Spokane, Washington, John came to Los Angeles after he finished school and joined the MGM Studio Orchestra, where for the past 30 years he has worked with some of the greatest stars of all time.

Arthur Maebo - French Horn
Arthur decided to become a French horn player while attending school in Detroit, Michigan. "As a youngster I had a difficult time making up my mind what instrument to play, but after learning how much in demand the horn players were in Hollywood I quickly made my decision and haven't regretted it since."

Ollie Mitchell - Trumpet
When he is not recording for the movies and television studios – Cleopatra, Music Man, Gypsy, Burke's Law, Branded, Honey West, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, and 10 O'Clock High are listed among his many credits – Ollie spends his "free" time teaching and helping young musicians to develop their careers.


From the back cover (Creative World): This rare album contains the highlights of the four concerts presented by Stan Kenton's Neophonic Orchestra in 1965. Originally recorded by Capitol, it is being re-released because hundreds of Kenton Collectors have requested it.

the Neophonic ("New Sounds") concerts were Stan Kenton's ambitious attempt to gather the finest composers of contemporary music, to let them express their own originality and tasted, and to present their work through the new Neophonic Orchestra. The five compositions included in this album were selected from 31 which received their world premieres during the four Neophonic concerts. In 1965, the was considered revolutionary music. Now part of musical history, it is still modern, still a "new sound."

Fanfare: Hugo Montenegro
Prelude & Fugue: John Williams
Soloist: Bud Shank, Alto Saxophone
Passacaglia & Fugue: Allyn Ferguson
Solists: Gary Barone, Trumpet
Bud Shank: Alto Saxophonist
Emil Richards: Vibes
Bill Perkins: Tenor Saxophone

Music For An Unwritten Play: Jim Knight
Soloist: Bud Shank , Alto Saxophonist
Adventure In Emotion: Russ Garcia
Part I: Pathos
Soloist: Bud Shank, Alto Saxophone
Part II: Anger
Soloist: Gil Falco, Trombone
Part III: Tranquility 
Solosist Gary Barone, Trumpet
Part IV: Joy
Soloist: Bob Cooper, Oboe
Part V: Love-Hate-Love
Soloist: Bud Shank, Alto Saxophone

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen

Playing The Field

Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen
Photos: Jerry Tiffany
Cadence Records CLP-1018
1956

From the back cover: Here is a lot of Andy Williams at his best, singing at his best, like he means it and with admiration for Steve Allen's words and music.

Andy Williams has been singing and having fun with friend Steve Allen for the past two years, so it is a natural turn of events and follows in sequence that Andy and Steve should get together on records. You will be delighted with these 12 songs which Andy sings, some familiar, and some not too often heard songs written by Steve.

In this album Andy blends his singing with an interesting combination of string quartette, and a made-to-order, high calibre alto sax accompaniment by Alvy West. The result is a neat package for those who enjoy listening to songs sung and interpreted with a love for the special turn of phrase, and a care for the meaning of the lyric.

Andy Williams was born in the middle west and started his career in Iowa, migrating west to Los Angeles where he lived until he toured the night club circuit with Kay Thompson and the William Brothers to make entertainment history. When the act disbanded, Andy headed straight for television and settled in New York.

He signed an exclusive contract with Cadence Records and with the sure guidance of Archie Bleyer, Andy Williams scored a direct hit with his recording of Canadian Sunset. 

In two years Andy had built a nationwide popularity that reverberates loud and wide from the waterfalls of Buffalo to the cactus in Hollywood.

Also from the back cover: Steve Allen has become a natural part of the scene and is here to stay like tires, tobacco, Hershey Bars, and the New York Times – and there is a good reason. Here is an attractive somebody who puts his many varied talents to work and into the most productive and fruitful channels.

His tremendous popularity is no illusion. It is firm and solid. Here is first rate ability, and talent that goes in several directions.

He write books and they are published.
He plays the piano and sings.
He writes short stories and he is an actor.
He writes songs and they are sung.

His tremendous personality and wide and varied talents are now a legend to TV watchers. He does everything and does it well. Both on TV and in person Allen emanates an extraordinary charm. There is a kindness and humaneness to him that is rare among successful men.

His songs are very like him. Lying somewhere in between the notes and words is the personality of Steve Allen – at times sincere, at times romantic, at times humorous, but always the undeniable personal stamp of one Steve Allen. – Notes by Kay Thompson

From Billboard - December 22, 1956: Williams, recently named most promising new male singer in The Billboard disk jockey poll, proceeds to show why in this new album. The dozen tunes are all the cleffing of Steve Allen, on whose show Williams appears regularly, and they have distinct-charm and class. Mostly ballads, each one seems to show singer at his best. Lad has the poise, polish and style to become a top pop singer. Album can be another step up the ladder. Backing showcases the talent well. Cover shows only a photo of the singer with no copy and it might have been a better bet to identify the personality. Nevertheless, this is likely to get airplays and that in itself can lead to sales.

Tonight 
Meet Me Where They Play The Blues
Stay Just A Little While
Playing The Field 
Impossible
Young Love
Picnic
Old Piano Plays The Blues
Spring In Maine
All The Way Home
Lonely Love
Forbidden Love 

Copland: Billy The Kid - Ballet Suite

 

Copland
Billy The Kid
Ballet Suite
Statements For Orchestra
Aaron Copland conducting the London Symphony Orchestra
Recording Director: Raoul Poliakin
Recording Engineer: Joe Kane
Technical Director: Robert Engler
Album Design: Alex Steinweiss
Everest Records Production 3015

1st Movement - Allegro Maestoso 
Millitant
Cryptic
Dogmatic
Subjective
Jingo
Prophetic

Christmas At Home - Dianne Leigh

Little Town Of Bethlehem

Christmas At Home
Diane (Dianne) Leigh
Cover Photo: A. Stanton
Marathon Music Incorporated TX 1002
The Sound Of Canadian Country
1973

Christmas In The City
White Christmas
Here Comes Santa Claus
Silent Night
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
Oh Holy Night
The Sound Of Angels
Frosty The Snowman
Winter Wonderland
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Silver Bells
Jingle Bell Rock

The Magic Of Hawaii - Moki Kaaihui

 

Alau Lei

The Magic Of Hawaii
Moki Kaaihui and His Orchestra
Palace P33
Made in Canada by Universal Record Mfg. Co. Ltd.

Hawaiian Moon
High Tide
Luau
Hawaiian Serenade
Stars Over Hawaii
Wedding Song
Hawaiian Mood
Lost Love
Pineapples And Coconuts
Oahu Farewell
Paradise Island
Alau Lei

Monday, December 13, 2021

Snowbird - Lisa Rawlins

 

All Right Now

Snowbird
Sung and Played by Lisa Rawlins & The Street People
Design STEREO SDLP-325

Snowbird
Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma
I May Never Be Free
Tell Me Now
Off The Line
All Right Now
What Shall I Do
Sissy
Gas Heat

Beat In Sweet - James Last

 

Eve Of Destruction

Beat In Sweet
James Last Band
Polydor STEREO 249002
Manufactured by Deutsche Grammophone, Hamburg
1965

I Got You Babe
Frag' Dem Abendwind
Baby Don't Go
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Eve Of Destruction
Teenage Love
Mr. Tambourine Man
Du Bist Nicht Allein
For Somebody
Like A Rolling Stone
Du Bist Meine Liebe
Yesterday