Solo Mood - Paul Weston

 

Body And Soul

Solo Mood

Hi-Fi From Hollywood

Paul Weston and His Music From Hollywood

Columbia Records CL 879

1956

Featuring: Joe Howard, Matty Matlock, Babe Russin, George Van Epps, Clyde Hurley, Paul Smith, Eddie Miller, Bill Schaefer, Barney Kessel, Stanley Wrightsman, Ted Nash & Ziggy Elman

From the back cover: The extraordinary success of Paul Weston's "Mood For 12" collection (on LP CL 693 or Extended Play set B-525) was the basis of this new garland of fine popular songs. His initial experiment in this direction succeeded musically, with the critics, and with the public, and moreover proved Paul's idea that mood music could still have a distinct character and flavor along with its well-known soothing qualities. With that in mind, he rounded up twelve of the finest soloists working on the west coast, gave them superior songs and accompaniments, and set them to work at their own improvisations. Anyone who has heard the excellent results will know what to expect in this new presentation, and those who missed it should hurry out and rectify that error.

Paul Weston was among the first arranger-conductors to present the fine old songs in ear-caressing arrangements, and has had notable success with his ideas. Among other factors that contributed to his present eminence was the constant presence of a soft ideal for listening or dancing, thus pleasing two groups at once. Another was his uncanny knack for the right song – lovely ballads that never attained full popularity, or others that had become displaced by newer songs. But now he uses the same frame-work to present, in addition to the songs, some of the finest soloists this country boasts, and to give a new dimension to the music through the contrast of a variety of solo instruments and a variety of individual approaches.

Rockin' Chair: Trombone solo by Joe Howard. A member of the original Stan Kenton orchestra, he has also appeared as soloist in a concert conducted by Igor Stravinsky, and has played with Woody Herman, Ray Noble and Artie Shaw

A Foggy Day: Clarinet solo by Matty Matlock, one of the most active studio men in California, playing regularly for the movies, television and records. He started with the Beasley Smith orchestra, joined Bed Pollack in 1930, and in 1935 helped organize the Bob Crosby orchestra, with seven other musicians.

Body And Soul: Tenor Sax solo by Babe Russin, another perennial in California studio groups. Earlier, he was star soloist with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Jimmy Dorsey in the great days of swing.

Sweet Lorraine: Guitar solo by George Van Epps, recently featured in the movie "Pete Kelly's Blues." A busy free-lance artist since 1936, he played with the Smith-Ballew orchestra in 1929, later joined such other orchestras as those of Benny Goodman, Freddy Martin and Ray Noble.

When It's Sleepy Time Down South: Trumpet solo by Clyde Hurley, another alumnus of the Ben Pollack group. Having played with Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw, he played with the MGM Studio Orchestra for six years, and is currently on the staff of NBC.

Lullaby In Rhythm: Piano solo by Paul Smith, who appears through the courtesy of Capitol Records. Best known as the leader of the Paul Smith Trio, one of the coast's most popular groups, he as also been heard with Tommy Dorsey and Les Paul.

A Hundred Years From Today: Tenor Sax solo by Eddie Miller, star soloist with Bob Crosby and his Orchestra from 1935 to 1943. Currently he is heard on television and has done staff work at the 20th Century Fox Studios.

Dancing On The Ceiling: Trombone solo by Bill Schaefer. Starting with the Francis Craig Group, he then worked for Ray Noble and is now busy with recording and television assignments.

Autumn In New York: Guitar solo by Barney Kessel, appearing through the courtesy of Contemporary Records. He has been heard with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson and Norman Granz, in addition to free-lance radio and motion picture work.

Honeysuckle Rose: Piano solo by Stanley Wrightsman, who is also heard of Columbia Records as a member of the Rampart Street Paraders. Universal and Warner Bros. are among the studios for which he has worked in films.

You Are Too Beautiful: Alto sax solo by Ted Nash; noted for his high-note playing. For years the star alto sax soloist with Les Brown, he has lately settled in Hollywood for film and television work.

The One I Love: Trumpet solo by Ziggy Elman, enduringly famous for the composition and performance of And The Angels Sing with Benny Goodman. He has also played with the Tommy Dorsey orchestra and led his own group for recording and dance dates.