Mr. Easy - Jesse Belvin

 

What's New

Mr. Easy

Jesse Belvin

Arranged and Conducted by Marty Paich

Produced by Dick Pierce

Recording Engineer: Al Schmitt

Recorded at RCA Victor's Music Center of the World, Hollywood, California on December 8, 9 and 16, 1959

RCA Victor LPM 2105

1960

From the back cover: Early on the morning of February 6, 1960, a great talent was lost to the world. It was on this day that a grinding highway collision snuffed out the life of Jesse Belvin.

Anyone who was ever associated with Jesse insists that he was on the very threshold of his greatest success as an artist. His producer at RCA Victor, Dick Pierce, firmly believes that Jesse, at the time of his death, was the greatest potential talent in the field of popular music.

Recorded just a few weeks prior to his tragic accident, this album should have been a significant turning point in Jesse's singing career. Although not his first album, there is a vast difference between this and his earlier recordings. During the production it became apparent that Jesse was in the process of fulfilling his previous artistic promise. Seemingly without effort or conscious awareness of what was taking place, he began drawing more and more from his obviously huge reservoir of creative talent. With growing confidence and assurance he gave a highly individual and sensitive interpretation of each song, displaying excellent taste and inventiveness. In all this he was aided by the remarkable backgrounds of arranger-conductor Marty Paich. Their combined talents provided a wonderful example of true musical creativity.

On listening to this album, one can only speculate as to what heights Jesse might have attained if his career had not come to such an untimely end. Already he had accomplished a great deal in his twenty-seven short years. He had made several successful recordings and was author of many hit songs, including Earth Angel. He had also acquired a reputation as a fine nightclub performer.

So this album presents some ironic aspects. What should have been an exciting turning point becomes the final chapter in a brilliantly promising career. It is a fine artistic effort which will be played and remembered for years to come, yet Jesse never heard the entire album assembled, nor did he see the cover.

Just after the album was recorded, this writer was assigned the then pleasant task of preparing the liner notes. They were already completed and had been set in type when the tragic news was announced. I was asked to write a new set of notes. The first assignment was far easier and infinitely more enjoyable. It was with deepest regret that I accepted the second. – Bill Olofson

It's All Right With Me

Something Happens To Me

What's New

It The Still Of The Night

Blues In The Night 

Let There Be Love

Imagination

The Best Is Yet To Come

Makin' Whoopee!

Angel Eyes

I'll Buy You A Star

The Very Thought Of You