Ben E. King Sings For Soulful Lovers

 

Fever

Ben E. King

Sings For Soulful Lovers

Arranger & Conductor: Klaus Ogermann

Recording Engineers: Tom Dowd & Phil Iehle

Cover Photo: Maurice Seymour, New York

Cover Design: Loring Eutemey 

Supervision: Ahmet Ertegum

ATCO 33-137

1962

From the back cover: The year 1961 was a decisive time in the life and burgeoning career of young Ben E. King. Already a stellar lead singer with an altogether stellar vocal group, The Drifters, King took the big step into the glare of the solo spotlight without even blinking his eyes.

It was as though solo stardom had long been on the books for King, or so the recent record would indicate. Through sheer artistry and the imaginative craftsmanship of his musical arrangers, he has managed to pile hit upon hit. One of these, Spanish Har- lem, was one of the biggest selling hits of the entire year. But there were others as well, Stand By Me, Amor, Ecstasy, to mention a few, which helped him continually broaden and expand his audience. This, it may be said, is not at all a simple trick, in a day when hundreds of recording artists compete for the devotion of record buyers here and abroad.

In this new album, young Mr. King gives a generous taste of the kind of sincere and persuasive stylings which have impelled fans to gobble up his disks by the millions. Some are borrowed from the hit catalogs of respected contemporaries in the pop record derby, Bobby Darin, Jerry Butler, The Shirrelles, Etta James and Tommy Edwards, while others come from the reservoir of the great standards of the era.

Surprises! You'll find them by the dozen in these exciting performances with arrangements to match. Notice or example, the distinctive upbeat styling of the familiar, My Heart Cries For You, a contrast to the expected ap- proach which lends more flavor than ever to the tune in the gifted hands of King.

Spirited vocalizing takes the spotlight in Dream Lover, as our star weaves his way through a handsome arrangement for violins, cellos, rhythm and voices. Gordon Jenkins' memorable version of My Foolish Heart receives a standout performance, literally dripping with soul. The scoring, employing a woodblock percussion and one-finger piano opening, builds through strings to a neat muted trum- pet break. It's tasteful stuff, carefully attuned to the musical background requirements of love.

From tasteful to fervent, that's the next step, to Fever, a frantic song with an urgent declaration of feeling by King, against lightning fast piano variations and a smartly employed electric organ. Enjoy too, Henry Mancini's Moon River, one of the prettiest songs of the season, and given an extra dash of misty warmth through the stylish warbling of Ben E. King.

There are many tempos and moods in these smoothly crafted performances, but you will find all of them especially keyed to lovers, for the dancing, listening and dreaming of soulful young lovers of any age. –– REN GREVATT

My Heart Cries For You

He Will Break Your Heart

Dream Lover

Will You Love Me Tomorrow

My Foolish Heart

Fever

Moon River

What A Difference A Day Made

Because Of You 

At Last

On The Street Where You Live

It's All In The Game