Continental Gems - Jacques Darieux

Poeme

Continental Gems
Jacques Darieux And His Orchestra
Palace 623

This is a gem of a cover on this budget LP, photo credited to Victor Mikus.

From the back cover: Jacques Darieux started his musical education at the age of seven. By the time he reached his twelfth birthday, he undertook the study of composition. This however, was done against the wishes of his parents as never desired to have their son become a musician. However, the outbreak of World War II postponed the decision, but in a strange way confirmed his desire to become a musician.

Spending some time in a Russian prison camp, he organized his own orchestra among the talented internees which by the end of 1948 consisted of twenty musicians.

Upon his discharge and return to Berlin, he continued his musical education and re-organized his orchestra for performances as well as recording sessions.

Solveyo's Song
Mattinata
Traumerei
Pavane
Poeme
Monti Csardas
Schbert's Serenade
Have Pity With Me
Humoresque
The Music Box

The Magic Beat! - Richard Marino

Fever

The Magic Beat!
The Unique Rhythms Of Richard Marino And His Orchestra
Producer: Felix Slatking

Engineer: Bill Putnam
Liberty Premier
LSS-14003
1961

From the inside cover: Richard Marino, the man whose baton becomes the wand for conjuring up the Magic Beat, brings to this album a rich background in classical and popular music.

Beginning his career as a violinist, Marino later traded his bow for a baton and has turned his attentions mainly to conducting. He has conducted the Glendale, California and El Paso, Texas symphony orchestras; has been associated with radio and television as a musical director and has still found time to build a fine reputation as an arranger and orchestrator.

From Billboard - February 13, 1961: This is one of the first albums in Liberty's new Premier "sound" series and a might exciting one it is, too. Smart, exciting arrangements played by the large ork make this album for stereo fans and hi-fi bugs.

Fever
High Noon
Ziganette
Lover
Rots-A-Ruck
The Trolley Song
Bagdad Express
Lisbon Antigua
Seventy Six Trombones
Hot Sombrero
Poor People Of Paris

The Living Strings Play The Very Lively Music Of The Monkees

Steppin' Stone

The Living Strings Play The Very Lively Music Of The Monkees
Arranged and Conducted by Johnny Douglas
Produced by Ethel Gabriel
RCA Camden CAS-2148
1967

I have to hand it to the arranger, Johnny Douglas, for he somehow managed to blend Monkees tunes and strings together to form a decent easy/light pop album with a fun late 60s groove.

The project is helped along by strong studio guitar work that could be attributed to Mottola or Caiola… Just a guess on my part, but the work sounds familiar to me.

For a less successful blend, but no less interesting Living Voices, check out Positively 4th Street and Other Message Folk Songs.

The Monkees
Steppin' Stone
When Love Comes Knockin'
Last Train To Clarksville
I Wanna Be Free
The Kind Of Girl I Could Love
Take A Giant Step
Mary, Mary
She
I'm A Believer

One Has My Name - Barry Young

Yesterday

One Has My Name
Barry Young
Arranger - Ernie Freeman
Vocal Group - The Rex Dennis Singers
Dot DLP 3672
1965

Barry Young died of a brain abscess on December 2, 1966. He was 35 years old.

You'll Never Know
I Gotta Have My Baby Back
I Miss You So
I Still Need You
One Has My Name
Yesterday
Why
Chapel In The Moonlight
I'll Never Smile Again
Since You Have Gone From Me
Show Me The Way
Laughing On The Outside

Somewhere My Love - Dean Franconi

Theme From Hawaii

The Lush String Sounds of Dean Franconi & His Orchestra
Design Records DLP-261

Painful budget set… Fun cover.

Love Theme From Is Paris Burning
Theme From Hawaii
Danube Waves
Santa Lucia
El Choclo
Somewhere My Love
Fascination
Estrellita
La Cumparsita
Espana Waltz

Guitaration Gap - Joe & Jody Maphis

Fire And Rain

The Letter

Guitaration Gap
Joe & Jody Maphis
Chart CHS-1042
1971

A few tracks presented in this set (shared above) were obviously arranged for the "younger guitaration". Those fine tracks are mixed in with more traditional approaches.

The cover features Joe's double-neck Mosrite guitar, specially built for him by Semie Moseley (giving a boost to Moseley's fledgling career as a guitar builder).

From the back cover: Several years ago, I had the privilege of recording a song written by Joe and Rose Lee entitled, "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke and Loud, Loud Music." They also recorded one of my instrumentals entitled "Randy Lynn Rag." In observing the changes in music styles though out the years, I think the young ideas and talent of Jody Lee, combined with that of his famous father, has provided for an excellent and exciting album. There is never any question of Joe And Rose Lee's performances, and on this album, I heard a sound that you hear in the young generation's sound of music. – Earl Scruggs.

Guitaration Gap
Fire And Rain
If I Kiss You
Sippin', Pickin' and Flippin'
Celito Lindo
Scruggin' It
Lookin' Out My Back Door
Ride, Ride, Ride
The Letter
Billy In The Low Ground

Homer Louis Randolph III

My Sweet Lord

Me And Bobby McGee

Homer Louis Randolph, III
Boots Randolph
Arranged and Conducted By Bill Justis
Monument Records
Z 30678
1971

My Sweet Lord
Rose Garden
Help Me Make It Through The Night
Sweet Caroline
Me And Bobby McGee
Amazing Grace
Theme From "Love Story"
It's Impossible
You Don't Have To Say
You Love Me
For The Good Time

Shades Of Today - Pat Williams

Can't Live In A World Without You

 

Shades Of Today

Arranged and Conducted by Pat Williams
Produced by Pete Spargo
Verve V6-5052
Manufactured by MGM Records Division
1968

My purchased was influenced by the outstanding cover art (front and back) that features a living room full of bored looking models.

From the back cover: Cover Fashion Designed by Mathew for Noel Jrs., Noel Turner for Noel Petites. Fashions Available at Macy's New York City, J.W. Robinson, Los Angeles, Rich's Atlanta, Higbee Co., Cleveland.

Groovy late 60s brass set that features, to my ear, the Creed Taylor/Verve vibe even though Taylor left the company in 1967.

Shades
Li'l Darlin'
Laia Ladaia
King Porter Stomp
Cinnamon And Glove
The Look Of Love
Eleanor Rigby
Can't Live In A World Without You
For Me!
Bubbles Was A Cheerleader

Golden Age Of The Dancebands On Broadway

Indian Love Song

Golden Age Of The Dancebands On Broadway
Poll Winners Of 1940
Recorded under the direction of D. L. Miller
Cover art by G. L. Phillps
Someset P-16900

Modest arrangements, but nonetheless an engaging big band set of tunes from Somerset.

Ba Li Hai
Indian Love Call
Oh What A Beautiful Morning
Old Man River
Accustomed To Her Face
Why Do I Love You
Get Me To The Church On Time
Hello Young Lovers
Everything's There
We'll Remember
We Kiss In The Shadows

Tes des Plantes' Swedish-American Hot Jazz Collaboration

Who'll Chop Your Suey When I'm Gone

Tes des Plantes' Swedish-American Hot Jazz Collaboration
Featuring Bent Persson & Tomas Ornberg
Stomp Off Records - S.O.S. 1136
Lausche Sound Recording - Cincinnati, Ohio
December 6-9, 1986

Ted des Plantes - piano, vocal, leader
Bent Persson - cornet, trumpet
Tomas Ornberg - clarinet, soprano sax
Frank Powers - Clarinet, alto and tenor saxes
Jim Snyder - trombone
Jack Meilhn - banjo, guitar
Mike Walbridge - tuba
Hal Smith - drums
Roy Tale - 2n trumpet on Can I Tell You? and Each Day

Words
Chicago Breakdown
Don 't Forget To Mess Around
Lost
Can I Tell You
Hot Tamale Man
Put'em Down Blues
Each Day
Who'll Chop Your Suey When I'm Gone
I'm Gonna Gitcha
Theme From "Mental Strain At Dawn"
I Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
I Ain't Gonna Tell Nobody