USTA Contest Twirling Album

Kiefer's Special

USTA Contest Twirling Album
Purdue University Band
Al G. Wright - Conductor
Fidelity Sound Recordings - Redwood City, California
LPS-1267

The Shearing Spell - George Shearing

The Man I Love (Duophonic)

The Shearing Spell
The George Shearing Quintet
Capitol Records T648 & DT 648
1955 / Duophonic reissue 1959

This is a terrific mid-50s set. Thielemans gets a mention on the back cover as well as the billboard review, so I thought that I share a his sample, but there are many high points to listen to, including my favorite, Cuban Fantasy.

From Billboard - November 5, 1955: The pianist's shift in labels, after all these years, is not accompanied by any radical change in style. Indeed, if anything stands out here, it is simply that he is saying what he has been saying a long time – but with greater refinement. A new high, in terms of his own idiot, is the subtle, chastely conceived "Moonray." Shearing's most significant experimentation continues to be in Afro-Cuban stylings of standards: "Out Of This World" and "Strange" are particularly successful essays. The work of Jean Thielemans on guitar and harmonica once more must be specially singled out in this rich well programmed package. Easy sales are predicted.

From the back cover: Sharing melodic honors with George and his piano is Johnny Rae and his vibes. Vibes have been used before as a solo jazz instrument, but they have rarely been so successfully integrated into a jazz group. Johnny brings to his music a background of training at the Boston and New Englan Conservatories as well as professional experience with various jazz combos around the country.

Armando Pedraza at the bongos and conga drum, and Willie Bobo at the timbale, form a duo whose flashing percussive effects have been closely identified with Shearing's style. With this unusual instrumentation George directs his group into the varying jazz colors and excitement of the Afro-Cuban idiom.

A special word must be spoken for Jean "Toots" Thielemans, guitar and harmonica. A native of Belgium, he was discovered by Benny Goodman during one of the latter's European tours. Encouraged to come to America, he took over the important guitar chair with Shearing, periodically stepping out as a harmonica soloist. His work on The Man I Love, one of his rare recorded efforts, proves what in-person listeners have realized for some time, that "Toots" Thelma is a jazz harmonica virtuoso.

Autumn In New York
Strange
Yesterdays
Out Of This World
Goodnight, My Love
Moonray
Cuban Fantasy
Midnight In The Air
The Man I Love

Sticks And Strings In Hi-Fi - Marty Gold

Laura

Sticks And Strings In Hi-Fi
Marty Gold And His Orchestra
Arranged and Conducted by Marty Gold
Recorded at Webster Hall, New York City, November 13, 15 and 16, 1956
Recording Engineer: Ray Hall
Produced and Directed by Herman Diaz, Jr.
Gown by Kasper of Arnold and Fox
Vik/RCA LX-1082
1957

One of Gold's better projects and a prefect entry for the 1957 mood music market that was filled with "exotic" sounds. The jacket features vibrant cover art that nicely sets the tone for Gold's soft sounding arrangements that shimmer with percussion and flow from one track to another without breaking the spell he brews up in this package.

From the back cover: The man responsible for the original approach heard in this collection, Marty Gold, is a New Yorker who made his debut in a recital at Town Hall at the age of twelve and decided then and there that music was to be his career. He is an arranger, composer and conductor whose talents have been sought and used by Vaughn Monroe, Sarah Vaughan, Patti Page, Charlie Barnet, Ben Bernie, the Four Aces and Georgia Gibbs. Since 1948, he has been associated with the Three Suns and he has worked on all of the Three Suns and Orchestra albums. – John S. Wilson

Summertime
Bewitched
Dancing On The Ceiling
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Bali Ha'i
I'll Remember April
The Nearness Of You
I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Mad About The Boy
April In Paris
Laura
September Song

Popular Dance Time

Clarinet Boogie

Popular Dance Time
All Time Parade Of Hits
National Dance Orchestra
Halo 5059

Enjoy a well played sample from a budget compilation mess that features a few uncredited vocal numbers on side A and a set of old fashioned "dance" numbers on the flip side that might have actually been record behind the Iron Curtain by a group calling themselves the National Dance Orchestra.

Boogie Woogie
To A Wild Rose
Clarinet High Jinxs
Barcarolle
Clarinet Boogie
Oh Marie
Golden Wedding
Stars And Strips Forever
Serenade For Strings Air
Pathetique Air
String Quartet Air
Tschaikowsky 5th Air
Flight Of The Bumble Bee
Tschaikowsky Piano Concerto Air

Gershwin, Shavers And Strings - Charlie Shavers

I've Got Rhythm

Gershwin, Shavers And Strings
Charlie Shavers
Orchestra Conducted By Sy Oliver

Cover: Burt Goldblatt
Bethlehem Records BCP-27
1955

From the back cover: Charlie Shavers was delighted at the prospect of displaying his trumpet in such a musically astute setting. Despite the fact that he never knew Gershwin, Charlie has the greatest respect for this man who seemed to sense the rigid requirements of a musician's music, and dipped his pen accordingly. It isn't so much that the combination of Charlie Shavers with strings lends itself to a successful venture, as that Charlie Shavers the musical is able to interpret in his own lyric way the composition of a man who has gained the respect of music lovers the world over for his sincerity and devotion to his art. – Joe Quinn

I've Got A Crush On You
Someone To Watch Over Me
Somebody Loves Me
The Man I Love
It Ain't Necessarily So
Liza
Embraceable You
I've Got Rhythm
Summertime
But Not For Me

Great Movie Music - Elmer Bernstein

Laura

Great Movie Music
Elmer Bernstein
Hamilton HLP 108
1960

From Billboard - May 14, 1960: Composer-arranger-maestro Elmer Bernstein well known for his "Mand With The Golden Arm," background score, leads a big, lush Hollywood type work on a selection of memorable screen themes. Highly listenable background set.

Around The World
Katsumi, Theme From Sayonara
Laura
Serenata Mexicana, From Viva Zapata
A Place In The Sun
Blanche, From A Street Car Named Desire
For Whom The Bell Tolls
The View From Pompey's Head
Love Theme From Raintree Country
Love Like Ours (The Men)
Fugue For Tinhorns (Guys & Dolls)

Themes From The James Bond Thrillers - Vol. 3 - The Roland Shaw Orchestra

Let The Love Come Through

Themes From The James Bond Thrillers
Volume 3
The Roland Shaw Orchestra
Produced by Tony D'Amato
Engineer: Arthur Lilley
London Records LL 3514
1967

From Billboard - July 8, 1967: The musical wallop inherent in the music from the James Bond movies gets an added punch from Roland Shaw's stirring orchestral delivery.

Also see James Bond Thrillers and More James Bond Thrillers

You Only Live Twice
Capsule In Space
Gypsy Camp
Teasing The Korean
The Wedding
Casino Royale
The Look Of Love
Bond Below Disco Valante
Thunderball
Jump Up
Chateau Fight
Let The Love Come Through

Dance The Bossa Nova - Zaccarias

Murmurio

Dance The Bossa Nova
Zaccarias And His Orchestra
Recorded In Brazil
A&R Coordinator: Ethel Gabriel
RCA Camden CAL-749
1962

From Billboard - December 8, 1962: This low priced addition to the bossa nova catalog is an attractive group of big band renditions, as turned out by clarinetist Zaccarias and his orchestra. The emphasis is on rhythm for dancing rather than on the jazz aspects. Besides some Brazilian tunes, several U.S. pop melodies are converted for this use. Good Quality for the bargain price customer.

Lover
Amelia
Sabres Dance
Solucao
Bye Bye Blues
Fim de Parceria
Holiday for Strings
Murmur
Seesaw de Samba No. 1
Dizzy Fingers
Sambalada do Curacao
Boato

Be There At 5 - Glenn Osser

It All Depends On You

Be There At 5
Conversational Music For Cocktails
Mercury Records MG 20218

From the back cover: Arranger-Conductor – Glenn Osser. Popular arranger and conductor was born in Munsing, Michigan. Graduate of University of Michigan – Majored in music. Came to New York and started arranging for big bands such as Bob Crosby, Bunny Bergen, Red Nichols. Arranger and assistant conductor for Paul Whiteman. Worked on the Fred Allen Show and Prudential Show. Arranged dramatic background for several top TV shows as, U.S. Steel Hour, Alcoa and Goodyear. Presently staff conducting for the quintet featured on this album.

Piano – Andy Ackers. Born in New Haven, Connecticut. Studied at the Yale School Of Music. Came to New York and worked with top bands; Glen Gray Casa Loma Band, Jerry Wald, George Paxton, Artie Shaw. Worked as special accompanist for Kate Smith, Georgia Gibbs, Jane From an and Mindy Carson. Conductor on top networks, NBC, ABC and had his own show on CBS. Does a lot of free lance work on radio & TV shows and recording sessions. Composer and member of Ascap.

Guitar – George Barnes – composer, conductor, arranger and electronics expert, is one of the busiest guitarists around today. Hails from Chicago Heights, Illinois. From a musical family, has worked with Ted Weems, Tommy Dorsey, and Ray Noble orchestras. Staff conductor at NBC and ABC networks in Chicago for four years. Started working in New York on the Hit Parade Shows. Does free lance work and is constantly working recording dates.

Vibraharp – Phil Kraus. Born in New York City. Started playing Xylophone at the age of eight. Studied at the Julliard School Of Music. Worked with Merle Pitt Combo at Station WNEW in New York City. Army for 4 1/2 years and played in "This is The Army" show. Upon discharge, went back to WNEW to join the Roy Ross Orchestra. Has worked several radio-TV shows, including NBC's Spectaculars, Martha Ray Show and Producer's Showcase. Has recorded with Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Morton Gould, Neal Hefti, Benny Goodman and Ralph Burns Orchestra, to mention a few. Plays all the percussion instruments and currently has his own studio as an instructor.

Bass – Jack Lesberg. From Boston, Massachusetts. Had private tutoring. Come to New York in 1943. Worked with such names as Eddie Condon, Leonard Bernstein and the City Symphony for 3 years. Does a lot of free lance work. Has worked the Hit Parade and also with Gordon Jenkins and the Raymond Scott Quintet. Made a world-tour with Louis Armstrong, playing in Australia, Africa and all of Europe.

Drums – Jimmie Crawfor. Studied with Jimmy Lunceford in his home town of Memphis, Tennessee. Later on, joined the Lunceford band and worked 14 years with him. Was in Army and played in the army bands of Walter Gross and Sy Oliver for two years. Played in New York's Cafe Society, uptown and downtown, for three years. Also worked with the Harry James and Benny Goodman bands. Worked several TV shows including the Perry Como Show, Arthur Godfrey Shows, and the summer of 1955, on the Vaunghan Monroe TV Show. Has worked in many Broadway musicals including "Pal Joey," "Alive And Kickin'," Paul & Ruth Draper show and more recently, Sammy Davis' Jr. "Mr. Wonderful."

From Billboard - July 20, 1960 (Mercury-Wing MGW 12209 release review): A bright, attractive-sounding collection, played by a group consisting of vibraharp, guitar, piano, bass and drums. The first three toss the melodies around between them, the vibes helping to provide a fresh-sounding feeling to touch oldies as "Stars Fell On Alabama," Little White Lies," "Louise," Out Of Nowhere," and "Ain't Misbehaving," Good mood item.

It All Depends On You
Stars Fell On Alabama
Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Little White Lies
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
I'm Glad There Is You
Louise
A Sinner Kissed An Angel
Out Of Nowhere
P.S. I Love You
Ain't Mishehavin'
When We're Alone

Lecuona's Afro-Cuban Suite - Noro Morales

Lecuona's Afro-Cuban Suite
Noro Morales and His Orchestra
Arranged by George Siravo
Vik LX-1100
1957

From the back cover: About The Artist-Conductor - Noro Morales: Born in Puerto Rioc, Noro showed early musical ability for the piano. Art fifteen he joined a band led by his father and made up largely of the Morales clan. The orchestra was appointed official court orchestra of Venezuela and performed out of the city of Caracas. After the death of "Papa" Morales, Noro took over the leadership of the orchestra. Later Noro made his way to New York and after five years with the El Morocco-band, he decided to organize a rumba band the likes of which had never been heard. Since then he has had one of the greatest Latin American bands in the country and is best known for the Morales Latin style. To further emphasize Noro's dexterity at the piano, an accident put his left arm in a sling just before the three recording sessions presented in this fine album were begun. However, Noro met the situation with a true spirit of "showmanship" combined with talent and inventiveness and provides the listener with the most rewarding renditions of Afro-Cuban music to date.

About the Arranger - George Siravo: Although Lecuona's Afro-Cuban Suite marks a first for Siravo as an arranger in the Latin-American category he come by his talent quite naturally, having arranged for many of the top recording artists: Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Vic Damone to name a few. He also possesses a musical ability on the sax, clarinet and flute, having played with the late Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Jan Savitt and Artie Shaw. George has also composed a number of fine compositions. He tackled this suite assignment with a sound musical foundation. His musicianship, his flare for doing the difficult and the impossible, plus his creative ability all are evident in this exciting new album.

About the Composer -: Ernesto Lecuona: Born in Cuba, Ernesto Lecuona made his pianistic debut at age five and was considered a genuine child prodigy. He studied with the famous Spanish composer Joaquin Nin. At fifteen he was certified as a teacher of singing and piano by the National Conservatory at Havana. This was the time that he organized his own band and began composing. At age seventeen Lecuona came to the U.S. to give a piano recital and make his first Victor record. He toured from 1919 to 1922 at which time he returned to the U.S. for an engagement at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. He studied with Maurice Ravel, composer of the famous Bolero. In 1928 he introduced his now immortal Malaguena which has often been compared with the music of Liszt and Chopin. Since that time, Lecuona has written for more than 30 musical productions and composed literally hundreds of compositions that are known and loved in North and South America. Nice of those compositions are included in this album suite. Lecuona is one of those rare artists who is a much at home in the classical field as he is with popular music A gifted composer, pianist-conductor Lecuona claims to be most happy when he is alone with his piano and his music.