An Evening With Lerner & Loewe - Stradivari Strings

I Could Have Danced All Night 

An Evening With Lerner & Loewe
Stradivari Strings
Parade Records SP 263

They Call The Wind Maria
Thank Heaven For Little Girls
I Could Have Danced All Night
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
Waltz At Maxim's
I Talk To The Trees
Wouldn't It Be Loverly
On the Street Where You Live
GIGI
The Night They Invented Champagne

Songs I Love To Sing - Brook Benton

Moonlight In Vermont

Songs I Love To Sing
Brook Benton
Custom High Fidelity
Mercury Records MG 20602
1960

From Billboard - September 26, 1960: This is one of the classist albums ever released with Brook Benton. It features the singer in lovely performances of famous standards, from "It's Been A Long Long Time," to "Why Try To Change Me Now." The backings are lush and tasteful, and Benton handles them all in style. This could be a strong seller.

Moonlight In Vermont
It's Been A Long Long Time
Lover Come Back To Me
If You Are But A Dream
Why Try To Change Me
September Song
Oh! What It Seemed To Be
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
They Can't Take That A Way From Me
I'll Be Around
I Don't Know Enough About You
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)

Politely! - Keely Smith

Lullaby Of The Leaves

Politely!
Keely Smith
With Billy May and His Orchestra
Arranged and Conducted by Billy May
Producer: Voyle Gilmore
Capitol Records T1073
1958

From Billboard - October 20, 1958: Miss Smith really has a way with a song. Accompanied by excellent ork settings from Billy May, she runs thru a fine program of standards in most appealing style. Her ballads are lush and lovely, and she swings on the up-tempo tunes. Selections include "I'll Get By," "All The Way" and "On The Sunny Side Of The Street." Attractive cover drawing of the chick will attract.

Sweet And Lovely
Cocktails For Two
The Song Is You
I'll Get By
Lullaby Of The Leaves
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
I Can't Get Started
I'll Never Smile Again
S'Posin'
East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)
All The Way
I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody)

The Music Of Irving Berlin - Stanley Black

Cheek To Cheek

The Music Of Irving Berlin
Stanley Black Conducting The Kingsway Promenade Orchestra
London Records LL 811
1954

From the back cover: Slightly built, dark haired, unassuming – Stanley Black scarcely gives the impression of being one of Britain's most active men of popular music. Yet this diffidence – or seeming diffidence, allied to keen understanding of his fellow musicians, is probably what makes this soft-spoken authoritarian so effective a figure on the podium. And were he not endowed with these unique characteristics, it is unlikely that he could keep pace with the many demands on his services.

Since 1945 he has held down the exacting post of Musical Director to the BBC Dance Orchestra, which, under the Black baton, has become one of the most brilliant all-round outfits to be heard on the British air-waves. So frequently does this orchestra broadcast that the knowledgeable listener must often wonder how Stanley manages to fit his active career as a writer and conductor of film music – a sphere in which he is gaining prestige every day. And all this aside from his recording work – both as an accompanist of vocalists (a field wherein he is almost without equal) and as a band-leader in his own right, as on the present records.

As an arranger Stanley Black is one of the most sought-after in British music business. Indeed, a Black arrangement is practically a warranty of success.

Born in London in 1914, Stanley Black commenced music studies at the tender age of 7, taking lessons on a pianoforte from the eminent concert pianist, Rae Robertson. His first professional engagement came when he was scarcely in his teens – the piano stool in the pit band of the local vaudeville house. At 17, he entered and won, a nationally organized arranging contest. From then on he threw all his energies into dance music, and in the star-spangled years which followed; played piano and arranged for such famous British orchestras as Ambrose's Lew Stone's and Ray Noble's. At one period he was the virtuoso half of Harry Roy's famed two-piano team of "Black & Whit," and when Coleman Hawkins visited England in 1934 the great saxophonist selected Stanley Black as his accompanist.

Say It With Music
A Couple Of Swells
Cheek To Cheek
They Say It's Wonderful
No Strings
Say It Isn't So
The Piccolino
Marie
Heat Wave
How Deep Is The Ocean
Play A Simple Melody
The Song Is Ended
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody
There's No Business Like Show Business

My Last Night In Rome - Buddy Greco

It Had Better Be Tonight

My Last Night In Rome
Buddy Greco
Arranged and Conducted by Marty Manning
Produced by Bobby Gregg
Cover Photo: Henry Parker
Epic LN 24088
1964

From Billboard - April 18, 1964: Here the brash, bouncing Buddy is evenly balanced by the sentimental, romantic Greco in an album that already is associated with three hits: "More" from "Mondo Can"; "I Had Better Be Tonight" from "Pink Panther," and "Ciumachella," from "Rugatino." Wide gamut of songs makes this available to most programming.

It Had Better Be Tonight
Anema E Core
More
Mala Femmina
Guaglione
Ciao, Ciao, Bambina
My Last Night In Rome
Ciumachella
Mama
Sempre Amore
Autumn In Rome

The Young Frankie Avalon

Fever

The Young Frankie Avalon

Produced by Peter DeAngelis
Cover Photo: Globe Photos, New York
Liner Photos: Arsene Studios, New York
Chancellor CHL-5002
Distributed by Am-Par Record Corp.
1959

From the back cover: Here's your favorite "Shy Guy" making his second appearance in packaged form, all wrapped up in charm and personality.

Following the phenomenal success of his first album ("Frankie Avalon" – CHL-5001), so many fans of the fast-rising singing star took the time and trouble to suggest certain standard songs which you would like to hear him sing. Such great selections as I Can't Begin To Tell You, Hold Me, Undecided, Pretty Eyed Baby, etc. were recommended to the handsome young pro, and his mentors, Bob Marcucci and Peter DeAngelis, agreed that these would make perfect backdrops for the Avalon talents.

In addition, after his appearance on The Perry Como Show (where he astounded televiewers with his trumpet virtuosity), so many of you expressed interest in having him record a horn number that Frankie has included a "bonus" selection in this set. – Natt Hale

Pretty Eyed Baby
Too Young To Love
Fever
I Can't Begin To Tell You
Trumpet Instrumental (Bella Del Mondo)
Hallelujah I Love Her So
Undecided
The One I Love
Teach Me Tonight
Shy Guy
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
Hold Me

Salute To The Smooth Bands - Freddy Martin

Blue Serenade

Salute To The Smooth Bands
A Tribute in Hi-Fi by Freddy Martin and His Orchestra
Produced by Dave Cavanaugh
Capitol Records T1116
1959

Personnel:

Leader: Freddy Martin
Saxophones: Bill Ainsworth, Roger DeWitt, Roger Andrews, Bill Hitz, Michael Paige, John Sebar
Trombones: George Faye, John Cochran, Joe Howard
Trumpets: Sam Heydenfeldt, Woody Falser, Ralph Tancredi, Shorty Sherock
Tuba: Clarence Karella
Piano: Dave Leonard, Bob Hunter
Bass: Aba Siegel
Guitar: Joe Gibbons
Drums: Sam Goldstein
Violins: Wilbure Nuttycombe, Sebastian Mercurio, Lewis Sherman, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Jacques Gasselin

From the back cover: Remember the old Lucky Strike Magic Carpet radio show, with Walter Winchell emceeing... how it used to bounce all over the country on Saturday nights, brining in the most popular dance orchestras right from their native haunts... the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, the Palace in San Francisco, the Muehlebach in Kansas City, the St. Regis in New York, and so on? Well, I'd like to bring you one of those sparkling Saturday nights in this album. And to best satisfy your memory, we've taken the original recordings of a dozen of the finest dance orchestras and re-created them in today's finest high fidelity.

A special word about the men in my band. They worked hard trying to duplicate the individual sounds of each band and I think they really pulled it off. A special mention to Dave Leonard and Bob Hunter, who did all the piano work, to Johnny Cochran, Ralph Anthony, and the Martin Men for their versatility in the vocalizing, and Michael Paige, who used to play first sax with Orville Knapp an came back to give us the authentic Knapp sax sound for Accent On Youth.

From Billboard - February 16, 1959: In the most attractive new album orkster Freddie Martin and his crew salute the great dance bands of yesterday and today with duplication of the themes or the big hits of these smooth orks. Bands saluted include Hal Kemp, Clyde McCoy, Ambrose, Russ Morgan, Wayne King, Glenn Miller, Ray Noble and others. The sound is excellent, and the performances are first rate. More than that every tune is danceable. A set that could be a strong seller if exposed.

Lawrence Welk - Bubbles In The Wine
Russ Morgan - Does Your Heart Beat For Me?
Ambrose - Hors d'Ouevre
Henry King - A Blues Serenade
Hal Kemp - Got A Date With An Angel
Clyde McCoy - Sugar Blues
Dick Jurgens - Daydreams Come True At Night
Guy Lombardo - Boo Hoo
Orville Knapp - Accent On Youth
Wayne King - Josephine
Glenn Miller - Moonlight Serenade
Ray Noble - Blue Danube Waltz

Somethin' Smith And The Redheads

My Baby Just Cares For Me

Somethin' Smith & The Redheads
And Their Banjos
Photo: Dirone
Epic Records LN 3138

From the back cover: The stars of the program are Somethin' Smith himself, and the Redheads, the latter being Saul Striks and Major Short. The uniquely-named leader, with his highly personal singing style, studied banjo in Norfolk, Virginia, where he earnestly pursued musical training when he was not hunting out parts in local plays and musicals. Four years with the Navy helped him sharpen up his talents on the guitar as well, and in 1946 he won an award on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts program, before joining up with his present cohorts. Saul Striks is also a veteran of four years with the Navy, and of intensive piano studies also.

When he was only nine, he made three guest appearances with the Detroit Symphony. Major Short studied all band instruments, with particular emphasis on the violin. His service time was spent in the Air Force, and he has played with numerous symphonies in addition to his experience with jazz combos. The three first got together at the University of California at Los Angeles, and within a remarkably short period of time they have become one of the most popular trios in the entertainment world. Their uniformly fine reviews have stressed not only their musical accomplishments, but the high degree of humor they inject in their work, an aspect that is happily present in this program.

Alabamy Bound
My Baby Just Cares For Me
Sweet Georgia Brown
The Ace In The Hole
Charley, My Boy
At The Darktown Strutters' Ball
California, Here I Come
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Pretty Baby
Jealous
Back In Your Own Back Yard

Bob Brookmeyer And Friends

The Wrinkle

Bob Brookmeyer And Friends
Stan Geta, Herbie Hancock, Ton Carter, Gary Burton & Elvin Jones
Relaxed and Unified and Warm
Produced by Two Macero
Cover Art: Bob Cato
Columbia STEREO CS 9037
1965

From the back cover: Bob Brookmeyer And Friends is a wholly appropriate title for this record. The album features musicians to whom the much-abused term "all-stars" could be applied without fear of contradiction, and yet – because of the performers' mutual respect and sympathy – the prevailing atmosphere is remarkably relaxed and unified and warm.

Of course, Bob Brookmeyer and Stan Getz have made music together before. The valve-trombonist (who is also a gifted composer, arranger and pianist) was a member of The Stan Getz Quintet, vintage 1953, a group fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of hearing it – on records or in person. This recording marks one of their infrequent reunions since then, but through their individual conceptions have matured and developed, the old empathy remains.

One reason of this is that both men are essentially melodic improvisers. They don't just play around with chord changes; they give the melodic lines a chance it sing. And both Brookmeyer and Getz have ideas in which the production of a warm and appealing sound plays a considerable role.

The supporting cast assembled by Brookmeyer for himself and his erstwhile boss is much more than just that, and all its members get a chance to step out on their own. Miles Davis' pianist and bassist, John Coltrane's drummer, and Stan Getz's vibraharpist is not a bad lineup, to say the least.

It is interesting to hear these men out of their usual context, and they all prove their adaptability to new surroundings with flying colors. Fanciers of Elvin Jones' work with Coltrane, for example, will be intrigued by his playing on this session, which is quite different from his norm and yet bears the unmistakable stamp of his highly individual musical personality. Carter's bass is solid as a rock, and his ear is exceptional. Herbie Hancock and Gary Burton, the youngsters of he assembly, both have a strongly lyrical vein to their playing, making their background and solo work a perfect foil for the horns. – Dan Mogenstern

From Billboard - March 27, 1965: Two great names on a great album! Bob Brookmeyer and Stan Getz. A winning combination if there ever was one and they win all the way. Wonderfully lyric jazz that draws you in and makes you part of it. The sound of tenor sax and valve trombone are innately complimentary but in the hands of these two they really sing.

Jive Hoot
Misty
The Wrinkle
Braclet
Skylark
Sometime Ago
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
Who Cares

Broadway Show Stoppers - Paul Lavalle

Gee, Officer Krupke

Paul Lavalle And The Band Of America
Play Broadway Show Stoppers
Produced by Danny Davis
Director Of Engineering: Val Valentin
Recording Engineer: Phil Ramone
Broadway collage on cover by Chermayeff/ Geismar
MGM Records E-4148
1963

From Billboard - August 17, 1963: Lovers of music provided by brass band will be drawn to this release, which combines one of the best-known groups of our ear with a crop of top Broadway show tunes. The band romps through its fresh-sounding arrangements with verve. The result also should grab fans of Broadway show music. Among the top items are "Consider Yourself," "Great Day," "Hey Look Me Over" and "Get Me To The Church On Time."

Get Me To The Church On Time (from "My Fair Lady")
Consider Yourself (From "Oliver!")
Hey, Look Me Over (from "Wildcat")
I Ain't Down Yet (from "The Unsinkable Molly Brown")
Blow, Gabriel, Blow (from "Anything Goes")
There Is Nothing Like A Dame (from "South Pacific")
Great Day (from "Great Day")
Gee, Officer Krupke (from "West Side Story")
Strike Up The Band (from "Strike Up The Band")
That Great Come And Get It Day (from Finian's Rainbow")
They Love Me (from "Mr. President")
The New Ashmolean Marching Society And Students Conservatory Band (From "Where's Charley")