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Saturday, October 3, 2015

Stimulus Progression Number Two

Temptation Eyes
Stimulus Progression Number Two
MUZAK
SAAB 270 & 271

Arrangers include: Mel Davis, Frank Hunter, Dick Hyman, Al Caiola, Phil Bodner and Nick Perito

From the cover: The selections on each side of the record are placed in an ascending order – from lowest to highest stimulation value. Stimulus Progression produces a psychological and physiological effect – a sense of forward movement which combats monotony, boredom, tension and fatigue.

The concept has been visualized above by artist Raymond D. Harrow who was commissioned to create an original oil painting, reflecting the programming concept and contemporary spirit of this album. With colors, forms and values, he has achieved visually what MUZAK achieves with sound. Appropriately, he has named his work STIMULUS PROGRESSION.

It's Impossible
Lolita
I Think I Love You
Rose Garden
Temptation Eyes
Black Magic Woman
Love Story
I Really Don't Want To Know
Candida
Two By Two
How The Web Was Woven
Keep It Happy

Friday, October 2, 2015

Conversations With The Guitar - Laurindo Almeida

Distribucao De Flores 
Conversations With the Guitar
Laurindo Almeida - Guitar
Martin Ruderman - Flute
Mitchell Lurie - Clarinet
Sanford Schonbach - Viola
Salli Terri - Mezzo-Soprano
Capitol Records P 8532
1960

From Billboard - October 17, 1960: A most classy and artistic production with a cover to match. Almedia shares the spotlight with an inventively conceived ensemble which includes mezzo-soprano voice (Salli Terri), a viola, flute and clarinet. The programs follows its title idea with considerable ingenious musical repartee between the instruments and the voice. Selections are taken from Spanish and Mexican folk lore as well as from the catalog of Villa Lobos and Almeida himself. Cover shows painting of the interesting ensemble at work. Imaginative packaging.

From the back cover: Lauindo Almeida obtained the manuscript of "Distribucao De Flores" from the Office of Ministry of Culture in Brazil. Dated 1932. Rio de Janeiro, it is noted as a "Dance Based Upon Greek Motifs," employing the rhythmic and modal devices of antiquity expressed in contemporary fashion. The flute suggests the pastoral quality of the Pan pipes in the curvaceous, plaintive melody while the guitar recalls the sound of an ancient lyre.

Outstanding set that features the artists working in harmony to create an engaging sonic journey from beginning to end. Thematically solid and a touch experimental for the period. Fantastic!

Vito (Spanish Folk Song)
Distribucao De Flores
Choro E Batuque
Danse
Modinha (Seresta No. 5)
Medley: The Frog Song (Sapo Na Toca) / Bia-ta-ta / Benedito Pretinho / First Arabesque
Two Mexican Folk Songs
La Frescobaida For Viola And Guitar
A Dormir Ahora Mesmo (Spanish Cradle Song)

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Strings Over Tahiti - Don Tiare

Tiare
Stings Over Tahiti
Don Tiare And His Enchanting Violins
Arranged And Conducted By Heinz Kiessling
Warner Bros. Records W 1434
1962

Lush strings album featuring stronger tracks on side one that play through with a slightly more space age sound.

Pagan Love Song
Moy A Tangi Tahiti
Hiro E
Manu Rere
Tiare
The Moon Of Manakorra
My Tane
E'Tiare O Tahiti
Beautiful Moorea
E Hina
Farewell

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Blue Hawaii - Roberto Delgado

Pagan Love Song
Blue Hawaii
Roberto Delgado Orchestra
Peters International/Polydor International
PLD 1002
1977 (Date on disc label)

This set, apparently first released in 1965, features an uneven mix of more "traditional" "island mood"/ German polka blend and one more "space age" sample as featured above.

Sweet Leilani
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Pagan Love Song
Hawaii Tattoo
Polynesian Waltz
Blue Hawaii
Sun Of Hawaii
Flower Of Hawaii
Wini-Wini Wana-Wana
My Tane
Hawaiian Blue Beat Baby
Honolulu Ragtime Doll
Maori Farewell Song

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Roses In Rhythm Fankie Carle

One Dozen Roses
Roses In Rhythm
Frankie Carle
Columbia CL 913
1956

From the back cover: The Carle style is essentially a simple method, but not so simple that it lacks character, and bite. His rolling approach to lightly rhythmic ballads, his sprightly crisp treatment of up-tempo tunes, both have their basis in the melody, that sine qua no of popular music. His variation on the theme are kept within easily recognizable boundaries, and the whole is bound within the delicate framework of tasteful, light-hearted pianistics.

Begin The Beguine
Deep Purple
Rose Of Washington Square
Stumbling
Only A Rose
Chopin's Polonaise In Boogie
Stardust
Roses Of Picardy
I Want A Girl
My Wild Irish Rose
Twelfth Street Rag
One Dozen Roses

Rockambo - Perez Prado

Guadalajara
Perez Prado's Rockambo
Perez Prado And His Orchestra
Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City, and RCA Victor Studios 1 and 2, Hollywood, California.
RCA Victor LPM-2308
1961

From the back cover: Rockambo! That's the new, new word for today's red hot music, overlaid with a swinging Latin-American beat.

From Billboard - February 27, 1961: The newest Perez Prado collection is hitched to the Rockambo beat, which emphasizes the second and fourth counts. The result is a swinging brand of Latin music that is eminently danceable. Arrangements are superior and thus also make for good listening as well, as in the treatment of the old favorite, "Guadalajra," which became a showpiece for the percussion section. It should be a strong seller among Latin dance sets.

Rockambo A La Prado
Julie Is Her Name
San Remo
El Rikitiki
Envidias
Guadalajara
Rockambo Baby
Rockambo #1
Oh, Oh, Rosie
Maria
Rockambo Bop
Samia

Bill Costa Plays Accordion

Anamaecore
Tony Cabot Presents Bill Costa
Promenade Records
2119

From the back cover: About Billy Costa - A native son of Pennsylvania who has really made New York City proud of his decision to make his home in the music capitol of the world. Billy Costa has been acclaimed by music critics as an outstanding virtuoso of the accordion. In this album you will be immediately aware of his sensitive touch and Bravur styling. Modern as a satellite space ship and as classic as music demands Mr. Costa leads his musicians through a varied potpourri of Italian Popular Classics with deft precision and complete extemporaneous freedom.

Background - BS and MA Degrees from Juilliard and Teachers College, Columbia U. – Own Jazz Combo - Hickory House, N.Y.C. – Own TV Show WPIX for Chateau Martin Wine – CBS Show with Alvy West – NBC TV Bandstand with Art Mooney – Records with Sammy Kaye, Dorothy Collins, Seeburg sessions for Ben Selvin RCA, arranged and conducted Westminister LP for Freddy Jacobs. Appeared at Carnegie Hall in Chamber Group playing a Henry Brant comp. Guest artist Ted Steele Show many times. Appeared frequently with own jazz quartet in N.Y. clubs (Birdland, etc.) also with many instrumental groups freaturing French or Italian flavor accordion, the latest on Coral with Stan Applebaum (French Album).

At present coaching an actor for a supposed accordion playing role at Graphic Studio for "Evening In Paris" perfume, I will play the accordion track. Also, contemplating LP using Rhythm and 15 strings (Jazz type); writing and conducting LP's for a few singers; tentative-live Timex commercial - Steve Allen Show.

My interests concern using accordion with as many new groups of instruments as possible, and still at all times being musical.

Have also played for private parties of many society names, Cassini, Ginger Rogers, Greer Garson, Joan Fontaine, Fords, Vand, etc.

Tarrantella Napolitana
O Sole Mio
Non Dimenticar
Anna
Bella Roma
Carmela Mia
Ciribirinin
Sorrento
Funiculi Funicula
Anamaecore
Arrivederci Roma
Vieni Sul Mar