Hollywood Gold

Aids Is Out

We're Going Out Tonight

America, Our Land Over Here

Hollywood Gold
Rainbow Records HG-570

This is one crazy song poem album. The production values are higher than many song poem LPs I've collected... but that doesn't mean the results are any more polished. In some ways, decent vocals, good engineering and what seems to be a full studio band and makes the tracks sound all the more nuts. Good all the way through.

Hollywood Sessions

One More Time

Twinkle, Twinkle In Your Eyes

Bedroom Of Fire

Hollywood Sessions
Sunrise Records HS-130
1988

For more song poem fun on video check out Off The Charts.

Stan Freeman's Piano Sweethearts

Laura

Stan Freeman's Piano Sweethearts
Arrangements by Rufus Smith
Columbia CL 1326
1959

From Billboard June 29, 1956: The package concept here is the collection of girl's names – thus, the sweethearts are all ages and types – from "Estrelita" to "Laura" to "Diane" to "Marquetta." Freeman's piano is sophisticated and the arrangements are suave.

Lushly arranged pieces wrapped in a cover featuring a fab photo that sets the tone for the LP.

Laura
Diane
Frasquita
Alice Blue Gown
Mimi
Ruby
Gigi
Marcheta
Stella By Starlight
Liza
Tangerine
Estrelita

Night Sounds - Joe Bushkin

Night Sounds

Night Sounds - San Francisco
Joe Bushkin
Orchestral Fusions Marty Paich
Decca DL 4731
1966

Smooth lounge piano backed with minimal space age orchestral touches.

From the back cover: Joe is currently living on the big island of Hawaii. He is doing a lot of riding, surfing, swimming, romping with the kids and Franny.

The Good Life
Night Sounds
Sentimental Journey
More
Something's Gotta Give
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
The Second Time Around
Downtown
Who Can I Turn To
Sweet Leilani
I'll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her
Cool Collins

The Now Sounds Of Today

Behind The Window

I Don't Want To Hear That Melody

The Now Sounds Of Today
Columbine Records NST-51

From the back cover: Columbine Records also endeavors to get exposure for its writers through television and radio promotions. At present we have a musical/variety show called "Columbine Records Presents America Sings." It is an exclusive presentation of songs that have previously been recorded by Columbine. Also in the works is a radio show that is an offshoot of the TV program.

And, once again, here is the link to a great video titled Off The Charts.

The Super Sounds Of Today

My Woman

I Live In A Gay Life

The Super Sounds Of Today
The Trendsetters
Century 21
CTO-3387-S
1978

Terrific song poem album, with one outrageous song topping the next.

Check out Off The Charts, an entertaining video which attempts to document the song poem thing.

The Sound Of Gypsy Music - Dick Kesner

The Sound Of Gypsy Music
Dick Kesner
His Magic Stradivarius And Orchestra
Coral Records CRL 757376

This album is available for purchase/download, so I won't be posting a sample. Sorry!

Kesner made a number of terrific space age pop albums when he wasn't working for Lawrence Welk. This is a fine example of his mixing "traditional" with period pop "inventions" to create a lively and interesting blend of music.

If you download one track, I would choose "Gypsy" co-written by Kesner and Charles Dant.

Also check out Amor Latino.

Hungarian Rhapsody #2
Two Guitars
When A Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry
The Gypsy With Fire In His Shoes
Golden Earrings
Hungarian Dance #5
Gypsy
Play Fiddle Play
Dolores
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Zigeuner
Gypsy Love Song

Michelle - Featuring The Trumpet Men

Michelle

Michelle
Featuring The Trumpet Men
Wyncote SW 9137

And now for another journey into the Land Of Budget LPs. This album features a mixed up collection of tracks by The Trumpet Men (not a real band) and the face of a pretty girl on the cover whose real name is not Michelle.

Anita Kerr And The French Connection

Let's Take A Walk By The Sea

Anita Kerr And The French Connection
Vocal Accompaniment by The French Connection
Produced by Anita Kerr and Alex Grob
Arranged and Conducted by Anita Kerr
RCA APL 1-2298
1977

Here's an obscure 60s/70s easy mood set by Anita Kerr. This LP was recorded in Switzerland.

Wiki: Anita Kerr

Website: www.anitakerr.com

A 6000
Michelle
So Far Away From L.A.
Now's The Time For Fun
The World Is Gonna Keep On Spinning
Let's Take A Walk By The Sea
When Summer Is Gone
Et Mourir De Plaisir
Tambourine
There Is No Love Without The Moonlight

Sophisticate In Cuba - Stanley Black

It's All Right With Me

Sophisticate In Cuba
Stanley Black And His Music
London Records LL 1781

Here's a smooth Stanley Black set. The title, cover art and music support each other nicely. The vibe is "sophisticated", but pushes beyond mood music into light space age jazz.

From the back cover: The subtly shifting rhythmic accents, the charging moods, the facile switching from jazz to mambo, from baiao to jazz, the piquant exotic flavors combine to form an album of outstanding originality and distinction. Stanley Black has skillfully employed a multitude of novel ideas in this selection. No electronic gimmicks, or subterfuges – just the products of a brilliant musical brain which never ceases to amaze show business with its rich fund of inventive genius.

Should I
Time On My Hands
All Of You
And This IS My Beloved
I've Got You Under My Skin
You're The Top
One, Two, Button Your Shoe
My Melancholy Baby
Yes, My Darling Daughter
Fool's Rush In
Ooh That Kiss!
It's All Right With Me