The Sound of The Anita Kerr Singers

Anita Kerr is easily the most remarkable and accomplished female musician of the Space Age Pop era, yet she barely rates a mention in most pop music reference books. When she does, it's usually so the writer can make a wisecrack about her 1965 Grammy Award.

See, in 1965, her quartet's album, We Dig Mancini!, beat out the Beatles' Help! for the award for "Best Vocal Group Performance," a fact that's used to damn the record industry for its ignorance and perfidy. While the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Temptations, the Beach Boys, and others were at the top of the pop charts, the Grammy electorate preferred to recognize a group of thirty year-olds with mortgages.

Now, in hindsight, it wasn't a completely inexcusable choice. Help!, after all, by the admission of Dave Dexter, Jr., the Capitol Records exec responsible for it, wasn't even intended to be an album, and Dexter and George Martin had to dig up a few incidental instrumental tracks from the movie just to pad out the vocal numbers. And the offerings from the other competitors--We Five, Herman's Hermits, and the Statler Brothers--have certainly not aged as well as We Dig Mancini!, which many Space Age Pop fans with plenty of listening time under their belts rate as one of their all-time favorites.

At a time when most women in music were still considered "girl singers," Anita Kerr was routinely pulling off triple plays: not just performing, but producing and arranging her records as well. And she did it more and more, expanding her scope beyond her own groups to others, including several purely fictious ensembles, as well, even as she moved from one major label to another.


tracks
01. What's New Pussycat (2:44)
02. Galveston (3:52)
03. You and I (2:05)
04. The Look Of Love (2:34)
05. Lalena (2:06)
06. Make The World Go Away (2:22)
07. The Windmills of Your Mind (2:46)
08. The Windmills of Your Mind (2:47)
09. Walk On By (2:38)
10. My Own Peculiar Way (3:34)
11. What The World Needs Now Is Love (3:18)
12. Natural to be Gone (2:00)
13. Goodbye (3:16)

Make The World Go Away

The Three Suns ~ Movin' 'n' Groovin' (1962)

The story of stereo action 
Stereo Action is a revolutionary new concept of stereo recording in which instruments, singers, whole sections, and even full orchestras are placed into movement so that the listener has, literally, music his eyes can follow.
Stereo Action is a conscious and deliberate effort to set music in motion by utilizing actual movement of instruments and sounds from one speaker to the other, and even, at times, suspending an instrument or sound between speakers. It is a pioneering concept in stereo listening, and resulted from years of extensive experiments and remarkable technical breakthroughs by the RCA Victor corps of engineers.
Stereo Action requires a wholly new approach to recording. Musical motion is first conceived by the composer and arranger. Every note of the music to be recorded must be scored with Stereo Action in mind, as if it were a new and dominating musical instrument or voice. An elaborate system of charting each and every instrument for proper stereo placement guides the actual scoring. In addition to the musical annotation, companion series of non-musical diagrams for the studio work is developed.
This wedding of musical artistry and electronic creativity produces Stereo Action -- literally, the sound your eyes can follow.

Sound, Dimension and Movement find the Three Suns once again Movin' 'n' Groovin'. Add to this performance brilliante, Blend aromatique, Taste magnifique and we sit down to a Suns-Stopper. The imaginative artistry of producer Al Nevins is again combined with the magic of arranger- composer Charles Albertine and, for the first time on records, that talented team -- which gave NBC- TV its theme music for Midnight Movie (Alone with the Blues) and Movie Four (Night Theme) --paints a picture for us in true depth of focus. Albertine has extended his musical thinking into fresh and unexplored worlds with his exciting arrangements for this stimulating new medium, Stereo Action. A very special bow to Alan Lorber (one of America's youngest arrangers) for his help musically in making this album possible. The musical core of the Three Suns -- the familiar guitar, accordion and organ -- has been here augmented by an extraordinary assortment of instruments, including jaw bone, wind bells, chains, tapping shoes, harpsichord, ad infinitum -- all gliding and sliding in a whirlwind of pattern and a maelstrom of motion, sometimes subtly and variously violent, but always Movin' 'n' Groovin'.

tracks
01 April Showers 02:54
02 Caravan 02:48
03 Autumn Leaves 03:11
04 Dancing with Tears in My Eyes 02:08
05 Jungle Drums 03:53
06 Movin' 'n' Groovin' 02:54
07 Anniversary Song 03:14
08 Beyond the Sea 03:05
09 Some of These Days 02:52
10 Danny's Inferno 02:49
11 Vagabond King Waltz 03:30
12 Stumbling 03:04
13 I Got Rhythm 02:23
14 They Can't Take That Away from Me 02:35
15 Bidin' My Time 02:52
16 Liza 02:34
17 Sunday Showcase Theme 02:23
18 Twilight Memories 02:19
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April Showers

Hugo.Montenegro & His Orchestra ~ The Good The Bad & The Ugly

The Man With No Name" has made a name for himself after all via three hard-hitting, action-packed motion pictures in which a new kind of screen hero - or anti-hero - is born. The "Man" is a cold-blooded, cigar-smoking gunslinger who appears unannounced in Western towns where trouble is brewing and plunges headlong into battle with the troublemakers. By the time he moves out again, the towns are usually a good deal quieter, and the townspeople find that much of their population has been moved to the cemeteries. Clint Eastwood, the rugged actor who was once known to TV viewers as the star of the "Rawhide" series, first portrayed this enigmatic character in "A Fistful of Dollars," which was set in a Mexican border town and dealt with two rival gangs involved in selling contraband whiskey and guns to the Indians and the Mexicans. The "Man" and the movie won so much acclaim around the world he was asked to stands by itself as far as good listening is concerned Written by one of Italy's foremost composers  Ennio Morricone, it is played here by Hugo Montenegro and his orchestra. The selection entitled For a Few Dollars More was originally released as a single and scored a tremendous success for Montenegro. In addition to this hit, the album includes many hauntingly exciting compositions.

tracks

01. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (2:43)

02. March With Hope (2:23)

03. The Story Of A Soldier (3:00)

04. The Ecstasy Of Gold (2:34)

05. Theme From "A Fistful Of Dollars" (2:04)

06. For A Few Dollars More (2:41)

07. Aces High (3:12)

08. The Vice Of Killing (2:15)

09. Sixty Seconds To What? (2:18)

10. Square Dance (2:08)

11. Titoli (2:14)

Sixty Seconds To What?

Isaac Hayes ~ New Horizon (1977)

After 1975's classic Chocolate Chip and a strong production job for the Masqueraders album Everybody Wanna Live On, Hayes' subsequent work with ABC was often poorly executed and conceived, save for the one or two tracks that properly displayed his melodic genius. With his last ABC effort being a live album with Dionne Warwick that just didn't sell, some changes had to be made. This is the first effort for Polydor and it turned out to be successful partnership. With a new label, Hayes also began to record at Master Sound in Georgia rather than his studio in Memphis, Hot Buttered Soul. Both the label and locale switch seemed to freshen up his musical approach. This album didn't start off on the best footing though. Hayes' ghastly discofied cover of "Stranger in Paradise" shows little trace of his arranging skills or song picking abilities. The other dance tracks are markedly better. "Moonlight Lovin' (Menage a Trois)" has him doing Barry White one better by bringing an extra woman into the mix. With its playful rhythm and sweeping changes, he sang gleefully about the "the rendezvous of me and you and you" and said menage a trois enough times his until his "dates" thought it was their idea. On New Horizons Hayes turns in two of his best ballads. The meditative "Don't Take Your Love Away" has him going for more subtle surroundings in a style that suffered the most on his post Chocolate Chip work. On "It's Heaven to Me" he displays a winning vulnerability, and it is easily one of the prettiest songs he's ever recorded. Although some of the best tracks on New Horizon are available on compilations, the entire album is worth seeking out.

tracks
1  Stranger In Paradise   10:14
2  Moonlight Lovin' (Ménage Á Trois)   16:15
3  Don't Take Your Love Away   7:39
4  Out Of The Ghetto   5:51
5  It's Heaven To Me   4:20

alternate link

It's Heaven To Me

Martin Böttcher ~ Sound Kaleidoscope

Martin Böttcher -  composer, arranger and a bandleader whose music remains as fresh as it was many years ago.  Although his domain was film music, the arrangements of other popular tunes were equally memorable and exciting.  For true fans of instrumental music at its best, this album will give you an idea who Martin Böttcher is and how his skillful manipulation of orchestral sounds can contribute to your good mood.  This compilation contains both, film and popular music.

Many attempts have been made to outline the personality of a composer with the help of music: and frequently these attempts were failures. The reason, perhaps, is that the images evoked by music cannot be traced so easily and are not nearly as transparent as those painted before our eyes.

'Visible" music - this is a term anyhow justly applied in connection with composer and conductor Martin Bottcher. His domain is film music. Martin Bottcher's pictures of sound are directly related to the action visible on the screen - his music always implies an effect on the viewer. Whoever listens to him wilt feel after a while that his music can also paint a portrait: that of composer Martin Bottcher.

tracks
01. Dr. med Fabian (1:45)
02. Bengelchen Bossa Nova (2:47)
03. Fiesta In Belo Horizonte (2:48)
04. Wonderland Of Love (3:12)
05. Melodie Für Jessica (3:29)
06. This Guy's In Love With You (3:58)
07. The Shadow Of Your Smile (3:22)
08. Sonderdezernat K1 (2:12)
09. Tausender-Melodie (2:06)
10. Judy (2:49)
11. Fernsehmelodie (3:33)
12. Endstation Liebe (3:42)
13. Bengelchen (2:36)
14. Moonlight Guitar (3:02)
15. Salzburg-Melodie (3:29)
16. Die Ente Klingelt Um Halb Acht (2:03)
17. Klassenkeile (1:54)
18. Examination (2:51)
19. Adagio In G-Minor (3:33)
20. Einsam (3:48)
21. Snow Frolic (4:13)
22. Wenn Du Da Bist (3:17)
23. Stranger's Serenade (3:21)
24. Ich Schlafe Mit Meinem Mörder (3:21)
25. Segeln (3:44)

Moonlight Guitar

Martin Böttcher ~ The Score

Martin Böttcher. The Grand Old Man of deutsche Filmmusik. Wohl jeder in diesem Land wird mindestens eine seiner Melodien gehört haben - etwa in immer noch für Kindergrusel sorgenden "Edgar-Wallace"-Schinken, in "Winnetou", "Der Alte", oder alten TV-Filmen mit Götz George - und zudem ist er, anders als Kollegen wie Peter "Raumpatrouille" Thomas, bisher noch nicht durch den Mix-Wolf gedreht worden. Das klingt böse, ist aber nicht so gemeint: Die zu "The Score" gehörende Geschichte mit Böttchers Enkelin, die ihn drängt, doch mal "was Modernes" zu machen, klingt nicht erfunden, und es sind denn auch mal nicht die üblichen Verdächtigen, die hier verwursten dürfen.

Also endlich mal eine Coffeetable-Remix-CD ohne Jazza, Terra und Nova. Die wohl bekanntesten Namen hier sind Pit Baumgartner (De-Phazz), Gabriel Le Mar und die Strike Boys. Aber auch ziemlich unbekannte Studiocracks zeigen sich mit schönen Ideen, so etwa Paul-van-Dyk-Kollaborateur Chris Zippel, der für mein persönliches Highlight auf der CD verantwortlich zeichnet: Einen Mix der "Old-Shatterhand-Melodie" aus dem "Schatz im Silbersee", der die unvergessliche Melodie ganz cool mit den guten alten "Apache"-Funk-Beats unterlegt - das gibt allein fünf für den Humor und noch mal so viel für den Style. Auch toll: Der Gabriel le Mar-Mix vom Stück "Moonlight Guitar" aus einem längst vergessenen Rühmann-Streifen. Und, und, und. Eine dann doch herausragende Compilation - vor allem, weil erfrischend unbedarfte Remixer weitgehend auf die üblichen Klischees verzichten, die ein solches Format gerne mit sich bringt.

tracks
1. Auf Engel Schießt Man Nicht (Shanti Roots/Scheibosan's Peace Pipe Dub)
Remix – Scheibosan, Shanti Roots
Remix [Credited To] – Markus Dohelsky 6:11

2. Einsam (The Strike Boys Version)
Remix – Strike Boys, The
Remix [Credited To] – Martin Kaiser, Tommy Yamaha 5:14

3. Old-Shatterhand-Melodie (Genuine Album Mix)
Remix – Genuine
Remix [Credited To] – Chris Zippel 5:19

4. Die Halbstarken (Ohm-G's Evissa Garage Haeven Mix)
Remix – Ohm-G 5:13

5. Starlight Serenade (Gabor Deutsch Mix)
Remix – Gabor Deutsch* 5:01

6. Melodie Für Jessica (Deep-Dive-Corp. Mix)
Remix – Deep-Dive-Corp.*
Remix [Credited To] – DJ Turn, P.M.FM 6:28

7. Endstation Liebe (Rauschfaktor Mix)
Remix – Rauschfaktor
Remix [Credited To] – Frank Rückert, Marcus Schmahl 5:16

8. Old-Shatterhand-Melodie (Orbient Mix)
Remix – Orbient
Remix [Credited To] – GM Electronics (2), Zero G (3) 4:18

9. Jet (Bazille Noir Mix)
Remix – Bazille Noir
Remix [Credited To] – Paulsen*, Ebinger* 4:06

10. Der Fälscher Von London (Phazz-A-Delic Mix)
Remix – Pit Baumgartner 4:12

11. Moonlight Guitar (Gabriel Le Mar Mix)
Remix – Gabriel Le Mar 7:36

12. Unser Haus In Kamerun (AK Musique Mix)
Remix – AK Musique* 4:30

13. Stranger's Serenade (Manikin Mix)
Remix – Keller & Schönwälder 5:47

14. Winnetou Melodie (Hippiehaus Mix)
Remix – Hippiehaus
Remix [Credited To] – Krallmann*, Haupt* 4:00

Old-Shatterhand-Melodie (Orbient Mix)

Martin Böttcher ~ The most beautiful melodies (Ars Nova Compilation 2012)

Böttcher was born 1927 in Berlin/Germany. After the second world war the young Böttcher began as solo guitarist at Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk. In 1955 he scored the music for his first film The Captain and His Hero. His next movie Teenage Wolfpack ( Die Halbstarken.) (1956), was a great artistic success.. He becomes one of the busiest composers for Cinema and TV in Germany. At the height of his career he made the music of 10 Karl-May-frontier-sagas in which actors Lex Barker and Pierre Brice are the central figures (1962-68). All in all Böttcher made the music for about 60 Films and 100 television productions. This collection is a tribute to a great composer/arranger whose music, often underrated, deserves much more attention.

tracks
01. Carnival (4:37)
02. Theme From Love Story (2:42)
03. Snow Frolic (4:13)
04. The Man I Love (3:07)
05. Melodie Für Jessica (3:29)
06. Laura (3:47)
07. Salute Sardegna (3:28)
08. A Man And A Woman (2:55)
09. This Guy's In Love With You (3:58)
10. The Shadow Of Your Smile (3:22)
11. Midnight In Hamburg (2:57)
12. Endstation Liebe (Titelmusik) (3:42)
13. Charade (2:39)
14. Salzburg Melodie (3:29)
15. Adagio In G-Minor (3:33)
16. Ensam (3:48)
17. Strangers In The Night (3:55)
18. Wonderland Of Love (3:12)
19. Stranger's Serenade (3:21)
20. Ich Schlafe Mit Meinem Mörder (3:21)
21. This Is My Song (2:45)
22. Vera's Melodie (3:14)
23. Segeln (3:44)

 The Man I Love (Gershwin)

Vera's Melodie

Brazilian Dreams ~ A Romantic Evening In Rio

Harmonica, human voicing, upbeat music, something you hear at a nice, upscale,and quiet social evening.

tracks

01. Sao Paulo Groove (5:18)

02. Roasted Bananas (4:26)

03. Amor Profundo (4:31)

04. Chameleon Tales (4:06)

05. Beverlia (2:43)

06. Canto Triste (4:30)

07. Balile De Anitra (3:46)

08. Hipnotismo (3:21)

09. Brazilian Evening (5:34)

10. Duett (1:55)

Sao Paulo Groove

The Anita Kerr Singers ~ My Colouring Book (1973)

Possibly the finest album ever released by Anita Kerr and her singers. It contains tracks that have been previously released on other albums as well as some new material. This album has been lifted off of the web and unfortunately does not contain good artwork. I used to own this album, many years ago, but somehow I lost it. There is ample of Anita Kerr's albums available, however, this one remains a rarity, not only because it's next to impossible to find the LP, but the choice of songs makes it very unique and the most pleasurable albums of all.

tracks
Side A
01. My colouring book
02. The fool on the hill
03. If
04. Cherry, cherry
05. The balance of nature
06. Good vibrations

Side B
01. You are the sunshine of my life
02. Alone again
03. Michelle
04. All you need is love
05. The long and winding road
06. Be aware

My colouring book

Power Samba Band

Pe De Boi the power samba band whose pulsating rhythms have electrified the New York club scene since 1980, produced only one memorable album during its nearly two decade-long existence which you hold in your hand. Born of the rich Brazilian musical tradition and inflected with elements of American jazz, rock and salsa, the songs on this album feature as many as 10 different percussionists. Band founder and leader, Guilherme Franco - a native of Brazil, a veteran of the McCoy Tyner group and one of the leading jazz percussionists in the world - named his group for a Brazilian slang term whose literal translation is the "foot of an ox" but whose real meaning is a musician with a great sense of rhythm.

 
Material for the album includes some Brazilian standards and compositions written specially for the album. From its beginning in the streets of New York, IV; has gone on to  perform at Giant Stadium, S.O.B.'s, The Byrne Arena, The Beacon Theatre, The Bottom Line, The Mudd Club, as well as the historic Peppermint Lounge, Danceteria, Studio 54 and jazz Forum.

tracks

01. Essa Nega (3:17)

02. Zazueira (5:35)

03. Reza Forte (4:14)

04. Samba Summer (3:59)

05. Pabaruba (6:08)

06. Capoeira (6:27)

07. Sequence-Part 1 (4:34)

08. Sequence-Part II (5:10)

09. Drums Evolution (4:50)

10. Amazonia Jungle (2:19)

Essa Nega

101 Strings ~ Romantic Latin Favorites

The lush magnificence and stereo/digital depth of the "101 Strings" is due to a combination of factors. First, in importance, is the concept of scoring for the strings. The necessity of using very large sections of string instruments is to utilize various harmonies and voicing and not weaken the dynamics or quality of any one line when playing counter lines. This is particularly important with violins and violas, and creates a wonderful rich channel separation for stereo/digital recording. The listener will note that at times the melody line is in full presence, and possibly a full and lovely counter line is being played, without sacrificing the full dynamic value of either. Second, the original performances have been recorded under the most exacting audio engineering standards with specially designed microphones with characteristics to compensate for any possible distortion from the tremendous bass frequency response in cello and string bass. Third, and of extreme importance, are the players themselves. They represent the finest musicians in Europe today - digitally mastered to perfection. Enjoy...


tracks

01. Malaguena (9:52)02. Quando, Quando, Quando (2:54)
03. La Cumparsita (2:54)
04. Blue Tango (4:21)
05. Cu Cu Ru, Cu Cu Paloma (2:53)
06. Adios (3:15)
07. Brazil (3:42)
08. A Taste Of Honey (2:29)
09. Spamish Flea (2:33)
10. Puerto Vallarto (2:27)
11. Adios Mariquita Linda (1:49)
12. Jalousie (3:13)

Adios Mariquita Linda 

All the best from Latin America ~ 20 Great Favorites

Very fine collection with some outstanding arrangements and performances.  However, I could not obtain any info on performers or arrangers.  This CD is very unusual because it is evident and obvious that it was ripped from a LP.  There are occasional clicks and pops that can be heard on certain tunes, as well as "fade-ins" possibly introduced to alleviate hiss, clicks and pops.  The CD was purchased in the USA somewhere in early 90's and by then, the LP was no longer available.  The CD artwork does not provide any info or clues who is the author/producer of such an outstanding collection.  

tracks
01. Copacabana (3:12)
02. Fernando (3:27)
03. Quiereme mucho (3:42)
04. El lute (3:51)
05. Ay no digas (2:39)
06. Samba pa ti (3:47)
07. Una paloma blanca (3:38)
08. Valencia (2:02)
09. Brasil (2:20)
10. Cuando, cuando, cuando (2:09)
11. Argentina (3:20)
12. Agua (2:25)
13. Que sera (3:01)
14. Oye-como va (3:07)
15. Rise (3:25)
16. Chiquitita (4:36)
17. Mexico (2:36)
18. Quando calenita el sol (2:59)
19. Granada (2:06)
20. El condor pasa (2:56)

Copacabana

Charles Shirley and his orchestra ~ Moon Over Moscow: Exciting & Soulful Instrumentals

Nice and very easy going.  The Charles Shirley orchestra delivers pleasant and soothing sounds of these old  and timeless classics.

tracks
01. Night Trolley (2:57)
02. Meadowland (2:33)
03. Song Of A Friend (2:07)
04. Far Away (2:32)
05. Midnight In Moscow (Moscow Nights) (2:37)
06. Hi-Li-Li (2:50)
07. The Light (2:11)
08. Dark Night (2:36)
09. Volga Flows (3:10)
10. Roads (2:29)
11. Let There Always Be Sunshine (2:32)
12. Lonely Accordion (2:26)

The Light 

Armando Zulueto & his Dancing Orchestra

This great collection was released on "Jugoton" label somewhere in the early 70's. The LP was found in a second hand store in the USA and it was in a terrible condition. The clean up software did the fine job eliminating about 80% of the clicks and pops, (unfortunately, at the expense of the overall sound quality which was pretty low to begin with) however, some remained.

tracks
01. Frenesi (2:10)
02. La Paloma (2:18)
03. Nocha de Ronda (2:09)
04. Adios (2:09)
05. Tico Tico (1:49)
06. Guadalajara (1:58)
07. Siboney (2:32)
08. ACucurrucucu Paloma (2:03)
09. Adelita (2:06)
10. Celito lindo (2:25)
11. Maria Elena (1:46)
12. Sabras que te quiero (2:31)

Siboney

The Anita Kerr Singers ~ Sounds

Finally "the Collectors choice" decided to reissue this masterpiece in digital format. However, the critics say, it was "mastered from a LP rather from master tapes. Regardless of it, and the fact that sometimes remastered versions just do not sound right, I think they've done a fine job. There's little famous music here, but but this is the good album that their ability is shown

tracks

01. Happiness (2:00)
02. Wine In The Wind (2:46)
03. Today Is (2:20)
04. Say You Do (2:38)
05. I'm Falling In Love Again (2:24)
06. Long Live Our Love (2:53)
07. I Would Love You (3:12)
08. The Beat Goes On (3:05)
09. The Two Of Us (2:54)
10. I've Got Love Going For Me (2:56)
11. They Always Ask Me (3:18)
12. Swinging On A Star (3:00)

Wine In The Wind 

Anita Kerr (with The Antia Kerr Singers) ~ Favorites

Back in 1950, when Anita Kerr recorded her first album with her eight-voice group, The Anffa Kerr Singers, she launched a career that has spanned more than tour generations, arranging for and performing with a virtual who's who of the music world: Burl Ives, Eddy Arnold, Brenda Lee, Perry Como, Pat Boone, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Vinton, Roy Orblson, Willie Nelson, Al Hirt, and many others.
Anita has received seven Grammy Award nominations; three Grammys, including one for "A Man and a Woman," as well as Gold and Platinum records, including one each for her collaborations with Rod McKuen and the San Sebastian Strings. In 1992 she was awarded the NARAS Governor's Award recognizing her outstanding contributions to American Music. She was also the first woman ever to score a full motion picture, for the Universal film "Limbo" (1972).
Anita Kerr has built a loyal following of listeners who appreciate her gen-, tie vocal stylings and timeless arrangements. Favorites is a compilation of Anita's best loved songs... personal choices of both Anita and her fans.

tracks
01. The Fool on the Hill
02. Your Song
03. The Long and Winding Road
04. Good Vibrations
05. Sunny
06. Superstar
07. It's Impossible
08. Alone Again (Naturally)
09. Cherry, Cherry
10. If
11. You've Got a Friend
12. Blame It on a Monday
13. I Never Meant to Hurt You
14. If Not for You
15. Amazing Grace

The Fool on the Hill

Max Greger ~ Star Edition 2008

Born: April 2, 1926 Instrument: Composer/conductor/leader
Max Greger is a popular German orchestra leader and saxophonist. He began as an accordionist then went on to the Munich Conservatory where he studied clarinet and saxophone. After a stint in the military he started to play in jazz ensembles, and by the the end of the 1940’s was leading a big band.
Greger was very popular in his native Germany throughout the ‘50’s, and appeared regularly on television from 1963 to 1977. He recorded countless records for Polydor. His musical output includes easy listening as well as jazz, swing, polka or Schlager. He was heavily influenced by Glenn Miller and liked to play his music live. By 2000 he started touring with Paul Kuhn and Hugo Strasser as the “Swing-Legenden” (swing legends). The concerts all over Germany are well received. Max Greger and his two friends remain active entertainers belying their age. Gregers son Max Greger Jr. is also a musician and recorded several records.

tracks

01. In the Mood (3:25)

02. I Just Called to Say I Love You (4:17)

03. Silberfaeden (3:48)

04. Clair (3:14)

05. Everybody Loves Somebody (2:52)

06. Tequila (2:07)

07. Wind O Change (4:29)

08. Edelweiss (3:29)

09. Mambo Jambo (3:08)

10. Midnight in Munich (3:49)

11. You Are So Beautiful (2:26)

12. From Sarah with Love (2:51)

13. Killing Me Softly (4:02)

14. Hot Stuff (3:11)

15. Wigwam (2:53)

16. Night Train (2:45)

Clair

Everybody Loves Somebody

Max Greger ~ Oscar-Melodien zum Tanzen

tracks

01. Gonna fly now (3:11)

02. I just called to say I love you (3:21)

03. Never on sunday (1:42)

04. Chattanooga choo choo (1:39)

05. Carioca (2:11)

06. Endless love (1:39)

07. Up where we belong (1:46)

08. Raindrops keep falling on my head (2:41)

09. Flashdance (1:43)

10. Footloose (1:47)

11. Moon river (1:40)

12. Tammy (1:24)

13. The continental (1:37)

14. I've got you under my skin (1:39)

15. Love story (1:38)

16. Schiwagomelodie (Lara's Theme) (1:35)

17. More (1:33)

18. Love letters (1:23)

19. Que sera (Whatever will be, will be) (1:23)

20. Chim chim cheree (1:20)

21. Somewhere over the rainbow (3:47)

22. Cabaret (2:07)

Carioca

Never on sunday 

Quartango ~ Espresso

Quartango creates music that vibrates in the chest, awakens emotions and plays on the heartstrings.
One, two, three... and four! The last beat lags behind before catching up; the rhythm slides off the metronome for a moment — and the emotions find themselves in disarray. The tango can't be timed according to the measured rhythm of the pulse: its tempo is defined by the spaces in which the heart has its say. The tango sets the feet dancing because it brings to the ear the resonances of the very things that disconcert us in life: the things that make us fall in love, as well as the patterns woven into the carpets of routine.

Many tango ensembles limit themselves to the established repertoire. Quartango, on the other hand, does not rely solely on traditional titles, but takes the risk of including new pieces in its repertoire. In Tango sulla morte d'un eroe, Richard Hunt awakens echoes of a tango already suggested by Beethoven's poignant romanticism. Bernard Falaise's L'Envoi de Pantaleon gives the tango present-day intonations, while Ramon Pelinski's El Expatriado and Neurotango inscribe the tango in the nomadic tradition.

Whether through new melodies or new arrangements, Quartango makes a distinct statement without hyperbole. Rather than simply play the tango, these four "expert" musicians with their classical training bring the full range of their knowledge to every piece they perform. These sons of the Conservatory have chosen the tango as a man would choose to marry against the wishes of his family, but without feeling obliged to play the role of Pygmalion with respect to his lowly protegee. The members of the band are not playing on their own turf, but neither were the immigrants who gave birth to the tango in Buenos Aires! In other words, the tango doesn't always have to speak with an Argentinian accent.

To all those who are tired of swinging back and forth between retro and world music Quartango offers more than a visit to the land of the tango. The group does not mere­ly adapt yesterday's music to today's tastes. At the crossroads between jazz and virtu­osity, at the point where mood and humour meet, this recording provides a springboard for us to plunge into a pool of fresh musical sensations.

tracks

01. A Media Luz (4:07)
02. Canaro En Paris (3:53)
03. Bando (3:24)
04. Tango Sulla Morte D'Un Eroe (6:57)
05. L'Envol De Pantaleón (5:37)
06. Neurotango (7:19)
07. Vassalean (4:56)
08. B.,G. & B. (3:34)
09. Balada Para Un Loco (3:17)
10. El Expatriado (4:31)
11. Zum (5:26)
12. La Milonga De Buenos Aires (3:11)

El Expatriado

Canaro En Paris 

The Bob Crewe Generation ~ Music to watch girls by

Pepsi used the slogan "Come Alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation" and a melody titled "Music to Watch Girls By" in their mid-'60s advertisements. Legendary producer Bob Crewe took his cue from the T-Bones, who had enjoyed a hit the previous year with an Alka-Seltzer jingle, and turned Pepsi's theme and slogan into the first Top 40 hit to bear Crewe's name as artist. The Bob Crewe Generation's rendition of "Music to Watch Girls By" went to Number 15 in 1967, and exemplified the groovy state of instrumental music at that time. The tune was soon recorded by Billy Vaughn and had to contend with competing vocal and instrumental versions by, respectively, Andy Williams and Al Hirt. The album Music to Watch Girls By made the Top 100 and featured the title track alongside instrumental versions of other well-known hits Crewe had written and/or produced, such as the Four Seasons' "Let's Hang On," Eddie Rambeau's "Concrete and Clay," and the Toys' "A Lover's Concerto." The B-side of the "Music to Watch Girls By" single, "Girls on the Rocks," was included too, as well as the ubiquitous "Winchester Cathedral." Hutch Davie's arrangements are eclectic in that distinctive late-'60s style, with horns, vibes, flamenco guitar and prominent percussion lending a vaguely ethnic feel. For a contemporary pop culture reference point, Music to Watch Girls By would have been perfectly suitable soundtrack material for the film Austin Powers.

tracks 

A1  Anna 3:09
A2  Felicidade (Theme From Black Orpheus) 2:37
A3  Theme From A Man And A Woman 3:21
A4  Let's Hang On 3:09
A5  Music To Watch Girls By 2:41 

B1  Concrete And Clay 3:01
B2  Theme For A Lazy Girl 3:09
B3  A Lover's Concerto 2:31
B4  Girls On The Rocks 2:40
B5  Winchester Cathedral

Music To Watch Girls By