Up Up And Away - Hits By Jim Webb - Soul Symphony [1970]

Easy pop covers of many of Jim Webb's classic songs, along with, as was usual for Leo Muller's Stereo Gold Award LPs, a few originals which, for me are even better than the nice, but standard arrangements of the hits, these are called Careless Love, Webb Of the Blues, and Happy Song.

Apologies for the state of the rear cover, and the vinyl has a few clicks on it, but no jumps.

As always I hope you enjoy, and comments and feedback are most welcome!

Webb

Raymond Lefevre & His Orchestra [1967]

This very nice Easy album was recently posted on detour in its mono version, so here I present it in its stereo version.

It is the earliest Lefevre album that I am aware of, and contains many gems, including the classic Soul Coaxing [Ame Caline], along with great versions of Whiter Shade Of Pale, Release Me and my favourite on here, Groovin', the classic by The Young Rascals.

I hope you enjoy it!

Lefevre

Tv Themes - Various Artists [1978]

Sorry for the gap between posts lately, I have been busy filling a new hard drive as my old one bit the dust recently taking everything with it.

This is a nice collection of mostly UK TV themes performed by four master arrangers in Laurie Holloway, Denis King, Harry Rabinowitz and Max Harris.

I hope you enjoy it!

Themes

Sounds Like Soul [1969]

I recently took a charity shop chance on this one, hoping that it was some funky hot instrumental versions of some soul classics, well they are hot, funky in parts, but with vocals also.

They are obviously arranged to sound like the originals, but they have a personality of their own, particularly on Dancin' In The Street, Love Child, and To Love Somebody.

You'll enjoy it if you like great easy performances, vocal and instrumental.

Soul

Hits Of Europe - Cyril Ornadel & The StereoAction Orchestra [1971]

This is a very nice and easy album featuring a mix of European standards and 60s and Early 70s pop hits in that familiar Stereo with a capital 's' sound.

Venus and Suddenly You Love Me are two of my personal highlights and Happy Wanderer is pretty sublime!

Stereo

Super Stereo Film Extravaganza [Plus Bonus Tracks] - Hugo Winterhalter [1971]

This is a fine collection of film soundtrack tunes in a nice orchestral Easy style.

I have also added 5 other Winterhalter tracks from another Lp which had a few tracks duplicated from this one, and a few which kept jumping during recording.

You have to hear the Airport Love Theme, it is incredible!

But the whole album is a very satisfying listen and I hope you enjoy it!

Hugo

Hammond Stereo Sounds... To Spoil You - Roger Coulam [1970]

This very well-titled album is one of my favourite hammond albums ever!

It is funky and loungey in equal measure, and it's strength is in the arrangements and performances from the cream of 60s and 70s session musicians.

The players are not listed on the sleeve, but it would be fairly easy to guess on their identities.

The bass guitarist is unmistakably Herbie Flowers, Percussion from Stan Barrett and Dennis Lopez. Playing the drums is likely to be either Chris Karan or Alf Bigden, possibly with a little guitar from Alan Parker.

You'll really enjoy this if liked Tony Hatch's Sounds Of The 70s LP, as it was Roger Coulam playing the magnificent organ parts on that, along with most of the previously mentioned session players.

My highlights include excellent versions of Dizzy, Time Is Tight, Games People Play, and Alfie, with the very good Northern-sounding Show Me, and the funky monster Let's Put Out The Lights.

I give this my highest rating and hope you enjoy it!


Hammond

Portrait Of Pourcel - Franck Pourcel & His Orchestra [1978]

A big treat for all fans of easy listening and Franck Pourcel in particular.

28 very nice tracks on this double album, some of which are very disco-ey but still very listenable.

My biggest single post so far and I hope you enjoy it!

Pourcel

Mountain Carnival - Manuel & The Music Of The Mountains [1961]

More great latin moods from Geoff Love as Manuel.

Like the previous post, the LP sounds great and will be enjoyed by all lovers of exotica and Easy Listening.

I hope you enjoy it, and would love to hear a comment from you if you do enjoy this, or any other of my posts.

Carnival

Manuel & The Music Of The Mountains [1960]

I can't believe I haven't so far posted any Manuel, an act which seems one of the most popular in easy blogland, so here I offer this, the debut LP from Manuel, from 1960.

A very nice trip through 14 excellent tracks, all arranged in the classic Manuel style.

The vinyl sounds great, considering it must be nearly 50 years old!

If you like Manuel or Geoff Love, you will love this!

Manuel