Easy Listening World

Orchestral Splendour - Various Artists (1978)

2012-01-13T09:48:00.002Z

A nice 'n' easy big double album sampler from Polydor featuring almost all their big guns of Easy from the 70s (only James Last is missing from this one).

A varied mixture of 70s Easy pop, standards, and soundtracks, by big names like Kai Warner, Bert Kaempfert, John Barry, David Rose, Les Reed, Nick Ingman, Max Greger and Roberto Delgado, along with lesser known names like Ron Savage, Georges Delagaye and The Sweet Soul Orchestra.

A treat from start to finish, it is one of the best compilations I have!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - It Never Rains In Southern California (Kai Warner)

Music For A Swinging Childrens Party - Cy Payne And His Orchestra (1973)

2011-12-31T12:14:00.001Z

This is a very nice album, a collection of early 70s pop hits given fine Easy Pop orchestral arrangements.

This is another one that has been out there before, but I recently found this copy which was in such excellent condition, better than the rip I had, and better than the copy I had, which wasn't in too good a condition at all (I assume the children the album was aimed at had actually managed to get hold of it!).

Many highlights include splendid versions of classic 70s pop hits like Life On Mars, Tie A Yellow Ribbon, Snoopy Versus The Red Baron, Can The Can and more.

A treat all the way through, I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Rock A Doodle Doo

Disco Gold - The Biddu Orchestra (1978)

2011-12-28T10:19:00.001Z

A cheesey but very enjoyable album featuring four non-stop easy disco medleys of 60s and 70s hits played by the Biddu Orchestra, some are instrumental, some feature vocals, too.

This one has been out there before, but i think that my rip sounds best of any of them!

If you enjoy albums where Disco meets Easy Listening, then you will love this!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview:

Hits Of Sinatra - The Ray Davies Orchestra (1975)

2011-12-27T13:11:00.000Z

An excellent album of Sinatra's finest played by The Ray Davies Orchestra (aka the Button Down Brass).

14 tracks in all, it has many highlights including Sinatra classics like Love And Marriage, Night And Day, and the track I preview, You Make Me Feel So Young.

Recorded for the BBC Radio 2 night-time programmes, it was made available on the BBC Records label, and features a very interesting and informative rear sleeve, too!

It has been out there before, but I thought my rip sounded pretty good, so here it is!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - You Make Me Feel So Young

Strict Tempo Hits - World Ballroom Orchestra (1968)

2011-12-26T16:35:00.000Z

A marvellous album of ballroom dance music arranged by Joe Loss's arranger, the great Alan Moorhouse.

Using many of the same tracks and arrangements as on Joe Loss's LP Latin A La Loss, with tracks such as Swinging Samba, Man Without Love, and Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Sounding very like a Joe Loss LP, it was made for dancing, but is equally good for listening, too.

With the vinyl in great condition, it is well worth a listen.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Swinging Samba

Party Dance Time - Sydney Thompson (1971)

2011-12-25T12:39:00.002Z

Another nice old time party record from the Sydney Thompson band.

Following the same formula as the second LP, featuring traditional party dances on Side 1, with a "Paul Jones" on Side 2, it is a nostalgic trip down memory lane to parties long ago.

It is lots of fun to hear, my highlight would be the version of Spanish Flea included here.

If you like Joe Loss or James Last, you will enjoy this one!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Spanish Flea

John Schroeder's Working In The Soul Mine (1966)

2011-12-24T13:01:00.000Z

The legendary album from the great John Schroeder and Alan Tew featuring a host of soul classics performed by The John Schroeder Orchestra.

Highlights are, for me, fab versions of Summertime, Get Out Of My Life Woman, Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Rescue Me, and the Motown classics You Can't Hurry Love, Where Did Our Love Go, and How Sweet It Is.

Add the the blend a couple of amazing originals in Soul For Sale and Lovin' You Girl and it makes for one of the greatest Easy albums of all time!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Lovin' You Girl

Firedog! - Ray Davies & The Button Down Brass (1976)

2011-12-19T18:02:00.000Z

#REPOST#

By request, here is Ray Davies and Button Down Brass's best album (in my opinion).

Filled with funky soundtrack delights and a fantastic original in the title, Firedog!

One of the highlights of my collection, and very hard to find.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Firedog!

The Ray McVay Band (1976)

2011-12-17T13:48:00.000Z

#Repost#

Another chance to hear this great album from Ray McVay, featuring a blend of vocal and instrumental tracks, most of which are versions of pop songs of the mid seventies such as Dancing Queen, Drift Away, Black Is Black and That's The Way (I Like It).

A step away from McVay's ballroom or big band sound, I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - That's The Way (I Like It)

Dance At Your Party - Sydney Thompson (1968)

2011-12-10T18:09:00.002Z

Another very nice old time party album from Sydney Thompson.

If you enjoyed my previous posts from Mr. Thompson, you will also enjoy this one, too.

Unashamedly old-fashioned, even for 1968, it contains a similar mix of party staples to the one featured on the Party Dances album posted previously, and, I understand, recorded at the same sessions.

Old time party dances such as Zorba's Dance, Gay Gordons, Palais Glide, Viennese Waltz, and Rock Around The Clock are typical examples of the album contents; the entire side 2 is a "Paul Jones" with 20 second "Circle Jig" jingles between the tracks (I understand this was to find your next dancing partner!).

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Rock Around The Clock

Classics - Nice 'n' Easy - Tilsley Orchestral

2011-12-03T18:19:00.001Z

A big double album of classical music played in a "Nice 'n' Easy" style by the great Reg Tilsley and Tilsley Orchestral.

Something for everyone, but with an emphasis on the Romantic classics from the likes of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and Debussy.

Vinyl sounding in very fine condition, this one is well worth a listen if you are an Easy or Classical fan!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Dance Of The Reeds

Christmas Wonderland - Ron Goodwin & His Orchestra (1967)

2011-12-02T00:30:00.000Z

##Repost##

Here is my Christmas gift to all my regular visitors all over the world!

This is an exceptional and traditional collection of Christmas songs and carols.

Put it on, and you'll think that it's snowing outside!

Of course if you are in Canada, North & Central Europe or Russia, then it probably is anyway! We in the UK usually have to dream of a White Christmas!

This album is what Christmas in the Easy Listening World would sound like!

Album Preview - Sleigh Ride

Joe Loss Plays Your All-Time Party Hits [1971]

2011-11-26T17:31:00.001Z

#Repost#

This LP is probably in every charity shop and flea market in the United Kingdom, but it is always entertaining and lots of fun!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Side 1

Side 2

Popcorn - Hot Butter (1972)

2011-11-26T10:45:00.000Z

A whole album of moog featuring a mix of arrangements of classic instumentals such as Apache, Telstar, and Pipeline, a few great originals like At The Movies and Tomatoes, with 70s staples like Day By Day and Amazing Grace, not to mention the one everybody knows, the landmark that is the title track, Popcorn.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Telstar

Freddie Starr - From Me To You (1974)

2011-11-19T15:42:00.001Z

#Repost#

I thought there might be a little more interest in this post after Freddie's short but memorable appearance on the UK version of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!

I saw this one in a local charity shop, so just for a laugh bought it, and was surprised to find how serious it was.

It has some nice arrangements and vocals, so I hope you, like I did, enjoy it!

Album Preview - It's You

South America In Super Stereo - Roberto Delgado & His Orchestra (1970)

2011-11-19T09:38:00.000Z

Very nice brassy, latin flavoured album from Roberto Delgado.

Excellent from start to finish, every track is great and well worth a listen.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Spanish Wedding

The Music And Feelings Of Brian Sharp (1976)

2011-11-11T20:13:00.000Z

This is a very good Easy album featuring a mix of 70s pop songs and standards, with splendid arrangements featuring organ and piano and a three-man rhythm section.

Favourite tracks include versions of The Hustle, Goin' Out Of My Head, Laughter In The Rain, Feelings, and the John Miles classic, Music; a song I have yet to find in this kind of arrangement.

I found this album recently in a local charity shop, it is in near-perfect condition, and signed by the man himself on the back!

A nice touch is the sleeve notes being written in Dutch, French, German, and English!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Laughter In The Rain

Organ Magic - Alan Haven (1969)

2011-11-05T12:55:00.002Z

A reissue on the Embassy label of the original CBS album, Haven For Sale, this is a very good organ album with fine arrangements by the great Keith Mansfield, mixing Alan Haven's organ playing with the sound of the full orchestra.

The repertoire is varied between 60s Easy pop covers such as Norwegian Wood and 1-2-3, with standards like Our Day Will Come, What The World Needs Now, and the track I offer as a preview, Love For Sale.

There is an interesting write-up on the rear of the sleeve, too!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Love For Sale

Knock Three Times And More - City Of Westminster String Band (1971)

2011-10-30T10:21:00.000Z

Another very nice album from John Schroeder and Lew Warburton, it features a mix of very smooth and loungey originals, and some more great Easy pop covers.

Highlights are originals such as Are We To Blame and Say One Word, with covers such as It's Too Late, You've Got A Friend, Oh You Pretty Things, and while the title track itself may be very cheesey, it is always fun and worth a listen!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Oh You Pretty Things

Love Me Tender - Alan Tew Orchestra (1977)

2011-10-24T16:16:00.000+01:00

Very nice collection of classic Presley songs in a mix of vocal and instrumental arrangements (mainly instrumental, though).

As is usual with all Alan Tew arrangements quality is top notch and the vinyl is in fine condition, although it seems with most copies of this album, the centre is slightly off, resulting in some slight sound issues which I hope do not spoil your (Easy) listening pleasure!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - It's Now Or Never

Abba Songbook - Alan Tew Orchestra (1977)

2011-10-24T14:13:00.002+01:00

#Repost#

Excellent collection of Abba's best early hits played by the Alan Tew Orchestra.

With inventive but faithful arrangements, you can tell that Alan was a fan of the Swedish superstars as he keeps much of what made the originals great, but puts in just enough of his own magic.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Mamma Mia

Hits Of The Seasons - The StereoAction Orchestra / Cyril Ornadel (1971)

2011-10-22T09:36:00.003+01:00

A quality Easy album featuring a fine selection of wide-ranging repertoire, each song, as the title suggests, being relevant to a particular time of the year.

The arrangements by Cyril Ornadel are up to their usual standard, the melodies changing instrument and moving from left to right with much regularity, ensuring that the listener is always finding great interest in the music they are listening to.

All the tracks are worth listening to, but my favourites are the versions of Mungo Jerry's In The Summertime, Cliff Richard's Summer Holiday, and great versions of Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Summer, Autumn Leaves and three Christmas staples in Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland, and Auld Lang Syne.

I hope you enjoy it and please, please leave a comment if you do!

Album Preview - Autumn Leaves

South Of The Border - Brazilia '70 & The Chico Lopez All-Stars (1970)

2011-10-08T10:05:00.000+01:00

#Repost#

This album, one of my personal favourites, appears to be a British library album given a release on the budget Deacon label in 1970.

The tracks, all originals, were written by Syd Dale, Lew Warburton, and Ray Davies, so I think you would agree a quality album should follow.

And you'd be right, a treat from start to finish, featuring upbeat brass-filled funky and loungey monsters like Trouble Spot, Viva Quatro and more, there is not a bad track on this album and I consider it one of the highlights of my collection.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Trouble Spot

Sixteen Small Screen Greats - Ronnie Hazlehurst & His Orchestra (1978)

2011-10-07T09:26:00.000+01:00

#Repost by request#

Terrific late 70s UK TV themes album from 'Mr BBC music' Ronnie Hazlehurst.

There are great runs through his own very funky Two Ronnies theme, Reggie Perrin, Happy Ever After, Some Mothers Do Ave Em and what sounds like an amazing library track in Eagle & Chips from Pro Am Golf.

When it sounds as good as this, it's a shame he didn't make many more albums. I expect it was because they kept him so busy at the BBC!

For a good listen or a stroll down UK tv memory lane, this comes recommended!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Eagle & Chips (Pro Am Golf)

The Brian Rogers Orchestra Plays The Melodies Of Gallagher & Lyle And Andy Fairweather-Low (1977)

2011-10-02T20:56:00.002+01:00

This album, a recent find, sees the arranger who worked on the originals of all the songs, re-arrange them into instrumentals for full orchestra; Fairweather-Low himself is in the musician credits playing guitar!

The album will appeal to fans of Easy pop generally, and to fans of the original artists, too.

It has a very smooth sound with emphasis on strings, guitar, and flute, and it includes versions of classics like Wide Eyed And Legless, Be Bop 'N' Holla and I Wanna Stay With You.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Wide Eyed And Legless

The Carnival Is Over - The Morningtown Strings [1970]

2011-09-24T12:46:00.000+01:00

A very nice album of songs originally by the 60s group, The Seekers.

The album was produced by one of the members of the group, which had split by the time this album was made, Bruce Woodley, who here, has come up with some inventive, yet faithful arrangements on some of these well known and not so well known Seekers songs.

The big hits are always good to hear in any arrangement, but songs like The Carnival Is Over, Georgy Girl, and World Of Our Own really do work in these light orchestral arrangements.

My highlight, however, is a song that was previously unknown to me, Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine, which in the arrangement it has been given, sounds like a top-class library / lounge instrumental, and will have you dancing round the room if you liked my compilation, Groovy!, posted some time ago, but still available at time of posting.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine

It's Party Time with Joe Loss And His Orchestra

2011-09-13T17:06:00.001+01:00

This is a kind of reissue of Joe Loss's top selling All-Time Party Hits album, with some additional tracks, and a couple left out for some reason.

Lots of fun, it is quite a good collection, featuring party classics like March Of The Mods, I Came I Saw I Conga'd, and The Stripper.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Sample - March Of The Mods

Birds 'N Brass Are Back (1974)

2011-09-03T11:49:00.001+01:00

If you enjoyed the posting of the first album by Birds 'N Brass, Soundsational, on Inflight Entertainment recently, then you will certainly enjoy this follow-up, like the first album it is a fabulous and rare album, and contains a mix of funky, loungy originals, such as Fritzy Baby, Sunspot, and Dizzy Lizzy, with fine versions of contemporary pop songs like Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, Beautiful Sunday, We've Only Just Begun and brilliant (and much comped) Theme From ''Shaft''.

A recent CD reissue was sadly lacking in tracks from this second album, and some tracks on it including Dizzy Lizzy were issued in strange alternative takes sounding little like the original. Why the reissue could not have simply included the two albums in full I have no idea, but here is a chance to hear the original album, in full.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Dizzy Lizzy

Exciting Sounds Of Tomorrow - The Pete Moore Orchestra (1970)

2011-09-01T19:31:00.001+01:00

#REPOSTED BY REQUEST#

Some fab Easy funk and pop here. Cat Walk has been on several comps, because it's a superb funky number. Take 8 is another Moore original in the same funky vein.

The rest of the tracks are a mix of superb Easy pop from the late 60s like Fool On The Hill, and smooth orchestral lounge like A Girl Is A Girl.

It is not to be missed and is reposted with Lemoncat's replacement rip at 320 kbps he so generously supplied when this album was originally posted, as mine was a little substandard but I had the sleeve in such good condition.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Route 66

The World Of Your Easy Listening Favourites - Various Artists (1975)

2011-08-30T17:24:00.000+01:00

All six great volumes of The World Of Easy Listening were posted recently on Inflight Entertainment, and this nice album, though not part of the series, is of a very similar type.

A varied repertoire, great arrangements, and vinyl in fine condition makes this one well worth a listen!

A lovely sleeve, too!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Sample -

Brand New Key (Arthur Greenslade & His Orchestra)

Nice 'N' Easy - Various Artists

2011-08-21T20:19:00.001+01:00

Well, there have been some fine compilations posted around lately, including the excellent World Of Easy Listening series on Inflight Entertainment, my own posts of the two Take It Easy albums, and here I offer this nice 'n' Easy comp from the classic Philips label.

Featuring a host of Easy stars such as Chaquito, Ray McVay, and Paul Mauriat, it is a fine sampler for the smooth Easy sound of the '70s, with a mixture of traditional Easy fare, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Lara's Theme, Love Story etc., and Easy pop tracks such as Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, Aquarius, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing.

My highlight, however, is the best version of In The Mood I have ever heard; the energy in the arrangement and playing really is something else!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Sample - In The Mood (Syd Lawrence Orchestra)

This Is... The Button Down Brass Featuring The ''Funky'' Trumpet Of Ray Davies (1970)

2011-08-11T19:51:00.000+01:00

Here we have a great album from the Welsh master of Easy Listening, Ray Davies, and his group, The Button Down Brass.

One of the last albums recorded for Fontana before switching to Pye, this is a wonderful mix of latin, funky, and smooth brass sounds with the occasional vocal thrown in.

The pop covers are top rate such as Cecilia, Here, There And Everywhere, and My Cherie Amour, the updates of traditional oldies such as Basin Street Blues, The More I See You, and a storming version of the classic, Tequila, the version which was featured some years ago on the classic compilation, Inflight Entertainment.

The album sample I include is the Ray Davies original, Saffron And Nutmeg, the highlight of any Ray Davies album being an original track!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Sampler - Safffron And Nutmeg

Witchi Tai To - John Schroeder (1971)

2011-08-01T14:34:00.003+01:00

#Repost#

This cracking album, a real rarity on LP, comes courtesy of this Japanese CD reissue, which could well be rare itself!

10 tracks from the original LP, plus 2 bonus tracks, Sweet Soul Talk and The Virgin Soldiers March, it is a treat from start to finish, taking in a version of the Beatles' classic, Back In The USSR, featuring vocals by Uriah Heep's David Byron, with great originals in Smooth Heat, Grow Your Own, A Picture Of You, and the briilliant The Bird Has Flown.

Please comment if you listen and enjoy, it shows me the effort is worth it!

Album Preview - The Bird Has Flown

Burning Bridges And Other Great Motion Picture Themes - Mike Curb Congregation [1970]

2011-07-16T12:41:00.001+01:00

A very nice vocal album featuring well-known and not so well-known movie songs from the late 60s and early 70s.

Highlights include fine versions of Let It Be, Sweet Gingerbread Man, Love Story and the excellent title track song from the movie Kelly's Heroes.

Well sung and well arranged, the album sounds great and is well worth a listen!

i hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Burning Bridges

Take It Easy Vol. II - Various Artists (1976)

2011-07-02T16:44:00.000+01:00

I've got the dates on these two albums right now thanks to my favourite German witch!

Here it is, Volume 2 of this fine collection of classic Easy Listening.

Many highlights including John Schroeder's version of The Good Word from Nationwide, Sad Sweet Dreamer by The Sweet Soul Orchestra, and my pick is Ron Savage's Spanish Green.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Spanish Green

Album Rip -

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7E9Y17YX

Take It Easy - Various Artists (1973)

2011-07-01T10:09:00.000+01:00

Take It Easy

Here is a very nice double album compilation fron all the Easy Listening big guns from the Early '70s, featuring James Last, Bert Kaempfert, John Barry, Norrie Paramor, John Schroeder, Max Greger, and many more!

A huge mixture of styles from Easy pop to Classical to Movie Soundtracks, it is well worth a listen, and at an hour and ten minutes long, worth the effort!

Album Preview - Bert Kaempfert - Stoney End

The beginning or the end?

2011-05-01T10:58:00.000+01:00

The recent problems other bloggers have had have now started to affect this blog.

Although I have been particularly careful not to post anything currently available, and taken down quickly anything I subsequently discovered to be so, that is still not good enough for someone, that someone I believe to be not from the music industry at all, but simply a trouble-maker, bent on a power trip.

I have not had any take-down notices, they have gone straight to Megaupload and had them delete the links, so my policy on reposts has had to change, else it would mean much more work for me, then for it to simply disappear, makes it a waste of time.

I have decided to continue with the blog, for now, but the first sign of any more links going and that will be it.

I have set up a forum board on GB's All New Corner (members only of course), to apply for membership please leave your email address in the comments on any blog post to make your request to join the forum (rest assured comment moderation is in place so your address will NOT be made public), I then send the addresses to Grumpy Boss, the founder of the All New Corner, he then decides who becomes a member.

I do hope to continue the blog too, but all these problems thrown at us do not make it easy, especially as the motives for running a blog such as this are for such unselfish reasons.

Take it easy everyone and hope to see you at the new place,

Mark

Non Stop Dance Party - The Exciting Sounds Of Chico Arnez [1974]

2011-04-10T13:28:00.004+01:00

MFP 50179

#Request#

By request is this fine album related to my previous posts of Sparkling Sounds and Non Stop Pepsi Party.

Containing a mix of vocal and instrumental tracks, I imagine it would have livened up any party in the 70s with its set of 70s pop songs (Resurrection Shuffle), 60s soul (Land Of A Thousand Dances, In The Midnight Hour), and party favourites (The Locomotion, Hava Nagila).

My pick though, is a nice version of Love's Theme, with flute, brass and voices being used instead of strings.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

ALBUM PREVIEW - LOVE'S THEME

Hammond On The Rocks - Various Artists [1971]

2011-03-13T12:07:00.003Z

Avenue NUE 137

Nice six track EP featuring Hammond and Sax.

It is worth hearing if only for the track Down By The Riverside, a traditional tune given a very funky upbeat treatment here.

The remaining tracks are good, but positively sedate compared to the featured track referred to above and previewed below.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Preview - Down By The Riverside

Hits Of The '20s - Raymonde's Magic Organ [1969]

2011-02-27T19:57:00.004Z

Deram SML 714

Here is a response to that fantastic post of Raymonde's '60s hits album over at Charity Shop Stuff.

I found this album at a charity shop in Hyde on Saturday, and it is a selection of songs from the '20s all arranged in classic '60s Easy style with some quality arrangements from Ivor Raymonde.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - My Blue Heaven

Hammond Gala - Klaus Wunderlich with Jerry Wilton & His Orchestra [1970]

2011-02-18T19:45:00.004Z

SLE 14613-P Ex

#REPOST#

This nice album is a mix of classical, pop and musical played by the organ master Klaus Wunderlich with full backing by Jerry Wilton & His Orchestra.

I do prefer Hammond records with a fuller backing, and if you do you will love this one!

There are terrific versions of Barry Ryan's 60s hit Eloise, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, Aquarius, Tico Tico and more!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do! It doesn't cost anything and it makes me realise that my efforts are appreciated!

Album Preview - I'll Never Fall In Love Again

Amor! - 25 All-Time Latin American Hits - Orquesta Laronda

2011-02-13T19:05:00.004Z

EMI Double Up DUO 103

This is a huge collection of the very best Latin music of the 20th Century, played here by Orquesta Laronda.

I have no idea if it was a real orchestra, or perhaps a British orchestra leader under an assumed name i.e. Manuel, Mandingo, or Chaquito etc.

What is on the album is as it says, 25 of the best Latin hits, well arranged in fairly traditional style.

I understand this album in quite rare, so I hope you take this chance to listen to this fine album, and please comment if you enjoy what you hear!

Album Preview - Frenesi

Dance Dance Dance - The World Ballroom Orchestra Directed By Alan Moorhouse [1967]

2011-02-12T12:09:00.002Z

Liberty LBS 83073E

If you have enjoyed my posts of Joe Loss' recordings, then you will certainly enjoy this, as it is by the man who arranged most of those classic Loss albums!

Made for dancing, but a great listen, too, it contains all the popular 60s ballroom dances, with highlights being a rare stereo version of Tango 65 (famous for being the flipside to March Of The Mods), Chiquita Cha Cha, Little Pepito, Walk In The Black Forest.

Sounding in excellent condition, I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - Chiquita Cha Cha

...Y Olé - James Last [1972]

2011-02-01T19:59:00.002Z

Polydor 24 37 116/117

A huge double album filled with Spanish and South American flavours!

A Spanish issue but with English writing, it is easy to deduce that this was marketed at British tourists as a souvenir of their holiday; the inside even comes with postcard-style photos of the resorts and sights of the Spanish Costas and cities, and the cover has a picture of Hansi himself dressed as a matador!

The tracks themselves [23 of!] hold few surprises really, but are still well worth a listen, featuring nice brassy runs though Granada, Brazil, Deliciado, La Bamba, Mexican Hat Dance, Patricia and Cherry Pink, but my favourite is the entertaining Valencia.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment!

Album Preview - Valencia

Great Film Themes Volume One - John Scott & His Orchestra [1973]

2011-01-30T13:26:00.004Z

Polydor / Cadbury CAD 1

A marvellous collection of movie soundtracks from a great arranger probably best known for his music library works than for many retail LPs, of which I think this may have been his only one.

I know that it is a reissue of his earlier album called Film Blockbusters, put out presumably as an offer by the Cadbury company on their chocolate bars, and a very tasty album it is, too!

A varied track list consisting of many of the biggest film hits of the early 70s, my picks are the often covered The Morning After from The Poseidon Adventure, and the seldom covered Blowin' Your Mind from Shaft's Big Score.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment!

Album Preview - Shaft's Big Score - Blowin' Your Mind

The Award Winners - Pete Moore & His Orchestra [1972]

2011-01-18T21:08:00.003Z

Rediffusion ZS 113

A very nice collection of movie soundtracks from the great Pete Moore.

Also including the theme from the 60s and 70s BBC sitcom, Steptoe And Son, which was also made into two films, so the collection could be said to be all movies!

Some marvellous arrangements complement the familiar material, and I recommend it for a nice and Easy listen!

Album Preview - Talk To The Animals

Ye Olde Moog - Synthesonic Sounds [1974]

2011-01-15T13:08:00.004Z

#REPOST#

Pye NSPL 41033

This fine LP from 1974 is the second by Synthesonic Sounds, a project by the great arranger and writer Mike Batt.

It features traditional British [and Irish] folk tunes played on the Moog synthesiser and wonderfully arranged by Mr. Batt humself.

Some of these have been included on some top easy compilations, so I hope you enjoy this, and that someone has the other Synthesonic Sounds album featuring movie themes, that they might post it sometime soon!

Album Preview - Danny Boy [Londonderry Air]

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

2011-01-14T11:22:00.002Z

Stereo Gold Award MER 317

#REPOST#

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!

Album Preview - Careless Love

Joe Loss' Pop Dance Party [1972]

2011-01-11T10:55:00.004Z

Columbia SCX 6529

#Repost#

A fine non-stop collection of Joe Loss's mix of pop and dance music.

The versions of Shaft & Popcorn are excellent, his version of The Stripper that so many people have on the Full Monty soundtrack CD originally appeared on this LP.

There are some nice medleys, too, Where Is The Love leading into I Don't Know How To Love Him being a great track.

Made for dancing but great for listening, too, it's all good clean fun!

I have ripped it as two non-stop medleys.

Enjoy!

Album Preview - Theme from Shaft

Your Favourite TV Themes - Geoff Love & His Orchestra [1973]

2011-01-09T12:49:00.004Z

#Repost with new rip at 192kbps#

MFP 50091

This is the follow-up album to the previously posted Geoff Love TV themes album, and I have to say that the quality is as high as it was on that one!

You have the same great mixture of theme styles, and different types of TV programmes, this time introducing a couple from US TV such as Ironside and Alias Smith And Jones.

My picks are fine versions of themes from Midweek, Nationwide, Black Beauty, World Of Sport, and a marvellous version of Tony Hatch's Memories Of Summer from the Love Story TV series.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Album Preview - Ironside [From A Man Called Ironside]

The Versatile Franck Pourcel [1968]

2011-01-08T12:51:00.010Z

TWO 261

Entertaining 60s album from the marvellous Franck Pourcel.

Some of these tracks have been included on later compliations, but it makes for a great listen as a whole, too.

Combining a few pop songs of the day such as the first three tracks on Side 1, with beautiful arrangements of classic standards such as Jealousy, Black Bottom, I Want To Be Happy, and La Cumparsita, it is certainly a treat for all lovers of Easy Listening.

I wanted to say how nice it is to see so many comments on my posts recently, please keep them coming as they, more than anything else ever could, really do keep the blog going.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Album Preview - Abacachi

Geoff Love & His Orchestra Play Your Top TV Themes [1972]

2011-01-02T20:49:00.005Z

MFP 5272

This LP is one of my all-time favourites; I was always borrowing my uncle's copy when I was younger, so it brings back many memories when I listen to it.

It is a great journey through the world of early 70s British television, highlights being great versions of themes from Hawaii Five-O, The Persuaders, Strange Report, Jason King, and a terrific version of Tony Hatch's theme from Crossroads.

Obviously it would be British listeners who would get the most from this, but I hope everyone else has a listen, enjoys it, and leaves a comment!

Album Preview - Hawaii Five-O

The Stereo Sounds Of... - Various Artists [1972]

2010-12-31T18:56:00.004Z

DJM Silverline DJSL 018

An Easy treat of a sampler LP mostly featuring Easy pop versions of some 60s and 70s classics.

Album Preview - Brown Sugar by Mike Batt Orchestra

Movie Themes - Main Themes From The Hit Movies - 101 Strings [1975]

2010-12-26T11:14:00.003Z

Alshire S-5324

Very nice album featuring versions of hit 70s movie themes, but as is usually the case with 101 strings, there are some great originals to hear too.

I hope you enjoy it and comment if you do!

Album Preview - Airport '75

Big Bond Movie Themes - Geoff Love & His Orchestra [1975]

2010-12-18T13:53:00.005Z

This may be familiar to many Easy fans but some may not be aware of the alternate sleeve picture featured here.

I understand that the threat of legal action from the Bond people forced MFP to use a shadowed version of the sleeve picture on future re-issues, but as the shadow version seems to be the rarer it could not have sold that many.

I have had a copy of the face version for some considerable time, but was lucky enough to find a copy of the shadow version in a local charity shop. I would love to know if anyone has any idea of the possible value of this apparently rarer version.

The tracks are as excellent as you would expect, just enough added and not too much taken away in the arrangements. Top class versions of Casino Royale, Man With the Golden Gun, and Live And Let Die would be my picks.

Album Preview - Casino Royale

Hawaiian Christmas - Wout Steenhuis and the Kontikis [1981]

2010-12-18T11:49:00.002Z

Warwick HXS 100

Here we have a very nice traditional Christmas album from the master of Hawaiian guitar.

Featuring 12 Christmas standards arranged in his mellow guitar style, it is very nice and Christmassy, and it well worth a listen if you have enjoyed the Tijuana Christmas album or my post of the Ron Goodwin Christmas album.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Yesterday's Dreams - Baker Street Philharmonic [1970]

2010-12-05T12:50:00.003Z

Summit SRA250.093

You must check out Spiral's great post of Baker Street Philharmonic's Je t'aime LP [link in favourites at time of writing], to compliment that here I offer this lovely Easy LP.

Featuring some nice scat vocals, organ, guitar, and strings, it has more than its share of smooth orchestral originals, is a great listen, and I recommend it strongly!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - The Last One

Non Stop Pepsi Party - Denny Wright & The Hustlers [1974]

2010-11-30T10:32:00.003Z

MFP 50098

After posting the Sparkling Sounds LP, and mentioning Denny Wright's Pepsi LP, I thought it might be good to rip and post that Pepsi LP, so here it is!

It was one of the first LPs I found when I first started looking round the charity shops, some years ago, but I have seen it again since, several times, the one ripped here being the one in the best condition.

It is around 54 minutes in length, and top quality from start to finish! Featuring the Shout About Pepsi track, as featured on the first Sound Gallery album, here it appears as part of a medley with Tequila and La Bamba.

Other highlights include fine versions of I Can See Clearly Now, Something, Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, very smooth sounding covers of Without You,Love Is Blue, and Sounds of Silence, with a nice rock 'n' roll medley to finish the album.

Every track is a winner, the album is one of my personal favourites, the track I post as preview, Roll Over Beethoven never fails to have me jiving round the room!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

ALBUM PREVIEW - ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN

Sparkling Sounds... Just the Way You Want To Hear Them [1974]

2010-11-28T16:44:00.005Z

MFP 50191

I found this album of vocal covers in one of my local charity shops, looked at the sleeve and found it was from Denny Wright and Anton Kwiatkowski, and bought it, hoping for something hopefully similar and as good as Wright's own Non-Stop Pepsi Party or Chico Arnez's Non-Stop Dance Party.

It turned out to be more like one from the Hot Hits collection or similar soundalike album. I must say it is very good though, and although the band and singers are trying to sound like the originals, there turns out to be more of their own personality to the sound than that!

It is well worth a listen, and so I hope you enjoy it and leave a comment!

ALBUM PREVIEW - YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE

This Is Max Greger [1969]

2010-11-23T21:09:00.004Z

Polydor 643 318

Nice sampler album from Polydor featuring the smooth, yet upbeat 60s beat sound of Max Greger.

Big on the brass, particularly sax, it is well worth a listen, the vinyl sounding especially clean!

I hope you enjoy it, and please comment if you do!

ALBUM PREVIEW - SAFARI TRUMPET

Top T.V. Themes - Various Artists [1969]

2010-11-21T14:00:00.007Z

Marble Arch MALS 1179

Here is a very nice compilation of 10 classic 60s TV themes, in super stereo sound!

I already had this LP in its much more common mono version, but I was very pleased to find this one in a local charity shop as I find stereo sound gives the listener much more satisfaction.

Many of the themes featured here are also featured on many modern theme compilations, usually from Castle Music, but this album features rare stereo versions of Tony Hatch's themes from Crossroads and The Champions, tracks which are always featured in mono on such compilations.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

ALBUM PREVIEW - THEME FROM ''CROSSROADS'' by THE TONY HATCH ORCHESTRA

Screen Action / Crime Busters - The Power Pack Orchestra [1986]

2010-11-20T19:25:00.003Z

Here, especially for darnall42, is a fantastic collection of 35 great 80s TV and film [but mostly TV] themes played by the Power Pack ''Orchestra'', mostly synth and drum machine again, but it must be said that it is very of its time.

There are 25 tracks on the original CD ''Screen Action'', but I also have an LP called ''Crime Busters'', which also contains some of the tracks from ''Screen Action'', so I have added the tracks that were not featured on that to this download.

Highlights aplenty, but I can't quite believe the way they did the ''Hart To Hart'' theme!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

I ripped this CD some time ago, and cannot find it at the moment to scan the covers from it, so I'm afraid this will have to do for now!

I'll be back soon with more classic Easy from the 60s and 70s!

Track List:

Superman
Miami Vice
Magnum
Hunter
The Professionals
Starsky And Hutch
Shoestring
Hawaii 5-0
Dempsey & Makepeace
Indiana Jones
TJ Hooker
James Bond
New Avengers
Rockford Files
Street Hawk
The Good The Bad & The Ugly
The A Team
Knight Rider
Crazy Like A Fox
Mike Hammer Theme
The Fall Guy
The Sweeney
The Chinese Detective
Highway Patrol
Airwolf
Cagney And Lacey
Scarecrow And Mrs. King
The Gentle Touch
Miss Marple
Remington Steele
Hart To Hart
Murder She Wrote
Juliet Bravo
The Bill [Overkill]
Z Cars

ALBUM PREVIEW - CAGNEY AND LACEY

Action

Essential Easy Listening - Various Artists [1991]

2010-11-07T13:50:00.004Z

This is a magnificent collection of classic Easy tracks by some of the finest Easy acts.

I understand it was originally released in the 70s as a double LP, but some weeks ago I found a CD issue from 1991 in the local Red Cross shop.

I'm sure you will love it!

ALBUM PREVIEW - DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES - REG TILSLEY ORCHESTRA

Essential

Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains [1960]

2010-11-06T15:13:00.005Z

#Repost#

The original link for this was deleted by Rapidshite, so here it is again, requested for repost by a very polite blog visitor, the debut LP from Manuel, from 1960.

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

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

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

ALBUM PREVIEW - MEXICAN HAT DANCE

Manuel

Portrait - David Rose & His Orchestra [1972]

2010-10-29T16:10:00.004+01:00

Here is a very interesting album on the collectable Circle Of Sound label from Polydor. It features the great David Rose, the British-born but American-based orchestra leader and film soundtrack writer.

Most likely recorded in London, it features nice versions of some very popular Early 70s favourites from the worlds of pop, film and TV, in addition to three Rose originals, Do You Love Me, I'm Lonely For You, and The Miracle, all of which are excellent, somewhat reminiscent of the Test Card-style lounge / background music style of the era.

His classic ''The Stripper'' is not on here, but there is a great version of the song from Cabaret in a VERY similar style to that.

The arrangements are light and smooth, but with plenty going on, with strings and brass sprinkled liberally throughout.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment if you do!

ALBUM PREVIEW - DO YOU LOVE ME

Portrait

Jankowskingsize - For Nightpeople Only - Choir Und Orchester Horst Jankowski [1970]

2010-10-24T10:36:00.003+01:00

Here we have another contribution sent to me by another fan of this blog!

Impressed by my posting of the English language version some time ago, a friend from abroad has sent me the German language version of the same album.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment!

Horst

Cinema 1 - Franck Pourcel Orchestra [1979]

2010-10-23T20:21:00.003+01:00

A monster collection of film soundtracks from the amazing Monsieur Pourcel.

Featuring 20 tracks from films famous and otherwise, it is a double LP, with all-new recordings on the first disc, and compiling the best movie tracks from his other albums on the second.

As it has been spread over 2 discs, sound quality is excellent, this copy has been kept well, and sounds great!

My highlights include terrific versions of music from Superman, Star Wars, Hair, Saturday Night Fever, and the French classic Emmanuelle!

I have more M. Pourcel coming soon!

I hope you enjoy this and please leave a comment if you do!

ALBUM PREVIEW - SUPERMAN - THEME PRINCIPAL DU FILM

Cinema

Hooked On Guitar - Starburst [1981]

2010-10-18T12:09:00.003+01:00

Not normally the type of thing I post, but after the great post at Charity Shop Stuff of a top album in a similar vein, Non-Stop Tijuana, I thought some people may like this one, a very rare South African MFP double LP consisting of medleys of all kinds of material, but mostly 60s instrumental hits.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

ALBUM PREVIEW - LET'S GO GUITAR [PART 3]

Guitar

Love Is Blue - Paul Mauriat [1968]

2010-10-12T22:31:00.006+01:00

I occasionally get sent contributions by friends from all over the world who enjoy my site, and have sometimes allowed their links into the comments, but now I feel that some of them have been so good, they could be posted on my site.

So, these are not my rips, but have been fully tried and tested by me, and have been found to be of the finest quality.

If there are any problems with any, please let me know, and if you have a contribution, I would love to hear from you!

This 1968 classic by Paul Mauriat is excellent for all fans of Easy Listening.

ALBUM PREVIEW - JE NE SUIS RIEN SANS TOI

Blue

Amour, danse, et violons No. 39 - Franck Pourcel [1972]

2010-10-11T20:59:00.006+01:00

This very nice French LP contains 12 great tracks from the fab Monsieur Pourcel.

All are smooth as silk as you can imagine, and all are well worth listening to; Day By Day, Jesahel, and Il Etait Une Fois... La Revolution are my picks of this.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

ALBUM PREVIEW - IL ETAIT UNE FOIS... LA REVOLUTION

Pourcel

Melodies, Moods & Memories Vol. 6 - Various Artists

2010-10-09T13:15:00.015+01:00

Moods

Here is the sixth, and not necessarily last volume of this fine Easy pop collection.

Concentrating on pop songs from the 70s and very early 80s, again performed by the very best instrumental Easy acts of the time, it is well worth a listen!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

ALBUM PREVIEW - THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL BY JOHNNY GREGORY

Late Night Sound Of Golden Hits - Cyril Stapleton [1966]

2010-10-08T11:24:00.011+01:00

I've had a copy of this album for some time, but it was the mono version which I was less than impressed with.

However, I was in the well-named ''Amazing'' charity shop in Ashton Under Lyne, and found this much more interesting stereo copy.

I checked the vinyl, and thought it was a little too scratched and dirty, but asked how much and decided that I would regret not buying.

When I got to it at home some time later, I cleaned it thoroughly, and it turns out I was wrong about the vinyl condition. It seems aside from one or two slight glitches it is in very good condition.

The album is a very nice selection of mid 60s pop songs, with a couple of originals, performed in a very laid-back 60s Easy style with the terrific arrangements by Kenny Woodman.

The notes on the rear of the album are well worth reading!

It is a great trip back to the swinging 'sixties and I hope you enjoy it and leave a comment!

ALBUM PREVIEW: BLUE STAR

Late Night

Melodies, Moods & Memories Vol. 5 - Various Artists

2010-09-23T11:06:00.005+01:00

Here is the fifth and penultimate volume of my Easy Listening collection.

Featuring some of the giants of the genre such as Manuel, Franck Pourcel, Bert Kaempfert, Ronnie Aldrich, Henry Mancini etc., performing some of the greatest hits of the 1970s.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

##A new feature of this blog will be to post a link to a sample mp3 of the track I consider to be the highlight of the album, a sample you will be able to play before downloading, to consider whether you want to listen to the whole album.##

The sample from this album is Rhinestone Cowboy by Bert Kaempfert.

Moods

Million Seller Soul Hits - 101 Strings [1972]

2010-09-18T20:18:00.002+01:00

Here, offered for your listening pleasure, is this nice LP featuring a real mixed bag of Easy Listening styles.

It features some great versions of some 60s soul classics such as You Can't Hurry Love and Where Did Our Love Go, but its highlights for me are the original A Taste Of Soul, which is a funky lounge pop stormer, with Baby Let's Smooth It Over, and Harlem Nocturne being worth a listen, too, as is the rest of the album!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Soul

The Very Best Of Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains [1976]

2010-09-11T19:28:00.005+01:00

Here we have an hour-long treat from the biggest-selling British Easy Listening orchestra.

Featuring versions of standards and pop hits alike, if you like Manuel you will know what to expect, and this LP is one of the best selections of Manuel material.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment if you do!

Mountain

Reminiscing - The Midnight Strings Orchestra Conducted By Syd Dale [1980]

2010-09-05T19:10:00.004+01:00

#Requested for repost#

Very nice collection of 70s pop tunes arranged in Easy orchestral style.

Native New Yorker would be my choice from the album, being a great piece of Easy Disco, but Too Much Too Little Too Late, We're All Alone, and Reminiscing are all nice 'n' smooth to the ear, too.

I hope you enjoy it, and comments and feedback are very welcome!

Midnight

They Sold A Million - The Young Generation [1973]

2010-09-03T21:08:00.002+01:00

#Reposted by request#

This is a very nice vocal Easy Listening album, mainly consisting of Early 70s pop songs in The Young Generation's easy vocal style.

Burning Love, I Can See Clearly Now and The Guitar Man are my picks from this album, and I can recommend it for your listening pleasure!

The arrangements from Alyn Ainsworth are top quality, and I was very pleased to find this one on my travels recently!

Generation

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

2010-09-01T21:41:00.002+01:00

#Reposted by request#

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

Moonglow - The New Reflections Orchestra [1987]

2010-08-31T19:54:00.002+01:00

A nice collection of melodies from the top session players of the '80s, many of the arrangements on here are quite standard, yet make very good listening!

The highlights for me are a kind of Disco Begin the Beguine, I Only Want To Be With You, an excellent version of the theme from Dallas, and more Disco with the Star Trek theme.

The rest is definitely worth a listen, I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment, it is your comments that keep the posts coming!

Moonglow

Golden Hour Presents The Alan Tew Orchestra - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life [1977]

2010-08-29T19:01:00.003+01:00

A real treat, originally in quadrophonic, this is an hour long mix of 70s pop songs, like I Won't Last A Day Without You, You Make Me Feel Brand New, and the title track, along with some fine versions of some Easy favourites, such as Spanish Eyes, Tequila, and a brilliant version of Duane Eddy's Because They're Young.

There is also what sounds like a cut from Tew's ''Hanged Man'' soundtrack, Gentle In The Night, sounding very funky and smooth.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Sunshine

Hits Of Europe - StereoAction Orchestra / Cyril Ornadel [1971]

2010-08-27T19:24:00.003+01:00

*Requested for repost by CAPPY*

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

Val Merrall's Big Sound At Butlin's [1973]

2010-08-27T12:40:00.002+01:00

This album is reposted by courteous request!

This is an LP I was so pleased to find!

A joy from start to finish, it is a mix of cheesey pop covers, but mostly it is the less well known groovers and funkers which are the best, such as Flash and Open House, both of which were on the excellent RPM compilation Gypsy Creams and Ginger Nuts.

There were two other Val Merrall albums, Butlins Favourites and G.I.'s Favourites, both of which were posted some time ago on Lemoncat's Grooves Of Delight, but this one is the best, and the vinyl is in near perfect condition, amazing considering it is 37 years old!

If you enjoy this you might like this LP from Jack Hawkins [Click Here], it is of a similar vocal and instrumental showband type.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Butlin's

Melodies, Moods & Memories Vol. 4 - Various Artists

2010-08-25T10:21:00.002+01:00

Presenting my fourth volume of this very special compilation.

Featuring songs from the 60s and 70s, performed by the best ever Easy acts, it is well worth a listen, and recommend as a highlight Bert Kaempfert's Put Your Hand In The Hand!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Moods4

Great Film Scores Of The 70's - Jack Parnell & His Orchestra [1974]

2010-08-10T11:47:00.006+01:00

As a tribute to the great musical director, arranger, conductor, and drummer, Jack Parnell, who has died just two days after his 87th birthday after a year-long battle with cancer, here I post a great movie soundtrack LP he made in 1974.

There is a fine tribute on Lounge Legends, detailing his life and career, so I won't replicate that here, but offer the chance to listen to this album, with its superb arrangements of 70s movie themes and songs.

Enter The Dragon is a big highlight, included as it was on the Sound Gallery Vol. 2 CD in 1996, but there are also great versions of the themes from Live And Let Die, Serpico, Papillion, The Way We Were, and so many more!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Jack Parnell R.I.P.

Music To Watch Birds By - The Bob Crewe Generation [1967]

2010-08-08T19:53:00.003+01:00

Here, reposted by popular request is this classic Easy LP by the Bob Crewe Generation, and

is a groovy trip back to the swinging sixties filled with brass, strings, and wonderful light 60s beat grooves.

The follow-up to the classic album Music To Watch Girls By, all 10 tracks are fantastic and I give this my highest rating!

Crewe

By George! - George Martin & His Orchestra [1968]

2010-08-05T21:09:00.003+01:00

Here, reposted by request, is one of my favourites, an essential Easy Listening album, consisting of some brilliant Beatles and other 60s pop covers, and the rest is excellent Easy, too.

I think this is one of the most rare albums I have posted to date, and sounds great aside from a few crackles near the start of each side.

This album has been ripped as Side 1 & 2 because there are some sound effects between the tracks.

I hope you enjoy this and please leave a comment!

George

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - The Alan Tew Orchestra [1978]

2010-08-03T21:52:00.005+01:00

After that marvellous post of Alan Tew at Vinyl Room, here is my latest post from one of the great Easy masters.

A definite disco feel run though much of the album, featuring film and tv soundtrack tunes, highlights being his re-recorded version of The Hanged Man, the always-good-to-hear Rockford Files, Star Wars, and the rarely covered Easy-style, Eve Of The War.

James Bond gets a look in, with the latest [at the time] theme from The Spy Who Loved Me, Nobody Does It Better, with a fine medley of Bond tunes concluding the set.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Close Encounters

Melodies, Moods & Memories Vol. 3 - Various Artists

2010-07-31T20:08:00.003+01:00

Here it is, the third volume of my Easy compilation!

This time containing classic songs from the 60s, played by the orchestras of Geoff Love and Manuel, Bert Kaempfert, Frank Chacksfield, George Martin, and many more.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Melodies3

Confessions Of A Pop Performer - Original Soundtrack [1975]

2010-07-25T19:30:00.004+01:00

Another very rare movie soundtrack album, again from 1975, but could not be from a more different film to Airport 1975.

Confessions Of A Pop Performer was the second in a short series of British sex comedies from the mid 1970s, which considering they were not especially hilarious or sexy, made it all the more curious that they were so successful.

This LP gathers all the songs performed by the pop group in the film, Kipper, which are OK if you enjoyed the film, the theme songs from this and the previous film, Confessions Of A Window Cleaner, and is interpolated with introductions and dialogue from Robin Askwith as the films' lead, Timmy Lea, but the undoubted highlights are the incidental music from Ed Welch, the best of them being See Though Jazz and Charlie Snowgarden, the latter being a five minute funky monster!

I have also included an mp3 not included on the LP, but that I found on the web, of Give Me England by The Wurzels, from the fourth film, Confessions From A Holiday Camp.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Timmy

Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Airport 1975 - John Cacavas

2010-07-20T21:10:00.003+01:00

I thought that it would be nice if I shared a few of the rare movie soundtrack albums I own.

This can be a very hard one to turn up, and will delight fans of 70s movie soundtracks and Easy Listening equally.

The music from the action scenes is OK as it goes, but this soundtrack comes into its own when it plays the light incidental music, such as you would expect to hear on an airliner during the 70s!

The lounge classic How Insensitive is included, as is two different versions of the much-covered main title theme; the very funky version on Side 2 is well worth a listen.

So come fly with me and enjoy this classic slice of 70s disaster movie soundtrack!

Airport 1975

Melodies, Moods & Memories Vol. 2 - Various Artists

2010-07-15T10:26:00.002+01:00

Thank you for all your kind comments on the first volume of this compilation! Your comments and the visitor counter really encourage me to continue to offer more for you to listen!

And so, here I offer you volume 2, featuring songs from the 50s and 60s performed by many classic Easy acts.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Moods 2

The Panoramic Sound of Lennon and McCartney - Cyril Stapleton, His Choir and Orchestra [1969]

2010-07-07T19:10:00.004+01:00

Sorry for the lack of regular posts recently, but I do have some real belters coming up, and more volumes of my Easy Listening compilation, Melodies, Moods & Memories.

Well, here it is, at long last! I've finally turned up a copy of this 1969 masterpiece!

I was first aware of some of the songs when I bought my very first Easy comp., Lounge De Luxe in 1999, then some more songs were included on Take It Easy: The Fab Four Go Loungecore, another great CD compilation this time from 2003. The inlay notes referred to this album, which then surprised me that it has never been reissued in its original form.

I then found a Stapleton LP called Love Is.. on the Marble Arch label, but this still left 3 or 4 tracks missing..

And so now here it is, an Easy treat from start to finish, it contains some inventive arrangements, a great group of singers a la Mike Sammes or Cliff Adams, a true trip back in time to the very groovy 60s!

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!!

Panoramic

Melodies, Moods & Memories Vol. 1 - Various Artists

2010-07-01T16:09:00.005+01:00

I had to share this fine collection of classic songs from the 50s to the very early 80s, all interpreted by the biggest names in Easy Listening, such as Mantovani, Manuel, Cyril Stapleton, Bert Kaempfert, Henry Mancini, and Franck Pourcel, to name but a few.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment!

Melodies 1

Your Favourite TV Themes - Jack Hawkins, His Orchestra & Singers [1974]

2010-06-20T20:25:00.003+01:00

Here is a very nice TV soundtrack LP, with very good and faithful arrangements.

My favourites include great versions of Eye Level from Van Der Valk, Hawaii Five-O, The Generation Game [with vocals], and an amazing version of the Theme from Shaft.

This recent buy from a local charity shop also appears to have been autographed by Jack Hawkins and his band, too!

Themes

These I Like - Alan Tew Orchestra [1971]

2010-06-08T16:04:00.006+01:00

The title of the magnificent Alan Tew album says it all really, every track is one I really like, indeed I would go so far as to say that this Tew album is even better than his 60s classic, This Is My Scene.

Every track is a terrific example of early 70s Easy Pop, but to pick out highlights, you could not possibly ignore his marvellous version of the Jackson 5's I Want You Back, and his takes on Lay Lady Lay, Yellow River, Nothing Rhymed, and Woodstock, but really there are no band tracks to skip on this one!

All that and sleeve notes from Les Reed, too!

Tew from Megaupload

The Nearness Of You - Charles Barlow & His Orchestra [1978]

2010-06-08T11:33:00.004+01:00

After listening to this great album of ballroom dance music, I would swear that it was by Joe Loss, as the arrangements are so similar!

My highlight is Chihuahua, a nice Bob Barratt instrumental I remember first hearing on Harry Stoneham's High Power Hammond on Studio 2 from 1970.

It's nice to hear in full now on this LP!

It's a good listen, and if you have enjoyed my posts of Joe Loss, Cyril Stapleton, and Ray McVay, you'll enjoy this one, too!

Nearness on Mediafire

Flash Back To 1930 - Franck Pourcel Big Orchestra [1974]

2010-06-04T10:18:00.006+01:00

A very nice and Easy album I was previously unaware of from the French lord of lounge.

12 classic oldies from 1930 here have been rearranged, and given Pourcel's 70s Easy / Lounge sound.

I hope you enjoy it and leave a comment!

1930

This Is Roberto Delgado [1970]

2010-05-15T10:25:00.003+01:00

Very nice 10 track sampler of Roberto Delgado's 60s work, featuring the latin sounds of Spanish Eyes, El Paloma, Rhumba Tamba, Taboo, and 6 other great tracks.

[From the sleeve notes]

''The heat of the tropical sun, the excitement of the carnival, all the fire of Latin America, this is the music of Roberto Delgado. Audiences in the sophisticated continental nightclubs have thrilled to the music of Roberto Delgado, many record buyers in this country have for long known the excitement of his records in fabulous stereo, now, to bring his music to a wider audience we bring you a selection of some of the best of Roberto Delgado so that you too may thrill to the magic of far-away nights in exotic places. Come, hear, be conquered by the scintillating sound of Roberto Delgado.''

Delgado from Mediafire

Organ Sounds In Super Stereo - Alan Hawkshaw Plays The Philicorda [1972]

2010-05-12T18:52:00.006+01:00

A nice & easy treat from the greatest British session organist.

Very rare and hard to find, this LP is a mixture of standards and 60s & 70s pop classics played by the Hawk along with his session legend friends Brian Bennett, Jim Lawless, Chris Spedding, Tony Carr and Danny Richmond.

Mariella is a Hawkshaw original and is a definite highlight, as are the versions of Spinning Wheel and My Cherie Amour.

There are also some great liner notes from the Hawk himself!

I hope you enjoy it!

Hawk from Megaupload

Hawk from Mediafire

Party Dances with Sydney Thompson [1968]

2010-05-01T13:08:00.006+01:00

This one, along with the All-Time Party hits LP by Joe Loss were the ones I used to listen to most at my grandmother's house when I was a small child.

I did have a copy of this, but it was in such poor condition I could not offer you a listen of it.

A typical party LP of its time, it sounds great, is still enjoyable to listen to, and I hope you enjoy it!

Party [Mediafire]

Party [Megaupload]