South Of The Border [Original recording remastered]

Product Description
1964’s South Of The Border peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts, and showed Herb’s magic touch on some of the era’s most popular hits. Covers of Jobim’s "The Girl From Ipanema" and The Beatles’ "All My Loving" were set alongside Spanish love songs.

Each album in the Herb Alpert Signature Series features meticulously remastered sound, deluxe packaging, detailed liner notes, and an intro by Herb Alpert containing personal recollections and anecdotes.

South Of The Border,Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass,Shout Factory,Instrumental Pop,Jazz,Jazz-Pop,Pop

Average customer rating: PASS THE TEQUILA! AND LISTEN TO THE BRASS! ONE OF MY FAVORITES Exquisite is THE WORD South Of The Border--a region full of bandits, dreamers, bohemians, dropouts, frat boys and men wanting fun South of the Border South of the Border

South Of The Border Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Manufacturer: Shout Factory ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Whipped Cream & Other Delights (40th Anniversary Edition) The Lonely Bull Going Places What Now My Love S.R.O. ASIN: B000771T1K Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

1. South Of The Border
2. The Girl From Ipanema
3. Hello, Dolly!
4. Ive Grown Accustomed To Her Face
5. Up Cherry Street
6. Mexican Shuffle
7. El Presidente
8. All My Loving
9. Angelito
10. Salmor y Dinero
11. Numero Cinco
12. AdiMi Coraz

Album Description

1964's South Of The Border peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts, and showed Herb's magic touch on some of the era's most popular hits. Covers of Jobim's "The Girl From Ipanema" and The Beatles' "All My Loving" were set alongside Spanish love songs.

Each album in the Herb Alpert Signature Series features meticulously remastered sound, deluxe packaging, detailed liner notes, and an intro by Herb Alpert containing personal recollections and anecdotes.

Customer Reviews:

PASS THE TEQUILA! AND LISTEN TO THE BRASS! ONE OF MY FAVORITES.......2007-07-12

I am repeating this story you are about to read as it gives an explanation of why I love this music so much! "South of the Border" has many of the songs on it used on the ride you are about to read about. It is one of my favorite Herb albums for that reason. That being said....Please read on.....I have fond memories of the music of Herb Alpert! I was introduced to him at an early age as my parents were fans of his records. I didn't hear much of him again until I was coming of age in Wildwood N.J. at the age of 15 when I used to party under the boardwalk with my friends and our girlfriends underneath Hunt's Pier's "El Scrambler" ride. The ride played Herb Alpert tunes non stop! I guess you could say I became a "Man" underneath that pier with my first love listening to the Tijuana Brass. Later in life in my 30's I was taking a break from playing in a band in the local bars,I became a DJ and I would mix Herb Alpert in my mixes and buy shots of Tequila for my fans! To this day when I play these songs at parties we all look for the Tequila bottle! This is a one of a kind sound and if I were stranded on a desert island with only a few albums, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass would be included in that collection! This is one of his best albums. I no longer own the original records so, I can not say if the new cd's are true to the originals. They sound fantastic to my ear!

Exquisite is THE WORD.......2007-04-17

Another reviewer calls South of the Border "Exquisite" and I have to heartily agree. I stumbled across this album a few years back when digging through my Grandma's old cabinet stereo. Now after getting a hold of it on CD, my memories have been stirred. El Presidente and Angelito are my favorite tracks-the music is rich and enchanting. I really love the presentation as well as imagery that this album in its entirety calls to mind. Excellent performance by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, would highly recommend!

South Of The Border--a region full of bandits, dreamers, bohemians, dropouts, frat boys and men wanting fun.......2007-04-03

South Of The Border remains one of best albums by Herb Alpert &The Tijuana Brass to this day. Alpert & The Tijuana Brass put out some great numbers on this mostly instrumental CD that cannot be ignored. You'll see why when you listen to this CD.

The CD opens with an energetic tune called "South Of The Border." The horns and percussion are played to perfection and the catchy melody leaves you wanting more. And more is exactly what you're going to get.

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass perform "The Girl From Ipanema" to perfection. The percussion, horns and drums all combine to give this number a 60's Latin beat that shines brightly like a golden nugget! I love that beautiful horn solo as the male chorus hums just a little bit in the background. "Hello, Dolly!" gets the royal treatment with a down to earth quality both at the same time; again, the horns and percussion carry the melody. However, the special treat is the Hispanic male chorus singing a verse of "Hello Dolly!" with their Spanish accents. I laughed with delight as I listened several times to this track--you'll love it just as much as I did. "Hello, Dolly!" charms the listener.

"I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" merges a classic Broadway show tune with the Spanish sounds of The Tijuana Brass and the result has a great deal of elegance. The percussion, drums and horn combine to turn out "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" very well; the slow tempo infuses the track with a certain extra special romantic flair.

"Mexican Shuffle" possessed yet another relentlessly happy and infectious beat; love those maracas! "El Presidente" has a superimposed sound clip of the crowds supposedly cheering their president; this is one of the few things about this CD I don't like. Fortunately it is a minor disappointment.

"All My Loving" shows yet again that these great artists were not afraid to do a cover of a great musical ballad; they perform The Beatles' "All My Loving" to perfection. The CD ends with "Adiós, Mi Corazón;" this romantic and melancholy ballad is performed without a single superfluous note. Great!

The liner notes include great photos of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass; and there are essays by Herb Alpert and Josh Kun. You get the song credits, too.

Fans of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass will consider this to be a "must have" for their collections; and people who enjoy easy listening and Latin music from the 1960s will enjoy this CD, too.

¡Olé!

South of the Border.......2007-02-14

After a slightly dissapointing album, Herb Alpert was back on the charts with this album. During the sessions for this album, the song Mexican Shuffle, was picked up and used for a tv gum commercial. This put Alpert's sound back on the map.
At this time, Lonely Bull was his only other hit, and people thought the sound of the Brass was over. Mexican Shuffle is featured on this album. It is the only hit here, but the rest of the album is very good. For the first time, Alpert demonstrates his knack for arranging, taking a completely left turn on Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic Girl From Ipanema, and The Beatles' All My Loving. Overall, the mexican feel is still evident in this album, perhaps the last album that would showcase this.
This is an enjoyable album from start to finish!

South of the Border.......2006-09-24

Brought back wonderful, funny memories. Loved it then, love it now!!!

Average customer rating: Not the best. What a magnificent Heritage A Review Heritage, The Irish Tenors Tattered Tenors

Heritage Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sacred We Three Kings The Very Best of The Irish Tenors Ellis Island Live in Belfast ASIN: B0001FVEVI Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

1. The Harp That Once
2. Red is the Rose
3. Off to Philadelphia
4. Golden Jubilee
5. Little Brigid Flynn
6. Fields of Athenry
7. I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
8. My Heart Will Go On
9. The West's Awake
10. Danny Boy
11. Song for Ireland
12. Dublin Medley (Dublin Can Be Heaven/Rocky Road to Dublin)
13. South of the Border
14. Whiskey in the Jar
15. The Parting Glass
16. God Bless America

Customer Reviews:

Not the best........2005-03-02

I bought this CD with high hopes. I absolutely loved the first one, the one recorded live. This one was a disappointment though. The guys songs are good and their voices are in good form but it was missing something...feeling, I guess. The live concert version can make me cry and laugh it's so sung with feeling, but this is just singing. I just felt it lacked feeling. I guess that's why I was disappointed with it.

What a magnificent Heritage.......2005-01-22

I highly recommend this album to all fans of Irish music. This is the last album with Ronan as a memember and it is one of their best. Ronan's "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" is wonderful, so too is Finbarr's "South of the Border". The theme from the Titanic "My Heart Will Go On" is the best version since Celine Dione's. My favorite track is Anthony's "The West's Awake" . One point to note is that this group is one of the few out there who can perform live with an equally good recorded sound. Having listened to them at Meadowbrook NH the night of Ronan's farewell I can assure you that live or recorded they have a fantastic sound. I highly recommend this CD to all fans of Irish music.

Isaac Chute

A Review .......2004-10-30

I have never really been a fan of Traditional Irish Music and had never even HEARD of the Irish Tenors....That is until a friend of mine introduced me to the recording of "Live In Belfast" Instantly, I was hooked. I have become addicted to a lot of these songs. Especially the goofier ones they sing. like "Phil the Fluther" and "Courtin in the Kitchen" When Heritage was released I was estatic....As I had loved all the songs they had released before. Even though they recycled some of their songs. I loved the way they re recorded "Red Is The Rose" with Finbar in place of John and also "Fields Of Athenry" I Found this version to be better than the other one. I found it really bizare that they would sing "My Heart Will Go On" as that is not an Irish Song...Ireland was where the Titanic sank. but still. I really enjoyed listening to it. "South of the Boarder" and "Golden Jubilee" along with "Little Brigid Flynn" were quite entertainingly cute. I really enjoyed Anthony's "The West's Awake" and "The Parting Glass" and "The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls" I would, too also love to see Anthony put out a solo album.

Heritage, The Irish Tenors.......2004-09-30

This is another delightful effort by Anthony, Finbar and Ronan.
My favorite songs were "Off to Philadephia" (Anthony) and "My Heart Will Go On" (Finbar). I didn't even mind the repetition of some songs heard on past CDs - but wondered about it, until I learned of the departure of Ronan Tynan. I am curious to see the kind of arrangements they have included on their new CD, due to come out later this year, which they made upon the return of John McDermott. John is a Canadian of Celtic descent, whose voice, though pleasant in a folksy way, does not seem to blend as well with Anthony and Finbar as did Ronan's trained vocals. I would be very pleased to see Anthony make a solo CD, including such ballads as (my all-time favorite) Bantry Bay and some of the wonderfully playful Irish ditties he sometimes performs at his solo concerts.

Tattered Tenors.......2004-08-20

When the Irish Tenors burst upon the public scene not too many years ago, they were heralded as a refreshing change in the sea of musical mediocrity. The original trio of McDermott, Kearns and Tynan thrilled us with their exuberance and vocal virtuosity and frankly, I miss that. (Please note: since I originally wrote this review the threesome has changed to McDermott, Kearns and Wright with Tynan having left the group).

As one of their latest efforts, "Heritage" is an "okay" album, but it certainly lacks the freshness and fun of the Irish Tenors' earlier efforts. Of course, there are notable exceptions such as Kearns' roguish "Off to Philadelphia", the sprightly "Golden Jubilee" and the beautiful "The West's Awake" solo by Kearns. Wright's "Little Brigid Flynn" is downright fun but his "South of the Border" is oddly out of place. With too many recycled songs and a little too little Anthony Kearns, I personally found "Heritage" to be the weakest effort in the generally stellar Irish Tenors' discography.

Average customer rating: Great stuff! Wonderful arrangements of music from all over the world. Beautiful collection of Music

Fiesta! Erich Kunzel , and Cincinnati Pops Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sailing Down on the Farm Happy Trails Classics of the Silver Screen From the Heart ASIN: B000003CWL Release Date: 1990-10-10

Tracks:

1. Tico Tico No Fuba
2. Granada
3. La Virgen De La Macarena
4. Espana Cani
5. Estrellita
6. El Carretero
7. El Cumbanchero
8. Brazil
9. Carioca
10. The Girl From Ipanema
11. South Of The Border
12. Sweet And Gentle
13. Tequila
14. Lambada
15. Siboney
16. Desafinado
17. Besame Mucho
18. Chiquita Banana Song
19. Mexican Hat Dance
20. Cielito Lindo
21. Copacabana

Customer Reviews:

Great stuff!.......2002-10-24

Erich kunzel has recorded a wonderfully exhilerating item this time! Wonderfully exhuberant is mild compared to the lively playing Kunzel always gets from this great orchestra! Arrangements are mostly by Tommy Newsome who knows how to write charts of varying degrees of excellence, particularly the winsome "Girl from Ipanema" which compliments the lyrics endless reflections on a beautiful, bikini-clad young woman. "Sweet and Gentle" is a saucy number while Eric Knight, the only arranger to get the Boston Pops under Fiedler to swing to new heights, contributes an unforgettably boisterous account of "Lambada." The sound is full of punch and contrast. And Doc Severinsen plays in "Virgen" a marvelous soloistic stratospheric account. My advice is to buy this immediately. It's one hot album!

Wonderful arrangements of music from all over the world........2001-10-26

Telarc and Eric Kunzel never fail to amaze at the quality of their selections.

Even tough some of the arrangements here have a little too much
fanfare at the start they are still great to listen to.

Most of these melodies you have heard them at least once in you life. And they are reproduced here with the Kunzel magic.

Beautiful collection of Music.......2001-10-26

A Beautiful collection of music from all over the world.
(latin world that is)

I little grandiose on some selections (that's kunzel) but GREAT nonetheless.

Average customer rating: You need to buy this record! ground breaking work by Bird and Machito Blistering Bird to a smooth latin beat! Latin Charlie

South of the Border: The Verve Latin-Jazz Sides Charlie Parker Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods Afro Charlie Parker Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes Charlie Parker: A Studio Chronicle 1940-1948 ASIN: B000001EF6 Release Date: 1995-07-25

Tracks:

1. Mango Mangue
2. Okiedoke
3. No Noise (Parts 1 And 2)
4. My Little Suede Shoes
5. Un Poquito De Tu Amor
6. Why Do I Love You?
7. Tico-Tico
8. Fiesta
9. La Cucuracha
10. Mama Inez
11. Estrellita
12. La Paloma
13. Begin The Beguine
14. Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite

Customer Reviews:

You need to buy this record!.......2003-04-16

Charlie Parker at the peak of his powers in the setting of an Afro-Cuban big band. The arrangements are great and Bird sounds totaly inspired! Such a deal!
Listen to Parker and Flip Phillips trading fours in the "Jazz" section of Chico O'Farrel's "Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite"! Good Lord!!!
This is but one more piece of evidence that Charlie Parker was the greatest musical mind of the twentieth century. The only musician I can think of who approaches him in terms of imagination is Mozart. By my calculations those two guys should have a peer born into the world somewhere around the year 2084.
Don't wait. Check this out now!

ground breaking work by Bird and Machito.......2002-01-29

The longer cuts on this album are Parker playing the lead with Machito's orchestra. The remaining tracks are Bird playing with small groups in a Latin groove. The tracks with Machito are fantastic. One wishes he had done more stuff like that. The small group stuff is not as exciting or inovative, but still very enjoyable.

Blistering Bird to a smooth latin beat!.......2001-03-04

Catchy tunes accentuated with Charlie's soulfulness and emotional drive! One of my instant favorites!

Latin Charlie.......2000-09-19

THis is a great place to hear Bird in a not-so-bop atmosphere. Although the groove is unmistakably Latin, driven by the rhythms of the legendary Machito, among others, Parker's style really doesn't change much. Instead, he states the theme, and then goes at it with his usual high octane pace.

"Mango Mangue," Tico Tico," and "Okiedoke" are flat out great tunes.

Parker and Co. really get to stretch out on the 17 minute "Afro Cuban Dance Suite."

All of the tunes are inventive and original. Includes a cool version of the standard "La Cucaracha."

Average customer rating: Latin music at its most enchanting

Fire & Frenzy / South of the Border Caterina Valente , and Edmundo Ros Manufacturer: Vocalion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000NK9I3C

Product Description

Two albums by Caterina Valente, originally released in 1960 and 1963, now digitally remastered on one CD! 24 tracks total: Fire & Frenzy: with Edmundo Ros & His Orchestra 1. Saudades Da Bahia 2. Fale Baixinho 3. Felicidade Infeliz 4. Estrellita Del Sur 5. Misirlou 6. Frenesi 7. Ba 8. Recado 9. Contiga En La Distancia 10. Baiao 11. Canto Karabali (Jungle Drums) 12. Adios South of the Border: with Werner Muller & His Orchestra 13. La Malaguena 14. En El Mar 15. Ay... Chabela 16. Cu-Cu-Rru-Cu-Cu 17. Nunca, Nunca, Nunca 18. La Hiedra 19. La Flor De La Canela 20. Cachito 21. Oracion Caribe 22. La Cigarra 23. Franqueza 24. Donde Estas Corazon

Customer Reviews:

Latin music at its most enchanting.......2007-06-16

I own the original records, including three copies of "Fire & Frenzy". I have not been able to purchase the CD yet. "Fire and Frenzy" is certainly one of the most enchanting records ever in this reviewer's opinion. Valente's vocals are simply delightful, and the scatting between Ros and Valente on "Saudades Da Bahia" is sheer playfulness. Obviously, both performers, Ros as a Latin bandleader, and Valente the first truly international star who could sing in six languages, had a strong affinity for the melodies and rhythms of Latin America. On this record most of the standards are from Brazil. I discovered Latin music when I started ballroom dancing, and while the record is more for listening than dancing, it perfectly captures the romance, breezy air, and playfulness of Latin music, coupled with the usual strong melodies and intricate rhythms. So it was worth waiting all these years to have this material finally released on CD. "Fire & Frenzy", indeed.

Average customer rating: The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett Gotta agree fulheartedly with other comments Everyone please buy all you can from this artist.

50 Guitars Go South of the Border, Vol. 2 The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett Manufacturer: RKO / Unique ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: 50 Guitars Go South of the Border, Vol. 1 The Best of the 50 Guitars ASIN: B00000I5FO Release Date: 1998-12-15

Tracks:

1. El Rancho Grande
2. Estrellita
3. Vaya Con Dios
4. Cielito Lindo
5. Fantasia Mexicana
6. Magic Is The Moonlight
7. Mexican Hat Dance
8. Amor
9. Mexicali Rose
10. Malaguena
11. La Paloma
12. Untitiled

Customer Reviews:

The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett.......2001-12-02

I agree with the other reviewers. Been trying to find Tommy Garretts stuff for a long time.It is like he simply dropped out of existence for awhile. I have many of his LP's. Would like to see "Border Bandido" album become available, as well as others.
GREAT MUSIC,ONE OF A KIND!!!! (...)

Gotta agree fulheartedly with other comments.......2000-08-11

Yep-this is a dream come true! I have EVERYONE of Snuff's 50 Guitars LP's and wore them right thru the grooves! Now, we are finally blessed with his superb, dreamy arrangements on CD. Come-on, keep reissuing each and everyone on CD. This music really blew my mind back in the early 60's - MAN, it's still FRESH sounding TODAY! YeeeHaaaa!

Everyone please buy all you can from this artist........1999-07-17

There is a God. Finally we have some Snuff Garrett. His music is beyond the elevator dreams. I have called his music the "soundtrack of my life" for nearly 2 decades. If you ever buy on an urge do so now. If you decide you don't like it I'll buy it from you and give it to a freind.Buy it. Buy it. Buy it. Create a demand for more of his dozens of albums not yet released on CD. They wouldn't let me add another star.

Average customer rating:

South of the Border: Great Latin Hits Various Artists Manufacturer: Essential Gold ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mexico | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tumbling Tumbleweeds: Essential Gold ASIN: B000I5XEDM Release Date: 2005-09-13

Average customer rating: A splendid duo Mel Torme and Billy May Swing Hard South of the Border VERY BADLY RECORDED! Great Singing and Arranging, Weaker Material MUCHO MEL and MAY!

Olé Tormé: Mel Tormé Goes South of the Border with Billy May Mel Tormé & Billy May Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Swing Around Rosie In a Soulful Mood Paris When It Sizzles/Great Music Great Films Great Sounds Cugi's Cocktails Mel Tormé, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass ASIN: B0000631DC Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

1. At The Crossroads (Malaguena)
2. Frenesi
3. Adios
4. Baia
5. Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga
6. Rosita
7. South Of The Border
8. Nina
9. Cuban Love Song
10. Perfidia
11. The Rhumba Jumps
12. Vaya Con Dios

Customer Reviews:

A splendid duo.......2005-07-09

This is the joyful music of two of the great popular musicians of the 20th century. May's keen sense of humor is seen in virtually every cut, and does that band swing! Torme was at the peak of his powers and seems, quite naturally, to be enjoying himself. This is a five star album.

By the way, the one critic who claimed of disc noise must have simply received a dud. My copy was flawless.

Mel Torme and Billy May Swing Hard South of the Border.......2005-07-02

Well, what can we really say? South of Border is recorded in a manner that it should have been recorded which everyone else messed up. It swings, loud, hard, and fast! "At The Crossroads" will blow you away, nuff said. "Vaya Con Dios" builds and builds to the point where you think Mel may just blow his voice because he is going for it at 110%!! Buy this album, a classic!

VERY BADLY RECORDED!.......2003-03-08

There's so much hissing sound I donno how the record label can claim it's digitally restored. What an insult to digital technology. Singing is good but the LOUD HISSING throughout the album is absolutely unacceptable!

Great Singing and Arranging, Weaker Material.......2002-06-14

How wrong can you go with two artists as great as Mel Tormé and Billy May? Considering the talent involved, you know the record will at least be worth hearing--and OLE TORME certainly is.

Unfortunately, I don't think the songs themselves stack up to those on Tormé's other great albums from the late 50s and early 60s (LULU'S BACK IN TOWN, MEL TORME SINGS FRED ASTAIRE, MEL TORME SWINGS SCHUBERT ALLEY, SWINGIN' ON THE MOON and the recently reissued Atlantic two-in-one disc, COMIN' HOME BABY/MEL TORME SINGS "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK"). In my personal opinion,OLE TORME has a certain glibness and novelty about it that cheapens the whole experience.

If you ask me, Tormé's best album recorded for Verve is the out-of-print classic I DIG THE DUKE, I DIG THE COUNT (later retitled MEL TORME SINGS THE DUKE ELLINGTON AND COUNT BASIE SONGBOOKS--perhaps in response to the success of Verve's Ella Fitzgerald songbook series). I wish Verve would hurry up and put out a lovingly restored version of that album instead.

MUCHO MEL and MAY!.......2002-06-01

Long out of print, this jaunt through the wonderful world of Latin music with the immortal Mel Torme and arranger/conductor extraordinaire Billy May will be a very welcome addition to your collection. This Verve gem has been in the vaults far too long, and one would have thought with the Latin craze in music sparked a few years ago, it would have been re-released at that time. Happily, here it is, and in special LP style packaging from Verve. While it borders on commercial, one need only recall that it IS Mel Torme singing and swinging here, abetted 'en largo' by Billy May. May was one of the greatest bandleaders of all time and worked with the best of 'em from Sinatra to Cole and everywhere in between. Special mention must be made of May's charts here; he was particularly imaginative in his scoring these songs for Mel, and "sombreros off" to Mel also, his singing is probably the best I can remember on record (strange thing; Mel wasn't particularly fond of his Verve sides, although he did name this album as a good one in his memoirs) Right off, May's pseudo-rock/be-bop into to "AT THE CROSSROADS" (Malaguena) eases us into the album, with Mel flying through the english lyrics for this Spanish classic, and the wild chart forces Mel to hit some extra high notes at the end. "FRENESI", a fine Spanish standard, was covered by EVERYONE when it first came to town (Eydie Gorme's version is great) and this version by Mel and Billy will hearken one to Mel's version (and one of his theme songs) of "Blue Moon", with the clever key changes to tag the ending. "BAIA", a sweeping tune whether sung or instrumentally conveyed, comes across like waves on an ocean shore. Billy May's chart swings a little bit more than the usual reading of this song calls for, but Mel never misses a beat. A newer favorite of mine, the commercial-sounding but still clever "SIX LESSONS FROM MADAME LA ZONGA" is a Broadway-ish type tune with fun lyrics. Billy and Mel really have a ball with the predictable inclusion of "SOUTH OF THE BORDER", including a special lyric across the bridge that evokes a smile and a great ending. The story of a swingin' group that got thrown off a sloop in San' Domingo is conveyed in THE RHUMBA JUMPS, and although May's chosen tempo is not that of a Rhumba, the idea comes across, again a very cleverly written lyric delivered by Mel as only he could do. But perhaps the best of this latin lounge music outing by two of music's best friends is the (normally) poignant "VAYA CON DIOS". Mel takes the first half of it slightly swinging, while May's usually brash horns section lays off the pace, but by the end of the first chorus, May lets go of the reins and we swing our way through to the end.
Excellent closer of a great album. I agree with the gripe of my fellow reviewer that no additional liner notes are included; but Universal Music (Verve) wanted these re-releases to be exactly the way they were when released as LPs. There are several other long awaited releases in this series; nice to see Universal Music (who owns Verve and had alienated many buyers due to lack of re-release of out-of-print material such as this)finally coming across! SIMPLAMENTE MAGNIFICO!

Average customer rating:

Heartache: An Anthology of English Viola Music Manufacturer: Guild ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Viola | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Portrait of the Viola ASIN: B0001PIZII Release Date: 2005-01-17

Average customer rating: Unexpected!

Russian Lullaby: 14 Selections for Clarinet Manufacturer: Russian Compact Disc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music ASIN: B000004AS5 Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Moon Over Bourbon Street
2. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
3. St. James Infirmary Blues
4. Stompin' At The Savoy
5. Stars Fall On Alabama
6. South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)
7. Ain't Misbehavin'
8. Joyce Samba
9. The Preacher
10. Emily
11. No More Blues
12. Lullaby Of Birdland
13. Quintessence
14. Russian Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected!.......2001-09-01

I took a chance and bought this album. What a welcome suprise! Don't let the cover fool you, this is a collection of outstanding and heartfelt jazz. From upbeat New Orleans style, to the soulful strains of the blues, this is a full plate of clarinet-led quartet gold. What a tone! What a glissado!
What music!
I'm not an audiophile, so I won't discuss the technical merits of this album, but it sounds great to me!

Pop Music:

1. Speak No Evil [Original recording remastered]
2. Stan Getz & The Oscar Peterson Trio: The Silver Collection
3. Sunday at the Village Vanguard (20 Bit Mastering) [Original recording remastered]
4. Temptation
5. That's What I Say: John Scofield Plays the Music of Ray Charles
6. The Beat of the Brass [Original recording remastered]
7. The Best of Django Reinhardt
8. The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 [Box set] [Original recording remastered]
9. The City
10. The Complete Library of Congress Recordings [Box set] [Enhanced] [Original recording remastered]

Pop Music