1970s

Country Giants Vol. 3, Skeeter Davis, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner all come in with fine country songs and there's a memorable duet by Dottie West and Don Gibson

Country Giants Vol. 3

Country Giants. Giants of Country Music. But that’s enough about the cover. I’m no country music expert but I suspect this selection wasn’t taken from the premier league of country hits.

Sleeve notes

The world of country music has provided that wider world of show business with some great performers; names like Jim Reeves, Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer immediately spring to mind as people who have enhanced overall the music industry. But these names, like the others on this album, are basically country music artists and their enthusiasm and love for this music that is so indigenous to America but has yet spread its appeal to most western countries keeps them leaders in the field.

On this album you’ll hear the legendary Jim Reeves performing two songs, one of which is that great favourite “Scarlet Ribbons”. And you’ll hear Floyd Cramer giving very different treatment to “Release Me”, the song that gave Engelbert his big break. Skeeter Davis, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner all come in with fine country songs and there’s a memorable duet by Dottie West and Don Gibson.

Most of these artists have been delighting country music audiences in America for many years now and over the past few years a steady stream have made their way to London for appearances at theatres and festivals throughout Britain. Both in their music and in their background they reflect all that is best and enduring in country music. Some of the songs they write and perform may become hits, not only for their originators but for other artists, but what remains essentially the same is a spirit that comes into every country song and makes it a vital part of today’s musical scene.

Country music fans will know just what we mean.

Country Giants Vol. 3 Skeeter Davis, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner all come in with fine country songs and there's a memorable duet by Dottie West and Don Gibson

Label: Camden 1119

1975 1970s Covers

Jimmy McGriff - Electric Funk

Jimmy McGriff – Electric Funk

Sleeve Notes:

As old precepts and concepts about music come tumblin’ down as in the days when Joshua was doing his thing, a whole new spectrum of musical integration seems to be emerging from the dogmatic rubble. Take jazz, as it used to relate to the organ. At one time the organ was considered a dirty word among people who manufactured public opinion about “what was, or was not acceptable in a jazz combo, band or orchestra.” It was strictly a tool for rock and roll musicians to create a less than pure atmosphere of frenzy for a bunch of wildly undulating teeny-boppers. “Critics” are always right, aren’t they?

Now all this has changed drastically. For starters, rock has finally taken its rightful place among the genuine forms of music that have developed and evolved in our culture. Its roots have been traced further back than most people who are alive today can remember. It can be perceived in blues, gospel, folk music and, with increasing effectiveness, jazz. In addition, almost every instrument used in the current presentation or in the overall development of this mode of expression is considered “Acceptable” if it enhances the desired projection of a style or mood. Further, the gap between jazz and rock has been bridged to such an extent that they both can be found interwoven in the repertoire of many of the top record sellers of our day.

All of this prelude now brings us to Jimmy McGriff, one of the finest organists (jazz, rock or otherwise) in the vast community of modern musicians. For the last few years, his albums have been persistent testimony to individualism. His protean ability and nonrestricted approach to everything his musical taste favors have made it impossible to fit him within the boundaries of one category. He originates and then develops and in doing so presents a total picture of himself.

“Electric Funk” is the latest in the constantly evolving story of Jimmy McGriff. It’s a complete experience of thought and ability. Although the title connotes a purely upbeat rendering, “Funk” offers a mixture of tempo and feeling and in two cuts “Spear For Moon Dog” (Parts I & II) McGriff shows a great deal of musical compassion (Moon Dog is a blind man who can be found almost any day in New York City’s mid-town area dressed as a Viking and carrying a spear. He never begs money, he just listens to the world around him).

As previously stated, things have changed and the talent and incisiveness of one James Harrill McGriff stands out as one of the most convincing tributes to progress.
JEFF SMERIN (original liner notes)

Jimmy McGriff - Electric Funk

Listen to an organ with more funk than a funk filled arena on National Funk Day…

Label: Blue Note Records BST 84350

Art Production: Frank Gauna
Photography: Steve Wasserman
Redesign by Patrick Roques

1970 1970s Covers

Living Brass and Living Marimbas - The Music of Herb Alpert. Here then is the music of Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass interpreted by the Living Brass and Living Marimbas. It defies analysis. Enjoy it. That's what music is all about anyway.

Living Brass and Living Marimbas – The Music of Herb Alpert

Sleeve notes:

The Music of Herb Alpert – Simple, Melodious, Infectious

People like music that’s fun. They want something to sing in the shower and whistle on the street. Herb Alpert is the man who gave it to them by using two trumpets playing in parallel thirds and sixths over a strong steady beat. What critic Morgan Ames calls “modern ragtime.” The music is simple, melodious, infectious.

Since this is what people wanted to hear, the TJB sound was picked up by everyone in the business and was incorporated into every kind of music. Composer Johnny Mandel utilized it for his film score “Harper” and arranger Pat Williams incorporated it into two big-band albums. Even television was improved: Detergent commercials became less irritating when accompanied by a swinging, lilting sound.

The popular sound of the Living Brass and Living Marimbas lends itself ideally to this type of music. In this collection you’ll find many of Herb Alpert’s biggest hits, including such favorites as This Guy’s in Love with You, What Now My Love and A Taste of Honey.

Here then is the music of Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass interpreted by the Living Brass and Living Marimbas. It defies analysis. Enjoy it. That’s what music is all about anyway.

Living Brass and Living Marimbas - The Music of Herb Alpert. Here then is the music of Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass interpreted by the Living Brass and Living Marimbas. It defies analysis. Enjoy it. That's what music is all about anyway.

Label: Camden CDS 1058

1970 1970s Covers

Vacaciones en Mallorca - Various Artists - Holidays in Majorca

Vacaciones en Mallorca – Various Artists

“Holidays in Majorca”. The feel of sand between your toes, the warm ocean breeze cooling your sun-drenched skin, cold beer in one hand and a tortilla in the other. The gentle but shrill sound of “where’s the pub?” echoing around the beach as a white beer belly suddenly blocks out the sun’s rays and brings you back into the present over the muted strains of “Y Viva Espana” wafting over the parasols. In 1974 you could get all this for £29 including flights. Britons had never had it so good. This particular record is a good example of the explosion in souvenir recordings released during the seventies and eighties to cash in on the holidaymakers’ desire to recapture the joys of their summer holidays. Other examples include: Festa Italiana, Vacaciones En Hispanoamerica and Hawaiian Holiday.

Vacaciones en Mallorca - Various Artists - Holidays in Majorca

Label: Fonal MM-S-51

1974 1970s Covers

Comments

I remember my uncle and aunt buying records like this when they went to Spain for holidays. I never really understood why they had Spanish records in their collection but now I do!

John C, Auckland N.Z.