A really beautiful arrangement of this classic film number which I just found out was written in 1944, not the 1950s as I had always thought. Superb orchestral parts move in and out of the texture, through which a lot of harmonic interest not present in other versions is heard. Shearing's divine pianistic touch is shown at several key moments. I don't always like Shearing's recordings, but this one is special.
from White Satin (Capitol ST1334) available on CD - The Best of George Shearing (Capitol)
Exremely well arranged song, i absolutely love these almost surreal sounding female vocals throughout the song and the harpsicord embellishments, combined with a slightly calypsoed beat, sounds unusual for me for that time. There's something special about it, maybe it's because i could imagine the song in a David Lynch movie, giving it a whole new context, like Bobby Vintons "Blue Velvet" wasn't the same after watching the movie...
from 25 All-Time Greatest Hits (Varese 066304), available on CD
This is one of my favourite Elvis songs. Its very blue-sy but not at all downbeat. Its got the swagger that he has on his late '50s - early '60s records.
Got a haircut today (short, choppy, fab). Getting a haircut often makes me think of June because she did have the greatest barnet ever - that fringe!
So I've pulled out my June collection - a paltry 4 LPs but growing - and am lovin' a bit of this tonight. The instrumentation here reminds me a lot of Ella Mae Morse's corner of the market, someone I should really get around to recommending on this site.
How High The Moon opens gentle as duck down, moving into a light finger snappin' mood then onto a heavy big band scat rhythm. Christy's technique is superlative and you can almost hear her intuitively measuring the band, taking each note perfectly.
This LP is a set of re-interpretations of songs June originally sang with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Being a June novice, I'm not aware of the original version but I doubt I could like it more.
from June Christy Recalls Those Kenton Days (Capitol ST 1202)
legendary primal surf track with werewolf noises. Talk about a guitar sound with authoroty! I really like the tribal drums and the kitchy spoken(or should that be spooky?)word intro. one of the coolest halloween compilation tracks around. The Cramps love it.