Name: Strangers In The Night - The Music Of Bert Kaempfert- Part 1 @Socratess2007
Uploaded: 2026-09-25T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Strangers In The Night - The Music Of Bert Kaempfert- Part 1

Strangers In The Night - The Music Of Bert Kaempfert- Part 1

Socratess2007 2026-09-25 | Strangers In The Night - The Music Of Bert Kaempfert- Part 1

RON GOODWIN - CARAVAN

Socratess2007 2016-02-24 | A "full body" energetic and marvellous arrangement here of the famous Ellington jazz classic from 1936. Goodwin turns the original jazz tune into a symphonic version - powerful and with lot's of "arrangement candies" (the trumpets in the background reinforcing the main lead are just phenomenal!) . Goodwin, well known for his numerous "grand soundtracks" hits the right buttons here and leaves us with a version that you can listen to again and again - and chances are you will discover new things in the arrangement each time you listen.
Enjoy this piece of fab music !

THE ANDY ROSS ORCHESTRA - SOMETHIN STUPID

Socratess2007 2016-02-18 | The most successful and best-known version of the song was issued as a single by Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra and subsequently appeared on Frank's album The World We Knew. Frank had played Parks' recording to his daughter's producer, Lee Hazlewood, who recalled "He asked me, 'Do you like it?' and I said, 'I love it, and if you don't sing it with Nancy, I will.' He said, 'We're gonna do it, book a studio.'" Their rendition was recorded on February 1, 1967. Al Casey played guitar on the recording. Hazlewood and Jimmy Bowen were listed as the producers of the single, with arrangement by Billy Strange. There was some controversy of having a love song being sung by a real father and a real daughter, stating that this type of song should not be performed by family members, unless it comes from a real husband and wife team. However, Frank initially recorded it as a Solo, but it was never officially released.

The single spent four weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and nine weeks atop the easy listening (now adult contemporary) chart, becoming Frank's second gold single as certified by the RIAA and Nancy's third. It was the first and only instance of a father-daughter number-one song in America. Nancy Sinatra has said she thinks it's "very sweet" that some people refer to it as the "Incest Song". The single also reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart the same year. It was also nominated for the Record Of The Year at the 10th Grammy Awards, losing to the 5th Dimension's upbeat hit song "Up, Up And Away".

THE BILLY VAUGHN BAND - HELP YOURSELF

Socratess2007 2016-02-12 | "Help Yourself" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Tom Jones in 1968. The song is one of Jones' best known songs and reached number five in the UK Singles Chart in its original run. It topped the charts in both Ireland and Germany, and spent three weeks at the top spot in Australia. The American single reached Billboard peaks of number 35 and number three easy listening, and is still widely played on adult-standards radio.
"Help Yourself" is a reworked English-language version of the Italian song "Gli Occhi Miei" ("My Eyes"), which was written by Carlo Donida with lyrics by Mogol and originally performed by both Eugenio Zambelli and Wilma Goich at the 1968 Sanremo festival. British author and songwriter Jack Fishman wrote the English lyrics, which bear no relation to the original Italian.

HEINZ SCHACHTNER - SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Socratess2007 2016-02-07 | SOUTH OF THE BORDER
"South of the Border" is a popular song describing a trip to Mexico, written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr and published in 1939 for the film of the same name starring country star Gene Autry.
In the lyrics, a man looks back with regret and pain for having lied to the woman he can't forget ("...and now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray...") and returned for too late, just as she was preparing for marriage. The lyric is in juxtaposition with the music, which swings with syncopated joy.

The song was a hit in 1939 for Shep Fields, vocal by Hal Derwin. It has been recorded by many artists, but the best-known versions are by Gene Autry- Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra (1953). Guy Lombardo had a top ten hit with the song in 1939.

Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time

BERT KAEMPFERT - I CANT GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT MY LOVE

Socratess2007 2016-02-03 | Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of this recording (from the album "Kaempfert 76" (1976-2016) by Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra. "I cannot give you anything but my love" (originally performed by The Stylistics) was the title track of this album, the only album referring to the recording year (and with no reference to any of the tracks included).

THE JOHN FOX ORCHESTRA - NOW IT CAN BE TOLD

Socratess2007 2016-01-30 | JOHN FOX
John Fox was a British composer and conductor of light music.
He took piano lessons and by his teens had formed his own group. This then led to him playing in an RAF band towards the end of the war, and upon being demobbed, he began his musical career, initially teaching during the day and playing ‘gigs’ at night. He then went on to study at the Royal College of Music, studying composition, piano and violin.
After leaving the Royal College, Fox began to play in big bands, as well as arranging and accompanying singers. He then went on to form the resident band at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne. He would spend the day arranging and composing and then drive to Eastbourne each night. It was at this time that he met the singer Joy Devon, who was to join the band – and eventually become his wife. She went on to play an important role co-producing recording projects and running their music publishing company, Coniston Music.
While initially maintaining the residency at Eastbourne, his next step was to become a staff arranger for the BBC, writing for the BBC Variety and BBC Revue Orchestras. In the 1960s, these two orchestras were amalgamated to form the BBC Radio Orchestra. Fox became one of the regular conductors of the Radio Orchestra, writing thousands (!) of arrangements for them, as well as producing original compositions. His close association with the orchestra carried on until its eventual disbandment in 1991. The John Fox Singers, made up of the cream of London session singers at the time, were often added to the BBC Radio Orchestra sessions, as well as broadcasting in their own right in BBC programmes including 'Friday Night Is Music Night'.
John Fox was a regular contributor to the main BBC Radio Orchestra Show and also to ‘String Sound’, showcasing the strings of the Radio Orchestra, for which he wrote the signature tune, ‘String Magic’. He also recorded numerous productions for the BBC with the John Fox Orchestra, as well as with the other BBC Orchestras, particularly the BBC Midland Radio Orchestra, with him providing a large number of arrangements for their library. Notable BBC broadcasts included ‘John Fox Presents’, ‘The Musical World of John Fox’, ‘The John Fox Hour , ‘The John Fox Concerts’, and ‘Romantic Strings’. The John Fox Orchestra could also be heard in many other programmes on Radio 2.
As well as his work for the BBC, he also achieved success in the USA through his recordings for the American Beautiful Music Radio Stations that were popular during the 1970s and 1980s. For these productions, particularly for the Bonneville Corporation, Fox would record selections with his orchestra at CTS or Lansdowne Studios. Commercial Records include 'George Gershwin' BBC Records and 'Here There and Everywhere' BBC Records.
As a composer, John Fox was a prolific writer of library music, particularly for Sonoton Production Music, for who he would record his original compositions with orchestras in Leipzig, Budapest and London. These recordings made his compositions available to a worldwide market, for use in television, radio, film and advertising productions. In 1994 Fox won a STEMRA Music Award for the best film music in the Netherlands.

JEAN MICHEL DE FRANCE - THE LOCO-MOTION

Socratess2007 2016-01-28 | THE LOCOMOTION
"The Loco-Motion" is a 1962 pop song written by American songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King. "The Loco-Motion" was originally written for Dee Dee Sharp but Sharp turned the song down. The song is notable for appearing in the American Top 5 three times – each time in a different decade, performed by artists from three different cultures: originally African American pop singer Little Eva in 1962 (U.S. No. 1); then American band Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 (U.S. No. 1); and finally Australian singer Kylie Minogue in 1988 (U.S. No. 3).
The song is a popular and enduring example of the dance-song genre: much of the lyrics are devoted to a description of the dance itself, usually done as a type of line dance. However, the song came before the dance.
"The Loco-Motion" was also the second song to reach No. 1 by two different musical acts. The earlier song to do this was "Go Away Little Girl", also written by Goffin and King. It is one of only nine songs to achieve this feat.
King and Goffin wrote "The Loco-Motion" in hopes to have it recorded by Dee Dee Sharp who had a smash hit with Mashed Potato Time. Sharp passed on the song leaving the opportunity open for Eva Boyd who had recorded the demo. Her version was released and her name was changed to Little Eva. Boyd was actually Carole King's babysitter, having been introduced to King and husband Gerry Goffin by The Cookies, a local girl group who would also record for the songwriters. "The Loco-Motion" was the first release by the new Dimension Records company, whose releases were mostly penned and produced by Goffin and King. There are two common versions of the song in circulation; one includes handclaps during the verses, the other has no handclaps.
In the United States, "The Loco-Motion" was the sixth most successful single of 1962 according to Billboard. It was also the third most successful single of 1962 in South Africa.
In March 1965, Little Eva sang the song on the ABC-TV series Shindig!, and this is the only known video of her singing this song. A cover version of the song was recorded quickly by British girl group The Vernons Girls and scored the chart the same week as the Little Eva version. The Vernons Girls' version stalled at No. 47 in the UK, while the Little Eva version reached No. 2 on the UK charts. It re-entered the chart some ten years later and almost became a top ten again, peaking at No. 11. The Little Eva version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film Inland Empire (2006). "The Loco-Motion" is ranked No. 359 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

FRANCK POURCEL- DOUBLE 0 SEVEN- A WINTERS TALE

Socratess2007 2016-01-24 | FRANCK POURCEL
Pourcel started learning the violin at the age of six. Later Pourcel studied violin at the Conservatoire in Marseille, also drums because he loved jazz, and spent a year in Paris at the Conservatoire.

By 1931 he was working as a violinist in several theaters in Marseille, marrying Odette eight years later. He then became the musical director for Lucienne Boyer, with whom he went on a world tour.

He emigrated to the United States in 1952 but returned to France the following year to record "Blue Tango" and the follow-up "Limelight". In 1954 Pourcel recorded his first album on the Pathé-Marconi record label, with whom he would record a total of nine albums in a three-year period. In 1956 he recorded his version of "Only You", which sold over three million copies by 1959, and was awarded a gold disc It peaked at #9 in the United States Billboard pop chart for 16 weeks.

Between 1956 and 1972 he was the conductor for France at the Eurovision Song Contest with the exceptions of 1957 and 1968. Four of the songs that he conducted won first place for France. As a result, France became the most successful country in the contest's early years, until Luxembourg matched its four wins in 1973.

By 1958 Pourcel started recording classical music. His series of Pages Célèbres led to him conduct the London Symphony Orchestra, The Society of Concerts for the Conservatoire, The BBC Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, and the Lamoureux Orchestra at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. In 1962 he co-composed with Paul Mauriat the hit, "Chariot", which was recorded by Petula Clark and followed up by Peggy March as "I Will Follow Him". The song became the main theme for the film, Sister Act.

In 1975, at the request of Air France, Franck composed an anthem for their new supersonic plane, Concorde. Franck recorded 250 albums, over 3000 songs, and he conducted famous orchestras such as London Symphonic Orchestra, BBC Orchestra, Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux. He created the serie Amour Danse et violons (54 albums) and the Classic serie Pages Célébres actually being remastered. His first recordings from 1956 to 1962 were released under the serie Originals.

Pourcel recorded until 1995 with EMI.

LOVE THAT BERT KAEMPFERT 4

Socratess2007 2016-01-22 | SOCRESS SYMPHONIES PROUDLY PRESENTS
" LOVE THAT BERT KAEMPFERT " ( PART 4 )
A CATCHY COVERS MEDLEY
ENJOY !

RUDI BOHN AND HIS ORCHESTRA- SNOWBIRD

Socratess2007 2016-01-21 | SNOWBIRD
"Snowbird" is a song by the Canadian songwriter Gene MacLellan. Though it has been recorded by many performers (including Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley), it is best known through Anne Murray's 1969 recording, which—after appearing as an album track in mid-1969—was eventually released as a single in the summer of 1970. It was a #2 hit on Canada's pop chart and went to #1 on both the Canadian adult contemporary and country charts. The song reached #8 on the U.S. pop singles chart, spent six weeks at #1 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, and became a surprise Top 10 U.S. country hit as well.

It was certified as a gold single by the RIAA, the first American Gold record ever awarded to a Canadian solo female artist. The song peaked at #23 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2003 it was an inaugural song inductee of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Anne Murray and Gene MacLellan had met while both were regulars on the CBC television series Singalong Jubilee and Murray recorded two of MacLellan's compositions: "Snowbird" and "Biding My Time" for her first major label album release, This Way Is My Way recorded in 1969. Murray would recall: "Gene told me he wrote ["Snowbird"] in twenty minutes while walking on a beach in PEI."

The theme and approach broadly resemble that of the earlier hits "Message to Michael" (a.k.a. "Kentucky Bluebird" in hit versions by Lou Johnson and Adam Faith) and "Yellow Bird" in contrasting the narrator's being stuck in the place of his/her heartache to the bird's ability to just up and fly away. "Snowbird" sold well over a million copies and was recently picked as 19th on the 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version list, a partially populist approach to defining the most influential songs by Canadians.

Gene MacLellan made his own recording of "Snowbird" on his 1970 album Street Corner Preacher: MacLellan's version features an additional verse to the song's standard two verse format.
In 2007 Anne Murray remade "Snowbird" for her Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends album, the song being rendered as a duet with Sarah Brightman.

THE SAN REMO GOLDEN STRINGS - BORN FREE

Socratess2007 2016-01-19 | THE SAN REMO GOLDEN STRINGS ORCHESTRA
The San Remo Golden Strings were a studio group from Detroit, Michigan. A number of its members also played in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, while others were members of the Motown backing band, The Funk Brothers. Their albums were released on Ric-Tic, Motown and Gordy labels. They scored two hits in the U.S. in 1965: "Hungry for Love" and "I'm Satisfied" In 1971, they had some success, as the "San Remo Strings" with "Festival Time", which reached NBR39 in the UK Singles Chart and was popular on the UK's Northern soul music scene.

FRANCIS BAY - SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN

Socratess2007 2016-01-17 | FRANCIS BAY
Born Francis Bayetz, he quickly changed his name to ‚Francis Bay‘ and das such he became the best known Belgian band leader, arranger and composer.
Bay did his music studies at the conservatory of Mechelen and he started his career during the 1930s with the orchestra of Paul Godwin.
After that he joined the well known Ramblers, but only for a short while. He created his own orchestra in 1948 and when television was launched in Belgium in the early 1950s, Bay joined the BRT (Belgian Radio & TV) as one of the first professional musicians.
He recorded several „rock cha cha“ albums during the 1950s and 1960s and he was the Belgian conductor for all Belgian entries at the Eurovision songfestival during the 60s and 70s. He also composed several TV tunes and themes for numerous Belgian TV entertainment programs.
He was the musical director in 1962 for the famous Bob Benny Show, a show that featured the well known Belgian singer Bob Benny.

ANDY ROSS - THEME FROM STAR TREK

Socratess2007 2016-01-15 | STAR TREK – CHERISHED MEMORIES
Here’s a fantastic, energetic, up tempo version of the famous theme from “Star Trek” – one of the most popular television series of all time.
Indeed : for people my age, “Star Trek” (the original series especially) will always remain one of our most cherished childhood memories. I will never forget how we would reunite before the TV set around 6 pm on Saturdays, when Star Trek was aired on national television. It was a moment of great joy and expectation when the episode would start at which point we all were wondering what kind of magic would follow ….
Part of the fun (and that part is bigger than one would initially think) was (and is) the music.
Offered at first to Jerry Goldsmith the theme eventually was written by Alexander Courage.
In the later series and movies, other music would be used, but the original theme kept coming back probably (no, … definitely !) because of its outstanding quality.
The sixties and the seventies were THE “Star Trek” decades. Star Trek has coloured our teenage years and we are sure those of many others my age….
Here, as a tribute to the composer, is our channel’s version of the famous theme.
And now, let’s (musically) “go where no man has gone before” with the Andy Ross Orchestra performing the “Theme from Star Trek” for our listening pleasure. Enjoy !

KAI WARNER - WHAT NOW MY LOVE ( ET MAINTENANT )

Socratess2007 2016-01-13 | KAI WARNER (WERNER LAST)
Born in Bremen, Werner took piano lessons from Ernst Weelen and received theory instruction from the Max Reger and Engelbert Humperdinck student Richard Bulling.
After the war, Werner Last appeared as a trombonist along with his brothers Hans (bassist, later known as James Last) and Robert Last (drummer) in Bremen music halls and in the American clubs in the vicinity of Bremerhaven. At this point, he was discovered by the composer and manager Friedrich Meyer and hired for the newly formed dance orchestra of Radio Bremen. The Last brothers became well known as members of the Last-Becker Ensemble. Werner Last found his first success as an arranger. After the disbandment of the Bremen dance orchestra in 1948, he played for a time in a 12-man band, then went to seek his fortune in the USA.
In the USA, Werner had to make his living as a casual labourer for several months before he was admitted into the New York musician's union. As a trombonist, he belonged to several renowned big bands. As well, he studied music theory at New York University with Schillinger professor Rudolf Schramm.
In 1958, Werner Last returned to Germany and arranged numerous film scores. In 1966 he signed a contract as a producer with Polydor; he discovered and produced Renate Kern. As Kai Warner, he started his own orchestra, which included many musicians who played with James Last (such as his brother Robert Last, who had already played drums on the earliest James Last sessions). In 1975, Kai Warner switched from Polydor to Philips.
He also made several recordings with his Kai Warner Singers, a mixed choir made up of six women and six men often accompanied only by a rhythm section.

FRANCK POURCEL- POUR VOUS

Socratess2007 2016-01-11 | FRANCK POURCEL
Of the three big names in French easy listening music--Raymond Lefevre, Paul Mauriat, and Frank Pourcel--Pourcel comes out ahead by a nose in my book, given his slightly stronger tendency to incorporate jazz and rock effects into his arrangements.
Pourcel attended the Conservatoire in Paris, focusing on studying the violin. While in school, he became acquainted with Stephane Grapelli, the jazz violinist whose Hot Club recordings with guitarist Django Reinhardt were the first major original European contributions to jazz. Pourcel himself tried to follow in Grapelli's footsteps, playing jazz violin in a number of different groups before he helped form the French Fiddlers in the late 1940s.
The French Fiddlers were a precursor to Claude Bolling, Jacques Loussier, and the Swingle Singers, all of whom tried to blend classical--particularly baroque--material and jazz. They were classically trained violinists, but they aimed for a popular audience. By the early 1950s, the Fiddlers were one of the most successful instrumental groups in France, and their 1952 version of Leroy Anderson's "Blue Tango" was a big hit.
The Fiddlers continued to stay up with the latest trends in pop, and as rock and roll became more popular, Pourcel began to shift his rhythms from swing to rock. Although numerous space age pop musicians--Eric Jupp, Ray Martin, and Stu Phillips among others--added a rock rhythm section and electric guitars to the standard easy listening orchestra, Pourcel was perhaps the earliest, and certainly his cover of the Platter's hit, "Only You," was the most successful example of this approach, reaching the U.S. Top Ten list in 1959.
Pourcel also deserves mention as the earliest artist to pay tribute to Les Baxter. Pourcel recorded Baxter's "La Femme," a lush and very "serious" suite of thematically linked numbers that's probably sought after now more for the female nude on the cover than for any of the music within. Several others from his early Capitol albums also include tracks Baxter composed especially for Pourcel.
Pourcel's recordings can be confused with that of his countryman, Paul Mauriat, which isn't surprising, given that the two men were also collaborators. Their most successful work together was done under pseudonyms--J. W. Stole (Pourcel) and Del Roma (Mauriat)--was the melody for a 1961 tune, "Chariot." If that title doesn't sound familiar to American listeners, it's because they know it as "I Will Follow Him," which was a Top 10 hit for Little Peggy March in 1963.

MARTY GOLD AND HIS ORCHESTRA - REMEMBER ME

Socratess2007 2016-01-09 | Marty Gold worked as a pianist with several sweet bands in the 1930s, but his first brush with fame came as a member of a comic band known as the Korn Kobblers. Gold played with and did the arrangements for the Kobblers, which brought his work to the attention of Guy Lombardo and other bandleaders. Preferring the sanity of the studio to nightly antics on stage, he returned to New York and settled down as a freelance arranger and composer.

He began recording under his own name in the early 1950s, mainly for Decca, but then switched to RCA and its affiliates Vik and X. He arranged and played on a number of the Three Suns' mid-50s albums. Gold composed as well, co-authoring "Tell Me Why," a #2 hit for the Four Aces.

Gold was one of the workhorses of RCA Victor's arranging staff through most of the 1950s and 1960s. He worked on hundreds of albums, backing acts ranging from the Rafael Hernandez to Peter Nero. A versatile stylist, he supplied whatever the setting called for: syrupy strings for a singer, rocking walls of sound for Top Ten covers, hale and hearty vocal choruses for his Kapp albums of college songs.

In some ways, he was like the East Coast version of Billy May. He worked fast, covered a wide territory, and never put himself "above" his material. So, like May, you can find his contributions showing up on kids' records, too, and more than a few of them. He provided the background music for dramatizations of Dr Seuss' books and, in the late 1960s and 1970s, recorded numerous albums for the Peter Pan label. Some of these featured a cloying chorus of kids singing covers of such pop hits as "These Boots are Made for Walking."

But his best work can be heard on hi fi and stereo showcase albums he recorded for RCA and its subsidiary, Vik. On these Gold's style is to use every bit of the orchestra. A typical arrangement will have at least five different major instrument types playing part of the melody in as little as eight bars. These albums aren't quite as wild as Esquivel's, but they're worth looking for if you like music with a big zing, zang, zoom in it.

AMORE MUSICORUM NEWS
The 5th part of our series "BERT KAEMPFERT - THE MAN, THE MUSIC, THE MAGIC has been posted on our Blog (cfr channel banner) Title : "HAPPY HOURS IN HAMBURG" in which Milt Gabler, Bert's USA producer, remembers happy times spent with the Kaempfert family in Hamburg.
Scheduled = Part 6 / The movie soundtrack that became a worldwide evergreen (Strangers in the night) (with numerous detailed info, incl the number of covers, by whom, etc etc)
Part 7 will focus on press releases about Bert Kaempfert during the sixties period.

CARLOS ROMANOS - GENTLE ON MY MIND

Socratess2007 2016-01-07 | CARLOS ROMANOS
Searching the web does not provide us with a lot of answers as to the “real” identity of this orchestra (leader/conductor/arranger) and/or it’s leader.
Looking at the labels on which his recordings were made (mainly Polydor) everything points in the direction of a German bandleader; a German bandleader working somewhat “under cover” and it might well be possible that we know him (well) under another name or “alias”.

His work has been “combined” with recordings by Berry Lipman – another indicator that the recordings were made in Germany and inevitably we then think of Roberto Delgado aka as Horst Wende. But the orchestra playing here clearly does not sound like Delgado, so there must be some other fine musician who wrapped himself in a “latin dress” just for these recordings.

And, yes, if one searches a bit deeper, one finds several albums by Romanos, most of them on the Polydor label, but not all of them.
A mystery to be solved … so maybe someone of our subscribers knows “the true story” ??
One thing is definitely true : these guys here knew how to bring relaxing, softly latin sounding songs. This “Gentle on my mind” version is a pretty good example of that statement.

Anyway… let’s concentrate on the Music … that’s the most important part, no …. ;-) ?
Take it away Maestro Carlos !

THE CLAUDIA HIRSCHFELD SOUND - GAMES THAT LOVERS PLAY

Socratess2007 2016-01-05 | The World scene of Music lost a great and talented musician in 2015. A man who gave pleasure to millions of people with his “sound”, the “James Last sound”.
Yes, it was James Last who gave us non stop dancing and other theme related music. 100% instrumental one time, with singers or chorus another time. But “Hansi” also composed music for film and “fernsehen” (German for TV) AND he composed many musical themes himself during a long lasting career.

Some of these own compositions became world famous eg “Einsamer Hirte” which he recorded with another World star, Gheorge Zamfir. (The theme was also used in the film “Kill Bill”)
And then there are numerous “slow” songs – songs that some may know by title but most will know only by recognizing what they hear

Here, as a tribute to this most talented orchestrator, arranger and conductor we present such a “known” song, a melody that stands out due to its brilliance : “Games That Lovers Play”.
For you James, a special tribute at the beginning of a new year, a year that will be a bit more “empty” as far as good music is concerned. But luckily, we have your recordings and we know for sure that, your music will always be with us.
So, in remembrance, here is Claudia Hirschfeld with “Games That Lovers Play”.
Thanks once again James, for all those beautiful melodies, and may you rest in peace.

GUTEN RUTSCH MEDLEY 2016 WITH HUGO STRASSER

Socratess2007 2015-12-31 | HAPPY NEW YEAR !
BONNE ANNEE !
EIN GLUCKLICHES NEUES JAHR !
GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR !
GUTEN RUTSCH MEDLEY 2015 - 2016
TITLES ENCLOSED = 5 (playlength = full)
APPROX RUNNING TIME = 15 MINUTES
ENJOY !

HENRY MANCINI - LA BAMBA

Socratess2007 2015-12-31 | more music week - 2015 - final week - posted = 6
HENRY MANCINI
LA BAMBA
Saying goodbye to 2015 in style with Henry Mancini's Concert Orchestra playing that eternal standard "La Bamba". (Another golden one from the golden sixties)
Next on this channel : a 15 minute music extravaganza - a channel tradition ..... The Guten Rutsch Medley 2015-2016 ......
Keep an eye on this channel for good & super good music !!

THE FANTASY STRINGS - JUMP

Socratess2007 2015-12-30 | We actually "jump" from the sixties to the eighties now with this grand orchestral rendition of The Pointer Sisters' "Jump".
Lovers of orchestral pop will certainly enjoy this post, but it remains a great listen for any music fan. We're coming close to the year transition and loyal fans of this channel know what that means .... our "Guten Rutsch Medley" is on it's way. And this year it's an XXL ("extra large" ;-) one so you may start to listen to it in the old year and end up listening in the new one .... In between we have an "extra surprise" with a famous American orchestra performing one of the best known songs of the sixties ....
Curious about all this ? Then make sure you keep an eye on this channel !

THE JACK PARNELL BIG BAND - HOT TODDY

Socratess2007 2015-12-29 | More Music Week 2015 - posted = 5
THE JACK PARNELL BIG BAND
HOT TODDY
And the "music marathon" continues here on the Socratess2007 channel with "something for everyone" : happy big band sound, happy music tout-court, blue evergreen forever, ear candy for all true music fans 'out there' ...
From Antwerp, Belgium, here's the British Big Band of Jack Parnell with that finger snapping "Hot Toddy" ! Enjoy !

THE MUNICH SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA- CECILIA

Socratess2007 2015-12-29 | More Music Week / 2015 / posted = 4
THE MUNICH SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA
CECILIA
And another blockbuster from the 1960s : here's Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia" in a grand symphonic version by the Munich Symphonic Orchestra. Amazing arrangement, with some classical hints here and there, but all in all, a great listen and ... difficult to keep your hands and feet completely still ! Enjoy the music and get mesmerized by the computer animation (these animations will be featured this week ONLY :-) ! Music maestro please ......!

LEROY HOLMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA - LOVE ME TONIGHT

Socratess2007 2015-12-28 | MORE MUSIC WEEK 2015 / POSTED = 3
LEROY HOLMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA
LOVE ME TONIGHT
Aahh.. the sixties : the decade of the previous century where anything seemed to be possible. Here's a fabulous version of one of Tom Jones' greatest hits at the end of that great decade. And yes ... Tom Jones still sings today ...What a performer :-) ! Enjoy the music and get mesmerized by the animation ! Have Fun !

JOHN FOX AND HIS ORCHESTRA - GOLDFINGER

Socratess2007 2015-12-27 | 2015 "MORE MUSIC WEEK" (FINAL WEEK OF THE YEAR*)
* In this final week of the year we bring you our "more music week" which is "special" due to the lack of "regular images". Instead we offer our ultra modern vizualisation (saves a lot of time normally spent to find proper individual images...) Well, anyway, just enjoy the music if you want or ..... be mesmerized by the special computer animation :-) .....
Here is "more music week" (MMW-2) post number 2 for 2015 !
It's ........ Bond.............James Bond ;-) .......

BILLY MAY - YOUVE GOT YOUR TROUBLES

Socratess2007 2015-12-27 | We are currently experimenting a bit with the possibillities of the recently installed audio/video software. This way, we will be able to share a maximum of music with you in this FINAL WEEK of the year (whereas the images will be put in "a lower gear" ... So do not panic, we are not changing our well known style, but just for this last week of the year, we're facilitating things a bit.... Less images in this final week, but MORE MUSIC TO ENJOY ! Have fun !

JAMES LAST - SLEIGH RIDE TO THE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Socratess2007 2015-12-25 | MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !

BERT KAEMPFERT - DUTCH TREAT (MAGICAL HOLIDAY TRIP)

Socratess2007 2015-12-19 | BERT KAEMPFERT - QUOTES

“I want to make music for everyone. It’s meant to give people pleasure.
If it doesn’t, it’s failed in its purpose.”

“If people know my tunes, that’s enough”

“My Music says everything I have to say”

“I always say : I write only hits, but people
don’t realize ….”

In 1960 : “The time has come to head for America”

At the end of the 1974 live performance in the UK :
“I’d love to go on but I’ve run out of music….. And my musicians are thirsty!”

In a 1979 radio interview :
“ It’s a fact that – under pressure – my performance will be better”

In a 1979 radio interview :
“ I find peace and quiet in the Everglades. That’s where I can
Really enjoy life : together with my friends / colleague fishermen”

In an interview about his worldhit “Strangers in the night”
“I never expected this movie soundtrack called “Beddy Bye” to
become such a huge success.”

In an interview about one of his other world hits “Danke schoen” :
“I think it took me 2 or 3 minutes to write it…. The lyrics also surfaced quickly :
Kurt Schwabach started to add the words when he heard me play it for the first time.”

JAMES LAST - HEIDELINDE ( WINTER REVERIE )

Socratess2007 2015-12-15 | Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

HENRY MANCINI - THE HUSTLE

Socratess2007 2015-12-11 | THE HUSTLE
"The Hustle" is a disco song by songwriter/arranger Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony. It went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts during the summer of 1975. It also peaked at number 9 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report) and number 3 in the UK. It would eventually sell over one million copies and is one of the most popular songs of the disco era. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1976.

While in New York City to make an album, McCoy composed the song after his music partner, Charles Kipps, watched patrons do a dance known as "the Hustle" in the nightclub Adam's Apple. The sessions were done at New York's Media Sound studio with pianist McCoy, bassist Gordon Edwards, drummer Steve Gadd, keyboardist Richard Tee, guitarists Eric Gale and John Tropea, and orchestra leader Gene Orloff. Producer Hugo Peretti contracted piccolo player Philip Bodner to play the lead melody.

During the summer of 1975, "The Hustle" became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts Billboard ranked it as the No. 21 song for 1975. It also peaked at number 9 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report) and number 3 in the UK.

According to producers Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore, who owned the Avco record label that originally released "The Hustle", McCoy met with them shortly before his death in 1979 to discuss ideas for a new, longer version of the song, in order to appease Avco's UK and German affiliates who were clamoring for a 12" disco single release. The new version, clocking in at just under 6-and-a-half minutes, was assembled posthumously as a remix, using parts of the original recording plus new parts, including drum, Syndrum, and a little Moog synthesizer. It was credited to Van McCoy alone.

MHO
Henry Mancini brings us this straightforward version of the famous disco song and Mancini stays close to the original arrangement because he knows ... that this arrangement is brilliant already. The counter melody fits the main lead melody perfectly and leaves nothing to be desired... The performance here is "tip top" i.e. all musicians involved played at their 100% best level. Mancini "closes" the song with a superb "grand finale", which probably is the only big difference with the original.
Enjoy our theme show "Cartoon Kaleidoscope" which brings some Christmas flavour already .....! Have fun !

HUGO WINTERHALTER - THE SUMMERWIND

Socratess2007 2015-12-07 | Hugo Winterhalter graduated from Mount St. Mary's near Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1931, where he played saxophone for the orchestra and sang in two of the choirs. He later studied violin and reed instruments at the New England Conservatory of Music. After graduating, he taught school for several years before turning professional during the mid-1930s, serving as a sideman and arranger for Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Raymond Scott, Claude Thornhill and others.

Winterhalter also arranged and conducted sessions for singers including Dinah Shore and Billy Eckstine, and in 1948 he was named musical director at MGM Records. After a two-year stint with the record label, he moved to Columbia Records, where he scored a pair of hits with his recordings of "Jealous Heart" and "Blue Christmas".

In 1950, Winterhalter signed on with RCA Victor, where he arranged sessions for many of their popular artists including Perry Como, Harry Belafonte, Eddie Fisher and the Ames Brothers; he also recorded several instrumental albums, among them 1952's Great Music Themes of Television, one of the first collections of TV theme songs ever recorded. Winterhalter also notched a series of chart hits, including "Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A.", "A Kiss to Build a Dream On", "Blue Tango", "Vanessa", "The Little Shoemaker", and "Song of The Barefoot Contessa". With pianist Eddie Heywood, he had a small hit with "Land of Dreams" (1954) and reached the number two spot with 1956's "Canadian Sunset." It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.

He remained with RCA Victor until 1963, at which time he moved to Kapp; that same year, he also penned the main title theme for the film, Diamond Head. At Kapp he recorded a handful of albums including The Best of '64 and its follow-up, The Big Hits of 1965, before leaving the label to work on Broadway. He later worked in television as well, and continued recording the occasional LP for various budget labels. His last US chart single was "Theme From 'Popi'", released on Musicor in 1969. It reached #35 in the Billboard Easy Listening Top 40.

MHO
A highly romantic and melodic version is what we get here from Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra, which makes for a nice change with all the slightly rhythmic renditions that we hear so often. The beauty of the song is enhanced even more in this way if you ask me but of course, tastes may differ. With the festive month of december starting, we can reveal that the coming month is going to be that classic mix of orchestral pop, season-specific music and some wonderful musical surprises ! Stay tuned to this channel is the message :) ! And for now .... music Maestro please !

WERNER MULLER - DANCE MAMA, DANCE PAPA, DANCE

Socratess2007 2015-12-02 | WERNER MULLER
Werner Müller was a German composer, Kapellmeister and conductor. In some of his works he collaborated with Caterina Valente and Horst Fischer, the trumpeter.

Discography (LP)
Your Musical Holiday in Paris 1955
Your Musical Holiday in New York 1956
Percussion In the Sky 1961
Welterfolge (Wild Strings) 1962
Noches Tropicales 1963
Werner Mülley Plays Leroy Anderson 1964
Great Strauss Waltzes 1964
Werner Müller on Broadway 1964
Caterina Valente, Werner Müller and His Orchestra 1965
Germany 1965
Gypsy 1966
Party Rakete '66, Werner Müller Spielt Zum Tanz 1966
Echoes Of Italy 1969
Spectacular Tangos 1969
Golden Evergreens 1969
The Latin Splendor Of Werner Müller 1970
Songs Of Joy 1971
The Strip Goes On 1972
Learn To Love 1972
Caterina Valente With Werner Müller And His Orchestra - Love 1972
Tangos Espectaculares 1972
Tango! 1972
Horst Fischer, Werner Müller Und Sein Orchester - Yesterday Hits For Dancing
Budenzauber (Crazy Party)
Tanz Um Die Welt
In A Gypsy Mood
Music For Lovers
Italia, Bella Italia
Tropical Nights
O, Tannenbaum Christmas on the Rhine 1956

BERT KAEMPFERT - CHOCOLATE SUNDAE

Socratess2007 2015-11-29 | INTERVIEW WITH BERT KAEMPFERT (DEUTSCHE SPRACHE/GERMAN LANGUAGE)
You can listen to an interview with Bert Kaempfert that was recorded around the time when this song was released (around 1967) here =
http://www.ndr.de/kultur/geschichte/koepfe/interview1492.html
Language : German (Deutsch)
Subject : Golden Globe award and other awards given to Bert Kaempfert for his outstanding LP's
Period = between 1962 and 1967-68.

BRIAN FAHEY - LETS CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF

Socratess2007 2015-11-26 | BRIAN FAHEY
Brian Fahey was a British musical director and arranger, best known for composing "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal", Alan Freeman's signature tune to his BBC Radio 1 programme Pick of the Pops.

Born in Margate, Kent, Fahey learned piano and cello and became interested in big band arranging and composing. During the Second World War he was a survivor of the Wormhoudt massacre which occurred on Tuesday 28 May 1940. After recovering from his wounds, he subsequently spent five years in POW Camps, during which time he worked on his musical skills.

Fahey played in various bands, but his passion was for arranging. Between 1949 and 1959, he worked for the music publishers Chappells and Cinephonic Music, specialising in arrangements for singers, bands and orchestras, mainly for radio broadcasts. His compositions include Fanfare Boogie (1955), which won an Ivor Novello Award.

Fahey freelanced after 1959, working with recording companies, the BBC and in the theatre. He provided scores for movies such as The Break (1963),The Curse of Simba (1965), The Plank (1967) and Rhubarb (1969), and the theme to Pete Murray's popular BBC Radio 2 show Open House. He became principal conductor of the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra in 1972, and continued to work for the BBC after the orchestra was disbanded in 1981. He also was Shirley Bassey's musical director for some time.

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off is a song written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Shall We Dance where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as part of a celebrated dance duet on roller skates.

The song is most famous for its “You like to-may-toes and I like to-mah-toes ” and other verses comparing their different regional dialects.

The differences in pronunciation are not simply regional, however, and serve more specifically to identify class differences. At the time, typical American pronunciations were considered less "refined" by the upper-class, and there was a specific emphasis on the "broader" a sound.

This class distinction with respect to pronunciation has been retained in caricatures, especially in the theater where the longer a pronunciation is most strongly associated with the word “ darling.”

Notable recordings
Billie Holiday / Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong/ Fred Astaire with Johnny Green & His Orchestra / Brian Wilson and Sam Cooke

Recent performances
The song has been re-used in filmmaking and television production, most notably in When Harry Met Sally... – where it is performed by Harry Connick, Jr. and The Simpsons. It was featured in the 2012 Broadway Musical Nice Work If You Can Get It.

LONGINES SYMPHONETTE SOCIETY- PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND

Socratess2007 2015-11-16 | .

JOSE MARCELLO - HIS ORCHESTRA AND SINGERS- EVERYBODYS TALKIN

Socratess2007 2015-11-11 | Songs with numbers : "50 Ways to leave your lover" (P Simon) - "Route 66" (N Riddle) "99 Luftballons" (various artists), "76 trombones" (H Mancini), "Pennsylvania 6-5000" (G Miller), .
..... Could you name another 5 titles featuring a number ?....

JOSE MARCELLO
Dutch orchestrator and arranger who worked together with some of the Dutch TV stations, eg the "TROS" (Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting-). He and his Orchestra were mainly active during the mid seventies (1974-1979) and Marcello recorded (estimation) some 20 to 25 albums, all more or less inspired by the "classic" ballroom style music.

EVERYBODY'S TALKIN'
Original score by Fred Neil. Became a huge success in the version as sung by Nillsson for the movie "Midnight Cowboy".

MHO
This is what "arranging music" is all about. It takes a certain "musical courage" to transform a folksong into a well sounding cha-cha-cha. But Marcello and his team realize what no one else could have dreamed : modifying this well known movie ballad and making it sound like a true cha-cha rhythm piece.
Forget the (beautiful, no doubt!) original version for a couple of minutes, make your mind "empty" in a way and listen to this one with "an open mind" .... Maybe you'll end up with a different view on this movie sales buster forever.... (Or : when a melody is "strong enough", a good arranger can put the song "in a different jacket" :-) ...... Have fun discovering this new arrangement !

MAX GREGER - LIMON LIMONERO

Socratess2007 2015-11-09 | THE MUSICAL BOOK OF NUMBERS - today = 36
The number 36 is linked forever to the piano because the instrument has 36 black keys.

MAX GREGER
Together with Paul Kuhn, Hugo Strasser and Kurt Edelhagen ; the "big ones" if it comes to German easy listening and dance music. Greger recorded many dance albums, most of them recorded especially for the "DTV" (Deutsche Tanz Verein)
He played together with a.o. James Last, Bert Kaempfert and Hugo Strasser. Greger arranged many of the songs himself but he also had a group of arrangers "behind him" so whatever the style of the music involved, he always was ensured of sales success.

LIMON LIMONERO = 1969 HIT FOR HENRY STEPHEN
Henry Stephen (born 1944 in Cabimas, Zulia state, Venezuela) is one of the earliest Venezuelan proponents of rock and roll music. He once belonged to the "Los Impala" music group, and later became a solo artist with the 1969 hit song "Limón, Limonero".] In 1974, RCA Records awarded him a Gold record for selling one million copies of the song.

MHO
Enjoy this happy version of a great rock & pop classic.
It's back to the sixties again with this original Venezuelan song.
Take it away Max !

Later in his career, he became an actor in Venezuelan telenovelas.

CLIFF CARPENTER HIT SOUND - ICH BIN WIE DU

Socratess2007 2015-11-03 | EVERY NUMBER COUNTS / TODAY = 41
41 Piano piieces were written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He also wrote 41 symphonies. The fact that Mozart died at 35 years age proves that he was a very productive composer; a composer who didn't only supply quantity but surely quality as well.

THE CLIFF CARPENTER HIT SOUND
Was a German studio project initiated by Dieter Zimmermann
Several orchestrators were hired during its succesful period, somehjere between 1969 and 1979. The orchestra had some well known and talented musicians in their ranks but these were "project wise" involved and did not play all th time.

ICH BIN WIE DU
Marianne Rosenberg's biggest hit in Europe with the song reaching a second place in the Dutch hitparades and even scoring a number one hit in Belgian hit parades.
To-date, the song still is a "dance floor filler" on every wedding party.

MHO
Strong and compact arrangement that leaves nothing to be wanted by music fans (an disco musicf fans).
The initial notes are among the best known starting notes as far as disco music is concerned.

BERT KAEMPFERT - ILL BE SEEING YOU

Socratess2007 2015-10-30 | IMAGES TAKEN IN /
Brussels - Antwerp - Ghent - Bruges - Ostend - Namur -
Ypres - Leuven - Liege and Courtrai.
(Brussel, Antwerpen, Gent, Brugge, Oostende, Namen
Ieper,Leuven, Luik en Kortrijk)

EVERY NUMBER COUNTS ! Today = "sweet 16"
Songwriters of different categories of music have been inspired by the "sweet age" of 16. Worldwide, sixteen is seen as the age of "adulthood" - the age at which people become "full grown" members of society. Sam Cooke, Chuck Berry and ... Julie Andrews are just some of the "big names in music" who sang about being or becoming "sweet sixteen" ....

BERT KAEMPFERT
For all information and facts & figures about Bert Kaempfert, please go to our Blog Amore Musicorum (cfr home page, banner) where parts 1, 2 and 3 of a completely new series of articles can be found. Part 4 ("The Kaempfert African Sound") is scheduled to be posted soonest and another 20 episodes are "under preparation". Hence you can have the best of both worlds : listen to this fabulous song arranged by Bert here on the channel, while reading all about "Fips" (Bert's nickname) on the Blog (just open a new window if you intend to do so :-) !!

ABOUT THE SONG
This track was also used for an "Antwerp city" "special video entitled "ANTWERP CITY PANORAMA". And while here all images have been taken during the evening or the night, this other presentation features skyline pictures of the city of Antwerp taken in broad daylight.(our "home town so to speak" :-)
Wishing you lots of listening pleasure, while watching either this new presentation or the older one about the "Antwerp city skyline" !

ADY ZEHNPFENNIG SOUND SENSATION - SOMETHING STUPID

Socratess2007 2015-10-25 | EVERY NUMBER COUNTS - TODAY = 8
A musical scale consists of 8 notes. Why not seven ? Because a scale includes the octave of the first note. There are 7 natural notes (A, B; C, D, E, F and G) but a total of 12 notes if you count sharps and flats.

ADY ZEHNPHENNIG
German pianist, arranger, composer and orchestrator who worked for television - a.o. for Dieter Thomas Heck, a well known German showmaster and presentator.

SOMETHING STUPID
One of those songs that will always draw my attention. This great arrangement is a pleasure to listen to and very danceable as well. Ady Zehnpfennig succeeds in his mission, i.e. he makes his multi sounds organ sound like a complete orchestra.
An enjoyable combination of a great melody and a superb beat, all brought together in one fabulous arrangement.

BLOG NEWS - AMORE MUSICORUM
Parts 1, 2 and 3 of our new Blog series "Bert Kaempfert : The man, the music and the magic" have been published and are there for you, ready to be enjoyed ! These 3 episodes focus on the "early Kaempfert years' and thus the words "Beatles", "Polydor" and "Wonderland" are never far away..... The articles include rare and original photographic material as well. If you consider yourself a "true" Bert Kaempfert fan then this new Blog series is something you just cannot ignore... Go to the channel home page, then focus on the banner and then click the Blogger icon (you can't miss it, the name Amore Musicorum is mentioned next to the button) .. You soon will be browsing "galore" and you will discover one "surprise" after another.... We wish you lots of reading pleasure on our blog.

NEXT EPISODE IN THE KAEMPFERT SERIES (CFR OUR BLOG) =
" The Kaempfert African Sound " (Episode 4 of 24).
Stay tuned !

BELA SANDERS AND HIS ORCHESTRA - PEPITO

Socratess2007 2015-10-22 | EVERY NUMBER COUNTS - Today : " 6 "
There always are 6 strings on a guitar ; they are E A D G B E

BELA SANDERS
Hans Schubert absolvierte ein Musikstudium am Frankfurter Konservatorium. Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nahm er den Künstlernamen Béla Sanders an und gründete das Orchester Béla Sanders and his Tango-Orchestra, mit dem er 1953 bis 1959 mehrere Schallplatten bei Teldec einspielte. Das Orchester wurde bald eines der bekanntesten Tanzorchester Deutschlands.
Zu Beginn der 1960er Jahre wechselte er mit seinem nun Orchester Belá Sanders genannten Ensemble zu Philips. 1963 wurde sein Orchester vom Allgemeinen Deutscher Tanzlehrerverband zur Produktion der ersten Tanzplatte des Jahres ausgewählt.
Neben der musikalischen Unterstützung von Bällen und Tanzwettbewerben begleitete das Orchester Belá Sanders viele deutsche Schlagersänger sowohl auf der Bühne als auch im Studio, darunter Vico Torriani, Wilhelm Strienz, Fred Weyrich, Renate Holm und Lilian Harvey.
PEPITO
Was a huge hit for the Spanish group "Los Muchacambos" in the early 60s. Many orchestras recorded their instrumental version of the song - and used the cha cha cha rhythm as "basic structure" for the song.
MHO
In order to start the weekend in a happy and "danceable mood" style we selected this "strict tempo" played "PEPITO" by Bela Sanders and His Orchestra for you
Your weekend cannot go wrong anymore with this kind of strict tempo dancing music ...
Take it away Mr Sanders !

LOVE THAT BERT KAEMPFERT - 3 - CATCHY COVERS OF KAEMPFERT CLASSICS

Socratess2007 2015-10-17 | For the fans of Bert Kaempfert's music - and for lovers of good music in general - here's our 3rd "Love That Bert Kaempfert" compilation with no less than 6 "catchy covers" of famous Kaempfert instrumentals. Again, the full playing time of this compilation is approx 15 minutes - 15 minutes in which you will discover famous and less famous orchestras - all of them fond of Bert Kaempfert's music. One vocal interpretation of a Kaempfert world hit may come as a surprise - we hope that you will enjoy the close harmony singing of this famous ensemble. And while we are preparing "Love That Bert Kaempfert" part 4 (will not be in one of our next posts.....we want to keep lovers of "other"' big band music as our friends as well :-) - we wish you lot's of "discovery" and "quality music" pleasure as you watch this special presentation unfold .... Enjoy !
Total plating time : approx 15 min
Bitrate quality : all songs 320 kbps (converted where applicable)
Volume editing : Power sound editor
General editing : Power sound editor
Freemake Video applied for image rendition and image editing

THE ED SULLIVAN SINGERS - GOIN OUT OF MY HEAD

Socratess2007 2015-10-10 | EVERY NUMBER COUNTS - TODAY = THE NUMBER 5
On the count of 5 = 5 is a number that crops up in music regularly. Musical manuscript is written on a stave that consists out of 5 lines; a perfect fifth is the interval between notes that provide the most pleasing sounding harmony and it is the interval used to tune the strings of a violin = G-D-A-E-A.

ED SULLIVAN SINGERS
The man himself, Ed Sullivan, has "done it all" as far as radio, TV and showbusiness are concerned (his biography reads like an exciting novel). The recording of this record must have been the "gap" in his "CV" and so, .... this probably is the only album that "The Ed Sullivan Singers" ever recorded.

GOING OUT OF MY HEAD
Composer Teddy Randazzo teamed up with famous orchestrator and arranger Don Costa and this "Goin' out of my head" is one of their best known (and most successful ) works.

MHO
Greatt background orchestration here with a surprising but pleasing arrangement of the voices male vs female. Mr Costa clearly had the steering wheel firmly in his hands when arranging this great song, a song that finally ended up as a "standard" (or "evergreen" as they say in the UK). Numerous vocalists recorded their own version of the song. This close harmony presentation ranks amongst the best ever released.
***
ps / We are currently experimenting a bit with new slideshow and video presentation software so there might be minor changes and/or minor faults appearing in the videos We know this and are working contineously to improve on the quality of the music videos
Meanwhile, we want to increase our posting frequency of all that great music, so ....... it's a bit "balancing on a small rope" but hope you will still enjoy our presentations

SOCRESS SYMPHONIES -A NEW MUSICAL TRIP AWAITS YOU

Socratess2007 2015-10-06 | Our new season effectively starts now and here in this introductory video you can discover what kind of music (categories) you may expect and we also added some information on our updated and fully revised blog - Amore Musicorum (Latin for "I Love (my) music" :-) ! Our blog got an entirely new lay out and the first article in our new Bert Kaempfert series is now online for you to discover. In between the publication of the different "large text" episodes (24) we alternately will post smaller "faits divers" and/or interesting facts & figures about Bert Kaempfert.
Nice anecdote : when I walk into a record shop and ask young people if they "know" the music of Bert Kaempfert, .. they usually reply something like : " Bert .... who " ??
When I then "predict" that they WILL know Bert Kaempfert they are even more amazed..... But singing "Strangers in the Night", "Blue Spanish Eyes, "Love" or whistling "A Swingin Safari" or "Afrikaan Beat" .... brings them "back to Earth" :-) Oh yes, sure we know those songs..... we only didn't know that he was the composer and arranger of all that fabuloud music....
Well "kids of the 21st Century" ;-) = it has been proven that ... the Music of Bert Kaempfert is still with us and ... it's ALIVE AND KICKING ! We wish you lots of enjoyment with this "official" season opening trailer and be prepared .... there's a lot of good (life) music coming ! We wish all subscribers and occasional visitors a happy and careless new musical season !
.

Stelvio Cipriani and His Orchestra - Suzys Theme

Socratess2007 2015-09-29 | "EVERY NUMBER COUNTS" (PART 1 OF 21) = Today, the number (4) = 4/4 time is the most common rhythm used in music. It stands for 4 beats to the bar. Counting to 4 is a common method for bands and orchestra's starting a piece of music together.
Many groups of the 60s and 70s chose a name containing the figure "4" in it as well : The Four Tops, The Four Aces, The Fab Four (= the Beatles) etc.....
Next number that counts = ) 5 ( Cfr Next post on this channel

STELVIO CIPRIANI
Was an Italian composer, arranger and conductor who worked together with many other European and Italian filmmakers and soundtrack specialists.

SUZY'S THEME
The magnificent piece of miusic written by Maurice Jarre, who alsogave us (among many others) "Lawrence of Arabia"
Jean Michel Jarre is the top modern instumentalist that realluy honours his father making quite original and mood creative songs.

MHO
This one for some reason "didn't go through the "customs office" so it seems, but, as we re-listened to the sparkling arrangement we couldn"t "leave this one out" ;-)
A nice little extra here is the quiz you can play (alone or with friends ;-) in trying to add names to all these "movie greats" of the Golden Age of Cinema....

BERT KAEMPFERT - STOMPIN AT THE SAVOY - INCLUDING BONUS TRACKS

Socratess2007 2015-09-25 | SOCRESS SYMPHONIES PRESENTS
A Socratess2007 Channel

NEW SEASON TAKE OFF MUSIC VIDEO
BERT KAEMPFERT AND HIS ORCHESTRA - STOMPIN AT THE SAVOY - INCLUDING BONUS TRACKS

Well yes folks, this is the weekend that starts our "new season" (2015-2016) and .... what a season that will be :-) !

In order to "bring you in the appropriate musical mood" we start our new season with a "BERT KAEMPFERT SPECIAL"
At the request of many we hereby post Bert Kaempfert's version of the big band classic "Stompin' At The Savoy" (arranged and performed of course in Bert's own typical style !) But there is more ! Here's a short "appetizer" of what this particular^post contains .....
- Bonus track (YT premiere) : "In Apple Blossom Time"
- Edited and enhanced edition of "That Happy Feeling"
- Bert Kaempfert talking about his discovery of The Beatles (Radio show hosted by Richard Niles)
- Intro and closing theme based upon the Kaempfert track "Mambo Mania" (from the Latin Feeling album)
- Edited and enhanced ediion of that "mood booster" "Living it up"
- Richard Niles' introduction of Bert Kaempfert ("The Arrangers")
- and....as usual here on the Socratess2007 channel....: lots and lots of especially selected images of beautiful girls and/or appropriate other quality pictures.

Technical information : all tracks 320 kbps - volume maximization excluding sound distortion - enhanced stereo effects -adjusted bass and treble levels - in & out fading where appropriate.

And if all that still wouldn't be enough to satisfy your musical (Kaempfert) appetite we are also launching our new" BERT KAEMPFERT - THE MAN, THE MUSIC and the MAGIC" series on our BLOG (= "Amore Musicorum" (= Latin for I Love Music)
Going there is easy : just click the "Blogger" icon visible in the down-right corner of our channel banner and you will end up at our "sister project" "Amore Musicorum - Bert Kaempfert" which will contain no less than 24 "fully loaded" episodes about Fips (Kaempfert's nickname) starting with an introduction of the series, listing the titles of the 24 episodes.
Each episode will handle one major aspect of Bert Kaempfert's life (and his immortal music of course) but there will also be "side" information with facts, figures and more !

Finally, we let you know that soon, a "contribution" system will be launched where fans, friends and other music lovers will get the opportunity to "give the maker of this channel AND of the Blog series a (financial) "tap on the shoulder".

No, we don't want to "make big money" with these posts and publications, but it would be an encouragement for your humble servant to go on with the YT posts and the BLOG publications :-)
(The system will be 100% safe for everyone and "easy as a piece of cake" :) ) A "mysterious" (;-) ?) "lady" named LADY LP (would that LP stand for Long Playing or for "Low Profile" or .....?) will "take over" each time one of you (be it a loyal subscriber or an occasional visitor) , has a "peculiar question" about retro lounge music or about orchestral/instrumental music in general that they cannot identify (who composed a song ? who performed it ? which orchestra is playing that mysterious music here ?, etc etc ..)
Our LADY LP will get in touch with you via a totally separate channel and at least in thoses cases, (when we found the answer to your question obviously) "a small tap on the shoulder" would be appreciated by your humble servant :-) .....

Enough "talk" for now however so.......please Bert, "take it away and ...Music Maestro please !

John Cacavas and His Orchestra- Ole Devil Moon- New Season Preview

Socratess2007 2015-07-19 | A word from Socratess2007 ....

Well, you might have guessed it folks, it’s summer time here in the low countries (when looking outside one often doubts if it’s really so, because the weather … sometimes “isn’t what it should be”)
But, well, we should enjoy every minute of sunshine we get here (as our “summer” usually only lasts for 3 months (we will not comment on the other 9 months as it would be too depressing for people) and so….it’s holiday time and your humble servant obviously also needs “a bit of (real) sunshine” now and then.

Hence, our channel will be “off line” for a while, but rest assured, we will be coming back “bigger and better than ever” ;-) after the holidays.
Some things will continue as usual (“never change a winning team ;-)” but – as you will see in our “New Season Preview” here, there also will be some exciting new content coming.

To name just a few things to look forward to  = A completely new and updated “Channel Trailer”, some rare original Bert Kaempfert recordings, some remarkable and interesting “Kaempfert music cover compilations” (always full versions), a new info topic titled “Facts Figures and Fun (related to music)” and, as you may expect from “Socratess2007”, many YouTube “premieres” AND some very rare (but beautiful) music from the “early days of stereo”.

This, and much more, is coming soon (which will be somewhere at the end of august).
Meanwhile, we hope you will (re-) enjoy all the videos and music posted so far and we wish all our subscribers and all occasional visitors of this channel “a sunny, relaxing and enjoyable holiday”.
I think that most of us will be in (urgent ? ) need of a bit of “quality time”, whatever that may mean FOR YOU …..

“See you all soon at the start of the new season 2015-2016 here on the “SOCRESS SYMPHONIES” channel ! And remember the famous words of Friedrich Nietzsche :
“Without music……. the world would be a mistake”

Take care everyone and from Antwerp, Belgium, it’s goodbye for now but we’ll say “hello again” soon …..!

Love That Bert Kaempfert - Various Artists Encore Edition

Socratess2007 2015-06-24 | LOVE THAT BERT KAEMPFERT - VARIOUS ARTISTS ENCORE EDITION (1)
Featuring The Briarcliff Strings & Orchestra - Santo & Johnny - Les and Larry Elgart - Gunter Gollasch Band - Bobby Hackett, His trumpet & orchestra and The Orquesta de Habana
Total running time 14'45"
Includes background info & anecdotes regarding the featured Kaempfert compositions, references to the Original albums and some rare photos of Bert.

Ladi Geisler - Ve Se Gostas ( In Love )

Socratess2007 2015-06-13 | CANDID CLASSICAL COMPOSER CITATIONS - 3
"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
LEONARD BERNSTEIN
(Most famous work (musical) : "West Side Story")

LADI GEISLER
Miloslav Ladislav "Ladi" Geisler was a German musician who established a high profile in the post-war German music scene. Best known for his work with Bert Kaempfert, James Last and Freddy Quinn, Geisler developed the distinctive "Knack-Bass" percussive bass sound that helped popularize the Bert Kaempfert Orchestra. He later released numerous records under his own name
While on a mission as a pilot during WWII he was captured by the British and was interned in a Danish POW camp. With the help of a fellow prisoner, Geisler built an electric guitar and learned as a self-taught player. His role model was Oscar Moore, guitarist of singer Nat King Cole. In the camp he also made the acquaintance of the German musician Horst Wende, who brought him after discharge to Germany and made him a guitarist of his "Horst Wende Trio."
Geisler did some work for the NWDR, and after the spin-off of the NDR in 1955, he received a permanent position as a guitarist in the NDR Dance Orchestra under the direction of Franz Thon. Continuing to play with Wende, he signed a contract with the record company Polydor.
At NDR he was used in many ways, such as with the NDR Symphony Orchestra and at the premiere of a work by Pierre Boulez at the Edinburgh Festival. In addition to Polydor, he also worked for other record companies and accompanied singers like Evelyn Künneke, Greetje Kauffeld, Friedel Hensch, Esther and Abi Ofarim and Hildegard Knef.
From composer and big band leader James Last, he bought a late 50s Gibson EB bass guitar, with which he developed his legendary "Knack bass" sound that would become an integral feature in the Easy Listening orchestra of Bert Kaempfert. Later, he used a Fender Jazz Bass model. Most recently, he used a Fender Precision Bass when he was invited to live or recording sessions.
In 1958, he recorded Happy Guitar / Samba estrella, his first solo record with the record company Telefunken. For Philips and Ariola, but mainly with Polydor, he recorded until 1965 several more solo albums, partly with the Polydor band "The Playboys". Under their label, he reached in 1961 No. 19 in the German charts with the cover of world hit Wheels. As a freelance musician, he was sought after by all the leading German record companies and worked, in some years, up to 1500 gigs. In 1988 and 1990 he went on tour in Japan, with the Alfred Hause Orchestra.
In 2003, Geisler was awarded the Louis Armstrong Memorial Prize for Swinging Hamburg.

VE SE GOSTAS
A so called "choro" written by Brazilian choro composer Waldir de Azevedo (who also wrote the famous "Delicado")
Azevedo wrote 130 compositions during his lifetime, including the Brasileirinho, and played the cavaquinho. He is considered to be the most successful musician of the genre.
"Ve Se Gostas" translates (more or less) as "See if you like (it)"

MHO
A wonderful piece of guitar music here with "Knack bass" specialist Ladi Geisler who kinda pays tribute to the Brazilian choro composer Waldir Azevedo. Geisler was a phenomenal guitar player, which explains why he was so popular with numerous bands and orchestras in the post-war Germany.
His sense of rhythm was legendary and it is remarkable how he, through self teaching (!) managed to master the guitar completely. When the passion for music takes over .... anything is possible ! Enjoy.

James Last - Thank You For The Music

Socratess2007 2015-06-11 | Socratess2007 "Socress Symphonies Presents"
"Special videopost"
On the occasion of the passing away of James Last on June 9th 2015 : our way of saying THANK YOU to "The Gentleman of Music" Rest in peace Hansi. Your music will always be with us.