The Harry Roche Constellation - Strangers In The Night @Socratess2007

Uploaded March 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN AND THEIR MUSIC MACHINES -10
Leon Theremin (15 August 1896 – 3 November 1993)
Léon Theremin was a Russian and Soviet inventor, most famous for his invention of the theremin, one of the first electronic musical instruments and the first to be mass produced. The instrument's controlling section usually consists of two metal antennas that sense the relative position of the thereminist's hands and control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker. Hence, the instrument is controlled without physical contact by the thereminist (performer). Theremin also invented the Rhythmicon – the world's first drum machine. The instrument was patented in 1931.

HARRY ROCHE
Easy instrumentals and jazzy genius from the early 70s, British trombonist Harry Roche recorded numerous pop songs and soundtrack hits in the late 1960s with his "Constellation". With a vibe that betters the grooviest of sound library discoveries all these songs and themes were played by the best British session musicians available at the time. There's a loungey charm to many of the tunes recorded by Roche and his Constellation and some of his albums have become true collectors items today.

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
Written by Bert Kaempfert as the "love theme" for a movie called "A Man could get killed" (Original title was "Beddy Bye"). The song became a worldwide success as "Strangers in the night" sung by Frank Sinatra. The lyrics were written by Charlie Singleton. You can find an interview with Bert Kaempfert about "Strangers in the night" here = youtube.com/watch?v=QOHAndGCLow

MHO
A groovy, jazzy version of the famous Kaempfert composition here with emphasis on the brass and rhythm sections. No violins this time (makes for a nice change) but the original romantic nature of the song is somewhat "saved" by the soft wordless vocals added in the background. But for sure, this must be one the "most swingin' versions" ever recorded of this million seller ! Enjoy.

The Harry Roche Constellation - Strangers In The Night

John Gregory and His Orchestra - Wouldnt It Be Nice

Werner Drexler Sound Orchestra - Keep Daddy Happy

$Glen Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra - Take The A Train ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE CHARTS - 1965 Song that entered the charts : A Taste Of Honey Performed by : Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass HCP (Highest chart pos) = 1 A Taste Of Honey won the Grammy Award for Record Of The Year. The song was written by Ric Marlow and Bobby Scott .It was released on the album Whipped Cream & Other Delights THE CASA LOMA ORCHESTRA .The Casa Loma Orchestra was a popular American dance band active from 1927 to 1963. From 1929 until the rapid multiplication in the number of swing bands from 1935 on, the Casa Loma Orchestra was one of the top North American dance bands. It did not tour after 1950 but continued to record as a studio group. The future members of the band first came together in 1927 as the Orange Blossoms, one of several Detroit-area groups that came out of the Jean Goldkette office. The band had adopted the Casa Loma name by the time of its first recordings in 1929, shortly after it played an eight-month engagement at Casa Loma Hotel in Toronto. The band never actually played the Casa Loma under that name, still appearing as the Orange Blossoms at that time. In 1930, the Casa Loma Orchestra was officially incorporated in New York as a corporation with the members all stockholders and board members. The band members were hired on the grounds of musical and congenial competence and followed strict conduct and financial rules. Members who broke the rules could be summoned before the board, have their contract bought out and be ejected from the band. The band was fronted for the first few years by violinist Hank Biagini, although the eventual leader, saxophonist Glen Gray (1900-1963) was from the very beginning first among equals. The complex arrangements called for talented musicians such as trombonist Pee Wee Hunt, trumpeter Frank L. Ryerson, trumpeter Sonny Dunham, clarinetist Clarence Hutchenrider, drummer Tony Briglia and singer Kenny Sargent. Arrangements were by Gene Gifford, who also composed much of the bands book, Spud Murphy, Larry Wagner, Salvador Tutti Camarata and Horace Henderson. Some arrangements were written by Gray himself. Giffords arrangements were credited in large part to giving the band its sound, but even he fell victim to the bands strict rules, being bought out in 1935 due to alcohol-related infractions. Manager Cork OKeefe was made a Vice President in the corporation and arranged bookings in venues such as Glen Island casino, which they helped popularize, and the Essex House Hotel, that lead to their radio appearances Their mid-1930s appearances on the long-run radio comedy-variety program, the Camel Caravan (introduced with their theme, Smoke Rings) increased their popularity. Interestingly enough, Gray chose not to conduct the band in the early years, playing in the saxophone section while violinist Mel Jenssen acted as conductor. In 1937, the band overwhelmingly voted in favor of Glen leading the orchestra, and Gray finally accepted the job. Hits included Casa Loma Stomp, No Name Jive and Maniacs Ball. Part of the reason for the bands decline is that other big bands included in their books hard-swinging numbers emulating the hot Casa Loma style. In the late 1930s Gray took top billing, and by the mid-1940s (as the other original players left) Gray would come to own the band and the Casa Loma name. For a time, during this period, the band featured guitarist Herb Ellis, trumpeter Bobby Hackett, pianist Nick Denucci and cornetist Red Nichols. By 1950, the Casa Loma band had ceased touring, Gray retired to Massachusetts, and the later recordings on Capitol (beginning with Casa Loma in Hi-Fi in 1956 and continuing through the Sounds of the Great Bands series) were done by studio musicians in Hollywood. TAKE THE A TRAIN Take the A Train is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra. The title refers to the then relatively new A subway service that runs through New York City, going at that time from eastern Brooklyn (opened in 1936) up into Harlem and northern Manhattan, using an express track section (opened in 1932) in Manhattan. Take the A Train was composed in 1939, after Ellington offered Strayhorn a job in his organization and gave him money to travel from Pittsburgh to New York City. Ellington wrote directions for Strayhorn to get to his house by subway, directions that began, Take the A Train. Strayhorn was a great fan of Fletcher Hendersons arrangements. One day, I was thinking about his style, the way he wrote for trumpets, trombones and saxophones, and I thought I would try something like that. MHO Big Band music at its best with one of the best jazz standards ever written, played by the best musicians around and arranged by the elite of the music business ! Smooth sounding saxes, terrific trombones and tentalizing trumpets.... so, sit back, relax and enjoy this tempo driven train trip !$

John Fox - When Youre in love with a Beautiful Woman

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The Symphonette Society Orchestra - Sweet Caroline

Warren Kime and His Orchestra - So Whats New

Carlos Romanos and His Orchestra - Morengo

BRIAN FAHEY - LETS CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF