Showing posts with label Al Caiola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Al Caiola. Show all posts

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Morgana King - For You, For Me, For Evermore

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:43
Size: 82,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. For You, For Me, Forever More
(3:12)  2. Here I'll Stay
(3:19)  3. There's a Lull in My Life
(2:16)  4. Delovely
(3:09)  5. Down in the Depths
(2:21)  6. The Song Is You
(2:32)  7. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
(3:20)  8. Ev'rything I Love
(3:25)  9. If You Could See Me Now
(3:17) 10. I'll String Along With You
(3:02) 11. Everything I've Got
(2:38) 12. You're Not So Easy to Forget

None of the more than 30 albums recorded by singer Morgana King beginning in the mid-'50s were embraced by the size of the audience that bought tickets to see the first two chapters of The Godfather film trilogy, in which King acted in the role of Mama Corleone. But it would be wrong to assume she had more impact as an actress than as a vocalist. Her acting roles, few and far between, were chosen with care, but did not have the resonance of some of her finest recordings. Millions saw her onscreen in the Godfather films, but her performance was certainly overshadowed by performers such as Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, not to mention the famous turn by Marlon Brando as her husband. Another role of King's was in the 1997 film A Brooklyn State of Mind; she also appeared in several television productions. It is possible that there are actors and actresses who have named Morgana King as a great inspiration. Yet, the results of a simple Internet search under her name only yielded dozens of quotes from vocalists and other musicians about the great influence of her recordings and singing style, not her work before the camera. It might not be a surprise when a young female singer gushed about King's albums, but these fans also included deeper thinkers such as classical bass virtuoso Gary Karr. References to her music also show up regularly in fiction as a kind of mood-setting device, such as: "It was a beautiful day in Malibu. He got up, made a coffee and put on a Morgana King record." Some record collectors might be surprised to realize that a complete set of King sides might eliminate any elbow room for, say, the discography of one of the prolific blues guitarists with this regal surname. Morgana King sides can be divided into several periods. It took her almost eight years to peak at whatever commercial success she was going to have with the 1964 A Taste of Honey album, thus ending the early years. 

She was then absorbed into the Atlantic and Reprise corporation and an exemplary series of releases by singers such as Big Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Lavern Baker, and Ray Charles. The label's greatest producers stared the oncoming rock & roll in the eye, never forgetting their basic R&B orientation. Within a few years, a subcategory developed, seen through paisley glasses. The material became more philosophical, the increasing intellectual depth not surprisingly accompanied by the audience stampeding in the opposite direction. This might make sense, though; while 1965's The Winter of My Discontent is a masterpiece, 1968's Gemini Changes is laughably pretentious.  By the early '70s she was eager to get into films, the music business pushing away any and all veteran talent. Later in the decade she launched the mature period of her career, though, once again recording as more of a jazz-flavored artist for Muse, a label which in itself indicates a disinterest in pop culture. The label was loyal to her, regularly recording her through the following decade. This material was reissued in the late '90s by the 32 Jazz label, whose honcho, Joel Dorn, also presided over the reissue of her Reprise sides. If a special sort of bittersweet feeling pervaded her later performances, perhaps it had something to do with this return to her jazz singing roots. Her father had been a performer of folk and popular music on voice and guitar, and she had begun singing in nightclubs such as Basin Street in New York City when she was in her mid-twenties. Only a few years earlier, she had been immersed in classical studies at the Metropolitan School of Music. Basin Street may have been in the same city, but it must have seemed like a completely different musical world. The formal training undoubtedly filled in aspects of her musical walk where some of her peers might have had to limp. For this reason alone, some listeners find her efforts the most swinging of the '60s generation of pop singers. It meant much critical acclaim during her career, if not great commercial success. At many stages, King seemed to have been making other plans. For the 1960 Encyclopedia of Jazz by Leonard Feather, she listed this ambition: "To become a dramatic actress."~ Eugene Chadbourne https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morgana-king-mn0000501436/biography

Personnel:   Vocals – Morgana King; Guitar – Al Caiola;  Piano – Hank Jones;  Trombone – Chauncey Welsch

For You, For Me, For Evermore

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Al Caiola - The Very Best Of Al Caiola

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:01
Size: 112.2 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:03] 1. Wheel Of Fortune
[0:00] 2. Ring On Her Finger
[1:41] 3. El Relicario
[2:50] 4. Beautiful Dreamer
[3:26] 5. Malagueña
[3:31] 6. On Top Of Old Smokey
[2:33] 7. Espana Cani
[2:07] 8. Be Mine Tonight (Noche De Ronda)
[2:16] 9. La Paloma
[2:23] 10. Cielito Lindo
[3:21] 11. Clementine
[2:59] 12. Dixie
[3:03] 13. My Old Kentucky Home
[2:18] 14. Nelly Bly
[1:56] 15. Oh Susanna
[3:09] 16. Ole Kentucky
[2:20] 17. Ring, Ring De Banjo
[2:00] 18. In The Mood
[3:08] 19. Granada
[1:47] 20. Tico Tico

Guitarist Al Caiola initially made his reputation as a session musician, playing on records made by Percy Faith and Andre Kostelanetz, among others. Caiola was the conductor and arranger for United Artists Records in the late '40s and early '50s. After leaving UA, he signed with RCA, where he released a number of singles in the '50s. In the early '60s, he went back to United Artists, which is where he scored his first hit with the theme to the film The Magnificent Seven. The single peaked at 35 in early 1961 and it was quickly followed by the theme to the television series Bonanza, which climbed to number 19. For the rest of the '60s, Caiola released a number of easy listening instrumental albums and also hosted a television show, which was only aired for a short while. Caiola continued to record throughout subsequent decades; he died in Allendale, New Jersey in 2016 at the age of 96. ~ bio by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The Very Best Of Al Caiola

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Al Caiola - The Caiola Connection: The Creative World Of Al Caiola

Size: 182,9+183,7 MB
Time: 77:26+77:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz, Country, Rock
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. A String Of Pearls (2:48)
02. American Patrol (3:22)
03. Goodbye (2:49)
04. King Porter's Stomp (2:53)
05. Honky-Tonk (Part 2) (2:35)
06. Hearts Of Stone (1:59)
07. Tango Of The Roses (2:20)
08. Woodpecker Song (2:22)
09. Around The World In 80 Days (2:01)
10. Midnight In Moscow (2:44)
11. The Sound Of Music (2:24)
12. Cherokee (3:06)
13. Joey's Song (2:10)
14. Malaguena (2:12)
15. Dipsy Doodle (2:39)
16. Mambo Jambo (2:29)
17. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie (1:51)
18. Serenade In Blue (4:36)
19. Don't Worry 'Bout Me (4:48)
20. Moments Like This (5:02)
21. Early Autumn (4:11)
22. Black And Blue (3:40)
23. Indian Summer (5:00)
24. Blue The Night (4:20)
25. Drambuie (2:54)

CD 2:
01. Eager Beaver (2:52)
02. Begin The Beguine (2:53)
03. Jumpin' At The Woodside (2:53)
04. 720 In The Books (3:09)
05. Intermission Riff (2:41)
06. 9.20 Special (3:18)
07. Mexican Hat Dance (2:13)
08. Under Paris Skies (2:33)
09. Ram-Bunk-Shush (1:54)
10. Oh Marie (2:14)
11. Chitarra Romana (2:25)
12. Cumana (2:29)
13. I Love You (2:15)
14. Bim Bam Bum (2:38)
15. Idaho (1:36)
16. Hindustan (2:03)
17. El Cumbanchero (2:55)
18. Love Letters (4:09)
19. There'll Never Be Another You (3:53)
20. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (4:26)
21. Everything Happens To Me (4:30)
22. Deep In A Dream (4:35)
23. You Are Too Beautiful (4:18)
24. I Got A Crush On You (3:51)
25. Thunderbird (4:54)

Included is a wide spectrum of material from Caiola's work for RCA Victor, United Artists, and Savoy.

Caiola presents a creative approach to such dynamic titles as A String of Pearls, American Patrol, King Porter's Stomp, Hearts of Stone, Around the World in 80 Days, The Sound of Music, Mambo Jambo, Midnight in Moscow, Jumpin' at the Woodside, Hindustan, Honky-Tonk (Part 2), Malaguena, and a wide variety of other titles.

Each disc culminates with a highly-collectable full album Caiola recorded for Savoy Records in the mid-'50s.

This is definitely one of the greatest releases of all time of the works of the great AL CAIOLA!

The Caiola Connection CD 1
The Caiola Connection CD 2

Monday, May 9, 2016

Al Caiola - Deep in a Dream

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:07
Size: 108,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. Love Letters
(3:57)  2. There'll Never Be Another You
(4:29)  3. I Got it Bad
(4:33)  4. Everything Happens to Me
(4:39)  5. Deep in a Dream
(4:21)  6. You are too Beautiful
(3:55)  7. I Got a Crush on You
(4:57)  8. Thunderbird

Al Caiola is a guitarist who initially made his reputation as a session musician, playing on records made by Percy Faith and Andre Kostelanetz, among others. Caiola was the conductor and arranger for United Artists Records in the late '40s and early '50s. After leaving UA, he signed with RCA, where he released a number of singles in the '50s. In the early '60s, he went back to United Artists, which is where he scored his first hit with the theme to the film The Magnificent Seven. The single peaked at 35 in early 1961 and it was quickly followed by the theme to the television series Bonanza, which climbed to number 19. 

For the rest of the '60s, Caiola released a number of easy listening instrumental albums. During the decade he also hosted a television show, which was only aired for a short while. Caiola continued to record throughout the '70s and into the '80s.~Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/artist/al-caiola-mn0000609000

Personnel: Al Caiola (guitar), Bernie Privin (trumpet), Hank Jones (piano), Clyde Lombardi (bass), Kenny Clarke (drums).

Deep in a Dream

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Al Caiola - Serenade in Blue

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:54
Size: 80,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:38)  1. Serenade in Blue
(4:50)  2. Don't Worry About Me
(5:05)  3. Moments Like This
(4:15)  4. Early Autumn
(3:43)  5. Black and Blue
(5:02)  6. Indian Summer
(4:23)  7. Blue the Night
(2:56)  8. Dram-Buei

Al Caiola (whose name is misspelled Caiora throughout the outside of this CD, although it is correct on the inside!) was a studio guitarist who led some nice easy listening melodic jazz dates during 1955-60. On this budget release, he is heard on four numbers apiece with a pair of overlapping quintets featuring either Romeo Penque (on flute, bass clarinet, and English horn) or trumpeter Bernie Privin; Hank Jones or Ronnie Ball on piano; bassist Clyde Lombardi (listed as Clyde Rombaldi!); and drummer Kenny Clarke. The music, which includes "Don't Worry About Me," "Early Autumn," and "Indian Summer," is light and easy to enjoy, serving both as superior background music and melodic jazz. It is too bad that the packaging (which credits most of the standards, including "Serenade to Blue" and "Early Autumn," to "Caiora") basically stinks! Hopefully someday this set, and Caiola's earlier Savoy album, will be reissued in much more coherent form; they could easily be repackaged as a single CD.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/serenade-in-blue-mw0000241191

Personnel:  Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, English Horn – Romeo Penque (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 8);  Bass – Clyde Lombardi;  Drums – Kenny Clarke;  Guitar – Al Caiola;  Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 8), Ronnie Bell (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7);  Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bernie Privin (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7)

Serenade in Blue

Friday, March 25, 2016

Various - Alanna Records Greatest 46th Anniversary Edition

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:54
Size: 137.1 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:29] 1. The Spitfire Band - New York, New York
[4:08] 2. The Spitfire Band - Laura
[3:02] 3. The Spitfire Band - It Happened In Monterey
[1:56] 4. Al Caiola - Be True To Me (Sabor A Mi)
[3:41] 5. Al Caiola - You Are Always In My Heart (Siempre En Mi Corazon)
[2:42] 6. Al Caiola - Magic Is The Moonlight
[3:05] 7. Main Stream Power Band - Road To Swing
[2:57] 8. Main Stream Power Band - Main Stream Power Boogie
[3:03] 9. Main Stream Power Band - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
[3:14] 10. Charlie Shaffer - Here's That Rainy Day
[2:55] 11. Charlie Shaffer - Our Day Will Come
[3:42] 12. Charlie Shaffer - South Of The Border
[3:59] 13. Laurie Bower - Don't Blame Me
[3:20] 14. Laurie Bower - I Go To Rio
[3:00] 15. Laurie Bower - You Needed Me
[4:17] 16. Tony Corbiscello - Don't Worry About Me
[4:16] 17. Tony Corbiscello - Dream
[2:59] 18. Tony Corbiscello - Lover

Greatest hits from the Spitfire Band, Al Caiola, Main Stream Power Band, Charlie Shaffer, Laurie Bower Singers and Tony Corbiscello Big Band! "The good days never sounded this good." Alanna Records Greatest: 46th Anniversary Edition songs ~ MEL TORME

Alanna Records Greatest 46th Anniversary Edition

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Al Caiola - Solid Gold Guitar (Expanded Edition)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:38
Size: 120.5 MB
Styles: Pop/Rock guitar, Easy Listening
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. Guns Of Navarone
[2:45] 2. Moon River
[2:23] 3. Guitar Boogie
[2:11] 4. The Magnificent Seven
[2:50] 5. I'll Walk The Line
[2:28] 6. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
[2:26] 7. Jezabelle
[2:46] 8. Mexico
[2:43] 9. Big Guitar
[2:27] 10. Two Guitars
[2:30] 11. Foot Stompin'
[2:47] 12. Vaya Con Dios
[3:12] 13. Besame Mucho
[2:30] 14. Sweet Georgia Brown
[3:19] 15. Siboney
[2:19] 16. La Paloma
[1:55] 17. Steel Guitar Rag
[3:00] 18. Apache
[2:23] 19. Jeepers Creepers
[2:44] 20. Arrividerci Roma

Al Caiola is a guitarist who initially made his reputation as a session musician, playing on records made by Percy Faith and Andre Kostelanetz, among others. Caiola was the conductor and arranger for United Artists Records in the late '40s and early '50s. After leaving UA, he signed with RCA, where he released a number of singles in the '50s. In the early '60s, he went back to United Artists, which is where he scored his first hit with the theme to the film The Magnificent Seven. The single peaked at 35 in early 1961 and it was quickly followed by the theme to the television series Bonanza, which climbed to number 19. For the rest of the '60s, Caiola released a number of easy listening instrumental albums. During the decade he also hosted a television show, which was only aired for a short while. Caiola continued to record throughout the '70s and into the '80s. ~bio by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Solid Gold Guitar (Expanded Edition)

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Al Caiola - Spanish Guitar Afternoon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 25:09
Size: 57.6 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar, Easy Listening
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:23] 1. Cielito Lindo
[2:16] 2. La Paloma
[3:21] 3. Clementine
[2:07] 4. Be Mine Tonight (Noche De Ronda)
[1:47] 5. Tico Tico
[1:41] 6. El Relicario
[2:33] 7. Espana Cani
[3:08] 8. Granada
[3:26] 9. Malagueña
[2:22] 10. Ring On Her Finger

Al Caiola is a guitarist who initially made his reputation as a session musician, playing on records made by Percy Faith and Andre Kostelanetz, among others. Caiola was the conductor and arranger for United Artists Records in the late '40s and early '50s. After leaving UA, he signed with RCA, where he released a number of singles in the '50s. In the early '60s, he went back to United Artists, which is where he scored his first hit with the theme to the film The Magnificent Seven. The single peaked at 35 in early 1961 and it was quickly followed by the theme to the television series Bonanza, which climbed to number 19. For the rest of the '60s, Caiola released a number of easy listening instrumental albums. During the decade he also hosted a television show, which was only aired for a short while. Caiola continued to record throughout the '70s and into the '80s. ~bio by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Spanish Guitar Afternoon