Frank Spencer

Trojan Records Presents Trojan This Is Christmas album 50 original hits and the original artists. Includes tracks by Boris Gardiner, The Mighty Diamonds, Yellowman, Jackie Edwards, Eek-A-Mouse, Alton Ellis and The Lipsticks, Frank Cosmo and more.

A fabulous hard swinging Louie Bellson big band album, this set features arrangements by the drummer-leader and Bill Holman. The orchestra boasts such fine soloists as the tenors of Menza and Pete Christlieb, trumpeters Bobby Shew, Conte Candoli, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Blue Mitchell, trombonist Frank Rosolino and either Nat Pierce or Ross Tompkins on piano. Highpoints include "Time Check," "Inferno," "Back Home" and Holman's reworking of "Hello Young Lovers." Highly Recommended.

In contrast to most actor/actresses-turned-vocalists, there's nothing to joke about on this album - no Golden Throats candidates, except maybe the title track. For starters, Shepherd has a solid jazz ensemble backing her up, led by Stan Getz and arranged by Oscar Neves, and gives us a very enjoyable jazz-flavored record. She takes the Fred Astaire approach to singing, not denying that she has a limited range but working carefully within that range and even using those limitations to her advantage. Getz's solos perfectly complement Shepherd's voice, and she stretches out ravishingly on "This Masquerade," "I'm Old Fashioned" is a sexy torch number in her hands, without a trace of campiness, "Speak Low" soars subtly and elegantly, and the opening number, Ginastera's "Triste," is a sophisticated piece of concert music and a triumph for her as well.

This fascinating and thoroughly entertaining 3CD set is now available!
Here's what I had to say about it on All Music Guide:
"The idea of ‘banning’ a song from being broadcast over the airwaves is a familiar story here in the U.S., especially when it comes to offensive lyrics. Many of the decisions made by the FCC have been no-brainers and have met with some resistance but were, for the most part, justifiable. But in the UK (especially during the years covered on this three CD set), the BBC’s judgments on what was inappropriate for airplay made U.S. radio sound like a crowded brothel during happy hour!

No words can describe how great the inaugural release from Complete 60s Records is – because there are no words! This exciting new label from England is undertaking an unprecedented, decade-long project to compile every single Billboard Hot 100 instrumental hit of the 1960s. Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of the Sixties, Vol. 1 – 1960 marks the beginning of a series of releases that will definitively document the decade when the pop instrumental genre truly reached its zenith. Rock, rhythm ’n’ blues, country, and orchestral instrumental singles all vied for a spot in the Hot 100 weekly charts. Hundreds of them earned that coveted spot in history, and when this project is complete you’ll own them all in the order they peaked on the charts! That way, you can experience them the way the world did in 1960. You’ll hear how surf music evolved, how rock combos and orchestral arrangers influenced each other, and how easy listening emerged as a distinct sound during this golden decade. The Ventures, Chet Atkins, Johnny & the Hurricanes, Percy Faith, Bill Black, Ferrante & Teicher – these giants of the genre are all here on Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of the Sixties, Vol. 1 – 1960. But, so are Monty Kelly, the Ramblers, and Charles Wolcott. Who, you ask? All of them scored instrumental hits in 1960, none of which have ever been on CD before now. In fact, this 81-track, 3-CD set includes no less than 16 CD debuts and dozens of genuinely rare tracks – 45 in true stereo. That’s over three hours of music!

Due amici per la pelle, spie di professione, sono l'orgoglio della Cia: una coppia imbattibile e inseparabile, almeno fino a quando non scoprono di essersi innamorati della stessa ragazza. Scopriranno allora quanto le armi delle spie possano diventare pericolose anche per loro…

is a tribute to the famed Delta bluesman. It is by Paul Williams from the band Juicy Lucy, along with some of his bandmates and other noted musicians.