Tuesday, April 30, 2013

More Rocking on Broadway - ACE RECORDS reissue - a review forthcoming

Please always visit our main pages
http://bobbyhebb.com 
http://sunnythesong.com 




We got our copy today, April 30, 2013.  It's a fantastic disc with 25 tracks.  Watch for our review soon.

AllMusic.com has a review up currently:


http://www.allmusic.com/album/more-rockin-on-broadway-mw0000222818

Connie Francis to release DVD anthology of Ed Sullivan Appearances

Please always visit our main pages
http://bobbyhebb.com 
http://sunnythesong.com 

CONNIE FRANCIS PERFORMS "SUNNY"

Dear Bobby Hebb fans -

The reason that Connie Francis' version of "SUNNY" is missing from YouTube is that Connie is working on a DVD of her performances on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Thanks to Roger Turner for this information.  Roger sent us a complete list of Connie's appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show  

CONNIE FRANCIS APPEARANCES
'The Ed Sullivan Show'
                                     1958-1970



26-11-1967    #937:
-21/ 12

Colour    * MEDLEY: 
-110    Goin' Out Of My Head
-111    Sunny
* THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
    * The Beatles (On Film)
* Al Hirt
* Jane Morgan




On this particular program a Beatles video was broadcast (video?  it was film back in 1967), Al Hirt and Jane Morgan appeared on the program and Connie sings a medley of "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Sunny".


Perhaps we'll get a petition together to kindly request that this 1967 medley with "Sunny" be included in the upcoming DVD.

       
http://www.conniefrancis.com/

http://www.conniefrancis.com/#!contact/c20x9

Hello Connie,

We are hoping that you are going to include Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" in your upcoming DVD from the Ed Sullivan Show.   


We are posting information on http://bobbyhebb.blogspot.com   Thanks for having performed "Sunny"

editor 

BobbyHebb.com 
Sunnythesong.com


Monday, April 29, 2013

Stephen Wade Interview Conducted April 25, 2013

Please always visit our main pages
http://bobbyhebb.com 
http://sunnythesong.com 

The Beautiful Music All Around Us
 
Visual Radio talks to Stephen Wade on Thursday April 25, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ruL8dJirJI


According to a recent article by Rick Kogan, Stephen Wade spent 18 years working on his book "The Beautiful Music All Around Us," which tells of 13 performances that were part of Library of Congress field recordings and the stories behind the music and the people who made it. On April 25, 2013 Stephen Wade spoke to Visual Radio host Joe Viglione about his book, his release on Rounder Records (some of which is included in the book), and his talk with Bobby Hebb.

Nancy Wilson, Connie Francis, Duke Ellington recordings, The Maryville College Jazz Band performed "Sunny" on April 25, 2013 at Clayton Center for the Arts’ Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall.


Please always visit our main pages
http://bobbyhebb.com 
http://sunnythesong.com 

YourNews: Maryville College Jazz Band will present spring concert

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/apr/24/yournews-maryville-college-jazz-band-will-present-/ Directed by composer, educator and pianist Dr. Bill Swann, who is also chair of the Maryville College Division of Fine Arts, the band will perform “Sister Sadie” by Horace Silver; “Sunny” by Bobby Hebb; “Philadelphia Mambo” by Tito Puente; “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock; “Milestones” by Miles Davis; “Cariba” by Wes Montgomery; “Back at the Chicken Shack” by Jimmy Smith; and “Straight Life” by Freddie Hubbard.

Thank you, Dr. Swann

Dr. William SwannDr. William Swann
Associate Professor of Music, Chair, Division of Fine Arts
Education: B.M., M.M., University of Tennessee, Knoxville; D.A., University of Mississippi
Clayton Center for the Arts, Main Building 303/305
 


http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/academics/divisions/finearts/faculty/ 
_____________________________________________
LISTEN TO NANCY WILSON SING "SUNNY"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLFJSLcoCg
ALBUM: Lush Life
Side 2, Track #4
Arranged and Conducted by Billy May
Produced by David Cavanaugh
Capitol Records, #ST-2757 



Liner notes

This is an album of songs that Nancy wanted to sing...this is an album of songs that had to be sung by Nancy. Theya re outstanding creations, some familiar, some new, by a roster of the very finest songwriters of our day...written to tell the stories of the alone and lonely. 

There are perhaps no other songs as beautiful as these are when they're sung by one of the very few people who can sing them superbly.  When they're sung by Nancy.  As Nancy sings them here...simply...with flawless artistry...backed by rich string orchestras conducted by Billy May, Oliver Nelson, and Sid Feller. An album to be listened to and treasured now...and today...and tomorrow...and forever.

 _______________________________________________

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9i83No7dFo

Picked up a copy of Nancy Wilson's LUSH LIFE (which includes "Sunny", of course, arranged and conducted by Billy May) yesterday at a yard sale in Medford with thousands of vinyl discs.  Also picked up the Frank Sinatra version of "Sunny" on the Francis A and Edward K (Frank and the Duke) LP - arranged by Billy May and produced by Sonny Burke!



Vinyl appears to be back!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkzjbY5PWzk

Reprise FS 1024
Produced by Sonny Burke
Arranged by Billy May
Engineer Lee Herschberg
Liner Notes by Stan Cornyn
"Sunny"  4:00  Written by Bobby Hebb

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Francis Albert Sinatra

conjoins with
Edward Kennedy Ellington
  
  the best moments on the album fulfill all of the duo's promise. All eight songs are slow numbers, which brings out Sinatra's romantic side. "Indian Summer" is a particular standout, with a sensual vocal and a breathtaking solo from saxophonist Johnny Hodges.
http://www.allmusic.com/album/francis-a-sinatra-edward-k-ellington-mw0000198867

Wikipedia
Francis A. & Edward K. is a 1968 studio album by Frank Sinatra with Duke Ellington and his big band.
This was the first time that Sinatra had worked with Ellington and the sessions were finished on Sinatra's fifty second birthday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_A._%26_Edward_K.
_________________________________________________
LUSH LIFE, NANCY WILSON

We'll look into the new reissue

KEY FACT: BILLY MAY arranged both the Nancy Wilson and the Sinatra/Duke versions of "Sunny".
_____________________________________









  • Michael Cuscuna - Reissue Producer
  •  

    http://www.ejazzlines.com/LUSH-LIFE-p15316.html

    LUSH LIFEMP3 and/or Windows Media sample(s) available

    Artwork
    BLUE NOTE 32745
    NANCY WILSON
    1. Free Again
    2. You've Changed
    3. Only the Young
    4. Lush Life
    5. Do You Know Why [#]
    6. Midnight Sun
    7. When the World Was Young
    8. River Shallow
    9. (I Stayed) Too Long at the Fair
    10. Sunny (Bobby Hebb)
    11. The Right to Love (Reflections)
    12. Over the Weekend









  • Abe Most - Clarinet, Flute, Flute (Alto), Flute (Bass)
  • Alfred Lustgarten - Violin
  • Anatol Kaminsky - Violin
  • Ann Mason Stockton - Harp
  • Armand Kaproff - Cello, Violin
  • Betty Marks - Violin
  • Billy May - Arranger
  • Bob Hardaway - Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Flute (Alto), French Horn
  • Buster Williams - Bass
  • Carl LaMagna - Violin
  • Catherine Gotthoffer - Harp
  • Dan Luse - Violin
  • David Cavanaugh - Producer
  • Donn Trenner - Piano
  • Edward Bergman - Violin
  • Emil Briano - Violin
  • Erno Neufeld - Violin
  • Frederick Seykora - Cello
  • Gerald Vinci - Violin
  • Harry Bluestone - Violin
  • Harry Klee - Flute, Flute (Alto), Flute (Bass)
  • Henry Sigismonti - French Horn
  • Jacques Gasselin - Violin
  • James Gavin - Liner Notes
  • James Getzoff - Violin
  • James M. McGee - French Horn
  • Jeff Rach - Remixing
  • John Collins - Guitar
  • John DeVoogdt - Violin
  • Justin DiTullio - Cello
  • Justin Gordon - Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Flute (Alto), Flute (Bass)
  • Larry Bunker - Mallets, Percussion, Tympani [Timpani]
  • Louis Kaufman - Violin
  • Marshall Sosson - Violin
  • Michael Cuscuna - Reissue Producer
  • Mischa Russell - Violin
  • Nancy Wilson - Vocals
  • Nathan Gershman - Cello
  • Nathan Kaproff - Violin
  • Oliver Nelson - Arranger
  • Patrick Roques - Reissue Design
  • Phil Teele - Trombone
  • Raphael Kramer - Cello
  • Robert Knight - Trombone
  • Shelly Manne - Drums
  • Sid Feller - Arranger
  • Ted Nash - Clarinet, Flute
  • Victor Arno - Violin
  • Victor Feldman - Mallets, Percussion
  • Vincent DeRosa - French Horn
  • William Hinshaw - French Horn


  • ALLMUSIC.COM/REVIEW BY NICK DEDENA
    Nancy Wilson was one of the few jazz-based pop singers of the 1960s who was able to navigate that decade's rock & roll-crazed waters and stay on top of the single and album charts. While her natural physical beauty certainly didn't hurt her career, it was probably her honest feel for soul and the blues, as well as jazz, that had her riding high during a time when so many of her peers were being dropped by the major labels or moving to Europe. Lush Life follows Wilson's winning formula of combining jazz and adult pop

    http://www.allmusic.com/album/lush-life-mw0000176190
     _____________________________________________

    Our Top Ten for April 29, 2013

    Connie Francis Found!

    Thanks to Roger Turner who sent us an entire list of Connie's appearances on Ed Sullivan from 1967.

    Roger writes: " The reason that all of Connie's tracks are off YOUTUBE is that she is going to compile a DVD of ALL her appearances on Ed Sullivan."
    http://conniefrancis.com 










































































    Thursday, April 25, 2013

    HAPPY 96TH BIRTHDAY ELLA FITZGERALD

    1,293 HITS in the past 30 days April 25 around 8 AM

    Please always visit our main pages
    http://bobbyhebb.com 
    http://sunnythesong.com 


     SUNNY by Ella Fitzgerald
    Arranged by Gerald Wilson
    from the album

    Things Ain't What They Used to Be (And You Better Believe It)

      Listen to Ella sing "Sunny" here (1st track on LP) arranged by the great Gerald Wilson 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x7K0wwVUyo 

    ___________________________________________________
    In 1970 Ella recorded her final album for Frank Sinatra's Reprise label, a disc which opened up with five minutes and eighteen seconds of "Sunny", arranged and conducted by Gerald Wilson (the album was produced by Norman Granz - click on Frank Sinatra to see that Frank wanted to purchase Granz's VERVE label; Frank, of course, also covered "Sunny".)

    NOTICE THE SIMILAR TITLES TO WILSON'S OWN LP and ELLA'S LP with "SUNNY"
    Now the key here is that Gerald Wilson's "You Better Believe It" album was what Bobby Hebb immersed himself in after the passing of Hal Hebb, Bobby's older brother.

    You'd Better Believe It by Gerald Wilson (Pacific Jazz, 1961)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnV8_-eh89o
     __________________________________________________
    Wilson's disc was released in 1961, Ella's in 1970, 9 years later.
    In between Bobby would write and record "Sunny".
    ___________________________________________________ 

    Things Ain't What They Used to Be is a 1970 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. The final album that Fitzgerald recorded on the Reprise Records label. The album was re-issued on CD with alternative artwork, in 1989. Released together on one CD with Ella's first album recorded for Reprise label, Ella


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_Ain%27t_What_They_Used_to_Be_%28And_You_Better_Believe_It%29
     

    Released 1970
    Recorded May 26-30, 1969
    Genre Jazz
    Length 34:06
    Label Reprise
    Producer Norman Granz

     ________________________________________________________________________

    ELLA FITZGERALD and TOM JONES sing "SUNNY"
    by Bobby Hebb on THIS IS TOM JONES TV show

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkWBmhVj2Y

    FROM: THIS IS TOM JONES!


    Google Doodle celebrates birthday of jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald

    The Doodle is published on what would have been her 96th birthday

      Google today honoured jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald with a Doodle on its homepage.

    The Doodle is published on what would have been her 96th birthday and shows the singer, also known as 'Queen of Jazz', 'The First Lady of Song' and 'Lady Ella', performing on stage with a band and 'Google' emblazoned on the backdrop.

    The singer was born on 25 April 1917 and died on 15 June 1996 at the age of 79. She made her first recording in 1936 when she was just 17. She enjoyed a highly successful career that spanned six decades and saw her win 13 Grammy awards.
    http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-doodle-celebrates-birthday-of-jazz-singer-ella-fitzgerald-8587125.html

    __________________________

     This is the show in black and white
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkWBmhVj2Y

    Here's Ella and Tom Jones in color
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Sjikzeg9M

    "THIS IS TOM JONES" :CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: DEC. 25, 1970


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-OtwB7fVTU

    Featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Ace Trucking Company, Rudolf Nureyev, Big Jim Sullivan
    & The Treorchy Male Choir


    ________________________________________________


    Gerald Wilson was born in 1918
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Wilson

    Gerald Stanley Wilson (born September 4, 1918) is an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer/arranger, and educator. He has been based in Los Angeles since the early 1940s.[1]

    , Wilson has written arrangements for others including Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Julie London, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson to name a few.


    GERALD WILSON'S 
    YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!

    http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/you_better_believe_it_+_moment_of_truth_2_lps_on_1_cd_+_bonus_track-cd-5812.html

    You Better Believe It! + Moment Of Truth (2 Lps On 1 Cd) + Bonus Track
    Gerald Wilson
    Featuring: Gerald Wilson (lead, arr, cond, tp) with collective personnel including: Carmell Jones, Ray Triscari (tp), Lou Blackburn (tb), Buddy Collette, Joe Maini, Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Walter Benton (saxes), Jack Wilson (p), Richard 'Groove' Holmes (org)

    REFERENCE: FSRCD 759
    BAR CODE: -

    Composer, arranger and trumpeter Gerald Wilson has recorded big band albums of extraordinarily consistent brilliance throughout his remarkable and enormously long career. And those he made in the 1960s represent one of several peaks.


    On both “You Better Believe It!” and its worthy follow-up “Moment of Truth,” Wilson’s writing is personal and uncluttered; he resists the temptation to deploy all his forces at once, building logically to climactic tutti passages, dealing mostly with blues and groovy originals. The orchestra, made up of top West Coast men, generates a strong drive, plays cleanly and precisely, and was blessed with fine soloists. Holmes is impressive with a big band shouting behind and around him. Carmell Jones, who is also heavily featured, shows he was a thinking young musician. But as good as them were Teddy Edwards, Walter Benton, Harold Land, Joe Maini, Jack Wilson, and guitarist Joe Pass, who plays stunningly in every one of his featured segments.

    Amid this wealth of jazz talent, though, Wilson’s writing, particularly on “Moment of Truth,” remains the star of the show, with a harmonic sophistication that is never exercised at the expense of jazz virtues like groove, drive and swing.


    Here's Joe Viglione's review of "You Better Believe It" on Fresh Sounds

    Tracklisting:

    01. Blues for Yna, Yna (Wilson) 6:50
    02. Jeri (Wilson) 3:41
    03. Moody Blue (Wilson) 3:06
    04. Straight Up and Down (Wilson) 4:42
    05. The Wailer (Wilson) 7:19
    06. You Better Believe It (Wilson-Holmes) 5:17
    07. Yvette (Stoll) 3:34
    08. Viva Tirado (Wilson) 5:42
    09. Moment of Truth (Wilson) 4:20
    10. Patterns (Wilson) 5:54
    11. Teri (Wilson) 2:53
    12. Nancy Jo (Wilson) 2:37
    13. Milestones (Davis) 5:30
    14. Latino (Wilson) 5:02
    15. Josefina (Wilson) 4:25
    16. Emerge (Robertson) 3:25
    17. Cherokee (Noble) 3:53 (*)



     "Long out of print, the sophisticated and timeless instrumental work titled You Better Believe It by underrated conductor/arranger Gerald Wilson is a first-rate masterpiece released on the Pacific Jazz label in 1961. [...] Beginning with "Blues for Yna Yna," the album starts off like an intriguing spy movie complete with understated dramatic tension. Written for Wilson's pet cat, according to liner note writer John William Hardy, the almost seven-minute excursion features the reeds of Harold Land. Explosive horns chirp over Richard "Groove" Holmes' jazz organ solos, but the 17-piece orchestra never gets in the way -- just the opposite as Wilson adds this or that in clever fashion so that the pieces stay fresh over endless spins. "Jeri," the second title and written for Wilson's daughter, is almost half the length of the opening track, but pulls away the curtain and explodes with the horns flowing and Holmes' keyboard ebbing, the rhythm section of drummer Mel Lewis and bassist Jimmy Bond directing the current so everything else can fall nicely into place. "Moody Blue," with its pensive and majestic oozing prowl, was a major inspiration to "Sunny" author and Wilson aficionado Bobby Hebb who immersed himself in this album in the early '60s and pointed out: "The great Gerald Wilson believed in the talent of Richard Holmes." Indeed, Wilson gave Holmes a tremendous platform to infuse his ideas with those of the other gifted players, Joe Maini on alto, Walter Benton on tenor, and reed player Teddy Edwards, who helps open side two with his participation on "The Wailer." "The Wailer" is almost like a "Part Two" to side one's opening track, "Blues for Yna Yna," back to the spy movie style -- and Hardy's essay notes that it was written for a television play. One website claims Wilson appeared as a trumpeter in a 1959 CBS-TV drama, Lineup, for an episode called The Wailer. On the track with the same name as the TV episode the music creeps in and evolves into thickly textured swirls of brass, keyboards, and advancing drums. Richard "Groove" Holmes' organ swells up about six minutes into the seven-and-a-half minute expedition, just a marvelous performance that transcends jazz and borders on modern pop, a foundation for things that became mainstream within a decade of its release.

    On the back cover of the original imprint, Hardy calls this disc "one of the most thoroughly ingratiating big-band jazz recordings in years," and the test of time proves Hardy correct. The 17-piece orchestra performs like a trio or quartet, each musician knowing where to be and when to execute, so the tension shifts and the moods change as subtle instrumentation slides in track by instrumental track. Shifting from quiet to quickly dramatic, the ideas keep flowing from Wilson's creative fount and titles like "Straight Up & Down" continue the mission inside the under four minutes. It sure feels as if Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago were inspired by these sounds from 1961, and most certainly the Henry Mancini composed original soundtrack to The Pink Panther, recorded in 1963 and released in 1964, owes some debt to You Better Believe It. That this music is so film-ready should come as no surprise as Wilson was involved in the soundtrack to the motion picture Where the Boys Are in the '60s and other TV and movie work. "Gerald Wilson's groove can only be told if you have the strength to pull the corner of your lips out of your ears, because he produces a heavy smile" Bobby Hebb says of one of his favorite artists specifically for this review, and it's difficult to disagree. You Better Believe It somehow got lost in the shuffle in the 46 years between when it was released and when this review was written. It's a textbook for future generations, a dynamic and powerful combination of sounds waiting to inspire the world again."

    Joe Viglione -All Music Guide
     http://www.allmusic.com/album/you-better-believe-it-mw0000871569
    ____________________________________
    OUR TOP 10 for April 25, 2013















































































    Wednesday, April 24, 2013

    The Best Of Bobby Hebb - CD #1 from the upcoming Boxed Set

    1296 pageviews for this blog in the past 30 days
    Please always visit our main pages
    http://bobbyhebb.com 
    http://sunnythesong.com

    ________________________________________________________
    DISC #1
    PROUD SOUL HERITAGE:
    The Bobby Hebb / Sunny Anthology Vol. 1


    Here is the proposed tracking for disc #1 which will also be a "stand alone" Best of Bobby Hebb - which truly needs to be a double disc.  Maybe we'll have a "double disc" best of which will include additional tracks not on the boxed set?

    Your thoughts to hebb_project{@}yahoo.com

    ONLY e mails with legitimate names and contact information will be addressed or replied to.  


    1)Sunny (original)
    2)You Want To Change Me  (from 45 RPM, Northern Soul hit)
    3)Love Love Love  (#35 hit in the UK, from Sunny 1966 CD)
    4)A Natural Man - from the Bernard Purdie sessions, Mojo & Purdie
    5)See You In September - from the Brass album
    6)A Satisfied Mind (from SUNNY 1966)
    7)Good Good Lovin  (from SUNNY 1966)
    8)Dreamy (from 45 RPM You Want to Change Me)
    9)Proud Soul Heritage (from Laurie 45)
    10)True, I Love You (from Laurie 45)
    11)Flower (from LOVE GAMES)
    12)Jenny Jenny (from JUDY LP Fleetwood Sessions, 1979)
    13)That's All I Wanna Know  (Dr. Rubberfunk, Remix)
    14)Cold Cold Nights (from That's All I Wanna Know)
    15)As Time Goes By (from Mojo & Purdie)
    16)Sunny Pillow Remix
    17)Sunny  Jose Feliciano Remix
    18)Sunny  Marvin Gaye Remix
    19)Sunny  James Brown remix
    20)Got My Mojo Working  (live)
    21)Love You (from Bobby Hebb Music Publishing demos)

    Tuesday, April 23, 2013

    RIP Richie Havens, 72 years of age

    Please always visit our main pages
    http://bobbyhebb.com 
    http://sunnythesong.com 

     
    Folk singer Richie Havens dead at 72

    By Alan Duke
    updated 7:19 PM EDT, Mon April 22, 2013
    Two minutes with Richie Havens on 

    Visual Radio in Woburn, Massachusetts


    Richie talks about "Inside of You", a song for 

    a soundtrack CD


    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
    Review of a soundtrack CD Richie appears 
    on

    The stunner here is Richie Havens doing an original 
    which is up-tempo, dancey, and not what you'd expect to 
    hear from Havens. It's one of the best tracks and should 
    have been on theBeverly Hills Cop II soundtrack. 
    Though  released in 1989 everyone here seems to have 
    taken cues from Glenn Frey's 1985 work.  READ MORE 
    HERE:

     

    Saturday, April 20, 2013

    Liberace and Miscellaneous News for those who love "Sunny" and Bobby Hebb

    Please always visit our main pages
    http://bobbyhebb.com 
    http://sunnythesong.com 

    BOBBY HEBB NEWS for April 20, 2013

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLO MURDOCK!

    Flo worked at Johnny D's in Somerville and is an eternal Bobby Hebb friend.  Happy Birthday Wishes out to Flo.

    https://www.facebook.com/flomurdock  

    Flo shared this photo of Bobby that she took awhile back.   It's on our Twitter page
    http://bobbyhebb.blogspot.com/2013/04/bobby-hebb-official-twitter-account.html 

     _________________________________




            A Celebration of “Mr. Showmanship”
            Liberace: The Ultimate Entertainer

           Available on DVD from Timeless Media Group May 7th, 2013

    In the pantheon of American musical idols, there are few who can compare with Liberace. The ultimate showman, Liberace’s shows were full of gorgeous dancing girls, swirling lights, stunning colors and, of course, his trademark candelabra. On May 7th, 2013 Timeless Media Group, a division of Shout! Factory, will release Liberace: The Ultimate Entertainer on DVD. Taped before studio audiences in 1960s London , this special two-DVD box set features the best of Liberace’s live performances as well as rare bonus content. From the spectacular girls and the glittering costumes, to the fun and joyous music of Liberace and his musicians, led by his brother George, this box set highlights the delightful showmanship that made Liberace a star.  Liberace: The Ultimate Entertainer also features celebrity guests including George Gobel, Minnie Pearl, Eva Gabor, Jack Benny, Larry Storch and many more. 

    Liberace’s flamboyant and unique style, including his trademark candelabra, captivated audiences around the world. Regardless of what genre of music he was playing, Liberace’s performances to sold-out crowds around the world were imbued with subtle humor and grace. Remarkably, Liberace still holds the title of the highest paid solo pianist and musician ever for a single night’s performance in the Guinness Book of World Records, which took place at Madison Square Garden , New York City in 1954.

    Liberace began his first television show in 1952 as a summer replacement for Dinah Shore . One of the first television stars to go into syndication, he was appearing on 217 American stations and in 20 foreign countries by 1954.  A truly legendary performer, Liberace earned a number of major accolades in his life, including six gold albums, two Emmy ® Awards, and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Bonus Features
    Liberace’s Home Movies – An inside look at Liberace at work and at play.
    Liberace’s Wild Wardrobe – A fascinating look at Liberace’s dazzling costumes.
    The History of the Piano – The history of the piano as told by Liberace.

    About Timeless Media Group
    Timeless Media Group, a division of Shout! Factory, LLC, produces and distributes a variety of home entertainment products, including classic television programming, first run movies and its own award-winning military history documentaries, along with an extensive offering of special interest DVD and Blu-ray™ collections. Visit timelessvideo.com.



    _____________________________________

    MAY 26th LIBERACE MOVIE to broadcast on HBO

    The novel was adapted for a television film, directed 


    by Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Douglas and Matt 

    Damon, and will premiere on HBO on May 26, 2013

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_the_Candelabra:_My_Life_With_Liberace 

    _______________________________________
    MOVIEFONE

    http://www.moviefone.com/movie/liberace/1414584/main
    ___________________________________________________


    Some of Joe Viglione's LIBERACE reviews

    SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME

    review

      by Joe Viglione
    Liberace utilizes the Antonin Dvorák composition "Songs My Mother Taught Me" as the first track of his album of the same name on the Hamilton label, a Dot Records subsidiary. Holding a picture of his mom on the Baldwin piano -- next to the candelabra, of course -- it's an elegant experience with the pianist seemingly performing solo before arranger/conductor Gordon Robinson's strings come in as if from out of nowhere. Produced by Tom Mack, known for his work on Francis Lai's 1971 hit "Love Story" along with recordings by Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin, and others, the album consists of fine piano playing complemented by Robinson's strings, which make the affair sound at times like a film soundtrack, especially on the traditional "Londonderry Air." The pianist playfully covers Strauss' "Tritsch Tratsch Polka," gives the listener a studied take on Manuel Ponce's "Estrellita," and puts his unique spirit on material by Tchaikovsky, Rubinstein, and Chopin Read more here:
    http://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-my-mother-taught-me-mw0001318665
      ____________________________________
    Here's Liberace





    review

    [-] by Joe Viglione
    With one side almost 20 minutes and the other clocking in at 13 and a half, this MCA reissue of Here's Liberace, a concert performance recorded live at the Palladium, is what you expect from the maestro. After a little chatter about his jacket, he tickles the ivories on Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and "I Got Rhythm." For those who underestimate the pianist -- don't. Liberace was more than running scales and showmanship -- his variations on Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's "Mack the Knife" are tremendous here, mixing the pop song with Strauss, Beethoven, and other masters. His touch on the keys is as elegant as always, taking "Mack the Knife" again and turning it into a rhumba

    Read more here:

    http://www.allmusic.com/album/heres-liberace-mw0000194639

     __________________________________________________
    COMING THIS THURSDAY!


    The Stephen Wade Interview


     _______________________________________
    OUR TOP 10 BY OUR READER PAGEVIEWS

    5:04 PM Saturday April 20, 2013