Welcome to another #RecordsIBoughtAsAKid, and for this edition, something pretty off-beat – literally!
Growing up in the 60’s in Canada, high school pals Tony Busbridge, Roger Ashby and I were definitely into Rock ‘n’ Roll and Top 40 radio more than any of our fellow classmates.
For instance, on a Friday evening, while the school’s male “jocks” were partying at the homes of friends’ absent parents, we’d gather to play our latest 45 RPM singles purchases, talk about the music and artists, and study the latest music survey – the weekly CHUM Chart – published by Canada’s rock radio giant, 1050 CHUM in Toronto.
While the three of us basically all shared a love for the same music from Top 40’s golden age by artists like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Four Seasons, British Invasion, “Garage Rock” etc., etc., etc., some of the harder-edged stuff – especially the full albums by Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience – captured my attention a bit more than it did my pals.
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By 1967, I had my first job in radio as a audio board operator/show producer at sister stations CKKW/AM-CFCA/FM in my hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.
And it was there that music of a drastically different style garnered my interest – much to the bewilderment (and amusement) of those same two best buddies.
With both stations programming adult-oriented music to which I was being exposed, I found myself suddenly buying LP’s by the likes of latin vocalist Trini Lopez, folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, pop pianist Roger Williams and orchestra leader Ray Coniff, among others.
But it was one late-night program in particular for which I ran the board called “Night Flight” (voice-tracked, with no live announcer) that really took me to a new level of my softer musical side.
So I thought I’d gather together my three all-time favorite records I played during that show – and then bought – for me, and hopefully you to enjoy. They all conjure up special memories and feelings for me as a young man starting out in his radio career. In fact, I want all of these records to be played at my funeral memorial! Seriously.
[Notes] This type of musical fare was the forerunner of future programming formats like “Beautiful Music” and later, the “Pillow-Talk” style late-night relaxers shows.
The show originated from the FM studio, so the songs were all in glorious stereo and sounded great when listened to loud – and sound even better now in HD!
[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
LOVE IS BLUE
Paul Mauriat And His Orchestra
[1968]
Love Is Blue was originally a French vocal song – titled L’Amour Est Bleu – recorded first in 1967 by Greek singer Vicky Leandros. But an instrumental cover version later that year by French orchestra leader Paul Mauriat is the most notable – although being a “one-hit-wonder.”
Written by Andre Popp and lyricistPierre Cour, it became the only hit single in America by a French artist to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Another #1 U.S. hit record in French was by the guitar-playing The Singing Nun (Sœur Sourire) and called Dominique (1963) – an ode to Saint Dominic. But her country of origin was Belgium.
Love Is Blue was the first instrumental to reach Billboard’s top spot since late 1962’s Telstar by The Tornadoes.
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SOUL COAXING (Ame Caline)
Raymond Lefevre And His Orchestra
[1968]
Hoping to cash in on the success of Love Is Blue, Soul Coaxing, also by a French conductor/pianist/flutest – Raymond Lefevre – was released not long after the former. But it only reached #37 on Billboard in March of ’68.
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MY CUP RUNNETH OVER
Ed Ames
[1967]
Ed Ames was lead vocalist of the early 50’s sibling pop quartet the Ames Brothers.
He also appeared in the TV series Daniel Boone, as Native American “Mingo.”
My Cup Runneth Over climbed to #8 on the Hot 100 – Ames’ first Top 10 record since last achieving that with his brothers ten years prior.
This song can bring me to tears. What a set of “pipes” he has!
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MORE #RecordsIBoughtAsAKid
THE KINKS / THE ARBORS / CRISPIAN ST. PETERS
GREAT 60’s ‘GARAGE-ROCK’ HITS – Volume One!
MORE GREAT 60’s ‘GARAGE-ROCK’ HITS – Volume Two!
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Written By: Rick Murray Hunter
Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
