Popular Music That Will Live Forever 5

Stay tuned for more Readers Digest goodness in the new year...

Disc 09: Malcolm Lockyer - Fox Trots For Dancing

01 - Top Hat - Let's Face The Music And Dance
02 - Love Walked In - I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
03 - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - With A Little Bit Of Luck
04 - Marie - Cheek To Cheek
05 - Whispering - All I Do Is Dream Of You
06 - Avalon - Tip-Toe Through The Tulips
07 - I've Got You Under My Skin - A Fine Romance
08 - Who's Sorry Now - I Can't Give You Anything But Love
09 - Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue - Toot, Toot Tootsie
10 - The Way You Look Tonight - Thank Heaven For Little Girls

Disc 10: Mike Sammes - Songs That Will Live Forever

01 - Side By Side
02 - Stephen Foster Medley
03 - My Blue Heaven
04 - Heart Of My Heart
05 - Till We Meet Again
06 - The Band Played On - In The Good Old Summertime
07 - Let Me Call You Sweet Heart - Down By The Old Mill
08 - Shine On, Harvest Moon - Bye Bye Blackbird
09 - The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
10 - All Alone - Always
11 - Auld Lang Syne
12 - Goodnight, Sweetheart

Discs 9 & 10

Mr Snookles

Popular Music That Will Live Forever 4

Disc 07: Robert Bentley - Music for Relaxation

01 - Vilia
02 - The Very Thought Of You
03 - Tenderly
04 - Sleepy Lagoon
05 - Plaisir D'amour
06 - Torna A Surriento - Santa Lucia
07 - As Time Goes By
08 - La Mer
09 - Lili Marlene
10 - Speak To Me Of Love
11 - Symphonie
12 - Stranger In Paradise

Disc 08: Martin Slavin - Waltzes and Latin Rhythms for Dancing

01 - Stars In My Eyes
02 - Under Paris Skies - Petite Waltz
03 - Three O'clock In The Morning - The Loveliest Night Of The Year
04 - Gypsy Song - Merry Widow Waltz
05 - Paradise
06 - Lover
07 - Mambo Jambo - Much More Mambo
08 - Besame Mucho - You Belong To My Heart - Amor
09 - Sweet And Gentle - Sway - Patricia
10 - Capullito De Aleli - Un Poquito De Tu Amor
11 - Brazil - Tico Tico - Copacabana

Discs 7 & 8

Mr Snookles

Popular Music That Will Live Forever 3

Disc 05: Band Of The British Guards - Stirring Marches


01 - Colonel Bogey March
02 - Stars And Stripes Forever
03 - The Regiment Of Sambre And Meuse
04 - Il Bersagliere
05 - El Capitan
06 - La Marseillaise
07 - Semper Fidelis
08 - On The Mall
09 - Washington Post March
10 - Old Comrades
11 - King Cotton
12 - O Canada - The Maple Leaf Forever

Disc 06: Hill Bowen - Music for Dining


01 - Fascination
02 - Arrivederci Rome
03 - Granada
04 - Star Dust
05 - Autumn Leaves
06 - La Vie En Rose
07 - April In Portugal
08 - Volare
09 - Canadian Sunset
10 - C'est Si Bon
11 - Poinciana
12 - Grinzing

Discs 5 & 6

Mr Snookles

Popular Music That Will Live Forever 2

Disc 03: Hill Bowen - Music From Films

01 - Warsaw Concerto
02 - Laura
03 - La Strada
04 - Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing
05 - Song From 'Moulin Rouge'
06 - Intermezzo
07 - Exodus
08 - Over The Rainbow
09 - Tara's Theme
10 - The High And The Mighty
11 - Gigi

Disc 04: Malcolm Lockyer - Music From Films

01 - Around The World
02 - Third Man Theme
03 - Cornish Rhapsody
04 - Carioca
05 - Terry's Theme
06 - Falling In Love Again
07 - Begin The Beguine
08 - March Of The Siamese Children
09 - Dream Of Olwen
10 - Three Coins In The Fountain
11 - Anna
12 - High Noon

Discs 3 & 4

Mr Snookles

Readers Digest - Popular Music That Will Live Forever

Yes - more Readers' Digest magic - for all the half-a-dozen people around the globe that like 'em...

I have a fascination for these boxed sets that defeats any considered analysis. In particular the Light Classics that people used to buy to impress their friends ("Why Abner, you're so edjamicated") and then never listen to...

Here's another 10 disc set by people you've probably never heard of. The discs were in prime condition, so the audio quality is good, and the variety sums up the Readers Digest ethic - no rough edges, nothing to offend - nothing, in fact, that would dare to interrupt you if you happen to nod off while listening in your favourite easy chair.

Discs 1 & 2 by New Symphony Orchestra Of London

Disc 01 - Popular Concert Favorites

01 - 'Die Fledermaus' Overture
02 - Greensleeves
03 - Habanera (From 'Carmen')
04 - Polonaise In A Flat Opus 53
05 - Jalousie
06 - Londonderry Air
07 - Panis Angelicus
08 - Ave Maria
09 - Turkish March (From 'The Ruins Of Athens')
10 - Procession Of The Sardar (From 'Caucasian Sketches')

Disc 02 - Popular Concert Favorites

01 - H.M.S. Pinafore
02 - Hora Staccato
03 - Minuet In A Major
04 - Ritual Fire Dance
05 - The Skater's Waltz
06 - Naila (Intermezzo)
07 - Flight Of The Bumblebee
08 - Humoresque
09 - Suite From 'Porgy And Bess'

Discs 1 & 2

Mr Snookles

Ricardo Santos - Holiday in France

This is a fabulous album by Ricardo Santos AKA Werner Muller. I bought this a coupla years ago but it was in such poor condition it was unable to be restored. It's a truly F.A.B. album so imagine my delight when I found a high quality rip at Subway Detour. Git on over there and grab yerself a copy...

Ricardo Santos - Holiday in France

Mr Snookles

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 5

OK, time to put this thing to bed. Disc 9 features the chaps live in concert. I've also added the artwork from the box so that you get the whole shebang...

Disc 9 - In Concert


01 - Some Of These Days
02 - Caravan
03 - I Can't Give You Anything But Love
04 - Hold Me
05 - Out Of Nowhere
06 - There I've Said It Again
07 - Mack The Knife
08 - America
09 - Begin The Beguine
10 - Perfida
11 - Donkey Serenade
12 - Kumbaya

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 5

Mr Snookles

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 4

Part 4 of the extravaganza...

Disc 7 - Instrumentally Kaempfert


01 - Somebody Loves Me
02 - It's The Talk Of The Town
03 - The World We Knew
04 - Tammy
05 - How Deep The Ocean
06 - You Are My Way Of Life
07 - Unchained Melody
08 - I'll Get By
09 - It Makes No Difference
10 - Once In A While
11 - Two Can Live On Love Alone
12 - Where Flamingos Fly

Disc 8 - The James Last Beat


01 - Cecilia
02 - Everybody Get Together
03 - Blowin' In The Wind
04 - Aquarius
05 - Go Away Little Girl
06 - I Hear You Knocking
07 - Let The Sun Shine In
08 - Girl Of The North Country
09 - House Of The Rising Sun
10 - When I'm Dead And Gone
11 - Proud Mary
12 - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 4

Mr Snookles

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 3

Part three of the instalment. The boys are feeling the tugging of the heartstrings as they experience l'amour....

Disc 5 - Kaempfert In Love


01 - I'll See You In My Dreams
02 - Gone With The Wind
03 - Strangers In The Night
04 - My Love For You
05 - Don't Forbid Me
06 - I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
07 - I Love How You Love Me
08 - Lullaby For Lovers
09 - Drifting And Dreaming
10 - This Song Is Yours Alone
11 - One Morning In May
12 - Autumn Leaves

Disc 6 - James Last In Love


01 - Time After Time
02 - Games That Lovers Play
03 - Moonglow
04 - Elizabethan Serenade
05 - Passion Flower
06 - You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling
07 - Secret Love
08 - Mr. Tambourine Man
09 - Help Me Girl
10 - Close Your Eyes
11 - Fly Me To The Moon
12 - Happy Heart

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 3

Mr Snookles

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set Pt. 2

Discs 3 and 4 for your further easy-listening pleasure...

Disc 3 - Dance Time - Bert Kaempfert


01 - Time On My Hands
02 - Living It Up
03 - So What's New
04 - Pussy Footin'
05 - Stepping Pretty
06 - The Sheik Of Araby
07 - The Happy Trumpeter
08 - Every Sunday Morning
09 - La Cumparsita
10 - Mister Sandman
11 - Tricky Trombones
12 - Stompin' At The Savoy

Disc 4 - Latin A La James Last


01 - La Paloma
02 - Tico Tico
03 - Cherry Pink And Apple-Blossom White
04 - Java
05 - Un Poco Rio
06 - La Cucaracha
07 - Patricia
08 - Delicado
09 - Siboney
10 - O Cangaceiro
11 - Fandango
12 - Brazil

RS
Readers Digest - James & Bert discs 3 and 4

Mr Snookles

Readers Digest - James & Bert Boxed Set

OK!! Time for the swinginest box-set of them all. Your favourite artists - your favourite tracks - in a different order!!


Nine discs - four of Bert, four of James, and one live disc featuring both artists. Lots of candystripe cover art an some gushing liner notes. This is EaZy...


Disc 1 - The World Of Bert Kaempfert

01 - Swingin' Safari
02 - Spanish Eyes
03 - Wimoweh
04 - The Portugese Washerwoman
05 - Weiderseh'n
06 - Cha Cha Brazilia
07 - Tahitian Sunset
08 - Danke Schoen
09 - Poinciana
10 - A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
11 - Skokiaan
12 - The Japanese Farewell Song


Disc 2 - The World Of James Last

01 - Granada
02 - Mexico City
03 - Canadian Sunset
04 - That's Life
05 - Espana
06 - (I Left My Heart) In San Fransisco
07 - Guantanamera
08 - April In Portugal
09 - Havah Nagila
10 - The Pearl Fishers
11 - Malaguena
12 - Around The World

Note - an eagle-eared reader noticed some skips on tracks 11 and 12 of the james last album. I have re-upped the post with the tracks fixed. if you have already downloaded the albums I have also upped the fixed tracks as a separate dl so you don't have to download the whole shebang all over again.
RS
James & Bert Boxed Set discs 1 and 2

James Last - tracks 11 and 12
Mr Snookles

Kenneth Grahame - The Wind In The Willows

I'm feeling in a prosaic mood at the moment - the spoken word is my mot juste. Here is a recording from the early 60's of everyone's favourite children's book 'The Wind In The Willows'. Lots of plummy British accents as Ratty, Mole, Badger and the gang discover automobiles and river picnics.


Timeless fun even if Mole does sound like Quentin Crisp...


01 - The River Bank - The Open Road
02 - The Wild Wood - Mr. Badger - Dolce Domun
03 - Mr. Toad's Adventures
04 - The Further Adventures Of Toad - The Return Of Ulysses

Two Discs in one dl.

RS
Kenneth Grahame - The Wind In The Willows

Mr Snookles

Stanley Black - France

More classic lounge from the master. Phase 4 sound, huge orchestra, hundreds of singing Mormons, and the quirky and inventive arrangements of M. Noir. I have also included an interview with Tony D'Amato, producer of the phase 4 series. D'Amato goes on record to state that our Stan was the most brilliant arranger he ever worked with. High praise, but I for one have to agree - Stan's the man...

01 - I Love Paris
02 - What Now My Love
03 - Hi Lili, Hi Lo
04 - At Last, At Last
05 - Gigi Medley
06 - La Normandie Can Can
07 - Madmoiselle De Paree
08 - La Mer
09 - Plasir D'amour
10 - Soldiers' Medley

RS
Stanley Black - France

Mr Snookles

Peter Ustinov - Babar The Elephant

Hi Folks. Well - you know how it is - nothing is certain in the ephemeral world of blogdom. It seems that I might get around to posting the odd curio on the site - I still find time to rip the odd speck of vinyl, so perhaps I will share a few things with you, gentle reader...

So, here we go.... First up, more spoken word. The golden tones of Peter Ustinov, the sparkling music of Francis Poulenc, and the delightful story of Babar the Elephant by Jean de Brunhoff - 'nuff said.


01 - The Story Of Babar
02 - The Story Of The Little Tailor

RS
Peter Ustinov - Babar The Elephant

The New Mr Snookles

Dylan Thomas - Under Milkwood

Thanks to all the people who "signed the guest book" in my signing off post - it took me by surprise, and I'm touched by all the well-wishers. By way of thanks for all the kind comments I thought I'd leave this final offering, though it's a bit of a departure from the lounge and exotica that formed the staple fare of this blog.

To quote the liner notes:

This is the record of Dylan Thomas' final, bawdy, beautiful work, of its premiere performance on May 14, 1953, with Thomas, a cast of five American actors, and an audience.

It is the only recording ever made with Thomas in the cast, and it owes its existence to the chance thought someone had just before curtain time of setting up the little tape recorder that was at hand and laying a microphone on the floor at the center of the stage. The later performances were not taped because a studio recording for Caedmon was planned, though Thomas did not live to do it. That this recording was not erased or lost or thrown away remains some kind of miracle.

Set in the town of Llareggub (try spelling out the letters in reverse order) it tells of the trials and tribulations of a motley crew of variously henpecked, overbearing, drunken and promiscuous townspeople. It shows Thomas at his most masterful in his command of the English language.

At the end, Thomas, who was unsure of the success of his play and armed with a dozen good reasons for failure is met by a stormy ovation. His shy and stammered "Thank you, thank you" is lost in the shouts of the audience.

While not as witty, I am equally surprised by the thanks from all the supporters of this blog. So I shall echo Dylan's thanks and share this master-work by a great 20th century literary figure in response.

And now it's time for a holiday...

RS
Dylan Thomas - Under Milkwood

Mr Snookles

p.s. this double album was one of the first ever ripped by me, way back before the bog started. My audio restoration technique wasn't as good back then, so there a couple of imperfections, and it's only at 128kbps - still, you've got to love hearing Thomas' golden tones reciting the work he loved best...

Don Tiare - Strings Over Hawaii

Owing to the kind comments I received over the two previous orchestral exotica outings published last week, I thought I'd dig another out of the vaults, although this one dates from an earlier era.

01 - Blue Hawaii
02 - I'll Be Thinking Of You
03 - Lovely Hula Girl
04 - Sea Breeze
05 - Hawaiian Love Call
06 - Hawaiian Guitar
07 - Hawaiian Wedding Song
08 - Mapuana
09 - Forevermore
10 - Beyond The Rainbow
11 - Silhouette Hula
12 - Lilue-Leahi-Aloha

Don Tiare - Strings Over Hawaii

Mr Snookles

p.s. Owing to changing personal circumstances this blog will be closing shortly. Thanks to all those who have supported Third Island; I hope you have a few musical items to brighten your lives as a result.

Black Watch - War Pipe and Plaid

All Right!! Together at last - 1st Battalion The Black Watch (RHR) of Scotland, and 2nd Battalion The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada. Yes Scotland's most famous pipe band and its Canadian namesake combine to get the reels skirling and the airs keening.

That's the great thing about running your own blog, you get to post whatever tickles your fancy. Most people run for cover at the thought of massed bagpipes, but not me. I rate massed bagpipes third behind Yodelling Harmonists (The DeZurik Sisters), and Blind Religious Whistlers (Fred Lowry) in my list of Favourite Musical Eccentricities.

Download it if you dare...

01 - Fanfare For Heroes
02 - Highland Laddie
03 - Medley-Lord MacPherson of Drumochter-Old Adam
04 - Sarafand
05 - Tribute To John F. Kennedy-Mist Covered Mountains-John F. Kennedy
06 - Impression Of A Scottish Air
07 - Medley-The GairLoch-Farewell to Gibralter-All The Blue Bonnets
08 - The Longest Day
09 - Medley-Donald McIvor-Loch Loskin-Calum Campbell
10 - Eriskay Love Lilt - Road To The Isles
11 - Medley-Sir Colin Campbell's Farewell To Crimea-Collins Cattle-I See Mull
12 - Fridericus Rex
13 - Medley-Morag of DunVegan-Lady Madeline Sinclair-Piper Of Drummond-High Road To Linton-Deil Among The Tailors-Reel O'Tulloch

RS
Black Watch - War Pipe and Plaid

Mr O'Snookles

ps MegaUpload appears to be defunct....

Living Strings - Hawaiian Memories

It seems the 101 Strings weren't the only ones to visit the Isle Of Golden Dreams. The timeless fascination of Hawaii spread far and wide, as this English recording attests. Languid and tropical, it's the perfect summer companion. (Too bad it's the middle of winter down here in Oz...)

01 - To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
02 - My Isle Of Golden Dreams
03 - Beyond The Reef
04 - Now Is The Hour
05 - Hawaiian Memories
06 - Tiny Bubbles
07 - Aloha My Tani - Aloha Oe
08 - My Little Grass Shack
09 - Pearly Shells

RS
Living Strings - Hawaiian Memories
MU
Living Strings - Hawaiian Memories

Mr Snookles

101 Strings - The Romance Of Hawaii

And here's a dash of orchestral exotica to round off the evening. how they get those strings to sound like lap-steel guitars is beyond me...

01 - Sleepy Lagoon
02 - Moon Of Manakoora
03 - Paradise
04 - Pagan Love Song
05 - South Sea Serenade
06 - Sweet Hawaiian Kisses
07 - Hawaiian Bells
08 - 'Neath Azure Skies
09 - Hawaiian Magic
10 - Aloha Oe

RS
101 Strings - The Romance Of Hawaii
MU
101 Strings - The Romance Of Hawaii

Mr Snookles

Steptoe and Son - More Junk

A bit of nostalgia for lovers of British Comedy... The antics of the two co-dependent rag-and-bone men used to attract viewer audiences in the millions back in the sixties. That mixture of biting Cockney wit and pathos had a universal appeal. Music fans should note the theme and incidental music by Ron Grainer...

Interestingly, when I was looking online for a year for this album (1965) I noticed that second-hand copies at auction sites were asking around $60... I'm sure that 'Arold would be proud of me for picking it up for $8 from my friendly neighbourhood music store...

Part 1 - The Stepmother
Part 2 - The Musical Evening

RS
Steptoe and Son - More Junk
MU
Steptoe and Son - More Junk

Mr Snookles

ps - lots of kind comments appearing - it's nice to know people are finding the blog for the first time and having a good trawl...
pps - someone asked me for a Clive Dunn album that I mentioned in passing in a previous post. Sorry guys, this blog is dedicated solely to rips of vinyls from my own collection. The album in Question originally came from the legendary XYZ Cosmonaut blog. Perhap a request on the new Cosmobells site my help...

Charles Magnante - Carnival

Another fine release from Command records, this time featuring accordion virtuoso Charles Magnante along with a host of Command regulars such as Al Casiamente on guitar, Dick Hymen on piano plus Dick Dia, Doc Severinson, Phil Krauss and a host of others.

One must never underestimate the importance of the accordion in Space-Age Pop music. Charles actually designed his own accordion (The Eldorado) and kept a special laboratory for his researches into sound.

As with many Command releases the liner notes provide exhaustive detail on each song, ecstatically describing each pluck, strum or thwack as it occurs. I have of course reproduced all the notes for your further enjoyment... So sit back and enjoy the accordion exotica of Charles as he weaves his way amongst a collection of oh-so-familiar favourites.

01 - Carnival
02 - Two Guitars
03 - Brasilia
04 - Anna
05 - April In Portugal
06 - Yellow Bird
07 - La Cucaracha
08 - Never On Sunday
09 - Espana Cani
10 - Czardas
11 - Under Paris Skies
12 - Just Say I Love Her

RS
Charles Magnante - Carnival
MU
Charles Magnante - Carnival

Mr Snookles

Billy Vaughn - The Musical Wonderland of Billy Vaughn

Originally called "Chapel By The Sea", this album is the Australian version re-released with a different name and cover. It livves somewhere between the field of big-band pops and light classics. Easy and smooth, but with a bit more spice than the Ray Conniff - Percy Faith type of generic easy listening. Won't trouble you too much, but it's a pleasant enough outing from the prolific arranger.

01 - Chapel By The Sea
02 - Petite Fleur
03 - Exodus
04 - Can't Help Falling In Love
05 - Moon River
06 - Don't Break The Heart That Loves You
07 - Midnight In Moscow
08 - The Twist
09 - Tuff
10 - Route 66 Theme
11 - Bonanza Theme
12 - Wonderland By Night

RS
Billy Vaughn - The Musical Wonderland of Billy Vaughn
MU
Billy Vaughn - The Musical Wonderland of Billy Vaughn

Mr Snookles

Monique and Louis Aldebert - American Hits Sung In French

And here's one from the Snookle vaults. Released on the Australian Astor label around 1960, it features Monique and Louis performing Martini-friendly versions of your favourite lounge classics sung in Seductive French. Smooth and mellow, this is exactly what a lounge album should be. Turn down the lights in your space-age bachelor pad, put the pommes-de-frittes and coq-au-vin in the oven and invite that special mademoiselle over for an intimate evening a-la Francais...

01 - Moon River
02 - I Could Have Danced All Night
03 - Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing
04 - Bill Bailey
05 - Stardust
06 - Manhattan
07 - Volare
08 - Always
09 - Adieu Gars
10 - Over The Rainbow
11 - The Breeze And I
12 - Never On A Sunday

RS
Monique and Louis Aldebert - American Hits Sung In French

MU
Monique and Louis Aldebert - American Hits Sung In French

M. le Snookle

p.s. French titles on the back cover...
p.p.s. many great comments still coming in despite the lack of posts - thanks folks.
p.p.p.s. Some folks have been asking for re-ups of expired links. These links have expired because some-one has objected to them. My policy is not to re-up an album that has been removed, so sorry to those people that missed 'em...

Tim Hart - My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record

Here's one of those curios that Shadrac is so expert at finding. The cream of the British folk scene sing nursery rhymes...

Shadrac says:

In the late 70's early 80's I was a fan of Steeleye Span, the folk-pop group that had a hit, in the UK at least,with 'All Around My Hat'.
One of the original members of Steeleye, along with Maddy Prior, was Tim Hart, your architypal dyed in the wool nasal voiced stick yer finger in yer ear folk revivalist. Actually I thought he was very good at what he did and was sad when he left the band in 1982.
He seems to have been airbrushed out of the pantheon of britfolk revivalists.
He apparently retired to the Canary Islands and has given up performing.

Anyway This album of kiddy nursery rhyme songs features many ex Steeleye members including Maddy Prior, John Kirkpatrick, Rick Kemp etc. Also features the pedal steel guitar of BJ Cole. Wow.

And like all the best folk records 'All titles trad. arr.'

01 - The Grand Old Duke Of York
02 - Sing A Song Of Sixpence
03 - Once I Caught A Fish Alive
04 - Medley Hey Diddle Diddle; Little Jack Horner; Little Miss Muffet
05 - Little Bo Peep
06 - Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
07 - Old Macdonald Had A Farm
08 - There Was An Old Woman Tossed Up In A Blanket
09 - Twinkle, Tinkle Little Star
10 - Boys And Girls Come Out To Play
11 - Nick Nack Paddy Wack
12 - Baa Baa Black Sheep
13 - Bobby Shaftoe
14 - Hush-A-Bye Baby
15 - Humpty Dumpty
16 - Lavender's Blue (Dilly, Dilly)
17 - London Bridge Is Falling Down
18 - Oranges And Lemons
19 - Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be

RS
Tim Hart - My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record
MU
Tim Hart - My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record

Shadrac Blintz via Mr Snookles

Stanley Black - Spain

Well you've probably noticed this is a part-time blog these days. Alas, life just gets in the way sometimes, and I don't have so much time for restoring vinyl, and so there's not so much music to post.

Still, we love our Stan here at Third Island, and when a friend gave me a copy of "Spain" by the maestro I had to rip it, even though it's appeared in other blogs around the blogosphere.

You know what to expect - sizzling arrangements, castanets a-plenty, maracas by the bushel and fiery Andalusian rhythms to get yer feet tappin'.

01 - Valencia
02 - Ay, Ay, Ay
03 - Malaguena
04 - Bullerias
05 - Ritual Fire Dance
06 - Granada
07 - Estrellita
08 - Macarenas
09 - Sevillanas
10 - Carmen Suite

RS
Stanley Black - Spain

MU
Stanley Black - Spain

Mr Snookles

Band of the Irish Guards - Marching With The Beatles

Remember many moons ago when Mr Snookles posted compilations called 'Break-Through'

If you have really good recall you will remember his request, upon hearing the arrangement of 'Michelle', contributed by the Band of the Irish Guards to the compilation, for a rip of the original album 'Marching with the Beatles'.

Well. thanks to the machinations of co-conspirator Shadrack Blintz, I now have a top-quality vinyl copy in my hot little hand and a first-class rip for your good selves.

If you're into alternative arrangements of Beatles songs, then this album is for you. Besides the martial bombast the big numbers, the Guardsmen tune into their softer inner selves, and side two has quieter exotica-tinged arrangements, and a hint of boogie as well. Delightfully orchestrated and cleanly recorded. Enjoy!

01 - She Loves You
02 - Yesterday
03 - I'll Keep You Satisfied
04 - From Me To You
05 - A Hard Day's Night
06 - All My Loving
07 - Can't Buy Me Love
08 - Things We Said Today
09 - Michelle
10 - It's For You
11 - I Want To Hold Your Hand
12 - Help

RS
Band of the Irish Guards - Marching With The Beatles
MU
Band of the Irish Guards - Marching With The Beatles

Mr Snookles

Frank Chacksfield - The World Of Frank Chacksfield

Broad, sweeping themes and a powerful orchestral sound. Frank new how to make his orchestra sound big. This comp shows some of his finest works, but I have to warn you, it came from a battered and scratched old piece of vinyl. The majority of it has restored well, but be aware that track 6 is distorted and you may wish to remove it from the collection.


01 - Ebb Tide
02 - Moulin Rouge Waltz
03 - My Prayer
04 - Fascination
05 - Jealousy
06 - Born Free
07 - Theme From Limelight
08 - Temptation
09 - The Blue Danube
10 - Love Letters In The Sand
11 - Cuban Boy
12 - Theme From 'Laurence Of Arabia'

RS
Frank Chacksfield - The World Of Frank Chacksfield
MU
Frank Chacksfield - The World Of Frank Chacksfield

Mr Snookles

D'Artega - The Breeze And I

Some tasty easy-orchestral sounds from Alfonso D'Artega. Ernesto Lecuona, whose music is featured here, is a major figure in the Space Age Pop scene. He brought the first successful Latin orchestra to the United States, fostered the careers of many of the most influential artists in Latin music, and composed many of its most enduring songs. His compositions Malaguena, La Comparasa, and The Breeze And I appear on numerous records. (Thank you again, Space Age Pop)

As far as I can tell, this record was recorded in 1946, though the info is a bit hazy. Any informed listeners out there - please give us the benefit of your wisdom in a comment...

01 - Malaguena
02 - Ante El Escorial
03 - Jungle Drums
04 - Armor Que No Es Verdad
05 - Aragonesa
06 - La Comparasa
07 - The Breeze And I
08 - Maor Que Bonito Has Vuelto
09 - No Tienes Corazon - El Merinaque
10 - Say 'Si Si'
11 - Gitanerias
12 - Cordoba

RS
D'Artega - The Breeze And I
MU
D'Artega - The Breeze And I

Mr Snookles

Paul Mauriat - Summer Memories

A little French sophistication from M. Mauriat. Highlights are the pomp of the Jesus Christ Superstar excerpt 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' , and the jaunty 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing'. I'm sure you all have lots of Paul Mauriat in your collection by now, but the light-as-a soufflé arrangements with their typical Gallic charm make this a worthy addition to the stable...

01 - The Godfather
02 - I Don't Know How To Love Him
03 - La Decadanse
04 - Butterfly
05 - Comme Un Soleil
06 - Day By Day
07 - A Summer Place
08 - The Summer Knows
09 - Mother Of Mine
10 - I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing
11 - Summer Memories
12 - Ebb Tide

RS
Paul Mauriat - Summer Memories
MU
Paul Mauriat - Summer Memories

M. Le Snooklé

ps. some wow and flutter on track 6 as the record had a slighly off-center hole - still, it adds to the period authenticity n'est pas?

Horst Jankowski - Return To The Black Forest

One of my favourite composers and the best of the Teutonic loungers IMHO. His iconic "Schwarzwaldenfahrt", better known as "A Walk in the Black Forest", is one of the great easy-anthems of the sixties. Horst's gently swinging jazz-tinged piano style is in evidence on this compilation, as is his talent an arranger...

01 - A Walk In The Black Forest
02 - Windmills Of Your Mind
03 - Eleanor Rigby
04 - A Shadow Of Lotus
05 - Gentle On My Mind
06 - Blue Spring
07 - Jerusalem
08 - A Bright Day's Hideaway
09 - El Condor Pasa
10 - Princess Doll
11 - Little Lady Butterfly
12 - A Song Of Joy

RS
Horst Jankowski - Return To The Black Forest
MU
Horst Jankowski - Return To The Black Forest

Mr Snookles

Exotic Guitars - Indian Love Call

Some easy surf-rock with Al Casey and the gang. In the late 1960s, Casey was approached by label owner Randy Wood about arranging and recording a set of current hits for a guitar ensemble with a slightly softer sound. Wood was hoping to attract a younger audience to his mainstream easy listening label, Ranwood. As "The Exotic Guitars," the concept won a respectable, if not huge, audience, and Casey went on to record several albums, each featuring his own arrangements.(Thank you Space Age Pop)

01 - Indian Love Call
02 - La Paloma
03 - Battle Hymn Of The Republic
04 - Pearly Shells
05 - Red Roses For A Blue Lady
06 - Sabre Dance
07 - Vaya Con Dios
08 - Galveston
09 - Green Door
10 - Petite Fleur
11 - Trying
12 - Moon River

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Exotic Guitars - Indian Love Call
MU
Exotic Guitars - Indian Love Call

Mr Snookles

Vera Lynn - Hits Of The Blitz

Time to put down that Martini and make yourself a nice cup of tea... British wartime sweetheart Vera Lynn sings the songs that saw a nation through one of its darkest hours.

01 - This Is The Army - Stagedoor Canteen - Lovely Day Tomorrow
02 - The White Cliffs Of Dover
03 - Don't Fence Me In
04 - Lilli Marlene
05 - That Lovely Weekend
06 - Who's Taking You Home - Wishing Will Make It So - Wish Me Luck
07 - When The Lights Go On Again - I'll Pray For You - We'll Meet Again
08 - A Nightingale Sang In Berkely Square
09 - Bless 'Em All - Seigfreid Line - Kiss Me Goodnight Sargeant Major
10 - You'll Never Know
11 - I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire - Maybe - Coming Home
12 - There'll Always Be An England

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Vera Lynn - Hits Of The Blitz

MU
Vera Lynn - Hits Of The Blitz

Mr Snookles

Rogers And Hammerstein - The King And I

We don't often go down the Musicals and Music Theatre path here at Third Island, but for this delightful piece of early exotica we can make an exception. With its hints of eastern splendour and memorable tunes it makes a worthy addition to any collection. The 'March Of The Siamese Children' has become an exotica standard - covered amongst others by Roy Harte and Milt Holland in their album 'Perfect Percussion' which can be found elsewhere on the blog.

01 - Overture
02 - I Whistle A Happy Tune
03 - My Lord And Master
04 - Hello Young Lovers
05 - March Of The Siamese Children
06 - A Puzzlement
07 - Getting To Know You
08 - We Kiss In A Shadow
09 - Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You
10 - Something Wonderful
11 - Song Of The King
12 - Shall We Dance
13 - Something Wonderful (Finale)

RS
Rogers And Hammerstein - The King And I

MU
Rogers And Hammerstein - The King And I

Mr Snookles

Gordon Jenkins - Hawaiian Wedding

Gordon Jenkins was a composer/arranger during the forties and fifties whose string arrangements and lush arrangements helped to define the easy listening sound. Most famous for his work with Frank Sinatra, he spent a number of years as music director at Decca.

This piece of proto-exotica sounds somewhat dated these days - (which of course is what we like...) the vinyl shows its age and some sections sound a bit thin and brittle. Still it has a calm, soothing quality, and those echoes of yesteryear have a mellow charm that still appeals - listen for the pizzicato strings that imitate ukuleles, and drift with the lush sounds of the Raplh Brewster singers.

01 - Beyond The Reef.mp3
02 - Blue Hawaii.mp3
03 - Now Is The Hour.mp3
04 - To You Sweetheart, Aloha.mp3
05 - Sweet Leilani.mp3
06 - Hawaiian Paradise.mp3
07 - Ke Kali Nei Au.mp3
08 - Moon Of Manaloora.mp3
09 - Moonlight On Diamond Head.mp3
10 - Heavenly Islands.mp3
11 - Honolulu Honeymoon.mp3
12 - Aloha Oe.mp3

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Gordon Jenkins - Hawaiian Wedding

MU
Gordon Jenkins - Hawaiian Wedding

Mr Snookles

p.s. A big Hi to a certain miss Tricia G. Concepcion niece of Jake Concepcion whose album "Sexy Saxes" is still available for download. Tricia dropped by to say thanks for supporting her uncle Jake. Tricia - it's always a pleasure to here from the artists we preview here at Third Island - I hope many more people continue to enjoy the music of your talented uncle.
Mr S.

Bobby Byrne - Shades of Brass

Altogether more hip and funky is Bobby Byrne's 'Shades of Brass'. High energy grooves, big brass sound - even a bit of Moog for good measure.

01 - Respect
02 - Help Yourself
03 - The Pendulum Swings Both Ways
04 - Delilah
05 - Feelin' Groovy
06 - Hurry Love
07 - A Shade Of Brass
08 - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
09 - Who Is Gonna Love Me
10 - Barbarella
11 - Windy

RS
Bobby Byrne - Shades of Brass

MU
Bobby Byrne - Shades of Brass

Mr Snookles

Dick Dia - Magnificent Mandolins

Time for some more armchair travel - this time we're off to sunny Italy with mandolin virtuoso Dick Dia. Dick lines up a first-class collection of musos including Al Caiola and Al Casamenti on guitar, Dominic Cortese on accordion, Phil Kraus on mallets and Bob Rosengarden on percussion. Bellissimo!!

01 - Summertime In Venice
02 - Never On A Sunday
03 - Nu Quart' E Luna
04 - Arrivederci Roma
05 - Pearl Fishers
06 - Brasiliera
07 - Piccolissima Serenata
08 - La Luce Nella Fenesta
09 - Chella 'Lla
10 - Vola Colomba
11 - La Strada Nel Nosco
12 - Scalinatella

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Dick Dia - Magnificent Mandolins

MU
Dick Dia - Magnificent Mandolins

Mr Snookles

Stanley Black - Sounds Widescreen

Let's face it - no one does the light classics like the Brits. Light, airy, breezy, full of humour and contrast - just like the British national character??

But seriously, behind the rather mundane album cover lurks some superb arrangements by our Stanley, played with panache and verve by the London Symphony Orchestra. I think Stanley was amongst the very best of that generation of arrangers and composers that dominated the sounds of BBC radio in the 60's and 70's.

It certainly reminds me of my growing up in a bleak Yorkshire industrial town, with the rain pattering on the window pane and the tinny sounds of the radio crackling from the corner...

01 - Big Country
02 - Tara's Theme
03 - This Is My Song
04 - Zorba's Dance
05 - Theme From 'Fiddler On The Roof'
06 - A Taste Of Honey
07 - Waterfront
08 - Stagecoach
09 - Slaughter On Tenth Avenue
10 - The Longest Day
11 - Exodus
12 - Lara's Theme
13 - High Society - 'True Love'
14 - Third Man Theme

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Stanley Black - Sounds Widescreen

MU
Stanley Black - Sounds Widescreen

Mr Snookles

ps. Maxi - Official Friend Of Third Island - has been at work restoring covers from some recent posts. Check in the comments if you want to dl them. Thanks Maxi...

Manhattan Pops Orchestra - Flamenco Passion

Richard hayman at the helm of this piece of bombastic black plastic. The Manhattan Pops Orchestra hit the loud pedal, turn the violins up to 11 and let fly.

01 - El Gato Montes
02 - La Rosita
03 - Fandango
04 - La Bamba
05 - El Choclo
06 - Red Sombrero
07 - Flamenco Guitar
08 - Matador
09 - Franesca
10 - Lady Of Spain

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Manhattan Pops Orchestra - Flamenco Passion

MU
Manhattan Pops Orchestra - Flamenco Passion

Mr Snookles

Mandolin Club De Paris - Selection Espagnole

More mandolin magic from sunny Spain. Recorded in France with the Mandolin Club De Paris, more castanets, more mandolins - Ole!!

01 - Maria Morena
02 - Guayaquil
03 - Fandango Andalou
04 - Ole Jerez
05 - Concha Jerez
06 - Montes De Aragon
07 - El Chispero
08 - Ay Del Ay
09 - Caravane Du Reve
10 - Bolero Gitan
11 - La Corrida
12 - Cortijera

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Mandolin Club De Paris - Selection Espagnole

MU
Mandolin Club De Paris - Selection Espagnole

Mr Snookles

Rondalla Espanola - The Magic Of Spain

As you know, we like to do a little armchair travel here at Third Island, and today is no exception. So lets whisk off to sun-drenched Spain, and the romantic sound of mandolins, castanets and Spanish guitars. This album could well be called 'The 1001 Castanets' as the sound of them permeates the entire album.

A 'Rondella' is an instrumental group consisting mostly of strings, mandolins and guitars with a little light percussion added. Today, most Rondellas flourish in Aragon, Navarra and Valencia, and interpret the folklore of each region.

01 - Granada
02 - Si Te Vas A Calatayud
03 - Motivos Andaluces
04 - La Pilarica
05 - Pepita Creus
06 - Doce Cascabeles
07 - Sevilla
08 - Torremolinos
09 - Angelita
10 - Boda De Luis Alonso
11 - Panderos De La Flamenca
12 - El Vito

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Rondalla Espanola - The Magic Of Spain

MU
Rondalla Espanola - The Magic Of Spain

Mr Snookles

EEK!!! due to an error the tracks in this post have been incorrectly labelled. Side one and side two have been mixed up. The tracks should be named as follows...

01 - Sevilla
02 - Torremolinos
03 - Angelita
04 - La boda de Luis Alonso
05 - Panderos de la flamenca
06 - El Vito
07 - Granada
08 - Si vas a Calatayud
09 - Motivos andaluces
10 - La Pilarica
11 - Pepita Creus
12 - Doce cascabeles

You should really rename them as shown - sorry 'bout the hassle - Mr S.