This Is Easy(Virgin UK 41534)
"Lounge" in the US has always represented a genre of music released in the '50s and early '60s. While the US lounge may actually be comprised of many sub genres, its basis lies in small combo jazz, mood orchestra, or moog experiment. Across the divide of the Atlantic, our European hipster friends appear to be delving into the "easy Listening" realm of the mid '60s to early '70s. Here you find the Go-Go, Lite vocals, and Pop funk of the Mod Jet Set. Combined, these two camps present a marvelous unearthing of over two decades of almost lost musical traesures.
Rising to the top of European collection mania, This Is Easy represents the European sensibility perfectly. This 2 CD 52 track compilation splits the musical mood between "Wingding Party" and "Apres Ski." As you might guess, "Wingding Party" features bouncy Go-Go pop from Bacharach, Esquivel, Mancini, Martin Denny, Mason Williams, and more. The of you remembering Laugh-In's crazy opening parties will feel right a home.
Disc Numero Uno : Wingding PartyBond Street (Burt Bacharach) - Theme From The Champions (Tony Hatch Orchestra) - Superstars - Spanish Flea (The World of Tijuana the Mexicans) - Sentimental Journey (Esquivel) - A Swinging Safari (Bert Kaempfert) - Animal Magic - The Pink Panther Theme (Henry Mancini) - The Big Match - Up Up and Away (The Fifth Dimension) - Strange Report (Geoff Love) - The "In" Crowd (Percy Faith) - A Taste of Honey (The World of Tijuana the Mexicans) - The New Avengers (London Studio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Laurie Johnson) - The Riviera Affair - Asteroid (Pete Moore) - Avenues and Alleyways (Tony Christie) - Theme From A Man in a Suitcase (Ron Grainer) - Do You Know the Way to San Jose (Ron Goodwin) - Music To Watch Girls By (Andy Williams) - 1 2 3 (Percy Faith) - Misirilou (Martin Denny) - Classical Gas (Mason Williams) - The New Adventures of Black Beauty (The South Bank Orchestra conducted by Denis King) - Always Something There to Remind Me (Sandie Shaw) - Theme From Crossroads (Tony Hatch) - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly (Hugo Montenegro) - Girl In A Sportscar
When the party winds down and you want to relax with a brandy and a cozy fire, slip on the "Apres Ski" disc. Playing this in the lounge recently made Gilbert the janitor proclaim,"Hey! Who put on Lite FM?!?" Dionne Warwick, BJ Thomas, Ray Conniff, Jose Feliciano, and a host of other quiet voices provide a soundtrack for unwinding. Perhaps not everyone's cup of cognac, but excellent for candlelight and romance.
Disc Numero Dos : Apres Ski
Walk On By (Dionne Warwick) - The Windmills of Your Mind (Noel Harrison) - Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (BJ Thomas) - Anyone Who Had a Heart (Burt Bacharach) - Summer Breeze (Ray Conniff & The Singers) - Un Homme et Une Femme (France Lai) - Get Carter (Roy Budd) - I Can't Let Maggie Go (Honeybus) - Light My Fire (Jose Feliciano) - Close To You (Matt Munro) - As Tears Go By (Nancy Sinatra) - This Is Your Life - Call Me (Chris Montez) - Chelsea Morning (Sergio Mendes) - It Never Rains in Southern California (Ray Coniff & THe Singers) - What The World Needs Now Is Love (Ron Goodwin) - Aujourd'hui C'est Toi (France Lai) - A House IS Not A Home (Burt Bacharach) - Wives and Lovers (Jack Jones) - Theme and Variations for Two Pianos and Orchestra (Michel Legrand and the London Symphony Orchestra) - Theme From Midnight Cowboy (John Barry) - I Say A Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin) - My Unknown Love (Count Indigo) - The Look Of Love (Isaac Hayes)
And if all this was not enough, this collections wins the "Swank Concept" award by including a This Is Backgammon game in the CD booklet and tray! This may not be a "must have" for everyone, but if your taste lies in the "easy" you certainly should not miss this fine collection!