Al Russ Orchestra - Many Moods
Released 1958
Recording and Session Information
Chicago, 1958Al Russ Orchestra
Concerto For Lovers
The Girl And The Fiddle
Mood For Piano
Paris Garret
The Violins Are Blue
Sarita Tango
Sympathy
Sunset And Vine
Melody For Maxine
Practice, Practice
The Island
The Light Touch
| Concerto For Lovers | Al Russ | 1958 |
| The Girl And The Fiddle | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Mood For Piano | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Paris Garret | Al Russ | 1958 |
| The Violins Are Blue | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Sarita Tango | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Sympathy | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Sunset And Vine | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Melody For Maxine | Al Russ | 1958 |
| Practice, Practice | Al Russ | 1958 |
| The Island | Al Russ | 1958 |
| The Light Touch | Al Russ | 1958 |
Liner Notes
In this collection of his compositions, Al Russ displays with greater polish than ever before, his extra ordinary variety of mood expressions, which capuvate audiences of all ages and musical tastes. His music stirs your every emotion ... from joy to utter sadness...demonstrating along the way, a keen insight into those subtleties of the musical arts, that make good musicians outstanding.Back in 1943, when the Clyde Lucas Orchestra was riding the crest of success, Al Russ, a young ambitious lad of 23, joined the group as trumpet player and staff arranger. It was four on-the-go years, packed full of one night stands, theatre dates and night-clubs. In between constant traveling and rehearsals, Al wrote an entire library of swing arrangements and still had time to project his talent as a conductor, when the group played the theatre circuit.
In the four years of his New York stay, Al took on every free lance arranging job he could find...music publishers, orchestras, acts, singers! The name stars were sprinkled generously through his list of clients: Bob Haynes, Betty Brewer, Steve Lawrence, Betty Clooney, Mary Mayo, the DeCastro Sisters, Alan Dean...to mention just a few. Needless to say, the bold beauty of the Al Russ arrangements was talked up big around the music circles of New York. And in 1931, this talk sparkplugged a call from Studio Films, Inc, a New York firm which produced musical shorts for television. It was a gilt-edge invitation to join them...and he did, in the dual capacity of musical director and staff arranger. This was to become the turning point of his career, and Al says, "One of the busiest years I ever put in. I must have arranged for every singer in the country, plus doing five song arrangements twice a week for two recording sessions which I also conducted."
The experience with the Clyde Lucas Orchestra, the many facets of free lance arranging were all strong contributing factors to the development of Al's abounding talent, but he tasted the recording business and liked it... liked it very much! Here he saw an opportunity to compose his own special typr of music, and share it with all who love good music, as he did. Al cut his ties with Studio Films, set about and composed four beautiful string instrumentals...recorded them and scored a triumph, incidentally, these compositions are still being used by many disc jockeys throughout the country as themes. The exhilarating ambition which supported and thrust Al successfully through his years of apprenticeship had paid, as he planned, very satisfying dividends.
Now that he had found his "musical love", composing, Al wanted to find a home for it. And thus, in the capacity of musical director, he joined Audio Recording Studios in his native Cleveland, Ohio. In the summer of 1953, the internationally famous Cleveland Symphony Orchestra honored Al Russ, by presenting the world premiere of his two compositions, HIGHLY STRUNG and PEANUTS AND POPCORN. Then, the popular music critics sat up and took notice with the release of Al's DANCE ON MY PILLOW, followed by BLUE STREET and MOOD FOR TWO.
Now. turn to the album within...settle back and be pleasantly surprised. You are about to experience an intricate and moving music, threaded with warmth and tenderness. Whatever you're in, whatever you may be searching for...is yours for the playing.
The session supervisor and recording engineer of this album is Vlad Maleckar of Audio Recording Studias, A musician in his own right.
- NORMA G. MAURER
ALBUM PRODUCTION — DAVE USHER
Other Stuff
Billboard Review: 6 October 1958:
MANY MOODS - Al Russ Ork.
Al Russ and orchestra come thru with warm readings of a group and his own original compositions that make for enjoyable listening. The album is titled "Many Moods" and the moods are many in this set, ranging from "Concerto for Lovers," to "The Girl and the Fiddle," and "Sarita Tango." Deejays should spin this set and mood music fans will be interested.
