Living Brass - A Taste of Honey -

Living Brass - A Taste of Honey

Saturday, 10. May 2008, 06:01:00

Living Brass - A Taste Of Honey
RCA Camden Records
CAS-940
Stereo
Vinyl
1966

Happy Pierre
Here is what Space Age Pop has to say about Tiajuana Brass knock offs.

The best of the batch is RCA's Living Brass series, which were arranged by space age pop master Ray Martin and produced by Ethel Gabriel as part of her commercially pioneering Living (Strings, Voices, Jazz, Trio, Guitars, Organ, etc.) series on RCA Camden. You can safely pass on the first Living Brass album, "A Taste of Honey," which is a faithfully exact and dull clone of the TJB sound. In subsequent albums, Martin began inching away, creating a goofy, bouncy sound that could fit right into the soundtrack of the next Austin Powers movies. His Living Brass "A Henry Mancini Tribute" is a must-find, featuring a grrrl group chorus doing an "in your face" vocal version of "Peter Gunn"

Space Age Pop says it all. This album sucks. Don't even think about downloading it. I would be sorry I ever bought it if I hadn't paid $0.33 for it.

But guess what, it is the "first" Living Brass" record and that makes it "a collectors item"! Do I hear $25.00 for this record? Going once...No I'm going to keep it because I actually do like the record no matter what SAP's opinion is.

The Brass Ring - The Flight Of The PhoenixLiving Brass - A Henry Mancini Tribute

Comments

Living Brass - A Taste Of Honey
RCA Camden Records
CAS-940
Stereo
Vinyl
1966

Side A
01 - A Taste Of Honey
02 - South Of The Border
03 - Brasilia
04 - Some Enchanted Evening
05 - Cu-Cu-Rru-Cu-Cu Paloma

Side B
06 - The 3Rd Man Theme
07 - Life
08 - Happy Pierre
09 - Heartaches By The Numbers
10 - Never Too Young

By Licorice Pizza, # 10. May 2008, 19:08:15

Firebirdfor71 writes:

(This album sucks. Don't even think about downloading.)

Yep, gotta agree. That's why I just listened to two Living Strings albums (Charade and other Movie Music and Sentimental Journey)

Not sure what got into Space Age Pop but these are very good albums! Strings, Brass, whatever. Not Command Records/Enoch Light perfect but just good background music. Many thanks for bringing it to us and if you want the two Living Strings albums I mentioned, let me know.

By anonymous user, # 11. May 2008, 03:34:43

Hi Firebirdfor71, you bet we would like to hear those two Strings albums. Thanks for the offer. LP

By Licorice Pizza, # 11. May 2008, 12:26:25

Firebirdfor71 writes:

Living Strings - On a Sentimental Journey (1964)

http://rapidshare.com/files/112522126/Living_Strings_-_On_a_Sentimental_Journey__1964_.rar

This RAR is missing the song "Under Paris Skies" due to a nasty skip.

Living Strings - Charade and other Film hits (1964)

http://rapidshare.com/files/112102355/Living_Strings_-_Charade_and_other_Film_Hits__1964_.rar

Hope you enjoy them!

By anonymous user, # 11. May 2008, 15:02:25

I know I'll love them, thanks LP for bringing this to our attention and letting us decide for ourselves.
-LT

By LoungeTracks, # 11. May 2008, 16:25:27

weaver writes:

So sorry to let you know that there was another Living Brass album before this one...the title is "Mexican Shuffle" Cat#:CAS-907 from 1965.

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/living_brass/mexican_shuffle/

Could be worth even more then what you paid for it ...(-¦

By anonymous user, # 11. May 2008, 16:39:12

Thanks for the strings Firebirdfor71.

Weaver, Looks like Space Age Pop got it wrong on both points regarding this album. It was not the first and not the worst. Ha Ha.

Listened to it again in it's entirety and I think it is very good and is the epitomy of the genre. But that's just me. Let's wait and see what the LT has to say on the subject.

By Licorice Pizza, # 11. May 2008, 18:19:31

"a faithfully exact and dull clone of the TJB sound." So why the bad review?

If someone did a faithfully exact and dull clone of the Beatles sound they'd be the critic's darlings. And though it's no Poco Loco Guitars Plus Brass, and that's a good thing, I give it two thumbs up!

By LoungeTracks, # 12. May 2008, 15:17:39

And there you have it folks. Two Thumbs Up! And judging by the time stamp on LT's critique he was not under the influence of the Martooni. So we all agree...the album is good and SAP's warning has been supercededed.

By Licorice Pizza, # 12. May 2008, 22:35:14

RadioWizard writes:

Critics be damned! I very seldom read music or movie reviews by them. I rely on other peoples insight. I wasn't going to download it, but now I will just to "stick it to da man!" Ppppbbbbtt!

By anonymous user, # 13. May 2008, 23:19:22

Calliope writes:

I have always liked to make up my own mind up about Music, Movies and Books. Thank you in advance for your efforts in bringing this Brassy number to our attention

By anonymous user, # 15. May 2008, 12:19:59

That is right Calliope and RadioWizard. Because of the negative input on this one I have spent some time (driving endless miles in West Kansas) really listening to this album. I have to admit I like it.

The Living Series is by far one of the best produced of the bunch. Like LT says if this had been done with the Beatles it would be hailed as a masterpiece.

The Living series much like the Brass Ring, and all of the Enoch Light material among other artists were re-arrangements of popular and rock music made palatable for the aging masses. Then, that was my grandmother. Now it's me. I've arrived!

Just for comparison I am going to post the "must find" Mancini Tribute album for all to hear.

Thanks all for the comments. LP

By Licorice Pizza, # 15. May 2008, 14:06:19

Anonymous writes:

looking forward to the comparison

By anonymous user, # 15. May 2008, 16:01:24

Jonathan writes:

I'm listening now. The first song is amazing. Thanks for pointing out you were being sarcastic! Sarcasm is one thing that does not translate well on the web!

By anonymous user, # 17. May 2008, 21:07:53

Just remember I don't usually post music I don't like. LP

By Licorice Pizza, # 17. May 2008, 22:51:43