Following the incredible success of their multi-disc, boxed sets of hits from the 1930s and '40s, "The Great Band Era" and "The Swing Years," Reader's Digest began inviting some of the big bands to take part in new sessions, starting in 1967.
A peak was reached in 1969 with recordings for a blockbuster set, "The Big Bands Are Back Swinging Today's Hits," and subsequent releases of additional material from the same sessions, "Still Swinging!: The Big Bands Play Songs of the 60's" and "The Great Bands Swingin' the 60's."
The listing and discography below document this relatively little-known (and, in most cases, quite enjoyable) Reader's Digest music.
LP issues (catalog number, title, year of release):
RD4-61, "Serenade for Lovers," 1969
RD4-63, "Popular Music Hit Parade: 110 All-Time Favorites," 1968
RD4-71, "Gaslight Varieties," 1969
RD4-77, "Love Is Blue," 1969
RD4-84, "Let's Take a Sentimental Journey: Warm and Wonderful Musical Memories for Listening
and Relaxation," 1970
RD4-106, "Happiness Is... Up, Up and Away with the Happy Hits of Today," 1970
RD4-107, "Stardust: 108 All-Time Favorites," 1971
RD4-108, "Stardust Memories: Music for Listening and Relaxation," 1973
RD4-112, "The Big Bands Are Back Swinging Today's Hits: 72 Songs - All New Recordings," 1970
RD4-113, "Sweet with a Beat: The New Mood Music of Today," 1971 [9 LPs box]
RD4-114, "Sweet with a Beat: The New Mood Music of Today," 1972 [6 LPs flip-lid]
RD4-115, "The Great Bands Swingin' the 60's," 1975
RD4-117, "Remember: Down Memory Lane with 110 Songs From the Best Years of Our Lives," 1972
RD4-123, "Great Hits of the '60s," 1970
RD4-141, "Mood Music From the Movies," 1971
RD4-169, "Great Stars! Great Bands!"
RDS6870, "(Stardust) Big Bands/Big Hits," 1972
SD4-001, "Stardust Memories," 1972
RS4-002, "Sentimental Journey"
RS4-008, "The Shadow of Your Smile," 1973
RD4-158, "A Salute to American Music," 1975
RD4-201, "Dance Party," 1976
RD4A-024, "I Love a Piano: 9 Popular Pianists Play Your All-Time Favorite Hits," 1977
RD4A-028, "Thanks for the Memories," 1978
RD4-033, "Great Ladies of Song"
RD4-034, "Still Swinging: The Big Bands Play Songs of the 60's"
RD4-A-036, "They Sing the Songs," 1980
RD4-038," Million Dollar Movie Music," 1979
RD4A-058, "Golden Groups Golden Memories: Great Original Hits of the '40s & '50s," 1980
RD4-213, "Harry James and His Orchestra for Listening & Dancng," 1981
RD4A-005, "Jam Session," 1981
RD4-013, "They're Playing Our Song," 1982
RB4-057, "The Great Stars and Their Greatest Songs," 1985
RB4-099, "All-Time Sentimental Favorites," 1990
RB4-184, "Instrumental Magic," 1987
RB4-233, "Big Band Memories: 1945-1969," 1991
RDA-234A, "Fifty Years of Music America Loves Best"
"Popular Piano Favorites"
Some of the above dates seem to be out of order, but are as shown on the album containers.
Until May 22, 1970, the title of RD4-112 was to be "Swing Again." Was this the set that was "distributed only to artists involved in the production; never commercially issued," or did that occur after it was re-titled "The Big Bands Are Back Swinging Today's Hits"? A couple copies of the latter have recently been offered publicly for sale by private individuals. Whichever, promotion for this project in Reader's Digest product catalogs seems to have been non-existent.
Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra:
Conte Candoli, Larry McGuire, John Audino, Ray Tiscari, Don Fagerquist (tp), Dick Hyde, Dick Nash, Philip Teele (tb), Charlie Barnet, Bud Shank, James Cook(as), Thomas Scott, Pete Christlieb (ts), Bob Jung (bar), Pete Jolly (p), Herb Ellis (g), Max Bennett (b), John Guerin (d), Larry Bunker (percussion)
RCA Studios, Hollywood, December 1, 1969
A Hard Day's Night Billy May, arranger
Call Me Billy May, arranger
Music to Watch Girls By Billy May, arranger
The Beat Goes On Billy May, arranger
RCA Studios, Hollywood, December 2, 1969
Charade Billy May, arranger
Come Together Billy May, arranger
Little Green Apples Billy May, arranger
The Girl From Ipanema Billy May, arranger
Tex Beneke and His Orchestra:
personnel including Jimmy Priddy, Paul Tanner (tb), Wilbur Schwartz (cl/as), Tex Beneke (ts/vo), Johnny Guarnieri (p), Rolly Bundock (b), Jack Sperling (d), The Modernaires (vo) RCA Studios, Hollywood, mid-December 1969
Hello Dolly Tex Beneke and The Modernaires, vocal
Tonight
Walk Right In
My Favorite Things Ray Eberle, Paula Kelly and The Modernaires, vocal
Lemon Tree Tex Beneke and The Modernaires, vocal
The More I See You
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face Ray Eberle, vocal
On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) Ray Eberle and The Modernaires, vocal
I Wish You Love Ray Eberle, vocal / Alan Copeland, arranger
Stranger On the Shore Tex Beneke, saxophone
I Left My Heart in San Francisco Ray Eberle and The Modernaires, vocal
Les Brown and His Band of Renown:
Les Brown (cl/as) directing personnel not known
Hollywood, 1967
Let's Dance
Jersey Bounce
Moonglow
Woodchopper's Ball
Sentimental Journey
Strictly Instrumental
You Made Me Love You
Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
Blue Flame
Mexican Hat Dance
So Rare
Up a Lazy River
Hollywood, from this period
Walk On By
These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Baby Elephant Walk
Les Brown (cl/as) directing: Don Rader (tp), others
The Summer Wind
The Pink Panther Theme
Last Train to Clarksville Jim Hill, arranger
I Want to Hold Your Hand Jim Hill, arranger
show Les Brown as (cl/as/arr)
How High the Moon Les Brown, arranger
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Ballin' the Jack
A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
Frankie Carle, His Piano and Rhythm:
Frankie Carle (p), other details not known date?
I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
ca.1976-77
Sunrise Serenade
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Somewhere My Love (Lara's Theme)
The Days of Wine and Roses
Carle Boogie
Singin' in the Rain Medley: You Were Meant for Me / Should I? /
September in the Rain
DeSylva, Brown and Henderson Medley: You're the Cream in My Coffee /
Sunny Side Up
A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
Always
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Arrevederci, Roma
Just in Time
Frank Comstock and His Orchestra:
details not known ca.1970
Goin' Out of My Head
Alan Copeland and His Orchestra:
Alan Copeland (arr/cond), Joy Martell (vo) ca.1970
Darktown Strutters' Ball
The Man I Love Joy Martell, vocal
I Can't Give You Anything But Love Joy Martell, vocal
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Tiger Rag
Alan Copeland (p/arr/cond), The Alan Copeland Singers (vo)
ca.1971
It's Impossible
Wives and Lovers as "Alan Copeland, His Piano, Chorus and Orchestra"
I Have Dreamed The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
Time Alone Will Tell The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
One Day of Your Life The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
Everything Is Beautiful The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
Sweet Caroline as "Alan Copeland, His Piano, Chorus and Orchestra"
Husbands and Wives
Alan Copeland, The Lamplighters, Beverly Kelly, The Alan Copeland Singers (vo)
with Johnny Lawrence (cond) ca.1972
Carolina in the Morning The Lamplighters, vocal
At Last Alan Copeland and The Lamplighters, vocal
Swinging On a Star Alan Copeland and Beverly Kelly with The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
You Always Hurt the One You Love The Lamplighters, vocal
I Wish I Didn't Love You So Beverly Kelly and The Alan Copeland Singers, vocal
Beverly Kelly, Shani Wallis (vo) from this period
Jersey Bounce
Long Ago (And Far Away) Beverly Kelly, vocal
Second Hand Rose Shani Wallis, vocal
Who's Sorry Now? Shani Wallis, vocal
Don't Blame Me Shani Wallis, vocal
The Very Thought of You Beverly Kelly, vocal
The Trolley Song Shani Wallis, vocal
Hey There Beverly Kelly, vocal
Alan Copeland, Beverly Kelly, chorus (vo) with Roy Whitman (cond)
from this period
Till the Clouds Roll By Beverly Kelly and Alan Copeland, vocal
If I Had My Way Alan Copeland, vocal
Ain't Misbehavin' Alan Copeland, vocal
The Lamplighters, Louis Nunley, The Dreamers (vo), other details not known
from this period
Oh! You Beautiful Doll The Lamplighters, vocal
Pretty Baby The Lamplighters, vocal
Me and My Shadow Louis Nunley and The Lamplighters, vocal
Lazybones Louis Nunley, vocal
Let's Put Out the Lights (And Go to Sleep) The Dreamers, vocal
You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me The Dreamers, vocal
I'm an Old Cowhand Louis Nunley, vocal
Bob Crosby and His Orchestra, Featuring the Bobcats:
1967
Ballin' the Jack
Washington and Lee Swing
When the Saints Go Marchin' In
Jada
Tiger Rag
personnel including Johnny Best (tp), Johnny Guarnieri (p)
RCA Studios, Hollywood, 1969
Mame featuring the Bobcats
Patricia
Georgy Girl
Thoroughly Modern Millie featuring the Bobcats / Deane Kincaide, arranger
Java
Winchester Cathedral
Pennies From Heaven
Frank DeVol and His Orchestra:
Frank DeVol (arr/cond) ca.1967
Mame
ca.1969
The Very Thought of You
The Tender Trap
Everything I've Got
The Happening
Witchcraft
The Glory of Love (including The Theme From "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner)
chorus, vocal
Darn That Dream chorus, vocal
Frank DeVol (arr/cond), The King Sisters (vo) 1970
Frankie and Johnny The King Sisters, vocal
medley: The Gang That Sang "Heart of My Heart"/Hello! My Baby The King Sisters, vocal
Bidin' My Time The King Sisters, vocal
Button Up Your Overcoat The King Sisers, vocal
1970
Swanee The King Sisters, vocal
Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart The King Sisters, vocal
Great Day The King Sisters, vocal
Tea for Two
Dardanella
The King Sisters (vo), other details not known possibly from this period
It's Love, Love, Love! The King Sisters with chorus, vocal
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra:
[ collective personnel ] Cat Anderson (tp/flug), Willie Cook, Lloyd Michels, Cootie Williams (tp), Lawrence Brown, Julian Priester, Bennie Green (tb), Chuck Connors (bass tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Russell Procope (as/cl), Norris Turney (as/fl), Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby (ts), Harry Carney (bs/bass cl), Duke Ellington (p/ldr/v/arr), Luther Henderson (p/arr), Wild Bill Davis (organ/arr), Paul Kondziela (b), Victor Gaskin (elec bass), Rufus Jones (d), Steve Little (bongo), Ron Collier (arr)
RCA Studio C, New York City, September 2, 1969
La Dolce Vita Luther Henderson, arranger [ 3:56 ]La Dolce Vita Luther Henderson, arranger [ 5:30 ]Spanish Flea Luther Henderson, arranger [ 2:25 ] RCA Studio C, New York City, September 3, 1969
Manha de Carnaval (A Day in the Life of a Fool) arrRCA Taste of Honey arrRCSummer Samba arrWBDMistyOne Note Samba (3:51)One Note Samba (3:47)Alfie arrWBD [ 3:08 ]Soon It's Gonna Rain arrWBD [ 3:36 ]Soon It's Gonna Rain arrWBD [ 3:46 ]Soon It's Gonna Rain arrWBD [ 3:36 alt. ]Soon It's Gonna Rain arrWBD [ 3:31 ] RCA Studio C, New York City, September 4, 1969
Alfie arr WBD [ 3:27 ]Mr. Lucky arrWBD [ 2:11 ]Walking Happy arrWBD [ 3:07 ]Moon Maiden instrumental arrDE [ 3:05 ]Moon Maiden Duke Ellington, vocal arrDE [ 3:04 ]Walking Happy (3:43)Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm:
personnel not known 1969
Goin' Out of My Head
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Michelle
Tiny Bubbles
Those Were the Days
Everybody Loves Somebody
I Will Wait for You
Honey
Diana Lee, Gene Merlino (vo) ca. 1977
Scatterbrain Fred Noble, arranger
Wishing (Will Make It So) Diana Lee, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
Ti-Pi-Tin Diana Lee and Gene Merlino, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear Gene Merlino, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
Lovely to Look At Gene Merlino, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
A Little Bit Indepdent Gene Merlino and Diana Lee, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
Did You Ever See a Dream Walking? Gene Merlino and Diana Lee, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
(When Your Heart's On Fire) Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Gene Merlino, vocal /
Fred Noble, arranger
What's the Reason (I'm Not Pleasin' You)? Diana Lee, vocal / Fred Noble, arranger
Helen Forrest:
Helen Forrest (vo), Alan Copeland (arr/cond) 1970
I Concentrate On You Helen Forrest, vocal
My Funny Valentine Helen Forrest, vocal
I'm in the Mood for Love Helen Forrest, vocal
Thanks for the Memory Helen Forrest, vocal
Helen Forrest, The Serenaders (vo), Wally Stott (cond)
London, 1971
I Cried for You Helen Forrest, vocal
It Had to Be You Helen Forrest, vocal
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Helen Forrest, vocal
I'll Never Smile Again Helen Forrest and The Serenaders, vocal
A Foggy Day Helen Forrest, vocal
Once in a While Helen Forrest and The Serenaders, vocal
Speak Low Helen Forrest and The Serenaders, vocal
My Foolish Heart Helen Forrest and The Serenaders, vocal
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra:
Benny Goodman (cl) directing Bernie Glow, Joe Newman, Snooky Young, John Frost (tp), Buddy Morrow, Lou McGarity, Chauncey Welsch, Paul Faulise (tb), Hymie Schertzer (as), Walt Levinsky (as/arr), Frank Wess, Al Klink (ts), Sol Schlinger (bar), Derek Smith (p), Bucky Pizzarelli (g), Milt Hinton (b), Grady Tate (d), Claus Ogerman (arr)
New York City, October 7, 1969
Windy Walt Levinsky, arranger
Good Morning Starshine Claus Ogerman, arranger
Aquarius Walt Levinsky, arranger
add Sammy Lowe (arr) New York City, October 8, 1969
Love Theme From "Romeo and Juliet" Claus Ogerman, arranger
I'll Never Fall in Love Again Claus Ogerman, arranger
Up, Up and Away Sammy Lowe, arranger UNISSUED
add Frank Foster (arr) New York City, October 9, 1969
Watch What Happens Walt Levinsky, arranger
Both Sides Now Claus Ogerman, arranger
You've Made Me So Very Happy Frank Foster, arranger
Up, Up and Away Sammy Lowe, arranger
Spinning Wheel Frank Foster, arranger
The Benny Goodman Sextet:
Benny Goodman (cl) directing Urbie Green (tb), Derek Smith (p), Toots Theilmanns
(harmonica + g), Milt Hinton (b), Grady Tate (d) New York City, October 10, 1969
Bluesette
Monday, Monday
Harry James and His Orchestra:
Harry James (tp/ldr), Skip Stein, Jack Poster, Al Patacca, Gino Bazzaco (tp), Ray Sims, Bill Paynter (tb), Dave Mayten (btb), Joe Riggs, Don Mohr (cl/as), Corky Corcoran, Jack Watson (ts), Jack O'Keefe (bar), Jack Perciful (p), Chuck Lawson (b), Sonny Payne (d), Helen Forrest (vo)
RCA Studios, Hollywood, June 2, 1969
I've Heard That Song Before Helen Forrest, vocal
I Had the Craziest Dream Helen Forrest, vocal
I Dont' Want to Walk Withou You Helen Forrest, vocal
I'm Beginning to See the Light Helen Forrest, vocal
show Thad Jones, Bob Florence (arr) RCA Studios, Hollywood, June 3, 1969
Music Makers
King Porter Stomp Thad Jones, arranger
Back Beat Boogie
Opus 1 Bob Florence, arranger
Harry James (tp) and possibly Thomas Holden, Jack Poster, Walter Pfyl, Clarence Stine (tp), Dave Robbins, Gail Martin, Bill Paynter (tb), Bill Byrne, Don Mohr (cl/as), Corky Corcoran, Gary Herbig (ts), Jack Watson (bar), Jack Perciful (p), John Smith (b), Sonny Payne (d)
Hollywood, November 12, 1970
Fly Me to the Moon
You Go to My Head
Poor Butterfly
Hollywood, November 13, 1970
My Melancholy Baby
I'll Be Seeing You
Pennies From Heaven
Rob Turk (arr) Hollywood, November 24, 1970
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
A Taste of Honey
Traces Rob Turk, arranger
This Guy's in Love with You
Gene Merlino (vo) Hollywood, November 25, 1970
Gigi
A Man and a Woman
If Ever I Would Leave You Gene Merlino, vocal
Helen Forrest (vo) Hollywood, November 26, 1970
Call Me Irresponsible Helen Forrest, vocal
As Long As He Needs Me Helen Forrest, vocal
More Helen Forrest, vocal
It Must Be Him Helen Forrest, vocal
Hollywood, 1971
Red Wing
Blue Skies
One O'Clock Jump
You'll Never Know Bob Friedlander, arranger
Time After Time
My Heart Cries for You
Any Time
Three Coins in the Fountain
Around the World
Penny Serenade
Marilyn King:
Marilyn King, The Miller Sisters, The Lamplighters (vo), Dick Grove (cond)
ca.1971
A-Tisket, A-Tasket Marilyn King and The Miller Sisters, vocal
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree Marilyn King and The Miller Sisters, vocal
Cow-Cow Boogie Marilyn King, vocal
I Didn't Know Enough About You Marilyn King, vocal
Manana Marilyn King and The Lamplighters, vocal
Til There Was You Marilyn King, vocal
as "Lebert Lombardo with Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians":
possibly Guy Lombardo (dir): Lebert Lombardo (1st tp), Bob Madearos (2nd tp), Don Cooper (tb), Joe Cipriano (1st alto sax / fl), Bruce Swanson (2nd alto sax / cl), Al Block (ts / cl), Ronnie Ruthaller (bari / cl), Stan Keeler (piano #1), Charlie Sauss (piano #2), Bill Troiano (tuba), Ty Lemley (g / voc), Joe Van Blerk (d)
ca.1977 (or February 1978?)
Deep Purple
Change Partners Ty Lemley, vocal
I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store) Ty Lemley, vocal
When I'm with You Ty Lemley, vocal
other titles unknown
There seems to be conflicting information about the above Lombardo recordings.
According to Joe Enroughty, President of The Guy Lombardo Society, "Guy was alive when those recordings were made, and he was present. Reader's Digest planned to have that whole set be nothing but Guy Lombardo playing all those tunes. Guy became very ill before they could get back into the studios and so [recording] was halted. He then died. I was told that more recordings were made, and that Reader's Digest took what they felt was the best from all of them and issued them on that set with the other artists."
Enroughty continues, "As to why they billed the band as 'Lebert Lombardo And Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians', I can only suggest that perhaps the people writing the notes and song lists for that album took note of the fact that Guy had just recently died in November of the previous year. They probably assumed that he was ill or had died by the time these recordings were made and were putting a title on those recordings based on how the band was being billed at the time of that record set's release."
Freddy Martin and His Orchestra:
including Freddy Martin (tenor sax), Irwin Webb (p)
Hollywood, 1969
The Exodus Song
For Once in My Life
A Walk in the Black Forest
The Windmills of Your Mind
A Lover's Concerto
Dominique
Billy May and His Orchestra:
Billy May (arr), personnel not known Hollywood, September 1, 1968
It's Getting Better
Baby, I Need Your Lovin'
Walk On By
Cherry, Cherry
Spanish Harlem
Billy May (arr), Charles Gerhart (cond)