Malaguena :Music Of Cuba / Kismet: Music From Malaguena :Music Of Cuba / Kismet: Music From CD

One of the founding fathers of easy listening, Canadian conductor Percy Faith was a child prodigy who might have become a concert pianist had he not suffered burns in a domestic fire whilst still a teenager. His bravery saved his sister's life but damaged his hands so badly that he was unable to play the piano for nine months. Far from getting the better of Percy Faith, the accident only spurred his interest in arranging, composing and conducting. Early in the 1950s he became musical director at Columbia Records under the auspices of Mitch Miller. The most fastidious musical craftsman, Faith would record dozens of concept albums for the label over the next 25 years. His arrangements also salvaged the failing careers of Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney and returned Johnny Mathis, Doris Day and Guy Mitchell to the charts. Andr? Previn and Quincy Jones claim him as an influence. Karen and Richard Carpenter could be counted among Percy Faith's greatest admirers. Faith was certainly one of the chief beneficiaries of technological development in recorded sound that came with the advent of Hi- Fidelity, and Malaguena - trumpets blaring and powerful trombones to the fore - is heard in early widescreen stereo, while his exquisite 1954 recording of Kismet, so skillfully shaded and so full of exotic vistas, is presented here in it's original pristine mono.

1. Malague±a 2. Qui?reme Mucho (Yours) 3. El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor) 4. Danza Negra 5. Andaluc?a (The Breeze and I) 6. El Bodeguero 7. Damisela Encantadora 8. Siboney 9. La Cumparsa 10. Tumbando Ca±a 11. Marta 12. Mama Inez 13. Para Vigo Me Voy (Say, S? S?) 14. Tab· 15. Sands of Time 16. Stranger in Paradise 17. Zubbediya, Samaris' Dance 18. He's in Love! 19. Baubles, Bangles and Beads 20. Rhymes Have I 21. Rahadlakum 22. And This Is My Beloved 23. Fate 24. Night of My Nights 25. Not Since Nineveh 26. Bazaar of the Caravans