The Happy Hammond Goes - Pop Country

The influence of country music on the British charts over the past few years has been more substantial than many people realise. From the 'King' of country music Hank Williams Jnr. came three of his greatest million sellers namely "Your Cheatin' Heart", "Jumbalaya" and "Hey, Good Lookin'"; these form the basis of a very interesting collection of classic country melodies arranged specially for the Hammond organ.

You don't have to be a country and western fan to enjoy this album as it is styled to suit all tastes. If you were not sure of the origins of these songs this will serve as a tribute to the contemporary country writers whose material falls into many categories.

Gerry Butler was taught the rudiments of music at the age of six by his father, a notorious "pub" pianist in the Stockton-On-Tees area. Such was Gerry's ability that several 'breaks' in his schooling were caused by the objections of his headmaster to his playing in a dance band. After completing his National Service with the R.A.F. ha has played with the following orchestras:- The Blue Rockets, Teddy Foster, Vic Lewis, Oscar Rabin and before going freelance, ten years with Bob Miller as staff arranger.

Side One

1. Gentle On My Mind
2. Detroit City
3. Release Me
4. Jumbalaya
5. A Million Tears From Now
6. Hey Good Lookin'

Side Two

1. He'll Have To Go
2. King Of The Road
3. Take These Chains From My Heart
4. Little Green Apples
5. Silver On The Table
6. Your Cheatin' Heart

SHM 701 - 1970

The Happy Hammond Plays The Hits Of

Burt Bacharach.

When the happy sound of the Hammond organ meets up with some of the world's most popular and enduring melodies, any record turntable is set for some lively entertainment. Especially, of course, when the collection of songs stem from two of the most creative and prolific songwriting minds in pop, messrs Bacharach and David.

Ena Baga, one of four sisters, was giving public performances as a church organist at the age of twelve and was a professional organist at the age of fourteen, initiating a glittering career. Now, Ena is passing on her vast experience to the organists of tomorrow.

As a party companion you'll find no better company than the kind of atmosphere that this album provides and if your taste is merely to listen and enjoy some of the finest pop melodies ever written then just sit back. The happy Hammond sound, on this occasion provided by a model TTR, and the genius of Bacharach and David will do the rest for you.

Side 1

1. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
2. This Guy's In Love With You
3. Anyone Who Had A Heart
4. Wives And Lovers
5. The Look Of Love
6. Do You Know The Way To San Jose

Side 2

1. I Say A Little Prayer
2. Close To You
3. There's Always Something There To Remind Me
4. Trains and Boats and Planes
5. I'll Never Fall In Love Again
6. I'm A Better Man

SHM 767 - 1972

Sing Somethin Simple - The Adam Singers

Feeling in the mood for some musical relaxation? Them (sic.) just sit back and enjoy the work of a team who really know what easy listening is all about.

On this album the Adam Singers vocal charm works like a dream and creates the kind of listening pleasure that can only leave you asking for more. And that's why the "Sing Something Simple" formula is one of the most popular sounds around.

Side 1

Sing Something Simple
Hometown/Underneath The Arches
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
Cruising Down The River
Home On The Range

Side 2

Little Dolly Daydream/Lily Of Laguna
I Love You Truly
Me And My Shadow
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
Let The Great Big World Keep Turning

HMA 214 - 1959

Younger Than Springtime - Percy Faith & His Orchestra

Percy Faith is one of the best arrangers working today. And for good reason. Percy has the unique capability to prove and feel the heart of a musical composition. And he has the talent to express the intent of the composer.

Prepare yourself for a unique and fully-listenable experience. You will discover again why Percy Faith is one of the best and most requested arrangers on the music scene today.

Ron Gold

Side 1

Some Enchanted Evening
Laura
Begin The Beguine
Deep Purple
Summertime

Side 2

Younger Than Springtime
Where Or When
I Loved You Once In Silence
If Ever I Would Leave You
Tenderly

CHM 686 - (p) 1970

The Best Of Top Of The Pops '77

14 Number One Hits* of 1977. Plus a giant calendar/poster

*BRMB/Music Week

Top of the Pops pick of the crop - try saying that quickly! However, that is exactly what we have done. To continue in this poetic vein, (seeing it only happens once a year) the seeds of pop music were sewn in 1977 and scattered to the four winds. Well, the Pickwick harvesters, being on the ball as usual, lost no time in rushing out with their sickles and scythes and naturally, reaped only the very best. Each succulent little tune, lovingly nurtured from "most promising newcomer" to "TOP OF THE HIT PARADE" was snatched in it's prime and delivered post haste to the Pickwick studios where the Top Of The Poppers were standing by, ready to give it their own special treatment, scientifically tested to ensure that none of the original flavour and quality could escape. And, for good measure, we decided to include a free gift as well!

So here you have it - the finished product, vacuum packed and custom sealed and approved by the Pickwick Bureau of Standards, each tune a NUMBER ONE HIT in 1977.

What more is there to say - except to wish you all a happy, swinging festive season and we'll be back in the new year with Top of the Pops treats especially for you.

Side 1

1. Knowing Me Knowing You (Andersson-Anderson-Ulvaeus)
2. Free (Williams)
3. Don't Give Up On Us (Macaulay)
4. Don't Cry For Me Argentina (Lloyd-Webber)
5. Float On (Willis-Ingram-Mitchell)
6. Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (Soja-Vostral)
7. Angelo (Hiller-Lee-Sheridan)

Side 2

1. Silver Lady (Macaulay-Stephens)
2. I Feel Love (summer-Moroder-Bellotte)
3. Lucille (Bowlinger-Bynum)
4. Chanson D'Amour (Shanklin)
5. When I Need You (Hammond-Seger)
6. Way Down (Martin-Kennedy)
7. The Name Of The Game (Andersson-Anderson-Ulvaeus)

SHM 999 - 1977

The Happy Hammond Goes Pop - Phil Allen

There are some people for whom the sound of a Hammond organ means musical paradise on a grand scale, while for others it's just another boring organ sound. But we're not concerned with the latter - although it might surprise them to learn how versatile the Hammond can be when it's well played, and is matched with a selection of songs that bring out the best in it.

In fact that's what the songs on this album have done, as the Hammond organ really goes "pop" in the direction of some of the most tuneful songs ever to feature in the pop charts of recent years. Songs like "The Pushbike Song", "Sugar Sugar", "Yellow River", are pop at it's purest, but alongside them are pop songs like "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and "My Sweet Lord", that not only add lustre to the pop charts by being rather less obvious hits, but which go on to join that long and exclusive list of songs known in the business as standards.

But forget about categories of songs and where they figured in the charts. Instead just sit back and enjoy the dazzling sounds that come from the Hammond organ and if, by the time this album is ended, you're not among the happy band of people who like they're pop music played in a lively and different way, then we'll be very surprised!

Side 1

1. The Pushbike Song (Jones-Idris Evans)
2. Good Morning Starshine (Rado-Ragni-MacDermot)
3. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon)
4. For Once In My Life (Murden-Miller)
5. My Way (Anka-Francoise-Reveaux)
6. Sugar Sugar (Barry-Kim)

Side 2

1. My Sweet Lord (Harrison)
2. In The Summertime (Dorset)
3. Something (Harrison)
4. Yellow River (Christie)
5. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Bacharach-David)
6. Woodstock (Mitchell)

SHM 734 - 1971