Nelson Riddle's name seems to be synonymous with Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, but this talented arranger/composer cut a pile of albums bearing his own name. "Route 66 Theme and Other Great TV Themes" and "More Hit TV Themes" are two albums that feature Riddle's sizzling arrangements for television themes... and some of them are very imaginative!
This is the first LP we've ever come across that had a reinterpretation of the famous Andy Griffith Show theme and Riddle's cha-cha rendition of My Three Sons is so catchy it should have been swapped with Frank DeVol's original version. Riddle also included a lot of brassy versions of the famous detective and legal drama themes of the day, including The Untouchables, The Defenders and Sam Benedict. Among the western shows, Bonanza and Have Gun Will Travel are included, but - my personal favorite - is the not-often-heard Lucy Show theme.
Click here to listen to both albums on Youtube.
Route 66 and Other TV Themes
Side One:
Route 66
The Alvin Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Ben Casey
My Three Sons
The Untouchables
Side Two:
Naked City
Sing Along
The Defenders
Sam Benedict
Dr. Kildare
This Could Be the Start of Something Big
More Hit TV Themes
Side One:
The Beverly Hillbillies
Bonanza
Moon River
Stoney Burke
McHale's Navy
The Dickens and Fenster March
Side Two:
Supercar
Have Gun, Will Travel
The Lucy Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The New Naked City
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Top Picks: The Andy Griffith Show, This Could Be the Start of Something, Lucy Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show
How cool! I'd love to hear this!
ReplyDeleteIt's an enjoyable album, Karen....especially good to listen to while dusting the house. ;-)
DeleteThese records are available on Amazon music unlimited and I think on Amazon as well.
ReplyDeleteI meant Spotify as well.
DeleteThat's right! I should have included the links to those sites as well. Here is the Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/album/7BgIcyGx9fdmMqsFz4Wans
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