Neil Diamond Songbook by The Marina Strings

American Idle this past week featured Neil Diamond songs. So, we too at EasyStackin’ will do the same with the Marina Strings. Every cut from this album was often played on the easy-listening stations in the 70’s and 80’s. Here is Neil Diamond’s Solid Gold Songbook performed by The Marina Strings. Sit back and reminisce. (Reminder: 7-Zip is used) I'm sorry that I'm unable to post the true cover. If I get around to taking a picture of it, I'll replace it later. It wasn't even available on e-bay.

Zodiac Suite - Norrie Paramor

Here's a very unique album and one that I haven't really seen posted in other 'blog'. It's a monoral album from the late 50's with original compositions from the artist himself, Norrie Paramor. My personal connection with the album was from my dad. This album was played so often that the spindle hole was expanded due to the many drops onto the platter. My ultimate favorite is Capricious Capricorn. Spotlighted in the 'Sample Box'. These are very rich string arrangements with quite the flair. I'm not really sure if it was ever released in stereo. Regarless to me, it's a fantastic album. I hope you enjoy it as well. Technically due to it's multiple plays, it's a bit worn and you'll detect a few pops/clicks in the digital convertion. Course, like many of us, some of the scratches and pops became part of the memorable recording. Enjoy!

4/26/07: Audio Update
It dawned on me after posting, this MP3 format was a transfer that I did many years ago when I first got a CD burner. Similar to a tape recorder, it just recorded exactly what was pumped into it. No options for cleaning or equilization. So, here's an update of cleaning and equilization. I'm leaving the original just in case someone wants to compare. Click 'Audio Update' for the link.

Additional information that I found while reading the back cover, the album was recorded in 1957. Further investigation found it is available in stereo. Sorry that dad purchased the monoral version. It's still great sound! Enjoy!

Mantovani Latin Rendezvous

Here's another childhood memory. Dad had this on his 'stack' of records that played on that RCA console Stereo. I remember it often at his parties and Sunday afternoons when he'd sit at the dinning room table paying the monthly bills. I suppose this was the start of my 'easy-listening' enjoyment. Favorites are Be Mine Tonight, La Paloma, Siboney and Perfidia. Like dad, I love the latin beat. What's interesting about this album is that it was created by a Mantovani contest. Mantovani fans were encouraged to submit their ideas for an album. My childhood was in NJ until I moved to CT at 10 years of age. The winners of this 1960's contest were too from NJ. How weird is that? We listened to stations like WPAT FM93, WVNJ and WRFM Stereo 105 from NYC. Okay, I'm reminiscing too much. Here's one of Mantovani's greatest albums. Here is it in FULL STEREO. ENJOY!

Musical Moments with Mantovani

Here it is!!! The first available download from EasyStackin'. It took some time to figure out how to get it posted with one file through RapidShare. After about an hour and half, it came to me. You have to ZIP!

The album was purchased in a used record store shortly after the original release in the mid-70's. Many of the cuts were broadcast favorites on easy-listening stations even up through the declining years of easy-listening radio in the 90's.

The album was actually in excellent shape as if I purchased it new. Some technical cleaning and equalization was used in the transfer process. The outcome, a very clean and improved audio spectacular.

Enjoy the memories and Moments with Mantovani!