Barclay Allen - Latin and American Piano Rhythms (1957)

Here's an album cover with a couple of beauties! (I'm kind of partial to the blonde - she's so perky!) And the tunes are familiar standards performed by "one of America's foremost piano virtuosos", Barclay Allen. Allen was a pianist and bandleader whose brilliant career was tragically cut short by an auto accident. He was a mainstay with the Freddy Martin band before forming his own highly successful orchestra. He became popular for his Latin-esque theme song, ''Cumana,'' which he co-wrote with Harold Spina and Roc Hillman. In 1949 Allen was paralyzed when he lost control of his car while driving all night between performances. This copy of the album has had its share of being played a lot, and I tried to remove the clicks and pops the best I could, but it still has some noise. Also, the first song on the second side has some skips. But, I think it's still well worth a listen - Barclay Allen could really tickle the ivories!

Track listing for Barclay Allen - Latin and American Piano Rhythms:

Side 1:
1. Cumana
2. It Happened in Havana
3. September Song
4. At the Crossroads
5. Green Eyes
6. My Adobe Hacienda

Side 2:
1. The Whole World is Singing My Song
2. Old Lamplighter
3. Stardust
4. Linda
5. For Sentimental Reasons
6. That's My Desire