Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Ray Conniff Singers - So Much in Love (1961)


Just as much as she loved anything Percy Faith, my mother loved anything Ray Conniff - and I inherited that. This album is by the Ray Conniff Singers, which was the chorus that often accompanied the orchestra on the other Ray Conniff albums. I think this was the first album that the Singers got top billing (please correct me if I'm wrong), because the liner notes say "This time, the Ray Conniff singers step out from the orchestra..." There are actually twelve songs, but they are sung as six medleys of two songs each. "Each medley tells a musical story about people who are 'so much in love'." I love albums by choral groups like this! This album was supervised by Frank De Vol, and the Conniff cover girl is Linda De Vol - his daughter perhaps?

Track listing for Ray Conniff Singers - So Much in Love:

Side 1:
1. Autumn Leaves; Just Walking in the Rain
2. I Fall in Love Too Easily; My Heart Stood Still
3. Dancing On the Ceiling; Dancing in the Dark

Side 2:
1. I Wish I Didn't Love You So; Bewitched
2. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera); True Love
3. Chances Are; It's Not for Me to Say

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting this. I was honored to be a part of the Ray Conniff Singers. Mr. Conniff was a true musical genious. I valued my time with this organization.
B.Kanady

Unknown said...

And yes.....This was the first lp, that gave us the top billing.If I remember right, there were two more that listing the "Singers" as the main artist. The others of course were listed as Ray Conniff Orchestra.

Esther said...

Hi, Bill!

Wow! I'm honored and thrilled that you happened upon my blog and posted a comment! I love the "Singers" - y'all were great!

Thanks for visiting!
Esther

Unknown said...

Hi Esther, Thanks for the accolates. You've posted my favorite lp of all the releases.
As you know, we recorded with some of the best modern-day crooners ever. Don Cherry,Johnny Mathis, etc. If you have any questions regarding any of the material by us, let me know, and I'll get back with you.
Oh,by-the-way Linda was Frank De Vol's daughter, that posed on the Lp cover.
B.Kanady

Tim said...

Wow great to read the posts on this blog regarding the Ray Conniff Singers and Orchestra. I'm 31 and have always been a big fan thanks to my father. Starting with the Christmas albums and later on with the non-holiday albums. Their sound was just terrific. A few of my favorite songs by Ray Conniff was Invisible Tears and African Safari! If you have any background information on these two songs...and some more information on as to whom the singers were...I'd greatly enjoy learning about that.

T.Logan

Joe DiLaurenzio said...

Dear Esther, I'm a new visitor
to your wonderful blog. You are absolutely correct about the fact that music is meant to be shared.
Would you be so kind as to instruct me where to find the download link for this Ray Conniff Singers album? BTW, I have a collection of a few thousand easy listening LPs. I've recorded maybe 10% to CD. If I can send you anything on your wish/ want list, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks! Joe in FL

Esther said...

Hi, Joe,
Welcome! Just click on the link (the highlighted album title just above the track listing), and it will take you to Megaupload. Then just follow the instructions there.

Thanks for visiting!
Esther

Donna Lethal said...

I was kicking back with some Ray Conniff Singers tonight and I needed more...my first thought was "Stax'O'Wax!"