Complete Pop Instrumental Hits Of The Sixties, Volume 2 - 1961

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Complete 60s
• ASIN: B006KEO2XG
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,582 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > General AAS
  • #43 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > General
  • #88 in Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Wonderland By Night - Bert Kaempfert

2. Wonderland By Night - Louis Prima

3. Wabash Blues - The Viscounts (mono/CD Debut)

4. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Jerry Murad's Harmonicats

5. Exodus - Ferrante & Teicher

6. Main Theme from 'Exodus' (Ari's Theme) - Mantovani

See all 29 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. (Love Theme from) One Eyed Jacks - Ferrante & Teicher

2. (Theme from) My Three Sons - Lawrence Welk

3. Like, Long Hair - Paul Revere & The Raiders (mono)

4. Brass Buttons - The String

5. Tenderly - Bert Kaempfert

6. Hop Scotch - Santo & Johnny (mono)

See all 29 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. The Charleston - Ernie Fields (mono)

2. Quite a Party - The Fireballs (mono)

3. The Guns of Navarone - Joe Reisman (mono/CD Debut)

4. San - Ho

5. Now and Forever - Bert Kaempfert

6. Back Beat #1 - The Rondels (mono)

See all 28 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

(3-CD set) No words can describe this great second release from Complete 60s Records - because there are no words! This exciting new label from England is undertaking an unprecedented project to compile every single Billboard Hot 100 instrumental hit of the 1960s. Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of the Sixties, Vol. 2 - 1961 is the second in a series of releases that will definitively document the decade when the pop instrumental genre truly reached its zenith (Vol. 1 -1960 is still available).

Rock, rhythm 'n' blues, country, and orchestral instrumental singles all vied for a spot in the Hot 100 weekly charts. Hundreds of them earned that coveted spot in history, and when this project is complete you'll own them all in the order they peaked on the charts! That way, you can experience them the way the world did in 1961. You'll hear how surf music evolved, how rock combos and orchestral arrangers influenced each other, and how easy listening emerged as a distinct sound during this golden decade.

Bert Kaempfert, Al Caiola, Billy Vaughn, Sandy Nelson, The Ventures - these giants of the genre are all here on Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of the Sixties, Vol. 2 - 1961. But, so are The Viscounts, The Texans, The Don Shirley Trio & Jack Eubanks. Who, you ask? All of them scored instrumental hits in 1961, none of which have ever been on a CD before now. In fact, this 86-track, 3-CD set includes no less than 17 CD debuts and dozens of genuinely rare tracks - 50 in true stereo. That's nearly three & half hours of music!

The research team at Complete 60s combed the vaults for the best possible sources for these wordless wonders, making sure to locate the original hit versions in true stereo whenever possible. Then, no less than three sound engineers carefully remastered the original recordings until the twangy guitars, pounding drums, and soaring strings practically leap out of your speakers. You'll be speechless! Thank goodness, however, writer Greg Adams wasn't at a loss for words. His detailed, 28-page liner notes include biographies of all 53 artists, plus release notes and chart information for every track.

The same creative folks who lovingly compile those great Eric CDs in the States are working on this project, so you know there's the same commitment to high quality sound and an attention to detail missing from so many oldies collections. Why settle for less? Why take a chance with risky, off-brand, mediocre MP3 downloads of dubious origin? Simply put, if you love instrumentals (of any kind), Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of the Sixties is the final word!

ALL TRACKS STEREO UNLESS INDICATED

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece II, February 22, 2012

By 

Mr. O.B.G.(Oldies But Goodies) "LITB FAN" (Calif.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Pop Instrumental Hits Of The Sixties, Volume 2 - 1961 (Audio CD)

I've been waiting since last year for this set and I am not disappointed. In my opinion this set is as good if not better than 1960. The sound on these tracks in both mono and stereo is excellent. To start things off, both versions of Wonderland By Night never sounded better. The stereo separation and bass are excellent. A real surprise here is Mantovani's Exodus which I haven't heard before. Then there's the dynamic Magnificent Seven, it just might make you want to watch the movie. If your looking for an instrumental by a group known for their 60's vocals you can't go wrong with Paul Revere's Like, Long Hair. This was their first hit and is quite interesting. Another instrumental by a singer is Ray Charles' One Mint Julip. A very good tune. Exodus by Eddie Harris is another surprise. A jazzy version of Ferrante & Teicher hit. Image by Hank Lervine is a song you never get tired of. Also give a listen to Stick Shift by The Duals. A great car song. Like I said last time there are too many songs to be reviewed here. If your wondering how I can review these songs so early is because I pre-ordered them from Eric Records and received them approx. 2 weeks ago. Anyway this set has excellent sound and is Highly Recommended. Thanks again to Bill Buster & Co. for another fine CD set. This is in no way a complete review so hopefully others will weigh in with their input.