Customer Reviews

Liz Damon's Orient Express

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Liz Damon, her sister, and band in the outside bar and stage area along the beach of the Hilton Hawaiian Village when I was on R&R from my tour in Vietnam. I came to Honolulu's Waikiki Beach in October 1970, and experienced an instant LOVE for this band, while I was enjoying my priceless time with my wife Yvonne, after not seeing her since April 1st. The up-beat yet mellow sounds of Liz and her Orient Express was hypnotic and I found myself deeply in-touch with their sound. I did not have to be prompted to buy one of their albums (33-RPM), and have it today. It's been through a flood in our home, and the record is ever so slightly warped, but still playable. THAT, is why I had to buy their newly re-cut and sound re-mastered CD of the same album name. I had to hear their music again; this time in my car or portable player!!!

Their songs, "1900 Yesterday," is by far their best work on the album, although I'm VERY partial to their rendition of, "But For Love!!!" It's a VERY INTENSE and BUILDING work of musical coordination and harmony, and really gets you smack dab in the heart!

My email message from Amazon.com tells me I'll be waiting for 2-5 weeks for delivery. I hope that is not so, because I am really looking forward to hearing it play in my car as I drive down the road, reminiscent of my drive in the rental car convertible (Ford Fairlane, 1970) around Oahu that October 1970, with the air-conditioning on near full-blast, to match my musical speakers in the car, back then!

If you enjoy great harmony... great listening and sing-along music... and don't like to be blasted by overkill acid/hangover rock `n roll anymore... and just want to chill-out and be `moved,` .... then this is your album to buy.

T.D. Jorgensen
Vietnam Vet (aviator) 4/1/70 - 4/1/71
Atlanta, GA

I have been a Liz Damon and the Orient Express fan even before seeing them in their home state of Hawaii. 1900 Yesterday was very popular on radio in Houston, Texas. Their mellow melodic kind of pop music sounds great even today. I was so excited to find that finally their music had been transferred to CD. I have their original release albums, but do not listen to vinyl anymore. One of the best groups EVER!

I bought this cd for the song "1900 yesterday",and was pleasantly surprised by the other quality, smooth,easygoing music of this group.It comes with a little booklet about Liz and her band,somewhat interesting,but the real worth in this cd is the easylistening music and songs.I remember some of these songs ,but not all of them, but they are all good and enjoyable,and a reasonably priced cd is this,most likely to be enjoyed by a good number of people.

I always loved the song "1900 Yesterday" but could not find it anywhere, including the on-line music services. When I received the CD I was a little disappointed because I didn't see any other originals besides 1900. They were all covers of other artist's songs. Then I listened and have to say I was very pleased with their renditions and found a number of them that I thought much better than the versions done by other artists. All in all. It's worth the price. Good listening.

This music actually means more to my Mom & Dad. Since they are not computer users I am writing on their behalf.

They had a trip to Hawaii in the early 70's and ran across the Orient Express in an Island bar. Although they enjoy all of the music, they are particularly enamored with a song that they have had considerable difficulty in finding. This goodie is called something like "Quiet Sounds" or "The Quiet Sounds". Although they have most of the lyrics down they are on a sincere search for either the 45, music, album, anything that contains this specific song. If anyone knows how to obtain anymore information, I'd appreciate some assistance. THANKS!!!
Sandi, winningtoo@comcast.net

The Lounge Sound is alive and well in this oldie but goodie. Smooth harmonies abound. A nice collection of cover music and their own music. I personnally prefer "But for Love." I also enjoyed their cover of "Something" and "Canadian Sunset."

I loved this album in the 1970s but wondered if I wanted to spend the money on it and if time would have lessened the appeal of the music for me. I'm happy to report that the CD was well worth the money! I still love the songs I liked back then and I still don't much care for one or two that I didn't care for back then--but there is plenty to enjoy.

The liner notes make fascinating reading about how the group was formed and why they weren't as commercially successful as they should have been. (Get out your magnifying glass--the light print on a graphic background is very difficult to read!) I didn't realize how young the group was (Liz Damon was only in her late teens). I also found out that after her recording career, Liz worked as the entertainment director for the old Westward Ho Casino. If you check out their farewell site, you'll see a photo of Liz in about the third picture of the montage. Look for the pretty woman in the pink sequined jacket. Also on the site is a rolling list of those who worked at the Westward Ho, and sure enough, in the list is Coreen Elizabeth Damon-Taylor!

Here was the big surprise about the CD: The asterisk next to a few of the songs indicates bonus tracks. That means I was able to hear the Joe Eich (formerly a big band vocalist and musician) arrangement of "Danny Boy" for the first time. It is a unique and wonderful interpretation--far better than the small sample here would indicate. The upbeat lilt, slight oriental tones, whistling interlude and lovely harmony gives the song a completely different, though still bittersweet, sound.

I'm very glad I bought this Liz Damon CD. It's not just for the memories, it's also for great listening now.

I was very young when 1900 Yesterday was released, but I never forgot the song. I must admit that I bought this cd just for that song, but there are also several other enjoyable tunes on here as well.

Liz had a wonderful pretty voice and should have been a far bigger star. "1900 Yesterday" would be the White Whale label's last hit.

I first purchased this lp back when "1900 Yesterday" was popular and later purchased the cd in 2007. The problem was, The Orient Express came on the scene at a time when the "Ray Conniff" sound was on it's way out.

This group sounds like an excellent lounge act with nice harmonies, pretty vocals a nice selection of popular songs of that day plus some of their original compositions. My favorite was always "Same Old Feeling".

They were a great group that should have gotten far more notoriety. They deserved better. They is a great cd, although there were many other songs that could have been added, and is a real find for a collector.

I love Liz Damon's Orient Express...She has such a smooth and clear voice...also her band and back-up singers are very good also....It's hard to choose my favorites but it has to be 1900 Yesterday.