Customer Reviews

That Happy Feeling

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Recorded in '61 and '62, this album (unlike most Kaempferts) was first issued on American Decca, and then several months later on the home Polydor marque (as "A Swingin' Safari" and with the replacement of "Wimoweh" with "Afrikaan Beat" and a different running order). It probably established Kaempfert in the states as much as anything; Goodson and Todman's use of "Safari" as the original "Match Game" theme helped too. So does the album's sprightly, lively tone, far sprightlier than the subsequent Kaempferts, which got weighted down with "big" arrangements and the dreaded padoom-padoom of the rhythm section. Despite the album's liberal and often palpable African influence that German engineering's never far from the surface -- especially in "Wimoweh", which summons up memories of Leni Riefenstahl; The Tokens this isn't. Still these are all early and excellent examples of what would soon be called "world music," and this is by far Kaempfert's best and most entertaining recording.

Note: I suspect one reason the CD got deleted was because Taragon, the little reissue label, inexplicably catalogued it as a Christmas album.

Bert Kaempfert was the first person to produce The Beatles. I love his music. He was one of the few Germans to find an international audience. He had a very distinctive, bouncy sound. This is a great album-the song "That happy feeling" says it all. How sad that he died in his fities. I miss him!

My parents had Bert Kaempfert's albums when I was growing up. "That Happy Feeling" was one of my favorites. Very special and dear to my heart.

i bought this album in the 60s and having worn it out was able to get a new copy in new york for US$40.oo it was worth it. i have tried for years to locate the cd.now i finally have.will be back in touch.

That Happy Feeling was the theme song for Corona/Los Angeles UHF TV Station KBSC-TV Channel 52 in 1970-71! I always loved hearing that song during the Breaks between Programs. Im glad I found this song after reading about it on a Channel 52 Page. I was 10/11 years old at the time.

I purchased the original album in April 1963 and have worn it out. Hope the cd lasts as long. One of Mr. Kamperts best.

My dad was telling me that this album meant alot to him and my mom over the years. They left it in a rental car and couldn't recover it. My mom passed away 2 years ago and I just learned this
story in November. Took me awhile to find it due to wrong spelling. So happy to find the right one and in GREAT condition. My dad loved it! Thank you!

i have the original album and i found the cd also. it is one of berts best. i grew up listening to bert kaempfert as well as other artist when i was kid thanks to my mom and dad who had a big collection of records and also had a lot of reel to reel tapes of music so i had a lot to listen to growing up. anyway this is a must to have in your collection as well as orange colored sky album and his christmas album. so if you can get this cd and enjoy.

Many Americans will remember this album for the song "A Swingin' Safari," as it was used (in a version recorded by Billy Vaughn) to introduce the original run of TV's "Match Game" in the '60s. Several years earlier, Kaempfert had gained commercial success with "Wonderland by Night," but it's this album (helped in part by a resurgent interest in bachelor's den styled music) that's made the most lasting impression.

Never before this album had Kaempfert so fully integrated his love of American swing with his training as a pop orchestrator. His arrangements are sophisticated, but the bouncy bass lines (courtesy of Ladi Geisler) and sparkling brass keeps things breezy and swinging. Most memorable of all are the flutes and piccolos emulation of South African penny whistles, and the terrific performances from the trumpet and trombone. Both "A Swingin' Safari" and "Afrikaan Beat" (the latter available on the European release of the album) became international hits in 1962, and U.S. radio listeners will remember "That Happy Feeling," "Market Day," and "The Happy Trumpeter," as well.

"That Happy Feeling" was released in the U.S. on Decca, and in Europe, under the title of "A Swingin' Safari" on Polydor. The latter issue replaces "Sunday in Madrid" with the "Afrikaan Beat," and reorders a few tracks. With this CD reissue of "That Happy Feeling" now out of print, the easiest way to find this material is Polydor's import two-fer of "A Swingin' Safari" and its 1976 sequel "A Safari Swings Again." The sequel captures some of the original's flavor, but Kaempfert's use of a full orchestra often loses the lite 'n' breezy character, and the South African influences often give way to other internationalisms. Still, a nice bonus. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

It was in the mid-1960's that I was first introduced to this album by a neighborhood friend. I was fascinated by the electric bassist and the way Kaempfert used voice and orchestra to create his unique sound. I later ordered this album while serving my country at Fort Hood, Tx. I'm greatful to Amazon.com because you will soon find a recording you thought never available. 2 Websites gave me Bruno Walter and this Kaempfert recording that probably no other current music store can offer. I took Amazon's advise, and if you are patient enough, you will find that rare recording at the price you are looking for!