Bobby Darin CD Profile: Two of a Kind

Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer: Two of a Kind (Atco 33-126, February 1961)
CD Release: Atlantic 90484, 9/21/1990
Recording Dates: August 13, 14, 17, 1960, Los Angeles, CA
Producer: Ahmet Ertegun
Engineer: Bill Putnam
Arrangements: Billy May
Musicians: Billy May (cond)
AUG 13, 14-John Best, Dick Cathcart, Manny Klein (tp); Ed Kusby, Bill Schaefer, Elmer Schneider (tb); Chuck Gentry, Skeets Herfurt, Eddie Miller, Wilbur Schwartz (sax); Milton Raskin (p); George Van Eps (g); Morty Corb (b); Ronnie Zito (d).

AUG 17-Same personnel except: Conrad Gozzo replaces Manny Klein on trumpet.

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
Two of a Kind (Bobby Darin/Johnny Mercer) (August 17)
Indiana (Ballard MacDonald/James F. Hanley) (August 17)
Bob White (Johnny Mercer/Bernie Hanighen) (August 13)
Ace in the Hole (James Dempsey/George Mitchell) (August 17)
East of the Rockies (Sid Robin/Lou Singer) (August 13)
If I Had a Druthers (Johnny Mercer/Gene DePaul) (August 14)

Side 2:
I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jellyroll (Spencer Williams/Clarence Williams) (August 14)
Lonesome Polecat (Johnny Mercer/Gene DePaul) (August 14)
My Cutey's Due at Two-to-Two Today (Al Von Tilzer/Irving Bibo/Leo Robin) (August 13)
Medley: Paddlin' Madelin' Home (Harry Woods), Row Row Row (Jimmy Monaco/William Jerome) (August 17)
Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter (Chick Endor/Paul Specht) (August 14)
Mississippi Mud (James Cavanaugh/Harry Barris) (August 13)
Two of a Kind (Bobby Darin/Johnny Mercer) (August 17)

FROM THE LINER NOTES: "This album is based on an idea by J. Steve Blauner & Marshall Robbins."

Comments: Rarely has a record been more perfectly titled. Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer are indeed "Two of a Kind", a fact made delightfully evident by their incredible chemistry on every one of these tracks. Trading quips, ad-libbing and generally cracking each other up, they sound like a couple of old friends kicking back on a sunny afternoon. The pairing of Bobby and Johnny was the brainchild of Darin's manager Steve Blauner, and the world owes Mr. Blauner a great debt, for bringing these kindred spirits together.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: Winners

Bobby Darin: Winners (Atco 33-167, June 1964)
CD Release: Collectors' Choice CCM-403, 4/6/2004
Recording Dates: Feb. 1-2, 1960, Los Angeles, CA
Producers: Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun
Arrangements: Bobby Scott
Musicians: Bobby Scott (cond, p)
FEB 1-Larry Bunker (vib); Howard Roberts (g); Joe Mondragon (b); Ronnie Zito (d); Jack Costanzo (cga).

FEB 2-Larry Bunker (vib); Howard Roberts (g); Joe Mondragon (b); Ronnie Zito (d); Carlos Vidal (cga).

SPECIAL NOTE: Above credits do not apply to "Milord" or "Golden Earrings," which were recorded at different sessions, as detailed below.

MILORD-June 20, 1960, NYC. Other info unknown.

GOLDEN EARRINGS-March 25, 1961, Los Angeles, CA. Fred Norman (arr, cond); Manny Klein, Clarence "Shorty" Sherock (tp); Marshall Cram (tb); Plas Johnson (sax); Israel Baker, Al Beller, Jacques Gasselin, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Misha Russell, Marshall Sosson (vln); Armand Kaproff, Edgar Lustgarten (cello); Richard Behrke (p); Irving Ashby, Barney Kessel (g); Keith Mitchell (aka Red Mitchell) (b); Larry Bunker, Ronnie Zito (d).

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
Milord (Marguerite Monnot/Georges Moustaki) (June 20, 1960)
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler) (February 2)
Anything Goes (Cole Porter) (February 1)
Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me (Duke Ellington/Bob Russell) (February 2)
Golden Earrings (Ray Evans/Jay Livingston/Victor Young) (March 25, 1961)
When Day Is Done (Buddy DeSylva/Robert Katscher) (February 2)

Side 2:
I've Found A New Baby (Jack Palmer/Spencer Williams) (February 2)
What A Difference A Day Made (Stanley Adams/María Mendez Grever) (February 2)
What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry (Walter Donaldson/Abe Lyman) (February 2)
Hard Hearted Hannah (Milton Ager/Charles Bates/Bob Bigelow/Jack Yellen) (February 1)
Easy Living (Ralph Rainger/Leo Robin) (February 2)
They All Laughed (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin) (February 1)

NOTE: Bobby's friend and mentor, comedian George Burns, provides the laughter for the track, "They All Laughed."

Comments: With smoky, intimate arrangements by Bobby Scott and backed by Scott's 6-piece combo, Darin turns out the jazziest album of his career. This record is truly a milestone, not to mention a wonderful listen. Bobby is so cool, so smooth, so laid back, and yet so ultimately thrilling with his delivery. One of his best.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: That’s All

Bobby Darin: That's All (Atco 33-104, March 1959)
CD Release: Atlantic 82627, 6/24/1994
Recording Dates: December 19, 22, 24, 1958, NYC
Producers: Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler
Engineers: Tom Dowd, Carl Lustig, Herb Kaplan, Heinz Kubicka
Arrangements: Richard Wess
Musicians: Richard Wess (cond)
DEC 19-Joe Cabot, Jimmy Nottingham, Bernie Privin, Doc Severinsen (tp); Morton Bullman, Harry DiVito, Bob McGarity, Frank Rehak (tb); George Berg, Romeo Penque, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Sanfino, Joe Soldo (reeds); Hank Jones (p); Al Caiola (g); Eddie Safranski (b); Don Lamond (d); Phil Kraus, Terry Snyder (per).

DEC 22-George Berg, Romeo Penque (reeds); Isadore Zir (vla); Maurice Brown, Henry Pakaln (cello); Morris Stonzek (cello?); Moe Wechsler (p, cello); Mundell Lowe (g); Eddie Safranski (b); Bobby Rosengarden (d); unidentified 12 violins.

DEC 24-Joe Cabot, Mel Davis, Al DeRisi, Doc Severinsen (tp); Billy Byers, Cutty Cutshall, Frank Rehak, Chauncey Welsch (tb); Leon Cohen, Walt Levinsky, Seldon Powell, Jerry Sanfino (reeds); Moe Wechsler (p); Mundell Lowe (g); Eddie Safranski (b); Don Lamond (d); unidentified 8 strings.

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
Mack the Knife (Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein) (December 19)
Beyond the Sea (Charles Trenet/Jack Lawrence) (December 24)
Through a Long and Sleepless Night (Alfred Newman/Mack Gordon) (December 22)
Softly As in a Morning Sunrise (Oscar Hammerstein/Sigmund Romberg) (December 19)
She Needs Me (Arthur Hamilton) (December 22)
It Ain't Necessarily So (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin) (December 24)

Side 2:
I'll Remember April (Gene DePaul/Don Raye/Pat Johnson) (December 24)
That's the Way Love Is (Bobby Darin) (December 19)
Was There a Call For Me (Woody Harris/Marty Holmes) (December 22)
Some of These Days (Shelton Brooks) (December 24)
Where Is the One (Edwin Finckel/Alec Wilder) (December 22)
That's All (Bob Haymes/Alan Brandt) (December 19)

Comments: Bobby Darin was a visionary. After the chart-topping success of "Splish Splash", he longed to make a record of standards. His label refused to finance it, so in 1959 he took his own profits from "Splash" and paid for the recording session himself. The result? He became the first artist in history to make a successful transition from rock n' roll to standards. "That's All" is a testament to the dynamic duo of Darin and arranger/conductor Richard Wess. Together they produced a record that generated two hit singles ("Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea") and proved that Darin had the pipes and the sensiblities to be a legendary crooner.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles

Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles (Atco 33-140, March 1962)
CD Release: Collectors' Choice CCM-401, 3/9/2004
Recording Dates: November 7, 8, 10, 14, 1961, Los Angeles, CA
Producer: Ahmet Ertegun
Arrangements: Jimmie Haskell
Musicians: Jimmie Haskell (cond, p?); Plas Johnson, Nino Tempo (sax); Red Callender (b); Earl Palmer (d); Darlene Love, the Blossoms (backing vocs).

Side 1:
What'd I Say (Ray Charles) (November 7)
I Got A Woman (Ray Charles/Renald Richard) (November 14)
Tell All The World About You (Ray Charles/Percy Mayfield) (November 7)
Tell Me How Do You Feel (Ray Charles) (November 7)
My Bonnie (Ray Charles) (November 7)

Side 2:
The Right Time (Lew Herman) (November 8)
Hallelujah I Love Her So (Ray Charles) (November 10)
Leave My Woman Alone (Ray Charles) (November 10)
Ain't That Love (Ray Charles) (November 10)
Drown In My Own Tears (Henry Glover) (November 8)
That's Enough (Ray Charles) (November 14)

NOTE: The backing vocal group for this LP, The Blossoms, had previously backed up Ray Charles in the mid-1950s.

Comments: Bobby's tribute to his idol Ray Charles packs a soulful punch that is positively astounding. Bobby understood this music, felt it down to his toes, and he gives these tunes the bluesy cry and rave-up shout they deserve. Jimmie Haskell's arrangements do both Bobby and Ray proud. Pure gold. Includes liner notes by Jimmie Haskell.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: Darin at the Copa

Bobby Darin: Darin at the Copa (Atco 33-122, August 1960)
CD Release: Atlantic 82629, 6/24/1994
Recording Dates: June 15-16, 1960, Live at the Copacabana in NYC
Producers: Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun
Engineers: Tom Dowd, Phil Iehle
Arrangements: Richard Berke*, Buddy Bregman**, Bobby Scott***, Richard Wess****
Musicians: Paul Shelley's Copacabana Orchestra conducted by Richard Behrke; Richard Behrke (p); Ronnie Zito (d); other details unknown.

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
****Medley: Swing Low Sweet Chariot (Traditional), Lonesome Road (Gene Austin/Nathaniel Shilkret)
****Some of These Days (Shelton Brooks)
****Mack the Knife (Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein)
***Love for Sale (Cole Porter)
**Clementine (Woody Harris)
*You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (Cole Porter)
****Dream Lover (Bobby Darin)

Side 2:
***Bill Bailey (Traditional)
**I Have Dreamed (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein)
**I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh)
Alright, O.K., You Win (Sid Wyche/Mamie Watts)
*Medley: By Myself (Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz)/When Your Lover Has Gone (E.A. Swan)
I Got a Woman (Ray Charles/Renald Richard)
****That's All (Bob Haymes/Alan Brandt)

Comments: Following on the heels of his breakthrough 1959 standards record "That's All", 22-year-old Bobby Darin realized yet another one of his career goals when he played the stage of the legendary Copacabana in New York City to standing-room-only crowds. The kid who had achieved a hit with the rock novelty tune "Splish Splash" suddenly became "Mr Showman of 1960" (Gene Knight, New York Journal-American). "Darin is no freak of the rock n' roll variety and no callow crooner with contempt for his audience, but a genuine star, showman and entertainer," declared Lee Mortimer of the New York Mirror. In fact, the accolades for Darin's Copa debut flowed more freely than champagne at a Broadway opening night. One of Darin's biggest admirers, Walter Winchell, summed it up nicely: "Darin received so many wires of congrats that Western Union told him 'you hold the record for telegrams in one night'." Critics and stars were falling over themselves to compliment Bobby's talent--and listening to this record, it's easy to understand why. Darin knocks the Copa audience for a loop, gaining their respect in the process. Along with the aforementioned "That's All", this album is a must have for any Darin fan.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: The 25th Day of December

Bobby Darin: The 25th Day of December (Atco 33-125, October 24, 1960)
CD Release: Atlantic 91772, 10/25/1991
Recording Dates: August 19-21, 1960 in Los Angeles, CA.
Producer: Ahmet Ertegun
Engineer: Bill Putnam
Arrangements: Bobby Scott
Musicians: Bobby Scott (cond), other details unknown.

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
O Come All Ye Faithful (August 19)
Poor Little Jesus (August 20)
Child of God (August 21)
Baby Born Today (August 20)
Holy Holy Holy (August 19)
Ave Maria (August 19)

Side 2:
Go Tell It on the Mountain (August 21)
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (August 20)
Jehovah Hallelujah (August 21)
Mary Where Is Your Baby (August 21)
Silent Night, Holy Night (August 20)
Dona Nobis Pacem (August 19)
Amen (August 21)

Bonus Tracks added to CD: The single track "Christmas Auld Lang Syne" (Manny Kurtz [aka Mann Curtis]/Frank Military), recorded with Bobby Scott's Orchestra on August 18 in Los Angeles, was added to the CD re-issue of this LP.

Comments: Bobby Darin was famous for delivering the unexpected, and with this release he did it again: a Christmas themed offering that is soulful, reverant, and rousing all at once. On "Baby Born Today" and "Jehovah Hallelujah", he kicks it out with a joyous shout that is equal to Brother Ray's. Alternately, his "Ave Maria" is so tender, gentle and stunningly beautiful that it is bound to silence any detractor who ever claimed Darin's voice was less than exquisite.