It wouldn't be too long before his version of Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn theme would make the best-seller lists, but in the meantime, he was issuing novelties like today's pairing - "Cello-Phane," written by Anthony himself (supposedly), and "The Lonely Trumpet" by Hugo Strasser and Claus Ritter.
Capitol was behind this new release all the way. There was the full-page ad in Billboard seen at right, a promotional tour by the bandleader, and a promo record, shipped with the fond hope that deejays would play Ray's quick introductions to the two songs.
In brief, he remarks in the intros that "Cello-Phane" is interesting because it utilizes a cello, and "The Lonely Trumpet" notable because it features a Hammond organ.
"The Lonely Trumpet" was by the then-young German bandleader Hugo Strasser. It also is attributed to Claus Ritter, but he was a lyricist and this version does not use the words. Here, the lonely trumpeter is of course Ray himself. Not sure who the lonely organist - or cellist - are.
As far as I can tell, the disc did not make the charts, so the promotion effort was in vain.
Wonderfully, I believe Ray is still with us, at age 103.
By the way, the This Could Be the Night soundtrack I mentioned above is newly remastered in ambient stereo, with new graphics and complete scans. It features the chanteuse Julie Wilson along with Ray's band.
LINK to Cello-Phane and The Lonely Trumpet
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| Lonely Ray Anthony with then-wife Mamie Van Doren |
6 comments:
Great
Thanks for this version of the single with the Ray Anthony interviews ...a rare gem indeed !
Thanks for the notes, gimpiero and Noises!
Buster, you're the top, you're cello-phane!
Ernie - Ha!! Great comment!
Buster a great song, "Cello-Phane", as it had me bouncing around listening to it.
As to, "The Lonely Trumpet", while I like the Hammond Organ, coupled with the Trumpet, they seemed an odd pairing.
But that photo of Ray and Mamie, hubba hubba, whichever or both.
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