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Richard Wess, Arranger/Conductor
| by Michael Macomber |
Richard Wess arranged and conducted the 1957 Sallie Blair LP "Squeeze Me" |
Personal details about Richard Wess, such as his date of birth, seem to be virtually impossible to find. Luckily, his work is far easier to track down, and it speaks for itself.
His earliest work as an arranger and conductor appears to be on the 1957 Sallie Blair album, "Squeeze Me" (Bethlehem BCP 6009). Blair was a vocalist of great wit and personality, not unlike Bobby Darin. Her rendition of "Almost Like Being In Love" features an exciting Darinesque vocal flourish as she launches into the refrain. Finger-snaps reminiscent of Darin's can be heard on her swingin' version of "Ain't (S)He Sweet." |
These tracks, and several others on the album, feature Wess playing piano and celeste. Band members Joe Cabot, Al DeRisi, Frank Rehak, Chauncey Welsch, Romeo Penque, Jerry Sanfino, and Joe Soldo would later appear as part of the Richard Wess Orchestra for Darin's "That's All" LP.
Wess also had an album of his own in 1957, the intriguingly titled "Music She Digs the Most" (MGM E-3491). Once again, Wess played piano, and his bandmates included saxophonist Al Cohn and guitarist Mundell Lowe (another "That's All" player). The disc was a nice collection of standards, including "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "Give Me The Simple Life," and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To."
Bobby Darin's close friend and publicist, Harriet "Hesh" Wasser, is credited with bringing Darin and Wess together in 1958 for their collaboration on "That's All." The result was a breakthrough for Darin, earning him respect with the adult audience, a number one hit with "Mack the Knife," and making him the first rock n' roll artist in history to successfully cross over into standards.
Wess and Darin would team up for several other fine LPs, on the Atco, Capitol, and Atlantic labels, and the result was always magical.
In addition to his work with Darin, Wess also served as conductor and arranger for Connie Francis, Betty Carter, Sammy Davis Jr., Chris Connor, Nat King Cole, Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, Herbie Mann, and many others. |
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Richard Wess on Darin LPs:
That's All (Atco 33-104, March 1959)
This is Darin (Atco 33-115, January 1960)
Darin at the Copa (Atco 33-122, August 1960)
For Teenagers Only (Atco SP-1001, September 1960)
Twist with Bobby Darin (Atco 33-138, December 1961)
From Hello Dolly to Goodbye Charlie (Capitol 2194, November 1964)
Venice Blue (Capitol 2322, May 1965)
Bobby Darin Sings the Shadow of Your Smile (Atlantic 8121, April 1966) |
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Richard Wess Selected Discography:
Ruth Brown: Late Date With Ruth Brown (Atlantic LP 1308, January 27, 1959)
Chris Connor: Witchcraft (Atlantic LP 8032, 1959)
Connie Francis: Songs to a Swinging Band (MGM SE-3893, 1960)
Sammy Davis, Jr.: The Goin's Great (Reprise R-6339, 1969)
'Music She Digs the Most' details:
Richard Wess & His Orchestra: Music She Digs the Most (MGM E-3491, 1957)
Tracks:
Autumn Leaves/ I Didn't Know What Time It Was/ Hey Now/ I Got It Bad/ Why Shouldn't I/ Somewhere/ Give Me The Simple Life/ Cabin In The Sky/ You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To/ Lover Man/ Honest Abe/ Blues For Someone
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