ROMANTIC…FOR LOVERS. A Philips Instrumental Collection from the early 1980s.

If you have ever looked back nostalgically at the hundreds of vinyl easy listening LPs from the late 1960s and 1970s that you wished were updated for digital formats, PHILIPS (Netherlands) tried to satisfy this demand through their ‘romantic instrumentals for lovers’ series. It states on the back cover of each piece of their series that the compilation was done by Fred Stam, and digital remastering by Gert van Hoeyen. This was also part of a pioneering series of easy listening mixed artiste compilations issued by Philips worldwide – in limited quantities – reissued and remastered from their Vinyl archives in Europe – hence the mostly European lineup of artistes.

This is easy listening from the era before the arrival of the CD. It was also a time when many European practitioners of mood music were blending jazz, light orchestral work and popular melodies. Interestingly, PHILIPS’ artistes such as Piet Souer, Wim Overgauuw, Rogier van Otterloo, Piet Noordijk, Tonny Eyk and Clous van Mechelen were little heard outside the Continent. Until, they were packaged in this series.

 The format and tone of this five-instrumental-and-one-vocal CD set is in the fashion of ‘soft lights sweet music’. Perfect music to accompany the end of a hard day in a dimmed down living room, or a quiet cocktail lounge. Better still, imagine mood lighting in a teak wood paneled reading room or private home mini-bar – and you’re set to dig into these mouthwatering sets.

Now here’s a listing of the sets featuring the Piano, Guitar, Saxaphone, Clarinet and Flute. All or most pieces are performed with either a quartet or a full studio orchestra. You might know of the sixth, and missing piece, ROMANTIC POPSONGS FOR LOVERS, but I personally don’t feel it is worth listing here since the songs were the everyday variety you can find in love song compilations around the early 1980s. Incidentally, some of these collections were also released on cassette at the same time – hence the picture on the right – indicating how PHILIPS was reaching out to both ‘old’ and ‘new’ fan bases.

First up, Romantic Piano for Lovers. Made in West Germany and released by PHILIPS Netherlands in 1983. Catalogue no. 814281-2. This is music that takes you places for a romantic holiday and to the most bewitching destinations in Europe: ‘Chanson pour Milan’, ‘La Comparsa’ and ‘Sunrise Serenade’ are evocative of sunny Italy; while ‘Moonglow’, ‘Imaginary Landscapes’ and ‘Meditation’ transport you to the most beautiful art museums of your imagination. ‘Love Story’, ‘Ballade pour Adeline’ and ‘Strangers in the Night’ are also fine gems that stud an already glowing landscape of piano masterpieces. Horst Jankowski delivers an exceptionally haunting and uptempo version of Strangers in the Nights that must be heard to be appreciated; while Jules Corte’s version of Leroy Anderson’s ‘Forgotten Dreams’ must surely be dubbed the serenade for little ballerinas given its light airy fleeting tones!

TRACK LISTING:

1. Ballade Pour Adeline - René Clermont [2:52]
2. Meditation - Antonio Carlos Jobim [3:19]
3. La Comparsa - Hans Van Eick [3:54]
4. Imaginary Landscapes - Laurens Van Rooyen [4:05]
5. Chanson Pour Milan - Tonny Eyk [3:05]
6. Sunrise Serenade - Horst Jankowski [3:04]
7. Just A Simple Love Song - Laurens Van Rooyen [3:30]
8. Desafinado - Antonio Carlos Jobim [2:45]
9. Love Story - René Clermont [3:26]
10. Forgotten Dreams - Jules De Corte [3:29]
11. Moonglow - Pim Jacobs Trio [4:01]
12. Strangers In The Night - Horst Jankowski [3:20]
13. La Chanson Des Vieux Amants - Laurens Van Rooyen [4:34]
14. Corcovado - Antonio Carlos Jobim [2:17]
15. The Windmills of Your Mind - Louis Van Dijk [4:29]
16. The End - Hans Van Eick [3:52]

Next, Romantic Guitar for Lovers – Various Artistes. Released in the Netherlands and worldwide by Philips, marketed by Phonogram International BV Baarn, The Netherlands. Total playing time: 54 minutes, 8 seconds. Reg. no. PHILIPS 814458-2. There is no compilation quite like this. The concept of solo guitar accompanied by very lush orchestral settings on every track, spiced with the occasional gentle samba, pop, and semi-classical touches. Highlights include: Francis Goya’s rare sentimental rendition of ‘Emmanuelle’ and the Latin-flavoured ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’; softly swaying rhythms by Wim Overgaauw on ‘I Sing to the Moon’ and Wout Steenhuis’ unforgettable ‘Autumn Leaves’ takes a trip to South America; even the version of that well-read classical Spanish piece ‘Aranjuez’ gets a refreshing guitar and vocal duet treatment by Peter Nieuwerf – the guitarists are backed by orchestras conducted by Roland Shaw, Malando, the famous Dutch arranger Harry van Hoof and Jean Luc-Drion for Francis Goya.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Your Song (3:07) – Piet Souer with Harry van Hoof’s orchestra

2. Alone at last (4:01) – Martin Kershaw with Rogier van Otterloo’s orchestra

3.Emmanuelle (3:04) – Francis Goya with orch. by Jean Luc Drion

4.Once upon a time in the west (4:42) – Piet Souer with Harry van Hoof’s orchestra

5. Aranjuez (4:26) – Peter Nieuwerf on guitar with Letty de Jong on vocals, with orchestra conducted by Ruud Bos

6.Summertime (3:16) – Wout Steenhuis with the Roland Shaw Orchestra

7.If (3:17) – Piet Souer with Harry van Hoof’s orchestra

8.I sing to the moon (3:39) – Wim Overgaauw with Malando and his Orchestra.

9.Body and soul (3:43) – Wout Steenhuis with the Roland Shaw Orchestra

10.Theme from ‘Mahogany’ (3:19) – Piet Souer with Harry van Hoof’s orchestra

11.Here,there and everywhere (2:29) – BLONKER, arranged and conducted by Dieter Geike

12.Don't cry for me Argentina (3:26) – Francis Goya with orch. by Jean Luc Drion

13.Autumn Leaves (3:48) – Wout Steenhuis with the Roland Shaw Orchestra

14.Who can I turn to? (3:06) – Wim Overgaauw with Malando and his Orchestra

15.Sing along Junk (2:23) – Peter Nieuwerf on guitar with Letty de Jong on vocals, with orchestra conducted by Ruud Bos

16.How insensitive (2:18) – Piet Souer with Harry van Hoof’s orchestra

Thirdly, we have Romantic Sax For Lovers. Made in West Germany but marketed by Philips (Netherlands) in 1985. Catalogue No. 816185-2.  The arrangements here are designed to feature the virtuosity of each saxophonist and the strings are always in the background, punctuated with woodwinds and guitar, and some discreet bass playing. Relive the sound of moonlight serenades with this collection…

Track Listing
1. Clous Van Mechelen - Three Times a Lady (tenor sax)
2. Gerry Mulligan - Shadow of Your Smile (baritone sax)
3. Ben Webster - Solitude (tenor sax)
4. George Katsaros - Woman in Love (alto sax)
5. Andre Moss - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (tenor sax)
6. Sil Austin - Broken Promises (tenor sax)
7. Jan Morks - My Man (soprano sax)
8. Gerry Mulligan - Second Time Around (bariton sax)
9. Clous Van Mechelen - Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue (tenor sax)
10. George Katsaros - Abrazame (alto sax)
11. Harry Verbeke - Once I Loved (tenor sax)
12. Peter Schilperoort, with the Roland Shaw orchestra - Yesterdays (soprano sax)
13. Clous Van Mechelen - You Needed Me (tenor sax)
14. Gerry Mulligan - P.S. I Love You (baritone sax)
15. Piet Noordijk - If (alto sax)
16. Sil Austin - Harlem Nocturne (tenor sax)
17. Klaus Doldinger - How Insensitive (soprano sax)
18. Gerry Mulligan - Love Is the Sweetest Thing (baritone sax)
19. Clous van Mechelen - When I Need You (tenor sax)
20. Piet Noordijk - Feelings (alto sax)

Album Notes also list these other supplementary performers:
Personnel: Attila Zoller (guitar); Arranger: Dick Bakker.

In fourth place, we have ROMANTIC CLARINET FOR LOVERS. Made in West Germany but marketed by Philips (Netherlands) in 1984. Catalogue No. 818272-2. The arrangements are designed to feature the virtuosity of each clarinetist and the strings are always in the background, punctuated with woodwinds and gentle percussion, and some discreet bass playing. Relive the sound of Nat King Cole’s ‘L.O.V.E.’, ‘Memories of You’, ‘I Left my Heart in San Francisco’ and ‘Sentimental Journey’ through this collection…That Acker Bilk rendition of ‘I Left my Heart in San Francisco’ featuring an interplay between vibraphone and strings is worth the entire disc alone!

 TRACK LISTING:
1. Acker Bilk – Stranger on the Shore.
2. Jan Morks – Here’s that Rainy Day.
3. Gerry Mulligan – Love Walked In.
4. Archie Semple – Easy Living.
5. Acker Bilk – Sentimental Journey.
6. Peter Schilperooort Quintet – Petite Fleur.
7. Archie Semple – Last Spring.
8. Gerry Mulligan – Night Lights.
9. Jan Morks Quartet – You Don’t Know How Much You Can Suffer.
10. Acker Bilk with Bent Fabric (on piano) – Alley Cat.
11. Archie Semple – That Old Feeling.
12. Albert Nicholas Quintet – Memories of You.
13. Jan Morks – Forbidden Games.
14. Acker Bilk – I Left my Heart in San Francisco.
15. Monty Sunshine Quartet – Lonesome.
16. Jan Morks – L.O.V.E.
17. Gerry Mulligan Quartet – I’ll Walk Alone.
18. Acker Bilk with Bent Fabric (on piano) – Let’s Put Out the Lights.

Finally, we have Romantic Flute for Lovers. Catalogue no. PHILIPS ‎– 816 139-2. Made in W.Germany by Polygram  and released in the Netherlands and worldwide in 1985. This set is themed in the direction of classical music. But the mood is no less romantic – evocative of the opulent royal interiors of Austrian, French and Spanish palaces. A softly hued, decorated drawing room, with space for a harpsichord, flautist, piano and a string quartet would complete the picture. The instrumentalists here perform an excellent musical repertoire that bridges the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries without losing either a sense of the period setting or a contemporary audience. Berdien Stenberg and Gheorghe Zamfir play their wind instruments amidst an empathetic swirl of strings, lightened up with the occasional pop beat to mimic the rhythmic beauty of modern living while preserving the beauty of the original musical notes. Roger Whittaker performs a wind instrument of an ‘exotic kind’ – he whistles ‘Petite Fleur’ – very tenderly with discreet instrumental backing – and what a joy it is to listen to! Finally, the Maastrich Salon Orchestra serves up a Serenade with soft bird calls in the background to introduce a beautiful morning…

	And the Tracklist...

Tracklist

1	Gheorghe Zamfir – Bilitis
2	Berdien Stenberg – Merry We Will Be
3	Altamiro Carrilho – Badinerie
4	Roger Whittaker – Petite Fleur
5	Mamadeus – Manon
6	Gheorghe Zamfir – Winter (from Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’)
7	Uri Shoham – Un Gout De Printemps
8	Nurit Hirsch – Song Of Mimi
9	Altamiro Carrilho – Danca Eslava
10	Gheorghe Zamfir – Adagio
11	Maastrich Salon Orchestra – Serenade
12	Berdien Stenberg – Anitra's Dance
13	Mamadeus With Vocals By Herman van Veen – The Cloud-Kicker
14	Uri Shoham – La Berceuse De L'Aube
15	Bora Dugić – Gypsy Melodies
16	Altamiro Carrilho – Pour Elise
17	Gheorghe Zamfir – L'Arte Del Violino

There you have it! Music from various instrumentalists on the PHILIPS label for romancing, and quiet reflection for all time. A keepsake worth collecting!

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[If you like this posting, do drop me an email to let me know of other artistes you would like featured on my blog. Kind regards, ALAN]

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