Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Santo and Johnny - Around The World
 | Much of Santo and Johnny's career was spent in the studio mill making fluffy MOR backed laps steel records for the faint at heart. Besides "Cairo," a recut and retitled version of "Slave Girl," it's not very good. |
Picks: Around The World, A Foggy Day [In London], Poor People Of Paris, April In Portugal, Lady Of Spain, Arrivederci, Roma, Istanbul, Cairo, Midnight In Moscow, Tokyo Twilight, Brazil, Manhattan
Track by Track Review
Around The World
MOR (Instrumental)
Shimmering and weird interpretation of "Around The World In 80 Days," like maybe from the guitar of Buddy Merrill. Totally MOR and utterly useless. The complete lyrics provided by a soothing chorus for retirement homes.
A Foggy Day [In London]
MOR (Instrumental)
Man oh man, does this take you to the express elevator. Argh!
Poor People Of Paris MOR (Instrumental)
Holy cow, did they suddenly find themselves on an elevator with Lawrence Welk? Cheesy strings, organ, poppy standard... everything to make you return your breakfast only slightly used. Originally released in 1962.
April In Portugal
MOR (Instrumental)
Slushy MOR with an organ lead and orchestral accompaniment the likes of which only Lawrence Welk would imagine.
Lady Of Spain
MOR (Instrumental)
Oh MAN! A big production number, fit for the afternoon drive at Lite Antiquity 99 FM. MOR
to the max! Originally released in 1962.
Arrivederci, Roma MOR (Instrumental)
While pretty darn MOR, and while the chorus and plucky violins beg for assassination, the lap steel work is at least solid.
Istanbul Pre Surf (Instrumental)
An un-spirited presentation of a standard. No flair, and the commercial backing horns just wimp it out more. Originally released in 1962. The horns remind me of the theme to The Prisoner.
Pre Surf (Instrumental)
A different take of "Slave Girl," less trebly, fuller sound. It sounds like it is from the same sessions, but maybe a different take. Really good, of course! This is my favorite Santo and Johnny track. Originally released in 1962.
Midnight In Moscow MOR (Instrumental)
MOR with accompaniment, for octogenarians with nervous disorders. Kenny Ball's original version wasn't to hot either. Originally released in 1962.
Tokyo Twilight MOR (Instrumental)
Orchestral imitation of eastern sounds... it doesn't work, though the idea of lap steel Japanese music is quite appealing.
MOR (Instrumental)
A spirited rendition of a standard, with lots of panache, marred only by slight string accompaniment. Makes you wanna invest in Muzak, Inc. Originally released in 1962.
Manhattan Steel Guitar MOR (Instrumental)
MOR slush with strings and Jackie Gleason thinking.