Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops – Up, Up and Away & Fiedler’s Choice (1968 & 1970) [Reissue 2019] [SACD / Vocalion – CDLK 4623]

Title: Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops – Up, Up and Away & Fiedler’s Choice (1968 & 1970) [Reissue 2019]
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Arthur Fiedler, the beloved conductor of the Boston Pops for nearly 50 years, embodied orchestral music for everyday Americans with his approachable, populist programming and warm podium presence, outlasting Leonard Bernstein’s briefer New York fame but often typecast as a pops conductor. His album Up, Up and Away, featuring Richard Hayman’s lush arrangements, transforms 1960s hits like Jimmy Webb’s title track, Paul Mauriat’s “Love Is Blue,” and “Lara’s Theme” (aka Ray Conniff’s “Somewhere My Love”) into vibrant orchestral renditions without vocals, distinct from their pop origins. Producer Peter Dellheim’s liner notes reveal the influence of Diana Ross & the Supremes’ “A Lover’s Concerto” (itself a nod to the Toys’ version) on the inclusion of a Bach Minuet, alongside majestic takes on André Previn’s Valley of the Dolls theme and lively versions of “Cabaret” and Beatles’ hits “Yesterday” and “Michelle.” The album, enriched by a playful cover featuring Fiedler with eight women by an airplane, perfectly captures the easy-listening spirit of 1968 with the Boston Pops’ signature polish and charm.

hraudio | discogs

Tracklist:

01. Up Up and Away
02. Valley of the Dolls
03. Georgy Girl
04. Yesterday
05. Piano Concerto No 21 Elvira Madigan
06. Cabaret
07. Michelle
08. Love is Blue
09. A Man and a Woman
10. A Lovers Concerto
11. Lara’s Theme
12. Boston Pops March
13. Symphonic Picture of Porgy and Bess
14. Carnaval Overture Op 45

Personnel:

Tracks “01-11” is “Up, Up and Away” (LP ‘1968)
Tracks “12-14” is “Fiedler’s Choice” (Stereo LP ‘1970) are bonus tracks.
Remastered from the Original Master tapes by Michael J. Dutton.

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