Search - Ray Ellis :: Ellis in Wonderland / Let's Get Away From It All

A Very Enjoyable Recording!

Paul Bunkerr | New London, CT USA | 01/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains two LPs: Ellis in Wonderland, issued in mono in the mid-1950's, and Let's Get Away From it All, issued in stereo in the early 1960's. Ellis was a staff arranger at Columbia at the time of these recordings, along with the likes of Ray Conniff and Percy Faith. Conniff and Faith both had great success with their own series of albums on Columbia from the late 1950's well into the 1970's. Ellis' solo albums did not capture the attention of many back then, mainly because Conniff and Faith were so popular due to the specific "sound" they created for themselves.Ellis' sound borrows heavily from both Conniff and Faith. He used wordless choruses like Conniff and lush string sonorities like Faith. The result is not all that original, but it is always skillful and musical. The selections on both albums are an interesting mix of pop standards, off beat tunes and some original compositions. It all comes off well with a mixture of attractive styles: ballads, dance numbers and jazz-influenced arrangements.The most remarkable and interesting aspect of the collection is the fact that the first song on Ellis in Wonderland is a lush arrangement of "You Are Never Far Away From Me," the very popular song that Perry Como sang at the conclusion of his weekly televison program at that time. This album was the first recording of that song! In fact, Perry Como himself recorded it in the 1950's but it was not released until two years ago on compact disc! Amazing.If you like to relax to great arrangements of likeable pop tunes, you will really enjoy this CD."