AL HAZAN: Al Hazan worked in the late 1950s until the mid-1960s with a veritable who's who of the Southern Californian dream merchants: musicians such as Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, Glen Campbell, Steve Douglas and Leon Russell; singers included Ritchie Valens, The Bell Sisters, The Blossoms, Clydie King, Charlotte O'Hara (Bonnie), Terry Day (Melcher), Wanda Jackson, James Darren, Cindy Malone, Johnny Crawford and Jack Nitzsche; arrangers and producers of the caliber of Lou Adler, Jerry Riopelle, Sonny Bono, Nick Venet, Lee Hazlewood, H.B. Barnum and...Jack Nitzsche.
Al had composed songs at the piano from an early age, as a teenager his first public appearance was on Peter Potter's local TV show, "Search For A Song". "The Dance Of Love" was his second try at writing a song for the show and it passed audition; he was invited to perform the song in front of the TV cameras, a studio audience and invited music publishers; the evening was a great success.
After the show, the Lance music publishing company expressed an interest in signing the song. The song was recorded for RCA by the Bell Sisters and arranged by Nelson Riddle. The duo performed the song on the Bing Crosby radio show, but failed to credit the songwriter (not unusual) and then, worse yet, RCA cancelled all planned releases, including "The Dance of Love." 49 years later, the unreleased track appeared The Bell Sister's CD from Jasmine Records.
Here we are treated to demo recordings of Al Hazan compositions, some sung by Al himself with just piano or guitar accompaniment, and some larger production studio demos with other vocalists; together, they show quite a range of songwriting talent.
You can read more about him at: www.alhazan.com.
BOBBY TROUP: Bobby Troup's earliest musical success came with the song "Daddy" which was a regional hit in 1941. Troup's light and humorous musical style was similar to that of the Nat King Cole Trio.
In the 1940s, Cole had a hit with Troup's song "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" which became hit for Cole and then a popular standard. It was one of the earliest recordings by the rock group The Rolling Stones.
Troup produced torch singer Julie London's million selling hit record "Cry Me A River" in 1955 and they married five years later.
Troup's own recordings in the 1950's and 60's were not commercially successful although he made excellent recordings for Liberty Records and Capitol Records, with musicians that included the best of West Coast jazz.
JOHNNY CYMBAL: During a four-decade career, from the time he was 15 until he died in 1993, Johnny Cymbal made a meaningful impact on popular music as a songwriter, singer, performer and record producer. In addition to his rock and roll anthem, “Mr. Bass Man”, he was responsible for hit records including “Cinnamon”, “Mary In The Morning,” “Rock Me Baby” and “I'm Drinking Canada Dry”.
In 1963, with his smash hit “Mr. Bass Man" top of the charts from the U.S. to Asia, Johnny Cymbal was recognized as a teen star. Continuing to record, he toured the U.S., Europe and Japan.
First and foremost, Johnny Cymbal was a songwriter; throughout his life he kept diaries of ideas and notes for future use. Though he was an excellent vocalist with a wonderful stage presence, he believed his greatest talent was composing.
A prolific composer, Johnny has a catalog of over 200 published songs. During his career he wrote alone and with many partners, including: Charlie Black; Austin Roberts; Mark Sameth; Gene Pistilli; David Malloy; Bill Holmes, Peggy Clinger; and Michael Rashkow. Writing with Michael Rashkow particularly, John attained a lifetime ambition with their song "Mary in the Morning"--which was to have one of his compositions recorded by Elvis Presley.
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