Alvin LeRoy Holmes (September 22, 1913 – July 27, 1986) was an American songwriter, composer, arranger, orchestra conductor and record producer.
Holmes graduated from Hollywood High School, studied music
at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and the Juilliard School in
New York, before working with a number of bandleaders during the 1930s and
early 1940s. These included Ernst Toch, Vincent Lopez, and Harry James, for
whose band, he wrote "The Mole" and arranged “I Cried for You” and “Crazy Rhythm.”
After serving as a pilot and flying instructor, a lieutenant
in the US Navy during the Second World War, he moved to Hollywood,
where he was hired by MGM Music Studios as a house arranger and conductor.
where he was hired by MGM Music Studios as a house arranger and conductor.
In 1950, he relocated to New York and continued as a record
producer for MGM, and later moved to United Artists. During his time with MGM
he formed a recording orchestra that produced a series of albums that sold
well. Holmes also backed numerous vocalists, including Judy Garland, Art Lund, Helen
Forrest, Dinah Shore and Nelson Eddy.
In 1954 made what is possibly his best known recording, a
version of the theme to the film The High and the Mighty. It sold over one
million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The song is known for its
distinctive accompanying whistling, which was provided by Fred Lowery. His
other popular-song and instrumental compositions include "Prince
Charming", "Sahara", "One Stop Boogie",
"Pennsylvania Turnpike", "B-19", and "The New
Dixieland Parade".
Holmes provided the orchestration for Tommy Edwards epic
1958 hit "It's All In The Game", and tried rock and R&B with his
backing to the Impalas "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)". Holmes also
wrote the theme song to the television series International Detective.
He moved to United Artists Records in the early 1960s, where
he contributed to many compilations of movie themes, released albums under his
own name, Most notable of these were a solid collection of Morricone tunes from
spaghetti Westerns, For a Few Dollars More, and several LPs featuring some
wonderful soft pop
arrangements of movie themes, including the space age pop
favorite, "Mah-nah Mah-nah."
Holes with Connie Francis |
Whilst at UA he backed a succession of singers, notably
Connie Francis, Gloria Lynne, Shirley Bassey and Puerto Rican singers like Tito
Rodríguez and Chucho Avellanet. In addition, he produced albums for a number of
United Artists acts, including the Briarwood Singers. He also worked on the
music for the 1977 film The Chicken Chronicles.
Holmes died from heart problems at Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center in Los Angeles, California at the age of 72.
(Mainly edited from Wikipedia)
3 comments:
For “The Sophisticated Strings and Arrangements of Leroy Holmes” go here:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/m3wqf8n5a3udwxg/Leroy_Holmes.rar/file
Disc 1
1. THERE'S A SMALL HOTEL
2. WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE?
3. AT LAST
4. POWERHOUSE
5. THE HOUR OF PARTING
6. THE MOON WAS YELLOW
7. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES
8. MOOD INDIGO
9. HUMORESQUE
10. BLUE MOON
11. SOPHISTICATED LADY
12. TICO TICO
13. LAMENTO (SONG OF THE WIND)
14. DELICADO
15. ANDALUCIA (The Breeze And I)
16. LISBON ANTIGUA
17. DOLCE FAR NIENTE
18. MY SHAWL (OMBO)
19. DANSERA
20. TARA LARA
21. THE RAIN IN SPAIN (El Rey Que Hay En Madrid)
22. LOS PERROS LANUDOS (The Pink Poodles)
23. VAYA CON DIOS (May God Be With You)
24. ADIOS
25. FLYING HOME
26. CONTRASTS
27. CIRIBIRIBIN
28. SMOKE RINGS
29. CHEROKEE
30. SNOWFALL
31. LET'S DANCE
32. I CAN'T GET STARTED
Disc 2
1. TAKE THE 'A' TRAIN
2. NIGHTMARE
3. I'M GETTING SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU
4. MOONLIGHT SERENADE
5. LUCY'S THEME FROM 'PARRISH'
6. LOVE IN A GOLDFISH BOWL
7. WHERE THE BOYS ARE
8. TAMMY
9. THE PARENT TRAP
10. THEME FROM 'A REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE'
11. APRIL LOVE
12. GIDGET
13. THEME FROM 'A SUMMER PLACE'
14. THEME FROM 'RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE'
15. (LOVE IS) THE TENDER TRAP
16. LOVE ME TENDER
17. UNCHAIN MY HEART
18. I'LL DROWN IN MY TEARS
19. HIT THE ROAD JACK
20. CHERRY
21. HALLELUJAH, I LOVE HER SO
22. TELL ALL THE WORLD ABOUT YOU
23. GEORGIA ON MY MIND
24. AIN'T THAT LOVE
25. JUST FOR A THRILL
26. WHAT'D I SAY
27. RUBY
28. I GOT A WOMAN
Leroy Holmes was an American songwriter, composer, arranger and conductor. This is a 'must listen' for those who are after the sweep of lustrous violins, muted cellos and the vibrant darkness of violas.
You will hear on this collection a cleverly balanced program of arrangements covering five original LPs, Which highlight glorious string sections, big band themes, a selection of Spanish songs, movie themes and a tribute to the great Ray Charles.
The musical taste and imagination of Leroy Holmes is self-evidently displayed in an appealing fashion on these 60 tracks. Many of these songs may set toes to tapping, as this CD set is made for pure musical enjoyment, and to be savoured as one would a fine wine. (Jasmine notes)
A big thank you to Luis @ acmmijas blog for original post.
Bob,
As stated this collection contains five original Leroy Holmes albums:
1958 "Great Swing Bands In Hi-Fi"
1960 "Sophisticated Strings"
1961 "Spectacular Guitar & Strings"
1962 "A Musical Portrait Of Ray Charles"
1962 "Movie Themes For Teens"
But it does not include his only top 10 hit
"The High And The Mighty" (9-Best Sellers - September 1954):
https://www.upload.ee/files/10514200/01_-_The_High_And_The_Mighty_-_Leroy_Holmes.mp3.html
Hello HP, Thanks for the added information and mp3 link. Much appreciated.
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