Search - Bert Kaempfert :: Free & Easy

End Of An Era

Keith A McGuigan | Orlando, FL USA | 10/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released August 3, 1970, "Free and Easy" was Bert Kaempfert's third Franken-album - being culled from sessions done nearly 5 years previous as well as 8 tracks recorded for this specific record. Two of the tracks come from Bert's second film soundtrack project - a movie entitled 'You Can't Win 'Em All'. It featured the bizarre pairing of Tony Curtis and Charles Bronson and was set in WW I at the end of the Ottoman Dynasty. It's not supposed to be that bad a movie but I've never had any luck finding it. No soundtrack lp was ever issued, so these two tunes will apparently have to suffice.
The last BK album project to be recorded the old way, with everything being done live in Studio Hamburg, it was in my humble opinion the end of Bert's romantic period. Weaved in between the new tracks were two songs recorded at the same time as the "Strangers In The Night" sessions back in 1965, one track recorded when he did "Love That... Bert Kaempfert in late '67 .The version of "Sweet Caroline" being done the same day he recorded most of the tracks for "The Kaempfert Touch", late 1969. The remaining songs, done in May of '70 were simple and delightful. Not much here to hint at the more complex and contemporary music that was around the corner.
Oddly, it's the vintage tracks here that are the loveliest. Bert's versions of "Laura" and "Gone With The Wind" especially. The trumpet solos, so much a part of the bands' sound is subdued on the new pieces but Fred Moch's rich, soaring style is unmistakable on these two songs. The last track for the original lp "Susan" is lilting and subtle, almost sounding like an afterthought. It's deceptively simple phrases are the key to Kaempfert's success in general. The song still pulls me back even after 30 years.
The bonus tracks, some previously released on the Polydor 'Good Life Series' are within the 1969/70 period. Strangely, master numbers were not assigned to these recordings making them harder to place. "Sunset Melody" is, however, among the best recordings Bert ever made. And to think it sat in a box for nearly three decades. "Oriental Traveler" billed here as a world premier is bouncy and infectious. Bert's trading of major and minor keys on the fly is great.
As years ensue and Taragon works they're way through the Kaempfert catalog, who knows what's left to discover."

Dissapointing

Geoff | Toronto | 01/05/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Laura is one of Bert's greatest renditions of any he has done.

But there isnt' much else here unfortunately.



I find the below review dissapointing - "End of an Era"



While it may be true in terms of losing popularity in the music industry - weren't all the Jazz bands around this time? - something called Rock and Roll was beginning to dominate the airwaves -

many of Bert Kaempfert's great 5 star albums actually came after 1970.

here is a list of them - with great played numbers undisputedly matching the rendition of 'Laura"



Orange colored sky -1971

friends / don't go / while the children sleep / orange colored sky / tea and trumpets / hi de ho / bye bye blackbird.



To the good life - 1973

my melancholy baby (0utstanding) / take the a train / skyliner / honeysuckle rose / sunny side of life / what is this thing called love



gallery - 1974

my blue heaven / prisoner of love (outstanding) / the continental / san francisco / a song for lovers



swing - 1978

every number !





the bert kaempfert orchestra's greatest years in terms of quality

performance level and first rate musicians came in the time between from 1966 - 1974 (regardless of what was popular at the time - I mean The Captain and Tenile with Muskrat Love were probably more popular at the time - which seems laughable now looking back 30 years.



Who cares what sold the most - it takes an experienced ear to know what the best music is to hear , which I'm sure most of you have - not Casey Kasem's top 10 chart."