Search - Enoch Light & His Light Brigade Orchestra :: Little Things Mean a Lot: Great Hits of the Fifties

Big Early 50's Hits Given The Light Treatment

09/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When you listen to these early 1950's hits there is no mistaking the sound and style of Enoch Light & His Light Brigade. Ever since he first formed his band in 1935, his unique approach to other's hits was instantly recognizable, and although the singles charts would more or less elude him (he had one lonely hit back in 1937 when Summer Night made it to # 19 with Johnny Muldowney doing the vocal), he did come up with 25 charted pop LPs from 1959 to 1971.



Born in Canton, Ohio on August 18, 1907 [he passed away on July 31, 1978], Enoch was a recognized pioneer in stereo recording and eventually became president of the Grand Award label and managing director for Command Records. In fact, his only two charted singles in the 1950s came for Grand Award when I Want To Be Happy Cha Cha made it to # 48 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in late 1958 b/w Cara Mia Cha Cha (Ciribiribin) and, in June 1959, With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming topped out at # 99 Hot 100 b/w I Cried For You.



The original renditions of these four sides remain among the most difficult to find for completist collector's."

Songs are Fine, BUT Not in Stereo

Artist & Author | Near Mt. Baker, WA | 03/07/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have two major complaints with this CD's Amazon listing. First, Enoch Light was known for his use of stereo; he was one of, if not THE, first to make use of stereo with an orchestra. With the sound switching from channel to channel in a way to make the songs truly exciting. But, this CD is NOT in stereo. So, there is none of the early stereo excitement; only nice, but 'has been' songs.



Second, Enoch Light and His Light Brigade, was an exciting orchestra. ORCHESTRA. This CD - as far as I've gotten so far - is only vocals, making the orchestra secondary. To buy this for the orchestra would be like buying and Elvis CD to hear the Jordanaires.



The music is fine standard 1950s songs, but I didn't buy it for Enoch Light playing backup to various singers. I think it should be clearly shown in this listing what it is, but it clearly is NOT what Enoch Light was best known for."

Not as good as I remember

Roy B. Blood | Reno, NV USA | 06/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Enoch Light used the 'new' stereo systems of the late fifties and sixties to there max, flipping from channel and had great separation. But alas, on current systems he is a bit dated. The musical content is good and the songs are the best.

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