The Hi-Lo's
The name Gene Puerling has been inseperable from vocal jazz since he founded the Hi-Lo's in 1953. The quartet, which prefered not to be catagorized, was highly influential in many musical forms throughout the '50s & '60s. Traditional musical categories can't even describe them. They sang pop, jazz, barbershop, calypso, folk, bossa-nova and musical theater. Gene Puerling was the driving force in the group, providing them with most of the complex and unusual arrangements that became their signature. The way they sang was filled with an exuberance that was unheard of in the pop music world of the early 1950's, and remains uncommon even now. Their distinct sound and style made them a favorite of television variety shows and commercial jingles, and this legacy continues to the present day. Click here for a History of the Hi-Lo's
Group Members Gene Puerling, Bob Strassen (replaced by Don Shelton in 1959), Clark Burroughs, Bob Morse
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June In January Little White Lies I Don't Want To Cry Anymore She's Funny That Way Whatever Lola Wants Island of Desire You Brought A New Kind of Love To Me Fools Rush In Have You Met Ms. Jones? Where Are You? You Can't Hardly Get Them No More |
Here's the recording that started the career of quite possibly the best vocal jazz arranger ever and certainly one of our favorites. In April 1953 24-year-old Gene Puerling and his friend Bob Strasen met Clark Burroughs and Bob Morse within a week of moving to Los Angeles and together formed the Hi-Lo's. Taking their name from the incredible vocal range they covered between them it was also true that, while Puerling and Burroughs were five feet seven and five feet five respectively, Morse and Strasen topped six feet. Recorded for Starlite Records and released in 1954 "Listen to The Hi-Lo's" received rich praise from the critics and led to a series of titles on Starlight which included collaborations with Frank Comstock. Gene Puerling's genius in arranging complex yet pleasing vocal arrangements is apparent from the very first track on this historic recording which is here released for the first time on CD. This import has the original liner notes and the earliest photographs we have seen of the group and shows how young they were when they first found success. This is a collector's title that will gather no dust on your shelf, as you will be listening to it time and time again. Fabulous!
Listen to Fools Rush In in Real Audio.
| 7488 CD $15.98 |
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My Foolish Heart More Than You Know The Second Time Around Besame Mucho Only Forever Let Me Love You Catch A Falling Star There's A Small Hotel The Very Thought of You Tangerine On the Alamo Paradise Autumn Rain The Ever Changing Plains A Face in the Crowd A Very Special Love Pamela Throws A Party? When I Remember Whistlin' Down the Lane The Star Carol Nobody's Heart A Lot of Livin To Do Cindy's Prayer Camelot The Trolley Song Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue |
I really don't have to go into who the Hi-Lo's were, or how their sound defined jazz and pop singing from the 1950s on, do I? Good! This CD starts with an lp, originally released on Columbia Records in 1962, "This Time It's Love," of 12 (accompanied by an Orchestra conducted by Clare Fischer) love songs, and then goes on to add 14 bonus tracks, including 3 previously unreleased tracks--a generous helping of classic Hi-Lo's. The title tune, "More Than You Know," "The Second Time Around," "Besame Mucho," "Only Forever," "There's a Small Hotel"--these songs by the Hi-Lo's are listed in the dictionary under "romantic." Why? Because we can understand every word, and, dammit, we believe every word they're singing! The previously unreleased tracks are "The Ever-Changing Plains," "Nobody's Heart" and "Camelot." One song, the lovely "Star Carol" is a cappella. Tremendous value, great music!
Listen to "A Lot of Livin To Do" and Besame Mucho in Real Audio.
| 4520 CD $15.98 |
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Carnaval The Gift Let's Go To Brasil A New Dream Gold Brazillian Sun One Note Samba The Duck ( O Pato ) Cry Your Sadness Desafinado Once Again Love and The Rose No More Brasil Sixteen Tons Turkey In The Straw Careless Love Cotton Fields Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair Ezekiel Daw de Wheel Yellow Rose of Texas Michael Gotta Travel On Cockles and Mussels On Top Of Old Smokey |
Here, in their full glory, are the first two releases the group recorded on Reprise. This is classic stuff as these vocal masters explore two different musical genres with their usual sophistication and expertise. They use the most difficult form of voice pattern. Unlike many vocal groups, which keeps to intervals of thirds fifths and ninths, The Hi-Lo's apply intricate harmonies, moving tones, and suspended chord intervals using about every altered degree of the solmization scale in their arrangements. There are many gems including the practically a cappella "Black Is The Color of My True Love's Hair" featuring a rare solo exquisitely sung by Clark Burroughs and most of the vocal arrangements are by the man himself, Gene Puerling. The majority of these tracks have not been previously released on CD making this a great addition to all of their fans collection. Includes original LP art work and liner notes.
Listen to "Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair" in Real Audio.
| 4479 CD $15.98 |
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The Love Nest Dancing on the Ceiling Yesterdays Impossible But Beautiful In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning The Love Nest This Heart of Mine Music For Lovers My Romance The Lamp is Low Wait Till You See Her Fairyland All Over the Place Bali Ha'i How Are Things in Glocca Morra? My Little Grass Shack in Kealakeua, Hawaii Sand in My Shoes Autumn in New York April in Fairbanks Italian Street Song Massachusetts Isle of Capri A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square Dixie Island in the West Indies |
A new release from the Hi-Lo's is always a welcome occurrence but especially so on this disc which features two of their finest recordings; the 1959 "Love Nest" and the 1960 "All Over the Place". Accompanied by their long time collaborators The Frank Comstock Orchestra and with vocal arrangements from the incomparable Gene Puerling, this is some of the finest vocal jazz you could have the pleasure of hearing. This recording features many Hi-Lo's gems that have not been available on previously released compilations with such classics as "Fairyland", "Isle of Capri", "April in Fairbanks" and "Island of the West Indies" among others. The Hi-Lo's were at the height of their fame when they recorded these albums and were recent winners of reader1⁄4s poll in both Downbeat and Playboy and were performing regularly around the country. These sophisticated, bright and swinging arrangements overjoyed both critics and public alike and we feel confident you, as vocal harmony fans, will be equally bowled over.
Listen to "Fairyland"and My Romance in Real Audio.
| 4447 CD $15.98 |
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Sunnyside Up Laura A Shine on Your Shoes The Heather on the Hill There's No You Camptown Races Two Ladies in De Shade of De Banana Tree Little Girl Blue Brown-Skin Gal in the Calico Gown My Time is Your Time A Quiet Girl My Melancholy Baby Overture Everything's Coming Up Roses Small World Together Wherever We Go You'll Never Get Away From Me Little Lamb Mr. Goldstone, I Love You My Favorite Things The Sound of Music Climb Ev'ry Mountain Gentleman Jimmy When Did I Fall In Love Politics and Poker |
We admit we're unabashed Hi-Lo's devotees, and the love fest continues with this latest re-issue, comprising 1957's "Now Hear This" and 1960's "Broadway Playbill." What's exceptional about this collection - aside from the performances themselves, of course - is that 18 of the 25 tracks aren't presently available anywhere else. For example, the Hi-lo's arrangements of "My Favorite Things" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," from the "Sound Of Music" had been only a memory until now! Yes, they're accompanied (with orchestrations by Frank Comstock and Warren Barker), but the vocals are so prominent that there's no doubt who's in charge here. The many moods of Gene Puerling's often-imitated style run the gamut from sheer joy ("Sunnyside Up") to the purest expression of longing ("There's No You'). The Hi-Lo's capture the essence of emotion that is music.
Listen to Camptown Races in Real Audio.
| 4311 CD $15.98 |
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Doncha Go Way Mad Moonlight Becomes You Love Letters I Could Write A Book I'm In the Mood For Love Coquette Together Everything Happens To Me Solitude What Is There To say I'm Glad There is You How About You? Plus "Hollywood's Best" with Harry James (12 tracks) |
Rosemary's "friends" on "Ring Around Rosie" are none other than the Hi-Lo's! (She is accompanied by Harry James on "Hollywood's Best.") The dozen songs on "Ring Around Rosie," though not a cappella, are some of the loveliest in the canon of American popular song. Clooney's straightforward and unmannered style is immediate and engaging, in contrast to the Hi-lo's more modern jazz phrasing; together, they offer the best of both. For example, the Hi-lo's trade verses with Rosie on "How About You," and outline chords behind her with brilliantly hued swipes; when they harmonize, as they do, fittingly, on "Together," one can feel the appreciation flowing. Her "Everything Happens To Me" conveys the song's gloomy irony by virtue of the plainness of its delivery. The Hi-Lo's are sans Rosie on "I Could Write A Book," "Coquette" and "Solitude"; the latter two are presently unavailable on any other recording. "Hollywood's Best" features big band arrangements of movie themes, and Clooney's first million-selling record, "Come On-A My House."
Listen to I Could Write A Book in Real Audio.
| 4798 CD $15.98 |
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Summertime The Birth Of The Blues Skylark Through The Years Shadow Waltz I'm Beginning To See The Light Chinatown, My Chinatown The Surrey With The Fringe On Top In The Blue Of The Evening Molly Malone You're The Tops Long Ago And Far Away Rockin' Chair Stars Fell On Alabama Nice Work If You Can Get It I Thought About You This Is The Night Too Young For The Blues Jeepers Creepers Put Your Dreams Away Button Up Your Overcoat Speak Low Shoeless Joe From Hannibal Mo They Didn't Believe Me Georgia On My Mind |
A spate of Hi-Lo's albums have been recently released on CD, but this may be the most auspicious re-emergence yet: the Hi-lo's first two records, paired up for over an hour's worth of great listening. Though some of the cuts can be found on other recordings, the a cappella "Molly Malone" and "Through The Years" aren't available anywhere else, and the remarkable harmonizations that were Gene Puerling's unique artistry are gloriously displayed in a riot of tonal color. Also, "Georgia On My Mind," and "They Don't Believe Me," from their first 1953 recording session for Trend, are included; the latter was on the previously available "Nice Work If You Can Get It" CD, which has since been discontinued. Anyway, suffice it to say, that among the vocal harmony groups of the 1950's, the Hi-lo's were much imitated, but never duplicated, and their appeal is timeless. Mostly accompanied, with orchestrations by music director Frank Comstock.
Listen to Molly Malone in Real Audio.
| 4792 CD $15.98 |
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Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries Deep Purple My Sugar Is So Refined Grahms Lullaby The Desert Song Stormy Weather I Married An Angel Tenderly Down The Old Ox Road Love Walked-In Basin Street Blues Fascinatin' Rhythm Small Fry Love Locked Out Lady In Red Some Minor Changes Then I'll Be Tired Of You Moon Faced, Starry-Eyed Of Thee I Sing Goody Goody Indiana (Back Home Again In Indiana) Dancing On The Ceiling |
Though the Hi-Lo's never had any significant impact on the charts, their influence was profound indeed, and later pop harmony groups such as the Beach Boys are much in their debt. Founded by Gene Puerling, who as their arranger must be given credit for the sound they pioneered, the Hi-Lo's versions of standards such as "Fascinatin' Rhythm," "Tenderly" (arranged by the illustrious Clare Fischer) and "Stormy Weather" are definitely immortal. Contemporary listeners are fortunate indeed that these early recordings are now being re-released in CD format. All twenty-three of these accompanied songs were compiled from their years at Columbia (1956-61), and the track list includes "My Sugar Is So Refined," "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Deep Purple," (the latter was also recorded by the Ravens). "Sugar" opens with a classical flute melody and then explodes into a brassy blast of ear candy; "Sweet Chariot" has the swing feel of a Western musical hoedown.
Listen to Tenderly in Real Audio.
| 4214 CD $14.98 |
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Clap Yo' Hands Long Ave and Far Away You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby Shadow Waltz Chinatown, My Chinatown Too Young for the Blues Summertime You Took Advantage of Me Birth of the Blues Surrey With the Fringe on Top Put Your Dreams Away Button Up Your Overcoat Speak Low Jeepers Creepers I Thought About You Nice Work if You Can Get It Stars Fell on Alabama Rockin' Chair |
Comprising two of their records from the 1950's-1954's "I Presume" and 1958's "In Stereo"-"Clap Yo' Hands" captures the close harmony sound of the Hi-Lo's, who defined the vocal jazz of their era. The playground for the talents of the brilliant arranger Gene Puerling, who went on to form the Singers Unlimited, the Hi-Lo's toured with the Judy Garland show and sang with legends such as Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney. These tracks are orchestrated (by Frank Comstock, who backed the group on many early recordings) and include wonderful standards such as "Summertime," "Long Ago and Far Away," "Surrey With The Fringe On Top" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It." This is a jubilant recording that is alive with the joy of music. We have it on good authority that "Clap Yo' Hands" includes some of the group's favorite songs.
Listen to Clap Yo' Hands in Real Audio.
| 4213 CD $11.98 |
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Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries My Sugar Is So Refined April Snow The Lady in Red Lulu's Back in Town Lazy Afternoon I Could Write A Book Georgia On My Mind (Ol') Rockin' Chair Small Fry (Back Home Again In) Indiana You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby Down By The Sally Gardens My Little Grass Shack |
The Hi-lo's were formed in April of l953 by bass singer and arranger Gene Puerling. Their tight, close, ringing harmonies are applied to an eclectic variety of music, barbershop, folk, bossa nova etc. etc. All the songs are accompanied by a three piece combo of piano, bass, and drums except for the extremely beautiful "Down By The Sally Gardens." Aside from the title track other well known tunes are "Lazy Afternoon," "Georgia On My Mind," "Fascinatin' Rhythm" and "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby." On less well known tunes they rock, they jazz it up, they visit Hawaii. They are formidable!
Listen to Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries in Real Audio.
| 4204 CD $10.98 |
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Hi-Lo's CD tracklists - History of the Hi-Lo's
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