Norrie Paramor Strings and Orchestra Warm and Willing [1965]

Columbia/EMI Records SCX 3556 Great Britain

"The lush, romantic sounds of the Paramor strings, highlighted by the beautiful soprano voice of Patricia Clark are featured on this fine package of modern standards…" [Billboard October 2, 1965]

Norrie Paramor, His Strings and Orchestra The Zodiac Suite [1959]

Capitol Records T10073

One of the many interesting things about The Zodiac Suite is its arresting cover art, which pictures an exotic woman surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. Norrie Paramor's early concept album presents 12 compositions, one for each sign of the zodiac, along with printed descriptions of the signs' alleged characteristics and how they are reflected in the music. The Zodiac Suite would be categorized as a mood music album and it is wonderfully dreamy and ethereal in places, but sometimes the arrangements sound more like orchestral pop or light classical music. "An Aries Aria" and "Ode to Pisces" use a wordless soprano to great effect and come closer than any of the other pieces to matching the exotica the cover promises. The complicated melodies, meticulous and varied arrangements, and inspired theme make The Zodiac Suite an intriguing and unusual find.