Paul Weston and His Orchestra Jerome Kern Volume II [1972]

Columbia Headliner Series Harmony KH 31603

Paul Weston and His Orchestra Jerome Kern [1972]

Columbia Headliner Series Harmony KH 31578 

Paul Weston and His Music From Hollywood Solo Mood [1956]

Columbia Records CL-879

First, the pace. The entire album travels at the speed of your pulse, so it's wonderfully relaxing. Second, the sound. Recorded in 1955, the album not only captures the band era's grandeur but also fits snugly into the newly emerging period of wide-bodied voicing. And third, the material. All of the song choices are smart and framed perfectly, with fine work by trumpeter Ziggy Elman, alto saxophonist Ted Nash, clarinetist Matty Matlock, trombonist Bill Schaefer, guitarist George Van Eps, and pianist Paul Smith among others.

Solo Mood is the cousin of Mood for 12 (previously posted), with many of the same musicians. Here, Weston offers fabulous charts on A Hundred Years From Today, Dancing on the Ceiling and Autumn in New York, with guitarist Barney Kessel soloing with clarinet and flute backing his lines. And oh those Weston intros! He hit a sweet spot in the zone between mood music and jazz. No one could ace those like Weston.

Paul Weston and His Orchestra Mood For 12 [1955]

Columbia Records CL 693

From a memo by Paul Weston: "As you will notice the selection of music gives a line-up of real "American" tunes... most of them associated with the Hoagy Carmichael-midwestern school of music. The main difference between this mood music and the type currently being recorded is that these sides also feature improvisation by a soloist... This album is the warmest and most interesting I've ever had anything to do with - mostly because of the terrific solos by the guys." [Excerpt liner notes]

Paul Weston and His Orchestra The Sweet and The Swingin' [1960]

Capitol Records ST 1361

From Billboard April 18, 1960:

"Maestro Weston takes a group of familiar tunes and scores them in relaxing fashion for the orchestra.  Then he superimposes a male vocal  group in a set of interesting vocal counter melodies.  The idea is similar to a style once used by the band of the late Tommy Dorsey on such items as "Marie," and "East of the Sun."  This is a refreshing way of handling the tunes which should find favor with some jocks."