Nelson Riddle

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 18 Sep 2000 5:14 am

Does anyone feel as I, that Nelson Riddle was a musical deity?

His "anonymous" (he was a virtual unknown at the time it was done, working on staff if I understand it correctly)) string chart for Nat Cole's 'Mona Lisa' is incredibly beautiful.

I suspect but don't know that he also did the string chart for Cole's rendition "A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square" a mind bendingly lush version....

His Sinatra work speaks for itself...

Jeremy Steele · Post by **Jeremy Steele** » 18 Sep 2000 5:50 am

I agree totally! If he did the chart for Cole's version of "Stardust", that alone would ensure his immortality...in addition to his stuff ith Sinatra and Cole, he did a great album with Linda Ronstadt, I think it's called "Lush Life".

streifel · Post by **streifel** » 18 Sep 2000 8:12 am

His arrangement and recording of Route 66 Theme still knocks me out.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 18 Sep 2000 8:26 am

He was just awesome!

Nelson Riddle actually did three LPs of torch standards with Linda Rondstat. They have been reissued as a two CD set. There was also a live video concert of that material. Beautiful music!

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P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 18 Sep 2000 8:34 am

No arguments here! All the Sinatra stuff he did was just beautiful.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 18 Sep 2000 9:14 am

Rosemary Clooney (George's Aunt) released an album a few years back as a tribute to Nelson (they apparently were an item at one point in the 50's) that has charts he drafted for her '50's television show- supposed to be one-offs for live broadcast and never heard again; also great stuff, even if Rosey hasn't got the range she did when the charts were new.

Apparently Riddle did his best work under deadline, and under the influence, with legends of him writing now classic charts in cabs on the way to sessions, and conducting the studio orchestra with a baton in one hand and a bottle of booze in the other...

they don't make 'em like Nelson anymore...[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 18 September 2000 at 10:17 AM.]

P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 19 Sep 2000 2:22 am

He also wrote a really good book on arranging called (oddly enough) "Arranged by Nelson Riddle". It's out of print now, though, which is a shame 'cuz it was pretty hip.
...and let's not forget that Batman incidental music! POW! BAM!
[This message was edited by P Gleespen on 19 September 2000 at 03:36 AM.]

Ken Tinsman · Post by **Ken Tinsman** » 19 Sep 2000 4:20 am

Let's not forget the great music he did for the Jackie Gleason variety show in the 60's - backing up, among others, the famous June Taylor dancers. And awaaaay we go!

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 19 Sep 2000 11:14 am

Funny, I was listening to my Terry Wood CD a week or so ago and thinking, "If Nelson Riddle would have heard this instrument sound this way, back in his hay-days, he would have had one in his orchestra."

Wasn't his orchestra about the last of the big band studio outfits left?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 20 Sep 2000 7:03 pm

Riddle was definitely a musical genius. I also liked Pete Rugulo (WHO? You say?). His theme to the original TV show "Thriller!" is about as scary and tense as it gets in music! Truly the "Music of a Monster".[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 20 September 2000 at 08:06 PM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 21 Sep 2000 6:20 pm

Nelson Riddle's Musical arrangements were just great! I have a lot of them on my old LP's....al