专辑简介

José Melis is not merely a piano player but a multi-talented artist. The millions who have enjoyed his keyboard exploits and ad lib comedy bits on NBC-TV’s ‘The Jack Paar Show’ may not realize that he is also a competent conductor, composer, arranger – a José of all musical trades. This album combines the Melis magic with orchestral strings and a rhythm trio in ten outstanding selections. The musical gamut ranges from the “montuno”-styled sambas Sambalero and Chioco Chioco to a convivial novelty that recalls the army of hoofers that once graced the vaudeville stage with The Straw Hat Strut. For the lush and luxuriant mood, there is a sleek and sophisticated ballad where strings palpitate like heartstrings and the piano patter remembers days not too long ago… a melancholy memento of a lost love sheated in the magic of Black Velvet. Memories play an important part in another melodic ballad in which José’s piano seems to have a touch of serenity, a light, flighty quality and an expressive longing of What Might Have Been. The shuffling rhythms of I Wouldn’t Care and the vari-tempoed Lazy Mississippi Moon, add further enchantment to the ballad interpretations. Rippling bongos and José’s keyboard rumba antics bring back the Latin beat with the romance of Infatuation, and the tuneful and graceful rhythms of the tango that presents the magic of a Noche Hermosa… A Beautiful Night. The album closes with a description of Harlequin, a comedy and pantomime character, in one of his amusing escapades, which José calls Harlequinade. You will find that all the songs in this album exemplify the versatility and flawless perfection of musical magic with the Melis touch.