" If you look deep enough you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music. "
------- Carlyle, Thomas
James Last
James Last (also known as "Hansi") (born Hans Last, 17 April 1929) is a German composer and big band leader. His "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom. His composition, "Happy Heart", became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark. According to the British Hit Singles & Albums book, he has reportedly sold in excess of seventy million albums worldwide.
He has won numerous popular and professional awards, including Billboard magazine's Star of the Year trophy in 1976, and has been honoured for lifetime achievement with the German ECHO prize in 1994. Last has a large fan base in Europe and elsewhere. His trademark is big band arrangements of pop music hits; his series of party albums is equally well known.
Frag den Abendwind
"Frag den Abendwind" is a song that appeared on French singer Françoise Hardy's album "Françoise in Germany" - an album that contained German songs only which was released in Germany in 1965. The song has been covered by other vocalists, eg Roy Black and Marco Bakker. The music was written by Fred Gordini, lyrics were penned by Joachim Rellin.
MHO
One of Hansi's earlier recordings but the "hand of the Maestro" can be recognized already. Hansi has this great talent that enables him to arrange popmusic in such a way, that it instantly becomes a true evergreen. He always keeps the melody up front and the majestic sound of the strings are definitely one of his trademarks (especially in the case of ballads and more classical oriented arrangements). Though probably less known to most music fans, this title definitely is another jewel from Hansi's (extensive!) "music box" !
The Album
Taken from "Beat in Sweet" - released by Polydor Records in 1965.
ENJOY !
