CD REVIEW – ANDRÉ PREVIN / DAVID ROSE
LIKE YOUNG & LIKE BLUE
Sepia 1348 (78:29)

In June 1958, when distinctive pianist André Previn ("Piano Magic") met David Rose with the 25 "Lush Strings" and rhythm section of his orchestra, they got together and produced a Billboard top 20 LP: 'Like Young: Secret Songs for Young Lovers'. Nearly two years later there was a follow-up album, 'Like Blue'. Both have now been released on this exceptionally well-filled stereo CD remastered by Robin Cherry.

As well as the tunes among the 26 tracks written by the likes of Wilder, Arlen, Rodgers, McHugh, Warren, Waller and Tormé, Previn provides the two album titles and, with Dory Previn: Too Young to be True and The Blue Subterranean (Why Are We Afraid?). Rose contributes Young Man's Lament, Young and Tender, You and the Blues and Blue Holiday, which is given a favourite upbeat arrangement. There are also two bonus tracks of Rose originals: One Love and (you've guessed it) Holiday for Strings.

These are thoroughly pleasurable recordings – made in Hollywood and originally issued on the M-G-M label – of the kind hardly anybody makes nowadays and Sepia are to be applauded for resurrecting them.

For a modest outlay you will get an album of pure quality easy listening music, with an occasional gentle tinge of jazz; suggested as an antidote to combating the weariness and worries of living in a time of a coronavirus pandemic.

© Peter Burt 2020