Yesterday, I posted some instrumentals from the early 1960’s. After a plethora of hits during 1960-1963, the instrumental seems to has fallen into decline until 1968-69 when it makes a triumphant comeback. It begins when an instrumental version Love Is Blue recorded by French orchestra leader Paul Mauriat, whose version (recorded in late 1967) became the only number-one hit by a French lead artist to top the Billboard in America. It had been first performed in French by Greek singer Vicky Leandros as the Luxembourg entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967, At the close of voting, it had received 17 points, placing fourth in a field of 17 behind the eventual winner Sandy Shaw. It still counts as one of very few non-winning Eurovision entries ever to become a worldwide hit.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released in 1966 alongside the movie, directed by Sergio Leone. The score is composed by frequent Leone collaborator Ennoi Morricone, whose distinctive original compositions, containing gunfire, whistling, and yodelling permeate the film. The main theme, resembling the howling of a coyote, is a two-note melody that is a frequent motif, and is used for the three main characters, with a different instrument used for each one: flute for Blondie, ocarina for Angel Eyes, and human voices for Tuco. The soundtrack album was on the charts for more than a year, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard pop album chart and No. 10 on the black album chart. The main theme was also a hit for American musician Hugo Montenegro, whose rendition on the Moog synthesizer was a No. 2 Billboard pop single in 1968.
Now we come to an instrumental for which I have a particular fondness. Classical Gas composed and originally performed by American guitarist Mason Williams with instrumental backing by members of the Wrecking Crew was the first single that I ever purchased. Originally released in 1968, and named “Classical Gasoline”, the tune was envisioned to be “fuel” for the classical guitar repertoire. The title was later inadvertently shortened by a music copyist. The song peaked at number two for two weeks in August that year, behind “Hello I Love You” by The Doors. On the US Easy Listening chart, it went to number one for three weeks.
“Time Is Tight” proved to be a return to the charts for Booker T & The M.G.’s. Orginally recorded for the soundtrack to the 1968 film UpTight. The group recorded two versions of the song – the shorter (3:14), slower version was released as a single in 1969, and became one of the biggest hits of the group’s career, peaking at #7 R&B and No.6 Pop. The longer (4:55) version (which was included on the official soundtrack album) is played at a faster tempo than the single version, and features an extended introduction and an instrumental ‘breakdown’ section, neither of which were included in the single version.
And finallly, “Albatross” a guitar based instrumental by Fleetwood Mac, released as a single in November 1968, later featuring on the compilation albums The Pious Bird of Good Omen (UK) and English Rose (US). The piece was composed by Peter Green. The composition and its arrangement suggest a relaxing sea setting, with cymbals imitating the sound of waves (Mick Fleetwood played his drum kit using timpani mallets to give a muted sound) and a dreamy solo from Green’s guitar. It contains four chords, E, Emaj7 (or G#m/E), A/E, and F#m, played by Green on his Fender Stratocaster. Green had been working on the piece for some time before the addition to the band of 18-year-old guitarist Danny Kirwan. With Kirwan’s input, Green completed the piece and it was recorded just two months after Kirwan joined.
