Friday, June 4, 2010

John Shakespeare Orchestra - "Number One Theme" (1969)




  TRACK OF THE DAY

John Shakespeare Orchestra - "Number One Theme" b/w "Fade Out" (1969), arranged by Quincy Jones, promo for BEA airlines in the UK.

Spotted for $1 at the market around the corner a few weeks back, grabbed this 45 immediately for Crap Jazz Covers, then saw Quincy Jones' name. "Number One Theme" is full of his harpsichord lines, lush strings, hammond solo, "do do-do-dooo" vocals, speedy summertimes at 100 mph ..... and all the not-so-hidden meanings are explained on the back cover above.




 The B-Side "Fade Out" is the title theme from a TV episode of "ITV Saturday Night Theatre" starring Stanley Baker. Similar feel, instrumental with an energetic sax solo. Can't find a synopsis of the TV episode, but here's a pic :


Fade Out

People seem to want about 30 pounds for this single, so damn it, we'll give it away for free and throw in a free bikini wax, even for the guys above. Hope you enjoy it (the music, that is).

Download MP3
Download WAV

 More Tracks of the Day here

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23 comments:

  1. CJSJune 4, 2010 at 2:40 PM

    Major find.
    Well done Simon

    funkishbass

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  2. CJSJune 4, 2010 at 2:47 PM

    Groove city!
    Can't wait for the album.
    This is seriously funky 60's soundstageorama.
    If I was there I woulda grabbed it too.
    It sounds almost unplayed!
    Great rip.

    funkishbass

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  3. merkurJune 4, 2010 at 7:12 PM

    Music to watch planes by. Got enough material to put together a compilation of ad music from the 60s (not just library stuff but the more upmarket isht)?

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  4. JazzjetJune 4, 2010 at 8:55 PM

    It was the free bikini wax that sold it for me. Thanks!

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  5. Andy H.June 4, 2010 at 10:23 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    Two great tracks and completely unknown (to me, anyway ;-)

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  6. taro nombeiJune 5, 2010 at 2:25 AM

    listening to the excerpt, definitely groovy, great score SImon! cheers...

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  7. TraderbeckJune 5, 2010 at 7:07 AM

    I'm going to listen to this cheery tune every time I fly the "friendly skies" from now on--regardless of what brand of crappy, cramped, overpriced, under-maintained chariot with wings gets me to my destination (late, of course.) At least I can pretend air travel is still glamorous. Thank you!

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  8. Gianni aka Cesare BarbettaJune 5, 2010 at 8:29 PM

    I love these sounds!!!
    thank you Simon

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  9. taro nombeiJune 6, 2010 at 2:41 AM

    …and that's an all-time classic cover!

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  10. Simon666June 6, 2010 at 11:35 AM

    Certainly is Taro :)
    Thanks for the comments guys, glad people are enjoying this.

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  11. carlinhosdeipanemaJune 7, 2010 at 8:31 AM

    Thanks for this music, so rich and melodic.

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  12. LYSERGICFUNKJune 8, 2010 at 4:59 AM

    Very Nice !
    Many Thanks

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  13. andy64June 8, 2010 at 7:35 AM

    Wonderful stuff!
    Bring back BEA.
    Bring back BOAC.
    Bring back Shakespeare!

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  14. e-nJune 12, 2010 at 5:24 AM

    Sick sick sick. Kind of what I want to play these days... Thanks!

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  15. ArgonautJune 17, 2010 at 3:08 AM

    Great stuff!

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  16. AnonymousJune 18, 2010 at 2:36 AM

    Thanks Simon

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  17. RobertJuly 1, 2010 at 4:58 AM

    Only took a few seconds of streaming and I'm happily downloading this,thank you Simon!!

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  18. UnknownJuly 13, 2010 at 8:13 AM

    Thanking you.......

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  19. joshforbesisawesomeAugust 29, 2010 at 2:16 PM

    holy moley! so great!

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  20. OldHippieRickDecember 26, 2010 at 2:03 PM

    Wow Just Way [0oL thanks ☮ldhippierick

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  21. Domenic Ciccone (AKA Martooni)May 16, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    Thank you. Very nice..

    Been encouraging people who like this music to joint the Exotica music mailing list:

    http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/exotica

    Hope you and your friends take a look.

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  22. litlgreyMay 16, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    My word, what a tasty find.

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  23. laidbackinbethlehemMarch 12, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    Fantastic. So evocative of a time when flying was glamorous and exciting. Thanks for posting this classic.

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