The Melachrino Strings: Music & More Music for Relaxation

I Sure Hope You're Stressed Out!


Okay. I don't, actually, but since I said I hoped you were hungry when I posted "Music for Dining" & "More Music for Dining", by The Melachrino Strings, back in April of last year I figured that would be an appropriate sentiment with which to introduce this post.

Continuing with his attempts at Lifestyle Modification Though Music, George Melachrino conducted these two records in 1958 and 1961, respectively. The first is called "Music for Relaxation"and relaxing is what it is, boy howdy! Of course, that's what George did best.

The Melachrino Strings: Music for Relaxation

1. Berceuse de Jocelyn
2. Autumn Leaves
3. While We're Young
4. Star Dust
5. Portrait of a Lady
6. Valse Bluette
7. By the Sleepy Lagoon
8. La Golondrina (The Swallow)
9. La Serenata
10. Moonlight Serenade
11. Vision d' Amour
12. Estrellita

The second is actually posted on a different blog. I had been planning to post it, along with the first of the two, for a while but my copy is in pretty bad shape and would've been very difficult to get a clean rip off of. That problem was solved by our buddy Rich, who posted a beautiful VBR copy of it over on his site, LP's Vinyl Lounge Hut. The link to this record will take you to his original post, but I encourage you to tour around the entire site and check out his other Ultra-Lounge, Easy-Listening, Exotica and other Hard to Find offerings.

The Melachrino Strings: More Music for Relaxation

1. Alone
2. The Champagne Waltz
3. Poor Butterfly
4. Drifting and Dreaming
5. Fascination
6. Among My Souvenirs / Chopin Nocture in E
7. The Four Seasons
8. Paradise
9. Serenade in Blue / Schubert's Serenade
10. Mam'selle
11. Misty
12. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You / Softly, Softly

WARNING!:
Do not attempt to operate a Motor Vehicle, Manned Aeronautic
Craft or Large Countertop Appliances while under the influence of these records.

The Melachrino Strings and Orchestra: Music & More Music for Dining

I Sure Hope You're Hungry!

George Melachrino never was quite as bold and brassy as those of his contemporaries who tend to be featured in collections of Lounge or Space-Age Pop music. His records are much more tame and, perhaps, stuffy than most by such as Nelson Riddle and George Shearing.

When I was a kid there was a radio station in our market that broadcast music such as this. They would play Perry Como but not Dean Martin, 101 Strings but not The Hollyridge Strings, and Roger Miller but not Jimmy Smith. Station personnel didn't use words like Swing, Hot or Cool on the air. What they played never strayed from a very narrow path. What they played they called Beautiful Music.

And that's exactly what this is. Lush, lovely and wholly unoffensive, this music is where Easy Listening's reputation as "Background" or "Elevator" music came from. These days, though, I find it soothing, nostalgic, and even unusual in that there is nothing exactly like it still being produced. Sometimes I don't want my music to be too exciting or too challenging. Sometimes I just wanna sit down and eat dinner and be made to feel comfortable. That's what Beautiful Music does best.

How to enjoy these records:

Prepare your favorite tuna salad. Spread over split English muffins or
two slices of bread. Top with slices of cheese, and place on tray in broiler until cheese melts.

Prepare a beverage of your choice.

Start music.

Sit down.

Shut up.

Eat and Enjoy.

The Melachrino Strings and Orchestra: Music for Dining

1. Diane (I'm in Heaven When I See You Smile)
2. Too Young
3. September Song
4. Chopin Clopant
5. Warsaw Concerto
6. Domino
7. Tenderly
8. Charmaine
9. Faithfully Yours
10. Chansonette
11. Dark Secret
12. Legend of the Glass Mountain

The Melachrino Strings and Orchestra: More Music for Dining

1. Dream / Melody in F
2. You Are Too Beautiful
3. Ruby
4. Ramona
   
5. Blue Moon
6. L'Amour Toulours L'Amour (Love Everlasting)
7. Easy to Love
8. Musetta's Waltz Song
9. Gigi
10. Stars in My Eyes
11. These Foolish Things
12. Always

These were from a series of albums by The Melachrino Strings and Orchestra called "Moods in Music." Others included Music for Relaxation, Music for Reading, Music for Courage and Confidence, Music to Help You Sleep, Music for Two People Alone, Music for Daydreaming and Music to Work or Study By.

By the way... I actually found that Tuna Melt recipe on a Recipe Website.