'Sounds Like"

[david]

I recently purchased "Sounds Like" (An old vinyl) from E-Bay.
It is in surprisingly good condition and istening to theses songs
take me back to 1967, amazing how music can be such a trigger for memories.
I am of the opinion this is one, if not the best, of Herb Aleprts recordings.
I realize this topic has and will be discussed for years to come but what are your opinions of "Sounds Like?" To me, it was quite a departure from what Herb had recorded previosuly, yet it is not the complete departure he took (IMHO) after "Beat of the Brass."
I'd forgottan all about "BO-BO" (If I remember correctly it was a hit)
"Ms. Frenchy Brown" is superb and "Shades of Blue" represents Herb at his finest with the trumpet.
Just my thoughts.

 

[Captaindave]

Yes, there has been much discussion on the development of the TJB sound over time, and how the albums might serve as markers for various milestones in the evolution of the TJB sound and style.

I think that for me at least, it is hard to say that one or another album is definitely "better" than another. These recordings are simply different than comparatively better/worse. They reflect the changes in the sound as it matured and passed through the times with which it was contemporaneous.

Most pop artists do not experience longevity as Herb Alpert and the TJB did from 1962 until at least 1968 - 1969. So, you have the opportunity to watch the sound develop and change over a period of several years, especially during a rather turbulent time in the overall environment of the times in which it was popular...

We can all find a song or songs that we think showcase Herb's trumpet playing. Being a trumpet player myself, I have many songs that I like which I could use as examples of what I like about Herb as a trumpet player. And, there are songs on each album that I could use as examples. The main thing I like about Herb is his tone and styling. This is best exemplified for me, at least, in the recordings starting with South Of The Border through What Now My Love inclusive. It is on these recordings that I hear the most open, clear, resonant, and commanding trumpet tone. I was trained to play in this manner myself; therefore, this is what I consider to be Herb's best overall sound. There are some other good sounds elsewhere, but these are, to me, the most consistent "track by track" recordings regarding trumpet playing per se...

I do appreciate the playing that Herb does on Shades of Blue...

There is great trumpet sound on the Fandango album also...I think this is a very good album for appreciating Herb as a trumpet player. Strong, clear, open, commanding, resonant tone and playing. Great stuff for trumpet players...

 

[manifan]

"Sounds Like" is one of my favorite TJB albums. Don't know if it's the style that attracts me though; more likely the song selection and Herb's interpretation of each of them.

 

[bob knack]

One of my favorite TJB records is "Wade in the Water". This was a big hit for Chicagoan, Ramsey Lewis. I always thought it would be big for Herb but it really didn't seem to make it. It's still the one I play first. "Town Without Pity' is also terrific. Great drumming from Ceroli.

 

[Steven J. Gross]

Can you imagine a well remastered version of this LP? It would be amazing. I wonder if it can be done?

 

[Harry]

One of my favorite TJB records is "Wade in the Water". This was a big hit for Chicagoan, Ramsey Lewis. I always thought it would be big for Herb but it really didn't seem to make it.

"Wade In The Water" peaked at #37 and was on the charts for five weeks. Charted date is 3/11/67.

I've always liked "Wade In The Water" a lot, as well as the bulk of the SOUNDS LIKE album. I recall my parents surprising me with the purchase of this album, and they were worried about the title ...SOUNDS LIKE... since it almost sounded like it was a sound-alike group.

Harry
NP: SOUNDS LIKE, Herb Alpert & The TJB

 

[Rudy]

One of my favorite TJB records is "Wade in the Water". This was a big hit for Chicagoan, Ramsey Lewis. I always thought it would be big for Herb but it really didn't seem to make it. It's still the one I play first. "Town Without Pity' is also terrific. Great drumming from Ceroli.

Ramsey's version is one of the definitive ones, IMHO...great jazz/gospel feel to it.

 

[LPJim]

SOUNDS LIKE is probably my favorite TJB album. I like the way it all comes together, and while all the tunes are outstanding, my favorite of all time is "Treasure of San Miguel." Something uplifting and nostalgic about it at the same time.
JB

 

[bob knack]

Wasn't this the first LP where the total songs on the records were cut from 12 to 11. I always wondered why that was...strictly cost cutting? On an LP this good, I was left wanting one more tune.

 

[jimac51]

Do you know what you call a country album(notorious 10 track albums even in the CD era) with 11 tracks? A box set....Mac

 

[Rudy]

Mac--you forgot the rimshot.

 

[david]

I noticed (to my untrained ear) this album was not recorded in stereo. Why is that? A fluke? Or was recording in stereo in the 60's somewhat of a novelty. These songs are so good, recorded in mono does not do them justice. The sound quality between "Sounds Like" and "Beat of the Brass"
is significant and they were recorded how many years apart - one?
Whats with that?

 

[Harry]

SOUNDS LIKE was available in both mono and stereo. "Sounds like" you got a mono copy.

Harry
...pun intended, online...

 

[PartyRico]

My favorite tracks on this one are "Gotta Lot Of Livin' To Do","Casino Royale", and "Wade In The Water". Nice portrait of Herb on the cover as well. The TJB was in its peak here, everywhere you turned there was the Brass. On the "Whipped Cream" album there was a hint of sorts that Herb would soon be featured in Hollywood films. Sadly, Herb was probably too consumed with touring,recording,tv appearances, running his A&M empire,etc. I believe he would have succeeded at that as well.

 

[Rudy]

I noticed (to my untrained ear) this album was not recorded in stereo. Why is that? A fluke? Or was recording in stereo in the 60's somewhat of a novelty. These songs are so good, recorded in mono does not do them justice.

In the 60's, people still owned both mono and stereo equipment, so most labels had to release two versions of their albums, mono and stereo.

Beat Of The Brass was the last mono album A&M released to the public.

Keep in mind, too, that it was often Larry Levine who made the mono album mix and Herb Alpert who did the stereo. Back then, albums were mixed separately. You couldn't simply "sum" (fold down) the stereo signal to mono, as phase differences could result in cancellation of some instruments.

The mono LPs actually can be interesting, as they can have a different mix or, in some cases, could have different instrumental parts. (Look at the stereo vs. mono version of "Crawfish" from The Lonely Bull...there's a different trumpet solo in each version.) Plus, I'd rather have a good, clean mono version of "The Lonely Bull" rather than the "faked" stereo with the overdubbed trumpet in one channel.

Plus, all of the earlier A&M singles were in mono, and a couple of those have unique mixes or features that went lost on the stereo albums. Mono LPs are just another new collecting/listening angle for some of us.

 

[Captain Bacardi]

Wasn't this the first LP where the total songs on the records were cut from 12 to 11. I always wondered why that was...strictly cost cutting? On an LP this good, I was left wanting one more tune.

I'm not 100% certain, but it seems that Herb was incredibly busy at the time with touring, producing other acts (BMB, B'66, Montez), doing every TV show out there. Maybe he just didn't have time to get another song in before the LP got mastered.


Capt. Bacardi

 

[Captain Bacardi]

I'd forgottan all about "BO-BO" (If I remember correctly it was a hit).

No, "Bo-Bo" never charted. Not in the Top 100 nor the "Bubbling Under" or EZ charts. It wasn't on any 45. But it's a good tune.


Capt. Bacardi

 

[DAN BOLTON]

BO-BO was featured prominently as a part of the BEAT OF THE BRASS TV special. The group was on a paddle wheel steamer going down the Mississippi as they played it. And, as I recall; there was a TV Guide article about the difficulty of filming the segment- part of it was done in the engine room of the boat.

BO-BO was always one of my favorite Sol Lake tunes.


Dan

 

[Rudy]

Actually...

Sounds Like, Ninth, Beat Of The Brass and Warm had 11 songs. The Brass Are Comin' goes back to twelve, but Summertime and the Xmas album both have ten.

 

[Captaindave]

IMO, SOUNDS LIKE was album that, in a similar way as SRO, helped establish another segment of the TJB history in terms of sound and musical style.

Clearly the TJB were now identified as an actual popular music group - not just a studio project - and had firmly established themselves in the pop music landscape of the sixties.