101 Strings - The Sounds of Love

101 Strings - The Sounds of Love

I do not think I need to explain 101 Strings to my regular visitors who are likely also regular visitors to other sharity blogs posting old loungy/easy listening music and/or similar to the stuff I usually post. Just in case, I'll briefly explain 101 Strings. It is made up of various orchestras hired for cheap to record mood or easy listening music which are mostly covers of hit tunes. An engineer named Dick L. Miller came up with the idea for the 101 Strings budget albums to release on his Somerset label. In 1964, Miller sold the catalog and licence to the Alshire label which continued to be prolific in releasing 101 Strings product. 101 Strings released somewhere around 200 albums. If you dig around in thrift stores, flea markets, library sales, garage sales, etc. chances are great that you'll see at least one or two 101 Strings LPs in the piles although spotting one of the few 101 Strings LPs worth having (e.g. Astro Sounds from Beyond the Year 2000, Sounds of Today, even the LP in this post, etc.) is slim.

The music on The Sounds of Love is really not that interesting. It is the usual easy listening style with monotonous strings. However, what makes The Sounds of Love fun to listen to are the vocals. A woman named Bebe Bardon contributes moans to a few of the songs. I assume that she is the person on the front and back covers and in the cheesecake centerfold-style fold out. Some guy named Joe Adams contributes vocals to a few other songs. I guess the best way to explain his style is if you enjoy William Shatner, you'll enjoy Joe Adams.

Another 101 Strings album featuring Bebe Bardon called The Exotic Sounds of Love was released a few years later. If anyone can provide this or the 7" I Remember/Whiplash (two songs from that album), I will be appreciative.



Voice sounds by Bebe Bardon on Side One - tracks 1 and 3 and Side Two - track 1
Dialogue by Joe Adams on Side One - tracks 2 and 4 and Side Two - tracks 2 and 4

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Side One

1. Love at First Sight {3:01}

2. Wonderful Seasons of Love {2:50}

3. I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good {3:20}

4. The Sounds of Silence {3:48}

5. In Love Again {2:23}

Side Two

1. Love is Blue {2:29}

2. This Guy's in Love With You {3:40}

3. Acapulco Affair {2:20}

4. Yesterday {4:28}

5. South Seas Romance {2:44}