Showing posts with label Barbra Streisand The Broadway Album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barbra Streisand The Broadway Album. Show all posts

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Happy Birthday, Bob Esty!

Mod Mr Esty
Cheers! As our salute to Bob Esty concludes, we wish the awesome and influential producer/ songwriter/ arranger a very happy birthday today -- and hope he has many more!

Bob Esty originally made his mark with disco classics on the Casablanca label in the '70s, including such time-honored productions such as Donna Summers' "Last Dance," Cher's "Take Me Home," and Barbra Streisand's "The Main Event." (Incidentally, Bob told me, "People think I did 'Enough is Enough' too!! I say, 'Enough, already'!!!")

Bob's private "guide vocals" for his artists are truly outstanding works of art in and of themselves, showcasing his singing and chameleon-like ability to mimic each singer, giving a sense of what the finished product might sound like. Cher commented on how uncanny Bob's guide vocals can be. Carol Channing said Bob Esty basically did her job and she needn't actually record the disco version of "Is That All There Is?" (It was recorded but, unfortunately, unreleased, though Bob's uncanny guide might give you an idea of what it would have sounded like.)
https://soundcloud.com/bobesty/is-that-all-there-is-guide

Here, at the following link, you can hear the ever-amazing Dj Jandry remix of Streisand's King and I medley from her Broadway Album with Bob's guide vocals:
https://jandrymix2013.opendrive.com/files?Ml8xMjM0Mzc5M19PblNWWA

So, Happy Birthday, Bob Esty! Lots of love and thanks for the music that has enriched our lives all this time.

It's a brand new year for you! Enjoy. I end with this beautiully done Bob Esty guide vocal, below, for "Brand New Day":


Thursday, April 18, 2013

Bob Esty and Barbra Streisand: The King and I

In 1985, Bob Esty produced and arranged the King and I medley (along with Paul Jabara) on Barbra Streisand's The Broadway Album. On the vinyl release, the beautifully done, sensitively rendered and romantic medley of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "I Have Dreamed/We Kiss In A Shadow/Something Wonderful" exquisitely closed side one. Like butter.

"Shall We Dance" was also set to a disco beat for an exciting extended dance floor mix but ultimately (and unfortunately) not released. A missed opportunity in my humble opinion.

This album has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and was a critical and commercial success upon its release. Bob's King and I medley, in particular, was very well received and spotlighted by the press.

Buddy Beaverhausen's salute to Bob Esty continues this month as his birthday draws near (April 20). We wish him a very happy one and thank him for all the musical joy he's brought to our lives!

Listen via the YouTube clip below: