category: instrumental jazz / easy listening

Album review:
Moonlight In Vermont may have made Johnny Smith famous, but this 1954 session with rhythm guitarist Perry Lopez, bassist Arnold Fishkin and drummer Don Lamond is his masterpiece. Originally issued over two 10" LPs, these 13 songs shows an innovative guitarist with astonishing technique and lightning-fast mind. These gems are ripe for rediscovery in the guitar world. The closing "Lullaby Of Birdland" features Smith playing a duet with himself through early overdubbing. The title tune, a Johnny Smith original, became a Top Ten hit six years later for The Ventures. Remastered in 24 bit from the original mono tapes.

CD Track Listing

  1. Walk, Don't Run! (Johnny Smith) (2:46)
  2. Sophisticated Lady (Ellington / Parish) (3:01)
  3. I'll Remember April (Raye / DePaul / Johnson) (2:46)
  4. What's New (Haggart / Burke) (3:04)
  5. How About You? (Freed / Lane) (2:43)
  6. In A Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington) (2:30)
  7. Stranger In Paradise (Wright / Forrest) (2:36)
  8. Someone To Watch Over Me (George & Ira Gershwin) (2:14)
  9. Easy To Love (Cole Porter) (3:14)
10. Lover Man (Davis / Ramirez / Sherman) (2:25)
11. Autumn In New York (Vernon Duke) (2:42)
12. 'S Wonderful (George & Ira Gershwin) (2:23)
13. Our Love Is Here To Stay (George & Ira Gershwin) (2:16)
14. Lullaby Of Birdland (George Shearing) (3:03)

Total timing: 35:43

Label/No: EMI / Roulette 60440

Release date: (c)1954, 2005 reissue