Ray Bloch was a pianist, composer, conductor, arranger and bandleader who is best known for being the arranger and conductor on The Ed Sullivan Show in the USA for its entire run from 1948 to 1971.

Prior to TV popularity, Bloch and his orchestra featured on numerous radio variety shows. These included: Johnny Presents (1939-46), The Gay Nineties Revue (1939-44), Let Yourself Go (1944-45), The Continental Celebrity Club (1945-46), The Milton Berle Show (1948-49), and The Mary Small Revue (1945). In 1951 Bloch hosted his own show, The Bloch Party, a 60-minute variety show on CBS Radio. The orchestra was a fixture on several game shows, including Take It Or Leave It (1940-47). Quick as a Flash (1944-49) and Sing It Again (1948-51). Bloch also worked on Philip Morris Playhouse (1939-43), and in several Orson Welles presentations. With a steady and lucrative career like that, his recording activities were not necessarily his main priority, which explains why he is not particular widely known.

However, for aficionados of the orchestras of the ‘40s and ‘50s who played the popular easy-on-the-ear music of the times, his music is up there with the best of them. This 47-track set comprises selected A- and B-sides from his releases on the Majestic, Signature and Coral labels from this era, often featuring songs that were hits for other artists, and including his US Top 20 hit Kate, Have I Come Too Early Too Late. It includes performances by his featured vocalists Monica Lewis, Larry Douglas, Jeffrey Clay, Alan Dale, Jimmy Saunders, Warren Covington, Lily Ann Carol, Buddy Nee and Ronnie Deauville.

Representing an archetypal slice of what many nostalgia buffs call “the golden age of popular music”, this is a rarely-heard showcase for one of the most accomplished backroom boys.

TRACKS