The Ed Ames Album
| The Ed Ames Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 1964 | |||
| Studio | RCA Victor's Studio "A", New York City, New York | |||
| Genre | Pop[1] | |||
| Length | 33:06 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Ed Ames chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Ed Ames Album | ||||
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The Ed Ames Album is a self-titled studio album by American singer and actor Ed Ames released in late 1964. It was his second original album for RCA Victor Records, produced by Jim Foglesong. It contained a total of 12 tracks, including one single. The album received a positive critical reception following its release, though it missed the US album charts.
Background, recording and content
Ed Ames had been a recording artist for RCA Victor since the 1950s, gaining prominence during his time with the Ames Brothers.[1] The Ed Ames Album followed his debut Opening Night with Ed Ames, which contained his first charting single. The self-titled LP was Ames' first to be produced by Jim Foglesong, and was his only one recorded at RCA Victor's Studio "A", located in New York City, New York.[2] Foglesong would produce for Ames for the rest of the decade.[2]
The Ed Ames Album consisted of 12 tracks in total.[3] Selections included various musical and film songs, such as "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" from My Fair Lady, "Monica" from The Carpetbaggers, "Gigi" from the Award-winning namesake film, and "It's Magic" from Romance on the High Seas.[4] "Love Is Here to Stay" was a standard from the MGM film The Goldwyn Follies (1938) and "Willow Weep for Me" was a jazz standard which became a pop hit in 1964.[2] "What Now My Love" was a popular pop hit at the time.[4]
Release
The album was originally released in October 1964 by RCA Victor.[5] It was the second studio album of Ames' career.[6] The label originally offered it as a vinyl LP, with six songs on "Side A" and six songs on "Side B".[2] It was available in stereo and monaural sound.[6] Since then, it has been digitized onto streaming platforms in the 2020s as well.[3]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | Positive (Special Merit Pop Spotlight)[1] |
The album was given a positive review from Billboard magazine following its original release. Putting the album in its "Special Merit Pop Spotlight" section, the publication stated that "Ed Ames has come a long way since he was one of the singing Ames Brothers. Broadway and TV work, as an actor and as a singer, has broadened his style, delivery and impact." They said, "to listeners, seeking a warm, romantic album of outstanding songs, like 'Gigi" and 'Fly Me to the Moon;' need look no further if they want them sung by an outstanding talent."[1]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "It's Magic" | 2:32 | |
| 2. | "Gigi" | 3:35 | |
| 3. | "Love Is Here to Stay" | 2:09 | |
| 4. | "Can't Get Out of This Mood" | 2:52 | |
| 5. | "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" | 3:20 | |
| 6. | "Strong as a Mountain" | Johnny Marks | 2:12 |
| Total length: | 16:40 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You Will Wear Velvet" |
| 2:20 |
| 2. | "Willow Weep for Me" | Ann Ronell | 3:03 |
| 3. | "But Beautiful" | 3:00 | |
| 4. | "Monica" |
| 2:13 |
| 5. | "What Now My Love" | 2:55 | |
| 6. | "Fly Me to the Moon" | Bart Howard | 2:55 |
| Total length: | 16:26 | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | October 1964 |
|
RCA Victor Records | [2] |
| Worldwide | Circa 2020 |
|
Sony Music Entertainment | [3] |
Personnel
All credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Ed Ames Album.[2]
- Ed Ames – vocals
- Harvey Siders – liner notes
- Frank Hunter, (tracks: A3, A4, B2, B5) – arranger, conductor
- Marty Manning, (tracks: A1, A2, A5-B1, B3, B4, B6) – arranger, conductor
- Jim Foglesong – producer
- Ed Begley – recording engineer
References
- ^ a b c d "Album Reviews: Special Merit Pop Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. October 24, 1964. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Ames, Ed (October 1964). The Ed Ames Album (Disc Information). RCA Victor. LSP-2944 – (Stereo); LPM-2944 – (Monaural).
- ^ a b c "The Ed Ames Album album by Ed Ames". Apple Music. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2000). Joel Whitburn, Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research. p. various.
- ^ "New Album Releases" (PDF). Billboard. October 3, 1964. p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ a b Kinslow, Chris (2022). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin. p. 1881. ISBN 978-1-68145-973-8. Retrieved May 27, 2026.