Bob Sharples And His Orchestra – Go-Go Au Go-Go

Bob Sharples And His Orchestra – Go-Go Au Go-Go

Go-Go Au Go-Go is a colourful slice of 1960s orchestral easy listening, bringing together international melodies, traditional favourites and light entertainment arranged for the polished big-orchestra sound associated with the era. Issued by Metro Records as MS-549, the stereo LP finds British arranger and conductor Bob Sharples working across a programme that travels musically from Dixieland and Scotland to Italy, Hawaii, Mexico, Louisiana and Jamaica. Contemporary collector listings confirm the Metro MS-549 stereo issue.

Bob Sharples was a prolific British arranger, conductor and composer whose career encompassed popular orchestral recordings, television and radio work. His arrangements were particularly suited to the sophisticated but accessible sound of mid-century British easy listening, where colourful instrumentation, strong melodies and carefully balanced stereo production were as important as the songs themselves.

The album opens with “Dixieland March”, immediately establishing a lively brass-and-orchestra feel, before moving into the more romantic “Irish Reverie” and playful “Scottish Run Around.” “Italian Mandolins” adds a distinctly Mediterranean flavour, while “Dreamy Hawaii” brings the lush tropical atmosphere associated with the period's fascination with exotic and holiday-themed orchestral music.

Side Two continues the international journey with “Mexican Hot Tamale,” “Louisiana Blues” and “Jamaica Rum,” giving the orchestra plenty of opportunity to explore Latin, blues and Caribbean colours. The final two selections, “Lover's Rhapsody” and “Sweetheart Waltz,” return to the romantic orchestral style that sits at the heart of the album.

For collectors of 1960s easy listening, lounge, orchestral pop and stereo hi-fi records, Go-Go Au Go-Go fits neatly alongside the work of arrangers and orchestras such as Bert Kaempfert, Frank Chacksfield, Stanley Black, Geoff Love and Ray Martin. It also has the kind of international, escapist programming that makes many British and European easy-listening LPs of the period so appealing today.

Side A

1. Dixieland March
2. Irish Reverie
3. Scottish Run Around
4. Italian Mandolins
5. Dreamy Hawaii

Side B

1. Mexican Hot Tamale
2. Louisiana Blues
3. Jamaica Rum
4. Lover's Rhapsody
5. Sweetheart Waltz