Dave Garroway's Orchestra – An Adventure in Hi-Fi Music

Dave Garroway's Orchestra – An Adventure in Hi-Fi Music

Originally released in 1958 on Cameo Records, An Adventure in Hi-Fi Music is a fascinating snapshot of the early stereo era, combining polished orchestral arrangements with international standards, traditional favourites and exotic-sounding instrumental pieces. The album was issued as Cameo LP 1001, in both stereo and mono editions, and was arranged by Frank Hunter, Marion Evans and Kermit Leslie.

The name Dave Garroway is perhaps better known from American television than from recorded music. Garroway was the pioneering host of NBC's Today and a passionate music enthusiast and amateur drummer. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, his name appeared on a series of albums encompassing jazz, pop, classical and instrumental music, with An Adventure in Hi-Fi Music among the earliest of these releases.

This is essentially late-1950s hi-fi mood music, designed as much to demonstrate the capabilities of a good stereo system as it was to provide easy-listening entertainment. Contemporary Billboard described the album as smoothly played instrumental music with string-filled arrangements and praised its stereo qualities, particularly highlighting “Arrivederci, Roma”, with its prominent mandolins, and “Sacred Elephant,” which incorporates rice drums and elephant bells.

The repertoire travels widely, moving from the Latin-inflected “Carioca” and Italian favourite “Arrivederci Roma” through “Tulips,” “Hovo Nogiloh,” “Danny Boy” and the atmospheric “Sacred Elephant.” The second side continues the international theme with “Poor People Of Paris,” “Chinese Lullaby” and “Sentimental Tango,” alongside familiar standards such as “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes” and “Home On The Range.”

For collectors, this promo white-label sample copy is particularly appealing. It combines the novelty of a Dave Garroway-associated recording with the period fascination for hi-fi demonstration records, stereo experimentation and sophisticated orchestral pop. A distinctive example of the late-1950s easy-listening and hi-fi LP market.

Side A

1. Carioca – 2:51
2. Arrividerci Roma – 2:56
3. Tulips – 2:23
4. Hovo Nogiloh – 2:59
5. Danny Boy – 3:23
6. Sacred Elephant – 2:11

Side B

1. Poor People Of Paris – 2:16
2. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes – 2:40
3. Home On The Range – 3:45
4. Hi-Lili Hi-Lo – 2:51
5. Chinese Lullaby – 2:05
6. Sentimental Tango – 2:14