Norrie Paramor’s Orchestra “Amor, Amor!”

The full title of this 1961 thrift store classic includes: “Great Latin Standards” by Norrie Paramor’s Orchestra—which is effective in telling you what this record contains (great Latin standards), and you might know some of the song titles—I didn’t, but some of the tunes sound familiar. But who is Norrie Paramor—certainly that couldn’t be a real name? The liner notes on back might tell me. He’s a “unique” arranger, favored by the “international set”—and he has a “special British touch.” Not much else needs to be said. The instrumentation includes a Latin rhythm section, a solitary French horn, piano and celeste and the occasional voice of soprano, Patricia Clark. She is from Scotland (I’m resorting to the internet now) and is definitely not the woman on the album cover, who frankly looks a little demented. I mean, in a good way, and I think that’s what they had in mind—you know, “Amor, Amor!” Norrie is a nickname for Norman (I’ll have to remember that), AKA “B-Side Norrie.” I’m laughing because that’s what it says on the Wikipedia—not sure what that means. This is hot record, and would be just right for, you know, “dancing the beguine, merengue, or cha-cha.” It creates an atmosphere, and is also somewhat cinematic, so I’m not surprised to see that Norrie Paramor also did film music—and I’ve got to list a few of the films here, because it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a lineup of demented sounding titles (and no, I’m not making these up). “Serious Charge,” “A Pair of Briefs,” “The Fast Lady,” “The Wild and the Willing,” “Two and Two Make Six,” “My Lover, My Son,” “No My Darling Daughter,” and “Father Came Too!”

7.14.23