Jim Nabors passed last November at age 87. I wanted to put out a Obituary post like I normally do, but I was so busy at that time with many things going on that I neglected to do so, which is somewhat of a disservice to Nabors as well as this blog. Well, better late than never. Here is this album that I bought for a dollar. It was formerly owned by one Laura Lewis who has pretty neat handwriting. A lot of songs that I like on this album.
People who have never heard Gomer Pyle sing before are often amazed when they hear his deep baritone voice. Before his move into television, Nabors worked night clubs with an act that featured both singing and an early version of his Pyle character. Discovered by Andy Griffith, Nabors first played Pyle as a bit role. However, the character’s popularity lead to a regular spot on the show and eventually a spin-off, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. It should be noted that Nabors is one of the few people to be named an honorary Marine. Anyway, Nabors sung once on the Griffith Show, but it was his performance of “The Impossible Dream” on his own that really put him in the singing spotlight.
This album, Nabor’s sixth, was released in that turbulent year that was 1968 by Columbia Records. Pretty good stuff. As mentioned before, it has a lot of my favorite songs including “Born Free”, “Try To Remember”, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”, “and “There’s a Kind of Hush”. That signature Nabors voice dominates this record with a smooth deep sound. Good stuff.
For a sample, I went with two of my favorite songs, both French in nature. First, we have “L’amour est blue(Love Is Blue)”, made famous by Paul Mauriat. Second, from my favorite movie, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, we have Michel Legrand’s ” I Will Wait For You”. Both artists works are also on this blog as well.
Satisfactory.