Lawrence Welk presents themes from motion pictures on
Moon River, one of his biggest hit albums of the '60s.
Moon River is strictly an album effort -- it yielded no singles, and probably couldn't have because of the familiarity of the tunes and the popularity many of them enjoyed in the hands of other artists. "Exodus," "The Sound of Music," and
Victor Young's "Around the World" are exemplary of the sweeping melodies on display, only some of which showcase
Welk's trademark blend of accordion, harpsichord, and a snappy rhythm. "Exodus" and the briskly paced "I Could Have Danced All Night" have the wordless vocal chorus and tinkling harpsichord heard on so many of
Welk's Dot albums, but the arrangements for most of the other themes are string and piano based.
Welk delegated the arranging chores to four men, which may account for the album's variety of styles. Arranger
Frank Scott and
George Wyle (who later composed the theme song for the television show Gilligan's Island) joined
Welk veterans
Bob Ballard and
Larry Gordon to write the orchestral charts, which, overall, are more serious in tone than
Welk's usual lighthearted fare.