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Dominic McHugh
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 Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 10:28 am Post subject: The great Ken Barnes |
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I keep meaning to say that it would be so nice if you posted a mini-biography of yourself on the website. The company is so clearly driven by your experience and knowledge that it would be great to learn a little more about the man who entertains us all so well - and who has worked with some of the greatest names in the music business.
Best wishes
Dominic |
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Ken Barnes
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| Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 10:28 am Post subject: Mini-bio |
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In answer to request from Dominic, I'll try to keep this as brief as possible.
Yorkshire born ( within living memory ), sang in the school choir, played drums - and later trombone - in the school band. Came to London in the early 1960s and worked for two record companies - first in marketing and later as a record producer. In 1970 became European Product Manager for Ampex Corporation of America ( the company in whiich Bing Crosby was the initial; investor ). Went freelance in 1970 and worked internationally as a record producer ( recording such artists as Peggy Lee, Jack Jones, Slim Whitman, Connie Francis, Peter Sellers, Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, etc. )
As scriptwriter, wrote over 80 scripts for the BBC and produced over 200 music sessions for BBC Radio 2. As film historian gave lectures at various film societies here and in America. As author, wrote 2 books "Sinatra and the Great Song Stylists"(Ian Allen.1972) and "The Crosby Years" (Elmtree Books/St. Martin's Press.1980)
Between 1966 and 1996 produced over 130 albums for various labels and in numerous countries. Formed own music publishing company in 1975 with musical partner,Pete Moore and in 2000 formed the Laureate Company which brings things up to date. |
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kedwards
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Joined: 29 Jan 2004
Posts: 29
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kedwards
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
Posts: 29
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Mark Bakker
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject: The Great Ken Barnes! |
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I'm so glad Dominic asked this question, i found Ken's reply very interesting.
I purchased my first LP in 1976, age 15, this was the Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire album 'A couple of Song and Dance Men'. It's still one of my favourite albums. I originally owned the LP, then the cassette tape, and now i have the recordings on CD.
From there on i collected the further 5 albums where Bing collaborated with Ken & Pete Moore and the 2 Astaire albums.
I would just like to take this opportunity, to thank you Ken, for getting me started on this wonderful journey of musical discovery. A journey which continues today.
One of my other favourite Ken Barnes/Pete Moore albums is 'The Johnny Mercer Songbook', a double LP of Johnny Mercer singing his own songs, recorded i think in 1973 or 1974. If u aint already got it, get it! It's now available on CD.
I would like to ask you Ken, i had a feeling you made some recordings with Frankie Laine. Is this right? I'm quite a fan of Frankie but have never come across any of his CD's with your name as producer.
Also, what is Pete Moore doing these days? I presume he is still with us.
Regards to all,
Mark Bakker |
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Ken Barnes
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Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 548
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:58 am Post subject: Pete Moore today |
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Thanks Mark for your support, interest and kind comments. Yes, Pete Moore and I did do two albums with Frankie Laine. Like Bing and Fred, Frankie was a joy to work with and a very nice man. The titles were "Memories in Gold" and "Life Is Beautiful" - I don't know if these were ever issued on CD. They were originally recorded for the Polydor label but I think they are now owned by Frankie.
As for Pete Moore, he is still very much with us. He and I are still good friends and he's coming over here for dinner this weekend. He and I have a music publishing company and, as a composer, he is very successful - he wrote the famous Pearl and Dean ad among other things.
Best
Ken |
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kedwards
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Jan 2004
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 9:46 pm Post subject: Ken |
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Following numerous requests, Ken has finally produced his c.v and a passable photo both of which appear on http://www.laureatedvd.com/biog.htm for all you fans to see!
Regards,
Karen |
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Ken Barnes
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Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 548
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:01 am Post subject: SEASON'S GREETINGS |
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WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF OUR VISTORS AND USERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
from Ken and Anne Barnes
and all at the Laureate Company |
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mgcroadster
Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| And the same to you and yours Ken; merry Christmas all! |
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Mark Fox
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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I am saddened that the UNIVERSAL twofer CD albums you were so instrumental in releasing seem to have come to an end.
Regrds,
Mark |
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Ken Barnes
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Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 548
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| Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject: Universal two-fers |
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Actually, Mark, the DVDs I produced for Universal were not two-fers. But,in fact, all of them are still available. The nad news is I don't work for Universal these days because they think they can get by without offering extras. Most people think they are wrong.
The good news is that a whole batch of Bing Crosby two-fers are being released this month - as individual doubles or as a box set. Check these out. They represent good value. |
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Mark Fox
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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No,not DVDs-I meant the CDs like the Sammy Davis,Bing,Jack Jones and others.
My big regret is that you weren't able to include the two Tony Bennetts in that series-THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE/LISTEN EASY. UNIVERSAL JAPAN had no luck either.
Regards,
Mark
PS-This is a marvellous site
M |
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Ken Barnes
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Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 548
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| Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject: CDs not DVDs |
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Sorry, Mark, I misunderstood. I sometimes foprget that this site also deals with music as well as movies.
Actually, I have not altogether forsaken music. Apart from the fact that so many of my albums from the '60s,'70s and '80s are being reissued ad-infinitum, I have receently been commissioned by EMI to do a two-CD set of Dick Haymes covering his Complete Capitol Sessions. This is to tie in with the first published biography of Haymes that is coming out in the States next month. A long overdue book that tells quite a story.
I'm also trying to Fox Home Entertainment in LA to release "Diamond Horseshoe" on DVD in which Dick co-starred with Betty Grable and introduced "The More I See You," I think it would be a winner.
Best
Ken |
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Mark Fox
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:47 am Post subject: |
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Keep up the good work,Ken-I'll look forward to the Dick Haymes set. Some don't but I prefer those lovely Capitol recordings he did.
Regards,
Mark |
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Ken Barnes
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Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 548
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 7:24 pm Post subject: Dick Haymes |
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Thanks, Mark. EMI is aiming for a September release on the Haymes set. It will,of course, contain those two classic albums "Rain or Shine" and "Moondreams" with superb backings from the underrated Ian Bernard plus the various singles he did for the label ( which included some good stuff with Billy May ) and there'll be a search of the Capitol archives for unreleased titles too. Let's hope everything will be unearthed.
Fingers crossed. |
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