Cover of Jewels of the Sea original vinyl release featuring Diane Webber.
Studio album by
Les Baxter
Released
1961
Genre
Exotica, lounge
Label
Capitol ST 1537
Les Baxter chronology
Alakazam the Great film score (1961)
Jewels of the Sea (1961)
Master of the World film score (1961)
Jewels of the Sea is a 1961 orchestral exotica album by American composer Les Baxter. The album was inspired by fantasy ideas of the ocean from pop culture, such as mermaids and sea nymphs, sunken ships, and legendary underwater cities such as Atlantis.[1][2][3] There was an overall erotic element to the album, whose tagline was "Titillating Orchestrations for Listening and Loving", and whose original cover featured actress and model Diane Webber smiling glamorously underwater, apparently naked.[4][5] Although not explicitly shown wearing a mermaid tail, her makeup and jewellery are styled to be reminiscent of the performing mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs.[5]
Musically, Jewels of the Sea is characteristic of Baxter's work, with its use of a traditional European orchestra, primarily percussion instruments and strings, combined with more exotic instruments such as electronic keyboard and electric organ.[3][6][7] All tracks are original compositions with the exception of "The Enchanted Sea", an arrangement of Claude Debussy's La mer.[8][9] The mood of the album ranges from upbeat to melancholy, with an overall relaxing effect.[10][11]
The album was generally well-received by critics. Electronics World called the oceanic theme "pure corn", but the music "first rate."[12] Frank Arganbright of the Journal & Courier called it "sparkling to say the least."[7] Merrill McCord of The Courier-Journal called it a "concert-like spectacular."[9] The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music rated it three stars out of four.[13]
^Schreiber, Charles J. (1961-07-08). "New Albums". The Gazette. p. 24. Retrieved 2019-02-24 – via Newspapers.com.
^Leydon, Rebecca (1999). "Utopias of the Tropics – The Exotic Music of Les Baxter and Yma Sumac". In Hayward, Philip (ed.). Widening the Horizon: Exoticism in Post-War Popular Music. New Barnet, England: John Libbey. p. 56. ISBN 978-1864620474.
^ abToop, David (1999). Exotica: fabricated soundscapes in a real world. London: Serpent's Tail. p. 42. ISBN 1852425954. OCLC 40752970.
^Hayward, Philip (2017). Making a Splash: Mermaids (and Mermen) in 20th and 21st Century Audiovisual Media. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 68. ISBN 978-0861967247.
^ abToop 1999, pp. 68–69.
^Leydon 1999, p. 57.
^ abArganbright, Frank (1961-07-01). "Listening on Records". Journal and Courier. p. 26. Retrieved 2019-02-28 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Current Record Choices - Popular". Calgary Herald. 1961-07-29. p. 13. Retrieved 2019-02-26 – via Newspapers.com.
^ abMcCord, Merrill (1961-07-16). "Spinning the Pops". The Courier-Journal. p. 84. Retrieved 2019-02-26 – via Newspapers.com.
^Hopper, Lynn (1961-07-02). "Jazz in Hi-Fi". The Indianapolis Star. p. 91. Retrieved 2019-02-26 – via Newspapers.com.
^Dennis, Matt (1961-07-29). "Music on a Solid Beat For Summer Listening". The Windsor Star. p. 39. Retrieved 2019-02-28 – via Newspapers.com.
^Whyte, Bert (November 1961). "Record & Reel Revue - Jewels of the Sea" (PDF). Electronics World. p. 88. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
^The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music. Larkin, Colin., Muze UK Ltd. London: Virgin in association with Muze UK Ltd. 1998. p. 27. ISBN 0753502682. OCLC 60209809.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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