Henri René

There have been quite a few people named René in the music business over the years - this LP is by the one who is not related to any of the others.

Let's see, there have been record moguls Leon and Otis René, Leon's son Googie René, and Googie's son, Chris, a singer.

This René, however, is Henri, whose real name was Harold Kirchstein. He was a long-time arranger and producer who was a staffer at RCA Victor when these records were made.

Henri René

René has popped up here a few times before, backing singers contracted to RCA. I was motivated to pull this LP off the shelf after listening to his arrangements for Fran Warren. René also backed April Stevens on some of her early recordings. "Roller Coaster" on this LP, in fact, was the flip side of April's hit, "I'm In Love Again".

Listen to Henri René compiles singles issued from 1949 to 1952. The LP is from 1953. René produced a form of light music - pop music that aimed a little higher than the norm (although not that high). So here we have the faux-operetta waltz "Wunderbar", "Intermezzo" from the high-toned melodrama of the same name, and the like. "Bon Soir, Paris" is from one of the lesser known Wright-Forrest adaptations of music by classical composers, in this case Villa-Lobos. It comes from a 1948 operetta, Magdalena, that was produced in Los Angeles and on Broadway.

This music could hardly be less in fashion, but I do enjoy it. The craftsmanship and musicianship on display are striking, and the sound is excellent. I also love the typography on the cover, so characteristic of the period - beautifully done, like the music.