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Thomas Lesslie “Snuff” Garrett is remembered today for his myriad of hit productions for artists like Gary Lewis and the Playboys (“This Diamond Ring”), Cher (“Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves,” “Half Breed”), and Vicki Lawrence (“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”).  But producing was just one facet of Garrett’s expansive career that saw him work as a DJ, an arranger, a record label promotion man and chief.  Varese Sarabande’s Vintage division, which has recently reissued numerous albums from Garrett’s Viva Records label (including a trio of rare soundtracks and a collection of singles and rarities from country legend Ray Price), has now turned its attention to a pair of albums featuring Snuff Garrett’s instrumental ensemble The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett.  Between 1961 and 1973, the producer lent his name to over two dozen recordings under that moniker.  Varese has recently reissued two vintage Best Of compilations from The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett, from 1968 and 1970.

Snuff Garrett’s vision for a large instrumental group came to life in 1961 at the behest of Garrett’s then-home of Liberty Records.  The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett Go South of the Border, featuring Brazilian great Laurindo Almeida on lead guitar in front of an orchestra, featured lush renditions of such familiar titles as “Frenesi,” “Besame Mucho,” “La Bamba” and “Granada.”  It was so successful that it spawned a sequel the next year, adding “Mexican Hat Dance,” “Malaguena” and “Vaya Con Dios” to the 50 Guitars’ Latin-styled repertoire.  Soon, producer Garrett and his guitars were off to Hawaii, Texas, Italy, Spain, Brazil and back to Mexico on subsequent themed volumes.  After the initial two LPs, Los Angeles Wrecking Crew veteran guitarist Tommy Tedesco took over the lead for most of the recordings released under the group’s name.  Ernie Freeman, another pro with credits ranging from Frank Sinatra to Simon and Garfunkel, was responsible for most of the arrangement duties, with Pete King also contributing charts.

The Best of the 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett Volume One (originally released on Liberty in 1968) concentrates on the Latin-flavored early recordings including “Guadalajara,” “Maria Elena,” “Guantanamera,” “Spanish Eyes” and “The Girl from Ipanema,” of course.  These tracks were culled from albums including Go South of the Border, Border Town Bandido, In a Brazilian Mood, El Hombre and España.  (Somehow, Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western theme to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly crept into the track listing!)

Volume Two, a double-LP set from 1970 now on one CD, also stretches back as far as South of the Border, but has a decidedly more contemporary bent with such modern pop hits as Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “This Guy’s in Love with You” and Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (both from The Sound of Love), Francis Lai’s popular movie theme “A Man and a Woman” and Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Phil Spector’s “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (both from 50 Guitars in Love – Volume Two), and John Barry and Don Black’s “Born Free” (Our Love Affair).

Both volumes have been newly remastered by Steve Massie and feature liner notes from co-producer Lawrence Zwisohn.  These throwbacks to the golden age of instrumental pop are available now on Varese Sarabande at the links below!

The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett, The Best of The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett (Liberty LSS-14045, 2015 – reissued Varese Vintage 302 067 332 8, 2015) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

1. Guadalajara
2. Maria Elena
3. La Bamba
4. Love Me with All Your Heart
5. The Girl from Ipanema
6. Spanish Eyes
7. Mexican Hat Dance
8. Guantanamera
9. La Negra
10. El Relicario
11. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
12. La Malaguena

The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett, The Best of The 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett Volume II (Liberty LST-35001, 2015 – reissued Varese Vintage 302 067 332 8, 2015) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

1. South of the Border
2. Baia
3. The Mexican Shuffle
4. Adios
5. So Nice
6. Laura’s Theme
7. Twilight Time
8. This Guy’s in Love with You
9. Fascination
10. A Man and a Woman
11. The Lonely Bull
12. My Adobe Hacienda
13. Tequila
14. The Breeze and I
15. Mucho Cerveza
16. Sabor a Mi (Be True to Me)
17. Born Free
18. Melody of Love
19. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
20. Shangri-La
21. Midnight Lovers
22. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’