“Some Enchanted Evening” (1964) – The Three Suns * Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II * Produced by Al Nevins * Arranged by Roy Glover * LP: Some Enchanted Evening * Label: RCA Victor
This is the title track from an album that has never sounded hip, even considering that the Three Suns, armed with organ, accordion, and guitar, eventually found the favor of record collectors under the auspices of both irony and sincerity. Many surprises and pleasures do exist in their 40-plus album oeuvre, but this one, at the tail end of their run, will make you feel as if you’ve barged in on the amours of a couple who have just removed their polyester. What caught my ear was the organ riff at 2:39. Was this the idea of trio member Artie Dunn or arranger Roy (LeRoy) Glover? Because it foretells the instrumental hook of the Temptations’ “I Wish It Would Rain” a good three years before that single would saturate Top 40 radio.