1956 HITS ARCHIVE: Lisbon Antigua - Nelson Riddle (a #1 record)

[@JanetTandy]

My kind of music!!! Beautiful! Thanks, I needed that!

[@williamgunter6801]

He was an innovator. Notice how he utilizes the entire bass clef. The transistion from the lower register to two octives up, and then back down into that low register. Very pleasing to the ears. There's so much drpth and action occurring in this composition. Kusos Nelson Riddle.😊😊😊👏

[@PeterKoplar]

Love this song since I was a little boy

[@garyk.nedrow8302]

In the 1950s, now identified with the beginnings of rock and roll, radio stations were not yet corporate- owned, and they played all musical genres, one after the other. As a result, the entire nation knew all of the popular songs. Among them were numerous instrumentals like this one, which was very popular at that time. It was musically a far more diverse era than today. At parties, when they played charades, acting out song and movie titles, I loved to drop this title in the hat; it is almost impossible to do. By the way, Stan Wrightsman and his Quartet are also featured in George Cates' version of the theme from Picnic \ Moonglow. Real music by real musicians -- what a concept.

[@mikehunt8997]

And record companies didn't use test audiences to see how good the music is. If a DJ liked the song, it went on the air. Record companies own most of the radio stations.

[@horseman4now]

@@mikehunt8997 Until Payola.

[@chuckcartwright1328]

This music was the background of my childhood. It was a wonderful part of it.

[@stephenmcguire7801]

For all its faults popular, or "Top 40," radio provided a shared national community centered on diverse music. Sure, the market would cough up clinkers, and it was distorted by payola, but it was also an electronic campfire we seem to have lost😔.

[@user-km3rm7hl5p]

Lisbon Antigua was one of my Mom’s favorites. She would have turned 100 this year! Sill miss her! Thanks for posting this!

[@the45prof98]

You're most welcome!

[@ericseal4453]

One of the best 50's instumentals. My favorite, along with "The Poor People of Paris", "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" and "Patricia."

[@dennismclaurin1487]

I would include "Autumn leaves" in this awesome mix. I can picture a skater going for a triple loop to the music in this song.

[@theOlLineRebel]

@@dennismclaurin1487 Absolutely every one of these instrumentals mentioned in this thread were in the top 10 of the YEAR they released!

[@marcosanchez6784]

What a coincidence! Those were mine too!

[@patthecatman]

how 'bout "april in portugal"? good to see"autumn leaves" was included

[@marysteffens4531]

and The Poor People of Paris@@patthecatman

[@lazurm]

Another very popular and memorable recording, clear as a bell with probably all of the musicians and singers gone by now. Dead people entertaining us.

[@davidmonson]

🎉🎉I really. Like the big band era of music. And one of my favorite is Lisbon Antigua by Nelson riddle. And I’m usually not. Fond of western music. But when. Hank Williams. Music. Is played. By 101 strings. It is super good music. Can I hear 101 strings doing. Jambolia??!

[@kenyork1107]

Beautiful, I've loved this for years thank-you. After a long hard day this is what I like to listen too .

[@scotnick59]

Like a fresh cool rain on a summer day: so refreshingly beautiful is this!

[@timothythorne9464]

This is just as good as it gets--probably the best pop instrumental ever written. It's just so vibrant and warm

[@overcamehim]

That era gave us wonderful instrumentals like this one.

[@alanoneill3065]

beautiful...I can feel that warm breeze

[@bobareebop]

Excellent, clear HI-FI recording. Not in stereo, but still HI-FI.

[@ritalove9728]

This was the #1 song the day I was born-

[@quinchin6200]

Me too !!!

[@peterp.7761]

April 14 1956.. just getting ready for Medicare~

[@dennismclaurin1487]

Alot of Good songs came out that year.Imagine if there was a Grammy awards that year.Doris Day would've gotten song of the year for "Que sera, sera", and female pop vocalist, over Gogi Grant("The Wayward wind", and over Patti Page, the singing rage). The Platters would've gotten best R&B song and group for "My Prayer and "The Great Pretender". Perry Como; Male pop vocalist. Elvis would be my pick for best new artist.

[@richardjacobson1735]

@@peterp.7761 Must be nice to be relatively young.

[@darrylholcomb9076]

Nelson Riddle Orchestra is ledgendary. Yesteryear Orchestral music is class personified! Petula Clarks " Kiss me good bye" is an example of how a full orchestra can dramatically enhance a sing.

[@dennismclaurin1487]

I picture a skater going for a triple loop to the music in this song.

[@durandjohnson1321]

I was going on 4 yrs... living at 1100 19th Seattle Wa. 1956

[@rolo1955]

Oh, I've heard this off and on all my life but never have been able to find out the name of the song nor who performed it. I happened to look at a 1956 music survey and wondered what I had missed from Nelson Riddle, and here it is!

[@ellenrosenblatt5463]

I loved this song growing up even though I was born in l982. I didn't start listening to the Beatles until l996

[@robertorick6383]

One of the prettier songs of the 1950's. This lovely song deserved it's hit status despite the oncoming invasion of Elvis & the Rock & Roll sound.

[@michaellazzeri9439]

In Denver, this song was on the Hit Parade, KOSI , 1630 AM, for what seemed like the entire year ! --------Classic music.

[@davidvictor52]

Lisbon Antigua went gold in '56 and was done by about 20 other prominent instrumental orchestras!

[@georgephinn822]

Lisbon Antigua was a Number One Hit in 1956. It was one of my favorite record from 1956 - Instrumentals was always a big hit and most of them became Number One - And this was a Number One Hit. Also Les Baxter “The Poor People of Paris” that went to Number One Also. I like “Instrumentals” They are very relaxing and most of them turn out to be Big Hits

[@suatwahtan8658]

Beautiful catchy piece~ 1st heard this half century ago😆 A luxury to hear orchestral music these days!

[@r.crompton2286]

Every Nelson Riddle arrangement was top-drawer. His re-arrangements typically brought about better harmony and more pizzazz.

[@shirleyjennings5787]

Beautiful!

[@littlerover8204]

How sweet.

[@danielarick2105]

I have the 78 version, on the flip side is theme from a TV show called " Robin Hood "

[@crazymotherdance7317]

Great song

[@TheLeonhamm]

Totally Perfect Pop .. Delightful.

[@marcocaneira]

This song is inspired in the capital of Portugal, Lisboa in the old days.

[@jimit6398]

Wasn’t R&R but I liked it. Another one was Fandango by Hugo Winterhalter

[@johnodonnell7214]

memories

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Perfecto!

[@stevehoffman9735]

One of the last big hits recorded at Capitol Melrose. That was a great sounding studio, better than the Tower (IMO)..

[@edivaldocorreia8496]

Gostaria de dedicar esta música 1956 para Ana Lucia

[@njva17420]

Also, something called "Fire Down Below."