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"When music fails to agree to the ear, to soothe the ear and the heart and the senses, then it has missed the point."--Maria Callas
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KAI WARNER
Kai Warner was the stage name of Werner Last - a German bandleader and musician. He is the brother of James Last and Robert Last.
Born in Bremen, Warner took piano lessons from Ernst Weelen and received theory instruction from the Max Reger and Engelbert Humperdinck student Richard Bulling.
After the war, Werner Last appeared as a trombonist along with his brothers Hans (bassist, later known as James Last) and Robert Last (drummer) in Bremen music halls and in the American clubs in the vicinity of Bremerhaven. At this point, he was discovered by the composer and manager Friedrich Meyer and hired for the newly-formed dance orchestra of Radio Bremen. The Last brothers became well known as members of the Last-Becker Ensemble. Werner Last found his first success as an arranger. After the disbandment of the Bremen dance orchestra in 1948, he played for a time in a 12-man band, then went to seek his fortune in the USA. Before this, he married the 18-year-old Hjördis Harlow, an American of Norwegian descent. From this marriage came two sons, Steven and Werner.
In the USA, Werner had to make his living as a casual labourer for several months before he was admitted into the New York musician's union. As a trombonist, he belonged to several renowned big bands. As well, he studied music theory at New York University with Schillinger professor Rudolf Schramm.
In 1958, Werner Last returned to Germany and arranged numerous film scores. In 1966 he signed a contract as a producer with Polydor; he discovered and produced Renate Kern. As Kai Warner, he started his own orchestra, which included many musicians who played with James Last (such as his brother Robert Last, who had already played drums on the earliest James Last sessions). In 1975, Kai Warner switched from Polydor to Philips.
Besides his LPs like Pops For Minis, Happy Together, Goldtimer 1 and 2, his name is forever linked with the Go-In series, which continued later on Philips under the name Go-In Party.
Other albums: So In Love, Love Songs, Romantic Songs, Wer recht in Freuden tanzen will, Warner Plays Wagner, Golden Violins, Volkslieder Festival, On The Road To Philadelphia, Swingin' Johann, Salsoul Explosion, A Glass Of Champagne, Dance To The Beatles, Zum Tanz Marsch Marsch, Polka wie noch nie, Oriental Nights, It's Country Time, and naturally the Christmas album Christmas Party.
He also made several recordings with his Kai Warner Singers, a mixed choir made up of six women and six men often accompanied only by a rhythm section.
MY CHERIE AMOUR
Composed by Stevie Wonder - covered by numerous artists since it's release.
The song was originally recorded from late 1967 to early 1968, but not released until early 1969.
MHO
It's been a while since we posted a choral or vocal version of a (hit) song so here's Kai Warner again with his Singers. It was a logical choice of repertoire for the "Singers" - this soulful "classic" ballad, penned by the musical genius of Stevie Wonder.
The approach which consisted of having only 3 male and 3 female singers in the chorus remains exceptional to this day. Nevertheless, it "works" and, like in all the other KW Singers recordings (many of which can be found here) the balance between harmony, melody and musicality is just perfect.
There's a big chance some sweet memories of those wonderful "seventies" will pop up while listening to this evergreen ..... Enjoy !