Joy to the World - Bianco

Harpist Gene Bianco (1927-2007) abandoned the fields of classical and jazz for easy listening in 1962 when he signed a contract with RCA Victor. Under the deal his records were sold exclusively by a record club formed by RCA and Reader's Digest.

He was billed as "The Rainbow Sound of Bianco" and was backed by a full orchestra for half a dozen high quality albums. The first of these was a holiday LP released for Christmas of '62. Below is a link to a sample track from Joy to the World.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas/Silent Night

Joy to the World appears to be the only Bianco album to appear in a digital format. Amazon is selling it as a download under the title The Rainbow Sound of Gene Bianco. Listen before buying as this may have been dubbed from vinyl.

If you own only one Gene Bianco album it probably should be Harp, Skip and Jump (1958), one of two early jazz efforts for RCA's budget Camden label. His musical partner in this swinging affair is guitarist Mundell Lowe.