Guitarist Tony Mottola (1918-2004) is best known for his association with producer Enoch Light's Command and Project 3 labels in the 1960s and 70s. Mottola recorded dozens of albums for Light, both under his own name and that of the producer.
He and Al Caiola were the top session guitarists in New York, with Mottola also playing with Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Orchestra and later in his career recording and touring with Frank Sinatra.
Light was a pioneer in the art of stereo recording and Mottola figured prominently in those groundbreaking sessions. The five-LP box set Romantic Guitars, issued by Longines Symphonette, probably in the early 70s, is a fine collection of Mottola's Command recordings. The recording quality is excellent as well -- very close to that of the original Command albums. Included is the Latin standard Vaya Con Dios, which first appeared on Mottola's 1966 LP Amor Mexico/S.A.
Vaya Con Dios
A number of Tony Mottola's recordings have been available on CD from time to time. Several are still in the active catalogue, although there have been quality complaints about a couple of recent Command reissues. They may have been sourced from vinyl. The best bet is probably a 2002 release, Heart and Soul Guitar, a compilation of Command selections issued by Varese Sarabande. In any case you can peruse what's available at Amazon.
A large selection of Mottola downloads is also available. I suspect the quality varies widely, so listen before buying.
Here, via YouTube, is another selection from the Amor Mexico/S.A. album.
thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
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