One Stormy Night

This debut recording from the Mystic Moods Orchestra came to be essentially by chance. Brad Miller, who had been recording old steam engine sounds for sound effects recordings, was inspired upon hearing a late-night DJ mix easy listening music with environmental sounds. He solicited arranger Don Ralke to record a series of easy listening songs, which were mixed with a thunderstorm. The congenial music combined with the rain and thunder proved to be a revelation to the general public, leading to several more successful mood recordings. Of the selections, "Local Freight" contains authentic steam engine sounds, a nod to Miller's first passion, while the lonely cello combined with the sound of falling rain on "Autumn Leaves" is quite striking. This is a space age pop classic whose formula was captured many times over. [The 2004 HDS edition revamps the artwork but makes no changes to the track list.]