"Songs of Colorado" (Complete LP) - Ralph Carmichael Singers & Orchestra

“Songs of Colorado” (Complete) is one of a series of albums that Ralph Carmichael created in collaboration with songwriter Bob Ashton. Bob had a heart for Colorado, a state he lived in for a number of years. The project was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood with the legendary Lee Gillette as producer. Ralph arranged the songs for an orchestra of 12 violins, 4 woodwinds, 8 brass, 6 rhythm and harp, plus a 25-voice choir. The album was released on Stylist Records, of which Bob served as president. Bob wrote five of the album’s tunes: “Under Colorado Skies,” “Autumn Farewell,” “My Heart Sings a Colorado Song,” “I’ve Got a Home” and “Colorama” (a lovely instrumental tune for which Ralph also included voices, just without words). The remaining five tunes, written by other composers including some Colorado residents, featured: “Colorado Ski Song” (Diamond), “Colorado, USA” (Diamond), “I’d Love to Live in Loveland” (Williams), “A Colorado Twilight” (Summers) and “Colorado Trail” (a Colorado cowboy song).