http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/arts/music/29berniker.html
Probably best known for being behind the first Streisand records at Columbia, a lot of 60's easy listening (Eydie Gorme, Jerry Vale, Perry Como, Les Elgart, Brenda Lee) and many Broadway productions (Movin' Out, Pump Boys and Dinettes, City of Angels).
Other credits: Berniker produced the Columbia Jazz Masterpieces and Roots & Blues CD reissue series, two of the best major label archival digs, so a lot of the Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Robert Johnson, and etc on your shelves is there in part because of his work. He signed Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band to RCA. He gave his college buddy Bruce Lundvall (who revived Blue Note for EMI) his first music business job.
And he put Cassius Clay together with Streisand's arranger to recite poetry, which requires a certain level of mad inspiration, and I humbly bow in tribute. Some records that exist because of him: http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c18/dograweb/clay_cassiu_iamthegre_101b.jpg http://www.discomusic.com/images/cds/drbuzzard-lp-01.jpg http://www.oldies.com/i/boxart/large/45/886972458526.jpg
― dad a, Tuesday, 29 July 2008 14:42 (seventeen years ago)
Yeah, I saw this last night on the Times site and just forwarded it to a friend. Wild career; I'm tipping my hat. Rest in peace.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Tuesday, 29 July 2008 14:54 (seventeen years ago)
that bottles knives & steel comp is awesome, as is Streisand. job well done Mike B.!
― J0hn D., Tuesday, 29 July 2008 15:45 (seventeen years ago)
In 1969 he produced the Steve Baron Quartet's folk/blues/jazz/psych record The Mother Of Us All. Pete Townshend raves on the liner notes. Have any of you heard it?
― dad a, Tuesday, 29 July 2008 15:57 (seventeen years ago)