Herb Alpert's Music Should Be in Every Collection

Alpert has crammed 2 lifetimes into one with his accomplishments

When you think of the greatest selling acts of the 1960's, artists like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra come immediately to mind.

Most people would be surprised that just those 3 artists sold more records during the decade of the 1960's than Herb Alpert did, a whopping 60 Million records sold!

Since I discovered The Tijuana Brass digging for vinyl records in the thrift stores, the Tijuana Brass have become one of my guilty pleasures, a solid instrumental group that keeps it upbeat and on the lighter side.

The arrangements are always clean and professional with expert playing.

Herb as a trumpet player is underrated with a very clean and recognizable tone. I appreciate the reworkings of standards of the day, most covers of classics are tastefully done.

Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass' sound is a bit dated, but that's one of the reason for listening in the first place

This Guy's in Love With You (#1 Vocal hit)

"RISE" #1 Instrumental Hit from 1979

In October of 1979 Herb Alpert did something that has never been equaled in Pop Music History; His self titled single for the album Rise went to #1 on the Billboard singles charts.

"Rise" was an Instrumental; In 1968 Herb went to #1 with the Burt Bacharach and Hal David written tune "This Guy's in Love With You".

Herb Alpert is the the only artist to go to #1 with a vocal and an instrumental piece.

"This Guy's in Love With You", was also the first #1 hit for Alpert and Jerry Moss' A&M Record label.

The song was first sung on an ABC Television Special with Herb singing the song to his first wife Sharon (Alpert is now married to Singer Lani Hall) The viewership response was so powerful, Alpert decided to release it as a single.

It was then included on the LP The Beat of the Brass, Alpert readily admits he is not a singer, and feels very self conscious about singing the song. In my opinion, this is what gives the song its charm.

Alpert comes across as an authentic regular guy, singing to the one he loves without any hint of put on. "This Guy's in Love With You" stayed at #1 for an astounding 10 weeks on the Easy listening chart, and 4 weeks at #1 on the Top 100 chart.

When you consider how Herb Alpert was already a household name, with several #1 albums under his belt, and had up till that point sold over 50 million records worldwide, this must have pushed Herb into the stratosphere popularity speaking.

Ironically enough, this chart success was a sort of last ride for the Tijuana Brass, as Herb would never again be at the top of the mountain again like this as a recording artist.

With the 60's counter culture, and a new breed of popular music completely taking hold, Herb's positive happy good time music just ran out of steam.

Herb Alpert's Ninth: His Best Album?

Herb Alpert's Ninth is an album released in 1967, It was the last album Alpert released in both mono and stereo.

No doubt if you have heard anything about Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, It will be be the album, "Whipped Cream and Other Delights" and not this album.

After listening to his entire discography, I have decided that Herb Alpert's Ninth is his best fully realized album for my tastes. Though it's not a landslide, with Going Places and Whipped Cream and Other Delights not being at all lesser albums, I just happen to really like "Bud", "Cowboys and Indians, and "The Trolly Song".

My favorite Alpert tune "Bud" is on Ninth, so it edges out those other 2 very good albums slightly. In fact I don't think Herb Alpert ever released a bad album in the 1960's, They all have a similar feel and I am not ashamed to admit it, I like it, it's feel good music.

Alpert's music does have the ability to lift your spirits, and there is nothing wrong with that. The arrangements are little more Jazzy on Ninth as well, which I suppose heightens the credibility of the music for me.

"Bud" is a gorgeous tune, the sparse guitar and the unison horns, with Julius Wechter's Marimba adding to the melancholy nature of the song.

"A Banda" is also a great little shuffle tune, with vibrant upbeat trumpet. He and The Brass never made a better fully realized album than Herb Alpert's Ninth.

Going Places: With "Tijuana Taxi" and "Spanish Flea"

Going Places is an album from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass that has the distinction of knocking The Beatles Rubber Soul out of the #1 spot on the top 100 chart in march of 1966.

Coincidentally, "Rubber Soul" knocked Alpert's Whipped Cream and other Delights out of the top spot. Going Places stayed at #1 for 6 weeks, eventually being knocked out of the #1 spot itself by Ssgt. Barry Sadler's Ballad of the Green Beret.

Alpert, who had just released Whipped Cream and other Delights 6 months earlier was on a real winning streak, with Whipped Cream selling 6 Million copies and Going Places almost as much.

Going Places featured several tunes that were used as TV theme songs, or incidental music on various game shows as well.

"Spanish Flea" was used as the theme song for the Dating Game, and "Tijuana Taxi" was used for an Oscar winning animated short, and "A Walk in the Black Forrest" was used in a television commercial for super market chain Piggly Wiggly.

"Tijuana Taxi" features a bicycle horn effect that is more exaggerated on the released single. The entire album is very good, with up lifting happy tunes. and a few romantic style numbers like "Mae" and "Felicia".

Whipped Cream and Other Delights

Whipped Cream and Other Delights is a classic of the 1960's, complete with the controversial and racy album cover. The cover, very racy by mid 60's standards has become one of the most recognized covers in music history.

A pair of tunes from the album were used on the TV show The Dating Game, "Whipped Cream" and "Lollipops and Roses" respectively, then "Bittersweet Samba" was used on the radio show All Night Nippon.

I have really grown to respect Herb Alpert more and more as I have learned more about him, and how at nearly 80 years of age he is still releasing great music with his wife singer Lani Hall. Herb Alpert is not only a great musician, his a national treasure.

Herb and his wife Lani Hall discussing their careers

*All photos are LP covers from my own collection*

What Are Herb Alpert Vintage Vinyl Records Worth?

Herb Alpert records do have value? Have you ever sifted through the vintage vinyl record bins?

 If you have, I bet you've noticed more than few of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass records in those bins.

 I used to think this glut of Alpert was due to perhaps his music going out of style, or frankly people just didn't want the records anymore.

 This line of thinking could be true of course, but when you realize how many records Alpert sold in the 60's, over 60 Million platters.

 Only The Beetles, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra sold more than Herb during the decade, you quickly realize this guy was mega popular.

 Now when it comes to the re-sale value of his records, this popularity is a double edge sword, yes Alpert's music was and is very popular, but a lot of his vinyl slabs are out there.

 The demand is there, but so is the supply, so this has driven the cost way down on most of the vintage vinyl. This is good news if you're a buyer, but not so much if you are selling them. So, what are the best Herb Alpert albums to sell?

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: Whipped Cream and Other Delights

This Record features one of the most recognizable album covers in pop music history, which adds an extra appeal as cover art to be displayed in an office or man cave.

The music as it happens, is quite good, and features a myriad of re-worked pop tunes of the day. I've personally sold probably 100 copies of Whipped cream over the years, and I don't think I've ever received less than $7.99 for it.

 These were strong VG+ Copies, not mint, but displayable and playable.

Fact is, you won't get rich selling these. If you find them for a dollar a piece in a local thrift store, you'll be able to turn a profit, assuming its a clean lightly used copy.

More than a few times I've scored over 10 bucks for one of these. And have sold many of them as cover only. You might also try selling them as a multi record lot.

 People are looking for bargains, but if you can find them cheap enough you can still turn a profit. If you're looking for your own collection, you will probably be able to get a nice size lot for under 25 dollars. Perhaps all of his 60's and 70's music at once.

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: Going Places

This Record Going Places features classic to-be-on-TV jingles like "Tijuana Taxi" and "Spanish Flea" and also a very colorful 60's style cover.

This record can easily bring you 5-7 dollars if it is a 60's A&M copy. Both Mono and Stereo sell well for this and Whipped Cream.

 While I have vinyl copies of all of Herb's Music, I have become so fond of it, I went out and purchased the CD remasters as well, and enjoy the music on my iPod as I write this article.

 Fact is, I have found no other music like this to lift my spirits when I'm down. Yes it is bubbly and cheerful, and perhaps too much so for many, but when I need a pick me up it does the trick.

Value of All the Rest of Herb Alpert's Vinyl?

Honestly, when considering the possible re-sale of the rest of the Alpert vintage vinyl catalog, it has been my experience you're dealing with 3 or 4 dollars a record.

As mentioned, these were highly popular records, and were bought in droves. My personal favorite Alpert album is Herb Alpert's Ninth, his last classic album until 1979's Rise. All the albums are very good and have their own unique appeal.

The Lonely Bull with its traditional Mexican sound, as well as Vol.2. Each album after the debut, seems to get a little further away from that Mexican sound, and heads closer to the original pop sound that is fully his own, and sold 72 Million albums worth of.

 In the 70's Herb began to merge funkier R&B elements into the music, along with Caribbean island sounds. These are all very good, and are actually a little harder to find, but the demand isn't there, so you are still dealing with similar prices, 3 or 4 bucks a record.

 If you're lucky enough to find any Alpert record still sealed, you could ask 3 or 4 times the normal amount. But oddly enough, most of the time I've had sealed copies, they never seem to bring more than a few dollars more. Below please enjoy my favorite Herb Alpert track.

Is it Worth Your Time Digging For These Records?

Well yes it's worth the time, for the music alone! I bet you could get the entire catalog in a matter of months just searching the local Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores in your area.

Just be sure to grade under bright light and stay away from deep needle scratches, thin whispy marks should be OK, if not too plentiful.

You could make a little bit of a monetary profit off of these, but what I personally gained taking a chance on these records some 10 years ago.

 I've enjoyed many hours of enjoyment from a very distinctive trumpeter and a band totally unique for the time period.

 Had I not spun that first copy of Whipped Cream, I might not have ever known just how vibrant and full of life the music actually is.

You can find most of this music CD remastered, streamed, or in vinyl form on Amazon.

Check it out for yourself.

 *All Photos Taken By the Author*