Juno Album Discography
Juno
Records was an independent label established in New York City in 1969. Juno released four albums and
about 15 singles. Almost all the singles and albums on the label were issued in the 1969-70 period,
except for the album Swedish Fly Girls, which was released in 1972 in conjunction with the movie
release, although it was recorded in 1969. Juno Records did their own distribution, except for the first
album which was distributed by Glenn Productions and Promotions.
The label was run by Ettore Stratta (orchestra leader, producer, songwriter) and Robert Colby (producer, lyricist), two music industry veterans with a lot of credits. They were involved with production for all four albums issued on the label. Given their backgrounds in classical and film music, it was not unexpected that the music on the label leaned toward the "highbrow."
Ettore Stratta (born Cuneo, Italy) studied piano and composition in Rome, and augmented those studies with additional work in New York and Brazil. He has numerous classical recordings to his credit, and has conducted orchestras for well-known artists such as Placido Domingo, Barbra Streisand, Maureen McGovern, Al Jarreau, Tom Scott, Yo-Yo Ma, and others.
Robert Colby was educated at the University of Mississippi and the Juilliard School. He wrote songs recorded by Barbra Streisand ("Free Again"), Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Teresa Brewer ("Jilted"), Steve & Eydie, and others. He produced Paul Mauriat's mega-hit "Love Is Blue" in 1968 and hits for Phil Collins. He was also into composing music and producing for theater, including Broadway. Colby died in March, 1987.
The first album released on the label was by Judy Garland, an edited version of one of her last concerts, recorded in January, 1969, during a five-week gig at the Talk of the Town in London. The tapes were supplied by her husband, Mickey Deans, whom she married in March, 1969. She died a mere three months later, on June 22, 1969, at the age of 47.
The second album was by Doc Severinsen, longtime bandleader for the Tonight Show. The third album was by a light orchestral studio group called the Night Visitors (a name from a Menotti Christmas opera). The fourth, a soundtrack for the film Christa/Swedish Fly Girls, was recorded in 1969 but released with the movie in 1972. By that time, the record label was moribund.
The singles released on the label began with Bob McGrath & the Japanese Children's Chorus' "Love Is Blue"/"A Christmas Lullaby" [Juno 5001], released in late 1969 (the single was re-issued in late 1970 on Juno 5009). McGrath, of course, was most famous in connection with Sesame Street. The Night Visitors had several singles on the label, including "Marry Me! Marry Me!" [Juno 5004], "Paddy"/"Why Anna?" [Juno 5007, 6/70], and "It Never Was Love"/"The Leaves Came Tumbling Down" [Juno 5008], all released in 1970. Other singles from 1970 include "Theme from Z"/"Laughing and Crying Again" [Juno 5006] by Marcello Minerbi, "Back in the Sun"/"Back in the Sun (Inst.)" [Juno 5011] by Jupiter Sunset, "Jubilation!"/"The Things of Life" [Juno 5012] by Vladimir Cosma, "Things of Life" [Juno 5013] by Kathe Green, and "Lonely Season"/"Love Is Blue-I Can Sing A Rainbow" [Juno 5015] by Doc Severinsen.
