by Greg AdamsWith liner notes in the form of a fake market research memo by Ray Conniff on the subject of "why my albums are so popular with all record buying age groups," The Happy Beat proceeds to offer something for everyone, from show tunes to pop standards to rock & roll. The rock aspect is a little muffled since "Blueberry Hill," although associated with Fats Domino, is actually an old chestnut, and the Chordettes' 1961 hit "Never on Sunday" is a classically "pop" soundtrack song. But The Happy Beat is a typical snapshot of rush hour at the Conniff crosswalk, where all styles and nationalities of music merge into one glad, thoroughly assimilated crowd. It might be hard to imagine how such diverse fare as "Volare," "Yellow Rose" (aka "Yellow Rose of Texas"), and Johnny Ray's "Cry" could be blended to such a creamy consistency, but Conniff's distinct sound could accommodate practically anything.