The album was recorded at the request of RCA Records who, as part of their negotiations with composer Richard Rodgers for theSound of Musicmovie soundtrack (also released in 1965), had promised to get artists on their roster to record songs from the musical. It was recorded in two sessions, one featuring Burton as part of a jazz sextet (as well as playing "Edelweiss" solo), and the other with a small orchestra arranged and conducted byGary McFarland.[2]
Burton would later profess disappointments with the album, particularly with McFarland's uncharacteristically "conventional and uninspiring" arrangements.[3] He was also embarrassed by the title and cover art that RCA chose for the project; after complaining to the company executiveSteve Sholes and threatening to leave the label, he was promised that he would henceforth be allowed more input in such matters.[2]
TheAllmusic review by Ken Dryden stated: "Aside from 'My Favorite Things', jazz musicians haven't been particularly drawn to songs fromThe Sound of Music, so theGroovy Sound of Music songbook by Gary Burton is quite a treat".[4]
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