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Saturday, May 9, 2020

Dear Lonely Hearts - Nat King Cole

Who's Next In Line?
Dear Lonely Hearts
Nat King Cole
Music Conducted by Belford Hendricks
Produced by Lee Gillette
Cover Photo: Capitol Photo Studio / Ken Veeder
Capitol Records ST 1838
1962

Dear Lonely Hearts
Miss You
Why Should I Cry Over You
Near You
Yearning
My First And Only Lover
All Over The World
Oh, How I Miss You Tonight
Lonesome And Sorry
All By Myself
Who's Next In Line?
It's A Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around)

Moanin' Low - Lena Horne

It's A Rainy Day
Moanin' Low
Lena Horne
Tops Masterpieces
L931
Tops Music Enterprises Corp.

10 inch - 33 1/3 RPM LP

Beale Street Blues
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Blue Prelude
Hesitating Blues
It's A Rainy Day

Friday, May 8, 2020

Natural Man - Lou Rawls

Oh, What A Beautiful Day
Natural Man
Lou Rawls
Produced by Michael Lloyd
Arranged by Reggie Powell
Engineered by Ed Greene
Remix by Ed Greene, Jack Hunt and Michael Lloyd
Album Design: Dyer / Bruhwiler
Photography: William R. Eastbrook
MGM Record Corp.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
MGM Records SE-4771
1971

A Natural Man
Everywhere I Go
I'm A King Bee
Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'
Got To Get You Into My Life
You Can't Hold On
When I Fall In Love
How Thoughtless I've Become
Till Love Touches Your Life
Got A Lotta Love

Children's Holiday - The McGuire Sisters

A Haunting We Will Go
Children's Holiday
A Two-Act Young Musical by Ruth Roberts & Bill Katz
The McGuire Sisters
Vocal Trio with Narration and Orchestra Direction by Dick Jacobs
Designed by Michael Brent Publications, Inc.
Vocalion VL 3685
A Product of Decca Records
A Division of MCA Inc.

Children's Holiday
Happy New Year
Won't You Be My Valentine
April, April Fool
Billy Bunny
Mommy
On America
The Fourth Of July Parade
The Nina, The Pinta, The Santa Maria
A Haunting We Will Go
Thank You Day
The Cactus Christmas Tree

Thursday, May 7, 2020

The Living Constitution Of The United States

The Living Constitution Of The United States
Original Music Composed by Robert Armbruster
Introducing America's great new patriotic tune: "We, The People"
Narrator: Marvin Miller
Voice of the Constitution: John McIntire
Northerner: David Bruce
Easterner: Edgar Barrier
Southerner: Robert Johnson
Westerner: William Conrad
Women: Virginia Gregg and Jeanette Nolan
Produced by Stacy Keach and Dana Tasker
Technical Consultant: Arvo Van Alstyne - Professor of Constitutional Law, U.C.L.A. Law School
Kaydon Records KR -1001

Dream A Little Dream Of Me - The Mills Brothers

Till Then
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
The Mills Brothers
By Arrangement with Dot Records
Pickwick/33 STEREO SPC-3137
A Product of Pickwick International, Inc.
Manufactured by Keel Mfg. Corp.
1968

Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Sometimes I'm Happy
You're Driving Me Crazy
Poor Butterfly
Trade Winds
I Can't Stop Loving You
There's A Gold Mine In The Sky
Till Then
You Always Hurt The One You Love

Nurses Song With Elephants - David Bedford

Sad And Lonely Faces
David Bedford
Nurses Song With Elephants
Produced by David Bedford
Cover by Adrian Boot with thanks to Chesley Bonestell for the front cover picture
Recorded at the Marquee Studios
Dandelion Records
IMP 1008
Manufactured by Import Records, Inc.
Distributed by Jem Records, Inc.
1972

Many thanks for assistance to: John Peel, Clive Selwood, George, Sue, Sarah, Emily, Tammy, Chloe and the little man in the soiled, lemon colored suit.

It's Easier Than It Looks
Nurses Song With Elephants
Some Bright Stars For Queen's College
Trona
Sad And Lonely Faces

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

A String Of Hits - The Golden Gate Strings

Walk On By
A String Of Hits
The Golden Gate Strings
Produced by Bob Morgan and Manny Kellem
Cover Photo: Erwin Goldstein
1965

From Billboard - September 8, 1965: Proved successful with their initial album of "The Bob Dylan Songbook," the shimmering strings create lush treatments of recent popular hits. The Supremes' "Baby Love," Nancy Wilson's "How Glad I Am" and Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely" lend themselves beautifully to these full orchestrations. A programming and sales winner.

16 Candles
Baby Love
(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am
(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco
Let Me Go, Lover!
Walk On By
Cry
Se Piangi, Se Ridi
Where Did Our Love Go
Mr. Lonely
My Special Angel
Maria Elena

The Band With That Sound - Les Elgart

The Man I Love
The Band With That Sound
Les Elgart
Columbia STEREO CS 8245
1960

Cheerful Little Earful
If I Had My Way
Do You Ever Think Of Me
The Man I Love
Blue Moon
You Are My Sunshine
Begin The Beguine
Somebody Else Is Taking My Place
Volga Boatman
Juggin' Along
West
Yesterdays

Gettin' It Together - Jamey Aebersold

No. 28 - Half-Diminished
Gettin' It Together
Volume 21
A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation
Produced by Jamey Aebersold
Recording Engineer: Steve Good
Cover Design: Pete Gearhart
A Product of Ja Records JA 1231 STEREO
2-Record Set
1979

Personnel:
Jamey Aebesold: Piano
Steve Rodby: Bass
Mike Hyman & John Clay: Drums

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Gentle Is My Love - Nancy Wilson

Gentle Is My Love
Gentle Is My Love
Nancy Wilson
Lush, Tender Love Songs Arranged and Conducted by Sid Feller
Produced by David Cavanaugh
Capitol Records T 2351
1965

From Billboard - August 7, 1965: This album is destined for the top of the charts. Miss Wilson's interpretations are distinctive and packed with emotion. Sid Feller's arrangements provide a lush backdrop, creatively effective and never intruding upon the stylist's performance. Standouts include "If Ever I Would Leave You," "When He Make Music" and "My One And Only Love."

Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
There Will Never Be Another You
If Love Is Good To Me
My One And Only Love
Funnier Than Funny
More
Gentle Is My Love
At Long Last Love
Time After Time
If Ever I Would Leave You
When He Makes Music

The Movie Album - Ramsey Lewis

Goin' Hollywood
The Movie Album
Starring Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Lewis: Piano
Cleveland Eaton: Bass
Maurice White: Drums
With The Trio Augmented By Stings, Woodwinds, Horns & Voices
Orchestra and Voices under the direction of Richard Evans
Arranged by Richard Evans
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, in July 1966
Engineer: Bob Kidder
Cover Photo: Don S. Bronstein
Album Design: Michael Reid Design
Liner Photos taken at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, in December, 1966
Album Production & Supervision: Esmond Edwards
Cadet Records MONO LP 782

From Billboard - June 17, 1967: Even with a big band backing, the Ramsey Lewis Trio has an intimate sound. Selections are mostly film themes, although there's "Matchmaker" from "Fiddler." Lewis' work on piano is aces all the way. It's an imaginative album which should satisfy both jazz buffs and the easy listening set.

Theme From "The Pawnbroker"
Saturday Night After The Movies
The Gentle Rain
China Gate
Emily
Goin' Hollywood
From Russia With Love
The Shadow Of Your Smile
Girl Talk
Matchmaker
Return To Paradise

A Delicate Mood - Marian McPartland

A Delicate Balance
A Delicate Balance
Marian McPartland
Marian McPartland plays Grand Piano and Electronic Piano by Wurlitzer
Jay Leonhart - Bass
Jimmy Madison - Drums
Cover Design: Studio Seven
Front Cover Photo: Robert E. Smith
Liner Photo: Jack Anderson
Halcyon Records #105
1972

From the back cover: Jimmy Madison and Jay Leonhart have worked with me many times, but this is the first recording session for the three of us. Jimmy and Jay are both fine musicians and very special people. They are inventive, they have sensitivity and humor and they love to play. Alec Wilder has a word regarding their unusual qualities. He has heard us play together in clubs and in concert, and he says, "Their spectrum is much broader and more subtle that that of most players of their particular instruments. For although they are accompanying Marian, they play with the musical stature and responsibility of soloists. I don't mean that they tend to 'take over', but that their unique musical viewpoint brings an element of strong intensity to the music."

I started using the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano in 1958 at the Hickory House, and I had such fun playing it, that I decided to include it in a recording I was making at the time. Since then, I have used the Electronic Piano consistently. I enjoy it particularly on quiet pieces, like "A Delicate Balance," to add a different color. It is like having another solo instrument; sometimes I play the melody line on it, while accompanying myself with my left hand on the regular piano.

We chose a variety of tunes for this album. Standards, contemporary songs, a beautiful waltz, written for me by Alec Wilder, and a swinging blues by bassist Jon Burr. I included three of my own pieces and we have combined the various mood and feeling these songs represent to us. – Marian McPartland.


From Billboard - June 17, 1972: For a quiet evening of listening pleasure, Marian McPartland proves in this LP that the would be difficult to beat. Her rendition of "El Condor Pasa" is sensitive, yet she manages to extrapolate with fervor. Other tunes include "God Bless The Child" and the title tune "A Delicate Balance."

A Delicate Balance
Melancholy Mood
More
Freedom Jazz Dance
Solace
El Condor Pasa
Jazz Walt For A Friend
Something
Britannia Blues
God Bless The Child

Predominant Percussion - Percussion All Stars

Song Of India
Predominant Percussion
Percussion All Stars
Crown Records CST 216
1961

Crown produced several package and disk variations of this stereo release.

La Cumparsita
Hawaiian War Chant
Song Of India
Adios Muchachos
Londonberry Air
El Chocclo
Percussion In Paradise
Dark Eyes
Aloha Oe
Percussion For Timpanis

A Tribute To Dancers - Vol. I & II

Alabama Blues (Vol. I)

Cumana - Baiao Bongo - Buenos Aires - In Yucatan (Vol. II) 
A Tribute To Dancers
Volume I
Hans Conzelmann - Barnabas von Geczy and Their Orchestra
Horst Wende and His Ensemble
Max Greger and His Band
Alfred Hause and His Orchestra
Helmut Zacharias and His "Magic" Violins
Alfons Bauer, Zither
Printed in Germany
Polydor LPHM 46 004 Hi-Fi

Abends in der Taverne, Foxtrot
Schoner Gigolo, armer Gigolo
Baiso Cacula
Das sind die Nachte von Rio
Alabama Blues
Ich werde jede Nacht von Ihnen träumen, Foxtrot
Tango Reni
Tango Mallorca
Der Bouncelander, Foxtrot
Holzhacker Dixie, Foxtrot

A Tribute To Dancers
Volume II
The Kolibris
Valentinos Hawaiian Band
Cedric Dumont
Barnabas von Geczy and their Orchestra
Werner Muller
Max Greger
Erich Borschel
Cedric Dumont and their Orchestras
Printed in Germany
Polydor LPHM 46 005 Hi-Fi

Anna Baiao - Auf Jamaica - Tampico - O Mambo
Cumana - Baiao Bongo - Buenos Aires - In Yucatan
Wo die Südsee rauscht - Nanni hat Heimweh - Vaya Con Dios
Fahr mich in die Welt - Jim, Johnny and Jonas
Swiss Boy, Polka-Foxtrot
Finken-Swing, Foxtrot
Blende auf! Revue - Foxtrot
The High And The Mighty, Blues
Kautschuk, Rumba
Rumba Tambah
Schlaf ein, mein Blondengelein, Tango
Gitarren - Serenade, Tango

Broadway's Best - Jo Stafford

They Say It's Wonderful 
Jo Stafford Sings Broadway's Best
With Paul Weston and His Orchestra
Columbia CL 584
1954

From Billboard - September 11, 1954: Originally issued as a 10-inch album, this collection of standard folk tunes (now with four additional selections and on 12-inch) should attract many customers seeking smooth and musicianly readings of tunes which never sound shop-worn. Miss Stafford, of course, is excellent. And the material is well-chosen to satisfy the multitude.

Come Rain Or Come Shine
They Say It's Wonderful
My Romance
Dancing In The Dark
Spring Is Here
I'm Your Girl
Embraceable You
September Song
Something To Remember You By
All The Things You Are
Make The Man Love Me
Night And Day

Everything's Coming Up Music - Art Van Damme

Grant Avenue
Everything's Coming Up Music
The Art Van Damme Quintet
Columbia CL 1382

From the back cover: Art Van Damme, who has been playing the accordion since he as nine, and is continuously named the nation's top artist on that instrument by jazz polls, started out with Ben Bernie's Orchestra, then formed a trio, added drums later and in 1945 set up the present instrumentation of accordion, bass, vibes, drums and guitar, played by Art, Lou Skalinder, Chuck Calzaretta, Max Mariash and Fred Rondquist respectively.

From Billboard - November 2, 1959 (Columbia CS 8177 review): The Art Van Damme Quintet has been one if not the best of the small jazz-pop groups for years, and on this new album they come thur solidly again. They handle a group of standards in their own bright, happy style that makes for solid listening. Tunes include "You Do Something To Me," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "When Your Lover Has Gone." This set should have steady sales.

You Do Something To Me
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Isn't It Romantic
When I Fall In Love
Grant Avenue
Ev'rything I've Got
When Your Lover Has Gone
Rosetta
April In Paris
Dearly Beloved
Small World
More Brothers

Monday, May 4, 2020

Fancy Meeting You Here - Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney

You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
Fancy Meeting You Here
Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney
With Billy May and His Orchestra
Arranged and Conducted by Billy May
Album based on an idea by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen
Photo: Garrett - Howard
Produced by Simon Rady
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, July 1958
Recording Engineer: "Bone" Howe
RCA Victor LPM-1854

From Billboard - December 22, 1958: Smart, swingy duo work by Crosby and La Clooney on a group of durable standards with travel - "Hindustand," "On A Slow Boat To China," etc. The package was Billboard Spotlight in its monaural version and the stereo (effective sound-wise) album should also do well.

Fancy Meeting You Here
On A Slow Boat To China
I Can't Get Started
Hindustantd
It Happened In Monterey
You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
Love Won't Let You Get Away
How About You
Brazil
Isle Of Capri
Say "Si Si" (Para vigo me voy)
Calcutta
Love Won't Let You Get Away

Ravel L'Enfant et les Sortilèges

Ravel L'Enfant et les Sortilèges
Fantaisie Lyrique en Deux Parties
par Colette musique de Maurice Ravel
English Translation by Katharine Wolff
Conducted by Ernest Ansermet
London LL 1180
In Arrangement with Elkan-Vogel Inc.
1956

Oversized box constructed to accommodate a wooden dowel rod which is glue to the inside of the bottom box around which the booklet featuring the Opera lyrics and record sleeve is bound.

Cast

The Child: Flore Wend (Mezzo - Soprano)
The Mother / The China Cup: Marie Lise De Montmollin (Mezzo - Soprano)
The Shepherdess / The She - Cat: Genevieve Touraine (Soprano)
The Bat / The Fire - Adrienne Migliette (Coloratura Soprano)
The Princess / The Squirrel: Suzanne Danco (Soprano)
The Owl / A Shepherd: Juliette Bise (Contralto)
A Shepherdess: Gisele Bobillier (Soprano)
The Wedgwood Teapot / The Green Frog / The Little Old Man: Luges Cuendo (Tenor)
The Grandfather Clock / The Tom-Cat: Pierre Mollet (Baritone)
The Armchair / A Tree: Lucien Lovano (Bass)

The Bench, The Sofa, The Pouffe, The Chair, Figures, Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Frogs, Animals and Trees sung by Members of The Motet Choir Of Geneva.

From the back of the front lid: Ravel's score employs a large orchestra: triple woodwind, plus an E flat clarinet, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones and tuba, fifteen percussion instruments including celesta and pianoforte, harp and strings. But the magnificent opulence with which he formerly used such forces in, for example, Daphnis et Chloe gives way in Ravel L'Efant et les Sortilèges to an almost chamber-orchestral refinement which omits every unnecessary note of colour. In this it is closely allied to the aesthetic of works like the 'Cello Sonata (1920 - 22) and the Chansons Madecasses (1925 - 26)

Al-Di-La And Other Extra Special Songs For Young Lovers - Ray Charles Singers

The Girl From Ipanema
Ak-Di-La And Other Extra Special Songs For Young Lovers
The Ray Charles Singers
Originated and Produced by Enoch Light
Associate Producers: Julie Klages and Robert Byrne
Art Direction: Charles E. Murphy
Recording Chief: Fred Christie
Mastering: George Piros (Stereo) & John Johnson (Monaural)
Command Records RS870SD
Grand Awards Record Co.
1964

Ai-Di-La
The Girl From Ipanema
Do You Want To Know A Secret
Real Live Girl (from "Little Me")
The Friendliest Thing (from "What Makes Sammy Run")
Satin Doll
Call Me Irresponsible (from "Papa's Delicate Condition")
Till The End Of Time
Something Extra Special
Johann Sebastian Bach
You Are Never Far Away From Me

On A Magic Carpet Ride - The Three Suns

Blue Tango
The Three Suns On A Magic Carpet Ride
Produced by Nevins - Kirshner Associates
Arrangements: Charles Albertine
Cover Design: Jonathan Logan / Luggage by Oshkosh
Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio A, New York City
Recording Engineer: Ernest Oelrich
RCA Victor LSP-2235
1960

From Billboard - August 8, 1960: Listenable, danceable arrangements by the organ-accordion-guitar combo of the Suns of songs with a geographical touch to the title. Examples would be "Lisbon Antiqua," "The Poor People Of Paris," and "Third Man Theme." Very pleasant stuff, nicely recorded.

Canadian Sunset
Lisbon Antiqua
Terry Theme
High Noon
Moritat
The Poor People Of Paris
Blue Tango
Meet Mr. Callaghan
The Song From Moulin Rouge
Ruby
The 3rd Man Theme
Fleur de Paree

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Wandering Gypsies - Mischa Michaeloff

Chachak
Wandering Gypsies
Mischa Michaeloff and His Symphonic Gypsies
RCA Victor LPM-1381
1957

From the back cover: Immediately after the release of Mischa Michaeloff's first American album, Strictly From Hungry, RCA Victor was swamped with inquiries about when the next one would be available. It just so happened that plans were formulated long before that to follow up as soon as possible with another collection of gypsy tunes, played as only they could be by Mischa Michaeloff and his Symphonic Gypsies.

Though no wandering gypsy himself, Mischa Michaeloff has for many years been wrapped up in the business of both composing and conducting the music of the roamers. The son of a famous military bandmaster from old Imperial Russia, Mischa Michaeloff began his musical training in Berlin. Now a British national, Mischa Michaeloff's recordings have long been favorites in England and Germany. He and his "Symphonic Gypsies, some of whom are real gypsies and play "by ear" because they cannot read music, are well known as contributors to such BBC broadcasts as "An Evening in Budapest," "Gypsies, Play Your Serenade" and "Play Zigeuner."


From Billboard - April 20, 1957: This package is a good one of its kind, but of course, faces heavy competition within its category. The blue seltzer set has been heavily bombarded with these throbbing melodies, but perhaps the emotional message is such that some of the buyers will always go for a new disk. Mischa really pours on the schmaltz, and on a glossy surface yet. Material includes "Tango Viennoise," "Bessarabian Fold Songs," "Trepak Russe," etc.

Tango Viennoise
Caravanne Caucasienne
Valse Vagabond
Bessarabian Folk Songs
Chachak
La Poupee
Jewish Wedding
Tchubchik
Katuscha
Trepak Russe

Swingin' Stereo In Studio A - George Siravo

Lover
Swingin' Stereo In Studio A
George Siravo and His Orchestra
Arranged and Conducted by George Siravo
Produced by Herman Diaz, Jr.
Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio A, September 4 and 26 and October 14, 1958
Recording Engineers: Bob Simpson and Ray Hall
RCA Victor LSP-1970
1959

From Billboard - July 13, 1959: A group of fine standards in swing arrangements of the first rank. The stereo version is a dual-channel tour de force, with solo instruments standing out in strong relief. But arranger-conductor Siravo is the hero on this one with his treatment of ever-greens like "Old Black Magic," "Let's Do It," and "Blue Moon."

That Old Black Magic
Tangerine
The Moon Is Low
Two Sleepy People
Blue Moon
Ragtime Mambo
Let's Do It
It's Easy To Remember
Symphony Rock
To Each His Own
Easy Goin'

Hammond For Dancing - Don Baker

Taboo
Hammond For Dancing
The Don Baker Trio
Produced by Bill Miller
Capitol Records ST1357
1960

From the back cover: The Don Baker Trio has enjoyed many successful years of playing the kind of music people love to dance and listen to in the famous clubs along the Las Vegas strip. And much of that success and popularity is due to their special knack of injecting tasteful touches of warmth and humor into their music. It's fun to listen to and usually a little bit different.

I Won't Dance
Dansero
Moritat
Jungle Drums
When Day Is Done
Frasquita Serenade
I Could Have Danced All Night
Carnisos
The Old Refrain
Cherokee
Taboo
Mule Train

The Best Of Cole Porter & Jerome Kern

I Love Paris
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
The Best of Cole Porter & Jerome Kern
Masterpiece Records Inc. CG-105
A Pickwick Company

Porter Side

I Love Paris
In The Still Of The Night
Begin The Beguine
I've Got You Under My Skin
Night And Day

Kern Side

The Last Time I Saw Paris
Ol' Man River
Smoke Gets In My Eyes
Look For The Sliver Lining
Dearly Beloved