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Monday, October 14, 2024

Magnificence - Margie Meinert

 

Brazil

Magnificence 
Margie Meinert at The Wurlitzer Electronic Organ
Fraternity Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
F-1009

From the back cover: During your 12 years with us at Station WOC, AM-FM-TV, we have seen you rise from a girl to a woman, from a novice at the piano to an organ artist, until today you are recognized as an outstanding musical genius, traveling from coast to coast, border to border, entertaining many thousands, commingling with the great and near-great in your profession.

With all this glory and tribute paid you everywhere, you are still, and will always be, the sweet, kindly, and thoughtful girl as we knew you 12 years ago. Fame has not changed your modest or sweet self, nor has your rise from obscurity to earned fame unbalanced your humbleness, and it never will.

With gratitude, respect, and admiration for a life of service to better music and an inspiration to all musicians and for you many outstanding contributions to the advancement of harmony to the human race, we present this plaque with our unstinted blessings as you climb to greater glories, which you so richly deserve.

No greater tribute could we pay you than this.

Station WOC, AM-FM-TV, Pals and B. J. Palmer, President

Davenport, Iowa, 1957

That's A Plenty
Loch Lomond
Blue And Broken Hearted
Dancing Tambourine
St. Louis Blues
Sleepy Time Gal
Trolley Song
Johnson Rag
Dry Bones
Brazil
Nightingale 
My Buddy

Orchids To My Lady - Wayne King

 

You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To

Orchids To My Lady
Wayne King and His Orchestra
Decca Records DL 78876
1963

Trombone solos by Tommy Shepard
Piano solos by Ceasar Giovannini

You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
You Are Too Beautiful
You Stepped Out Of A Dream
All The Things You Are
A Pretty Little Girl Is Like A Melody
If There Is Someone Lovier Than You
A Beautiful Lady In Blue
Stay As Sweet As You Are
The Way You Look Tonight
The Touch Of Your Hand
Lovely To Look At
You Were Meant For Me

Meet The Jazztet - Art Farmer & Benny Golson

 

Mox Nix

Meet The Jazztet
Art Farmer & Benny Golson
Engineer: Tommy Nola
Production: Kay Norton
Supervision: Jack Tracy
Cover Photo taken at Nola Studios by Chuck Stewart
Design: Emmett McBain
Recorded February 6, 9, and 10, 1960 at Nola Studios, New York
Argo LP 664
1960

Art Farmer - Trumpet
Benny Golson - Tenor Saxophone
Curtis Fuller- Trombone
McCoy Tyner - Piano
Addiso Farmer - Bass
Lex Humphries - Drums

Narration on "Killer Joe" by Benny Golson

From the back cover: "This is a musical organization and we want it to sound like that, not like the usual jam session that goes under the name. The jam session can be a wonderful thing, but it's a hell of a thing to try and pull off every night!" That's the way Art Farmer thinks of the aims and ideas of The Jazztet.

"What we're actually trying to do is to get a loose sound the allows each man a chance to say what he has to say musically on his instrument, but still have uniformity and togetherness." That's the way it is for Benny Golson.

The Jazztet, in case you are meeting it for the first time is a musical organization that does not sound like the usual jam session, and in which each man has a chance to say what he has to say, but in which there is still uniformity and togetherness.

It consists of trumpeter Art Farmer, tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Addison Farmer, and drummer Lex Humphries. It was in existence only a few months when this LP was made, but it looks like it will be in business for a long, long time to come.

Farmer, born in Iowa in 1928, was raised in Arizona, went to L.A. in 1945, worked with Horace Henderson and others and joined Lionel Hampton in '52 and toured Europe with him. A Down Beat New Star trumpeter, he has recorded extensively under his own name and with Gerry Mulligan, with whom he played last year.

Benny Golson was born in Philadelphia in 1929, attended Howard university, worked with Tadd Dameron, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Hodges, and Earl Bostic. In 1956 he joined Dizzy Gillespie's big bands. He's one of the best known young composers in jazz with several jazz standards (Stablemates is one) already to his credit.

The genesis of The Jazztet goes back to the summer of 1959. "Art had in mind to organize a group and approached me," Golson says, "and I had in mind to get a group and approached him!"

Farmer and Golson are both careful planners and this is reflected in the group. Arrangements are mutually discussed and plotted, and all the rest of the minutia of organizing and routining a band is a community enterprise. In a night club each member of the front line is given a feature number, and it is interesting, in view of their concept of the group as a unit, that even on such tunes the other two men are busy now and again with little backgrounds and fills.

They have deliberately chosen a name that does not include the name of any of the men and they are willing to fight club owners and anyone else for the length of time necessary to put this name across. "Naturally I think the music itself is the important thing," Golson says. "If you're really producing the music, you can call the group anything!" But The Jazztet is what they have elected to call it and it will stick. You can mark it down in your book as one of the groups in jazz that will make it.

The Music

Serenata was a problem. "I had never heard it done in 6/8 and I decided I would try it," Golson says. "At first he couldn't get anything out of the tune," Art says, "until he thought of 6/8."

It Ain't Necessarily So "is a song I've always liked," Benny says. "And I tried to make it as loose as possible. The bridge is the only time we're playing complete ensemble."

Avalon, the old standard, is a tune the band picked by mutual consent. Again it's a Golson arrangement. They picked the tune because of the melody and then took the melody out! "We just started with the solos," Benny says. 

I Remember Clifford is a Golson original. Already a classic of jazz, it is dedicated to the late Clifford Brown. "When I play it," Art says, "I just try to think of what Clifford was to me. I wouldn't want to play like him on the tune because that wouldn't be my idea of him. I just try to say, 'Yes, I do remember Clifford and he was like this.' That's about all there is to it."

Blues March is another Golson original. "It speaks for itself," Benny says. "It's just reminiscent of the marching bands, the old New Orleans marching bands."

It's All Right With Me originated "when Curtis and I were working together, Golson says. "He used to play it all the time and I always thought he played it very well." Art Farmer adds "I think that's one of the classic trombone solos on record. We did two takes and Curits just went though the thing and never let up. On the first take he was playing so fast the rhythm section couldn't keep up with him. He's one of the most important men around on the horn."

Easy Living was the suggestion of the group's manager Kay Norton. "I had always thought of it as a vocal," Benny says. "But once I started playing it I began to like it." Art adds another point regarding this tune: "We want to show Benny's ballad ways."

Mox Nix is Art's tune. "I picked the expression up – it's a German expression, you know – from a girl in Brooklyn," says Farmer. "It means 'never mind, that's all right'."

Park Avenue Petite is another Golson original, one that Benny wrote back in 1954 and had forgotten about until Blue Mitchell asked for some material and Benny brought it out.

Killer Joe started this way. "I just sat down at the piano one day," says Benny, "and started messing away on the two chord progressions – I had about three or four different melodies – and I eliminated the others and decided to use the one I have now. As I was doing it, it made me think of one of these hip cats – standing on the corner."

 – Ralph J. Gleason, syndicated columnist whose column, The Rhythm Section appears in many newspapers

Serenata
It Ain't Necessarily So
Avalon
I Remember Clifford
Blues March
It's All Right With Me
Park Avenue
Mox Nix
Easy Living
Killer Joe

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

I'll Remember Jamaica With Archie Lewis

 

I'll Remember Jamaica

I'll Remember Jamaica With Archie Lewis
Producer: Ken Khouri
Engineer: Louis Davidson
Federal 213
1968

From the back cover: In the entertainment field all across the island, from East to West, in every Hotel along the North Shore, can be heard, 7 days a week, the melodious voice of Archie Lewis. We say melodious because to us and to the visitors to the island, long after the night has been spent, linger in the minds and hearts of all, the beauty of the ballads portrayed.

In this album Archie has selected many of his favorite Songs, such as Island In The Sun, Yellow Bird, Sing Me a Song Of The Island, Spanish Eyes, which he hopes will delight you!

Over the years Archie has made for himself and for all who have heard him, a numerous amount of friends – both local and foreign, who each time they come back to Jamaica look forward to seeing and hearing him and his voice is one of those that are never to be forgotten.

This Trouper who has been singing for years in such places as Germany, Holland, Belgium and France, sings in 5 different languages, but you'll love him even more when he thrills you with our own Jamaican Folk Songs. To remember him is easy – just play the record on your turntable and the memories of Jamaica and the hours with Archie will linger on and on.

Island In The Sun
Red Sails In The Sunset
Around The World
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Harbour Lights
Beautiful Dreamer
Yellow Bird
Spanish Eyes
Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?
Wonderful World
Sing Me A Song Of The Island

The Many Sides Of Abbe Lane

 

The Facts Of Life

The Many Sides Of Abbe Lane
Produced by Hal Mooney
Mercury Records SR 60930
1964

From the back cover: Certain truths are self-evident. Abbe Lane is sexy. Abbe Lane sings... are two examples. Other truths are not so self-evident. For instance, at the age of six Abbe Lane was a radio child star (The Children's Hour... she was six, remember?). Abbe played Broadway (George Abbott's production of Barefoot Boy With Cheek... she lied about her age). Later she kicked up her heels with Phil Silvers in High Button Shoes, then continued her early great white ways with Bonanza Bound and As The Girls Go. And one day, as the girls were going a famous bandleader was watching. And whom did he spy? Abbe. And what did he do? He signed her up on the spot, naturally. 

As featured vocalist with Xavier Cugat's internationally famous Latin rhythm band, Abbe said goodbye to Broadway, hello France... and England, and Italy, and South America. In fact, wherever the four winds blow, Abbe and the band blew, and bowed to enthusiastic applause. For three years, La Lane sang, sighed and slithered in front of Xavier's band. During that time, being only human, Cuggie did what any red-blooded Latin would do under similar circumstances: he fell in love and he and Abbe were married.

Actually, Abbe's castanets clicked so well with Cugat audiences everywhere that she became the band's undeniable main attraction. But the splendid showcase of the top touring Latin orchestra in the world can be as much of a limitation as an advantage. Especially for someone as able as our Abbe. For though Abbe Latinizes so well that she is often take for a South American (actually she was born in Manhattan, of German-Spanish descent), Abbe Lane is a lady with many sides to her talent.

Recorded here for your pleasure are The Many Sides Of Abbe Lane, spirited swinger, curvaceous caresser, expert interpreter of lyrics that show the many sides of love. To show just how versatile she is, Abbe applies her ingenuity to a variety of the best modern material, while Mercury applies the latest engineering and technical know-how to the situation. The results are clearly stated, not on the package, but in the package. And a lovely package it is. – Bill Petan

Some Of These Days
The Facts Of Life
More (Theme from Mondo Cane)
I Love Paris
Call Me Irresponsible 
Milford
I Believe In You (From "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying)
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Do Me Good Baby
As Long As He Needs Me (From The Musical Production "Oliver!")
If You Love Me, Really Love Me
Thank Heaven For Little Boys

Let's Polka - Al Tercek & Ray Champa

 

Tribute To Matt

Let's Polka
With The Orchestras of Al Tercek and Ray Champa
Piknik Records PLP 506
Manufactured by Fiesta Record Company, Inc. N.Y, N.Y.

Sweet Dreams Polka
Diamond Polka
Polka Swing
Castle Rock Polka
Glen Park Polka
Tribute To Matt
Manhattan Polka
Holiday Polka
Gaiety Polka
Sunset Waltz
Hickory Polka
Fritz'a Polka

The Monkey - Bobby Jay

 

Peter Gunn

Everybody's Doing It - Vol. 3
The Monkey
Bobby Jay and The Hawks
Produced by Joe Saraceno
Cover and Liner Photos - Ed Thrasher, taken at P.J.'s Hollywood, Calif.
Warner Bros. Records 1564

Monkey Time
Monkey Talk
Kick That Foot, Sally Ann
Monkey See Monkey Do
Monkey-Tella
Monkey Beach
Monkey All The Time
Loco-motion
Peter Gunn
What'd I Say
Comin' Home
Night Train



Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Music For Faith And Inner Calm - The Melachrino Strings

 

Song Of Paradise

Moods In Music
Music For Faith And Inner Calm
The Melachrino Strings
Conducted by George Melachrino
RCA Victor LPM 1004
1954

A Perfect Day
I'll Walk Beside You
Goin' Home
In A Monastery Garden
Chanson De Martin
Love's Old Sweet Song
Song Of Paradise
Whispering Hope
Abide With Me
Bless This House

Dance Along B'Way - Jack Hansen

 

The Friendliest Thing

Dance Along B'Way
Jack Hansen and His Orchestra
Arranged, Conducted and Produced by Jack Hansen
Design: Ted Miserendino
Recorded and Custom Pressed at RCA Victor
Dance Along Records DAL-1317

From the back cover: For more than two years, Jack has been devoting his time and efforts towards recording good dance music at the most danced-to tempos and insists on a varied dance program for all his albums – never less than 7 different dances and 12 on some albums! To this end he has worked closely with the U.S. Ballroom Council and, as a matter of fact, is Music Consultant on the Editorial Staff of the Ballroom Dance Magazine which features a monthly column from him. He has played the great Ballrooms across the country with such famous dance bands as Jan Savitt, Carmen Cavallaro, Charlie Barnet, Vaughn Monroe, Fred Waring – to name only a few. Since then he has produced records for various companies including London, Decca, Jubilee, Coral, etc. More recently, Jack and his orchestra have been playing a number of glittering society balls.

Before I Kiss The World Goodbye - "Jennie"
Here And Now - "The Girl Who Came To Supper"
What Kind Of Fool Am I? - "Stop The World I Want To Get Off"
Hello, Dolly - "Hello Dolly"
The Friendliest Thing - "What Makes Sammy Run?"
The Rain In Spain - "My Fair Lady"
Tonight - "West Side Story"
Everything Beautiful Happens At Night  - "110 In The Shade"
Love, Come Take Me Again - "Here's Love"
As Long As He Needs Me - "Oliver"
She Loves Me - "She Love Me"
I Believe In You - "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying"

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Maurice Chevalier & Paul Mauriat

 

Mimi

Maurice Chevalier & Paul Mauriat
Conductor: Raymond Lefevre
Pickwick/33 Stereo SPC-3161

Louise
Moi Avec Une Chanson
Un Clochard M'a Dit
Contre L'Amour Y'a Rien A Faire
Vous Ne Direz Pas Toujours Non
Mimi
Valentino
Momes De Mon Quarter
Le Chapeau De Zozo