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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Lucky Little Bird


Happy Sunrise
Lucky Little Bird
Country-Studio, Schmallenberg
198?

There is a Deutsche Mark price sticker on the cover. Some of the songs titles are in German and some in English. I don't know why.

I think I'm safe in stating that this album contains the most hellish recordings ever created in the history of everything. The music could be weaponized and used to drive terrorists insane (well... more insane).

It is so bad that I only had the nerve to listen one side at the lowest possible audio levels to keep myself from spontaneously combusting!

And look at that duck illustration... AWFUL

It's a wonder that America didn't break off the planet and float out into space when this LP was imported into the country!

Stan & Doug Yust Go Nuts At Christmas

Stan and Doug Yust Go Nuts At Christmas
Golden Crest Records
1970

A one "yoke" novelty set.

Christmas Goose (Snowbird)
All I Want For Christmas (Is My Upper Plate)
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
The Christmas Party
Yingle Bells, Yingle Bells (Jingle Bells)
Ragnar The Flat-Nosed Reindeer (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Uncle Sven Is Coming To Town (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)
I Just Go Nuts At Christmas
Where To Go, Where To Go, Where To Go (Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow)
Ho, Ho, Ho, Don't Ever Go
Christmas Medley
I Was Santa Clause At The Schoolhouse (For The PTA)
I've Had A Very Merry Christmas

Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits

Downtown

Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits
Produced by Lex De Azevedo
Cover Photo: Capitol Records - Ken Veeder
Capitol Records T 2494
1966

From the back cover: Several years ago, I had the pleasure of hearing one of the most interesting voices extant... one that brings to mind to tonal qualities of a Florence Foster Jenkins or a Mrs. B. J. Fangman.

The voice belongs to Mrs. Elva Miller, a charming lady who lives in the pretty little Hollywood suburb of Claremont, California, with her husband, Mr. Miller.

As a young girl, Elva was very interested in music and took vocal lessons for seven years. The impeccable diction found in her singing style is probably due, in part, to the fact that she has listened to opera recording very closely. As you recall, Mrs. Miller was one of the founders of the Foothill Drama and Choral Society... in which she served as executive secretary.

At the request of her family she stopped singing in public because of the strain of becoming too involved in public life... so in place of her many civic appearances, she took up recording... and for the last seven years, Mrs. Miller has been driving to Hollywood from Claremont to make recordings for her own pleasure. – Gary Owens - KMPC, Hollywood

Downtown
The Shadow Of Your Smile
A Hard Day's Night
Dear Heart
Chim Chim Cher-ee
These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
A Lover's Concerto
Let's Hang On
Catch A Falling Star
Gonna Be Like That
My Love

John Dote - A Hero From Zero

The Joke Is On You
John Dote
A Hero From Zero
American Artist Records - 198?

This is an amazing oddball record. First, John is still working. And during his career he has rubbed shoulders with a number of major stars including Michael Jackson. Apparently he helped Michael buy a Rolls for his Grandmother... who, in return for the favor, bitched about the color... so Michael and John drove the piece of crap gift back to the dealer to exchange it for a more appropriate color. Really... I'm not making this up.

And don't let the HORRENDOUS get up fool you. Dote was (is) a fan of Liberace and took wardrobe cues from him. In fact... it may be that one of the rings he is wearing on the album cover was given to him by Liberace.

Gotta love this guy.

Anyway... in addition to the great cover image and kick ass song... I found it interesting to note that NO WHERE on the LP is the song "Stakeout"... apparently the cover was printed and then the contents of the LP changed before the pressing (A recent comment suggests that Stakeout may have been John's band).

Also... Hero From Zero? Not the best title. In fact... why say that you were a ZERO at all? Why not title the LP: Love America?

Because... I'm thinking the BACK cover was suppose to be the front cover at some point... There is a song on the LP titled Love America... there is no other logical reason for this image. It is hard to see... but there is a guy wearing a Reagan mask in the back, on the right...

I really love those boots!

Monday, January 25, 2010

In Hollywood - The Gunter Kallmann Chorus

In The Heat Of The Night
The Gunter Kallmann Chorus
In Hollywood
Arrangements by W. Twardy
Producer & Musical Director: Hans Bertram
Associate Producer: Betty Reinman
4 Corners Of The World (Four Corners Records - New York, NY)
A KAPP Record FCS-4254
1968

The Look Of Love (from"Casino Royale")
The Eyes Of Love  (from "Banning")
Thoroughly Modern Millie (from "Thoroughly Modern Millie")
Call Me Irresponsible (from "Papa's Delicate Condition")
When I Look In Your Eyes (from "Doctor Dolittle")
In The Heat Of The Night (from "In The Heat Of The Night")
Talk To The Animals (from "Doctor Dolittle")
Wait Until Dark (from "Wait Until Dark")
The Bare Necessities (from "Jungle Book")
Fascination (from "Love In The Afternoon")
The Shadow Of Your Smile (from "The Sandpiper")