It's A Lonesome Old Town - Kitty Kallen

The Lonely One

It's A Lonesome Old Town
Kitty Kallen
With Jack Pleis And His Orchestra
Decca Records DL 8397
1956

From the back cover: Kitty Kallen is a beautiful contradiction of all the old stereotypes. For one thing, she was born in a family with absolutely no show-business background. For another, although now she certainly is a beautiful young lady, as a child she was so freckled, pug-nosed, and awkward, that she was a typical ugly duckling. The fact that her nickname was "Monkey" did not decrease her sense of inferiority.

The very feeling of being insecure and unattractive made her determined to win a place for herself by being "best" in everything she undertook. One of seven children, she was not only pugnacious but the toughest tomboy in the neighborhood. She entered every contest in high school and established records in the fifty yard dash.

Along with her athletic prowess Kitty also wanted to attain eminence as a singer. Succeed she did, for at the age of eight she won her first amateur contest, after which she appeared on the original "Horn & Hardart Children's Hour" over WCAU. It wasn't long before she had her own program with Jan Savitt's Orchestra over the same station.

At fifteen, eager to measure herself against wider territory, Kitty joined the newly-formed Jack Teagarden swing band, consisting of sixteen men and a girl, Kitty, naturally, was the girl. Later, at eighteen, she was sharing an apartment with her good friend Dinah Shore when she received an offer to join Jimmy Dorsey's band, and it was with Dorsey that she recorded "Besame Mucho," her first big record hit for Decca. After leaving the Dorsey aggregation, Kitty went on to be vocalist with Harry James, as well as songster on the Danny Kaye, David Rose, Alec Templeton, and other radio shows. The nightclubs which she favored with her presence include New York's Copacabana, St. Regis' Maisonette, the Versailles, the Waldorf-Astoria's Empire Room, and Chicago's Chez Paris. Kitty also made repeated appearances on the "Colgate Comedy Hour" with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and went on two nationwide tours with the pair of comics. In 1955, she made her movie debut in Universal-International's "The Second Greatest Sex," and achieved international acclaim with her tremendous success at the Palladium in London.

Many singers owe their career to their industry and integrity. This is also true of Kitty Kallen, but her sense of loyalty resulted in her not getting tow important spots. Bing Crosby offered her the role of female singing star in his "Kraft Music Hall," but she refused out of loyalty to Dorsey, with whom she had just singed. A little later Frank Sinatra asked her to join the cast of "Hit Parade," but the Sinatra show was broadcast from Hollywood and Kitty's wedding was about to take place in New York – and this was one date Kitty decided not to postpone!

Since signing with Decca, Kitty has had several huge hits. Her interpretation of "Little Things Mean a Lot" sold a million copies, and it was followed by the almost equally popular "In The Chapel In The Moonlight." Her album Kitty Kallen Sings (ED 2164) was universally acclaimed.

It's A Lonsome Old Town
I Heard You Cried Last Night (And So Did I)
How Are Things In Glocca Mora
Look To The Rainbow
Just Between Friends
The Lonely One
How About Me?
Autumn Leaves
Wishing (Will Make It So)
It Could Happen To You
When Did You Leave Heaven?

Movie Themes For Lovers Only - Jackie Gleason

You're The World to Me

Movie Themes For Lover Only
Jackie Gleason
Arrangements by George Williams
Produced by Dick Jones
Cover Photo/Capitol Studio: Ken Veeder
Capitol Records SW 1877
1963

Tumpet Solos by Pee Wee Erwin
Saxophone Solos by Charlie Ventura

From Billboard - May 11, 1963: Gleason's back with the mood music sound again, this time the featured trumpet player in front of the strings is Pee Wee Erwin. In addition there's fine tenor sax blowing by Charlie Ventura. The sound is much the same as that which has hit some years ago. This time the theme is movie themes with "Days Of Wine And Rose," " Call Me Irresponsible," "My Romance" and a lush "Third Man Theme."

Days Of Wine And Roses - from "Days Of Wine And Roses"

Call Me Irresponsible - from "Papa's Delicate Condition"

You're All The World To Me - from "Royal Wedding"
The Third Man Theme - from "The Third Man"
The Man That Got Away - from "A Star Is Born"
Follow Me - Love Theme from "Mutiny On The Bounty"
Colette - from "Gigot"
My Romance - from "Jumbo"
A Home In The Meadow - from "How The West Was Won"
The Sweet Life - from "La Dolce Vita"
The Wishing Star - The Theme from "Taras Bulba"
Theme From Lawrence Of Arabia

The Golden Trumpet Of Eddie Calvert

Sidewalks Of Cuba

The Golden Trumpet Of Eddie Calvert
Cover Photo: Ron Harris
Cover Design by Viceroy
ABC-Paramount ABC-319
A Product Of Am-Par Record Corp.
1960

ABC-Paramount fixed a piece of tape to each side of the disc label during manufacturing to obscure some information.

From Billboard - February 19, 1960: Calvert's smooth trumpet style was a big hit in "Oh, My Papa" a few years back. Here he gives it a workout in a variety of numbers and tho he gets off a growl here and there, Calvert sticks mainly with sleek phrasing, a mellow tone and occasional triple-tongued breaks. Selections have an international twist and range from "I Love Paris" they "Slow Boat To China," to "Manhattan."

Around The World
I Love Paris
April In Portugal
Wonderful Copenhagen
Cossack Patrol
Indian Summer
On A Slow Boat To China
Song Of The Islands
Sidewalks Of Cuba
Manhattan
Jamaican Rhuma
London By Night

Hawaii Tattoo - Martin Denny

Beyond The Reef

Hawaii Tatto
Martin Denny
Liberty LRP-3394 (Canada)
1964

From the back cover: There are hits and there are HITS! Some soon disappear, but others become standards. The important difference is actually quite simple: the ones that sustain are the ones with appeal that is universal, both as to geography and to age. "Hawaii Tattoo" has this appeal, and I believe it will become a favorite standard.

As a lover of Hawaiian Music, I'm delighted with this new Martin Denny album, particularly as it contains Martin's remarkable and always welcome treatments of the most popular of all Island-oriented hits. Songs like the recent "Pearly Shells" and the all-time hits "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and "Beyond The Reef" are as fresh as ever in Martin's capable hands. I'm completely enchanted with the entire album; I think you will be, too. – Ira Cook

Ira Cook is one of Southern California's most popular radio personalities as is heard daily over station KMPC as well as throughout the world on the Armed Forces Radio Network. His partiality to Hawaiian music is no secret, and a special feature of each day's show is the playing of a Hawaiian music selection, usually specially requested records. He constantly receives requests for Martin Denny recordings from such far-flung places as Morocco, Japan, Germany and Greenland.

Hawaii Tattoo
Sweet Leilani
Song Of The Island
Beyond The Reef
Analani E
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Pearly Shells
Now Is The Hour
Leah
Sweet Someone
Red Sails In The Sunset
Sail Along Silvery Moon

Song Of Hawaii - Lani McIntire

Hawaiian War Chant

Song Of Hawaii
Lani McIntire And His Orchestra
Harmony
A Product Of Columbia Records
HL 7026
1957

Song Of The Islands
To You Sweetheart, Aloha
Little Brown Gal
Akaka Falls
Hawaiian War Chant
Sing Me A Song Of The Islands
O-Ko-Le Ma-Lu-Na
The One Rose
Hilo E
Sweet Leilani

Dancing In The Dark - Ralph Flanagan

Charmaine

Dancing In The Dark
Ralph Flanagan And His Orchestra
Designed For Dancing / One Of A Series
Photo: Murray Laden (top cover example)
RCA Camden CAL-387
1957

Singing Winds
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
La Vie En Rose
Charmaine
Penthouse Serenade
Where Or When
Dancing In The Dark
Harbor Lights
Nights Of Splendor
I'm Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
Save The Last Dance For Me

Belly Dance Navel Academy - Gus Vali

Kashlarin Ingee Ingee

Belly Dance Navel Academy
Arranged and Conducted By Gus Vali
Produced by Gus Vali and Chet Amsterdam
Engineer: Gene Thompson
Recorded at Capitol Records Studios, New York City
P. I. Records - New York City
PI-LPS-30

Navel Academy Theme
Savgulum
Sauda Sauda
Kashlarin Ingee Ingee
Ahyazain
Port Said
Taxim
Semra Semra
Sesame
Farfara
Siseler
Byr Demet Yasemen
Rahks Taxim
Taxim Bassclaro

Music For Memories - Paul Weston

Music For Memories

Paul Weston And His Orchestra

Capitol Records  H225 (10 inch reissue of BD-37)

1950

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the original cover art.

From Billboard - January 28, 1947 (review of BD-37): Paul Weston pours out eight sides of sweet nostalgic stuff in this folio. It's thoroly (Billboard's spelling) relaxing music-making as his 30-piece ork emphasizes the melody line thruout (Billboard's spelling) and holds to an easy terpsable (Billboard's spelling) beat. His arrangements give sugary Strads the upper hand, rounded out by reeds and muted brass. It's a cinch for sales, including such standards as "Deep Purple," "Somebody Loves Me," "I'll Be Seeing You," "Love Locked Out," "All The Things You Are," "East Of The Sun," "Blue Moon" and "You Go To My Head." Album cover is dressed in tasteful hues. Inside cover contains studious pose of the maestro plus gushy spiel about his genius. All sides are suitable for juke trade at locations where they want it smooth and dreamy.

Deep Purple

East Of The Sun

I'll Be Seeing You

Blue Moon

Love Locked Out

Somebody Loves Me

All The Things You Are

You Go To My Head

Ballet With A Beat - Hal Mooney

Mambo ("West Side Story")

Ballet With A Beat
Hal Mooney And His Orchestra
Design: Marvin Glick
Photo: Don Bronstein
Mercury Records PPS 2017
1961

Outstanding space-age big band set arranged with a driving beat that doesn't stop from start to finish. Attractive book-fold jacket that feature virtually the same front and back cover art. Excellent engineering.

From the inside jacket notes: "I treasure the years," Hal Mooney said recently, "that I put in with the swing bands. That's where one really learns how to handle melodies so that they bounce with a beat and how to devise licks or figures that make a band swing. But it really is not enough. To be adequately prepared for the demands of stereo, I needed all those years with the many different vocalists. Out of this experience came a respect for melody, a feeling for changing colors in the use of instruments, an understanding of the role of counter-melody in enhancing, not distracting from, the basic melody, and a constant search for clear, well-defined "singing" lines.

Waltz Of The Flowers (from "The Nutcracker")
Sabre Dance (from "Gayne")
An American In Paris
Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (from "The Nutcracker")
Mambo (from "West Side Story")
Pas De Fleurs (from "Naira Waltz")
Slaughter On Tenth Avenue
Barcarolle (from "Tales Of Hoffman")
March Of The Toys (from "Babes In Toyland")
Sleeping Beauty Waltz
Coppelia Waltz
Pizzicato (Cha-Cha from "Sylvia")

Living It Up! - Bert Kaempfert

In The Mood

Living It Up!
Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra
Recorded in Europe by Deutsche Grammophon/Polydor Series
Decca Records DL 74374
1963

Living It Up
Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra
Polydor STEREO 237599
Printed in Germany
From Billboard - April 27, 1963: Guitars, flutes and drums are spotted along with the distinctive Kaempfert style here in a group of his original tunes coupled with one standard, "In The Mood." Kaempfert teamed up with Joseph C. Garland, Herbert Rehbein, Lutz Templin and Roy Llene to pen the special material. Over all the album has the same hit flavor as Kaempfert's earlier albums.

A1 Gentleman Jim
In The Mood
Dutch Treat
Tipsy Gypsy
Don't Talk To Me
Fluter's Holiday
Give And Take
Danke Schoen (Candlelight Cafe)
Two On A Tune
Living It Up
Easy Going
Tricky Trombone

The Waltz Queen - Patti Page

Remember

The Waltz Queen
Patti Page
Vic Schoen And His Orchestra
Mercury Records MG 20318
1958

From Billboard - March 17, 1958: Exceptionally strong package. The gal has never been better in this creamy, nostalgic selection of three-beater favorites like "What'll I Do," "Till We Meet Again," "The Boy Next Door," etc. Excellent backings by Vic Schoen and ork. Several bands here are worthy of singles exposure and the entire set should set a brisk pace at the counter.

What'll I Do
Memories
Till We Meet Again
While We're Young
Remember
Now Is The Hour
You Always Hurt The One You Love
The Boy Next Door
Falling In Love With Love
Let The Rest Of The World Go By
You Will Find Your Love In Paris
Wondering

The Cascading Voices Of The Hugo & Luigi Chorus With Brass

Autumn Leaves

The Cascading Voices Of The Hugo & Luigi Chorus With Brass
Recorded at Webster Hall, New York City
Recording Engineer: Mickey Crofford
RCA Victor LSP-2789
1964

From the back cover: In the rush to get to today's market with the new, the different, the novel, one thing is frequently overlooked – music. Music – pure melody – was the reason for the creation of Hugo & Luigi Chorus in the first place. And here, in this best-seller series, it has found a home. (The first two albums by the chorus, The Cascading Voices Of The Hugo & Luigi Chorus and Let's Fall In Love, are on the best-seller charts).

From Billboard - February 22, 1964: There is no more romantic music than the 12 tunes herein assembled. There is hardly a more romantic way to perform them than the choral technique used of gliding up and down the scales while backed by rhythm and brass. Unbeatable for dancing or romancing. Highly recommended.

Me And My Shadow
Fly Me To The Moon
Time On My Hands
All Alone
When You're Smiling
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Autumn Leaves
April Showers
Seventeen
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Girl Of My Dream

Love Me Or Leave Me - Doris Day

Love Me Or Leave Me
Doris Day
Orchestra Conducted by Percy Faith
Columbia Records CL 710
1955

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the original cover art.

It All Depends On You
You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
Stay On The Right Side, Sister
Mean To Me
Everybody Loves My Baby (But My Baby Don't Love Nobody But Me)
Sam, The Old Accordion Man
Shaking The Blues Away
Ten Cents A Dance
I'll Never Stop Loving You
Never Look Back
At Sundown
Love Me Or Leave Me

Theatre Organ In H-Fi - Leonard MacClain

Laura

Theatre Organ In Hi-Fi
Leonard MacClain
Epic LN 3273
1956

From the back cover: Leonard MacClain, it is safe to say, is the best known organist in the Philadelphia area. For many years he has been heard on the air and in person playing the most notable theatre, concert, and church organs. Leonard first heard an organ when he was six years old, was captivated by the instrument and started studying organ when he was ten. His first theatre job was at the tender age of twelve, and he has been at it ever since. For nine years he played at the Commordore Theatre, adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania campus. He played the State Theatre, broadcast for seven years from the Uptown, and an even longer run of broadcasting over WIP (from the State) found him opening and closing that station morning and evening with organ recitals. At one time his program had the highest rating of any Philadelphia program, for he did a musical quiz that paid anyone who could submit a tune which would stump him. Very few persons got paid, because he had long since earned the name of "Melody Mac" for his repertoire of thousands of numbers which he could call forth in an instant.

Playing the theatre organ has not been MacClain's only musical experience. He had prepared his organist' career solidly, studying with several of the best teachers in Philadelphia, including Matthews and McCurdy. MacClain has been conductor of choral societies, church organist in some prominent churches such as the Chambers-Wylie Church, done some composing, and has played many fine programs on the great organ in the Wanamaker store, where, since 1944, he has been featured regularly in broadcasts and recitals.

Electronic organs have not escaped Leonard's attention. Indeed, it was Leonard MacClain who played the first electronic organ, in a nationwide broadcast. On April 6, 1935, the newly invented "Photona", built by Ivan Eremeef on the photoelectric cell principle, was first broadcast from station WCAU over the CBS network by the staff organist of that station, Leonard MacClain. Today, he is quite a specialist on the most popular of electronics, and has played many engagements on the electronic instrument, where no pipe organ is available. His current radio broadcasts daily are from a studio electronic, where he appears on the popular "Rise and Shine" program. In addition to being heard on the air continuously since 1923, Leonard MacClain has played more shows, dinners, conventions, and special programs in the halls, hotels and Convention Hall of Philadelphia than any other organist. His popularity is based squarely on his ability to play music people love – and he loves to play anything they want to hear. – Enos E. Shupp, Jr.

From Billboard - September 8, 1956: Label's "Hit Of The Month" LP is aimed at hi-fi fans. Using a theatre organ, MacClain plays a surefire collection of all-time favorites including "Tenderly," "My Romance," Serenade" (Student Prince), "Warsaw Concerto," "Charmain," "Intermezzo" and "Laura." Special dealer bonus deal makes this a good one to push.

Serenade
Tenderly
Knightsbridge March
My Romance
Moonlight In Vermont
Warsaw Concerto
Diane
Charmaine
Moonlight On The Ganges
Beyond The Sea
When The Organ Played At Twilight
Laura
Intermezzo

Hullabaloo With The Stars

Rules Of Love

Hullabaloo
With The Stars
Wyncote W9080
1965

Hey Bobba Needle - Chubby Checker
Lover Boy - Dee Dee Sharp
The Third House - Bobby Rydell
View From My Window - Times
No No No - Dovells
Let's Make Love Tonight - Bobby Rydell
Cheat - Dovells
Everything's Gonna Be All Right - Chubby Checker
You'll Never Be Mine - Dee Dee Sharp
Rules Of Love -- Orlons

Gabor Szabo Live With Charles Lloyd

Stormy

Gabor Szabo Live With Charles Lloyd
Featuring Spellbinder
Produced by Tommy LiPuma
Album Design & Front Cover Photo by Tom Nikes Prod., Inc.
Liner Notes by Barry Fienstein
Recorded at Troubadour, Hollywood, California
Recording Facilities by Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, California
Engineered and Mixed by Bruce Botnick
Blue Thumb Records BTS 6014
1974

Musicians:

Gabor Szabo - Guitar
Wolfgang Pelz - Bass
Mailto Correa - Congas and Percussion
Charles Lloyd - Flute
Tommy Eyre - Keyboard
Tony Ortega - Flute and Echoplex

From Billboard - July 20, 1974: Lovely music from the guitarist and guest flutist with emphasis on melodic lines. These cuts done nearly three years ago at the Troubadour, showcase each performer's virtuosity. Bassist Wolfgang Melz and drummer John Dentz add a vital kick to the arrangements. Best Cuts: "Spellbinder," "Stormy."

Spellbinder
Sombrero Sam
Stormy
People

At The Candlelight Cafe - The Three Suns

Vagabond King Waltz

At The Candlelight Cafe
The Three Suns
Produced by Al Nevins
RCA Camden CAL-513
1959

From the back cover: Guitarist of the group is Al Nevins, Al was born in the nation's capitol and credits his musical gifts as coming from his parents, both of whom were enthusiastic amateur singers. His early professional interest, however, was in the unrelated field of architectural drafting, and when he did shift his focus to the world of music, the emphasis was very much along classical lines. What followed was an intensive period of study in theory, counterpoint and harmony. His first instruments were violin and viola (which he studies und the direction of Leon Barzin). Al then extended his knowledge of playing to cover all the string instruments and he finally settled, of course, on the guitar.

The Nevins guitar is a custom-built instrument with a specially constructed amplification system that enable him to create some highly diverse musical effects.

It was Al's insistence that brother Morty Nevins decided to enter the music arena. Morty holds down two jobs in The Three Suns: he's featured as both pianist and accordionist. Of particular interest is his most unusual accordion. Morty has devised a special chamber for the instrument that offers a sound remarkably like that of a violin, and another accessory that permits him to play reinforced octaves. The instrument itself weighs thirty-three pounds, but under the pressure of playing this increases to one hundred pounds, thus keeping Morty in musical and physical trim at the same time.

Boston-born Artie Dunn rounds out the trio. Incidentally, Artie's a cousin of the Nevin brothers, thereby keeping the Suns very much a family affair. Artie's initial dip into the musical pond was as a Ruby Vallee-styled, megaphone-clutching crooner, but a stint at the great Wurlitzer of the Hub's Grand Theater decided him on a keyboard career. Before long he was playing the piano for one of Tin Pan Alley's top publishing houses, demonstrating the hits of the day for some of show business' top personalities. It was just such as occasion that brought about a reunion with his musical cousins and marked the birth of The Three Suns.

The Hammond organ which he plays is quite unique. Its attractive white shell hides some very intricate specifications. In addition to the unusual electric tones, it can reproduce the orchestral colors of the oboe, English horn and fluegelhorn. Its bell effects recreate the sounds of the carillon, chimes and vibrchord bells.

Bubble Waltz
Just One More Chance
Jealous
Under A Blanket Of Blue
Vagabond King Waltz
I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I'm Loving You)
For You
Tango Of Roses
Sugar Blues
Sleepy Serenade