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Friday, April 13, 2018

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ghost Stories For Young People

Johnny Takes A Dare
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Ghost Stories For Young People
Tales Of Spooks, Hobgoblins And Spirits Hauntingly Introduced By The Master Of The Unexpected
Narrator: John Allen
Golden Records LP 89
1962

From Billboard - October 27, 1962: The Master of chills make his first appearance on a record designed for small fry, and those whose parents give them a listen will have plenty of chills. Hitchcock himself does his usual rambling kind of chatter between the stories, which are ably narrated by John Allen. Excellent orchestral accompaniment contributes to the weird and eerie mood. Sample titles include "The Haunted And The Haunters," "The Open Window" and "Johnny Takes A Dare." Good material, well told, but not commended for just before bedtime.

The Haunted And The Haunters (The Pirate's Curse)The Magician ('Til Death Do Us Part)
Johnny Takes A Dare (The More The Merrier)
The Open Window (Special Adaptation)
The Helpful Hitchhiker
Jimmy Takes Vanishing Lessons

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Endlessly - Brook Benton

Endlessly
Brook Benton
Arranged and Conducted by Fred Norman
Mercury Records SR 60146
1959

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

From the back cover: Brook wailed his initial high C in the small town of Camden, South Carolina, a little less that 27 years ago. "Music come natural to me," he says, "My whole family sang, all of the time." Since he was one of a family of eight, five girls and three boys, plus two singing parents, this was a chorus that on clear evenings could be heard for miles around.

In his early twenties, Brook became one of a quartet, Bill Landford's Spiritual singing group. They traveled across the country to California and through the Southern states singing in churches, halls and for clubs. Their first engagement earned him $10, "which I spent for transportation."

Eventually Benton's family moved to New York, the promised land for professionals. He made several recordings for several companies, but without denting the disc field. "The Wall," which had mediocre sales, is still a sentimental favorite because while recording it he met his present song-writing collaborator, Clyde Otis. "Clyde taught me a lot of professional touches," he says. Eventually, came the opportunity to wax one of his own songs for Mercury, and presto, it happened – right musical background, perfect promotion, the mysterious magic of talent, feel, and timing, that lifts one platter off a shelf full and sends it spinning to success.


From Billboard - November 16, 1959: Brook Benton, one of today's most consistent hitmakers, has an outstanding new album here that should stack up solid sales. It contains one of his biggest hits, the title tunes, and a group of standards, including "Because Of You" and "Blue Skies." Benton sings them with feeling in his own mellow style, and the arrangements by Fred Norman are mighty smooth.

People Will Say We're In Love
Because Of You
More Than You Know
Blue Skies
Time After Time
A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
Endlessly
The Things I Love
It's No Sin
Around The World
May I Never Love Again
You'll Never Know

The Young Lovers Play

Caring & Sharing
The Young Lovers Play
A Product Of Pickwick International
Design Records SDLP-296
1973

Little Green Apples
A Man Without Love
Caring & Sharing
Now, Forever & Ever
Love Me A Little
With Pen In Hand
This Guy's In Love With You
Love Is A Merry Go Round
On The Road To True Love
There's No Other Love For Me

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

The Goldtones - Live At The Teenbeat Club In Las Vegas

I'll Love Her
The Goldtones
Featuring Randy Seol
Live! At The Teenbeat Club In Las Vegas!
La Brea L8011
1965

From the back cover: The group consists of Wayne Purvis on piano, Ken Naylor on bass, Al Doss trumpet, Mike Peters and Steve Green on guitar, Cindy Mac vocalist and features Randy Sell on drums.

They formed their group in 1961 at which time they won their first award; first place in one of California's most important musical festivals, The Starcapades. They have been in constant demand since.

They all attended Ramona High School in Riverside, California, and needless to say the entire school body is solid behind them. Only recently a fan club was formed with Irena Levy as president.


Wolly Bolly
Koko Joe
Downtown
High Heel Sneakers
Go Now
Gloria
Walkin' The Dog
The Clap Song
Midnight In Vegas
I Want To Make Love To You
I Love Her
My Girl Sloppy

Background Music - Light And Lively

Blue Skies

Background Music
Music Blended To Mix Graciously With Social Gatherings
Capitol Records T375
1953

Margie - Bill Loose And His Orchestra
That Old Black Magic - Jack Stern And His Orchestra
You're The Cream In My Coffee- Gardiner Gibbs And His Orchestra
Blue Skies - Charles Romo And His Orchestra
Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel) - Jack Stern And His Orchestra
Do You Ever Think Of Me - Charles Romo And His Orchestra
My Gal Sal - Jack Stern And His Orchestra
Who - Bill Loose And His Orchestra
Sweet Sue, Just You - Charles Romo And His Orchestra
Louise - Gardiner Gibbs And His Orchestra
Dinah - Charles Romo And His Orchestra
Avalon - Bill Loose And His Orchestra

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Hawaii Tattoo - The Waikikis

Tahiti Tamoure
Hawaii Tattoo
The Waikikis
Cover Photo: Jerry Lieberman
Kapp Records, Inc. KL-1366
1964

Hawaii Tattoo
Aloha Parade
I'll Remember Sweet Hawaii
Tiki Tiki Puka
Carnival Of Venice
Hilo Kiss
Tahiti Tamoure
Mauna Loa
Honolulu Rose
March Of The Beachcombers
Pacific Punch
Honolulu Rag

Melodies That Linger On - Carl Weston

The Song Is Ended
Melodies That Linger On
Carl Weston
Saxophone Solos with Organ Accompaniment
Decca Records DL 8891
1959

From the back cover: Philadelphia-born Carl Weston began his professional career as a jazz musician with the Joe Venuti group in Atlantic City. After several years in burlesque, he worked with the then-famous Jan Savitt orchestra in radio. A veteran of several years of "society music" in the famous Lester Latin tradition, Mr. Weston has also been associated with great orchestras such as Jimmy Dorsey's. A saxophonist soloist with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for over ten years, he has been acclaimed for outstanding solos in the orchestra's performances of several important works – among them Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition."

From Billboard - June 22, 1959: Sax star Weston wraps up a group of dream standards in wistful, leisurely paced solo sets, with organ backing. Nice sentimental jockey package. Selections include "I Wonder What's Become Of Sally?" "Wonderful One" and "A Perfect Day."

I Wonder What's Become Of Sally?
Till We Meet Again
Might Lak' A Rose
Ich Liebe Dich
Dreamy Melody
Let The Best Of The World Go By
Wonderful One
Love's Old Sweet Song (Just A Song At Twilight)
A Perfect Day
Beautiful Dreamer
Thine Alone
The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)

Monday, April 9, 2018

Songs Of Hawaii - Honolulu Guitars

Serenade Of The Island
Songs Of Hawaii
Honolulu Guitars
Power Apply Honey Series D397

All of the tracks sound as though the engineer recorded the tunes from a room adjacent to an empty hotel ballroom in which the band played the set.

Harbor Lights
Aloha
Red Dawn
Moonlight And Love
Serenade Of The Island
Sunset In Hawaii
Lovely Guitars
Pearly Waves
Hawaiian Girl
Luau

Latin Zither - Ruth Welcome

Andalucia
Latin Zither
Ruth Welcome
Orchestra under the direction of Earl Sheldon
Produced by Andy Wiswell
Cover Photo: Capitol Photo Studio/Ken Veeder
Capitol Records T1863
1963

Guabina Santanderana
Amor
Tiplecito De Mi Vida
Aquellos Ojos Verdes ( Green Eyes)
Bunde Tolimense
Anadalucia
Mis Flores Negras
Adios, Mariquita Linda
El Pescador
Maria-La-O (Maria, My Own)
Hagia El Calvario
Siboney

Strings Latino - Edmundo Ros

Sting Latino
Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra
Producer: Tony D'Amato
Engineer: Arthur Lilley
London Records SP 44107
1968

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the book-fold cover art and Billboard review.

From Billboard 29, 1968: Plus-stirring Latin America sounds to set the soul on fire. Featured are such favorites as "Has Que Nada," "Delicado," "Malaga." Edmundo Ros has achieved his most exciting package ever. The stereo is exceptional, bringing out a full encompassing musical effect.

I agree with Billboard. This could be my favorite Ros package. I also enjoy when he sings a tune or two on a set. His voice is unique sounding and can be heard on "A Man And A Woman" and "Thank U Very Much."  Good stuff.

Cumana
Felicidade
Mas Que Nada
A Man And A Woman (Edmundo Ros, vocal)
Green Eyes
Malaguena
Granada
La Cumparsita
Macarenas
Thank U Very Much (Edmundo Ros, vocal)
Delicado
Rumba Rhapsody

Singing Instrumentals - Neal Hefti

Intermission Riff
Singing Instrumentals
Neal Hefti and His Orchestra
With The Ray Charles Choir
Epic LN 3440

Personnel:
Chet Amsterdam - Bass
Jimmy Crawford - Drums
Danny Perri - Guitar
Lou Stein - Piano
Boomie Richman, Danny Bank, Hank D'Amico and Charlie Barnet - Saxophones
Lou McGarity - Trombone
Bernie Priven, Billy Butterfield - Trumpets

From the back cover: Born in Hastings, Nebraska, in 1922, Neal Hefti took up the study of the trumpet in the sixth grade, playing in the high school band and orchestra. Taking top honors in interstate high school trumpet competitions, he filled in the summers by playing with carnivals. Moving to New York after graduation, he spent his first four months there in the hospital, as the result of an automobile accident, and then got his first break playing with Charlie Barnet, In 1942, he played with or made arrangements for such well-known musicians as Muggsy Spanier, Earl Hines and Bobby Byrne, and later joined Charlie Spivak's orchestra. During this time he scored "Pin Up Girl," and played with Horace Heidt on his radio program.

In 1944, he joined Woody Herman and turned in such vivid arrangements as Caldonia, The Good Earth, Wildroot, Apply Honey, Northewest Passage and others that have become classics in modern jazz. Moving to Los Angeles, he played with Bob Chester and Frank DeVol, as well as a number of network radio shows. Then, returning to the Herman Herd, he married Frances Wayne, then vocalist with the orchestra. Work in motion pictures, recording studios and radio stations followed, including two years with Harry James and his Orchestra, and in 1949 he returned to New York to work in television. From 1951 until late 1953, he led his own group, the Hefti-Wayne Orchestra, and since that time has been one of the most sought-after arrangers in the business.


Opus #1
Jersey Bounce
Redskin Rhumba
Mood Indio
Woodchopper's Ball
Skyliner
One O'Clock Jump
I Can't Started
Intermission Ball
Begin The Beguin
Summit Ridge Drive
Back Beat Boogie