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Saturday, September 19, 2020

Aloha From A Hawaiian Paradise - The Surf Serenaders

 

Jungle Romance


Aloha From A Hawaiian Paradise
The Surf Serenaders
Dyna-Disc Long Playing STEREO ALBUM SCH-808

Lovely Hula Hands
Beyond The Reef
Orchid Lagoon
Hano Hano
Mahola Pua
Aloha Oe
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Jungle Romance
Moon Of Manakoora
Polynesian Fever

Dances Of Port Said - Mohammed El-Bakkar

Ish Allamak
Dances Of Port Said
Mohammed El-Bakker and His Oriental Ensemble
Music Of The Middle East
Vol. 5
A Study In Stereophonic High Fidelity Sound
Audio Fidelity Stereodisc AFSD 5922
1960

From the back cover: Mohammed El-Bakkar is an idol of Middle Easterners not only abroad, but throughout the United States. He was a featured star in the highly successful Broadway revue, "Fanny," for two years, which added to a lengthy list of outstanding achievements in the world of entertainment. Bakkar has given command performances for former King Farouk of Egypt, for his successor, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Haguib, for King Ibn Sand of Saudi Arabia and the Shah of Iran. s actor, he has appeared in no less than 32 motion pictures which he himself produced and directed. He has numerous radio and television appearances to his credit. Bakkar came to the U.S. a few years ago for a sixth concert tour, and decided he liked it so much that he resolved to stay and become a citizen. He has filled engagements in major eastern cities and has been acclaimed enthusiastically everywhere. During leisure hours, when not giving a performance, he enjoys nothing more than entertaining Syrian, Lebanese, Turkish and Persian compatriots the world over.

Yam Safereen (You Travelers!)
Ish Allamak (Who Taught You?)
El Hora El Hawara (The Circle Dance)
Ya Natir (The One Who Waits)
Ya Noor El Ein (Light My Eyes)
Salaam Aleikum (Greetings!)
Dari E Yeounik (See And Admire)
Mnishebak (From My Window)
Dabka (Let Us Dance, Dabka)
Yaboo E Yeoun Asaleya (Eyes Of Honey)
Raks El Daska (Double String Dance)
Afrah El Jabel (Mountain Festival)

Port Said - Mohammed El-Bakkar

Port Said
Port Said
Music Of The Middle East
Mohammed El-Bakkar and His Oriental Ensemble
A Study In High Fidelity Sound
Cover Model: Nejla Ates - Dancing Star of "Fanny"
Audio Fidelity STEREODISC AFSD 5833
1958

From the back cover: Mohammed El-Bakkar is an idol of Middle Easterners not only abroad, but throughout the United States. He was a featured star in the highly successful Broadway revue, "Fanny," for two years, which added to a lengthy list of outstanding achievements in the world of entertainment. Bakkar has given command performances for former King Farouk of Egypt, for his successor, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Haguib, for King Ibn Sand of Saudi Arabia and the Shah of Iran. s actor, he has appeared in no less than 32 motion pictures which he himself produced and directed. He has numerous radio and television appearances to his credit. Bakkar came to the U.S. a few years ago for a sixth concert tour, and decided he liked it so much that he resolved to stay and become a citizen. He has filled engagements in major eastern cities and has been acclaimed enthusiastically everywhere. During leisure hours, when not giving a performance, he enjoys nothing more than entertaining Syrian, Lebanese, Turkish and Persian compatriots the world over.

Port Said (Port Said)
Sauda Sauda (Dark Eyes)
Bint Ll Geran (Girl Next Door)
Banat Iskandaria (Girls Of Alexandria)
Al Jazayair (Dance Of Algiers)
Hello Hope (Be Careful Of Love)
Haun Meelee (Sway Here)
Balady (Native Girl)
Rahks Port Said (Dance Of Port Said)
Hygalo (They Say I Love Her)
Geena Ghanneelak (I Sing Of Thee)
Ah Ya Zain (Beautiful One)

Music Of African Arab - Mohammed El-Bakkar

Ya Bakhita
Music Of The African Arab
Vol. 3
Mohammed El-Bakkar and His Oriental Ensemble
A Study In Stereophonic High Fidelity Sound
Audio Fidelity Stereodisc AFSD 5858
1958

From the back cover: Mohammed El-Bakkar is an idol of Middle Easterners not only abroad, but throughout the United States. He was a featured star in the highly successful Broadway revue, "Fanny," for two years, which added to a lengthy list of outstanding achievements in the world of entertainment. Bakkar has given command performances for former King Farouk of Egypt, for his successor, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Haguib, for King Ibn Sand of Saudi Arabia and the Shah of Iran. s actor, he has appeared in no less than 32 motion pictures which he himself produced and directed. He has numerous radio and television appearances to his credit. Bakkar came to the U.S. a few years ago for a sixth concert tour, and decided he liked it so much that he resolved to stay and become a citizen. He has filled engagements in major eastern cities and has been acclaimed enthusiastically everywhere. During leisure hours, when not giving a performance, he enjoys nothing more than entertaining Syrian, Lebanese, Turkish and Persian compatriots the world over.

Africa
Al Been
Ya Bakhita
Raksat Africa
Dallooni
Sudani
Ya Hwaydali
Sando, Sando
Dangy Dangy
Din Din
Ya Waboor
Ya Sabeya

Music To Strip By - Bumps McGhee

Erotic Fantasy
Music To Strip By
Bumps McGhee and His Twisters
To Get The Party Started
Oscar Records OS-138

OK... the only slightly Middle Eastern "belly dancing" arrangement heard on the disk is from side two and is featured as the sample posted below the cover image. Side one features nothing but tracks lifted from a Dixie Land set.

The Stripper
Bumps And Grinds
Frankie And Johnny
G-String Twist
Mighty Like A Broad
Night Train
Fascination
Erotic Fantasy
C-Cup Blues
Strippers Delight

Hawaiian Sunset Vol. II - Arthur Lyman

Kalua
Hawaiian Sunset
Vol. II
Arthur Lyman
HiFi Records, Inc.
Life Series STEREO ALBUM L1025
Everest Records Productions
1965

From the back cover: Arthur Lyman has been the unexcelled delineator of exotic Hawaiian music for years. Arthur and his group: Allan Soares, Harold Chang and Archie Grant, are all residents of Honolulu and entertain to capacity crowds at the Shell Bar in the luxurious Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, as well as at other outstanding entertainment places, nationally and internationally. Relax, listen and enjoy!

Blue Hawaii
Beyond The Reef
Sea Breeze
Singing Bamboo
Pua Maeole
Red Sails In The Sunset
Kalua
Lei Aloha Makima
South Pacific Moonlight
Sweet Someone
Beautiful Kahana
Honolulu Nites

Hawaii - Johnny Pineapple

Sweet Leilani
Hawaii
Johnny Pineapple and His Islanders
Audio Fidelity Stereodisc AFSD 5850
1959

From the back cover: Johnny (Kaonohi) Pineapple, acclaimed the foremost living interpreter of South Pacific music, makes his initial appearance on Audio Fidelity Records with this release. In addition to being a veteran performer, with innumerable appearances on radio, television, in motion pictures and leading hotels and clubs throughout the Unites States and Canada, Pineapple is a talented composer, makes all of his own musical arrangements, and routines his own dance specialties. As soloist and with his inimitable South Pacific Revue he has been heard on the Texaco Star Theater, Broadway Open House and his own sustaining television programs. His movie credits include featured roles for Columbia Pictures and an extensive series of musical travelogue films. Just a few of his appearances at top clubs and hotels include extended stints at New York's famous Stork Club, the Rainbow Room, Mon Paris, Rogers Corners, the Roosevelt and Lexington Hotels. Outside New York he has appeared at the Miami Biltmore, Roney Plaza and Deauville hotels in Miami Beach, the Copacabana in Ottawa, the Park Lane Hotel in Denver, the Arena in Montreal, the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago, and many other places. He has also been heard at many Army bases and airfields all over the country.

A native of Honolulu, Pineapple received his early education in that city. He attended Honolulu military academy, and then came to the States, earning a college degree from Oregon State University. Johnny started studying music at the age of 12, and chose the saxophone as his major instrument. At 14 he led a jazz band in Honolulu. Today he plays only the guitar and ukulele. Pineapples's professional career began in San Francisco when movie scouts placed him in several Hollywood films. From movies he extended his entertainment activities to radio, night club appearances, to hotels, musical film travelogues, radio transcriptions and radio, and television.


Naka Pueo
My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii
Kila Kila
Lovely Hula Hands
Little Brown Gal
Hawaiian War Chant
Sweet Leilani
Beyond The Reef
Kui Lei
For You A Lei
Helia Alekohi
Aloha Oe

Strictly From Dixie - Morty Corb

Bayou Blues
Strictly From Dixie
Morty Corb and His Dixie All-Stars
Album production by Dave Pell
Recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, April 1957
Sound Engineer: Bones Howe
Tops Hi-FI L-1581
Tops Music Enterprises, Corp

Personnel:

Morty Crob - Leader & Bass
John Best - Trumpet
Henie Beau - Clarinet
Dave Harris - Tenor
Moe Schneider - Trombone
George Van Eps - Guitar
Bobby Hammack - Piano
Jack Sperling - Drums

From the back cover are a published a few bios of the following band members:

Moe Schneider was born in Clinton, Oklahoma in 1919. He started playing trombone at 13 after three years in the family orchestra on banjo. After completing high school, Moe was California bound and got his first band job at Balboa Beach. After a year with the Ken Baker band in Los Angeles, he joined the famous Ben Pollack band for another year. After Pollack, he played with the bands of Gus Arnheim, Will Osborne and Alvino Ray. Breaking into radio work, Moe's first studio job was on the staff of station KHJ with the Frank De Vol California Melodies show. After two years in military service (1944 - 1946), Moe rejoined Alvino Rey for about six months, then went on to the bands of Gene Krupa and Woody Herman. Tiring of the road, he returned to California and to Ben Pollack with whom he played at the famous "Home Of Dixieland," Berverly Cavern. He has also worked at such Dixie spots as the Hangover Cafe on Vine Street with Jack Teagarden, Ray Bauduc, Matty Matlock, et al. Moe has been in the orchestra of the Bob Crosby show over the CBS-TC network since 1954. Since 1950, incidentally, Moe has been extra-active as an accountant and regularly audits the books of Los Angeles AFM Local 47.

George Van Eps was born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1913. By the time he was 11, George had taught himself the banjo, with the encouragement of his musician father and brothers. While still in his teens, he joined the Smith Ballet orchestra in 1929, moved on to Freddy Martin in '31 with whom he stayed till '33. When Benny Goodman formed the band that was to change the history of American popular music, George was one of the first sidemen in 1934 - 35. The next year he joined Ray Noble for a year, returning to the Noble band in 1939 for two more years. In the interim, George freelanced with radio and record dates in Hollywood, building his reputation as one of the finest guitarists in the business. He has been with many top studio orchestras since then, including the Paul Weston organization.

Bobby Hammack was born in Texas in 1922. Was bandleaders at the University of Texas. Spent three years in the USAF. After World War II, Bobby settled in California, joining the Bob Crosby band in 1945. He has since played with the Eddie Miller band and has been contracted to ABC Radio and Television. In addition to writing record dates for Red Nichols, Bobby was bandleader on Peter Potter's Juke Box Jury and in 1956 handled musical chores on the Tony Martin show. Bobby is now a staff arranger on ABC and a member of ASCAP. A leading pianist, his interests lean greatly toward composition and arranging.

Jack Sperling was born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1922. A child prodigy, he started playing drums at the age of three. Small wonder that his teen years found him leading the local high school dance band. Subsequent band jobs included stints with the late great trumpeter, Bunny Berigan. Tex Beneke's Navy Band and the postwar Glenn Miller orchestra led by Beneke from 1946 to 1949. Jack came out to California to join the Les Brown band with which he stayed more than four years. After he left Brown, he joined the Bob Crosby show staff orchestra, remaining over three years. He now freelances and has many recording and club dates. Jack believes in continual study of drum technique and is respected as a perfectionist in this regard.


Alexander's Rag Time Band
Pennies From Heaven
Bayou Blues
South
Ramble IN
Honeysuckle Rose
Sugarcane Strut
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
Back Home Again In Indiana
Savannah Shakedown
Farewell Blues

Friday, September 18, 2020

The Detroit Sound

It's You Baby
The Detroit Sound
Wyncote Records STEREO SW-9208

Stop! In The Name Of Love
You Can't Hurry Love
The Happening
Jumping At The Go Go
It's You Baby
Give Love Another Chance
We'll Never Be
Don't Tell Me Baby, Just Show Me
Tender Memories
Far From The Last

The Dixieland Barons

Tin Roof Blues
The Dixieland Barons
Grand Prix Series STEREO K147
Pickwick International, Inc.

When The Saints Go Marching In
Weary Blues
Tin Roof Blues
Muskrat Ramble
Clarinet Marmalade
Royal Garden Blues
Outside Blues

The Girl From Ipanema - Buddy Collette

Blue Samba
The Girl From Ipanema
And Other Favorites
Featuring Buddy Collette
Crown Records STEREO CST 460
1964

The Girl From Ipanema
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Fly Me To The Moon
It Can Never Be
Noise Of The Night
Turtle Samba
Mischievous Love
At Midnight
Blue Samba
Skin Of Ivory

Thursday, September 17, 2020

June Christy Recalls Those Kenton Days

Willow Weep For Me
June Christy Recalls Those Kenton Days
Pete Rugolo backs June Christy with bright new orchestrations as she recalls her favorite songs from her days with Stan Kenton
Produced by Bill Miller
Capitol Records T 1202
1959

From the back cover: These re-interpretations of June's greatest hits from the near decade she vocalized for the Stan Kenton Orchestra were tailored by her long time friend and arranger, and Kenton alum, Pete Rugolo. They strived, as June put it, "to be faithful to the spirit of the original while being true to what we all feel and do and like today. It's a tribute to Stan's early arrangements that so many of the original ideas in his scores could be retained.

In creating new orchestrations June and Pete settled on three different instrumental sounds:

A basic "big-band" – reeds, trombones trumpets and rhythm – adding only a tuba to give a new depth to the sound.

A lush, full orchestra for the ballads: harp, strings, woodwinds, French horns, and rhythm (including orchestra bells, marimba, xylophone, two tympani, glockenspiel).

And a smaller group (saxes, trumpets, French horn, trombones, tuba, rhythm) for the swinging, combo work.

The same care that was given to the orchestrations went into the choice of musicians to play on these tracks. Many Kenton alumni join June and Pete here. Among them are Bob Cooper, Shelly Manne, Milt Bernhart, Buddy Childers, Frank Rosolino, Bob Fitzpatrick and Kenny Shroyer. Other outstanding jazz stars heard here include Ollie Mitchell, Jim Hall, Red Challenger, Joe Mondragon, Paul Horn, Russ Freeman, Chuck Gentry and Don Fagerquist. (Shelly Manne appears through courtesy of Contemporary Records, Inc.)


Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'
A Hundred Years From To-Day
The Lonesome Road
She's Funny That Way
It's A Pity To Say Goodnight
Willow Weep For Me
Easy Street
Across The Alley From The Alamo
Come Rain Or Come Shine
How High The Moon

The Piano Wizardry Of Jan August

Song Of India
The Piano Wizardry Of Jan August
Photo by Pickow/Three Lions
Mercury MG 20276
1958

From the back cover: The time-honored classics in modern dress are the delightful objects dealt here by the world's most popular pianist on Mercury's peerless high fidelity.

Simplicity, good taste, fidelity to the mood and respect for melody all comprise the delightful method of Jan August, starting with his very first treat here, Schedherazade, arranged in a kind of love duet shared by August's impeccable piano style with a wistful harmonica. Colors and tastes range to the exotic when Jan August's crisp fingerings are set against the tang of tambourines in Prince Igor (My Song) and insistent bongos in Song Of Lola.

Playfulness is the key in the simulated harpsichord re-arrangement of a Bach fugue in Rhumba Bells and in the prancing guitar chords that underlie the William Tell Overture in The Chase. There are comtemplative moments, too, Clair de Lune and a medley of Warsaw Concerto and Liebestraum.

Here is a varied but harmonious dish to delight your appetite for many moods at many times.


From Billboard - May 12, 1958: Inventive arrangements of classics "Clair de Lune" and "William Overture" and standards like "Warsaw Concerto," with a variety of percussion backing. "Bach Mambo" is a witty bit from August's top drawer. Sound is a feature. Keyboard fans will enjoy.

Scheherazade
Prince Igor (My Song)
Jan's Czardas
Song Of India
Rhumba Bells
Bach Mambo
Warsaw Concerto and Liebestraum
Clair de Lune
Martha Habanera
La Golondrina
The Chase

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Aloha From Hawaii - The Diamond Head Beachcombers

Beyond The Reef
Aloha From Hawaii
The Diamond Head Beachcombers
Produced by Herman Diaz, Jr.
Recorded in New York City, April 1, 2, and 3, 1959
Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson
RCA Victor LSP-2059
1959

From Billboard - August 3, 1959: Soft, dreamy instrumental wax here for jocks and Hawaiian guitar fans. Selections include "To You Sweetheart Aloha," "Song Of The Island," and "Lovely Hula Hands." Nice summer wax for deejays.

I'll See You In Hawaii
Beyond The Reef
Lovely Hula Hands
I Will Remember You
Blue Lei
For You A Lei
Song Of The Island
Across The Sea
Keep Your Eyes On The Hands
Love Song Of Kalua
A Song Of Old Hawaii
To You, Sweetheart, Aloha

Instrumental Imports - Joe Reisman

Mack The Knife
Instrumental Imports
Joe Reisman And His Orchestra
Produced by Joe Reisman
Roulette Dynamic Stereo SR 25114
1960

From Billboard - June 6, 1960: A most listenable group of arrangements by Joe Reisman. Harpsichord, vibes, bells and other less familiar instrumentations are used to present a number of tunes with a Continental flavor. Underneath each melody there is a good, persistent rhythm figure that gives each a brand-new quality. Songs include "Petite Fleur," "Melodie d' Amor," "Third Man Theme," plus a couple of Reisman originals, "Joey's Song" and "chanson De Gail." Smart arranging thruout and it's worth hearing.

The Right Girl On The Left Bank
Petite Fleur
Volare
Maid In France
Mack The Knife
Brasilia
Melodie d'Amour
Chanson De Gail (Gail's Song)
Third Man Theme
Continental Capers
La Ronde
Joey's Song

Honeymoon In South America - Rio Carnival Orchestra

Brazil
Honeymoon In South America
The Rio Carnival Orchestra
Produced under the direction of D. L. Miller
Cover Art: Joe Krush
Somerset Records ALBUM P-1900
Miller International Co.
1958

Orchids In The Moonlight
Honeymoon Cha Cha
Jalousie
Florita
Tango De L'amore
Brazil
La Paloma
Moon Over Montivideo
El Manicero
La Cumparsita

Echoes Of Latin America - George Feyer

Side 1
Echoes Of Latin America
George Feyer
Piano with Rhythm Accompaniment
Vox Production VX 670
1954

From the back cover: George Feyer studied at the Budapest Conservatory under Dohnanyi, Kodaly and Szekely. Being recognized as one of the most promising young concert-pianists in his country, he caused quite a sensation when he suddenly shifted to popular music. In this field he very soon became one of the best known and best paid entertainers in Europe. He played in the plushest and most exclusive night clubs and hotels in Paris, Deauville, Nice, Monte Carlo, The Hague, Geneva and St. Moritz. Feyer also had a regular weekly radio program on Radio Paris.

He came to this country in 1951 and made his debut in New York's famous Gogi's La Rue where he captivated his new audiences with his inimitable style just as he did the old ones. Feyer's refinements and taste are the hallmarks of his arrangements in which Europe tradition blends skillfully with the best in Latin American music.


From Billboard - October 30, 1954: Vox is preparing a new de luxe package containing more of George Feyer's "Echoes" series. The three-disk (10-inch LP's) set will include a special booklet illustrated with scenes from the locales covered musically by the pianist. Records packaged in the set include the recent "More Echoes Of Paris," "Echoes Of Broadway" and "Echoes Of Latin - America. List price will be $10.95.

Side 1

Introduction (Malaguena)
Siboney
La Cumparsita
Anna
Quizas, Quizá
Granada
Noche Di Ronda
Brazil
Cavaquinho

Side 2

El Choclo
Linda Mujer
El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor)
Solamente Una Vez
Jarabe Tapatio (Mexican Hat Dance)
Cielito Lindo
Ojos Verdes (Green Eyes)
Mambo - Jambo
Tico - Tico

Echoes Of Italy - George Feyer

Side 1
Echoes Of Italy
George Feyer
Piano with Rhythm Accompaniment
VOX Productions VX 620
1953

From the back cover: George Feyer studied at the Budapest Conservatory under Dohnanyi, Kodaly and Szekely. Being recognized as one of the most promising young concert-pianists in his country, he caused quite a sensation when he suddenly shifted to popular music. In this field he very soon became one of the best known and best paid entertainers in Europe. He played in the plushest and most exclusive night clubs and hotels in Paris, Deauville, Nice, Monte Carlo, The Hague, Geneva and St. Moritz. Feyer also had a regular weekly radio program on Radio Paris.

He came to this country in 1951 and made his debut in New York's famous Gogi's La Rue where he captivated his new audiences with his inimitable style just as he did the old ones. Feyer's refinements in which European tradition blends skillfully with the best in American music. His repertory is literally limitless, and he plays the classics with a touch of Broadway, and Broadway with a touch of the Continent.


From Billboard - December 5, 1953: Vox's latest in its "Echoes" series with pianist George Feyer is "Echoes In Italy," to be released next week. The discern will also package all three LP's in the series in a gift box, together with a 12-page picture booklet, which will be offered at a suggested list of $9.95.

Side 1

Mattinata
Anema a Core
Ciribiribin
Tic-ta, Tic-ta
O Sole Mio
Luna Rossa
Per Un Bacio d' Amore
Oh Marie
Funiculi-Funicula

Side 2

Torna a Surriento
Scalinatella
Santa Lucia
Viole ta
Ti Voglio Bene
Papaveri
Parla Mi d' Amore
Violino Tzigano
Operatic Fantasy

Echoes Of Hollywood - George Feyer

Side One
Echoes Of Hollywood
George Feyer
Vov Productions VX 800 (1955) & Vox VX 25.400 (1956)

From Billboard - June 11, 1955: Dealers who have latched on to the preceding volumes in Feyer's "Echoes" series should have no trouble prolonging the bonanza with this issue. The tunes include such as "Hi Lili," "Easter Parade," "Cheek To Cheek," "An American In Paris," and others – a total of 14 numbers, all played in Feyer's clean, breezy, pianistic style. Happily for dealers who stock Feyer, one album frequently sells the entire series.

Side 1

Easter Parade (from the film "Easter Parade")
Lili (Hi Lili, Hi Lili, Hi Lo from the film "Lili")
Cheek To Cheek (from the film "Top Hat")
Our Love Is Here To Stay (from the film "An American In Paris")
Lovely To Look At (from the film "Roberta")
An American In Paris (from the film "An American In Paris")

Side 2

The Carioca (from the film "Flying Down To Rio")
Isn't It Romantic (from the film "Love Me Tonight")
Third Man Theme (from the film "The Third Man")
Alexander's Rag Time Band (from the film "Alexander's Rag Time Time Band")
The Continental (from the film "The Gay Divorcee")
Terry's Theme (from the film "Limelight")
Cocktails For Two (from the film "Murder At The Vanities")
Donkey Serenade (from the film "Firefly")

More Echoes From Paris - George Feyer

Side 1
More Echoes Of Paris
George Feyer - Piano with Rhythm Accompaniment
Vox Productions VX 730
1954

From the back cover: We received a letter from Hong-Kong yesterday which said in part "you Echoes are really excellent recordings – please accept our congratulations on your achievement." Since the issuance of Feyer's first record a little over a year ago (VX 500 – Echoes Of Paris) we have recieved letters from Egypt, Italy, Germany, India – in short from all over the world.

Feyer's sparkling playing and arrangements are now a household word. To give you an example: he walked into a New York City Post Office a few days ago and was recognized by the clerks. It seems that the Post Office employees had all chipped in to buy the entire Echoes series to play during work. At New York's fashionable Delmonico Feyer can be heard nightly playing the tunes and the arrangements that have made him famous. Each new Echoes is greeted with a greater enthusiasm than the one before, and the anticipation of records shops and customers throughout the world is really astonishing.


From Billboard - October 30, 1954: Vox is preparing a new de luxe package containing more of George Feyer's "Echoes" series. The three-disk (10-inch LP's) set will include a special booklet illustrated with scenes from he locales covered musically by the pianist. Records packaged in the set include the recent "More Echoes Of Paris," "Echoes Of Broadway" and "Echoes Of Latin America," List price will be $10.95

Side 1

Parlez-moi d'amour
Hymne a l'amour (If You Love Me)
L'accordeoniste
Mademoiselle de Paris
Moulin Rouge
Grands Boulevards
La petite Tonkinoise (It's Delightful To Be Married)
Sous le ciel de Paris (Under The Paris Sky)
La sorella (La Matchiche)

Side 2

L'ame des poetes (At Last)
Jalousie
Padam
Bolero
Debussy: Clair de lune
Sous les ponts de Paris
Offenback: Can-Can

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

In London, In Love - Norrie Paramor

The Touch Of Your Lips
In London, In Love
Music For Listening by Norrie Paramor
His Strings and Orchestra
Recorded in London
Cover Photo by Interstate Photographers
Capitol Records ST 10025
1956

From the back cover: One of England's most popular musicians is Norrie Paramor, who came out of Trinity School in London as a fledgling dance orchestra leader and, as time passed, played piano with the Maurice Winnick, Jack Harris and Billy Gerhardt bands.

A halt to his career in popular music was abruptly experienced by Norrie in 1940 when he joined the gallant R.A.F. But even in service Norrie's superb musicianship became known to his fellow airmen. Norrie wound up as an R.A.F. musical director (with Ralph Reader's famed "Gang") and toured military bases as far as India. "I suspect," he says, "I played every N.A.A.F.I. piano in the world before the war ended."

Free to resumé's his civilian career in 1944, Norrie formed a brilliantly successful partnership with Harry Gold in a jazz combo called the "Pieces Of Eight," That lasted through '49 In May of the following year Norrie started recording regularly for the British Columbia label. Since then he has waxed more than 125 selections, and his name means good music on the B.B.C., Radio Luxembourg and in television.

But Norrie refuses to reveal the identity of the girl who sings so fetchingly on this record!
(Patricia Clarke)

The Nearness Of You
Stairway To The Stars
Stardust
Embraceable You
Stars Fell On Alabama
The Touch Of Your Lips
All The Things You Are
I'll Get By
Deep Purple
Someone To Watch Over Me
Dearly Beloved
The Very Thought Of You

More Soul Sounds - WDAS

The Nitty Gritty - Shirley Ellis
WDAS Charities Presents
More Soul Sounds
22 Original Hits By The Original Artists
Produced by Buzz Curtis
Post Records

From the back cover: Hi! This is Butterball! You all know me as the over-loading', sound exploding' world's most adequate DJ on WDAS. But I would like to step out of character just for the time being to fill you in on the new WDAS Charities Album you've got in your hands. Just by checking the list you can see it's made up of 22 of the greatest soul sounds that ever hit Philadelphia. But what you can't see, and the most important part of this album, is all the good the WDAS Charities will do with the proceeds that come from the sale of this album... WDAS presents: More Soul Sounds

Mine Exclusively - The Olympics
Make Me Yours - Bettye Swann
Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd
The Nitty Gritty - Shirley Ellis
Open The Door - Darrell Banks
Gotta Have Your Love - The Sapphires
Searchin' For My Love - Bobby Moore
I Know - Barbara George
She Blew A Good Thing - The Poets
I Wanna Love Him So Bad - The Jelly Beans
But It's Alright - J. J. Jackson
Hey Girl - Freddie Scoot
That's How Heartaches Are Made - Baby Washington
Lovers Never Say Goodbye - The Flamingos
All In My Mind - Maxine Brown
You Gave Me Somebody To Love - The Dreamlovers
The Love Of My Man - Theola Kilgore
Island Of Love - The Sheppards
Love Letters - Kitty Lester
A Message To My Babe - Billy Harner
When Love Slips Away - Dee Dee Warwick
Nothin' Takes The Place Of You - Toussaint McCall

The New Glenn Miller Orchestra In Hi-Fi - Ray McKinley

Hallelujah, I Just Love Her So

The New Glenn Miller Orchestra In Hi-Fi
Directed by Ray McKinley
Photo: Sy Friedman
RCA Victor LPM-1522 & LSP-1522
1957

From the back cover: Ray McKinley at the head of the current Glenn Miller band is one of the most natural courses of events dancebandom could and should take. for when the Miller AAF band suddenly lost it's leader, Ray McKinley took over – not in rank, perhaps, but in spirit – not a soldier with a commission, but one with a mission – a mission to carry on the music, the spirit and the tradition of a very dear friend.

Back in the early Thirties, Glenn and Mac had become close friends as members of Smith Ballew's band. Together they joined and sparked the Dorsey Brothers' orchestra, working together, riding together on one-nighters, growing up together. Friends and mutual admirers they remained, apart as leaders of their own successful bands, reunited as Major Miller and T/Sgt. McKinley in one of the greatest musical outfits of all time.

When Glenn was lost, his bandsmen found a new leader in Ray. It was McKinley who led the great dance band; who fought for its rights with Army brass; who won the respect and affection of its soldier-musicians. And when, more than ten years later, the Miller band was reorganized, Helen Miller, Glenn's widow, asked Ray to assume the leadership of the new group.

The band's career has been most successful, both here and abroad. It has brought the music of Miller to many nations, including several behind the Iron Curtain. Its trip to Europe, where millions had heard the original Mill AFF band, was a resounding success, and upon its completion, the band settled into RCA Victor's Webster Hall studio for a series of recording sessions, the results of which are contained herein.

The band is mostly Miller-is. There is the warm reed sound with the familiar clarinet lead and the ooh-was of the brass in arrangements written by Joe Cribari and Deane Kincaide. But there is also a lot that is distinctly McKinley: his crisp, incisive, swinging drums; his witty, rhythmic vocals; his unending enthusiasm.

Ray's pulsating drums move as easy-going Don't Be That Way just as they did when Miller AFF band played it "in a medley that always thrilled me!" (End McKinley quote.) The trumpet solo is by Ed Zandy, a former Tex Beneke bandsman, who plays all trumpet solos on this record.


Don't Be That Way
I'm Thrilled
Whistle Stop
Hallelujah, I Just Love Her So
Mine
Anything Goes
I Almost Lost My Mind
Slumber Song
My Prayer
Accentuate The Positive
On The Street Where You Live
Lullaby Of Birdland

The Greatest Dixieland Ever - Jonah Jones

J J Special
The Greatest Dixieland Ever
Jonah Jones
Guest Star G-1420
1960

From the back cover: Jonah Jones was born in Louisville, Kentucky on December 31, 1909. He has been playing trumpet ever since he joined a kid's band in his home town at the age of twelve. He stayed on for the next six years and sat in with Bill Beason, Russell Bowles, Dicky Wells and Robert Carroll. From 1929 on Jonah has been featured with various organizations such as Horace Henderson, Jimmy Lunceford, Lil Armstrong, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Stuff Smith, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Billie Holiday, Adrian Rollini, Fletcher Henderson and Cab Calloway. In 1944 to 1946 he had his own combo and in 1952 he played with Joe Bushkin art the Embers nightclub in New York City. During 1952 and 1953 he toured with the Earl Hines Combo and the Porgy & Bess pit band in 1953. In 1954 he spent several months in Europe as a solo attraction. In the late 1950's his albums suddenly began to catch the public's fancy in a big way, and in conjunction with very frequent television exposure his career enjoyed a tremendous renaissance. In Jonah Jones you find a musician whose balance of warmth and volume in his tone is the result of great skill on his instrument, which allows him to articulate every note as he feels it.

J J Special
Bill Bailey
Delilah's Delight
Drowsy River
Flying Trapeze
Beale Street Blues
Lazy Trombone
Dixie
Humoresque
Battle Hymn Of The Republic

Big Hot Rod Hits!

Night Rider
Bit Hot Rod Hits!
The Big Winners By Your Drag-Circuit Favorites
Produced by Jim Economides
Capitol Records ST 2024
1963

From Billboard - December 21, 1963: The hot West Coast sound is offered in a sure-fire package. Four tracks are from the Beach Boys' current hit LP, "Little Duce Coupe." Dick Dale offers three strong tracks from his LP "Checkered Flag," and there are other tracks by the Cheers, Jimmy Dolan and the Super Stocks. A strong program, designed from heavy sales.

Custom Machine - The Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe (S) T-1998
Ho-Dad Machine - Dick Dale - Checkered Flag! (S) T-2002
Night Rider - Dick Dale - Checkered Flag! (S) T-2002
Hot Rod City - Super Stocks - Hot Rod Rally (s) T-1997
No-Go Showboat - The Beach Boys (S) T-1998
The Scavenger - Dick Dale - Checkered Flag! (S) T-2002
Our Car Club - The Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe (S) T-1998
Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots - The Cheers - Shut Down (D) T-1918
Hot Rod Race - Jimmy Dolan - Shut Down (D) T-1918
Little Street Machine - Hot Rod Rod - Hot Rod Really (S) T-1997
Cherry, Cherry Coupe - The Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe (S) T-1998

Sunday, September 13, 2020

All Through The Night - Julie London

All Through The Night
All Through The Night
Julie London Sings The Choicest Of Cole Porter
With The Bud Shank Quintet
Producer: Richard Bock
Arranger: Russ Freeman
Engineer: Richard Bock
Art Direction: Woody Woodward
Cover Photo: Fred Seligo
Liberty Records LST-7434
1966

Bud Shank: Alto Sax and Flute
Russ Freeman: Piano
Joe Pass: Guitar
Monty Budwig: Bass
Colin Bailey: Drums

From Billboard - February 5, 1966: Julie London, with able backing of the Bud Shank Quintet, romps through some of the great Cole Porter songs – classics like "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Easy To Love" and "My Heart Belongs To Daddy," She's sultry and sophisticated, and she's great with the material.

I've Got You Under My Skin
You Do Something To Me
Get Out Of Town
All Through The Night
So In Love
At Long Last Love
Easy To Love
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
In the Still Of The Night

I Wish You Love - Carmen Cavallaro

Comme Ci Comme Ca
I Wish You Love
Fabulous French Songs
Carmen Cavallaro
The Poet Of The Piano
Piano Solos with Orchestra Conducted by Dick Jacobs
Decca Records DL 74566
1965

I Wish You Love (Que Rest-T-ll De Nos Amours)
Danse Avec Moi
N'oublie Jamais
Domino
C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)
Tu Sais
If You Go (Is Tu Partais)
Comme Ci Comme Ca (Clopin Clopant)
If You Love Me (Really Love Me) (Hymne A L'amour)
Mine For The Taking
Padam... Radam (It Echoes The Beat Of My Heart)
Somewhere, Somehow, Someday (Chante)

Poetry In Ivory - Carmen Cavallaro

Autumn In New York
Poetry In Ivory
Carmen Cavallaro at The Piano
And His Orchestra
Decca Records DL 8326
1956

From the back cover: It is as a poet that Carmen Cavallaro has combined grace and brilliance, beauty and dexterity. His ability as a performer was recognized while Carmen was still an undergraduate in De Witt Clinton High School. Reared on the music of the masters, he played in the school orchestra – and, since this organization was called on to play for school dances as well as social functions, he made the transition from the classics to dance music naturally. By the time he graduated, Carmen had developed his own unique style, already suggesting the brilliant keyboard agility and subtle underlying rhythms which he made famous.

After playing with various dance bands in the New York area, he joined the orchestra of Rudy Vallee and, later Al Kavelin's organization. In 1939, Carmen formed his own orchestra, acted as arranger and director, and revealed his now full developed piano virtuosity.

His recording were immediately successful. His record of the then little-known Cuban rhythm number, "Enlloro" evoked such acclaim the this rendition of it was featured in a Warner Brothers film. The sales of Decca's recording of this selection passed the million mark and created an immediate demand for further recordings. Following the release of Decca's now famous "Dancing In The Dark," Cavallaro has been represented by more than a half-dozen albums, including "All The Things You Are," "I'll See You In My Dream," "Strauss Waltzes," "Serenade," "Music At Midnight," "The Eddy Duchin Story," and others.

Cavallaro's first personal appearance engagement was at the Strand Theatre in New York. The ovation he received there was tremendous; it marked the beginning of a theatre tour which took him to every leading city in the country. The plaudits after his appearance as a concert pianist brought him offers for concert engagements in this country and South America, culminating in a nation-wide concert tour.

In 1950, Carmen Cavallaro decided to disband his orchestra and to perform exclusively as a soloist. Playing with a dance band had restricted him to the dance tempo; playing solo in his own way, he felt that he could attain a greater rhythmical flexibility as well as a freedom in interpretation. His judgment was sound. Once again he showed his personal versatility as well as the variety of his talent. He was as effective with jazz as with the gentler moods; he was equally at home with Brahms and Boogie Boogie. When "The Eddy Duchin Story" was produced, the choice of Carmen Cavallaro as the pianist was inevitable. Like Duchin, Cavallaro had performed at the most famous hotels and nightclubs in the brilliantly melodic manner common to both.

This new album is a renewed proof of Cavallaro's scope. It reveals the range which won countless audiences at New York's Waldorf-Astoria, Chicago's Palmer House and Los Angeles' Cocoanut Grove – and it also displays the dramatic jazz technique which thrilled his listeners at New York's "Embers,"


From Billboard - October 27, 1956: Cavallaro's playing on the "Eddy Duchin Story" hit sound track package has brought him maximum showcasing, and riding on that crest of popularity, this new LP, too, should come in for good retail activity. Re-issue includes some of his most requested readings, including, "Dream Of Olwen," "Just Say I Love Her," "Beyond The Sea," "Autumn Leaves," etc. Jocks will find much playable stuff here.

The Dream Of Olwen
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Autumn In New York
In Love
Obsession
Shadow Time
Heaven Drops Her Curtain Down
Autumn Leaves
Beyond The Sea
Just Say I Love Her
Portrait Of Jennie
Twilight

Whistle A Happy Tune - Fred Lowery

Easy Goin'

Whistle A Happy Tune
Fred Lowery
Decca Records DL 8995
1960

From the back cover: Fred Lowery is one of the most amazing musicians in the world – he is a virtuoso without an instrument. An instrument, that is, in the generally accepted sense.

Fred Lowery whistles, a small accomplishment in itself, but through his lips pass some of the most delightful music ever heard. He has elevated the commonplace practice of "making a shrill sound by forcing the breath through the teeth of "lips" (Webster), into an acknowledged musical art form.

Born in Palestine, Texas, Mr. Lowery has been almost totally blind since early childhood. While attending a school for the blind, he met a bird imitator who encouraged him to take up the unusual hobby. "Before long," Mr. Lowery recalls, "I discovered to my delight there was more to whistling than bird calls."

Although he could not have imagined it as the time, his hobby was to become a highly successful career. After a series of initial professional engagements – radio shows in Dallas, several years with the Vincent Lopez Orchestra in New York, and so on, he attained national fame as a featured art of Horace Heidt's popular show. The popularity of his extraordinary artistry has since reached unprecedented proportion in every medium of entertainment.

Here, with beautiful songs such as the unforgettable The High And The Mighty, Over The Rainbow, Danny Boy and many others and accompanied by Anita Kerr Singers. Fred Lowery melodically urges you to Whistle A Happy Tune!


I Whistle A Happy Tune
Whispering
Mockin' Bird Hill
Easy Goin'
Over The Rainbow
Tammy
William Tell Overture
Red River Valley
Londonderry Air
Marie
Gypsy Love Song
Estrellita (Little Men)

My Fair Lady & The King And I - Al Goodman

I Have Dreamed
My Fair Lady & The King And I
Orchestra Conducted by Al Goodman
Promenade Records 2061
1958

From the back cover: Al Goodman famous conductor and musician has devoted all his life to music. His love for music and his inherent musical ability were manifest at an early age when he sang soprano in his father's choir, became a musician in the pit of a local "movie house", and was awarded a scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

In 1915 Al Goodman was selected by Earl Carroll to accompany him to California as arranger and conductor. That was Goodman's official entry into show business... the start of an illustrious musical career which brought him into personal contact with the all-time "greats" of show business... as the conductor of many shows and musical productions whose successes were due in great measure to his outstanding ability.

Al Goodman produced musical comedies with Earl Carroll... never-to-be director and composer of all Shubert musical productions. He later became associated with various Radio and TV Shows as musical consultant and director such as the Hit Parade and the Colgate Hour. In his wide and varied career he was associated arranger, conductor, recording artist or musical supervisor for about 200 famous musical shows and programs. He has worked with the biggest names in the history of Broadway: Earl Carroll, Al Jolson, George White, Sigmund Romberg, Jack Benny, Fannie Brice, George Jessel, Flo Ziefeld, James Melton, Max Gordon, Bob Hope and many, many others.


From Billboard - March 3, 1958: For the price this is a real bargain. The top hits from both of the Broadway classic are presented with charm and appeal by the artists with excellent ork settings. Miss Fisher, former understudy to Julie Andrews in "My Fair Lady," gives polished performances.

With A Little Bit Of Luck
Wouldn't It Be Lovely
On The Street Where You Live
The Rain In Spain
I Could Have Danced All Night
Get Me To Church On Time
Shall We Dance
I Have Dreamed
Getting To Know You
We Kiss In The Shadow
Something Wonderful