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Saturday, December 5, 2020

Great Songs From The Great Shows Of The Century - Jane Morgan

 

Love For Sale

Jane Morgan
Great Songs From The Great Shows Of The Century
Orchestra directed by Frank Hunter
The Troubadors directed by Marty Gold
Piano Duo: Ernest Bragg & Buddy Weed
KAPP STEREOPHONIC SOUND KX-5006-6
A KAPP Recording
1958

From the back cover: Beauty, charm, intelligence and musical talent! Such are some of the assets of Miss Jane Morgan, one of the most delightful and polished performers in the related entertainment fields of night clubs, the theatre and phonograph recordings.

Born in New England and raised in Florida, the beauteous Miss Morgan studied at the famed Juilliard School of Music, working at the same time with a dance orchestra in a Manhattan hotel so as to get much-needed experience and financial assistance. Discovered by the French impresario, Bernard Hilda, she developed into an eminently successful night-club performer in Paris, later touring the leading bistros in the various capitals of Europe.

Returning to America, she headlined at not one, but two leading New York hotels, the Plaza and the Pierre, at the Palmer House in Chicago, the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, the Eden Roc and many more in Miami Beach, entranced millions of Americans on numerous top TV shows, appeared in several musical comedies, and established herself as one of the country's leading singers via her highly successful recordings on the Kapp label, including her top-selling version of Fascination. 

From Billboard - November 3, 1958: This is one of Miss Morgan's finest offerings. he deluxe two-disk set is attractively packaged, highlighted by a lovely cover shot of the artist. Songs from man of the great shows, from 1900, to the present are given lush, warm vocals by the thrush, with good instrumental backings. It's a wonderful item.

Dancing In The Dark
You'll Neve Walk Alone
Toyland
Moonbeams
I Love Paris
C'est Magnifique
Merry Widow Waltz
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
Give My Regards To Broadway
The Yankee Doodle Boy
Hello Young Lovers
Hey There
They Didn't Believe Me
So In Love
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody
Say It With Music
I Could Have Danced All Night
How Are Things In Glocca Morra
A Bushel And A Peck
If I Were A Bell
Almost Like Being In Love
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
You're Just In Love
A Wonderful Guy
They Say It's Wonderful
Love Is Here To Stay
Just In Time
Love For sale
Heart

You N Me - Al Cohn & Zoot Sims

 

Improvisation For Unaccompanied Saxophones

You 'N Me
The Al Cohn - Zoot Sims Quintet
With Mose Allison through the courtesy of Columbia Records - A Division of Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.
EmArcy Series Mercury Records SR 60606

From the back cover: Free-swinging modern jazz by two celebrated alumni of Woody Herman's celebrated "Four Brothers" team, each individually known as a tenor sax stylist.

Recorded in New York City June 1 and 3, 1960. Personnel: Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, tenor saxophones (clarinets on Angel Eyes); Mose Allison, piano; Major Holley, bass; Osie Johnson, drums. Produced by Leonard Feather.

With this album EmArcy jazz followers are introduced to a new and highly combustible version of a combo that has an intermittent but productive life since it burst on the jazz scene a few year ago.

Al Cohen and Zoot Sims are the kind of team that can accurately be described as a natural. The careers of these two modern tenor saxophonists have run parallel in several respects; their musical attitudes have much in common; and most important of all, their manner of expression blends superbly.

Al Cohn, though respected both in jazz and in the broader general field of popular music as a composer-arranger and instrumentalist of impeccable academic and artistic standards, had comparatively little formal training and was completely self-taught on tenor. Born in Brooklyn November 24, 1925, he took piano and clarinet lessons as a youngster but acquired most of his knowledge empirically. He was still in his teens when he gained his first big band experience in the orchestra of Joe Marsala and Georgie Auld. After working with Auld off and on from '43-6 he spent some time in the Alvino Rey and Buddy Rich bands (everybody had a big band in those days), then in January of '48 began what was to be the best-remembered and most crucial stint of his formative years, as part of the memorable Second Herd led by Woody Herman, in which the three-tenors-and-baritone sound of the reed section commemorated at that time in the Jimmy Giuffre composition Four Brothers, was the most important characteristic.

During the 1950s Al oscillated with consistent success between the commercial and jazz worlds, writing many arrangements for major TV shows such as the Hit Parade, but maintaining is identity as a jazz soloist by working with Benny Goodman and various combos and bands on a temporary basis.

John Haley "Zoot" Sims is exactly 26 days older than Al. Born in Inglewood, California, he too studied clarinet in school but was self-taught on tenor. After working briefly with West Coast bands he came to the attention of New York listeners during a couple of visits with Goodman in the mid-1940s, and with a sextet led by Bill Harris at Cafe Society, Zoot joined the Herman band when Woody was reorganizing in California in the fall of 1947 and remained with him until '49. The '50s found him on a variety of gigs on the West Coast (he toured for a while with Stan Kenton in '53) and on the East Coast and in Europe with both Benny Goodman and Gerry Mulligan (he was heard on EmArcy while with Gerry).

Asked to name their preferences on tenor sax, Al and Zoot invariably name one another, but acknowledge the primary influence of Lester Young and express their continuing admiration for Sonny Snitt. Though to the casual listener the Young influence seems strong in both, protracted hearings make it evident that Al and Zoot have spread out in slightly different directions despite their common inspirations. Al's slightly fuller and rounder tone, Zoot's more attenuated sound and oblique approach can be discerned as their most distinctive traits.

Fans of Al and Zoot around New York City need hardly be told that many of their happiest months during the past couple of years have been spent at the Half Note, a relaxed and informal spot southwest of Greenwich Village. Bassist Major Holley, who was with them at "the Note" when these sides were taped, will be remembered by some fans as a former Oscar Peterson Trio member; during the '50s he was off the scene for quite a while living and working in England. Pianist Mose Allison, the Mississippi product with the Minton touch, has been in New York for four years, working with small combos, and was also with Al And Zoot at the Half Note at the time of this season. Osie Johnson, too busy nowadays to tie himself down to a night club job, is New York's most dependable and popular free-lance drummer. Shortly after the Al-Zoot date he went on staff with Dick Hyman's swinging little band on Arthur Godfrey's daily CBS program.

The Note
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
You' N Me
On The Alamo
The Opener
Angel Eyes
Awful Lonely
Love For Sale
Improvisation For Unaccompanied Saxophones

Rubber Soul Jazz - The Music Company

 

Michelle

Rubber Soul Jazz
The Music Company
Arranger: Don Randi
Producer: Marshall Lieb
Engineer: Dave Hassenger
Photos & Design: George S. Whiteman
Recorded at RCA Studios, Hollywood
Mirwood MWS 7002
1966

Side one, cuts 1, 2, 3 & 4
Don Randi - Piano
Hal Blaine - Drums
Julius Wechtor - Vibes, Percussion
Pat Smith - Bass
Tommy Tedesco - 1st Guitar
James Burton - 2nd Guitar

Side one, cuts 5 & 6
Don Randi - Piano
John Clauder - Drums
Tommy Tedesco - Guitar
Gary Coleman - Vibes, Percussion
Pat Smith - Bass

Side two, cuts 1 & 2
Don Randi - Piano
John Clauder - Drums
Tommy Tedesco - Guitar
Gary Coleman - Vibes, Percussion
Pat Smith - Bass

Side two, cuts 3, 4, 5 & 6
Don Randi - Piano
John Clauder - Drums
Tommy Tedesco - Guitar
Julius Wechtor - Vibes, Percussion
Pat Smith - Bass
Hal Gordon - Conga (Cuts 3 & 4 only)

Norwegian Wood
I've Just Seen A Face
You Won't See Me
Think For Yourself
The Word
Michelle
It's Only Love
Girl
I'm Looking Through You
In My Life
Wait
Run For Your Life

Friday, December 4, 2020

Lena Horne Sings

You Go To My Head

Lena Horne Sings
Phil Moore and His Orchestra
Tops Masterpieces L910
10 inch 33 RPM
1953

You Go To My Head
More Than You Know
Just Squeeze Me
Whispering
Frankie & Johnny (Parts 1 and 2)

Finding A New Friend - Oscar Brown & Luiz Henrique

 

Listen To Me

Finding A New Friend
Oscar Brown & Luiz Henrique
Oscar Brown, Jr. Meets Luiz Henrique In A Unique Blend Of The Words And Music Of North And South America
*Arranged by Sivuca 
**Arranged by Luiz Henrique
Produced by Hal Mooney
Fontana Records - A Division of Mercury Records, Inc.
MGF 27549
1966

Laia Ladaia
Nothin' But A Fool
Manha De Carnaval
Much As I Love You
I had No Idea
Wham! Bam! Thank You Mam!
Finding A New Friend
Dawn Comes Again
Listen To Me
The Answer To My Prayer
Seeing Maria
Barra Limpa

Lush And Lovely - Skitch Henderson

 

Pagan Love Song

Lush And Lovely
The Piano Magic Of Skitch Henderson with Orchestra
Cover Photo: Columbia Records Studio - Henry Parker
Columbia CL 1823
1962

From the back cover: Some years ago – 1939 to be exact – on a warm August day, I was faced with a great decision. I had just finished a vaudeville tour as an accompanist for Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Ukulele Ike. The termination took place in Chicago, and the manager of the troupe asked me where I'd like to go. Quite obviously everyone else was returning to Hollywood. He had a spare ticket in the same direction; I had no cares, only wild dreams and, if I remember correctly, $112 in the pocket of my sweater.

Three and a half days later the company disembarked at Glendale, which was quite stylish at that time. There they were met by the press, and all the formalities of public relations took place. Strangely enough I too got off at Glendale not realizing that it was still a good ten or twelve miles to Hollywood and Vine and all the people with whom I had traveled disappeared into the palm trees, the sunshine, the Brown Derby and the blue Pacific. I was on my own.

The first year was pretty grim. Milk shakes then cost a dime, and therefore became my sustenance most of the time. An occasional market opening (with searchlights), an occasional job as stand-in for some famous musician, an occasional glance and encouragement from men like Victor Young, Morris Stoloff and Ray Heindorf helped to feed my ego, if no my stomach.

Somehow, I never became a fan of post-World War II Hollywood. But during my confused years, I had the opportunity to meet and work with many people on both sides of the cameras. The songs in this album represent not only my nostalgic memories of a giant artistic industry, but the fun, warmth and happiness that this industry brought to the screen for all of us. The arrangements, the piano and the orchestra are modern, but back of it all lurks the sound of a pianist in Stillwater, Oklahoma underscoring your favorite silent picture on Saturday night, or the magnificent sound of Eugene Ormandy with the Capitol Theatre orchestra on Broadway. No popcorn, please. – Skitch Henderson

Angela Mia
Diane
Charmaine
Jeannie, I Dream Of Lilac Time
Ramona
The Sheik Of Araby
Love, Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere
Paradise
Falling In Love Again
Pagan Love Song
Merry Widow Waltz
On The Sunny Side Of The Street

21 Trombones - Urbie Green

 

The Party

Urbie Green and Twenty of The "World's Greatest"
21 Trombones
Rock Blues Jazz
Originated and Produced by Enoch Light
Associate Producer: Julie Klages
Recording Chief: Phil Ramone
Cover Art: Charles E. Murphy
Total Sound Stereo Project 3
PR 5024SD
The Total Sound Inc.
1968

From the inside cover: The group was made up of an honor roll of the trombone world. It consisted of Will Bradley, Harry Di Vito, Eddie Bert, Jimmy Cleveland, Mervin Gold, Jack Rains, Chauncey Welsch, Mickey Gravine, Johnny Mesner, Jr., Lou McGarity, Phil Giardina, Charlie Small, J. J. Johnson, Barry Maur, Bill Elton, Sonny Russo, Tommy Mitchell, Tony Studd, Alan Raph, Dick Hixson, Paul Faulise, Buddy Morrow, Wayne Andre and Kai Winding.

And, of course, Urbie Green, playing some of the most magnificent solos he or any other trombonist has ever put on a recording. Just a sampling of some of the cadenzas he plays in this album could stand as the complete definition of virtuosity on the trombone.

I Get The Blues When It Rains
Timbre
Mood Indigo
Sunny
Just Dropped By
Blue Flame
The Party
Perdido
The Green Bee
I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
How Come You Do Me Like You Do

Victor Young's Musical Sketchbook

 

Moonlight Serenade

Victor Young's Musical Sketchbook
Victor Young and His Orchestra
Decca Records DL 8140
1955

From Billboard -  December 10, 1955: The popular film composer-conductor has included his longer pieces, "Arizona Sketches" and "Manhattan Concerto," here, plus several shorter things. It's a big order of strings-predominant schmaltz that should sell big with fanciers of movie-type music, of followers of the adulterated Tchaikowsky-Gershwin idiom. Good background music, as well as deejay mood stuff.

Arizona Sketches
Manhattan Concerto
In A November Garden
Moonlight Serenade
My Mother
Travelin' Light

Soft Summer Breeze - Eddie Heywood

 

Soft Summer Breeze

Soft Summer Breeze
The Piano Mastery Of Eddie Heywood
Produced by Marvin Holtzman
Capitol Records STEREO ST 163
1968

From the back cover: Eddie's outstanding piano artistry first won attention with his recordings with the Benny Carter band of 1939. The years between have been marked by a continuing series of distinguished offerings: "Begin The Beguine" and his unforgettable collaborations with blues vocalist Billie Holiday in 1944... his monumentally popular "Canadian Sunset" in the mid-fifties... and his deeply satisfying mood albums of more recent issue, including his excellent "With Love And Strings" collection of just last year.

For "Soft Sumer Breeze," Eddie has called in a select group of old friends: bassist Al Lucas who also performed on "Begin The Beguine" twenty-five years ago; drummer Bobby Donaldson, alternating with Grady Tate; and, as a special guest artist, Toots Thielemans, virtuosos performer on both harmonica and guitar.

Give My Regards To Broadway
How Are Things In Glocca Morra
Bluer Than Blue
Romona
If A Tear Could Talk
Ode To Da
Soft Summer Breeze
Don't Take Your Love From Me
Long Time No See
Something Happens Inside Of Me
Arabian Daze

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Lena Lovely And Alive - Lena Horne

 

I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

Lena Lovely And Alive
Lena Horne
Arranged and Conducted by Marty Paich
Produced by Dick Peirce
RCA Living Series LPM-2587
1962

From Billboard - November 17, 1962: The vivacious Miss Horne come across once again with an LP performance that's a show-stopper. Composed of some fine night club-type material, the album has pace and class. All of the tune titles begin with the first person singular, but there's nothing self-conscious about the singing. Some of the fine tracks are "I Concentrate On You," "I'm Confessin'," "I Understand" and "I Surrender Dear."

I Concentrate On You
I Get The Blues When It Rains
I've Grown Accustomed To His Face
I Got Rhythm 
I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
I Want To Be Happy
I Surrender, Dear
I Found A New Baby
I Understand
I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
I Ain't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me)
I Only Have Eyes For You

Living Free - Living Strings

 

My Special Dream & Finale

Living Strings Plays Music From Living Free
Arranged and Conducted by Johnny Douglas
Produced by Ethel Gabriel 
Recorded in England
RCA Camden CAS-2564
1972

Living Free
Joy's Theme
Life And Death In The Bush
No Other Girl
Playtime For Cubs
Born Free
Sweet Talk
Joy's Theme - Living Free (Reprise)
My Special Dream
Finale

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow - Wilma Burgress

 

Look At The Laughter

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
Wilma Burgess
Vocals with Chorus and Instrumental Accompaniment with The Jordanaires
Decca Records DL 75090
1969

From Billboard - March 15, 1969: Spotlighting her current single, the title tune, the fine stylist offers a well-planned program, beautifully delivered. Her warmth (Billboard copy obscured)... ballads such as "Until My Dreams Come True," and "I Started Loving You Again" will put this LP right up the country chart.

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
Walk Through This World With Me
Until My Dreams Come True
Look At The Laughter
Love Takes Care Of Me
Only Mama
That'll Walk The Line
Shine A Little Sun On Me
I Started Loving You Again
Sweet Promises
I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore
When You Are Gone

Hollywood Byrd - Charlie Byrd

 

Alfie

Hollywood Byrd
Charlie Byrd
With Orchestra & Chorus
Arranged and Conducted by Tom Newsom
Produced by Two Macero
Cover Photo: Columbia Records Photo Studio - Don Hunstein
Columbia CS 9452
1967

From the back cover: Every one of the selections is stamped with Charlie Byrd's distinctive musical personality. His jazz orientation is evidenced by the loose and free way he weaves his musical ideas through this music. The voices are used instrumentally and do not sing lyrics. The music is basically quiet, with Charlie's guy-string guitar providing most of the melodic interest.

A Time For Love (from "An American Dream")
Georgy Girl (from "Georgy Girl")
Alfie (from "Alfie")
The Wishing Doll (from "Hawaii")
Wish Me A Rainbow (from "This Property Is Condemned")
Born Free (from "Born Free")
In The Arms Of Love (from "What Did You Do In The War, Daddy?")
Any Wednesday (from "Any Wednesday")
Moment To Moment (from "Moment To Moment")
I'll Be Back (from "Spinout")

Music For Dreaming - Paul Weston

 

Laura

Music For Dreaming
Paul Weston
Produced by John Palladino
Photo by Alex de Paola
Capitol Records T1154
1959

From the back cover: Paul Weston began his career as an orchestral arranger, and worked with both Tommy Dorsey and Bob Crosby. Later, becoming active in radio and motion pictures, he backgrounded such singing stars as Jo Stafford (now his wife), Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer. More recently, he has been musical director of many nation-wide TV shows. And today, as in the past, his mood music albums from Capitol are among the most successful of his many achievements.

From Billboard - March 16, 1959: Romantic, lush sound is applied by the orkster on a lovely set of tunes. It's a soft programming package for late hour listening. Stereo adds to the appreciation of the beautifully-arranged selections. Those who like their music sweet and easy will go for this. Numbers include "Laura," "I'm In The Mood For Love," and "If I Love Again." Sound is excellent.

Easy Come, Easy Go
Laura
You're Mine, You!
If I Love Again
Don't Blame Me
My Blue Heaven
I Only Have Eyes For You
Rain
I'm In The Mood For Love
Out Of Nowhere 
I'm Thur With Love
So Beats My Heart For You



Hi-Fi Spectacular - Sound Of A Thousand Strings

 

Journey Into Space (CLP 5116)

Hi-Fi Spectacular
Sound Of A Thousand Strings
Conducted by Antoine De Treville
Cover Design: Rosentswieg
Crown Records
Full Color High Fidelity CLP 5116 & STEREO CST 148
1959

From the back cover: To augment "The Sounds Of A Thousand Strings," Antoine De Treville has arranged a tremendous symphonic group of brass, percussion and rhythm sections. 

La Cucaracha
Love Affair
Journey Into Space
Dance Chinoise
Romance
Wayfaring Stranger
A Texan In Paris
Exotic Island
Minute Waltz
Grandfather Clock
Dance De Mirlitons
Little Brown Jug

Don - Don Cornell

 

Most Of All

Don
With Orchestra Directed by Norman Leyden, Dick Jacob, Carretta & Jerry Carr
Coral CRL 57055
1956

From the back cover: Everything the Don Cornell does packs a punch – which is no more than natural, for Don won his school's middle-weight boxing title when he attended Roosevelt High School. Born in New York City, Don was a typical metropolitan boy, but he wavered between pugilism and music. It was not until he graduated that he know what he wanted – which was to be singer. Don was still in his teens when he auditioned for an orchestra at the Edison Hotel. With the typical Cornell gift for success, he won the trial.

After that Don was featured with a number of orchestras. He attained prominence as a member of the Sammy Kaye organization; interrupted his career to enlist in the Army Air Corps; rejoined Kaye and, in 1952, signed a Coral Recording contract. His Coral records were immediately successful and created a demand for more... and more.

I'm Yours
I'll Walk Alone
The Bible Tells Me So
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
Most Of All
If You Were Only Mine
But Love Me
Could You
We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me)
Size 12
It Isn't Fair
Something To Remember You By

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Ten Trumpets & 2 Guitars - Pete Rugolo

 

Two Guitars (High Fidelity)

Two Guitars (Stereo)

Ten Trumpets 2 Guitars
Pete Rugolo and Orchestra
Mercury Records PPS 2016 & PPS 6016
1961

Personnel:

Trumpets: Frank Beach, Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli, Mannie Klein, Cappy Lewis, Ollie Mitchell, Uan Rasey, Joe Triscari, Bud Brisbols (Sessions I and III) Don Fagerquist (Sessions II and III) Ray Triscari (Sessions I and II)
Guitars: Howard Roberts, Al Viola
Bass: Joe Mondragon
Percussion I: Alvin Stoller (Sessions I and II), Shelly Manne (Session III)
Percussion II: Larry Bunker
N.B.: The trumpet players double flugelhorn in certain instances

Carnival Of Venice
Hot Lips
Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White
Struttin' With Some Barbecue
Trumpets At Large
Guitarsville
Cirbiribin
Sugar Blues
Whispering
Echoes Of Harlem
Ten Trumpets Have I
Two Guitars

Memory Songs - Jo Stafford & Gordon MacRae

 

Last Night

Memory Songs
Jo Stafford & Gordon MacRae
Paul Weston and His Orchestra
Capitol Records T428
1955

Wunderbar
Need You
Long Long Ago
Juanita
In The Gloaming
Last Night
Beyond The Sunset
Whispering Hope
Stars Of The Summer Night
Love's Old Sweet Song
Now The Day Is Over

Monday, November 30, 2020

Silk 'N' Brass - Jackie Gleason

 

The Girl From Ipanema

Silk 'N' Roses
Jackie Gleason
Produced by Dick Jones
Recording Engineer: Bob Arnold
Capitol Records SW 2409
1965

From the back cover: The tempos range from softly lilting, to medium, to fast, the styles from bossa nova and jazz waltz through ballads with a beat. The arrangements are  by George Williams, and the solo passages are by two first-rate horn men who have been featured in pervious Gleason albums, Pee Wee Erwin on trumpet and Charlie Ventura on tenor sax.

From Billboard - November 20, 1965: Once again Jackie Gleason has whipped up a lush orchestra sound to deliver a flock of flavorsome melodies. The repertoire is varied, covering jazz, bossa nova and ballad beats. The treatment is uniformly excellent.

One Of Those Songs (Girls Of The Folies Berger's)
The Girl From Ipanema
It's Such A Happy Day
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Real Live Girl
Starry Eyed And Breathless
You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
Begin To Love
Shangri-La
If I Ruled The World
Somebody Else Is Taking My Place

Guitar Spectacular! - Roy Clark

 

Overdue Blues

Guitar Spectacular!
The Roy Clark
Produced by Ken Nelson
Cover Photo: Bruno Of Hollywood
New Improved Full Dimensional Sound 
Capitol Records ST 2425
1965

From Billboard - December 4, 1965: Never before has the extraordinary guitar skill of Roy Clark shone so brightly. With excellent background support, Clark performs beautiful Latin-flavored versions of "Caravan," "La Paloma," "Malaguena" and superb pop versions of "Alabama Jubilee and "Lilli Marlene."

Caravan
La Paloma
Down Yonder
Westphalia Waltz
Overdue Blues
Alabama
Jubilee
Tico Tico
In An Eighteenth Century Drawing Room
Malaguena
Lilli Marlene
Medley: Wildwood Flower, In The Willow Garden, Little Jimmy Brown
Racing The Mule

Say, Darling - David Wayne - Vivan Blaine - Johnny Desmond

 

It's Doom

David Wayne - Vivian Blaine - Johnny Desmond
Say, Darling
A Comedy About A Musical by Richard Bissell, Abe Burrows & Marian Bissell
Based on Richard Bissell's Best-Selling Novel
Songs by Betty Comden - Adolf Green - June Styne
With Jerome Cowan - Constant Ford - Horace McMahon - Robert Morse - Walter Klavun - Matt Mattox
Designed by Oliver Smith
Costumes by Alvin Colt
Lighting by Peggy Clark
Dances by Mr. Mattox
At the piano: Colin Romoff and Peter Howard
Directed by Abe Burrows
Musical Direction and Orchestrations for this album: Sid Ramin
RCA Victor LSO-1045
1958

Overture
Try To Love Me (Vivian Blaine)
It's Doom (Johnny Desmond)
The Husking Bee (Johnny Desmond and Cast)
It's The Second Time You Meet That Matters (Johnny Desmond)
Let The Lower Lights Be Burning (David Wayne, Jerome Cowan)
Chief Of Love (Vivian Blaine)
Say, Darling (Johnny Desmond)
The Carnival Song (David Wayne, Vivian Blaine, Steve Condos)
Try To Love Me (Johnny Desmond)
Dance Only With Me (Vivian Blaine, Mitchell Gregg)
Something's Always Happening On The River (David Wayne and Cast)
Finale (Cast)

Original Film Sound Tracks - Glenn Miller

 

Serenade In Blue

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
Original Film Sound Tracks
From his 20th Century-Fox motion pictures "Orchestra Wives" and "Sun Valley Serenade"
Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with Tex Beneke, Ray Eberle, Pat Friday, Marion Hutton and The Modernaires
20th Fox TCF-100-2
1958

From the back cover: The Hollywood Studio Sound

In the years since Miller broke up his band in 1942 to go into the Service, recorded sound has made some of its greatest advances and each passing year produces further refinements in the recording art. Today, recordings made in the 'Forties are apt to sound lack-lustre, so accustomed have our ears become to the wide-ranging fidelity of today's sound. But back then when the recording of phonograph disks was still – by today's standards – relatively primitive, the sound engineers of Hollywood were already far ahead of their colleagues in the phonograph studios. They were reproducing music on tape for film sound-tracks with a life-like faithfulness that could rarely be matched on a record.

In Orchestra Wives and Sun Valley Serenade, Glenn Miller's band received the benefits of this advanced recording. And now, in this album, you too share in its benefits for it enables you to hear the greatest popular band America has ever produced in the highest quality recordings it ever made.


From Billboard - November 24, 1958: This is likely to become a collector's item. It's a de luxe packaging job containing the original film sound tracks from the films "Orchestra Wives" and "Sun Valley Serenade" – the only two full length films in which the band was featured. Included are "In The Mood," "Bugle Call Rag," "I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo," etc., plus some new performances which were edited out of the original films. There are also the voices of Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton, etc., and performances by the Miller Six. Inner fold of the two record set cover includes a terrific display piece – a photo of the Miller band, with names under each man.

In The Mood
Room Shot
Serenade In Blue
Bugle Call Rag
Chattanooga Choo-Choo
You Say The Sweetest Things, Baby
It Happened In Sun Valley
Measure For Measure
Moonlight Sonata
I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo
At Last
Sun Valley Jump
That's Sabotage
American Patrol
The Spirit Is Willing
People Like You And Me
I Know Why And So Do You
Moonlight Serenade

Sunday, November 29, 2020

The One And Only Kay Starr

 

Glad Rag Doll

The One And Only Kay Starr
Musical Director: Hal Mooney
RCA Victor LPM-1149
1956

From Billboard - January 21, 1956: A collection of a dozen standards that Kay Starr has not recorded previously, done in her characteristic style; earthy, blues-touched, song form the heart. The tunes range from "The Prisoner's Song" and "My Buddy" to "Jump For Joy" and "Glad Rag Doll." Riding the crest of a new surge of popularity, the singer stands to cash in with this satisfying anthology of favorites.

A Hundred Years From Today
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
Glad Rag Doll
Fit As A Fiddle
My Buddy
You Can Depend On Me
I Want A Little Boy
I'll Never Say "Never Again"
Again
The Prisoner's Song
Once More
Georgia On My Mind
Jump For Joy

Country And Western Jubilee - David Huston

 

Lonesome World

Country & Western Jubilee
David Houston 
Guest Star Country Western Series G1478

All I Do Is Dream Of You - David Houston
Waited So Long - David Houston 
Our Little Secret  - Margie Singleton
I Love You - Ginny Wright with Jim Reeves
Man With The Blues - Willie Nelson
Someone Somewhere - Warner Mack
My Love For You - Warner Mack
Texas Swing - Zeke Clements
Return To Red River Valley - Zeke Clements
Lonesome World - Zeke Clements

Connie Francis & Hank Williams Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites

 

Singing The Blues

Connie Francis & Hank Williams, Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites
Vocal accompaniment by The Jordanaires
Produced by Jim Vinneau and Danny Davis
Director of Engineering: Val Valentin
MGM STEREO SE-4251
1965

From the back cover: The astute listener will note that the arrangements of Bill McElhiney carry out the theme of musical fusion and contrast. Violins and voices, for instance (both manifestations of the pop sound) are used extensively. Country fiddles are not used. Also, there is considerable use of the so-called gospel-styled piano. This latter technique, of course, has been a prominent element in recording arrangements for the past several years (ever since Floyd Cramer's hit, Last Date). These qualities, together with the song material and general sound – mark the album as Nashville-made.

From Billboard - February 20, 1965: Two top performers team up for a concert of pop-country music. Both Connie and Hank do great jobs with the great songs. Fine backing by massed strings and the Jordanaires. Tunes include "Wolverton Mountain," "Mule Skinner Blues," "Singing The Blues."

Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Wolverton Mountain
Please Hep Me I'm Falling In Love
Singing The Blues
Walk On By
If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time
Mule Skinner Blues
Making Believe
Blue, Blue Day
No Letter Today
Bye Bye, Love
Wabash Cannonball