The Vagabonds

 

I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

The Vagabonds

Unique Records LP-112

A Subsidiary Of RKO Teleradio Pictures, Inc.

1956

From the back cover: "America's Daffiest Laughiest Swing Quartet" may be their billing buy even Mr. Webster failed to come up with the proper adjectives that would best described the one and only Vagabonds! However, reviewers coast-to-coast write their rave reviews in complete accord when they report that this zany foursome is something "unique"... so, (and no pun intended!) what more appropriate label for their first album?

Having appeared in practically every major night club and theatre in the country, and always to houses packed to the rafters, The Vagabonds have earned this "something unique in show business" reputation principally because of their ability to merely stand there, with deadpan expressions, and throw the audience into uproarious laughter! The musical-maniacs comprising the quartet are Attilio Risso, the expressionless accordionist; the comedy-guitarists, Dom Germano and Al Torriere and Pete Peterson, combination buffoon and bass player. All native Californians, the team has been tickling funny bones since 1941 with their antics on The Bob Hope Show, The Frank Sinatra Show, The Abbot & Costello Show and in many top movies including Spirit Of Stanford, She Has What It Takes, Swing Out The Blues, It Ain't Hay and People Are Funny. A rarity pointed out in one of their always-terrific notices... "they can punch out the same old numbers for seasons and still kill the people!"

After three years in service, spending most of their time overseas entertaining wounded personnel, The Vagabonds resumed their busy professional life, with regular appearances on The Arthur Godfrey Show, the daffy double-duo was soon giving the giggles to TV-Radio audiences across the nation... and practically overnight they became one of America's favorites

It becomes increasingly evident each season that The Vagabonds are an institution in Miami, fabulous vacation playground where the boys own their own plush, intimate nitery, whose walls are covered with nine foot caricatures of the foursome. It was right here in their Vagabond Club that they were discovered by a talent scout during one of their laugh-a-second performances and were signed to a long-term movie contract. An ironic twist to their fabulous career is the fact that they cannot read a note of music, yet, they play everything from swing to sweet... and always in rare form! – Notes by Larry Meeks

From Billboard - December 15, 1956: Zany quartet's first album has plenty of steam in it, altho the group's sight comedy in their movie hilarious projections of necessity is lost. Included is their baker's dozen offering are their happily rowdy "Salt" and "The Queen's Hula." However, the boys do a bang-up job on the sweet side, with "I Wonder" and "Wrong" just for a change of pace. Package's primary appeal will be gaited to those familiar with their musical closing. As there are plenty of the latter its potential should be regarded accordingly.

Vagabond Theme

I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

Salt

It's Goodbye And So Long To You

I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder 

Lazy River

The Queen's Hula

Pony Ride

Wrong

Mistrel Medley: Back In Your Own Back Yard, I Wanna Say Hello, Rockabye My Baby, Waitin' For The Robert E Lee