The Texas Woman's University Presents Tour '68

All You Need Is Love

And I Love Her

The Texas Woman's University Presents Tour '68
Century Custom Recording 32528

The Beatles Song Book - The Hollyridge Strings

She Loves You

The Beatles Song Book
The Hollyridge Strings
Capitol Records T 2116
1964

One of a number of Hollyridge Strings "Beatles" cover albums.

Arranged and produced by Stu Phillips.

Provocatif - 9 Exotic Motifs by John McFarland

The Chimp And The Bumble Bee

Head Hunters

Provocatif
9 Exotic Motifs by John McFarland
United Artists UAS 5053
1959

From the back cover: Provocatif is a mystical combination of oriental, african and latin instrumental sounds, plus natural effects gathered from the sea, sky and forest, all mixed with the whimsical genius of John Leslie McFarland. Although John McFarland has been at large in the Tin Pan Alley music jungle for some several seasons, and is a well-known composer, this album is the first full expose of his talent as pianist, and arranger.

I found a reference to McFarland in historical Billboard magazine (January 1986) article about The Brill Building. Apparently McFarland also may have worked as Johnny Jungletree.

There are other online references to a John Leslie McFarland as a song writer.

This record was reviewed in Billboard, November 1959 as having good sales potential: ...John McFarland's six man group plays some strikingly original numbers with jazz motifs, a couple of humorous items, and understated treatments of "Tangerine" and Where or When" that are truly lovely.

This album was released several years after Martin Denny's Exotica, Liberty 1957, but in the same year as the Denny's successful, Quiet Village. The number 1 A side track, Jungle Bells sound an awful lot like a Denny tune, but the recording then takes on a life of it's own.

The sample above, The Chimp And The Bumble Bee was composed by McFarland.

Polynesian and Hawaiian Music

Polynesian Rhythm

Polynesian and Hawaiian Music
Bernie Kaai & His Hawaiians
Varsity 6943 (10 inch, 33 rpm)

Moonlight In Hawaii

Hawaiian Music

Varsity Hawaiian Orchestra

Varsity Concertone 2022 (12 inch, 33 rpm)

Super budget label, Varsity, apparently in a moment of supreme cheapness... mated leftover Schumann Cello Concerto (Varsity 1312 and dated 1952) back covers to Hawaiian Music (Varsity 2022) front covers!

With that said, this is still a delightful "Island" set that features many sweet vocal numbers.

Steel Guitar Boogie

Polynesian and Hawaiian Music

Royale 1887 (below) 10 inch, 33 rpm

Percussion!

Largo from Chavez - Toccata For Percussion

Percussion!
Capitol P8299
1955

Here's an interesting find. Side one is conducted by Felix Slatkin who would go on to produce space age pop stuff including this excellent LP: Fantastic Percussion.

The vibe is a blend of moody classical with some subtle percussion that comes across as an attempt to create and market a record that might appeal to early concept/avant grade album buyers.

The sample above is band from side one.

Darius Milhaud: Concerto for percussion and small orchestra - Concert Arts Orchestra conducted by Felix Slatkin

Carlos Chavez: Toccata For Percussion - Concert Arts Orchestra conducted by Felix Slatkin

Bela Bartok: Music for string instruments, percussion and celesta - Los Angeles Chamber Symphony - Conducted by Harold Byrns

Crosley Promotional Records - Shelvador

Crosley Kitchen

Crosley Refrigerator

Crosley Air Conditioner

Why Hi-Fi?

Why Hi-Fi?
A Consultant Record CR-102
MEIGS Of Cincinnati, Ohio
1957

The sample above is side two. This side features an interesting general discussion of vintage Hi-Fi.

Sorry about the skip at the end.

Crazy Bongo - Haji Baba

Baba

Crazy Bongo
Haji Baba
Modern MST 825

I didn't expect much from this budget LP on Modern. But who can pass up an album with "crazy" and "bongo" in the title? I was surprised to hear sophisticated small combo jazz, rather than the standard "crazy bongo" stuff.

I did a search for Haji Baba and wasn't rewarded with information on the man.

Crazy Bongos
Baba
Bongo Madness
Bongo Congo
Katanga
Bongo Cubano
El Rio Bongo
Panamania
Tabatinga
Bango Del Sol

Music To Knit By - Arnold Eidus

Over The Rainbow

Music To Knit By
Played By The Golden Strings
Arnold Eidus Violin Soloist And Director
Kapp Records - KL 1037
1956

From October 13, 1956 Billboard: Music for "infanticipating" – music for perhaps the most tender, meaningful period of life – is the theme of this package. The Golden Strings, with Arnold Eidus as conductor, arranger and violin soloist, play the selections with special tenderness as befits the mood. Album's cover pictures a young mother knitting baby clothes. One of the more thoughtful packages of mood music.

Over The Rainbow
Danny Boy
Little Sir Echo
Won't You Come Over To My House
Daddy's Little Boy
Little Lady Make Believe
Lullaby
Toyland
Jeanne With The Light Brown Hair
Daddy's Little Girl
Dear Little Boy Of Mine
Might 'Lak A Rose

Waikiki Brass Visit Tijuana

Kimo Meets El Primo

Waikiki Brass Visit Tijuana
Dot Records DLP 25887
1968

Here's a taste from a light pop brass album. Overall the album is pretty good for budget brass gone island...

South Of The Border
Strangers In The Night
Tacos And Poi
These Foolish Things
Kimo Meets El Primo
Chi Chi
Tijuana Frog
Tijuana Hula
Spanish Eyes
Leilani Lopez Blows Her Cool
Tijuana Wipeout
Bye By3 Blues