Record #82

12 January 2010 in Music by DJ Drew | No comments

While waiting for some paint to dry this weekend, I reached in and dug out an album from 1972 which was recorded at The Hit Factory in New York.

Jim Croce
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim

This ABC Records album may not feature “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” but it is certainly one of those albums that fits the cliche of what I intended the point of this project to be. This album makes a great listen from start to finish, well thought out with a variety of dynamics on each side; it’s not a cherry picker album.

One awesome thing I first noticed about this album is that it folds out and has all the lyrics to the songs – in a font that is readable! Yea, CD’s have been known to enclose lyrics, but real estate is such a prime with them that you need a magnifying glass to read the lyrics and notes – not so on this album!

I think my top favorites on the album are mostly on the flip side, “Box #10,” “A Long Time Ago,” and “Hey Tomorrow.” The other favorite (on the front) being the title track, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” Funny thing is, when I looked up the airplay charts and compared them to my list, only one made the cut. The top hits of album from back in the day are, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels),” and “Time in a Bottle.”

Although, the one song that deserves a special mentioning is, “Time in a Bottle.” With the help of ABC’s movie, “She Lives!” Croce’s “Time in a Bottle” topped the charts at number one three months after his untimely death.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:

  1. You Don’t Mess Around with Jim
  2. Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Brighter Day
  3. New York’s Not My Home
  4. Hard TIme Losin’ My Man
  5. Photographs and Memories
  6. Walking Back To Georgia

Side 2:

  1. Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)
  2. Time in a Bottle
  3. Rapid Boy (The Stock Car Boy)
  4. Box #10
  5. A Long Time Ago
  6. Hey Tomorrow

This album features:

  • Jim Croce, Rhythm Guitar
    (Also wrote all the songs.)
  • Maury Muehleisen, Lead Acoustic Guitar
  • Gary Chester, Drums
  • Tommy West, Key Boards
  • Joe Macho, Bass
  • Jim Ryan, Bass – “Box #10″
  • Tommy West, Bass – “Walkin’ Back to Georgia,” “Photographs and Memories,” “Time In A Bottle”
  • H.J Boyle, Electric Guitar – “Hey Tomorrow”
  • Ellie Greenwich, Tasha Thomas, Tommy West, Briggs, Digs, Slim: Background Vocals – “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” “Hard Time Losin’ Man,” “Time In A Bottle,” “Hey Tomorrow”
  • Maury Muehleisen, Terry Cashman, Tommy West: Background Vocals – “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)”
  • Pete Dino, String Arrangements
  • Bruce Tergersen, Recording Engineer
  • Paul Wilson, Album Photography

“You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” on youtube.

Links:
Jim Corce – The Official Site, Wikipedia
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – Wikipedia

Contributor Identification

11 January 2010 in General by DJ Drew | No comments

As you can tell we’ve started having contributors, yay for more updates! I am still going to keep counting up the records for The Personal Conservatory Project, but I thought it would be nice to start including albums other people have taken the time to listen and share their thoughts on (from their own collections).

The easiest way to tell a contributor’s album post is that the title of the album will be the title of the post. (ie, contributor Braden recently posted, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights“)

Whereas, the records I am randomly pulling and going through for The Personal Conservatory Project all have post titles as “Record #__”. (I recently posted, “Record #81” the other day.)

So to sum up that whooha,
Personal Conservatory stuff: Post is titled “Record #__”
Contributor items: Post is title “Album Title”

If you really want to get technical and look at the nuts n bolts of the operation; All Personal Conservatory Project items are filed under the category “Music”, while stuff from contributors is filed under “Albums” and “Contributor”.

I hope you enjoy seeing more random albums on vinyl pop up here along with the continuation of count-up for The Personal Conservatory Project. If you have any suggestions or wish to contact me, please use the contact form or leave a comment. Alright, enough of this logistical nerdy stuff, time to dust another one off the shelf!

Keeping the table alive and spinning,
-DJ Drew

Whipped Cream & Other Delights

8 January 2010 in Albums, Contributor by Braden | No comments

Hi folks!  Quite the snowy evening out there; which means there’s nothing better than sitting comfortably indoors sipping a hot chai latte while listening to some classic vinyl.

Tonight, I am going to share with you one of my favorites, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass “Whipped Cream & Other Delights.”  I got this mint condition LP at Half Price Books several months ago for a whopping $2.00.  I was so excited to get home and convert it to digital format.  I also acquired the “mono” version of the same album included within a lot of Tijuana Brass LPs I won via eBay.

This LP is undoubtedly one of my favorite of the Tijuana Brass; and most fans consider this album one of their absolute best.  I agree.  It’ll get your foot tapping in no time.
Here’s a track listing:

Side 1

1. “A Taste of Honey”
2. “Green Peppers”
3. “Tangerine”
4. “Bittersweet Samba”
5. “Lemon Tree”
6. “Whipped Cream”

Side 2

1. “Love Potion No. 9″
2. “El Garbanzo”
3. “Ladyfingers”
4. “Butterball”
5. “Peanuts”
6. “Lollipops and Roses”

“A Taste Of Honey” is a great way to start off this album.  I love the bass guitar in this one.  One will almost certainly get the urge to tap their foot when hearing it.

“Bittersweet Samba” is my absolute favorite.  I would have to say it’s my favorite because I love how the bass compliments the trumpet reverberation(s) of the piece.

“Peanuts” is another favorite if mine.  It reminds me of something I’d hear at a circus while enjoying a hot bag of freshly roasted peanuts.

As a side note, it really amazes me how much better vinyl sounds to my ears than a CD.  The CD seems to lose that “warmth” vinyl provides.
What do you think?

And there you have it, my first record review for what it’s worth.  I’ll have more Herb Alpert to share with you in the future!

Best to all!  Keep warm!

Record #81

7 January 2010 in Music by DJ Drew | 2 comments

I dusted this album off back in the fall and digitalized it for the ipod so I could have some fresh old tunes while working on my new old house.

Heading back to the rockin’ 60’s in Niles, Michigan for this set of tunes!

Tommy James & The Shondells
26 Greatest Hits

So it’s a little sad that the record I dusted off is a compilation, but its cool because there are hits upon hits for rocking out! Sorta reminds me of a live concert, except with no cheering crowd.

Of-course while I was catching my breath from jamming to Sweet Cherry Wine & air drumming Mony Mony; I was intrigued to learn that Tommy James’s first gig was at age 12 with a group he formed called, “The Tornadoes”. At age 12 for me, I remember dancing around the living room to Draggin’ The Line!

Not only was it surprising he started performing at a young age, but Pittsburgh (whoo!) provided a powerful launch to his musical career! Apparently two years after it was recored and released, a Pittsburgh nightclub DJ in 1966 started spinning Hanky Panky. The tune generated such a response with the public that local radio stations then began spinning the tune and record bootleggers began pressing out copies of the single – 8000 in 10 days!! Impressive! The number one hit in the summer of that year was Hanky Panky. Of course the rest, as they say, is history.

There are lots of interesting facts and tidbits about Tommy James & The Shondells – more than enough to overwhelm this post! Check out Tommy James’s site for the complete biography.

26 Greatest Hits (Front Cover)

26 Greatest Hits (Back Cover)

Here is one of my favorites chilling on youtube. (Sweet Cherry Wine)

Welcome Braden!

6 January 2010 in General by DJ Drew | No comments

I’d like to welcome a new contributor to the site, Braden Mikael. Braden has been a long time fan of music, especially on vinyl. For Christmas this past year Braden received a new turntable from his wife, perfect for being a contributor here! He will be adding posts and thoughts on albums from time to time (which should help the frequency of updates!)

Recently I’ve undertook the work of restoring an old house… once that project is completed, you will be seeing more regular postings from me.

Keep the tunes spinning!
-Drew

Record #80

1 June 2009 in Music by DJ Drew | No comments

Nothing like celebrating record number eighty on the first day of the month on a Monday! Somehow I think that phrasing could have been slightly better – but the album? Perfectly soothing.

Today we head back to May of 1966!

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
What Now My Love 

What Now My Love became Herb Alpert’s longest lasting album in the billboard number one position – nine weeks! The album is comprised of various show tunes and pop hits. Infact, my two favorites on the album are covers. “So What’s New?” is from Peggy Lee & John Pisano. “Magic Trumpet” is a Bert Kaempfert tune.

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - What Now My Love

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - What Now My Love

Track listing:
Side One:

  1. What Now My Love
  2. Freckles
  3. Memories Of Madrid
  4. It Was A Good Year
  5. So What’s New?
  6. Plucky

Side Two:

  1. Magic Trumpet
  2. Cantina Blue
  3. Brasilia
  4. If I Were A Rich Man
  5. Five Minutes More
  6. The Shadow Of Your Smile

Here is “So What’s New?”

Here is “Magic Trumpet”

Record #79

21 May 2009 in Music by DJ Drew | 1 comment

Vocal hits remanufactured as brass instrumentals:

Nashville Brass Turns To Gold
Danny Davis And The Nashville Brass 

There are lots of styles and music which gives me a ‘pick-me-up’ and one of them is most certainly the sound of brass. I pulled this album out one morning to get me on the mood to cook and clean. Before I knew it I had flipped the vinyl a few times looking for nonexistent sides 3 and 4.

After listening you the album a few times over I checked out Danny Davis on wikipedia, which turned out to be a great read! The story of Davis pitching his idea of recording country with brass instruments to Chet Atkins with complete disapproval from the RCA executives in New York is classic. Personally, I love stories when someone is told that “it will never work” or in Davis’s case, country music fans “don’t like horns” / it’s a “terrible idea” to only have the story end a blazing success proving all the naysayers wrong. Props to Atkins for saying, “young fella, I run Nashville, go do it.”

Some quick tidbits on Danny and the Brass:

  • 1969 Grammy: “Best instrumental group of the year.”
  • Won five consecutive Country Music Plaques (CMA) in a row: 1969 – 1974.
  • One of the first country music acts to have their own airplane: “Lady Barbara” (for Davis’s wife).

Side 1:

  1. Java
  2. Forever
  3. Ol’ Red River Valley
  4. Sixteen Tons
  5. January Eighth (1972)

Side 2:

  1. Honky Tonk
  2. Melodie d’Amour
  3. Riders in the Sky
  4. El Paso
  5. Flowers on the Wall

Here are the musicians featured on this 1972 album:

  • Danny Davis, leader, flugelhorn
  • Grady Martin, leader, electric guitar
  • Floyd Cramer and Larry Butler, piano
  • Bob Moore, bass and electric bass
  • Buddy Harman, drums
  • Ray Edenton, rhythm guitar
  • Lloyd Green, steel guitar
  • Curtis McPeake and Bobby Thompson, banjo
  • Harold Bradley, electric guitar
  • Bill Pippin, flugelhorn
  • Bill McElhiney and Bill Pippin, trumpet
  • Jim Hall, Rex Peer, Frank Smith and Roger Bissell, trombone
  • Bill McElhiney, arranger-conductor 
Nashville Brass Turns To Gold

Nashville Brass Turns To Gold

More albums and ordering information can be found at the official home for Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass.

Record #78

8 May 2009 in Music by DJ Drew | 1 comment

Here is a fantastic Columbia album to get the ball of wax spinning after the hiatus!

Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein

Side 1: The New York Philharmonic with the Dave Brubeck Quartet conducted by Leonard Bernstein
- Howard Brubeck: Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra -
1. I – Allegro
2. II – Andante – Ballad
3. III – Adagio – Ballad
4. IV – Allegro – Blues

Side 2: The Dave Brubeck Quartet
1. Maria
2. I Feel Pretty
3. Somewhere – From the Musical Production, “West Side Story”
4. A Quiet Girl – From the Musical Production, “Wonderful Town”
5. Tonight – From the Musical Production, “West Side Story”

This historic album hit the mood perfectly the other night as I was making dinner. I’m gonna have to remember it for future spins during dinner parties. I found side one particularly entertaining with the Jazz combo and Orchestra, which makes for a sweet listen.

Personal Conservatory: Take 2

7 May 2009 in General by DJ Drew | 3 comments

So you might have noticed a little hiatus has taken place. What happened was nothing short of a failure on my part. I had a good run updating this site daily, then came November. After 77 days of solid turntable spinning and album posting, I was tired of the daily burden and attention this blog required – it wasn’t fun anymore and what was once an entertainment escape now felt like work. Work is something I have no problem with, so long as it’s part of the deal going in. This was something I had brought on myself. So I decided to take a step back from the project in order to regroup and go at it with a fresh [and full] cup of coffee.

Taking a step back from the project, I learned two things:
1. I still loved listening to random albums. New, old, crap, painful, splendid, whatever. I can tolorate it all when I am pulling out an unknown album for the first time. I discovered that I find apprication in just about anything – even if it’s not something I care for. I’m like that, it’s something I enjoy.

2. I also still like to blog. However, I don’t like the constant feeling that I “need” to blog. [I enjoy being able to scratch things off my to-do list.]

This project was started as a vehicle for me to chronicle what I discover while going through a massive amount of unknown albums. As I was blogging everyday, the project shifted from something fun that I was doing for myself to something that I was only doing for the blog. The problem with doing something for the blog is that it’s just that, it’s a blog – an inadament object. Why was I letting an inadament object suck the entertainment and enjoyment out of something that is fun? It’s not like I had the obligation to defend the constitution. I needed to find a way to make this fun for me again so it could be a cool escape. And if I’m able to have fun, then chances are readers, observers and onlookers will enjoy it more as well.

So what was the problem? Well a few months later I’m still listening to albums just about everyday and I’m still regularly blogging on another site. I think in the end my complaints about this blog came about from having to constantly update the site.

So here is what I’ve decided to do for Take 2:
- As time permits I am going to continue updating the blog with the albums which I listen to all the way through. My goal is to have fairly frequent posts, but I’m not holding myself to that.
- Additionally, As much as I love exploring the past, I like living in the present & future – including music. So I am also going to start including posts about the newer music that is on my radar.

How’s that sound? Like a good plan? I hope so, because I’m looking forward to Take 2. And if anyone should ever want to contribute music posts (new, old, opinionated), just let me know and I’ll gladly add you as a poster.

Cheers,
-DJ Drew

Record #77

1 November 2008 in Music by DJ Drew | No comments

I think this album could be branded a recovery record. Was easy on the mind and ears after a night of the living dead.

Frankie Laine’s
Golden Hits

I find it quite interesting that Frankie Lain’s career spanned over 75 years! From his concerts in 1930 through his final performances when he died in 2005. I think it really shows the true talent of a musician when they have played and performed for such a long period. He is someone who loved doing what he did best.

This album features one of his most known songs, though not original, “Thats My Desire.”

Frankie Laine's Golden Hits

Frankie Laine's Golden Hits

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