The Temptations
Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine is one of my favorite albums from The Temptations! This album has a fantastic blend of the rhythm and blues mixed with some jazz! It’s an album that is worth equal spinning on both sides. There isn’t much I can tell you about this 1969 album that can’t be read at the wikipedia site, so check the wiki article out for more information. And if you happen to be walking by a record store at night and find this album in a pile of free records by the door – grab it! And give all ten of it’s tracks a listen on the ol’ table. There are also great listens on youtube.

I figured a would-have been birthday is as good as any reason to celebrate. Luckily, the record library has started taking on a form of organized chaos; so I knew exactly where to look. I ended up digging out Revolver, The Beatles 7th album.

Often when I am listening to an album, I think about how cool the sound is- even if it is a little scratchy at times. I first listened to Revolver all the way through on the player, but then I pulled up the CD version and listened to it. Something about listening to this album on vinyl made the experience so much better.

To wherever you are John, Happy Birthday!

Side 1

1. Taxman
2. Eleanor Rigby
3. Love You To
4. Here, There And Everywhere
5. Yellow Submarine
6. She Said She Said

Side 2

1. Good Day Sunshine
2. For No One
3. I Want To Tell You
4. Got To Get You Into My Life
5. Tomorrow Never Knows

Album Info:
Recording produced by George Martin
Cover designed by Klaus Voormann
Back cover photo by Robert Whitaker
Prepared for release in the U.S.A. by Bill Miller

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

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)

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

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”

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

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

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.

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

Barbra Streisand
ButterFly 

Barbra Streisand - ButterFly

Barbra Streisand - ButterFly (back cover)

Barbra Streisand - ButterFly (inside cover)

How very inappropriate though, because if anything this album is far from scary.

Presenting the stand-up comedian,

Sam Kinison
Have You Seen Me Lately?

This is certainly an albums that needs discretion exercised when playing. That said, it was pretty damn funny. I’ve included the track listing on this one.

Have You Seen Me Lately (track listing)

Sam Kinison - Have You Seen Me Lately?

Diana Ross & The Supremes
Greatest Hits: Volume 3

What is it with these songs getting stuck in your head for the day? 

Diana Ross & The Supremes - Greatest Hits: Volume 3

Ronnie Milsap
Greatest Hits: Volume 2

Ronnie may have been blind, but he was quite the superstar when it came to music. By far, I was digging this album when, “Lost In The Fifties Tonight” came on.

Ronnie Milsap - Greatest Hits: Volume 2

Simple Minds
Alive & Kicking (Single) 

Side A was the original 45RPM 7″ Mix
Side B was the instrumental. 

I wonder what mash-up I could create with the instrumental…

Simple Minds - Alive & Kicking

This album is actually Volume Two to the first one we had a little bit ago.

Ray Charles
Modern Sounds In Country
And Western Music
Volume Two

From what I was able to gather, side 1 was recorded on September 5th 1962 with the Ray Charles Big Band and the Raelets featuring Margie Hendrix. Side Two was recorded 2 days later on the 7th and was arranged & Conducted by Marty Paichwith with Strings and the Jack Halloran Singers.

On the back cover Sid Feller who was the recording supervisor for the album mentioned he specifically decided to try something a little different by putting the big band cuts on side 1 and the string arrangements on side 2.

Side 1 Sample
Side 2 Sample

Ray Charles - Modern Sounds Volume 2

Themes Like Old Times
90 of the Most Famous Original Radio Themes

Thats right… it was a record full of old radio themes! Rather than go on about each theme… check out the track listing on the back cover for yourself!

Original Radio Themes

Original Radio Themes - side 1

Original Radio Themes - Side 2

Our Best To You
Today’s Greatest Hits
Today’s Greatest Stars

This is a great album for a friday night party… hmm, it appears to be friday night!

Our Best To You

Nat King Cole
Ramblin’ Rose

Music for the album was conducted by Belford Hendricks. My interesting tid bit about Hendricks is that he went by multiple names to avoid conflict between his own compositions during the high point of his career. Quite cool really.

Nat King Cole - Ramblin' Rose

Honky Tonk Piano
Starring “Puddin’ Head Smith”
and His Orchestra

I thought this album was good for the first track or two… then I was really done with it. I’m glad to have listen to this style and I can really appreciate the art, but I’m better in moderation with this. I do think some tracks would make a great theme song for some of my friends though.

Honky Tonk Piano

Now you almost have to be dancing to The Lion Sleeps Tonight!!

Great Original Hits - Record 7

This is the fifth album from the box set.

Great Original Hits - Record 5

If this came 2 weeks and a day later, I’d be dressing up from the 50′s and 60′s for Halloween and rocking around the clock!

This is one of the best recordings I have of Rock Around the Clock, all the version I have on CD’s feature a live version, while this is the studio version.

Of course, I’m also a Ramsey Lewis fan, so I dug the last track on side fifteen.

Great Original Hits - Record 4

Are you dancing yet?

Great Original Hits - Record 3

As you singing yet?

Great Original Hits - Record 2

Great Original Hits
of the ’50s and ’60s
Collectors Edition from Readers Digest

Since it is 1 record a day, I’ll post the track listing from each record for the next 9 days. If you fall for some listening inspiration and want to hear something, let me know! 

Great Original Hits of the

Record #1 from the box set:

Great Original Hits – Record 1

This is from Benny Goodman and The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert!

Benny Goodman - 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert

Benny Goodman - Side 3

Benny Goodman - Side 4

Benny Goodman
The Famous 1938
Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert 

This is a double album set, so we’ll be Jazzing it up all weekend. (No pun intended!)

Benny Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert - Front Cover

Benny Goodman - Side 1

Benny Goodman - Side 2

The 4 Seasons
2nd Vault Of Golden Hits

For as beat up as the outside of this album cover is, it was a clean listen. Ofcourse, I’m a fan of Sherry, Opus 17, Peanuts, and Stay.

The 4 Seasons - 2nd Vault Of Golden Hits

Heroes
Big Ben Tribe

Side A is the 12″ mix
Side B is the instrumental 

Interestingly enough, the A-Side time given on the label is 7:02, but the actual time is 6:45 and the B-Side has a label time of 6:45, but the actual is 7:22.

Also, from looking at the cover… I’m wondering if there is a special dance that goes to this song?

Heroes - Big Ben Tribe

Here’s the tune on youtube:

The Rainbow Sound of
          Bianco
His Harp and Orchestra 

Your All-Time Favorite Songs are presented here on this RCA album. I’ve added a picture of the track listing from the back. If I wasn’t afraid of copyright police, I’d add some audio for you!

The Rainbow Sound of Bianco

Bianco - His Harp and Orchestra (back)

The cover says it all:

The Beatles - Abbey Road

Ray Charles
Modern Sounds
In Country And
Western Music

Here he is waking up a Monday with some fantastic tunes. I’ll include the back cover for track information and track commentary.

Ray Charles - Modern Sounds

Ray Charles - Modern Sounds (back)

Patti Page
Golden Hits 

Some nice Sunday songs with Tennessee Waltz, Cross Over the Bridge, Old Cape Cod and With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming.

Interesting fact from the back: “Patti Page and the man who’s been her personal manager, Jack Rael, co-partnered 13 record releases on Mercury during 1947 and early 1948 before she achieved her first hit, ‘Confess.’”

Patti Page - Golden Hits

Lawrence Welk
Young World

This album was recorded on 35 mm film which offered a higher quality recording than the standard tape of the time. So the bragging point on the album cover is “Ultra High Fidelity Recording.”

Lawrence Welk - Young World

Greatest American Waltzes
The Viking Pops Orchestra 

This is from the “Top 100 Series” of Viking.  This record would easily compliment Record #38 for the romantic mood and evening… perfect for some light hearted dancing for the evening.

Greatest American Waltzes - The Viking Pops Orchestra

Carmen Cavallaro
Remembers
Eddy Duchin

My favorite cuts of this album are:
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin
- April In Paris
- Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?
- Estrellita

Carmen Cavallaro Remembers Eddy Duchin

Mel Brooks
In
Silent Movie 

Also: Marty Feldman and Dom DeLuise

The soundtrack is inspiring and engaging… I could almost picture what might be happening at various points. But since I’ve never seen it, I’m going to hunt down a copy now. 

Silent Movie

“OLE”
Music of the Bull Ring

I saw this title and thought how appropriate for the political turmoil of the season. 

The Madrid Festival
de Matadors’ Orchestra
Dr. Edmundo Alava, Conductor

Meredith Willson’s
The Music Man
Hill Brown
and his Orchestra 

A memorable compilation of instrumental selections from the Broadway musical.

The Music Man

Welcome to the wonderous world of
Admiral Stereo

“Listen to the breathtaking depth and realism of Admiral Quality Solid State Stereophonic High Fidelity …featuring the amazing ‘Phantom 3rd Channel’” 

This was quite an entertaining album with some interesting promotional music. The most memorable thing I remember hearing is the 5 year warranty along with “this is the famous Admiral phantom third channel” which I think I missed (because I don’t have Admiral equipment.) But, the audio quality is impressive.

Admiral Stereo PR - A 10 Minuet clip from the album.

Admiral Stere - Phantom Third Channel

The Best of
The Lettermen,
Vol.2

I can’t wait to find volume 1 now in the pile. Volume 2 here included some great classics, just to name a few…  The Medley of “Goin’ Out of My Head / Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” ”The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” and ”I Believe.”

The Best of The Lettermen Vol. 2

Guy Lombardo
in HI-FI

A Capital Records recording featuring the four Lombardo brothers: Victor, Lebert, Guy and Carmen. The song “St. Louis Blues” was my favorite.

Guy Lombardo in HI-FI

This Diamond Ring
Gary Lewis
And The Playboys

Producer: “Snuff” Garrett
Arranger: Leon Russell
Engineers: “Bones” Howe, assisted
     by Bowen David and Henry Lewy
Cover Design: Sam Jacobson
Cover Photography: Bud Fraker
Liberty Records, Inc.

Gary Lewis and The Playboy’s Fan Club:
Box 2010, Beverly Hills, Calif. 

This Diamond Ring - Gary Lewis and The Playboys

“It’s a long, long way from the levee
To this Monterey Festival stage
But we’re glad jazz music has made it
And it’s finally coming of age.”
- Jon Hendricks

This live album was recorded in 1959 under the “blazing Monterey sun” with occasional set interruptions by low flying civilian planes to which Woody Herman remarked, “I’m beginning to hate him.”

This is a fine jazz album with a great tale on the back cover.

Woody Herman’s Big New Herd
At The Monterey Jazz Festival

Side One:

1. Four Brothers
2. Like Some Blues Man
3. Skoobeedoobee

Side Two:

1. Monterey Apple Tree
2. Skylark
3. The Magpie

Woody Herman at the Monterey Jazz Festival

Four Brothers (not from the Monterey Jazz Festival):

Vincent Lopez, His Piano and Orchestra
Lopez Playing

This was a special reissue from Columbia… and well worth it in my opinion. If I ever am looking to woo a the females with mood music during dinner, this would be a good start to the mix.

Vincent Lopez - His Piano and Orchestra

Nola:

Award Winners
Magnavox Sixtieth Anniversary 

A very relaxing listen. The last two songs made for a great ending with MacArthur Park and Mrs. Robinson.

Side 1:

1. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Percy Faith & His Orchestra (1971)
2. The Shadow Of Your Smile - Tony Bennett (1965)
3. Up, Up & Away - Charlie Byrd (1967)
4. For The Good TImes - Lynn Anderson (1970)
5. Michelle - Bobby Vinton (1966)

Side 2:

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Ray Conniff & The Singers (1971)
2. Rose Garden - Johnny Mathis (1971)
3. Love Theme from “Romeo & Juliet” - Peter Nero (1968)
4. MacArthur Park - Jerry Vale (1968)
5. Mrs. Robinson - Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra (1969)

Magnavox Award Winners

Barry Manilow - Live Act II Side 3

Act II is a fun listen as well! I liked how Beautiful Music Part 1 started side 3 and Part 2 started side 4. The switch made for decent listen from start to finish. On side 4, Could It Be Magic/Mandy and It’s A Miracle are freakin awesome. It’s A Miracle starts off with a live local touch since he’s performing in New York City.

Over all I liked this double album, I think the fact that it was a live album made it for a very good listen from start to finish. Felt like Manilow was performing right here in the living room.

Barry Manilow - Live (back of album)

I Write The Songs (a live version) broadcasting on youtube:

Barry Manilow
Live

The first record in the set is a great listen. I esspecially like on side two (properly labeled Act I Side 2) the very strange melody. It’s a melody featuring many of the products he’s wrote or sung jingles for. Overall I just am liking the live mix. Act II sides 3 & 4 are tomorrow.

V S M audio link. This link may become broken as it has nothing to do with me. (Thankyou Google, BeeMP3 & Shapeless Mass.)

Barry Manilow - Live

The Longines Symphonette Society presents

Al Hirt
America’s Greatest Trumpet Artist in
The Best Of DixiLand Jazz 

AL Hirt - The Best Of Dixieland Jazz

From youtube, I Can’t Get Started Without You:

Presenting from Mercury Records in Custom High Fidelity:

Encore Of Golden Hits
The Platters

Track listing-
Side 1:

1. 1955 - The Great Pretender
2. 1958 - Twilight Time 
3. 1958 - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
4. 1956 - You’ve Got That Magic Touch
5. 1959 - Enchanted
6. 1957 - One In A Million 

Side 2:

1. 1956 - My Prayer
2. 1955- Only You (And You Alone)
3. 1959 - Remember When
4. 1957 - My Dream
5. 1956 - Heaven On Earth
6. 1957 - I’m Sorry 

The Platters - Encore Of Golden Hits

My favorite from youtube, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”
 

The Monkees

Meet The Monkees: David Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz

Side 1:

1. (theme from) The Monkees
2. Saturday’s Child
3. I Wanna Be Free
4. Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day
5. Papa Gene’s Blues
6. Take A Giant Step

Side 2:

1. Last Train to Clarksville
2. This Just Doesn’t Seem to Be My Day
3. Let’s Dance On
4. I’ll Be True to You
5. Sweet Young Thing
6. Gonna Buy Me a Dog

Music Supervision: Don Kirshner
Music Coordinators: Lester Sill-Emil LaViola

The Monkees

Youtube:
(theme from) The Monkees:

Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day:

Last Train to Clarksville:

Gonna Buy Me a Dog:

Barbershop “Champs”
The Buffalo Bills

Internationals Champions of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A Barbershop Quartet 

Side One:

1. When I Lost You
2. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
3. Roses Of Picardy
4. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
5. I’m Sorry I Made You Cry
6. That Tumble Down Shake In Athlone

Side Two:

1. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows
2. Forgive Me
3. It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie
4.  The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine
5. Over The Rainbow
6. The Halls Of Ivy

The Buffalo Bills

We start this monday off with a pick from the girl who sacrificed her back for us this weekend. My cousins wife was our dedicated album stacker in the truck and at the conservatory (no, she didn’t do any organizing – only grunt force moving labor) for the entire 27 feet this collection spans.

Her pull of the litter:

Eagles
The Long Run

Side One

1. The Long Run
2. I Can’t Tell You Why
3. In The City
4. The Disco Strangler
5. King Of Hollywood

Side Two:

1. Heartache Tonight
2. Those Shoes
3. Teenage Jail
4. The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks
5. The Sad Cafe

Eagles - The Long Run

Special thanks to Paul and Amy for their labor this weekend.

Here is a smashed together melody of the part 2 fun!

Elton John - Greatest Hits Vol I & II (back)

This weekend the Personal Conservatory is also physically moving, so my time to do a full post is limited. Therefore, I’ll let you see half of the back cover today and the other half tomorrow.

Elton John
Greatest Hits
Volumes One and Two 

Here is half the track listing:

Half of the back - Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol I & II

Elton Johns Greatest Hits Vol I & II

Frat House Party
The Mayfair All-Star Orchestra
in High-Fidelity 

Just open up the door, put the keg in the bathtub, fire up the turntable and set out the sweets because we are having a party!

From the back of the album, “Take a healthy helping of Greek alphabet soup, add a generous measure of sparkling syncopation, shake well- to the beat, of course- and you have just the right musical making for a successful FRAT HOUSE PARTY. After you have fully absorbed the contests of the album- best done by listening and dancing- you will agree it hits the spot.” To continue reading this awesome description, look at the photo below!

Track listing
Side 1:

1. I’ll Be Around
2. Monday Date
3. Send For Me
4. Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea

Side 2

1. Undecided
2. Rock-A-Billy
3. Basie Street
4. Leap Frog

Frat House Party

The description - click to open in large window

Hotel California
The Eagles 

No need for me to really elaborate on the nifty qualities of this album, as time has proven them well!

Track listing-

1. Hotel California
   
2. New Kid In Town
   
3. Life In the Fast Lane
   
4. Wasted Time
   
5. Wasted Time (Reprise / Instrumental)

Side 2

1. Victim of Love
   
2. Pretty Maids All In A Row
   
3. Try and Love Again
   
4. The Last Resort

The Eagles - Hotel California

Jackson 5
ABC

Track listing-
Side One:

1. The Love You Save
2. One More Chance
3. ABC
4. 2-4-6-8
5. (Come Round Here) I’m the One You Need
6. Don’t Know Why I Love You

Side Two:

1. Never Had  Dream Come True
2. True Love Can Be Beautiful
3. La-La Means I Love You
4. I’ll Bet You
5. I Found That Girl
6. The Young Folks

ABC - Jackson 5

My Favorite on the album, “I’ll Bet You” broadcasting on youtube.

Purple Rain
Prince and the Revolution

Fantastic listen from start the finish. My favorite on side one was “The Beautiful Ones” and then I loved how the last song on side two was Purple Rain. Turned out to be an awesome climax to the album.

Track listing-
1:

1. Let’s Go Crazy
2. Take Me With U
3. The Beautiful Ones
4. Computer Blue
5. Darling Nikki

2:

1. When Doves Cry
2. I Would Die 4 U
3. Baby I’m A Star
4. Purple Rain

Purple Rain

Circus and Campus
National Symphonic Band Vol. 6

This is a Sesac Recordings album, “designed for repeated listening” directed by Roy W. Baker.

Track listing-
B • 111:

1. Carry On To Victory (Richards)
2. St. Bernard Commandery March (Huffer)
3. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo (Mascagni)
4. The University Of North Dakota (King)
5. Circus Days (King)
6. Campus Parade (Huffer)

B • 112

1. Amerita March (Panella)
2. Blue and White (Richards)
3. Samson and Delilah: My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice (Saint-Saens)
4. Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite (King)
5. Rough-Riders (King)
6. Good Neighbors (Arr: Buchtel)

Circus and Campus - National Symphonic Band Vol. 6

Johnny Mathis
Song Sung Blue
Featuring: Play Me

Produced By: Jerry Fuller for MoonChild Productions
For Jon Mat Records, Inc. 

Track listing -
Side 1:

1. Play Me
2. Alone Again (Naturally)
3. Where Is The Love
4. Goodbye To Love
5. Too Young

Side 2:

1. Make It Easy On Yourself
2. Lean On Me
3. How Can I Be Sure
4. Run To Me
5. Song Sung Blue
6. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother 

Johnny Mathis - Song Sung Blue

Al Caiola and His Orchestra
50 Fabulous Guitar Favorites 

Since this would have been a long process to type out, the track listing will be a photo of the back cover.
Without further ado, here is the 45 minuets of delightful listening: 

50 Fabulous Guitar Favorites (back)

50 fabulous Guitar Favorites (front)

The Longines Symphonette Society
Proudly Presents
The Look of Love

“The Magical Twin Pianos of Ferrante and Teicher in 10 unforgettable Songs of Love.” 

Track listing-
Side 1

1. The Look Of Love
2. When I Fall In Love
3. Prelude To Love
4. This Guy’s In Love With You
5. Love Story

Side 2:

1. Midnight Cowboy
2. Red River Valley
3. Spanish Eyes
4. Shenandoah
5. Mexican Hat Dance

The Look Of Love

The Longines Symphonette Society
proudly presents
Overtures! Overtures!
From 10 Smash Boradway Musicals

The Longiness Symphonette Society, Symphonette Square, Larchmont, N.Y.

Track listing-
Side 1

1. Gypsy
2. The King And I
3. Kiss Me Kate
4. Oklahoma
5. Mame

Side 2:

1. South Pacific
2. Babes In Arms
3. Finian’s Rainbow
4. Carousel
5. No, No Nanette

Overtures! Overtures!

Linda Ronstadt
Lush • Life
with Nelson Riddle & his Orchestra

A different sound than the recent albums, made for a nice listen during lunch. I also liked this album cover better than yesterdays. Overall, a very enjoyable and relaxing listen. My favorite tune on the album (aside for the actual lyrics of being turned down) is, “Can’t We Be Friends.” Here is a small mp3 clip of Linda Ronstadt’s “Cant We Be Friends.”

Track listing-
Side One:

1. When I Fall In Love
2. Skylark (harmonica: Tommy Morgan)
3. It Never Entered My Mind
4. Mean To Me (trumpet solo: Tony Terran)
5. When Your Love Has Gone  (violin solo: David Frisina, tenor sax solo: Plas Johnson)
6. I’m A Fool To Want You

Side Two:

1. You Took Advantage Of Me (drums: Louis Bellson, tenor sax solo: Plas Johnson)
2. Sophisticated Lady (tenor sax solo: Plas Johnson)
3. Can’t We Be Friends (drums: Louis Bellson, trumpet solo: Oscar Brashear)
4. My old Flame (trombone solo: Chauncey Welsch)
5. Falling In Love Again (piano solo: Don Grolnick)
6. Lush Life

Linda Ronstadt - Lush Life (front)

Linda Ronstadt - Lush Life (back)

Linda Ronstadt - Lush Life (insert)

Linda Ronstadt: Skylark

On A Magic Carpet…
The Three Suns

The Three Suns On A MaGic Carpet album is produced by Nevins-Kirshner Associates with arrangements by Charles Albertine.

Track listing-
Side 1:

1. Canadian Sunset
2. Lisbon Antigua
3. Terry Theme
4. High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)
5.  Moritat
6. The Poor People Of Paris (Jean’s Song)

Side 2:

1. Blue Tango
2. Meet Mr. Callaghan
3. The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)
4. Ruby
5. The 3rd Man Theme
6. Fleur de Paree

Front: The Three Suns On A Magic Carpet

Back: The Three Suns On A Magic Carpet

The Three Suns – The 3rd Man Theme:

Casa Loma in hi-fi!
Glen Gray
and the Casa Loma Orchestra

This is one of those albums that features a favorite style of music for me… I felt very inclined to dance the night away to this album, I just didn’t have anyone to dance with! Check out the youtube links and we can do a virtual dance.

From the back description, “In dazzling high fidelity… Glen Gray’s Casa Loma Orchestra plays the memorable tunes it made famous.”

Track listing-
Side 1:

1. No Name Jive
2. Memories of you
3. White Jazz
4. I Cried for You
5. Come and Get It
6. Sunrise Serenade
7. Manica’s Ball

Side 2:

1. Casa Loma Stomp
2. Just an Old Manuscript
3. Sleepy Time Gal
4. Dance of the Lame Duck
5. For You
6. Black Jazz
7. Smoke Rings

Glen Gray - Casa Loma

No Name Jive:

Smoke Rings:

Casa Loma Stomp:

           Dino
Italian Love Songs 

According to back cover, “it’s the album if Italian Love Songs that Dean Martin fans have been waiting for…”

Track listing-
Side One:

1. Just Say I Love Her (Dicitencello Vuie)
2. Arrivederci, Roma
3. My Heart Reminds Me
4. You’re Breaking My Heart (Mattinata)
5. Non Dimenticar
6. Return To Me (Ritorna a Me)

Side Two:

1. Vieni Su
2. On An Evening In Roma
3. Pardon (Perdoname)
4. Take Me Into Your Arms (Torna a Surriento)
5. I Have But One Heart (‘O Marenariello)
6. There’s No Tomorrow (O Sole Mio)

Produced by Dave Cavanaugh

Dino - Italian Love Sons

The Fighting Spirit
       with the
All-American Band
       Vol. 13

A very strong and forceful start to the album; makes for a great listen that will put you into a “go get ‘em” mood! Then with the Romantic Overture the sound opens up into a more softer side. Overall, this is a great album for classic band and marching band music. Features a great deal of brass and big drums!

The album is directed by Robert A. Williams.
Track listing-
B.225:

1. National Defense (Slawik)
2. The Fighting Spirit (Jewell)
3. Romantic Overture (Buchtel)
4. You And Progress (King)
5. El Querido Gayo (The Gay Lover) (Guentzel)

B.226:

1. The Southerner (Alexander)
2. The Checkered Flag (Jewel)
3. The Crusaders (Buchtel)
4. The Forest Ranger (Mesang)
5. Royal Hippodrome  (King)

The Fighting Spirit - All American Band (Vol. 13)

Andy Williams
Love Theme From “The Godfather”
(Speak Softly Love)

My Favorites:
- Love Theme From “The Godfather”
- Precious And Few (Awesome, I might add.)
- Everything I Own (Perfect theme for me tonight.)
- An Old Fashioned Love Song
- MacArthur Park (really, would you expect him to do a bad version?)
- Hurting Each Other
- Without You 

Track listing:
Side 1

1. Love Theme From “The Godfather”
2. Precious And Few
3. Theme From “Summer of ’43″ (The Summer Knows)*
4. Everything I Own*
5. Until It’s Time For You To Go
6. An Old Fashioned Love Song

Side 2

1. MacArthur Park*
2. Hurting Each Other
3. Music From Across The Way**
4. Without You
5. Imagine

Arrangers- Al Caps, *Artie Butler, **Ernie Freeman
Engineers- Rafael O. Valentine, Peter Romano, Eric Prestidge
Produced by- Dick Glasser and Robert Andrew 

Andy Williams - Love Theme From "The Godfather"

Playing on youtube: Love Theme From “The Godfather”

I had never heard of this group before, but I like them! They are the Kirby Stone Four. According to wikipedia, this is a post WWII group from the New York area. Here is the link to their write up on AllMusic.

The Kirby Stone Touch
The Kirby Stone Four
Orchestra conducted by Jimmy Carroll

My favorites:
- Volare
- When The Sun Comes Out
- Everything’s Coming Up Roses
- Ti-Pi-Tin
- Lassus Trombone 
- Red Shoes 

Track listing:
 Side A:

1. Volare
2. When The Sun Comes Out
3. Everything’s Coming Up Roses
4. When Your Lover Has Gone
5. Hambone
6. Ti-Pi-Tin

Side B:

1. I Love Paris
2. Lullaby of Birdland
3. Lassus Trombone
4. I Love You
5. Red Shoes
6. Don’t Stop

The Kirby Stone Four - The Kirby Stone Touch

Here they are on Youtube with a portable stereo phonograph:

Nat King Cole
Dear Lonely Hearts
Music conducted by Belford Hendricks

This album was produced by Capital’s Lee Gillette who was mostly in charge of the pop department.

My favorites on the album:
- Dear Lonely Hearts
- Miss You
- Yearning (Just For You)
- All Over The World
- Oh, How I Miss You Tonight
- It’s A Lonesome Old Town (When You re Not Around)

Track listing-
Side one:

1. Dear Lonely Hearts
2. Miss You
3. Why Should I Cry Over You
4. Near You
5. Yearning (Just For You)
6. My First and Only Lover

Side two:

1. All Over The World
2. Oh, How I Miss You Tonight
3. Lonesome And Sorry
4. All By Myself
5. Who’s Next In Line?
6. It’s A Lonesome Old Town (When You’re Not Around) 

Nat King Cole - Dear Lonely Hearts

Here is a youtube sample, until you can visit the conservatory:

Presenting Doug Clifford on the Drums; Stu Cook on the Bass; John Fogerty rocking out on the Guitar and Microphone; and Tom Fogerty with the Rhythm Guitar!

Willy and the Poor Boys
Creedence Clearwater Revival

Not a bad song to rock out to on the album!!
Arranged and produced by John Fogerty.

Track listing:
Side one:

1. Down On The Corner
2. It Came Out Of The Sky
3. Cotton Fields
4. Poorboy Shuffle
5. Feelin’ Blue

Side two:

1. Fortunate Son
2. Don’t Look Now (It Ain’t You Or Me)
3. The Midnight Special
4. Side O’ The Road
5. Effigy 

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Willy and the Poor Boys

The two chart-toppers of the album on youtube-

Fortunate Son:

Down On The Corner:

Album: SOUNDPOWER!
Music to the Limits of Audibility
              Marty Gold
         and His Orchestra 

As I was listening to the album, I was impressed with an amazing trumpet solo on cut 4 of side 1. I also enjoyed cut 5 and 6 on the same side along with the following cuts on side 2... Scratch that all… This turned out to be a great easy listening album! I’m gonna have to keep an eye out for some of Gold’s earlier work.

Track listing:
Side 1: 

1. I’ll Remember April
2. Stella By Starlight
3. The Moon Was Yellow
4. The Terry Theme From “Lime-Light”
5. Without A Song
6. Harlem Nocturne (featuring Phil Bodner on alto sax)

Side 2

1. Shangri-la
2. A String Of Pearls
3. I Left My Heart In San Francisco (opening solo by contrabass clarinet Stan Webb)
4. I Concentrate On You (tuba Don Butterfield)
5. Till There Was You (trumpet solo Mel Davis, alto saxophone solo Phil Bodner)
6. Misty (Bob Alexander on the lush trombone, Mel Davis on the trumpet)

Marty Gold and His Orchestra

Album: Ray Conniff
and his orchestra and chorus
“Concert In Rhythm”

This is the forth album in his Columbia collection and after listening to it, I hope to discover his three earlier albums aswell. Very light hearted and perfect with the paper and orange juice. I especially like how the chorus sounds more instrumental than vocal – a wordless chorus!

For this album, Conniff chose some nifty classics to rearrange. My favorite was his remake of Franz Schubert’s Serenade. But since the whole album is great, I am just going to include a full track listing.

Side A:

1. Theme from Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto
2. Theme from Swan Lake Ballet
3. Theme from Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto
4. Theme from Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony
5. Theme from Ray Conniff Suite
6. Theme from Romeo and Juliet

Side B:

1. Rhapsody in Blue
2. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows
3. The Lamp Is Low
4. Theme from Grand Canyon Suite
5. My Reverie
6. Serenade

Ray Conniff - Concert In Rhythm

Ray Conniff - Concert In Rhythm (back)

Album: Boston Pops / Arthur Fiedler
                          Star Dust

Fantastic album from 1963! Quite different than the Marches album which started the week, but some great music none the less.

My favorites:
Side 1 cut 3: Wunderbar
Side 1 cut 5: You and the Night and the Music
Side 1 cut 6: Clair de lune (Moonlight)
Side 2 cut 4: The Night Was Made For Love
Side 2 cut 6: The Glow Worm
 

Boston Pops / Arthur Fiedler - Star Dust

Album: “Sentimental
Sing Along With Mitch
Mitch Miller and The Gang”

Can’t say I had a favorite sing along tonight. Although it felt like I was in a German beer garden… maybe I needed a German beer to go with the album?

The bonus was that Mitch included “special sing along lyrics” to make it easier for one to follow and sing along with him. Next karaoke night this album is coming out!

Mitch Miller and The Gang

Special Sing Along Lyrics

I thoroughly enjoy tonight’s album from end to end.

Tony’s Greatest Hits
Volume III 

I’d list my favorites, but really… is there a bad song on the album?

Track listing:
  Side I:

1.  (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco
2. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
3. I Wanna Be Around
4. When Joanna Loved Me
5. The Moment Of Truth
6. Who Can I Turn To

  Side II:

1. The Good Life
2. A Taste Of Honey
3. This Is All I Ask
4. Once Upon A Time
5. The Best Is Yet To Come
6. If I Rule The World

Tony's Greatest Hits Volume III

Produced by Ernie Altschuler

Al Goodman and His Orchestra play
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
South Pacific

Pretty good listen tonight! This album had clearly been played a few times, but that’s okay; it still sounded good and added in some character.

Vocals on this album featured: Richard Torigi, Susan Shaute, William Reynolds, Dolores Martin, Paula Wayne

My favorite cut was number two on side A: Some Enchanted Evening. I liked the lyrics, “Once you found her, never let her go,” along with the arrangement.

I also liked:
Side A cut 4: Bali Ha’I
Side B cut 4: This Nearly Was Mine 

Al Goodman & His Orchestra

Not a bad record at all if you are looking for some light hearted, laid back romance music to go with a glass of wine. Would also make for a nice listen to on Sunday with the paper.

My favorites:
side 1 cut 3: Truck Stop
side 1 cut 5: He’ll Have To Go
side 2 cut 1: Slipping Around 

Ray Anthony

My favorites:
Side 1 cut 1: “Till (Sigman-Danvers)”
Side 1 cut 4: “Que Sera, sera (Livingston-Evans)”
Side 2 cut 1: “Facination (F. D. Marchetti)”
Side 2 cut 6: “Moonlight Love (From ‘Clair de Lune’ by Claude Debussy) (Adaptation by D. Savino)”

Roger Williams

• 1) I am going to start keeping two piles till Christi designs my organizational system and catalog. The “listened to” and the “not listened to” pile.
• 2) I need to add a background story page for those who do not know the details of this collection.

So the first record from the lot is part of the Time Life Records collection.

Album: Great Moments Of Music: Marches, Volume 2
Featuring Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops Orchestra 

Overall I really enjoyed listening to this one, I was even air-conducting for part of it. (Classy, I know.) When I picked this record up and put it on the turn table I hadn’t looked at the track listing yet. So I was surprised by the time track 3 on side 2 rolled around and it turned out to be “Elgar: Pomp And Circumstance No. 1 In D Major” because had I known I was going to be getting the album, I wouldn’t have bought the song from iTunes in June.

Probably my favorite tracks on the album were:
Side 1 cut 2: “Alford: Colonel Bogey March”
Side 1 cut 4: “Handy: St. Louis Blues March (Arranged by Richard Hayman)”
Side 2 cut 2: “Verdi: Grand March (from Aida)”

And of course the best air conducting marches:
Side 1 cut 5: “Wilson: Seventy-Six Trombones (from The Music Man) (Arranged by Leroy Anderson)”
Side 2 cut 1: “Bizet: March Of The Toreadors (from Carmen)”

Time Life Records - Marches Volume 2