Walter Brennan - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...Back Home (1962)

Here's an album from one of my favorites - Walter Brennan! I don't know why, but I just loved this man - in all his movies, in his TV shows, and on record (I have several of his albums!). My favorites of his songs are "Old Rivers" and "Old Shep" - they both bring me to tears because they're so sad and he was such a good story teller. For those of you who aren't familiar with Walter's recordings, he didn't sing - he spoke along to background music and sometimes background singers. Walter just seemed like such a nice man - sort of like a kindly grandfather. And his voice was perfect for telling stories, especially sad or sentimental ones - something about the timbre of his voice, I guess. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this Christmas album - "Just Three Letters for Christmas" will be sure to bring a tear to your eye.

Track listing for Walter Brennan - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...Back Home:

Side 1:
1. White Christmas
2. Just Three Letters for Christmas
3. A Farmer's Christmas Prayer
4. Henry Had a Merry Christmas
5. Old Time Christmas Stories
6. (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays

Side 2:
1. Silent Night
2. Christmas Together
3. Let the Bells Ring Out
4. A Good Year for Santa Claus
5. O Come All Ye Faithful

Patty Duke & Norman Vincent Peale - Guideposts for Christmas (1963)

Now here's a vinyl rarity for you. This record was produced by the Guideposts magazine back in 1963 but, according to the liner notes, was not for sale. I'm guessing that folks who subscribed to the magazine must've received it as a Christmas freebie. The reason I have this record is that I'm a big Patty Duke fan. But, for those of you who are looking for cheery Christmas songs sung in that Patty Duke style, this record is not that! This is a spoken word record. Patty Duke and Norman Vincent Peale take turns reading "some of the most treasured Christmas stories ever written". Patty Duke was only 16 at the time and was starring in her own weekly TV series when she recorded this. Since this is spoken word, I did not break down the record into the individual stories; instead what you'll get when you download is Side 1 and Side 2. But, as always, I'm listing the tracks below. Enjoy!

Track listing for Patty Duke and Norman Vincent Peale - Guideposts for Christmas:

Side 1:
1. The Star and the Shepherd Boy - Dr.Peale
2. The Christmas Thief - Patty Duke
3. The Man Who Missed Christmas - Dr.Peale
4. The Surprise Feast - Patty Duke
5. The Masterpiece - Dr.Peale
6. A String of Blue Beads - Patty Duke
7. The Deputy - Dr.Peale
8. Toys for a King - Patty Duke

Side 2:
1. Let's Go Neighboring - Dr.Peale
2. A Brother Like That - Patty Duke
3. Santa Rides the Bus - Dr.Peale
4. You Can Keep Christmas - Patty Duke and Dr.Peale
5. The Stubborn Unbeliever - Patty Duke
6. A Boy's Finest Memory - Dr.Peale
7. The Best Part of Giving - Patty Duke
8. The Greatest Christmas Story of All - Dr.Peale

The Lennon Sisters - Christmas with the Lennon Sisters (1960)

Last time I presented a quartet of young brothers singing Christmas songs; today I present a quartet of young sisters! The Lennon Sisters were featured on "The Lawrence Welk Show" back in the day. I have to admit that I watched the show when I was a little kid (it was either that or "Hee Haw" - blecht!), and now sometimes catch reruns of it on our local PBS station. Gotta love those polyester suits! Anyway, this is a nice album to sing along with, and definitely one to add to your Christmas collection. Hope y'all enjoy it!

Track listing for Christmas with the Lennon Sisters:

Side 1:
1. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. The Little Drummer Boy
3. Christmas Island
4. Adeste Fideles
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
6. Silent Night
7. White Christmas

Side 2:
1. Jingle Bells
2. Away in a Manger
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. Winter Wonderland
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem
6. Joy to the World
7. I'll Be Home for Christmas

The Osmond Brothers - We Sing You a Merry Christmas (1962)

Before Donny and Marie, and before Jimmy, there were the Osmond Brothers - Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, the four oldest singing Osmonds. The Osmonds Brothers first appeared on the Andy Williams TV show back in the early 1960s, and then got a regular spot on the ABC TV series, "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters". It was during this time that they recorded this Christmas album, which was "brought to you with the cooperation of AC Spark Plug Division" which "sponsors 'The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters' on ABC-TV Sunday night". At this time, the Osmond Brothers sang in a barbershop quartet style, and this is how most of this album sounds. They were very young on this album, and I believe Alan is the one with the lowest voice on this record - the other three sound absolutely adorable, kind of like little chipmunks! Anyway, I've been an Osmond fan since forever (I gave up drinking caffeine for an entire week once because I loved Donny so much!), and it gives me pleasure to share this album with you!

Track listing from The Osmond Brothers - We Sing You a Merry Christmas:

Side 1:
1. Silent Night
2. Winter Wonderland
3. The Little Drummer Boy
4. Jingle Bells
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem

Side 2:
1. Joy to the World
2. White Christmas
3. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
4. Christmas Means More Ev'ry Year
5. The First Noel
6. O Come All Ye Faithful

Bobby Sherman - Bobby Sherman Christmas Album (1970)

Who out there remembers Bobby Sherman? He starred in the TV shows "Here Come the Brides" and "Getting Together" and had a string of hits such as "Hey, Little Woman", "Julie, Do Ya Love Me", "Easy Come, Easy Go", "Cried Like a Baby", "The Drum", and several others. (I have all of his albums!) Well, this is the Christmas album he recorded - has some familiar tunes as well as tunes he wrote himself - a MUST for any Bobby Sherman fan!

I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Sherman several years ago when he came to Dallas for a book signing - he was promoting his autobiography. That morning, he was the guest on a local radio station and they had a contest to win an autographed CD of his. Guess who won - me! I even got to speak to him on the phone and it was broadcast - omigod! That evening I drove to the bookstore where he was going to appear - me and a bunch of other 30-something women who wanted to get a glimpse of their fave! It was really something - for a little while, we were all just a bunch of young teenagers again, all giddy and giggling. We all had stuff for him to sign - old teen magazines, record albums, books, and - the creme de la creme - a lunch box! (I was the one with the lunch box - what can I say?) Besides the CD I had won earlier that day, and the lunch box, he also signed one of my record albums, and a copy of his book. Plus, I got to have my picture taken with him! It was indeed one of the best days of my life! So, needless to say, I LOVE Bobby Sherman!!!

Track listing for Bobby Sherman Christmas Album:

Side 1:
1. Jingle Bell Rock
2. Christmas on Her Mind
3. Blue Christmas
4. Love's What You're Gettin' for Christmas
5. Christmas Wish
6. Amen

Side 2:
1. Prologue
2. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
3. Yesterday's Christmas
4. Christmas Is (Make It Sweet)
5. A Song of Joy (Himno a la Alegria)

The Littlest Angel - Original Cast Album (1969)

Hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving holiday! Now that we're officially in the Christmas season, I'll be posting Christmas albums until Christmas. To start off, I decided to post the soundtrack to the Hallmark Hall of Fame Special, "The Littlest Angel", from 1969. This TV special starred Johnnie Whitaker (Jody on "Family Affair") and Fred Gwynne (Herman on "The Munsters"), with appearances by Cab Calloway, Tony Randall, Connie Stevens, E.G. Marshall, John McGiver, and George Rose. I remember watching this when I was a little kid and loving it! I don't know when they stopped showing it on TV, but a Google search revealed that it is available on DVD (I currently have a bid on a copy on eBay). Johnnie Whitaker was such a cutie-pie in this special, and on "Family Affair". Later on, he starred in the Sid & Marty Krofft show, "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters", and in several Disney movies. (At a later date, I'll be sure to post the album he recorded when he was on "Sigmund".) Hope y'all enjoy this!

Track listing for "The Littlest Angel":

Side 1:
1. I'm Master of All I Survey (Johnnie Whitaker & Chorus)
2. Where Am I (Johnnie Whitaker & Chorus)
3. The Heavenly Ever After (Cab Calloway & Chorus)
4. Where is Blue (Johnnie Whitaker & Fred Gwynne)
5. You Can Fly (Connie Stevens & Angel Chorus)
6. Once Upon Another Time (Fred Gwynne)

Side 2:
1. You're Not Real (Tony Randall & Corinna Manetto)
2. What Do You Do (Fred Gwynne)
3. I Have Saved (Johnnie Whitaker & Chorus)
4. I Bring You Good Tidings (Angel Chorus)
5. May It Bring Him Pleasure (Angel Chorus)
6. I Have Saved - Reprise (Johnnie Whitaker)

ABC Fun Fit Featuring Mary Lou Retton (1985)

Okay, here's an album I will never listen to again. It's not that it's bad; it's just that I am not that motivated to exercise to records or videos. I admit that the only reason I bought this (another dollar gem from the HPB clearance bin) was for the celebrity factor. I mean, who knew that Mary Lou Retton, 1984 Olympic champion, would record an album??? I was one of those people who was completely enthralled with this little dynamo back during those Olympics. I even braved the crazy crowds to go see her and other Olympic athletes (plus Ricky Schroder) make a special appearance at the grand re-opening of Irving Mall later that year. The things we do to catch a glimpse of celebrities - crazy.

Anyway, the reason I decided to post this album today is that I had a lot of nervous energy pent up and needed a way to release it. What better way than through exercise? I didn't feel like walking over to the gym, so I thought I'd give this album a try. Needless to say, I still have a lot of nervous energy pent up inside me. (I still don't feel like walking over to the gym, so I think I'll just do a bunch of jumping jacks and push-ups until I exhaust myself.) Besides, the target audience for this album is kids. So, if there are any elementary school teachers out there, this may be an album you may be interested in. If anyone out there does download this, I would appreciate a comment telling me why you downloaded it!

Track listing for ABC Fun Fit Featuring Mary Lou Retton:

Side 1:
1. Fun Fit Theme
2. Mary Lou Retton's Intro
3. Spine Tinglers
4. Working the Joints
5. Isolation Warm-Ups
6. Rock-Easy, No-Bounce, Floor Stretch
7. Legs Up

Side 2:
1. Like a Tiger
2. Reach for It
3. Muscle Makers
4. It's Your Move
5. Rhythm Rockers

Joe Quijano And His Orchestra - Latin Joe (1962)

I have been in a really good mood all day today - the kind where I just want to get up and dance! So, in keeping with that mood, I decided to post this album, which is great to get up and dance with someone, or just by yourself! In fact, I was dancing around the room by myself as I recorded this album (I do love ballroom dancing!). This album is quite delightful and was released when bossa nova was the "new" dance craze. There's also cha-cha-cha and mambo on this album, but Joe seems to be emphasizing the bossa nova. I have been enamored by this style of music for many years (could very well be my own latin blood!) and can listen (and dance) to it for hours on end!

According to the liner notes, Joe Quijano was only twenty-seven years old when he recorded this album. He was an accomplished pianist at the tender age of six! At a very young age, he joined a mambo group as an instrumentalist and vocalist and later formed his own pachanga band. On this album, "in several numbers you hear him joyfully exhort his orchestra". (BTW, the album cover says it's stereo, but the actual record was mono - someone must have switched the records, because that's how I bought it at the HPB clearance bin.) Hope you all enjoy this record as much as I have!

Track listing for Joe Quijano And His Orchestra - Latin Joe:

Side 1:
1. Corcovado
2. Desafinado
3. Menina Moca
4. One Note Samba
5. In a Little Spanish Town
6. Alaska

Side 2:
1. South of the Border
2. Lamento Borincano
3. Cha-Cha Chornia
4. Never Too Late
5. L'Apache
6. Hava Nagilah


BTW, I received an email that Megaupload is hard to use for those of you that don't live in the U.S. I've seen from my site meter stats that I get quite a few folks from overseas that download my shares. Are any of you having problems downloading my shares from Megaupload? If anyone has other suggestions, please let me know. I chose Megaupload because I found it pretty easy to use, but I'm certainly open to suggestions. Thanks!

Les Paul and Mary Ford - Lovers' Luau (1959)

Today I have another album of Hawaiian music, this time by that guitar-playing husband and wife team of Les Paul and Mary Ford. If you're used to their songs like "How High the Moon" and "Bye, Bye Love", you'll find that they play the songs on this album at a much slower pace. You can even imagine yourself on one of the Hawaiian islands, just lying in a hammock, enjoying the breeze and sipping a cool drink out of a coconut. Sigh. I'll go back to my day-dreaming now...

Track listing for Les Paul and Mary Ford - Lovers' Luau:

Side 1:
1. Blue Hawaii
2. Drifting and Dreaming
3. King's Serenade
4. Song of the Islands
5. Sweet Leilani (has a skip)
6. To You Sweetheart, Aloha

Side 2:
1. On the Beach at Waikiki
2. Golden Sands
3. My Little Grass Shack
4. Hawaiian Charms (has a couple of skips)
5. Pacific Breeze
6. Farewell to Thee (Aloha Oe)

New World Theatre Orchestra - The Pajama Game and Silk Stockings

I have been dying to post this album ever since I bought it a month or so ago (from the clearance bin at Half-Price Books, of course!), not so much for the music, but because of the cover! I love it! Talk about cheesecake! Couldn't you just come up with some fabulous stories based on this cover? This photo could have been the cover for some cheesy pulp novel of the 1950s - I love it! (Did I say that already?) That little redhead sure is getting lots of attention from both the blonde and the brunette. I didn't know one could get so excited over a pair of stockings; or do you think they're admiring each other's pajamas? Oh, to let our imaginations run wild - I love it! (There I go again.) Thank you, Frank Zimmerman (if you're still alive), for taking this cover photo and bringing much joy to many of us (well, me, anyway)!

Anyway, about the record itself... This is one of those "high fidelity" records that was put out by one of those budget labels (Somerset Records, P-3300) back in the 1950s or so. I couldn't find any other information on it, such as the date. Side One is all "The Pajama Game", played as one long selection of the various songs blending into one another. Side Two has "Silk Stockings" (also played as one long selection of its various songs), and "Curtain Time". It's the kind of album you can listen to while reading or just relaxing - it's all instrumental. This album is definitely one that I'm going to frame and hang on my wall - the cover is just so fabulous! I LOVE IT!

Track listing for "The Pajama Game and Silk Stockings":

Side 1:
1. The Pajama Game

Side 2:
1. Silk Stockings
2. Curtain Time

Cheryl Ladd - Cheryl Ladd (1978)

Today I hit the 5000 mark for number of hits on this site! Woo hoo! Thanks to all of you who have been visiting and downloading some of the music I've posted. I welcome your comments, too!

To celebrate this 5000 mark, I decided to post one of my favorite albums from my teen years. I was a MAJOR fan of the "Charlie's Angels" TV series. You could say that I was obsessed with it. (Have y'all noticed that I tend to become obsessed with stuff a lot? Hmmm...) Like many people, I was very sad when Farrah left the show, but once I saw Cheryl Ladd come on board as "Kris Munroe", I was hooked again. (Not that I would've stopped watching the show - I liked all the Angels. Okay, I did stop watching when Kate Jackson left.) Anyway, I was so obsessed with the Angels that I would go down to the 7-11 every day and buy out their supply of "Charlie's Angels" gum just so I could get the trading cards. As a result, I am the proud owner of ALL the trading cards and stickers that came in those packs. I also have several toys (had to sell the dolls on eBay when I needed money - sniff), and posters. Okay, enough about all that - I know I'm probably scaring some of you.

Anyway... Cheryl Ladd. Many of you know that Cheryl Ladd was also one of the voices on "Josie & the Pussycats" - she was the voice of Melody. She and the other two vocalists are pictured on the "Josie" LP that was released. (Unfortunately, I do not have this LP in my collection, but would certainly appreciate it if someone out there would post it!) So, Cheryl was not new to singing (as so many other TV and movie celebrities were). In fact, besides the singles she released as part of "Josie", she released a couple of other singles ("Mama Don't Be Blue" in 1974, "Country Love" in 1976) before she released her first LP. Of course, when this self-titled LP was released in 1978, I had to run right out and buy it! (And, when she released her next LP, "Dance Forever", in 1979, I bought that one, too. ) The single released from this album, "Think It Over", peaked at number 34 on August 26, 1978 on the Billboard charts, so it wasn't as big a hit as Cheryl and her camp probably expected. But it made many of us Angels fans happy. After the show went off the air, Cheryl went on to star in many a TV melodrama and mini-series, and continues to act (is "Jillian" on "Las Vegas"!) and captivate us with her beauty. She is also an author now - "Token Chick: A Woman's Guide to Golfing with the Boys". I can go on forever about her, but just go to her website - www.cherylladd.com.

Track listing for Cheryl Ladd - Cheryl Ladd:

Side 1:
1. Think It Over
2. Walking in the Rain
3. Skinnydippin'
4. I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again
5. Lady Gray

Side 2:
1. Good Good Lovin'
2. You Turn Me Around
3. I'll Come Runnin'
4. Here is a Song
5. The Rose Nobody Knows

Harry Kaapuni & His Royal Polynesians - Aloha Hawaii

As I mentioned on a previous post, I am obsessed with Hawaii and anything Hawaiian. So, today's album is one from my expanding Hawaian collection (I've had this one for several years). I have to admit that the reason I bought this one was primarily for the cover. I mean, how can you resist the cute girl on the cover? She just looks so darn...perky! (Everyone who likes cheesecake covers, raise your hands!)

I don't know the year this album was produced. There's no date anywhere on it, and I couldn't find any information about it on the web. The only information I have is that it's from Coronet Records, CXS 43. Must be from the late 1950s or early 1960s. Anyway, here are the liner notes:

The music of Hawaii is a mixture of many varied elements. First and paramount, is the music of Polynesian heritage; music that is rooted deep in the history of the Hawaiian people, music that was composed by Hawaiians of a civilization long since vanished. Supplimenting this heritage is music that has been brought to the islands by migrating races from foreign lands, and music composed by visiting artists who became enchanted with the well known magic of Hawaii.

All of these elements have contributed to the music of Hawaii and we have endeavored, through this album, to present you with an exciting selection of Hawaiian music. This treasured album, beautifully performed by Harry Kaapuni and his Royal Polynesians, will hold an eminent place in your collection of enjoyable music.

Track listing for Harry Kaapuni & His Royal Polynesians - Aloha Hawaii:

Side 1:
1. Red Sails in the Sunset
2. Hawaiian War Chant
3. Harbor Lights
4. Hawaiian Holiday
5. Luau Lei
6. Drowsy Waters

Side 2:
1. Hawaiian Love Song
2. Kula Ha
3. To You Sweetheart Aloha
4. Hawaiian Starlight
5. Aloha Oe

Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy - With Love from Hollywood (1959)

Here's an album with one of my favorite musical actresses, Shirley Jones, and her husband at the time, Jack Cassidy (father of David Cassidy, the love of my life - sigh). Both Shirley and Jack sing wonderfully on this album, especially on the duets. When I got this album (during one of my excursions to Half-Price Books' clearance bin), I thought it looked familiar, like maybe I already had it. Well, I didn't have it, but the reason it looked so familiar is that the cover is somewhat similar to a Steve and Eydie album, where they're sitting with their backs to us and looking over their shoulders at us. There are even some of the same songs on both albums. (For you Steve and Eydie fans out there, I do plan to post that album at some point.)

Anyway, back to Shirley and Jack... Shirley Jones is VERY familiar to us as Mrs. Partridge on TV's "The Partridge Family", as well as the star of several Hollywood musicals such as "Oklahoma!", "The Music Man", and "Carousel". I don't remember Jack Cassidy very well - only that I remember seeing him as a guest star on many TV shows. Shirley and Jack ended up divorcing, and Shirley has been married to Marty Ingels for many years. Jack tragically died in a fire in his apartment about 25 years or so ago.

I cleaned up this album as best I could, but there are a couple of songs that each have a skip. It still plays very well - the beautiful voices of Shirley and Jack, with Frank DeVol and his orchestra...

Track listing for Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy - With Love from Hollywood:

Side 1:
1. Cheek to Cheek
2. Dearly Beloved
3. It Might as Well Be Spring - (has a skip)
4. For You, for Me, for Evermore
5. Love of My Life
6. Let's Face the Music and Dance

Side 2:
1. Let's Fall in Love
2. Long Ago (and Far Away) - (has a skip)
3. Nina
4. It's Easy to Remember
5. Nice Work If You Can Get It
6. Hit the Road to Dreamland

Burl Ives Sings... for Fun (1956)

I don't think there's anybody who doesn't know who Burl Ives was. Probably everybody knows him as the snowman who narrates the story on the Christmas special "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Some may remember him from some Disney movies and also as "Big Daddy". Mostly, he's remembered for being a folk singer with a nice, melodic, mellow, soothing voice. I know I enjoy listening to his songs, and this is one of several Burl Ives albums that I have. I usually try to get albums in stereo if there was both a mono or stereo version, but, as far as I know, this album was released only in mono. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

Track listing for Burl Ives Sings...for Fun:

Side 1:
1. The Fox
2. The Three Jolly Huntsmen
3. The Erie Canal
4. My Good Old Man
5. Old Dan Tucker
6. Wooly Boogie Bee
7. Blue Tail Fly

Side 2:
1. The Boll Weevil
2. Let's Go Hunting
3. Goober Peas
4. Aunt Rhody
5. Killigrew's Soiree
6. Big Rock Candy Mountain
7. I'm Goin' Down the Road

Sally Field - Star of THE FLYING NUN (1967)

Remember "Gidget" and "The Flying Nun"? Neither show was of Emmy-award winning caliber, but they sure were fun shows - just mindless, silly entertainment! And to think that Sally Field, the star of those shows, would go on to win not one, but two, Academy Awards for Best Actress! I don't think anyone saw that coming - probably not even Sally herself!

This album is actually quite delightful, and one of my favorites in my collection. The songs are all upbeat and the kind you want to sing along with (if you know the words) or hum along with (if you don't know the words). Sally may not be the best singer, but she does a decent job (better than some of the other actors who tried their hand at singing) on this album. Besides, she's just always been so darn CUTE! For those of you who have children (or grandchildren) or work with little kids, this is a pretty good album for children as a lot of the songs have a children's chorus singing along and Sally (as Sister Bertrille) singing to them. I don't remember the show very well, but I think there was a school or orphanage associated with the convent where Sister Bertrille was. (I'm planning to buy the DVD of the series.)

Here are the liner notes for the album:

Sally Field is many things, including a typical American girl and a marvelous young actress; but she never, in her wildest dreams, thought that she would become a singer. Strangely enough, for many years Sally has had a secret longing to "...sing in a musical, either a movie or on Broadway." And seeing that Julie Andrews is Sally's personal "idol," it's not a bit surprising that she aspired to become a singer. Usually the dream and the reality are millions of miles apart. But, after listening to this album, I'm sure you'll agree, Sally's off to a flying start.

Gloria Stavers, Editor of 16 Magazine

Track listing for Sally Field - Star of THE FLYING NUN:

Side 1:
1. Who Needs Wings to Fly? (The Flying Nun Theme)
2. Felicidad
3. Count to Ten
4. Turn On the Sunshine
5. The Musicians
6. The Louder I Sing (The Braver I Get)
7. Follow the Star

Side 2:
1. Darkest Before Dawn
2. Optimize
3. I'm On My Way
4. Paint Me a Picture
5. Find Yourself a Rainbow
6. I'm So Glad I Can Fly
7. Who Needs Wings to Fly? (The Flying Nun Theme) (Reprise)

Ray Eberle Plays Glenn Miller (1959)

Today I present to you an album that I mostly bought for the album cover. I love covers that are just so typically 1950s or 1960s. When I look at this cover, I want to be at that little dance party in someone's home. I remember when people would get together to listen to the latest records and have an impromptu dance party. How I miss that - sigh. No one seems to dance at house parties anymore. Why is that? That's part of what made a party fun! Today it seems that people just stand around holding their drinks and making small talk - BORING! I think we should go back to having dance parties again. So, if anyone out there has dance parties, please add me to your invite list!

Okay, about the actual album... Ray Eberle was a featured vocalist in the Glenn Miller Orchestra who later became a member of the group, The Modernaires. This particular album is on the Golden Tone label. Golden Tone was used primarily as a reissue label for previously released material on the Tops label, usually in abridged form by deleting some songs. Golden Tone was a budget label in every sense of that word - everything seemed to be recycled, including the vinyl, the cover photos, and even the record jackets. Despite the low quality of this record label, this record still plays okay. The songs are familiar Glenn Miller hits, Ray Eberle was a good vocalist, and I just love the cover! If you notice on the cover photo, the wall displays a bunch of record albums. Well, they're all from the Golden Tone label. As it turns out, I have several records from this label, including one which is displayed on the wall of this album cover. Anyway, enough with the trivia. If anyone out there has other Golden Tone records, I sure would love it if you post them!

Track listing for Ray Eberle Plays Glenn Miller:

Side 1:
1. In the Mood
2. Skylark
3. Little Brown Jug
4. Blue Champagne

Side 2:
1. Tuxedo Junction
2. Deep Purple
3. A String of Pearls
4. Sunrise Serenade

Richard Chamberlain Sings (TV's Dr. Kildare) - (1964)

Forget Dr. McDreamy! Here's the original dreamy TV doctor!

George Richard Chamberlain, born on March 31, 1935, became a teen idol in the title role of the television show "Dr. Kildare", which aired from 1961-1966. Coinciding with his rise to fame on the show, Richard also had a brief but moderately successful career as a pop singer. He had several hit singles, most of them from his debut album which I've posted here. His singing voice is actually quite nice! Richard didn't record many albums, and most of us know him as the king of television mini-series ("Shogun", "The Thorn Birds") and from films ("The Towering Inferno"), but he has continued to act in theatre (including musicals) and most recently guest-starred on an episode of "Nip/Tuck". Richard also finally "came out" a couple of years ago at the ripe old age of 69 in his autobiography, but I don't think that was a big surprise. He has always been such an astoundingly handsome man - and to never have gotten married or been linked to some beautiful woman? Come on - put two and two together!

Anyway, I've always liked Richard Chamberlain (although I never saw "Dr. Kildare" since I was just a toddler then), and was happy to find this album (another treasure from the clearance bin at Half-Price Books). He just looks so beautiful on the album cover! So, here it is...

Track listing for Richard Chamberlain Sings (TV's Dr. Kildare):

Side 1:
1. Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
2. All I Have to Do is Dream - reached #14 in 1963
3. I Will Love You
4. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
5. Theme from Dr. Kildare (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight) - reached #10 in 1962
6. It's a Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around)

Side 2:
1. True Love
2. I'll Be Around
3. Love Me Tender - reached #21 in 1962
4. All I Do is Dream of You
5. A Quiet Kind of Love

We're the Banana Splits (1969)

How many of you remember "The Banana Splits"? It was a Saturday morning show, and they were made up of Bingo (a gorilla), Fleagle (a beagle), Snorky (an elephant), and Drooper (a lion). They sang, clowned around, and introduced cartoons - "The Arabian Knights", "Danger Island", and "The Three Musketeers".

Well, after years of looking for this LP, I finally bought in on eBay a few years ago, and it was in MINT condition! The record label says it's a "promotional copy - not for sale", so I was even more excited about finally finding it (don't ask me how much I paid for it - I try not to think about how much money I've spent on my various collections). The only song I really remember is "The Tra La La Song", and it's my favorite on the album. I don't remember the rest of the songs, and they sang a little rougher than I remember - not as bubblegum as I thought. But, it brings back pleasant memories of my childhood - sigh. So, here's the entire album for your listening pleasure!

Track listing for We're the Banana Splits:

Side 1:
1. We're the Banana Splits
2. I'm Gonna Find a Cave
3. This Spot
4. Doin' the Banana Split
5. Toy Piano Melody
6. Soul

Side 2:
1. The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)
2. Wait Til Tomorrow
3. You're the Lovin' End
4. In New Orleans
5. Two-Ton Tessie
6. Don't Go Away - Go-Go Girl

Leo Addeo & His Orchestra - More Hawaii in Hi-Fi (1960)

I found this little gem in the 50-cent clearance section at one of our local Half-Price Books stores! I am currently obsessed with anything Hawaiian (check out my Luau Compilation in one of my previous posts), so every time I see an album of Hawaiian music, I just have to buy it. It doesn't matter that I may already have umpteen million versions of the same songs - as long as it's someone different performing them, I'll buy them!

Here's some info about Leo Addeo, courtesy of Space Age Pop:

Leo Addeo - Born October 14, 1914, New York City, New York; Died May 1979, Long Island, New York

Addeo was one of RCA's key house arrangers for most of the 1950s and 1960s. An Italian American from Brooklyn, Addeo's specialty was Hawaiian music. He studied violin as a child, but switched to clarinet and saxophone in his teens when he noticed these instruments were in greater demand for local dance bands. He gradually moved from performing to arranging, working with Gene Krupa, Larry Clinton, and Frankie Carle.

Hugo Winterhalter hired Addeo as an orchestrator and brought him along when he moved to RCA in the early 1950s. Addeo was a steady producer for RCA, backing vocalists such as Vaughan Monroe and Don Cherry, arranging and conducting on numerous credited and uncredited instrumentals, and writing an occasional song. Addeo held down the marimba band corner for RCA's "Living" series, producing a respectable knock-off of Julius Wechter's Baja Marimba Band.

Track Listing for Leo Addeo and His Orchestra - More Hawaii in Hi-Fi:

Side 1:
1. The Sheik of Araby
2. Isle of Paradise
3. Near You
4. Song of India
5. Harbor Lights

Side 2:
1. Third Man Theme
2. Moon of Manakoora
3. To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
4. Song of the Islands
5. Red Sails in the Sunset

Patty Duke Sings Songs from Valley of the Dolls and other selections (1968)

Patty Duke has been one of my all-time favorite actresses for as long as I can remember. You could say that I went through a period when I was pretty much obsessed with her - recording all her movies and her TV show when they came on TV, buying her old record albums (I'm only missing one), and buying various memorabilia such as the Patty Duke Board Game, paper dolls, etc. In trying to decide what to post next, a friend of mine requested that I post this album. So, Bradley, this one's for you!

Liner notes from the album:

What you will hear in this superb collection has been hailed as 'the excited voice of Patty Duke,' which is not, as it sounds, a misnomer, but which is a deliberate way of suggesting that Patty Duke's lustrous, range-rich and expressive voice displays the very essence of excitement itself. Of course, Patty is an exciting singer, but precisely because her voice is excited and emotional and full of action.
The songs themselves are diversified, in keeping with Patty Duke's own wide and considerable talents. The numbers demonstrate the subtle nuances of character, of mood and of motivation, of deep human understanding of the troubled soul who sings them. This is the personality of 'Neely O'Hara' in "Valley Of The Dolls", the destroying and self destructive, self-centered and eruptive singer which Patty Duke portrays with such power and verisimilitude.
The combination of singer and actress is a rarity in show business, as the long history of the musical stage has so often attested. Patty Duke combines both talents in a stirring and striking blend of rare accomplishment. Her achievements as a stage and motion picture actress, crowned with a coveted and much deserved Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Oscar Award for her unforgettable performance as young Helen Keller in 'The Miracle Worker' are well known. If it were at all possible, Patty Duke surpasses herself as Neely O'Hara in "Dolls", and one detects the magic of her talents in the warm modulations of her voice, in the heart-touching airs, the nostalgic themes, and above all, the deeply moving arias which come through.
What impresses above all is the diversity and range of Patty Duke's performance. Here gathered together are different songs which express the gamut of emotions which charge through vibrant and dynamic Neely O'Hara. And different they are, for they exhibit the changing moods of a woman alternately in ecstasy and anguish‹self-pity and romance, bitter cynicism and bright hope, yielding softness and brassy harshness. There are few performers who can offer this gamut of human emotions with such clarity and with such controlled power. Patty Duke has added to her laurels, and added to your entertainment pleasure.

Liner Notes By GENE KELLY

Track listing for Patty Duke Sings Songs from Valley of the Dolls and other selections:

Side 1:
1. It's Impossible
2. Come Live with Me
3. Give a Little More
4. I'll Plant My Own Tree
5. Theme from "Valley of the Dolls"

Side 2:
1. My Own Little Place
2. Half Hearted Kisses
3. Roses are Red (My Love)
4. A Million Things to Do
5. Forever Young
6. Learn to Live with Your Heartbreak

You Are My Sunshine

"You Are My Sunshine" is my very favorite song in the whole wide world. My mom would sing it to me when I was a little kid, and it's one of the first songs to which I learned the words. I had a kids version on Peter Pan Records - a little plastic yellow record, smaller than a 45 but played at 78rpm - that eventually broke or was tossed away. It was a pleasant surprise several years ago when, on an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager", the Doctor and Seven of Nine sang it (if anyone has a copy of their version, I sure would like a copy of it!). It was revived in the 2000 movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (although the movie takes place during the Depression in the 1930s, and the song wasn't actually recorded until about 1940). Most recently, a really cool version by Stine J was played at the end of an episode of "Queer as Folk" and on the soundtrack of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith".

So, because I love this song so much, I decided to create a compilation of just this song sung by as many different artists as I could find. This compilation includes versions by the original, Jimmie Davis (who was later Governor of Louisiana), country versions, jazz versions, children's versions, live versions, and even a punk version by Screaching Weasel. Who knew? Well, I came up with 46 different versions, so I split it up evenly into two zip files to be able to burn them to a couple of CDs. You may be wondering (or not) about the picture I chose. I'll tell you anyway - Stinkerbelle was my adorable little tabby that died in June of liver cancer (I have two other geriatric cats). I always sang "You Are My Sunshine" to her, and I sang it to her as she died. So, I am dedicating this compilation to her, because she was, and forever will be, "my sunshine".

Artists who perform on You Are My Sunshine 1:
1. Albert Ammons & His Rhythm Kings
2. Ames Brothers
3. Bert Kaempfert
4. Bing Crosby
5. Bob Dylan (with Johnny Cash)
6. Bryan White
7. Burl Ives
8. Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus & Larry Groce
9. Firehouse Five Plus Two
10. Gene Harris & Scott Hamilton Quintet
11. Jimmie Davis (the original)
12. Johnny & The Hurricanes
13. Kevin Devine
14. Mills Brothers
15. Mississippi John Hurt
16. Nat King Cole
17. Neil Diamond
18. Norman Blake (from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?")
19. Pete Seeger
20. Ray Charles
21. Rick Nelson
22. Slim Whitman
23. Stine J (from "Mr. and Mrs. Smith")

Artists who perform on You Are My Sunshine 2:
1. Anne Murray
2. Boxcar Willie
3. Carl McVoy
4. Collins Kids (joined by Rosemary Clooney and others)
5. Countdown Kids
6. Delbert McClinton
7. Elizabeth Mitchell
8. Gene Autry
9. Heidi Hauge
10. James Morrison
11. Kitty Kallen
12. Les Elgart
13. Mac Wiseman
14. Mitch Miller
15. Ruby Murray
16. Sara Gazarek
17. Sara Hickman
18. Screaching Weasel
19. Tom Petty
20. Tommy Hunter
21. Trini Lopez
22. Wilf Carter
23. Willie Nelson (with Leon Russell)

Jumpin' Gene Simmons 1933-2006

Rockabilly singer and songwriter Gene Simmons (no, not the long-tongued guy from KISS!) died on Tuesday, August 29, 2006. In his early career, Gene was part of the Sun Records list of stars, which included Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. He later joined the famous Bill Black Combo as their lead singer, until the untimely death of Bill Black. He reached #11 on the Billboard charts in 1964 with his hit "Haunted House". Later he turned his talents to songwriting, including Tim McGraw's first hit in 1994, "Indian Outlaw".
I did find a copy of his hit, "Haunted House", and have posted it for your listening pleasure.
Haunted House

Richard Harris - A Tramp Shining (1968)

Today's offering is Richard Harris' 1968 album "A Tramp Shining", which contains his hit "MacArthur Park". The entire album was written, arranged, and produced by Jimmy Webb. Now, the back of the album says "Richard Harris sings" - well, I suppose I have heard worse. It was actually pretty painful for me to listen to this album, but one of the reasons I like it (and many other albums) is because it is so bad! Yes, yes, I know "MacArthur Park" was a big hit, reaching #2 for Mr.Harris in 1968; but, the song itself is so bad and then to be an even bigger hit ten years later for Donna Summer, reaching #1! I mean, have you really listened to the words? Just the same, I can't help liking it! (FYI - it only reached #38 for the Four Tops in 1971.) And I do like Richard Harris - he was a magnificent actor! Anyway, for all you Richard Harris the SINGER fans, here's "A Tramp Shining". I've got to go now because it's raining here in Dallas, and I think I left my birthday cake out in the rain.....

Track Listing for Richard Harris - A Tramp Shining:

Side 1:
1. Didn't We
2. Paper Chase
3. Name of My Sorrow
4. Lovers Such as I
5. In the Final Hours

Side 2:
1. MacArthur Park
2. Dancing Girl
3. If You Must Leave My Life
4. A Tramp Shining

Maynard Ferguson 1928-2006

Maynard Ferguson, one of the greatest jazz trumpeters, died Wednesday, August 23, after a short illness. Maynard's trademark was the ability to hit really high notes, and he made the pop charts with his Grammy-nominated version of "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)". He had recently recorded an album, which will be released later this year. The music world has certainly lost one of its greatest, and music lovers all over will miss him and his talent very much.
For information about Maynard Ferguson, and to listen to some sound clips, visit his official website: www.maynardferguson.com.

Luau Compilation

Today is my birthday! Yep, I am definitely a Leo (if you look closely at my profile picture, you'll see that there's a Leo picture in the girl's room). Since my birthday falls on a Monday this year, I'm not having my birthday party until Saturday, and it's going to be a Hawaiian luau! So, in preparation for the luau, yesterday I spent several hours creating three different compilations of Hawaiian music to play at my party. (I did it the easy way and let iTunes pick the songs for me, so you'll find that there are several songs by the same musicians - iTunes picks randomly.) Anyway, since I'd already created these compilations, I decided to go ahead and post one of them. You'll find some more contemporary Hawaiian songs here (such as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) along with the typical steel guitar type music (Jack DeMello) and even a cute tune from Annette Funicello's "Hawaiiannette" album. Plus, "Hawaii Five-O" is on here! As I said, there's a variety - not just your usual Hawaiian tunes. Hope y'all enjoy it - aloha!

Luau Compilation 1 Track Listing (yes, they're in alphabetical order - I'm funny that way) -

1. Adventures in Paradise - Les Adams & His Fabulous Hawaiians
2. At the Bay of the Rainbows - George Kainapau
3. Beyond the Reef - Jack DeMello
4. Blue Hawaii - Dick Contino
5. Blue Lei - George Kainapau
6. Diamond Head - Dick Contino
7. Far Across the Sea - Alfred Apaka
8. Farewell My Tani - Les Adams & His Fabulous Hawaiians
9. Hawai'i 78 - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
10. Hawaii Five-O - The Ventures
11. Hawaii Sang Me to Sleep - Les Adams & His Fabulous Hawaiians
12. Hawaiian Luau - George Kainapau
13. Hawaiian War Chant - Dick Contino
14. Hawaiian Wedding Song - Elvis Presley
15. Kalua Skys - Les Adams & His Fabulous Hawaiians
16. Kauai Beauty - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
17. Lei Aloha - George Kainapau
18. Lei Hana I Ka Makani Ualau'awa - Keali'i Reichel
19. Maui Medley - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
20. On the Beach at Waikiki - Les Adams & His Fabulous Hawaiians
21. Pineapple Princess - Annette Funicello
22. Pua 'Ala Aumoe - Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
23. That's What the Lei Said to Me - George Kainapau
24. To Make You Love Me, Kuu Ipo - George Kainapau
25. Tropical - Dick Contino
26. Waimea Waltz - Arthur Lyman

Luau Compilation

Eydie Gorme - Amor (1964)

I love Eydie Gorme. I grew up listening to her "Amor" and "More Amor" albums. Every weekend, my mother would play those two albums while she baked or did school work (she was a teacher), and I listened while I played with my Barbies or cut pictures out of teen magazines. When my mother passed away in 1993, I (being an only child) inherited her record collection, thus adding to my own already nice-sized collection. I still listen to these albums, and they bring back wonderful memories of being a little girl with not a care in the world. "Amor" is my favorite of the two, so I am posting it in honor of Eydie's birthday yesterday (August 16). If there is enough interest, I will post the "More Amor" album later.

Track listing for Eydie Gorme - Amor:

Side 1:
1. Piel Canela
2. Y....
3. Nosotros
4. Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado
5. Di Que No Es Verdad
6. Historia de Un Amor

Side 2:
1. Sabor a Mi
2. Amor
3. Noche de Ronda
4. Caminito
5. Media Vuelta
6. La Ultima Noche

Mystic Moods Orchestra - One Stormy Night (1972)

Talk about a productive afternoon! I went to the Half-Price Books store in Richardson on my way home from work and bought ten albums from the clearance bin for 50 cents each! Yowza! Three of the albums were by the Mystic Moods Orchestra - "One Stormy Night", "Emotions", and "Extensions". I got them mostly for their great covers, and was going to post "One Stormy Night" but found that Mr.Lucky already has it posted on his site, along with a nice little write-up. So, if you love Mystic Moods and are looking for "One Stormy Night", you can find it on Mr.Lucky's World of M (link is gone). And please let him know I sent you!

UPDATE on 10/03/08 - by request, I have now posted my own link to this album!

Track Listing for Mystic Moods Orchestra - One Stormy Night:

Side A -
1. A Dream
2. Minstrel Boy
3. Sayonara
4. One Stormy Night
5. In Your Arms

Side B -
1. Fire Island
2. Aja Toro
3. Hot Bagel
4. Local Freight
5. Autumn Leaves

Here are the pictures of the other two Mystic Moods Orchestra albums I bought:

Summer Compilation

Okay! I finally finished my first compilation – a compilation of “summer” songs that hit the Top-40 between 1955 and 1978! Yeah, I know summer is half over – oh, well. There are 28 songs in this compilation and they will all fit on one 80 minute CD. I had a hard time choosing the songs because I have so many summer songs. Finally, I decided to just do songs with “summer” in the title, and only if they had hit the top 40 between 1955 and 1978. Why these dates? They didn’t have Billboard charts before 1955, so I don’t know what songs actually charted – this means that a couple of my favorite songs aren’t on here – and I chose 1978 as the last year to include because I just HAD to include “Summer Nights” from “Grease”, plus I wanted to create a nostalgic feeling. I had two more songs for this compilation, “Summer Rain” by Johnny Rivers and “Summer (The First Time)” by Bobby Goldsboro, but they didn’t fit on the CD when I went to burn it, so I removed them to keep the compilation down to one CD. If anybody wants either of these, I’ll be happy to post them. I also had a song called “Hot Summer Nights” by Night from 1979, but it was more of a hard rock song, so I nixed it. There was one song that I haven’t been able to find, “Summer Set” by Monty Kelly – it reached #30 in 1960. If anyone has it, please let me know!

Here’s the track listing:

1. Theme from ‘A Summer Place” – Percy Faith & His Orchestra - #1 in 1960 (instrumental - the granddaddy of ALL summer songs, if you ask me)
2. Hot Fun in the Summertime – Sly & the Family Stone - #2 in 1969
3. In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry - #3 in 1970
4. Summer Nights – Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta - #5 in 1978
5. Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer – Nat King Cole - #6 in 1963 (kinda hokey, but it grows on you)
6. One Summer Night – The Danleers - #7 in 1958
7. Song for a Summer Night – Mitch Miller - #8 in 1956 (instrumental)
8. Summertime – Billy Stewart - #10 in 1966 (I could do a couple of CDs just with different versions of this song alone)
9. Soft Summer Breeze – Eddie Heywood - #11 in 1956 (instrumental)
10. That Sunday, That Summer – Nat King Cole - #12 in 1963
11. Here Comes Summer – Jerry Keller - #14 in 1959
12. My Summer Love – Ruby & the Romantics - #16 in 1963
13. Lazy Summer Night – The Four Preps - #21 in 1958
14. Summer Nights – Marianne Faithfull - #24 in 1965 (NOT the same as the one from “Grease”)
15. Summer Wind – Frank Sinatra - #25 in 1966 (what would ANY compilation be without Frank?)
16. Summertime, Summertime – The Jamies - #26 in 1958 AND #38 in 1962
17. Happy Summer Days – Ronnie Dove - #27 in 1966
18. Almost Summer – Celebration (featuring Mike Love) - #28 in 1978 (Does anyone remember this movie? I loved it back then!)
19. Summer Sand – Dawn - #33 in 1971
20. Summer Samba (So Nice) – Walter Wanderley - #26 in 1966 (instrumental)
21. Theme from “Summer of ‘42” – Peter Nero - #21 in 1971 (instrumental)
22. Wonderful Summer – Robin Ward - #14 in 1963 (1963 was a good year for summer songs)
23. Summer’s Gone – Paul Anka - #11 in 1960
24. Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran - #8 in 1958 (the original, and best, version)
25. A Summer Song – Chad & Jeremy - #7 in 1964
26. Summer Breeze – Seals & Crofts - #6 in 1972
27. Summer in the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful - #1 in 1966
28. Summer – War - #7 in 1976

Here’s the link:

Summer Compilation

Links to Others Added

I added links to some of my favorite blogs, so check them out! I've visited all of them and they're all really cool! Unfortunately, one of my favorites, Mondo Daddykin, is no longer around - and he had some GREAT stuff! Anyway, please visit these links - you won't be disappointed!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Stax o' Wax - my new blog dedicated to those wonderful vinyl records of yesteryear! I will be posting records from my personal collection, which includes quite a variety - "oldies" rock, soundtracks, TV-related, easy listening, lounge, exotica, TV and movie actors who recorded albums, and quite a few strange records. I'll also post my own compilations - in fact, my first post will be a compilation that I'm still working on. So, please be patient - I'm a newbie at this. But, I hope you'll enjoy what I have to offer. And I welcome any advice from those of you who have been at this for awhile!