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