Ethel Smith - Rhythm Antics!

Here's another gem from the HPB bargain bin. I'd never heard of Ethel Smith, but I love organ music and I couldn't resist the hilarious album cover - it just cracks me up! I have since found out who Ethel Smith was (good write-up on Space Age Pop), and have added this album as a must-play for my housewarming party. This is a great album to play at your next happy hour or cocktail party!

Track listing for Ethel Smith - Rhythm Antics!:

Side 1:
1. Desafinado
2. I've Got Your Number
3. What is This Thing Called Love
4. Rhythm Antics
5. Diga Diga Doo
6. Makin' Whoopee

Side 2:
1. By the Light of the Silvery Moon
2. Carioca
3. Ooh That Kiss
4. Moanin'
5. It Ain't Necessarily So
6. Baia

Here's a video of Ethel Smith (accompanied by a bevy of beauties!) playing her hit "Tico Tico":

Buddy Cole - Powerhouse! (1959)

Today's offering is another one of my discoveries from the bargain bin at Half-Price Books. Of course, it was the cover that grabbed my attention - hello! I didn't even notice on the cover that it said Buddy Cole played the Hammond organ, and I love swingin' organ music! That brings up a memory from college... My friends and I would occasionally go out to dinner (we were poor college students and usually ate in the university refectory) and one of our favorite places was this little Mexican food restaurant called Los Barrios. They had the best "enfrijoladas" (like enchiladas, but covered in bean sauce instead of red or chili sauce), and this little man would sit in the corner playing the organ! The only song I remember him playing was "New York, New York" - it was great! Ah, memories...

Anyway, after I listened to this album, it just knocked my socks off! Buddy Cole really swings on the old Hammond! Wow! This is definitely an album I'll be playing when I have my housewarming. (BTW, my new sofa was delivered today so I now have a place for guests to sit!) So, give a listen to this album - it's a must for all you swingin' hep cats!

Track listing for Buddy Cole - Powerhouse!:

Side 1:
1. The Lady is a Tramp
2. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
3. What is There to Say
4. Ridin' High
5. Georgia on My Mind
6. Just You, Just Me

Side 2:
1. I'm Beginning to See the Light
2. Will You Still Be Mine?
3. Fulfillment
4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
5. Powerhouse
6. Accent on Youth