Texas Jim Robertson - Sings 12 All-Time Country & Western Hits (1961)

I couldn't resist picking up this little gem from the HPB bargain bin, especially with a name like Texas Jim Robertson. And since I went on my dude ranch vacation last year, I just can't seem to get enough of cowboy songs! Listening to this record made me want to go back to the dude ranch (and I will - it was great!). And since this record has my very favorite song in the whole world, "You Are My Sunshine", well, I just had to buy it. (I think I now have 48 versions of that song.) My other two favorite songs on this record are "Slipping Around" and "Old Time Religion" - such fun!

Track listing for Texas Jim Robertson - Sings 12 All-Time Country & Western Hits:

Side 1:
1. If You've Got the Money
2. I Love You So Much It Hurts
3. Slipping Around
4. Kentucky Waltz
5. You Are My Sunshine
6. Till the End of the World

Side 2:
1. It Makes No Difference Now
2. Lonesome Whistle
3. Night Train to Memphis
4. Columbus Stockade Blues
5. A Cowboy's Dream
6. Old Time Religion

K-tel - 25 Polka Greats Vol.1 (1971)

Remember those great K-tel commercials on TV? And how many of you bought K-tel records? I know I have several in my collection! I loved the K-tel records because they were mostly compilations of "20 great hits from 20 great original singers"! Many times, I just liked the hit song that played on the radio, and I didn't want to buy the whole album of a particular musician for that one song, so K-tel records were just perfect compilations for me! Well, this particular record is not one that I bought back in the day, but I couldn't resist it when I saw it at an estate sale. I do love a good polka! And how could I pass up a record with the polka king, Frankie Yankovic, AND Myron Floren from "The Lawrence Welk Show", AND the Six Fat Dutchmen?! Apparently though, there seem to have been several versions of this record - I found three different ones on the internet, all from K-tel with the same name and same number (NC 420). Side 1 seems to be the same on all three versions that I found, but side 2 varies. Maybe they released different versions in different countries or markets? Anyway, it's a fun album and sure to get you up on your feet and polka-ing around the house!

Track listing for K-tel - 25 Polka Greats Vol.1:

Side 1:
1. Lichtensteiner Polka - Six Fat Dutchmen
2. Too Fat Polka - Frankie Yankovic
3. Pennsylvania Polka - Frankie Yankovic
4. Champagne Polka - Six Fat Dutchmen
5. Under the Double Eagle - Frankie Yankovic
6. Hoop De Doo - Myron Floren
7. Emilia Polka - Frankie Yankovic
8. Barbara Polka - Captain Stubby & The Buccaneers
9. Jenny Lind Polka - Myron Floren
10. Clarinet Polka - Captain Stubby & The Buccaneers
11. Ohio Polka - Frankie Yankovic
12. There's a Tavern in the Town - Six Fat Dutchmen

Side 2:
1. Beer Barrel Polka - Frankie Yankovic
2. Who Stole the Kishka - Frankie Yankovic
3. In Heaven There is No Beer - Polka Padre
4. Blue Skirt Waltz - Polka Padre
5. Helena Polka - Polka Padre
6. Jolly Musicians Polka - Bernie Roberts
7. Cuckoo Waltz - Polka Padre
8. Milwaukee Polka - Frankie Yankovic
9. Rush Hour Polka - Polka Padre
10. Ellen Polka - Six Fat Dutchmen
11. Mexican Doll - Polka Padre
12. I've Been Working on the Railroad - Frankie Yankovic
13. Indiana Polka - Six Fat Dutchmen

Here's the commercial that advertised one of the versions of this record:

Patti Page - Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1965)

Here's the Singing Rage, Miss Patti Page singing the title song from the movie "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte". (If you've never seen the movie, try to catch it on TCM sometime or rent it - it's great!). In addition to that song, Patti sings some old favorites such as "Scarlet Ribbons" and "Danny Boy". I have yet to find a Patti Page record that I didn't like - they're all great! As a little girl, one of my favorite songs was "Doggie in the Window" (which was also the first song I heard on my favorite local AM radio station, KAAM), and when I was doing the ballroom dance thing, I danced many a waltz to her songs. I also had the privilege of seeing her perform here in Dallas back in the mid or late 1980s, and I particularly remember her singing HHSC.

Track listing for Patti Page - Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte:

Side 1:
1. Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte
2. Try to Remember
3. The Green Leaves of Summer
4. Jamaica Farewell
5. Croce di Oro (Cross of Gold)
6. Who's Gonna Shoe My Pretty Little Feet

Side 2:
1. Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
2. Longing to Hold You Again
3. Danny Boy
4. Can't Help Falling in Love
5. Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)

The Osmond Brothers - Songs We Sang on the Andy Williams Show (1962)

How about some barbershop quartet harmonies by the Osmond Brothers (before Donny)? Do any of you remember them on "The Andy Williams Show"? (I was too young to have seen them or remember them - don't even know if my parents watched the show.) Well, they were all just as cute as can be and, although I'm not really a big fan of the way little kids sound doing barbershop (voices too high - sound like chipmunks to me), I have to say that I am impressed at how well they sang those harmonies - real professionals! The songs are great - they take me back to a much simpler time, and they do make me feel quite nostalgic. Of course, we know what the Osmonds (with Donny) sounded like years later, and some of us may have had our bedroom walls plastered with their posters (Donny was my longest love and was on my walls for several years, and he still makes me swoon). It's impressive that these brothers have celebrated over 50 years in show business, and it's a lot of fun to hear how they got their start. So, take a trip down memory lane with the (original) Osmond Brothers...

Track listing for The Osmond Brothers - Songs We Sang on the Andy Williams Show:

Side 1:
1. Be My Little Baby Bumble Bee
2. Mightly Lak' a Rose
3. Keep Your Eye on the Girlie You Love
4. Just a Song at Twilight
5. I Wouldn't Trade the Silver in My Mother's Hair (For All the Gold in the World)
6. Kentucky Babe

Side 2:
1. By the Light of the Silvery Moon
2. Aura Lee
3. In the Good Old Summertime
4. Take Me Back to Babyland
5. Down Our Way
6. Bye Bye Blues

Here's a great video of the young Osmond Brothers singing at Disneyland (love the audience reaction!):

Jim Nabors - Sings Love Me With All Your Heart (1966)

How many of you grew up watching Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle, first as the gas station attendant on "The Andy Griffith Show" and later as the goofy marine private on "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C."? I absolutely loved Gomer and never missed the show. And remember the first time you heard that baritone singing voice come out of that goofy guy? What a surprise! I used to love to try to imitate his singing (imagine a little girl doing that) and really got a kick out of it. (Come to think of it, I still try to sing "O Holy Night" in my best Jim Nabors voice.) My mom thought he was a wonderful singer and loved his version of "O Holy Night", so she did not appreciate my attempts to sing it the way he did ("Stop singing! You're ruining the song!"). Anyway, I still get a kick of listening to old Jim Nabors records, and he sings a lot of very familiar songs on this album. This is his second album (he recorded his first album in character as Gomer Pyle).

Track listing for Jim Nabors Sings Love Me With All Your Heart:

Side 1:
1. Love Me With All Your Heart (Cuando Calienta el Sol)
2. You're Gonna Hear from Me (from "Inside Daisy Clover")
3. You Don't Know Me
4. Somewhere My Love (Lara's Theme from "Dr. Zhivago")
5. Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody
6. Strangers in the Night

Side 2:
1. The Impossible Dream (from "Man of La Mancha")
2. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (from "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever")
3. Swanee
4. I'm Yours
5. What Now My Love

Mario Lanza - A Legendary Performer (1976)

Here's one in a category that I don't usually post - a record of Mario Lanza songs. I got this record during one of the several times that I was in one of those mail-order record clubs. I had seen a movie starring Mario (where he sings "Arrivederci, Roma") and just fell in love with him. To this day, that song brings tears to my eyes because he sings it so beautifully. I know my mom was pleased that I liked this kind of music - thought I was growing out of that "rock and roll" stuff!

Mario Lanza, tenor. He was around for too few years. Legendary performer. Legendary personality. He stamped his image on his times and left the sound of his voice for a world to enjoy.

Track listing for Mario Lanza - A Legendary Performer:

Side 1:
1. Be My Love
2. Because
3. The Loveliest Night of the Year
4. Serenade
5. Torna a Surriento
6. Arrivederci, Roma

Side 2:
1. Celeste Aida (Heavenly Aida)
2. Vesti la Giubba (On with the Play)
3. Granada
4. Marechiare
5. Mattinata
6. O Sole Mio

Here's the scene from the movie "Seven Hills of Rome" where Mario sings "Arrivederci, Roma":

Wayne King - Wayne King in Hi-Fi (196?)

If you like music with lots of lush string arrangements, then you'll like this album. I mostly bought this record for the album cover, but I also like all the songs. And I have fond memories of dancing to Wayne King songs at the practice parties of the dance studio where I took ballroom dancing for several years. All the songs on this album are well known and often-requested standards of the time, but I have to admit I had to chuckle when I heard "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" because I associate that song with the movie "Young Frankenstein"! Well, the liner notes do refer to these songs as mood music, after all. (I couldn't find a release year for this album, but I'm guessing 1960s.)

And now, get set for a wonderful treat in high fidelity... as Wayne King and his orchestra show you how to put the "mood" in mood music.

Track listing for Wayne King in Hi-Fi:

Side 1:
1. Sweet and Lovely
2. L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour
3. I'm a Dreamer, Aren't We All
4. To Each His Own
5. Silver Moon
6. Sleepy Lagoon

Side 2:
1. They Say It's Wonderful
2. Harbor Lights
3. Laugh! Clown! Laugh!
4. Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life
5. Prisoner of Love
6. The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)

George Maharis - Sings! (1962)

I love celebrity vocals. And I love my George Maharis albums! In case you are not familiar with him, he starred in the TV series "Route 66" along with Martin Milner. George was a singer before he became an actor, and switched to acting due to overuse of his vocal chords. As it seemed to be the thing to do back in the day, he recorded several albums while he was a popular TV star. I found this album in the HPB bargain bin and was very excited and surprised that the 5x7 b&w "autographed" picture of George was still in the record sleeve! (The picture is just a b&w version of the album cover.) All the songs are familiar pop standards, and I like all of them, but I really like his jazzy version of "Route 66". As the liner notes sum up:

George Maharis' interpretations of the ballads in this album reflect the highly creative and individual nature of a young actor who is seeking, and finding, new means of self-expression.

Track listing for George Maharis - Sings!:

Side 1:
1. I Want to Be Wanted
2. It's All in the Game
3. I'll Never Smile Again
4. Moon River
5. Can't Help Falling in Love
6. Hurt

Side 2:
1. Teach Me Tonight
2. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
3. (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66!
4. My Kind of Girl
5. Witchcraft
6. After the Lights Go Down Low

Jerry Murad's Harmonicats - Fiesta! (1962)

Who doesn't love some good harmonica music??? And the Harmonicats are awesome! It's kind of hard to believe that all the music on this album is just three guys - Jerry Murad, Al Fiore, and Don Les - playing their harmonicas. I grew up listening to most of these songs (performed by others), and these versions are just great! I would definitely play this album at my next fiesta themed dinner party!

Track listing for Jerry Murad's Harmonicats - Fiesta!:

Side 1:
1. Guadalajara
2. The Peanut Vendor (El Manisero)
3. Espana Cani
4. La Golondrina
5. Siboney
6. Adios Muchachos

Side 2:
1. Adios
2. Les Filles de Cadix (The Maids of Cadiz)
3. La Virgen de la Macarena
4. La Cumparsita
5. Mexican Hat Dance
6. Granada

Jackie Gleason - Music, Martinis, and Memories (1954)

This is the last of my Jackie Gleason albums. The best way to describe it is by its liner notes:

Music, martinis, and memories... each creates a wonderfully soft, romantic haze. Put them all together and you have a very special effect - a mood whose warmth and tenderness are irresistibly appealing.
The memories and martinis should be yours, of course; the music may be provided by someone else - and nobody can do that more expertly than Jackie Gleason. His famous album presentations - lovely ballads richly orchestrated and featuring the lyric trumpet of Bobby Hackett - are remarkably conducive to that intriguing sentimental spell.
It's really quite possible, in fact, to omit the memories and martinis; but with or without them, you'll find this collection of Jackie Gleason interpretations to be romantic music at its very best, an ideal setting for your most delightful listening moments.

Track listing for Jackie Gleason - Music, Martinis, and Memories:

Side 1:
1. Once In a While
2. I Can't Get Started
3. I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good
4. My Ideal
5. Yesterdays
6. I Love You
7. Unforgettable
8. How High the Moon

Side 2:
1. I'll Be Seeing You
2. Shangri-La
3. I Remember You
4. It Could Happen to You
5. Somebody Loves Me
6. Time On My Hands (You in My Arms)
7. The Nearness of You
8. The Song is Ended

Fats and the Chessmen - Let's Twist (1962)

I really didn't expect much from this album when I bought it, as I really only bought it for the cover art. But, boy, did I love it when I listened to it! This album was obviously recorded to capitalize on the popularity of the Twist dance craze, as there were many Twist records that came out around that time. And I have no idea who Fats and the Chessmen were (no, it's not THE "Fats"). But this album will certainly get you up and dancing! It's quite enjoyable and a fun one to play at your next dance party! If one of your new year's resolutions was to exercise more, then I suggest playing this record and dancing to it - a lot more fun than any of the Wii Fit exercise routines!


Track listing for Fats and the Chessmen - Let's Twist:

Side 1:
1. Twistin' U.S.A.
2. An Odd Twist
3. Lemon Twist
4. Ooh Poo Pa Doo
5. Organ Twist
6. Peppermint Twist

Side 2:
1. Let's Twist Again
2. Old MacDonald Had a Twist
3. Big Ben Twist
4. Insistin' On Twistin'
5. Honkin' the Twist
6. The Twist

The Everly Brothers - A Date with the Everly Brothers (1961)

Today's offering is an album by those famous singing brothers, Phil and Don Everly (and, I am sorry to say that, to this day, I can't tell which is which). I think the first song by them that I remember hearing was "Bye Bye Love". And I remember that I liked all their big hits. So when I saw this album calling to me from the HPB bargain bin, I just had to rescue it! I also just really liked the cover and the nifty shirts that the brothers are wearing. This album also has their big hit, "Cathy's Clown", which I like a lot. So, I hope this takes some of you down memory lane!

Track listing for A Date with the Everly Brothers:

Side 1:
1. Made to Love
2. That's Just Too Much
3. Stick with Me Baby
4. Baby What You Want Me to Do
5. Sigh, Cry, Almost Die
6. Always It's You

Side 2:
1. Love Hurts
2. Lucille
3. So How Come (No One Loves Me)
4. Donna, Donna
5. A Change of Heart
6. Cathy's Clown

The "Sensational" Guitars of Dan & Dale - The Nearness of You

Here's another great little gem that I rescued from the HPB bargain bin. It features some great old standards, and is great to play as background music while reading a book, eating dinner, or surfing through the internet! From what I've read, there was no "Dan & Dale", but if anyone out there knows any different or has more info, please let us know! There was also no date on this album, but I'm figuring it's from the 1960s. From the liner notes on this album, and from pictures of other D&D albums, the "Sensational" Guitars of Dan & Dale were previously known as the "Sleepwalk" Guitars of Dan & Dale. I'll try to keep an eye out for those albums next time I'm browsing through the HPB bargain bin.

Track listing for Dan & Dale - The Nearness of You:

Side 1:
1. The Nearness of You
2. Heart & Soul
3. Innamorata
4. Stella by Starlight
5. Only a Rose

Side 2:
1. I Don't Want to Walk Without You
2. Out of Nowhere
3. Call Me Irresponsible
4. Just One More Chance
5. In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening

Vikki Carr - Don't Break My Pretty Balloon (1968)

I love, love, love Vikki Carr! I just can't seem to get enough of her beautiful voice lately! And I lucked out recently when I found three of her albums at my favorite little resale store down the street! I know she still performs and am hoping she'll make a trip to Dallas so that I can go see her (she went to San Antonio last year, so why not Dallas?). "With Pen in Hand" always puts a lump in my throat, especially since Vikki puts so much emotion into it. Well, that song is not on this album, but you'll find some familiar songs as Vikki does her covers of them. Plus, "Vikki Carr unveils 'Your Heart is Free Just Like the Wind,' 'She'll Be There' and other vocal delights."

Track listing for Vikki Carr - Don't Break My Pretty Balloon:

Side 1:
1. Don't Break My Pretty Balloon
2. Tears On My Pillow
3. It's Not Unusual
4. Happy Together
5. Just for You
6. Your Heart is Free Just Like the Wing

Side 2:
1. All My Love
2. She'll Be There
3. The Glory of Love
4. Nothing to Lose
5. The Magic of People
6. Honey

Pearl Bailey - The Best of Pearl Bailey (1961)

This is a great album of some of Pearl Bailey's best songs, along with some of her humor thrown in. My favorite is "Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me" - a really fun song! This album also brings together for the first time on record Pearl with Louis Bellson, his drums and his orchestra. So, "here then is Pearlie Mae, as always, the irrepressible and delightfully irresistible performer and personality."

Track listing from The Best of Pearl Bailey:

Side 1:
1. Takes Two to Tango
2. That's Good Enough for Me
3. Row, Row, Row
4. Legalize My Name
5. Fifteen Years (And I'm Still Serving Time)
6. Old, Tired and Torn

Side 2:
1. St. Louis Blues
2. Tired
3. Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)
4. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
5. Toot Toot Tootsie! (Goodbye)
6. Cherry's at the Top of the Tree

Rex Allen - Sings Melodies of the Plains (1962)

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

To start off the year, I chose this album by Rex Allen. After my dude ranch experience last year, I became quite the fan of "cowboy songs" and yodeling (well, I already liked yodeling). And today I was just in the yodeling mood. I really enjoyed this album, too! I am thinking about going back to the dude ranch this year and staying for a week instead of just three days. If I do go back, I will definitely ask for my favorite horse, Bob. I've got my boots ready...


Track listing for Rex Allen Sings Melodies of the Plains:

Side 1:
1. Melody of the Plains
2. My Dear Old Arizona Home
3. I'll Go Ridin' Down That Old Texas Trail
4. I Won't Need My Six Gun in Heaven
5. The Girl I Left Behind Me

Side 2:
1. Dreaming of the Western Plains
2. Cowpuncher's Blues
3. Cowboy's Heaven
4. A Cowboy's Story (Strawberry Roan)
5. Little Puncher

John Gary - The John Gary Christmas Album (1963)

This is my final Christmas post, before I return with more vintage goodies in 2012. John Gary sang in movies, on Broadway, had his own TV show, appeared at Carnegie Hall, and was considered to be one of the best crooners of the time. He had a wide vocal range, which you can hear very well on this album. This is another one of those Christmas albums that is nice to hear on Christmas Eve when you are home with your family, sitting in front of the fireplace and sipping some hot cocoa.

May you all have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!


Track listing for The John Gary Christmas Album:

Side 1:
1. The Christmas Song
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Little Snow Girl
4. Medley: The First Noel; O Come, All Ye Faithful; O Holy Night
5. Wintertime and Christmas Time
6. White Christmas

Side 2:
1. Do You Hear What I Hear
2. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
3. I'll Be Home for Christmas
4. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
5. Medley: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Silent Night

Dennis Day - Sings Christmas is for the Family (1958)

Here's an album I found in the HPB bargain bin. I never saw "The Jack Benny Show" or Dennis Day in any movie or TV show, but I had heard of him. And I loved the cover of this album, so I decided to buy it. Besides, I'm also a big fan of the "economy" record labels. This album has all the familiar favorites and is a nice album to play on Christmas Eve, when one is spending a quiet evening with the family before the fireplace, with Dad or Mom reading a favorite Christmas story. I hope you choose to make this album part of your Christmas Eve.

Track listing for Dennis Day - Sings Christmas is for the Family:

Side 1:
1. Jingle Bells
2. White Christmas
3. May Santa Fill Our Hearts
4. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
5. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
6. Christmas is For the Family

Side 2:
1. Silent Night
2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
3. O Little Town of Bethlehem
4. Oh Holy Night
5. Away in the Manger
6. Medley: Oh, Come All Ye Faithful; The First Noel; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

The Ray Conniff Singers - Christmas with Conniff (1959)

Christmas wouldn't be complete without the Ray Conniff Singers, especially for a big fan like me! And this album is perfect when played on my big vintage Magnavox console stereo in my retro mid-century modern living room, while gazing at my aluminum Christmas tree (with color wheel)! This is definitely a must-have for any Christmas collection!

Track listing for The Ray Conniff Singers - Christmas with Conniff:

Side 1:
1. Here Comes Santa Claus
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
4. Christmas Bride
5. Sleigh Ride
6. Greensleeves (What Child is This)

Side 2:
1. Jingle Bells
2. Silver Bells
3. Frosty the Snowman
4. White Christmas
5. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
6. The Christmas Song

Cool Yule Tunes 2011 - A Stax o' Wax Compilation

It's time for my annual Christmas compilation! I've picked some favorite Christmas songs for this year's Cool Yule Tunes 2011 as a little token of my appreciation to all of you for visiting my blog and sharing in my love of this type of music and the nostalgia of glorious vinyl. I haven't been as consistent in posting this year, but I plan to get back into it in 2012!

There's a little bit of everything here and I hope you enjoy the songs I've picked. And, if you don't already have them, click on the "Cool Yule Tunes" label to see the previous four Christmas compilations and download them to have a complete collection!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you get to spend it with those you love. (I still have three more Christmas albums I plan to share this year before I take my Christmas holiday.)


Track listing for Cool Yule Tunes 2011:

1. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - The Mastertone Orchestra featuring The Don Janse Chorale
2. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Bing Crosby
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The Mistletoe Disco Band
4. Winter Wonderland - Lena Horne
5. Jingle Bells - The Partridge Family
6. White Christmas - Vera Lynn
7. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Johnny Cash
8. Hark the Herald Angels Sing - The Lennon Sisters
9. Sleigh Ride - Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians
10. Do You Believe in Santa Claus - Billy May
11. Deck the Halls - Mirror Image
12. The Christmas Song - Esquivel
13. Christmas Dreaming (A Little Early This Year) - Lawrence Welk & His Champagne Music
14. Silver Bells - Jack Jones
15. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Helen O'Connell
16. Christmas Is - The Harry Simeone Chorale
17. Blue Christmas - Bobby Sherman
18. Silent Night - The Golddiggers
19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Teresa Brewer
20. Merry Christmas, Baby - Lou Rawls
21. We Need a Little Christmas - The Muppets
22. What Child is This - Tijuana Voices with Brass
23. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Harry Belafonte
24. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - The Three Suns
25. Joy to the World - Ed Ames
26. Frosty the Snowman - Ray Conniff
27. The Merry Christmas Polka - Freddy Martin
28. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Johnny Mathis