David Carroll - Let's Dance (1959)

Here's yet another gem from the HPB bargain bin! And - surprise - I bought it for the cover art. I actually thought that this album would have a Latin beat to it because of the way the girl was dancing on the cover, but it actually turned out to be more like a Lawrence Welk type of sound. But, luckily, I love Lawrence Welk, too! The songs on this album also reminded me of the years that I was ballroom dancing, so if any of you are into ballroom dancing, then I recommend this album. Plus, how can anyone not like an album that has "The Glow Worm" on it? That's one of my favorites! (I also think my mother had a dress like the girl on the cover.)

Track listing for David Carroll - Let's Dance:

Side 1:
1. Let's Dance
2. Cuddle Up a Little Closer
3. Yearning
4. A Gliss to Remember
5. The Glow Worm
6. The Trouble with Harry

Side 2:
1. My Sin
2. Dancing Tambourine
3. Euphrates
4. Puerto Rican Pedlar
5. Armen's Theme
6. Dixie Dawn Patrol

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

Annette - Hawaiiannette (1960)

Aloha! I've been in a Hawaii state of mind this weekend (I have no idea why, but do I really need a reason?), so I played this record yesterday while I was putting my new dresser together (I should've gone ahead and paid for Eurway to assemble it, but that's another story). Then I thought I would go ahead and post it today (the album, not the dresser). I love Annette - her records, her beach movies, her other Disney movies. I even have several of the Annette series of Whitman TV books. Anytime I listen to one of her records or watch one of her movies, I just feel good! So, here I am sharing that good feeling with all of you - my blogger buddies! I have a couple of other Annette albums, which I'll post in the future, but if any of you have any requests, just post a comment.

Track listing for Annette - Hawaiiannette:

Side 1:
1. Hawaiiannette
2. Pineapple Princess
3. Hukilau
4. Blue Hawaii
5. Song of the Islands
6. Now is the Hour

Side 2:
1. Date Night in Hawaii
2. Blue Muu Muu
3. Luau Cha Cha Cha
4. My Little Grass Shack
5. Holiday in Hawaii
6. Aloha Oe

Danny Bonaduce (1973)

Hey there! Sorry for my absence these last couple of weeks - been busy with my job and with my class at church (had a take-home final exam and a final project to do - geez!). Still getting settled in my new house - bought a new bedroom set from Eurway and assembled it myself!

Anyway, I was looking through my albums trying to decide which one to post today and decided on Danny Bonaduce's self-titled album from 1973 - back in his hey-day when he was on "The Partridge Family". I always found Danny (as Danny Partridge) very annoying and never understood his appeal. I like him better as an adult, even if he is quite obnoxious. Maybe it's because of his reality show "Breaking Bonaduce" - I don't know. Well, back to this album... I bought this on eBay several years ago but I only just listened to it while I was recording it for this blog. It wasn't as bad as I had thought! In fact, I rather liked it! I had only heard his version of "The 59th Street Bridge Song" once, when he appeared on a musical variety special that aired on a Saturday morning. I'm thinking it was maybe a Sid and Marty Krofft production, but I don't remember any of the usual characters on it. All I remember is Danny being on it, singing (or rather, lip-synching) the song, and this other guy doing sound effects to the song "By the Time I Get to Phoenix". If this rings any bells for anyone out there, PLEASE let me know what that show was! If it's available on video, I would love a copy! So, here's Danny Bonaduce singing his little heart out (or at least, trying to) back in 1973 - enjoy!

Track listing for Danny Bonaduce:

Side 1:
1. I'll Be Your Magician
2. Save a Little Piece for Me
3. Turn-Down Day
4. Blueberry You
5. You're Old Enough to Fall in Love
6. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

Side 2:
1. Dreamland
2. A New Kind of Me
3. Colors of Love
4. Fortune Lady
5. All the Time in the World

BTW, I'm thinking of buying one of those turntables that you can connect directly to the computer with a USB cable. I've seen some ION turntables on Amazon. Can anybody tell me anything about them - whether they're great, okay, or trash? I want to get something like that so that I can return my receiver and turntable back to the stereo cabinet with the rest of my stereo components and listen to records through real speakers (not just the computer speakers). Oh, and here are my two little assistants helping me record an album!


Starbuck listens for skips, clicks, and pops on a record. He has excellent hearing.


Snickerdoodle supervises the recording software from her favorite spot. (Notice my Mr.Spock mousepad and Enterprise note holder?)

Leonard Nimoy - The Way I Feel (1968)

Well, since I've already posted three of my five Leonard Nimoy albums, I figured I might as well finish out the lot. I didn't post the very first album because, as I mentioned in the post for "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy", someone else already had it and I listed that link. But, if y'all want me to, I can go ahead and record my album and post it - just let me know! Today, I'm posting "The Way I Feel", which is probably my favorite of his folksy albums. I particularly like his version of "If I Had a Hammer". You're going to think I'm really weird (well, you probably already think that), but this version gets me all teary-eyed when he starts speaking towards the end - I think I start feeling all patriotic and stuff so I get all emotional. I don't know - maybe it 's just the menopause. Anyway, here's another to add to your Leonard Nimoy collection! (No cool liner or track notes on this one.)

Track listing for Leonard Nimoy - The Way I Feel:

Side 1:
1. I'd Love Making Love to You
2. Please Don't Try to Change My Mind
3. Sunny
4. Where It's At
5. Both Sides Now
6. If I Had a Hammer

Side 2:
1. Here We Go 'Round Again
2. Billy Don't Play the Banjo Anymore
3. It's Getting Better
4. Consilium
5. Love is Sweeter
6. The Hitch-Hiker

Leonard Nimoy - Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy (1968)

Well, after posting that last Leonard Nimoy album on Sunday, my buddy, Gordon, requested in his comment that I post this album. Ask and you shall receive (provided I have the album, of course)!

Anyway, in this earlier album (I forgot to mention on the last post that Leonard had gone on to be a regular on TV's "Mission: Impossible" when he recorded that album), "Star Trek" was on TV and Leonard recorded this album as Spock on one side and as himself on the other. Being the Trekker that I am, I like the Spock side better, although, I love "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins"! It's just a hilarious song, especially if you watch the video of Leonard singing it! (If you want to watch the video, just click on the "Leonard Nimoy" label on this post, and it'll bring up all posts. I posted the video when I did "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy" a while back.) There is one song on here that I don't like - "If I Were a Carpenter". I've never liked that song (not even when Bobby Darin sang it) - I just think it's one of the most boring songs ever. Just my opinion. Some of you may love that song, and that's great, so I hope you like this version! Enjoy the album! Oh, and after each song, I've typed what it says on the record for that song.

Track listing for Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy:

Side 1:
1. Highly Illogical - Spock's reactions to some earth-behavior.
2. The Difference Between Us - Could Spock ever feel hidden, deep, emotional love problems? Could he react as a human in a romantic situation?
3. Once I Smiled - Once Spock's emotional barriers were broken down, and for a short while he tasted a bitter-sweet romantic experience.
4. Spock Thoughts - Some excellent vulcanian advice and philosophy.
5. By Myself - As "alien" to the planet earth, Spock is not always completely at home, and feels his loneliness at times.
6. Follow Your Star - Aim high in life. Make your goal a star and follow it.
7. Amphibious Assault - A surrealistic battle of the future. Will war come to this?

Side 2:
1. The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins - Long an admirer of the "Hobbits", Nimoy sings of the adventures of the bravest Hobbit of them all.
2. Cotton Candy - A modern, thought-image in musical setting, written by one of the camera crew of the Star Trek series.
3. Gentle On My Mind - The kind of song that Nimoy personally loves to sing.
4. Miranda - A lovely Bart Howard song in a classic-folk tradition.
5. If I Were a Carpenter - Another "modern" folk song, sung by Nimoy in an unusual rhythmic setting.
6. Love of the Common People - A song that Nimoy enjoys singing on personal appearances, since it reflects his own philosophy.

Leonard Nimoy - The New World of Leonard Nimoy (1970)

Before I get on with today's post, I just want to say thanks to everyone who has left their great comments on my past posts, and for the well-wishes for me and my new home! Thanks!

Okay... after I posted one of Leonard Nimoy's albums, I got some feedback asking for another album. I think I mentioned in the previous post that I was lucky enough to buy the entire lot of five albums on eBay (plus a Star Trek bloopers record)! I don't know what I value more - these five albums of his, or my autographed copy of his book "I Am Spock". Now that I've mentioned that, I have to digress a little and tell you about the sci-fi convention I went to a few years ago where Leonard Nimoy was the super-special guest. I went ahead and bought the VIP ticket so that I could be in the group of fans that would get his autograph. We could take one item and he would sign it, but not personalize it. That would've been nicer, but I was happy enough to just be able to stand across a table from him and have him touch and sign my copy of his book! I think after that day, I pretty much thought that I can now die happy (although, I'd rather not die just yet!).

On with this post - I've read that this is the hardest to find of the Leonard Nimoy albums, so I hope you are not disappointed. In addition to the usual covers, he also sings a couple of his own compositions. What a treat! I really like listening to Leonard - it really relaxes me. As the liner notes say: "This album is Leonard Nimoy. A very refreshing experience."

Track listing for The New World of Leonard Nimoy:

Side 1:
1. Time to Get It Together
2. Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town
3. The Mayor of Ma's Cafe
4. I Walk the Line
5. I Finally Saw the Two of You Today
6. Mary's Near

Side 2:
1. Abraham, Martin & John
2. Proud Mary
3. Let It Be Me
4. Everybody's Talkin'
5. The Sun Will Rise
6. Put a Little Love in Your Heart

House and Home Compilation

Hey, y'all! I'm all moved from my apartment to my new house! Woo hoo! I've officially been in the house for almost three weeks now - spent my first night here on February 23. Last weekend, I moved the final "big" things (futon, bicycle) from my apartment, so now all I have left to do at the apartment is clean it. I still have to bring all my stuff up from my house in my hometown, but that's another story.

Anyway, in honor of my new house/home, I decided to put together a compilation of songs with the word "house" or "home" in the title. There's a variety on here - classic standards, instrumentals from movie soundtracks, rock, country - so I hope you like them. The house in the photo is actually my new house. It's what's referred to as a "mid-century modern", or a "1950's soft contemporary", or an "atomic ranch" house. The inside is really cool - interior brick walls, very open, vintage kitchen, vintage bath - and it is in pristine condition for a house built in 1959. I'm very excited about my new house and plan to be here a long, long time!

Track listing for House and Home Compilation (in order by artist):

1. House of Love - Amy Grant
2. The House - Bernard Herrmann
3. Come On-a My House - Bette Midler
4. Feels Like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk
5. Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
6. Come On-a My House - Della Reese
7. I'm Coming Home Again - Dusty Springfield
8. Around the House - Ivor Osborne
9. The Old House - Jerome Moross
10. Little Pink Houses - John Cougar Mellencamp
11. Come On-a My House - Julie London
12. Our House - Madness
13. Come On-a My House - Rosemary Clooney
14. This Old House - Rosemary Clooney
15. Homeward Bound - Simon & Garfunkel
16. Home - Stephanie Mills
17. House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
18. In My House - The Mary Jane Girls
19. This Old House - The Oak Ridge Boys
20. I'm Going Home - Tim Curry
21. That's My House - Toby Keith
22. Every Light in the House is On - Trace Adkins
23. White Houses - Vanessa Carlton

Sajid Khan - Sajid (1969)

Here's one you don't see too often! How many of you remember a television show in the late 1960s called "Maya"? It starred a teenage Jay North ("Dennis the Menace") and this teenage boy from India, Sajid Khan, and they rode around on this elephant named Maya. I barely remember it myself, but I do remember seeing pictures of Sajid on the cover of various teen magazines. Well, being that I especially like collecting celebrity vocal record albums, I searched and searched for this album until I finally got in on eBay last year! (Now, if I could only find the album Kurt Russell recorded around 1970...) The liner notes on this album were written by the editor of 16 Magazine, Gloria Stavers. (I'm very familiar with that name since I religiously bought that magazine for years!) So, you could say that it was the teen magazines that heavily promoted him as a "star", although he quickly disappeared after the show went off the air. Just last week, I was watching an episode of "The Big Valley" on the Encore Westerns channel, and Sajid was the guest star! I sometimes wondered what happened to Sajid, and it turns out that he returned to India and continued his acting career over there. If this brings back memories and you were a Sajid fan back in the day, you can check out his website and catch up on him!

(BTW, I'll be moving to my new house over the next couple of weeks, so I won't be posting anything until I get my computer and stuff all set up.)

Track listing for Sajid Khan - Sajid:

Side 1:
1. A Song Inside
2. Everything is You
3. Moon River
4. I Love How You Love Me
5. This Guy's in Love with You
6. Dream

Side 2:
1. Smile
2. A Closed Heart Gathers No Love
3. Someday
4. I Started a Joke
5. Ha Ram (Of Love and Peace)
6. Getting to Know You

I was trying to find a video of his appearance on "American Bandstand", but couldn't find one. I did, however, find this video on YouTube that someone put together to his song, "Ha Ram":

Steve & Eydie - We Got Us (1960)

My good friend, Vince, requested that I post an album by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, so, of course, I was happy to oblige! I love Steve and Eydie, and this album is absolutely fabulous! It won a Grammy for them back in 1960, and you'll see why when you give it a listen. There are lots of familiar standards on this album, and it's a joy listening to Steve and Eydie sing them. So, Vince, I hope you don't already have this album and that you enjoy it as much as I do!

"This monophonic record can be played on your stereophonic system. The sound will be even more brilliant."

Track listing for Steve & Eydie - We Got Us:

Side 1:
1. We Got Us
2. Side By Side
3. No Two People
4. Darn It, Baby, That's Love
5. Together
6. Flattery

Side 2:
1. This Could Be the Start of Something
2. I Remember It Well
3. Baby, It's Cold Outside
4. Two Lost Souls
5. Harmony
6. Cheek to Cheek

Steve & Eydie sing "This Could Be the Start of Something":

Eydie Gorme - Eydie in Love (1958)

I love Eydie Gorme. I mentioned in a previous post that I grew up listening to her "Amor" and "Mas Amor" albums, so that's how I was exposed to her wonderful voice and songs. Those were the only two of her albums that my mom had, so I had never listened to "Eydie in Love" until I bought this album. And, once again, it was the cover that caught my attention - I love the expression on Eydie's face! One should be so lucky to feel whatever she's feeling in that picture!

Well, this album does not disappoint. Eydie sings some wonderful pop standards and brings her own style of warmth and feeling to these songs. It's simply delightful! I was able to remove most of the clicks and pops, but you can still hear some, and there's a skip in a couple of the songs, but none that will detract from the overall performance. I hope you enjoy this album as much as I do!

Track listing for Eydie Gorme - Eydie in Love:

Side 1:
1. When the World Was Young
2. In Love in Vain
3. Here I Am in Love Again
4. Why Shouldn't I?
5. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
6. Love Letters

Side 2:
1. In Other Words
2. When I Fall in Love
3. Idle Conversation
4. Why Try to Change Me Now
5. Impossible
6. It Could Happen to You

Here's a video of Eydie singing "Johnny One-Note":

Myron Floren - Lawrence Welk Presents Myron Floren Polkas (1963)

Here's a treat for you polka lovers! I couldn't resist buying this album when I saw it because I grew up with "The Lawrence Welk Show" and loved Myron Floren. I remember watching the show with my parents and aunt every Saturday evening (the only other option was "Hee Haw" and we definitely were NOT a "Hee Haw" type of family) when I was a little kid in the 1960s and early 1970s. Myron was one of my favorite performers on the show, along with Bobby and Cissy (my very favorites), and the guy with the great tenor voice. My younger cousins, Abel and Sammy, also grew up with the show, and we used to play that we were on "The Lawrence Welk Show". Now, how many of you can say that you used to do that??? I would be Lawrence Welk (after all, I was the oldest and therefore, the boss), and then I would be several of the girl singers (mostly Ana Cani, because she was from Mexico). Abel and Sammy would be the various guy singers, but Abel would be Bobby to my Cissy (Sammy was the youngest and the shortest at the time - he's the tallest now). But the best performer of all that we all wanted to be was Arthur Duncan, the tap dancer. He completely wowed us! I remember we would dance ourselves into complete exhaustion trying to imitate him (none of us knew how to tap dance). Who knew that pretending to be on "The Lawrence Welk Show" could be so much fun? Years later (in the 1980s), my mother got to see Myron Floren at some festival back home. The venue was packed with all the other senior citizens that had arrived before her, so she watched the show from outside one of the windows of the place. She didn't mind - she loved it. After all, it was Myron Floren!

So, there's my trip down memory lane. Back to this album... There are some really fun polkas on this album and you'll recognize most of the tunes. You may even want to play this at your next polka party! After listening to this (and getting my aerobic workout by dancing around the room to it - and scaring my cats), I think that I'll have a polka party after I move into my new house!

Track listing for Lawrence Welk Presents Myron Floren Polkas:

Side 1:
1. Helena Polka
2. Hoop-Dee-Doo
3. Julida Polka
4. Pennsylvania Polka
5. Emilia Polka
6. Beer Barrel Polka

Side 2:
1. Jenny Lind Polka
2. Champagne Polka
3. Strip Polka
4. Happy Norwegian Polka
5. Medley: Little Brown Jug; Skip to My Lou; Polly Wolly Doodle
6. Medley: Tavern in the Town; Hot Time in the Old Town

And here's a video clip of Myron Floren on "The Lawrence Welk Show" playing "Dance of the Comedians":

Chad Everett - All Strung Out (1971)

"Paging Dr. Joe Gannon! Paging Dr. Joe Gannon!"

How many of you watched Chad Everett starring as "Dr. Joe Gannon" on the television series "Medical Center" back in the 1970s? I used to love that show! (Does anybody know if and when this is coming out on DVD?) And Chad Everett was the grooviest doctor ever! James Brolin was cool as the motorcycle-riding "Dr. Steve Kiley" on "Marcus Welby", but Chad Everett was G-R-O-O-V-Y! Remember the mod clothes he wore? I remember one episode where he was wearing these groovy furry boots - he definitely brought some style to doctors' wardrobes! And that hair - never a hair out of place! Even now when I see him in some commercial for insurance (or something like that), he still has that perfect hair (silver now) and is still a good-looking man. Sigh.

Well, our man Chad also recorded a couple of record albums back during his "Dr. Joe Gannon" days - and I have both of them! Many of you know how I have a particular fondness for celebrity vocal albums, and my Chad albums are two of my favorites. "All Strung Out" is his debut album and contains some familiar songs as well as some I've never heard of before. My favorite is "Hey Girl" (although my favorite version of this song is by a young Donny Osmond - before his voice changed). An interesting bit of trivia about this album is that it was produced by Nino Tempo (of Nino and April fame). Nino also arranged several of the songs and played the sax solo on "Hey Girl". Oh, and "All Strung Out" was first recorded by Nino and April in the 1960s.

So, here's groovy Dr. Joe Gannon crooning some tunes! Enjoy!

Track listing for Chad Everett - All Strung Out:

Side 1:
1. You're My Soul and Inspiration
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. All Strung Out
4. I Can't Go On Livin' Baby Without You
5. Bayou

Side 2:
1. Can't Kick the Habit of Lovin' You
2. Jesus Hammer
3. Hey Girl
4. Speak of Love
5. Man from Nazareth

The Cascading Voices of the Hugo & Luigi Chorus - Let's Fall in Love (1963)

Yet another treasure from the HPB bargain bin, and that caught my attention because of the cover - the couple (especially the girl) just look so happy! I'd never heard of Hugo and Luigi, but when I googled them, I found out that they were pretty famous record producers. Learn something new every day. Anyway, I really liked this album - it's quite delightful! If you like vocal groups like the Norman Luboff choir, Ray Conniff Singers, Ray Charles Singers, and the like, then you'll like this album. I think the last paragraph of the liner notes says it all:

With the fresh style of the Hugo & Luigi Chorus caressing the senses, it's easy to follow the suggestion of the title song, Let's Fall in Love. Listen with a partner. Wonderful things may happen.

Track listing for The Cascading Voices of the Hugo & Luigi Chorus - Let's Fall in Love:

Side 1:
1. Tenderly
2. Let's Fall in Love
3. Melody of Love
4. I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)
5. True Love
6. Anniversary Song

Side 2:
1. Falling in Love with Love
2. As Time Goes By
3. Can't Help Falling in Love
4. Always
5. I'm in the Mood for Love
6. Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Dante & His Orchestra - Serenades for Sex Kittens (1958)

Is this a crazy cover or what?! I love it! Needless to say, when I saw this cover, I just had to buy this record - I didn't care who it was by or if I liked any of the songs. I mean, just look at this cover! Who comes up with some of these cover art ideas anyway? Well, this is one I'll be framing and hanging up on the wall of my new house (I'm in the process of buying a groovy mid-century modern house - I'll post pictures of it in a later post). And I just love the title of the album, too! The music itself is pretty good - I'd say this is an album to add to your lounge collection. I did my best to clean this one up, but you will still hear some clicks and pops, plus a couple of the songs have some minor skips.

Here are the liner notes by Jay Arcy - more of a free-form poem, really (kinda like what I would think they would recite in those beatnik cafes - love it!):

"SEX KITTENS"
... modern myrrh and mischief ...
flat-tummied, twin-turreted gamins ...
moist pouted underlips ... amoral pixies and confused carnivores
stuffed animals, jazz and racing cars ... lazy, lithe
child wastrels ... sic transit GINA and MARILYN
swiftly now, cross over the BRIGETTE.
Lush the sex kittens; lush their serenades ...
zee melodies Americaine burst like grapeseeds
from Paris terraces ... sweeping strings, tres hi fi, society brisk ...
whirring, purring ... gay, cyclical Sartrian
strains ... hers all hers ... her manner,
her madness ... HER MUSIC.

Track listing for Dante & His Orchestra - Serenades for Sex Kittens:

Side 1:
1. I'll Always Be in Love with You
2. Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree
3. But Beautiful
4. That's My Weakness Now
5. I Fall in Love with You Everyday
6. Suddenly It's Spring

Side 2:
1. When They Ask About You
2. The River
3. Bahama Buggy Ride
4. Going My Way
5. My One and Only Love
6. Please Don't Talk About Me

Les Baxter - Love is a Fabulous Thing (1958)

Here's a fabulous album filled with inventive portraits of the many moods of love, from a chance flirtation to moments of ecstasy. The melodies are sophisticated and dramatic, just the kind the world expects from one of its most popular composers, Les Baxter. He's adorned each theme with a provocative title, inviting your imagination to dream along with him. Les' thrilling orchestrations sparkle with fire in these richly romantic tributes to the universal emotions of love.

Well, I couldn't have said it better myself than those liner notes above! This is yet another gem from the HPB bargain bin, and the first thing that caught my eye was the cover - the girl certainly looks, er, uh, happy! Well, one listen to this album and you'll understand why she's happy - as usual, Les Baxter does not disappoint. This album is great! I'm not going to go into detail about Les Baxter, because most of you are very familiar with this musical god of exotica. So, just go to Space Age Pop and read a great bio about him there.

Track listing for Les Baxter - Love is a Fabulous Thing:

Side 1:
1. Love is a Fabulous Thing
2. Hot Summer Night
3. Cherchez La Femme
4. Our Kind of Love
5. Moonlight Stroll
6. Rush Hour Romance

Side 2:
1. Early Morning Blues
2. Paris Interlude: Mignonette - Femme du Monde - Gamin
3. My Love and the Sea
4. Afternoon Affair
5. Well, All Night Long
6. Dawn On the City

Steve Allen - Plays Bossa Nova Jazz (1963)

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2008 is the best year yet!

This album by Steve Allen is starting off a new year of musical postings. It's called "Steve Allen Plays Bossa Nova Jazz" and is really cool! I do love bossa nova, although I was very small when it became the rage and don't remember ever listening to it until I became an adult. I've also wanted to learn to dance the bossa nova, but it wasn't offered at the various dance studios where I spent seven years learning ballroom dancing in the late 1980s and early 1990s. (If anyone out there knows of a video or something that teaches how to dance the bossa nova, please let me know!) Anyway, I really dig this album and it's perfect for cocktail parties or dinner parties. I posted another Steve Allen record last year (I love saying that when "last year" was only a few days ago), but I think I like this one better. You can read about the multi-talented Mr. Allen on Space Age Pop, where there's quite a detailed bio on him.

Here's the list of the other musicians that play on this album:

Donn Trenner, Leader
Bob Enevoldsen, Tenor Sax
Laurindo Almeida, Guitar
John Setar, Flute and Alto Sax
Herb Ellis, Guitar
Jules Bertaux, Bass
Bob Neel, Drums
Frank Rosolino and Jimmy Zito, Brazilian Rhythm instruments

Track listing for Steve Allen Plays Bossa Nova Jazz:

Side 1:
1. Dream
2. St. Louis Blues
3. This Could Be the Start of Something
4. Manhattan
5. The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
6. Sweet Georgia Brown

Side 2:
1. Mah Mah Limbo
2. Time After Time
3. Impossible
4. Lovely to Look At
5. Imagination
6. Let's Fall in Love

Various Artists - Great Songs of Christmas Album Six (1966)

Here's yet another treasure from the bargain bin at HPB! I understand there were ten of these albums that were "created exclusively for Goodyear" (it's a "Collectors Album Limited Edition" by Columbia Special Products). There were two of the others in the bargain bin, but the records were in pretty bad shape so I didn't get them. If anyone has the other nine albums or knows where I can go to download them, please let me know!

I'm surprised that my mother didn't buy any of these back in the day, since she bought all the other "special" Christmas albums (the Maxwell House one, the Radio Shack one, etc.). And a lot of my Christmas presents from Santa came from our local Goodyear (Does anyone remember when Goodyear sold more than just tires - like TVs, cool toys, etc.?), so that really surprises me that my mom didn't buy at least one of these albums.

Anyway, since this is a Goodyear record, I have to share a story about my mom's shopping at our local Goodyear. Back in the day, Goodyear had some awesome toys (my red metal pedal car and my tricycle, to name a couple), and on the morning after Christmas, my dad would drop my mom off downtown on his way to work, so that she could take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. (Remember, this is in the 1960s before we had shopping malls - and when most families had one car.) Well, my mom REALLY took advantage of those sales! At the end of the day, my dad would pick her up in front of Goodyear (I guess he knew that's where she'd really hit the jackpot), where she'd be standing on the sidewalk literally surrounded by all her purchases! My mom once told me that most of her purchases were toys and stuff for me (I'm an only child). I don't ever remember my parents arriving with a carload of toys on the day after Christmas, so I asked my mom what she did with all those things so that I never saw them. Well, parents have their special hiding places, and I just never snooped around looking for stuff (Why would I? I didn't know this was happening!). Throughout the year, my mom would give me toys from this hidden stash - for bringing home good grades, for my birthday, for when I seemed a little "blue" (my mom actually said this), etc. Those were the days!

Well, now that I've shared that with you, I hope you enjoy this record and have a very Merry Christmas! (I'll be back in a couple of weeks, after the holidays.)

Track listing for Great Songs of Christmas Album Six:

Side 1:
1. Silent Night - Barbra Streisand
2. Do You Hear What I Hear - Andy Williams
3. The Christmas Song - Johnny Mathis
4. The Holiday of Love/Caroling, Caroling - The King Family
5. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Pablo Casals
6. O Little Town of Bethlehem/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - The King Family
7. O Come, All Ye Faithful - Jan Peerce
8. Ave Maria - Barbra Streisand

Side 2:
1. Frosty the Snowman - Ray Conniff
2. We Need a Little Christmas - New Christy Minstrels
3. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Ray Conniff
5. Noel Nouvelet - Jan Peerce
6. March of the Kings - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
7. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
8. White World of Winter - Bing Crosby
9. Il Est Ne - New Christy Minstrels
10. Still, Still, Still - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
11. Away in a Manger - Mahalia Jackson/Percy Faith
12. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Ray Conniff

Cool Yule Tunes - A Stax o' Wax Compilation

Well, this week I was putting together a compilation of some of my favorite Christmas tunes to burn to CD to give to my friend, Bradley, for Christmas. I finished it today (and gave it to him today so he was the first to listen to it), and now I want to share it with you all. Most of the tunes are familiar to you and you probably already have a lot of them, but you don't have them in this grouping! Anyway, I enjoy doing this so I hope this compilation brings you much joy. Hey, maybe you'll like it enough to play at your Christmas party!

Track listing for Cool Yule Tunes - A Stax o' Wax Compilation:

1. Prologue - Bobby Sherman
2. My Christmas Card to You - The Partridge Family
3. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
4. A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
5. Christmas Waltz - The Carpenters
6. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
7. Grown-up Christmas Wish - Amy Grant
8. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
10. Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas - Ray Anthony
11. Christmas Island - Bob Atcher & The Dinning Sisters
12. Mele Kalikimaka - Poncie Ponce
13. (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man with the Bag - Kay Starr
14. Here Comes Santa Claus - Esquivel
15. Jingle Bells - Barbra Streisand
16. Jingle Bell Rock - Wayne Newton
17. Silver Bells - Doris Day
18. Frosty the Snowman - The Brady Bunch
19. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo - Billy May
20. Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee
21. (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Robert Goulet
22. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
23. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
24. Winter Wonderland - Johnny Mathis
25. Sleigh Ride - Jack Jones
26. Marshmallow World - Dean Martin
27. Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
28. What Are You Doin' New Year's Eve - Donny Osmond

The Living Strings - The Spirit of Christmas (1963)

Hey, everyone! Today I'm celebrating that I've passed 100,000 hits on this blog! Woo hoo! What a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas!

And that's a perfect segue into today's Christmas music offering, "The Spirit of Christmas with the Living Strings". This is another treasure from the HPB bargain bin. I've never really listened to the Living Strings before (I can't believe my mom never bought any of their records because she would have liked them) but I really liked the cover of this album so I went ahead and bought it. (I just really like how nostalgic 60s the cover looks!) Then when I listened to it, I really liked it! Now I'm going to have to go look for more records by the Living Strings. Enjoy!

Track listing for The Spirit of Christmas with the Living Strings:

Side 1:
1. White Christmas
2. Silver Bells
3. Medley: Wassail Song; The First Noel; Angels We Have Heard on High; Joy to the World
4. Mary's Boy Child (Mary's Little Boy Chile)
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Medley: We Wish You a Merry Christmas; We Three Kings; It Came Upon the Midnight Clear; O Holy Night; Silent Night

Side 2:
1. Medley: O Come, All Ye Faithful; Oh Little Town of Bethlehem; Coventry Carol; Away in a Manger
2. Introduction: Deck the Halls; It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas
3. (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays
4. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. The Little Drummer Boy

Dean Martin - The Dean Martin Christmas Album (1966)

Here's a swingin' Christmas album for all you cool cats out there! Who can resist Dean Martin crooning some yuletide tunes? I got this album from the bargain bin at my usual supplier of groovy records (Half-Price Books), and it was in good condition! I cleaned up the songs pretty well (I think), so this should be a decent download for you all. One of my very favorite songs is on this album - "The Things We Did Last Summer". I don't know why I love that song so much, but I have several versions of it (maybe I'll do a compilation of all the different versions I have). I love the way Dino sings it with that smooth way of his - definitely one of the best versions. Anyway, go fix yourselves a martini, sit back, and give a listen to this album.

Track listing for The Dean Martin Christmas Album (link has been deleted. Go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. White Christmas
2. Jingle Bells
3. I'll Be Home for Christmas
4. Blue Christmas
5. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Side 2:
1. Marshmallow World
2. Silver Bells
3. Winter Wonderland
4. The Things We Did Last Summer
5. Silent Night

And here's a great video of Dino singing "White Christmas"!

The Partridge Family - A Partridge Family Christmas Card (1971)

Here's one of my absolute favorite Christmas albums! Yes, I'm sure it's out there multiple times in blogland, but I'm sharing my copy anyway!

I fell in love with David Cassidy when I first saw his picture in a magazine called "Who's Who in the Teen World", just a couple of months before "The Partridge Family" came on the air. I was just a little kid, but I was completely enamored of the show! Every Friday night, I would lock myself in my parents' bedroom with my little tape recorder (I'd tell my family to be sure not to bother me or make noise), watch the show on the 13-inch TV, and would record the song they sang each week. I wanted to make sure I had all the songs before the albums actually came out. I do remember the Christmas episode, and I've included a video clip from that episode where they sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (video clip deleted from YouTube).

Besides the fact that I'll love the Partridge Family forever (thank goodness I learned how to digitize my albums so I can listen in my car!), and have wonderful memories of watching the show, listening to their albums, reading about them in magazines, etc., I have great memories of listening to this album at Christmas. I especially remember one occasion when my Uncle Abel, Aunt Licha, and cousins Abel and Sammy, came to our house on Christmas Day. I put this album on my little portable record player (Realistic brand from Radio Shack), and my Uncle Abe danced around the tree with us kids to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" . That's really what's it all about - just family (and friends) having a great time together and making great memories such as this.

So, I hope you all make some wonderful Christmas memories this year, and that you include this album in those memories!

Track listing for A Partridge Family Christmas Card (link has been deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. My Christmas Card to You - the absolutely BEST song!
2. White Christmas
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
4. Blue Christmas
5. Jingle Bells
6. The Christmas Song

Side 2:
1. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Frosty the Snowman
4. Sleigh Ride
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas


The back cover of the album.


The Christmas card bonus "signed" by the cast:

The Brady Bunch - Merry Christmas from the Brady Bunch (1971)

What would Christmas be without our favorite family, the Brady Bunch? I know this album has been posted by others before, and I'm sure someone has posted it already this season, but I couldn't find a download of it, so I went ahead and recorded my record album.

One of the things I like about this album is that the kids recorded it "in character". Some of the songs say lead vocal by Bobby Brady, Jan Brady, etc., not by the actors' names. Another interesting bit of trivia, is that Marcia's name is spelled "Marsha" here, whereas the show's credits always spelled it "Marcia". "Frosty the Snowman" was the kids' first single, too, with lead sung by "Cindy Brady" (Susan Olsen is exactly one week older than I am). Well, I hope this brings back good memories for those of you who grew up with The Brady Bunch!

Track listing for The Brady Bunch - Merry Christmas from the Brady Bunch:

Side 1:
1. The First Noel - Lead Vocal by Bobby Brady
2. Away in a Manger - Lead Vocal by Marsha Brady
3. The Little Drummer Boy - Lead Vocal by Jan Brady
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. O Holy Night - Lead Vocal by Greg Brady
6. Silent Night

Side 2:
1. Jingle Bells
2. Frosty the Snowman - Lead Vocal by Cindy Brady
3. Silver Bells
4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Lead Vocal by Peter Brady
5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
6. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass - Christmas Album (1968)

Well, it's good to be back! And I was able to get this Christmas album recorded, cleaned up, and uploaded before Sunday!

I have to tell you how much I love Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. It brings back such good memories of growing up and listening to my mom play their records. And I tend to associate the Christmas holidays and parties with their music since a couple of my memories are of watching the grown-ups dance to this album and the "Whipped Cream" and "Tijuana Taxi" albums at my parents' holiday parties. I even remember what I wore at one of these - a little green velvet dress and black go-go boots - pretty groovy!

Well, anyway, I hope this album gets you in the holiday spirit!

Track listing for Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass - Christmas Album:

Side 1:
1. Winter Wonderland
2. Jingle Bells
3. My Favorite Things
4. The Christmas Song
5. Las Mananitas

Side 2:
1. Sleigh Ride
2. The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
3. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
4. Jingle Bell Rock
5. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

I'm Back!

Hey, everyone! I'm back from my absence. I just was overwhelmed with stuff (work, community volunteer activities, elderly cats dying, adopting new kitties - you know, life in general), so I took a break from recording albums and posting them. But, I'm back with renewed vigor, so be sure to check back for my next new post on Sunday, December 2. In the meantime, I've checked all my old links and all are up (had to re-up a few). Since Christmas is just around the corner, be sure to check my Christmas albums posts from November and December 2006. I'll be posting additional Christmas albums in the next couple of weeks. Oh, and thanks to everyone who kept visiting this blog while I was away and to those of you who posted comments.

As I mentioned above, I have started a new family. Shortly before my Sabrina and Mr.Spock passed away, an adorable little tortoiseshell kitten showed up on my doorstep. I ended up keeping her and named her Snickerdoodle. Then in September, I went to the city shelter and adopted a rambunctious brown tabby kitten and named him Starbuck (I have a thing about names beginning with 'S'). Both kittens will be 7 months old on December 1 and they are full of energy! Being the proud mama that I am, I have to share their pictures with you.

Snickerdoodle


Starbuck

Live Long and Prosper

Well, this has truly been a sad month for me. Only two weeks after losing my beautiful Sabrina, my little guy, Mr.Spock, joined her in the big kitty condo in the sky (on my birthday, no less). Spock was an 18-year-old Manx, and I'd had him since he was 2 years old, when I adopted him from the Humane Society where I volunteered at the time. He and Sabrina were best buddies for 16 years, so I knew it wouldn't be long after she died that he would be joining her, especially since he'd been ill for almost 3 years. Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and dementia at the end of 2004, the vet gave him maybe 2 months to live. But, Spock was quite the little fighter and just kept bouncing back after each of his crises. In the last year, he also developed some masses which most likely developed into lymphoma, which is what eventually caused his demise.

Besides the fact that he was so cute at the Humane Society, one of the reasons I fell in love with Mr.Spock was his name - I am quite the Star Trek fan. My little guy was the sweetest of my feline family - he never got into trouble and was always the most affectionate. In his later years, he was happiest when he was lying on my lap or chest, or when he was cuddled up next to his buddy, Sabrina. As with my other two cats, Stinkerbelle and Sabrina, I have made this compilation to honor him.

Most of this compilation consists of several versions of the theme from Star Trek the Original Series and some of the movies with the original cast, since those are the ones where Spock was a main character. Two vocal versions are included - and you'll understand after you listen to the lyrics why the theme was usually played as an instrumental - but the truly scary version is the one sung by Nichelle Nichols. Still, it's a must for any Star Trek collector or collector of "interesting" songs. I've also included the more sad tunes from "The Wrath of Khan", where Spock dies. Anyway, I hope you like this compilation that I dedicate to my cat, Mr.Spock. In my heart, he will always Live Long and Prosper...

Track listing for Live Long and Prosper Compilation:

1. Star Trek Main Title - from "The Cage" soundtrack
2. Theme from Star Trek - from Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr.Spock's Music from Outer Space
3. Star Trek Theme (end title) - from "The Cage" soundtrack
4. Star Trek Theme - The Secret Agents
5. Star Trek Main Title - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
6. Theme from Star Trek (vocal) - Nichelle Nichols
7. Mr.Spock - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
8. Theme from Star Trek - Van McCoy
9. Star Trek End Title - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
10. Theme from Star Trek - The Galactic Force Band
11. Star Trek Theme - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
12. Theme from Star Trek (vocal) - Project:Pimento
13. Spock's Arrival - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
14. Theme from Star Trek - Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle
15. Spock Walk - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
16. Star Trek Theme - Todd Rundgren and Utopia
17. Spock - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
18. Star Trek Main Theme - Cincinatti Pops Orchestra
19. Spock's Death - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
20. Spock's Funeral - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
21. Prologue and Main Title - from Star Trek III:The Search for Spock
22. Star Trek TV Theme - with narration by William Shatner
23. Live Long and Prosper - Star Trek TV Quote by Mr.Spock

For a Friend

Hey, everybody! Sorry for not posting anything in over a month but things have been pretty hectic what with working lots of overtime, working on community organizations, and dealing with my pets. I'm happy to announce that I have a new kitten that I found and rescued in July - she's an adorable little tortoiseshell which I named Snickerdoodle! She's about three months old and is a mischievous bundle of energy!

On another note, I lost my beautiful 17-year-old cat, Sabrina, on August 7. I had her since she was only four months old and she was the first member of my feline family, so her passing has been especially hard on me. She was the picture of health until a little over a month ago when she suddenly stopped eating and declined rapidly after that. Sabrina was always the queen of my household and acted that way - always held herself regally and had quite an attitude (she was half Siamese, so that explains a lot about her personality). She was my wonderful companion and best friend for a very long time, and I will miss her very much. Just as I dedicated a compilation to my cat, Stinkerbelle, who died last year at age 12, I compiled these songs which I dedicate to Sabrina, my dear and best friend...

Track listing for For a Friend:

1. Thank You for Being a Friend - Andrew Gold
2. My One True Friend - Bette Midler
3. For a Friend - The Bugaloos
4. Best Friend (Theme from "The Courtship of Eddie's Father") - Harry Nilsson
5. You've Got a Friend - Carole King
6. You've Got a Friend in Me - Randy Newman & Lyle Lovett
7. Old Friends - Ray Price, Roger Miller, & Willie Nelson
8. True Friend - Hannah Montana
9. My Best Friend - Weezer
10. The Friendship Theme - Instrumental from "Beaches" Soundtrack
11. That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick & Friends
12. Anytime You Need a Friend - Mariah Carey
13. Friends (Theme from "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters") - Johnny Whitaker
14. Old Friends/Bookends - Simon & Garfunkel
15. I Will Be Your Friend - Amy Grant
16. You're My Best Friend - Queen
17. Friends Are Friends Forever - Michael W. Smith
18. Goodbye My Friend - Linda Ronstadt

Kaptain Kool and the Kongs (1978)

How many of you watched the Saturday morning shows brought to us by Sid and Marty Krofft - Pufnstuf, Lidsville, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Krofft Supershow? Well, remember that groovy band, Kaptain Kool and the Kongs? I was in my early teens when they came along, but I remember I would still watch the Krofft shows, and I thought Kaptain Kool and the Kongs were great! I remember that at first they were all dressed crazy, but then looked a little more toned-down. Who was your favorite? Superchick was mine - I always thought she was really cute. I don't know what happened to any of the band members except for Michael Lembeck (Kaptain Kool), who later appeared on "One Day At a Time" and is now a well-respected TV director.

Well, I really can't remember how I found this album - eBay or Half-Price Books or a garage sale - but I was ecstatic when I found it! Plus, as you can see from the picture, this is a demo album - the ones they would give to radio stations to play, although I doubt that this one ever was played on the air. Unfortunately, the sticker that says it's a demo record covers up the adorable Superchick, but I'm not going to remove the sticker because I like to keep my records as close as possible to their original condition. But, to make up for that, I've also included a video below where Superchick (Debra Clinger) is singing lead! So, I hope y'all enjoy both this album and the video!

Track listing for Kaptain Kool & the Kongs:

Side 1:
1. And I Never Dreamed
2. This Time
3. You Put Some Love in My Life
4. When You Feel It
5. True Love is On Its Way

Side 2:
1. The Whole World Will Be Dancin'
2. Crazy Girl
3. You Saved Me
4. Melanie
5. Free
6. Sing Me a Song

Kaptain Kool & the Kongs sing "Don't Throw It Away"

The Hawaiian Islanders - Hawaii Tattoo and Other Hawaiian Favorites (1964)

Rain, rain, rain - it seems that's all we've seen in Dallas lately. To help relieve some of those rainy day blues, I decided to listen to one of my Hawaiian music albums. It always helps me feel better when I dream about living in Hawaii someday. (BTW, I'd love to hear from folks that live in the beautiful island paradise of Hawaii!)

This album has some different songs from most of my other Hawaiian music albums. Here are the liner notes:

Each song in this album is Hawaiian music as you like it... Authentic island style using the traditional combination of the ukulele, the steel guitar and native percussion. And for an extra The Hawaiian Islanders perform the hit song HAWAII TATTOO.

Track listing for Hawaiian Islanders - Hawaii Tattoo:

Side 1:
1. Hawaii Tattoo
2. Wild
3. Hawaiian Promenade
4. Hawaiian Paradise
5. Lost Love

Side 2:
1. Aloha
2. Maoris Farewell
3. White Sands and Coconuts
4. Dark Dawn
5. Beautiful Girls and Sunshine

Bob Gibson - Ski Songs Sung by Bob Gibson (1959)

Well, today my softball team won its first game! Woo hoo! But, boy, was it hot out there (our game was at 1 PM)! Although the first day of summer is still about ten days away, it's already getting somewhat unbearable (to some people - not to me) here in Dallas. So, to cool off a bit (at least in my mind), I decided to post this album of "Ski Songs Sung by Bob Gibson". Now, let me tell you - I don't ski (snow or water). I don't like cold weather or snow (I'm from the Tip of Texas, where the weather is somewhat tropical). I went on one ski trip many years ago and didn't even make it to the bunny slope because I got very nervous and frustrated in my little group ski lesson. I spent the rest of the trip sight-seeing instead. Needless to say, I won't be going on any more ski trips - unless I just get to hang out in the ski lodge and drink.

So, why did I buy this record? I liked the cover, and I just thought the idea of ski songs was funny. I mean, "ski" songs - who knew? Really, it was the cover - it's very nostalgic looking and I love the colors. (This picture of the guy with the cast inspired me to put on a fake cast for a ski-themed party that my friends, Dan and Bradley, had last year - it was a hit!) The songs are rather "folksy" - as the liner notes state: "Bob Gibson, who pleads guilty to writing and recording all of the SKI SONGS, has been a favorite of folk music buffs since he began singing professionally in 1953." I think the best way to describe this album - and how to listen to it - is to follow the suggestion of the liner notes:

All in all, this LP must delight any skier... beginner, intermediate, advanced or advanced-fireside-sitter. For enjoying it in utmost fidelity, we recommend a monaural sassaphras X2371-Y speaker in coordinate linkage with a bi-triennial mixless moraphan (model 17- B) and a hot buttered rum.

Track listing for Bob Gibson - Ski Songs Sung by Bob Gibson:

Side 1:
1. Celebrated Skier
2. In This White World
3. Super Skier
4. Highlands Lassie
5. Bend in His Knees
6. Talking Skier

Side 2:
1. Ski Patrol
2. Skiin' in the Mornin'
3. Super Skier's Last Race
4. What'll We Do
5. Skol to the Skier

UPDATE 12/14/08 - I have removed the download link for this album as it has now been released on CD. Please visit www.bobgibsonlegacy.com and purchase the CD there.

The Fiesta Brass - Viva Tijuana!

Here's a lively record that capitalized on the "Tijuana sound" popularized by the great Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Herb and his band are the kings of this type of music (in my opinion), and there were many who jumped on the bandwagon in the late 1960s when this music became popular - they even played the same songs that Herb did. So why did I buy this album and decide to share it with you instead of one of Herb'? The COVER, of course! Hello! About the cover - since we can't see the girl's face, it's hard to tell if she's even alive in this photo. I mean, was someone just walking along the beach and come across this poor drowning victim and decided to photograph her? Or, was she passed out from a long night of drinking and partying? Was this photo one of the rejects for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue of the day? One can only imagine...

Anyway, I never tire of the Tijuana sound, so whether it's Herb, or the Fiesta Brass, or the Marimba Band, or the Mexicali Brass, or whoever, I enjoy listening to this music. I hope you do, too!

Track listing from The Fiesta Brass - Viva Tijuana!:

Side 1:
1. Tijuana Taxi
2. Spanish Eyes
3. Whipped Cream
4. Spanish Lace
5. Theme from "Zorba the Greek"

Side 2:
1. A Taste of Honey
2. Spanish Harlem
3. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
4. Michelle
5. 1-2-3

Esquivel and His Orchestra - Infinity in Sound (1960)

Here's another find from my local Half-Price Books bargain bin. Esquivel is the epitome of space-age pop! If you listen closely to some of the songs on this album, you can imagine watching a classic sci-fi movie or even an episode of classic "Star Trek". "Harlem Nocturne" is the best example of space-age pop on this album, in my opinion (but then, it's been a favorite song of mine for many years). Unfortunately, this record is really worn and scratched up, and, despite my running it through click-removal and noise-removal several times, there's still quite a bit of noise and clicks and pops (and a couple of the songs have skips). But, I did a search for this album on other blogs and didn't come across it, so I decided to go ahead and post it (despite the bad condition) for those Esquivel fans out there who don't have this album and want it regardless of the condition. Hopefully, someone out there will post a cleaner version of it at some time. Personally, I like the "vintage" sound of some of the albums shared on these sites, so the clicks, pops, noise, and skips don't bother me that much. If you don't mind these imperfections, then you've come to the right place! Oh, and thanks to Ernie, of Ernie (Not Bert), for his tips on recording and preparing records for digital sharing!

Track listing for Esquivel - Infinity in Sound:

Side 1:
1. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise ("Quedo")
2. Music Makers
3. My Reverie
4. Johnson Rag
5. Harlem Nocturne
6. Take the "A" Train

Side 2:
1. Macarena (La Virgen de la Macarena)
2. Autumn Leaves
3. Frenesi
4. Marie
5. Let's Dance
6. So Rare

Martin Denny - Romantica (1961)

Well, yesterday, my friend, Bradley, and I made a much needed trip to Half-Price Books to look for vinyl treasures. I came away with thirteen albums, and one was a double-album, so I got fourteen records in all! And all from the dollar bin! Plus I had a 15% off coupon - what a deal!

One of the albums I got is today's share. This album presents "the lush and exotic sounds of Martin Denny" - and lush and exotic they are! There are some great standards, as well as some Denny originals, on this record, and they are all lushly romantic. As I listened to this record, I could imagine myself being whisked away to a beautiful island paradise (Hawaii, of course - where I hope to live some day) - sigh! I never get tired of listening to Martin Denny. He is indeed one of the true masters of exotica!

Now, remember - as always, I clean up these recordings the best that I can, but due to the age and the way they were stored by their previous owners, a lot of them aren't in pristine condition. But, that just adds character to them, in my opinion! Anyway, I hope you like this one!

Track listing for Martin Denny - Romantica:

Side 1:
1. And This is My Beloved
2. Love at Sight
3. Romance
4. Aloha, I Love You
5. La Pampa y La Puna
6. My Reverie

Side 2:
1. Love, Your Magic Spell is Everywhere
2. Magic is the Moonlight
3. A Fine Romance
4. Blue Paradise
5. My Romance
6. Tenderly

Randy Carlos and His Orchestra - Having a Ball (1958)

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to cha cha cha and mambo! This is a great dance record! It's the kind of music we would dance to when I took ballroom dance lessons for several years in the 80s and 90s - lots of fun! Even if you don't like to dance, this is a great record to listen to if you like lively Latin music! I don't think I've ever heard any of these songs before, but I do remember that, as a little girl, I knew the rhyme that is sung in "Tin Marin". It was slightly different than what is sung, and I tried to remember it as I was recording this album, but I could only remember the first line. I'll have to ask one of my cousins if they remember it. Oh - the picture of the cover indicates that this is a mono record, but it's actually stereo. Well, go "have a ball" with this record!

Track listing for Randy Carlos - Having a Ball:

Side 1:
1. The Monkey's Guapacha
2. Pirahna - Mambo
3. Filipinita - Cha Cha Cha
4. Smoke - Mambo
5. More and More - Merengue
6. Canaima - Cha Cha Cha

Side 2:
1. Whistling Mambo
2. Tin Marin - Cha Cha Cha
3. Dancing Feet - Cha Cha Cha
4. Guitar Mambo
5. To and Fro - Merengue
6. The Kittens Cha Cha Cha

Banjo Barons - Golden Hawaiian Hits (1963)

I've mentioned in the past how much I like Hawaiian music, and I've posted a couple of albums of Hawaiian music. But this one is certainly different because it's Hawaiian music played Dixieland style! As I listened to this I could certainly imagine watching the old "Lawrence Welk Show" - it's just the kind of music you'd hear on the show. All but one of the tracks are played as medleys, so there are a total of 37 songs that are played on this album - some are quite familiar, and some not so familiar. All in all, if you are a fan of banjo music or Hawaiian music, this one's for you.

Track listing for Banjo Barons - Golden Hawaiian Hits:

Side 1:
1. Medley 1: My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii; Pagan Love Song; Hawaiian War Chant
2. Medley 2: Hello, Aloha!-How Are You?; Adventures in Paradise; I've Found a Little Grass Skirt (For My Little Grass Shack in Hawaii)
3. Medley 3: Song of the Islands; King's Serenade; The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai
4. Medley 4: A Song of Old Hawaii; Maori Brown Eyes; It Was in Kalua
5. Medley 5: Honolulu Punch; Hawaiian Holiday; Mele Kalikimaka
6. Medley 6: Tropic Trade Winds; Lovely Hula Hands; Aloha Oe

Side 2:
1. Medley 7: Blue Hawaii; Hawaiian Paradise; The Hawaiian Wedding Song
2. Medley 8: For You a Lei; An Old Hawaiian Custom; The Hawaiian Christmas Song
3. Medley 9: In a Little Hula Heaven; Cocoanut Grove; Pretty Red Hibiscus
4. Medley 10: Hawaii Calls; Hawaiian Hospitality; To You Sweetheart, Aloha
5. Medley 11: I Want to Learn to Speak Hawaiian; When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop; On the Beach at Waikiki
6. Medley 12: Sweet Leilani; Aloha, Kuu Ipo, Aloha; South Sea Island Magic
7. Hawaii Ponoi

Steve Allen - Monday Nights (1960)

This album has the kind of piano music I really enjoy listening to. Plus, it has two of my favorite songs, "Laura" (from one of my favorite movies of all time) and "Misty". Another plus is that it has the theme song from another of my favorite movies, "Bell, Book and Candle", which I had no idea that Steve Allen co-wrote (the song, that is). Steve Allen was a talented song writer and musician, as well as an actor and host of several TV shows (like "The Tonight Show"!). I remember he and his wife, Jayne Meadows, doing some commercials together and guest-starring together on some TV shows. Now, besides the list of songs on this album, what really drew my attention to it was the picture (gotta love those album covers!) of Steve with this absolutely awesome Plymouth! I don't know much about cars, but, for some reason, I've always liked the old Plymouth cars (like the 1956 Plymouth Fury - wow!). There's just something about them. Anyway, Plymouth was the sponsor of Steve Allen's TV show, so that's why he's photographed with the car. But, this wasn't just any old Plymouth - this was a record-playing Plymouth! I had no idea they had those - a predecessor to our CD-playing cars of today. The liner notes mention the car:

Here's an album made, frankly, to celebrate the move of the Steve Allen Show to Monday Night!!
It was also produced, of course, with the idea of providing a package of mighty pleasant music, but that goes without saying. In any event, the twelve selections in this collection add up to a typically pleasant session with the Allen piano and orchestra and that's good news any night of the week.
As his fans know by now, Steve has the Plymouth people to thank for making the move out of the Sunday TV scramble possible, and for that all TV-lovers as well as music-lovers can certainly be thankful. But whether the listener drives a Plymouth or roller-skates to work, he'll certainly agree that this pretty package of musical evergreens satisfies those who like good music for its own sake as well as those who are always saying to Steve, "We like the comedy on your show but you don't play the piano often enough!"
So whether you're listening to these recordings while relaxing in your music room, dancing by the light of your neighborhood jukebox, or driving along in your new record-playing Plymouth, lotsaluck, as Steve says, and happy listening. We guarantee it.

I bought this record in pretty bad shape - lots of clicks and pops - and I ran it through the click removal twice, but there's still a lot of clicks and pops. In my opinion, it just adds character to the record. Maybe some of you can clean it up some more. Anyway, it's still a good listen, and I hope you enjoy it. Oh - and if you're interested in learning more about those "record-playing" cars of yesteryear, check out Highway Hi-Fi.

Track listing for Steve Allen - Monday Nights:

Side 1:
1. Laura
2. Rosetta
3. You're Driving Me Crazy
4. Notre Dame Victory March
5. Impossible - written by Steve Allen
6. Houseboat - co-written by Steve Allen

Side 2:
1. Bell, Book and Candle - co-written by Steve Allen
2. Misty
3. Blossom
4. Spring in Maine - co-written by Steve Allen
5. I Want a Girl
6. And Even Then - written by Steve Allen