Paul Petersen - Lollipops and Roses (1962)

Here's a nice nostalgic celebrity vocal album by Paul Petersen, best known as "Jeff Stone", the son on "The Donna Reed Show" from 1958-1966. Prior to this role, he was one of the Mouseketeers. Paul also starred in several movies, wrote some novels in the mid-1970s, and later formed the non-profit organization "A Minor Consideration" (take a look - it's a very interesting website). I think he was a real cutie when he was on "The Donna Reed Show" - and his singing's not too bad either! As I said, this album has a very "nostalgic" feel to it - I can just imagine going to the malt shop and sharing a soda with a special someone, or going to a sock hop - makes me wish I had been a teenager during that era. (Oh, well - the Seventies were a pretty cool time to be a teenager so I really can't complain.) Hmmm, I noticed how "Lollipops and Roses" was a pretty popular tune during that time - it's also on the George Maharis album I posted a couple of weeks ago. I do really like that song, and besides it, I think my favorite on this album is "Little Boy Sad". Oh, and what a special treat to have Shelley Fabares sing with Paul on the last song of this album!

Here are the liner notes:

In addition to being one of the most popular, young performers on TV, sixteen year-old Paul Petersen is well on his way to becoming one of the nation's top recording stars. Paul, who plays Donna Reed's son on "The Donna Reed Show" made his first record for Colpix only a few months ago. "She Can't Find Her Keys" was an immediate smash, and a sparkling new facet was added to an already impressive career. Since then, Paul has followed his initial hit with "What Did They Do Before Rock 'N' Roll?" (done as a duet with his TV sister, Shelley Fabares) and his current hit, which is the title tune of his first album. Level-headed Paul Petersen is unaffected by his disk success and still plans to become an engineer. The only seeming flaw in his plans is the disapproval, sure to be registered by his legion of fans. Included in "Lollipops and Roses" are his current and past clicks, as well as a flock of attractive old and new tunes that add up to easy listening pleasure for all record buyers.

Track listing for Paul Petersen - Lollipops and Roses:

Side 1:
1. She Can't Find Her Keys - reached #19 on the Billboard charts on 3/31/62
2. Keep Your Love Locked
3. Little Boy Sad
4. Be Everything to Anyone You Love
5. Mama, Your Little Boy Fell
6. One Girl

Side 2:
1. Lollipops and Roses
2. Love Me Tender
3. Please, Mr. Sun
4. Blue Moon
5. Penny is Seventeen
6. What Did They Do Before Rock 'N' Roll - With Guest, Shelley Fabares

Leonard Nimoy - The Touch of Leonard Nimoy (1969)

As I said in my last post, I'll be posting several "celebrity vocal" albums for these next few posts. As I've mentioned before, I'm a major "Star Trek" fan - I've been on several Trek cruises, been to several sci-fi conventions, have a tattoo of the Starfleet command insignia (am I scaring you yet?), and have quite a collection of Star Trek memorabilia, including an arcade size STNG pinball machine. I've met quite a few of the actors from the various TV shows and movies, but my most exciting meeting was that of Leonard Nimoy - Mr. Spock (oh, one of my cats is named "Mr. Spock"). After I met him and had him autograph my copy of "I Am Spock", I felt that I had attained the Holy Grail of Star Trek-dom and could die happy.

I remember watching "Star Trek" as a little girl, and Spock was definitely my favorite character. After the show went off the air, I remember watching Leonard Nimoy on "Mission: Impossible". Then he disappeared for awhile (or rather, I just didn't see anything he was in). When I went to college, I majored in computer science (of course - nerd that I am) and the first thing I saw in our department office was a huge computer print-out of Mr. Spock. My interest in "Star Trek" was renewed, and that interest eventually grew into a major dedication to all things Star Trek.

Well, anyway, Leonard Nimoy recorded some albums back during the days of STTOS. He may not be the best, but he's certainly not the worst! I rather enjoy listening to his albums and I find his voice somewhat mellowing. He did a couple of albums that were more tongue-in-cheek, but this one is not one of those. "The Touch of Leonard Nimoy" is mellow, folksy, and a nice album to listen to while relaxing in a hammock on a warm, breezy afternoon. I hope you like it as much as I do! Oh, and for a humorous touch, I'm posting the unedited version of the "Bilbo Baggins" video below!

Track listing for Leonard Nimoy - The Touch of Leonard Nimoy:

Side 1:
1. I Search for Tomorrow
2. Maiden Wine
3. Now's the Time
4. Cycles
5. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today

Side 2:
1. I Just Can't Help Believin'
2. Nature Boy
3. Contact
4. The Man I Would Like to Be
5. A Trip to Nowhere
6. Piece of Hope

Leonard Nimoy sings "Bilbo Baggins" -

George Maharis - Portrait in Music (1962)

The next few posts are going to be "celebrity vocals" - my favorite category in my record collection. I'm a TV and movie fiend, so I particularly like record albums by TV and movie actors, no matter how good or how bad they are! Some of the albums have been pleasant surprises, as in the couple of George Maharis albums I have. This particular album is a great album to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon such as today - George's smooth vocals make it particularly nice! There are a lot of familiar standards on this album - my favorites are "The More I See You" and "Lollipops and Roses".

George Maharis shot to stardom as "Buzz Murdock" on the television series "Route 66". I never saw the show (I was just a baby when it was canceled) when it was on the air, and I've never seen it in reruns. But George sure was a nice looking guy! After he left the show, he pursued a movie career and was a guest star in many TV shows. He had a couple of brushes with the law (I vaguely remember one in the 1970s), and posed nude for the second issue of Playgirl magazine. His last appearance was in a movie in 1993 and he has since "retired".

Track listing for George Maharis - Portrait in Music:

Side 1:
1. Love Could Change My Mind
2. Where Are You?
3. If Love Were All
4. Here's That Rainy Day
5. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)
6. I Can't Stop Loving You

Side 2:
1. Talk to Me
2. The More I See You
3. Lollipops and Roses
4. Love Me as I Love You
5. What a Diff'rence a Day Made
6. They Knew About You

Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra - That Happy Feeling (1962)

Here's a totally fun album! You can't go wrong with Bert Kaempfert. "That Happy Feeling" gives me just that - a happy feeling! All the songs are upbeat and put a smile on my face. Just the album cover alone makes me feel happy! (This cover makes up for the creepy Burl Ives one in my last post.) This is great dance music, too. Several years ago when I was ballroom dancing, they would always play songs by Bert Kaempfert at the dance parties, and the dance floor would be packed. From the liner notes:

If there's a better way to find "That Happy Feeling" than through the medium of music, it's yet to be found.
...
Here is Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra...with an orchestral sound and style that is characteristically ideal for either listening or dancing, and the greatest prescription for "That Happy Feeling" ever discovered.

Track listing for Bert Kaempfert - That Happy Feeling:

Side 1:
1. That Happy Feeling
2. A Swingin' Safari
3. Market Day
4. Take Me
5. Similau
6. Zambesi

Side 2:
1. Happy Trumpeter
2. Tootie Flutie
3. Wimoweh
4. Sunday in Madrid
5. Black Beauty
6. Skokiaan (South African Song)

Burl Ives - The Wayfaring Stranger (1955)

Today's offering is an album by America's Troubador, Burl Ives. I think it's pretty safe to say that when one hears the phrase "folk songs", one thinks of Burl Ives. I've heard most of the songs on this album, mostly on old cowboy movies or TV shows. I remember learning a few of them back in grade school (do they teach kids these type of songs anymore?). It's really too bad that there aren't many folk singers like this around anymore - singers who keep "traditional" songs alive. Since there aren't too many cowboy movies anymore, we don't hear songs like "Cowboy's Lament" or "Old Paint" - makes me a little sad. But then, I love nostalgia and hate to see it fade away. Anyway, I hope y'all like this album (I know my cats did!). (I have to say though that I think they could have come up with a better cover - I think this one is a little creepy.)

Track listing for Burl Ives - The Wayfaring Stranger:

Side 1:
1. Leather-Winged Bat; Cotton-Eyed Joe
2. Sweet Betsy from Pike; On Top of Old Smoky
3. I Know Where I'm Going; I Know My Love
4. Cowboy's Lament
5. Wee Cooper O'Fife; Riddle Song
6. Tam Pierce
7. Peter Gray
8. Darlin' Cory
9. John Hardy
10. Colorado Trail; Roving Gambler

Side 2:
1. Bonnie Wee Lassie
2. The Divil and the Farmer
3. On Springfield Mountain
4. Little Mohee
5. Troubador Song
6. Robin, He Married; Lavender Cowboy
7. Green Broom
8. High Barbaree
9. I've Got No Use for Women
10. Old Paint

Joe Harnell His Piano and Orchestra - Fly Me to the Moon and The Bossa Nova Pops (1963)

Here's a really cool album of bossa nova pop tunes! You've heard the main cover song, "Fly Me to the Moon" - Joe Harnell won a Grammy in 1962 for this recording. He received two other nominations - one for his arrangement of this song, and one in 1963 for this album. All the songs on this album are really great, and any fan of the bossa nova will surely love this album. Other than the title tune, my favorite is "Eso Beso". Enjoy!

Track listing for Joe Harnell His Piano and Orchestra - Fly Me to the Moon and The Bossa Nova Pops:

Side 1:
1. Fly Me to the Moon
2. Senza Fine
3. I Left My Heart in San Francisco
4. Early Autumn
5. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
6. My One and Only Love

Side 2:
1. Cry Me a River
2. One Note Samba
3. What Kind of Fool Am I?
4. Loads of Love
5. Midnight Sun
6. Eso Beso

Astrud Gilberto - The Astrud Gilberto Album (1965)

This is one of my favorites. I absolutely love the way Astrud Gilberto sings - so easy and effortlessly! Like most folks, the first song I ever heard her sing was "The Girl from Ipanema" - well, I was immediately smitten with her singing! (I used to be able to play that song on the sax.) Also, thanks to her, I was introduced to the bossa nova sound, which I also love. Another good thing about this album is that Antonio Carlos Jobim (another favorite) is featured playing guitar (did I mention that I'm taking guitar lessons now?), and he wrote several of the songs. All in all, you just can't go wrong with this awesome record!

A few months ago, I was watching a movie on cable TV called "Get Yourself a College Girl" - one of those beach party type movies, but instead taking place at a ski resort. Frankie and Annette were not in it, but instead it starred Mary Ann Mobley, Chad Everett, Nancy Sinatra, and several others. Anyway, there's this one scene in the ski lodge where a band starts to play and I immediately recognized the song as "The Girl from Ipanema". It sounded exactly like the recording so I paid special attention. Then who walks in singing the song but Astrud Gilberto! As you see the band, it's Stan Getz playing sax! I was very excited (it's the simple things in life that make me happy!). Anyway, I've posted the video of that scene below the track listing for the album. Enjoy!

Track listing for Astrud Gilberto - The Astrud Gilberto Album:

Side 1:
1. Once I Loved
2. Agua De Beber - with Antonio Carlos Jobim
3. Meditation
4. And Roses And Roses
5. O Morro (Nao Tem Vez)
6. How Insensitive

Side 2:
1. Dindi
2. Photograph
3. Dreamer
4. So Finha De Ser Com Voce
5. All That's Left is to Say Goodbye


Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz performing "The Girl from Ipanema" in the motion picture "Get Yourself a College Girl":

Ferrante & Teicher - Holiday for Pianos (1963)

Here's a gem by the world's best known duo piano team - Ferrante and Teicher! This is a pretty fun album, especially since all the songs are familiar to me. I've enjoyed other albums by these two, so decided to buy this one when I saw it in the dollar bin at HPB. I think my favorite song here is "Mexican Hat Dance". I remember dancing to that tune when I was in kindergarten, but I don't think I ever heard it played the way F&T play it. Their version reminds me of a Tom & Jerry cartoon. I mean, can't you just see Tom playing the piano and Jerry dancing on the keys? Love it! So, take a trip around the world tonight and give a listen to this album!

Track listing for Ferrante & Teicher - Holiday for Pianos:

Side 1:
1. Far Away Places
2. Mexican Hat Dance
3. A Foggy Day (In London Town)
4. Arrivederci Roma
5. Japanese Garden
6. April in Portugal

Side 2:
1. Lady of Spain
2. Loch Lomond
3. Calcutta
4. Wonderful Copenhagen
5. Paris Joy Ride
6. Aloha Oe

Duane Eddy - Twangin' the Golden Hits (1965)

Okay, so like I'm taking guitar lessons and lately I've been listening a lot to albums that feature the guitar. I even went out and bought a brand new guitar - a Fender acoustic guitar. It's just the basic kind that's good for beginners. (I already play piano, alto sax, and ukelele.) Maybe some day I'll get good enough that I can buy a really cool guitar like the one in the picture or even branch out into electric guitars! I've got a long list of songs I want to play (I've only just learned how to play "Amazing Grace" - the first song we learned in class.), most of which are ballads. Maybe in the far-off future, I'll even record myself playing a tune and post it!

Anyway, going through my albums, this one stuck out. I like the style of Duane Eddy, although I will probably never be able to play that way. I think I just like the way these songs sound - so 1950s! Most of these are quite familiar, but I think my favorites are "Rebel Rouser" (his big hit in 1958) and "Honky Tonk".

Track listing for Duane Eddy - Twangin' the Golden Hits:

Side 1:
1. Rebel Rouser
2. Raunchy
3. Shangri-La
4. Last Date
5. Honky Tonk
6. Theme from "A Summer Place"

Side 2:
1. Tequila
2. Stranger on the Shore
3. More (Theme from "Mondo Cane")
4. The River Kwai March
5. Swingin' Shepherd Blues
6. Rumble

And here's Duane Eddy playing "Rebel Rouser" on the show "Hullabaloo":

Peggy Lipton - Peggy Lipton (1968)

This was one of the records that I had been searching for for quite some time, and I finally got it on eBay a couple of weeks ago! Woo hoo! Okay, so Peggy Lipton isn't the greatest singer, but who cares??? She was HOT as "Julie Barnes" on the television series "The Mod Squad", which aired from 1968 to 1973 (I remember I had a crush on her when I was a little girl and watched the show), was still hot when she starred as "Norma Jennings" on the TV series "Twin Peaks", and is still hot today!
Peggy married Quincy Jones shortly after the end of "The Mod Squad", and gave up acting to be a wife and mother. One of her daughters, Rashida Jones (who looks a LOT like her!) is now starring in "The Office". Peggy has also penned her memoir "Breathing Out". Oh, she wrote a couple of the songs on this album, too - not bad for a 20-year-old at the time!
So, this post is for any Peggy Lipton fans out there! Enjoy the songs, and enjoy looking at her picture - sigh. (Peggy - if you ever come across this blog - you are still HOT!)

Track listing for Peggy Lipton - Peggy Lipton:

Side 1:
1. Let Me Pass By - written by Peggy
2. Natural Woman
3. Memories of a Golden Weekend (or How I Got the Acapulco Blues) - written by Peggy
4. San Francisco Glide - written by Peggy (has a skip)
5. Stoney End
6. Who Needs It

Side 2:
1. Hands Off the Man (Flim Flam Man)
2. It Might as Well Rain Until September
3. Wasn't It You?
4. Lady of the Lake
5. Honey Won't Let Me - written by Peggy

James Darren - Album No. 1 (1959)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

For Valentine's Day, I decided to share this James Darren album with you because it has some good "love" songs, and because I think he's a pretty dreamy guy. I'm sure y'all are familiar with him - he starred as "Moondoggie" in the "Gidget" movies, starred in the television series "The Time Tunnel" and "T.J. Hooker", and had a recurring role as "Vic Fontaine" on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", where he was a Frank Sinatra-like character and got to sing. He's still a very fine looking man! So, I hope y'all have a special someone with whom to share this Valentine's Day and can cuddle to the tunes of James Darren! I've also included a Scopitone video of James Darren singing "Because You're Mine" (LOVE the lovely ladies in the video!).

Track listing for James Darren - Album No. 1:

Side 1:
1. Let's Fall in Love
2. Sophisticated Lady
3. Let There Be Love
4. The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
5. Sweet Lorraine
6. There's No Such Thing

Side 2:
1. Love Among the Young
2. Emaline
3. Gidget
4. Does Your Heart Beat for Me?
5. Mighty Pretty Territory
6. Walkin' My Baby Back Home


Scopitone of James Darren singing "Because You're Mine":

Ace Cannon - The Moanin' Sax of Ace Cannon (1963)

"Are you facing a jail sentence? Or was there no letter today from your loved one? Are you a prisoner of love, a victim of unrequited love or singing the blues? Have you had a last date with that certain one and sadly concluded it's all in the game? Have you left your heart in San Francisco, or are you sad for any reason?

If so, this album is for you."

What better way to introduce this album than by the lines above from the liner notes? They say it all. Ace Cannon is indeed one of the best alto sax players ever - he is "The Godfather of Sax"! I love sax music - I think the sax is the sexiest sounding instrument around! (That's one reason I started playing it myself about 20 years ago.) So, I hope you like this album as much as I do. Enjoy!

Track listing for Ace Cannon - The Moanin' Sax of Ace Cannon:

Side 1:
1. Moanin' the Blues
2. Trouble in Mind
3. Prisoner's Song
4. I Love You Because
5. Last Date
6. Singing the Blues

Side 2:
1. It's All in the Game
2. No Letter Today
3. I Left My Heart in San Francisco
4. I Can't Get Started with You
5. Prisoner of Love
6. Moanin'

Frankie Laine - Hell Bent for Leather! (1961)

I was saddened to hear that Frankie Laine died yesterday at the age of 93. One of the most popular entertainers of the 1950s, he had hits with songs such as "That's My Desire", "Mule Train", "Jezebel", "I Believe", and "That Lucky Old Sun". He's also remembered for singing the theme to the television series "Rawhide" and the theme to the movie "Blazing Saddles". So, in fond memory of Frankie Laine, I share with you the album "Hell Bent for Leather!", which contains some of his most memorable western hits. (For an alternative version of "Mule Train" as played on the Hammond organ, go to my previous post.) You ride 'em, cowboy - R.I.P. - Frankie Laine (1913 - 2007).

Track listing for Frankie Laine - Hell Bent for Leather!:

Side 1:
1. Wanted Man
2. High Noon
3. Gunfight at O.K. Corral
4. Bowie Knife
5. Along the Navajo Trail
6. The Cry of the Wild Goose

Side 2:
1. Rawhide
2. City Boy
3. Cool Water
4. The 3:10 to Yuma
5. The Hanging Tree
6. Mule Train


And here's Frankie singing one of his other hits, "The Rock of Gibralter":

The Don Baker Trio - Hammond for Dancing

What a fun album to listen to! I have to admit that I am one of those people that finds organ music pretty darn groovy - especially when played like this! You can really get down and dancin' with tunes played on the Hammond organ! I love it! I remember when I was in college in San Antonio, my friends and I would sometimes go eat dinner at this Mexican food restaurant and they would have this guy playing the organ for entertainment. He'd play tunes like "New York, New York" and "Mack the Knife" - it was great! That's what this album reminds me of - only much better. And, you haven't heard anything until you've heard "Mule Train" played on the Hammond! I don't know what year this was produced, but it's Capitol T1357, if that helps. So, here I share with you "Hammond for Dancing" - "a fine and unusual blend of Hammond organ, piano, celeste, and rhythm by the Don Baker Trio."

Track listing for Don Baker Trio - Hammond for Dancing:

Side 1:
1. I Won't Dance
2. Dansero
3. Moritat
4. Jungle Drums
5. When Day is Done
6. Frasquita Serenade

Side 2:
1. I Could Have Danced All Night
2. Carinoso
3. The Old Refrain
4. Cherokee
5. Taboo
6. Mule Train

Eddie Albert - High Upon a Mountain (1958)

Everybody remembers Eddie Albert as the star of the television series, "Green Acres", or movies such as "Oklahoma!", "Roman Holiday", "The Joker is Wild", and "The Longest Yard", to name a few. But, before making films and TV shows, he was a successful singer performing in clubs and theatre. This is one of about eight albums he recorded, and it contains songs of "spiritual substance - but which were still songs, not sermons". According to the liner notes, "These are songs with a soaring, top-o'-the-world feeling. 'They do something for me,' Eddie Albert says. And he, in turn, does something wonderful for them." Eddie did have a pleasant singing voice, and I think he did a very nice job on these songs. Some are familiar to me (I remember learning "Let There Be Peace on Earth" when I was in grade school), and others are not, but I liked them all. And, on the cover, Eddie looks somewhat rugged standing on that mountain in his jeans and plaid shirt!

Track listing for Eddie Albert - High Upon a Mountain:

Side 1:
1. A Still Small Voice
2. You'll Never Walk Alone
3. The Best Things in Life Are Free
4. Without a Song
5. I Believe
6. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'

Side 2:
1. High Upon a Mountain
2. No Man is An Island
3. Let There Be Peace on Earth
4. Look for the Silver Lining
5. Ask Your Heart to Show the Way
6. I May Never Pass This Way Again

Me and My RC (1975)

"Me and my RC, me and my RC. 'Cause what's good enough for other folks ain't good enough for me! Me and my RC, me and my RC!"

How many of you remember those commercials from the 1970s? They were among my favorite commercials back in the day, and probably one of the best ad campaigns ever! I remember riding my skateboard (back when they were skinny little wooden things) and drinking an RC Cola as I rode along, sometimes singing the little jingle. Ah, the memories that this record brought back as I listened to it! This record is another of the gems I've found in the Half-Price Books clearance bin. (Actually, I give credit to my friend, Bradley, for finding it but letting me buy it for my collection.) Once again, the cover caught my eye - the girl just epitomizes the wholesome, girl-next-door type of the 70s! Well, this is the music from several TV commercials, but I don't know if the record was given to radio stations or what. The record only has tracks on one side and says "Not for sale, broadcast, or public performance", so I don't know what else anyone would do with it - maybe it was just part of a media kit or something like that. Whatever - it's really cool! In fact, I think I'll go have a Moon Pie and an RC right now (it's a Southern thing)!

Track listing for Me and My RC:

1. Overture; Stock Car
2. Truck Driver
3. Lawyer; Theme Music; Freckle-Face
4. Executive Decision
5. Blacksmith
6. Crop Seeder; Theme Music; Farm Girl
7. Basketball
8. Riverboat; Theme Music; Georgia Nights
9. Fiddler

P.S. For you fans of RC Cola and/or Moon Pies, check out some great collectibles at the Moon Pie website!

And here's one of the commercials for you (the one called "Executive Decision")!

An Affair to Remember OST (1957)

One of my favorite movies of all time is "An Affair to Remember", starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. And, yes, I do cry each and every time I see it. Actually, I start crying before the sad or sentimental parts even start! And sometimes even just talking about the movie and the sad or sentimental parts will start me crying. I'm as bad as Rita Wilson was in "Sleepless in Seattle" when she was describing the movie. This is one of the movies that my mother introduced me to when I was growing up, and we would often watch it together when it was on TV. I also grew up listening to this soundtrack, so this record has been played A LOT. This record belonged to my mother (I believe she bought it in 1957, when it came out), so it is now 50 years old! Wow! The cover is quite worn, and you'll still hear quite a bit of clicks and pops (especially on side 2) even though I ran it through the click and pop removal software. But, Vic Damone still sounds loud and clear on the title song (make me swoon!).

Other info about this album... Lionel Newman conducting the 20th Century-Fox Orchestra and Chorus; Music - Harry Warren; Lyrics - Harold Adamson and Leo McCary (the director of the film); Incidental Music - Hugo Friedhofer; Soloist - Marni Nixon; title song sung by Vic Damone. Harry Warren, Harold Adamson, Leo McCary, and Hugo Friedhofer were all Academy Award winners for various other works. The title song was nominated for Best Song at the 1957 Academy Awards but didn't win ("All the Way" from "The Joker is Wild" won instead). Hugo Friedhofer was also nominated that year for Best Score for "An Affair to Remember", but Malcolm Arnold won for "The Bridge on the River Kwai". "An Affair to Remember" had two other nominations - Cinematography and Costume Design - but didn't get those either.

Track listing for An Affair to Remember OST:

Side 1:
1. Main Title - An Affair to Remember (Our Love Affair) - vocal by Vic Damone
2. Continue - instrumental
3. "Villefranche" and "In the Chapel" - instrumental
4. Tomorrowland - vocal and instrumental
5. Pink Champagne - instrumental
6. Revelation - instrumental
7. You Make It Easy to Be True - instrumental
8. Proposal - instrumental

Side 2:
1. Continue - vocal and instrumental
2. Night Club Affair - vocal and instrumental
3. Empire State Montage - instrumental
4. Return to Villefranche - vocal and instrumental
5. Tiny Scout (He Knows You Inside Out) - children's chorus
6. Ballet - instrumental
7. End Title - An Affair to Remember (Our Love Affair) - chorus and instrumental

Various Artists - 18 Top Hits (1957)

Here's yet another album I bought for the cover alone - LOVE the girl dancing by the jukebox! The cover was kind of weird though because the back is completely blank - no track listing or names of the artists. So how did people know whether or not they wanted to buy this if they didn't know anything about what was on it? Did they buy it for the cover alone, too? Strange. And, although it's called "18 Top Hits", there are actually 23 songs on it. Well, this album is on the Waldorf Record Corp. label, which was a budget record label started in 1953 or 1954 by Enoch Light (which explains why he and his orchestra play several of the songs on this album). The records were sold exclusively in Woolworth stores (ah, how I fondly remember the Woolworth in my home town). Anyway, this album contains the hits of the day, but not recorded by the original artists. This is probably one of the albums I've had the most fun listening to and recording - it's just so...nostalgic! Listening to albums like this makes me wish that I had been around back in those days - sigh. Well, the album was pretty beat up when I bought it in the clearance bin at my favorite place (Half-Price Books), and four of the songs have skips. I did do the click and pop removal but there's still quite a bit of clicks and pops, so y'all may want to clean it up further if you can. Overall, this is a fun album!

Track listing for 18 Top Hits:

Side 1:
1. Around the World - Enoch Light & his Orch. (skips)
2. A Fallen Star - Bobby Sykes & The Country Five (skips)
3. Send for Me - Bob Eberly with Enoch Light & his Orch.
4. Long Lonely Nights - Keith Textor & The Monarchs
5. Star Dust - Loren Becker & The Monarchs
6. What Will I Tell My Heart - Jimmy Blaine with Enoch Light & his Orch.
7. Fascination - Sylvia Textor with Enoch Light Orch.
8. My Heart Reminds Me - Sylvia Textor & The Monarchs
9. Please Send Me Someone to Love - Loren Becker & The Monarchs
10. Tammy - Dottie Evans
11. There's a Gold Mine in the Sky - Bob Eberly, Enoch Light Orch. & Chorus
12. Chances Are - Keith Textor

Side 2:
1. Diana - Jerry Duane with The Monarchs
2. Rainbow - Loren Becker, Enoch Light Orch. & Chorus (skips)
3. Love Me to Pieces - Dottie Evans with The Monarchs (skips)
4. Honeycomb - Jerry Duane
5. Whispering Bells - Brigadiers with Enoch Light & his Orch.
6. That'll Be the Day - Artie Malvin with The Zig Zags
7. Passepartout - Enoch Light & his Orch.
8. Invitation to a Bullfight - Enoch Light & his Orch.
9. Entrance of the Bull March - Enoch Light & his Orch.
10. Paris Arrival - Enoch Light & his Orch.
11. Pagoda of Pillagi - Enoch Light & his Orch.



BTW, the 20,000 site hits mark came and went and I didn't even notice! Thanks to all of you who have been visiting, browsing around, and downloading the albums I'm sharing! If y'all have any requests, please let me know and I'll see if I have it. And I'm looking for the following "celebrity vocals" albums - Peggy Lipton's self-titled album from 1968; Sajid - by Sajid Khan in 1967; Kurt Russell's self-titled album from 1970; Clint Eastwood - Cowboy Favorites from 1959. There are many more, but these are the only ones I can think of for now.

Paul Weston and His Orchestra - Mood for 12 (1955)

Here's yet another gem from the Half-Price Books clearance bin! The cover is what definitely caught my eye (ooh - doesn't she look lovely?!), but when I saw that it was a Paul Weston album, I absolutely had to buy it! Paul Weston was one of my mom's favorites, so I grew up listening to his music - makes for great mood music to be playing in the background when you're with your lovely lady! This album features some great solos by Ziggy Elman, Eddie Miller, Matty Matlock, Babe Russin, Ted Nash, Clyde Hurley, George Van Eps, Bill Schaefer, Stanley Wrightman, Barney Kessel, Paul Smith, and Joe Howard (noted on each song below). I must admit that I'm particular to the ones that have sax solos - they just have such a sexy sound! Enjoy!

Track listing for Paul Weston and His Orchestra - Mood for 12:

Side 1:
1. It's the Talk of the Town - Tenor Sax solo by Babe Russin
2. I'm Comin' Virginia - Trombone solo by Bill Schaefer
3. Memories of You - Trumpet solo by Clyde Hurley
4. Nice Work If You Can Get It - Piano solo by Paul Smith
5. My Funny Valentine - Guitar solo by Barney Kessel
6. Emaline - Tenor Sax solo by Eddie Miller

Side 2:
1. Skylark - Tenor Sax solo by Ted Nash
2. Judy - Clarinet solo by Matty Matlock
3. Louisiana - Guitar solo by George Van Eps
4. Georgia on My Mind - Trombone solo by Joe Howard
5. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Piano solo by Stanley Wrightman
6. Confessin' - Trumpet solo by Ziggy Elman

Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra - Melodies in Gold (1957)

Today's post is one of Billy Vaughn's many recordings on the Dot label - "Melodies in Gold". Having played the sax myself, I'm especially fond of Billy Vaughn (and others who played or featured the sax in their recordings). This album contains great standards by such composers as Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, and Cole Porter - some of my favorites! Check out Space Age Pop for a great bio on Billy Vaughn. Oh, yeah - I guess I should mention that it was the album cover that first grabbed my attention when I bought this album (yet another gem from the Half-Price Books clearance bin)!

Track listing for Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra - Melodies in Gold:

Side 1:
1. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
2. Indian Love Call
3. Dream
4. Sweet and Lovely
5. Time on My Hands
6. Night and Day

Side 2:
1. I'm in the Mood for Love
2. My Melancholy Baby
3. Moonglow
4. Intermezzo
5. I'll Get By
6. Stardust

Francis Scott and His Orchestra - Moods for Candlelight

Well, Happy New Year! I hope y'all had a great holiday season and that 2007 brings only good things to you! I took a little holiday from the blog, but I'm ready to get going again! Thanks to all who have been leaving comments - I have read them, but I just haven't gotten a chance to respond. Thank you all for your nice wishes and comments.

The first album I'm posting for the new year is called "Moods for Candlelight" by Francis Scott and His Orchestra. It's a very soothing album - perfect to listen to when you're all stressed out and need to relax. After all the hectic-ness (is that a word?) of the holidays, I know I needed something soothing to listen to, so that's why I picked this album. It's also great to listen to while reading or working (I'll be loading it to my MP3 player so I can listen to it at work). I couldn't find any information on it as to what year is was produced, but it's on the Capitol label, number T304, if that helps. Here are the liner notes:

The beauteous hue of radiant candlelight Reflected on the face of one so dear... Treasured moments that reach their height of rapture ... amid soft strains of music near.

Picture a setting of gleaming candlelight... alluring melodies painting a romantic backdrop for these lovely leisure moments with one close to your heart.

In this album, the talented young arranger-conductor Francis Scott, has carefully preserved the melodies of these songs you know so well... yet has artfully fashioned them into exquisite and sentimental musical moods.

Capitol presents this very special music for that very special occasion. Romantic, mood-inspiring melodies to provoke softly-spoken words and understanding glances.

Light your candles - enjoy your Moods for Candlelight!

Track listing for Francis Scott and His Orchestra - Moods for Candlelight:

Side 1:
1. The Touch of Your Lips
2. I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You)
3. It's a Blue World
4. It Had to Be You
5. How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky)
6. My Heart Stood Still

Side 2:
1. Just a Memory
2. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
3. Dream a Little Dream of Me
4. More Than You Know
5. Remember
6. This Love of Mine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Track listing for Christmas with the Lennon Sisters:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bobby Sherman - Bobby Sherman Christmas Album (1970)

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

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

Track listing for Bobby Sherman Christmas Album:

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

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

The Littlest Angel - Original Cast Album (1969)

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

Track listing for "The Littlest Angel":

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

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

ABC Fun Fit Featuring Mary Lou Retton (1985)

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

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

Track listing for ABC Fun Fit Featuring Mary Lou Retton:

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

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

Joe Quijano And His Orchestra - Latin Joe (1962)

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

New World Theatre Orchestra - The Pajama Game and Silk Stockings

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

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

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

Side 1:
1. The Pajama Game

Side 2:
1. Silk Stockings
2. Curtain Time

Cheryl Ladd - Cheryl Ladd (1978)

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

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

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

Track listing for Cheryl Ladd - Cheryl Ladd:

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

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

Harry Kaapuni & His Royal Polynesians - Aloha Hawaii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burl Ives Sings... for Fun (1956)

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

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

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

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

Sally Field - Star of THE FLYING NUN (1967)

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

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

Here are the liner notes for the album:

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

Gloria Stavers, Editor of 16 Magazine

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

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

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

Ray Eberle Plays Glenn Miller (1959)

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

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

Track listing for Ray Eberle Plays Glenn Miller:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We're the Banana Splits (1969)

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

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

Track listing for We're the Banana Splits:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liner notes from the album:

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

Liner Notes By GENE KELLY

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

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

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

You Are My Sunshine

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

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

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

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