The Norman Paris Trio - The Cocktail Hour (1956)

This is an album I've had for quite some time - bought it for the cover and had it hanging on my wall for almost as long as I've had it. I really love that cover - very simple, yet elegant and sophisticated. I'll probably end up hanging it back up because I like it so much! The album itself is good background music - nice, unobtrusive, good to read by or have a quiet dinner. If you like music performed by this kind of trio (piano, guitar, bass), then you'll like this one.

Track listing for The Norman Paris Trio - The Cocktail Hour:

Side 1:
1. I'll Remember April
2. Lullaby Of The Leaves
3. Lover
4. Hello, Young Lovers
5. I'll Take Romance
6. Someone To Watch Over Me

Side 2:
1. This Nearly Was Mine
2. Can I Forget You
3. Right As The Rain
4. Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'!
5. Pavanne
6. Fascinatin' Rhythm

101 Strings - Million Sellers From The Movies (1972)

Here's another 50-cent gem I picked up out of the HPB bargain bin - and it was still sealed! I must admit that it was the cover that caught my eye. Nice, er, uh...scarf - on her head. Yeah, yeah. That's it. The music itself is familiar - themes from movies from the early 1970s (although I've only heard about half of these myself), and it's played "with the Big Sound of the magnificent '101' Strings orchestra". I was a little surprised that 101 Strings could rock a little on "Superstar". The next time I watch "Jesus Christ Superstar", I'm sure that the 101 Strings version of the song will be the one that sticks in my head. Really, I do like 101 Strings. I just wish I had more of their albums! Anyone out there want to share some?

Track listing for 101 Strings - Million Sellers From The Movies:

Side 1:
1. Theme From Shaft
2. Summer Of '42
3. One Tin Soldier
4. Fiddler On The Roof
5. Samantha's Theme

Side 2:
1. Superstar
2. Theme From Sherman's Heroes
3. Ghost Riders
4. Elvira Madigan Theme
5. Prairie Trails

Henry Mancini - Mr. Lucky Goes Latin (1961)

Here's a great album from one of my favorites, Henry Mancini. In my opinion, he can do no wrong. I got this for only 50 cents from the HPB bargain bin - what a steal! Besides the great music on this album - what a great cover! Love the cat! (For those of you who want to know, the cover was designed by Don Peters.) I really don't have much to say about this album except that it is really great! So, without further ado, go get it now!

Track listing for Henry Mancini - Mr. Lucky Goes Latin:

Side 1:
1. Mr. Lucky (Goes Latin)
2. Lujon
3. Tinpanola
4. Rain Drops In Rio
5. Siesta
6. The Dancing Cat

Side 2:
1. Cow Bells and Coffee Beans
2. The Sound of Silver
3. Tango Americano
4. No-Cal Sugar Loaf
5. Blue Mantilla
6. Speedy Gonzales

Steve & Eydie - Two On The Aisle (1962)

Time for my favorite singing husband and wife team - Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. These two always bring a smile to my face! And this album will bring a smile to your face because it's full of great songs from great Broadway shows such as "Camelot", "Bye Bye Birdie", "Music Man", and "Li'l Abner". Once again, I picked this up from the HPB bargain bin. I only wish this was the stereo version; this is the mono version but still has great sound. Unfortunately, several of the songs do have some skips, most of which are barely noticeable except for "Til Tomorrow", which has several noticeable skips. If anyone out there has a better rip of this album (stereo, and no skips), please do share!

Track listing for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme - Two On The Aisle:

Side 1:
1. Two On The Aisle
2. Til There Was You
3. Make Someone Happy
4. The Party's Over
5. If Ever I Should Leave You
6. Namely You

Side 2:
1. A Lot Of Livin'
2. Language Of Love
3. It's Love
4. Til Tomorrow
5. Just My Luck
6. Put On A Happy Face

Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra - Bert Kaempfert's Greatest Hits (1966)

This is another album I've had for a number of years, ever since I was into the ballroom dancing thing. Every song on this album is great. But then again, it's Bert Kaempfert! What did you expect? It is quite delightful to listen to, and a great dance album, too! These are all instrumental fox trots, for those of you who know how to dance the fox trot or want to learn. About half the songs were written by Bert Kaempfert, and the other half are well-known arrangements of his. All trumpet solos are by Fred Moch, excepting for selection "Wonderland By Night," trumpet soloist is Charles Tabor. The album also says "Recorded in Europe". Start dancing!

Track listing for Bert Kaempfert's Greatest Hits:

Side 1:
1. Wonderland By Night
2. Afrikaan Beat
3. Red Roses For A Blue Lady
4. Spanish Eyes (Moon Over Naples)
5. L-O-V-E
6. Magic Trumpet

Side 2:
1. Danke Schoen
2. Strangers In The Night
3. Bye Bye Blues
4. That Happy Feeling
5. Wiederseh'n
6. A Swingin' Safari

The Jonah Jones Quartet - Swingin' At The Cinema (1958)

Here's another treasure I picked out of the HPB bargain bin for the cover. The two girls look quite, uh...perky! Well, I'd never heard of Jonah Jones, but I liked the songs listed and I liked that it was performed by his quartet. I like quartets. Don't ask me why because I don't know. I think I just like the sound of the word. Anyway, I like the album! I'd never heard these songs performed this way before - very snappy! I cleaned it up as best I could, but you'll still here some surface noise and clicks - the record didn't have a paper sleeve and is pretty scratched up, especially the second side. But it's still great to listen to, and there are no skips. Here's a little of the liner notes:

Jonah Jones - the trumpet man with the catchiest sound of all - goes rompin' on the Hollywood sound stages, swingin' the cinema's greatest songs.... In Swingin' at the Cinema, the Jonah Jones Quartet has gathered a perfect set of songs to display the rich repertoire of Hollywood film music. And with Jonah's revealing handling the melodies stand out in sharp relief, becoming new evidence of the wealth of music the films have produced. They're all brilliantly showcased by the quartet's approach and, in particular, by that jaunty man at the helm, Jonah Jones.

Track listing for The Jonah Jones Quartet - Swingin' at the Cinema:

Side 1:
1. True Love
2. Tammy
3. A Gal In Calico
4. Around The World
5. Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing
6. Colonel Bogey March

Side 2:
1. An Affair To Remember
2. Secret Love
3. Three Coins In The Fountain
4. Fascination
5. All The Way
6. Lullaby Of Broadway

Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra - Jivin' The Vibes (1957)

How about a little jazz tonight? This is an album I've had for a number of years but never listened to until now. I bought it for the cover, framed it, and had it hanging on my wall up until about a year ago, when I finally switched out some of my framed albums. Anyway, if you like Lionel Hampton, you should like this album. This was released in 1957, but the songs were all recorded from 1937 to 1939, per the liner notes. And there are all sorts of other famous musicians that accompany Lionel on these songs - mostly from other famous orchestras of the day. Enjoy!

Track listing for Lionel Hampton - Jivin' The Vibes:

Side 1:
1. I Know That You Know
2. Drum Stomp
3. Muskrat Ramble
4. Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
5. Piano Stomp
6. Jivin' The Vibres

Side 2:
1. High Society
2. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
3. Shoe Shiners Drag
4. I'm In The Mood For Swing
5. The Object Of My Affections
6. Buzzin' 'Round With The Bee

Pedro Garcia and his Del Prado Orchestra - Cha Cha Cha (1956)

This is an album I've had for about 20 years. I bought it when I was into the ballroom dancing thing. I love the cover! At first, it looks like the legs are not attached to a body, but if you look really closely, you'll see a torso in the background. The chick is wearing a light (white or beige) top so it blends right into the colors on the album. The back of the album has a small diagram that shows how to dance the Cha Cha Cha. The music is great, too. My favorites are "Rico Vacilon" and "Mi Lo Dijo Adela". So, if you're in the mood for some Latin dancing, this is the one for you!

Track listing for Pedro Garcia and his Del Prado Orchestra - Cha Cha Cha:

Side 1:
1. Cha Cha Paganini
2. Luna De Miel En Puerto Rico
3. Las Clases De Cha Cha Cha
4. Cha Cha Chavela
5. Rico Vacilon
6. Nicolasa

Side 2:
1. Abrete Sesamo
2. Senorita Catalina
3. Pedro Y Pablo
4. Mi Lo Dijo Adela
5. Pimpollo
6. Mi Cha Cha Cha

Percy Faith - The Columbia Album of George Gershwin, Vol. 1 (1957)

This is another of my mom's albums that I grew up listening to. As I've mentioned before, my mom really liked Percy Faith, so I like his music a lot, too. I posted another album of Gershwin tunes a couple of weeks ago, as played by Frank Chacksfield and his orchestra, but I much prefer Percy Faith's version, probably because of the memories it brings. This album is a mono version, but I would love to have a stereo version, if anyone out there has one to share! Even in mono, the orchestrations and sound are absolutely wonderful. Enjoy!

Track listing for Percy Faith - The Columbia Album of George Gershwin, Vol. 1:

Side 1:
1. Fascinatin' Rhythm
2. A Foggy Day
3. Soon
4. Clap Yo' Hands
5. Embraceable You
6. Mine
7. Somebody Loves Me

Side 2:
1. I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'
2. Summertime
3. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
4. My Man's Gone Now
5. Nice Work If You Can Get It
6. For You, For Me, For Evermore
7. Liza

Jack Elliott At The Piano-With His Orchestra - Are You Lonesome Tonight? and The Wonderful Melodies Of The Sixties (1961)

Here's another gem I dug out of the HPB bargain bin. I'd never heard of Jack Elliott and his orchestra, but I liked the album cover (of course) and liked all the songs. And it's a good album - very soothing and melodious. This is also the first recording of "Greenfields" that I've liked, too. I always found the vocal "hit" version very gloomy, but it's done here with a little more nighttime jazzy feel. All the songs are familiar, having been the "best songs of 1960" per the liner notes, and some are bouncy while others are more mellow. All in all, a good addition to your easy listening collection!

Track listing for Jack Elliott with His Orchestra - Are You Lonesome Tonight?:

Side 1:
1. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
2. Wonderland By Night
3. Mack The Knife
4. It's Now Or Never
5. The Theme From A Summer Place
6. My Little Corner Of The World

Side 2:
1. Calcutta
2. Main Theme From Exodus
3. Sailor (Your Home Is The Sea)
4. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
5. Greenfields
6. Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home

Martin Denny - 20 Golden Hawaiian Hits (1965)

How many of you are experiencing freezing temperatures right now? We had some very cold days in Dallas just a couple of days ago, but today it's rather nice out. Anyway, to help warm you up a little, how about some Hawaiian tunes? ("How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?" - remember that commercial?) Well, here are twenty tunes that'll take you away to the sunny beaches of Hawaii (warming up yet?), and played by none other than the king of exotica himself, Martin Denny. Aaahhh... Feel the balmy breeze on your face and see the palm trees lining the beach? Well, go pour yourself a Mai Tai or a Blue Hawaiian, and sit back and listen to Martin Denny (another treasure I picked out of the bargain bin at HPB).

Track listing for Martin Denny - 20 Golden Hawaiian Hits:

Side 1:
1. Hawaiian Village
2. Little Brown Gal
3. The Cockeyed Mayor Of Kaunakakai
4. To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
5. The Hukilau Song
6. Diamond Head
7. Lovely Hula Hands
8. Across The Sea
9. Princess Poo-poo-ly
10. On The Beach At Waikiki

Side 2:
1. My Little Grass Shack
2. Off Shore
3. Hawaiian Paradise
4. Pagan Love Song
5. The Hawaiian Wedding Song
6. The Moon Of Manakoora
7. Aloha Oe
8. Now Is The Hour
9. Hawaii Is Waiting For You
10. Hawaiian War Chant

Frank Chacksfield - The Music of George Gershwin (1957)

This is the second of two Frank Chacksfield albums that I have. I bought this a number of years ago when I was still doing ballroom dance. I had already bought the other album (which I posted last year) and really liked the lush orchestrations of that album, so when I saw this one, I had to buy it. Plus, this was an album of George Gershwin classics and I absolutely love George Gershwin. There isn't a song on this album that won't be familiar to you all, and they're all great. My personal favorites are "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "Rhapsody In Blue". I remember growing up that my mother would sometimes pull out her sheet music of "Rhapsody In Blue" and play it on the piano. She played very well, but she never did quite master it (it's pretty long and not that easy). I took classical piano for five years, but I never even attempted to play that song (I was only a mediocre pianist anyway). I hope you enjoy this one!

Track listing for Frank Chacksfield - The Music of George Gershwin:

Side 1:
1. Fascinatin' Rhythm
2. Someone To Watch Over Me
3. Beginner's Luck
4. The Man I Love
5. Do, Do, Do
6. They Can't Take That Away From Me
7. S'Wonderful

Side 2:
1. Embraceable You
2. Lady Be Good
3. I'm Bidin' My Time
4. I Got Rhythm
5. Love Walked In
6. Somebody Loves Me
7. Rhapsody In Blue

Belafonte - The Midnight Special (1962)

Today I'm posting the last of my Harry Belafonte records. This is the first one I actually bought, and it was because of the beautiful album cover. Love that cover. And I also love the way he sings. This one is different from the other two I have (and have posted) in that he's not doing the calypso thing (and that accent). It's a really great album, and even features Bob Dylan's first appearance on record, playing harmonica on the title track, "Midnight Special". Another interesting thing about this record is, that according to the liner notes, "a large proportion of the words are his (meaning Harry's), written in dressing rooms on tour, wrestled with for hours in his workshop". This is the mono version (if anyone has the stereo version, please share!). Go give it a listen!

Track listing for Belafonte - The Midnight Special (link has been deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Midnight Special
Let the Midnight Special shine in everlovin' light on me
2. Crawdad Song
You don't miss water till the well runs dry
And you don't miss your man till he says good-bye
3. Memphis Tennessee
I got a new way a-spellin' Memphis, Tennessee
4. Gotta Travel On
There's a lonesome freight at 6:08
Comin' through the town
And I feel like I've got to travel on
5. Did You Hear About Jerry?
Timber, Timber, Lord this Timber's gotta roll

Side 2:
1. On Top Of Old Smokey
If you ever see a dark cloud rollin' in the sky
It's my woman goin' to heaven, with a teardrop in her eye
2. Muleskinner
I can carve my initials on any ol' mule's behind
3. Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad
My baby sister keeps writin', "Come on home"
And my tears run down because my time's so long
4. Michael Row The Boat Ashore
So Christian soldiers off to war, Hallelujah
Hold the line in Arkansas, Hallelujah

Paul Anka's 21 Golden Hits (1963)

Here's an album I've had for awhile... I first heard Paul Anka back in the 1970s when he sang "Having My Baby" (geez, remember that one?). I liked that song and his subsequent 1970s hits so much, that I bought this album (can't remember where) of his old hits from the 1950s-60s. Some of his older hits were familiar to me only because Donny Osmond had recorded them (Puppy Love, Lonely Boy). I must admit that I prefer Donny's versions of both these songs, probably because I heard his versions first. Listening to this album took me back quite a number of years - I can remember listening to it on my little portable record player in my room back home. And I can remember singing along to the songs and really emoting during the part that goes "someone help me, help me... help me please!" in "Puppy Love". What can I say - I was a weird kid (still am). Well, I hope that listening to this record brings back fun memories for you, too! (Having problem's uploading a picture of the album, so I'll post that later.)

Track listing for Paul Anka's 21 Golden Hits (link deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Diana
2. Put Your Head On My Shoulder
3. Lonely Boy
4. Time To Cry
5. Puppy Love
6. I Love You In The Same Old Way
7. You Are My Destiny
8. Crazy Love
9. Don't Ever Leave Me
10. Summer's Gone

Side 2:
1. Adam And Eve
2. Don't Gamble With Love
3. I'm Still Waiting Here For You
4. I Love You, Baby
5. It Doesn't Matter Any More
6. Tonight My Love, Tonight
7. My Home Town
8. Cinderella
9. Love Land
10. Dance On Little Girl
11. The Longest Day

BTW, if anyone out there has the album that Paul Anka did with Annette Funicello, please share it!

Here's a nostalgic video of Paul singing a medley of his hits (what a cutie!):

Something NEW Compilation

Greetings and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone! I hope y'all had a restful and joyful holiday season. Now it's on to a NEW YEAR - 2009. Did y'all make any New Year's resolutions? I gave up on that years ago. But, I am starting something new this year and that is that I'm going back to school this semester (while working full-time) to pursue yet another degree. Well, I wish you all the best for 2009... and I wish you lots of groovy music!

To start off the new year, I thought I'd put together a compilation of songs with the word "new" in them. Turns out that I didn't have as many (in digital format) as I thought, but there were just enough to put this together. (I know I have more that this, but there are only so many hours in the day to which I can dedicate to digitizing my record collection!) There's quite a variety - some you've heard and some you probably haven't - and my favorites are the ones by the Partridge Family (mainly because I'm still in love with David Cassidy). I hope you enjoy these as much as I had putting this together. And, again - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Track listing for Something NEW Compilation:

Open A NEW Window (From "Mame") - Angela Lansbury and Company
City Of NEW Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
Weekend In NEW England - Barry Manilow
There's A NEW Moon Over My Shoulder - Bill Haley and The Comets
I Found A Brand NEW Baby - Damita Jo
A NEW Kind Of Me - Danny Bonaduce
A Brand NEW Me - Dusty Springfield
NEW York, NEW York - Frank Sinatra
What's NEW - Jackie Gleason
I Happen To Like NEW York - Judy Garland
There's A NEW Girl In Town (Theme from "Alice") - Linda Lavin
What's NEW - Linda Ronstadt
Sunday In NEW York - Mel Torme
Brand NEW Key - Melanie
NEW World In The Morning - Roger Whitaker
You Make Me Feel Brand NEW - Stylistics
Brand NEW Me - The Partridge Family
Something NEW Got Old - The Partridge Family
What's NEW Pussycat - Tom Jones
So What's NEW - Walter Wanderley

Liberace - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas (1981)

Tonight's post is my last one for this year - I'll be "on vacation" for the Christmas holidays!

Well, I picked this up from the HPB bargain bin and I really expected more of this album. I was actually disappointed and found it rather boring - not what I'd expect from the King of Bling. But, I was already recording it so I'm sharing it with you. Besides, I know there are some Liberace fans out there! Really, if anything - download it for Liberace's narration of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" - I thought it was rather good. The date on the album says 1981, but I'm sure it's a reissue of a reissue, and on a budget, budget label. And - no, you're not mistaken - "O' Holy Night" is on there twice. I have no idea why they did that because I couldn't find any difference between the two - they sound exactly the same. Maybe it was a mistake or they just couldn't find another song to put on this album. Or, they thought that someone who really loves that song could listen to it no matter what side of the album was being played.

Anyway, y'all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! See you in 2009 with more cool albums!

Track listing for Liberace - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas:

Side 1:
1. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
2. The Rosary
3. O' Tannenbaum
4. O' Holy Night
5. What Child Is This

Side 2:
1. Christmas Medley (O' Little Town of Bethlehem; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Joy To The World)
2. O' Holy Night
3. Beauty of Holiness
4. Ave Maria
5. Gesu Bambino

Here's Liberace - and all his bling - playing a Christmas medley:

The Mistletoe Disco Band - Christmas Disco (1978)

Here's yet another treasure from the HPB bargain bin (I can't believe people get rid of some of these records!). I got this one at a different store than my usual and was delighted to find that the records in that store's bargain bin are only 50 cents instead of a dollar! Wow! I even bought a double album for 50 cents!!!

Anyway, this one should take some of you back to the days when you wore the platform shoes and white polyester suits to go dancing at the disco. I had no idea there were disco Christmas albums! Boy, they think of everything! And I really liked this album - it's a new way to listen to those traditional Christmas carols. They've got a beat and you can dance to them! Plus, it's got "joyous disco versions of great Christmas classics!" Well, this post is dedicated to my old friend from high school, Cecil, who was the disco queen of our class.

Track listing for The Mistletoe Disco Band - Christmas Disco:

Side 1:
1. Sleigh Ride
2. Jingle Bells
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Jingle Bell Rock
5. Silver Bells

Side 2:
1. Winter Wonderland
2. Little Drummer Boy
3. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
4. Joy To The World

Cool Yule Tunes 2008 - A Stax o' Wax Compilation

Hey, all! Well, I finally finished putting together my Christmas compilation for this year. I was going to let iTunes randomly pick the songs for me, but I was never happy with the choices so I decided to just go through all my Christmas songs and hand-pick the songs. This is a little different from last year's Cool Yule Tunes - I think it has more less-traditional Christmas and holiday songs. But it's great to play in the car, or add to your iPod, or play at your Christmas party! And if you go download last year's compilation, you'll have double the fun! This is basically "my Christmas card to you" (as the Partridge Family would sing), and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Track listing for Cool Yule Tunes 2008 - A Stax o' Wax Compilation:

1. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season - Andy Williams
2. Sleigh Ride - The Ventures
3. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
4. Joy To The World - The Mistletoe Disco Band
5. Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters
6. It Happened In Sun Valley - Glenn Miller Singers
7. Suzy Snowflake - Rosemary Clooney
8. You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft
9. O Tannenbaum - Vince Guaraldi Trio
10. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Ella Fitzgerald
11. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
12. The Christmas Song - Mel Torme
13. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Ray Conniff & The Singers
14. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm/I Love The Winter Weather - Tony Bennett
15. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Amy Grant
16. Mistletoe And Holly - Jack Jones
17. Pine Cones And Holly Berries - The Osmonds
18. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - The Partridge Family
19. Here Comes Santa Claus - Esquivel
20. Frosty The Snowman/Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Henry Mancini
21. The 12 Days Of Christmas - The Sinatra Family
22. Carol Of The Bells - Leonard Bernstein & The New York Philharmonic
23. That Holiday Feeling - Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
24. Cha-Cha All The Way - Capitol Studio Orchestra
25. Baby It's Cold Outside - Carmen McRae & Sammy Davis Jr.
26. Here We Come A-Caroling - The New Christy Minstrels
27. We Need A Little Christmas - The Golddiggers
28. I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - Gayla Peevey

The Sinatra Family Wish You A Merry Christmas (1968)

Here's a real treasure that I found at HPB - and I didn't get it from the bargain bin! I didn't even know about this album, so you can imagine my surprise when I found it and for so cheap ($3.98). Does anyone know if there's any other record that Frank and his kids recorded together? Well, I think it's just dandy that we get to hear Tina and Frank Jr. each sing a song on this. Nancy was already recording hit records, so she gets two solo songs on this album, plus a duet with Tina. But my favorites are the songs where Frank Sr. and the kids all sing together. I especially like their version of "The 12 Days of Christmas".

So, better hurry and download this one before it goes away!

Track listing for The Sinatra Family Wish You A Merry Christmas:

Side 1:
1. I Wouldn't Trade Christmas - The Sinatra Family
2. It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year - Nancy Sinatra
3. Some Children See Him - Frank Sinatra Jr.
4. O Bambino (One Cold And Blessed Winter) - Tina and Nancy Sinatra
5. The Bells Of Christmas (Greensleeves) - The Sinatra Family

Side 2:
1. Whatever Happened To Christmas - Frank Sinatra
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Tina Sinatra
3. Kids - Nancy Sinatra
4. The Christmas Waltz - Frank Sinatra
5. The 12 Days Of Christmas - The Sinatra Family

Midnight String Quartet - Christmas Rhapsodies For Young Lovers (1967)

Today's share is one of my mother's Christmas albums. I grew up listening to this album, and I remember that, as a child, I thought it was really boring, although I liked the cover (especially the girl's dress and hairdo). I preferred the Chipmunks to this, but as I was recording this album the other day, I really liked it! I guess I've grown up. Sigh. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Anyway, the cover scan is one I found on the internet because, once again, my mother wrote our last name all over the cover. (Mom was a schoolteacher and often took her records to play for her class or for the Christmas pageant, so she had to make sure and label her stuff to get it back.) So, go listen to this record because, as it says in the liner notes, "The Midnight String Quartet presents the Christmas album of the year, and for every year to come!"

Track listing for Midnight String Quartet - Christmas Rhapsodies For Young Lovers:

Side 1:
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Silent Night
3. White Christmas
4. The Little Drummer Boy
5. Oh, Holy Night
6. The Christmas Song

Side 2:
1. Sleigh Ride
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. Blue Christmas
4. First Noel
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Christmas Rhapsody

The Happy Crickets - Christmas with the Happy Crickets

Well, I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! I ended up not cooking my first turkey dinner. One cousin got sick and wasn't able to come over, so my other cousin convinced me to go out to eat instead of me cooking for just the two of us. So, we went to Black-eyed Pea where, it seems, a lot of other people had the same idea. So, the turkey breast is back in the freezer and will make the trip "home" with me for Christmas. That'll be my donation to the family gathering - and the good thing is that I won't have to cook it.

So, now we're into the Christmas season - the shopping frenzy has begun, people are putting up their Christmas trees (which will be all dried up by the time Christmas day rolls around), the electric companies are happy (thanks to all the lights). I bought a vintage aluminum Christmas tree for my cool mid-century modern house, so I'll be putting that up. Now that I bought two pet scram alarms (to scare the cats away when they approach the tree), it's safe for me to put up the tree. I don't have the color wheel though - I'm going to order it via catalog but it probably won't get here in time. Well, on with the first of this season's Christmas albums...

I bought this at my favorite place (the HPB bargain bin) and it was the cover art that caught my eye - love the graphics. I figured that this would be a knock-off of the the Chipmunks, and it is a rather cheap and bad knock-off. The Happy Crickets are nowhere near the same league as the Chipmunks! I grew up with the Chipmunks Christmas album and never heard of the Happy Crickets, but some of you may have listened to this album back when you were tiny tots and loved it. So, really, this album is dedicated to those of you who have some sort of fond nostalgic memory of listening to this album. This is also a good album for little kids, especially since little kids usually haven't developed a good ear for music, and they tend to like voices that sound like the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. So, this album is worth downloading to entertain your kids or grandkids. (Or, if you just like to collect bad record albums, then this one is for you!)

Track listing for Christmas with the Happy Crickets:

Side 1:
1. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. White Christmas
3. Jingle Bells
4. Christmas Is For The Family
5. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
6. The Chipmunk Song

Side 2:
1. Away In A Manger
2. The First Noel
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
5. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
6. Silent Night

BTW, does anybody know when this album came out? I'm thinking the mid-1960s, but would love to know the year if anyone out there knows it!

Patti Page - 3 Little Words (1955)

I have several Patti Page albums and previously posted "The Waltz Queen". I think waltzes are probably what one thinks of at first when one thinks of Patti Page. Well, this album is no waltzing album - it is swingin'! These are my favorite types of songs as sung by Patti - the woman can swing! This copy of the album is in stereo, so it really sounds great! And, it's got some really great songs - "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants" are my faves. I highly recommend that you add this album to your playlist at your next swingin' cocktail party.

BTW, I won't be posting another album until after Thanksgiving (and it'll be my first of several Christmas albums), so I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving Day! I'm cooking my first turkey dinner (always went to someone's house before), so wish me luck!

Track listing for Patti Page - 3 Little Words:

Side 1:
1. Heart
2. Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)
3. To Know You Is To Love You
4. I Still Get A Thrill Thinking Of You
5. My Prayer
6. Will You Still Be Mine

Side 2:
1. Whatever Lola Wants
2. Jim
3. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
4. I'm Just Wild About Harry
5. Three Little Words
6. I Get A Kick Out Of You

101 Strings - Plays Hit Songs for Girls (1967)

101 Strings was another of my mom's favorites, but this is not one of her albums. I bought this one from my favorite place - the bargain bin at HPB. And, once again, it was the cover that caught my eye. For some reason, the girls at either end remind me of Sharon Tate and Barbara Parkins in "Valley of the Dolls" (one of my favorite movies). Anyway, I don't think that there's anyone who hasn't heard of 101 Strings. The easy-listening orchestra put out tons of albums and covered just about everything you can think of. Well, this is a pleasing album with some familiar tunes. Go get it now!

Track listing for 101 Strings - Plays Hit Songs for Girls:

Side 1:
1. Music to Watch Girls By
2. Gigi
3. Avalita
4. Marie
5. Always a Lady

Side 2:
1. Georgy Girl
2. Mame
3. Flirt
4. Fifi
5. Adios Mariquita Linda

Henry Mancini - Mancini Plays the Theme from Love Story (1970)

Here's another album that belonged to my mother, and I do remember her playing this one quite a bit. I remember that she never liked the theme from "M*A*S*H" and would always skip over that song (I'm indifferent to that song - neither like nor dislike it). Anyway, thanks to my mother's influence, I am a fan of Mancini (who isn't?). Interesting album cover, too. (This is actually an image I found on the internet - my mother had written all over the album cover so I didn't want to use it.)

Track listing for Henry Mancini - Mancini Plays the Theme from Love Story:

Side 1:
1. Theme from "Love Story"
2. Song from "M*A*S*H"
3. Theme from "The Night Visitor"
4. Theme from "The Hawaiians"
5. Tomorrow is My Friend
6. The Harmonica Man

Side 2:
1. Whistling Away the Dark
2. Theme from "Borsalino"
3. Theme for Three
4. Loss of Love
5. Thank You Very Much

Mario Lanza - Mario! (1959)

Today's album is a bit of a change of pace for me. I don't listen to opera or classical music very much, but I came across this Mario Lanza album (which I got for free when I bought a couple of other albums from a seller on eBay), so I decided to go ahead and share it with y'all. I do like Mario, and I love anything Italian, so here we have Italian songs sung in Italian by an Italian-American! The most fun song is, of course, "Funiculi' Funicula'" - everyone has heard this one. It's just fun saying it! So, pour yourself a glass of red wine and listen to Mario serenade you! (BTW, one of the things I really like about this record is that it's red vinyl - cool!)

Track listing for Mario Lanza - Mario!:

Side 1:
1. Funiculi' Funicula'
2. Dicitencello Vuie
3. Maria Mari'
4. Voce 'E Notte
5. Canta Pe' Me
6. O Surdato 'Namurato

Side 2:
1. Come Facette Mammeta
2. Santa Lucia Luntana
3. Fenesta Che Lucive
4. Tu Ca Nun Chiagne
5. 'N Sera 'E Maggio
6. Passione

Jack Jones - The Best of Jack Jones (1977)

Today's sharity is a greatest hits album by Jack Jones, one of my favorite singers. This was a "special priced 2-record set" released by MCA Records in 1977, although the songs were all recorded in the 1960s. What can I say about this album? I love every one of the songs, and Jack's smooth voice is absolutely dreamy! If I had to pick out just one as my favorite, it would have to be a tie between "Lollipops and Roses" (recorded on a very special day for me) and "Wives and Lovers" (I don't care if some people say it is sexist - I love it!). But this entire album is wonderful and a must have! Unfortunately, this is before Jack recorded the theme song for "The Love Boat", which I think needs to be included in a "best of" album. Enjoy this double album!

Track listing for Jack Jones - The Best of Jack Jones:

Side 1:
1. The Mood I'm In (recorded 12/17/63)
2. The Shadow Of Your Smile (recorded 4/1/66)
3. What Now My Love (recorded 4/18/66)
4. A Day In The Life Of A Fool (recorded 8/26/66)
5. I Will Wait For You (recorded 4/18/66)
6. Lollipops and Roses (recorded 8/21/61)

Side 2:
1. Call Me Irresponsible (recorded 2/5/63)
2. Yesterday (recorded 11/1/65)
3. Brother, Where Are You (recorded 12/2/66)
4. Dear Heart (recorded 4/10/65)
5. Lady (recorded 12/7/66)
6. People (recorded 7/8/64)

Side 3:
1. Wives and Lovers (recorded 8/13/63)
2. Strangers In The Night (recorded 4/4/66)
3. My Best Girl (recorded 4/4/66)
4. Alfie (recorded 4/1/66)
5. Our Song (recorded 7/19/67)

Side 4:
1. The Impossible Dream (recorded 4/4/66)
2. Somewhere, My Love (recorded 9/8/66)
3. Michelle (recorded 4/3/67)
4. After Today (recorded 4/3/67)
5. If You Go Away (recorded 1/5/67)

Here's a video clip of Jack singing "Lollipops and Roses" on the Judy Garland show - how dreamy!

Hawaiian Moonbeams - Hawaii Goes Percussion (1961)

I'm feeling especially happy tonight, so it's time for another album of Hawaiian music. This is another treasure I found recently in the HPB bargain bin, and again I bought it for the cover art. I like the cover so much that I'm going to frame this one and hang it on my wall. Like other albums of Hawaiian music that I've posted, you'll find several of the songs to be quite familiar and enjoyable. So, without further ado, here it is!

Track listing for Hawaiian Moonbeams - Hawaii Goes Percussion:

Side 1:
1. Hawaiian Blues
2. Serenade
3. Lovely Guitars
4. Hawaiian Bounce
5. Swinging Palm Trees

Side 2:
1. Sunset
2. Guitar Chant
3. Hawaiian Light
4. South Sea Island
5. Luau Lei

John F. Kennedy - A Memorial Album (1964)

Since Election Day is only two days away, I decided to post this JFK album that belonged to my mother. My mother was a big JFK fan, and I vaguely remember her listening to this album a couple of times. This is the first time I've listened to it (I'm not exactly crazy about spoken-word albums or speeches). But for you all that like to listen to political speeches (as if you haven't had enough of them lately), I gladly share this album with you.

This album is a compilation of JFK's most famous speeches, and also has comments by Barry Goldwater, Adlai Stevenson, LBJ, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and others. Not only do we have Election Day in two days, but this month also marks the 45th anniversary of the assassination of JFK (not a good day for us Dallasites). But this album hold some pretty historic moments, so it's worth a listen.

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1917-1963

(Because there were no track separations, I only have this broken down into Side A and Side B.)

Track information for John F. Kennedy - A Memorial Album:

Side A:
Pre-Election speech of Senator Kennedy
Oath of office for presidency by J.F.K.
Inaugural address by J.F.K.
Presidential press conferences
J.F.K. speech on space flight
J.F.K. speech on Cuban crisis

Side B:
J.F.K. speech in Houston, Texas
Newscast of assassination
Eyewitness account of assassination
Ambassador Adlai Stevenson
Senator Barry Goldwater
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Prime Minister Sir Alec Home
His Holiness Pope Paul VI
President Lyndon B. Johnson
Eulogy - Taps

Here's a video of a political ad for the JFK Presidential Campaign Song:

The Girlwatchers - Music To Watch Girls By (1967)

This is my new favorite album! And I found it in my favorite place - the bargain bin at HPB! I LOVE IT! Once again, it was the album cover that caught my eye. Isn't it great?! Don't you just love the vinyl dress the girl is wearing? Sigh. I wish I had been old enough in 1967 so that I could have worn a dress like that. I would've been stylin'!

Well, this album is lots of fun. It's all instrumental, but not Percy Faith type of instrumental (I love Percy Faith, too). This is swingin' and the kind of music you might hear in one of those 1960s movies with groovy chicks and happenin' guys. You know... the kind where there's a coffee house or club and the band never sings - only plays hip instrumental dance music. A couple of the songs on this album sound like what would be played for a striptease. What can I say - I love it!

Track listing for The Girlwatchers - Music To Watch Girls By:

Side 1:
1. Music To Watch Girls By
2. Pretty Petti-Pants
3. Tight Tights
4. Funny Fun Coat
5. Transparent Dresses

Side 2:
1. Fish-Net Stockings
2. Tiny Mini-Skirt
3. Nude Lipstick
4. Paper Clothing
5. Green Eye Liner

Percy Faith - Percy Faith Plays Romantic Music (1953)

Time for another of my several Percy Faith albums. Most of the ones I have belonged to my mother, but I picked this one up from the HPB bargain bin just the other day. And, once again, it was the album cover that first caught my eye - makes me yearn for the days of yesteryear. Sigh... Well, this is another great album by Percy Faith and his orchestra - wonderful songs, great orchestrations. If you haven't got this in your Percy Faith collection, then you need to download it right now!

Track listing for Percy Faith Plays Romantic Music:

Side 1:
1. While We're Young
2. I'll Take Romance
3. Invitation
4. The Girl That I Marry
5. Valse Huguette
6. If I Loved You

Side 2:
1. Carousel Waltz
2. Easy to Love
3. One Night of Love
4. When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love
5. Caress
6. Beautiful Love

The Diamond Head Beachcombers - Aloha from Hawaii (1959)

It's dreary and drizzly here in Dallas, and a cold front has come in. So, what better time than to post some music from that island paradise, Hawaii! Just listening to this album as I recorded it made me feel a whole lot better! Aahhhh!

I really liked the liner notes on this album, so I'll share them with you:

After Mark Twain visited the Hawaiian Islands, he described the grass shacks, the horse and sailboat travel, and the girls who would toss off their muu muus and jump into the water naked - although, Twain insists, he wasn't really looking. The American humorist's sense of Stateside propriety may have kept him from looking, but could also have been that he was kept busy listening to the haunting and exotic music of the Islands.

In the days since Mark Twain's visit the grass shacks have been replaced by modern houses, notels and motels; the horses by U-Drive cars; and the girls have become a bit more modest. The music, however, remains as magical as it ever was, creating pictures of exotic flowers, sun-drenched beaches and year-round springtime.

So, sit back and close your eyes, and let this album take you away to Hawaii...

Track listing for The Diamond Head Beachcombers - Aloha from Hawaii:

Side 1:
1. I'll See You in Hawaii
2. Beyond the Reef
3. Lovely Hula Hands
4. I Will Remember You
5. Blue Lei
6. For You a Lei

Side 2:
1. Song of the Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii)
2. Across the Sea
3. Keep Your Eyes on the Hands
4. Love Song of Kalua
5. A Song of Old Hawaii
6. To You, Sweetheart, Aloha

Chad Everett - Chad (1976)

Here's another great album by the grooviest TV doctor ever - Chad Everett! I know y'all just didn't get enough of Chad when I posted "All Strung Out", so here I am sharing the other album of his that I have. (I don't think he recorded any more albums after this one.) There's nothing like having Dr. Joe Gannon from "Medical Center" crooning some tunes on a rainy evening... sigh. His version of the Bee Gees' "Nights on Broadway" makes this album worth it! Plus, I love his leisure suit and his perfect hair!

Track listing for Chad Everett - Chad:

Side 1:
1. Leave It to Love
2. You Set My Dreams to Music
3. Satisfy Me One More Time
4. Rock Me Away
5. My Eyes Adored You

Side 2:
1. You're All I Need
2. I Got Love for You Ruby
3. At Least You Could Have Said 'Goodbye'
4. One More Time
5. Nights on Broadway

Frank Chacksfield - Presenting Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra (1954)

I bought this album in the late 1980s, soon after I discovered a local radio station that played big band music and old easy listening stuff. My mom really liked this album because of the "Theme from 'Limelight'" - one of her favorite instrumentals. I still have the cassette recording of this album that I made for my mom - good to have in case the record player, CD player or computer goes on the blink. It's a very pretty album - very lush and glorious sounding. Besides 'Limelight' and "Ebb Tide" (the other big hit), my favorite is "Waltzing Bugle Boy". Enjoy!

Track listing for Presenting Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra:

Side 1:
1. Theme from "Limelight"
2. Limelight Incidental Music
3. Golden Violins
4. A Girl Called Linda
5. High Feather
6. Glorious

Side 2:
1. Ebb Tide
2. Waltzing Bugle Boy
3. Golden Tango
4. Song of Canterbury
5. Dancing Princess
6. The Pied Piper

Harry Belafonte - Calypso (1956)

Back in June, I posted one of Harry Belafonte's early albums (not sure if it was his first), and tonight I'm posting the one that was probably his breakout album - "Calypso". This is the one that has the song "Day O" on it. It is a great album! Many of you probably already have it, and there were several copies in the HPB bargain bin (this was the best copy) when I bought it. So, it's not exactly a rare or hard-to-find album, but I wanted to share my copy with you. Hope you enjoy it!

Track listing for Harry Belafonte - Calypso (link has been deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Day O
2. I Do Adore Her
3. Jamaica Farewell
4. Will His Love Be Like His Rum?
5. Dolly Dawn

Side 2:
1. Star O
2. The Jack-Ass Song
3. Hosanna
4. Come Back Liza
5. Brown Skin Girl
6. Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

Here's Harry singing "Jamaica Farewell":

Nestor Amaral and His Continentals - Holiday in Brazil (1957)

Well, the last post was some music from Mexico, so today I decided to go all the way down to South America and take you on a "Holiday in Brazil". I love the sound from Brazil - the baias, sambas, and bossa novas. And I would love to go visit Brazil some day - especially during carnaval!

This is a pretty cool album. Nestor Amaral introduced "Baia" in Walt Disney's "Three Caballeros", and "Brazil" in "The Gang's All Here". From what I read about him on the internet (and in the liner notes), he had a pretty full career. I'm sure that some of you know all about him and can educate me further on his music (I had never heard of him until I bought this record). Also from what I read, this album was originally released as an eight-song album and was simply called "Brazil". This particular version contains eleven songs, was renamed "Holiday in Brazil", and was released on one of the budget labels, Mayfair Records. The record itself is not black - it's yellow, and probably the reason I bought it. Most of it was in really good shape, as you can hear, except for several songs on Side 2 have more clicks and noise than the others, and one has a skip in it. But, it's still great music that'll get you dancing!

Track listing for Nestor Amaral - Holiday in Brazil:

Side 1:
1. Brazil
2. Pra Que Discutir
3. Currupaco
4. Porto Alegre
5. Ba Tu Ca Da
6. Tico Tico

Side 2:
1. Playtime in Brazil
2. Baia
3. Nossa Amizade
4. Belem Bayonee
5. Bamba No Samba

Here's the "Baia" number from Walt Disney's "Three Caballeros":

Tito Guizar - The Gay Ranchero (1960)

No - not that kind of gay! Although, I must admit that I bought this record for the name and cover alone! I couldn't help but laugh hysterically when I found this record in the HBP bargain bin. I mean, he does look a little flowery - don't you think?

Actually, Tito Guizar was a very well-known and well-respected Mexican singer and actor. He appeared in the movie "The Gay Ranchero" with Roy Rogers in 1948, and I'm sure that's how this album got its name. And - for those of you who may not know - the outfit he's wearing on the cover is a charro (Mexican cowboy) outfit. Charro outfits can be pretty expensive depending on how fancy they are. Back in my hometown of Brownsville, Texas, we have an annual festival called "Charro Days" full of music, dancing, parades, jalapeno-eating contests, and other festivities. Some people dress up in their charro outfits or other traditional Mexican garb - it's very colorful and lots of fun. Anyway - back to this album... Most of the songs on this album are popular Mexican and Spanish melodies of that era, but you'll recognize two of them as Spanish versions of "Fascination" and "Around the World". I've also translated the song titles to English, in case you want to know what they mean. My favorite one is "Uy Uy Uy!! Mariposa" - but I think it's because I just like saying, "Uy uy uy!"

Track listing for Tito Guizar - The Gay Ranchero (1960):

Side 1:
1. Yo No Me Caso Compadre (I Will Not Marry, Friend)
2. Te Estare Esperando (I Will Be Waiting For You)
3. Tu y Mis Refranes (You and My Proverbs - not too sure about this one)
4. Fascinacion (Fascination)
5. Yo El Aventurero (I, The Adventurer)
6. Llorare Manana (I Will Cry Tomorrow)

Side 2:
1. Agraciada Golondrina (Attractive Wanderer - not too sure about this one)
2. Uy Uy Uy!! Mariposa (Uy Uy Uy!! Butterfly)
3. La Malaguena (The Malagan)
4. La Higuera (The Fig Tree)
5. Mi Barrio Alegre (My Happy Neighborhood)
6. La Vuelta Al Mundo (Around the World)

Greatest Hits From The Movies (1972)

Today's offering is one of my mom's old albums - a 1972 Columbia release called "Greatest Hits From The Movies". I do remember my mom playing this album a lot. It's a compilation of familiar themes from familiar movies. I think the only two movies represented here, that I've never seen, are "Z" and "Such Good Friends". Anyway, I don't really have any "story" to accompany this post - and I'm kind of in a hurry because tonight is the season premiere of "Dexter" - so I'll just let y'all grab this album and give it a listen!

Track listing for Greatest Hits From The Movies (1972):

Side 1:
1. Love Theme from "The Godfather" - Andre Kostelanetz
2. (Where Do I Begin) Love Story - Johnny Mathis
3. Suicide is Painless (Main Title) - The MASH
4. Theme from "Summer of '42" - Peter Nero
5. Theme from "Z" - Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra
6. Electronic Prelude - R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (Opening) - Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra

Side 2:
1. Mrs. Robinson - Ray Conniff and The Singers
2. Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet" - Percy Faith, His Orchestra and Chorus
3. Theme from "Shaft" - Percy Faith and His Orchestra
4. If I Were a Rich Man - Topol
5. Suddenly, It's All Tomorrow - O. C. Smith
6. Purcell: Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary - Maurice Peress and The Columbia Brass Ensemble

The Original Music from Dark Shadows (1969)

I thought I'd do a little change of pace today and post one of my soundtracks. I know that Halloween is still a little over a month away, but I thought I'd start getting in the mood by posting "The Original Music From ABC-TV's Dark Shadows". This is the first album of music from the show (I think there were four, because I also have number 4), from 1969. This album originally came with a poster of Barnabas and Quentin, but I bought this at an estate sale, and unfortunately, the poster was long gone - probably hung in some 1960's teen-age girl's room until she moved on to other faves.

The show started in 1966 and it was my absolute favorite TV show when I was a little girl. I became a horror movie/show fan at the tender age of 4, when I saw "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" on TV, so when "Dark Shadows" came on the air, I was ecstatic. All my friends liked the show - we would even play "Dark Shadows" during recess at school (this was first through third grades). I had the honor of being "Barnabas" - it was all girls (it was a co-ed school, but at that age, we didn't play with boys) so we played both the male and female parts. Oh - the reason I got to be "Barnabas" was because I had the pointiest teeth (the cuspids or bi-cuspids - I don't know which). Problem was that the girl who was "Josette" was much taller than I was (I was one of the "pee wees" of the class), so it was a little difficult to bite her neck (I really got into character). I also sometimes would be "Quentin" - don't remember what qualified me for that role...maybe my wild hair. But, hey - I got to be the main characters - pretty good!

I have many memories of the show and the two movies (of course, I went and saw them at the theatre when they came out!), and I have many favorite characters (my mother was even impressed because Joan Bennett was in the show). Besides Barnabas and Quentin, my favorite was Angelique. What a beautiful woman - and so evil! I also liked the werewolf a lot (can't remember who that was). Note to self: I really need to buy the DVD collection.

Anyway, I can go on and on about this show, but I'll stop (for now), and let you download the album. It'll be great to play as background music for your Halloween party! BTW, the two "Blue Whale" tunes are pretty groovy and you can dance to them!

Track listing for The Original Music from Dark Shadows:

Side 1:
1. Opening Themes: 1. Dark Shadows 2. Collinwood
2. I'll Be With You, Always - Narration by Jonathan Frid
3. Josette's Theme
4. A Darkness at Collinwood
5. Meditations - Narration by Jonathan Frid
6. Night of the Pentagram
7. When I Am Dead - Narration by Jonathan Frid
8. No. 1 at the Blue Whale

Side 2:
1. Shadows of the Night (Quentin's Theme) - Narration by David Selby
2. The Secret Room
3. Epitaph - Narration by Jonathan Frid
4. Seance
5. I, Barnabas - Narration by Jonathan Frid
6. Back at the Blue Whale
7. The Old House
8. 1. Epilogue 2. Dark Shadows

And, just to remind you of the opening sequence, here's the color one used from 1967 to 1971:

Sessions Presents 26 Original Hits (1978)

As we count down the last few hours of summer, I've decided to share a double-record set with you today. Remember those TV commercials that would advertise record compilations by a company called Sessions? Well, this is one of those albums - and I got it for $1 in the HBP bargain bin! It's a great album with some wonderful familiar hit songs from the late 1950s and early 1960s. And I really like the cover - with the old record player and 45s. Remember how fun it was to buy the latest record and invite your friends over to listen to it? And you would have an impromptu dance party after school? Kids today don't know what they're missing since they don't do that anymore!

I like all but one song on this double-album (I've never liked #3 on Side 1, and I particularly don't like this version - I've always found it annoying with his "oh, yeah!"). But the one song that I think I really, really like is "Born Too Late". The first time I heard it was around the time that David Cassidy became a big teen idol. He was 20 when "The Partridge Family" first came on TV, and I was 9. I developed a huge crush on him, and "Born Too Late" became the song that I would dedicate to him every time I listened to it. I still think of him when I hear it. Sigh.

Well, anyway, I think you should definitely download this and play it at your next Saturday night sock-hop! It'll bring back lots of wonderful memories!

Track listing for Sessions Presents 26 Original Hits:

Side 1:
1. My Happiness - Connie Francis
2. Tom Dooley - Kingston Trio
3. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter - Billy Williams
4. Teenager in Love - Dion & The Belmonts
5. Born Too Late - Poni-Tails
6. Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
7. Young Love - Sonny James

Side 2:
1. Bye Bye Love - Everly Brothers
2. Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
3. It's Just a Matter of Time - Brook Benton
4. Tonight You Belong to Me - The Lennon Sisters with Lawrence Welk
5. I Hear You Knocking - Gale Storm
6. Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone

Side 3:
1. Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) - Domenico Modugno
2. To Know Him Is to Love Him - Teddy Bears
3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - The Platters
4. Ivory Tower - Cathy Carr
5. 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) - Four Preps
6. Green Door - Jim Lowe
7. Allegheny Moon - Patti Page

Side 4:
1. Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
2. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing - Four Aces
3. Broken Hearted Melody - Sarah Vaughan
4. Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers
5. Morning Side of the Mountain - Tommy Edwards
6. A Sweet Old-Fashioned Girl - Teresa Brewer

Pia Zadora - I Am What I Am (1986)

I don't remember the first time I heard Pia Zadora sing. I think I must've heard her cover of an old standard on my local radio station, KAAM - 770 on the AM dial. I can't think of any other way I would've heard her sing. Well, anyway, I was amazed that this was the same Pia Zadora that had turned in such awful acting performances in some very forgettable movies. You gotta hand it to the lady for reinventing herself as a singer of old pop standards. Plus, she didn't just record with some studio musicians - she recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra! That's the way to do it!

I was so impressed by these recordings of Pia's, that I bought three of her albums (I'll probably post the others at some point) and taped them on cassette for my mother. She loved them (and these were songs from my mom's era). In fact, she loved them so much that she in turn made tapes for several of her friends. My mom has since passed away, and so have some of her friends, but those that are still around still listen to those tapes she made of Pia Zadora's albums! Well, as I mentioned, I was so impressed by Pia's albums, that I went to see her in concert in the late 80s. She came to Dallas and performed at the Fair Park Music Hall. None of my friends were into the kind of music that I liked, so I bought a ticket and went by myself to see her - sat dead center in the fourth row - perfect seat. The show was fabulous! She was as good in person as she sounded on the albums, plus she had a great personality. She even brought her little girl and boy out to sing something - they were adorable. So, give Pia a listen on this album - all the songs are great!

Track listing for Pia Zadora - I Am What I Am:

Side 1:
1. I Am What I Am
2. All of Me
3. I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good
4. A Foggy Day (In London Town)
5. Day by Day
6. I'm Beginning to See the Light
7. If He Walked into My Life

Side 2:
1. For Once in My Life
2. How About You
3. I Had the Craziest Dream
4. The One I Love
5. Time After Time
6. Pennies from Heaven
7. It's Been a Long, Long Time
8. The Lady is a Tramp

The Weavers - The Best of The Weavers (1959)

How about listening to some familiar folk songs tonight? Here's an album I forgot I had - and it's got some great songs that you can sing-along to! You may even remember learning a couple of these in elementary school, and hearing a couple of others in versions recorded by the Beach Boys. It's a good album that takes their (The Weavers) biggest hits from the Decca years.

On this record the quartet is comprised of blues and ballad soloists Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman, the youngest members; Pete Seeger, whose considerable research knowledge of folk music, styles and instruments has been invaluable to the group; and Lee Hays, the senior member, and a former preacher, school teacher, fiction writer, and highly skilled singer and arranger.

Track listing from The Best of The Weavers:

Side 1:
1. Goodnight Irene
2. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
3. So Long (It's Been Good to Know Yuh)
4. Old Paint (Ride Along Little Dogies)
5. Around the Corner (Beneath the Berry Tree)
6. Wimoweh

Side 2:
1. On Top of Old Smokey
2. The Wreck of the John B
3. Midnight Special
4. The Roving Kind
5. Lonesome Traveler
6. When the Saints Go Marching In

Here are The Weavers singing "So Long":

Sarah Vaughan - Dreamy (1961)

What a better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than to listen to the Divine One, the one and only "Sassy". Of course, I'm talking about the wonderful Sarah Vaughan. What a voice - what talent! Sigh. I'm speechless - I really don't know what else to say about this awesome singer. So, instead I'm going to just let you listen to her sing on this album - singing such favorites of mine as "Crazy He Calls Me", "The More I See You", and "I'll Be Seeing You". With songs like that, how can you go wrong?

Track listing for Sarah Vaughan - Dreamy:

Side 1:
1. Dreamy
2. Hands Across the Table
3. The More I See You
4. I'll Be Seeing You
5. Star Eyes
6. You've Changed

Side 2:
1. Trees
2. Why Was I Born
3. My Ideal
4. Crazy He Calls Me
5. Stormy Weather
6. Moon Over Miami

Here's a video of Sarah Vaughan singing "Perdido":

The Three Suns - On a Magic Carpet (1960)

Been abroad lately? Well, here's your chance to fly now and be enchanted forever. You'll be traveling first class all the way, on a magic carpet borne aloft by the artistry of the inimitable Three Suns.

So begin the liner notes on the back of this album. This is a great album! I can't believe I had never heard it before until I bought it (once again, from the bargain bin at HPB)! I had a few songs by the Three Suns, but this is the first album of theirs that I've bought. And, as usual, it was the cover that caught my eye - it's pretty crazy, and I love the girl's hairdo! And, the album is great - full of familiar songs! So, get on your magic carpet and give it a listen!

Track listing for The Three Suns - On a Magic Carpet:

Side 1:
1. Canadian Sunset
2. Lisbon Antigua
3. Terry Theme
4. High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)
5. Moritat
6. The Poor People of Paris (Jean's Song)

Side 2:
1. Blue Tango
2. Meet Mr. Callaghan
3. The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart)
4. Ruby
5. The 3rd Man Theme
6. Fleur de Paree