Trini Lopez - The Folk Album (1965)

This is yet another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin. I don't remember my mother ever playing any of Trini's music (and she didn't have any of his records), but I do remember her mentioning his name and that she liked the way he sang. I also vaguely remember Trini doing a TV commercial - for juice or something. Oh, and I think I remember seeing him in a couple of movies - a war movie and a cowboy movie. Anyway, although I don't recall much of Trini from my growing-up years, I do love his voice and songs! And I especially love this album of folk songs. Plus, he's from Dallas!

Track listing for Trini Lopez - The Folk Album:

Side 1:
1. Lemon Tree
2. Pretty Eyes
3. Greenback Dollar
4. Puff (The Magic Dragon)
5. I Love Your Beautiful Brown Eyes
6. Blowin' In The Wind

Side 2:
1. We'll Sing In The Sunshine
2. Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)
3. Crooked Little Man
4. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
5. Michael
6. This Train

Julie London - Julie is Her Name (1955)

Here is an absolute classic! If you don't have this Julie London album in your collection, then you must get it! Julie is sexy, sultry, and sizzling on her first album - WOW! One of the things I really like about this album is that she is accompanied only by a guitar and a bass. I can't say enough about how great this album is, so I'll just quote the first line of the liner notes:

"Julie London might best be described as the girl with the 'come hither' voice."

Julie married actor Jack Webb of "Dragnet" TV fame, and later divorced him. Then she married jazz musician Bobby Troup, with whom she co-starred on the 1970's TV series "Emergency!" (she played Nurse Dixie McCall). Interestingly enough, the producer of "Emergency!" was Julie's ex-husband, Jack Webb! I guess they remained friends.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one!

Track listing for Julie London - Julie is Her Name (Link has been deleted. Go buy CD on Amazon.) :

Side 1:
1. Cry Me A River
2. I Should Care
3. I'm In The Mood For Love
4. I'm Glad There Is You
5. Can't Help Lovin' That Man
6. I Love You

Side 2:
1. Say It Isn't So
2. It Never Entered My Mind
3. Easy Street
4. S' Wonderful
5. No Moon At All
6. Laura
7. Gone With The Wind

Here's a video clip of Julie singing "Cry Me A River" from her 1964 show:

Enoch Light and The Light Brigade - I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha's (1958)

This is another album I've had for some time. I bought it when I was doing the ballroom dancing thing. Latin dances were my favorite - cha cha, rumba, mambo, etc. - so I bought a lot of records with music for those dances. Enoch Light is pretty well known so here's one for you!

Track listing for Enoch Light - I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha's:

Side 1:
1. I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha
2. Tremendo Cha Cha
3. Tea for Two Cha Cha
4. Lover Cha Cha
5. Yes Sir, That's My Baby Cha Cha
6. The Sheik Cha Cha

Side 2:
1. Chiquita Cha Cha
2. Sweet and Gentle
3. Cara Mia Cha Cha
4. How High the Moon Cha Cha
5. Patricia
6. Guaglione

Brenda Lee - All The Way (1961)

I'm not sure how I got this album. Either I bought it or I inherited it from my uncle (my mom's younger brother). I'm thinking it was the latter. This just seems like the kind of music he liked. And I do like Brenda Lee - Little Miss Dynamite! And she was still a teenager when she recorded this album - wow! One of the reasons that I like Brenda Lee (besides her talent) is that her voice and her songs transport me to another time. I've mentioned before how much I love nostalgia - especially the 1950s and 60s - and this album just takes me back there. If you like Brenda Lee and don't already have this album, then you need to get it!

Track listing for Brenda Lee - All The Way:

Side 1:
1. Lover, Come Back to Me
2. All The Way
3. Dum Dum
4. On the Sunny Side of the Street
5. Talkin' 'Bout You
6. Someone to Love Me (The Prisoner's Song)

Side 2:
1. Do I Worry (Yes I Do)
2. Tragedy
3. Kansas City
4. Eventually
5. Speak to Me Pretty
6. The Big Chance

Here's a video clip of Brenda singing "Lover, Come Back to Me":

Lorne Greene - Young At Heart (1963)

Here's another of my celebrity vocal albums. I have several Lorne Greene albums - loved him as Ben Cartwright in "Bonanza" and as Commander Adama in the original "Battlestar Galactica". I think one reason I like Lorne Greene is because I associate him with those TV shows, which I watched with my father - good memories. Well, this is Lorne's debut album and he sings a lot of familiar standards. I find it to be a very enjoyable album!

Track listing for Lorne Greene - Young At Heart:

Side 1:
1. I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore
2. September Song
3. Young At Heart
4. You Make Me Feel So Young
5. Hello, Young Lovers
6. Something's Gotta Give

Side 2:
1. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
2. Just in Time
3. Young and Foolish
4. Speak Low
5. As Time Goes By
6. The Second Time Around

Morton Gould and His Orchestra - Coffee Time (1958)

Here's another treasure I picked up from the HPB bargain bin. I'm not sure how long I've had this, but I'm pretty sure I bought it for the cover. I have several Morton Gould albums, so I like the music, too. I think my favorite on here is "Mexican Hat Dance". The way it's played reminds me of the old Tom and Jerry cartoons - remember how they would always incorporate classical music or other famous traditional music into the cartoon adventures? Well, the entire album is very pleasant to listen to, so go get it now!

Track listing for Morton Gould - Coffee Time:

Side 1:
1. Mexican Hat Dance
2. Serenade in the Night
3. Laura
4. Hora Staccato
5. The Man I Love
6. Serenata

Side 2:
1. Jamaican Rumba
2. Solitude
3. Besame Mucho
4. Tropical
5. Orchids in the Moonlight
6. Manhattan Serenade

Summer Compilation Vol.3 (2009)

Happy First Day of Summer! Summer is my favorite season, and I don't care how hot it gets. I love the bright colors, the ice cold drinks, the lazy days, wearing shorts and flip-flops, and the wonderful memories it brings. So, in celebration of the First Day of Summer, I offer you my annual summer songs compilation - a compilation of songs that all have the word "summer" in the title. So, grab a cold drink and celebrate summer!

Track listing for Summer Compilation Vol.3 (2009):

1. Here Comes Summer - Cliff Richard
2. Gemini: Summer Song - Dick Jacobs and his Orchestra
3. Endless Summer Nights - Richard Marx
4. When Summer Turns to Snow - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
5. Summer Side of Life - Gordon Lightfoot
6. Summertime in Venice - Mantovani and his Orchestra
7. Summer Wind - Michael Buble
8. Theme from "Summer of '42" (The Summer Knows) - Johnny Mathis
9. Summertime - Ricky Nelson
10. Summer Breeze - The Isley Brother
11. Summertime Blues - The Stray Cats
12. Some Kind of Summer - David Cassidy
13. Theme from "A Summer Place" - Santo and Johnny
14. The Things We Did Last Summer - Shelley Fabares
15. I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer - Stevie Wonder
16. The Green Leaves of Summer - Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass
17. Summer Means Fun - The Fantastic Baggys
18. Summer in the City - Buddy Morrow
19. Last Days of Summer - The Blue Hawaiians
20. Summertime USA - The Pixies Three
21. Summertime's Calling Me - The Catalinas
22. The Sweet Sounds of Summer - The Shangri-Las
23. Keep An Eye on Summer - The Beach Boys

If you haven't downloaded the first two volumes of my Summer compilations, click on the "summer" label to take you directly to those posts. Happy Summer!

Fred Astaire Dance Studio Orchestra - Merengues and Mambos (1959)

This is another of the records I bought when I began ballroom dancing. I know I bought it because it was the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Orchestra, and the first studio I danced at was a Fred Astaire Dance Studio here in Dallas! Unfortunately, there aren't any more Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Dallas - they all closed (although I think there are some in the Houston area). Anyway, I especially liked the latin dances, and mambo is my very favorite. I bought this at my favorite place (Half-Price Books), and the free dance instruction booklet was long gone. Oh, well. Anyway, if you like to mambo or merengue, then you need this album!

Track listing for Fred Astaire Dance Studio Orchestra - Merengues and Mambos:

Side 1:
1. The Ingenue Mambo
2. Timbales Mambo
3. El Guapo
4. The Panther Mambo
5. Top Hat Mambo
6. Mambo Loco

Side 2:
1. Merengue Merengue
2. Haitian Merengue
3. Pineapple Merengue
4. Hop Skip Merengue
5. Sliding Merengue
6. Si Si Merengue

Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra - The King Plays Some Aces (1958)

This is one of the early additions to my record collection. Before 1987, the records I bought were the rock, soft rock, and pop that was popular at the time. Sure, I had grown up listening to my mom's big band and easy listening records, but I certainly didn't buy that kind of music. Until 1987, that is. In 1987, I accidentally discovered a local radio station that played "big bands and great singers". At first, I was angry that someone had messed with my radio at work, but as I heard the songs, I realized how cool it was. Then I entered a radio contest and won some free ballroom dance lessons. The world of music just opened up to me and I started working on my current record collection. (Needless to say, my mother was very happy that I now liked "real" music - like the kind she liked.) So, my early purchases were mostly big band or the kind of music that we danced to at the dance studio. The latin dances became my forte, so I started buying a lot of records of latin dance music. Of course, I had to buy some Xavier Cugat records! Again, before this the only thing I knew about Xavier Cugat was that Charo was married to him, because she would often comment about him, and that he was much older than she was. Oh, and something about him carrying around a little Chihuahua dog. When I finally bought one of his records (at HPB, of course!), it was this one, and I was hooked. I do love me some Cugat!

Track listing for Xavier Cugat - The King Plays Some Aces:

Side 1:
1. Oye Negra
2. Danse des Mirlitons
3. Carioca
4. Night Must Fall
5. Linda Mujer
6. Cuban Mambo

Side 2:
1. Green Eyes
2. Chiu Chiu
3. Danse Arabe
4. Baia
5. Mambo No. 5
6. Adios

Nat King Cole and The Trio - After Midnight (1956)

Yet another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin - and what a gem it is! This is an absolutely awesome record. I mean, how can you go wrong with Nat King Cole? And I really liked it when he performed with the Trio. Superb. I think I've said it all. If you don't already have this album, get it now!

Track listing for Nat King Cole and The Trio - After Midnight:

Side 1:
1. Just You, Just Me
2. Sweet Lorraine
3. Sometimes I'm Happy
4. Caravan
5. It's Only A Paper Moon
6. You're Looking At Me

Side 2:
1. Lonely One
2. Don't Let It Go To Your Head
3. I Know That You Know
4. Blame It On My Youth
5. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
6. Route 66

Here's a video clip of Nat and the Trio singing "Route 66":

The Ray Charles Singers - Songs For Latin Lovers (1965)

Here's another of the treasures I found in the HPB bargain bin, and it was the album artwork that prompted me to buy it. Of course, after listening to it, I loved it! I like this type of music - very smooth, melodic, and rhythmic. I am transported back to the mid-1960s when I listen to this - love it! This is a great album to play at your next cocktail party. And, it's the perfect album to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon such as today!

Track listing for The Ray Charles Singers - Songs For Latin Lovers:

Side 1:
1. Song of the Jet (Samba Do Aviao)
2. My Love, Forgive Me (Amore, Scusami)
3. Maria Elena
4. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade)
5. To You
6. Adios

Side 2:
1. Desafinado (Slightly Out of Tune)
2. You're Mine (I Ricordi Della Sera)
3. Amo, Amas, Amamus
4. Carnival (Manha De Carnaval)
5. My Guitar and My Song
6. Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You)

Pat Boone - Pat (1956)

Okay, I'm guilty. I love Pat Boone records. I love his smooth voice - and his white shoes! I think I first heard of Pat Boone when I was a little girl and he and his family did a TV commercial for juice or milk or something (I don't remember what exactly - I didn't really pay attention). But when I first really saw and heard Pat Boone, it was on a late night movie called "Bernadine" (even as a kid, I was hooked on "old" movies). I immediately liked him - his clean-cut looks and his singing (this was way before I became a punk rocker). Of course, Pat Boone was the last thing on my mind as I entered my teenage years, and I definitely thought he was a major "square". But then as a young adult when I bought my first Sony Walkman, I got a free cassette (courtesy of Reader's Digest) that had various artists on it. One of those artists was Pat Boone and the song was "Friendly Persuasion". I liked Pat again. And as time has gone by, I've liked his records more and more. And I really like this record - it's pretty rockin'!

Track listing for Pat Boone - Pat:

Side 1:
1. Flip, Flop and Fly
2. Pledging My Love
3. Money Honey
4. Tomorrow Night
5. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
6. Shake A Hand

Side 2:
1. Honey Hush
2. Please Send Me Someone To Love
3. I'm In Love Again
4. Rock Around The Clock
5. Shot Gun Boogie
6. Five, Ten, Fifteen Hours

Ray Conniff and His Orchestra - 'S Marvelous (1957)

This is another of my mom's old records - one with which I'm very familiar. And, as a result, I'm a big fan of Ray Conniff. I find that I am listening a lot to my mom's old records lately. They bring a sense of comfort and and overall good feeling to me. Although my mom has been gone for 16 years now, I know she is always with me, and I especially feel that when I'm listening to her records. And since Sundays are usually family days (at least they were when I was growing up), then today is a good day to post this record.

Track listing for Ray Conniff - 'S Marvelous (link deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. The Way You Look Tonight
2. I Hear A Rhapsody
3. They Can't Take That Away From Me
4. Moonlight Serenade
5. I Love You
6. I've Told Ev'ry Little Star

Side 2:
1. You Do Something to Me
2. As Time Goes By
3. In the Still of the Night
4. Someone to Watch Over Me
5. Be My Love
6. Where or When

Walter Brennan - Dutchman's Gold (1960)

Here's another from my "celebrity vocals" collection. I absolutely adored Walter Brennan in all the westerns and Disney movies he was in. Of course, he didn't really sing on his albums... he spoke the lyrics with the music as background. I guess you could say he was "rapping" - wow, he was a "rap" pioneer! Who knew?

Anyway, I really do like listening to Walter's albums. Some people might say they're pretty corny, but I like corny. And you can bet that some of the songs, like "Old Shep", bring a tear to my eye. ("Old Rivers" makes me cry every time!) I think one of the reasons that I like Walter's albums is that they remind me of simpler times. I'm often nostalgic for simpler times. Sigh. Something of note for this album is that the orchestra and chorus were conducted by Billy Vaughn!

Track listing for Walter Brennan - Dutchman's Gold:

Side 1:
1. Dutchman's Gold
2. Life Gits Tee-Jus, Don't It?
3. The Shifting Whispering Sands Part I
4. The Shifting Whispering Sands Part II
5. Six Feet Away

Side 2:
1. I Believe
2. Back To The Farm
3. Tribute To A Dog
4. Old Shep
5. Suppertime

Johnny Whitaker - Friends (1973)

Time for another "celebrity" vocal. This time it's Johnny Whitaker, who starred as adorable Jody Davis in the television series "Family Affair", and later starred in the Sid and Marty Krofft Saturday morning show "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters". He also starred in several movies such as Disney's "Napolean and Samantha" with Jodie Foster, and the musical "Tom Sawyer".

Now, I love collecting "celebrity" record albums, and it seems that the worse they are, the better I like them. Let me just say that this is not an album I listen to very often. I may have loved it when I was eleven years old, but that was a long time ago. I have to laugh when I listen to some of these "celebrity" albums because of the way they would overdub the person's vocal two or three times with their own voice. I guess it was to make it sound "better". Just another reason why I love these albums! So, take a trip down memory lane and listen to Johnny sing songs from "Sigmund & The Sea Monsters". (BTW, his name was sometimes spelled "Johnnie".)

Track listing for Johnny Whitaker - Friends:

Side 1:
1. Friends
2. Keep It A Secret
3. A Simple Song
4. The Magician
5. Monster Rock
6. It's Up To You

Side 2:
1. Can't Get You Off My Mind
2. Running 'Round In Circles
3. Lovin' Ain't Easy
4. Sigmund & The Sea Monsters
5. Day And Night

Joe Bushkin - A Fellow Needs A Girl (1957)

This is another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin solely for the cover. Those are America's most famous models from back in the day - Sunny Harnett (standing behind piano), Gita Hall (leaning on Joe), Nancy Berg (the one practically lying down in front of Joe), Suzy Parker (lying on top of the piano), and Ginny Taylor (standing on the right of the piano). The only one I ever heard of was Suzy Parker, who was also an actress and was married to actor Bradford Dillman (who I love). Suzy Parker was also the first model to earn $100,000 per year. Anyway, this is a lovely "mood music" album - very soothing piano "against a rich orchestral backdrop". Give it a listen!

Track listing for Joe Bushkin - A Fellow Needs A Girl:

Side 1:
1. A Fellow Needs A Girl
2. These Foolish Things
3. How Long Has This Been Going On
4. Don't Blame Me
5. Isn't It Romantic?
6. Don't Take Your Love From Me

Side 2:
1. Falling In Love With Love
2. It's Easy To Remember
3. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
4. I'll Be Around
5. Willow Weep For Me
6. What Is There To Say

Jackie Gleason - Velvet Brass (1957)

Here's another of my Jackie Gleason albums (I have several more that I will share as time goes on). I really enjoy the Jackie Gleason albums. They always have familiar songs and arrangements that I like, and the covers are usually pretty swell! So, without further ado, here is "Velvet Brass" - enjoy!

Track listing for Jackie Gleason - Velvet Brass:

Side 1:
1. You're Driving Me Crazy!
2. Skyliner
3. But Not For Me
4. The Man I Love
5. Cherokee
6. Me And My Shadow
7. Take The "A" Train
8. By The Beautiful Sea

Side 2:
1. Am I Blue?
2. What's New?
3. Girl Of My Dreams
4. My Buddy
5. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
6. September Song
7. Out Of Nowhere
8. Chinatown, My Chinatown

Harry James - Harry James in Hi-Fi (1955)

This is another of my mom's old albums. I definitely remember hearing this one a lot when I was growing up. Even now, when I hear the first notes of "Ciribiribin", memories of my childhood and my mom come flooding back. Those were good times. My mom loved big band music (that was her "era"), and her favorites were Glenn Miller and Harry James. But I think Harry was her particular favorite. And now, thanks to her influence, Glenn and Harry are my favorite big band leaders, and Harry is my particular favorite. I'm also a big fan of his female vocalist, Helen Forrest. "It's Been a Long, Long Time" just gives me chills - I love it so! I think my mom's favorite was "You Made Me Love You", because she marked it on the back of the album as if highlighting it. And, although this album was released in 1955 (all selections were recorded in July 1955), my mom didn't buy it until 1959 (she had a habit of dating her albums as to when she got them). Anyway, this is one of my favorites - and my mom's. Hope you like it, too.

Track listing for Harry James in Hi-Fi:

Side 1:
1. Ciribiribin
2. Trumpet Blues
3. You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
4. James Session
5. I've Heard That Song Before
6. Cherry
7. I'm Beginning To See The Light
8. My Silent Love

Side 2:
1. Sleepy Lagoon
2. Two O'Clock Jump
3. I Cried For You (Now It's Time For You To Cry Over Me)
4. Jalousie
5. It's Been A Long, Long Time
6. Velvet Moon
7. Music Makers
8. Ciribiribin

Here's a clip from the movie "Bathing Beauty", where Harry James and his orchestra play "Trumpet Blues":

Irving Fields Trio - More Bagels and Bongos (1960)

This is yet another album I rescued from the HPB bargain bin - and it was the title that caught my eye. I will buy just about any album that has the word "bongos" in the title - I love bongos! And this was just such an odd title that I couldn't resist. I love the music, too! According to the liner notes, there was a prior album titled "Bagels and Bongos" (anyone have it to share?) and these are Yiddish songs to a Latin beat. What a great idea! I read on the Internet that Irving Fields also recorded "Bikinis and Bongos" and "Pizzas and Bongos" - if anyone has these, please do share!

Track listing for Irving Fields Trio - More Bagels and Bongos:

Side 1:
1. Mama's Mambo
2. I'll Always Be Yours
3. Hora Merengue
4. Say You Love Me, One More Time
5. Wedding Merengue
6. What Used To Be, Used To Be

Side 2:
1. I Want To Play
2. Spark Of Jewish Pride
3. The Green Cousin-Merengue
4. Papirossen
5. My Hometown Girl
6. Bublitchki

Cheryl Ladd - Dance Forever (1979)

Here's one I've had for quite awhile. A couple of years ago I posted Cheryl Ladd's first album, so here's the other album of hers that I have. Cheryl Ladd, of course, was "Kris Munroe" on the TV show "Charlie's Angels", and later became a fixture on the Lifetime channel TV movies. I only recently found out that her daughter, Jordan Ladd, attended SMU here in Dallas some years back. I wish I had known at the time. Maybe I could've caught a glimpse of Cheryl at the Galleria or something. Oh, well. Anyway, about the album... if you're a Cheryl Ladd fan or like celebrity vocals, you should like this one. I think I liked the first one better though, although she looks awfully cute on this cover! Oh, and one of the songs from this album was in my first podcast episode!

Track listing for Cheryl Ladd - Dance Forever:

Side 1:
1. Dance Forever
2. Better Days
3. Still Awake
4. On The Run
5. Teach Me Tonight

Side 2:
1. You're The Only One I Ever Needed
2. Thunder In The Distance
3. Missing You
4. Whatever Would I Do Without You
5. Rock And Roll Slave

Here's a clip from Cheryl Ladd's 1979 TV special:

Annette - Muscle Beach Party (1963)

Here is the second of the two albums I have by Annette Funicello. I bought this one some years ago at one of those record conventions (I miss the one that used to come to Dallas). Of course, I love this cover! If you didn't already know, the body builder on the right (in the blue briefs) is Peter Lupus, who was one of the stars of the TV show "Mission: Impossible". This album has some fun songs by Annette from the "Muscle Beach Party" movie, plus some from "Merlin Jones". I hope you enjoy this! (BTW, does anyone have "Danceannette" or "Italiannette" that they would like to share?)

Track listing for Annette - Muscle Beach Party:

Side 1:
1. Muscle Beach Party
2. A Girl Needs A Boy
3. Surfer's Holiday
4. I Dream About Frankie
5. Muscle Bustle
6. Merlin Jones

Side 2:
1. Custom City
2. Draggin' U.S.A.
3. Rebel Rider
4. Waikiki
5. Shutdown Again
6. The Scrambled Egghead

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - The Lonely Bull (1962)

This one is by request. One of my regular visitors asked if I would ever be posting some of Herb's albums on this blog, so this one is for her. I do have a special fondness for Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass because it brings back wonderful memories of my childhood. This was another of my mother's favorites so I heard these records quite a bit. I especially remember a New Year's Eve party at our house and watching the grown-ups dance in the living room to Herb's music. Wild! Well, this is the one that started it all - enjoy!

Track listing for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - The Lonely Bull:

Side 1:
1. The Lonely Bull (El Solo Toro)
2. El Lobo (The Wolf)
3. Tijuana Sauerkraut
4. Desafinado
5. Mexico
6. Never On Sunday

Side 2:
1. Struttin' With Maria
2. Let It Be Me
3. Acapulco 1922
4. Limbo Rock
5. Crawfish
6. A Quiet Tear (Lagrima Quieta)

Paul Petersen - My Dad (1963)

Here's a record I've had for quite a while - part of my celebrity vocals collection. A couple of years ago I posted Paul Petersen's first album, so I thought it was time to post the other album I have. Of course, you remember Paul Petersen as the son on "The Donna Reed Show". I always thought he was a cutie! Well, this album has the wonderfully sentimental song, "My Dad". It always brings a tear to my eye. Hope you enjoy it!

Track listing for Paul Petersen - My Dad (Link has been deleted. Go buy CD on Amazon.):

Side 1:
1. My Dad
2. Try a Little Tenderness
3. I Only Have Eyes for You (Bossa Nova)
4. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
5. Little White Lies
6. Linda

Side 2:
1. Imagination
2. Goody Goody
3. The Girl Next Door
4. Making Whoopee
5. Heart and Soul
6. Zip A Dee Doo Dah

Here's the clip from "The Donna Reed Show" where Paul sings "My Dad":

Frankie Ortega & Sy Oliver - 77 Sunset Strip (1959)

Here's another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin, and in pristine condition! I never saw the television series, "77 Sunset Strip" - unless I caught one episode during some nostalgic TV marathon or something like that - but I think I would have really liked this show. A couple of years ago I downloaded another album called "77 Sunset Strip" but it was by Warren Barker and his orchestra - really good album. I liked that album so much that when I saw this one, I thought I'd go ahead a buy it (heck, it was only a dollar) to see how it compared. Well, by reading the (very long) liner notes on the back, it looks like the Frankie Ortega Trio was featured on the TV show at the place where the private eyes hung out (and Ed "Kookie" Byrnes parked cars). I just love this kind of music, and I think all you "hep cats" out there will like this album. It's my new favorite album!

Track listing for Frankie Ortega & Sy Oliver - 77 Sunset Strip:

Side 1:
1. 77 Sunset Strip
2. Kookin' for Kookie
3. Spencer Stakes Out
4. What Private Eyes
5. After Sunset

Side 2:
1. Sunset Stripper
2. Stu's Blues
3. Lady in Distress
4. Dining at Dino's
5. Free Way Mambo

Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye - Music, Maestro, Please! (1955)

This is another of my mother's records that she got when she was in the Columbia Music Club. She got this one in July 1959 (she wrote that on the back of the album). Sammy Kaye has pleasant enough music, but his is not one of my favorite bands from the big band era - I much prefer the style and sound of people like Harry James, Glenn Miller, and Benny Goodman. But still, this is a pleasant enough album, and it seems that my mom really liked it. Again, I tried to clean it up as best I could of the pops and clicks, but you'll still hear some. And the first two songs have a couple of skips. As always, I ask that if anyone out there has a better rip, please share it!

Track listing for Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye - Music, Maestro, Please!:

Side 1:
1. Music, Maestro, Please!
2. Honey
3. Blue Prelude
4. Just a Gigolo
5. Dream for Sale
6. Y (That's Why)

Side 2:
1. You've Got Me Crying Again
2. As Time Goes By
3. No Greater Love
4. You Oughta Be in Pictures
5. Till I Kiss You at the Altar
6. Sittin' and Waitin'

Engelbert Humperdinck - His Greatest Hits (1974)

Happy tax day! Yeah, right. I hope all of you got nice tax refunds (I did, thanks to my purchase of my house last year), and that you're able to spend it on something fun! For those of you who had to fork over even more of your hard earned money, I dedicate this album by Engelbert Humperdinck. I hope that his smooth voice and easy songs will make you feel better! So, pour yourselves a much deserved drink, sit back, relax, and listen to Engelbert sing some of his most famous hits.

Track listing for Engelbert Humperdinck - His Greatest Hits:

Side 1:
1. Release Me
2. Quando Quando Quando
3. Les Bicyclettes de Belsize
4. Spanish Eyes
5. Am I That Easy to Forget

Side 2:
1. A Man Without Love
2. There Goes My Everything
3. The Way It Used to Be
4. Winter World of Love
5. The Last Waltz

Jackie Gleason - Music for Lovers Only (1953)

Here's another treasure I rescued from the HPB bargain bin. And I must apologize for the condition of this record, too. I ran it through click removal several times but there are still a lot of clicks and pops. I didn't want to run it through again for fear of sound distortion. There are also three songs (maybe four) that have skips. So, if anyone out there has a better rip of this album, please do share it!!!

This was Jackie Gleason's album debut - he selected the songs and conducted the orchestra. The wonderful Bobby Hackett is featured in the trumpet solos. Several other of these "mood music" albums followed - also featuring Bobby Hackett. There's a little box on the back of the album which says, "All the selections on side two have been added to the original album to form this newer, expanded version of 'Music for Lovers Only'". I think side two features all the songs from another album, but I don't know which one.

Track listing for Jackie Gleason - Music for Lovers Only:

Side 1:
1. Alone Together
2. My Funny Valentine
3. But Not For Me
4. Love (Your Spell is Everywhere)
5. I'm in the Mood for Love
6. Love is Here to Stay
7. I Only Have Eyes for You
8. Body and Soul

Side 2:
1. Little Girl
2. I Cover the Waterfront
3. Some Day
4. If I Had You
5. When a Woman Loves a Man
6. A Stranger in Town
7. A Moonlight Saving Time
8. My Love for Carmen

Percy Faith - Malaguena:Music of Cuba (1959)

Here's another of my mother's albums - one of her favorites - and today would have been her 94th birthday, so today's post is in her honor. I definitely remember hearing this one as I grew up. The album cover was in pretty bad shape - once again my mother wrote her name all across it, and the edges are all held together with masking tape - so the picture I posted is one I found on the internet. Anyway, my mother belonged to the Columbia House record club (raise your hand if you belonged to it at one time or another!) so a lot of her albums are Columbia albums. And this is a great album, as one would expect, from Percy Faith. Love the Latin rhythms of Cuban music! Enjoy!

Track listing for Percy Faith - Malaguena:Music of Cuba:

Side 1:
1. Malaguena
2. Quiereme Mucho
3. El Manisero
4. Danza Negra
5. Andalucia
6. El Bodeguero
7. Damisela Encantadora

Side 2:
1. Siboney
2. La Cumparsa
3. Tumbando Cana
4. Marta
5. Mama Inez
6. Para Vigo Me Voy
7. Tabu

George Chakiris - Memories Are Made Of These (1964)

Here's another treasure from the HPB bargain bin. Academy Award winner George Chakiris (he won the Best Supporting Actor award for "West Side Story") sings beautifully on this album of familiar songs. Enjoy!

Track listing for George Chakiris - Memories Are Made Of These:

Side 1:
1. Moon River
2. Witchcraft
3. Naked City Theme (Somewhere in the Night)
4. The Second Time Around
5. Autumn Leaves
6. Hallelujah, I Love Her So

Side 2:
1. A Taste of Honey
2. Memories Are Made of This
3. Song from "Two for the Seesaw" (A Second Chance)
4. Lollipops and Roses
5. I Left My Heart in San Francisco
6. Fever

Doris Day - Day by Day (1956)

I absolutely love Doris Day. When I was a little girl, my favorite song was "Que Sera, Sera", and it remains one of my all-time favorite songs. I also vaguely remember watching her TV show, and of course, I love all her movies. Watching her movies and listening to her records today brings back wonderful memories of my childhood. Love her. So, today I'm sharing a wonderful album, "Day by Day". All the songs are wonderful, and she's accompanied by Paul Weston and his Music from Hollywood. I love Paul Weston, too. This is probably an album a lot of you already have, but here's my copy.

Track listing for Doris Day - Day by Day:

Side 1:
1. The Song Is You
2. Hello, My Lover, Goodbye
3. But Not For Me
4. I Remember You
5. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
6. But Beautiful

Side 2:
1. Autumn Leaves
2. Don't Take Your Love From Me
3. There Will Never Be Another You
4. Gone With The Wind
5. The Gypsy In My Soul
6. Day By Day

Here's Doris singing "Secret Love" from the motion picture, "Calamity Jane":

Billo's Caracas Boys - Baile de Carnaval (1959)

Here's yet another treasure from the HPB bargain bin, and I really like it! I really like the Latin sounds from South America, and this record is by an orchestra that was apparently pretty big in Venezuela. The songs are all up tempo and great for dancing (the particular dance is in italics next to the song in the track list below). I was doing my versions of the dances while recording this album, but it freaked out my cats so I had to stop - everyone's a critic. So, put on your dancing shoes and take a trip to Caracas, Venezuela with this album!

Track listing for Billo's Caracas Boys - Baile de Carnaval:

Side 1:
1. Palo de Cana Brava - Guaracha
2. Sabrosito - Merecumbe'
3. Por un Dedo - Guaracha
4. Caracas - Pasodoble
5. Chipi-Chipi - chipi-chipi
6. Apagame la Vela - Merengue

Side 2:
1. Plena Espanola - Plena
2. Rosa - Merecumbe'
3. Florecita - Samba merengue
4. La Rigola - Merengue
5. Campanera - Pasodoble
6. Rio Manzanares - Merengue

Check Out My New Weekly Podcast and Blog!

Hey, everyone!

I've been working on a new project lately. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a radio DJ and play records for others. Well, I ended up going in another direction as to career choice, but that has always remained in the back of my mind. Thank goodness for the Internet and the opportunities that keep popping up. I kept hearing about these "podcasts" but didn't really know what they were (I don't have an iPod, just a cheap $20 USB/MP3 player). Then I ran into a couple of blogs that only listed playlists and mentioned a "podcast". So, recently I decided to find out what this "podcast" thing was all about (okay, so I tend to lag behind in certain things). I've been working on my first podcast and I will launch it tomorrow (Sunday, March 29) at 5 PM CST. It will be a weekly podcast and I'll be playing the kind of music that I've been posting here on Stax O' Wax. Please remember that this is my first effort at podcasting and I am by no means a professional! It will be a lot of trial and error until I figure out all the tricks (there was no tutorial on the web site where my podcasts will be), and I have a huge learning curve! If any of you out there have experience with podcasts and can offer me some tips and guidance, I will be glad to hear from you!

So, beginning Sunday, March 29, tune in to my podcast, The Spin-O-Rama Hour. It will be a weekly podcast every Sunday at 5 PM, CST. I will have two sites - the site here on Blogger, where I will post the playlist for that particular "episode", and the site on PodOmatic, which will have the actual podcast.

For the podcast playlist, go to: www.thespinoramahour.blogspot.com

For the actual podcast, go to: www.thespinoramahour.podomatic.com


Don't worry - Stax O' Wax is NOT going away! I will continue to post albums from my collection here on Stax O' Wax. The Spin-O-Rama Hour is just a new, additional project. Thanks to all of you for tuning in!

Ames Brothers - Destination Moon (1958)

Here's a treasure I got out of the bargain bin at HPB. I know a bunch of you probably already have this one since it is a classic. I even searched the blogs for a digitized version (I really want the stereo version, if any of you would like to share that!) but I only found two links and they were both dead, so I decided to go ahead and share my copy. Anyway, this famous cover is absolutely awesome and the music is, too! This is definitely one of my favorite albums!

Track listing for Ames Brothers - Destination Moon:

Side 1:
1. Destination Moon
2. Clear Out of This World
3. Moonglow
4. East of the Sun
5. Count Every Star
6. No Moon at All

Side 2:
1. I'm Shooting High
2. Music from Out of Space
3. Stella by Starlight
4. It's Only a Paper Moon
5. The Starlit Hour
6. Beyond the Blue Horizon

Hooray for Hollywood (1972)

I found this album a month or two ago at an estate sale. I don't think it was played much because it still had the cellophane on the cover (but it was open), and the condition is pretty much near mint. I probably wouldn't have bought it except that Joan Crawford is one of the stars on this album. (Joan Crawford is my movie idol.) Overall, it's a fun album to have, especially if you're a classic movie fan such as I. I had heard all the stars on this album sing in various movies except for Fred MacMurray, and he didn't sound at all like I thought he would.

This album was released as part of RCA's "Vintage Series" in 1972. The inside of the album cover has a write-up on each of the songs and the star who performs it, but it's way too much to include here, so here are the liner notes that are on the back of the album:

The Vintage Series is a living history of jazz, folk, blues and popular music and of the legendary musicians and personalities who created it. Each album contains original, untampered-with recordings from the vaults of RCA Records - the true sounds of the greatest artists of their day. To the collector, the Vintage Series is an invaluable addition to a record library. And to any young person newly exploring America's musical legacy, it will be a welcome introduction to the roots of today's music.

Track listing for Hooray for Hollywood:

Side 1:
1. I Used to Be Color Blind - Ginger Rogers
2. Ich Bin die Fesche Lola (I Am the Glamorous Lola) - Marlene Dietrich
3. Alone - Allan Jones
4. I Never Knew Heaven Could Speak - Joan Crawford
5. Got a Bran' New Suit - Eleanor Powell
6. All I Want Is Just One - Fred MacMurray
7. Paradise - Dorothy Lamour
8. When April Sings - Deanna Durbin

Side 2:
1. Something's Gotta Give - Fred Astaire
2. I'm Gonna File My Claim - Marilyn Monroe
3. Mary's a Grand Old Name - James Cagney
4. It's Oh So Quiet! - Betty Hutton
5. That Certain Feeling - Bob Hope
6. The Saga of Jenny - Ann Southern
7. Stardust - Harpo Marx
8. I Couldn't Be More In Love - Mickey Rooney

Battlestar Galactica OST (1978)

I see that the final episode for the "new" "Battlestar Galactica" series is going to be airing soon. So, I thought now might be a good time to post the soundtrack for the original "real" "Battlestar Galactica". I absolutely loved the original series (have never watched the new one) and have been lucky to meet several of the stars at sci-fi conventions - Richard Hatch (Apollo), Dirk Benedict (Starbuck - for whom one of my cats is named), Anne Lockhart (Lt. Sheba), and Herbert Jefferson Jr. (Lt. Boone). I have their autographed pictures hanging on my home office wall as part of my "Wall of Fame", and I was able to have my picture taken with them! (I tend to be very star struck.)

The reason I bought this soundtrack was really just for the theme song, but the one song sung by the Space Angels is pretty hilarious. Funny how disco music made its way to outer space. I believe this soundtrack is from the pilot episode, although I couldn't really tell you for sure. I just remember how much I really liked the show and all the stars, the ones mentioned above plus Lorne Greene as Adama. And the pilot also had Jane Seymour and Rick Springfield! I also remember watching the second series, "Galactica 1980", but all I remember from that one was that it starred Kent McCord (from "Adam 12" fame). All music (except the one noted) was performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stu Phillips, who was also the composer. Enjoy!

Track listing for Battlestar Galactica OST (1978):

Side 1:
1. Main Title: Theme from "Battlestar Galactica"
2. Destruction of Peace
3. Fighter Launch
4. Adama's Theme
5. Exploration/Theme from "Battlestar Galactica"
6. The Cylon Base Ship (Imperious Leader)
7. Cassiopia and Starbuck
8. End of the Atlantia

Side 2:
1. The Cylon Trap
2. Boxey's Problem - Serena's Illness
3. The Red Nova
4. Suffering
5. The Casino on Carillon "It's Love, Love, Love" - performed by The Space Angels
6. Escape from the Ovion Mines
7. Dash to the Elevator
8. "Let's Go Home" - End Title

All Star Shindig (1959)

Well, I was really excited about posting this record (which I rescued from the bargain bin at HPB), but it turned out to be in bad shape. I was able to listen to it and record it, but there are still a lot of clicks and pops even after running it through the click-and-pop removal several times. Finally, I stopped running it through the click removal thing because I didn't want the sound to be degraded too much. The first two songs also have some skips. Even with the clicks, pops, and skips, I decided to go ahead and post it with the hope that someone else out there might have a better copy of this album and be inspired to post it. I've also never heard any of these songs by these singers, so I'm hoping that I'm at least contributing some hard-to-find stuff. If anyone out there has better versions of any of these songs (by these singers), please share! I also liked the liner notes so I'll share some of them with you...

Shindig! Hullaballo! Shivaree! Bandstand! Hollywood A Go Go! Where The Action Is! Yeah Yeah Yeah! A wave of youthful exuberance is sweeping the country, and youngsters and oldsters alike are catching the bug.
The formula is to put together today's top tunes, the great pop artists, mix them together with some dancing and lots of action-- and you come up with a hit.
Our All Star Shindig is a do-it-yourself kit. You can throw your own discotheque party at home and all you need is this record, a bunch of friends, and cut loose!

Track listing for All Star Shindig:

Side 1:
1. This Is Real - Four Seasons
2. Dream Age - Bobby Rydell
3. I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Jo Ann Campbell
4. Little People - John Gary
5. River Of Silver - John Gary

Side 2:
1. You're The One - Johnny Rivers
2. Slang Book - Bobby Rydell
3. Comme Si Bella - Four Seasons
4. Give Me Five Minutes More - Jo Ann Campbell
5. How Can My Heart Forget You - John Gary

Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music - Say It With Music (1956)

Today's album is one of my mom's. As I've mentioned before, I have my mom to thank for my love and appreciation of music - especially the type I post here. My family was big on Lawrence Welk, too. We would watch it every Saturday evening (the only other choice was "Hee Haw" - yuck). They show old episodes on various PBS stations, but I'd really like it if the show went to DVD. I'd certainly buy it! Well, my mom got this album in February 1957 - she wrote that across the back (I don't know why she had a habit of doing that). It's an album of medleys, all except the last one are fox trot medleys; the last one is a waltz medley. So, if you know how to fox trot or waltz - or you need to practice - just download this album!

Track listing for Lawrence Welk - Say It With Music:

Side 1:
1. Say It With Music; Tea For Two; Thou Swell
2. I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five And Ten Cent Store); Pretty Baby; Yes Sir, That's My Baby
3. Rain; Singin' In The Rain; Rain On The Roof
4. Oh, Lady Be Good; Somebody Loves Me; 'S Wonderful
5. Sleepy Time Gal; My Blue Heaven; Doodle Doo Doo - Featuring Lawrence Welk on Accordion
6. The Gypsy In My Soul; Exactly Like You; Anything Goes

Side 2:
1. Was That The Human Thing To Do; Cecilia; I Don't Believe It's True
2. (I'm In Heaven When I See You Smile) Diane; Marcheta; Charmaine
3. Yearning (Just For You); 3rd Man Theme; Please
4. Blue Skies; Beyond The Blue Horizon; The Blue Room
5. Wabash Blues; September Song; Mood Indigo
6. Sympathy; L'Amour Toujours L'Amour (Love Everlasting); Giannina Mia

Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan's Golden Hits!!! (1961)

This is one of my very favorite albums. I've had this for at least twenty years - bought it when I first discovered this AM radio station in Dallas that played "big bands and great singers". Sarah Vaughan was one of the great singers whose songs they would play, and almost every song on this album was played on that radio station. How can you not fall in love with the wonderful voice that belonged to Sarah Vaughan? She was indeed, the Divine One. If you don't have any albums by Sarah Vaughan, then this is the one you need to get, since it has most of her great hits. I can't really pick a favorite song from this album because each time I listen to the next song, it becomes my favorite! They're all just wonderful - just what one would expect from the Divine Sarah Vaughan.

Track listing for Sarah Vaughan's Golden Hits!!!:

Side 1:
1. Misty
2. Broken Hearted Melody
3. Make Yourself Comfortable
4. Autumn In New York
5. Moonlight In Vermont
6. How Important Can It Be

Side 2:
1. Smooth Operator
2. Whatever Lola Wants
3. Lullaby Of Birdland
4. Eternally
5. Poor Butterfly
6. Close To You

Here's Sarah Vaughan singing "You're Not The Kind":

Sam "The Man" Taylor - In The Mood For Sax: More Blue Mist (1960)

Anybody in the mood for some sax? I love the saxophone (I play alto sax). I think it is the sexiest musical instrument around. Listening to some good sax music is guaranteed to put you in the mood! ;-)

Can you believe that I found this album in the HPB bargain bin for only 50 cents? I bought it for the album cover (are those girls really "nekked" under those gauzy gowns?) alone. I'd never heard of Sam "The Man" Taylor, but when I saw that he played tenor sax, I thought it might be a pretty good album. Well, I love this album - it's my new favorite album! This is the way I like to hear the sax played - very sexy indeed! "Tenderly" is one of my all-time favorite songs, and I absolutely love the way Sam plays it on this album. I hope you like this album as much as I do!

Track listing for Sam "The Man" Taylor - In The Mood For Sax: More Blue Mist:

Side 1:
1. Tenderly
2. Prelude To A Kiss
3. I'm In The Mood For Love
4. If I Ever Love Again
5. Reflections
6. Stella By Starlight

Side 2:
1. Love Me
2. Willow Weep For Me
3. This Love Of Mine
4. (I Got A Woman Crazy For Me) She's Funny That Way
5. I Should Care
6. Close Your Eyes (Brahms Lullaby)

The Seekers - Georgy Girl (1966)

Here's one of the first albums I digitized, but never got around to posting until today. Everyone is familiar with the title song, "Georgy Girl", from the movie of the same name. The whole album is quite enjoyable - some nice folk music with several familiar songs. And don't be embarrassed if you find yourself singing along with them - I did!

Track listing for The Seekers - Georgy Girl:

Side 1:
1. Georgy Girl
2. Yesterday
3. The Last Thing On My Mind
4. All Over The World
5. Red Rubber Ball
6. Well, Well, Well

Side 2:
1. Come The Day
2. Island Of Dreams
3. Turn, Turn, Turn
4. Louisiana Man
5. California Dreamin'

Here are the Seekers singing "Georgy Girl":

The Righteous Brothers - Just Once in My Life (1965)

I got this record as a birthday present a year and a half ago and, I hadn't listened to it until now. Truth is that I'm not a big Righteous Brothers fan, although I do like their recording of "Unchained Melody", which is on this record. I was really surprised when I saw that Phil Spector was the producer (Bill Medley was also producer) and that this record was on his record label, Philles Records. Those were better days for old Phil. Those were also better days for the Righteous Brothers, since Bobby Hatfield sadly passed away in 2003 due to a cocaine overdose. Anyway, enough of the sad stuff. Give a listen to some good music and good vocal performances by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield - the Righteous Brothers.

Track listing for The Righteous Brothers - Just Once In My Life (link has been deleted. Go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Just Once In My Life
2. Big Boy Pete
3. Unchained Melody
4. You Are My Sunshine
5. The Great Pretender
6. Sticks And Stones

Side 2:
1. See That Girl
2. Oo-Poo-Pah-Doo
3. You'll Never Walk Alone
4. Guess Who?
5. The Blues

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