Pat Boone - White Christmas (1959)

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving holiday! So, today I begin my posts of Christmas records. I've already got the six albums picked out for this year, plus I'm currently working on my Cool Yule Tunes 2009 compilation, which I will post on the Sunday before Christmas. At the bottom of this post, I've included some pictures of my decorated vintage aluminum Christmas tree, which I just put up yesterday. I also switched out the framed record albums for some of my Christmas albums. You'll see in the pictures just a few of my Christmas albums, some of which I've posted on here, and some which I haven't posted yet.

But first, here is my first offering of this Christmas season - Pat Boone. And I dedicate this to my friend Vince. :-)

Track listing for Pat Boone - White Christmas:

Side 1:
1. White Christmas
2. Jingle Bells (with The Foley Sisters)
3. Adeste Fideles
4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem
6. Silver Bells
7. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Side 2:
1. Silent Night
2. Oh Holy Night
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. The First Noel
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. Joy to the World
7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
8. Here Comes Santa Claus (with The Foley Sisters) (this song is not listed on the back cover but is on the record)



My vintage aluminum tree with color wheel.


The albums hanging in the entry way.


These are hanging on the living room wall (that's my cat's tail you see).

These are hanging in my den. I had the lights on and those are reflected.

Walter Brennan - The Country Heart of Walter Brennan (1966)

Been in a Walter Brennan mood lately, so I thought I'd share this album. Love him. Love his movies, TV shows, and the way he "spoke" on his albums. He spoke with such emotion that listening to his albums always brings a tear to my eye. "Scarlet Ribbons" does it for me on this album. Here's some of what the liner notes say:

Somewhere between outer space and the inner man stands Walter Brennan. There's a bit of earth and heaven in the way he reaches into all of us with a sprightly tug at the heart, a friendly chuckle or the shedding of a warm tear now and then. ... Walter Brennan is all of us put together as he tells us many things that we already know, but perhaps have neglected to ponder on for some time.

Track listing for The Country Heart of Walter Brennan:

Side 1:
1. Keep A Movin' Old Man
2. Cotton-Eyed Joe
3. Old Courthouse
4. Detroit City
5. Waiting for a Train

Side 2:
1. Moon Wanderer
2. Don't Go Near the Indians
3. Scarlet Ribbons
4. The Sound of Silence
5. Tennessee Stud

Johnny Mercer Tribute Compilation (2009)

Today is the centennial celebration of Johnny Mercer's birth. Johnny Mercer (1909 - 1976) was a singer and songwriter. As a songwriter, he was mostly known as a lyricist but he also wrote music. He wrote over 1000 songs, many of which are in the Great American Songbook. He received nineteen Academy Award nominations, and won four. He also recorded many of his songs, as well as songs written by others. I put together this compilation of thirty-four songs in his honor and hope you enjoy them as much as I. He sings five of the songs on this compilation, three of which he didn't write (marked with ^). He wrote the lyrics for all the other songs that I've included, and also wrote the music for five of them (marked with *). The last song I've included was recorded after his death. Johnny's widow gave some unfinished lyrics to Barry Manilow, and Barry then wrote the music for "When October Goes." Enjoy!

Track listing for Johnny Mercer Tribute Compilation:

1. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive - Johnny Mercer
2. Goody Goody - Paul Petersen *
3. Too Marvelous for Words - Anthony Perkins
4. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby - Perry Como
5. And the Angels Sing - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
6. Day In, Day Out - Gene Barry
7. Fools Rush In - Tony Martin
8. Love of My Life - Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy
9. Blues in the Night - Julie London
10. I Remember You - Doris Day
11. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Margaret Whiting & Johnny Mercer ^
12. Tangerine - Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
13. Hit the Road to Dreamland - Betty Hutton
14. That Old Black Magic - Louis Prima & Keely Smith
15. Skylark - Linda Ronstadt
16. Dearly Beloved - Dinah Shore with Paul Weston & His Orchestra
17. Strip Polka - Myron Floren *
18. One for My Baby (And One More for the Road) - Eydie Gorme
19. Dream - Steve Allen *
20. G.I. Jive - Johnny Mercer *
21. Laura - Johnny Mathis
22. I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City - Johnny Mercer ^
23. On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe - Woody Herman & His Orchestra
24. Autumn Leaves - George Chakiris
25. Something's Gotta Give - Lorne Greene *
26. Moon River - Andy Williams
27. Days of Wine and Roses - Wayne Newton
28. Drinking Again - Dinah Washington
29. Charade - Bobby Darin
30. Emily - Andy Williams
31. Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra
32. Whistling Away the Dark - Henry Mancini
33. San Fernando Valley - Johnny Mercer with The Berries ^
34. When October Goes - Barry Manilow

Pat Boone - Sings Irving Berlin (1957)

Here's another of my Pat Boone albums, a gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin. I love Irving Berlin songs and I love Pat Boone's smooth voice, so the combination is absolutely wonderful. There's even an endorsement on the back of the album by Irving Berlin himself, "Pat Boone sings these ballads the way I like to hear them sung." What better praise than from the composer?

Track listing for Pat Boone - Sings Irving Berlin:

Side 1:
1. All Alone
2. How Deep is the Ocean
3. Say It with Music
4. Always
5. Be Careful, It's My Heart
6. Soft Lights and Sweet Music
7. Remember

Side 2:
1. A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody
2. What'll I Do
3. All By Myself
4. The Girl That I Marry
5. Say It Isn't So
6. They Say It's Wonderful
7. Count Your Blessings

Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass - Volume 2 (1963)

This is a request. It's one of the first albums I digitized when I first learned how, so it's a lower bitrate than my usual posts. I also usually don't post the Herb Alpert albums (I have the first eleven) because most of them are available on CD, but I wanted to go ahead and fill the request I received. Anyway, this is the second album by Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass (the way they were first called before changing to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass). There are some very familiar tunes on it and it's quite enjoyable. I don't much care for the album cover though - give me the "Whipped Cream" cover any day! Enjoy!

Track listing for Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass - Volume 2:

Side 1:
1. The Great Manolete (La Virgen de la Macarena)
2. Spanish Harlem
3. Swinger from Seville
4. Winds of Barcelona
5. Green Leaves of Summer
6. More

Side 2:
1. America
2. Surfin' Senorita
3. Marching Thru Madrid
4. Crea Mi Amor
5. Mexican Corn
6. Milord

Let's Bacardi Party (1964)

Here's a real treasure that belonged to my mother. I don't remember her playing this one, but I love the cover (picture courtesy of the internet - my cover is very worn and scribbled over by my mother) and the fact that it's a promotion for Bacardi rum! According to the notes in the back, the album was supposed to come with "several" recipe booklets. Well, I still have one of them! I don't know what happened to the rest (I don't know how many "several" were), but they probably just got worn out and thrown away over the years. The one recipe booklet that survived is really cool - has recipes for drinks, desserts (my mom made rum balls every Christmas), and party foods. I haven't tried to make any of the recipes, but I think I might try to make the Bacardi party chili now that chillier weather is coming. Oh, and although the album itself doesn't show a date anywhere (at least, I couldn't find one), my mother wrote "1964" on the back (as she used to always date her albums), so that's the year I'm assuming this came out. All in all, it's a fun album - good artists and good songs - and definitely one to play at your next Bacardi party. Hmmm.... I'm having a hard time picturing my mother going to a liquor store and buying a bottle of rum (she probably sent my dad).

Track listing for Let's Bacardi Party:

Side 1:
1. This Could Be the Start of Something Big - Jack Jones
2. Fly Me to the Moon - Laurindo Almeida
3. Charade - Ray Anthony
4. On the Street Where You Live - Jonah Jones
5. Woodchopper's Ball - Woody Herman

Side 2:
1. The Girl from Ipanema - Four Freshmen
2. September Song - George Shearing
3. Painted, Tainted Rose - Al Martino
4. End of a Love Affair - Stan Kenton
5. Fools Rush In - Keely Smith
6. Cherry - Harry James

By popular demand, here are some scans of the one Bacardi recipe booklet that has survived the years:

The booklet cover


Some drink recipes


Some appetizer recipes

Rene Touzet and his Orchestra - Cha Cha Cha for Lovers (1957)

This is one of the albums I bought back in my ballroom dancing days. We used this one quite a bit at the dance studio because the beat of the songs was just right (not too fast) for students. So, if any of y'all are taking cha cha cha lessons, or just learning it on your own, I think you'll be happy with this album. My personal favorite is the "Ticklish Mambo" - the first time I heard it I was cracking up! I think I also have another version of it; if I find it, I'll post it. There was a lot of surface noise on this album, and I tried to clean it up as best I could, but you'll still hear some clicks, pops, and noise (sorry). If anyone has a cleaner copy, please share!

Track listing for Rene Touzet - Cha Cha Cha for Lovers:

Side 1:
1. Lover's Cha Cha Cha
2. "Moon Over Miami"
3. Mambo Inn
4. Pedazo De Mi Zida
5. Danza Negra

Side 2:
1. Besame Mucho
2. Manuel (Levantate Manuel)
3. Ticklish Mambo ("Cosquillita")
4. Desconfianza
5. Oye Lo Que Tiene El Mambo
6. "Lover's Lullaby"

The Three Suns - Warm and Tender (1962)

Here's another album I bought for the cover - how could I resist?! Of course, I also happen to like the Three Suns. I like all the songs on this record, but I think my favorite is the title tune, "Warm and Tender". But really, all the songs are great, and it's great music to listen to while you're reading, working on the computer, or just relaxing. And it's great to have playing at your weekly cocktail party, too (and be sure to display the record cover prominently). I just love the whole combination of accordion, organ, and guitar - wonderful! And the first line of the liner notes is just perfect... "Warm and tender - that's the way most men prefer their women... and their music." Doesn't that line alone make you want to buy this record?

Track listing for The Three Suns - Warm and Tender:

Side 1:
1. There Goes My Heart
2. Fly Me to the Moon
3. Unchained Melody
4. Love is Like a Violin
5. Just Say I Love Her
6. Warm and Tender

Side 2:
1. Poor Butterfly
2. Portofino Amour
3. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
4. C'est Si Bon
5. The Lamp is Low
6. A Touch of Tenderness

Carl Stevens - "Skin" and Bones (1958)

This is another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin. And, once again, it was the cover that caught my eye. I'd never heard of Carl Stevens, but when I listened to the album, I really liked it! I did find a little information on Carl on Space Age Pop - seems his name was really Chuck Sagle.

Track listing for Carl Stevens - "Skin" and Bones:

Side 1:
1. Love for Sale
2. Walkin' Shoes
3. How Long Has This Been Going On
4. Long Ago and Far Away
5. Fascinating Rhythm

Side 2:
1. The Moon Was Yellow
2. It Had to Be You
3. Winter Dreams
4. Soon
5. Imagination
6. All of You

Dinah Shore - Moments Like These (1958)

Here's an album I've had for awhile - bought it back when I first started listening to my favorite local radio station, KAAM, when their catch phrase was "The Music of Your Life". At that time, it was mostly "big bands and great singers", and they still play a lot of that, but they also include more recent songs that fit into that particular format. Anyway, I vaguely remember Dinah Shore's TV program from the 1970s. I don't think I ever watched it, but I remember it was on. Most of all I remember that she was dating Burt Reynolds in the 70s - it was kind of a big deal because he was 20 years younger. And of course, there's the famous Dinah Shore Weekend now - lots of women and lots of golf. Well, these are all familiar songs and Dinah sings them wonderfully. I think I bought this at HPB, and it was pretty scratched up. There aren't any skips, but there are still clicks and pops, even after I cleaned it up as best I could. If anyone has a cleaner version of this, please do share.

Track listing for Dinah Shore - Moments Like These:

Side 1:
1. Deep Purple
2. When the World Was Young
3. Moments Like This
4. I'll Remember April
5. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)
6. I Fall in Love Too Easily

Side 2:
1. I Loved Him
2. What's New?
3. I Can Dream, Can't I?
4. Now I Know
5. How Long Has This Been Going On?
6. Something Wonderful

Here's Dinah singing about Chevrolet in 1959:

Bobby Sherman - Bobby Sherman (1969)

I've been in a Bobby Sherman mood lately so I thought I'd post his self-titled album. To put it simply, I love him. So easy to listen to, smooth and peppy songs that you can sing along with, easy on the eyes (Bobby, that is), just fun music. Now, I didn't buy his records back in the day - I didn't become "aware" of songs on the radio, teen heart throbs, and the like until David Cassidy was the thing (my true love). Bobby was still popular, but he was "older" and didn't appeal to this 8-year-old girl as much as David did. I never watched "Here Come the Brides" (don't even remember the show), but I did watch his later TV show, "Getting Together". It wasn't until I became an adult and heard "Hey, Little Woman" on an oldies station that I really started listening to Bobby and fell in love with him. I've bought all his albums from Half-Price Books, and they're all in really great shape. (Oh, I bought the Christmas album at an antique & vintage stuff store.) Then when his autobiography came out and he did the book tour, he came to DFW and I went to see him. I even got him to sign one of my albums and my Bobby Sherman lunch box! He is such a nice man - and still a cutie! So, I hope this brings back some great memories.

Track listing for Bobby Sherman - Bobby Sherman:

Side 1:
1. Little Woman
2. Rainy Day Thought
3. Seattle
4. One Too Many Mornings
5. A Time for Us

Side 2:
1. Sounds Along the Way
2. This Guy's in Love With You
3. Love
4. Land of Make Believe
5. Bluechip
6. Time

Bobby sings "Little Woman":

Kurt Russell - Kurt Russell (1970)

This was my holy grail of record albums for a long time. I searched and searched for it at garage sales, used record stores, flea markets, and the internet forever. I had never seen it in person, only seen it advertised in the teen magazines from back in the day (1970 to be exact). I remember that I wanted the album when I was a kid, but forgot about it until I bought an old teen magazine on eBay many years back, and it had an advertisement for this record. That's when I became obsessed with finding it and adding it to my celebrity vocals collection. Finally, about two years ago or so, I saw it listed on eBay - sealed (you can still see the shrink wrap in the picture)! I bid on it and kept increasing my max bid limit, thinking long and hard as to how much I wanted to spend on this album (sealed!). I think I finally decided that I would pay up to $100 for it. Thank goodness, I won it and for a lot less than $100 - whew! But, to date, I think it is one of the top five most expensive records that I've bought. Of course, I wasn't about to leave it sealed. The main reason I wanted it was so that I could listen to it and enjoy it! I even invited some friends over to listen to it. I've always loved Kurt Russell and this album is a great example of the bubble-gum music that was popular in the late 60s and early 70s. One of the songs on this album, "Sugar Sugar", which was made famous by the Archies, has also appeared on one of the Ultra Lounge CDs. Most of the other songs will also sound familiar. All in all, it's a fun album!

Track listing for Kurt Russell - Kurt Russell:

Side 1:
1. Hey Baby I Love You
2. Sugar, Sugar
3. My Baby Loves Lovin'
4. It Ain't Gonna Rain Anymore
5. I Believe in Love

Side 2:
1. Moving Like a River
2. Dizzy
3. Randi Randi
4. A Summer Song
5. Hey Mr. Sun

Here's a video of Kurt Russell singing "Sugar Sugar" at Disneyland:

Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra - Dance Again (1962)

Here's an album I bought back when I was doing the ballroom dance thing. It's a great record for latin dances - cha cha cha, rumba, samba, tango, merengue. I used to make party tapes (cassettes) for our weekly dance parties at the dance studio and I remember I always included songs from my Edmundo Ros albums (I have three other of his albums which I'll get around to posting). If you've ever taken ballroom dance lessons at a Fred Astaire or Arthur Murray studio, then you'll love dancing to this album, because the beat of the songs is perfect to the way the dances are taught at those studios.

Track listing for Edmundo Ros - Dance Again:

Side 1:
1. Patricia
2. Tropical Merengue
3. Tea for Two
4. Miami Beach Rumba
5. Cocktails for Two
6. I Came, I Saw, I Conga'd

Side 2:
1. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
2. The Wedding Samba
3. Mambo No. 5
4. Blue Tango
5. When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain
6. Colonel Bogey

Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space (1967)

Well, yesterday was the anniversary of when "Star Trek" (the original series) first aired on NBC - September 8, 1966 to be exact. In honor of that day, I am posting Leonard Nimoy's first album. I know this album has made the rounds many times before, but I decided to go ahead and share mine since I already had it digitized (it was one of the first ones I digitized, being the Star Trek fanatic that I am). You can find Leonard's four other albums on this blog, too, by clicking on one of the labels. Mr.Spock holds a special place in my heart - that was also the name of one of my dearly departed kitties (gone two years now). But I did have the pleasure of meeting Leonard Nimoy at a Star Trek convention several years ago (he signed my copy of "I Am Spock"!), and I was able to snap several photos of him. Also, back in college, we had this huge computer printout (remember the dot matrix printers?) of Mr.Spock posted on the wall of the computer science department office. I think that's what made me decide to major in computer science. It was the logical thing to do.

(BTW, the picture is one I found on the web. A lot of my album covers are in bad shape so I often use pictures I find on the web, or I just find better pictures than the ones I take with my old dinky 1.2 megapixel digital camera. Yeah, I know I need to get a new one.)

Track listing for Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr.Spock's Music from Outer Space:

Side 1:
1. Theme from "Star Trek"
2. Alien
3. Where is Love
4. Music to Watch Space Girls By
5. Beyond Antares
6. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Earth

Side 2:
1. Mission Impossible
2. Lost in the Stars
3. Where No Man Has Gone Before
4. You Are Not Alone
5. A Visit to a Sad Planet

Mystic Moods Orchestra - English Muffins (1970)

Hey, everybody! I'm back from a little vacation - went to visit family and friends in my hometown (Brownsville, Texas), and then had a cousin visiting me for a week. It was a great time!

Hope y'all are having a great Labor Day holiday weekend. To add some fun to your holiday, I thought I'd share this album by the Mystic Moods Orchestra. I have to admit that the main reason I bought this album was for the cover - awesome! But the music is nice, too - very soothing and great to listen to when you're trying to relax. One of the main attractions of the Mystic Moods Orchestra was the sound effects, and that's definitely something I like. I hope you like it, too!

Track listing for Mystic Moods Orchestra - English Muffins:

Side 1:
1. England Swings
2. Early in the Morning
3. Ticket to Ride
4. Colour of My Love
5. Here There and Everywhere
6. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)

Side 2:
1. Something
2. Words
3. First of May
4. Massachusetts
5. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight

Roger King Mozian - Spectacular Percussion

Here's another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin. Two things caught my eye - the cover, and the word "percussion". I love anything percussion! There are some really great songs on this album, and lots of percussion - trap drums, conga drums, bongoes, tympani, wood blocks, cow bells, and much more. This is definitely worth a listen! (I couldn't find a year on this album, so if anyone knows, please let me know!)

Track listing for Roger King Mozian - Spectacular Percussion:

Side 1:
1. South of the Border
2. Crazy Rhythm
3. Carioca
4. I Got Rhythm
5. How High the Moon
6. Asia Minor

Side 2:
1. Repercussion
2. Tabu
3. Lullaby in Rhythm
4. Estacy
5. Bewitched
6. Percussive Blues

Andy Williams - To You Sweetheart, Aloha (1960)

In honor of Hawaii's 50th birthday as a state on Friday (August 21st), I decided that today's post would be an album of Hawaiian songs. I've already posted several Hawaiian music albums over the past three years, so be sure to take a look at those, too. But for today, I chose Andy Williams and this album of his on the Cadence label from 1960. As always, Andy's smooth voice is soothing and is perfect for singing these songs. While listening to this album, I can close my eyes and practically hear the surf and smell the ocean breeze - ahhh! (BTW, my birthday is also on Friday!)

Track listing for Andy Williams - To You Sweetheart, Aloha:

Side 1:
1. To You Sweetheart, Aloha
2. Blue Hawaii
3. I'll Weave a Lei of Stars for You
4. Sweet Leilani
5. The Moon of Manakoora
6. The Hawaiian Wedding Song

Side 2:
1. Song of the Islands
2. A Song of Old Hawaii
3. Love Song of Kalua
4. Beyond the Reef
5. Ka-Lu-A
6. Aloha Oe

On Sunday (August 23), be sure to catch the latest episode of my podcast at The Spin-O-Rama Hour. The episode will be all Hawaiian songs in honor of Hawaii's 50th birthday as a state!

Art Mooney - Cha Cha Cha

This is another gem I rescued from the HPB bargain bin and I bought it for both the cover and because I like cha cha music. If you like the latin ballroom dances, then this is a good record to dance to. I couldn't find the year that this album was produced (this one is on the Coronet label), but I'm guessing late 1950s or early 1960s.

Track listing for Art Mooney - Cha Cha Cha:

Side 1:
1. Who's Sorry Now
2. Ole Jamaica
3. I Let A Song Out of My Heart
4. Midnight Breeze
5. Hands Across the Table
6. Bwana

Side 2:
1. Caravan
2. Shine On Harvest Moon
3. Chi Chi Castenanto
4. Glow Worm
5. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree

Robert Mitchum - That Man Robert Mitchum Sings (1967)

Robert Mitchum is probably my favorite actor of all time. I loved him in westerns, war movies, film noir (especially!), as the anti-hero, and as the villain. There was just something about him that was so... manly. His deep voice, bedroom eyes, bad-boy reputation... sigh. His movies are the kind that I can watch over and over again. I especially like "Night of the Hunter", "Cape Fear", "Out of the Past", and every film noir he did. I even looked forward to the commercials where he did the voice over - "Beef... it's what's for dinner." I recognized his voice the very first time I heard that commercial (I think Sam Elliott does it now). Anyway, I got this album on eBay a few years ago and I love it. Whereas his first album (Calyso Is Just Like So) was calypso style songs - even down to his accent - this album is more country. So grab a cold one and sit back to have a listen.

Track listing for That Man Robert Mitchum Sings:

Side 1:
1. You Deserve Each Other
2. Walker's Woods
3. Wheels (Keep A Rollin')
4. In My Place
5. Ballad of Thunder Road
6. That Man Right There

Side 2:
1. Little Ole Wine Drinker Me
2. Ricardo's Mountain
3. Sunny
4. Little White Lies
5. Whippoorwill
6. Gotta Travel On

Mrs. Miller - Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits (1966)

Mrs.Miller. What can one say about Mrs.Elva Miller? When I first heard Mrs.Miller, I was speechless. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. After the initial shock, I laughed so hard that tears ran down my face. Then I couldn't get enough. I have to say that Mrs.Miller is an acquired taste, and it is certainly not for those with sensitive hearing or weak stomachs. But I'm one of those folks who appreciates musicians such as Mrs.Miller, and I think you will, too, after you give her a listen. This was her debut album, although the title ("Greatest Hits") makes you think that there were other albums before this. She ended up recording several other albums and also appeared on some soundtracks. If you want to find out more about Mrs.Miller, I suggest you visit Mrs.Miller's World - and join the fan club (I did!)! Why do I listen to Mrs.Miller? Because she makes me smile and laugh when I'm feeling down. God bless Mrs.Miller.

Track listing for Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits:

Side 1:
1. Downtown
2. The Shadow of Your Smile
3. A Hard Day's Night
4. Dear Heart
5. Chim Chim Cher-ee
6. These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

Side 2:
1. A Lover's Concerto
2. Let's Hang On
3. Catch a Falling Star
4. Gonna Be Like That
5. My Love

Here's a video clip of Mrs.Miller singing "Inky Dinky Do" with Jimmy Durante:

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (1966)

This is one of my all-time favorites (how many times have I said that?)! I've always loved the groovy sounds of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - the easy rhythms, light jazz, bossa nova, great vocals. Well, this is their debut album and it is a real treasure (rescued from the HPB bargain bin!). And, because my friend Bradley loves them so much, this post is dedicated to him.

Track listing for Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66:

Side 1:
1. Mais Que Nada
2. One Note Samba/Spanish Flea
3. The Joker
4. Going Out of My Head
5. Tim Dom Dom

Side 2:
1. Daytripper
2. Agua de Beber
3. Slow Hot Wind
4. O Pato
5. Berimbau

Johnny Mathis - Open Fire, Two Guitars (1959)

I think Johnny Mathis is absolutely dreamy... sigh! The first time I heard his beautiful voice was when I was watching the late night movie with my mom and he sang the theme song of the movie - "The Best of Everything". It's been a love affair ever since. This is an awesome album - so soothing and romantic (I've listened to it every Sunday for years now)! And Johnny is accompanied by some great musicians - Al Caiola and Tony Mottola on guitar, and Frank Carroll and Milt Hinton on bass. If you love Johnny Mathis and don't have this album, you really need to get it!

Track listing for Johnny Mathis - Open Fire, Two Guitars:

Side 1:
1. Tenderly
2. Open Fire
3. I Concentrate on You
4. In the Still of the Night
5. I'll Be Seeing You
6. I'm Just a Boy in Love

Side 2:
1. You'll Never Know
2. Please Be Kind
3. Embraceable You
4. My Funny Valentine
5. When I Fall in Love
6. Bye Bye Blackbird

Mantovani - Latin Rendezvous (1963)

This is another of the albums I bought when I was doing the ballroom dancing thing. I do love Mantovani. His music was the epitome of easy-listening! I seem to recall that we even danced to some of the songs on this album at the dance studio where I took lessons. Mantovani was also one of my mom's favorites, and sometime down the road I'll post the Mantovani album that belonged to my mom. But right now, I'm going to go have a glass of red wine - that album cover is making me thirsty.

Track listing for Mantovani - Latin Rendezvous:

Side 1:
1. Granada
2. Malaguena
3. Cielito Lindo
4. Be Mine Tonight
5. La Paloma
6. Siboney

Side 2:
1. Andalucia
2. Maria Elena
3. Perfidia
4. Estrellita
5. Amapola
6. Espana

Arthur Lyman - Hawaiian Sunset (1959)

Time to take a trip to Hawaii - musically, that is! Well, here's a great album by Arthur Lyman, one of the masters of exotica. The music is absolutely wonderful. Close your eyes and listen to this album and you'll be transported to paradise, the Hawaiian Islands, where "the native art of living gracefully, simply and happily seems to extend to all who visit or stay."

Track listing for Arthur Lyman - Hawaiian Sunset:

Side 1:
1. Hawaiian War Chant
2. Sweet Leilani
3. Imi Au Ia Oe
4. My Tane
5. Whispering Reef
6. Na Lei O Hawaii

Side 2:
1. Hiilawe
2. Isle of Golden Dreams
3. Mapuana
4. Waipio
5. Kawohikukapulani
6. Ke Kali Nei Au
7. Harbor Lights

Fred Lowery - Walking Along Kicking the Leaves... (1957)

Here's another album by a fellow Texan (in my previous post, Trini Lopez is originally from Dallas). Fred Lowery, who was born in Palestine, Texas, lost most of his vision when he was just a toddler and later became known as "the blind whistler". He even had a radio show here in Dallas. He was also the one who whistles in the theme song from "The High and the Mighty". I did not know that until I bought this album and read up on him. Turns out that this album is considered THE whistling album of all time. I have to admit that when I bought it (for the cover), I had no idea who Fred Lowery was and was curious about the "whistling with orchestra" and thought, "Here's something different." Well, I ended up really liking it! BTW, I couldn't find a date on this album, but I figure it was from the 1950s. If anyone know the release date, please let me know! (Thanks to Gary for finding a site that listed the date.)

Track listing for Fred Lowery - Walking Along Kicking the Leaves:

Side 1:
1. Walking Along (Kicking The Leaves)
2. Indian Love Call
3. Tennessee Waltz
4. Far Away Places
5. The Moon of Manakoora
6. Sunrise Serenade

Side 2:
1. Happy Hobo
2. Pagan Love Song
3. The Lonesome Road
4. Sleepy Lagoon
5. Moon Love
6. Sentimental Journey

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