Leonard Nimoy - The Touch of Leonard Nimoy (1969)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leonard Nimoy sings "Bilbo Baggins" -

George Maharis - Portrait in Music (1962)

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

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

Track listing for George Maharis - Portrait in Music:

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

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

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

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

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

Track listing for Bert Kaempfert - That Happy Feeling:

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

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

Burl Ives - The Wayfaring Stranger (1955)

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

Track listing for Burl Ives - The Wayfaring Stranger:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Astrud Gilberto - The Astrud Gilberto Album (1965)

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

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

Track listing for Astrud Gilberto - The Astrud Gilberto Album:

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

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


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

Ferrante & Teicher - Holiday for Pianos (1963)

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

Track listing for Ferrante & Teicher - Holiday for Pianos:

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

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

Duane Eddy - Twangin' the Golden Hits (1965)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peggy Lipton - Peggy Lipton (1968)

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

Track listing for Peggy Lipton - Peggy Lipton:

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

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

James Darren - Album No. 1 (1959)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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

Track listing for James Darren - Album No. 1:

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

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


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

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

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

If so, this album is for you."

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

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

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

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

Frankie Laine - Hell Bent for Leather! (1961)

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

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

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

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


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

The Don Baker Trio - Hammond for Dancing

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

Track listing for Don Baker Trio - Hammond for Dancing:

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

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

Eddie Albert - High Upon a Mountain (1958)

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

Track listing for Eddie Albert - High Upon a Mountain:

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

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

Me and My RC (1975)

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

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

Track listing for Me and My RC:

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

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

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

An Affair to Remember OST (1957)

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

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

Track listing for An Affair to Remember OST:

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

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

Various Artists - 18 Top Hits (1957)

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

Track listing for 18 Top Hits:

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Francis Scott and His Orchestra - Moods for Candlelight

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

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

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

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

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

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

Light your candles - enjoy your Moods for Candlelight!

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

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

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