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

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

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

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

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

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