Sarah Vaughan: Copacabana (1979)

This is the second of Sarah's trilogy made in Brazil with Brazilian material and instrumentalists. The first was "I Love Brazil" (1977) and the third "Brazilian Romance" (1987). This is considered one of her least known and most underrated albums. If you are a Jobim fan you score on 4 of the 9 tracks: "Dreamer" (4), "Dindi" (7), "Double Rainbow" (8) and "Bonita" (9).

Tracks:
01) Copacabana
02) The Smiling Hour
03) To Say Goodbye
04) Dreamer
05) Gentle Rain
06) Tete
07) Dindi
08) Double Rainbow
09) Bonita

Download

The Gene Harris Quartet: Listen Here!

If you've never met Gene Harris now's your chance. He's been one of my top jazz pianists ever since my daughter Mandy heard this disc playing in a cafe and thought "Dad would like this". She bought it for me and I've been a fan ever since. I read somewhere that his music always sounded as if it had a smile on its face as big as the one Harris himself wore while performing. I understand he was a great guy. He died on January 16, 2000, while awaiting a kidney transplant from his daughter. His beaming personality illuminates all through his recorded legacy.

Tracks:
01) This Masquerade
02) Don't Be That Way
03) I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling
04) Listen Here
05) This Can't Be Love
06) To You
07) Blues For Jezebel (named after his cat)
08) Sweet And Lovely
09) Lullabye
10) The Song Is Ended

Download

The Alan Copeland Conspiracy: Here There & Everywhere

We're havin' a kind of Alan Copeland fest here. It all started when I published a couple of Alan Copeland Singers vinyls last August -- "If Love Comes With It" and "Basie Swingin' Voices Singin'". Had a very enthusiastic feedback from a blog follower named "Claw". He seemed so rapt I decided to keep a lookout for any more from this very talented arranger and his singers. Noticed that he'd done the charts for the Tex Beneke/Modernaires Christmas album I posted a few days ago. Then "eureka!" -- was scanning through Xtabay's excellent blog xtabaysworld.blogspot.com yesterday and guess what turned up! Being a great guy and generosity personified he's given me the go-ahead to publish. So here it is. Just two comments. Style-wise this album is amazingly varied. It goes from the El Dorados' R&B hit "At My Front Door" (peppered with wop wop diddley bops) to the romantic ballad "The Warmth Of The Sun" on track 5. Then we have the likes of Bobbie Gentry's '67 hit "Ode To Billie Joe" etc etc. All handled extremely professionally of course. I guess it illustrates Alan Copeland's versatility in presenting the sounds of the '60s. Second comment concerns the cover contrast between the original vinyl and the Jap import CD. I'm not too sure how J C Fields got in on the act on the CD cover. Is it supposed to tie in with the "conspiracy" thingie. And is that Alan doing his J C Fields impression? Who knows. Anyhow, download and see what you think. Thanks again to Ron (AKA Xtabay). Just as a postscript, here's a wonderful little clip from "The Red Skelton Hour" broadcast on Feb 13, 1968. As mentioned in my earlier posts, Alan Copeland was the musical director for this show. Lulu was cute and gorgeous don't you think?

Download

Kelly's Kool Kompilation (3)

Found these while searching for Lettermen files yesterday. Mixed bag but you may find one or two that appeal. Good luck!

Tracks:
01) I'm Beginning To See The Light -Sammy Nestico Big Band
02) On Green Dolphin Street - Anita O'Day
03) I Remember Clifford - George Shearing
04) There Will Never Be Another You - Joe Williams & Basie Band
05) Satin Doll - Larry Elgart Band
06) When I Fall In Love - Luther Vandross & Celine Dion (my fav version)
07) Basin Street Blues - Pete Fountain & Al Hirt
08) Teach Me Tonight - Sarah Vaughan & Oscar Peterson
09) Rose Room - Benny Goodman & Charlie Christian
10) Tell Me Where You're Goin' - Silje Nergaard & Pat Metheny
11) Cotton Tail - Buddy Rich Band
12) It's Only A Paper Moon - Laura Fygi & Toots Thielemans
13) I've Got You Under My Skin - Anita O'Day & Billy May
14) Shout To The Lord - Glad (only 4 guys - brilliant multi-tracking)
15) I Haven't Changed A Thing - Artie Shaw & Helen Forrest
16) Quiet Night Of Quiet Stars - Blossom Dearie
17) Harry James Medley - Doc Severinsen

Download

The Lettermen: Happy Holidays (1960s)

You wanted more Lettermen music? You got it. Poked around my hard drive and came up with these tracks downloaded way back when Napster was a freebie. Forgot I had them. Mainly for you "WKC".

Tracks:
01) Going Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
02) Graduation Day
03) Here, There And Everywhere
04) I Only Have Eyes For You
05) I'll Be Seeing You
06) Moon River
07) Our Day Will Come
08) Precious And Few
09) Save The Last Dance For Me
10) See You In September
11) Smile
12) You Take My Breath Away
13) The Way You Look Tonight
14) The Party's Over
15) When You Wish Upon A Star
16) Days Of Wine And Roses
17) Go Away Little Girl
18) It Feels Like Christmas

Download

A Very Merry & Joyful Christmas To You All!

Bing & Peggy: El Rancho Grande

Hey -- There's life after Christmas and anyways this is lots of fun to listen to. Even got Gary Cooper popping in to say "Howdy" on track 2. Enjoy!!

Side 1:
01) It Takes A Long Train (Peggy)
02) El Rancho Grande (Bing, Peggy & Gary Cooper)
03) Just An Old Love Of Mine (Peggy)
04) Love Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere (Peggy)
05) A Long Way From St Louis (Bing & Peggy)
06) What Is This Thing Called Love (Peggy)
07) Exactly Like You (Bing & Peggy)
08) They Can't Take That Away From Me (Bing & Peggy)
09) On A Slow Boat To China (Bing & Peggy)
10) A Little Bird Told Me (Bing & Peggy)
11) I Want To Go Where You Go (Bing & Peggy)

Side 2:
01) Cuanto La Gusta (Bing & Peggy)
02) I Got Lucky In The Rain (Peggy)
03) Maybe You'll Be There (Bing & Peggy)
04) Trouble Is A Man (Peggy)
05) So In Love (Bing & Peggy)
06) When A Man Is A Man (Bing & Peggy)
07) When Is Sometime (Peggy)
08) Once And For Always (Bing & Peggy)
09) Easter Parade (Bing & Peggy)
10) Bebop Spoken Here (Bing & Peggy)
11) How It Lies (Bing & Peggy)

Download

Rachael & Molly (Christmas 2008)

A diversion. The temptation to show off my daughter, Rachael, and her wee Molly was too strong to resist. I am blessed with three beautiful girls: The eldest, Mandy, who lives in another city in my country, Rachael in the middle and Sarah (the youngest) residing in London. We have 9 grandchildren -- Mandy (4), Rachael (3) and Sarah (2). We're spending Christmas day with Rachael. She lives about 5 minutes walk away from us. Very nice to have her so near. That's all. Won't bore you with more domestic details. This after all is s'posed to be a music blog! Cheers by the way for my son-in-law, Scott, who took the pictures.

Tex Beneke, Ray Eberle & The Modernaires: Christmas Serenade

This is so much fun to listen to. I love it. It was supposed to be the kind of Christmas album Glenn Miller would have made had he lived long enough to do so. Added bonus for me is the fact that Alan Copeland added his magic to the charts and of course there's Tex with his sax solos and that distinctive vocal style. If you're into swing band music you'll probably get a buzz out of this one.

Side 1:
01) It Happened In Sun Valley
02) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
03) We Wish You The Merriest
04) The Christmas Song
05) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
06) Snowfall

Side 2:
01) And The Bells Rang
02) Merry Christmas Baby
03) Jingle Bells
04) Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
05) Sleigh Ride
06) White Christmas

Download

Connie Francis: Christmas In My Heart (1959)

In the early days of my radio career I was chosen to present the weekly "Top Forty" programme as the station's very popular pops DJ decided to try his luck overseas. While my style wasn't exactly pops oriented I never turned my back on a challenge, so gave it my best shot until management found a permanent replacement for Keith. Just incidentally I attended our station's 50th anniversary reunion a few months ago and was delighted to meet up with Keith again. He had brought with him a picture of me taken on air. What relevance has all this to Connie Francis? Well, only that after my Top Forty efforts I was asked to do some shorter sponsored "Top Ten" type gigs and Connie was at the apex of her career at that time, so she got lots of air time on my programmes. "Who's Sorry Now", "My Happiness", "Stupid Cupid" and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" were 4 slapped onto my turntable quite regularly. Of the top pop recording artists around then, she was my favourite. So it's nice to be able to blog her Christmas album "Christmas In My Heart" at this time. It was recorded at the famous Abbey Road studio in London. It's worth reading her liner notes. With Geoff Love's arrangements she managed to inject an almost mystical quality into some of these songs, especially the religious ones. This album inspires me. The only song not on the original LP is "Baby's First Christmas" (track 2). However it blends in pretty well with the disc as a whole. Don Costa does the backing on this one.

Tracks:

01) White Christmas

02) Baby's First Christmas

03) Winter Wonderland

04) Christmas Song

05) I'll Be Home For Christmas

06) The Twelve Days Of Christmas

07) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

08) Adeste Fidelis

09) The Lord's Prayer

10) Silent Night

11) O Little Town Of Bethlehem

12) The First Noel

13) Ave Maria

Download

Mike Sammes Singers: The Ovaltiners Christmas Record

This rather rare album is one of my favourite Christmas discs. A few decades ago The Mike Sammes Singers were one of the top vocal groups in the entertainment world. Just how they came to be associated with the Ovaltiners (formerly the Ovaltineys) I'm not sure. If you can be bothered getting some background on said organisation have a look at this site: www.sterlingtimes.co.uk/ovaltine.htm. That aside, one reason this album really swings is that it has the services of brilliant organist Dennis Johns. His keyboard skills and arrangements inject new excitement into some of the old standard Yuletide songs. Download and have a listen.

Tracks:
01) Twelve Days Of Christmas
02) Winter Wonderland
03) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
04) Christmas Song
05) Go Tell It On The Mountain
06) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
07) Do You Hear What I Hear
08) Ding Dong Merrily On High
09) Wassail Song
10) Jingle Bells
11) Here Comes Santa Claus
12) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
13) Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

Download

Boston Pops Orch: Holiday Pops (1998)

Dubbed “America’s Orchestra”, the Boston Pops is especially beloved during the holidays when it performs many of the traditional songs to which people attach fond memories with the holiday season. For many years, the Boston Pops Orchestra has had an annual tradition of performing Holiday Pops concerts in December, with the audiences enjoying champagne and refreshments on the floor. And maestro conductor Keith Lockhart has certainly done an excellent job of carrying on the tradition long maintained by his predecessors, Arthur Fiedler and John Williams.

Tracks:

01) Gloria

02) Christmas Waltzes

03) Carol Of The Bells

04) Fantasia On Christmas Carols

05) Tomorrow Is My Dancing Day

06) Shepherd's Chorus

07) Farandole

08) Christmas Time Is Here

09) Good Swing Wenceslas

10) Mary's Boy Child

11) Sleigh Ride

12) Frosty All The Way

13) Merry Christmas

Download

Pete Fountain: Candy Clarinet (1966)

Christmas candy treat from Pete!

Side 1:

01) Christmas Song

o2) Santa Claus Medley

03) Winter Wonderland

04) Let It Snow

05) Blue Christmas

06) Candy Clarinet

Side 2:

01) Jingle Bell Rock

02) I'll Be Home For Christmas

03) Little Drummer Boy

04) Silver Bells

05) White Christmas

06) Christmas Is A-Comin'

Download

Command Performance (1942)

One criticism I don't want levelled at my blog is lack of variety. This is a Command Performance broadcast to the US troops on Christmas eve, 1942. "Biggies" of the entertainment world on the show (in order of appearance) are:

Bob Hope

The Andrews Sisters

Red Skelton

Spike Jones

Ginny Sims

Bing Crosby

The Charioteers

Ethel Waters

Charles Lawton (as Santa)

Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy

Kay Kyser

Dinah Shore

Jack Benny & Fred Allen

Download

Dean Martin: Making Spirits Bright (1967)

This album comprises Christmas holiday songs Dean Martin recorded for both Capitol and Reprise in the late '60s.

Tracks:
01) Let It Snow
02) I'll Be Home For Christmas
03) Silver Bells
04) I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
05) Winter Wonderland
06) Baby, It’s Cold Outside
07) Blue Christmas
08) Jingle Bells
09) A Winter Romance
10) A Marshmallow World
11) The Christmas Blues
12) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
13) Silent Night
14) White Christmas

Download

Andre Kostelanetz: Wonderland Of Christmas (1972)

Thus far have been a bit coy about my Christmas postings but decided to "publish and be damned" on advice from the gentlemen of the press. If any appeal to you click the download button. If not -- too bad. You can't win 'em all. Anyway, I get so little feedback I haven't a clue how many appreciate my "oldies". So I'll just keep 'em coming. Won't bother with commentary. I'm beginning to wonder whether I supply too much anyway. This one's a '72 album from old maestro Kostelanetz. Cheers!

Download

Vaughn Monroe: The Ultimate Collection (1941/49)

Vaughn Monroe has to be the most popular singing bandleader there has ever been. There have been numerous bandleaders who have sung and been blessed with good voices, but regardless of their abilities their vocal offerings came second to their conducting fame. Vaughn Monroe was the exception -- a bandleader who, in the public perception, was first and foremost a singer.

He was tall and handsome which helped him as a band leader and singer, as well as in Hollywood, although he did not pursue a movie and television career with vigor. He was sometimes called 'the Baritone with Muscles' or 'Muscle-Voice Monroe'. He was admired by some and derided by others for both his singing and his persona. He had a pleasant baritone voice that wasn't always quite good enough for the songs he sang, according to his critics. (One said "If he'd just open his mouth further so the sound would come out of IT, instead of his nose....".) He was considered sincere, steady, and down-to-earth by some; pompous and square by others. In spite of these mixed opinions, he had a very successful musical career, with a large number of fans. He continued making night club appearances until shortly before his death in 1973. He recorded extensively for RCA Victor until the '50s and his signature tune was "Racing with the Moon" (1941). Among his other hits were "There I've Said It Again" (1945), "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" (1946), "Ballerina" (1947), " Riders in the Sky" (1949), "Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)" (1949), and "Sound Off" (1951). One lost opportunity - he turned down the chance to record "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". The tracks that follow were ripped from a disc called "The Ultimate Collection" (25 songs). It contains most of his major hits recorded between '41 and '49. Have also added a few tracks of my own.

Disc 1:

Download

Disc 2:

Download

The Lettermen: For Christmas This Year (1966)

Had decided to put the lid on my Pandora's Christmas box. Some of us Westerners go a bit wild over this Christian season thing forgetting that we're so global now. Not everyone is as enthusiastic as we can be. Anyhow, can't resist snucking this Lettermen album in before the 25th. As with many of my postings, it's old and of course comprises lots of the standard iconic Christmas songs. Name me Yuletide albums of that and succeeding years that didn't. But don't let that put you off downloading this one. For the 42 years it's been in my library have been playing it regularly especially at this time. Love the backing and the group seem to sound at their early best. Have not ripped track 7 ("Little Drummer Boy") because of damage. The line-up comprised Tony Butala, Bob Engemann, and Jim Pike. Pike, a letterman at Utah's Brigham Young University, released an unsuccessful single on Warner Brothers Records in 1959. In 1960, he and fellow student and ex-Mormon missionary Engemann formed a trio with Los Angeles-based supper-club singer Butala, who had recorded previously on Topic and Lute and had been using the Lettermen name since 1958. After two unsuccessful singles ("Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring" and "The Magic Sound"), they joined Capitol Records and struck gold immediately with "The Way You Look Tonight", a number previously associated with Fred Astaire. The trio enjoyed another 19 US chart singles including the Top 10 hits "When I Fall In Love" in 1961 and the medley "Goin' Out Of My Head"/"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" in 1967. They were rated the number 1 Adult Contemporary vocal group of the 60s, and put an impressive 24 albums in the US chart during the decade, with 10 of them reaching the Top 40. In 1968, Jim's brother Gary replaced Engemann and six years later their brother Donny replaced Jim. Numerous personnel passed through the group in later decades with Butala the mainstay, although Donovan Tea has kept him company since 1984. The Lettermen have earned nine gold albums to date and sold over $25 million worth of records.

Side 1:
01) Christmas Waltz
02) What Child Is This
03) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
04) Christmas All Alone
05) I'll Be Home For Christmas
06) Christmas Song

Side 2:
01) Little Drummer Boy (not ripped)
02) O Holy Night
03) Mary's Little Boy Child
04) White Christmas
05) What Can I Give You This Christmas
06) Silent Night

Download

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Swings Lightly (1970)

This session actually pre-dates the other two "Ella Swings ...." by three years. It was originally released in 1959 but 11 years later Verve decided to reissue it as part of a new series called "Jazz Masters". It's still a vinyl of course and comprises the 16 tracks of the '59 original. Good value. There's even some Ella scatting. And let's not bypass the huge talents of Marty Paich. No Nelson R on this one. But Mr P never suffered by comparison.

Side 1:

01) Little White Lies

02) You Hit The Spot

03) What's Your Story Morning Glory

04) Just You Just Me

05) As Long As I Live

06) Teardrops From My Eyes

07) Gotta Be This Or That

08) Moonlight On The Ganges

Side 2:

01) My Kinda Love

02) Blues In The Night

03) If I Were A Bell

04) You're An Old Smoothie

05) Little Jazz

06) You Brought A New Kind Of Love

07) Knock Me A Kiss

08) 720 In The Books

Download

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Swings Gently With Nelson (1962)

Here's the second of the "Ella Swings ...." trilogy. Will follow this with the third -- "Ella Swings Lightly". Little Christmas bonus just in case you're Ella fans.

Side 1:

01) Sweet And Slow

02) Georgia On My Mind

03) I Can't Get Started With You

04) Street Of Dreams

05) Imagination

06) The Very Thought Of You

Side 2:

01) It's A Blue World

02) Darn That Dream

03) She's Funny That Way

04) I Wished On The Moon

05) It's A Pity To Say Goodnight

06) My One And Only Love

07) Body And Soul

Download

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson (1962)

Sarah exits left and leaves centre stage to another top jazz diva. This is the best of Ella's sibling albums with Nelson ("Ella Swings Lightly" & "Ella Swings Gently"). I have these albums also and will publish shortly. This one earned Ella a Grammy in 1962. What makes this disc such a winner is that both Ella and Nelson were at the apex of their careers. Band comprised some of Hollywood's leading session players. Figures.

Side 1:
01) When Your Lover Has Gone
02) Don't Be That Way
03) Love Me Or Leave Me
04) I Hear Music
05) What Am I Here For
06) I'm Gonna Go Fishin'

Side 2:
01) I Won't Dance
02) I Only Have Eyes For You
03) The Gentleman Is A Dope
04) Mean To Me
05) Alone Together
06) Pick Yourself Up

Download

Sarah Vaughan: Brazilian Romance (1987)

This is my second tribute to The Divine One (first was "Vaughan And Violins" posted last August). "Brazilian Romance" was a Sergio Mendez-produced release from 1987 and Miss Vaughan's final studio effort. By the late '80s she was losing the battle with her weight and in fact her health in general. She passed away in 1990, just three years later aged 66. Although she made several appearances before her death, for me this has always been her farewell album and I treasure it as such. She accepted an invitation to appear as a guest soloist at an arts festival in my home country sometime in the late '80s. It was quite a distance for her to travel and I was quite shattered by her appearance and the quality of her performance. She perspired profusely and seemed ill at ease. I felt for her, but was so disappointed that these were my final memories of this great jazz diva. However, all that aside, she was still able to present the songs on this disc with depth and sensitivity without the world weariness that I detected during her antipodean appearances. More than likely the songs will be unfamiliar to you except perhaps "So Many Stars" and "Photograph". Most were co-written by guitarist Dori Caymmi and Milton Nascimento.

Tracks:
01) Romance
02) Love & Passion
03) Make This City Ours Tonight
04) So Many Stars
05) Photograph
06) Nothing Will Be As It Was
07) It's Simple
08) Obsession
09) Wanting More
10) Your Smile

Download

Rob McConnell & Boss Brass: Big Band Christmas

Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass add plenty of spice to this Christmas jazz album, not only with superb, fresh charts but a few surprising selections. The rich brass and reeds carry the deliberate rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which segues into a perky Latin-flavored chart of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." "Away in a Manger" is not the commonly heard melody but one first written in 1887, though the music will likely be familiar, even if one doesn't associate it with the well-known lyrics. The lush setting of "The Christmas Song," which likely set Mel Tormé and Bob Wells for life with royalty checks due to its many recordings, showcases the leader's valve trombone and pianist David Restivo. "My Favorite Things," originally written for The Sound of Music, has gradually been transformed into double duty as a Christmas carol; this swinging interpretation works very well. Johnny Mandel, the composer of many memorable melodies, deserves greater recognition for his gorgeous piece "A Christmas Love Song"; this arrangement deserved to help put it on the jazz map. Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass consistently delivered first-rate music throughout their existence (1968-2000) and this holiday album is no exception. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide.

Tracks:
01) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I'll Be Home For Christmas
02) Silver Bells
In The Bleak Mid-Winter
03) White Christmas
Let It Snow
Winter Wonderland
04) Away In A Manger
05) Christmas Waltz
06) Christmas Song
07) What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
08) It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Silent Night
09) My Favourite Things
10) A Christmas Love Song
11) O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Joy To The World

Download

Mel Torme & Ray Anthony Big Band: Live At Playboy Jazz Festival (1993)

Mel had an astonishing career. He earned critical praise as an actor ("Run For Your Life"), as a Tv writer ("The Virginian"), and producer ("The Singers", "It Was A Very Good Year"). He earned 14 Grammy Award nominations and two of the coveted statues, wrote a novel ("Wymer") in 1978, and in 1991 published "Traps, The Drum Wonder", a book about his close friend, Buddy Rich. Never thought I'd quote Hugh Hefner on this blog, but for what it's worth, here goes: "Mel was a close friend for many years. I'll always cherish this friendship and remember fondly those evenings we spent watching movies together at the Playboy Mansion." (Sounds cosy!!) "I'm thankful we captured on tape his last performance at the Playboy Jazz Festival held June 1993 in the Hollywood Bowl. He's backed by another close friend of mine, Ray Anthony with his big band. I'm pleased to share this with you." Mel passed away on June 5, 1999. He was 73.

Tracks:
01) Opus 1
02) Medley:
I Had The Craziest Dream
Darn That Dream
03) I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
04) Medley:
Sophisticated Lady
I Didn't Know About You
05) It Don't Mean A Thing
06) Medley:
Stompin' At The Savoy
Don't Be That Way
And The Angel's Sing
Why Don't You Do Right
Avalon
Sing, Sing, Sing

Download

Oscar Peterson & Nelson Riddle: The Silver Collection (1990)

Used the original Lp cover from '63 but the music is from the CD release. It has all the numbers put down from that early date with the exception of track 2 "Judy". The Entertainment Weekly has this to say about Oscar ~ "The Montreal-born son of a poor Caribbean immigrant, Peterson rose from humble beginnings to become one of the giants in his field. With sometimes multiple album releases in a single year and near constant touring across the globe, he fast became a household name, often working as part of a trio. He suffered a stroke in 1993 but continued to play despite restricted mobility in his hand: ''I think I have a closeness with the instrument that I’ve treasured over the years,'' he told The Chicago Tribune. In 2005, Peterson joined the ranks of kings and queens when a Canadian stamp was produced bearing his image." ~ I often use this album as background when entertaining guests. Probably sacrilege to the army of Peterson fans. But it beats the "Singing Strings". He died just before Christmas last year aged 82. Maestro Riddle needs no accolades from me. His ability to create the perfect backing for his soloists is legendary.

Tracks:

01) My Foolish Heart

02) 'Round Midnight

03) Someday My Prince Will Come

04) Come Sunday

o5) Nightingale

06) My Ship

07) A Sleepin' Bee

08) Portrait Of Jenny

09) Goodbye

10) Con Alma

11) Maids Of Cadiz

12) My Heart Stood Still

13) Woody 'n You

Download

Tony Bennett: Snowfall (1968)

Sinatra is alleged to have remarked that for his money there was no singer he'd rather listen to than Mr Tony Bennett. I use "alleged" because I have no proof when he said it or indeed that he did say it. If he did, kinda figures. Now, if he'd said: "There's no singer I'd rather listen to than Tiger Tim", that would be quotable. But Tony Bennett? No big deal. He hasn't become the elder statesman of male vocalists just by accident. He's a star. Has been for decades. This album dates from 1968. He put down most of the numbers in London and had the services of brilliant British arranger/conductor Robert Farnon. Track 11 ("I'll Be Home For Christmas") is a bonus. Was recorded from the "Jon Stewart Show" which was a short-lived talk show hosted by comedian Jon Stewart on MTV. It premiered in 1993 and became the second highest-rated program on the network behind "Beavis and Butt-Head". It was cancelled though in June 1995. Whatever the reason, they must have played host to some top entertainers. Love the track, but who's on piano man? Ralph Sharon? Probably not. Maybe the show's resident pianist. He's tops with me whoever he is.

Side 1:
01) My Favorite Things
02) Christmas Song
03) Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
04) Medley
05) Christmasland

Side 2:
01) I Love The Winter Weather/Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
02) White Christmas
03) Winter Wonderland
04) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
05) Snowfall
06) I'll Be Home For Christmas

Download

Maynard Ferguson: Let's Face The Music And Dance (1960)

Just before you do it's worth noting that big bands and dance music were in decline when Maynard recorded this and an earlier album called "Jazz For Dancing" (1959). Swing music was seen as passe. The then current jazz was focusing on either small formats or the bigger orchestral scores designed for concert halls rather than the dancing establishments (Hollywood Palladium). The dance scene was being taken over by the R&R and R&B bands. So Maynard set out to redress this imbalance. His intention was to reunite dancers with swing and/or jazz by presenting the older standards and big band hits in his own inimitable style. Whether he was entirely successful I'm not sure but at least he tried. I for one am thankful he did.

Side 1:
01) Mangos
02) Don't Take Your Love From me
03) My Foolish Heart
04) Let's Face The Music And Dance
05) You Don't Know What Love Is
06) It's Only A Paper Moon

Side 2:
01) The Party's Over
02) The Masquerade Is Over
03) Let's Do It
04) Spring Is Here
05) It Could Happen To You
06) Teach Me Tonight

Download

John Pizzarelli: Let's Share Christmas

John Pizzarelli is a better instrumentalist than a singer. But so was Chet Baker. Both made it as top jazz soloists -- Chet on trumpet and John on guitar. Do we switch off when they start to sing? Probably not unless you've got hang-ups. If you have, forget this posting and try something else. But before you do take note that some of the top arrangers around in the '90s were enticed into doing the backings for this album -- Johnny Mandel, Clare Fischer, Patrick Williams, Don Sebesky, Michel Legrand, Dick Lieb, Ralph Burns, Torrie Zito and John Clayton. Also on tap are the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Need Any more convincing? Oh by the way, I understand that this is the ideal Christmas disc to have playing while soaking in a hot bath.

Tracks:
01) Let It Snow
02) Let's Share Christmas
03) White Christmas
04) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
05) What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
06) Sleigh Ride
07) Christmas Time Is Here
08) I'll Be Home For Christmas
09) Santa Claus Is Near
10) The Christmas Song
11) Snowfall
12) Silent Night

PS: Tracks 2 & 9 are Pizzarelli originals. He wrote the latter for his then 4-year-old son.

Download

Shirley Bassey: The Nearness Of You (1975)

I made reference in one of my earlier postings to the Shirley Bassey concert I attended at one of our local wineries. Ever since then I have been a devoted fan. I've added a few of her vinyls to my library and this is one of them. Any Bassey devotee will tell you that she has a fine pair of lungs (breath-wise that is) and can belt out a flag waiver song with great gusto and volume. But they'll also tell you that she has her tender side. The title of this album suggests we're about to experience more perception and passion rather than power. It's a compilation recorded between 1961 and 1971. I find it fascinating to compare her voice over the 10 year period. Listen to one of the early tracks, say "Hold Me Tight" (1961) with "Let's Start All Over Again" (1971). The arrangers/conductors are Geoff Love (1:2:3:5:7), Johnny Spence (4:6:8:9), and Tony Osborne (10:11).

Side 1:

01) The Nearness Of You

02) This Love Of Mine

03) Where Are You

04) If Love Were All (Noel Coward)

05) There Will Never Be Another You

06) Days Of Wine And Roses

Side 2:

01) Angel Eyes

02) To Be Loved By A Man/Hold Me Tight

03) I Believe In You

04) Let's Start All Over Again

05) I'm A Fool To Want You

Download

Werner Muller Orch: Songs Of Joy (1973)

I'm posting this for the folk who prefer their classics served up as hors-d'oeuvres rather than as the main course. Conductor/arranger Werner Muller was as good as if not better than most at doing this. With the phase4stereo dynamics thrown in for good measure Decca had a sure-fire seller with this one.

Side: 1
01) Song Of Joy (Beethoven)
02) Theme From Piano Concerto No. 21 (Mozart)
03) Forbidden Games (Trad)
04) Aranjuez, Mon Amour (Rodrigo)
05) Air On The G String (Bach)

Side 2:
01) Theme From "2001" (R. Strauss)
02) Adagio (Albinoni)
03) Gymnopedie No. 2 (Satie)
04) Vocalise (Rachmaninoff)
05) Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 (Villa-Lobos)
06) Theme From Symphony No. 40 (Mozart)

Download

Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass: SRO (1966)

This was Alpert's 7th album. Although a studio production it was meant to be a tribute to the Tijuana Brass's success as a live act. SRO is an acronym for "Standing Room Only". Indeed, by 1966 it wasn't just Grammys and Top 40 hits. The "American beat" of the Tijuana Brass had found its way to stages across the country and would soon propel the group into becoming the world's top grossing musical act. Here's Richard Ginell of All Music Guide. "By late 1966, it seemed as if every TV commercial and every pop arranger had latched onto the Herb Alpert "Ameriachi" sound -- at which point the resourceful originator of that sound began to pare it down and loosen it up a bit. S.R.O. (Standing Room Only), referring to the Tijuana Brass' string of sold-out concerts, is an accurate title, for this LP is about a seven-piece band loaded with experienced jazzers who groove and swing together to a greater degree than on their previous albums. Sure, the arrangements are very tightly knit and don't allow much room for spontaneity, but they still sound fresh and uninhibited, and Alpert often allows the flavor of jazz to come through more clearly. Indeed, two of the album's three hit singles, "The Work Song" and "Flamingo," are jazz tunes -- the former nervous and driving, the latter joyously kicking -- and the third, "Mame," gets a nifty Dixieland treatment a la Louis Armstrong, with Alpert singing one verse. The sleeping gem of the record is guitarist John Pisano's "Freight Train Joe," a wistfully evocative tune that won't quit the memory, and the mournful Alpert/Pisano/Nick Ceroli tune "For Carlos" later became Wes Montgomery's "Wind Song." Though S.R.O. only went to number two on the LP charts, Alpert's creativity and popularity were still peaking."

Side 1:
01) Our Day Will Come
02) Mexican Road Race
03) I Will Wait For You
04) Bean Bag
05) Wall Street Rag
06) Work Song

Side 2:
01) Mame
02) Blue Sunday
03) Don't Go Breaking My Heart
04) For Carlos
05) Freight Train Joe
06) Flamingo

Download

Peggy Lee: Christmas Carousel (1960)

It's almost Christmas time again. Barely can believe it. I have several discs, both vinyl and CD, that mark the occasion. Have always suspected that we can reveal a lot about ourselves by the type of Christmas music in our libraries. Must get mine sorted so you can get a line on me. In the meantime here's one of my favourites. Have included one track that wasn't on the original. It's the final one called "Toys for Tots". It's the name of a movement that was established in 1947 when a Major Bill Hendericks of the United States Marine Corps and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5000 toys to needy children. The idea came from the major's wife Diane who, in the fall of 1947, handcrafted a Raggedy Ann doll and asked him to drop it off at a place that provided toys for underprivileged children. He came back home to tell his wife that there was no place that did this. Upon hearing this, she suggested he start one and the rest is history. In 1948, Walt Disney designed the Toys for Tots logo that is still used today. Disney also designed the first poster used to promote the national program. Nat "King" Cole, Peggy Lee and Vic Damone recorded the Toys for Tots song written by Sammy Fain and Paul Webster in 1956. Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Lorrie Morgan, Tim Allen and Kenny Rogers are a few of a long list of celebrities who gave their time and talents to Toys for Tots. The orchestral backings on this disc were arranged and conducted by Billy May and Jack Marshall although the cover only mentions the former.

Side 1:
01) Jingle Bells
02) Christmas Song
03) Don't Forget To Feed The Reindeer
04) Star Carol
05) Christmas List
06) Christmas Carousel

Side 2:
01) Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
02) Christmas Waltz
03) Christmas Riddle
04) The Tree
05) Deck The Halls
06) White Christmas
07) Toys For Tots

Download

Stan Kenton: Live From The Tropicana (1959)

Following my big rave about the early Kenton/Capitol 78s ( "Woody Herman" 12/2/08) chose to present you with this Kenton favourite of mine. But in doing so have bypassed one of my parameters, that is to post a vinyl over a CD if there is an option. Followed through in this instance and ripped my vinyl version of the live show. However, playback showed up far more surface noise than I had recalled was there, so dumped it in preference to this CD. Pleased I did because hadn't played it for a long while and via my new NAD equipment it sounded fabulous. Anyway, this is far better value too. Seventeen tracks compared with only 11 on the Lp. If you're in a venturesome mood and have never really had a serious listen to our Stanley this may be one of those "now or never" moments in your life. The disc has probably more general appeal than some of the more esoteric Kenton stuff. And it's a kind of package deal because included in Stan's intros is a reference to the main soloists on each number. That's a bonus. Here's the personnel: Stan Kenton (arranger, piano); Lennie Niehaus (arranger, alto saxophone); Gene Roland, Bill Mathieu, Johnny Richards (arrangers); Bill Trujillo, Richie Kamuca (tenor saxophone); Billy Root, Sture Swenson (baritone saxophone); Frank Huggins, Bud Brisbois, Jack Sheldon, Joe Burnett, Roger Middleton (trumpet); Archie Lecoque, Kent Larsen, Jim Amolette (trombone); Bob Olson, Bill Smiley (bass trombone); Red Kelly (bass); Jerry McKenzie (drums).

Download 1

Download 2

Laugh And The World Laughs With You -- Or Does It?

Comedian Bill Cosby hit the nail on the head when he said, "If you can laugh at it, you can survive it." It's becoming more evident that laughing can make us healthier physically as well as mentally. Blood pressure is one of these affected areas. Research is showing that in using laughter to reduce hypertension, women seem to benefit more than men. With this in mind see how you respond to the stratagem of this dodgy dame: Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter ... 10 men and 1 woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave otherwise they were all going to fall. They weren't able to choose that person until the woman gave a very touching speech. She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping ....

The Hi-Lo's: Under Glass (1956)

Formed in Los Angeles in 1952 by transplanted Milwaukee native Gene Puerling, the four-man vocal group (Puerling, Clark Burroughs, Bob Strasen, and Bob Morse) began recording for two small L.A. area labels (Trend, then Starlight) in 1953. Over the next three years they produced four albums as a small but rabid collection of fans spread the word about this talented, but impossible to define quartet. Together, these four men could flawlessly execute seemingly impossible vocal leaps all the while keeping perfectly in tune. They would use comic vocal touches, trumpet-like vocal shakes, contrary motion, and wide spread voicings. They recorded with twenty to thirty piece orchestras using complex, multi-faceted arrangements mixing jazz with barbershop, folk, musical theatre, classical and they sang the most sophisticated and beautiful chord changes ever heard from a vocal group—in any idiom. Finally, like Sinatra, they always had a special way with telling a lyric. They worked in collaboration with some of the best of the swing-based arrangers in the '50s including Nelson Riddle, Frank Comstock, Jerry Fiedling, Marty Paich and Billy May. Their big break came in 1956 when they landed a regular spot on Rosemary Clooney's television show. They recorded several albums for Columbia (see earlier posting August 21: "Ring Around Rosie" with Rosemary Clooney) before being dropped for poor sales. Reprise signed them to a record deal in 1962, but by then their style of music was out of step with what was popular. The group disbanded in 1964. Gene Puerling went on to form The Singers Unlimited in San Francisco, recruiting Don Shelton to join him in the group. The Hi-Lo's reunited in 1977 to record two more albums and made public appearances together through the '80s and into the '90s when health problems forced them to disband. Their founder, Gene Puerling, passed away in March this year (2008). This is one of their early vinyls released in '56 just before they moved on from the Starlite Studios in Hollywood.

Side 1:

01) Summertime

02) Birth Of The Blues

03) Skylark

04) Through The Years

05) Shadow Waltz

06) I'm Beginning To See The Light

Side 2:

01) Chinatown My Chinatown

02) Surrey With The Fringe On Top

03) In The Blue Of Evening

04) Cockles And Mussels

05) You're The Top

06) Long Ago And Far Away

Download

Ray Conniff & Billy Butterfield: Just Kiddin' Around (1963)

In 1959 Columbia released "Conniff Meets Butterfield". Big sales tempted the label to release Mark II. This they did 4 years later. They called this one "Just Kiddin' Around". The cover notes explain: "The title song for this album is a Conniff original written a few years previously when Ray and Billy were sidemen in the Artie Shaw band. The album is an exercise in nostalgia for those earlier days when, after a dance date, the duo would kid a around on their horns just for the sheer fun of it." It's alleged that during a 1963 get-together Billy asked Ray "Why don't you get your 'bone out of the closet (funny place to store a trombone!) and see if we can still swing like we used to". Sounds a bit staged and corny to me. Obviously Ray poked around his closet (they're toilets where I come from) found his trusty trom and "la-la!", a new album was born. But disregarding all that nonsense this vinyl does swing along quite nicely and for that reason I've hung on to my copy.

Side 1:

01) Alexander's Ragtime Band

02) Louise

03) Heartaches

04) This Love Of Mine

05) When I Grow Too Old To Dream

06) You'll Never Know

Side 2:

01) Just Kiddin' Around

02) You Oughta Be In Pictures

03) Put Your Arms Around Me Honey

04) Peg O' My Heart

05) But Not For Me

06) I See Your Face Before Me

Download

Woody Herman: At The Hollywood Palladium (1942/44)

All but the ardent swing era fans will probably bypass this vinyl. I have it in my library because, as with the Les Brown, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Bobby Sherwood, Charlie Barnet postings, this Woody disc is a link (albeit a fading one) with my musical past. I was rapt with the kind of sounds that these swing meisters produced and Woodrow Charles Herman shared top exposure on my billboard. During the years of World War 2 when most of these guys were pop stars in the US, few of their 78 rpm recordings found their way either into our record stores or onto the turntables of our radio stations. This was so frustrating. Our main broadcasting company(subsequently my employer), managed to import a few 10" 78 discs, but oh so few. I still have vivid memories of my introduction to the amazing sound of the early Stan Kenton Capitol releases. I couldn't believe my ears ("His Feets Too Big For De Bed", "Down The Ally From The Alamo" and "Her Tears Flowed Like Wine"). Not what Kenton is really remembered for, but I was just 13/14 at the time and this type of cutsie song blew me away. That high register stuff from the screamer trumpeters Buddy Childers, Ray Wetzel, Maynard Ferguson and Pete Condoli, the charts of Lennie Niehaus -- and June and Anita were the sexiest! But this is about our Woody, so simmer down Kelly!! Not much to say except that the band we hear on side 1 was billed as "The Band That Plays The Blues". Of course it not only played the blues but also originals and pop songs of the day like "Somebody's Thinking Of You" and the "Singing Sands Of Alamosa". This band had been quite a hit since its 1939 hit "Woodchoppers Ball" and for a good reason because there were some great players in its ranks most notably trumpeters Cappy Lewis and Chuck Peterson who had played before with Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey. And there was trumpeter/vocalist Billie Rogers one of the first females to hold a regular place in a male name band. Trombone solos were taken by Neal Reid, a worthy predecessor of the amazing Bill Harris who I think ended up with Kenton. Then there's Vido Musso and Flip Phillips on tenors also eventually lured into the Kenton camp. Not sure about Flip though. Side 2 contains some early stuff from the famous "First Herd" -- "Apple Honey", "Helen Of Troy" and "The Good Earth" to name just three. This band, by the way, won the Downbeat, Metronome, Billboard and Esquire polls for best band nominated by their peers in the big band business in 1946. But a word of warning. The original acetate discs from which these tracks were ripped have seen better days. So they're a tad noisy in parts.

Side 1: (1942)

01) Mr Moto Flips His Queue

02) Let Me Love You Tonight

03) Somebody's Thinking Of You Tonight

04) Amen

05) I Can't Get Started

06) Blue Lou

07) The Singing Sands Of Alamosa

Side 2: (1944)

01) Straighten Up And Fly Right

02) And Then You Kissed Me

03) Helen Of Troy

04) 125th Street Prophet

05) The Man I Love

06) T'aint Me

07) Apple Honey

Download

Artie Shaw: Clarinet Magic With Big Band & Strings (1945/46)

This vinyl is interesting on two fronts. First, the Musicraft label. It was founded in 1937 by four young singers frustrated with the three major US recording companies who, emerging from the doldrum of the great depression, were recording and releasing only sure fire sellers -- the great symphony orchestras led by the then top conductors, the opera greats and a few outstanding virtuoso instrumentalists. The four young men recorded madrigals, early organ music, ethnic and folk music from many parts of the world and heretofore unrecorded works of the old masters for violin, piano, harpsichord etc. Musicraft did not expect to recover its investment in a few months or even a year. But it persisted and in four years issued over 50 albums and many of its then obscure artists later became world famous. The little company thrived. Then in 1944 another young man -- Albert Marx -- came into the Musicraft orbit and led the company into the world of jazz and avant garde music. It wasn't long before the former little classical company was recording small jazz groups, big bands and male and female jazz vocalists many with outstanding talent and originality. In 1978 the company introduced their Musicraft Vintage Series of which this album was a part. Thirty years ago dubbing techniques were not what they are today so remembering that the originals were all 30+ year-old 78s, its not such a bad sound. Second, by the mid-40s Shaw was struggling to achieve the level of technical proficiency comparable to Benny Goodman. He sensed also that his gifts for jazz improvisation were lacking, so he concentrated his attention on other aspects of his playing. He developed a style that became far more original and recognizable than most. The single most striking element of this style was his "tone". It was huge, round and ideally conceived for big band playing -- far less "classical" in its dimension than Goodman's. Apparently Shaw used a stiffer reed and a more open mouthpiece than most. Whereas side 1 features the soloists of Shaw's regular working band of 1945 and "The Glider" and "The Hornet", both penned by Basie's former arranger Buster Harding, the highlights of side 2 from 1946 are provided by the vocals of Mel Torme and the Mel-Tones. The other singers are Kitty Kallen and Hal Stevens. Shaw by the way retired in the mid-50s and became a recluse. He died Dec 30 2004 at the ripe old age of 94. His real name was Arthur Jacob Arshawsky.

Side 1:
01) Let's Walk
02) Love Of My Life
03) A Ghost Of A Chance
04) How Deep Is The Ocean
05) The Glider
06) The Hornet
07) They Can't Convince Me

Side 2:
01) I Got The Sun In The Morning
02) Along With Me
03) You Do Something To Me
04) In The Still Of The Night
05) Begin The Beguine
06) My Heart Belongs To Daddy
07) Night And Day

Download