Old Posts No Longer Available

Some have commented that old posts are no longer available. That is because I stopped using  rapidshare and switched to Mediafire. I'm sorry that I don't have the time to reload these files. Many were uploaded by dozens, and in some cases hundreds of users.

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on BELL records

"TANGERINE" has been fixed. Sorry about the problem.

From the start Bell records sold budget generic pop music, with the slogan "music for the millions". The company specialized in "sound alike" versions of hit records by cover artists. The discs originally sold on seven-inch 78rpm and 45rpm records for 39 cents - mostly at grocery, drug and "dime" stores. Instead of being pressed into vinyl like a normal 7-inch disc,these records were injection molded using polystyrene, which had either glued-on labels or the label information was printed directly on the polystyrene.

I have several dozen in my collection including good versions of standards by people like Sylvia Sims, and Bob Crosby.

In February of 1954 Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey signed a deal with Bell to record a number of singles. Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five followed soon after. The label also had deals with Sy Oliver, Larry Clinton and.....Snooky Lanson.

The Dorsey Brothers performed on at least 26 of these 7" gems. We now have all 26 to share with you in this collection. Special thanks to John Smith for completing the collection with #25 and #26.

Don't miss the vocal (?) duet on "Brothers" - a male version of "Sisters" from Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" score. Vocals are by Gordon Polk, Bill Raymond and Lynn Roberts.

This is the same band featured on the Stage Show TV series.

The arrangement of Granada was transcribed from one of these discs several years ago by my friend Hunter Fuerste and given to Larry O'Brien of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Larry performed in regularly on tour until his retirement last December. Larry also performed "You're My Everything" in a transcription by Hunter. They're most likely still in the Miller library.

All tracks now available in one .rar download or as individual cuts.

1. Brothers
http://www.mediafire.com/?3g148uzpo9zwjfo
2. Granada
http://www.mediafire.com/?uve03wxc0x3gtr5
3. Green Eyes
http://www.mediafire.com/?9h58bx49napnray
4. The High & Mighty
http://www.mediafire.com/?7mvr9dgotxxinsh
5. I Speak to the Stars
http://www.mediafire.com/?y380s5tlgq7smcq
6. In a Little Spanish Town
http://www.mediafire.com/?9rswhvrlde93sqf
7. It's A Woman's World
http://www.mediafire.com/?mb3njmho3faer2b
8. Little Girl
http://www.mediafire.com/?o0k05a1atcf0fyu
9. Lost in Loveliness
http://www.mediafire.com/?lk85bwr546wwt4t
10. Love You Didn't Do Right By Me
http://www.mediafire.com/?lz76hwplscrno0d
11. Make Love To Me
http://www.mediafire.com/?4o63c8xxhdad4jk
12. Marie
http://www.mediafire.com/?vci7ybeljbal3mb
13. Mr. Rainbow
http://www.mediafire.com/?3diiz1wkp1z7s1z
14. My Friend the Ghost
http://www.mediafire.com/?vot3qbacknjcrse
15. Not as a Stranger
http://www.mediafire.com/?ad5687ef8fwc2s6
16. Papa Loves Mambo
http://www.mediafire.com/?wzys769nlsfmh66
17. Silk Stockings
http://www.mediafire.com/?aoqn99d23kj1tw2
18. Tangerine
http://www.mediafire.com/?xuy8vgr55nlr0x7
19. The Man That Got Away
http://www.mediafire.com/?da99p5jr0ddes94
20. Three Coins in the Fountain
http://www.mediafire.com/?nz1mavedz4brx3z
21. Wanted
http://www.mediafire.com/?pgu66dda6gx0aod
22. Who
http://www.mediafire.com/?dcv218uy013wrgd
23. You Too Can Be A Dreamer
http://www.mediafire.com/?q0jg0yh0sp1q2qq
24. You're My Everything
http://www.mediafire.com/?e8t9aebdvxlafos
25. One Man
http://www.mediafire.com/?tpemksd26ddr22u
26. It Happened to Be Me
http://www.mediafire.com/?8gwgj7ua6hav78n

Echoes of Glenn Miller - Ray McKinley RCA LPM 2519 Mono

(Note: Earlier duplicate tracks have been fixed)

Here's an excellent example of the fine job Ray McKinley did maintaining the sound and spirit of the Glenn Miller Orchestra during his 10 year tenure leading this fine band. At the time of the recording (1961) the band was featured in a summertime TV series that ran from 9 to 9:30pm (CDT) on CBS from July 10 through September 11, 1961. Johnny Desmond and Ray were co-hosts. Wouldn't it be nice to see that series on DVD?

I have several more Miller/McKinley albums that, to my knowledge, have not been released on CD that I'll be posting soon.

1. 3rd Man Theme http://www.mediafire.com/?223o2zyr2zh21a7

2. Claire de Lune http://www.mediafire.com/?2ssrons2hedsht6

3. Volare http://www.mediafire.com/?fj3q2ry3j2ebfdq,439xet270b8dtbx

4. Love is a Many Splendored http://www.mediafire.com/?5xw9697p7fmr86t

5. Bali Hai http://www.mediafire.com/?dag695dy6ap5lh3

6. Hoodle Addle (McKinley vocal) http://www.mediafire.com/?3ox0stin0567qd1

7. Beginning to see the Light (Joan Shepherd vocal)
http://www.mediafire.com/?fc5cqb7rtc8sjsj

8. I'll be Seeing You http://www.mediafire.com/?xouw8s8qhdv7b42

9. I Believe in You (McKinley vocal) http://www.mediafire.com/?vovhlzjl6fpn5pm

10. Bernie's Tune http://www.mediafire.com/?fj3q2ry3j2ebfdq

11. Sweet Leilani http://www.mediafire.com/?hvlvto9uu27nl41

12. Stompin at the Savoy http://www.mediafire.com/?8ybrd8xwx3j82c8

Hunter Fuerste's American Vintage Orchestra - Dubuque

Enjoy this performance of Glenn Miller's classic
"In The Mood" performed by our local big band 

Hunter Fuerste's American Vintage Orchestra at The Grand Opera House.

They played to 1,000 swing fans this weekend at our historic facility.

Ted Health - All Time Billboard Top 12 London Mono LP

This is one of my favorite Ted Health LP's and to my knowledge it has never been released on CD.

Personnel according to a UK website:
Ted Heath and his Music: Bobby Pratt, Bert Ezzard, Duncan Campbell, Eddie Blair (tp,) Wally Smith, Don Lusher, Jimmy Coombes, Keith Christie (tmb), Les Gilbert, Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Henry Mackenzie (ts,cl), Red Price (ts), Ken Kiddier (bar), Frank Horrox (p), Johnny Hawksworth (bss), Ronnie Verrell (dms) : Ric Kennedy (tmb) replaces Christie on some tracks London, March 1957

The album claims to be the 12 most played standards on American radio stations as complied by The Billboard magazine. That's probably accurate in 1957. I shudder to think what the list would be today. These are wonderful arrangements of great American standards. Enjoy.
 
1. Begin the Beguine
http://www.mediafire.com/?g5931yq2n07e8n1
2. April in Paris
http://www.mediafire.com/?0pq4spvdr3gv06x
3. 'S Wonderful
http://www.mediafire.com/?sgk91tpwd291pym
4. Tenderly
http://www.mediafire.com/?x129ju0e62ff5u2 
5. Autumn Leaves
http://www.mediafire.com/?m0aoa699fof0lw3 
6. Somebody Loves Me
http://www.mediafire.com/?raenekaq4288ima 
7. September Song
http://www.mediafire.com/?7zo66fct9l4ftax
8. Stardust
http://www.mediafire.com/?29xp4jy9l17a50q
9. Tea for Two
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ui8vib3jckwx9r 
10. On the Sunny Side of the Street
http://www.mediafire.com/?3q7j92427w2b3a8
11. I've Got the World on a String (my personal favorite track)
http://www.mediafire.com/?kb0kuhjk7r9814h
12. My Blue Heaven
http://www.mediafire.com/?94umm93alagw0za

Will Bradley Orch w/Ray McKinley 1941 Radio Transcriptions

Here's a mint condition out of print Circle LP featuring the great, swingin' Will Bradley Orch with Ray McKinley. Sound quality is amazing for a 1941 session. The band recorded some hit sides for Columbia including "Celery Stalks at Midnight," "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar," "Fry Me Cookie with a Can of Lard," etc. McKinley and Bradley parted ways in 1942 allegedly because Bradley wanted to play more ballads, but McKinley hoped to ride the boogie woogie craze as long as it lasted.

SOLID says "Bradley continued to record under his own name during the war, using studio musicians, on the Signature label. Ironically, considering the cause of his orchestra's break-up, in 1944 he released material on the Beacon/Celebrity label as Will Bradley and His Boogie Woogie Boys. In 1947 he also recorded with vocalist Anita O'Day on Signature, and in the 1950s he released three albums, which included one RCA collection of boogie woogie songs."




Most reading this will know that Bradley's real name was Wilbur Schwictenberg - which would be a great name if he played polkas. As Will Bradley he left the road and settled in recording studios, radio, movie & eventually TV work for the remainder of his long career, including the Tonight Show band. He died in 7/15/89. One source says in passed in 1978, but I bellieve that's incorrect.

The sides were for Lang-Worth 1/22/41 and feature sidemen:

Trumpet: Steve Lipkin, Joe Wiedman, Al Mitchell; Trombone: Will Bradley, Bill Corti, Jim Emert; Saxes: Artie Mendelsohn, Joe Huffman, Peanuts Hucko, Sam Sancella; Piano: Freddie Slack; Guitar: Steve Jordon: Bass Doc Goldberg; Drums: Ray McKinley. Vocalist: Jimmy Valentine.

1. Three Ring Ragout (Bradley - arr. by Leonard Witney)
http://www.mediafire.com/?zg3wvqsv373x5nc
2. Chicken Gumboogie (Bradley/McKinley arr. by Witney
http://www.mediafire.com/?dvwndbjc12rvsnl
3. Dark Eyes (arr by Bradley)
http://www.mediafire.com/?f3dvfgo47bffagu
4. Whatcha Know, Joe? (Trummy Young)
http://www.mediafire.com/?1qs5p40kdyxxf80
5. Perfidia (Dominguez/Leeds)
http://www.mediafire.com/?lmc61u8bnyeicez
6. Jeannie w/the Light Brown Hair
http://www.mediafire.com/?en0j8n8ta1ncemx
7. Bugles in the Sky (Leonard Whitney)
http://www.mediafire.com/?1yavqak6rdkibtr
8. High on a Windy Hill (Joan Whitney/Alex Kramer) vc. Valentine
http://www.mediafire.com/?3o76yib7b7brbuk
9. This Little Icky Went to Town (Bradley arr. by Whitney)
http://www.mediafire.com/?tukolnb9wlkcb87
10. O Sole Mio (DiCapua)
http://www.mediafire.com/?a2n9048stfivuze

The 9/7/41 dates featured:
Trumpet: Tommy DiCarlo, Ralph Muzillo, James Grimes; Trombone: Bradley, Corti, Don Ruppersburg; Saxes: George Koenig, Mahlon Clark, Pete Mondello, Arthur Rollini, Larry Molinelli; Piano: Billy Maxted; Guitar: Frank Werrill; Bass Felix Giobbe; Drums: McKinley.
11. I'm Coming Virginia (Heywood/Cook)
http://www.mediafire.com/?e2z22g22rmhcvn3
12. Booglie Wooglie Piggy (Roy Jacobs) vc. McKinley & Valentine
http://www.mediafire.com/?m3c7m2064e6lgaq

Two Sides of the J's with Jamie

I dug out this Columbia Special Products albums after a comment post on The Axidentals album. This LP was sent to radio stations in the mid-60s to promote The J's With Jamie.
Side one features a nice variety of pop tunes and side two has about 25 commercials recorded by this exceptional vocal quartet based in Chicago. They recorded lps titled
"Hey, Look Us Over," and "The Remarkable J's with Jamie" for Columbia and had tons of MOR radio airplay at the time.
This is a mono only release for radio stations. There's a few ticks and pops, but it's restored as good as I could get it.


1. Everybody Says Don't (from "Anyone Can Whistle"-Sondheim)
http://www.mediafire.com/?2p1hpcbb4hluh4s
2. Cottonfields (Ledbetter)
http://www.mediafire.com/?5c24kgjxibg27sx
3. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (Warfield-Williams)
http://www.mediafire.com/?nomke637i9gunxi
4. My Cigarette & I (Tennant)
http://www.mediafire.com/?t729pdd4a4kypdo
5. A Lot of Livin' to Do (from "Bye Bye Birdie" Adams-Strouse)
http://www.mediafire.com/?r7tpd8u0egcbods
6. Betwiched (Hart-Rodgers)
http://www.mediafire.com/?s79xas6vxslz8jl
7. Little Boy Blue (P.D.)
http://www.mediafire.com/?axm2qazzu7cgp8g

Commercials recorded by J's with Jamie
Valiant-Northwest Orient-Corvair-Sevenup-Schlitz-Alka Seltzer-Marlbobo-Philip Morris-Rice Krispies-Alka Selter Hootenanny- Mr. Clean-Long Distance-Enden-Butternut-Plymouth-Paper Mate-Dairy Assoc.-Hamm's - Wrigley Spearmint-White Rain-Green Giant-Adorn Hair Spray-H.F.C. - Tareyton - Pillsbury  http://www.mediafire.com/?ekh7xc0d9gwvufy

Personnel: Joe Silvia, Don Shelton (of the Hi-Los), Jamie, Len Dresslar (voice of the Jolly Green Giant)

I picked this information up from the website
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2008/11/the-js-with-jam.html

Only a few details about the group survive, mostly from an archived article from Time published in 1964. Tired of life on the road, husband and wife singers Joe and Jamie Silvia traded the night life for family life, settling in to Chicago and becoming the most popular singers of TV and radio commercials. Various singers moved in and out of the J's with Jamie quartet over the years, including Len Dresslar, best known as the "Ho ho ho" of the Jolly Green Giant.

From Campbells to Marlboro, kitchen appliances to political candidates, The J's with Jamie sang the praises of them all, backed by the bright sounds of Chicago's studio musicians. What Broadway was to musical theater, Chicago was to the advertising industry at the time, turning out a volume and quality of work with a uniquely American imprint.

Broadway came calling for Jamie Silvia, but she turned them down. Columbia managed to get the group to record three albums, all sadly long out of print, but the Silvias balked at returning to a life on the road and eventually gave up on recording anything other than jingles.

Bootlegs of the Columbia records pop up frequently in Japan, where their influence on the J-pop sound has been substantial.