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
