Nice and Easy - Legendary Performers - Unforgettable Songs

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on BELL records

2011-12-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

UPDATE with 2 new tracks

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/?4p4djzt64bzk21l
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

2011-11-27T09:39:00.000-08:00

(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

2011-11-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

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.

Kessel/Jazz Contemporary Latin Rhythms (Reprise R-6073 mono)

2011-11-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

This is an enjoyable album recorded for Reprise in 1963 as Bossa Nova was just taking off in the pop music culture. I think you'll enjoy it. Early in his career Barney played with a big band fronted by Chico Marx (1943), was fortunate enough to appear in the classic jazz short Jammin' the Blues (1944), and then worked with the big bands of Charlie Barnet (1944-1945) and Artie Shaw (1945); he also recorded with Shaw's Gramercy Five. Kessel became a busy studio musician in Los Angeles, but was always in demand for jazz records.

Personnel on this disc:
Barney Kessel, Alton Hendrickson, Bill Pitman, guitars; Conte Candoli, trumpet; Paul Horn, sax & flute; Victor Feldman, vibes; Emil Richards, marimba; Keith Mitchell, bass; Stan Levey, drums; Frank Capp, Edward Talantes, Francisco Augsbella, percussion.

Sorry that this is mono, but much of my older collection came from the radio station and companies issued mono versions because it was pre-FM stereo days.

1. Blues in the Night 2:39 (Mercer-Arlen)
http://www.mediafire.com/?hf5l2o99mldb0w2
2. Days of Wine and Roses 2:30 (Mercer-Mancini)
http://www.mediafire.com/?38ceekvgmsmzaqk
3. Latin Dance No. 1 2:32 (Kessel)
http://www.mediafire.com/?748ad40dj093hd5
4. Lady Byrd 3:30 (Dameron)
http://www.mediafire.com/?xgsakdi3zlhdzgv
5. One Note Samba 4:15 (Jobim-Mondonca-Hendricks)
http://www.mediafire.com/?17j0lp3behrrh73
6. The Peanut Vendor 3:10 (Sunshine-Gilert-Simons)
http://www.mediafire.com/?zje86vnh5jrg361
7. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas 3:13 (Davis-Farres)
http://www.mediafire.com/?fefdk86pp2zvgx2
8. Everytime I Hear This Song 3:47 (Kessel)
http://www.mediafire.com/?87eicgi6cz697hs
9. Love 2:47 (Martin-Blane)
http://www.mediafire.com/?f3l331a3nemnh3a
10. Twilight in Acapulco 2:23 (Kessel)
http://www.mediafire.com/?jjouw7c2ye6j37i

PS: When you hear Quizas (track 7) tell me if the 70s group ABBA didn't rip off the entire bridge of "Fernando" from this tune. Sorry, I was in radio in the 70s - so I had to play ABBA.

The Sound - The Amazing Jean "Toots" Thielemans (1955 Columbia LP)

2011-10-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Diga Diga Doo is now correct. There is a noticeable skip in the first :30. Nothing i could do about it.

Here's another jazz gem from the 50's I re-discovered recently in my record library. I've cleaned up most of the ticks, pops and surface noise. Nothing needs to be said about Toots. This is great album of easy listening jazz. Toots plays harmonica on all tracks and is heard on guitar (overdubs) on a several. Additional backup musicians on various tracks include Lou McGarity, Al Godlis, Billy Rauch & Jack Satterfield on trombones; Oscar Pettiford, bass; Tony Mottola, guitar; Cliff Leeman, drums; Artie Beck, alto sax and clarinet; Carl Prager, bass sax and clarinet, Beroge Berg, tenor sax & clarinet; Ray Bryant, piano, Wendess Marshall, bass, and Bill Clark, drums. Enjoy!

1. On the Alamo
http://www.mediafire.com/?ckatao96x7bknyb
2. Don't Be That Way
http://www.mediafire.com/?ofr5oi5yiq9yd0x
3. I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket
http://www.mediafire.com/?4xlz88n0m488kk7
4. Sophisticated Lady
http://www.mediafire.com/?q746uh9547h9f7k
5. Scotch on the Rocks
http://www.mediafire.com/?izfesymo2fwim9l
6. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
http://www.mediafire.com/?0yy9mxaloac1lw0
7. Stars Fell on Alabama
http://www.mediafire.com/?1uea4w5v6w97ndz
8. Diga Diga Doo
http://www.mediafire.com/?78kmbo86u12ixn5
9. So Rare
http://www.mediafire.com/?z364qsyq96s7ahx
10. Skylark
http://www.mediafire.com/?23z2b2lume81r58
11. Sonny Boy
http://www.mediafire.com/?pr0famgguvwdbbr
12. Cocktails for Two
http://www.mediafire.com/?gxgkqh5k2pfff26

Dancing with the Warren Durrett Orchestra (Kansas City)

2011-10-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

In 1966 I had the pleasure of attending the MENC (Music Educators National Conference) in Kansas City. Entertainment for the final evening was the wonderful big band of Warren Durrett. As a young band leader I watched his every move that evening and I had a visit with him during intermission. We stayed in touch for several years and I actually sold a few of my arrangements to him in the 70s. To those who aren't familiar with him enjoy this brief biography of a very fine Midwest musician.

Warren R. Durrett was born in Lebanon, KS, December 28, 1920, the youngest of seven children. His parents were Benjamin H. Durrett and Wilma Myers Durrett.

Durrett attended colleges at the University of Oklahoma and Maryville, MO, before graduating in 1951 from Kansas City University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His schooling was self financed using earnings from playing in college dance bands. In 1945, he started his own band of ten pieces playing weekends at the Continental Hotel Sky Hy Roof at 11th and Baltimore. The band grew rapidly in popularity playing single-night private parties and dinner dances at hotels, country clubs, area colleges, and ballrooms like the Pla-Mor where they set an attendance record for a local band of 1200 admissions in one night. Durrett also expanded the size of the band which grew to 18 pieces by the 1960s and then occasionally to 25 pieces by adding six strings and two singers. During the last years of performance part of the schedule involved performing as the KJLA Music of Your Life Orchestra for ballroom dancing at the Adams Mark Hotel.

Durrett retired the big band when he reached the age of 65. The final performance was a public dance held at the Marriott Hotel in Overland Park sponsored by KJLA radio featuring his 25 piece orchestra. The event was sold out three weeks in advance and marked Durrett's 42nd year as a band leader. During the following 14 years he wrote a 312 page book entitled A Chronology of the Warren Durrett Big Band in Kansas City-1945-86 with pictures and discussions of band personnel and jobbing dates by decades. From 1949 to 1967 Warren operated Durrett Productions, a musical advertising company which composed and arranged music for advertising agencies for use in radio and television commercials throughout the Midwest.

In 1960 he started a career in real estate investment and land development. He formed and directed several syndicates and corporations in this field. He was a member of the National Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Village Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir for 16 years. In 1991 he was awarded the annual Distinguished Achievement award by Conservatory of Music of the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Warren Durrett died Sunday, March 24, 2002. This album was recorded at Capitol Tower in Hollywood with great charts by Dave Zoller, Sammy Nestico and others. Warren used some top studio musicians on this session including Conte Condoli, Kai Winding, Bud Brisbois, Dick Nash, Bob Ousley, Paul Humphrey and Carol Kaye. Bill Miller produced the session. It's first class...like Warren himself.

1. Night & Day (Dave Zoller arr.)
http://www.mediafire.com/?rfkmlvc8abxkrit
2. Last Tango in Paris (Sammy Nestico arr.)
http://www.mediafire.com/?vvlaxymvc5ww8xq
3. Who Can I Turn To (John Pope arr.) Molly Miles vc. Kai Winding trombone - Bub Brisois trpt. http://www.mediafire.com/?kw4379o8yt86zc2
4. A Time for Love (John Pop arr.) Dick Nash lead trombone & solo
http://www.mediafire.com/?xu5tch1jq6lvulg
5. What is There To Say - Sherman Gibson solo trpt.
http://www.mediafire.com/?5o4uz8rvgq4g1b7
6. Day by Day (from Godspell - Nestico arr.)
http://www.mediafire.com/?rch0f2x6m2xasyr
7. This Guy's In Love (John Pope arr.) Conte Candoli,trpt solo; Bob Ousley, clar. solo
http://www.mediafire.com/?f8w9jn5gxnrtvob
8. Who's Sorry Now (Nestico arr.) Arch Martin trombone solo
http://www.mediafire.com/?3szlqfqn5q1km6k
9. Watch What Happens (John Pope arr) Bud Brisbois trpt solo, Arch Martin, trombone solo
http://www.mediafire.com/?5y55jyrzks1nxzx
10. Spanish Eyes (Warren Durrett arr.) Phil Teele, bass trombone solo; Don Raffeli, tenor sax. http://www.mediafire.com/?48xqt3m4d9s5qv3

It's a shame we don't have more of this great regional band. Here's an interesting interview with Warren for anyone wanting more information on this fine leader.
http://www.kcjazzambassadors.com/issues/1996-10/q&adurrett.html

Jackie Davis - Most Happy Hammond - Top Tunes from Broadway Musicals

2011-10-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

I worked my way through college playing Hammond organ in a local night club, so I still have a fondness for the king of lounge instruments. A B-3 with a Leslie speaker is a powerful voice for jazz, blues and rock.

One of the popular jazz organists of the 50's was Jackie Davis. For those not familiar with him:

" Jackie Davis was the first musician to popularize jazz on the Hammond organ, years before Jimmy Smith’s name became synonymous with organ jazz. Davis was Capitol’s leading performer on the organ at a time when relatively few mainstream labels were willing to put a black musician on the cover of an album.

Davis once said that music came to him genetically. His mother played the washtub, a cheap substitute for the bass, and he first learned to play by spending hours poking at his grandmother’s piano. By the age of eight, he was playing with a local dance band. The rest of the band had ten years or more on him, and he later remarked that he had “eighteen godfathers who kept their pedal extremities in sensitive areas of my anatomy.” He later described the experience as his best education in music and in life. By the age of eleven, he’d earned enough from playing to buy his own piano, and music enabled him to pay his way through Florida A&M College, where he graduated with a bachelors degree in music in 1943.

After serving time in the Army, he worked as a pianist, usually as an accompanist for singers such as Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Billy Daniels. Although he was attracted to the organ, he was intimidated at the prospect of playing jazz on it, particularly when his idol at the time was the lightning-fast Art Tatum. But when the Hammond Organ Company began selling electric organs in the late 1940s, he felt the biggest technical hurdle had been overcome, and in 1951, he bought his first organ. Soon after, he was hired to appear at the Club Harlem in Philadelphia, and the novelty of Davis’ playing on the Hammond was so remarkable that the club extended his two-week gig by almost five months."

Read the rest at : http://www.last.fm/music/Jackie+Davis/+wiki?ver=1

Listen to this album and you'll be impressed with his musicianship. Personnel includes: Kenny Burrell or Mundel Lower, guitar; Burtell Knox, drums; Eddie Costa, vibes. Recordings were made in LA in April 1958.

1. Standing on the Corner (from Most Happy Fella)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ujdfjdr157sg5tg
2. Surprise (from Oh Captain)
http://www.mediafire.com/?gi4chd593vsa3o1
3. Long Before I Knew You (from Bells are Ringing)
http://www.mediafire.com/?sp68iyiu0gxb8fa
4. Push de Button (from Jamaica)
http://www.mediafire.com/?qq8vxjvw1cv2s08
5. It's the Second Time You Meet that Matters (from Say Darling)
http://www.mediafire.com/?n31a6oiwokcowm7
6. All of You (from Silk Stockings)
http://www.mediafire.com/?lnk4ya5decuxyab
7. Just My Luck (from the Body Beautiful)
http://www.mediafire.com/?z2yzwybxym37dlq
8. Wish (from Rumple)
http://www.mediafire.com/?i2hiu8hetobhusl
9. Til There Was You (from Music Man)
http://www.mediafire.com/?iayqjfw4et74b13
10. Say Darling (from Say Darling)
http://www.mediafire.com/?c2p53wj9zc1ruqh
11. I Feel Pretty (from West Side Story)
http://www.mediafire.com/?dif1migd132uc4k
12. Jubiliation T. Cornpone (from Lil Abner)
http://www.mediafire.com/?kz4cwsp4o0duozo

Anyone have more Jackie Davis? It would be great to share.

Hello-We're the Axidentals (ABC-Paramount)

2011-10-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Axidentals were a talented four piece vocal group consisting of one lady and three gentlemen who met while majoring in music at San Francisco State College. Hello, We're The Axidentals has been in my collection for decades, but I had forgotten about it until "cleaning house" in my record library recently. I think you'll agree that this is one incredible vocal group. I have no idea what happened to them since this. I believe Milt Chapman replaced Frank Howren in "The Hi-Los" for a couple years around 1965. Does anyone know more about this quartet: Ann Winters, Bob Sumners (arranger), Milt Chapman, Sandy Rogers, Steve Atkin (pianist & arranger).

Liner notes read:

THE AXIDENTALS, three fellows and a girl, are on of the fine vocal groups of our time. I would not like to compare them to anyone as they have set their own style. They sing with great warmth and feeling. Their unusal phrasing is probably accounted for by the fact that they all played instruments at one time, but now wish to be known only as a vocal group. The Axidentals met and organized while attending San Francisco State College. This was just a short time ago and most of their engagements have been in the Pacific Northwest in the vicinty of Vancouver, Portland, Reno and San Francisco.

When ABC-Parmount gave me the go ahead signal to record the Axidentals here in LA, I decided that Russell Garcia would be the man best suited for the arranging and conducting. It is also interesting to say here that after their first rehearsal while perfecting their arrangement of I Lead A CXharmed Life, BOb Russell, who happened to hear them at the time said, "I just must write a lyric for those kids." That is how they happened to record HELLO which also gave them the title for the album. Quiet Wind was written by two of the boys in the group, Milt Chapman and Bob Sumners. Actually the album came out far beyond anyone's expectations. Even the men in the orchestra who have accompanied most everyone were completed knocked out by The Axidentals.
(Albert L. Marx)

This album featured an impressive band with arrangements by Russell Garcia. On various tracks you'll hear

Trpts: Maynard Ferguson, Don Fagerquist, Pete Condoli, Buddy CHilders and Ray Linn.

Rhythm: Joe Comfort, bass; Howard Roberts, guitar; Ramon Rivera, bongos; Steve Atkin, piano; Shelly Manne, drums; Mel Lewis, drums; Alvin Stoller, drums.

Trombones: Harry Betts, George Roberts, Tommy Pederson, Milt Bernhart, Lloyd Ulyate, Bob Print, Jr. Ray Klein.

Strings: William Kurasch, William Miller, Lou Raderman, Aamerigo Rickey Marino.

1. I Lead a Charmed Life (Garcia-Russell)
http://www.mediafire.com/?muwvgk8y9yy2mgh
2. June is Bustin' Out all Over (Rodgers-Hammerstein)
http://www.mediafire.com/?cn6vqoctcox1mi2
3. You and the Night & the Music (Schwartz-Dietz)
http://www.mediafire.com/?7jo6sv1xvvwbs7o
4. I Can't Give You Anything but Love (McHugh-Fields)
http://www.mediafire.com/?hg7fg67er2eg4fh
5. Hello (Towner-Russell)
http://www.mediafire.com/?7uh9ice7yy6g9l7
6. Rock a Bye Your Baby (Schwartz-Young-Lewis)
http://www.mediafire.com/?73sixcaaby74v2i
7. I Can't Believe that You're in Love with Me (McHugh-Gaskill)
http://www.mediafire.com/?s9qwfr6q2r22zbl
8. Quiet Wind (Sumners-Chapman)
http://www.mediafire.com/?32vn7xgb7do9dys
9. Look for the Silver Lining (Kern-DeSylva)
http://www.mediafire.com/?nqwry8y6aa2d57e
10. Love is Sweeping the Country (G & I Gershwin)
http://www.mediafire.com/?3bd9o6q44klrmjs
11. For Me & My Gal (Goetz-Leslie-Meyer)
http://www.mediafire.com/?0ywsp4i6aa9wadm
12. What a Difference a Day Made(Grever-Adams)
http://www.mediafire.com/?9a769ccc77t4mes
13. Hey Ma! I'm In Love
http://www.mediafire.com/?dla2alydaybq49k

Roger Roger - Descriptive Light Instrumental Music

2011-10-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Roger Roger was a French film composer and bandleader. His aliases included: Eric Swan, Cecil Leuter, the last being a pseudonym he used for his electronic productions. He was one of the first to experiment with the Moog synth. Roger died in Paris in 1995. Since his death, renewed interest in light music has seen several CD albums released, both in dedicated albums and in compilations.

I can't remember the source of these cuts, but I believe they were on an LP that I found in the radio station library. Each is very enjoyable light classic listening.

Scenic Railway http://www.mediafire.com/?xvbfi2s07rbdq55
Rhumbanita http://www.mediafire.com/?bjh8vp3t7gcmavn
Adieu Shanghai http://www.mediafire.com/?8zkj908lbaaesl2
Hi Fiddles http://www.mediafire.com/?05savzicsk31vqk
La Babri Mexicain http://www.mediafire.com/?f4frcf7w6a8kjrx
Sophia Galop http://www.mediafire.com/?42e96rpv4zxkqge
Valse Triste http://www.mediafire.com/?454vhwuex54o7az

Roger Roger is now known to more than a tiny handful of production music fans. One of the most prolific composers of popular music, Roger received very little acclaim for his work because much of it was "stock music" written for publishers like Chappell Music, which provided most of their product for largely uncredited use in radio, television, and film.

I found this article about him on

http://www.spaceagepop.com/roger.htm

Roger's double name was a private joke by his father, Edmund Roger, a conductor who'd studied alongside Debussy at the Paris Conservatoire. His father had no doubts about his son's future and by the age of five, Roger was studying piano, composition, voice, and conducting. Roger began performing at while still in his teens and was leading his own dance band by the age of 18.

He swayed from his father's intended path, though, by becoming fascinated with popular music. He subscribed to a sheet music service from American and pored over tunes by Gershwin, Kern, and Cole Porter. He started leading a large orchestra for French radio after World War Two, and appeared in Paris theaters accompanying such singers as Maurice Chevalier and Edith Piaf.

In 1955, Chappell Music hired him to write for their Mood Music library, and he eventually wrote and recorded nearly 20 albums for Chappell. Some of these pieces were used in the BBC's Trade Test Transmissions, and became favorites of fans of what's known as "Test Card" music. Compositions such as "Bolero," "Laissez-Faire," "Reine de Musette," and "Mademoiselle de Paris" were regularly used in these broadcasts. He also composed for the Canadian production publisher Parry Publishing and the American Major Mood Music library, often taking the pseudonym of Cecil Leuter.

Roger also continued to write for French radio, and later, television. By the time he retired in the mid-1970s, he claimed to have written for over 50 radio productions, nearly as many television shows, and to have had music used in over 500 films. A piece he wrote for an appearance by then-French president Rene Coty, "Versailles," has since become the signature theme for French presidents whenever they appear on Radio-diffusion-Television Francaise.

A number of his compositions were used for the soundtrack of the legendary British television series, "The Prisoner," including a "Toccata" for organ that was performed live in Paris as part of a classical concert.

He had a smattering of recordings released in the U.K. and U.S. under his own name, but it was not until 1976, when he recorded Tourbillon de Paris, playing his own compositions on a set of three synthesizers, that he really stood out as a recording artist. Unfortunately, the era of mood music had past and the album was soon forgotten.

In 1994, Dutch musicologist and leader of the Beau Hunks Orchestra, Gert-Jan Blom, produced the CD Grands Travaux, which compiled over a dozen Roger compositions from various sources, and brought his work to the attention of a new generation of listeners.

Herb Jeffries Magenta Moods & Flamingo

2011-10-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Herb Jeffries reposted by request.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wvh5y4p4e6s32sc

http://www.mediafire.com/?pqfxt7bttmx780y

Old Posts No Longer Available

2011-10-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have deleted many of my old posts because the files associated with them were deleted by Rapidshare when I didn't renew that file sharing account. I left information up on many of the more popular download albums and if you see one that you'd like, please send me an e-mail at rdbqpaul@gmail.com and I'll do my best to get it re-posted via MediaFire. I can't guarantee a quick turn around on requests, but I will do my best.

Dick Stabile Plays for You - Bethlehem BCP 5003

2011-10-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a very nice album by one of the truly exceptional alto sax players of all time. It's Hi-Fi mono and most likely recorded about 1957. Here's what Wikipedia says:

"Stabile got his start playing in theater ensembles on Broadway in the 1950s. He joined Ben Bernie's orchestra in 1928, where he remained for several years. In 1935 he started his own ensemble, recording with vocalists such as Bunny Berigan, Paula Kelly, Burt Shaw, and Gracie Barrie, the last of which he would go on to marry. During this time Stabile recorded for the labels Decca, Bluebird, ARC, and Vocalion/Okeh. His band worked often in hotels in New York City and was chosen to play at the New York World's Fair in 1959–60."

"During World War II Stabile led a band while serving in the Coast Guard; Gracie Barrie led his ensemble in his absence. After the war he moved to Los Angeles, where he began working with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis from 1949 up to his death. He was the leader of the orchestra on many of Martin's popular recordings. Additionally, he worked with Jimmy Dorsey and Vincent Lopez. Contrary to the assertions of some, Stabile did not play the alto solos in "So Rare," which was recorded by Jimmy Dorsey on November 11, 1956. Rather, Stabile was utilized for his alto in a session that occurred several days after Dorsey's death, and under the leadership of trumpeter Lee Castle."

"After spending the latter 1960s leading dance bands at Los Angeles ballrooms, Stabile took a job at the Hotel Roosevelt in New Orleans, where he worked from the middle of the 1970s until his death as a result of a heart attack in 1980."

A very good tribute page to him is at http://www.dickstabile.com/home.htm

The followup release to "So Rare" was a single on Fraternity of the great old standard "June Night." Stabile is the player on this and several other recordings by the Jimmy Dorsey band from that period. Some of the cuts on this LP are obviously done by the same arranger - not credited on the liner notes. They include: Poor Butterfly, For You, Oh Baby, and Without a Song. Russ Garcia wrote the charts for I'm Glad There is You, Broadway Beat, Do I Love You and Ballet Blue. They're all a little "syrupy" but highlight Stabile's fine sax technique and sound. Other arrangements are not credited. I presented these on individual files because not everyone will be interested in all. My favorites are the first five.

1. For You - Dick Stabile
http://www.mediafire.com/?g2rf29snn8ws21d
2. Poor Butterfly - Dick Stabile (Golden-Hubbell)
http://www.mediafire.com/?32nlcpcx38vakxu
3. Without a Song - Dick Stabile (Rose-Eliscu-Youmans)
http://www.mediafire.com/?3d23cpr1c1ra931
4. Oh Baby - Dick Stabile (Breen-Murphy)
http://www.mediafire.com/?z50mb5w11hrbcas
5. We'll be Together Again - Dick Stabile (Lane-Fischer)
http://www.mediafire.com/?94cr84hk94x9bli
6. My Fate is in Your Hands - Dick Stabile (Razaf-Waller)
http://www.mediafire.com/?xf1lw8g7ahl0uns
7. The Man with a Horn - Dick Stabile (Lake-Jenney-DeLange)
http://www.mediafire.com/?b6v6uib96g11fgo
8. I'm Glad There is You (Madeira-Dorsey)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ico65ljnkgn94cm
9. Broadway Beat - Dick Stabile (Lerner)
http://www.mediafire.com/?abdm1j6yz7r5po5
10. Ballet Bleu - Dick Stabile (Stabile)
http://www.mediafire.com/?hr8u05viuylvnie
11. I Lead a Charmed Life - Dick Stabile (Russ Garcia)
http://www.mediafire.com/?mu37eeo28emwfv2
12. Do I Love You? - Dick Stabile (Rodgers-Hammerstein)
http://www.mediafire.com/?3e824tupxsf3pc3

Ray McKinley's Glenn Miller Orchestra - Live in 1956

2011-09-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Ray McKinley was director of the the Glenn Miller Orchestra from June of 1956 to January of 1966. To quote from the official Glenn Miller Orchestra website:

"The mating of Glenn Miller's magnificent music with Ray McKinley's very special talents began long before he lead the band. It started as sort of a mutual admiration and culminated many years later in Ray's taking over Glenn's wonderful AAF dance band when Major Miller was lost in action during World War II.

Ray McKinley first met Miller when they played together from time to time in the old Ben Pollack band and then worked together in the Miller Army Air Forces band up to the time of Glenn's disappearance over the English Channel in 1944.

There were several attempts in the past to recreate the Miller style with bands led by Tex Beneke, Ralph Flanagan, Ray Anthony and Jerry Gray. But the elusive quality that made Miller's name a sweet and swing byword in the late '30s and early '40s never was entirely captured. Ray was one of the most sought-after drummers and most respected band leaders in the history of the business.":

I picked up this CD years ago. It's obviously a bootleg of a concert outside the USA and most likely from 1956. There's some sound distortion at times, but it's a wonderful memory of the decade when McKinley fronted this terrific orchestra.

Track One: In the Mood, Rhapsody in Blue, Kalamazoo, Volga Boatmen, Hot Diggity, American Patrol, Easy to Love, Laura, Pennsylvania 6-500.

Track Two: Don't Take Your Love From Me, I'm in Love Again, Bugle Call Rag, Stardust, The Lonely One, Hallelujah I Love Her So, When Your Lover Has Gone, Chattanooga, Anvil Chorus, Moonlight Serenade.

Lenny Hambro, the fine lead alto man on Ray's own band in the early 50's is featured prominently.

Enjoy!

Your Dance Date with Tony Pastor Columbia 10" LP

2011-08-31T20:26:00.000-07:00

I've finally found the time to add a few more rare titles to the music blog. I hope you enjoy this cleanup of a 10" lp by Tony Pastor's Orchestra. It was issued by Columbia in the summer of 1950. Both sides contain one long medley but they are full length arrangements of each song. These are smooth, danceable arrangements. No jazz - but great big band music from the end of the era.

Side One: Little White Lies, It Happened in Monterey, Sunny Side of the Street, You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me

Side Two: Exactly Like You, Beyond the Blue Horizon, Time On My Hands, You're Drivin' Me Crazy

For those who don't remember, Tony was a colorful tenor sax man who also did vocals with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. His most memorable was the vocal on "Indian Love Call."

Wikipedia says: Tony Pastor (born Anthony Pestritto) (October 26, 1907-October 31, 1969) was an Italian American novelty singer and tenor saxophonist, who played tenor sax with John Cavallaro (1927), Irving Aaronson (1928-30), Austin Wylie (1930), Smith Ballew (1934), Joe Venuti, Paul Fredricks, Vincent Lopez, and Artie Shaw's first (1936-37) and second (1937-39) orchestras. In November 1939 when Shaw walked off the bandstand in the Cafe Rouge located inside the Hotel Pennsylvania (essentially quitting his own band), Pastor was soon coaxed into leading his own big band, which he did from 1939 to 1959.

Bushkin Spotlights Berlin

2011-03-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

Bushkin Spotlights Berlin is a Capitol (mono) album from the late 1950s featuring the talented Joe Bushkin at the piano with a full studio orchestra playing 50 Irving Berlin standards.

Side one is 23 minutes. Side two is 26 minutes.

They are mp3 files but sound quality is very good.

I'm not listing song titles because they're all so familiar to fans of the Great American Songbook.

For those unfamiliar with Joe, here's a bio from Wikipedia:

Joe Bushkin (November 7, 1916 - November 3, 2004) was a jazz pianist who began by playing trumpet and piano with New York City dance bands. He joined Bunny Berigan's band in 1935, then left to join Muggsy Spanier's Ragtime Band in 1939. From the late 1930s through to the late 1940s he also worked with Eddie Condon on records, radio and TV. After service in WWII he worked with Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman.

He might be best known for co-writing Oh! Look at Me Now, with John DeVries, when he worked in Tommy Dorsey's band. That song would become one of Frank Sinatra's first hits.

In his 60s Bing Crosby ended Bushkin's semi-retirement with an offer for them to tour together.

He died in 2004.

Enjoy!

Bob Crosby film short - Late 1930s

2011-01-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

Bob Crosby filmed this short for Paramount in the late 1930s. The band includes Yank Lawson, Bob Haggart, Eddie Miller and Ray Baduc. This is from a 16mm print owned by a friend. Sound is not the best, but it's fun to see and hear.

Though Crosby was the group's stage leader, the real work of managing the band fell upon tenor saxophonist Gil Rodin, who had been part of the old Ben Pollack band since its earliest days. And in bassist Bob Haggart the band had a gifted arranger, composer, and musical director. Also instrumental in the group were guitarist Hilton Nappy Lamare,clarinetists Matty Mattlock and Irving Fazolar.These musicians also created a small group inside of the Bob Crosby orchestra named the The Bobcats, which added true New Orleans-style dixieland jazz performances to the band's shows.

This film includes South Rampart Street Parade complete with scenes from a Mardi Gras parade.

Benny on the Bandstand

2011-01-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a sample of a Benny Goodman PBS special that should be re-released on DVD. It was recorded sometime in 1985 from the NYC Marriott Grand Ballroom and featured a fine band that included Louis Bellson on drums plus the talents of Red Norvo, Teddy Wilson & Rosemary Clooney.

At the time I recorded it on VHS and have uploaded a sample for you to enjoy.

Anyone know the names of other band personnel?

Tex Beneke/Glenn Miller Video

2011-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at a video link on this blog. It's an excerpt from the excellent SWING series done by MCA on VHS about 10 years ago. To my knowledge it has never been issued on DVD. The Tex Beneke Glenn Miller Orchestra did several shorts for Universal. One in 1946 and another in 1948. The 1948 is in two parts. Here's the second.

Glenn Miller at Meadowbrook April 4, 1939

2011-01-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

Here's another nice remote from my collection. It's The Glenn Miller Orchestra at Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook Ballroom April 4, 1939.

Tunes include: Moonlight Serenade, Blue Skies, Don't Worry About Me (Ray Eberele), Romance Runs in the Family (Marion Hutton), The Masquerade is Over (Ray Eberle), Beneath the Spreading Chestnut Tree (Marion Hutton), Sticks & Stones (Marion Hutton), Our Love (Ray Eberle), By the Waters of Minnetonka, Moonlight Serenade.

Sound quality is very nice although some of the tunes are not of the quality we associate with the Miller band but typical novelty tunes of the era.

Enjoy!

PS: Just for fun I've added a 78rpm by Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook Orchestra from the mid 1930s. I'll Never Say Never Again - vocal by Nancy Flake.

Jackie Gleason - Lover's Portfolio (Jazz Band & Hotel Orchestra)

2010-12-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

"The Great One" did many albums for Capitol, although most sources say he did little more than select the tunes, order the arrangements and cash in on the royalties. Many of his mood music albums have been released on CD. However, I've never seen Lovers Portfolio (1962).

It was a two disc boxed set produced for Capitol complete with a fancy insert booklet that includes drink recipes and advice for how to have a romantic evening with your loved one..

One side is solo piano (unidentified), another featured slow seductive strings. I find both quite boring, so haven't included them here.

What you can download is a selection of 6 small jazz band tunes. One source says the session is led by Red Nichols, although Gleason used Bobby Hacket on many of his mood albums. Regardless, all the musicians are first rate and play some tasty jazz. The tunes are:

1. I Cover the Waterfront
2. I May Be Wrong
3. Garden in the Rain
4. Japanese Sandman
5. I Can't Give You Anything but Love
6. There'll be Some Changes Made

Then comes track 7 - a full side of society style hotel band music in one Lester Lanin type medley. It includes:

I Could Have Danced All Night

Love Is Here To Stay
C'est Magnifique
Mad About The Boy
It's All Right With Me
Just In Time
How High The Moon
Easy To Love
I Concentrate On You
All Of You
Our Love
On The Street Where You Live
I Love Paris
Come Rain Or Come Shine
It All Depends On You
So In Love
A Foggy Day
By Myself
The Party's Over

Gleason employed top-notch jazz soloists on his TV show and on these albums, with frequent appearances by Pee Wee Erwin and Roy Eldridge, saxophonist Charlie Ventura, Buddy Morrow on trombone, Milt Hinton on bass, and pianist Bernie Leighton. One can only speculate who is playing on these sessions, or who arranged the tunes. A good guess would be Pete King, who did many of the early albums, or more likely Billy May because there's a May sense of humor about all these tracks.

In fact, I'd put money on Billy May. It's the type of job he could do with a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and music pen in the other - laughing all the way. The tempo is non-stop horse race from start to almost the finish when there is a sudden break to a smooth and mellow The Party's Over. If that isn't Billy May, I'll be very suprised.

Anyone who knows, please post the information. Otherwise, just enjoy. I've cleaned up the ticks and pops and the 7 tracks are very enjoyable.

Happy New Year!!!!

A Touch of Tabasco - Rosemary Clooney & Prez Prado

2010-12-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

This is a new post. Files should work now.

Here's an album that RCA should release on CD in the states. It's been available in Japan for some time.

Rosemary Clooney teamed with Prez Prado playing a dozen great tunes. Clooney sounds terrific. Prado's disctinctive latin band is exciting on every track. I removed the ticks and pops from this album using Adobe Audition and it sounds every bit as good as a new cd. Enjoy.

Artie Shaw Re-Creates His 1938 Band - reposted by request

2010-12-28T07:23:00.000-08:00

This Artie Shaw LP is reposted for those who have requested it. Individual tracks are listed below.

Walt Levinsky was personally selected by Artie to re-create the Shaw solos. Artie himself conducted and produced these sessions recorded in Capitol's NYC Studios. Musicians are not listed on the LP, although in an interview Shaw mentions Buddy Morrow (trb), Toots Mondello (alto) Al Klink & Billy Staplin (ts), Bernie Privin, Mel Davis (trp), Bernie Layton (p) and Don Lamond. Capitol should have released this on CD. It's the 100 birthday of Artie Shaw. This is a superb update of some of his best recordings.

Side One:
Traffic Jam http://www.mediafire.com/?nssxvgt9iukkhsu
Begin the Beguine http://www.mediafire.com/?64zffe3nypae2fq
Lover Come Back to Me http://www.mediafire.com/?00sbd89bk0rj6vk
Zigeuner http://www.mediafire.com/?5wj6jlfx2177e2f
What is this Thing Called Love http://www.mediafire.com/?94i3lke4i6c1l32
It Had to Be You http://www.mediafire.com/?hxo8cofllijgah1

Side Two:
Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise http://www.mediafire.com/?i7if7bc808ebf8t
Octoroon http://www.mediafire.com/?2pb3ibbn13cphbp
Back Bay Shuffle http://www.mediafire.com/?elpqxsllaf58964
Jungle Drums http://www.mediafire.com/?ujcdljzsvo2y4d2
Copenhagen http://www.mediafire.com/?yqc9ypedemqd4la

Reminder: This re-posting is only in mp3 format. Titles not in album order. Nightmare was skipped because it was a damaged mp3.

Norm Ladd Orchestra - Swingin' Nice and Easy

2010-12-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Norm Ladd Orchestra was a popular dance band in the Chicago area in the 1950s-80s. Norman Hladleck (I think that's correct spelling) was an alto sax/clarinet player who assembled a pleasant commercial ballroom band with bright, bouncy arrangements. He was a good showman and a crowd pleaser. I had several early albums by Norm and had the privilege of performing on piano with him several times when he was coming through Dubuque and needed a sub musician.

This Swingin' Nice & Easy album on Meric Records label was a departure in style. The orchestrations are much fuller and have a more modern swing than his earlier albums. I lost the album cover (?) but I believe the charts are all by Howardl Beyer. If anyone has more information on Norm's fine group, please post a message. To my commercial ear it's a very enjoyable band that should have been heard by more people then, and now.

1. Button Up Your Overcoat
2. Days of Wine & Roses
3. Fascinating Rhythm (Twist)
4. I Could Write a Book
5. I'm Old Fashioned
6. My Baby Just Cares for Me
7. Please Be Kind
8. Star Eyes
9. Tell Me That You Love Me Tonight
10. The Sweetest Sounds
11. With the Wind & the Rain In Your Hair

I recently found his obituary on the Internet and am posting in respect to the memory of this fine man and his music.

Norbert J. Hladilek, 71, a big band orchestra leader known as Norm Ladd, died Saturday in his Rolling Meadows home. Born in Flint, Mich., Mr. Hladilek was raised in Milwaukee and attended Milwaukee State Teachers College before deciding to follow his dream and become a full-time musician. As a boy, he learned to play the piano and accordion. As a teenager, his attention turned to the saxophone and clarinet, which became his favorite instruments. Mr. Hladilek toured with several big bands, including Tommy Dorsey's band and Gay Claridge's orchestra. Mr. Hladilek's association with Claridge inspired him to put together his own band, the Norm Ladd Orchestra, in 1959.

"He always wanted to have his own band," said his daughter, Dawn Lapetina. "There wasn't anything else that he wanted to do." He traveled for several years before settling in the Chicago area, where his band performed at the Aragon Ballroom, the Melody Mill of Chicago, the Chevy Chase Ballroom in Wheeling and the Lancer in Schaumburg. For more than 30 years, the group played weekends at the Willowbrook Ballroom in Willow Springs.

"He was definitely a tradition at the Willowbrook since the 1960s," said Willowbrook village spokesman Mike Foran. "There were legions of fans who loved him." Mr. Hladilek's Sunday-afternoon performances attracted more than 800 dancers, Foran said. From 1960 to 1980, Mr. Hladilek recorded four big-band albums, including "Dancing on the Ceiling" and "For the Good Times."

His family said his most memorable engagement was in the 1980s when his orchestra played the Empire Room at the Palmer House in Chicago.

Glenn Miller at Glen Island Casino - 7/24/39 with Kay Starr

2010-10-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

The great Glenn Miller Orchestra was a favorite at The Glen Island Casino, New Rochelle, New York. They were booked for the entire summer season of 1939. Many good airchecks of the band have been released in part by RCA Victor, and some complete broadcasts by other labels. I don't believe this one has surfaced on CD, so I'm happy to share it with big band fans. I've cleaned up the audio as best I can.

This show marks the national debut of 16 year Kay Starr from Memphis, TN. She was brought in to replace Marion Hutton who had collapsed on the bandstand at Glen Island Casino a few days earlier. Doctors blamed nervous indigestion and exhaustion. She underwent a minor sinus operation and returned August 1st. Of course Kay Starr went on to a great career as one of the most popular singers of the late 40s and early 50s. She sings "Baby Me" (arranged by Eddie Durham). She went into the Victor studios 2 days later and recorded that and "Love with a Capitol You" with the band.

The broadcast orginated on NBC via WJZ and was heard 5-5:15pm (eastern):

Moonlight Serenade
I Want to Be Happy
Oh, You Crazy Moon
Baby Me
My Isle of Golden Dreams

Tommy Dorsey Radio Show July 8, 1945

2010-10-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Tommy Dorsey and Company was a Sunday at 4:30pm (eastern) network radio show heard over NBC from July through November 1945. My source is an AFRS rebroadcast without commercials. Tommy's guest is actress Claire Trevor. There's some cornball comedy but, you'll also hear some things that, to my knowledge, Tommy didn't record commercially. And this is the Dorsey band with the full string section. Sound quality is exceptional. If you like this, I've got several hundred more good remotes with a variety of name bands. Comments welcome.

NOTE: This is a repost.

Rockin' Hammond and Rockin' with Milt Buckner

2010-10-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia Milt Buckner (10 July 1915 – 27 July 1977) was an American jazz pianist and organist, originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He was orphaned as a child, but an uncle in Detroit (trombone player John Tobias) taught him to play. Buckner pioneered the parallel chords style which influenced Red Garland, George Shearing, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson.

He first played in Detroit with the McKinney Cotton Pickers and then with Cab Calloway. In 1941 he joined Lionel Hampton's big band ,and for the next seven years served as its pianist and staff arranger. He led a short-lived band of his own for two years, but then returned to Hampton's in 1950. In 1952, he formed his own group. He often played in Europe in the late 60's. He died in Chicago, Illinois at the age of sixty-two.

Buckner's brother, Ted Buckner, was a noted jazz saxophonist.

Milt Buckner was a Capitol recording artist from April 1955 through July 1957, sharing the studio with saxophonists Earle Warren and Sam Taylor, guitarists Everett Barksdale and Skeeter Best, bassist Milt Hinton and drummers Osie Johnson and Shadow Wilson.

Like many U.S. jazz musicians who struggled at home and did better abroad, Milt Buckner clearly preferred the cultural and vocational climate in Europe. Over the 11 years that remained in his life, he only returned to North America for brief concert and club bookings -- five times to the U.S. and twice to Canada. Beginning in 1966 with his first Parisian session in the company of Illinois Jacquet and trumpeter Roy Eldridge, Buckner's discography indicates a more stable working environment involving skilled musicians and appreciative audiences. Milt Buckner's final decade of professional activity is mostly measured in recordings issued on the Black & Blue label, with the exception of a few Prestige, Jazz Odyssey and Riff releases.

The sessions here have been favorites of mine since the early 1960s when I first discovered his amazing jazz organ playing. I've been told that these and a number of other sessions have been released on CD, but I haven't found them anywhere. These cuts are from the original 33 1/3 and 45rpm monoral discs in my collection. I've cleaned up the bulk of the ticks & pops. I hope you enjoy them.

Milt Buckner Rockin' Hammond and Rockin' With Milt (repost)

http://www.mediafire.com/?6e33il9593htl6f

1. Take the A Train
2. Lean Baby
3. Bernie's Tune
4. Rockin' with Milt
5. Slaughter on 125th Street
6. Little Miss Maudlin
7. Easy to Love
8. Blues for Me
9. RobbinsNest
10.Count's Basement
11. Mighty Low
12. We'll Be Together Again
13. Jumpin' at the Woodside
14 The Beast
15. One O'Clock Jump
16. Jumpin at the Zanzibar
17. Blue & Sentimental
18. Deep Purple
19. The Late, Late Show
20. When You Wish Upon a Star

Bing Crosby - Songs I Love (Longines Symphonette Society Recordings)

2010-10-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

There's been a flood of reissue recordings by Bing in recent months. I own the wonderful CBS Radio Recordings boxed set with Buddy Cole. Almost every track is terrific. One important series of recordings Bing made for Longines has not been re-issued. He recorded these tracks in San Francisco November 30 and December 2, 1965. The instrumental tracks had been arranged and conducted by The Geoff Love Orchestra in England at an earlier date. I think they represent some of the best "late" Crosby we have. I've split them into three volumes.

Note that numbering doesn't follow logically. I loaded in this manner to avoid the 200 mg policy of Mediafire. All the songs in the first set were written by Irving Berlin. The others are all great standards done with Bing's usual relaxed charm. What a master of the popular song!

1. I've Heard That Song Before

2. Puttin' on the Ritz

3. Always

4. The Song is Ended

6. Marie

12. Isn't This a Lovely Day (to be caught in the rain_

14. Say it Isn't So.

http://www.mediafire.com/?pay9kdd8o532zpb

5. That Old Gang of Mine

7. Stormy Weather

8. Friendly Persuasion

9. One for My Baby

10. Say Si, Si

11. River Stay Way from My Door

19. Old Buttermilk Sky (my favorite of all these recordings)

http://www.mediafire.com/?o25z1ohxnz293je

13. The Breeze & I

15. How Come You Do Me Like You Do?

16. Tenderly

17 My Prayer

18. Rockabye Your Baby

http://www.mediafire.com/?75060gnjtsj0v88

I hope you enjoy these as much as I have since first purchasing the set in the late 60s.

College Prom - Leroy Holmes Orchestra

2010-10-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

I found this album in a cut-out record shop in Chicago in 1964. It's been a longtime favorite for just nice smooth danceband medleys with many familiar standards (and a few oddball tunes) skillfully arranged by Holmes and played with precision by a group of unidentified studio musicians. Original release on MGM was May of 1959.

According to Wikipedia LeRoy Holmes was born September 22, 1913, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died July 27, 1986, Los Angeles, California) was an American songwriter, composer, arranger and conductor. Holmes studied music at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and the Juilliard School in New York, before working with a number of bandleaders during the 1930s and early 40s. These included Ernst Toch, Vincent Lopez, and Harry James. After serving as a lieutenant in the US Navy during the Second World War, he moved to Hollywood, where he was hired by MGM Music Studios as a house arranger and conductor, before later moving to United Artists.

During his time with MGM, he backed numerous vocalists, including Judy Garland, and in 1954 made what is possibly his best known recording, a version of the theme to the film The High and the Mighty. The song is known for its distinctive accompanying whistling, which was provided by Fred Lowery. Holmes provided the orchestration for Tommy Edwards epic 1958 hit "It's All In The Game", and tried rock and R&B with his backing to the Impalas "Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home)".

Holmes also wrote the theme song to the television series International Detective. He moved to United Artists Records in the early 1960s, where he contributed to many compilations of movie themes, released albums under his own name and backed a succession of singers, notably Gloria Lynne and Shirley Bassey.

Holmes also wrote some published "stock" arrangements of swing era tunes for several publishing companies.

If there's any big band leaders reading this, I'm always interested in doing transcriptions of these or other arrangements for dance bands.

College Prom - Leroy Holmes Orchestra
1. When I Take My Sugar to Tea-Lousie-Tangerine-Love is Just Around the Corner
2. Out of Nowhere-I Don't Want to Walk Without You-If I Should Lose You-You Brought a New Kind of Love To Me
3. My Old Flame-Heart & Soul-My Future Just Passed, Thanks for the Memories
4. Moon Song, Moonlight & Shadows, I Wished on the Moon, Moonlight Becomes You
5. You're a Sweet Little Headache, What Am I Gonna Do About You?, Crosspatch, In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
6. I Hear Music, Sing You Sinngers, I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine, Jingle Jangle Jingle
7. Penthouse Serenade, Isn't it Romantic?, Two Sleepy People, You're Mine You.

Four Roses Big Band

2010-08-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a real treat for lovers of fine big band swing. Four Roses Bourbon put out this album in 1961 featuring some great musicians from the big band era.

Arrangements are by Sy Oliver and Norman Leyden and the musicians are truly all stars.

Trumpets: Charlie Shavers, Jimmy Henderson, Bernie Glow, Doc Severinsen, Jimmy Nottingham

Trombones: Frank Sracco, Bobby Byrnek, Urbie Green, Eddie Bert, Dick Hixson

Saxes: Peanuts Hugo, Al Kink, Sam Marowitz, George Berg, Bernie Kaufman, Walt Levinsky

Piano: Buddy Weed; Guitar: Tommy Kay; Bass: Jack Lesberg; Drums Bobby Donaldson; bongos, Bobby Rosengarden.

Vocal group is not identified.

I found this in a pile of albums someone gave me years ago. I've cleaned it up and offer it for your enjoyment - with a glass of Four Roses over ice.

Tracks are: Do You Ever Think of Me, Moonlight Serenade (nice revision), Jada, Temptation, I'm in the Mood for Love, Hawaiian War Chant, Just You, ust Me, That Old Feeling, Darktown Strutters Ball, Love, Don't Blame Me, 720 in the Books.

GEORGE SHEARING - JUST FOR YOU

2010-08-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

In 1956 George Shearing did a series of live broadcasts from ZARDI'S on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles and BASIN STREET in NYC over NBC's weekend MONITOR program. This is one example of these wonderful, relaxing shows.

The first session is February of 1956 from Zardi's.

This second session is from Basin Street on May 24, 1956.

Personnel includes: George Shearing, Piano; Johnny Rae, vibes; Toots Thielemans, guitar; Al McKibbon, bass; and Bill Clark, drums.

http://rapidshare.com/files/411827123/Feb1956.mp3.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/411947745/May24-56.mp3.html

SWING INTO SPRING - BENNY GOODMAN TEXACO LP

2010-07-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

Benny Goodman's SWING INTO SPRING TV special broadcast April 10, 1959 sponsored by Texaco was a smash hit. Texaco responded with a souvenir LP produced by Columbia. It's all reissues of older Goodman material from the Columbia archives. Liner notes were minimal. But, it's a nice souvenir of the great Goodman band.

1. The Earl 9/25/41

2. I'll Never Say Never Again 2/23/53 (Helen Ward vc)

3. Undecided 7/30/52 (Terry Gibbs on vibes)

4. Just You, Just Me 8/29/45

5. Perfidia 2/28/41 (Helen Forrest vocal - Count Basie piano)

6. Rachel's Dream 5/7/45

7. What Little Moonlight Can Do 2/23/53 (Helen Ward vc)

8. Slipped Disc 2/4/45

9. La Rosita 6/11/41

10. Take It 3/4/41

11. Swing into Spring 2/25/58 (Doc Severinson Trpt - Hank Jones piano - Tony Mottola, Guitar

http://rapidshare.com/files/406412373/goodmanswing.rar.html

CHARLIE VENTURA PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE - Craftsmen C 8039

2010-07-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

Charlie Ventura (Venturo) was born in 1916, one of 13 children from a musical family. He went on to become a jazz legend and was named "Number One Tenor Saxophonist" by DownBeat Magazine in 1945. After graduating from South Philadelphia High School in 1935 he spent much of his spare time jamming with jazz men at various Philadelphia clubs. In 1942 Charlie was working at the Philadelphia Navel Yard when he received a call to join the Gene Krupa band. Soon he was on the road as a featured soloist, along with trumpet star, Roy Eldridge and singer Anita O'Day. Ventura was one of the first jazz musicians to make the transition from swing to be-bop. In 1946, he formed his own "Bop For The People" band, playing a commercially-oriented form of be-bop. Continuing to play with The Gene Krupa Trio, he cut Dark Eyes, which led to over a dozen released albums, including Charlie Ventura With Special Guest Charlie Parker(1949), Bop For The People(1949-53) and Charlie Ventura And His Orchestra(1954-55).

Many fans will remember the succession of great jazz groups, fronted by Charlie, that appeared at The Open House nightclub he owned in Lindenwold, New jersey. Playing Las Vegas with Jackie Gleason, and Atlantic City, New York and Philadelphia, Charlie Ventura was the consummate jazzman. "Jazz is maturing and maturity carries responsibilities. I feel that I'm supposed to make people laugh, make them cry, make them day dream and give them some excitement," Charlie explained. His lifetime of musical achievement ended in January, 1992, but his legacy to the world of jazz lives on.

This album was released on the low budget Craftsmen Label in 1960 and features Charlie on alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxophones. The other musicians are uncredited.

1. Bill Bailey
2. Dark Eyes
3. Exactly Like You
5. Honeysuckle Rose
6. I've Got You Under My Skin
7. Stardust
8. Sweet Lorraine
9. When the Saints Go Marching
ttp://rapidshare.com/files/406397076/CharlieVenutra.rar.html

Urbie Green Plays Jimmy McHugh

2010-06-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

Here's my first attempt at a rar download. Thanks to a fellow music blogger for giving me detailed instructions. Hopefully this successful and useful for those of you who enjoy these classic albums. This is the MONO version of the album. The cover photo was snagged from a website selling the album for some ridiculous price. Urbie Green was a wonderful trombonist and one of the top studio men in NYC in the 50s and 60s. Legend has it that he was to be the original leader of the new Tommy Dorsey Orchestra after Tommy died. Tommy's wife heard the band in rehearsal and suggested Urbie play softer. He picked up his horn and walked out the rehearsal - never to return again. (Please note that several tracks are missing. These were damaged beyond cleanup by my digital system. The copy came from a radio station library and wasn't in the best of shape.

http://rapidshare.com/files/404175205/urbiegreen.rar.html

Jack Jones - What the World Needs Now - Kapp KS-3551

2010-06-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

In response to several requests, this Jack Jones LP is reposted. To my knowledge it has not been released on CD. There are only 11 cuts on the album. My vinyl of this was near perfect. No arranging or orchestra credits were on the album jacket.

Side One:

What the World Needs Now is Love

http://www.mediafire.com/?4r4jfqc1x1lthlr

Afterthoughts

http://www.mediafire.com/?4r4jfqc1x1lthlr

I'm Indestructible

http://www.mediafire.com/?85gu7ov2aqb4j6t

I Never Go There Anymore

http://www.mediafire.com/?cufzja4dvpedupp

The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else

http://www.mediafire.com/?5updm3h25fwhzff

Side Two:

The Eyes of Love (Theme from Banning)

http://www.mediafire.com/?8n1vfpv64b67tks

True Love

http://www.mediafire.com/?riag04ca9ao2tow

Yesterday

http://www.mediafire.com/?r07eqo8p3p7wqll

The Gypsies, The Jugglers and The Clowns

http://www.mediafire.com/?wljq6y5ae60bw7s

Seein' the Right Love Go Wrong

http://www.mediafire.com/?la05j9s3sh193dv

I Only Have Eyes for You

http://www.mediafire.com/?ix0adu5jye9hswb

Things are Swingin' - The Kirby Stone Four

2010-06-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

The Kirby Stone Four were an American vocal ensemble popular in the 1950s and early 1960s. Kirby Stone founded the group in the years after World War II and began playing clubs in the New York area. They won slots on local television, including The Ed Sullivan Show, and soon after signed to Columbia Records. Several LPs followed, including Baubles, Bangles and Beads; their version of the song "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" became a hit in the U.S. in 1958, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also nominated for a Grammy award.Among the backing musicians that played on Kirby Stone Four albums were Jimmy Carroll's orchestra, the Kai Winding Quartet, Alvino Rey, Shelly Manne, and Al Klink. Their style, which melded swing jazz, vocalese, and early rock & roll was referred to as "The Go Sound". They made many appearances on U.S. television shows such as The Judy Garland Show into the mid-1960s. By that time their sound had faded from popularity, and in 1966 they recorded a rock & roll album with The Tokens as the United States Double Quartet. During this time Stone directed several TV variety shows.

The 10 selections posted are from a Warner Brothers album that I transferred to CD from reel-to-reel tape. I can't remember for sure, but I think there were 12 cuts, but the reel tape was damaged and I couldn't transfer two. I didn't save liner notes, but I believe the backup is Buddy Cole. Some of the cuts a freshened up re-makes of several of their hits.

Baubles, Bangles & Beads
http://rapidshare.com/files/401672318/Baubles_Bangles___Beads.mp3.html

You're Drivin' Me Crazy
http://rapidshare.com/files/401673325/You_re_Drivin__Me_Crazy.mp3.html

Too Close for Comfort
http://rapidshare.com/files/401673195/Too_Close_for_Comfort.mp3.html

Hello Dolly
http://rapidshare.com/files/401672542/Hello_Dolly.mp3.html

Fascinatin' Rhythm
http://rapidshare.com/files/401672443/Fascinatin__Rhythm.mp3.html

Jeepers Creepers
http://rapidshare.com/files/401672668/Jeepers_Creepers.mp3.html

Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
http://rapidshare.com/files/401672170/Zing__Went_the_Strings_of_My_Heart.mp3.html

Together Wherever We Go
http://rapidshare.com/files/401673074/Together_Wherever_We_Go.mp3.html

Thank Heaven for Little Girlshttp://rapidshare.com/files/401672776/Thank_Heaven_for_Little_Girls.mp3.html

Things are Swingin'
http://rapidshare.com/files/401672930/Things_Are_Swingin_.mp3.html

I've been away from posting for awhile as I finished a couple of projects that actually make money. For those who enjoy these posts, I'll have more in the near future.

The Pied Pipers - Memo

2010-03-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

This exceptional album by the great Pied Pipers was recorded for Tops/Mayfair March 12, 1957. For those who don't remember, TOPS was a discount label sold at Kresges, Woolworth, etc. Many fine sides were produced by talented people such as this 1957 version of the legendary Pied Pipers. Back in 1997 I found a copy on CD. It's great music with fine sound quality, too. To the best of my knowledge this is long out-of-print, so I don't feel guilty posting it for collectors to enjoy.

1. http://rapidshare.com/files/364546262/Getting_Sentimental.wav

2. http://rapidshare.com/files/364546263/Oh__Look_At_Me_Now.wav

3. http://rapidshare.com/files/364546266/Once_In_Awhile.wav

4, http://rapidshare.com/files/364546267/On_the_Sunny_Side.wav

5. http://rapidshare.com/files/364546269/I_ll_Never_Smile_Again.wav

6. http://rapidshare.com/files/364546272/Heat_Wave.wav

7. http://rapidshare.com/files/364568885/There_are_Such_Things.wav

8. http://rapidshare.com/files/364568886/The_One_I_Love.wav

9. http://rapidshare.com/files/364568888/Street_of_Dreams.wav

10. http://rapidshare.com/files/364568891/Marie.wav

11. http://rapidshare.com/files/364568892/Takin_a_Chance_on_Love.wav

12. http://rapidshare.com/files/364568893/Let_s_Get_Away_from_it_All.wav

It's been awhile since I posted something other than 1930s 78s. I hope you enjoy this one. And, I love to get your comments.

Jerry Gray Orchestra

2009-12-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

Jerry Gray is surely one of the finest arrangers of the big band era. He crafted hit after hit for Glenn Miller after establishing himself as a true creative genius with the iconic arrangement of "Begin the Beguine,"
"Carioca", "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise", and "Any Old Time," for Artie Shaw. His Miller hits include
many of the most recognizable and memorable recordings of the era. He arranged "Elmer's Tune", "Moonlight Cocktails", and "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" among others. His compositions included "Sun Valley Jump", "The Man in the Moon", "Caribbean Clipper", "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and his most famous song, "A String of Pearls".

Jerry's principal instrument was accordian! And, he played it occasionally with his own excellent big band in the early 1950s.

Here's a real gem. It's a live broadcast by Jerry Gray from the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago - summertime of 1951 on NBC. The Edgewater was one of the windy city's finest and a fitting setting for this fine Jerry Gray Orchestra broadcast.

Your comments are always welcome to rdbqpaul@gmail.com

Andre Previn at the Piano - 78rpm RCA Victor "Smart Set"

2009-11-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

This is a rare RCA Smart Set album on 78rpm by Andre Previn with accompaniment by Al Viola, guitar, Lloyd Pratt, bass and Jackie Mills, drums. Cuts marked * have "Chic" Parnell on drums. I've searched the Internet for another reference to the album, but can't find one. So, apparently RCA was never wise enough to re-issue it on LP or CD. Excellent arrangements and remarkably clean sound are evident on these vintage 78s. I played them on a Rek-O-Kut turntable with great Stanton cartridge and ran them through Adobe Audition to clean up as much of the surface noise as possible. I think you'll be pleased. It surely a great find for fans of Previn's exceptional piano stylings. Previn is one amazing musicians whose range of talent is one in a million.

1. My Shining Hour

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460154/My_Shining_Hour.mp3

2. This Can't Be Love *

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460155/This_Can_t_Be_Love.mp3

3. Just One of Those Things

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460156/Just_One_of_Those_Things.mp3

4. Mad About the Boy *

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460157/Mad_About_the_Boy.mp3

5. Hallelujah

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460159/Hallelujah.mp3

6. But Not For Me *

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460160/But_Not_For_Me.mp3

7. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460161/I_Didn_t_Know_What_Time_It_Was.mp3

8. Should I *

http://rapidshare.com/files/308460162/Should_I.mp3

Gene Norman presents Gerry Mulligan-Shorty Rogers - MODERN SOUNDS

2009-11-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Gene Norman produced these two sessions released by Capitol featuring some great Hollywood studio musicians playing it "cool." Among the sidemen is a native of my home town, Dubuque, Ia - John Graas. Graas is considered by first musician to play modern jazz on the french horn. He's featured in both bands. This is a digitally restored LP copy. There is a rare copy of the album available as a Japanese import.

An interesting article on John Graas, written by his niece, can be found at

http://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/index.php?title=GRAAS%2C_John

Side One - Shorty Rogers, trumpet - Art Pepper, Alto Sax - Jimmy Guiffre, Tenor Sax - Gene Englund, Tuba - John Graas, French Horn - Hampton Hawes, piano - Don Bagley, bass - Shelley Manne, drums

Four Mothers - Didi- Sam and the Lady - Popo- Over the Rainbow - Apropos recorded October 1951 in Hollywood

http://rapidshare.com/files/307619293/Rogers-Mulligansideone.wav

Side Two - Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax, piano - Bud Shank, alto sax - Don Dvidson, baritone sax - Chet Baker, Pete Condoli, trumpets - Bob Enevoldsen, trombone - John Grass, French horn - Ray Siegel, tuba - Joe Mondragan, bass - Chico Hamilton or Larry Bunker, drums.

http://rapidshare.com/files/307633038/Rogers-Mulligansidetwo.wav

I also have a very rare copy of the John Grass Jazz Symphony. Any interest?

SPLENDOR IN THE BRASS - Chuck Sagle & His Orchestra 1962

2009-10-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

Splendor in the Brass was recorded for Reprise (R-6047) in 1962. Sagle was a 35 year old trumpet player from Aurora, IL who learned to arrange while leading a Navy band in the Pacific in 1944. He spent time in Chicago after the war where arranged for Dave Garroway's early TV series. In NYC he free lanced for various recording companies. In 1962 he joined Reprise in Hollywood. This album is packed with great jazz and studio musicians including: Buddy Collette, Ted Nash, Wilbur Schwartz, Gene Cipriano, Milt Berhart, Conrad Gozzo, Shorty Sherock, John Best, Ray Triscari, Cappy Lewis, Dick Nash, Lou Levy, Emil Richards, Red Callendar, Larry Bunker, Vince DeRosa, Ray Sherman Louis Singer, & Al Stoller. It's always been one of my personal favorites. This is a mono copy, unfortunately, but sound quality is very good. Enjoy.

Side One: When Sunny Gets Blue, A Taste of Honey, Bernie's Tune, The Man with A Horn, Playboy's Theme

http://rapidshare.com/files/299581441/Track_1.wav

Side Two: On Green Dolphin Street, Love For Sale, A Night in Tunisia, Easy Living, The Moon Was Yellow, Brassanctified (Sagle orginal)

http://rapidshare.com/files/299593386/Track_2.wav

Artie Shaw Re-Creates His Great '38 Band - Capitol ST 2992

2009-10-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a re-posting by request of a wonderful Artie Shaw album

that I previously had posted via Rapidfire.

Artie Shaw Re-Creates His Great '38 Band -

Walt Levinsky was personally selected by Artie to re-create the Shaw solos on each of these classic tracks. Artie himself conducted and produced these sessions recorded in Capitol's NYC Studios. Musicians are not listed on the LP, although in an interview Shaw mentions Buddy Morrow (trb), Toots Mondello (alto) Al Klink & Billy Staplin (ts), Bernie Privin, Mel Davis (trp), Bernie Layton (p) and Don Lamond. Capitol should have released this on CD. It's the 100 birthday of Artie Shaw. This is a superb update of some of his best recordings. I've posted in both mp3 and wav. format.

Side One: Traffic Jam, Begin the Beguine, Lover Come Back to Me, Zigeuner, What is this Thing Called Love, It Had to Be You

Side Two: Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise, Octoroon, Nightmare, Back Bay Shuffle, Jungle Drums, Copenhagen

Note: This re-posting is only in mp3 format. Titles do not appear in posted order.

Eddie Condon & His All-Stars "Confidentially, It's Condon" Design Records DLP 47

2009-10-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

Eddie Condon and his All Stars 'Confidentially, It's Condon'.

From what I've been able to learn, this album is comprised of selections recorded for 16" Associated radio transcriptions at the Muzak studio in New York. June 8, 1944. Very nice traditional jazz.

Personnel: Bobby Hackett, cornet; Pee Wee Russell, clarinet; Ernie Caceres, baritone; Gene Schroeder, piano; Eddie Condon, guitar; Bob Haggart, string bass; Joe Grauso, drums.

Side One: That's a Plenty; Ballin' the Jack; Cherry; Ja da

http://rapidshare.com/files/298865120/EddieCondon-SideOne.mp3

Side Two: It's Been So Long; Royal Garden Blues; Sugar; Back in Your Own Backyard; Indiana
http://rapidshare.com/files/298865122/EddieCondon-SideTwo.mp3

Bonus: Town Hall Jazz Concert 9/9/44 from NYC w/Eddie Condon, Gene Krupa, Muggsy Spanier, Pee Wee Russell, Billy Butterfield, Max Kaminsky, Ernie Caceres, Gene Schrader, Bob Haggart, Miff Mole, Joe Grasso.
http://rapidshare.com/files/298875026/EddieCondonTownHall-1944.mp3

Big Band Man - Ralph Marterie

2009-10-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

Big Band Man was Ralph Marterie's last LP session on Mercury. All 10 tunes were by Jimmy McHugh. Five arrangers were used: Johnny Mandel, Skip Martin, Morty Corb, Bill Holman and Frank DeVol. Musicians include: Buddy DeFranco, Bud Shank, Gus Bivona, Bob Cooper, Babe Russin, Pete Candoli, Frank Rossolino, Jimmy Rowles, Red Mitchell, Don Fagerquist, Jack Sperling, Conrad Gozzo, Vern Friely and Al Hendricks. My copy is on Ambassador Records by arrangement with Mercury. Very nice danceable and listenable big band by one of the last great trumpet playing leaders.

Side One: Don't Blame Me , It's A Most Unusual Day, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Exactly Like You, Where are You.
http://rapidshare.com/files/298754758/Marterie-Sideone.mp3

Side Two: Medley: Anybody for the Blues (Steve Allen-Jimmy McHugh) - A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening - I Can't Get Enough of You, Diga Diga Doo, On the Sunny Side of the Street.
http://rapidshare.com/files/298754760/marterie-sidetwo.wav

Harry James Plays Neal Hefti

2009-10-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Harry James Plays Neal Hefti MGM Stereo SE3972 is an exceptionally nice offering from the 1960s vintage James band. All 10 charts are by the great Neal Hefti. The players are: Harry Jeames, Rob Turk, Harold BIllings, Nick Buono and Verne Guertin - Trpts; Ray Sims, Dick Hyde, Dick McQuary - trombones; Willie Smith, Pat Chartrand, Sam Firmature, Modesto Briseno, Ernie Small - Saxs; Jack Perciful - piano; Terry Rosen - guitar; Tony De Nicola - drums; Russ Phillips - bass. Engineer: RAll Schmitt; recordist: Dave Hassinger; produced by Jesse Kaye. In the liner notes Hefti states that the whole album was done in one session that ran from 8pm to 4am. You gotta wonder what the AFM had say about that!! Enjoy:

Side one: Tweet Tweet; Chiarina; Harry, Not Jesse; The Creeper; Mr. Johnson.

http://rapidshare.com/files/298417146/harryhefti-sideone.wav

Side two: Hot Pink; Sunday Morning; Koo Koo; Rainbow Kiss; Fountainebleau.

http://rapidshare.com/files/298396947/harryhefti-sidetwo.wav

ENCORE - If The Bands Were Here Today - Bernie Lowe Orchestra

2009-10-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Bernie Lowe was a Julliard-trained pianist playing, arranging and conducting the orchestra on "The Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club" in the early fifties when he met Dick Clark, the announcer for the show's live Tootsie Roll commercials. The two became friends and, later, business associates.

Lowe produced some of the great Philadelphia rock and roll records and in the early 60s produced a series of albums featuring songs of the era done as "If The Bands Were Here Today." He also did the excellent Helen O'Connell and Bobby Rydell sessions I've already posted. This posting is from the ENCORE (3rd in the series) and is posted first because it's the only one I have in stereo and is the best sound. Ticks and pops cleaned up and ready for you to enjoy. You'll easily identify the sounds of the bands his skilled orchestrator, Sid Feller, is imitating.

http://rapidshare.com/files/287492503/Walk_Right_In.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287492504/The_Good_Life.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488730/That_Sunday_That_Summer.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488729/Our_Day_Will_Come.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488728/More.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488727/I_Wanna_Be_Around.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488726/Hello_Muddah.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488725/Fly_Me_To_The_Moon.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488724/Days_of_Wine___Roses.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488723/Danke_Schoen.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488722/Call_Me_Irresponsible.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/287488721/Blue_Velvet.mp3

If anyone has the first two albums in STEREO, I'd love to get copies. My mono copies are "OK" but would rather post the stereo versions, or obtain them from another blog.

The Home of Happy Feet - Van Alexander Orchestra

2009-09-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

Throughout the 30s, Harlem's fabulous Savoy Ballroom served as the crossroads for the legendary bands that played a major role in developing big band music as we know it today. Here, Van Alexander pays tribute to the Savoy with his exciting new arrangements that grew and floursihed as "The Home of Happy Feet." (from liner notes of Capitol T1243 (mono)

This was one of the albums that influenced my musical career and convinced me (during the 50's and 60s) that swing had it all over rock n' roll.

The album was recorded in 1959 at Capitol tower. I've done my best to remove ticks and tiny scratches that resulted from literally hundreds of plays during my high school and college years. ENJOY!

Bands listed after the titles are those associated with these Savoy favorites.

Side One

1. Let's Get Together - Chick Webb

2. Chant of the Weed - Don Redman

3. Until the Real Thing Comes Along - Andy Kirk (my personal favorite of all the cuts)

4. Uptown Rhapsody - Teddy Hill

5. Stompin' at the Savoy - Goodman & Edgar Sampson

6. Undecided - John Kirby Combo

http://rapidshare.com/files/284163021/HomeofHappyFeetSideOne.mp3

Side Two

1. I Would Do Anything for You - Claude Hopkins

2. A Tisket a Taskit - Ella Fitzgerald (Alexander wrote the original arrangement)

3. East St. Louis Toodle-oo - Ellington

4. Organ Grinder's Swing - Chick Webb

5. Christopher Columbus - Al Coopers Savoy House Band

6. Ride, Red, Ride - Lucky Millinder/Red Allen

http://rapidshare.com/files/284163022/HomeofHappyFeetSideTwo.mp3

And, look at the personnel:

Trumpets: Conrad Gozzo, Mannie Klein, Uan Rasey, Shorty Sherock

Trombones: Joe Howard, Ed Kusby, Tommy Pederson, Ken Shroyer

Saxes: Paul Horn, Julie Jacob, Plas Johnson, Abe Most, Butch Stone

Piano: Paul Smith - Bass: Joe Comfort - Drums: Irv Cottler - Guitar: Barney Kessel

All arrangements by Van Alexander

YOUR COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

Laurindo Almeida VIVA BOSSA NOVA

2009-09-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Laurinda Almeida was a pioneer in bossa nova, introducing the Brazilian sound to the US long before its great success in the early 1960s. Stan Kenton heard him playing in a Rio De Janeiro nightclub and invited Almeida to come to the U.S. in 1947. He played with Kenton's band during the height of its success in the late 1940s, then settled in Los Angeles, working both as a studio musician and an active member of the jazz scene. In 1953, Almeida recorded two LPs with Bud Shank, on alto sax, that anticipated the sound of bossa nova, a blend of Brazilian guitar and American jazz, nearly a decade ahead of its time. This album was recorded for Capitol in 1962 and includes some excellent jazzmen playing bossa nova versions of pop tunes of the day. Great arrangements and superb sound. This was burned originally to cd from an open reel 7 1/2 ips tape.

Side One
1 Naked City Theme (Somewhere in the Night) 2:18

2 Lazy River 2:25
3 Ramblin' Rose 2:14
4 Maria 2:23
5 Petite Fluer 2:17
6 Teach Me Tonight 2:19
http://rapidshare.com/files/282249333/ALMEIDASIDEONE.mp3

Side Two
1 Lollipops and Roses 2:32
2 Moon River 2:03
3 Desafinado 3:12
4 Mr Lucky 1:52
5 One Note Samba 2:12
6 Theme From Route 66 2:02
http://rapidshare.com/files/282249335/ALMEIDASIDETWO.mp3

I appreciate any and all comments on these postings.

Jimmy & Marion McPartland Play TV Themes

2009-09-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

TV THEMES – Jimmy & Marion McPartland

Arranged By - Aul Hedd
Bass - Ben Tucker
Clarinet - Andy Fitzgerald
Drums - Mousy Alexander*
Mellophone - Dick Cary
Piano - Marian McPartland
Trombone - Manhattan Red (Urbie Green)
Trumpet - Jimmy McPartland

Design Records (compatible mono/stereo)
DCF-1032

Design was a discount label in the 1950s, but they produced some very nice albums, including this one featuring some terrific musicians playing TV themes of the late 1950s. Note the LP lists the trombone player as "Manhattan Red" - although research has learned that it was actually Urbie Green, who was under contract to RCA Victor at the time.

Side One
1. I-M-4-U (Jack Paar Tonight Show Theme)
2. Sentimental Journey (Garroway at Large)
3. Mystery March (Alfred Hitchcock)
4. Mr. Lucky
http://rapidshare.com/files/281434185/McPartlandTVThemessideone.mp3

Side Two
5. Peter Gunn
6. Londonderry Air (Danny Thomas Show)
7. Thanks for Dropping In (The Garry Moore Variety Show)
8. Bat Masterson
http://rapidshare.com/files/281434186/McPartlandTVThemessidetwo.mp3

SORRY FOR THE DUPLICATE OF SIDE ONE ON MY ORIGINAL POST. HERE'S SIDE TWO.

Music Was Great on 78 - Volume II

2009-09-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here's another group of 78s I've cleaned up using my authentic RCA 16" turntable fed into a digital recorder. Cleanup was done using Adobe Audition. I hope you like what I've pulled from the basement this time. For this blog I'm listing each cut individually so you can quickly grab what you want and ignore the rest. To the best of my knowledge none of these have appeared on lp's or cds.

1. Bugle Call Rag - Jimmy Grier and his Orchestra Brunswick 7528-A (A surprisingly "hot" side)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670718/Bugle_Call_Rag-Jimmy_Grier.mp3

2. Old Fashioned Love - Jimmy Grier and his Orchestra Brunswick Vocal by Jay Hodges 7528-B
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670726/Old_Fashioned_Love.mp3

3. I'm Pixilated Over You - Vincent Lopez Orch Vocal by Johnny Morris Banner 6-07-08 (Clever lyrics and a nice bouncy mid-30s swing on this long forgotten side)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670719/I_m_Pixilated_Over_You-Vincent_Lopez.mp3

4. Squeeze Me - Bob Crosby Orchestra Decca 339B Zarchy, Lawson, Butterfield, Eddie Miller, GIUl Rodin, Matlock, Zurke, Lamar, Haggart, Bauduc, etc. Great side
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670720/Squeeze_Me-Bob_Crosby.mp3

5. Fiddlin Joe - The Mills Brothers - Banner 33255-B
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670722/Fiddlin__Joe-Mills_Brothers.mp3

6. Dirt Dishin' Daisy-The Mills Brothers Banner 33255-A
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670721/Dirt_Dishing_Daisy.mp3

7. I'm Comin' Virginia - Paul Whiteman Orch w/Jack Teagarden Decca 3943-A
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670723/I_m_Coming_Virginia-Paul_Whiteman-Jack_Teagarden.mp3

8. Rose Room - Paul Whiteman Orch w/Miff Mole - Decca 3943-B (Incredibly smooth trombone and an amazing harmonized trumpet chorus. You'll get new respect for Whiteman and his arrangers after this one.
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670724/Rose_Room_-_Paul_Whiteman-Miff_Mole.mp3

9. Dancing on the Ceiling - June Hutton w/Artie Shaw's New Gramercy Five - Decca 27580-A
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670725/Dancing_on_the_Ceiling_-_June_Hutton-Artie_Shaw.mp3

10. My Kinda Love - June Hutton w/Artie Shaw's New Gramercy Five - Decca 27580-B (I love June Hutton's voice and Shaw's clarinet. This has to be one of the last sides he recorded.
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676537/My_Kinda_Love_-_June_Hutton-Artie_Shaw.mp3

11. Spaghetti Rag - Frankie Carle Orchestra RCA Victor - 20-3719-A (The Carle band could swing, even on corn like this)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280670727/Spaghetti_Rag-Frankie_Carle.mp3

12. Crew Cut - Jerry Gray Orchestra - Decca 25844 (Another fine original by the man who crafted some of Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw's finest arrangements)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676540/Crew_Cut_-_Jerry_Gray.mp3

13. Shine on Harvest Moon - Jerry Gray Orchestra - (A very Miller style arrangement)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676539/Shine_On_Harvest_Moon-Jerry_Gray.mp3

14. Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me - Billy Eckstine w/The Pied Pipers & Lou Bring Orch MGM 11845 (awesome)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676541/Do_Nothing_Til_You_Hear_From_Me-Eckstine.mp3

15. Mood Indigo - Billy Eckstine - Lou Bring Orch MGM 11845 (very nice)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676542/Mood_Indigo-Eckstine.mp3

16. Cherokee - The Starlighters w/Paul Weston Orch. Capitol 15227 (June Hutton singing lead?)
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676544/Cherokee-Starlighters.mp3

17. Midnight Ride - Sammy Kaye Orchestra - Columbia - There was "swing" in the "swing & sway"
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676543/Midnight_Ride-Sammy_Kaye.mp3

18. Did I Remember? - Ralph Flanagan Orch w/Buddy Victor - RCA Victor -20-5741
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676545/Did_I_Remember_-_Ralph_Flanagan-Harry_Prime.mp3

19. Tales of Hoffman (Barcarolle) Bob Crosby Orch Capitol 1751
http://rapidshare.com/files/280676538/Barcarolle-BOb_Crosby.mp3

20. Bye and Bye - Louis Armstrong w/Gordon Jenkins Orch - Decca - Some excellent improv by Louis on this song that pays tribute to some of the jazz greats who had passed on by the early 50s. I've never seen this on CD, and that's a shame. Good stuff.
http://rapidshare.com/files/280679823/Bye___Bye-Louis_Armstrong___Gordon_Jenkins.mp3

An Era Reborn - Bobby Rydell Recreate the Days of the Big Bands

2009-09-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

This album of 50's/60's standards has been brilliantly arranged by Jack Pleis and sung with great skill by Bobby Rydell. One cut is better than the next. Had he lived 20 years earlier, Rydell could have competed with Bob Eberly, or any of the fine male vocalists of the big band era. I don't know who the players are on this session. but one can speculate that since it was recorded in LA, some of the finest were hired by Bernie Lowe to bring these great big band charts to life. I was fortunate to find a near mint condition copy (mono) An equal of this session is the "An Era Reborn" album by Helen O'Connell - also arranged by Pleis.

Side One:

SWING SOFTLY SWEET SAMPSON - Edgar Sampson Orchestra 1957

2009-09-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Swing Softly Sweet Sampson

Coral CRL 57049

Side One
1. Lullaby In Rhythm
2. Hoopdee Whodee
3. If Dreams Come True
4. Stompin at the Savoy
5. I’ll be Back for More
6. Happy & Satisfied *

http://rapidshare.com/files/277910813/EdgarSampsonSideOne.mp3

Side Two
1. Cool & Groovy *
2. Blue Lou
3. The Blues Made Me Feel This Way *
4. Light & Sweet *
5. The Sweetness of You *
6. Don’t Be That Way

http://rapidshare.com/files/277910817/EdgarSampsonSideTwo.mp3

13622 KB

Orchestra:
Leader/arranger: Edgar Sampson
Alto Saxes: Hymie Schertzer, Milt Yaner (*BernieKaufman replaces Schertzer)
Tenor Saxes: Boomie Richman and George Berg
Trumpets: Charlie Shavers, Jimmy Nottingham, Melvin “Red” Solomon
Trombones: Tyree Glenn, Lou McGarity
Piano: Lou Stein
Guitar: Alan Hanlon
Bass: Beverly Peer
Drums: Terry Snyder
Recorded NYC 1957

This is one of only two lp's recorded by the great arranger/composer Edgar Sampson under his own name. His contribution to the Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb and Benny Goodman orchestras was fantastic. I've had this LP in my collection for 52 years and now happily share it with lovers of great swing. Note the instrumentation is exactly like the original swing bands with 4 saxes, 5 brass, 4 rhythm. Great players on this session, too.

2009-09-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent album by big band era vocalist Helen O'Connell. It was recorded for Cameo/Parkway and never released on CD. My copy is mono C 1045.

Helen sings 1950s/60s era hits skillfully arranged by conductor Jack Pleis and played beautifully by an excellent group of studio musicians. In mind opinion, this is first rate material delivered with great skill.

I've cleaned up the audio. Enjoy!

Side One:

1. The Sweetest Sounds 2. Till There Was You 3. Fly Me To the Moon 4. I Can't Stop Loving You 5. Small World 6. Moon River

http://rapidshare.com/files/276123343/EraRebornSide1.mp3

Side Two: 1. Make Someone Happy 2. What Kind of Fool Am I? 3. Witchcraft 4. Where is Love? 5. The Sound of Music 6. I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

http://rapidshare.com/files/276123345/EraRebornSide2.mp3

Jack Jenney Orchestra Broadcast 6/23/39

2009-09-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

This is a real rarity. Jack Jenney was a legendary trombone player who began his career with bands like Mal Hallet, Isham Jones, and the original Glenn Miller Orchestra. Jack was born in Mason City, Iowa, but grew up in my hometown of Dubuque. He played and soloed in his father's touring concert band ("Band Grandioso") when he was just a boy. At one time in the 30's he was #1 call for radio and recording work in NYC, even with Toscaninni and the NBC symphony.

It is Jack Jenney who played the beautiful solo on Artie Shaw's recording of "Stardust." A few years ago I was priveleged to spend a day visiting with his son, who still live sin Cedar Rapids, Ia. At that time he gave me access to dozens of great photos, and to several rare recordings. The first is presented here. It's the only known "live" recording of the short lived Jack Jenney Orchestra from the Totem Pole Ballroom outside of Boston from June 23, 1939.

Totem Pole Ballroom

I spent hours cleaning up the sound quality and it's very listenable. My original source, unfortunately, was a poor quality cassette tape. His son had no idea where the original acetate was located. The orchestra includes a fine group of musicians playing charts done mostly by Hugo Winterhalter, who was playing lead sax for Jack. Check out the photos and links provided.

http://rapidshare.com/files/276026994/JACKJENNYREMOTE_6_23_39.mp3.html

And, pass the word on to other Jack Jenney fans.

By request, here's the Jack Jenney Interview recorded on a Boston, MA radio station June 24, 1939 - the day after the live broadcast posted. http://rapidshare.com/files/278629704/jackjenneyinterview.mp3

And, since you liked these, here's the original recording of "Man With The Horn" - recorded by Jack in his living room with wife Bonnie Lake just months before he died. It is the ONLY performance of their composition performed by the composers. Recording copyright 2002 (Paul Hemmer)

http://rapidshare.com/files/279701830/ManwithaHorn-Demo-1945.mp3

2009-09-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

"That Good, Round, Big Band Sound" - Milton DeLugg and The Tonight Show Big Band (1967)

RCA Victor - Mon LPM-3809

Walking Happy, Little White Horse, My Cup Runneth Over, Hawaiian Village, Tiny Bubbles, That's Life

http://rapidshare.com/files/275605198/deluggside1.mp3

Penny Lane, Am I Blue? All (Theme from Run for Your Wife), Maria's Mantilla, The Cry of the Wild Goose

http://rapidshare.com/files/275608365/deluggside2.mp3

DeLugg lead the Tonight Show band for about 2 years before Doc Severinsen took over. My personal favorites on the LP are the three originals by DeLugg - Little White Horse, Hawaiian Village and Maria's Mantilla. He's probably most "notorious" for being the orchestra leader on the Gong Show. Milton is still alive today and is the music supervisor of the annual Macy's Day Parade.

DeLugg also co-wrote a light-concert piece "Roller Coaster" with Lou Busch (aka Joe "Fingers" Carr). It was used as the TV theme of the 1950s panel/quiz show "Masquerade Party."
The recording is by the Henri Rene Orchestra - cleaned up from an RCA Victor 78rpm. This is a light concert gem.

http://rapidshare.com/files/275992222/Roller_Coaster-Henri_Rene_-Lou_Busch-Milton_DeLugg.mp3.html

2009-08-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

Goodies But Gassers
Lee Castle & The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra

A rare album released in 1958 on Epic LN 3681
These are all excellent arrangements of 1950s popular tunes.

Bye Bye Love
Cry Me A River
Don’t Be Cruel
Dream Lover
Fever
Jim Dandy

http://rapidshare.com/files/266227066/Goodies-1.mp3.html

Kansas City
Personality
Tequila
Tom Dooley
Uh! Oh!
Venus

http://rapidshare.com/files/266229672/Goodies-2.mp3.html