8 Top Hits 1956

Black Demin Trousers

8 Top Hits
Waldorf Music Hall Records
1956

10 inch 33 RPM on Waldorf which was apparently a label started by Enoch Light in 1953 or 1954. Records from Waldorf were sold exclusively at Woolworths. See: Waldorf Discography

Black Denim Trousers, an early biker song, is the odd-man-out tune amongst the easy listening tracks.

The Wild Angels

The Wild Angels

Tower Records DT 5043
1966

This is the soundtrack LP from a movie made by the fabulous Roger Corman and released by American International Pictures. The film was made three years before Easy Rider and was the first film to associate actor Peter Fonda with biker counterculture genre. Read about the movie on Wikipedia.

There was a CD release and currently mp3s are available, but apparently not all of the tracks from this LP are on the CD and not available as mp3 downloads. The record is an amazingly good soundtrack (collection of cool songs) from a budget film. Look for Blue's Theme on Amazon as one of the better tracks to download.

Organ Stop Pizza & Wurlitzer

Organ Stop Pizza
Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ
Presents Ron Rhode
Swartwout Productions SPS 5886-42
197?

Yes, you are looking at an autographed copy of Organ Stop Pizza. Terrific cover of Rhodes (not a stunt double) fearlessly perched on top of a step ladder in front of the Organ Stop Pizza

Organ Stop Pizza is an actual operating pizza parlor located in Mesa, Arizona.  They still engage excellent organ artists to entertain guests.

Never in my life would I have guessed this record, found in an antique store, would amount to more than  an oddball event lost to history. Now I know that some good things in life persist and feature a salad bar!

Check out their website here: Organ Stop Pizza

MacArthur Park - Living Marimbas

Lullaby From "Rosemary's Baby"

MacArthur Park And Other Favorites
Living Marimbas Plus Strings
Arranged and Conducted by Leo Addeo
RCA Camden 1968
CAS-2283

Groovy photo of a tough biker and biker chick. What does this photo have to do with the contents of the album? Nothing that I can tell. False advertising. It is hard to fathom who the market was for this album.

This LP contains easy listening covers of popular tunes. The Lullaby From "Rosemary's Baby is a bit quirky.

The Last Round-Up - Dick Robertson - Banner - 32860-A - Vintage Country 78 RPM

There's A Home In Wyomin' - Dick Roberts - Banner - Vintage Country 78 RPM

Richard Hayman - Only Memories

Only Memories

Richard Hayman
Only Memories
Mercury MG 20428
1959

Easy listening effort with shades of cool jazz from Richard Hayman who recorded a very cool exotica album which you can checkout here: Voodoo 1959

I'm Keeping Those Keepsakes You Gave ME - Larry Cotton - Jimmie Grier 7381

If The Moon Turns Green - Betty Roth - Jimmie Grier - Brunswick 7381

The Miracle At Christmas

Have A Very Merry Christmas

The Miracle At Christmas
Bill Walters Sings Ruth Lyons Christmas Songs
Jewel Records JRC 86044

This is a great local lounge styled album.

Ruth Lyons was a local fixture on TV here in Cincinnati (hosting a variety show). She and her "gang" also produced a number of Christmas LPs. According to the notes, Walters was a cast member of Lyon's 50/50 Club for 20 years.

According to the notes, the cover illustration is inspired by the "title tune of the album", The Miracle At Christmas. Not actually a song, but a poem. The drawing was done by "another warm and sensitive person and good friend", Phil Ohlms. It was meant to capture "that very special meaning of Christmas".

One of the things that attracted me to the LP was the depressing cover art. Depressing, crude and raw art is not found on your normal Christmas Album. And there is a disconnect between most, if not all of the peppy and happy holiday songs and the cover art. Yes, the title track, the last track found on the B side is what the drawing "illustrates". Apparently the beggar was some super natural being (Jesus) who forced people to realize their shame (by dying in the street and becoming some sort of shaft of light). Yes... you've got your standard album full of cheery holiday tunes up until the last track when we kill Jesus... AGAIN! Very odd. Love it!

Miss Teal Joy

Misirlou

Ted Steel Presents
Miss Teal Joy
AAMCO Records ALPS-75

This is a curious project by a very talented vocalist who, on a number of tracks, sounds a touch like Billie Holiday. Other tracks, sung in various languages, she takes a different more traditional approach.  The overall results are enjoyable.

Joy seems to have vanished. And I can't find the date that this LP was released. I did noted that this same jacket art is to be found with a different label printed in the upper right corner.

Apparently Joy made a second LP. You can find a little more info if you search her name.

The Young Sound '70

Venus

The Young Sound '70
Out Of Sight Hits For The Now People
Somerset SF-34400

Great jacket cover and LP from budget label Somerset.

From the contents of the LP, Somerset had no idea what the "Young Sound" was for 1970. Or they did, but had no money to spend compiling actual hits. So they found what they could. It's a mess. A few tunes are the originals, but some are not, including the lead and lame track, Venus, which was recorded by The Shocking Blue in 1969.

Other songs... sound like early 60s or even 50s stuff that they found who knows where. They also threw in a song titled Model "T"... a stupid (for this record) novelty instrumental and Amen... yes, a gospel number that someone rearranged to be "hip".

Somerset was so clueless they actually printed instructions on the back cover: "A program for young people of some of the top hits of today. You can dance, sing or listen to this great album."

This is a great album!

All New Fun Children's Songs

The Fairies Sing

All New Fun Children's Songs
Blue Duck Records 1981

Hey... these songs can be fun for adults too! I love it when fairies sing. Tinker Bell... she kicks ass.

Waltz and Polka Mass

Our Father

Waltz and Polka Mass
With Joe Pat Paterek and his International Polka Stars
And the St. Francis of Assisi Young People's Choir
Chicago Polkas LP-6500

Apparently the idea for this blend of forms was seeded at The International Polka Association meeting in 1974 by Father Walter Szczpula.

This album is the result of that seed growing into, well... this album.

Chicken Fat 1982 Aerobic Dance Party

Chicken Fat
Irwin's Aerobic Dance Party
Peter Pan 1982
BR536

This cover is really beat up and I almost didn't throw it on my stack of thrift finds. At first glance I thought it was a Disney product and that it would be no treasure.

When I finally studied the cover and listened to the record (yes, I'm 53 and I listened to the whole damn thing), I realized that this is a totally whacked record.

Like I said, when you first look at the cover you think "Walt Disney", right? Wrong... these characters are complete rip offs of the well known brands. And if you listen to the record, "The Cookie Gobbler" is a rip off of The Cookie Monster (Sesame Street).

I can't believe Peter Pan took the infringement risk when they released this LP. I wonder if they didn't get a letter from a law firm (or several). I mean, Peter Pan did print their company name on the back cover with a COPYRIGHT symbol right next to it. They were worried about someone stealing the stuff they stole from someone else.

With that said, the LP is full of early 80s pop music references (some of which seem to infringe on other works if you ask me). It's stupid strange fun!

Enjoy a sample!

Hustlin' And Bustlin' For Baby - Adrian Rollini and His Orchestra - Perfect - 15736-A

You've Got Me Crying Again - Adrian Rollini and His Orchestra - Perfect - 15736-A

Hawaiian Rosary - Roy Smeck's Trio - Banner 6367-B

1920 Pathe - There's A Rickety Rackety Shack - Levee Loungers - Joe Wilbur

Pathe - Tin Pan Parade - Levee Loungers - Deep River Quintette - 78 RPM

Sugar Blues

Very Early Perry Como 78 RPM Album Art

Perry Como

An Album Of His Latest And Greatest RCA Victor Records

Absolutely wonderful 10 inch record jacket that should have contained 5 Como records. The correct records were replaced with other 10 inch 78s. That would have been OK... but the interesting records were cracked or completely worn out. So I was left with a waltz to accompany the great art. Which, by the way, was well worth the 33¢ I paid for it!

I Love You Truly
Wayne King and his Orchestra
RCA Victor 27451-A

Corky Shanye

Rapsody

In The Mood For A Song
Corky Shayne
Salem Records 1956

A rare(ish) record found in a Wallicks Music City Demo Jacket. As far as I can tell Corky made just one record. And a fine one it is. What a smooth voice!

Wonder what happened to her?

Puff The Magic Dragon - The Play-Doh People

The Inch Worm

Puff The Magic Dragon
Compliments Of The Play-Doh People
Rainbow Crafts, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio
Pickwick International
1970

I like posting local records. I had no idea that Play-Doh was owned by a company located in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1970 (Play-Doh has changed owners a number of times since then).

Pickwick is a label known for budget projects. But this is a nice compilation album with well thought out cover art. However, there are no credits for any of the tracks. The track, Inch Worm, has a nice dreamy almost exotica flavor to it.

Apparently Danny Kaye sings this song in the 1952 film, Hans Christian Andersen.

There was always something magical about Play-Doh.

Enjoy!

Prisoner's Song - 78 RPM

The Prisoner's Song
Vernon Dalhart
Perfect 12164

There is a chip in this record so a few seconds of the song are missing at the beginning.

Radio Lady O Mine

Radio Lady O Mine
Frank Bessinger
Perfect 12164 B

There is a chip in the edge of this record, so a second or two of music is missing.

Whoopin The Blues - Sonny Terry

Whoopin The Blues
Sonny Terry
Capitol
Americana 40003

Down By The Winegar Woiks

Down By The Winegar Woiks
Aileen Stanley - Billy Murray
Victor
19838-A

Roll'Em Girls

Roll'Em Girls
Roll Your Own
Billy Murrar
Victor 19838-B

Mood Music Encores Of New York

Side B

Mood Music
Kurt Maier, Pianist With Rhythm
Encores Of New York
Allegro Elite 4102

195?

Budget label Allegro always seemed to produce jackets with nice art work and design. Here's another great cover with a 10 inch disc featuring some tasty tunes by Kurt Maier.

Interestingly, there is several inches of blank record leftover on each side of this 10 inch 33 RMP disc. Normally, this might indicate a reissue (from another record project). But I don't think that is the case with this project.

Little is to found online about Maier. Apparently he made a few "Encores" records for Allegro although I can't find mention of this particular record.

I usually post only one song. But since the tracks run together I thought I post the entire B side (which seemed more "New York" like...). Enjoy!

Interstate Gold

Freightliner Fever

Interstate Gold

Dave Dudley
Sun International SUN-1020
1980

Trucker LPs are another pure American Art Form. In this case, art on beautiful golden wax.

I shouldn't try and figure out the Truckers phenomenon having no experience with trucks (except that I've unloaded many of them). I might speculate that truckers are modern day cowboys driving the herd to market and these LPs contain songs about the pain and pleasures of the job.

Dave Dudley had a real career as a country singer (recording more than 70 LPs) and was the king of Trucker Music. Apparently he lived a good life.

I do not know if Dudley ever did more than put his foot on the running board of a semi to pose for a photo. But he managed to capture the imagination of the record buying public.

The track Freightliner Fever has to do with taking amphetamines to stay away. I can remember when it was a typical for folks to take speed and drive.

Ever notice that the more something sucks the more we glamorize it?

Nino Tempo's Rock 'N Roll Beach Party

Turkey Gobbler

Nino Tempo's Rock 'N Roll Beach Party
Liberty Records LRP 3023
1956

This is one of my better cheesecake album cover.

The recording reminds me of soundtrack music you hear in B grade juvenile delinquent movies of the period. A very simple and thin sax, bass, piano and drum sound. There's not much "rock" here for the beach party kids (young adults). More basic jazz club fare.

Turkey Gobbler, the last track on the B side, might get the kids hopped up enough to do something delinquent!

Enjoy.

Swingin For Pappy

Swingin For Pappy
Bill Moore And His Band
"Wild" Bill Moore, Tenor Sax
Direction: Teddy Reig
Savoy Records Jump
662-A

Bubbles

Bubbles
Bill Moore And His Band
Featuring Paul Williams, Baritone Sax
"Wild" Bill Moore, Tenor Sax
Directions Teddy Reig
Savoy Records Jump
662-B

Golden Gate Quartet
Title obscured
Spiritual With Drums Accomp.
OKeh 6232

Sorry about the audio quality. This is a worn record and I worked to enhance the sound with software.

Golden Gate Quartet Spiritual OKeh

Golden Gate Quartet
Time's Winding Up
Spiritual With Drums Accomp.

OKeh 6238

Mammy o' Mine

Mammy o' Mine
Medley One-Step
Dixie is Dixie Once More
Maceo Pinkard
Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra
18615-B

A Wolf's Work Is Never Done
Frank Milano
Barbera Hanna Music
Golden Record R660B

6 inch yellow wax

When You Wish Upon A Star

When You Wish Upon A Star Sung by Laura Leslie

In The Land Of Lemonade And Lollipops Sung by Williams & B. Dixion

Peter Pan Records 45-4021-B

The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor

The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor
Joe South
NRC No. 5000

One of the very few 45s in my collection. This one has been with me since I was a kid.

The Happy Hamsters Go Ghostbustin'

Carol Anne's Theme

The Happy Hamsters Go Ghostbustin'
Oddyssey Productions
Audiofidelity 1984

I actually like The Happy Hamsters better then those other singing rodents. I can understand the actors after the engineers have processed their voices through the pitch filter. And they tell funnier jokes.

Great covers of pop tunes, but the last track on the B side is just total strange music silliness.

That Naughty Waltz
Introducing Golden Hours
Played By Columbia Orchestra
Columbia Graphmophone Company A6139

12 inch 78 RMP and not all that "naughty".

My Fault Brownie McGhee

My Fault
Brownie McGhee
Savoy Records Blues
5551-A

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Away In A Manger

I Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Away In A Manager
The Caroleers
Directed By Vicky Kasen
Peter Pan Records

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland
Michael Reed with the Peter Pan Orchestra
Directed by Vicky Kasen
X-11-A