Memphis Blues

Memphis Blues

Rare King Records Moon Mullican promotional recording. Probably recorded as early as 1946 when he started making records for King.

And The Angels Sing

And The Angels Sing
The Beachcombers With Natalie
RCA Victor Record Prevue
1953

Hit Of The Week - Little White Lies

Little White Lies

Hit Of The Week
Little White Lies
Vincent Lopez Orchestra
Durium 1088

Cardboard record.

Crosely Water Heater Song

Crosley Water Heater Song

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosely Customatic Tumble Action Washing Machine Song

Crosley Customatic Tumble Action Washing Machine

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosely Softair Dryer Song

Crosley Softair Dryer Song

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosely Range Song

Crosley Range Song

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosely Kitchen Song #2

Crosley Kitchen Song #2

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosely Kitchen Song #1

Crosley Kitchen Song #1

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Freezer - Song #2

Crosley Freezer - Song #2

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Freezer Song #1

Crosley Freezer Song #1

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Flex-a-tub Washer Song

Crosley Flex-a-tub Washer Song

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Dishwasher - Just like a vacation!

Crosley Dishwasher

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Automatic Washer & Soft Air Dryer

Crosley Automatic Washer & Soft Air Dryer

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Air Conditioner Song

Crosley Air Conditioner Song

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

Crosley Refrigerator No. 2 - Shelvadore

Crosley Refrigerator No. 2

Years ago, I picked up a stack of translucent red wax Crosley promotional 78s. All the labels look like the sample above.

The side you are listening to is the complete song. The flip side are samples of the song timed for shorter ad slots.

The second image is a mid 30s Crosley Shelvador Refrigerator featuring a built-in radio. I've only seen a couple of these in private collection. One was working and stocked with beer!

Promotional Audiodisc Recording

My father was a disc jockey for a small town radio station in the 50s and early 60s. This, I believe, was a promotional disc he made that help land the job for him.

York Brothers - Saint Joseph High School Bounce

Saint Joseph High School Bounce
Dee Jay Special
York Brothers
King 1173 (K3528)

I don't know what the story is on this 78. The flip side is titled Lakewood and John Marshall Blues.

My father graduated from John Marshall High School (Cleveland) in 1945. This was his record.

According to wikipedia, The York Brothers served in the Navy through WWII and began recording for King Records in 1947. So this record would appear to have been recorded in '47. I'm not sure how my Father acquired the record.

The interesting thing about record is that it appears to have been made to appeal to students of three Cleveland, Ohio high schools. That's a narrow market, but that can't think of any other reason for the song titles. I'm not sure why the record sports a label that claims it is "not for sale".

This is a very rare bird for York Brother collectors.

Solid! South Pacific - Bobby Hammack Quintet

A Cockeyed Optimist

Bali Ha'i

Solid! South Pacific
Bobby Hammack Quintet
Liberty LRP 3037 (LST 707 Stereo)
1957

I'm not a big fan of the musical album and have passed up numerous other vintage versions of South Pacific on wax. However, when you run across a cover like this on my favorite label, Liberty, I took the chance that I would dig it.

I don't think that I've ever been disappointed with a Liberty Record. This record is a very good small combo jazz/bachelor pad take on South Pacific.

The 1957 issue of Billboard: Here's an item which may fare better sales-wise in the pop field than jazz. Tasteful, neatly understated instrumental treatments of the great Rodgers and Hammerstein South Pacific score, highlighted by Hamack's aptly self-styled "calculated spontaneity" at the keyboard. Amusing cover adds up to good display art for dealers.

Bobby Hammack made four albums.

Besar - Conjunto Casino

Besar

Conjunto Casino
RCA Victor 23-0064-A
Seri International

Apparently, in distant times, you could have personalized record labels printed for you at your local record shop. Thorwald Sanchez is a great name don't you think?

Ruth Lyons' Our Best To You

Moon Dust

Ruth Lyons' Our Best To You
Candee 50-51

Ruth Lyons was the name in local Cincinnati, Ohio entertainment for many years. I have several of her WLW 50/50 Club Christmas Album covers posted on my blog.

Due to Lyons popularity, she had access to local talent and her albums are professional sounding. She had a stable of musicians that appeared as regulars on her show. Her albums feature these performers. Ruth wrote a number of songs for the LP and played the organ. She catered to conservative Cincinnati musical tastes, so there are usually no surprises. But the 5th track on the A side of this LP is way different then the easy listening stuff.

The track, Moon Dust is preformed by Eddie Bennett and The Bello-Larks. The Bello-Larks are the boys in the house band having some fun!

Enjoy!

Tony Mottola Guitar - A Latin Love-In

I Love You

Enoch Light Presents
Project 3 Total Sound PR 5010 SD
Tony Mottola Guitar
A Latin Love-In
1967

Light sold his Command label to MCA in 1965 and started Project 3. Light continued to record on 35mm magnetic film and the engineering/sound quality is still superb. I miss the stylized Command cover designs, but life moves on.

As I've said before, when you put a clean Light record on your turntable you have to notice the improvement in sound. Combine Mottola and Light on a project and you've got a super slick recording.

This record blends a little of the Light brand of 60s "easy listening", light jazz and Latin rhythm.

Balalaika Serenade

Songs For Jugoslavia

Balakaika Serenade
The Jugoslavian National Orchestra
Tamburistza Plays Folk Tunes And Dances
Decca Promotional Copy DL 8363
1957

House Of Blue Lights

House Of Blue Lights
Chuck Miller
Mercury Records 70627
1955

Authentic Cha-Cha & Mambo

Authentic Cha-Cha & Mambo

El Borinquen Orchestra
Paris Sound Laboratories, Riverdale, New York P-110
1958

I could find little, if any information on The El Borninquen Orchestra I did find that the Paris label is probably a budget label create by Don Gabor. A very low budget affair and this LP may have only been a available at gas stations and super markets.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

What Do You Want For Christmas Big Boy?

Montana Orchestra
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year's
MJS Records 3302

It looks like 1980 something was going to be a HOT Holiday season. I dunno... I can't date the release.

Apparently this release was some sort of "promotional" album.

Have Harp Can't Travel

Lost In A Fog

Have Harp Can't Travel
The Stanley Johnson Orchestra
Liberty LST 7118
1959

Featuring the Duo Harps of Dorothy Remen and Catherine Johnk.

A great, exotica offering from Liberty Records. This is a well engineered stereo recording by Ray Stanley and Hal Johnson.

Not only do you get beautiful exotica harps, but a midget cover. I mean... it doesn't get much better then that, does it?

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

Hawaiian Enchantment For Dancing

Song Of The Island

Hawaiian Enchantment For Dancing
Omega Records OSL-34

Obscure Omega record with no firm date of release to be found online at this time. I'm thinking 1959, 60 or 61.

This record features a collection of very nice exotica tracks. There is no information on the cover to give a hint of who recorded the LP. However, The George Poole Orchestra is credited on the record label.

Poole's name can be found on the internet connected to LPs and projects, but there is no source for bio information.

As far as I can tell no CD has ever been released. I found inexpensive copies of the vinyl today on Ebay. Poole may not be a Baxter, Denny or Lyman but this is a very good exotica effort worth collecting.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

101 Strings Hawaiian Paradise

101 Strings
Hawaiian Paradise
Somerset SF-12800
1961

I was lucky today to find an early 101 Strings album at the thrift. Listed as the first 101 Strings Album on the 101 Strings wikipedia discography. I'm not a big 101 Strings fan (I do love Astro Sounds From Beyond The Year 2000), but this LP is piled high with nice easy listening exotica (see tack list below).

CDs can be had on Amazon but with different cover art. The original cover, as you can see is very cool.

Track List:
Song Of The Island
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Little Grass Shack
Sweet Leilani
Moon Over Kona
Blue Hawaii
Stars Over Maui
Torchlight
Hawaiian War Chant
Aloha OE

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

Christmas With The Happy Crickets

The Chipmunk Song

Christmas With The Happy Crickets
Grand Prix Series KX-9
K.M. Corp.

Here's a shot of Christmas weirdness for my friends. Add another record to the children's LP stack that was made by running vocals through the "small cartoon insect doing helium filter". In all honesty, I was anticipating the pitch and speed/tempo shift filters... but the effect is so intense, I thought that my player was set to 45 RPM. I checked the speed and started the record again.

This is a very annoying record and a very funny record! The Happy Crickets do covers of traditional holiday songs which crack me up. The orchestration is actually very good... and then The Crickets jump in to generate some weirdness.

Possibly as an inside joke, the producers include a cover of "The Chipmunk Song". The song isn't manipulated through the cartoon insect filter. They leave the vocal track alone. It's great!

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

Holiday In Havana

The Children's Merengue

Holiday In Havana
Noro Morales And His Orchestra
Design Records DLP 86

Pickwick
1959

Wonderful cheesecake cover and killer collection of Latin music.

Morales use of piano was highly innovative. He passed away at the age of 53 in 1964 of the effects of chronic diabetes.

Norin Noron Mambo

Latin Dance Party
Noro Morales And His Orchestra
International Award Series
AKS-154

Same record, same cover photo.

Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Tex Johnson & His Six Shooters
A Product Of Premier Albums, N.Y.C.

Here's a bit of a mystery album. It was apparently released on a label called: Pirouette. The album sported a foil cover with cartoon figures, that are different figures, but drawn in the exact same style as the cover I post here. The Pirouette release is in stereo.

My example is on a label called "Premier Albums" and is a mono release. You can also find the same album with a different cover design, but featuring the same cartoon deer, as a stereo release.

The Pirouette release track list is somewhat different:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter
Fum Fum Fum
Wait for the Wagon (On Christmas Day)
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Cheyenne
A Merry Merry Christmas to You
Pride of the Prairie Mary
The Night Before Christmas Song
San Antonio
Just as the Sun Went Down
Go Tell It on the Mountain

The track list on my Premier album and the Premier stereo version is as follows:

White Christmas
Jingle Bells
Good King Wencelas
When Santa Gets Your Letter
The Night Before Christmas
Ruldolph The Red Nose Reindeer
Deck The Halls With Holly
Here Comes Santa Claus
Noel, Noel
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

Possibly, all three releases hit the stores in the same year? Or maybe the Pirouette release can a year later?  Why the cover designs drew from the same basic artwork and why the track lists vary is a real mystery.

Anyway... the music is very basic with little instrumentation to accompany the vocalists. But, for me this simplicity is what makes the recording unique and fun to listen to. For example check out the extended organ solo on Rudolph.

I refrain from posting samples when CDs or downloads are available or if find I that an artist is active and you can buy music from them. I always try and link to artist websites.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

Only Love Can Unlock Prison Doors

Only Love Can Unlock Prison Doors

Only Love Can Unlock Prison Doors

Bobby Rich

The copy on the back cover reads: Bob loves his family and hates to leave them. Yet he loves to preach cause he hates sin. Bob Rich loves fried chicken and homemade ice cream and sunshine and his beautiful home and Rebecca and the children.

Personally, I would love to hear a few more songs about prison love. Oh, and the "U" in "Unlock" is drawn to look like a keyhole.

I refrain from posting samples when CDs or downloads are available or if find I that an artist is active and you can buy music from them. I always try and link to artist websites.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

Make Believe

Make Believe
Feddy Martin
RCA Camden CAL - 315
1957

Camden was a RCA budget label. Budget or not you can find some very cool cover art on Camden jackets.

The music does not, reflect the cover art, sounding a bit dated for a mid 50s release.

I refrain from posting samples when CDs or downloads are available or if find I that an artist is active and you can buy music from them. I always try and link to artist websites.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

The Night Is Young - Wanye King

The Night Is Young
Wayne King And His Orchestra
RCA Camden CAL 358
1956

Camden was RCA's budget label. Budget or not, Camden featured some very good cover art.

The classy photo on this monochromatic jacket is credited to Howard Graff.

The music doesn't reflect the cover image in my opinion. The music seems dated for a mid-50s release, the tracks apparently collected together from various earlier recordings.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections

Lolliwinks

When I Paint The World

Lolliwinks
K-tel International, Inc. NU 9630
1981

Straight out of the seal shrink comes the Lolliwinks on K-tel. Run your singer's voice through the Chipmunk "helium" filter and you've made yourself a Lolliwink.

Since this record was sealed I have, in my clutches, the minty fresh Lolliwinks poster. I post it above because I know everyone is dying to see this rarity.

I Paint The World is my new theme song.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.

Godfrey And His Friends

Sweet Leilani

Godfrey And His Friends
House Party Series
Columbia CL 2514
1956

This record is a 10 inch 33 rpm LP featuring six tracks that barely consume half the available wax.

Apparently this small album format was popular enough that Capitol made a ton of them.

I refrain from posting samples when CDs or downloads are available or if find I that an artist is active and you can buy music from them. I always try and link to artist websites.

As always, if there is a problem with any post, let me know and I will attempt to make corrections.