Right On

Right On
K-tel TU 2500
1976

In the mid-70s I would have laughed at anyone who thought this garish exploitive lame bargain basement as advertised on TV album was cool. Today... I'm still laughing, but now I have a copy in my collection.

101 Strings - Soul Hits

A Taste Of Soul

Soul Hits
101 Strings
Alshire S-5237

Yes, 101 Strings did a "soul" album. And why not, 101 apparently covered every form of music ever invented, and I suspect that one day I'll find a 101 cover of 70s black exploitation movie soundtracks.

As 101 albums go, this one actually has a spark of life to it. There are a few outstanding 101's out there. This isn't one of them, but it is superior to the vast majority of 101s. And, of course, you get this great cover!

I'm amazed to find so many 101s online for download by the song. This one apparently can't be had at the usual outlets so I'll post a sample.

Enjoy!

I Had The Craziest Dream - Dave Pell Octet

I Had The Craziest Dream
Dave Pell Octet
Capitol Records T925
1956

I picked this record up because of the great "exotica look" period cover.

This isn't an exotica album, but a small jazz combo recording. The tracks are swinging and the engineering is very good.

Read about Pell on his wikipedia page.

There is a pricey CD floating around out there.

Romantic Moods

Strangers In The Night

Romantic Moods
Oscar Records
OS-108

Here's another installment in my effort to bring you the most obscure records that no one cares to listen to.

Actually, this is an obscure album, but the easy listening is tolerable and the cover photo is funny.

Beautiful Blue Hawaii

Hilo Bay

Beautiful Blue Hawaii
The Polynesians
Crown Records

This is a nice record that blends tradition folk tracks with a few jazzy modern songs. One song, Hilo Bay features a very cool lounge vocal.

I found this exact title online, with mp3 files for sale by the download. But the track list is completely different. I'm not sure what to make of that.

Sounds For Sick? People

Fever

Sounds For Sick? People
Shell 1711

I had no idea what to expect out of this album. An obvious gimmick album on a label that I had never seen before. On quick glance, the rear cover reveals no information. The copy is humorous fluff intended to prop up the gimmick. All of the song titles have something to do with illness or doctoring. On closer examination I found that the musicians are credited. They include Al Caiola on Guitar, Frank Rehak - Trombone, Boomie Richmond - Flute/Woodwind, Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax, Don Lamond - Drums, Moe Wechsler - Piano/Organ, Sol Schlinger - Baritone Sax.

I recognized a number of names and loved the 60s cover illustration so I bought the album. I wasn't disappointed. This is a great early space age pop record featuring many cool tunes that may help cure what ails you. The record is somewhat obscure, but I noted, today, that a copy hadn't sold on ebay for $1. I paid more than that. It's worth at least that and the cost of shipping. A fun addition to your atomic age collection.

SPM Showcase Production Music

Rock Squad

SPM Showcase Production Music
Media General Broadcast Services SPM 233

A 12 inch record with about enough content to fill one side or about 6 different tracks with repetitious short segments.

Cha Cha Pops - Manny Lopez Orchestra

Andalucia

Cha Cha Pops

Manny Lopez and His Orchestra
RCA Victor LSP-1671
1958

Wow... incredible. I'd never thought Cha Cha could be done up in easy listening. This album has a laid-back Gleason vibe to it. The album works for me on some level.

All-Time Piano Hits - Ronnie Aldrich

All-Time Piano Hits
Ronnie Aldrich And His Two Pianos
Phase 4
London SP 44081
1966

There are some nice tunes on this album that features a rather drab looking cover. The engineering is amazing. Credit goes to Arthur Bannister.

Tracks consist mostly of 60s light pop and easy listening fare that I find pleasant, but pretty standard for the time. A few tracks rise above that vibe. They include fun covers of Miserlou and Voodoo Moon.

The album can be found on CD.

Strings In Hi-Fi - Pierre Challet And His Orchestra

Holiday For Strings

Strings In Hi-Fi
Pierre Challet And His Orchestra
Mercury SR 60066
1959

From the March 23, 1959 issue of Billboard: Title is apt. The sound is, why not say it, sensational. The program is composed of string showpieces ("Flight Of The Bumble Bee, "Holiday for Strings", etc.) in sprightly arrangements. Place the needle anywhere for demonstration to hi-fi fans and, if you have a special browser for audiophfles (that is how they spelled the word), the disk deserves to be included.

I've got a nice copy of this record and it is still a treat to listen to. Of course, Mercury is one of my favorite labels when it comes to quality engineering.

Holiday In Acapulco

Baja Narea

Holiday In Acapulco

Fortuna TLPS 937

Budget release with no artist credit on the cover. On the label, the recording is credited to the Scott Mills Orchestra.

Many of these budget records I find that sport stock photo covers like this are usually easy listening and usually hard to listen to easy listening.

In this case, this obscure album is quite pleasant. A number of tracks are average Latin sounding filler, but an equal number have a small combo exotica flavor to them. Apparently Mills was a flutist as the predominate instrument is the flute.

On the back cover is nothing about the music, but instead, a brief history of "The Evolution Of Stereophonic Sound".

A portion of this history includes a purchase, by The Shah of Persia, of the first three-track phonograph. A machine that was manufactured by the Columbia Phonograph Corporation in 1898. This player was advertised as "The Mulitplex Gramaphone Grand" and was the largest talking machine ever constructed.

Jackie Gleason Presents - Lazy Lively Love

Jackie Gleason Presents
Lazy Lively Love
Capitol Records SW 1439
1961

After I collect all of Gleason's albums I will count up the number of album covers that feature drinking and smoking.

Normally, I would glow about a Gleason album, but this release seems unfocused and thematically weak compared to the other Gleason albums I've got in the collection. The LP is more "light pop" than romantic easy listening and features a lot of peppy "brass" which I find personally hard to warm up to.

The One And Only

The One And Only
Wes Harrison
Mr. Sound Effects
International Recording Company, Chicago, Illinois 3330
1963

Autographed (also autographed by Lynn Harrison) album from a long time vocal sound effects comedian and voice actor. Harrison's website.

The 85 year old Navy Veteran could be found working in 2010.