Burt Bacharach and Larry Kusik's The Bell That Couldn't Jingle was recorded by Bobby Vinton, Herb Alpert, The Baby Dolls, Burt Bacharach himself, and... Bobby (Jingle Bell Rock) Helms. No classic, but it's more than toll-able, even if the words are a bit self-helpish. Maybe that's why they sound so Hal-David-ish to me. More than likely-ish.
And it turns out that Helms' version was not recorded in 1957, as I previously claimed. Unfortunately, I don't know how to do the crossed-out-line bit, so I'm simply rewriting the post. It's strange, to be able to do that. (Seems wrong, almost. )
And if Larry Kusik's name doesn't ring a bell, it's probably because, like me, you never paid any attention to the writing credits for 1969's A Time for Us (Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet), whose lyrics Larry was co-responsible for:
"A time for us, some day there'll be; When chains are torn by courage born of a love that's free. A time when dreams so long denied can flourish; As we unveil the love we now must hide."
These lyrics can only benefit from comparison:
The Bell That Couldn't Jingle (Baracharch-Kusik), Bobby Helms, 1965. (Not 1957, as claimed in Burt Bacharach: A House is Not a Homepage's discography). An otherwise great discography.)
And while we're on the subject of Bobby Helms and Christmas, why don't we give a listen to the original flip of Jingle Bell Rock, even though Burt had nothing to do with it (as far as I know). It's called Captain Santa Claus (And His Reindeer Space Patrol). Dig the very tacky--but cool--sound effects:
Captain Santa Claus (And His Reindeer Space Patrol), (Don Reid--Arthur Altman), Bobby Helms, 1957.
We'll be Bacharach. I mean, back.
Lee
Saturday, November 19, 2005
This Year's Santa Baby
In 1954, Eartha Kitt decided to record a follow-up to the 1953 hit Santa Baby. Or someone did, anyway. She may have had little say in the deal.
Anyway, the follow-up (which I like better than the pre-follow-up) has Eartha going way over the top with more "Santa Baby" requests. The title, however, doesn't quite work--"this year's" Sugar Daddy (er, Santa Baby) is the same guy. Plus, "this year" is the same year. What gives?
I expect logic from novelty records. Absolute, unadulterated logic. (He said, being totally unserious.)
From the Laserlight CD Bah! Humbug, here's Eartha's 1954 followup:
This Year's Santa Baby (Springer-Springer) Eartha Kitt, 1954.
Funny side. But not half as funny as two classic scramble-word subject lines received this morning by my inbox: "To fall go mollycoddle" and "It go the razzle mould." You know, it's a scary thought, but what if these things are messages from the dead? Other-side messages are always garbled in form--I learned that from watching paranormal shows on cable. Maybe someone should be looking into this. E-mails from the Dead would be the logical follow-up to the crank classic Phone Calls from the Dead, which happens to be my favorite paranormal title (and text). I reread it recently and almost cried with laughter. Then my long-deceased great grandmother called, and suddenly I wasn't laughing so hard. That'll teach me.
It was weird. What to say? Besides, "Grandma, I hope you're not calling collect." She wouldn't clarify this, so I had to hang up. Hated to, but our phone bill is high enough as it is.
"It go the razzle mould" almost sounds like Bill Cosby nonsense wordplay. "It go the razzle mould, razzle, razzle, schmazzle...."--Bill Cosby.
To fall, go mollycoddle. However, to remain upright, go razzle mould.
Lee
Anyway, the follow-up (which I like better than the pre-follow-up) has Eartha going way over the top with more "Santa Baby" requests. The title, however, doesn't quite work--"this year's" Sugar Daddy (er, Santa Baby) is the same guy. Plus, "this year" is the same year. What gives?
I expect logic from novelty records. Absolute, unadulterated logic. (He said, being totally unserious.)
From the Laserlight CD Bah! Humbug, here's Eartha's 1954 followup:
This Year's Santa Baby (Springer-Springer) Eartha Kitt, 1954.
Funny side. But not half as funny as two classic scramble-word subject lines received this morning by my inbox: "To fall go mollycoddle" and "It go the razzle mould." You know, it's a scary thought, but what if these things are messages from the dead? Other-side messages are always garbled in form--I learned that from watching paranormal shows on cable. Maybe someone should be looking into this. E-mails from the Dead would be the logical follow-up to the crank classic Phone Calls from the Dead, which happens to be my favorite paranormal title (and text). I reread it recently and almost cried with laughter. Then my long-deceased great grandmother called, and suddenly I wasn't laughing so hard. That'll teach me.
It was weird. What to say? Besides, "Grandma, I hope you're not calling collect." She wouldn't clarify this, so I had to hang up. Hated to, but our phone bill is high enough as it is.
"It go the razzle mould" almost sounds like Bill Cosby nonsense wordplay. "It go the razzle mould, razzle, razzle, schmazzle...."--Bill Cosby.
To fall, go mollycoddle. However, to remain upright, go razzle mould.
Lee
Friday, November 18, 2005
MYPWHAE's unhip Christmas, Part 5-B
Dig the four-armed Santa. (Four-armed Santa??)
I can't believe it--I forgot to use the "unhip Christmas" title for the last post! Oops. Can't even remember the names of my own threads.
Must be the cold working on my brain. The snowflakes are gone, but the temperatures are staying low (20s and 30s). And our cats are staying indoors. The sensible ones, anyway.
You know... I think I got a bit too serious a few posts back. I may have been overly hard on the critics of Congressman Murtha. Just a little, perhaps. After all, they're only giving their side of the issue, and everyone has a right to do that. They're politicians, you know.
Besides, it's time--now, more than ever--for some unpartisan bipartisanship instead of all of this partisan monopartisanship we're getting. We all need to lighten up. That's all. Just lighten up. By way of helping with that cause, I dedicate the next file (a hit for Ray Stevens in 1976) to the Republican hawks in Congress:
(Christmas) In the Mood, The Henhouse Five Plus Two (Ray Stevens), 1976.
What? I just thought it was a nice, funny track. Something light and amusing to get our minds off of all the ill will of late. Good sound effects, no?
By the way, did you hear that Dick Cheney wished Congressman Murtha a "smeary Christmas"? Sometime today, I think.
I plan to take time off from Christmas posting to put up some Thanksgiving files. Next week, sometime. Stay tuned.
Santa never misses the latest posts at MYPWHAE.
Lee
For a good time...
For a good time, call 1-800-GOODTIME. $18.99 a minute. At those prices, you know it's gotta be a good time. For somebody.
I just made that up. If there really is a 1-800-GOODTIME, I swear I'm not connected to them in any way. So to speak.
Actually, what I was going to say is that, for a good time, check out my posts just after I post them. Hit "Refresh" periodically, and you'll see the text and, sometimes, the images moving and/or morphing before your very eyes. I usually do a mess of revisions after "publishing" my blog--text realigning, typo fixing, sentence trimming, etc. This lasts for about five minutes. Pull up a chair and enjoy the spectacle.
The first time I ever did anything with HTML text, or whatever it's called, I felt like I was in another dimension. HTML is interesting. I'm a computer idiot, but I'd venture that HTML provides "go here, do this"-type directions to the computer's operating system. Am I close?
Anyway.... Oh, how are my sinuses? Thanks for asking. Awful. As ever. I wish I could trade them in, I really do. If there's a Heaven, it's a place where congestion never intrudes.
After those sad words, I could use some cheering up. And if the delightfully wacko Bebop drummer Sam Ulano doesn't do it, no one can or will. I've never met this guy, but I picture the nicest sort of goofball. And what fabulous drum work!! From 1954, Santa and the Doodle-Li-Boop and The Story of Santa Claus.
Santa and the Doodle-Li-Boop (Alan Abel), Sam Ulano, 1954. From MGM 45.
The Story of Santa Claus (Alan Abel), Sam Ulano, 1954. From MGM 45.
The man is crazy! I love him. Two of the killer Christmas records of all time.
Is it even possible to follow Sam Ulano? Yes--at MYPWHAE, all things are possible. Most of the time. And, so, we present Linn Sheldon (apparently, Cleveland children's TV host Barnaby), who croons for us the well-known Christmas ditties Boofo Goes Where Santa Goes and Rabbits Have a Christmas.
(What? You've never heard of these? Where have you been? Download immediately....)
Boofo Goes Where Santa Goes, Linn Sheldon (Barnaby), from Cosmic 707.
Rabbits Have a Christmas, Linn Sheldon (Barnaby), from Cosmic 707.
I almost can't take any more of this. Just kidding. There's no such thing as too much weirdness when the season is Christmas. Lawrence Joy and Wilbur Waite's Pokeberry Promenaders would agree. Here's Larry's square-dance-with-calls version of Jingle Bells, entitled Massachusetts Mixture. Thanks, Larry and Wilbur, for helping this blog live up to its name/claim.
Massachusetts Mixture (Jingle Bells), Lawrence Joy with Wilbur Waite's Pokeberry Promenaders, 1951.
More to come. My God. Somebody, stop me before I post again! (Warner Brothers stock music, fade)
Lee
I just made that up. If there really is a 1-800-GOODTIME, I swear I'm not connected to them in any way. So to speak.
Actually, what I was going to say is that, for a good time, check out my posts just after I post them. Hit "Refresh" periodically, and you'll see the text and, sometimes, the images moving and/or morphing before your very eyes. I usually do a mess of revisions after "publishing" my blog--text realigning, typo fixing, sentence trimming, etc. This lasts for about five minutes. Pull up a chair and enjoy the spectacle.
The first time I ever did anything with HTML text, or whatever it's called, I felt like I was in another dimension. HTML is interesting. I'm a computer idiot, but I'd venture that HTML provides "go here, do this"-type directions to the computer's operating system. Am I close?
Anyway.... Oh, how are my sinuses? Thanks for asking. Awful. As ever. I wish I could trade them in, I really do. If there's a Heaven, it's a place where congestion never intrudes.
After those sad words, I could use some cheering up. And if the delightfully wacko Bebop drummer Sam Ulano doesn't do it, no one can or will. I've never met this guy, but I picture the nicest sort of goofball. And what fabulous drum work!! From 1954, Santa and the Doodle-Li-Boop and The Story of Santa Claus.
Santa and the Doodle-Li-Boop (Alan Abel), Sam Ulano, 1954. From MGM 45.
The Story of Santa Claus (Alan Abel), Sam Ulano, 1954. From MGM 45.
The man is crazy! I love him. Two of the killer Christmas records of all time.
Is it even possible to follow Sam Ulano? Yes--at MYPWHAE, all things are possible. Most of the time. And, so, we present Linn Sheldon (apparently, Cleveland children's TV host Barnaby), who croons for us the well-known Christmas ditties Boofo Goes Where Santa Goes and Rabbits Have a Christmas.
(What? You've never heard of these? Where have you been? Download immediately....)
Boofo Goes Where Santa Goes, Linn Sheldon (Barnaby), from Cosmic 707.
Rabbits Have a Christmas, Linn Sheldon (Barnaby), from Cosmic 707.
I almost can't take any more of this. Just kidding. There's no such thing as too much weirdness when the season is Christmas. Lawrence Joy and Wilbur Waite's Pokeberry Promenaders would agree. Here's Larry's square-dance-with-calls version of Jingle Bells, entitled Massachusetts Mixture. Thanks, Larry and Wilbur, for helping this blog live up to its name/claim.
Massachusetts Mixture (Jingle Bells), Lawrence Joy with Wilbur Waite's Pokeberry Promenaders, 1951.
More to come. My God. Somebody, stop me before I post again! (Warner Brothers stock music, fade)
Lee
Trapp Family Singers to the rescue
My, my. Apparently, the anti-Murtha campaign has begun (source: CNN). A friend pointed out, just this morning, that maybe the White House should be out of campaign mode by now and into running-the-country mode. What a radical suggestion. Meanwhile, according to MSNBC, Bush is continuing to link 9/11 to Iraq. Well, yeah--but he created that link. It's a fabricated job. The medium is the message, Bush being the medium. Bush quoting Bush. That's scary.
The truth turned into a fable. Like something Hollywood would do to the story of the Trapp Family Singers.
Speaking of, the Trapps just arrived at MYPWHAE to grace our lucky ears with their marvelous harmonizing. I'm so happy that these people and their music escaped the Nazis, even if their departure from Austria was slightly less dramatic (and Hollywood) than we've been led to believe--in real life, they hopped on a train. Which then took off, carrying them to safety. Oh, well. That would have been drama enough for me, as I imagine that fleeing the Nazis would be harrowing, any way you slice it. But I'm not Hollywood.
Hate to break it to you. And you thought I was. Sorry!
Anyway, let the beautiful sounds of the TFS allow us to forget, for a few minutes anyway, the horrors of the present. Maybe, like the von Trapps, we can escape, too.
Carol of the Drum (Katherine K. Davis, 1941), The Trapp Family Singers, 1940s recording.
Shepherds Come A-Running (Polish Carol), The Trapp Family Singers, 1940s recording.
Ihr Kinderlein Kommet (German carol), The Trapp Family Singers, 1940s recording.
Carol of the Drum, of course, is better-known as The Little Drummer Boy. My sheet music copy (with the von Trapps gracing the cover) is in storage, else I'd post it. Allegedly adapted from a traditional Czech carol, Drum may have actually been an original composition--scholars strongly suspect as much. It was written (transcribed?) in 1941 by Wellesley College alumna Katherine K. Davis. See the cool original manuscript here: http://www.wellesley.edu/Library/Music/music-sp.html Or, um, take a gander below. The Wellesley site has a short, excellent write-up in addition to the scan.
I love the von Trapp treatment--it works so much better than the Harry Simeone version, as much as I like same. It's a simple piece with simple words, and, in this early recording (circa 1946, I believe--can't confirm), it's tuneful and touching. I love it.
Ihr Kinderlein Kommet is something I played during my time as a church organist in Pataskala, Ohio. I doubt that it was in our hymnal; it's probably something I used as a Christmas prelude or offertory. It's too beautiful not to be heard. And Shepherds Come A-Running is just flat-out cool.
I could spend the whole season listening to no one but the von Trapps. They were arty but not too arty. Ditto, in the vernacular regard. The von Trapps rocked!
My apologies to Julie....
Lee
The truth turned into a fable. Like something Hollywood would do to the story of the Trapp Family Singers.
Speaking of, the Trapps just arrived at MYPWHAE to grace our lucky ears with their marvelous harmonizing. I'm so happy that these people and their music escaped the Nazis, even if their departure from Austria was slightly less dramatic (and Hollywood) than we've been led to believe--in real life, they hopped on a train. Which then took off, carrying them to safety. Oh, well. That would have been drama enough for me, as I imagine that fleeing the Nazis would be harrowing, any way you slice it. But I'm not Hollywood.
Hate to break it to you. And you thought I was. Sorry!
Anyway, let the beautiful sounds of the TFS allow us to forget, for a few minutes anyway, the horrors of the present. Maybe, like the von Trapps, we can escape, too.
Carol of the Drum (Katherine K. Davis, 1941), The Trapp Family Singers, 1940s recording.
Shepherds Come A-Running (Polish Carol), The Trapp Family Singers, 1940s recording.
Ihr Kinderlein Kommet (German carol), The Trapp Family Singers, 1940s recording.
Carol of the Drum, of course, is better-known as The Little Drummer Boy. My sheet music copy (with the von Trapps gracing the cover) is in storage, else I'd post it. Allegedly adapted from a traditional Czech carol, Drum may have actually been an original composition--scholars strongly suspect as much. It was written (transcribed?) in 1941 by Wellesley College alumna Katherine K. Davis. See the cool original manuscript here: http://www.wellesley.edu/Library/Music/music-sp.html Or, um, take a gander below. The Wellesley site has a short, excellent write-up in addition to the scan.
I love the von Trapp treatment--it works so much better than the Harry Simeone version, as much as I like same. It's a simple piece with simple words, and, in this early recording (circa 1946, I believe--can't confirm), it's tuneful and touching. I love it.
Ihr Kinderlein Kommet is something I played during my time as a church organist in Pataskala, Ohio. I doubt that it was in our hymnal; it's probably something I used as a Christmas prelude or offertory. It's too beautiful not to be heard. And Shepherds Come A-Running is just flat-out cool.
I could spend the whole season listening to no one but the von Trapps. They were arty but not too arty. Ditto, in the vernacular regard. The von Trapps rocked!
My apologies to Julie....
Lee
Thursday, November 17, 2005
A good storm, finally: Hurricane Murtha
From msnbc.msn.com :
"It is time for a change in direction,” said Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., one of Congress’ most hawkish Democrats. “Our military is suffering; the future of our country is at risk. We cannot continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf region.”
Murtha estimated that all U.S. troops could be pulled out within six months. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he choked back tears during his remarks to reporters.
Decorated veteran, schmecorated veteran. A real man like Dick "I had better things to do in the 60s than fight in Vietnam" Cheney has never choked back tears while discussing the Iraq war. Not Dick--he talks tough about war. But even the toughest tough guy has feelings:
Vice President Dick Cheney jumped into the fray Wednesday by assailing Democrats who contend the Bush administration manipulated intelligence on Iraq, calling their criticism “one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city.”
Actually, it probably came out more like, "'n of th' m'st d'hon'st 'n repr'h'ns'ble ch'rges (mutter, mutter, mutter)" through Cheney's clenched teeth. I love the way he grimaces with his eyes bugged out in a human-headed-fly "Helllllp meeeeeeeee!" manner. I'm kind of glad he had better things to do than fight in Vietnam, because how effective of a soldier would he have been?
Murtha was thinking along the same lines when he responded:
“I like guys who’ve never been there that criticize us who’ve been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war, and then don’t like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done.”
That sort of says it all, folks.
People are suffering from "Katrina fatigue," we're told. Too many storms, all of them horrific. But there are good, needful storms--like the one created by John Murtha's brave words. Let's hope that Hurricane Murtha swells in size and force and that its wrath is trained, for once, on those who deserve to feel it. FEMA will come to the rescue. Sometime next year. Maybe.
The perfect Hurricane Murtha music: Paul Whiteman and His Concert Orchestra from 1932 with Ferde Grofe's Cloudburst (from Grand Canyon Suite), in progress:
Cloudburst (from Grand Canyon Suite, Grofe), Paul Whiteman and His Concert Orchestra, 1932.
For that recording date, at least, the outfit should have been called "Paul Whiteman and His Awesome Brass." An awesome selection for an awesome Congressman.
Lee
"It is time for a change in direction,” said Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., one of Congress’ most hawkish Democrats. “Our military is suffering; the future of our country is at risk. We cannot continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf region.”
Murtha estimated that all U.S. troops could be pulled out within six months. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he choked back tears during his remarks to reporters.
Decorated veteran, schmecorated veteran. A real man like Dick "I had better things to do in the 60s than fight in Vietnam" Cheney has never choked back tears while discussing the Iraq war. Not Dick--he talks tough about war. But even the toughest tough guy has feelings:
Vice President Dick Cheney jumped into the fray Wednesday by assailing Democrats who contend the Bush administration manipulated intelligence on Iraq, calling their criticism “one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city.”
Actually, it probably came out more like, "'n of th' m'st d'hon'st 'n repr'h'ns'ble ch'rges (mutter, mutter, mutter)" through Cheney's clenched teeth. I love the way he grimaces with his eyes bugged out in a human-headed-fly "Helllllp meeeeeeeee!" manner. I'm kind of glad he had better things to do than fight in Vietnam, because how effective of a soldier would he have been?
Murtha was thinking along the same lines when he responded:
“I like guys who’ve never been there that criticize us who’ve been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war, and then don’t like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done.”
That sort of says it all, folks.
People are suffering from "Katrina fatigue," we're told. Too many storms, all of them horrific. But there are good, needful storms--like the one created by John Murtha's brave words. Let's hope that Hurricane Murtha swells in size and force and that its wrath is trained, for once, on those who deserve to feel it. FEMA will come to the rescue. Sometime next year. Maybe.
The perfect Hurricane Murtha music: Paul Whiteman and His Concert Orchestra from 1932 with Ferde Grofe's Cloudburst (from Grand Canyon Suite), in progress:
Cloudburst (from Grand Canyon Suite, Grofe), Paul Whiteman and His Concert Orchestra, 1932.
For that recording date, at least, the outfit should have been called "Paul Whiteman and His Awesome Brass." An awesome selection for an awesome Congressman.
Lee
Pete, Gene, Frosty, Ross, and Santa
You know you're in the Christmas spirit when "Blogger Dashboard" looks like "Blogger Dasher."
"On, Blogger! On, Dasher!"--Cyber Claus.
My eyes have been doing a lot of word-misreading lately. Probably... um... too much time at the computer. That can do it. I know--I'll take a break and watch some television!
Which reminds me--have you ever thought about the extent to which computers are like TVs? I have. I even formed a theory at one point that computers are a technological extension of TV. I have no idea what I mean by that, but it's a great crank theory, I think.
After all, TVs and computers both have screens, contrast controls, bandwidths, sound, images (moving or otherwise), and lots of wires inside. So, how could they not be evolutionarily related? I rest my crank case. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for Gunsmoke. (On my Dell.)
Aw, heck. It's a repeat.
Time, then, for some sleeve and cover photos. No blog is half-complete without them:
The above issue of Universe lists two titles on the cover that don't appear anywhere inside. Very strange. I wanted to read The Bug.
Lee
"On, Blogger! On, Dasher!"--Cyber Claus.
My eyes have been doing a lot of word-misreading lately. Probably... um... too much time at the computer. That can do it. I know--I'll take a break and watch some television!
Which reminds me--have you ever thought about the extent to which computers are like TVs? I have. I even formed a theory at one point that computers are a technological extension of TV. I have no idea what I mean by that, but it's a great crank theory, I think.
After all, TVs and computers both have screens, contrast controls, bandwidths, sound, images (moving or otherwise), and lots of wires inside. So, how could they not be evolutionarily related? I rest my crank case. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for Gunsmoke. (On my Dell.)
Aw, heck. It's a repeat.
Time, then, for some sleeve and cover photos. No blog is half-complete without them:
The above issue of Universe lists two titles on the cover that don't appear anywhere inside. Very strange. I wanted to read The Bug.
Lee
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
MYPWHAE's unhip Christmas, Part 4
Snowflakes have arrived in central Ohio, with more to come. Oh, boy, oh, boy.
Just kidding (about the "oh, boy, oh, boy" part).
Christmas music--we've got Christmas music. Yes, indeed. We begin with Carl Weismann's Singing Dogs, from 1955--Bark! The Herald Angels Sing. (Just kidding....) Actually, this is the original three-selection side from which Jingle Bells was subsequently isolated from. It's quite interesting, with the crowd effects and announcements and stuff. I keep forgetting the exact story behind this, save for the fact that Weismann was (is?) a Danish bird-call collector and that the dog barks were, essentially, unwanted sounds that he spliced into The Singing Dogs--after organizing the barks into their various pitches, of course. I think I gave a fuller, better account in an earlier Singing Dogs post. (I've always wanted to type the phrase, "an earlier Singing Dogs post.") Only at MYPWHAE will you encounter earlier Singing Dogs posts:
Pat-a-Cake, Three Blind Mice, Jingle Bells, The Singing Dogs, "directed" by Carl Weismann, 1955. (RCA 47-6344)
Here's an excellent page about Weismann and his Singing Dogs. I'd be littering my sentences with canine puns right now, but my brain isn't working today. My thoughts are as congested as my sinuses.
However, we can't let that mar the mood, especially when we have a track as campy-fun as Space Age Santa Claus to marvel over. FaLaLaLaLa.com will be posting Hal Bradley recording of this in about a week--meanwhile, behold the very cool picture sleeve. I'm wondering if my record might be... the same one in a different edition? Both sides were written by Ross Christman (Christman??), and my copy is on the Ross (!) label. Coincidence? Plus, the FaLaLaLaLa.com record features Patty Marie Jay on the vocal, whereas my side features one Jeannie Jay with the Gus De Wert Trio. This is weird. Xavier, Kansas is (was?) the home of Ross Records. What to make of all this? (Toto? Do you know?)
Space Age Santa Claus (Ross Christman), Gus De Wert Trio and Jeannie Jay (Ross WW1004).
Needless to say, I'd better listen to FalLaLaLaLa's file. Nice alliteration, there.
Here's another weird one (the best kind) from the Rhythms label (I won't crack any Catholic jokes, here). This came in a boxed set, but the box itself disappeared during my last move. It's probably in a landfill someplace, next to a half-eaten corn cob and an old ATM receipt. Anyway, I had to perform major sonic surgery on this, not only with the MAGIX hiss filter but by way of splicing out most of the two Silent Night renditions, owing to high-frequency scritch. No major loss--those sections were the least interesting, though the singer is quite good. This is either a lousy pressing or a good one that met up with a bad phonograph needle. But I got a decent file out of it, regardless:
Santa's Christmas Party (Ruth White), Narration: Kathryn Hume; Sung by Grace Lynne Martin. (Rhythms Productions CC 617)
And, to my ears, the only thing sillier than a canine rendition of Jingle Bells is a Pete Rugolo over-arrangement thereof. Not that I don't admire Rugolo's ability, but ability and taste don't necessary exist in the same space. Which may explain why Rugolo had much of the former and little of the latter. (I'm just asking for it, aren't I?)
Feel free to like this. Don't worry about my issues!
Jingle Bells Mambo (Pete Rugolo), Pete Rugolo and His Orchestra, 1954. From Columbia EP B-1916.
And now for two sides Merv Griffin recorded for the Duluth, Minn. TV station WDSM, both regarding Duluth's annual Christmas City of the North Parade. Christmas City is a familiar song to Duluth residents. I'm not sure whether or not this recording thereof is familiar to them, also, though it may very well be:
Christmas City (Don Peterson), Merv Griffin, year unknown.
The Song of the Christmas City (Don Peterson), Merv Griffin, year unknown.
Here are the Merv labels. More label photos in a follow-up post....
Your unhip host, Lee
Just kidding (about the "oh, boy, oh, boy" part).
Christmas music--we've got Christmas music. Yes, indeed. We begin with Carl Weismann's Singing Dogs, from 1955--Bark! The Herald Angels Sing. (Just kidding....) Actually, this is the original three-selection side from which Jingle Bells was subsequently isolated from. It's quite interesting, with the crowd effects and announcements and stuff. I keep forgetting the exact story behind this, save for the fact that Weismann was (is?) a Danish bird-call collector and that the dog barks were, essentially, unwanted sounds that he spliced into The Singing Dogs--after organizing the barks into their various pitches, of course. I think I gave a fuller, better account in an earlier Singing Dogs post. (I've always wanted to type the phrase, "an earlier Singing Dogs post.") Only at MYPWHAE will you encounter earlier Singing Dogs posts:
Pat-a-Cake, Three Blind Mice, Jingle Bells, The Singing Dogs, "directed" by Carl Weismann, 1955. (RCA 47-6344)
Here's an excellent page about Weismann and his Singing Dogs. I'd be littering my sentences with canine puns right now, but my brain isn't working today. My thoughts are as congested as my sinuses.
However, we can't let that mar the mood, especially when we have a track as campy-fun as Space Age Santa Claus to marvel over. FaLaLaLaLa.com will be posting Hal Bradley recording of this in about a week--meanwhile, behold the very cool picture sleeve. I'm wondering if my record might be... the same one in a different edition? Both sides were written by Ross Christman (Christman??), and my copy is on the Ross (!) label. Coincidence? Plus, the FaLaLaLaLa.com record features Patty Marie Jay on the vocal, whereas my side features one Jeannie Jay with the Gus De Wert Trio. This is weird. Xavier, Kansas is (was?) the home of Ross Records. What to make of all this? (Toto? Do you know?)
Space Age Santa Claus (Ross Christman), Gus De Wert Trio and Jeannie Jay (Ross WW1004).
Needless to say, I'd better listen to FalLaLaLaLa's file. Nice alliteration, there.
Here's another weird one (the best kind) from the Rhythms label (I won't crack any Catholic jokes, here). This came in a boxed set, but the box itself disappeared during my last move. It's probably in a landfill someplace, next to a half-eaten corn cob and an old ATM receipt. Anyway, I had to perform major sonic surgery on this, not only with the MAGIX hiss filter but by way of splicing out most of the two Silent Night renditions, owing to high-frequency scritch. No major loss--those sections were the least interesting, though the singer is quite good. This is either a lousy pressing or a good one that met up with a bad phonograph needle. But I got a decent file out of it, regardless:
Santa's Christmas Party (Ruth White), Narration: Kathryn Hume; Sung by Grace Lynne Martin. (Rhythms Productions CC 617)
And, to my ears, the only thing sillier than a canine rendition of Jingle Bells is a Pete Rugolo over-arrangement thereof. Not that I don't admire Rugolo's ability, but ability and taste don't necessary exist in the same space. Which may explain why Rugolo had much of the former and little of the latter. (I'm just asking for it, aren't I?)
Feel free to like this. Don't worry about my issues!
Jingle Bells Mambo (Pete Rugolo), Pete Rugolo and His Orchestra, 1954. From Columbia EP B-1916.
And now for two sides Merv Griffin recorded for the Duluth, Minn. TV station WDSM, both regarding Duluth's annual Christmas City of the North Parade. Christmas City is a familiar song to Duluth residents. I'm not sure whether or not this recording thereof is familiar to them, also, though it may very well be:
Christmas City (Don Peterson), Merv Griffin, year unknown.
The Song of the Christmas City (Don Peterson), Merv Griffin, year unknown.
Here are the Merv labels. More label photos in a follow-up post....
Your unhip host, Lee
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Early Burt Special
Burt Bacharach, that is. I just received my copy of Burt's new CD, At This Time, from Amazon.co.uk, and I can't wait to hear it. (My listening schedule is kind of busy these days.) Hard to believe it, but Burt's been in the songwriting business for 53 years now--his first title on wax was the instrumental Once in a Blue Moon, recorded by Nat King Cole in 1952. The source for the tune was Anton Rubenstein's Melody in F, which Burt adapted with the assistance of his father, syndicated columnist Bert Bacharach! We do not lie....
Once in a Blue Moon (Bacharach--Bacharach), Nat King Cole, 1952. From Penthouse Serenade.
Listening to Cole's superb piano playing, it's hard to believe that the man is remembered primarily for his vocal efforts. But Cole, of course, had most of his hits as a vocalist, so this is probably inevitable. And Bacharach had most of his hits during the 1960s and early 1970s, so it's probably inevitable that his early successes would be lost to vernacular memory. Such as Patti Page's recording of Keep Me in Mind, which made it halfway up Cashbox's Top 50 list in 1955:
Keep Me in Mind (Jack Wolf--Burt Bacharach), Patti Page, 1955. From Mercury 45. (Song miscredited on the label to "Zing--Wexler"!)
Bacharach, I've read, doesn't care for Keep Me in Mind, but I think it's just fine. This next one, I'll Cry More, is pretty good, too--and the label credit is even correct! And note that Hal David has arrived for this, our third example:
I Cry More (Hal David--Burt F. Bacharach), Alan Dale, with Dick Jacob's Orchestra and Chorus, 1956. From Coral 45.
Alan Dale shares a spot on the pop-singer section of my "Probable influences on Elvis" list, along with Don Cherry and Don Cornell.
For our last bit of Early Burt, we jump ahead seven years to Richard Chamberlain's (!) version of They Long to Be Close To You--the first-ever recording of this terrific tune. I picked out the song by ear recently and discovered it wasn't as dirt-simple as I thought. At the same time, I didn't think it was very complicated, either. Few of Bacharach's songs are. I know we're always reading the reverse, but take my word for it--Burt's art is one of getting the most out of the least. I wish I could do what he does, but I lack the knack. It's like the cliche of not playing all the notes, but only the right ones. In Bacharach's case, substitute "chords" for "notes." The master of musical understatement, conducting one of his finest ditties:
They Long to Be Close to You (Bacharach--David), Richard Chamberlain; conducted by Burt Bacharach, 1963. From MGM 45.
Pretty good record, and a not-bad job by Richard. And you should hear what this sounded like before MAGIX did its magix. I mean, magic. Anyway, this Bacharach attack has been brought to you by the Burt fans at MYPWHAE.
Lee
Once in a Blue Moon (Bacharach--Bacharach), Nat King Cole, 1952. From Penthouse Serenade.
Listening to Cole's superb piano playing, it's hard to believe that the man is remembered primarily for his vocal efforts. But Cole, of course, had most of his hits as a vocalist, so this is probably inevitable. And Bacharach had most of his hits during the 1960s and early 1970s, so it's probably inevitable that his early successes would be lost to vernacular memory. Such as Patti Page's recording of Keep Me in Mind, which made it halfway up Cashbox's Top 50 list in 1955:
Keep Me in Mind (Jack Wolf--Burt Bacharach), Patti Page, 1955. From Mercury 45. (Song miscredited on the label to "Zing--Wexler"!)
Bacharach, I've read, doesn't care for Keep Me in Mind, but I think it's just fine. This next one, I'll Cry More, is pretty good, too--and the label credit is even correct! And note that Hal David has arrived for this, our third example:
I Cry More (Hal David--Burt F. Bacharach), Alan Dale, with Dick Jacob's Orchestra and Chorus, 1956. From Coral 45.
Alan Dale shares a spot on the pop-singer section of my "Probable influences on Elvis" list, along with Don Cherry and Don Cornell.
For our last bit of Early Burt, we jump ahead seven years to Richard Chamberlain's (!) version of They Long to Be Close To You--the first-ever recording of this terrific tune. I picked out the song by ear recently and discovered it wasn't as dirt-simple as I thought. At the same time, I didn't think it was very complicated, either. Few of Bacharach's songs are. I know we're always reading the reverse, but take my word for it--Burt's art is one of getting the most out of the least. I wish I could do what he does, but I lack the knack. It's like the cliche of not playing all the notes, but only the right ones. In Bacharach's case, substitute "chords" for "notes." The master of musical understatement, conducting one of his finest ditties:
They Long to Be Close to You (Bacharach--David), Richard Chamberlain; conducted by Burt Bacharach, 1963. From MGM 45.
Pretty good record, and a not-bad job by Richard. And you should hear what this sounded like before MAGIX did its magix. I mean, magic. Anyway, this Bacharach attack has been brought to you by the Burt fans at MYPWHAE.
Lee
Monday, November 14, 2005
MYPWHAE's unhip Christmas, Part 3
My, my. It seems like only a few days ago that we were doing Part 2. How things sequence. It's amazing.
Today, we're going to hear some utterly conventional Christmas sides, most of them from the 1973 Goodyear free-with-gas collection An Utterly Conventional Christmas. I mean, The Many Moods of Christmas. I wasn't buying gas in 1973, so I never got to experience the weirdness of receiving a long-playing album in exchange for filling up.
"Car wash?" "Uh... no." "Record album?" "Yeah, that'd be nice."
I'd include more numbers from this Tony Bennett--Jo Stafford--Tex Beneke--Bing Crosby various-artists-athon, but one side has diminished fidelity owing to (I would guess) play with a worn needle. Or else, a tonearm tracking at 15 grams. I'd grade it a G-. Or an eBay VG+. (Please, no nasty e-mails.)
I said nothing about eBay's vinyl-grading standards. You just imagined you read that.
Santa Claus' Party comes from a mid-1950s Capitol various-artists collection called Merry Christmas to You! Cool cover, so-so condition. Lots of clicks and pops. "Let's pick up the needle and move it--oops! (scriiiiitchhhh)"
I'd show the seen-one-seen-them-all cover to The Many Moods of Christmas, but I neglected to make an image of same. I prefer the campy Santa, anyway.
I was pretty excited about posting Santa Claus' Party until I discovered the track was included in the soundtrack to Elf. Dang it. I hate Hollywood. But I'm presenting it anyway. Hang onto your sleigh as our ears behold Yuletide sides of an utterly conventional nature:
Santa Claus' Party, Les Baxter, 1952. From Capitol V.A. collection.
The Christmas Song (Mel Torme--Robert Wells, 1944), Tex Beneke in the Glenn Miller Style, from 1973's The Many Moods of Christmas, from Goodyear.
Toyland (Glen MacDonough--Victor Herbert, 1903), Doris Day, from 1973's The Many Moods of Christmas, from Goodyear.
Jingle Bell Rock (Joe Beal and Jim Boothe. 1955), Pete Fountain, from 1973 Goodyear comp.
Christmas Is (Spence Maxwell--Percy Faith), Bing Crosby, from 1973 Goodyear comp.
Did I mention that I hate The Christmas Song? True. The tune is contrived, and the words are an attempt to rise above cliche by emphasizing same. So, I don't like it. "Jazz" compositions are usually my least favorite. (But don't let that ruin your enjoyment of the tune!) Good version, though.
So, we've established that I hate Hollywood and "jazz" compositions. Is there any hope for me? More unhip Christmas music to come!
Lee
Today, we're going to hear some utterly conventional Christmas sides, most of them from the 1973 Goodyear free-with-gas collection An Utterly Conventional Christmas. I mean, The Many Moods of Christmas. I wasn't buying gas in 1973, so I never got to experience the weirdness of receiving a long-playing album in exchange for filling up.
"Car wash?" "Uh... no." "Record album?" "Yeah, that'd be nice."
I'd include more numbers from this Tony Bennett--Jo Stafford--Tex Beneke--Bing Crosby various-artists-athon, but one side has diminished fidelity owing to (I would guess) play with a worn needle. Or else, a tonearm tracking at 15 grams. I'd grade it a G-. Or an eBay VG+. (Please, no nasty e-mails.)
I said nothing about eBay's vinyl-grading standards. You just imagined you read that.
Santa Claus' Party comes from a mid-1950s Capitol various-artists collection called Merry Christmas to You! Cool cover, so-so condition. Lots of clicks and pops. "Let's pick up the needle and move it--oops! (scriiiiitchhhh)"
I'd show the seen-one-seen-them-all cover to The Many Moods of Christmas, but I neglected to make an image of same. I prefer the campy Santa, anyway.
I was pretty excited about posting Santa Claus' Party until I discovered the track was included in the soundtrack to Elf. Dang it. I hate Hollywood. But I'm presenting it anyway. Hang onto your sleigh as our ears behold Yuletide sides of an utterly conventional nature:
Santa Claus' Party, Les Baxter, 1952. From Capitol V.A. collection.
The Christmas Song (Mel Torme--Robert Wells, 1944), Tex Beneke in the Glenn Miller Style, from 1973's The Many Moods of Christmas, from Goodyear.
Toyland (Glen MacDonough--Victor Herbert, 1903), Doris Day, from 1973's The Many Moods of Christmas, from Goodyear.
Jingle Bell Rock (Joe Beal and Jim Boothe. 1955), Pete Fountain, from 1973 Goodyear comp.
Christmas Is (Spence Maxwell--Percy Faith), Bing Crosby, from 1973 Goodyear comp.
Did I mention that I hate The Christmas Song? True. The tune is contrived, and the words are an attempt to rise above cliche by emphasizing same. So, I don't like it. "Jazz" compositions are usually my least favorite. (But don't let that ruin your enjoyment of the tune!) Good version, though.
So, we've established that I hate Hollywood and "jazz" compositions. Is there any hope for me? More unhip Christmas music to come!
Lee
Sunday, November 13, 2005
New picture; new post
The new post is at Vintage Lounge, where I just dumped eleven big-band exotica tracks. Ted Weems, Harry James, Paul Whiteman, Harry Roy, Andre Kostelanetz, and Freddy Martin perform outstanding Coolidge-, Hoover-, Roosevelt- and Truman-era exotica and exotica-inspired numbers, including La Golondrina (The Swallow), Coubacaban, and Cumana. Who says this stuff started with Martin Denny? I never did!
And the new picture is the work of Reverend Dan, whose Music for Nimrods site is a nimrod must. And we know who we are, nimrod-wise. (I, myself, have been called worse.) The Reverend did quite a good job with my back yard pose in front of the wood shelter (no longer visible):
Lee Hartsfeld, Vinyl Miner. (Again, I've been called worse.) I really look the part, too, save for the glasses. The perfect gear, should I ever decide to landfill-dive for buried vinyl. In my mind, I can picture millions of dirt-covered discs in the cramped company of old pieces of toast, torn newspapers, and discarded cat toys--along with other items I prefer not to envision. Countless years from now, exhumed sound discs will sit in museums next to arrow heads, rusted belt buckles, and fossilized TV remotes as part of a primitive-technology exhibit. "They literally inscribed the sound into vinyl. I understand they also consumed their babies and bayed at the moon when it was full."--Museum guide.
As thanks for this image we've received, we offer Bob Haggart's arrangement of I'm Prayin' Humble, played by the Bob Crosby Orchestra in 1938. Slightly roots-of-rock-ish, no?:
I'm Prayin' Humble, Bob Crosby and His Orchestra, 1938.
Lee "What the heck am I doing up at this hour?" Hartsfeld, Vinyl Miner
And the new picture is the work of Reverend Dan, whose Music for Nimrods site is a nimrod must. And we know who we are, nimrod-wise. (I, myself, have been called worse.) The Reverend did quite a good job with my back yard pose in front of the wood shelter (no longer visible):
Lee Hartsfeld, Vinyl Miner. (Again, I've been called worse.) I really look the part, too, save for the glasses. The perfect gear, should I ever decide to landfill-dive for buried vinyl. In my mind, I can picture millions of dirt-covered discs in the cramped company of old pieces of toast, torn newspapers, and discarded cat toys--along with other items I prefer not to envision. Countless years from now, exhumed sound discs will sit in museums next to arrow heads, rusted belt buckles, and fossilized TV remotes as part of a primitive-technology exhibit. "They literally inscribed the sound into vinyl. I understand they also consumed their babies and bayed at the moon when it was full."--Museum guide.
As thanks for this image we've received, we offer Bob Haggart's arrangement of I'm Prayin' Humble, played by the Bob Crosby Orchestra in 1938. Slightly roots-of-rock-ish, no?:
I'm Prayin' Humble, Bob Crosby and His Orchestra, 1938.
Lee "What the heck am I doing up at this hour?" Hartsfeld, Vinyl Miner
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