Rock Around the Clock--Chiemi Eri (1955)

When this Japanese 78 showed up on eBay, I knew my collection had to have it. I was expecting an interesting and fun version, and this is certainly that. But I wasn't expecting a killer cover. Well, I got one, anyway. This way rocks around the clock. In fact, the title says as much--Rocks (sic) Around the Clock, it says.

Rocks Around the Clock? Heck, I want my money back now. But, seriously....

$5.99 is all I paid for this gem. Chiemi Eri (1937-1982) is the excellent singer. If anyone can i.d. the orchestra, please do so--they're worthy of Lucky Millinder. To the 78:

Rock Around the Clock--Chiemi Eri, 1955.



Lee

Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin)--Alec Templeton w. Andre Kostelanetz (1941)

From a 1955 LP reissue in, oh, VG- condition, we have a good-sounding mp3 of Alec Templeton's 1941 performance of Rhapsody in Blue with Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra. Templeton doesn't set any technical records here (though he's more than adequate), but if you're looking for a Rhapsody played with enormous feeling by a superbly musical artist, look no further. And download without delay. For a 1941 track, this sounds pretty spectacular, and I was able to kill most of the pops and crackle with MAGIX filtering and digital splicing.

Oh, and Kosty's conducting is terrific. He had a way with Gershwin.

Click here to hear: ZIP FILE NO LONGER AVAILABLE


Lee

Bluegrass Tommy presents: Sunday (late) morning gospel

"So, this guy shouts 'Go, cat, go!' and, naturally, I thought he was asking me to leave."--Tommy, reflecting on an embarrassing stage moment.

Bluegrass Tommy, resting between sets. Since I'm far from mastering the trace function in my new photo software, I used crummy old Paint. Then I filled things in with the new program's cloning function. Savio was to the right of Tommy until I cloned him out of the photo-- and Tommy's left back leg is composed of cloned fur patches. So, now, instead of staring down Savio, Tom is reflecting on his future as a finger-pickin' feline.

And he invites us to listen to twelve paw-tappin' Bluegrass gospel numbers rendered by Johnnie and Jack, Carl Story, Rusty York, and J.D. Jarvis. The Johnnie and Jack side, which is fabulous, came with the Confessions of a Juke Box set of promo 45s. The Story sides were rescued from fake stereo courtesy of a phase inversion, which I saved and then switched to mono. Don't know why it worked, but it did.

Tommy says, get on with the music. We will: Sunday Bluegrass gospel

PLAYLIST

HEAR JERUSALEM MOAN--Carl Story
I'LL LIVE WITH GOD (TO DIE NO MORE)--Johnnie and Jack, The Tennessee Mountain Boys, 1952.
THE EASTERN GATE--Same, 1952.
TRAMP ON THE STREET--Carl Story
SOMEBODY'S LAST DAY--Carl Story
I'VE GOT A HOME--Carl Story
GREAT SPECKLED BIRD--Rusty York
TAKE ME IN THE LIFE BOAT--Rusty York
I DIDN'T HEAR NOBODY PRAY--Carl Story
SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME--Carl Story
WHERE THE SOUL OF MAN NEVER DIES--Rusty York
PALMS OF VICTORY--J.D. Jarvis



Lee