Naked Songs...Al Kooper.

We now move to the other side of the world with John in New Zealand...I don't know much about Al Kooper so here's a review of this L/P (Album) from ALL Music !

1. Be Yourself Be Real.

2. As The Years Go Passing By.

3. Jolie.

4. Blind Baby.

5. been And Gone.

1. Sam Stone.

2. Peacock Lady.

3. Touch The Hem Of His Garment.

4. Where Were You When I Needed You

5. Unrequited.

Naked Songs Review by Bruce Eder ( ALL Music )

Naked Songs represents the other end of Al Kooper's early career from I Stand Alone. Where that first album was recorded very gradually at the outset of his solo career, soon after exiting Blood, Sweat & Tears, Naked Songs was a much more cohesive work (cut in New York and Georgia) from the end of his stay at Columbia Records. Ironically, it was a contractually obligated album, but never one to throw away an opportunity, Kooper embraced soul, gospel, blues, pop, and even country music in the course of filling its two sides. Playing his usual array of instruments, including loud, note-bending blues guitar and gospel-tinged organ on "As the Years Go Passing By," he effortlessly switches gears to the smoother pop-soul sound of "Jolie," then straight country with a blues tinge on "Blind Baby." John Prine's grim and uncompromising "Sam Stone" gets an extraordinary performance, but the real surprise is the presence of Sam Cooke's Soul Stirrers-era gospel classic "Touch the Hem of His Garment" -- the latter is one of a pair of Cooke songs (the other is "A Change Is Gonna Come") that one would not expect any white artist to try and cover, much less do well, but Kooper does it justice and then some, and this track alone is worth the price of the album. The album benefits from the fact that Kooper had spent a good chunk of the prior year working with the Atlanta Rhythm Section (which appears here) as well as discovering Lynyrd Skynyrd. Naked Songs may have been intended mostly to get him out of his Columbia contract, but it proved a highlight of his career as well as his last new recording for four years.

       6. Sam Stone.

Rockin' Chair...Gwen McCrae.

We now have two Singers that I have not heard of !...Courtesy of Luc.in Belguim.. The one in the post below are tracks in the "Disco" Mood...And this one !!...well read on folks !!

Gwendolyn Patricia McCrae (née Mosley, December 21, 1943 – February 21, 2025) was an American singer. She is best known for her 1975 hit "Rockin' Chair", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B chart and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Known across Europe as the "Queen of Rare Groove", McCrae's gospel, soul, disco, and funk vocals have been heavily sampled in dance music, including songs by Cassius, Madlib, Lady Gaga, Avicii, and Mobb Deep. 

1. Rockin' Chair.

2. Move Me Baby.

3. He Keeps Something Groovy Goin' On.

4. Let Them Talk.

1. For Your Love.

2. It's Worth The Hurt.

3. 90% 0f Me Is You.

4. It Keeps On Raining.

5. He Don't Ever Lossing His Groove.

Rockin' Chair is a hit 1975 song by singer Gwen McCrae. The song is not to be confused with either Fats Domino's 1951 R&B hit of the same name or the 1929 "Rockin' Chair" by Hoagy Carmichael.

Gwen's husband, George McCrae, had a number-one hit single the year earlier, "Rock Your Baby." "Rockin' Chair" was intended to be an answer song to George's hit. The songs were released just less than a year apart. George provided backing vocals on the song.

"Rockin' Chair" was McCrae's sole entry into the US top 10 on both the pop and soul charts. The single hit number nine on the US pop charts, and hit number one on the US soul chart for one week. In Canada, "Rockin' Chair" spent two weeks at number 23.

 1. Rockin' Chair

The Carol Douglas Album..

Carol Douglas (born April 7, 1948) is an American singer whose hit "Doctor's Orders" (1974) was a pioneering track in the disco genre.

In 1974, Douglas was recruited by Midland International Records via an ad in Showbiz magazine: label vice president/record producer Eddie O'Loughlin had heard the UK hit single "Doctor's Orders" by Sunny and was seeking a female vocalist to cut the track for the U.S. market. Douglas's audition led to a five-year contract and her version of "Doctor's Orders" became a hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard disco chart, No. 9 R&B, and No. 11 on the Hot 100; the single also reached No. 4 in France.

I don't think that Carol's version of Doctors Orders was released in England..There is no mention in "Wikipedia" of it being released In England !

      1. Doctor's Orders.

Unusual & Crazy Mixed Compilation No 1.

Not done a compilation for a while so here's some tracks that are mixed with hits unusual ones and maybe some rare ones....so enjoy it 

1. Talk Back Tremblin' Lips......Johnny Tillotson.

2. Stranger in Paradise......Gloria Lasso

3. Broken Hearted Melody......Sarah Vaughan

4. Lucky Lips.....Ruth Brown

5. Lovin'Spree......Ann-Margaret.

6. I Have But One Heart......Frank Sinatra.

7. Beach Boys Blues......Elvis Presley

8. Moonglow......Billie Holiday

9. When I Take My Sugar To Tea......Bing Crosby.

10. Tea For Two......Cliff Richard.

11. La Bamba......Chubby Checker.

12. Take Me Down To Lover's Lane......Robert Mitchum.

13. With a Hmm Hmm On my Knee......The Shadows.

14. Magic Moments......Nat King Cole.

15. Sea Cruise.....Frankie Ford

16. Drive In Show......Eddie Cochran

17. I'll Never Smile Again......Pat Boone

18. Pillow Talk......Doris Day.

19. Dream Lover......Craig Douglas

20. Under The Moon Of Love......Curtis Lee

21. Waikiki......Connie Francis.

22. People get Ready ( Live )......Rod Stewart.

23. When I Fall in Love......Celine Dion & Clive Griffin.

24. Can't Help Falling In Love......Julio Iglesias.

25. Hello Youmg Lovers......Malcolm Vaughan.

26. What A Wonderful World......Louis Armstrong.

27. Beyond The Sea ( La Mer )......George Benson.

28. Medley......Neil Sedaka

29. Tears On My Pillow......Kylie Minogue

30. Join In And Sing.......The Johnston Brothers.

       8. Moonglow....Billie Holiday.

     10. Tea For Two....Cliff Richard

The Shelton Sound...Anne Shelton.

I wish I had taken more care of the sleeves of my L/P's cos' this one is falling to pieces hence the sellotape around the edges but after 60 odd years it peels off leaving a yellow stain as you can see...that's the adhesive dried out....But that does not make any difference to the contents of the record...A fantastic one is this... Anne Shelton at her peak and sounding great....Now where are all the Classy English singers of today they seemed to have disappeared I wish we had some singers that have crystal clear voices so we can understand the words of the song they are singing....Okay styles and songs have changed over the last 60 odd years so its good job that "Edison" had a brainwave"!!!!...Oh yes forgot we do have a classy singer of today "Dame Shirley" of course...anybody got any other idea's!!!

P.S. This L/P is the best that Anne recorded  (IMHO)

1. My Heart Sings

2. Now I Know

3. How Did He Look

4. Tangerine

5. I'll Never Smile Again

6. There's a Lull In My Life

1. September Song

2. Let There Be Love

3. I Remember You

4. Taking a Chance On Love

5. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe 

6. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

      3. How Did He Look.

      3a. How Did He Look (Clean Version)

My Very Good Friends The Band Leaders...Ted Heath & His Music.

The Ted Heath Big Band paying tribute to the American big bands of the 50's & 60's !! pre "Phase 4 Stereo"....and its great to hear them in Concert Mode !!

1. Sing Sing Sing

2. When Its Sleepy Time Down South

3. Sorta Crazy

4. One O'clock Jump

5. Iv'e Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

6. Cherokee

1. Intermission Riff

2. Tuxedo Junction

3. Apple Honey

4. Take The A Train

5. Dragnet

6. Night Train

     9. Apple Honey.

Love Letters from Maureen O'Hara.

Now two posts from Tinsel Town (or The Land of The Silver Screen).....Not known for her singing !..but she makes a fair stab at some standard songs...a bit 1940 ish ! and Julie Andrews ! ish....and of course Irish !!

1. My Romance

2. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To

3. The Nearness of You

4. Yours Sincerely

5.  Dearly Beloved

6. The More I See You

1. I Only Have Eyes For You

2. Whispering

3. My Shining Hour

4. Love Letters

5. All Through The Day

6. My Love is Forever

      2. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To.

In My Own Way--I Love You...Anthony Quinn.

This Concept L/P is well explained in the back liner notes...so if you like your music spoken instead of sung then have a listen....I guess it will be an acquired taste !...but as a novelty I suppose it ok...but it does go on a bit !!......Nice for St Valentines Day!!!...Ooops that's gone !! So as In "Clowns" maybe next year !!!

     4. I love You And You Love Me.

Take It Easy...The Walker Brothers.

As the title say's....Take It Easy !!...and be quick before it disappears !!

1. Make It Easy On Yourself.

2. There Goes My Baby.

3. First Love Never Dies.

4. Dancing in The Street.

5. Lonely Winds.

6. The Girl I Lost In The Rain.

1. Land Of 1000 Dances.

2. You're All Around Me.

3. Love Minus Zero.

4. I Don't want to Hear It Anymore.

5. Here Comes The Night.

6. Tell The Truth.

       7. Land Of 1,000 Dances.

La Booga Rooga...Andy Fairweather Low.

This L/P contains one of my favourite tracks from the 70s!!...I wonder how many of you out there in the "Cosmos" will guess which one it is !!!.......Yep your right !!!..it's the sound bite !!

1. My Buckets Got A Hole In It

2. Jump Up And Turn Around

3. Halfway To Everything

4. La Booga Rooga

5. Champagne Melody

1. If That What It Takes

2. 8 Ton Crazy

3. Grease It Up

4. Wide Eyed And Legless

5. Inner City Highwayman

Andrew Fairweather-Low (born 2 August 1948) is a Welsh guitarist and singer. He was a founding member and lead singer of 1960s pop band Amen Corner, and in recent years has toured extensively with Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.

 Andy left to pursue a solo career. He released four albums up to 1980 on A&M and Warner Bros. These spawned further single chart success with "Reggae Tune" (1974), and "Wide Eyed and Legless", a No. 6 Christmas-time hit in 1975. Welsh group Budgie covered "I Ain't No Mountain" off Fairweather Low's 1974 album Spider Jiving on their 1975 release Bandolier.

       9. Wide Eyed And Legless.

Don't Go In The Lions Gage Tonight...Julie Andrews.

Julie in her "Eliza Doolittle" mode singing some old "Music Hall" ditties...over the pond I guess it would be "Vaudeville" songs !!!......Thanks John 

       6. Waiting At The Church.

The Erotic Voice of Joe Berluck.

I wonder what will people will think of this One.!!

We seem to be over the channel and you will either like this one or hate it !!..good two choices !!...the arrangements are good but I think I would have liked to hear him actually sing !!..but I suppose the point of the L/P is...Quote !!..."The Erotic Voice"....never heard of him but I believe he is an Ex DJ from the Netherlands.... OOOPs !! I have been corrected !! he's from Genk in Belgium !!.....been DJaying for at least 50 years and now I believe he's hanging up his turntables !!.....It does go on a bit but the novelty is there !!.....Thanks Bob !

Ooooops seems that Track 1 Side 2 is still whizzing around trying to find "Love" !!

       7. You Belong To My Heart

The Most Of Lulu.

As its says on the back cover "Pint Sized Lulu" singing most of her early hits from the 60's with the help of "Mickie Most " !!...A bit shaky on "Without Him" but comes into her own with all the rest....She is still as good today as she was when she recorded this...Yes her voice has changed but the experience and talent shines through !!!

1. Lets Pretend

2. I'm A Tiger

3. Love Loves To Love Love 

4. You And I

5. To Sir With Love

6. March

1. The Boat That I Row

2. Boom Bang-A-Bang

3. Without Him

4. Me The Peaceful Heart

5. Boy

6. Dreary Days And Nights

     10. Me The Peaceful Heart.

The Music Of Fats...Ted Heath and His Music.

The original Ted Heath Band of the 50's & 60's..six tracks of his popular songs AND ..

The London Suite was written by Thomas "Fats" Waller during his 1939 European tour. It is his musical interpretation of six London districts and the suite was arranged for and recorded by the Ted Heath band in 1947, then re-recorded in 1953/4. Piccadilly is scored as an up-tempo yet light and bouncy swing chart that reflects the urban sophistication and wealth of the area. There are solos for Alto 1, Tenor and Guitar (or Piano), some lovely sectional interplays, powerful ensemble passages and a couple of sweet sax solo passages too. 

Some Great Big Band sounds....concert style !!!

1. Honeysuckle Rose

2. Ain't Misbehavin'

3. Blue Turning Grey Over You

4. Jitterbug Waltz

5. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling

6. Alligator Crawl

1. London Suite..Soho

2. Limehouse

3. Piccadilly

4. Chelsea

5. Bond Street

6. Whitechapel

      2. Ain't Misbehavin'

Jazz In 1920.

We now have some music from the 20's ..My !! how Jazz has changed with time !! But enjoy this BLAST !!!!

Can anybody help to identify the songs and the singers  in this post ???

I downloaded it from the internet ages ago...and the only info I have with it is... the 

list below...I wonder if the list is right and the music belongs to each of the numbered track !!...it seems to be the names of the composers maybe and not of the singers...I do recognise at least 4 names of song writers in the list...

01 Richard A. Whiting & Raymond B. Egan 

02 Maceo Pinkard & William Tracey and Harry Tobias

03 Lou Handman & Henry Creamer 

04 Earl Carroll 

05 Jerome Kern & Anne Caldwell 

06 Ben Black and Louis Nova  

07 Harry Warren and Dan Dougherty & Bud Green

08 Fred Rose

09 Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields 

10 J. Fred Coots & Benny Davis and Arthur Swanstrom 

Can't remember if the Picture came with the download or its one that I found !!

be interesting to put the songs and singers and orchestra's to complete the list !!

            Here's hopeing !!

'Nuff Said !...Nina Simone.

The title says it all !!.....Nina In Concert !!!..Grrrrrrreat !!!!

1. In The Morning

2. Sunday In Savannah

3. The Backlash Blues

4. Please Read Me

5. Gin House Blues

1. Why

2. Peace Of mind

3. Ain't Got No

4. I Loves You Porgy

5. Take my Hand Precious Lord

6. Do What You Gotta Do

       9. I Loves You Porgy

Christmas Album...Barbra Streisand.

Going over now across the channel to "Belgium" and a selection of "Bob's" Contributions....Ok its a bit early for Xmas but may as well get it in early...Just like the lights in "Oxford Street" they get earlier each year !!!

This was first posted in June 2016 !!

      

           2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Runnin' Out Of Fools...Aretha Franklin.

Now we have Two Singers one an Icon of Soul !!..who unfortunately is now no longer with us ...the other one..One of those forgotten singers that made a couple of L/Ps then seemed to vanish  into the mists of time to be revived on this Blog in 2018 !!.....Aretha singing pop songs of the time and Ann singing standards !!....Pure Heaven !!!

    2. How Glad I Am

The Intimate Ann...Ann Hathaway.

Another great forgotten / lost voice....Can't find much about this singer... I "Googled" her and kept getting the "Other " Ann Hathaway"  american actress....If anyone has any info be great to hear it !!

1. Lush Life

2. Walk In The Country

3. The Very Thought Of You

4. What Is There To Say

5. So Ends The Night

6. Suppertime

1. Stormy Weather

2. Day Dream

3. Honeysuckle In The Wind

4. Nobody's Heart

5. About The Blues

6. New Love new Wine

Ann Hathaway, a jazz singer in the 1940s, graced the stages of New York City, contributing to its rich jazz history. Despite the overshadowing presence of contemporary namesakes, her artistic contributions remain noteworthy. Hathaway performed at renowned venues such as Cafe Society, known for being one of the first racially integrated clubs in the United States. In 1947, she was active in the city’s bustling music scene, which was pivotal in shaping the landscape of American jazz music. Her performances added to the cultural vibrancy of New York, fostering an environment rich in musical innovation and artistic expression.

Hathaway’s career during the late 1940s, though not extensively documented, showcases her role in a significant era of jazz music. In particular, her involvement in the New York City jazz scene provides a glimpse into the era’s cultural dynamics and the challenges artists faced during that time. As a performer at Cafe Society, she not only entertained but also contributed to social change, performing in a venue known for its progressive stance on civil rights. Despite the scarcity of detailed records, her legacy as part of this transformative period in music history underscores the importance of recognizing and preserving the contributions of artists like Hathaway to New York City’s cultural heritage.

      3. The Very Thought Of You. 

      7. Stormy Weather