Francis Wayne

Now we have three different sounding Songbirds !

The Year is 1956 and another forgotten singer that needs to be recognised....some great recordings of standard songs that stands the test of time !!

Frances Wayne (born Chiarina Francesca Bartocci or Clara Bertocci, August 26, 1924 – February 6, 1978) was an American jazz vocalist. She was best known for her recording of ''Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe."

She moved to New York City in her teens, where she sang in an ensemble led by her brother, saxophonist Nick Jerret. A 1942 review in Billboard magazine described her as "a striking brunette with a true contralto, perfect rhythm, and, most interesting, a brand-new style...of deep understanding and feeling for the spirit of what she sings."

Early in the 1940s, she recorded with Charlie Barnet's big band, and in 1943 sang with Woody Herman's band. After her husband, Neal Hefti, formed his own big band in 1947, Wayne soloed in this ensemble as well. She sang with Hefti into the 1950s, and later sang with smaller ensembles, which featured Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca, John LaPorta, Billy Bauer, and Al Cohn.

On November 2, 1945, in Somerville, Massachusetts, Wayne married musician Neal Hefti, who played trumpet and arranged material for Herman. They remained wed until her death........On February 6, 1978, Wayne died in Boston at age 58 "after a long bout with cancer".

Wayne was awarded the 1946 Esquire Award as Best New Female Vocalist.

1. In The Still Of The Night

2. Mood Indigo

3. Do It Again

4. He Needs Me

5. I'm Beginning To See The Light

6. I Concentrate On You

1. The Man I Love

2. He's My Guy

3. All Or Nothing At All

4. I Fall In Love To Easily

5. Autumn Leaves

6. It Could Happen To You

          3. Do It Again

Chris Connor

 Chris Connor (November 8, 1927 – August 29, 2009) was an American jazz singer.

In 1948, she moved to New York City with the intention of having a glamorous career.Unable to find a singing job, she became an office stenographer. She spent the next seven weeks trying to secure any kind of singing job. Those weeks were quite difficult for Connor, as she was kicked out of the hotel where she was staying (for failure to pay her bill), and the hotel kept all of her belongings (including her winter coat). She met a man acquainted with orchestra leader Claude Thornhill's road manager, Joe Green. Thornhill was seeking a new singer to round out his vocal group, the Snowflakes.She successfully auditioned and joined Thornhill's group, touring around the United States and recording harmonies in the studio. Of her time spent with the Snowflakes, there is only evidence of her vocal contribution on two recorded songs: "There's a Small Hotel" and "I Don't Know Why", both performed in 1949.

In 1953, when Connor was singing on a live radio broadcast from the Roosevelt Hotel, June Christy (then vocalist for Stan Kenton's band), was listening to the radio and heard her. By 1952, Kenton had rotated several female singers as replacements. In late 1952, Christy returned to the Kenton band for some sporadic engagements. When she informed Kenton again of her impending departure to pursue a solo career, she remembered Chris Connor and recommended her to Kenton.

Connor auditioned and began touring and recording for the Stan Kenton band in February 1953. On February 11, 1953, Connor recorded her first sides with the Stan Kenton band. Her first song, "And The Bull Walked Around, Ole", peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard music charts. Other songs recorded with the band were "Baia", "Jeepers Creepers", "If I Should Lose You", "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen". By June 1953, Connor found the constant traveling and vocal demands of nightly performances exhausting. She abruptly left the Kenton band; and, by fall of 1953, she was back in New York. She soon hired Monte Kay to manage her impending solo career, and he found work for her at Birdland. One night after a show, the owner of Bethlehem Records, Gus Wildi, offered her a recording contract on the spot.

She signed with the label in 1953 and, in 1954, released dual LPs, Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland and Chris Connor Sings Lullabys for Lovers. At age 26, she became a best-selling solo artist for Bethlehem Records; and the label rushed her into the studios to record additional songs. Bethlehem Records released the successful follow-up album Chris in 1955 (her only full-length 12" album release for the label before her departure). Bethlehem released her other full-length LPs This is Chris and Lullabys Of Birdland in 1957.

(Info Edited From Wikipedia )

Chris Connor died on August 29, 2009, from cancer, aged 81.

          8. All dressed Up with a Broken Heart

Bev Harrell

A trip down under now !!

Petite (4'9") blonde pop vocalist Bev Harrell was one of the most popular female solo singers in Australia in the late 1960s. Bev began her career on radio, starting out when she was just six in the children's radio talent series Kangaroos on Parade in her hometown of Adelaide, South Australia.In the mid-'60s Bev moved to Australia's pop mecca, Melbourne, with her new manager and boyfriend, Adelaide accountant Daryl Sambell, and she soon became a regular on television pop shows including Bandstand and Kommotion. After signing with EMI Bev recorded eight Singles for their HMV label and five for their Columbia label. Many of Bev's EMI releases were produced by David Mackay, who also produced Johnny Farnham and The Twilights.

Her debut single was a cover of "What Am I Doing Here with You?" (b/w "You Really Didn't Mean It"). Bev's debut was released in late 1966, and it became a national Top Ten hit, charting in most cities in January 1967, reaching #6 in Sydney, #10 in Melbourne, #5 in Brisbane and #1 in Bev's hometown of Adelaide. It also earned her the prestigious "Best Australian Female Vocal" award in the 1966 Australian Record Awards.

Bev scored two more national Top 40 placings among her subsequent releases. Her second single was a Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil song "Come On Over To Our Place" (#25 Sydney, #27 Brisbane, #14 Adelaide, March 1967), originally recorded by The Drifters in 1965 as "Come On Over To My Place". It was followed by "You Baby" / "You Are The Love of My Life"(June 1967), which did not chart. During the year EMI also released an EP, Come On Over To Bev's Place and the LP This Is Bev.

Her last single, "Bring Back Those Memories" / "Sing", was released on the Polydor label. Today, Bev lives back in Adelaide and continues to work regularly on the musical stage and on the club and corporate circuit. She was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2006.

( Info Edited From MILESAGO )

1. Love Of The Loved

2. You Don't Love Me No More

3. That's The Way It Goes

4. You Are The Love Of My Life

5. We Gotta Try Harder

6. Your My World

7. What Am I Doing Here With You

1. I Can't Stop Myself

2. All I See Is You

3. You Baby

4. You've Got Your Troubles

5. Run On Run

6. Turn To Me

7. Come On Over To My Place

          7.What Am I Doing Here With You

Bob Thompson His Chorus And Orchestra

 Thanks John for finding the other two "Bob Thompsons" L/P's which are as good as the first one further down this Blog....Ray Conniff & Stereo enthusiasts take note well worth a listen !!

          9. Hello Young Lovers

Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin weaving his magical voice through some classics songs !!.Hmmm nice !!

          4. More

Tony Bennett

Didn't know about this one !! Thanks John !!....It seems that Side Two has swapped with Side One...still makes no different to the enjoyment !!

          2. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

Dolly Parton

Lets take a wander over the Channel now not walking !! of course !!! and listen to the well up front lady !!...Most of the songs on this one she has written herself....so the "Dumb Blonde" tag does not definatly apply !!!...TA Bob !!!

          4. I Will Always Love You

Dean Martin

Not had any Dean Martin for a while so here is he is on the "Reprise" label which no doubt everyone must know was Frank Sinatra's Label. Dean is here giving some "wellie" to some "Country & Western" type "Ditties"!!!!....Thanks Bob for this one !

          1. Little Ole Wine Drinking Me 

Rod Stewart.

Two sides singing wise of "Rod Stewart" first we have his up tempo Rock & Roll side then turn the record over and we have the "Slow" side !!....The slow side gives a hint of what he is going to sound like at the present day via his "American Song Books" CD's....This was recorded round about 1975....Soooooooo "What a difference 48 years + days Make "!!!!!

Atlantic Crossing is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Rod Stewart, released on 15 August 1975. It peaked at number one in the UK (his fifth solo album to do so), and number nine on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

1. Three Time Loser
2. Alright For An Hour
3. All In The Name Of Rock And Roll
4. Drift Away
5. Stone Cold Sober

1. I Don't Want To Talk About It
2. Its Not The Spotlight
3. This Old Heart Of Mine
4. Still Love You
5. Sailing

          3. All In The Name Of Rock And Roll 

Liane & The Boheme Bar Trio

 We now have a contribution from Marcos from Brazil......Thanks Marcos !

This is a great find and I'm sure all the French people that are tuned in will apreciate it..vocal's and instrumentals are up for a listen !!

1. Clair De Lune

2. La Vie En Rose

3. Sous Le Ciel De Paris,Boum.Douce France

4. Les Feuilles Mortes

5. Si Petite

6. Parie Moi D'Amour

7. La Siene

8. C'est Ma Faute a Moi,Que Reste-t-il

9. Domino

10. An american In Paris- Cancan

11. La Mer, An American In Paris

12. La Ronde

13. Tu Voulais

14. An American In Paris

15. Je Suis Seule Ce Soir,J'attendrais

16. La Petite Valse

17. Printemps Au Rio

Eurovision Song Contest....1958

          2. La Vie En Rose

A Man And A Woman..Soundtrack

In July I posted a Budget label L/P of "A Man And A Woman" and had a comment about it..comparing it with the Original Soundtrack so here is the Original !!!.....Thanks Luc from Belgium ....All July Comments about it at the bottom !!

1. Un Homme Et Une Femme

2. Samba Saravah

3. Aujourd'hui c'est Toi (Chant)

4. Un Homme Et Une Femme (Chant)

5. Plus Fort Que Nous

6. Aujourd'hui c'est Tou

7. A L'ombre de Nous

8. Plus Fort Que Nous (Chant)

9. A 200 a' l'heure

Anonymous5 February 2016 at 00:45

Hello Luigi,

I appreciate all your efforts, I love your selections, thank you so much, but I must say that this "A Man And A Woman" "soundtrack on your blog is the biggest fake ever!!! Not only the singers are everything but French but they are so untalented... The album cover is a fake too (Is the woman supposed to be Anouk Aimé? Is the man supposed to be Jean-Louis Trintignant? Not a ghost of a chance for both of them and for this "wanna be" soundtrack!"

Please hear this genuine one from Francis Lai, the composer of the soundtrack, and you'll get the flavor of what this extraordinary soundtrack is...

http://uptobox.com/1e9984ohsnxy>A Man & A Woman.zip

All the best,

Yves

espo24 July 2023 at 18:35

Reference to the 1st Comment above....If you are still visiting thanks for the informative comment Yves...Tried to get the file from uptobox to compare them but file not there...I am sure you are right in your comment...it is a Budget label !!...be nice if anyone has the file of the "Francis Lai" soundtrack and could post it in this posts Comments....Cheers...Luigi

Anonymous25 September 2023 at 15:14

Hi Luigi,

In answer....

if anyone has the file of the "Francis Lai" soundtrack and could post it in this posts Comments....Cheers...Luigi

well find here

enjoy and thanks for all your work.....From Belgium..Luc..

 

        1. Un Homme Et Une Femme

EL Pasodoble & El Tango

 This L/P was bought on one of my holiday's I'd forgotten all about it and I think that I have only played it once I think.... but I thought I would share it with everybody because it does sound authentic....still can't remember what made me buy it !!...must have been all the wine and tequilla...."El Pasadoble" has all the bull fight music....and its good to hear the familar "Tangos" I presume how they were first composed without the lyrics....all in all I think it was a good buy !!  

P.S. It still sounds authentic !!!!.......Translations By "Google Translate "

1. El Gato Montes ( The WildCat )......Gran Banda Taurina 

2. Suspiros De Espana ( Spain Sighs )Gran Banda Taurina 

3. Mi Jaca ( My Jaca )......   Gran Banda Taurina                                              

4. En Er Mundo ( On Is Mundo )Gran Banda Taurina 

5. Islas Canarias (Canary Islands )Gran Banda Taurina 
6. La Giralda ( The Gialda )Gran Banda Taurina 

1.Yira Yira ( Yira Yira )......Gran Orquesta Tipica Argentina

2. La Cumparsita ( The Cumparsita )Gran Orquesta Tipica Argentina

3. Celos ( Jealousy )Gran Orquesta Tipica Argentina

4. A Media Luz ( At Half Light )Gran Orquesta Tipica Argentina

5. El Choclo ( The Corn )Gran Orquesta Tipica Argentina

6. Adios Muchachos ( Bye Guys )Gran Orquesta Tipica Argentina

   3. Celos ( Jealousy )

The Bee Gees

By the picture on this L/P cover I would imagine that this must be an early set of recordings On The "BG's"....Sooooooo off to "Google"

 Horizontal is the fourth studio album by the Bee Gees, and their second album to receive an international release. The LP was released in early 1968, and included the international hit singles "Massachusetts" and "World". 

 The influences displayed on the album range from The Beatles to baroque pop.

Definitely a different Bee Gee's Sound !!!

          6. Horizontal

Helen Traubel

We go a bit classy for this one and the one below !!...one from over the Pond and one from Blighty !!

Helen Francesca Traubel (June 16, 1899 – July 28, 1972) was an American opera and concert singer. A dramatic soprano, she was best known for her Wagnerian roles, especially those of Brünnhilde and Isolde.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she began her career as a concert singer and went on to sing at the Metropolitan Opera from 1937 to 1953. Starting in the 1950s, she also developed a career as a nightclub and cabaret singer as well as appearing in television, films and musical theatre. 

Traubel's contract at the Metropolitan Opera was not renewed in 1953 when its General Manager, Rudolf Bing, expressed disapproval of her radio and TV appearances alongside the likes of Jimmy Durante and her expressed desire to expand her lucrative career in major supper and night clubs. Traubel went on to appear at the Copacabana, as well as in many cameo television roles. After her Met career, she appeared on Broadway in the Rodgers and Hammerstein failure, Pipe Dream, playing a bordello madame with a heart of gold and the voice of Isolde. Additionally, she appeared in the films Deep in My Heart, Gunn and The Ladies Man. She also appeared opposite Groucho Marx as Katisha in a Bell Telephone presentation (abridged) of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. Traubel's last night club appearance was with Jimmy Durante at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in 1964....(Info Edited From Wikipedia)

1. Because.

2. Danny Boy.

3. Trees.

4. When day Is Done.

5. The Loveliest Night Of The year

6. Too Ro Loo Ra Rai

7. September Song.

1. Autumn Leaves.

2. Three O'clock In The Morning.

3. Brahms Lullaby.

4. Poor Butterfly.

5. When I Go To Old To Dream

6. Summertime.

7. I Believe.

          5. The Loveliest Night Of The Year

Noel Coward

Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 1899 – 26 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".

Coward won an Academy Honorary Award in 1943 for his naval film drama, In Which We Serve, and was knighted in 1969. In the 1950s he achieved fresh success as a cabaret performer, performing his own songs, such as "Mad Dogs and Englishmen", "London Pride" and "I Went to a Marvellous Party"....(Info Edited From Wikiepedia)

1. Room With A View.

2. Mrs Worthington.

3. World Weary.

4. Alice.

5. Someday I'll Find You.

1. Mad Dogs And Englishmen.

2. Poor Little Rich Girl.

3. Uncle Harry.

4. I'll See You Again.

         6. Mad Dogs And Englishmen

Pat Thomas

Some great standard songs now from the singer who first recorded "Desafnado" in English and made it a hit !!

Pat Thomas was an American jazz singer from Chicago who had a hit with "Desafinado". She also recorded "The Long Long Night".

Jazz Singer Pat Thomas found herself in an interesting predicament. Having trotted onto the scene in 1961, she managed to score the one of highest  charting versions of “Desafinado (Slightly Out Of Tune)” the next year. Her relative youth, beauty and poise made her seem a more likely candidate to cross over out of the bounds of Jazz into R&B, Pop or Soul. Her one chart entry proved to be a bit of a surprise for Verve Records. Before embarking down a different path, she was unleashed on a series of Latin Jazz interpretations for a year.

And here is her different path !!

1. Blue Room

2. Star Eyes.

3. Sometimes I'm Happy

4. My One And Only Love.

5. Stella By Starlight.

6. Strike Up The Band.

1. It Could Happen To You.

2. Mean To Me.

3. Almost Like Being In Love.

4. I Didn't Know What Time it Was.

5. There'll Never be Another You.

        3. Sometimes I'm Happy