Great Operatic Duets..VA

A dip into the Classical Box Now...

Peggy Lee.

An early Peggy Lee recording a bit on the unusual
side...but like "Marmite" you will either love it or hate it...This is the kind of music that you should listen to beside a big log fire if you are lucky to have one...if not crank the central heating up and lounge on the settee/couch or whatever you like to call it and chill out...you have to listen to every track no getting up for a tea or coffee just wallow in the sound....If the track "The Riddle Song" sounds familiar it's been re-incarnated as "The Twelve Of Never"....Go on get that coffee and have a listen......P.S....Its still a great record so if you havn't given it a go you will miss out on something special !!!

1. Sea Fever

2. Nine Thorny Thickets

3. Little Old Car

4. Greensleeves

5. Chinese Love Poems
6. The Happy Monks
7. The White Birch And The Sycamore
8. Of Such Is The kingdom Of God


1. A Brown Bird Singing
2. I Don't Want To Play In Your Yard
3. The Maid With The Flaxen Hair
4. The Wearing Of The Green
5. Chaconde
6. Chinese Love Poems
7. The Riddle Song
8. The Gold Wedding Ring

          10. I Don't Want To Play In Your Yard

Beat Tracks & Techno Re-Mixes..VA

 A compilation of tracks taken from the internet so thanks to all the people who made these tracks available ! for this my selection !......Tracks times are between 4 mins & 8 mins so they do go on a bit !! ...but in a good way !!

1. Around The World......Daft Punk

2. Callas went Away......Enigma

3. It Wasn't Me.......Shaggy

4. Papa Chico......Tony Esposito

5. One More Time......Daft Punk

6. Zoo Be Zoo Be Zoo......Sophia Loren

7. Wimoweh......Yma Sumac

8. Gregorian Chant.......Enigma

9. Cuore......Rita Pavone

10. Mambo Italiano......Rosemary Clooney

11. Indian Chanting......Enigma

12. Virgin Of The Sun......Yma Sumac

13. Voice Of Enigma......Enigma

14. Ti Amo......Umberto Tozzi

          5. One More Time

Shirley Bassey

On July 8 th. 1974 Shirley Bassey performed at Kosei-Nenkin Kaikan Hall in Tokyo. The concert was recorded for televison and probably only broadcast in Japan. Here we have songs from that concert: Goldfinger, Sing, Diamonds Are Forever, Day By Day, Yesterday When I was Young (her biggest hit ever in Japan) Something. The concert was released on a double-LP but only in Japan. Probably because it came just a year after the release of “Live at Carnegie Hall”, which featured a very similar track listing to “Live in Japan”.

Thanks John for this rare gem !

1. Goldfinger
2. Sing
3. Let Me Sing And I'm Happy
4. Make The World A Little Younger
5. Going Going Gone
6. Without You
7. Diamonds Are Forever
8. When You Smile
9. All That Love Went To Waste
10. Big Spender
11. Day By Day
12. Never Never Never
13. Something
14. Yesterday When I Was Young
15. Intro Of Orch
16. You And I
17. This Is My Life

Shirley Bassey.

Here is a compilation of Shirley's taken from some of her L/P's from 1959 to 1966 before she had trouble with her tonsils and had to have them removed....That made a slight difference to her voice not that you could notice....the power and tone and clarity was still there as they still are today after 50 odd years of belting the songs out !!!

1. Who Are We
2. Tonight
3. Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye
4. Moon River
5. All Of Me
6. A Foggy Day
7. If You Love Me

1. Imagination
2. So In Love
3. I'm In The Mood For Love
4. How Can You Tell
5. Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing
6. I'll Get By
7. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

7. If You Love Me

Orquesta Romanticos De Cuba & EL Cubanito Y Su Orquesta

Some great sounds on his L/P....If your like your music with a Latin Slant !!

Translation Of The Orchestra's..... 

Romantic Orchestra Of Cuba & EL Cubanito & His Orchestra 

1. Sempre En Mi Coracao

2. Malaguena

3. Eclipse

4. Canto Indio

5. Siboney

1. Andalucia

2. Tabu

3. Jungle Drums

4. Para Vigo Me Voy

5. Babalu

         7. Tabu

Gale Robbins

Gale Robbins (born Betty Gale Robbins (or Betty Gale Murphy), May 7, 1921 – February 18, 1980) was an American actress and singer.In 1939, Robbins was a singer in the stage show at the Hotel Sherman's College Inn in Chicago, Illinois. She apparently changed her stage name at that time. An article in the August 6, 1939, issue of the Chicago Tribune reported: "Betty Robbins, Chicago singer who joined ths show recently, holds over for the new program, under the name Gale Robbins. Gale is her middle name.

In September 1957, Robbins signed with Vik Records and made her first recordings for that label.

In the late 50s the gal with the smooth and sexy vocal style released an easy-listening album ("I'm a Dreamer") for the Vik Label backed by Eddie Cano & His Orchestra. She covered such standards as "Them There Eyes" and "What Is This Thing Called Love." 

1. What Is This Thing Called love

2. Them There Eyes

3. How deep Is The Ocean

4. Ain't Nothing Wrong With That Baby

5. Golden Earrings

6. The Nearness Of You

1. They Can't Take that Away From Me

2. Here I Go

3. I'm a Dreamer Aren't We All

4. Best Of All

5. Music Maestro Please

6. Ain't Misbehavin'

Its great when you come across an L/P of a singer that is either forgotten or only made  a few recordings and here is one of them...Firmly styled in 40's / 50's vocal's big bands with a hint of Julie London....Boy ! you don't hear the likes of her today !!

       5. Golden Earings

The Fontane Sisters

The line-up of this close-harmony 50s US vocal group, whose initial success was achieved by making cover versions of black R&B records, comprised Marge Rosse (b. New Milford, New Jersey, USA; lead), Bea Rosse (b. New Milford, New Jersey, USA; low harmony) and Geri Rosse (b. New Milford, New Jersey, USA; harmony). Their mother was a choral director and organist.

 Signed to RCA - Victor Records in 1949, they had several minor hits in the early 50s, including ‘Tennessee Waltz’, ‘Let Me In’ (with Texas Jim Robertson) and ‘Cold, Cold Heart’.

In 1954 the group switched to Dot Records, a label that specialized in making cover versions of established hits, and came under the influence of Dot’s musical director, Billy Vaughn, who, with his orchestra, provided the backing for most of their successful records. Early that year, they made the US charts with ‘Happy Days And Lonely Nights’.

1. Happy Days And Lonely Nights

2. Hearts Of Stone

3. Rock Love

4. Rollin' Stone

5. If I Could Be With You

6. Seventeen

7. Adorable

8. Daddy O

9. Eddie My Love

10. I'm In Love Again

11. Voices

12. Please Don't Leave Me

13. I'm Stickin' With You

14. Dancing To The Rock And Roll

15. Which Way To Your Heart

16. Summertime Love

17. Chanson D'Amour

18. Jealous Heart

         13. I'm Stickin' With You

Harpers Bizarre

Harpers Bizarre was an American sunshine pop band of the 1960s, best known for their Broadway/sunshine pop sound and their cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)."

1. Come to The Sunshine

2. Happy Talk

3. Come Love

4. Raspberry Rug

5. 59th Street Bridge Song..Feelin' Groovy

1. The Debutantes Ball

2. Happyland

3. Peter And The Wolf

4. I Can Hear The Darkness

5. Simon Smith And The Amazing Bear

Slightly Psychedelic but interesting set of songs !!

       10. Simon Smith And The Dancing Bear

Alan Price..O Lucky Man...Film

Here we have a film that I don't know much about....Sounds a good one,must keep an eye on the telly and see if it comes on....This one comes all the way from New Zealand courtesy of John F ...Thanks John !!

O Lucky Man! is a 1973 British comedy-drama fantasy film directed by Lindsay Anderson and starring Malcolm McDowell as Mick Travis, whom McDowell had first played as a disaffected public schoolboy in his first film performance in Anderson's if.... (1968). O Lucky Man! is the second film in the Mick Travis Trilogy, all starring McDowell, concluding with Britannia Hospital (1982).

1. O Lucky Man

2. Poor People

3. Sell Sell 

4. Pastoral

5. Arrival

1. Look Over Your Shoulder

2. Justice

3. My Home Town

4. Changes

5. O Lucky Man

As I have said before on here, that with shows and films you have got to see them before you can really appreciate the content of the songs and dialogue...

Saying that its a good set of songs by Allan Price....Lets hope it comes on British Telly Soon !!..so I can see it !!

          2. Poor People

Shirley Bassey.

Here's a very young "Shirl" recording and it evokes great memories for me from the late 50's seeing her at the start of her career at our local "Variety" Venue "The Palace" which unfortunately is now no longer there in its place is "Argos" and a Car Park !!!...I wish we had the Conservationists that we have now, in the 50's I'm sure that a lot of the great buildings that The "Council" in their wisdom got demolished would still be with us !!!...Ok Rant over back to "Dame Shirl" I would guess that these recordings would be some of the first that she recorded on the "Phillips" Label including her Hit "As I Love You "....Her Voice is now completely different owing to a throat operation later on and also with age the voice does change even those who can't sing like me !!!

1. Burn my Candle
2. Night And Day
3. Crazy Rhythm
4. The Banana Boat Song
5. Love For Sale
6. From This Moment On

1. Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss me
2. You You Romeo
3. My Funny Valentine
4. How About You
5. Fire Down Below
6. As I Love You

         6. As I Love You

         2. Night And Day

Antal Dorati & Minneapolis Symphony Orch.

Whoops !!...now for a complete change of music...This was the first "Classical" L/P that I bought the First Side is the 1812 and the Second Side is a narration about how they recorded the "Cannon" and the "Bells".... ending with "Capricco Italien"....not played this one for years so it bought back some pleasant memories when I recorded it for here !!...hope everyone enjoy's it !!........(This post was first posted in August 2016)

Side One.. 1812 Overture Op 49

Side Two

1. Commentary By Deems Taylor
2. Capriccio Italien Op 45.

All Aboard..VA

Great L/P sleeve.....I have posted some of these original 78's on my other Music Blog ...only for 78's !!......makes you feel like a kid again all those memories of long ago !!

courtesy of John F from New Zealand !!......

          1. The Laughing Policeman

1001 Songs..Part 4

Another great compilation of the music to listen to before you pop off !!

1. I Walk The Line......Johnny Cash

2. Knoxville Girl......Louvin Brothers

3. Ella......Jose Alfredo Jimenez

4. Take My Hand Precious Lord......Mahalia Jackson

5. Folsom Prison Blues.......Johnny Cash

6. I Put A Spell On You......ScreamingJay Hawkins

7. Just A Gigolo--I Ain't Got Nobody......Louis Prima

8. Rock Island Line......Lonnie Donegan

9. Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin On......Jerry Lee Lewis

10. That'll Be The Day......Buddy Holly & The Crickets

11. Little Darlin'......Diamonds

12. Great Balls Of Fire......Jerry Lee Lewis

13. When I Fall In Love......Nat King Cole

14. You Send Me......Sam Cooke

15. Its Only Make Believe......Conway Twitty

16. Johnny B Goode......Chuck Berry

17. Move It......Cliff Richard

18. La Bamba......Richie Valens

19. Yakety Yak......Coasters

20. At The Hop......Danny And The Juniors

21. Stagger Lee......Lloyd Price

22. Summertime Blues......Eddie Cochran

23. Dans Mon Lie......Henri Salvador

24. Lonesome Town......Rick Nelson

25. Fever......Peggy Lee

         81. I Put A Spell On You

          97. Summertime Blues

Shirley Bassey

This look into the many L/P's of our favourite "Dame"includes the song that will alway's be our "Shirl's" classyist ! number !..."Big Spender" of course !!!!!! :) :)

          9. If You Go Away

The London Festival Orchestra

 I was a bit disappointed about this version of the 1812 Overture....I expected it to be much louder and fuller as it was recorded in "Phase Four"......but it definatly comes well below expectations....OF course I might be bias because I don't think that any version  will beat the 1959 (Mercury) version by Antal Dorati.....have a listen it is on here !!......also the Nutcraker could have done with some OOOMPH !!

But of course that is my opinion...maybe other people likes a quiet 1812 & Nutcracker !

Guy Lombardo

Not had any piano music for a while so here from 1947 is a double helping !...Plus extra tracks !!

1. Humoresque

2. Tales from The Vienna Woods

3. Barcarolle

4. Pizzicati

5. Who

6. Annie Laurie

1. Swanee River

2. Irish Washerwoman

3. Doll Dance

4. Just One Of Those Things

5. Roamin' In The Gloamin'

6. Bubble Bubble Bubble

          11. Roamin' In The Gloamin'

Music Makes The Movies.

A very good compilation from the AM stable....nice to hear different versions of hit songs not by the original hit versions......surprise version of "Moon River" and "Talk To The Animals"
by "Herb Albert". you would not know it was "Herb Albert"if it was not in black and white !!!!

1. Come Saturday Morning.....Lisa Minnelli
2.  What The World Needs Now....Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66
3. Windmills Of Your Mind....Julius Wechter & The Baja Marimba Band
4. That Night....The Sandpipers
5. Moon River....Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

1. Scarborough Fair / Chanticle....Claudine Longet
2. The Sundance Kid....Burt Bacharach & Orch
3. Maybe Tomorrow....Quincy Jones
4. Born Free....The Sandpipers
5. Talk To The Animals....Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

          5. Moon River

Ella Fitzgerald

 

Some early Ella with her "Fella's"

1. You Won't Be Satisfied....with Louis Armstrong

2. That's the Way It Is....with The Ink Spots

3. Stone Cold Dead In The Market....with Louis Jordon

4. I Gotta Have My Baby Back.....withThe Mills Brothers

5. Sentimental Journey.....with Eddie Heywood

6. The Frim Fram Sauce....with Louis Armstrong

1. It's Only A Paper Moon...with Delta Rhythm Boys

2. Dream A Little Dream Of Me....with Louis Armstrong

3. Baby It's Cold Outside....with Louis Jordon

4. A Tisket A Tasket....with Chick Webb

5. Would You Like To Take A Walk....with Louis Armstrong

6. Don'cha Go 'way mad....with Sy Oliver

           3. Stone Cold Dead In The Market

Brenda Lee.Vol 5-6

Here is the  third and final collection of Brenda Lee...

all three collections are.....Courtesy of "Chileno"and another Music Blog ....."Luz Camara Musica - Solo Para Melomanos" (Light Camera Music-Only For Music Lovers)....so thanks to both of them

          9. Always On My Mind

Dusty Springfield.

 I think that this was the last L/P that Dusty recorded on the "Mercury Label" when she came back to England from her stint in America....She certainly looked different when she came back...
The voice is still there but the L/P along with "It Begins Again"didn't do to well..

1. You've Really Got A Hold On Me 
2. You Can Do It
3. Be Somebody
4. Closet Man
5. Living Without Your Love

1. Save Me Save Me
2. Get Yourself To Love
3. I Just Fall In Love Again
4. Dream On
5. I'm Coming Home Again

      1. You've Really Got A Hold On Me.

Oklahoma...Film

We Now have 2 Film Soundtracks to jog your memory....courtesy of a new contributer from New Zealand...Thanks John 

1. Overture

2. Oh What A Beautiful Morning

3.The Surrey With The Fringe On The Top

4. Kansas City

5. I Can't Say No

6. Many A New Day

1. People Will Say Were In Love

2. Poor Jud Is Dead

3. Out Of My Dreams

4. The Farmer And The Cowman

5. All er Nothing

6. Oklahoma

                      6. Oklahoma

Calamity Jane

I remember seeing this when I was in my teens in the 50's...both this one and the soundtrack above bring back great memories when the world was going at a slower pace !

          1. The Deadwood Stage