4 days ago
Volume 203: Classic Hungary
Spinning My Dad’s Vinyl
Extensive and Eclectic and we hear them as is with skips, scratches, and pops. Being a radio and mobile DJ for a decade and a half, I collected several hundred albums. I had nothing on my dad who owned more than 500 (33 1/3) LPs and over 100 78 RPMs at the time of his death in December 2019. I had no idea he had so many. We found them spread all over the house when we prepared for the estate sale. I went through every one and categorized them on an app called Discogs. I thought so many were unique, I decided to start a podcast called Spinning My Dad’s Vinyl. Each episode will feature an album. I’ll tell stories about the family listening to these albums and I’ll give other info about the album and the time it was released.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
We continue World Tour November with music about a location I’ve actually been to. It’s on the list as being one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
If you’ve ever visited that big hole in the ground in the southwestern United States, sometimes words escape you. That’s why we have composers like Ferde Grofe who skillfully describes the wonder through the lens of black notes on a white sheet of paper.
I have been absolutely mesmerized by this album since I found it, especially since the five-movement suite depicts two of my favorite moments on that side trip. Which is why I’m playing the tunes out of order.
So get ready to hear music as big, bold and beautiful as the scenery it was written about in Volume 202: Grand Canyon.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra – Grand Canyon Suite Featuring On The TrailLabel: Columbia – CL 716Format: Vinyl, LP, MonoReleased: 1955Genre: ClassicalStyle: Modern
Composed by Ferde Grofé
On The TrailThe Painted DesertSunsetSunrise
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
We begin a month of travel-related music in what I am calling World Tour November. And what better way to begin that month than with a tour of the world all in one album. This episode will serve as the month’s Overture, so to speak.
The movie, based on a Jules Verne novel, was an epic screen hit that won eight Academy Awards. Not only was the lead character a trailblazer in the film, but the entire production was considered a trailblazer itself in many ways.
So, get ready to hear the soundtrack that won the 1957 Oscar for Best Original Score in Volume 201: 80 Days with Passepartout.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrightsVictor Young – Michael Todd's Around The World In 80 Days - Music From The Sound TrackLabel: Decca – DL 9046Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, Gloversville pressReleased: 1957Genre: Stage & ScreenStyle: Soundtrack
Around The World - Part 1PassepartoutInvitation To A Bull Fight/Entrance Of The Bull MarchIndia Country SideThe Pagoda Of PillagiPrairie Sail CarLand Ho
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Oct 27, 2024
Sunday Oct 27, 2024
Well, here’s a milestone for you. I can’t believe that I have reached 200 shows with no intent of stopping.
While I’ve played over 12 hundred songs on this show over those more than three and a three quarter years, I have several that have stuck in my brain or keep coming up in conversation and memories.
They may not be the most popular of the songs I’ve played, the biggest hits or even necessarily among my favorites, but they had a catchy melody or rhythm that I couldn’t get out of my head.
So get ready to hear a dozen extra memorable tunes you’ve heard on this show before in Volume 200: Frank's Earworms Take 2.
Listen to the Ted Alexander unedited phone interview.Read Frank's REO Speedwagon story.
Credits and copyrights
The Lady Is A Tramp - Buddy GrecoWritten by Richard Rodgers, and Lorenz Hart
Take the A Train - The Duke Ellington OrchestraWritten by Duke Ellington
Day-O - Harry BelafonteWritten by Harry Belafonte, Lord Burgess, and Bill Attaway
Java - Al HirtWritten by Allen Toussaint, Alvin Tyle, and Freddy Friday
Let’s Cha Cha - Tito PuenteWritten by Ray Coen
Debbie Reynolds and the cast of the musical motion picture The Unsinkable Molly Brown - Belly up to the Bar, BoysMusic And Lyrics written By Meredith Willson
(Running Around in Circles) Getting Nowhere - Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra Written by Irving Berlin
Ye-Me-Le - Sergio Mendez & Brasil ‘66Written by Chico Feitosa, and Luis Carlos Vinhas
Sing, Sing, Sing - Henry ManciniComposed by Louis Prima
Spinning Wheel - Sammy Davis Jr.Written by David Clayton-Thomas
Che La Luna - Louis Prima With Sam Butera And The Witnesses Written-By – Kopak, and Louis Prima
Taste Of Honey - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass Written by Bobby Scott and Ric Marlow
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Most of the albums so far in my father’s collection were of popular artists from the US. This record is the first of four my dad had from an orchestra leader who reportedly was from England, featuring a trumpet player, who reportedly has the same name as the guy who writes all the liner notes for the orchestra leader.
Meanwhile, there were a number of musicians who really recorded this album. Who they were is a budget record label mystery.
So, get ready to hear some pretty melodies while you’re having your afternoon crumpets in Volume 199: Tea and Trumpets.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Stanley Applewaite, Roy Freeman – Stanley Applewaite Plays Tea And Trumpets Featuring Roy FreemanLabel: Design Records (2) – DLP 40Format: Vinyl, LPReleased: Oct 1957Genre: PopStyle:
If I Had A Love That Loved Me
Medley: Darling My Heart Is Yours/Standing In The Rain (written by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal)/Sing Nightingale Sing (written by Bob Iller, Bruno Balz, Michael Jary)
Pleasewritten by Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
Moritatwritten by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht
Medley: You Make This World Beautiful / Virginia Blues (written by Ernie Erdman, Fred Meinken) / Two Hearts In May (Michael Jary)
John And Julie (fitting to end the show with a song written by another trumpet player.)by Eddie Calvert
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Oct 13, 2024
Sunday Oct 13, 2024
Here’s an album filled with some of the biggest big band jazz orchestra leaders there ever were. And they’re the songs that each leader was most identified by.
It’s also a special promotional copy with a Cleveland area connection, which is probably why it’s in my dad’s collection. Plus it brought back some memories of TV commercial gold.
So get ready to hear tunes that introduced the bands that played them in Volume 198: Big Band Themes.
Correction: Lawson's Milk Company was founded in Cuyahoga Falls, not Chagrin Falls, which is what I said in the episode.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Dance To The Themes Of The Greatest BandsLabel: Columbia Special Products – XTV 68511Format: Vinyl, LP, CompilationReleased: 1963 Genre: JazzStyle: Big Band
Les Brown–Leap Frogwritten by Joe Garland, Leo Corday in 1942Recorded by Les Brown and his Orchestra in October 1945
Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd - Blue Flamewritten by Leo Corday, Joe Bishop, James A. NobleFirst recording on February 13, 1941 by Woody Herman
Claude Thornhill - Snowfallwritten by Claude Thornhill, Ruth ThornhillFirst recording on May 26, 1941
Kay Kyser - (I've Grown So Lonesome) Thinking Of Youwritten by Bert Kalmar, Harry Rubyrecorded New York, NY, January 9, 1939 but not released until 1941.
Gene Krupa - StarburstComposed by Eddie Finckel and Gene KrupaRecorded February 8, 1947
Count Basie - One O'Clock Jumpwritten by Count BasieFirst recording on July 7, 1937
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Back to one of my father’s favorite trumpet players. This time, a little later in his career. It’s as if the years have slightly mellowed his sound, and he blends in more with the band.
But there’s almost never any trouble recognizing when this musician is front and center, because he had one of the smoothest sounds around.
So, get ready to hear one of the best known and easily recognized trumpet players ever in Volume 197: Jazzy James.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Harry James And His Orchestra – Jazz SessionLabel: Columbia – CL 669, Columbia – CL-669Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Hollywood PressingReleased: 1955Genre: JazzStyle: Big Band
Marchin'Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Pat ChartrandWritten-By – Harry James and Louis Bellson
I'll Remember AprilWritten-By – Don Raye, Gene DePaul and Patricia Johnson
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)Written-By – Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66!Vocals – Gordon PolkWritten-By – Bobby Troup
Stealin' ApplesWritten-By – Andy Razaf and Fats Waller
Queen Of The MamboWritten-By – Tony Martinez
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
Today, the day this episode drops, would have been my mom’s 87th birthday. Earlier today, I dropped ten roses on her gravestone to signify how many of those birthdays we have had without her.
I’ve said this before, that my mom’s spirit is within this album collection just as much as my dad’s, and it’s artists like this that I know she enjoyed very much.
My parents did get to see him once in concert. He is one of the world’s most recognized tenors, even years after he has been gone.
So get ready to hear Luciano sing to celebrate my mother’s birthday in Volume 196: Pavarotti for Pauline.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Luciano Pavarotti – Verismo AriasLabel: London Records – LDR 10020Series: London DigitalFormat: Vinyl, LP, StereoReleased: Dec 1980Genre: ClassicalStyle: Opera
The portrait reproduced for the cover was done by Gerrit Greve, and was one of Pavarotti's favorites.
We will hear 10 of the 15 songs on this album.
Amor Ti Vieta(Fedora)Composed By – Umberto Giordano
Dai Campi, Dai Prati(Mefistofele)Composed By – Arrigo Boito
La Dolcissima Effigie(Adriana Lecouvreur)Composed By – Francesco Cilea
L'Anima Ho Stanca or My Soul Is Tired(Adriana Lecouvreur)Composed By – Francesco Cilea
Apri La Tua Finestra!(Iris)Composed By – Pietro Mascagni
Colpito Qui M'Avete.....Un Di All 'Azzurro Spazio(Andrea Chénier)Composed By – Umberto Giordano
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio(Andrea Chénier)Composed By – Umberto Giordano
Ch'Ella Mi Creda(La Fanciulla Del West)Composed By – Giacomo Puccini
Ma Se Vi Talenta.....Tra Voi, Belle(Manon Lescaut)Composed By – Giacomo Puccini
Ah! Non Y'Avvicante!(Manon Lescaut)Bass Vocals – Neil HowlettComposed By – Giacomo Puccini
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
This is truly an interesting find in my dad’s collection. We know by now my dad’s love for the Dixieland style of music. So it’s not surprising I found this record in the stacks.
But what was surprising is that this recording was made by seven musicians that had never played together before. You most certainly can’t tell. And they’re not exactly household names.
So, get ready to hear what it must have sounded like rollin’ down the Mississippi River in the late 19th and early 20th century in Volume 195: Delta Dixieland.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Delta Kings – Down The River With The Delta KingsLabel: Down South Records – DS 201Format: Vinyl, LPReleased: 1958Genre: Jazz, BluesStyle: Dixieland
We will hear 6 of the 10 songs on this album.
Ole Man Riverwritten by Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Beautiful Ohiowritten by Ballard MacDonald, Robert KingFirst released in 1919
'Way Down Upon The Swanee RiverOld Folks at Home written by Stephen Foster
Waitin' For The Robert E. Leewritten by L. Wolfe Gilbert, Lewis F. Muir
Up That Lazy Riverby Hoagy Carmichael and Sidney Arodin
Down By The Riverside (I Ain't Goin' to Study War No More)A traditional song first recorded in 1920
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Former DJ Trying His Hand at a Podcast
Although I’m currently working in public relations and marketing, I spent 16 years in radio broadcasting. Some of that as a news and sports reporter, but mostly as a disk jockey.
My first two years in radio were spent learning from giants in the business at the nation’s number one nostalgia station, WBBG in Cleveland. That station is now long off the air.
From 1982 to 1984 I worked with and for my father’s favorite 1950s DJ Bill Randle, who helped put Elvis Presley on the musical map north of the Mason Dixon line. My dad was so excited when I told him I would be the intern writing his newscasts. Even after I took a full time position at the station, I relished the opportunities to have conversations with Bill about the radio business. He once told me a great Elvis story as I drove him to the bus station for one of his weekend trips.
I also can’t forget the influences of other on air legends like Carl Reece and Ted Alexander who now has his own internet show of oldies.
This collection isn’t made up of just a bunch of albums I found in my dad’s house after he died. I listened to these albums. Mostly at Sunday dinners. But I wore a few of these out on my own turntable. So I know this collection and I think you’re going to enjoy some of the unique selections.
My dad and I had very similar taste in a lot of music. I also have over 400 albums in my personal collection. Even after his death I found some of my albums in his collection and visa versa.
I consider myself a bit of an amateur music historian. I’ve always loved music that came way before I was born, although I’m still partial to Led Zeppelin.
Additionally, extra understanding and appreciation of much of what you will hear in my dad’s collection came from a great upper level class I had in college: The History of Jazz.
I do know one thing. It will be fun to get behind a microphone again and share some great recordings.