Sunday Nov 19, 2023
Volume 151: Birdland Stars Tour 1
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 12, 2023
Sunday Nov 12, 2023
This is a special milestone episode.
It's November 2023. Four years since my dad said, “here, have all my records to do with them what you want,” and four years minus a month since he died.
It was a couple of months after that when I came up with the idea for this show to share this wonderful collection rather than sell it.
We are now at episode 150!
Along the way on this musical journey through my dad’s records, I have kept the number of songs and the total length of each episode down to a reasonable number and time. However, that means I had to leave plenty of great music unplayed. This episode will only partially fix that, but I know I’ll feel better about sharing some of this extra music.
So get ready to hear twelve tunes from albums I’ve already featured on this show with Volume 150: Songs I Didn't Get To.
Credits and copyrights
Pee Wee Hunt - On Wisconsin.Written-By – Carl Beck, W. T. Purdy
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Walk, Don’t Run Written by Johnny Smith
Lou Monte - Calypso Italiano Written-By – Lou Monte, Wandra Merrell
Dizzy Gillespie - My ManWritten by Maurice Yvain
Max Roach Septet - OrientationWritten by Hank Mobley
Duke Ellington Orchestra - Black and Tan FantasyWritten by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley
Henry Mancini - Alright, Okay, You Win Written by Sid Wyche
Roy Merriweather Trio - Call Me IrresponsibleWritten by Jimmy Van Heusen
Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra - On The Sunny Side Of The StreetWritten by Jimmy Fields and Dorothy McHugh
Al Hirt - I'm On My WayTraditional
Oscar Pettiford and Billy Taylor - Oriental Cello BluesUnkown Composer
Sammy Davis Junior - You've Made Me So Very Happy.Written by Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson and Berry Gordy
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 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
My dad did try to connect us to all sorts of music through his record collection. I have a separate pile of records filled with just music for children. I've mentioned the Teddy Bears Picnic album in a previous show.
But my parents made sure we weren't only listening to the classic children's tunes, they made sure we knew what real classical music was. And they bought records like this one that helped make that connection at a young age.
So get ready for a musical journey spanning more than two centuries as the young ones are introduced to some great composers in Volume 149: Classics for Kids.
Credits and copyrights
Mitch Miller & His Orchestra - A Child's Introduction To Great ComposersLabel: Golden Records (2) – A198:4Format: Vinyl, LP, AlbumReleased: 1956Genre: Classical, Children'sStyle: Classical, Romantic, Educational, Opera, Modern
GavotteComposed in 1730 By – Johann Sebastian Bach
Finale From Symphony No. 88Composed in 1787 By – Franz Joseph Haydn
Turkish Rondo From Piano Sonata In A MajorComposed in 1783 By – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Dance Of The Clowns From A Midsummer Night's DreamComposed in 1826 By – Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
The Minute WaltzComposed in 1847 By – Frédéric Chopin
The Happy Farmer From Album For The YoungComposed in 1848 By – Robert Schumann
Hungarian Dance No. 5Composed in 1869 By – Johannes Brahms
Children's Dances From Hansel And GretelComposed in 1893 By – Engelbert Humperdinck
Rumanian DanceComposed in 1915 By – Béla Bartók
March From Peter And The WolfComposed in 1936 By – Sergei Prokofiev
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 29, 2023
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Once again we reach into my dad’s stack of shellac records where we pull out another big name among the early record labels…Decca. It’s a label that saw its share of some of the biggest names in the recording industry. Several you have heard on this show.
And if you’re watching the video version, you’ll see that I pulled out my old timey RCA Ribbon mic. I thought it would give this show extra atmosphere.
So get ready to hear an array of artists all recorded during the 1940s in Volume 148: 8 Sides From Decca.
Credits and copyrights
Wedding Bells - Four Aces(Are Breaking up the Old Gang of Mine)With Chorus and Orchestra Directed by Jack PliesWritten by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal, and Willie RaskinReleased April 1954
Three Coins in the Fountain - Four Aces Featuring Al AlbertsFrom the 20th Century Fox film of the same name.With Chorus and Orchestra Directed by Jack PliesWritten by Juli Styne and Sammy CahnReleased April 1954
Sabre Dance - Victor Young and his Concert OrchestraFrom Cayne Ballet Suite.Written by Aram KhachaturianReleased in July 1943
For Whom The Bell Tolls - Victor Young and his Concert OrchestraThe Massacre and Love Them from the Paramount Picture of the same name.Written by Victor YoungReleased in July 1943
Jolly Fella Tarantella - The Andrews Sisters, backed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal CanadiansThe Organ Grinder's SongWritten by Dick Manningrecorded on July 19, 1949
Stars are the Windows of Heaven - The Andrews Sisters, backed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal CanadiansWritten by Tommy Malie and Jimmy Steiger.recorded on July 19, 1949
The Matador - Carmen Miranda with the Andrews Sisters with Vic Shoen and His OrchestraWritten by Joao DeBarro, Alberto Ribeiro, Ray Gilbert and Bob RussellReleased in September 1948
Cuanto La Gusta - Carmen Miranda with the Andrews Sisters with Vic Shoen and His OrchestraFrom the MGM Picture a Date With Judy.Written by Gabriel Ruiz and Ray GilbertReleased in September 1948
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 22, 2023
Sunday Oct 22, 2023
Music has always been important and supported in the region where I grew up. The local county community college has been the focus of many concerts, both that I’ve observed and participated in, over the years. And their musical legacy goes back a long way. This album is a great example of what happens when there is civic pride in the talented music makers of the area. And the sponsor of this record has a special place in my and my family’s history.
So through the concern and courtesy of Lakeland Community College and Citizens Savings and Loan Company in Painesville, get ready to hear your friends and neighbors from northeast Ohio in concert in Volume 147: Lakeland Music.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Lakeland Here's The MusicLabel: Century Advent Recording – Stereo 5810Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, StereoReleased: 1973Genre: Jazz, ClassicalStyle: Modal, Big Band, Swing, Choral
Lakeland Civic OrchestraJacques Offenbach–Selections from the Overture to "Orpheus in Hades" (Can Can)
Arthur Herzog, Jr. and Billie Holiday – God Bless The ChildArranged By – Anita Kerr
Lakeland Civic Jazz ForumGeorge Gershwin – Strike Up The BandArranged By – Sarge Parsons
Lakeland Civic Jazz ForumFrank White Meacham – American PatrolArranged By – Bob Bunton
Lakeland Civic OrchestraGeorge Gershwin– Selections from "Porgy and Bess"
Lakeland Civic ChorusDuke Ellington–Mood IndigoLakeland Civic Chorus
Josef Myrow– You Make Me Feel So Young Ray Conniff inspired Arrangement By – Clay Warnick
Lakeland Civic Jazz ForumJerry Bock – Selections from "Fiddler on The Roof"Arranged By – Roy Phillippe
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 15, 2023
Sunday Oct 15, 2023
This is a great compilation album of jazz artists who all recorded for Roost Records. These are some major stars that appeared on a minor label. And once I try to figure out what the characters are doing on the album cover, I’ll try to explain it to you.
So get ready to hear some memorable musicians in their own version of an O.R. in Volume 146: Operation Jazz.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Operation JazzLabel: Royal Roost – OJ1, Royal Roost – OJ-1Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, MonoCountry: USA & CanadaReleased: 1958 according to the etchings on the runout. Genre: JazzStyle: Bop, Hard Bop, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Post Bop
Stan Getz, Horace Silver with Potter's LuckWritten by Horace SilverRecorded New York, March 1 or August 15, 1951Stan Getz, tenor sax; Horace Silver, piano; Tommy Potter, bass; Roy Haynes, drums; Jimmy Raney, guitar
Kai Winding, Gerry Mulligan with Crossing The ChannelWritten by Kai WindingKai Winding (tb), Brew Moore (ts), Gerry Mulligan (bs), George Wallington (p), Curley Russell (b), Max Roach (d).Recorded in New York City, April 1949
Art Tatum with Flyin' HomeWritten by Sid Robin, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman
Bud Powell, Max Roach with Bud's BubbleWritten by Bud PowellNYC, January 10, 1947Bass – Curly Russel*Drums – Max RoachPiano – Bud Powell
Dizzy Gillespie with Chris And DizWritten by Dizzy Gillespie
Machito & His Afro-Cubans, Harry Belafonte Lean On Mewritten by Alan Greene & Edwin HaldmanRecorded in 1949
Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Jay Johnson with Air ConditioningWritten By Charlie ParkerMiles Davis, trumpet; J.J. Johnson, trombone; Charlie Parker, alto sax; Duke Jordan, piano; Tommy Potter, bass; Max Roach, drums.WOR Studios, NYC, December 17, 1947
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 08, 2023
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
One of the unique aspects of my dad’s collection is how many historically significant records he has in it. In this episode, we feature an example of this. This comedian, and this album, were the first to win a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Performance - Spoken, when the Academy first introduced that category in 1959.
So, get ready for a man on a stool who often pretended he was on the phone in Volume 145: Inside Shelley Berman.
Credits and copyrights
Shelley Berman – Inside Shelley BermanLabel: Verve Records – MG V-15003Series: Celebrity Series (2)Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, MonoCountry: USGenre: Non-MusicStyle: Comedy
Buttermilk, Zen, NostalgiaFlying (in 2 parts)Phoning A Department Store About A Woman On A LedgePhone Call With A Small Child
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 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
This is a special edition. Its timing only has a little to do with the fact that it’s the beginning of Halloween season around here.
The musicians you will hear have all been heard in previous episodes of this show. A few of them might have played together at one time or another. None of these songs are found on the same album. But the artists have one thing in common. All of their final resting places are in the same cemetery.
So, get ready to hear music from the grave somewhere in the Bronx with Volume 144: Where Jazz is Buried - Woodlawn.
Credits and copyrights
Miles DavisIf I were a Bell from Swingin' Sound!
Lionel HamptonSweethearts On Parade from The Original Big Band Hits, Vol. 1
Max RoachOrientation from Modern Jazz - Hall Of Fame Volume 1
Coleman HawkinsI Mean You from Franklin Mint Jazz Masters Of The Sax
Jonah JonesPlease Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone from Trumpet on Tour
King Oliver & His Dixie SyncopatorsAunt Hagar's Blues from Franklin Mint Kings Of New Orleans Jazz
Duke EllingtonTake the A Train from Dance To The Themes Of The Greatest Bands
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 24, 2023
Sunday Sep 24, 2023
Of course my dad loved his opera. What music collection in any Italian household was without some of the world’s finest music.
Several of the songs on this album had special meaning for my parents. It’s music from a singer they saw at least once in concert. He held a special place in both their hearts as one who could deliver Italian music at its purest.
So, get ready to hear one of the best to ever sing music from this region of Italy in Volume 143: Neapolitan Pavarotti.
Credits and copyrights
Luciano Pavarotti – O Sole Mio Favorite Neapolitan SongsLabel: London Records – OS26560, London Records – OS 26560Format: Vinyl, LP, Club EditionReleased: 1979Genre: ClassicalStyle: Opera, Romantic
'O Sole MioWritten-By – Eduardo Di Capua, Edward Teschemacher
Torna A SurrientoWritten-By – Ernesto de Curtis, Giambattista De Curtis
'O Surdato 'NnammuratoWritten-By – Aniello Califano, Enrico Cannio
'O MarenarielloWritten-By – Gennaro Ottoviano, Salvatore Gambardella
Maria Mari'Written-By – Eduardo Di Capua, Vincenzo Russo
Funiculì FuniculàWritten-By – Giuseppe Turco, Luigi Denza
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.