Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Volume 165: Little Jazz on Horn Part 2
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 Feb 18, 2024
Sunday Feb 18, 2024
It’s another Valentine's special. And time for another romantic voice.
Joining me once again is my girlfriend Karen.
I rarely recognize the song titles or the artist names of the music Frank picks, but I recognized this one. While my parents didn’t listen to the same kind of music his parents did, Johnny Mathis was still played a lot by my mom.
And why not? He has one of the most recognizable, elegant, romantic voices ever recorded. And it just makes you want to cuddle up with the one you love.
So, get ready to hear a voice tailor-made for this specific holiday in Volume 164: A Faithful Valentine.
More information about this album: More information about this album: See the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Johnny Mathis – FaithfullyLabel: Columbia – CS 8219Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, StereoReleased: December 21, 1959. Genre: PopStyle: Vocal
The album reached #2 on the U.S. album charts.
Arranger, Conductor – Glenn Osser
FaithfullyWritten-By – Burt Bacharach, and Sydney Shaw
Nobody Knows (How Much I Love You)Written-By – Bart Howard
TonightWritten-By – Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim
MariaWritten-By – Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim
Blue GardeniaWritten-By – Bob Russell, and Lester Lee
One Starry NightWritten-By – Abner Silver, and Sid Wayne
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 Feb 11, 2024
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
One hundred years ago tomorrow, February 12, 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York City, Paul Whiteman's band played the first public performance of Rhapsody in Blue with composer Gorge Gershwin playing the piano. It was orchestrated by Whiteman's arranger Ferdie Grofé.
This album is one of at least three versions my dad owned of the famous song. He has a 1939 version from Whiteman that was released on 12 inch 78 RPM discs from the Decca record label. The Rhapsody is broken down into two sides. There's Gershwin's solo piano first recorded on piano roll, then transferred to the LP format in 1958. Then there's the one you are about to hear, which was recorded in 1958 to celebrate Whiteman's fifty years in music.
So, get ready to hear an iconic American tune that is celebrating a century of popularity in Volume 163: 100 Years of Rhapsody.
More information about this album: See the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra – Rhapsody In BlueLabel: Grand Award – G.A. 33-502Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, MonoReleased: 1958Genre: JazzStyle: Big Band
You will hear 4 of the 6 songs from this record.
When Day Is DoneWritten by Buddy DeSylva
Limehouse BluesMusic by Philip Braham
Autumn LeavesMusic by Joseph Kosma
Rhapsody In BlueComposed by George Gerswhin
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 Feb 04, 2024
Sunday Feb 04, 2024
Here’s someone I mention often when I tell you who wrote a song. In fact, he’s one of the most popular songwriters of all time. He even sang on a few recordings too. Many of the songs you will hear on this episode you may recognize as being sung by a popular female vocalist, but this is all Burt. He wrote the music. He arranged it and conducted the orchestra. He also plays the piano.
So, get ready to hear music that’s all about one guy in Volume 162: Burt Conducts Bacharach
Credits and copyrights
Burt Bacharach – Reach OutLabel: A&M Records – SP 4131Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, StereoReleased: 1967Genre: JazzStyle: Easy Listening
We will hear 7 of the 11 songs on this record.
All of the music was written, arranged, produced and conducted by Burt Bachrach.
Reach Out For MeAlfieMessage To MichaelThe Look Of LoveI Say A Little PrayerWhat The World Needs Now Is LoveBond Street
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 Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
The latin beat was all the rage when my dad was a teenager and young adult. You can tell he fell for it in a big way with all the Mambos, Cha Chas, Rhumbas, and Salsas he has in his collection. And like I’ve said before, it’s hard not to dance when the bongos, congas, timbales, and claves are working their magic.
So get ready to hear, yet another musical trailblazer from Puerto Rico in Volume 161: The Latin Dance.
Credits and copyrights
Morales – Morales Latin Dance TimeLabel: Grand Prix Series – K-154Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, MonoCountry: USReleased: in 1962 I think. I'll tell you more in this episode's interesting side note. Genre: LatinStyle: Cha-Cha, Mambo, Pachanga
We will hear 7 of the 10 songs on the album.
Norin-Norinwritten by Noro Morales
For Me And My Galwritten by Edgar Leslie, George W. Meyer, E. Ray Goetz
Dark Eyes MamboWritten by Florian Hermann
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (Sounds like another famous latin song for a while)written by Ned Washington, George Bassman
Who's Sorry Nowwritten by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Ted Snyder
The Children's Merenguewritten by Noro Morales
Mississippi Mambowritten by Cliff Ferre
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 Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
We pull out the second of four records my dad has from this singer. While he never had a number one hit, he did sell over 45 million records, and was viewed regularly by many million more TV viewers on his show.
He got his start with his brothers singing for film productions in the 1940s. And he’s another halftime performer at an early Super Bowl.
So get ready to hear music from the twentieth studio album by this pop singer with Volume 160: Andy Sets Us Free.
Credits and copyrights
Andy Williams – Born FreeLabel - Columbia – CL 2680Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, Terre Haute PressingReleased: 1967Genre: JazzStyle: Easy Listening
We will hear 6 of the 12 songs from the album.
Born Free written for the 1966 movie of the same name.Written-By – Don Black and John Barry
Spanish EyesWritten-By – Bert Kaempfert, Charles Sing, and Eddie Snyder
SunnyWritten-By – Bobby Hebb
I Want To Be FreeWritten-By – Tommy. Boyce and Bobby Hart
Strangers In The NightWritten-By – Bert Kaempfert, Charles Sing, and Eddie Snyder
Music To Watch Girls ByWritten-By – Sid Rami and Tony Velona
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 Jan 14, 2024
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
"The program you are about to see…well hear… is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices and concerns. By making them a source of laughter, we hope to show — in a mature fashion — just how absurd they are."
That was the disclaimer made before the start of the first episode of an early 1970s TV show where the main character is an obnoxious, prejudiced, big mouth, bigot, played by a brilliant actor, who actually was credited with bringing highly controversial subjects to light every week. But no matter what the subject, he was highly humorous. And millions laughed along.
The character and the show was the brainchild of a TV mastermind that we just lost last month at the age of 101.
So, Boy...get ready to hear the way Glenn Miller played, and songs on the hit parade, not really, there’s no music on this record, in Volume 159: Those Were The Days.
Promised link to Norman Lear's obituary on NPR.org.
Credits and copyrights
Archie Meets MikeBreasts The Man In The Street The ElevatorStifleSammy's Visit
I do not own the rights to this music or recording. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Here’s a great compilation disk to kick off the new year and season. It’s one of my dad’s favorite trumpet players who is famous for playing my dad’s favorite kind of music. Dixieland. In fact, Al is known as the king.
But he also played some straightforward instrumentals that the critics complained about. Not only will you hear some of both those styles on this best of album, you get to hear him with a full orchestra and one of the most famous sex symbols and actresses of the 1960s and beyond.
So get ready to hear a musician hailed as a one-man trumpet section in Volume 158: Hirt So Good.
Promised link to Al Hirt's Obit in the Guardian.
Credits and copyrights
Al Hirt – The Best Of Al HirtLabel: RCA Victor – LPM-3309Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Indianapolis PressingReleased: 1965Genre: JazzStyle: Dixieland
Conductor [Orchestras And Choruses] – Billy May, Henri René, Marty Paich
8 of the 12 songs on the album.
JavaWritten-By – Allen Toussaint, Alvin Tyle, and Freddy Fridaytaken from the album Honey in the Horn released in 1963.Of the 21 times Al Hirt was nominated for a Grammy Award, this was his only winner, bringing home the gramophone shaped trophy in 1964.
Stranger In Paradise from the Broadway musical "Kismet."Written-By – George Forrest and Robert Wrighttaken from the album Trumpet and Strings released in 1962
The Best Man - Another trumpet player and his singingArranged By, Conductor – Marty PaichVocals – Al Hirt and Ann-MargretWritten-By – Fred Wise, Roy Alfredtaken from the album Beauty and the Beard, an entire album he did with Ann Margret, released in 1964.
Holiday For TrumpetWritten-By – Mario Ruiz Armengoltaken from the album Horn-a-Plenty released in 1962.
I Love Paris from the musical Can CanWritten-By – Cole PorterThat was taken from the album Al (He's the King) Hirt and his Band released in 1961.
Sugar LipsWritten-By – Billy Sherrill, Buddy Killentaken from the album Sugar Lips released in 1964.
Cotton CandyWritten-By – Russ Damontaken from the album Cotton Candy released in 1964.
Bourbon Street ParadeWritten-By – Paul Barbarinfrom the album Al Hirt at the Mardi Gras released in 1962.
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 Dec 31, 2023
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Happy New Year's Eve!
When some of us think about our earliest memories of watching New Year’s Eve on TV, we’ll remember long before Ryan Seacrest and even before Dick Clark. This Guy, who brought the New York City ballroom celebration into our living rooms every year, goes back to even before this holiday was celebrated live on television.
He formed the band during 1924 in his hometown of London, Ontario, Canada and sold more than 100 million records. Maybe as many as 300 million.
So get ready to hear The Sweetest music this side of heaven, with a little sweet champagne to go with it, in Volume 157: 50 Years of Lombardo.
Credits and copyrights
Guy Lombardo – 50th Anniversary Album
Label: Suffolk Marketing, Inc. – SMI-1-8M
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation, Mono
Released: 1977
Genre: Jazz, Pop
Style: Big Band, Easy Listening
We will hear 8 of the 20 songs on the album.
Boo Hoo
Written by Edward Heyman, John Jacob Loeb, Carmen Lombardo
Humoresque
written by Howard Johnson, Hugo Frey, and Antonín Dvořák
Tales from the Vienna Woods
written by Johann Strauss
Best Things In Life Are Free
written by Ray Henderson, B.G. DeSylva, and Lew Brown
The Band Played On
written by John F. Palmer, and Charles B. Ward
Harbor Lights with Vocal Chorus by Kenny Gardner
written by Jimmy Kennedy, and Hugh Williams
Third Man Theme
written and performed by Anton Karas
Medley
Moonlight & Roses
written by Charles N. Daniels, Ben Black, Edwin Lemare
Far Away Place
written by Alex Kramer, Joan Whitney
Auld Lang Syne
Traditional
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.