Sunday Mar 17, 2024
Volume 168: Miller Band Translates TJB
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 Mar 10, 2024
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
I think this record might go down as my favorite from the five records we are playing in the month of March to celebrate what would have been Glenn Miller’s 120th birthday on March first.
The featured trumpet player on this album has such a soft sound that really fits in with the Miller sound, yet stands out to make each song his own. His solos are delicate, yet hardly boring. As they were when he played for the Miller band.
He was a cool-toned cornetist who always sounded relaxed no matter what the setting or the tempo.
So get ready to hear some great songs made famous by the Glenn Miller orchestra in a setting of wall to wall strings and brass in Volume 167: Bobby's Miller Pearls.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Here's the article from Kim Filed mentioned in this episode.
Credits and copyrights
Bobby Hackett – A String Of PearlsLabel: Epic – LN 24174Format: Vinyl, LP, AlbumReleased: 1965Genre: JazzStyle: Big Band
We'll hear 6 of the 12 songs on this album.
A String Of PearlsComposed by Jerry Gray
Moonlight SerenadeComposed by Glenn Miller
Georgia On My MindWritten by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell
Tuxedo JunctionWritten by Erskine Hawkins, Bill Johnson, and Julian Dash
Poor ButterflyMusic was written by Raymond Hubbell inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly
In The MoodBased on the composition "Tar Paper Stomp" by Wingy Manone
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 Mar 03, 2024
Sunday Mar 03, 2024
My dad really loved his big bands. And what bigger big band than the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
March first, Glenn Miller would have been 120 years old. So we are going to celebrate his birthday all month with his music and musical style.
My dad had a ton of Miller music, and while I have already featured him many times on this show, you’ll be introduced to an even larger portion of it this month including a return to the most distinctive album in his collection which we’ll feature in four weeks.
So, get ready to hear one of this bandleader’s compilation disks released 12 years after his death, to kick off an entire month of his music in Volume 166: This Is Glenn Miller.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Glenn Miller And His Orchestra – This Is Glenn MillerLabel: RCA Victor – LPM 1190Format: Vinyl, LP, CompilationReleased: 1956Genre: JazzStyle: Swing, Big BandPressed By – RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis
Liner Notes – George T. Simon
Johnson RagWritten-By – Guy Hall, Henry KleinkaufArranged By – Bill FineganSoloists on sax – Al Klink and Tex BenekeSoloist, Trombone – Glenn MillerSoloist, Trumpet – Clyde Hurley
Beautiful OhioWritten-By – Ballard MacDonald, Mary EarlArranged By – Jerry GraySoloist, Piano – Chummy McGregorSoloist, Tenor Saxophone – Tex Beneke
AdiosWritten-By – Eddie Woods, Enric MadrigueraArranged By – Jerry GrayBass – Doc GoldbergTrumpet [Muted] – Mickey McMickle
Londonderry Airtraditional Irish melodyArranged By – J. C. McGregor and Glenn MillerCelesta – Chummy McGregor
Anvil ChorusWritten-By – Giuseppe Verdi yes, the 19th century Italian Opera ComposerArranged By – Jerry GraySoloist – Tex BenekeSoloist, Bass – Trigger AlpertSoloist, Clarinet – Ernie CaceresSoloist, Trumpet – Billy May
Bugle Call RagWritten-By – Billy Meyers, Elmer Schoebel and Jack Pettis
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 25, 2024
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Time to pull out the 14th of the 24 records from the six box set from the Franklin Mint. And I’ve been having so much fun listening to this one.
In fact, I’m going to play a few more tunes than my normal six that I like to keep these episodes to because, quite frankly, there was so much good music on this disc I didn’t know where to stop.
The featured trumpet player you’ll be hearing was known as the bridge between Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. But he had a style all his own that was quite influential in his own right.
So, get ready to hear the musician that seemed to have the trumpet permanently glued to his lips in Volume 165: Little Jazz on Horn Part 2.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it. https://www.discogs.com/release/11735925-various-Louis-Armstrong-Roy-Eldridge-Jazz-Masterpieces
Credits and copyrights
Louis Armstrong Roy Eldridge Jazz MasterpiecesLabel: The Franklin Mint Record Society – JAZZ 001: 1/2/3/4Series: part of both! The Greatest Jazz Recordings Of All Time and the Institute Of Jazz Studies Official Archive CollectionFormat: Box Set, Red Box, 4 x Red vinyl LPs, Compilation, Released: 1982Genre: JazzStyle: Swing
We will hear 8 of the 12 songs from this album
Artie Shaw & His Orchestra – Little JazzComposed by Roy Eldridge and Buster Harding
Roy Eldridge & His Orchestra – Twilight TimeMusic by the Three Suns (Morty Nevins, Al Nevins, and Artie Dunn)
King David & His Little Jazz – Easter ParadeWritten by Irving Berlin
Roy Eldridge Sextet – School DaysWritten by Gus Edwards
The Roy Eldridge - Benny Carter Quintet – I Still Love Him SoWritten by Roy Eldridge & Benny Carter
Coleman Hawkins - Roy Eldridge – HanidWritten by Coleman Hawkins
Roy Eldridge & Claude Bolling – Fireworks Composed by Clarence Williams and Spencer Williams
Roy Eldridge Trio – UndecidedWritten by Sid Robin and Charlie Shavers
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 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.
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.