Sunday Dec 29, 2024
Volume 209: Dixie Dorsey
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 Dec 22, 2024
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, well, except for my dad who was putting together the air hockey game, or large electronic toy crane, or other present that would be one of ours the next morning. I have two younger brothers and a sister. Those are some of my memories of Christmas past, but I wonder what some of my dad's memories of those past holidays were when HE was a kid. And did those memories have a soundtrack filled with some of the music you are about to hear.
Because I have a feeling these are my dad's dad's 78 RPM shellac records. Most of these disks came out around the time my dad was born.
So, get ready to hear sounds of seasons greetings past with records that were probably my grandfathers in Volume 208: A 78RPM Christmas.
Credits and copyrights
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jimmy Boydwritten by Tommie Connor and first released by Jimmy Boyd accompanied by Norman Luboff in September 1952
Adeste Fideles - Bing Crosbywritten by John Francis Wade in 1743
Silent Night - Bing Crosbywritten by John Freeman Young, Joseph Mohr, Franz Gruber in 1859.This record was originally released in 1935. By dad had the repress released in 1938
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem - Charles Paulwritten by Lewis Redner, Phillips Brooks in 1868Paul released his version in 1937
O, Holy Night - Lucy Isabelle Marsh with Lyric Quartetwritten by John Sullivan Dwight, Placide Cappeau, Adolphe Charles Adam in 1855
Night Before Christmas - The Music Hall Drama Group and Orchestraa poem first published anonymously under the title "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1823 put to music by Johnny Marks, Henry Livingston, Jr. in 1942Released in 1952
Frosty the Snowman - Bud Roman and the Toppers with the Hal Lomen Orchestrawritten by Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson in 1950Released in 1952
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.
#christmasmusic #78RPM #oldchristmasmusic
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Here’s a fun find from this collection. My father really loved his country music too besides all that jazz, pop and classical.
This is the kind of country and western music that was kind of between the fiddle-led twang of early country and the days of outlaw country, although you will hear one of those outlaws from his early days first.
This album is filled with memorable songs and some great memories that went beyond those songs. You know how music triggers those.
So, get ready to hear several great singers from what I think was a great era in Volume 207: Good Country Record 1.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Various – The Good Times In Country MusicLabel: Columbia Special Products Tampa Records – C2-10419Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo, Terre Haute PressingReleased: 1974Genre: Folk, World, & CountryStyle: Country
We'll hear 10 of the 17 songs on record 2 of this two-record set.
Johnny Cash & June Carter – Jacksonwritten by Jerry Leiber, Billy Edd Wheeler
Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two – Folsom Prison Blueswritten by Johnny Cash, Gordon Jenkins
Jim Nabors - Wichita Linemanwritten by Jimmy Webb
Dottie West – I Fall To Pieceswritten by Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard
Hank Thompson– Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarettewritten by Merle Travis, Tex Williams
Roy Clark - Yesterday When I Was Youngwritten by Herbert Kretzmer, Charles Aznavour
Buck Owens - Sweet Hearts In Heavenwritten by Buck Owens
Grandpa Jones and His Grandchildren - Mountain Dewwritten by Scott Wiseman, Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John (September 22, 1961)written by Jimmy Dean
Carl Storey - Daddy Sang Basswritten by Carl Perkins
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.
#countrymusic #oldcountrymusic #heehaw
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
We pull out the second record from this seven disk box set. This one is filled with an incredible performance of a long piece of music from an incredible composer.
The Reader’s Digest liner notes for this seven record box set starts off "the nineteenth century was just opening in Vienna when the fist of an implacable genius knocked like destiny upon the doors of music."
They were, of course, talking about the immortal Ludwig Van Beethoven. His symphonies live on in performances to this very day.
So, get ready to hear the man who is said to have set music free in Volume 206: Beethoven's 3rd.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Beethoven, René Leibowitz, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Beecham Choral Society – The Nine Symphonies Of BeethovenLabel: Reader's Digest – RD 4-6, RCA Custom – RD 4-6 (1-7)Format: 7 x Vinyl, LP Box SetReleased: 1966Genre: ClassicalStyle: Romantic, Choral
Disk two of this 7 record set is all the third symphony
We will hear 3 of the 4 movements.
First Movement - Allegro Con BrioSecond Movement - Marcia Funebre: Adagio AssaiFourth Movement - Allegro Molto; Poco Andante; Presto
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.
#beethoven #beethovens3rd #romanticera
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Of course big bands and cars go together. The first car radio was offered by Chevrolet in 1922. As the medium became more popular and more practical for use in a vehicle, it was more than likely large jazz orchestras filling those airwaves.
This album is a really good collection of some great star band leaders along with some great versions of big hits.
So get ready to hear music that was probably coming out of the dashboard for those early drivers in Volume 205: Big Band Chevy.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Golden Anniversary Album (A Collector's Item Specially Produced For Chevrolet)RCA Victor – PR.111, RCA VictorFormat: Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation, MonoReleased: 1961Genre: Jazz, PopStyle: Big Band, Swing, Vocal
Charlie Barnet – CherokeeWritten by Ray Noble
Larry Clinton – My ReverieVocals – Bea WainWritten by Larry Clinton
Duke Ellington – SolitudeVocals – Al Hibler, Joya Sherrill, Kay Davis, Marie Hibler Written by Duke Ellington, Eddie DeLange, and Irving Mills
Bunny Berigan – I Can't Get StartedVocals – Bunny BeriganWritten by Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke
Guy Lombardo – Bei Mir Bist Du SchonVocals – Male TrioWritten by Jacob Jacobs, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chapin, Sholom Secunda
Rosemary Clooney & Perez Prado – Bali Ha'iWritten by Rodgers-Hammerstein
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.
#jazzmusic #bigbandjazz #chevy
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
For our last stop during World Tour November we head to a region of the world known for its Beaches and Casinos. To where the rich have played for centuries. Three different country’s musical styles are included on this record; Spain, France, and Italy.
In fact, the music you will hear was composed by a prince of the holy Roman Empire. His scores create musical landscapes in your mind.
So, get ready to hear music that gets us into a Mediterranean mood with Volume 204: Riviera Paradise.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
D'Artega And His Orchestra – Riviera Holiday (Mediterranean Moods)Label: Design Records – DLP-46Format: Vinyl, LP, MonoReleased: 1957Genre: JazzStyle: Easy Listening
We will hear 6 of the 11 songs on the album.
All music was written by Camillo Ruspoli, Principe di Candriano.
Palace Of The PrinceMonte Carlo NocturneMediterranean SunsetGardens Of Beau LieuContinental MemoriesSorrento Momento
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 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Next stop on our World Tour November is also a stop back to the 19th century. Back to one of the music centers of the world at the time. Budapest. Home of the Danube River and a beautiful opera house.
All of that and more made it a popular tourist stop for that era. And the two composers you will hear from were partly responsible for that popularity as well.
So, get ready to hear an important orchestra in its own right perform music from this landlocked central European country in Volume 203: Classic Hungary.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, RIAS Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Karl Rucht – Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 2 And No. 14 / Hungarian Dances No. 1 Through No. 6Label: Paris – Album 12Format: Vinyl, LPReleased: 1956Genre and Style: Classical
We will hear 5 of the 8 tunes on this record.
Franz Liszt:Hungarian Dance 1Hungarian Dance 3Hungarian Dance 4Hungarian Dance 5
Johannes Brahms:Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
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.
#hungariandances #hungarianrhapsody #classicalmusic
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.
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.