Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Volume 161: The Latin Dance
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 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.
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Here's a disk that was in the record player stack every December. It was definitely played during Christmas eve and day...a lot! You can tell by the shape it's in.
This is one of 12 records by this artist and one of a large list of Christmas Recordings from my dad’s collection. And it once again includes my dad’s favorite trumpet player SINGING a song.
So get ready to feel that south of the border holiday spirit with Volume 156: Christmas Herb.
Credits and copyrights
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – Christmas AlbumLabel: A&M Records – SP 4166Format Vinyl, LP, StereoReleased: 1968Genre: JazzStyle: Latin Jazz, Holiday, Easy Listening
Voices and Strings arranged by Shorty Rogers.Art Direction – Tom Wilkes Engineer – Larry LevinePhotography By – Guy WebsterProducer – Jerry MossProducer, Arranged By – Herb Alpert
Recorded At – A&M Studios
Winter WonderlandWritten-By – Dick Smith and Felix Bernard
Jingle BellsArranged By – Herb Alpert and John Pisano
Sleigh RideWritten-By – Leroy Anders and Mitchell Parish
The Christmas SongWritten-By – Mel Torme and Robert Wells
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It SnowWritten-By – Jule Stein and Sammy Cahn
Jingle Bell Rock Written-By – Jim Boothe and Joe Beal
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 17, 2023
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Even though he was mostly into early jazz and pop, my dad liked his cowboy music too. And he bought a great collection in a 7-record box set. We’ve already featured two of those records in previous episodes. This record features a lot of music you have probably heard over the years yourself, but most likely by other bands. In fact, the eight songs you’ll hear have been recorded more than a thousand times combined. But you may have to check my math.
So get ready to hear what is really Tumbling Tumbleweeds part 3 in Volume 155: Western Favorites.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Tumbling TumbleweedsLabel: Reader's Digest – RDA-229 / AFormat: 7 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation Box SetReleased: 1982Genre: Folk, World, & CountryStyle: Country
The Sons Of The Pioneers–(Ghost) Riders In The Skywritten by Stan Jones
The Sons Of The Pioneers–Ragtime Cowboy Joewritten by Grant Clarke, Lewis F. Muir, Maurice Abrahams
The Sons Of The Pioneers–Don't Fence Me Inwritten by Cole Porter, Bob Fletcher
Al Dexter–Pistol Packin' Mamawritten by Al Dexter
Slim Whitman–Rhinestone Cowboywritten by Larry Weiss
Tennessee Ernie Ford–Mule Trainwritten by Hy Heath, Johnny Lange, Fred Glickman
Bing Crosby, Jimmy Dorsey– I'm An Old Cowhandwritten by Johnny Mercer
Bing Crosby–Sioux City Suewritten by Max Freedman, Dick Thomas
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 10, 2023
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Here’s another great compilation album from my father’s collection. It’s filled with music from some pretty big names in the music world. And every tune swings…hard. There is some serious 1950s grooving going on within these recordings. And it was put together to promote pens. And not the ballpoint kind.
So, get ready to hear some of the most uptempo music you’ll find on this show with Volume 154: Swingin' Sounds.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Swingin' Sound!Label: Columbia Special Products – XTV-8229 and 30 (each side has a number)Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, StereoNobody seems to know when this ablum was released, it's not even listed on the CSP discography with a date, but I'm going with about 1961 or 62. Genre: Jazz, Classical
Dave Brubeck - I'm in a Dancing Moodwritten by Al Hoffman, Al Goodhart, and Maurice Siglerrecorded at Newport Jazz Festival July 6, 1956.
Duke Ellington - Perdidowritten by Juan TizolFirst recorded on January 21, 1942. Ellington went on to record this song many times and I'm not sure when the version you just heard was recorded.
Buddy Greco - The Lady Is A Trampwritten by Richard Rodgers, and Lorenz Hartrecorded at Le Bistro, on Rush Street in Chicago some time in 1959.
André Previn, His Piano And Orchestra - Like Lovewritten by André Previn, and Dory PrevinReleased in 1960
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross - Cloudburstwritten by Jon Hendricks, Leroy Kirkland, and Jimmy HarrisDave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross Recorded that in 1959
The Dave Brubeck Quartet With Carmen McRae - Paradiddle JoeWritten by John MorrisRecorded in New York City on September 9, 1960
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 03, 2023
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Here’s a fun find from my father’s LPs and an artist that we have not gotten to yet despite my dad having a couple records from him. He’s a piano player you might not have heard of, but you’ve probably heard in many famous recordings, including Elvis’ Heartbreak Hotel. He has also covered many hits and made hits for himself. All in his slip-note style. And he liked recording TV themes, as you’ll hear on this album.
So, get ready to hear the young generation, cuz they’ve got something to say in Volume 153: Cramer's Monkees.
Credits and copyrights
Floyd Cramer – Floyd Cramer Plays The MonkeesLabel: RCA Victor – LPM-3811Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, DynagrooveReleased: 1967Genre: PopStyle: Pop Rock, Country
(Theme From) The MonkeesWritten-By – Tommy Boyce-Bobby Hart
I'm A BelieverWritten-By – Neil Diamond
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit YouWritten-By – Neil Diamond
Last Train To ClarksvilleWritten-By – Tommy Boyce-Bobby Hart
Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another DayWritten-By – Steve Venet, Tommy Boyce
Papa Gene's BluesWritten-By – Michael Nesmith
(I'm Not Your) Steppin' StoneWritten-By – Tommy Boyce-Bobby Hart
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.