Sunday Oct 27, 2024
Volume 200: Frank's Earworms Take 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 Oct 20, 2024
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Most of the albums so far in my father’s collection were of popular artists from the US. This record is the first of four my dad had from an orchestra leader who reportedly was from England, featuring a trumpet player, who reportedly has the same name as the guy who writes all the liner notes for the orchestra leader.
Meanwhile, there were a number of musicians who really recorded this album. Who they were is a budget record label mystery.
So, get ready to hear some pretty melodies while you’re having your afternoon crumpets in Volume 199: Tea and Trumpets.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Stanley Applewaite, Roy Freeman – Stanley Applewaite Plays Tea And Trumpets Featuring Roy FreemanLabel: Design Records (2) – DLP 40Format: Vinyl, LPReleased: Oct 1957Genre: PopStyle:
If I Had A Love That Loved Me
Medley: Darling My Heart Is Yours/Standing In The Rain (written by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal)/Sing Nightingale Sing (written by Bob Iller, Bruno Balz, Michael Jary)
Pleasewritten by Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
Moritatwritten by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht
Medley: You Make This World Beautiful / Virginia Blues (written by Ernie Erdman, Fred Meinken) / Two Hearts In May (Michael Jary)
John And Julie (fitting to end the show with a song written by another trumpet player.)by Eddie Calvert
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 13, 2024
Sunday Oct 13, 2024
Here’s an album filled with some of the biggest big band jazz orchestra leaders there ever were. And they’re the songs that each leader was most identified by.
It’s also a special promotional copy with a Cleveland area connection, which is probably why it’s in my dad’s collection. Plus it brought back some memories of TV commercial gold.
So get ready to hear tunes that introduced the bands that played them in Volume 198: Big Band Themes.
Correction: Lawson's Milk Company was founded in Cuyahoga Falls, not Chagrin Falls, which is what I said in the episode.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Various – Dance To The Themes Of The Greatest BandsLabel: Columbia Special Products – XTV 68511Format: Vinyl, LP, CompilationReleased: 1963 Genre: JazzStyle: Big Band
Les Brown–Leap Frogwritten by Joe Garland, Leo Corday in 1942Recorded by Les Brown and his Orchestra in October 1945
Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd - Blue Flamewritten by Leo Corday, Joe Bishop, James A. NobleFirst recording on February 13, 1941 by Woody Herman
Claude Thornhill - Snowfallwritten by Claude Thornhill, Ruth ThornhillFirst recording on May 26, 1941
Kay Kyser - (I've Grown So Lonesome) Thinking Of Youwritten by Bert Kalmar, Harry Rubyrecorded New York, NY, January 9, 1939 but not released until 1941.
Gene Krupa - StarburstComposed by Eddie Finckel and Gene KrupaRecorded February 8, 1947
Count Basie - One O'Clock Jumpwritten by Count BasieFirst recording on July 7, 1937
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 06, 2024
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Back to one of my father’s favorite trumpet players. This time, a little later in his career. It’s as if the years have slightly mellowed his sound, and he blends in more with the band.
But there’s almost never any trouble recognizing when this musician is front and center, because he had one of the smoothest sounds around.
So, get ready to hear one of the best known and easily recognized trumpet players ever in Volume 197: Jazzy James.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Harry James And His Orchestra – Jazz SessionLabel: Columbia – CL 669, Columbia – CL-669Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Hollywood PressingReleased: 1955Genre: JazzStyle: Big Band
Marchin'Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Pat ChartrandWritten-By – Harry James and Louis Bellson
I'll Remember AprilWritten-By – Don Raye, Gene DePaul and Patricia Johnson
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)Written-By – Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66!Vocals – Gordon PolkWritten-By – Bobby Troup
Stealin' ApplesWritten-By – Andy Razaf and Fats Waller
Queen Of The MamboWritten-By – Tony Martinez
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 29, 2024
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
Today, the day this episode drops, would have been my mom’s 87th birthday. Earlier today, I dropped ten roses on her gravestone to signify how many of those birthdays we have had without her.
I’ve said this before, that my mom’s spirit is within this album collection just as much as my dad’s, and it’s artists like this that I know she enjoyed very much.
My parents did get to see him once in concert. He is one of the world’s most recognized tenors, even years after he has been gone.
So get ready to hear Luciano sing to celebrate my mother’s birthday in Volume 196: Pavarotti for Pauline.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Luciano Pavarotti – Verismo AriasLabel: London Records – LDR 10020Series: London DigitalFormat: Vinyl, LP, StereoReleased: Dec 1980Genre: ClassicalStyle: Opera
The portrait reproduced for the cover was done by Gerrit Greve, and was one of Pavarotti's favorites.
We will hear 10 of the 15 songs on this album.
Amor Ti Vieta(Fedora)Composed By – Umberto Giordano
Dai Campi, Dai Prati(Mefistofele)Composed By – Arrigo Boito
La Dolcissima Effigie(Adriana Lecouvreur)Composed By – Francesco Cilea
L'Anima Ho Stanca or My Soul Is Tired(Adriana Lecouvreur)Composed By – Francesco Cilea
Apri La Tua Finestra!(Iris)Composed By – Pietro Mascagni
Colpito Qui M'Avete.....Un Di All 'Azzurro Spazio(Andrea Chénier)Composed By – Umberto Giordano
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio(Andrea Chénier)Composed By – Umberto Giordano
Ch'Ella Mi Creda(La Fanciulla Del West)Composed By – Giacomo Puccini
Ma Se Vi Talenta.....Tra Voi, Belle(Manon Lescaut)Composed By – Giacomo Puccini
Ah! Non Y'Avvicante!(Manon Lescaut)Bass Vocals – Neil HowlettComposed By – Giacomo Puccini
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 22, 2024
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
This is truly an interesting find in my dad’s collection. We know by now my dad’s love for the Dixieland style of music. So it’s not surprising I found this record in the stacks.
But what was surprising is that this recording was made by seven musicians that had never played together before. You most certainly can’t tell. And they’re not exactly household names.
So, get ready to hear what it must have sounded like rollin’ down the Mississippi River in the late 19th and early 20th century in Volume 195: Delta Dixieland.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Delta Kings – Down The River With The Delta KingsLabel: Down South Records – DS 201Format: Vinyl, LPReleased: 1958Genre: Jazz, BluesStyle: Dixieland
We will hear 6 of the 10 songs on this album.
Ole Man Riverwritten by Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Beautiful Ohiowritten by Ballard MacDonald, Robert KingFirst released in 1919
'Way Down Upon The Swanee RiverOld Folks at Home written by Stephen Foster
Waitin' For The Robert E. Leewritten by L. Wolfe Gilbert, Lewis F. Muir
Up That Lazy Riverby Hoagy Carmichael and Sidney Arodin
Down By The Riverside (I Ain't Goin' to Study War No More)A traditional song first recorded in 1920
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 15, 2024
Sunday Sep 15, 2024
I’m not sure why, but the episodes that feature Ray Conniff music have been among the most popular…by far. Maybe because his music is so enjoyable. Maybe because his music is laid back and brings back memories of better times, or what are assumed to be better times.
But Conniff’s music had a very unique sound because of how he treated vocals in many of his songs. He used voices as instruments as they sang wordless notes. But on this record? They use their real words.
So get ready to hear some sweet music with that unique Conniff vocal arrangement in Volume 194: Ray's Honey.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Ray Conniff And The Singers – HoneyLabel: Columbia – CS 9661Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Pitman PressingReleased: 1968Genre: JazzStyle: Easy Listening
We will play 7 of the 11 songs on the album.
Honey (I Miss You)Written-By – Bobby Russell
Gentle On My MindWritten-By – John Hartford
Spanish EyesWritten-By – Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder
I Say A Little PrayerWritten-By – Burt Bacharach and Hal David
The Look Of Love (From "Casino Royale")Written-By – Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Sound Of SilenceWritten-By – Paul Simon
Goin' Out Of My HeadWritten-By – Bobby Weinstein and Teddy Randazzo
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 08, 2024
Sunday Sep 08, 2024
We slide now quite nicely into the second record of a two album set of popular New York City Jazz musicians taking their music around the U.S. In fact, according to the album back cover, they performed in front of 200 thousand fans during 37 concerts in 25 cities. This is one of those concerts.
So get ready to hear the East-West Coast All Stars with music refined at a famed jazz club named after one of the best saxophonists that ever lived in Volume 193: Birdland Stars Tour 2.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
The Birdland Stars – The Birdland Stars On Tour Vol. 2Label: RCA Victor – LPM-1328Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, MonoReleased: 1956Genre: JazzStyle: Hard Bop
Recorded February 27, 1956, Webster Hall, New York
We will hear 4 of 6 songs from this record.
Hip Boots!Written-By – Ernie Wilkins
Ah Funky New BabyWritten-By – Manny Albam
PlayboyWritten-By – Ernie Wilkins
Birdland FantasyWritten-By – Ernie Wilkins
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 01, 2024
Sunday Sep 01, 2024
Here is the first of two from Doris my dad had. And it's just some downright pretty music. She's got a soft, delicate voice. I can see why Colonel Potter fell in love with her. But that's a story for later in the episode.
A car accident cut her budding dancing career short, but she showed off her voice on radio in Cincinnati and ended up attaining fame in both music and movies.
So get ready to hear one of the most popular and acclaimed singers of the 20th century in Volume 192: Day Dreaming.
More information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.
Credits and copyrights
Doris Day – Day DreamsLabel: Columbia – CL 624Format: Vinyl, LP, AlbumReleased: Jun 13, 1955Genre: PopStyle: Vocal
We will hear 6 of the 12 songs from this album.
BewitchedWritten-By – Rodgers & Hart
Sometimes I'm HappyMusic By – Vincent YoumansWords By – Irving Caesar
I Didn't Know What Time It Was (GREAT lyrics)Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
I've Only Myself To BlameWritten-By – David Mann, Redd Evans
Darn That Dream (such language Doris)Written-By – Eddie Delange, Jimmy Van Heusen
ImaginationMusic By – Jimmy Van HeusenWords By – Johnny Burke
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.