Music For Every Mood

They Work Out Of A Ramada Inn In Kansas City

2011-03-22T02:06:00.006-05:00

Artist: Four Jacks And A Jill
Song: Master Jack (a-side) (b-side is I Looked Back)
Label: RCA Victor
Number: 47-9473
Songwriters: David Marks
Time: 2:46
Released: January 5th, 1968

I don't normally post anything this new, but a friend reminded me of this group today and so I thought I'd better get this up. Four Jacks And A Jill were formed by four young men in South Africa under a different name, The Nevadas. The lineup on today's record consisted of Glenys Lynne on vocals, Clive Harding on bass, Till Hanneman on guitar, Bruce Bark on guitar and Tony Hughes on the drums. They had several hits in their native South Africa before they finally broke into the American charts with a #8 Billboard single called Master Jack.

Some of their other hits included, Timothy, Mr. Nico, I Looked Back and Poor Lucy. They appeared on television variety shows, in motion pictures and even had their own tv show for awhile. On June 1st, 1968, Clive Harding and Glenys Hughes were married. In 1983, they became born-again Christians and broke the band up. They continued, but recording gospel music instead. They are referred to in the 1984 motion picture This Is Spinal Tap.

Today's song features a repetitive, droning guitar part that sets the foundation for Glenys' beautiful voice. Glenys herself relates the story of Master Jack: “In certain mines, the foreman is called ‘Master Jack,’ and the song tells the story of a labourer who works diligently for this master for years and years and then decides to go out on his own and exercise his desires and aspirations as an individual to be something other than a labourer.” They were an extremely popular group in their native South Africa and in many other countries all over the world, so please be sure to give a listen to Four Jacks And A Jill singing their classic Master Jack. It's a whole lot easier than fetching a pail of water down from a hill.

Lifeguard On Duty

2011-02-19T01:48:00.007-06:00

Artist: Diane Ray
Song: That's All I Want From You (b-side) (a-side is Please Don't Talk To The Lifeguard)
Label: Mercury 72117
Number: YW27051
Songwriters: F. Rotter-H. Rotha
Time: 2:32
Released: 1963

Diane Ray was born September 1st, 1942 in Gastonia, North Carolina. She was considered a rock and roll singer in the early 1960's and is best known for her 1963 hit single, Please Don't Talk To The Lifeguard, which was the flipside of today's record. It was her only hit, (so far), and she is known as a "one-hit wonder" because of it.

Her hit record was a good example of the early 1960's solo girl sound of rock and roll, but her voice shows more promise than mere top-40 radio. She recorded several more singles in that vein, but they were not hits. Songs such as Slow Dancin' With Don, My Summer Love, You'd Be So Proud Of Me, That Boy's Gonna Be Mine, Just So Bobby Can See and No Other Arms are some of her other recordings. There is a collection that gathers up her non-charting songs, the lp album called The Exciting Years.

The b-side of her only hit, That's All I Want From You, however, reminds me more of the pop sound than rock and roll. It features an orchestra driven by a wailing saxophone and is a nice number for playing on your hi-fi stereo system on warm Summer days. So, put on your suntan lotion and please enjoy Diane Ray as she delivers That's All I Want From You. And remember: Walk, don't run at the pool! The lifeguard is watching you.

Chairman Of The Sandwich Board

2011-01-23T22:27:00.004-06:00

Artist: Mike Figlio
Song: How Do I Know? (a-side) (b-side is More Than Anything)
Label: Payson
Number: P-105
Songwriters: Smash - Comfort - Figlio
Time: 2:21
Released: October 1958

Sometimes an artist will come along with talent on both sides of the microphone. Mike Figlio seems to have been such an artist. What little information I could find about him suggests that he started out as a singer and ended up becoming a record producer of some renown.

He burst onto the scene in the late 1950's with songs such as today's tune and the flipside More Than Anything. I couldn't find many more songs attributed to him, but I did see where he began to work in recording studios by the mid-1960's. He gravitated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he produced such groups as R.E.O. Speedwagon, Marty Robbins, Jack Teagarden, Oar, John Hiatt, Joe Wise, David Clayton Thomas, Brothers Of The Southland, Skip Spence and Flatt and Scruggs. Quite an impressive resume.

Today, Mike seems to have retired from the music business and hangs out with friends in an Italian restaurant located in Nashville called Savarino's. Savarino's has the vibe of a Brooklyn social club, where a group of Nashville Italians and Italian food fanatics while away hours gabbing, laughing, reminiscing. The most hallowed regulars have been immortalized with sandwiches named for them, sort of a Nashville Italian Hall of Fame. These include retired recording engineer/restaurateur Mike Figlio, Oh Boy Records head Al Bunetta, musician/producer Nick Pellegrino, rock legend Felix Cavaliere (of The Rascals) and health care executive Doug Shaugnesso. Mike's namesake sandwich is called the Mike Figlio and consists of grilled sausage, lettuce and tomatoes. It sounds pretty tasty to me.

Billboard had this to say about today's release, back in their October 27th, 1958 issue: "Bouncy ballad with beat is given a cheerful warble by the lad with group and plucked string backing. Pleasant side can attract." I can also add that from the first notes, it comes across as an old, forgotten melody that you once knew and immediately recall. It's peppy arrangement is quite nice will leave you humming it's secondary melody by the chorus behind him long after it's stopped playing. It's the kind of song that leaves you with a happy feeling; and those are the best kind! So, don't miss Mike Figlio as he warbles How Do I Know? I do know that you'll be pleasantly surprised and you'll enjoy it "more than anything."

Linda Leigh: A Special Reprise

2011-01-06T10:57:00.009-06:00

Artist: Linda Leigh
Song: Please (a-side) (b-side is Someone Special)
Label: Reprise R-20,060 A (Promotion Copy)
Number: 856
Songwriters: Rotella - Sanicola
Time: 2:22
Released: 1962

Today's post is a very special one indeed! Thanks to one of my readers here on Music For Every Mood, I was able to get in contact with an artist that has previously been featured on here. Namely, one Linda Leigh. In that previous article found here, I wasn't able to relate much of her story or even locate a picture of her. Well, that has all been rectified! I spoke with Linda herself a few moments ago and found out she is a very, very nice person. And what an interesting career she had. Sadly, for all of her fans, she no longer performs anymore, but when she did, she had one heck of a great voice. And now for a little on her life and career, from the person who lived it.

She was born and performed under her birth name of Lucille Vanelli. She must have always been talented for, by the age of 14, you can see from the bill above that she was a stalwart of the early Las Vegas scene, this in 1952, and still going by her own name. It was just after this period when she decided to adopt the stage name of "Linda Lee," before settling with "Linda Leigh." But, at the beginnings of her career, she performed at Las Vegas in such shows as Calvalcade Of Stars. You'll have to remember that in the early days of Vegas, it wasn't the huge tourist attraction it is now. When she played there, Las Vegas had only about 10 hotels, she said.

During the 1950's, she was signed to Verve Records. While with them, she released songs such as What Good Does It Do Me; I Cry; Let Me and What Good Is A Memory. They also released an album called Songs For Your Boy Friend. It was right after this period that she shared the bill with Frank Sinatra, at his own Cal Neva Lodge in Nevada. She told me that for three summers in a row, she performed with him there. It was due to Frank's manager that they were introduced and Frank himself chose her to move to his own recording label, Reprise. It was during this period, which she said lasted for about a year, that she was signed to Reprise. After awhile, she began to want to perform where she wanted to go and on her own schedule so she broke away from Reprise and Frank. But as you've heard on the other side of this record and today's song, she had her full vocal powers in command and therefore could do it "her way." Another factor that caused her to go her own way was that Marilyn Monroe had spent a weekend at the Cal Neva Lodge the week before she died, Linda had also been at the Lodge that weekend and after that, she felt she needed to break away for awhile and have a family, "raise babies," as she called it.

She said it was all interesting that it had been "a great life" to have been in show business and to experience the career she had had. Now she likes to devote her time to her family and help with her grandkids. This brings us to today's record. It is actually the a-side of the single that was used on her other post and is just as strong a cut as that one. Her powerful voice, which she attributed to "all the garlic" in the Italian dishes, just commands your attention and with this particular arrangement, from the moment the song starts you're hooked. It's a very wonderful song and should have made her a household name, but time has it's own course and things didn't turn out that way. Despite that, you can still hear her in her glorious prime once again. Do get Linda Leigh singing this massive ballad called Please. Please do and then enjoy! Below is Linda and her husband Michael Tisbo today; looking just as amazing as she always did. One classy lady, indeed:

A Hippopotamus For Christmas?

2011-01-04T17:14:00.007-06:00

Artist: Jamie Horton
Song: Hands Off! He's Mine! (b-side) (a-side is What Should A Teen Heart Do)
Label: Joy 45NS-245
Number: L9OW-9662
Songwriters: G. Goehringm F. Wise, K. Twomey
Time: 2:13
Released: 1960

Almost everyone remembers the Christmas ditty entitled I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey, from 1953. What most people don't realize is that she matured and had a marvelous voice in her later, (teen) years. After recording her first big single and few others such as Got A Cold In The Node For Christmas and Angel In The Christmas Play, Gayla did a few "serious" songs like Too Young To Have A Broken Heart and decided to make a big career move by singing under a pseudonym. She chose the name of Jamie Horton and was signed to a new record label, Joy. Her first and only American hit using that name was called My Little Marine, which she co-wrote. It made it to #84 on the 1960 Billboard charts and became the #507 song for the year. She recorded several other sides for the label, Where's My Love?; Heartbreakin' Doll; Robot Man, which was popular in Australia and was recorded by Connie Francis; Dear Jane; Go Shout It From A Mountain and others, but never hit the charts again. She graduated from San Diego State University with a teaching degree. Later she left teaching to go into advertising.

For some unknown reason, I think this young lady should have been a bigger star; for she oculd write her own songs and knew how to use her voice to great effect. I suppose her record company, Joy, must not have had complete faith in her abilities, for although she recorded over a half-dozen singles for them, they never let her release a full, proper album. Perhaps if she had, her career could have taken off. It's a shame, really, for her talent shows in everything she did. Today's song reminds me of Connie Francis, with it's exhuberant small combo backing her and it's upbeat tempo, but her voice is all her own. Maybe not strictly "pop" styling, but probably very radio friendly for 1960. Anyhow, if you like toe-tapping songs while you're at the drive-in restaurant, please download Jamie Horton as she belts out Hands Off! He's Mine! You might enjoy her singing enough to look up the modern-day collection of her Joy tracks entitled The Joy Collection. What a way to keep the new year rockin'!

Just Say No

2011-01-02T07:44:00.005-06:00

Artist: Dodie Stevens
Song: No (a-side) (a-side is No) (Double a-side)
Label: Dot MB-15012-RE (for broadcast purposes only)
Number: 45-16103
Songwriters: Pockriss-Vance
Time: 1:53
Released: 1960

Born Geraldine Ann Pasquale, Dodie Stevens burst onto the scene with the million-selling novelty song Pink Shoe Laces in 1959, when she was only 13. When her family moved to California when she was 3, she soon started taking singing lessons and by the ripe old age of 8, she recorded her first song, called "Merry-Go, Merry-Go Round." After her first hit, Pink Shoe Laces, which had been released on the Crystalette label, Dot signed her to a recording contract. She scored a couple other minor hits, among which were Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight; Merry, Merry Christmas Baby and today's catchy tune, simply titled No. She married at the age of 16, quite the music business and moved to a farm in Missouri. By 1966, her marriage had ended and she resumed her singing career where she toured with Sergio Mendes and Brasil '77. The 1970's saw her performing as a backup singer with such acts as Boz Skaggs, Frankie Avalon and Loretta Lynn. For 12 years, she was a backup singer with Mac Davis. In the 1990's, she toured with Fabian and recently has performed with her daughter Stephanie and appears at oldies concerts across the nation. She also teaches singing and stage performance.
Today's catchy little song, it's less than 2 minutes long, unfortunately, is called No. It was released by her label Dot at the time when they just didn't know what to do with her marketing-wise. For her albums, they had her singing '40's pop standards and Judy Garland's catelogue because of her strong, adult-sounding voice. But her fans wanted more of the type of songs she was famous for like her first hit. I think if they had released more songs in the style of No, she would have been able to sustain her career for a longer time. She really knows how to get her voice wrapped around this type of arrangement. Backed up with an orchestra conducted by Gerald Dolin and some male background singers, she really commands your attention. I won't give away the twist in the lyrics of the song, but rest assured it will draw you in with her charming execution of it. So be sure to download Dodie Stevens as she sings No. You'll have to get it, because you just can't say no!

Happy Birthday - Music For Every Mood Is 3!

2010-12-28T08:12:00.011-06:00

I just noticed, but on November 30th, Music For Every Mood celebrated it's 3rd birthday! Hooray! Faithful followers may have given up on me lately, but things are better now and I hope to post many more records to come. I've always loved music and records and that's why doing this project is so fun for me. There's something special about holding records in your hands, so here are some random records to look at and enjoy.

To commemorate the birthday of MFEM, I've got a special treat for my faithful readers - a song featuring yours truly - that's me - performing one of my favorite songs from the era this blog covers. In it, I play all the instruments and perform the vocals. Maybe my love of music will shine through in the arrangement. So, here's yours truly performing that swinging number called Route 66. Please let me know if you enjoy it by leaving a comment. Happy Birthday!

The Singing Rage - Miss Patti Page

2010-12-28T04:29:00.012-06:00

Artist: Patti Page
Song: Steam Heat (a-side) (b-side is Lonely Days)
Label: Mercury 70380-X45
Number: YW-10344
Songwriters: Adler-Ross
Time: 2:18
Released: 1954

Regular readers of Music For Every Mood well know of my fondness for the singing talents of Miss Patti Page. She has such a versatile voice and uses it to full effect. On records such as The Tennessee Waltz or Old Cape Cod, she was nothing but smooth while she employed her best balladeering voice. For today's song, however, she really cuts loose with a sultry, steamy voice - literally! She still performs regularly, and in fact, if you'd like to see her in concert, be sure to see her in the upcoming appearances below:

February 14th & 15th, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Eric Meyer Civic Center
Gulf Shores, Alabama

April 9th & 10th, 2011
World Premier "Flipside: The Patti Page Story"
University of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma

The most well-known version of today's song, Steam Heat, was released by Patti Page in 1954. It was featured in the Broadway production of The Pajama Game. Patti's recording of it shot up the Billboard chart on May 26th; it lasted 9 weeks and peaked at #8. With her breathy intonation of the word "steam," backed by Jack Rael and his orchestra, she delivers a performance sure to fog up your reading glasses. Be sure to look Patti up on her website, but not until after you've heard her singing this "hot" number. Download Patti Page as she belts out the classic Steam Heat. It proves once and for all that Miss Page is an American classic.

The Movie Idol Next Door

2010-12-22T04:36:00.012-06:00

Artist: Tab Hunter
Song: Red Sails In The Sunset (b-side) (a-side is Young Love)
Label: Dot MW-9452
Number: 45-15533
Songwriters: Williams-Kennedy
Time: 2:22
Released: 1957

Most of you will probably recognize the name of Tab Hunter from the many motion pictures he has appeared in. Movies such as The Lawless (1950), Return To Treasure Island (1954), Battle Cry (1955), The Sea Chase (1955), Operation Bikini (1963), Ride The Wild Surf (1964) and The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean (1972), among many others. What many may not remember is that, for a brief period during the late 1950's and early 1960's, Tab had a popular recording career as well. In 1957, he scored a Billboard number one hit with his cover version of Sonny James' Young Love. It rode the top of the charts for six weeks. He also reached to #11 with a song called Ninety-Nine Ways. His success prompted Jack Warner to enforce the actor's contract with the Warner Bros. studio by banning Dot Records, the label for which Hunter had recorded his hit singles (and which was owned by rival Paramount Pictures), from releasing a follow-up album he had recorded for them. He established Warner Bros. Records specifically for Hunter, although his singing career faded after a few more recordings.

I have heard several different versions of today's song, by a wide variety of artists, The Beatles even performed a version of this classic song (published in 1935), in which they performed it in an uptempo manner, but Tab's version is as a ballad. With Billy Vaughn's full orchestra and chorus backing him up, he turns in an impassioned version that I'm sure had all the teenyboppers of the day going wild. So, if you've never heard him sing anything other than Young Love, be sure to download Tab Hunter performing Red Sails In The Sunset and give it a listen. His recording career didn't last very long, but this is quite a pleasant version of a classic song.

Coming Soon To A New Post Near You

2010-12-22T03:18:00.004-06:00

Just yesterday, I was contacted by somebody that said he knew one of the artists I've featured here on Music For Every Mood. He noticed I hadn't included a picture of this artist and promised to put me in touch with her if I wanted him to. I said, "of course!" I'd love the opportunity to get to talk with one of the favorite singers in my collection! Without giving too much away, I hope to be put in touch with this singer soon and to be able to ask her about the story of her life and career. I'm sure it will turn out to be quite fascinating for my regular readers here on MFEM. I know I can't wait to find out more about her!

I think I'll put on my new cd by Old Blue Eyes and try to post another record soon. I've been kept away from Music For Every Mood for too long due to family matters, but I'm going to try and get back on track starting with the new year. Stay tuned for more!

Happy Birthday, Janice

2010-04-21T14:42:00.006-05:00

Artist: Janice Harper
Song: Moonlit Sea (a-side) (b-side is That's Why I Was Born)
Label: Prep F 123 (Capitol subsidiary)
Number: 45-21759
Songwriters: Murray-Solomon
Time: 2:12
Released: 1957

Regular readers will have seen how popular Janice Harper has been on Music For Every Mood blog, especially if they've kept up will all the recent comments that have been posted. Thanks everyone for posting these comments! One of the comments mentioned that Janice had celebrated a birthday recently, and turned 79 this past April 1st. This is a belated happy birthday greeting from me and all her fans. Happy Birthday, Janice!

In honor of her birthday, I'm posting the flipside to a song that has already been listed here on Music For Every Mood, namely Moonlit Sea. The a-side, That's Why I Was Born, seems to have been a popular choice here, so I figured, why not give her fans both sides of the 45 to enjoy? Well, here is Janice singing Moonlit Sea for all her loyal fans. If only she knew how much she is still fondly remembered.

Frank's Pick

2010-03-24T22:33:00.010-05:00

Artist: Linda Leigh
Song: Someone Special (b-side) (a-side is Please)
Label: Reprise R-20,060 B (Promotion Copy)
Number: 853
Songwriters: Schwimmer-Sands
Time: 2:10
Released: 1962

Today's record is an anomaly. On one hand, it's on Frank Sinatra's label and he only asked artists he liked to record for Reprise. On the other hand, I can find hardly any facts or information about the artist, Linda Leigh.

I have ascertained that Linda Leigh recorded during a period that spanned at least 1957 to 1962. In 1957, she recorded four songs for Verve, two of which comprised the Verve 10105 single I Cry and What Good Does It Do Me? along with two other songs which were included on the Verve various artists album Songs For Your Boy Friend, (Verve MGV 2097), Let Me and What Good Is A Memory. Then I find references to her having recorded a couple songs, along with the Treasure Tones, for a teen drive-in movie called Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow. Those two tracks were He's My Guy and I Promise You, which was co-written by future Beach Boy, Bruce Johnston. Both songs were reviewed in Billboard magazine in 1959 and were described thusly: I Promise You - "Linda Leigh sells this promise of love with feeling over a rock and roll backing. Thrush has a good sound." And He's My Guy - "Wild rocker is sold brightly by the thrush over a swinging backing. It could get spins."

Fast forward to 1962 when Billboard again reviews a couple of her singles. On March 17th they reviewed her new sides, Someone Special, which is today's song, and Please. Later, on May 12th, Lover's Beach, backed with A Thousand Violins - This young lass sings a big production number vocal version of the theme from the current flick. She is aided by sweeping strings and vocal chorus. A couple other song titles I found attributed to her include Please Please (Let Me Go Steady), Move Out, Foolish Dreams, The Scent, Beri-Beri and The Plan.

That was all I managed to find out about this charming singer.

Listening to today's song, especially after hearing that a lot of her previous songs were teen rock oriented, one can see just how it came to be that she was invited to record for Frank Sinatra's Reprise label. It is a nice, uptempo ballad, with string and piano backing and features what sounds like her own voice doubling as harmony vocals. This kind of music certainly wasn't what was cracking the top forty in 1962 very often, but that's no fault of this fine singer or the song. There needed to be more music like this back then! So, download Someone Special by Linda Leigh, and give it a spin. You can be the judge whether or not Frank was justified in signing this young lass to his label. Since I couldn't locate a picture of Linda, I chose the next best thing - the record label detailing today's song:

Blogger Has Issues Still

2009-11-07T03:54:00.000-06:00

I still can't get Blogger to work! It won't let me upload any images, and since that's what my blogs rely on, that doesn't leave me much to work with. I'll post something as soon as I am able. Thanks for understanding!

Sad, Sad News - Final Janice Harper Update

2009-08-22T17:09:00.018-05:00

Artist: Janice Harper
Song: That's Why I Was Born (a-side) (b-side is Moonlit Sea)
Label: Prep F 123 (Capitol subsidiary)
Number: 45-21768
Songwriters: Merritt-Roddie
Time: 2:07
Released: 1957

I have sad news to relate about my search for Janice Harper. She's still alive, but has been in a New York nursing home for 3 years with Alzheimer's. I don't know what else to say except to post an e-mail I received this morning, (August 22nd, 2009) from one of her relatives. Here is that message in it's entirety:

Update: The same relative which e-mailed said that I wasn't supposed to tell anybody else. Obviously, this person doesn't know what I'm doing here by posting facts about my favorite artists, and that I'm doing it for the fans of these same artists. But, she asked me take down her actual words and the things she had told me. I informed her that most of what she told me was already known by me and my readers through various fans telling me some of the information and me finding the rest on the internet. So, I will remove her e-mail, but you already knew Janice was in a home. Now, pretend you don't know that she has a relative in Florida and a son in England. I was told by this relative that the information she sent me was privileged information for my eyes only. That relative doesn't have to tell me or her fans that Janice was a beautiful person. We already knew that. And we already knew about all her belongings being auctioned off on the street, so that wasn't news. So, as I told the relative, the only thing I would be removing that wasn't already known by me and my readers here, by taking down her e-mail was that Janice had a relative in Florida and a son in England. Since I have removed the personal e-mail, pretend I didn't tell you that and that you don't know that I did. This relative wouldn't even tell me their name!

The relative's e-mail has now been removed, but we fans can still care about one of our idols. And now, back to the regularly scheduled post.

I don't know what else I can add but to say that her music will live on as long as her fans continue playing it. This probably won't be my last post featuring Janice Harper's music, but I don't know that I will be be able to update her life story any further. Please download this powerful song of hers that displays her amazing range and talent. Janice Harper singing That's Why I Was Born is a great way to get acquainted with this lady who possessed the remarkable voice. This is for you, Janice.

Fortune Smiles On Mary Magdelene

2009-08-19T22:11:00.009-05:00

Artist: Jeanie Johnson
Song: Next Thing To Paradise (b-side) (a-side is My Jimmie)
Label: RCA Victor 47-7163
Number: J2WW-0335
Songwriters: James Joiner-Kelso Herston
Time: 2:14
Released: 1958

Today's artist was born in Canada as Mary Elizabeth Lee, but was known professionally by several other names. First billed as Jeanie Johnson, she caught the attention of country star Chet Atkins who helped her score a contract with RCA Victor and produced her first three singles. The single which featured the song Next Thing To Paradise was the very first record they worked on together. Neither of the three singles they cut did anything chartwise, so she changed her name in 1965 to Jeanie Fortune and cut a few other singles for RCA, in a more current pop style. Among them were Once More With Feeling, Keep Me and Angry Eyes. The latter is quite catchy and was promoted as "Northern Soul."

During this phase of her career, when she was doing a lot of session work as a back-up singer at Chips Moman's American Studios and using the name of Jeanie Greene, she worked with stars such as Elvis Presley. The resulting publicity got her to take another stab at her solo career. She was signed to the Atco label and recorded one single in 1968, Sure As Sin, which didn't take off, either. Two years later, when signed to the Cotillion label, she recorded a one-shot record with fellow singers Mary Holliday, Ginger Holliday and Donna Thatcher, who went on to join The Grateful Dead where she was known as Donna Godchaux. They were billed as Southern Comfort and the song was called Milk And Honey, b/w Don't Take Your Sweet Love Away, released in 1970. It, too, saw no chart action.

With such a strong voice, her talent couldn't go unnoticed and she was signed to Elektra Records in 1971 where she recorded her one and only album, Mary Called Jeanie Greene, a mixture of Southern soul, Gospel and rock. Describing her during this period, Ron Miller provided an interesting description of Greene: "She was white, but she sang black; she heard voices and truly believed she was the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene." Despite critical approval, her album did not sell well and she has not recorded since. She did continue to work as a back-up vocalist and in fact, sang at George Harrison's Concert For The Bangla Desh. She continued to work as a singer into the 1980's. As to whether or not she's still working or even alive, I haven't been able to find any further information about her.

Today's song, Next Thing To Paradise has that slightly recognizable Countrypolitan sound that was popularised by Eddy Arnold and Jim Reeves, who was also produced by Chet Atkins. But, it is a good song and she sings it well. She has a deeper, bassier-sounding voice and even on this, her first record, uses it with much conviction and strength. I feel that, like a previous artist here on Music For Every Mood, Janice Harper, Jeanie Johnson had the skills to be a very popular artist. She played piano and wrote songs and had a very pleasing voice, which she used to sing many different styles of music. If only the breaks had gone her way, she might have been more well known. Despite that, we still have her modest output of musical treasures so please listen to another artist who almost made it big, Jeanie Johnson as she sings Next Thing To Paradise. I think you'll find it quite charming!

One Small Post For Mankind

2009-07-28T17:18:00.006-05:00

Artist: William Allen and Orchestra
Song: Space Flight Freedom 7 (a-side) (b-side is Theme From Freedom 7)
Label: Laurie 3100
Number: ZTSP 68811
Songwriters: P. Aleuia
Time: 3:20
Released: June 1961 (?)

I had hoped to post this particular record about a week ago or so, on the actual 40th anniversary of man's first landing on the moon back in 1969. But, Blogger had other ideas. I finally got it working today and have been making a mad scramble to post some things and get caught up. This is one of those posts.

As to today's artist, I couldn't find a thing about him other than he released at least 2 albums and this single on the Laurie label. As to the single, it was released just after Alan B. Shepard became the first American into space, in May 1961. The record features recreations of the tower to astronaut communications spoken over an instrumental background. The flipside is an abbreviated version of just the instrumental by itself. To make up for the lack of information and artist picture I usually provide, here is a little bit about the actual flight the record commemorates and an image of the astronaut alongside the actual Freedom 7 space capsule. Be sure to download William Allen and Orchestra so you can listen to Space Flight Freedom 7 while you read the story below!

Mercury Freedom 7

Crew: Alan B. Shepard, Jr.
Mission Objective: The main scientific objective of project Mercury was to determine man's capabilities in a space environment and in those environments to which he will be subject upon going into and returning from space. A few of the basic flight problems included: The development of an automatic escape system, vehicle control during insertion, behavior of space systems, evaluation of pilots capabilities in space, in flight monitoring, retrofire and reentry maneuvers and landing and recovery.
Launch:May 5, 1961 9:34 a.m. EST The formal countdown for the preparation for launching MR-3 started on the day previous to launch day. The countdown was actually split into two parts because previous experience had shown that it was preferable to run the countdown in two shorter segments and allow the launch crew of both the spacecraft and the launch vehicle to obtain some rest before starting the final preparation. The countdown started at 8:30 a.m. EST on May 4, 1961. All operations proceeded normally and were completed ahead of schedule. A build-in hold of approximately 15 hours was called at T-6 hours 30 minutes. During this time the various pyrotechnics were installed in the spacecraft and the hydrogen peroxide system was serviced. The countdown was resumed at T-6 hours 30 minutes at 11:30 p.m. EST on May 4, 1961. A built-in hold of 1 hour had been previously agreed upon at T-2 hours 20 minutes. This hold was to assure that spacecraft preparations had been completed before the astronaut was transported to the pad. The countdown proceeded with only minor delays until T-2 hours 20 minutes. At this time, final preparation of the spacecraft was conducted and the astronaut was apprised of the continuance of the countdown and transported to the Pad. The countdown was continued after the hold at T-2 hours 20 minutes and, except for some minor holds, the countdown continued until T-15 minutes. At this time it was determined that photographic coverage of the launch and flight could not be obtained because of low clouds near the launch area. Weather forecasters predicted that visibility would improve rapidly within 20 to 45 minutes. During this time, one of the 400 hertz power inverters to the launch vehicle had regulation problems. The count was recycled to the T-35 minute and holding mark and the count picked up 86 minutes later after the replacement of the inverter.
Again at T-15 minutes it was necessary to hold the count again to make a final check of the real-time trajectory computer. The countdown then picked up and proceeded until liftoff at 9:34 a.m. EST on 5/5/1961. Landing: May 5, 1961. 75deg 53min longitude, 27deg 13.7min latitude in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Oklahoma Sweetheart

2009-07-28T15:33:00.007-05:00

Artist: Jean Dee
Song: Day By Day Your Love Grows Sweeter (b-side) (a-side is Sweethearts On Parade)
Label: Decca 9-30927 (Pink Label Sample Copy Not For Sale)
Number: 107,435
Songwriters: Jean Dee
Time: 2:14
Released: ?

You might not recognize the name Jean Dee, but you still might have heard her voice. She was born Yvonne McGowan on Christmas Day in Oklahoma and has recorded and performed under a variety of many different names and genres. Some of the different names she has used include Yvonne O'Day, Vonnie Taylor, Vonnie Mack, Jean Dee and Yvonne DeVaney, which she still uses today. At the age of two, she began singing and yodelling, and by 11 she won a contest playing classical piano. She also played guitar and bass. While still in high school, she teamed up with her sister Mary, with Yvonne playing guitar and Mary on accordion, and had a duet song and tap dancing act. They performed with Roy Rogers and Trigger once!
Some of the labels she's worked with include Capitol Records, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Phillips Records, Spar Records, King Records, Chart Records, Compo Records and for her own YMD Music Group, which she founded. If that sounds like she really gets around, she does! But, by recording for all those different labels, she got to perform with a variety of artists. Some of those include Merle Lindsay's Western Swing Band, Red Foley, Pee Wee King, Minnie Pearl, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Tommy Duncan, The Anita Kerr Singers and a former featured artist here on Music For Every Mood, The Jordanaires, who back her on today's song. If you listen closely, you can tell it's their trademark sound!
Her biggest claim to fame would probably be her songwriting talents. She's written songs that have been recorded by Dean Martin, Vic Dana, Pat Boone, Billy Walker, Dottie West, Wanda Jackson, Bonnie Guitar, Hank Snow, The Hardin Trio, Carl and Pearl Butler, The Wilburn Brothers and The Cheltenham Singers, out of England.

Some of the many songs she's recorded herself, under different names, include Snowflakes, I Just Want To Be With You, Love Is A Gamble, Does It Hurt You To Remember, I Live For You, Please Forgive Me, Blue Mountain Waltz, Slowly I'm Losing You, Open Arms, If You Don't Somebody Else Will, Sweethearts On Parade, My Greatest Hurt, Open Arms, Step Into My World, Dim The Car Lights, Pick Me Up On Your Way Down, Teach Me To Live Without You and Tell Me A Lie, among countless others. She's enjoyed a very full recording career!

She has received a BMI Citation of Achievement Award for her writing and holds the honorary Comission Rank of Commodore in the Oklahoma Navy. Some of her latest releases include The Yvonne DeVaney Collection of 2003.

Today's song, Day By Day Your Love Grows Sweeter, is a song that was recorded during her "Pop" period. In it she sounds like a cross between Patti Page and Patsy Cline, not a bad thing at all! The arrangement fits the mid- to late-1950's era, so that's when I would place the recording. It's a pleasant uptempo song about a love which grows stronger day by day. She has such a strong and confident voice while delivering the lyrics of which she herself wrote, that the song's theme becomes something very believable and likable. She interprets it perfectly! But, don't let me influence you on this delightful song, download it for your yourself and see if Jean Dee doesn't have an irresistably catchy voice while singing her own song Day By Day Your Love Grows Sweeter! She's such a treat to hear, it's too bad she didn't stick with the Jean Dee name and sing more songs like this!

There's Gonna Be A Catfight!

2009-07-28T14:21:00.005-05:00

Artist: Nancy Sinatra
Song: Leave My Dog Alone (b-side) (a-side is In Our Time)
Label: Reprise 0514
Number: J 4470
Songwriters: Lee Hazelwood
Time: 2:06
Released: 1966

And now for Part 2 of my special Cats and Dogs themed posts.

I'm sure most everybody has heard of Nancy Sinatra. Born the first daughter of Frank and Nancy Sinatra in Jersey City, New Jersey, on June 8th, 1940, she went on to have a stellar career of her own. Most known for her big smash hit These Boots Are Made For Walkin', she also performed in motion pictures, television, night clubs and on records.

For her fourth birthday, Phil Silvers and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the song Nancy (With the Laughing Face), which her father recorded. But, she began her own career as a singer and an actress in the early 1960's. At first, not achieving much success, although popular in Europe and Japan, she perservered and finally recorded the trans-atlantic smash pop hit These Boots Are Made For Walkin'. It was such a huge number that she performed the song, wearing white go-go boots, in front of our troops during the Vietnam War. In 1967, she paired with her father, Frank, for her second number one hit, Something Stupid. Other hits of hers include How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?; You Only Live Twice, from the James Bond film of the same name; Sugar Town, Friday's Child, Love Eyes and Lightning's Girl, among others.

Thanks to a highly celebrated appearance in Playboy Magazine, in 1995, she has kept her name in front of the public. She continues to record and perform and in fact, had a recent hit called Let Me Kiss You, in 2004.

Today's song was not a hit, but it's a-side was, #46 in 1966. This tune is a catchy little number where Nancy pleads for people to leave her dog alone. It's not about a pet dog, but is symbolic for her man, like the song Leave My Kitten Alone was about the singer's girl, so taken that way, it makes more sense. Despite the misleading title, though, it's the kind of song that has you bobbing your head up and down before you even realize the song has drawn you in. So, please go for this innocuous little ditty entitled Leave My Dog Along, by Nancy Sinatra and be sure listen to it. You'd better not mess with this girl!

Going To The Dogs

2009-07-28T13:06:00.008-05:00

Artist: Little Willie John
Song: Leave My Kitten Alone (a-side) (b-side is Let Nobody Love You)
Label: King 5219 (White Label Complimentary Dee Jay Special)
Number: 45-K14045
Songwriters: John-Turner-McDougal
Time: 2:32
Released: 1959

I figured since Blogger is working as of this very moment, I'd better post some things while I had the chance. I'll start out with a little double post I've been meaning to do featuring songs about cats and dogs. The first one is called Leave My Kitten Alone, and the second one to follow will be Leave My Dog Alone. The titles were so similar in theme, the double post just suggested itself to me!

Little Willie John was born William Edward John, in Cullendale, Arkansas, on November 15th, 1937. His family moved to Detroit when he was four. Finding out that he had musical ability at a young age, he was signed to local King Records where he had a string of R&B hits, starting with the soulful All Around The World, in 1955. Other hits to follow were Suffering With The Blues, Need Your Love So Bad, Sleep and Talk To Me, as well as today's song. But his biggest hit was called Fever, a song which was covered by another fellow artist here on Music For Every Mood, Peggy Lee, who had a huge hit with it and who's version is probably more well known than any other artist's.

As was typical with recording stars of that day, he turned to alcohol and it affected his career. In 1966, he was convicted of manslaughter and sent to Washington State Prison for a fatal knifing incident following a show in Seattle. He appealed his conviction and was temporarily released from prison. While waiting for the appeal to be acted upon, he recorded what was to be his comeback album, but by losing his appeal and being sent back to prison and contractual obligations, the album wasn't released until 2008. By this time, however, Little Willie John was dead. In 1968, he had a heart attack while in prison and passed away. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

I'll admit that I probably wouldn't have even known about Little Willie John were it not for one little fact. His career started before I was born, had peaked and was winding down about the time I entered the world. But, a few years later, in 1964, a little band from Liverpool, England, known as The Beatles, recorded one of his songs which had been very influential to them. That song was called Leave My Kitten Alone. Although it wasn't officially released until 1995, it had been floating around on bootleg albums for nearly 20 years. That's how I became cognizant of it and the fact that it was a cover tune. But, the original version, written and performed by Little Willie John has a certain flair to it. It features him, backed with a chorus of voices and is pretty upbeat. It might lean more heavily towards R&B than Pop, like the music normally featured here, but the following song is by the daughter of Frank Sinatra, so how much more Pop can you get? It's a themed post, so as such, I hope you enjoy this song for it's own attractions. It's a catchy little number that features "Miaow" backups, so please download and listen to the original version of Leave My Kitten Alone, by Little Willie John. Let's just say you better get it or you'll get pounded on the top of your head! Oh, wait a minute.... that's what will happen if you don't leave his kitten alone. Enjoy!

Janice Harper Update

2009-07-28T12:38:00.005-05:00

If you can see this, that means I fixed Blogger myself.

This is a Janice Harper follow-up, or sorts. Somebody was nice enough to send me scans of a promotional picture Janice was using in the mid-1960's and I have included one of the three images that was on it, below. The party that sent it to me was a husband and wife musical team that used to work in the same Pocono Pennsylvania resort clubs as Janice. The husband led a band that used to back up Janice and other artists that came through such as Bob Hope, Robert Goulet and others. Buddy Hackett played there, as well as the other big stars of the mid- to late-'60's. This couple also told me that the promo photo of her had her booking agent contact information on the back of it - address and telephone number. I tried calling the telephone number, but it just keeps ringing and nobody picks up. I don't know what this means. Obviously somebody still has that number, but it could be a new person or the same person who's had it for years. But, by nobody picking it up, I can't tell for sure which it is. But, I'm still trying to see if she can be traced, so I haven't given up yet!

Forced Vacation

2009-06-18T14:05:00.001-05:00

And, if that wasn't enough, now Google blogger won't seem to allow me to upload any photographs. My blogs all rely on photographs, so I suppose until somebody straightens this out, I won't be able to post anything on Music For Every Mood temporarily. If it's not one thing, it's always a half a dozen others.
You'll all remember how lightning struck my computer a couple weeks back and I had to buy a new one. Well, my car had "issues" and it had to be taken into the shop for repairs. It's supposed to be around the tune of $700. (Not my favorite tune, mind you!) They were okay with me paying half tomorrow (when it's supposed to be finished), and the rest in a week or so. Well, today I find that I lost my job and I get my car insurance statement which will be due at the end of this month. Will it never end!?

Don't despair. I'll try to be back soon!

Patti Page Followup

2009-05-29T03:40:00.004-05:00

Artist: Patti Page

Song: A Poor Man's Roses (a-side) (b-side is The Wall)

Label: Mercury Records 71059X45

Number: YW14651

Songwriters: DeLugg-Hilliard

Time: 2:25

Released: February 4th, 1957

This is just a short Patti Page followup post to let everyone know what's going on here at Music For Every Mood. A few weeks ago, a huge thunderstorm swept through my area and lightning struck and took out my computer. (And several others all along my block!) I finally got a new one and returned to the internet, but I've still got some catching up to do. For now, maybe this lovely song by Patti will help tide you over until I can get some new things up.

This song is the flipside of a record I've already posted, here, but this one has such a nice guitar part that features throughout, I decided to post it, too! If you didn't know that I play guitar in a band, you might not know why I like the guitar so much in music. But, that's not the only reason this song is good. Patti delivers it with so much confidence that it grabs you and pulls you in to liking it the very first time you hear it. Sometimes, certain uptempo songs like this do things like that! So, please enjoy Patti Page singing A Poor Man's Roses, because I certainly do and I think you will, too. And we all know what a great taste in music I have! (Wink, wink!)

Forever Linda

2009-05-04T20:00:00.009-05:00

Artist: Linda Laurie
Song: Prince Charming (a-side) (b-side is Soupin' Up Your Motor)
Label: Rust 5022
Number: ZTSP 65682
Songwriters: L. Stallman - S. Jacobson
Time: 2:11
Released: 1960

If there was ever an artist that could be considered to be the female Ray Stevens, Linda Laurie would be it. She recorded quite a few novelty songs which featured her doing all the voices of the different characters in the songs. Songs such as Ambrose, Part 5, Jose He Say and Chico were all such non-serious songs of hers. But, like Ray Stevens, she had a serious side and attempted standard songs as well.

All told, Linda Laurie's career had a lot of variety to it. She appeared on To Tell The Truth and American Bandstand, in 1959 and 1960 respectively; recorded girl-group songs; wrote a smash-hit recorded by Helen Reddy and co-authored the theme of the classic mid-'70's children's cartoon The Land Of The Lost. She also performed live and appeared in Australia, touring with Lloyd Price, Conway Twitty, The Kalin Twins and a host of Australian Rock'n'Roll stars on the same bill. In addition to all that was the novelty songs I spoke of.

Songs such as Ambrose, Part 5, (and it's sequels Forever Ambrose and The Return Of Ambrose), Chico, Jose He Say and Stay At Home Sue (A parody of Runaround Sue), cemented her fame in the novelty category. But, she also released serious tunes she had recorded such as Stay With Me, Lucky, Lazy Love, All Winter Long, Ooh, What A Lover, When You Find Out Where You're Going Let Me Know, Leave Me Along (Ruby Red Dress), which she recorded herself but Helen Reddy had the huge hit version; and today's featured song Prince Charming.

Prince Charming is a straight ahead pop song of the early rock and roll era and Linda sings it with much sincerity. If all you had ever heard of her was songs like these, you'd be wondering if she had a lot of other hits in this style. Sadly, she did not. I suppose her talent was such that she wanted to do more than just be the next Connie Francis or Brenda Lee and broke off into other genres. If you ever get a chance to hear one of the Ambrose songs or Jose, He Say, you'll see what I mean. She had passion for a lot of things and it shows in even this serious song. Listen to Prince Charming by Linda Laurie and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Such an amazing voice!

Ruby Ruby

2009-04-05T08:36:00.012-05:00

Artist: Ruby Murray
Song: I'll Remember Today (a-side) (b-side is Ain't That A Grand And Glorious Feeling)
Label: Capitol F3947 (White Label Promotional Record)
Number: 45-X42040
Songwriters: Piaf - Engvick
Time: 2:30
Released: November 1957 (?)

Today's featured artist was born Ruby Florence Murray on March 29th, 1935, in Belfast, Ireland. She toured as a child artist and first appeared on television at the age of 12. She acted in motion pictures and performed for the British Royal family. But her most remarkable achievement happened in 1955, when she had 5 singles in the top 20 of the charts at the same time. This is a record that still stands today!

Some of her hits include Heartbeat; Softly, Softly; Happy Days And Lonely Nights; Let Me Go, Lover; If Anyone Finds This; I Love You (with Anne Warren); Evermore; I'll Come When You Call; Real Love; Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye and You Are My First Love. For the complete year of 1955, she had at least one song in the U.K. charts every week. During this time, she had her own television show, performed at the London Palladium in Painting The Town and toured the world. After her last appearance on the charts in the late 1950's, she continued to headline variety shows for another two decades, but her career would never reach such a peak again. She died of liver cancer on December 17th, 1996. Ruby was still performing in cabaret and in nostalgia shows with other stars of the 1950's right up to her death.

Today's song is in waltz time and features Norrie Paramor's Orchestra. Patty Page also had a hit with I'll Remember Today, such was it's popularity. With it's lilting Italian sound, featuring accordian and strings, her strong voice pulls you into her vow about always remembering today. She was a huge star in Great Britain and is still fondly remembered by her fans today. If you don't believe me, download the plaintive I'll Remember Today by Ruby Murray and see for yourself if she doesn't convince you of her sincerity with her fine voice.

2009-03-09T12:46:00.009-05:00

Artist: Lani Kai
Song: Batik (b-side) (a-side is I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home)
Label: Keen P 82103 (Promotional - Not For Sale)
Number: 59191
Songwriters: Kai
Time: 2:37
Released: 1960 (?)

Lani Kai represented the image of the handsome, native Polynesian man for viewers in the early 1960's on a television show called Adventures In Paradise. Born George Clarence Dennis James Von Ruckleman Woodd III on August 15th, 1936, in Honolulu, Oahu, Kai was 24 when he signed for Adventures in Paradise, and even had a co-starring role in the Elvis Presley movie, Blue Hawaii, in 1961.

Lani was an accomplished songwriter whose most notable songs are Puka Shells and Tutukane. His performances and acts are credited for transforming the local entertainment scene in Hawaii. He continued to compose music and scriptwriting until his sudden death at a friend's home on August 24th, 1999. Kai was 63 and was survived by a brother and half-sister. At his request his ashes were scattered at Chun's Reef.

The flipside of today's record, I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home, sounds like any other teen idol of the late 1950's/early 1960's. As such, it's quite a rocking little tune. He conveys the material well. But, it's the b-side of this record that is being featured here today because of it's use of native Hawaiian language and instruments. Batik is a tune he wrote himself, as he was an accomplished songwriter, and it's theme revolves around a guy questioning his love about the vows they had previously made to each other. Batik is her name. It's a very nice number and if you've ever loved tropical islands or wished you could visit Hawaii, like I have, then you'll want to download and listen to Batik, by Lani Kai. Just imagine yourself lying back in a hammock, while waves spill onto the beach and warm tropical breezes gently blow the tiny umbrella around in your drink. Aloha and mahalo!

I apologise for the scant amount of information I could locate about him, but there wasn't much to be found out there. That's really a shame because he was such a talented singer, songwriter and actor, as well. To make up for it, I include as a bonus picture, this screen capture from when Lani made one of his three guest appearances on Hawaii Five-O. This one is from 1970, in a second season episode entitled Most Likely To Murder:

Her Nibbs, Miss Gibbs

2009-02-13T01:26:00.006-06:00

Artist: Georgia Gibbs
Song: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe (b-side) (a-side is Happiness Street)
Label: Mercury 70920X45
Number: YW13032
Songwriters: Arlen - Harburg
Time: 2:43
Released: July 12th, 1956

Today's artist is the epitomy of what Music For Every Mood is all about. Trust me, you're going to want this one for sure! Georgia Gibbs was a singer who was known historically - and controversially - as one of the whites who gained success in the 1950's covering rhythm and blues hits by black artists. Sometimes, her versions, which included sanitized lyrics, even upstaged the originals. In reality she was a genuinely talented pop vocalist, whose jazz-tinged approach reflected years of experience in the big band era, a period when there was no stigma attached to covers.
Georgia Gibbs was born Frieda Lipschitz, in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 17th, 1919. Her father died when she was six months old, and she spent her first seven years in an orphanage in Worcester, separated from her other siblings. She revealed a natural talent for singing at a very young age and was given the lead in the orphanage's yearly variety show. She began her professional career at the age of thirteen, and was singing in Boston's Raymor Ballroom the following year. She soon found steady work on radio and began freelancing with big bands such as Frankie Trumbauer, Hal Kemp, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw. It was with Shaw's band (then billed as Fredda Gibson) that she scored her first hit, Absent Minded Moon (1942).

In 1943, she changed her name to Georgia Gibbs and began appearing on the popular Camel Caravan radio program, hosted by Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore. It was Moore who bestowed the famous nickname "Her Nibs, Miss Georgia Gibbs" upon her; the nickname is a playful reference to her diminutive stature of barely over 5 feet. She was a regular performer on this show until 1947. Gibbs signed with Majestic Records in 1946, and while she recorded many great records, she would have to wait until 1950 for her first hit single, If I Knew You Were Coming, I'd Have Baked A Cake (on the Coral label). Her most successful record was Kiss Of Fire which reached the #1 position on the pop music charts in 1952. Other notable songs included Melancholy Baby, I'll Be Seeing You, Autumn Leaves, You Keep Coming Back Like A Song, Red Hot Mama, A-Razz-A-Ma-Tazz, Ol' Man Mose and Shoo Shoo Baby. Covers of Dance With Me, Henry and Tweedle Dee saw her popularity rise to new heights in the mid-1950's, only to fade toward the end of the decade when she had her final hit with the novelty number The Hula Hoop Song, in 1958. She cut her final album, Call Me, in 1966 and rarely performed after that. Georgia Gibbs died of leukemia on December 9th, 2006, aged 87, at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Despite all the different song genres she employed throughout her career, I think today's record defines her sound the best. Singing the classic 1940 pop song Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe, written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, she seems well at ease with herself, her talents and her voice. The subdued arrangement by Glenn Osser smolders in the background while she is allowed to shine vocally front and center. If one only heard this solitary record of hers, they would believe she deserved a place in the pantheon of great torch singers. But, in reality, she excelled at singing Popular music, R&B, Rock and Roll and Big Band Swing just as easily. Some night when the rain is pouring down outside and you're all alone with that special someone, make sure your fireplace is crackling warm and low, snuggle up with a light wine and listen to Georgia Gibbs singing Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe. It's moments like these you'll treasure forever.

The Woman In The Banner

2009-02-12T23:53:00.011-06:00

No, it's not the title to some grade b-movie from the late 1940's! It's a reference to the woman who has graced this blog with her presence ever since the beginning. I mean, of course, the blonde in my banner at the top of every page. I posted a song by Janice Harper yesterday and remarked how she resembled that woman. A regular reader posted that perhaps she also resembled Doris Day, as she looked on her Day By Day album cover. Looking through my pictures, I came up with one other person she resembles, so I will post the three images and let my regular readers decide for themselves if perhaps the artist that drew her in the 1950's may have had some particular person in mind when he created her.

Doris Day, as pictured on her Day By Day album cover.

Janice Harper, who you may remember from this post.

And lastly, Sunny Gale, who you were first introduced to in this post here on Music For Every Mood. So, how about it? Do you think any of these three women were the inspiration to the artist who drew the woman pictured in my banner?

Labels

2009-02-12T14:47:00.013-06:00

Just a quick post to upload a few images of the labels from the 45's I use here at Music For Every Mood. They're interesting to look at and if I can't find an image of an upcoming artist, I might have to resort to posting only the label image. I figure, it's better than no image at all in the post. Well, enjoy these records!

How many of these have you downloaded and listened to already?

Ella Mae Morse - I'm Gone.

Julie London - It's Easy.

Patti Page - The Wall.

Didn't You Used To Be....?

2009-02-12T12:49:00.014-06:00

Artist: Janice Harper
Song: Love Me Now, Love Me Never (b-side) (a-side is Only Once)
Label: Capitol 4401
Number: 45-22844
Songwriters: Barry Sanford - Sanny Barkan
Time: 2:15
Released: 1960

Today's artist is another one I couldn't find out much about on the internet. I was thankful that I could at least find a couple images and a few references to Janice Harper. I wasn't able to find much biographical information about her, so I'm not certain if she's living or deceased. If anybody out there can fill in some facts about her, it would be greatly appreciated. She had such a fine voice!

Originally, Janice had her heart set on an operatic career, but she switched to popular music and had no regrets. A native New Yorker, she would sing for her high school buddies who insisted that she study voice and making singing her career.

Janice Harper first broke onto the Pop charts in 1957. Seeing as how Rock and Roll had begun to dominate the music scene by then, it's not surprising that there isn't much known about her. But, don't think that's because she didn't try. Even though teenagers were buying most of the music in the late 1950's, there were still fans of the Popular singers. Singers such as you may have heard on Music For Every Mood before. Patti Page, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Dean Martin, all these singers were still beloved by their fans and continued to have hits into the Rock and Roll era. One specific reason why Janice Harper isn't a huge star like she deserved to be was that, during her most popular period, when she was signed to Capitol Records, they had a stable of artists such as the aforementioned Peggy Lee, June Christy and others. Janice preferred a direct approach to her singing over the cool-school aesthetic of her rivals. Her finest LP, Embers Of Love, remains a potent evocation of perseverance in the face of romantic dissolution, celebrating the dawn rather than the darkness. Paired with arranger Stan Applebaum, Harper infuses melancholy ballads like Cry Me A River, The Thrill Is Gone and For All We Know with a warmth and sincerity bordering on naïvete. For all their smoky, late-night ambience, the songs possess an undercurrent of optimism that softens their impact, divining solace from the sorrow.

Some of her songs included Bon Voyage (1957), Devotion (Number 179 of WMGM's top 200 songs of 1958), I'm Making Love To You and I Was Hoping You'd Ask Me (both January 1959), Let Me Call You Sweetheart (May 1959), Just Whistle (May 1959), Forever, Forever (1960), Just Say I Love Him (1960), Cry Me A River (1960) and Where Shall I Find Him and 'Til Tomorrow (both from 1962). For other labels, she recorded Moonlit Sea and That's Why I Was Born (recorded for the Prep label in 1957), and He Just Checked In and Take Me In Your Arms (for RCA). Evidently, she recorded a handful of albums, with the previously mentioned Embers Of Love being her biggest. Because of that album's success, she secured a guest appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand program on February 2nd, 1960, where she sang the song Cry Me A River, which had been included on that album. She also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Steve Allen Show, and worked with a diverse group of performers such as Eddie Albert and Buddy Hackett.

Other than that, I couldn't locate any clues or biographical information about this fine singer. So, despite the meager facts about her life and history, just enjoy the big voice she had and the easy delivery she used. Today's song Love Me Now, Love Me Never, is one of those big band arrangements with an orchestra directed by Stan Applebaum. It has the full compliment of instruments, string section and background vocalists, something uncommon for the songs typically being released in 1960. If you like moving themes, strong vocalists and really good arrangements, please download Love Me Now, Love Me Never by Janice Harper. Like me, you'll wonder why her name isn't a household word and why she didn't become a huge star. Listening to this record proves she had everything it took to be famous, for some unknown reason things just didn't work out for her.

I'm reminded of the line Lucy Van Pelt used when Schroeder always talked about Beethoven in the Peanuts cartoons. She said, "Beethoven wasn't so great. He never got his picture on a bubblegum card, did he?" Well, Janice Harper was great because she got her picture on a bubblegum card! That's her card below:

I just thought I'd throw this out there, but have you noticed how much Janice Harper looks like the woman in my banner? There's an amazing resemblance between the two, don't you think!?

I Looked Over Jordan And What Did I See? Jordanaires!

2009-02-11T13:02:00.017-06:00

Artist: The Jordanaires
Song: Girl In The Valley (b-side) (a-side is Sit Down)
Label: Capitol 4431
Number: 45-18919
Songwriters: John Lovis - Ib Glindeman
Time: 2:05
Released: 1960

In my last post, I mentioned how this group sang background vocals with Betty Johnson's family band. Well, this group has sang background vocals for just about everybody in the music business! However, they are probably best known for the work they did with the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Despite the work they've done in the shadows of other artists, they themselves have had a stellar career that began in 1948 and lasts through today.

Formed in Springfield, Missouri, in 1948, the group originally consisted of Bill Matthews (first tenor), Bob Hubbard (second tenor/lead), Monty Matthews (baritone), Culley Holt (bass), and pianist Bob Money. After three years, Money was replaced by new pianist Gordon Stoker. This lineup lasted until 1952, when Bob Hubbard was drafted. He was replaced with Hoyt Hawkins. Later that year, the Matthews Brothers left the group and were replaced with Hawkins switching to baritone and new lead vocalist Neal Matthews, Jr., and Don Bruce as first tenor. Bruce was also drafted, in 1953, so Gordon Stoker moved over to first tenor.

The lineup changed again in 1954, with Culley Holt leaving and new bass Hugh Jarrett coming in. Jarrett remained until 1958. At that time, he was replaced by Ray Walker. This lineup, consisting of Gordon Stoker, first tenor and manager, Neal Matthews, Jr., second tenor and lead, Hoyt Hawkins, baritone, and Ray Walker, bass, would be the group's most stable lineup, lasting throughout the 1960's and 1970's.
The group changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West, formerly of Sonny James' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen. The lineup remained constant for another two decades, with West leaving due to illness in 1999 (he died in 2002). His replacement was Louis Nunley. Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead vocalist Curtis Young.

In 1955, The Jordanaires were performing a show in Memphis, Tennessee with Eddy Arnold, to publicize his television show, Eddy Arnold Time. When the show was over, a young man, quiet and courteous and with plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was Elvis Presley, a practically unheard of singer just getting his start in the area. There were a few polite exchanges, then Presley said, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." He was on Sun Records at that time. On January 10th, 1956, Elvis was recording his first session for RCA Records with Scotty Moore, Bill Black and D. J. Fontana. That day, I Got A Woman, Heartbreak Hotel and Money Honey were recorded. True to his word, Elvis asked his new label if The Jordanaires could appear on the recordings. The next day Gordon Stoker was called by Chet Atkins to do a session with a new kid, named Elvis. RCA had also just signed "The Speer Family". Chet asked Gordon to sing with Ben and Brock Speer so he could use them. On that day, I'm Counting On You and I Was The One made history by being the first recording session that Elvis did with a vocal background group. Afterwards, Elvis took Gordon aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he had wanted "The Jordanaires." This time, Stoker saw to it - and Elvis used the Jordanaires on nearly every one of his recording sessions for the next 14 years. The Jordanaires also appeared in several movies with Elvis and because of their association with him, they received Group Of The Year awards well into The Beatles' era.

Throughout the years, The Jordanaires have been one of the premier backup vocal groups, performing in a wide range of musical genres and with artists such as Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton, Kenny Rogers, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Julie Andrews, Connie Francis, Ringo Starr, Ricky Nelson, The Grascals, The Tractors, Ween, Shark, Henry Golis and have even sang in the off-Broadway musical Violet.

If you thought that The Jordanaires only sang gospel music or were merely the backup singers for Elvis, you're in for a nice surprise today! The song, Girl In The Valley is a mid-tempo recording, in the Popular style and if you've heard The Jordanaires sing before, you almost won't recognize them. Sounding quite like The Four Aces, The Crew Cuts or The Four Freshman, they will amaze you with their Pop abilities. The song itself is a nice number and makes me feel good when I listen to it. But, don't just take my word on it. Download and listen to The Jordanaires singing Girl In The Valley. You might just see them in a whole new light!

Heeeere's.... Betty!

2009-02-10T19:27:00.005-06:00

Artist: Betty Johnson
Song: Dream (a-side) (b-side is How Much)
Label: Atlantic A-3049
Number: 45-1186
Songwriters: Johnny Mercer
Time: 2:25
Released: 1958

This second post for today features an artist who, although she recorded for the well-known R&B label Atlantic, was firmly entrenched in the Popular sound. And another special thing about her - she's still living and performing regularly! Be sure to check out her website after you finish here.

Betty Johnson was born on March 16th, 1929, in Guilford County, North Carolina. Her professional debut was in a family group, The Johnson Family Singers, including her parents and three brothers, singing a repertoire primarily of religious material. The group won a singing contest in Charlotte, and was signed to a contract on a WBT-AM, a major radio station in that city. By 1948, Betty had her own 15-minute radio show. While still a teenager, she was signed to Columbia Records, but no hits resulted. But, thanks to having been at Columbia, Percy Faith tried to convince Mitch Miller to sign her and work with her, but he already had Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney, among other artists, and saw no need.

She recorded a children's record with Eddy Arnold and eventually signed with first, Bell Records, then RCA Victor Records, which resulted in them asking her to relocate to Chicago, Illinois. Once arriving in the Windy City, she worked again with Eddy, on his syndicated television show, Eddy Arnold Time. She was backed by a group that had performed with her family years earlier, and who would achieve world-wide recognition in coming years singing back-up for Elvis Presley, The Jordanaires. She also did some work on Don McNeill's show, The Breakfast Club, in 1955. This led to her being hired by Jack Paar for his show, Tonight. She worked alongside him from 1957 until 1962, when Johnny Carson took over. Johnny's girl singer is somebody already well-known here at Music For Every Mood, so be sure to look up Jill Corey. In 1964, Betty married an investment banker in New York City named Arthur Gray. They had two daughters and Betty mostly retired from the music business until 1993, when she appeared at the Algonquin Hotel in New York and subsequently started her own record label, Bliss Tavern Music, for which she continues to make recordings to this day.

Some of the songs she recorded are Red Sails In The Sunset, The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs, I'll Follow You, For You, Always, In Other Words, Wrong, There's Never Been A Night, Mr. Brown Is Out Of Town, Together, Once In A While, The Very Thought Of You, Dancing In The Dark, Goodnight Sweetheart, I Want A Good Home For My Cat, You Can't Get To Heaven On Roller Skates, Manuel Cho Cho Cho And Pedro, Hoopa Hoola, Just One More Time, I Get The Blues When It Rains and her biggest hit, I Dreamed. Other hits included 1492, Little Blue Man, Little White Lies, The Song You Heard When You Fell In Love, I Want Eddie Fisher For Christmas, Slipping Around and today's song, Dream.

Which brings us full circle to the subject of this post. Listening to the dreamy arrangement of Dream, with an orchestra conducted by Charles Grean, one can instantly tell where Betty wears her heart. She is a dyed-in-the-wool Pop vocalist, and her singing on this record proves it. With the slimmed down sensabilities of a rock and roll combo, featuring a sax and piano, she really shines with this Johnny Mercer classic. If you like the smooth voices of Pop Singers, which is probably why you're reading this right now, then be sure and listen to Betty Johnson as she sings one of her classic songs, Dream. Then go check out all the wonderful recordings she offers on her website!

The Dallas Dark Horse

2009-02-10T18:35:00.008-06:00

Artist: Ella Mae Morse
Song: I'm Gone (a-side) (b-side is Sway Me)
Label: Capitol White Label F3759 (Promotional Record - Not For Sale)
Number: 45-17188
Songwriters: Quincy Jones - King Pleasure
Time: 3:00
Released: August 1st, 1957

This post gets back to some real jazzy roots. In fact, today's artist blended jazz, pop and R&B to create her unique sound. I'm speaking, of course, about Ella Mae Morse, one of the most talented and overlooked vocalists of the 1940's.

Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, on September 12th, 1924. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded Cow Cow Boogie, Capitol Records' very first gold single. Mr. Five By Five and Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet were two other hits Ella Mae and Slack released. By 1943, she was singing solo and reached #1 in the R&B charts with Shoo-Shoo Baby. Also in that same year, she had a cameo in the film Reveille With Beverly. Despite appearances on the big screen and the pop and R&B charts, Ella Mae Morse never received the popularity of a major star.

Other songs she released was Love Me Or Leave Me, Blacksmith Blues, The House Of Blue Lights, which saw her as one of the first white artists to perform what is now seen as Rhythm and Blues, and Down The Road A Piece. She also recorded a version of Oakie Boogie for Capitol, which reached #23 in the charts and was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle. She was married twice, first to Marvin L. Gerber, and later to Jack Bradford. She had six children. Her last recordings were for Capitol Records, in 1957, but she continued performing until 1987. Sadly, Ella Mae Morse died on October 16th, 1999, in Bullhead City, Arizona, of respiratory failure. She was 75. For her contributions to the entertainment industry, she was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 1724 Vine Street.

Seeing as how Ella Mae stopped recording completely in the year 1957, today's song could very well be her final recording! I suppose the call of motherhood became too strong for her to overcome and she retreated from the glare of the spotlight. What a tragedy that was for all her fans. I'm Gone proves that she still had the talent and ability to hold her own with any of the Jazz greats from that era, or any other era, for that matter. Her natural inflection and toning proved that she had mastered Jazz, just as she had risen to the top in the Pop and R&B fields, too. So, please download and listen to Ella Mae Morse, one of the great stylists of the 1940's and 1950's as she declares I'm Gone. In the parlance of the Jazz set, I can say she's gone, man - totally gone!

Sixty Minute Man

2009-02-05T09:18:00.010-06:00

Artist: Billy Ward and His Dominoes
Song: Please Don't Say No (a-side) (b-side is Behave, Hula Girl)
Label: Liberty F-55181 (Promotional Copy - Not For Sale)
Number: 45-LB-934
Songwriters: S. Fain - R. Freed
Time: 2:07
Released: 1959

Two posts in a row from Liberty Records! The last one featured Julie London and to show the broad range of artists Liberty had in their stable, this record is from R&B sensations Billy Ward and His Dominoes.

Billy Ward and His Dominoes were one of the top American R&B groups of the early 1950's, and launched the careers of both Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson. Billy Ward himself was born in Savannah, Georgia, on September 19th, 1921. He grew up in Philadelphia, the second of three sons of Charles and Cora Bates Williams, and was a child musical prodigy. He studied music in Chicago, and at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. While working as a vocal coach and part-time arranger on Broadway, he met talent agent Rose Marks, who became his business and songwriting partner. The pair set out to form a vocal group from the ranks of his students. The group was at first called the Ques, and comprised Clyde McPhatter (lead tenor), Charlie White (tenor), Joe Lamont (baritone), and Bill Brown (bass). Ward acted as their pianist and arranger. The group eventually signed with Federal Records, where they released their first single, called Do Something For Me, with McPhatter’s lead vocal. It reached the R&B charts in early 1951, and climbed to #6. Their big smash was Sixty Minute Man, which reached all the way to #1 on the R&B charts in May 1951, and stayed there for 14 weeks. It even made it as high as #17 on the Popular charts.

Though various members began leaving and starting their own careers, Charlie White and Bill Brown in 1951, Clyde McPhatter in early 1953, (whose replacement was Jackie Wilson), and Joe Lamont and James McNeil, who had replaced Bill Brown, Billy Ward kept the Dominoes going and they continued to be a successful recording act. In 1954, Ward moved the group to the Jubilee label, then to Decca, where, except for the moderate hit single St. Therese Of The Roses, the group was unable to follow that success in the charts, and this brought about more personnel changes. In April of 1957, the group moved to Liberty Records and scored their last charted hit, Star Dust. Although this was their last major success, they continued recording as a group into the 1960's. Billy Ward died in Los Angeles, California on February 16th, 2002, at the Centinela Park Convalescent Hospital. The Dominoes were elected to the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2006.

Today's record, Please Don't Say No, is an impassioned plea from a lover to his girl, sung as Rhythm and Blues artists do so well. The vocalist on this recording sounds a lot like the lead singer of The Platters, Tony Williams, giving you an idea of the sound. With outstanding background vocals and a peppy rock and roll arrangement, including piano and strings, it's not hard to see why Billy Ward had so much success. Even though their best years were behind them when they released this song in 1959, please enjoy Please Don't Say No by Billy Ward and His Dominoes. Do this for me and yourself!

She Sends Me

2009-01-28T12:39:00.007-06:00

Artist: Julie London

Song: Send For Me (a-side) (b-side is Evenin')

Label: Liberty Audition Record F-55300

Number: LB-1176

Songwriters: O. Jones

Time: 2:20

Released: 1961

Her voice is as smooth as velvet. It just grabs you and pulls you into any song she sings. Those sultry looks, the penetrating eyes, what an artist she was. Of course I'm speaking about my Julie! Today's ongoing infatuation features the flipside of a song I've already posted. You can find out all about that track here. I don't have to tell you anything about her, if you're a regular reader of this blog, you've already had the chance to meet her through my words of admiration. But, maybe a brief bio about my favorite lady is in order.

Julie was born in Santa Rosa, California, on September 26th, 1926. Her real name was Gayle Peck and her parents Jack and Josephine were a vaudeville song-and-dance team. When she was 14, her family moved to Los Angeles and shortly after this, she began appearing in movies. She was married to Jack Webb from 1947 to 1953. After her divorce from the Dragnet star, she met jazz composer and musician Bobby Troup. They married on December 31st, 1959 and remained happily together until Bobby's death in February 1999.

She also made more than 20 films and has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Later in her career, she also starred in the hit television series Emergency from 1972 to 1979, as Nurse Dixie McCall.

But, primarily she was a singer. And, oh what a voice she had! Julie recorded 32 albums in a career that began in 1955. She was Billboard's most popular singer in the years 1955, 1956 and 1957. Probably her most famous song was Cry Me A River, released in 1956. Other hit singles include Makin' Whoopee, Blue Moon, It Had To Be You and Yummy Yummy Yummy, from 1968.

So, after you've ingested just how special of an entertainer, a person and a woman she was, please download and listen to this peppy little number called Send For Me, sung by my main squeeze Julie London. You'll probably agree that she's yummy yummy yummy just like I do!

Here she is striking a pose wearing a shorts and shoulder-less top ensemble.

Later in her career she got even more beautiful looking.

Here is an artsy picture of her that I created, just for all her Music For Every Mood fans out there! (4)

Sue Raney Follow-Up

2009-01-23T08:39:00.005-06:00

Artist: Sue Raney
Song: Try To See It My Way (b-side) (a-side is There Goes My Everything)
Label: Imperial 66222 (Audition Record)
Number: IM-6314
Songwriters: Hal David - Burt F. Bacharach
Time: 2:28
Released: 1966

What I have for my faithful readers today, is a follow-up record for all you Sue Raney fans out there. Being as she is still a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, witness her Doris Day tribute album from 2007 that has garnered many accolades, I thought I'd take the chance to post something else from her that probably hasn't been heard very often since it's original release.

Originally featured on the ABC Television program On The Flip Side, broadcast on December 7th, 1966, the song Try To See It My Way was sung by vocalist Joanie Sommers. The program was an original rock musical, with songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, about a washed up teen idol (Ricky Nelson) who is coached back onto the charts by a pink-haired angel (Joanie Sommers). This recording is Sue Raney's interpretation of the song in her unmistakable styling.

For biographical information on Sue, please see my earlier post about her here. For now, though, please enjoy Sue Raney singing Try To See It My Way. Apparently, this is another one of her fine songs that hasn't seen a release on any album or collection, so I know you'll want to add it to your collection.

Christmas Alert!

2008-12-24T09:52:00.007-06:00

Artist: Santo and Johnny
Song: Twistin' Bells (a-side) (b-side is Bullseye)
Label: Canadian American Records, Ltd. 120
Number: 6004
Songwriters: Farina, Farina, Farina
Time: 2:15
Released: 1960

Today's post is a special Christmas recording. Since it's Christmas Eve as I post this, I thought it quite appropriate. Everyone will remember Santo and Johnny from their greatest hit, Sleepwalk. Santo and Johnny Farina, brothers, were born in Brooklyn, New York on October 24th, 1937 and October 30th, 1941 respectively. It was Santo who played steel guitar and Johnny who mostly played rhythm guitar, along with the steel guitar. Their record label, Canadian American, and the publicity they released about them at the time referred to a third composer, Ann Farina, who was supposedly a sister. This was a mistake as they did not even have a sister! Their father, a serviceman, had found that the sound of the steel guitar on country and western records was quite soothing and so he encouraged them to learn this instrument. They learned the instrument and then wrote an instrumental featuring the sound of the steel guitar called Sleepwalk, which was released on the Canadian American label. With it's haunting sound, it topped the US charts and went on to sell 2 million copies. Needless to say, this solidified their position in music!

In their later years together, they tried to shake their "easy listening" tag by adding fuzz guitar and doing songs by Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. They also recorded many Italian tunes as they established a huge following there, being awarded 33 gold discs. They continued to record popular albums until finally splitting up in 1976. They have since released their own solo albums. In 2002, the duo were inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

Today's song has a familiar melody - you might recognize it. It is the familiar classic Jingle Bells, speeded up and given the Santo and Johnny instrumental treatment. The Twist was popular in 1960, so they added this onto the name and before you can say Jingle Bell Rock, you've got a best selling song for the holidays - an instant classic. So, while you're welcoming faithful friends and family who are dear to you, please play Santo and Johnny's song for the Christmas season, Twistin' Bells and have an eggnog on me.

Merry Christmas to all my faithful blog readers!

Sister Act, Part Two

2008-11-22T17:10:00.005-06:00

Artist: Paulette Sisters
Song: Your Love Captured Me (b-side) (a-side is Lips That Lie)
Label: Decca 9-30496 (Black and Silver Label Sample Copy - Not For Sale)
Number: 103,330
Songwriters: Gregory Carroll
Time: 3:02
Released: 1956

And now, part two of my special sister groups extravaganza. I posted this one last because, as far as available information there was to be found out about them on the internet, the Paulette Sisters were something of an enigma.
I know their names were Gloria, Jane and Betty and that Jane sang the low harmonies in the group and Gloria is known by the affectionate nickname of "Tootie" to her relatives. Apparently they are all still living because each year for the holidays, a young woman of 22 named Alyssa goes to visit her Aunt Tootie, Aunt Jane and Aunt Betty. And now, for what little professional information I was able to dig up about them.

Their one and only chart hit was in 1955, and it was a cover of the classic Hank Williams song You Win Again. It made it as high as #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of that year. Also, it seems they might have started out their career lending their voices as backing harmonies to other singers of the day. I know they added background vocals on a couple songs by Connee Boswell, who herself started out as a member of the Boswell Sisters (more sister acts!). These included There Must Be A Way and Who Told You That Lie. I believe this was probably in the mid-1940's. Also in 1945, July 12th, to be precise, they made a guest appearance on The Kraft Music Hall radio program. Connee Boswell was also on that episode, so it's a pretty good chance the Paulette Sisters were backing her up for this as well.

After their own recording career began in earnest, they seem to have bounced around to a lot of different labels. For we see them on Columbia in 1952 and 1953, recording such songs as Put That Foot Down, Oh Johnny Oh Johnny Oh, Glow Worm, Sui Sin Fa, You'll Never Get Away, My-Na Shay-Na Ty-Ra, Following The Leader and Never Smile At A Crocodile. This latter song was from the soundtrack of the Walt Disney movie Peter Pan and their version itself was featured on the soundtrack to the motion picture You've Got Mail, from 1998. They also recorded Tell Me You Don't Love Me, Shalimar and Everybody Loves Saturday Night, for Columbia, the latter for the Percy Faith Orchestra featuring them and Burt Taylor, in 1953.

Later in 1955, we see them recording at Capitol, which was the period for when their main chart success for You Win Again took place. While on Capitol Records, they also recorded Dream Boat, backed with Leave My Honey Be, Ring-A-Ding-A-Doo, backed with Lonely One, Mama, El Baion, In Madrid and Now Is The Time. Then they recorded a song called Jody, for Decca, which is the label today's post is found on. I suspect this was in the 1956-1957 period, for 1958 found them working on the Aamco label and recording Calla, Calla (The Bride, The Bride) and Why. 1960 found them recording tracks for yet again another label. They released an answer song to the Fireflies 1959 hit recording of You Were Mine, entitled I Was Yours, for the Ribbons Record Label in 1960, which was the b-side of Poor Me. And that's all I could track down about them except a photocopied, autographed picture of them, which you can see below.

Today's great song is from their Decca period and for some reason, it always picks me up when I hear it. Your Love Captured Me is the flipside of Lips That Lie, which the single was promoting, but I like the b-side better. It features an orchestra directed by Sy Oliver, who was a jazz arranger, virtuoso trumpet player, composer, singer and bandleader. Listening to this song makes me wonder why they weren't big stars. Their delivery is spot on and their harmonies are tight and smooth. From this one recording, I would have bought more of their songs when they were in their prime. They have that great of a sound. But, yesterday's history is our loss today. Although I don't know much else about them, I do have this one entertaining moment they left behind for me to listen to. I hope the Paulette Sisters are happy wherever they are and whatever they are doing in this day and age, and I can truly say that their singing captured this fan totally. So be sure to judge for yourself as to their abilities when you listen to The Paulette Sisters as they sing Your Love Captured Me. These lips of mine don't lie when I say they're mighty infectious singers!

Sister Act, Part One

2008-11-22T11:47:00.005-06:00

Artist: Shepherd Sisters

Song: Congratulations To Someone (b-side) (a-side is Alone [Why Must I Be Alone])

Label: Lance T-125

Number: T-3002

Songwriters: Frisch - Alfred

Time: 2:29
Released: 1957

Today's post is another in my line of themed offerings. It will include two songs by groups of sisters. And you thought this was going to be about the Whoopi Goldberg movie! Well, it's not.

The Shepherd Sisters, Martha, Gayle, Judy and Mary Lou were indeed sisters and were from Middletown, Ohio. Initially they performed as a trio with Martha, Gayle, and Mary Lou. Later they added sister Judy to their lineup. All are still alive and well except Martha, who passed away in 1998.

One of their first recordings, Gone With The Wind, got them a call from Dick Clark and subsequently they made many appearances on his American Bandstand show. They also appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts in the late 1950's. In New York, Morty Craft had a song he wanted them to record, Alone (Why Must I Be Alone), which they did and it was released on Craft's own Lance label. In 1957, Alone would become their biggest hit and their signature song. In the U.S. it reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; in the UK it made No.14. It may have climbed higher had it not been up against several rival cover versions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Morty also introduced them to the DJ Alan Freed, the man who first coined the term "rock and roll." The Shepherd Sisters played the Brooklyn and Manhattan Paramount Theaters and toured with Alan Freed's "America's Greatest Teenage Recording Stars"- The Everly Brothers, Paul Anka, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Danny and the Juniors, Lee Andrews and the Hearts, The Twin Tones, Little Joe Dubs, Thurston Harris, Terry Nolan, and Jo Ann Campbell. Besides rock and roll, the Shepherd Sisters were also a stage and cabaret act. They performed at big hotels, nightclubs, NYC's Apollo Theater and casinos in Reno and Las Vegas. They also sang in the Philippines, Canada, South America and parts of Europe. Later on, they were often on the road performing in venues from Cincinatti to Buenos Aires, instead of focusing on their recording career.

Some of the many songs they recorded are the aforementioned Gone With The Wind, Love's Not A Dream, I'll Be There, Rock 'N Roll Cha Cha Cha (!), Remember That Crazy Rock 'N Roll Tune, I Walked Beside The Sea, Gettin' Ready For Freddy, Eatin' Pizza, Is It A Crime, I Think It's Time, How Softly A Heart Breaks, Schoen-a Schoen-a, Hapsburg Serenade, Lolita Ya-Ya, What Makes Little Girls Cry, Heart And Soul, Finders Keepers, I've Got A Secret, Our Town - recorded in 1976. From looking through some of these song titles, it seems like rather than compete with the new Rock and Roll music, they embraced it.

Today's song, Congratulations To Someone, was the flipside to their monster smash hit Alone, Why Must I Be Alone. I'd be willing to bet that not many people remember turning over their record if they had it all those years ago and playing the b-side. Fortunately, you don't have that problem because it's here today for your listening pleasure. It features their impeccable harmonies and sounds like they were reaching for the young Rock and Roll market in their arrangement. It has nice little combo of guitar, stand-up bass, drums and piano and let's the sister's voices shine through in front of the backing. So, relive the great Shepherd Sister's era of music while they sing Congratulations To Someone. You won't be alone in admiring their smooth voices and grand harmonies!

Jazzy Lady

2008-11-11T22:14:00.004-06:00

Artist: Helen Merrill
Song: Listen (b-side) (a-side is Blue Guitar)
Label: Mercury 71166X45
Number: YW14187
Songwriters: Broussolle - Becaud - Sydney
Time: 2:35
Released: July 23rd, 1957

Helen Merrill was born as Jelena Ana Milcetic in New York City on July 21st, 1930. She is an internationally known jazz artist and has had success in Japan, Italy (where she lived for many years), and the United States. In a career that has spanned 6 decades, she has recorded and performed with some of the most notable figures in the American jazz scene. Helen has been married three times, first to musician Aaron Sachs, second time to UPI vice president Donald J Brydon, and third to arranger-conductor Torrie Zito. She has one child, a son, Allan P. Sachs, also a singer, who is professionally known as Alan Merrill.

She began singing in jazz clubs in the Bronx at the age of fourteen when she was with the Reggie Childs Orchestra during 1946-1947. By the time she was sixteen, Merrill had taken up music full time. In 1952, Merrill made her recording debut when she was asked to sing A Cigarette For Company with the Earl "Fatha" Hines Band. At this time she was married to musician Aaron Sachs. They divorced in 1956. As a result of the exposure she received from this song and two subsequent singles recorded for the Roost record label, Merrill was signed by Mercury Records for their new Emarcy label. In 1954, Merrill recorded her first (and to date most acclaimed) LP, an eponymous record featuring legendary jazz trumpet player Clifford Brown and bassist/cellist Oscar Pettiford, among others. The album was produced and arranged by Quincy Jones, who was then just twenty-one years old. The success of Helen Merrill prompted Mercury to sign her for an additional four-album contract.

Merrill's follow-up was the 1956 LP, Dream of You, which was produced and arranged by bebop arranger and pianist Gil Evans. Other albums by her include Helen Merrill With Strings (1955), Merrill At Midnight (1957), The Nearness Of You (1958), You've Got A Date With The Blues (1959), and American Country Songs (1959). After recording sporadically through the late 1950's and 1960's, Merrill spent much of her time touring Europe, where she enjoyed more commercial success than she had in the United States. She settled for a time in Italy, recording an album there and doing live concerts with jazz notables Chet Baker, Romano Mussolini, and Stan Getz. Merrill returned to the U.S. in the 1960's, but moved to Japan in 1967 after touring there. Merrill developed a following in Japan that remains strong to this day. Another aspect of her career is that the consistently challenges herself stylistically and records in different musical genres. She has recorded a bossa nova album, a Christmas album, and an album's worth of Rodgers and Hammerstein, among many others. In 1970, she even released Helen Merrill Sings The Beatles. I'll have to check that one out myself! In all, Helen Merrill has recorded more than 40 albums. She returned to New York in 1972 where she now lives, making annual concert tours in Japan and Europe. She will be appearing at various Billboard Clubs of Japan - Tokyo, Nagoya and Fukuoka, in 2009, so if you happen to be overseas next February, you might want to look her up.

Today's number is that finger-snapping type of jazz stylings that just goes down well. As far as I can ascertain, it was only a single release and never appeared on an album when it was originally recorded. I suppose since she was near the end of her contract time with Mercury, they didn't include it on an album for one reason or another. But that's a shame, because it's a catchy little number and displays her vocal talents front and center. She is backed by Hal Mooney and His Orchestra and the track really swings. So, don't deprive yourself of this aural experience and get Helen Merrill as she exhorts you to Listen. You'll be glad you did!

Great Minds, Etc.

2008-10-23T17:32:00.007-05:00

I was going through a stack of my old 45's and the phrase on this sleeve happened to catch my eye:

It was on a Mercury sleeve, and the record inside was by Johnny Jay. The songs were Tears (Keep On Falling) b/w Sugar Doll, and they were released on October 31st, 1957 - Hallowe'en no less! You'll probably get to hear it sooner or later here on Music For Every Mood. Because, what is it they say? Great minds think alike?

Pretty Kitty

2008-10-22T22:34:00.004-05:00

Artist: Kitty Kallen
Song: I Never Was The One (b-side) (a-side is Crying Roses)
Label: Decca 9-30516 (Sample Copy - Not For Sale)
Number: 103,608
Songwriters: Johnny Graham - Frank La Motta
Time: 2:19
Released: 1958

Kitty Kallen was born in Philadelphia on May 25th, 1922, and while still a child sang on the radio program The Children's Hour. As a pre-teen she had her own program on Philadelphia's WCAU, and soon she sang as a vocalist with the big bands of Jan Savitt in 1936, Artie Shaw in 1938, and Jack Teagarden in 1940. After a short stay with Bobby Sherwood, she joined the Jimmy Dorsey band, replacing Helen O'Connell. Though only a teenager at the time, she was the vocalist for one of Dorsey's biggest hits, Besame Mucho. Most of her singing assignments were in duets with Bob Eberly, and when Eberly left to go into the service toward the end of 1943, she joined Harry James' band.

In the spring of 1949, Kitty Kallen had her first chart hit under her own name with Kiss Me Sweet, with Mitch Miller on Mercury Records #5265 which made it to the top 30. After the hits Juke Box Annie, with Harry Geller's orchestra, Our Lady Of Fatima, recorded with singer Richard Hayes and Jimmy Caroll's orchestra, and The Aba Dabba Honeymoon, things were looking up for Kitty Kallen. However she all but disappeared from the music scene, and there were many reports that she had lost her voice, or was tired of the business. In any event Kitty Kallen was absent from the music scene for more than two years.

In late 1953, a Decca release by Kitty, Are You Looking For A Sweetheart? charted into the top 30. That was just a warmup for the recently returned vocalist who was on the verge of a huge year in 1954. The song Little Things Mean A Lot was recorded for Decca in the spring of the year and was a monster hit, one of the biggest of the post war era. It stayed at the number one spot for nine consecutive weeks and remained on the charts for close to seven months. It sold more than two million copies and certainly cemented Kallen's place in pop music history.

1955 was the year that rock and roll took over and Kitty Kallen would seem to be just one more casualty from the pop music field, but she did have a couple more songs which charted. Go On With The Wedding was a top forty seller in early 1956. In 1959, she had a national hit with If I Give My Heart To You, which climbed into the top 35 best selling records. And in the early Sixties when the world was on the cusp of the British Invasion, RCA released My Coloring Book in early 1963 and Kitty Kallen was back on the hit charts. The recording lasted two months on the charts and got to the number 18 slot on the best sellers lists.

As of this writing, Kitty Kallen has retired from the world of show business and divides her time between her homes in New Jersey and Mexico where she spends the winter months. She has said that she had no gimmicks but sang from the heart. For her recording work, she received a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To many people, Kitty Kallen will always be Pretty Kitty Kallen.

Today's offering was from her late 1950's career and is a very touching song indeed. She presents it with her usual warmness and you just want to hug her. With an orchestra directed by Jack Pleis, she sings about falling in love for the first time. So be sure to get Kitty Kallen singing I Never Was The One, and you'll fall in love with the voice of Pretty Kitty.

The Wheel Of Fortune Spins

2008-10-22T15:28:00.007-05:00

Artist: Sunny Gale
Song: How Could You (a-side) (b-side is I Feel Like I'm Gonna Live Forever)
Label: RCA Victor 47-5216
Number: E2VW-7787
Songwriters: Bert Douglas - Bennie Martini
Time: 2:41
Released: 1953

Sunny Gale came out of nowhere on a small, independent label in the early 1950's to have a spectacular, if brief career, that ended too early with the onset of Rock and Roll. Born Selma Sega, she grew up in a neighborhood in Philadelphia from which several future singers that graced the American music scene in the fifties and early sixties also called home. Eddie Fisher, Al Martino, Buddy Greco, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian were some of the entertainers that hailed from the same area. By 1951, Selma decided that she would give show business a try and was soon known by the colorful stage name of Sunny Gale. She eventually found herself with a shot at a recording session for a New York independent label called Derby Records. Head arranger for the label Eddie Wilcox picked out a tune that had been recorded for RCA by Johnny Hartman in the spring of that year. Now at the end of 1951, the tunes Wheel Of Fortune b/w You Showed Me The Way were recorded and released on Derby #787.

By early January after only a few weeks of having been issued, Wheel Of Fortune started a run up the charts. Close to fifty thousand copies are sold which is out of the ordinary for a small independent label in the early Fifties. Soon a number of cover versions hit the market and one by Kay Starr for Capitol leaped out in front on the national pop charts. Sunny Gale's version with it's great arrangement by Wilcox scored in both the pop and R & B fields and was a huge plus for the independent label group. On the pop charts, Gale's version of the song got as high as the number thirteen position and had a stay of two months. Despite the hit status of this record, Derby Records ran into financial problems and it's future was uncertain. Sunny Gale, with a smash hit on her first try, decided to move to a big major label, RCA Victor.

A few months later Sunny Gale was back on the best seller charts for RCA Victor with the song I Laughed At Love. This was another good seller, got into the top fifteen, and stayed on the charts for two months. Some of the further hits she had for the label included Teardrops On My Pillow, A Stolen Waltz, Love Me Again, Before It's Too Late, Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight, Smile and Let Me Go Lover, which was originally recorded by another artist already featured here on Music For Every Mood, Joan Weber. Gale's version of the song entered the top twenty in early 1955 and would be the last time she would appear on the best sellers charts.

Sunny made appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, at the Amsterdam News 15th annual Midnight Benefit Show, which was held at the Apollo Theater and The Brooklyn Academy of Music All Star Show, which featured such artists as The Ink Spots, Red Buttons, Lena Horne and many others. Other songs she recorded were Send My Baby Back To Me, Meanwhile, An Old Familiar Love Song, Mama's Gone Goodbye, The Note In The Bottle, Just In Case You Change, Close To Me, Dream Dream Dream, Don't Cry Mama, Unsuspecting, Constantly, Certainly Baby, C'est La Vie, Looking Glass, Devotion, Rock And Roll Wedding, Winner Take All, Try A Little Prayer, Our Love Is A Sad Song, Georgie Porgie, Two Hearts, One Kiss Led To Another, Maybe You'll Be There, Let's Be Friendly, My Arms Are A House, Don't Worry 'Bout Me, Who Are We To Say, A Meeting Of The Eyes, I Don't Want Your Greenback Dollar, A Certain Smile, Just Friends, Oh What It Seemed To Be, The Gypsy Told Me So and today's song, from 1953, which featured a chorus and orchestra conducted by Ralph Burns.

After her hits stopped coming, she was mostly just a memory of the pre-rock fifties, but Sunny Gale came out of nowhere on a small independent label in early 1952 and stood the world of pop music on it's ear, and for a time was a solid hitmaker for RCA. Listening to How Could You, one can certainly hear the charms that her voice had. It's a peppy little number that should have had more chart action for her. It's one of those songs that, even though the theme is downbeat and the singer is talking about being treated wrong, it still picks you up when you listen to it. So download How Could You, by Sunny Gale and treat yourself to something special. Spin the wheel of fortune and I know you'll come up with a winner!

Brothers In Arms

2008-10-15T22:44:00.008-05:00

Artist: The Kalin Twins
Song: The Meaning Of The Blues (a-side) (b-side is Why Don't You Believe Me)
Label: Decca 9-30977 (Pink Label, Sample Copy - Not For Sale)
Number: 108 044
Songwriters: Don Wolf - Ben Raleigh
Time: 2:10
Released: September 1959

And now, part two of a special sibling's post. This one features two brothers - two twin brothers, to be exact! The Kalin Twins, Harold (known as Hal), and Herbert (known as Herb, both born on February 16th, 1934), remain the archetypal one-hit wonders. Their only top ten chart hit - When - may have cruelly prophesied the question as to their further success. Originally discovered by Clint Ballard Jr, the sibling duo had a couple of early recording flops. However, in 1958, after searching through piles of writers' demo tapes, their management discovered the song called When, written by Paul Evans and Jack Reardon. It got to Number 5 in the U.S., and sold over two million copies in the process. They did manage to have a modest follow-up hit with Forget Me Not, which peaked at Number 12 later that year.

Eventually, disillusioned with no chart success, the brothers returned to their day jobs, with each pursuing college degrees. They did not perform again until 1977, when a mutual friend booked them to appear at his new night club. Sometimes they performed with their younger sibling, Jack, and thus appeared as the Kalin Brothers. They disappeared again as a performing act, until 1989. Then, their one-time support act, Cliff Richard, invited them to play at his Wembley Stadium The Event concerts, as part of a sequence paying homage to the 1950's TV pop show Oh Boy! Harold Kalin was killed in an automobile accident, on August 24th, 2005, at the age of 71, whilst his slightly younger brother, Herbert, died as a result of a heart attack less than eleven months later, on July 21st, 2006. They were still performing up to the time of Hal's death.

Some of their other records were Jumpin' Jack, Walkin' To School, Three O'Clock Thrill, Oh! My Goodness, It's Only The Beginning and Sweet Sugar Lips.

In today's record, perhaps in several of their others, too, they sound a lot like The Everly Brothers - both in voice and musical arrangements. Which was not necessarily a bad thing! The Meaning Of The Blues, an upbeat little number which contrasts with the style the title would have you thinking of, is an instant classic duet. The brothers' harmonies are perfect and their musical accompaniement is first rate. So, download and listen to a great song that could have climbed to the top of the charts, but didn't, The Meaning Of The Blues, by The Kalin Twins. So when are you going to do it? You know you have to have this one, too!

Two.... Two.... Two Sisters In One Song

2008-10-15T22:43:00.007-05:00

Artist: Patience and Prudence
Song: Heavenly Angel (a-side) (b-side is Little Wheel)
Label: Liberty F-55125
Number: 45-LB-820
Songwriters: G. Motola - J. Marascalco
Time: 2:00
Released: 1958

This post is part one of a special sibling-related double header. The first one features sisters named Patience and Prudence - the next one will feature brothers. Most of you will remember their big hit entitled Tonight You Belong To Me. Their story begins in 1956.

14-year-old Patience and 11-year-old Prudence McIntyre were singing a song they had learned at camp the previous summer one day in April 1956, while the family was driving home from a visit to friends in Malibu. The song, written and recorded as a waltz in 1927, was Tonight You Belong To Me. Recalling her first exposure to the song, Patience explains, "Tonight was an around-the-campfire tune that was already in 4/4 when we picked it up. It was Mom's idea to record it for the grandparents." The demo they cut with their dad Mark came to the attention Si Waronker at Liberty Records. It was recut and then Mr. Waronker took possession of the tapes. The McIntyre family was going away for a two-week vacation, but in the meantime, Liberty Records pressed their single and it became a huge local hit. They were completely unprepared for the surprise that greeted them when they returned home. Thanks to a Boston disc jockey who had played the record fourteen times in one day, Tonight You Belong To Me had broken wide open. By September it was on Billboard magazine's national pop record chart, peaking at Number 4 on October 6th and selling 200,000 copies. This led to the follow-up hit of Gonna Get Along Without You Now b/w The Money Tree, which rose to a respectable Number 12 on the charts.

But, after recording several more singles in their vintage/pop style, Patience and Prudence would not have any more hits. In 1958, Liberty tried backing the sisters with a rock and roll combo, but these recordings didn't dent the charts. Later in 1959, they were paired with a young singer named Mark Clifford, also a Liberty Records artist. These recordings didn't fare any better. Then, in 1964, they had one more stab at recording and produced four sides for the Los Angeles-based Chattahoochee label. These songs failed to garner the attention they deserved and the sisters' career effectively ended. With the exception of a Dick Clark TV special in 1978, they never performed again.

Which brings us to today's song, one of their failed attempts to re-enter the charts in 1958. Several of their follow-up recordings to their two hits were great records, but just missed catching on with the general public at large for some unknown reason. Such is the music business, I suppose. Heavenly Angel is quite a good little tune. The combo backing them manages to convey the sound of a much larger band and the girls' themselves provided counter harmonies. So, if you remember these sisters from their hits in 1956, you're sure to like this recording of Heavenly Angel by Patience and Prudence. Download this great tune and tonight, they're impeccable harmonies will belong to you!

What Happens In Vegas....

2008-10-15T17:09:00.005-05:00

Artist: Louis Prima and Keely Smith
Song: The Apple Core Song (b-side) (a-side is The Apple Core Song)
Label: Dot 45-16221
Number: MB-15893
Songwriters: Mustapha (?) - English words by Jackie Barnett
Time: 2:45
Released: June 23rd, 1961

Louis Prima and Keely Smith were stalwarts of the Las Vegas lounge-act scene in the 1950's; right there along with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the rest of the Rat Pack. Louis' career started back in 1920's, with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band. Then, adapting to the changing musical climates, he successively led a swing combo in the 1930's, a big band in the 1940's, a Vegas lounge act in the 1950's, and a pop-rock band in the 1960's. In each of his musical endeavors, he incorporated his exuberant personality into his act. In 1949, he added Keely Smith as the girl singer in his big band, but times were again changing. The popularity of the big band sound had started to wane, so he asked a good friend to get him a gig at the Sahara Lounge in Vegas. Louis Prima met his backup band for the show for the first time once he arrived. Sam Butera was a saxophonist he knew and instructed him to gather a few musicians for the debut show. Once there, the backing band became known as Sam Butera and The Witnesses, who also provide the musical accompaniment on today's song.

Keely Smith showed a natural aptitude for singing at a very young age. At 14, she started singing with a naval air station band led by Saxie Dowell. At 15, she got her first paying job with the Earl Bennett Band. Keely made her professional debut with Louis Prima in 1949; they were married in 1953 and had two daughters. Smith played the straight guy in the duo to Prima's wild antics and they recorded many popular duets. Most famous of them being That Old Black Magic in 1958, which was awarded the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus.

By 1961, according to Keely, the couple had begun to drift farther and farther apart. One night, he refused to conduct for one of her performances, delegating the task to Sam Butera instead. A few days later they were in court, petitioning for divorce. Today's song must surely have been one of the last recordings they made together! She then signed with Reprise Records, where her musical director was Nelson Riddle.

Louis Prima (born December 7th, 1910) died on August 24th, 1978 in New Orleans of brain tumor surgery complications. Keely Smith (born March 9th, 1932), continues to perform and release albums that are critically acclaimed.

Today's record is an anomaly, in that both sides are the identical same track. I have chosen one side, not absolutely sure it was the b-side or not. But, it doesn't matter - both sides sound identical to me. Despite the fact that this was probably their last record together, Louis and Keely sound tight and are working together as a team. It's a peppy little number from France, translated to English for our market. If the male voice in this record sounds familiar, it's probably because Louis also did the voice of the orangutan King Louie in the 1967 Walt Disney movie Jungle Book. So be sure and get this happy little number called The Apple Core Song, by Louis Prima and Keely Smith. I can almost guarantee you'll go "ape" over it!

Paradise Lost

2008-10-12T23:51:00.009-05:00

I've been glancing through my record collection lately, scouring it for suitable songs to post here at Music For Every Mood. And it occurred to me that I had forgotten all about how nice it was when you could buy them and hold them in your hands and smell the newness on them. Do you remember when you would get it home and you pulled it out of the sleeve for the first time? How it glistened in the light? How perfectly round and black it was? And then you played it on your record player and it sounded just like how you had heard it on the radio. I miss those days, don't you? A 45 r.p.m. record was so personal. Just two songs and they were all yours to play and enjoy any time you wanted to. You could play it ten times in a row if you wanted to. I can remember playing a few that many times when I first got them because they were so good - unlike 99% of the music released these days - but that's another story. There was this store I used to go to where I bought singles, and every now and then they'd put them on sale. Who doesn't like a bargain? One time they seemed to be involved in a price war with somebody else that sold them because every week, they'd be just a little lower in price. Finally, they got down to about .19 cents apiece and I just went crazy and bought practically the whole top 40 because they were on sale. I didn't even like all the groups, it's just that they were so nice and cheap! I mean, Vangelis? All right, I suppose, but I don't seem to play that one much these days.

Back in the day they were sold, I can remember looking through the singles shelves in stores and seeing what was in the charts at that moment. Sometimes there would be a current recording that I hadn't thought would have been charted so high, so it was a pleasant surprise to find ones like that. Other times, the particular song I wanted would be sold out for the longest time. But, I would go back when they had a new stock in and finally get my copy. And some of them had picture sleeves - so nice!

Young people just don't know the joys of being able to buy singles. Sure, they used to have cassette singles and cd singles for awhile, but that practice seems to have been all but abandoned. Record companies these days only seem interested in getting you to buy a whole cd when you only want one song. And that is highly overpriced. I mean, $18.00 for one album? Those little silver discs all look alike and they have no personality to them. Yes, youngsters of today miss out on a phenomenon that drove the industry for nearly a century and I think it's a shame. They even offer music for download, at usually $1 per song, and the kids download them to their digital players and never have anything real. What's so great about that? If your player or computer crashes, you've lost all your music! But, with records - albums and 45's - you own them for life. I have scads of singles that are over 50 years old - they're older than I am and they still look practically brand new!

So, that is why I'm glad each and every time I can post a new song here on Music For Every Mood. Not only may it be one that most people have never heard or didn't get to buy when it originally came out, it's just such a pleasure handling them and recording them for all my devoted readers here. Like I said before, there's just something quite pleasureable about 45 r.p.m. records. If you ever bought one in your life, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. One more quick story about a 45 I bought when I was young. I can remember buying it and finding out that it was actually a two-sided hit, so I got two great songs I had heard on the radio for the price of one. I was with my father while he ran some errands in the big city, so I couldn't play my new record until I got home. But, I sure took it out of the sleeve many times and fawned over it repeatedly. They were great songs - and now they were mine to play and enjoy whenever I wanted!

I think it's a shame that the days of the vinyl 45 r.p.m. record are past us. If you have fond memories of them of a particular one you might have owned or wanted to own like I do, please share your memories in the comment section for others. Maybe we won't be able to get record companies to bring them back, but perhaps we can at least keep their memory alive for others to know and learn about. I have one final memory to add to this post. Did anybody out there ever get a record, only to find out it was not black like all the rest? You know what I'm talking about - colored vinyl. Now these records were even more special because a lot of times, they were clear and you could see right through them! The world would take on the color of your record and what a glorious world it was, back then. In honor of those special moments, I'd like to share a picture of one that I got a long time ago. It's not a song I'll be posting here on Music For Every Mood, but I hope it brings back another memory or two of things past for all my readers here. Here is a Grand Funk Railroad 45 r.p.m. recording of We're An American Band - on colored, not black vinyl:

And here is a clear vinyl 45, something you don't see very often, by The Beatles:

The Switchblade Kid

2008-10-10T16:58:00.005-05:00

Artist: Sal Mineo
Song: Party Time (a-side) (b-side is The Words That I Whisper)
Label: Epic 5-9246
Number: ZSP 42434
Songwriters: J. Sheldon - H. Lane
Time: 2:09
Released: 1957

And now for today's second post featuring Hollywood actors who sing. Sal Mineo also began his formal musical/recording career in 1957, but instead of attempting calypso, he chose (or his managers did) the relatively new genre of rock and roll. It seems to have suited him well, for he had what appears to have been at least three songs that charted.

Everyone knows about his short life and tragic death, (born on January 10th, 1939 – murdered on February 12th, 1976), and his greatest achievements, that of an actor in such memorable films as Rebel Without A Cause (1955), Giant (1956), the Disney adventure Tonka (1958), A Private Affair (1959), The Gene Krupa Story (1959), Exodus (1960), The Longest Day (1962 - also a film in which our other featured artist Robert Mitchum was in), Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965), Krakatoa, East Of Java (1969), 80 Steps To Jonah (1969), and Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971), but what many don't know, he had a short stint as a pop idol, in the late-1950's.

Sal already had a solid acting career when he started putting out records. Before he released his first single, he had appeared in several major productions on Broadway and in films. When he turned to rock roll, his first efforts were equally as successful. In 1957, he released the singles, Start Movin' (In My Direction) and Lasting Love. The former broke into the Top Ten and remained in the Top 40 for more than three months, while the latter hit number 27. He proceeded to release an album through Epic in the U.S. and Philips in Great Britain. His other singles included You Shouldn't Do That, Little Pigeon, Love Affair, and today's song, Party Time.

Now, I'm not saying he had a voice that rivalled Elvis, or the ability to write classic songs such as Buddy Holly, but he did possess a fair amount of likability in his style of singing, and catchy songs seem to have been picked especially for him. You can't help but get into groove of Party Time as he sings about inviting a girlfriend over one night "to play records" at his house while his mother is away. So, if you like early rock and roll and catchy beats, you're sure to enjoy Party Time by Sal Mineo. Start movin' (in the direction) of the handy download link I've provided and make this single part of your lasting collection!

The Ballad Of Robert Mitchum

2008-10-10T15:50:00.007-05:00

Artist: Robert Mitchum
Song: What Is This Generation Coming To? (a-side) (b-side is Mama Looka Boo Boo)
Label: Capitol Promotional Debut Record F3672
Number: 45-16598
Songwriters: Don Raye - Joseph Burke
Time: 2:41
Released: March 20th, 1957

Today's post is the first of two in a Hollywood-related theme. Both feature iconoclastic actors from Tinseltown's 1950's, when both performers took up recording for the first time. The first one features tough guy Robert Mitchum doing calypso. Calypso? Yes, you heard correctly! A little on the man himself first.

Robert Mitchum was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on August 6th, 1917. His father, James, was crushed to death in a railyard accident in Charleston, South Caroline, in February 1919, when Robert was less than 2 years old. Throughout his childhood, he was known as a prankster, often involved in fistfights and mischief. After being expelled from high school, he travelled throughout the country on railroad cars, taking a number of jobs including one as a ditch-digger for the Civilian Conservation Corps and as a professional boxer. He experienced numerous adventures during his years as one of the Depression era's "wild boys of the road." He arrived in Long Beach, California, in 1936, and during this time he worked as a ghostwriter for the astrologer Carroll Righter. It was sister Julie who convinced Robert to join the local theater guild with her. In his years with the Player's Guild of Long Beach, he made a living as a stagehand and occasional bit player in plays. He also wrote several short pieces which were performed by the guild. After securing work as an extra in movies, he found steady work in the Hopalong Cassidy series of B-westerns. From this humble beginning, he graduated into bigger and more important roles until finally landing onscreen during the height of the Film Noir era. Here, his star shown brightly and he came into his own. He rode this wave of popularity into the 1960's, where his career was marked by a number of lesser films and missed opportunities. Some of his more memorable motion pictures include The Locket (1946), Out Of The Past (1947), Rachel And The Stranger (1948), The Big Steal (1949), Where Danger Lives (1950), My Forbidden Past (1951), His Kind Of Woman (1951), The Racket (1951), Macao (1952), One Minute To Zero (1952), Angel Face (1952), River Of No Return (1954), The Night Of The Hunter (1955), Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957), Thunder Road (1958), The Sundowners (1960), Cape Fear (1962), The Longest Day (1962), El Dorado (1966), 5 Card Stud (1968), The Friends Of Eddie Coyle (1973), Farewell, My Lovely (1975), Midway (1976), The Big Sleep (1978), and many, many others. I'm sure readers of this blog will have seen about as many of these as I have - I've always been such a big fan of his movies!

Which brings us to one of the lesser known aspects of Mitchum's career - and that was his forays into music, both as a singer and composer. After hearing traditional calypso music while filming Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison in the Caribbean island of Tobago, he recorded Calypso - Is Like So... in March 1957. On this album, which the song in today's post hails from, he emulates the calypso sound and style, even adopting the style's unique pronunciations and slang. In 1958, he wrote and recorded a song for his film Thunder Road, entitled The Ballad Of Thunder Road, and it reached a respectable #69 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart. He waited until 1967 to record another album, but the resulting follow-up, That Man, Robert Mitchum, Sings, produced a #9 Country hit called Little Old Wine Drinker Me. It's follow-up, You Deserve Each Other, also charted on the Billboard Country Singles Chart.

Robert Mitchum, the 20th Century Renaissance Man, died on July 1st, 1997, but not before being regarded by critics as one of the finest actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. This post seems to have turned out a bit longer than normal, so I'll wind it all up by saying get Robert Mitchum doing calypso music as he sings about modern teenagers in What Is This Generation Coming To? I assure you, you won't be disappointed in it!

15 Minutes Of Fame - Or Tragedy?

2008-10-10T01:33:00.009-05:00

Artist: Joan Weber
Song: Let Me Go, Lover (a-side) (b-side is Marionette)
Label: Columbia 4-40366
Number: ZSP 34068
Songwriters: Al Hill - Jenny Lou Carson
Time: 2:21
Released: 1954

Today's post is one I've been meaning to upload for a long time, but it's such a sad story when you know what happened behind the scenes, that I found it hard. Joan Weber was only 18 years old when she recorded this song and it was to be her only hit. Poor Joan didn't even get any part of her 15 minutes of fame.

She was born on December 12th, 1935, in Paulsboro, New Jersey, and she was just 18 when manager Eddie Joy escorted her to New York City's legendary Brill Building to audition for RCA Records. Only a few months before this, she had been happily singing weekend dates with her husband's dance band in and around her home town of Paulsboro (pop. 7,842). After recording a demo of the song Marionette, it somehow found the ear of Columbia Records A&R man Mitch Miller, who quickly signed her to a contract. Although Joan and her bandleader husband were due to give birth to their first child in late 1954, Miller nevertheless ushered her into the studio to record Let Me Go, Lover, a rewrite of Jenny Lou Carson and Al Hill's anti-alcohol screed Let Me Go, Demon. On November 15th, 1954, a visibly pregnant Weber performed the song on the television showcase Studio One, and it emerged as an overnight hit. A prescient Miller made sure Let Me Go, Lover was stocked in record stores across the U.S. prior to Weber's TV appearance, and the disc sold over 100,000 copies in it's first week of release. It eventually found it's way to the top of the Billboard pop chart in January 1955, where it spent 4 weeks at the number one spot. Here's where the story takes a horrible twist.

The birth of their daughter Terry Lynn nevertheless forced Weber onto the sidelines just as the single peaked and her fame was at it's highest apex and here she was, unable to promote her career through public appearances. Consequently, the song was the only recording of hers to chart, and she was dropped from Columbia's roster soon after. She released only a handful of follow-up efforts before abandoning her music career altogether. From that point on in her life, I couldn't locate any facts about her life, except one. Joan Weber died on May 13th, 1981, of heart failure while confined to an Ancora, New Jersey mental institution - she was just 45 years old. What a sad ending for a woman whose career had such a brilliant beginning. One can only assume that depression set in soon after the events surrounding Let Me Go, Lover unfolded and it led to her confinement in a mental home.

In spite of all that, please download and listen to this song. She has an impassioned style of delivery that really makes me believe she wants the man in the song to release her:

"Oh, let me go, let me go, let me go, lover,

Let me be, set me free from your spell."

Let Me Go, Lover was an immensely popular song and inspired many cover versions by such artists as Patti Page, Teresa Brewer, Peggy Lee and Sunny Gale. It was such a huge hit in early 1955, that Lucille Ball even did a few bars of it on her television program I Love Lucy, on March 18th. But, this is the original version, and as far as I'm concerned, the best. With all the tragedy that surrounded the singer's life and this particular song, how could you not want to hear her plaintive cry for release as Joan Weber pleads Let Me Go, Lover? Listen to this song and then remember a sad, young lady whose fate it was to leave the world too soon.

Der Other Bingle

2008-10-08T18:30:00.008-05:00

Artist: Gary Crosby
Song: Cheatin' On Me (b-side) (a-side is Judy, Judy)
Label: Verve Black and Silver Label V-10153x45 B
Number: 22,494-12
Songwriters: Pollack - Yellen
Time: 2:07
Released: 1958

Yes, today's post is by, not Bing Crosby, but his son Gary. Born Gary Evan Crosby on June 27th, 1933, he was the oldest son of Bing Crosby and actress Dixie Lee. The stocky-framed, lookalike son of singing legend Crosby had that same bemused, forlorn look, fair hair and jug ears. Gary and his three brothers' childhood was an intensely troubled one with all four trying to follow in their father's incredibly large footsteps as singers and actors. As youngsters, they briefly appeared with Bing as themselves in the motion pictures Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) and Duffy's Tavern (1945). Gary proved to be the most successful of the four, albeit a minor one. As a teen, he dueted on two songs with his famous dad, Sam's Song and Play A Simple Melody, which became the first double-sided gold record in history. He and his brothers also formed their own harmony singing group "The Crosby Boys" in subsequent years but their success was fleeting.

In the late 1950's, Gary concentrated on a solo acting career and appeared pleasantly, if unobtrusively, in such breezy, lightweight fare as Mardi Gras (1958), Holiday For Lovers (1959), A Private's Affair (1959), Battle At Bloody Beach (1961) (perhaps his best role), Operation Bikini (1963), and Girl Happy (1965) with Elvis Presley. Making little leeway, he turned to TV series work. The Bill Dana Show (1963) and Adam-12 (1968) as Officer Ed Wells kept him occasionally busy in the '60's and early '70's, also guesting on such shows as The Twilight Zone (1959), The Rockford Files (twice, 1977 and 1979), and Matlock (1986).

In 1983, Gary published a "Daddy Dearest" autobiography entitled Going My Own Way, an exacting account of the severe physical and emotional abuse he and his brothers experienced at the hands of his overly stern and distant father, who had died in 1977. The tell-all book estranged Gary from the rest of his immediate family and did nothing to rejuvenate his stalled career. Two of his brothers, Dennis and Lindsey, later committed suicide. Gary was divorced from his third wife and was about to marry a fourth when he learned he had lung cancer. He died on August 24th, 1995, two months after the diagnosis. At the time of his death, Gary was working on an album in which he would be paired electronically with his late father, Bing, in much the same way Natalie Cole did with her father, Nat 'King' Cole, on her Unforgettable album.

After hearing today's song, you'll see that all comparisons between Gary and his more famous father Bing, are only minor. Gary had a singing style all his own, and he showed it with much verve and peruasion on Cheatin' On Me. It's a catchy little number with just a hint of rock and roll guitar during the solo that you'll be glad you downloaded. Here is Gary Crosby crooning Cheatin' On Me, doing it in his own way. It's a shame that he came along at the beginning of the rock and roll era, or he could have had an even bigger singing career.

Another One From My Julie

2008-10-08T18:08:00.005-05:00

Artist: Julie London
Song: Evenin' (b-side) (a-side is Send For Me)
Label: Liberty Audition Record F-55300
Number: LB-1177
Songwriters: Parish - White
Time: 2:40
Released: 1961

Well, regular readers of this blog will note that Julie London is one of my favorite female singers of all time. Is it any wonder I've posted more of her songs than anybody else here on Music For Every Mood? Needless to say, here is another great one! This song was originally featured on the album Send For Me, which was released the year I was born, in 1961.

Today's track is a mid-tempo tune by the name of Evenin'. Listen to her mournful delivery and look at those sultry eyes in the picture below. Is there any wonder to know that guys used to regularly fall in love with that face? Include me among them. Here's another great song by the first lady of torch singing, Julie London as she performs Evenin'. Julie passed away in 2000, but I still have a crush on her.

Patti Page Time

2008-10-08T17:05:00.008-05:00

Artist: Patti Page
Song: The Wall (b-side) (a-side is A Poor Man's Roses)
Label: Mercury Records 71059X45
Number: YW14652
Songwriters: Diamond - Owens - Dreyer
Time: 1:52
Released: February 4th, 1957

What else can I say about Patti Page but that she's incomparable? Born Clara Ann Fowler, she is known by her professional name and is one of the best-known female artists in traditional pop music. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and has sold over 100 million records to date. Her signature song, Tennessee Waltz, recorded in 1950, was one of the biggest-selling singles of the twentieth century, and spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard magazine's Best-Sellers List in 1950. Today, the song has come close to selling fifteen million copies.

Patti was born on November 8, 1927 in Claremore, Oklahoma, and became a featured singer on a 15-minute radio program on radio station KTUL, Tulsa, Oklahoma at age 18. Page toured with the Jimmy Joy Band throughout the country in the mid-1940s. The band eventually ended up in Chicago, Illinois in 1947. In Chicago, she sang with a small group led by popular orchestra leader, Benny Goodman. This helped her gain her first recording contract with Mercury Records the same year. Page became Mercury Records' "girl singer."

After her popularity began to decline in the 1960's, she left Columbia Records and returned to her old label, Mercury Records and shifted her career towards country music, in 1970. She achieved success in this field, also, singing with the likes of Tom T. Hall, on her #14 Billboard Country Chart hit Hello, We're Lonely, from 1973.

Now in her 80's, Page continues to tour, performing 50 select concerts a year across the United States and Canada. I'd say that if you get a chance to hear her, don't miss it!

Today's record is a catchy little upbeat number entitled The Wall. Patti sings about the developing space between two people in her own unique and inimitable style, so you have to check this one out. Here is the great Patti Page singing The Wall. Not to be confused with the Pink Floyd album of the same name.

He's Back....

2008-10-08T16:59:00.006-05:00

Well, I'm back. After a short hiatus to deal with my new novel being published, I'm ready to upload more records. My record player had a slight speed problem which needed to be fixed, but now it's up and rarin' to go. Not only will I continue to post the great artists and songs like I have in the past, I have some theme posts coming up as well. These will consist of multiple posts at a time and include such themes as Hollywood actors who sing, sister acts, songs with Hawaiian themes, sibling acts, the Space Age, and things like that. It promises to be loads of fun for me, so I hope my regulars will enjoy it too! And as always, keep those cards and letters coming - you can always post a comment if there's something you liked or would like to hear. Plus, some of the artists are a little obscure, so if you happen to know something about them that I don't, please don't hesitate to post it in the comment section. I'm sure my other regular readers would like to know it too! Well, that's all for now - I have to post some more great records!

I've Been Busy Lately

2008-08-26T03:59:00.007-05:00

I just wanted to apologize for not posting any new songs lately, but recently, another one of my manuscripts has been accepted to be published. It should be out in a month or two, so look for it. It will be called This Paradise, by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson. I'm really excited about this, my second novel to be published! If anyone happens to buy it and read it, please let me know what you thought about it and if you enjoyed it. It's a period piece, set in the Depression, and it's about a drifter that goes to work at a small husband and wife farm. It's in the same vein as John Steinbeck used to write, but no wonder - him and I share the same birthdate! (Just not the same year, however....) A gazebo is part of the central theme.

Here is the cover for it:

The Joker (Not Batman)

2008-07-03T18:07:00.006-05:00

Artist: Billy Myles

Song: The Joker (That's What They Call Me) (a-side) (b-side is Honey Bee)

Label: Ember Records E-1026

Number: E-2156

Songwriter: B. Myles

Time: 2:33

Released: 1957

This is a first for Music For Every Mood. Today's song is from a "one-hit wonder." Yes, according to what I can find on Billy Myles, he was a noted songwriter of many hits recorded by other artists, but the song The Joker (That's What They Call Me), was the only hit he himself sang. It rose to a respectable #25 on the US pop charts, but to an even higher #13 on the R&B charts.

Born on August 29th, 1924, he sadly passed away on October 9th, 2005. But, in between those dates, he wrote a lot of popular songs for many artists. Have You Ever Loved A Woman for Freddie King and Eric Clapton, If I Ever Fall In Love for Gladys Knight and the Pips, I Won't Cry Anymore for Big Maybelle, Nobody But Me by Lou Rawls, Your Love Alone for Brooke Benton, Your One And Only Love for Jackie Wilson and No Love (But Your Love) for Johnny Mathis. He seems to have had an extreme fondness for song titles with the word "Love" in them! His specialty was "love ballads," so go figure. The success of the song The Joker led to his appearing on the Ed Sullivan show, the very same episode that Buddy Holly and the Crickets were on in 1958.

Billy Myles eventually retired to Greenville, North Carolina, where he managed his music publishing company Selbon Music Publishing. (Nobles spelled backwards.) William Myles Nobles, a.k.a. Billy Myles, died there in 2005.

So, keeping with the Rhythm and Blues kick I've been on for my last two posts, here is that great uptempo recording of The Joker, by Billy Myles. This is not to be confused with the song of the same name by The Steve Miller Band, (another good song!) Listening to it, one wonders just why it was that Billy Myles never became a huge recording star. His voice is pleasant enough, in the same manner as the lead singer for The Platters, but I suppose the record company he worked for, Ember Records, preferred that he keep writing the hit records instead of recording them. That would take too much away from his time with pen and paper.

Miss Rhythm

2008-06-16T12:43:00.010-05:00

Artist: Ruth Brown
Song: Honey Boy (b-side) (a-side is Taking Care Of Business)
Label: Atlantic 45-2075
Number: A-4874
Songwriters: Dixon-McCoy
Time: 2:11
Released: 1960

Music in the 1950's starting changing in a big way. We saw Popular music becoming even more popular, Country and Western became more mainstream and Jazz took tremendous strides toward mainstream popularity in that decade. We also saw the birth of new styles of music, namely, Rhythm and Blues and even later in the decade, Rock and Roll. With all this great music being produced in the 1950's, is it any wonder that so many singers and groups, no matter in what style they performed, are still fondly remembered even today? One such artist who flowered during this period, was Ruth Brown.

Ruth was born on January 12th, 1928, the oldest of seven children. Her father directed the local church choir, but she preferred to sing in nightclubs and USO shows. She eventually ran away from home, where she came to the attention of Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson, the bosses at Atlantic Records. Although her repertoire at this time was mostly popular ballads, Ertegun convinced her to switch to rhythm and blues. Her first song, So Long, became a hit and it was followed by Teardrops From My Eyes, in 1950, which went on to become her first major hit. These were followed throughout the '50's with such classics as I'll Wait For You, I Don't Know, Daddy Daddy, 5-10-15 Hours, (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean, Oh What A Dream, Mambo Baby and Don't Deceive Me. Such was her success at Atlantic, that it became known as "The House That Ruth Built."

As the 1960's dawned, the music industry was starting to change, and with it saw the decline in popularity for several pioneers in the R&B field. Ruth was dropped from the Atlantic label in 1961 and faded from public view to become a housewife and mother. To support her two boys, she took jobs as a maid, driving a school bus and as a Head Start teacher. It wasn't until the mid-1970's that her career was revived. She started recording for several different labels, starred on Broadway, appeared on television and toured again. And, if this wasn't enough, in 1987, her fight for musicians rights and royalties led to the founding of the Rhythm And Blues Foundation. In 1993, she was even inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Sadly, she passed away on November 17th, 2006, from complications following a heart attack and stroke she suffered after surgery in October of that same year. The likes of Ruth Brown are not likely to appear again and I feel she will be sorely missed.

Today's song, Honey Boy, is a lively tune encompassing her Rhythm and Blues stylings, as well as her leanings toward Rock and Roll. Whenever I hear this tune, it always gets me going - it has the ability to affect you in that manner. So, treat yourself to today's song and see if your foot doesn't start tapping along with Ruth Brown as she belts out Honey Boy!

God, Country And My Baby - In That Order

2008-04-19T00:29:00.007-05:00

Artist: Chico Holiday

Song: Fools (b-side) (a-side is God, Country And My Baby)

Label: Coral 62291

Number: 111,135

Songwriters: John Dolan - Chico Holiday

Time: 2:34

Released: 1961

Chico Holiday was born Ralph Vergolino in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on August 24th, 1934. When he debuted, he was apparently promoted as a teen idol. He even had one of his early hits written by Sonny James, Young Ideas. Other songs included Your Kid Sister, Lulu Had A Baby, God, Country And My Baby, Blue Tattoo, It Won't Be Me, I Believe I Believe, Rockin', Johnny Was Late For The Wedding, Cuckoo Girl and Rockin' Horse To Rockin' Chair. These were recorded for several different labels. Other than the fact that he later became a gospel singer and is now the head minister at Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda church, in California, I couldn't find out much about him. But, today's song is good.

Fools, was the flipside of a 1961 single and is a song he co-wrote. It features a very impassioned vocal, sang with a strong, teen idol kind of delivery. I can't find where it was ever a hit record, but one listen to it and you'll agree that it could and should have been. So, please give a listen to Chico Holiday as he sings Fool. You won't be a fool for doing so!

Heeeere's.... Jill!

2008-03-23T09:39:00.007-05:00

Artist: Jill Corey
Song: I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Me) (a-side) (b-side is Egghead)
Label: Columbia 4-40794
Number: ZSP 39414
Songwriters: B. Green - Warren
Time: 2:11
Released: November 12th, 1956

Jill Corey was born Norma Jean Speranza in Avonmore, Pennsylvania, on September 30th, 1935. She won a talent contest sponsored by the local Lion's Club, and this led to her singing the song on the radio. From this, she got her own radio show - all at the age of 13! By the ripe old age of 14, she was working 7 nights a week. By 17, she was a local celebrity. From a simple recording she made in her home town, her talents came to the attention of Mitch Miller. He was so impressed that he immediately telephoned her and the next day, she flew up to New York so he could hear her in a more natural studio setting. He was so enthralled by her voice that she was offered a Columbia recording contract that same day! From these beginnings, she started to appear on television programs of the era such as The Steve Allen Show, Person To Person hosted by Edward R. Murrow, The Robert Q. Lewis Show and Ed Sullivan's Toast Of The Town. She even became a regular for 9 months on Johnny Carson's show. She also appeared in motion pictures such as Senior Prom. In 1961, she married Pittsburgh Pirates baseball player Don Hoak and gave up her career. He died tragically 8 years later and she returned to her previous life of performing onstage. She still performs and loves to birdwatch in Central Park. Talk about a well-rounded career!
Her only album for Columbia was entitled Sometimes I'm Happy, Sometimes I'm Blue, from 1958. It featured songs grouped together by theme with a side of songs from the Roaring Twenties and a side of torch songs and ballads. Today's song is in the same style as side one of her album, and which she sang live on Ed Sullivan's show on January 20th, 1957. It is entitled I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Me). It features Jimmy Carroll and his Orchestra backing her up and the arrangement is quite catchy. It was also her first major hit record. Thrill along with the voice that still thrills audiences to this day and download Jill Corey as she belts out I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Me).

Peggy Lee Followup

2008-03-17T13:56:00.008-05:00

Artist: Peggy Lee
Song: Ooh That Kiss (a-side) (b-side is Oh! No! [Please Don't Go])
Label: Decca 9-29534 (Pink Label Promotional - Not For Sale)
Number: 45-L 8178
Songwriters: Harry Warren - Mort Dixon - Joe Young
Time: 2:19
Released: June 6th, 1955

In a previous Peggy Lee post here, I posted one side of this single. Here is the other side of it - Ooh That Kiss, by Peggy Lee. This song has a nice Cha Cha Cha beat and is very appealing. Peggy Lee could really sell a song! I must say that this is one of my most favorites I've posted here so far, so by all means, you have to get it! I wouldn't lie to you - this one will have you swaying before you even realize it. Keep those requests coming!

Still Performing After All These Years

2008-03-17T09:35:00.008-05:00

Artist: The Four Lads

Song: Oceans Of Love (b-side) (a-side is Giuggiola [Joo-Joo-Lah])

Label: Kapp K-412X (White Label Promotional Record - Not For Sale)

Number: K-5876

Songwriters: Carl Sigman

Time: 2:12

Released: 1961

The Four Lads formed in the late-1940's, and from what I can find on the internet, are still together to this day and performing live shows. That's 58 years they've been in the entertainment industry! The founding members were Corrado "Connie" Codarini, bass; John Bernard "Bernie" Toorish (born March 2nd, 1931), tenor; James F. "Jimmy" Arnold, (January 4th, 1932 - June 15th, 2004) lead; and Frank Busseri, baritone and group leader. They grew up together in Toronto, Ontario and were members of St. Michael's Choir School. This is where they learned to sing and worked hard at practicing their harmonies. By 1950, they began performing at local clubs and were noticed by scouts. Recruited to go to New York, the quartet were spotted by Mitch Miller, who immediately put them to work singing backup with some of the artists he produced. One such singer they backed was Johnny Ray and his big hit Cry, in 1951. This made them well known.

They released their first single, The Mocking Bird, in 1952. By 1953, they made their first gold record with Istanbul (Not Constantinople). This kept them busy throughout the 1950's and 1960's and was followed by such hits as Moments To Remember, No, Not Much, Standin' On The Corner and Who Needs You? Today's post comes just a few years after those hits.

The song Oceans Of Love, with Joe Sherman directing the orchestra, is a catchy little, guitar-driven ditty. As a guitarist myself, I can tell that this record features a guitar played on a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier, which is how it achieves it's particular sound. This guitar sound was later exemplified by such Surf-Rock groups as The Surfaris and The Ventures.

Codarini was replaced by Johnny D'Arc in 1962 and in the early 1970's, Toorish was replaced by Sid Edwards. Jimmy Arnolds died of lung cancer in Sacramento, California, aged 72. It is original member Frank Busseri who reconstituted the group and sings to nostalgia crowds to this day. But, this record is from when they were in their heyday, with all their original members. Download Oceans Of Love by The Four Lads and relive the wonderful times when you could hear those glorious vocal groups from the Fifties! Back when gasoline cost 20 cents a gallon and the music was priceless.

Warm Brandy

2008-03-08T23:41:00.006-06:00

Artist: Dolores Gray
Song: My Mama Likes You (b-side) (a-side is I'm Innocent)
Label: Capitol F3774 (White Label Promotional Record - Not For Sale)
Number: 45-16839
Songwriters: Bill Olofson - Chris Miller
Time: 2:14
Released: August 16th, 1957

Dolores Gray was a Tony Award winning actress during the 1940's and 1950's, appearing in such productions as Annie Get Your Gun, Two On The Aisle, Carnival In Flanders, Destry Rides Again, Sherry! and 42nd Street. She even signed with MGM and acted on the big screen alongside other stars such as Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Sebastian Cabot, June Allyson, Joan Collins Ann Miller, Ann Sheridan, Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall, in such films as Kismet, The Opposite Sex and Designing Women. And, if that weren't enough, she had a successful music career as well! She signed with Capitol Records and recorded the album Warm Brandy, which was what her voice was compared to when she sang. Add in several television appearances, including her final role on the program Dr. Who, and it all added up to a mighty fine achievement for one person. Sadly, she died of a heart attack at age 78, in 2002.

The spotlight song for today. My Mama Likes You, features a Calypso beat, which was so popular in the late 1950's. That Dolores could handle it so easily is a great testament to her immense talents. There's just something catchy about this particular song that I think you're going to like. So, download My Mama Likes You, by Dolores Gray, and see if you don't agree. The shot of warm brandy to enjoy while you listen to this fine singer is optional.

The Blonde Bombshell

2008-03-08T22:47:00.010-06:00

Artist: Mamie Van Doren

Song: Oo Ba La Baby (a-side, track 2) (b-side includes Go Go Calypso! and Rollin' Stone)

Label: Prep M1-1

Number: F1-1

Songwriters: Les Baxter - Lennie Adelson - Eddie Cochran

Time: 2:20

Released: 1957

This track and the three others on this mini-album 45 are all taken from the Warner Brothers movie Untamed Youth. The film starred the voluptuous Mamie Van Doren as one of two sisters who, while hitchhiking to Los Angeles, stop in a small rural town to go skinny-dipping. They get caught and sentenced to work on a cotton farm until they can pay off their debt. (I'm not making this up.) The producers of this film wasted little opportunity to show Ms. Van Doren in her underwear or while wearing tight-fitting sweaters. If this sounds like the makings of a teen-exploitation flick from the Fifties, you would be right. It was also one of the first motion pictures ever banned by the Catholic Church.

None of this, however, should detract you from the glories of the song Oo Ba La Baby, or Mamie Van Doren's singing. Both of them are catchy and forcefully delivered. If the name of one of the songwriters seems familiar, It should. It belongs to one of early Rock and Roll's lost pioneers - Eddie Cochran. Cochran was killed in 1960, involved in a limo accident while on tour in England. But, on this song, which he also plays guitar, it's quite evident he had something to say for the youth of America. I've never seen the film, but have read where Cochran had a small role in it. But, enough of him. If you saw the film in it's initial release, it was probably because of Mamie.

Mamie Van Doren is still around, and if possible, better looking than ever! If you don't believe me, go check out her website here. But, not until you've downloaded Oo Ba La Baby by Mamie Van Doren and given it a listen to!

The Unsinkable Mary Frances

2008-02-19T20:32:00.017-06:00

Artist: Debbie Reynolds

Song: I Can't Love You Anymore (a-side) (b-side is Love Is A Simple Thing)

Label: Dot 45-15937

Number: MW-12224

Songwriter: Allie Wrubel - Herbert Magidson

Time: 2:14

Released: 1960

Everyone knows Debbie Reynolds from such movies as Singin' In The Rain, Tammy And The Bachelor, Bundle Of Joy, The Singing Nun and The Mating Game, among some of her most popular roles. But Debbie, who was born Mary Frances Reynolds, enjoyed a sporadic recording career which saw her achieving some lofty chart positions through the years. Her first hit record was Aba Daba Honeymoon, top 3 in 1951. Her smash recording of the theme song Tammy went straight to the top of the charts and held the number one position for a total of five weeks. Other hits for her were A Very Special Love and Am I That Easy To Forget, from 1958 and 1960 respectively.

Today's song is one that was released in 1960 on the album Am I That Easy To Forget. I Can't Love You Anymore, with the subtitle of (Any More Than I Do), features an arrangement by Jerry Fielding, who also conducts the orchestra. The flipside was released the previous year on the album entitled simply Debbie. She was still riding the crest of popularity from her hit Tammy, so her recordings of both these songs are from that same period of time. What a great voice she had and still haves! She still performs regularly to packed houses and keeps making appearances on the big and little screens - she is one of America's treasures. Just ask any fan of hers. If you haven't heard her singing lately, be sure to get Debbie Reynolds performing I Can't Love You Anymore (Any More Than I Do) and reintroduce yourself to a voice that is oh so enchanting! You'll be glad you did.

The Opposite Sex

2008-01-28T20:23:00.003-06:00

Artist: Julie London
Song: Now, Baby Now (a-side) (b-side is Tall Boy)
Label: Liberty F55032

Number: 45-FB-2087 (45-LB-630)
Songwriter: Sammy Cahn - Nicholas Brodsky
Time: 2:05
Released: 1956

As promised, here is another great song from Julie London, one of the all-time great female singers. You know how I adore her and that voice of hers! This particular track is from a 1956 motion picture that was a musical remake of The Women, entitled The Opposite Sex. The movie starred another past featured vocalist here on Music For Every Mood, Dolores Gray. Julie had quite a career up on the silver screen, but was not part of the cast of this movie.

Something I do remember her being in, because I watched it on television every week, was Emergency! I'm going to have to break down and get some of those season sets of that show, just so I can see her again. The group backing her up on this recording is Pete King and his Orchestra. Don't hesitate, you have to have this track of Julie London singing Now, Baby Now! Go get it - now, baby now!

The Art Of Record Labels

2008-01-27T22:12:00.001-06:00

In this short post, I just want to speak about something that comes as an added benefit from going through all my old records. And that is the records themselves - or at least the artwork of the label designs. They come in all manners of beauty. Some subdued, some extravagant, some plain or some overtly fancy. And in each and every one of them, I find something to marvel at. But I just have to say that my two favorite labels are the Sun Records label from the 1950's and the Beatles Apple label, starting in 1968. You can take one look at either of them and you know immediately what you're getting. With the Sun label, it seems to say "there's a bright, new day dawning and it's going to be filled with Rock and Roll!" The Beatles' Apple label just seems so stately and dignified, you know it's going to be classy if it's on Apple. (With only a few exceptions, everything was important on the Apple label. Despite such meanderings as pictured below.)

Since this blog feeds off comments from my readers, I welcome anyone to tell me their favorite record labels, and why. I have pictured two of my prized possessions of vinyl above and below for example. The only reason I used an album label for Apple was because it shows much more of the Apple itself. Due to the theme of this blog, however, I probably won't be posting anything from either label, I just wanted to show them to illustrate my point. But, please don't hesitate to tell me about your favorite label. Or even if you have something to say about one of the artists I've posted or to request something. I welcome any and all comments. You know you're just dying to say something about your favorites!

The World's Oldest Virgin

2008-01-15T03:07:00.003-06:00

Artist: Doris Day

Song: Meditation (b-side) (a-side is How Insensitive)

Label: Columbia 4-43278 (White Label Not For Sale - Radio Station Copy)

Number: JRZSP 72152

Songwriter: N. Gimble - N. Mendonca - A. C. Jobim

Time: 2:55

Released: 1965

Doris Day is the consummate star. She had a really great voice and was a highly underrated actress. Pillow Talk, from 1959, is one of my most favorite movies she made and I seem to watch it at least once a year. As the 1960's unfolded, however, her popularity on the silver screen started to wane. Mainly because of the roles she was given, she became somewhat typecast playing characters that were naive and of purest virtue. This led to her getting the tag of "the world's oldest virgin."

Which brings us to today's post. The single featuring the song Meditation was from an album released in 1965 called Latin For Lovers, and was recorded on November 2nd, 1964, in a period of declining popularity. Not that her voice had lost any of it's abilities, far from it. If anything, with maturity, her singing was the best it had ever been. Her recording career was concluded by 1967 and the world lost another great voice. But, here you can hear her at a point before she had decided to stop making records. Download Meditation, by Doris Day, and see for yourself what a great talent she was to all her adoring fans.

Coming Attractions For 2008

2007-12-31T14:15:00.000-06:00

I'm only getting started here at Music For Every Mood. If you like what I've posted so far, just wait! I have plenty more good stuff to work my way through. Just to mention a few of the artists I will be spotlighting in 2008 are Doris Day, The Four Lads, Billy Ward And His Dominoes, Patti Page, Debbie Reynolds, Kitty La Nier, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Mathis, Kitty Kallen, Dolores Gray, The Paulette Sisters, Betty Johnson, Connie Francis, Dodie Stevens, Ella Mae Morse, Ruth Brown, Jill Corey, Mamie Van Doren, (who, by the way, is still hotter than ever!), Chico Holiday and many more!

And, as always, if you have any requests, please just let me know. I might have the artist you're looking for and will try to post them specially for their fans. Or if you would just like to hear more of an artist I've already covered, be sure to ask for that, too. As a devoted fan myself of Julie London, I will be posting more from her soon, so have no worries on that account!

The Hyperpolyglot Girl

2007-12-31T13:04:00.002-06:00

Artist: Caterina Valente

Song: Secret Love (b-side) (a-side is Oho-Aha)
Label: Decca 9-30778 (Pink Label Sample Copy - Not For Sale)
Number: DU-1579
Songwriter: Sammy Fain - Paul Francis Webster
Time: 2:23
Released: 1959

Caterina Valente was born in Paris, France on January 14th, 1931, into an Italian circus family. Being as her parents were both talented, this is probably why she inherited so much musical ability. Not only can she sing and play the guitar fluently, she can speak and sing in twelve different languages, too. The term for this is where the title of the blog comes from. Caterina is considered a true world citizen and a hyperpolyglot. She became an internationally known vocalist in 1953 when she joined Kurt Edelhagen's orchestra in Germany. She soon signed to Polydor and made her recording debut the same year. Her first big hit was Malaguena, followed by Analucia.

In 1959, she switched to Decca Records and that was when today's track was recorded. Secret Love had been a hit for Doris Day, but when Caterina Valente did it, it seemed like a whole new song - vibrant and alive. The arrangement, with backing provided by Kurt Edelhagen's band, has her talking to herself, urging her on with the song. Beginning with the cryptic "5 seconds from Wolf," she bursts into the song with her voice doubled, echoing some major passages at the beginning. It is a joyous proclamation to the world that her secret love will remain a secret no longer.

I fell in love with her voice from the moment I first heard this track. I'm sure you will, too, so be certain not to miss the original single version of Secret Love by Caterina Valente. It will have your fingers snapping and your toes tapping, I guarantee.

They Call Me MISS Toni Fisher

2007-12-17T08:37:00.001-06:00

Artist: Miss Toni Fisher

Song: The Red Sea Of Mars (b-side) (a-side is Everlasting Love)

Label: Signet 3-279 (White/Red Label)

Number: E-5878

Songwriter: Wayne Shanklin

Time: 2:58

Released: 1960

She was always known as "Miss Toni Fisher" and her big hit was The Big Hurt, in 1959. What was most noteworthy about this first hit of hers was that it was the first record ever released which used a phasing effect. It was written by her husband, Wayne Shanklin, as was this record The Red Sea Of Mars. She had one other Top 40 hit in 1962, entitled West Of The Wall, about lovers caught on either side of the newly-erected Berlin Wall. But, today's post was released in between these two records, 1960, and was not a hit.

She was born in Los Angeles, California in 1931, and died of a heart attack on February 12th, 1999 in Hyrum, Utah. At the age of 18, she played a small, uncredited part in the musical Make Believe Ballroom, in 1949. In 1959, she signed a recording contract with a small independent company called Signet Records, located in Hollywood. On November 16th, her first record debuted on the charts entitled The Big Hurt. Because it went up to #3 on the pop charts, she had the opportunity to appear on the shows of Dick Clark and Ed Sullivan. In 1960, her second record How Deep Is The Ocean peaked at #93. Later that year, Signet released the single Everlasting Love b/w The Red Sea Of Mars, although it failed to chart. They also gathered her recordings together and released an album named after her big hit The Big Hurt. This, too failed to chart and she was dropped from her contract with Signet. Her one record deal with Columbia Records featuring If I Loved You b/w Love Bug also failed to chart and then she moved to Big Top Records in 1962. Her final hit, West Of The Wall, for that label, came on May 26th, 1962. She had several other singles released on the Smash label and then a short return to her original label, Signet, but had no further chart action.
This is a shame, really, as she had such a nice, strong voice and delivered her performances in a confident matter. Now, people always try to analyze why things happen, so permit me to do the same here. I think perhaps the reason she didn't have a bigger chart presence than she did was due to two primary factors. One, it seems like her husband wrote all of her material. Usually artists like her are given songs to choose from written by a wide variety of songwriters. The most strongest tracks are chosen to record and this may have been a factor in her case. However good of a songwriter her husband Wayne was, he was no Lerner and Lowe. The Red Sea Of Mars is a good song, but perhaps there could have been better ones found for her to record. Even though this track has grown on me, that's just my opinion. The second factor I find that may have inhibited her career is the fact that of the two pictures I could locate of her on the internet, one being below, Miss Fisher didn't come across as a particulary stunning-looking woman. In the music business, looks can sometimes make or break an artist.

But don't let any of that deter you from hearing her voice. It is quite pleasant to listen to. Here is Miss Toni Fisher singing The Red Sea Of Mars. Enjoy!

One other small item of interest. I find many times that the length of the song as reported on the record label does not match up with it's actual length when played. This record was a case in point. Listed at two seconds under 3 minutes long on the label, it actually only lasts for 2:44. And it's not because my turntable has a speed problem, either. I suppose sometimes that the music business is not a very precise science.

She's Available

2007-12-15T10:45:00.001-06:00

Artist: Margie Rayburn
Song: And He Told Me A Lie (b-side) (a-side is To Each His Own)
Label: Liberty F-55159 (White Label Promotional Copy)
Number: 45-LB-888
Songwriter: R. Bagdasarian
Time: 2:35
Released: 1958

Despite the fact that Margie Rayburn had quite a varied career, there isn't that much to find out about her on the internet. Just a few tantalizing tidbits here and there. She was born Marjorie Helen Orwig in Madera, California on June 3rd, 1924 and sadly passed away from a heart attack on June 14th, 2000. In between those dates she was the singer with The Sunnysiders, whose hit was Hey Mr. Banjo; was a member of the Ray Anthony Orchestra; appeared on such television shows as The Spike Jones Show and American Bandstand; and even toured with Buddy Holly and The Crickets, in January of 1958!
Her career never really seemed to take off, even when she was signed to Liberty Records, because she wasn't selling sex like her labelmate Julie London was. It wasn't until her fifth single for Liberty that she had a hit, with her #7 in the charts recording of I'm Available. Six more singles and one album, Margie, for the label were unsuccessful. This song, And He Told Me A Lie, was one of the six singles released after her big hit, but one that did not chart. Interestingly enough, it was written by a man already familiar here on Music For Every Mood - Ross Bagdasarian. It is a wistful piece of betrayed love and even though I'm not familiar with much of the music of Margie Rayburn, this record is quite moving in it's own way.
Be sure to download this song and hear Margie Rayburn singing And He Told Me A Lie. They just don't make records like this anymore.

The Rat Pack, Part Two

2007-12-15T10:01:00.001-06:00

Artist: Sammy Davis Jr.

Song: It's Bigger Than You And Me (b-side) (a-side is Back Track!)

Label: Decca 9-29649 (Pink Label Sample Copy - Not For Sale)

Number: 45-L 8562

Songwriter: Jule Styne - Leo Robin

Time: 2:21

Released: 1955

Here is part two of my special Rat Pack edition of posts. This one features Mr. Wonderful himself, Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr., who could have been called the hardest working man in show business, started appearing on stage when he was only 3 years old. Born on December 8th, 1925, his parents divorced when he was three. His father received custody of him and immediately took the boy with him on the vaudeville curcuit. Except for a stint in the Army during World War II, his career would last until he died in 1990. He lost an eye when he was involved in an automobile accident in 1954, which almost cost him his life.

This record dates from the following year, when he had regained control of his life and career. Columbia Pictures released the movie Here Comes Eileen, in 1955, and the song It's Bigger Than You And Me was featured in it. Although Sammy didn't appear in the movie or sing the version on the soundtrack, it was nevertheless included as the b-side of his latest single, Back Track! Featuring an orchestra led by Sy Oliver, Sammy sings it in his own inimitable way and ends up making the song his own. Here is that swinging cat Sammy Davis Jr. doing It's Bigger Than You And Me. You won't want to miss this other fine addition to the Rat Pack canon.

The Rat Pack, Part One

2007-12-15T09:26:00.001-06:00

Artist: Dean Martin

Song: Promise Her Anything (a-side) (b-side is The Triche Trache)
Label: Capitol F3787 (White Label Promotional Record)
Number: 45-17074

Songwriter: Roy Alfred
Time: 2:54
Released: August 29th, 1957

I just received the belt I ordered through the mail, so in honor of getting my turntable back into operation, I have not one special Rat Pack-related post, but two! This is the first one and what needs to be said about the artist that most people don't already know? Of course I'm speaking about Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 17th, 1917. Dean's career was so big that he was the only star to be a major hit in all four major areas of show business: concert stage, recordings, motion pictures, and television.
This particular song, Promise Her Anything, with the subtitle of (But Give Her Love), features an orchestra conducted by Gus Levene. The record itself is stamped August 29 1957, so I know that's when it was released. When it came out, it was at the period when his career was seeing a sudden resurgence. He had split with his longtime partner Jerry Lewis and started concentrating more on his recording and acting. What a powerful combination that came to be when he appeared in the series of movies based on the Matt Helm spy character. Those are some of my favorites of his. But enough of this preliminary stuff, let's get on to the actual record which features the oh-so-smooth crooning of Dean Martin as he sings Promise Her Anything. I'm sure you're going to enjoy this one and it's companion piece coming next from Sammy Davis Jr.

Now Appearing On The Gary Moore Show

2007-12-09T03:12:00.002-06:00

Artist: Denise Lor

Song: Everything I Do (Concerto Of Love) (b-side) (a-side is You're Everywhere)
Label: 20th Fox 45-114 (MF-145) (Cloud Label, Promotion Copy - Not For Sale)
Number: JBOW-9969

Songwriter: Victor Young - Eddie Heyman
Time: 2:43
Released: ?

I can't find much information at all about Denise Lor. Other than the fact that she was on the Garry Moore show from 1950-64, had a #8 hit in 1954 called If I Give My Heart To You, and was one of the classiest girl singers of the fabulous fifties, there is next to nothing about her on the internet. I suspect this record is from a later period. On it she is backed by Hugo Montenegro and his orchestra. The flipside was probably the intended hit, but I can't seem to locate that it even made the charts, so that's no help. I think I'll just leave you with the impassioned singing of Denise Lor while she performs Everything I Do. Listen to it and that's probably all you need to see that she was a very good singer!

As always, if anybody can provide more information about any of these fine artists, please don't hesitate to comment and let me know.

August 17th, 2010 Update: Apparently since this post about Denise, she has come back into the public eye. There has been a little information posted about her on Wikipedia and I received an interesting little tidbit about her through some e-mail correspondence. Here are both bits of information:

Wikipedia: Denise Lor (born May 3, 1929) is an American popular singer and actress.
She was a featured artist on Garry Moore's television show. Ms. Lor was married to and subsequently divorced from TV director and singer Jay Martin, with whom she had sons, Ron and Dennis. They had met when she was singing on The Garry Moore Show at CBS, where he was an associate director. She subsequently married writer Charles Horine (Chuck Horner). Her main hit was "If I Give My Heart to You," which charted in 1954 at the same time as another recording of the same song by Doris Day. She has appeared in numerous musical comedies including Gypsy, Annie and Sweeney Todd.

Related to her appearances on the Garry Moore show: Ivan T. Sanderson, naturalist, author, World War II intelligence agent and media personality, used to appear every week on the Garry Moore daytime show in the 1950's, and he used to do things to Denise Lor like put bats in her hair and release bees while she was onstage singing.

Well, there you have just a little bit more information about Denise Lor. It looks like she's still alive, so if she is, please let her know that her fans remember her well and I wish she would contact me here at Music For Every Mood. I'm sure her fans would like to hear from her!

Teach Me Tiger

2007-12-05T03:20:00.001-06:00

Artist: April Stevens

Song: Love Kitten (a-side) (b-side is You And Only You)

Label: Imperial 5761 (Black label silver printing)

Number: IM-2993
Songwriter: Nino Tempo

Time: 2:08

Released: 1961

Many people will recognize the name of April Stevens, especially if the name Nino Tempo is connected with it. Together, they had the smash 1963 hit Deep Purple. What many people don't realize is that this dynamic duo are brother and sister. They were born with the names of Nino and Carol Lo Tempio, and were from Niagara Falls, New York before they relocated to California. Their careers were seemingly always intertwined - working together, working apart, recording together, recording separately - and even though Nino wasn't on this track, he did write it, along with it's flipside You And Only You.

April's solo career goes back to 1951 when she was approached by the owner of Laurel Records, while still in school. Before long, she had changed her name to April Stevens and recorded a few songs for Tony Sepe's small independent label out of Hollywood, California. Early hits of hers from the 1950's included Don't Do It, Gimme A Little Kiss, Will Ya Huh? and Teach Me Tiger, all slightly suggestive sounding in nature, and a couple of them even being banned from the radio! Love Kitten is another song in the same vein. April's voice literally purrs in this song, with her sensuous, alluring vocals and singing in a throaty half-whisper. Who could doubt that she generated a lot of fan mail back in the day?

Both Love Kitten and it's b-side You And Only You have never been included on any of her albums and that is a mistake indeed. With her sexy, come-hither voice, one has only to wonder how much bigger of a star she could have been had her hair been blonde instead. Listen to April Stevens purring Love Kitten, and see if you don't agree!

Not The Robber Baron

2007-12-04T22:27:00.001-06:00

Artist: Jaye P. Morgan

Song: Tell Me More (b-side) (a-side is My Blind Date)
Label: RCA Victor 47-7178 (Black label silver printing)
Number: J2PW-0958

Songwriter: Jerry Leiber-Mike Stoller
Time: 2:02
Released: March, 1958

Jaye P. Morgan, whose real name was Mary Margaret Morgan, had a long and varied career, starting in the 1940's. Her nickname was acquired in high school, where she was elected the class treasurer and people compared her to banker J. P. Morgan because she was so tight with money. The reference stuck and she took the name "Jaye P." when she started performing professionally. In 1954, she signed with RCA Records and during this popular 4-year period, there were several singles released. In fact, during the year of 1955, she had five hit singles! This particular record came toward the end of her association with RCA and has Neal Hefti directing the orchestra. It features Jaye P. Morgan on vocals and a great uptempo arrangement. The flipside My Blind Date has been anthologized recently, as has a lot of her works, but this particular song has never appeared on any album.

After her recording career started winding down in the mid-1960's, she did little entertainment-wise except a few nightclub appearances and television talk shows, later moving into acting in the 1970's. But, she is probably most remembered for a 1980 appearance she made on The Gong Show, of which she was a regular panelist, where she did something that got her fired from the show. She supposedly bared her breasts during a performance by Gene-Gene, The Dancing Machine. This infamous incident is detailed further elsewhere, so I won't go into specifics here.

She is currently retired and her latest release is entitled Jaye P. Morgan Lately!, re-released in 2005. (Originally it came out on the Palace Records label in 1983.) But, this is Jaye P. Morgan in the height of her popularity singing Tell Me More.

She Was Just Seventeen

2007-12-03T00:31:00.004-06:00

Artist: Sue Raney

Song: Till There Was You (a-side) (b-side is Pal Joey Theme, by Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra)

Label: Capitol F3847 (White Label Promotional Record)

Number: 45-17765
Songwriter: Meredith Willson

Time: 2:41

Released: November 26th, 1957

Sue Raney's first album was recorded by Capitol when she was only 18 years old. When Your Lover Has Gone, produced by Nelson Riddle, was released in 1958. This single was not recorded for it, nor was it a part of that album. Instead, it came from the previous year when Sue had first signed with Capitol. Upon discovering her, they paired her with Nelson Riddle and immediately saw results. Till There Was You was recorded on October 29th, 1957, and was backed with the theme from the Frank Sinatra movie Pal Joey (whom Riddle also produced for Capitol) which was released on November 25th, 1957. The Pal Joey Theme featured only Riddle's orchestra with no vocalist.

The song Till There Was You was from the Broadway musical The Music Man, which would premiere the following month, on December 19th. I find it fascinating that the songwriter, Meredith Willson, would allow it to be used like this. There was an original cast album which was released on January 20th, 1958, and it went on to hold the #1 position on the Billboard charts for twelve weeks, so it's surprising he let this version pre-date it and possibly detract from it's sales. Whatever the reasoning was, Riddle's and Sue Raney's version is quite charming. Another unlikely artist to have covered this song, was the Beatles, in 1963! But, here is the ultra-smooth Nelson Riddle and Sue Raney version of Till There Was You from 1957.

I found out that Sue Raney is alive and well, living on the West Coast, and still recording. In fact, she just recorded a tribute album to Doris Day that was released earlier this year of 2007. I heard some of it and she can still sing, let me tell you - better than ever! You might want to look that CD up, it's entitled Heart's Desire, A Tribute To Doris Day. You can hear cuts from it on Sue Raney's very own My Space page here.

The Swingingest Sexpot In Show Business

2007-12-02T10:22:00.002-06:00

Artist: Abbe Lane

Songs: We're Not Children (a-side) and Femininity (b-side)

Label: RCA Victor 47-7169 (Black label with silver printing)

Number: J2PW-0722 and J2PW-0724
Songwriters: Jay Livingston - Ray Evans (Both songs)

Time: 2:25 and 2.14 (The printing on the label says 2:25 and 2:56)

Released: 1958 (?)

I wasn't going to post this single because I found out these two songs were on her album entitled The Lady In Red and it had been reissued recently on CD. But, when I located an original version of that album which somebody had digitized and uploaded to the internet, here, I found out something very surprising. The two songs on my single were different versions than were found on the album! That's right. They both had the same arrangements, of that I'm sure - the instrumentation was exactly note for note on both versions. And, yes, it's Abbe singing on both versions, but they seem to be different takes. On We're Not Children, the lyrics and length of the song is the same on both the single and the album, as is her phrasing and the way she interprets the song. It's just that I can tell it's not the same vocal take on each one, if you know what I mean. Femininity is a whole other story.

On the album, Femininity has an intro piece and lasts 2:56. Does the length sound familiar? It should, for that is what the song is reported to run as printed on the label of the single version. The problem with that is, though - the single version only lasts 2:14! And, to top it all off, the lyrics are totally different in some places, so I know it's a different vocal take!

What could have happened? After a lot of research, I still don't know the answer to that. One clue that led me farther away from the truth was the small printing underneath the titles of both tracks on the single: From the musical production "Oh Captain!" A-ha! After a little more research, I found out that Abbe did indeed premiere these songs in the Broadway musical Oh, Captain! and that there was an original cast album released. I figured that was the discrepancy - the single was from the Broadway show, put out before the album was recorded. But.... Abbe was on the RCA label and the cast album was released by Columbia, so she couldn't appear on it and instead had to have her vocal parts sung by Eileen Rodgers. So, that wasn't what happened. What did happen?

My theory as to what took place is this. As is the case with some songs in Broadway productions, often times the lyrics get "updated" when recorded outside of the production. It arises that references that are in the song when perfomed onstage are out of context without the full compliment of the Broadway show surrounding it on a "secular" album. There is nothing to confirm or deny my theory, that I can find, but here is what I think happened:

Abbe never got to sing the songs that she herself premiered on Broadway. I mean, now they were like her signature songs and somebody else had to sing them on the original cast album! That must have made her pretty angry at rigid Record Company rules and regulations. When her record company, RCA, got ready for her to release a new album, they made sure that these two songs would be included on it; because after all, she was practically famous with them already. So they recorded them, and because the lyrics had to be rearranged and one of the songs padded out to a more fuller length, they tacked on an intro to the beginning of Femininity and all was well. To appease her, I think they may have allowed her to record them again, singing the versions she had on Broadway, only never intending to do anything with these other versions. I also suspect that they intended to use the album versions of both songs on the single all along, as the tell-tale timing lengths printed on the label indicates. Sometime after the recording process, the master tape of these two songs must have gotten mixed up and sent to be used on the single instead of the album version masters, and it wasn't caught until it was too late. Well, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it! If anybody has any information about this, please contact me.

As to Abbe Lane herself, she had quite a career. Born in 1932, she began as a child actress on the radio and from there she progressed to singing and dancing on Broadway. In 1952, she married the Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat and his influence could be seen on her music, which favored Latin and rumba styles. The title of this post was taken from a 1963 magazine article about her after she had achieved her greatest success, which was as a nightclub singer. She appeared in Italian films and several television shows of that period, Toast Of The Town, The Flying Nun, The Brady Bunch, Hart To Hart, and Vega$. Fans of hers got to see her one final time in the 1983 film version of The Twilight Zone, where she played a stewardess. Today, she is still alive and well. Maybe I should try to locate her and ask about the mix-up on this record.

This having been my longest post so far, (but you get 2 songs for the price of 1!), I need to give you the link for these wonderful songs. Here is Abbe Lane singing the songs from her single We're Not Children/Femininity. And, she actually sings them better on the 45, so don't miss this one!

Lily Ann

2007-12-02T04:57:00.002-06:00

Artist: Lily Ann Carol
Song: I Don't Know Any Better (a-side) (b-side is It's Been So Long)
Label: RCA Victor 47-4852 (Black label with silver printing)
Number: E2VW-6360
Songwriter: Irving Gordon
Time: 2:53
Released: 1953 (?)

There isn't much information out there in cyberland about Lily Ann Carol. About the only thing I could find was that she was a featured vocalist in Louis Prima's Orchestra in the mid- to late-1940's and that after that she did some solo work on Prima's own Robin Hood label and then the Bruce label. This single was not released on either of those labels, so she must have moved on to a different record company by this time.
From further research, I have found out that the number on this RCA disc was used right after another single featuring Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra, and his songs Hesitation/Tic-Tac-Toe were released in 1953. So, it's safe to assume that this 45 rpm of Lily Ann Carol's came out in 1953 also.

The only commercially-available recordings of hers appears to be on the same aforementioned Louis Prima records; actually she's featured on just a few cuts of one album that is currently for sale. Other than that, her works don't seem to be available anywhere. That's a shame, too, because she has a really powerful voice and persuasive inflection. But, don't take my word for it - see for yourself how moving her performance is by getting I Don't Know Any Better by Lily Ann Carol.

Oh, and if you like this song and want to hear more - please let me know. A short comment is all the impetus I need to post the b-side of this record, It's Been So Long, or any other sides I may have mentioned in the course of my blogging!

Perfect-Lee Peggy

2007-12-02T01:49:00.001-06:00

Artist: Peggy Lee

Song: Oh! No! (Please Don't Go) (b-side) (a-side is Ooh That Kiss)

Label: Decca 9-29534 (Pink Label Promotional - Not For Sale)

Number: 45-L 8179

Songwriters: Lucky Thompson - Gee Wilson (Gene Wilson)

Time: 2:42

Released: June 6th, 1955

Today's post is a catchy little Peggy Lee number entitled Oh! No! (Please Don't Go). It was recorded on the same day, February 11th, 1955, as it's a-side Ooh That Kiss. While the a-side has seen further release on at least one collection, an import CD from 1998, this little nugget has never been included on an album.

Born on May 26th, 1920, Peggy Lee had a career that lasted from 1941, when she joined Benny Goodman's band, until her death in January 2002. In that period, she recorded more than 600 songs and wrote many more. She was truly an American legend in music.

Now, go and give a listen to the voice, about which Frank Sinatra had this to say: "Her wonderful talent should be studied by all vocalists; her regal presence is pure elegance and charm." Peggy Lee sings Oh! No! (Please Don't Go).

Champagne Music Lite

2007-12-01T05:20:00.001-06:00

Artist: The Lennon Sisters

Song: It Started In Naples (b-side) (a-side is I Get So Lonely)
Label: Dot 45-16114
Number: MB-15085
Songwriters: Cicognini - Savino - Simoni - Gabler
Time: 2:39
Released: June 1960

The Lennon Sisters were featured for many years on the Lawrence Welk Show, between 1955-1968, and had many records on their own. This particular song was featured in the 1960 Clark Gable, Sophia Loren movie entitled It Started In Naples, but performed by a different artist. I've seen the movie and heard the sister's version and I like the one by them better. It features the oh, so smooth vocal harmonies of the sisters, (Peggy, Kathy and Janet - Dee Dee had left the group temporarily) and a really great twin-mandolin lead toward the end! On the record label they are listed as Lawrence Welk Presents The Lennon Sisters. Check out that flock of Italian paisanos that helped to compose it. The arrangement is very authentic sounding and the recording benefits greatly because of it.

The a-side, I Get So Lonely, is a good, uptempo song, so it will make an appearance here someday. I promise! But, while you're waiting for it, be sure to get The Lennon Sisters singing It Started In Naples. It might even have you craving spaghetti and garlic bread after hearing it!

Through online research, it looks like this song is another one that has never been on any album. Discounting for possible foreign releases, I'm almost 99% positive that you won't find this track anywhere else. So, please enjoy it if you're hearing it for the first time. It's quite a lovely tune.

Julie Is Her Name

2007-12-01T04:10:00.002-06:00

Artist: Julie London

Song: It's Easy (b-side) (a-side is Voice In The Mirror)

Label: Liberty F-55139 (White Label Promotional Copy - Not For Sale)

Number: 45-LB-848

Songwriter: R. Bagdasarian

Time: 2:01

Released: 1958

The first 45 r.p.m. that I'm going to post turns out to be rare. In fact, it doesn't even appear to have ever been included on any album, much less a CD compilation. The artist I'm speaking about is, of course, Julie London. And why this song has never been on any of her albums is a mystery to me. The song is called It's Easy, and was the flipside of the title track she and her husband Bobby Troup wrote for the motion picture she starred in called Voice In The Mirror.

Julie handles the material, which is perfectly suited for her style, quite zestfully. It was written by Ross Bagdasarian - yes.... the same man who created the Chipmunks! What's more amazing is that below Julie's name on the label is the phrase The Music of David Seville. Why this has never seen any other release is beyond me. In my opinion, this song captures the essence of Julie London's talent perfectly. Don't think that because it was a throwaway that it's a substandard number - it's not second-rate by any means! In fact, it's one of my favorite songs by her.

So, make sure you go and get this one, as you've probably never heard it before. You're in for a real treat, I guarantee! Here is Julie London singing It's Easy.

Now, as to the mp3 itself, I apologize if it's not as clear as it could be. I recorded it to my computer about 8 years ago and burned it to cd and this is the version I ripped and uploaded. I meant to re-record it to my computer tonight and do a much better job of cleaning up the sound, but my turntable threw a belt. So, until I can get a replacement, this version will have to do. It's not bad, but I know it could be better. And stay tuned, I'll upload the flipside one of these days. It's a ballad that isn't too bad in it's own right, with the orchestrations for it being handled by Pete King.

Rare 45's

2007-11-30T06:45:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Music For Every Mood. As the title suggests, there will be a lot of music, and of varying styles. I'm digging through my collection of 45's and most of them are from the 1950's. There will be a lot of female voices represented, such as Julie London (my fave) Peggy Lee, Patti Page, Sue Raney, Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, Kitty La Nier, The Lennon Sisters, Lily Ann Carol, Caterina Valente, Abbe Lane, Kitty Kallen, Dolores Gray, The Paulette Sisters, Jaye P. Morgan, April Stevens, Denise Lor, Betty Johnson, Connie Francis, Dodie Stevens and one of my all-time favorites, Joan Weber. Well, with that range of artists, I hope you get the idea. And, I hope you come back often to see what I've posted.

A lot of these artists aren't represented on CD and the songs that I hope to share will be next to impossible to find. You won't find them on any CD compilation, so the only hope you'll have of hearing them is to either buy a collection of records from a retired deejay, or just get them here.

I'm not sure how each single will be represented, as there aren't covers for them - just non-descript sleeves. Maybe I'll post a scan of the record label, I'm not sure. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to speak up. I will try to do my best to come up with facts about the singer's life and any data on the recording itself, if possible. I'm not promising anything, but we'll see.

So, prepare yourself for.... music for every mood!