keeping the music of the past ALIVE!...from the Golden Eras of the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's and 1960's including Big Band, Dance Orchestras, Swing, Crooners, Nostalgic, Popular Artists and Harmony Groups plus Contemporary, Retro and Revival artists
The Gunboat Diplomats once again treat our senses with their timely seasonal release "Take It In". The tune is a trip back to 60's style bubblegum pop that is bouncy, cheerful and just feels good! These guys are all about presenting positive and enlightening lyrics and a vibe that is rollicking, relentless and riotous. Is there a message here you may ask, of course there is, just open your ear canals and take it all in! official website: https://gunboatdiplomats.com
60's influenced pop female duo The Debutantes have recently released their cover of the Amen Corner classic ‘If Paradise Is Half As Nice’ featuring original band member Andy Fairweather Low. Both of the girls, Victoria and Lavinia, have been hugely inspired by the 1960’s fashions, style and culture. Their debut album is the creation of musician/songwriter Alan Jones. Alan has enjoyed a long career in both music and fashion, having had success as an original member/sax player with 1960’s Welsh chart toppers Amen Corner, followed by a chain of pioneering rock fashion shops, both in the UK and Los Angeles. All of these experiences have led to Alan creating, writing and recording an album of sixties influenced songs which he describes as ‘Symphonic Pop’, performed by these two talented sisters from Cardiff, Victoria and Lavinia George-Veale, collectively known as The Debutantes.
Born in Cardiff into a Welsh musical family, the sisters’ home was filled with the Motown/Phil Spector sound of the 60's, by artists such as The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Crystals and Dusty Springfield. Since those early days the sisters have always loved singing, dancing and performing together. Their love of music has stayed with them into adulthood, with Victoria starring in musical theatre, and Lavinia in her final year at The London School of Music and Drama. So, when the sisters heard of a new musical project with a strong ‘60's influence, they were very interested.
They were introduced to Alan in a Cardiff coffee shop, and before long he was hearing them sing acappella in their own front room. The idea of bringing back the swinging sixties with a fresh twist was so appealing to the girls, they immediately began working on an album of fourteen tracks with Alan. All the tracks on the album were engineered by Richard Jackson, and feature Victoria and Lavinia’s stunning blend of vocals combined with John Rea’s lush orchestration. Marty's review: these very talented ladies have nailed the sound of the 60's on their debut single and have certainly captured the vibe and style of the era. Being produced by Alan Jones with guest appearance by Andy Fairweather Low is an added bonus. They have recreated the original Amen Corner song with a fresh approach, and the delightful vocals of these sisters is such a pleasure to hear. The accompanying video is colourful and very psychedelic too.
Louis Prima – Swing It! Label: Living Era Format: CD, Compilation Released: 2002 Genre: Jazz Style: Big Band Tracklist: 1Chinatown, My Chinatown 2Dinah 3Let's Have A Jubilee 4It's The Rhythm In Me 5Worry Blues 6Swing Me With Rhythm 7The Lady In Red 8Chasing Shadows 9Basin Street Blues 10In A Little Gypsy Tea Room 11Sing, Sing, Sing 12Pennies From Heaven 13Yes, There Ain't No Moonlight - So What? 14Rosalie 15Robin Hood 16Angelina 17Oh, Marie 18Bell-Bottom Trousers 19Brooklyn Boogie 20Felicia No Capicia 21St. Louis Blues 22A Sunday Kind Of Love 23All Right, Louie, Drop The Gun 24Charley, My Boy 25Oh, Babe
Tracklist 1-1–Don Cherry Band Of Gold 1-2–George Jenkins And His All StarsCaravan 1-3–Vic DamoneOn The Street Where You Live 1-4–The Andrews Sisters With The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra*I Can Dream, Can’t I? 1-5–Ella FitzgeraldManhattan 1-6–Miles DavisBlue In Green 1-7–The AquatonesYou 1-8–Percy FaithNon Dimenticar 1-9–The Bud Powell TrioThere Will Never Be Another You 1-10–Luiz BonfáNight And Day 1-11–Rosemary ClooneyBotch-A-Me 1-12–Miles DavisConcierto De Aranjuez 1-13–Rinky DinksChoo Choo Cha Cha 1-14–Chubby CheckerThe Twist 1-15–Bobby HelmsMy Special Angel 1-16–McGuire SistersVolare 1-17–Yma SumacGopher Mambo 1-18–Frankie LaineMetro Polka 1-19–Chubby CheckerLet’s Twist Again 1-20–Baby Washington & The PlantsCongratulations Honey 1-21–Kyu SakamotoUe O Muite Arko (Sukiyaki) 1-22–Jack JonesLollipops And Roses 1-23–Perry ComoBlue Room 1-24–The Percy Faith OrchestraTheme From A Summer Place 1-25–The PentagonsI’m In Love 1-26–Brenda LeeBreak It To Me Gently
2-1–Peter, Paul & MaryEarly In The Morning 2-2–Marilyn MonroeI’m Through With Love 2-3–The GigalosSwingin’ Saints 2-4–The TornadoesTelstar 2-5–Martin DennyMisirlou 2-6–Johnny MathisWhat’ll I Do 2-7–George Jones Cup Of Loneliness 2-8–Acker BilkStranger On The Shore 2-9–The PentagonsTo Be Loved 2-10–Big Sid Catlett Quartet Featuring Ben WebsterMemories Of You 2-11–Bob DylanSong To Woody 2-12–Pete MannI Followed My Heart 2-13–Tennessee Ernie FordSixteen Tons 2-14–Bobby Van & Kay CoulterThere’s A Small Hotel 2-15–Clyde Stacy & The NitecapsSo Young 2-16–Skeeter DavisThe End Of The World 2-17–Teresa BrewerI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 2-18–Patti PageOld Cape Cod 2-19–Doris DayI Enjoy Being A Girl 2-20–Etta JamesTrust In Me 2-21–Gillian HillsZou Bisou Bisou 2-22–Ken Griffin Ebb Tide 2-23–The CrystalsHe Hit Me (And It Flet Like A Kiss) 2-24–Connie ConwayI Should Not Be Seeing You 2-25–Maurice ChevalierSweepin’ The Clouds Away
The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra was formed as a recording band in 1928 and despite the brothers' differing temperaments, which led eventually to their falling out, they produced records of the highest order. It helped that they rubbed shoulders with the best on New York's scene, whose services they could call upon, men like Bunny Berigan, Bud Freeman, Manny Klein, Leo McConville, Glenn Miller, Phil Napoleon, Adrian Rollini, Charlie Spivak, Jack Teagarden, and Frank Teschemaker. Amongst many high spots on this compilation are Jimmy Dorsey's showpiece "Beebe", and vocals by Bing Crosby and the Boswell Sisters. 1. My Melancholy Baby 2. Out of the Dawn 3. It's Right Here for You 4. She's Funny That Way 5. Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) 6. My Kinda Love 7. Mean to Me 8. Beebe 9. Praying the Blues 10. Breakaway 11. When I Take My Sugar to Tea 12. It's the Girl 13. Parkin' in the Moonlight 14. Sing, It's Good for You 15. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 16. Mood Hollywood 17. Old Man Harlem 18. By Heck 19. Stop, Look and Listen! 20. Milenberg Joys 21. Lullaby of Broadway 22. Weary Blues 23. Tailspin 24. Dippermouth Blues
Leaving aside a blatant error in the sub-title (roaring 20's yes, but the 30's were the depression era), this is a fascinating and fantastic collection. Many of these songs have stood the test of time well.
As with all music this old, it cannot be technically perfect. Some tracks have crackles and hiss, but this is often how these records sounded to listeners back then. When recorded music was a novelty, people tolerated the imperfections.
There are more recent covers of many of these songs, and the compilers have included some here, which emphasize the limitations of the original ancient recordings. For example, the Puppini Sisters and the Temperance Seven, while these 20's/30's revivalists have made some excellent music, their inclusion here is debatable. Still, if their presence means more people discover the original music here, that's a good thing.
There are other less obvious later covers too, including the Ella / Louis cover of Dream A Little Dream of Me, which they recorded in 1950. This song dates from the thirties, but was revived in the sixties, first by the Shirelles and later by Mama Cass.
Despite some songs being later covers, most of the recordings are genuine recordings from the 20's and 30's, which capture the spirit of the music superbly.
Whether you are just getting curious about this type of music or you have some already, this is an excellent compilation. (text from Amazon review)
Digitally remastered edition containing two original albums on a single CD. The great Julie London seems destined to be re-discovered every ten years or so. It started in the 80's and then again in the 90's. The End Of The World was released in 1963. Nice Girls Don't Stay For Breakfast was released in 1967. Older fans remember London for her string of sexy Pop singles and albums while slightly younger folks may remember her from acting stint on the popular 70's medical drama Emergency. Either way, London left her mark on many generations and is still fondly remembered.
Tracklist 1–Dean MartinAin't That A Kick In The Head2:25 2–Sam Butera and The WitnessesDig That Crazy Chick2:26 3–Bobby DarinMore2:25 4–Peggy LeeFever3:21 5–Louis PrimaJump, Jive, An' Wail3:30 6–Sammy Davis, Jr.Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone2:40 7–Wayne NewtonDanke Schöen2:36 8–Sam Butera and The WitnessesFrench Poodle2:27 9–Keely SmithWhat Is This Thing Called Love?1:54 10–Bobby DarinSunday In New York2:30 11–Louis PrimaCloser To The Bone4:13 12–Lou RawlsNobody But Me2:48 13–Vic DamoneLittle Girl2:02 14–Nat King ColeL-O-V-E2:34 15–Dean MartinVolare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)3:00 16–Louis Prima and Keely SmithThat Old Black Magic2:57 17–Julie LondonYou'd Be So Nice To Come Home To2:16 18–Bobby DarinHello, Dolly!3:14
-Ray CharlesHard Times (No One Knows Better Than I)2:53 –Joe TurnerI Want A Little Girl4:16 –Jimmy WitherspoonTain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do5:11 –Joe MooneyHave You Met Miss Jones2:48 –Lavern BakerEmpty Bed Blues4:50 –Ruth BrownI Can Dream, Can't I2:32 –Helen MerrillAny Time2:36 –Lurlean HunterCrazy He Calls Me3:22 –Ann RichardsLove Is A Word For The Blues1:59 –Mose AllisonYour Mind Is On Vacation2:34 –Chris ConnorLonely Woman4:05 –Mel TorméWhisper Not2:45 –Nancy HarrowTain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do4:10 –João GilbertoDeasfinado1:57 –Betty CarterThe Good Life2:32 –Vi Redd Salty Papa Blues2:38 –Esther PhillipsConfessin' The Blues2:58 –Earl ColemanThere's No You3:54 –Carmen McRaeI Got It Bad And That Ain't Good3:26 –Al Hibber Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me4:38 –Aretha FranklinMoody's Mood2:55 –Peggy LeeDon't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight4:02 –Sarah VaughanSomething4:16 –Sylvia SymsLonely Woman4:15 –The Manhattan TransferSing Joy Spring4:15
Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "Sentimental Journey" and "My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time" with Les Brown & His Band of Renown. She left Brown to embark on a solo career and recorded more than 650 songs from 1947 to 1967. Day's film career began during the latter part of the classical Hollywood era with the film Romance on the High Seas (1948), leading to a 20-year career as a motion picture actress. She starred in films of many genres, including musicals, comedies, and dramas. She played the title role in Calamity Jane (1953) and starred in Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) with James Stewart. Her best-known films are those in which she co-starred with Rock Hudson, chief among them 1959's Pillow Talk, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also worked with James Garner on both Move Over, Darling (1963) and The Thrill of It All (1963), and also starred with Clark Gable, Cary Grant, James Cagney, David Niven, Jack Lemmon, Frank Sinatra, Richard Widmark, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall and Rod Taylor in various movies. After ending her film career in 1968, only briefly removed from the height of her popularity, she starred in the sitcom The Doris Day Show (1968–1973).
Day became one of the biggest film stars in the early 1960s, and as of 2012 was one of eight performers to have been the top box-office earner in the United States four times. In 2011, she released her 29th studio album My Heart which contained new material and became a UK Top 10 album. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Legend Award from the Society of Singers. In 1960, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures in 1989. In 2004, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom; this was followed in 2011 by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association's Career Achievement Award.
An excellent 2 disc, 49 track compilation of original mono recordings from 1917 to 1941 featuring the cream of jazz artists of the time. Ideal for the collector or if you are a recent convert to nostalgic music.
2007 digitally remastered two-fer from the legendary vocalist. Sings The Shadow Of Your Smile features the five movie songs nominated for the Academy Award in 1966, including 'The Ballad Of Cat Ballou' from Cat Ballou, and 'What's New Pussycat', as well as a host of popular songs from the era, all given the Darin treatment. In A Broadway Bag, also released in '66, displays Darin's winning style on a selection of outstanding songs from then-current and recent hit musicals. On the up-tempo side are 'Mame', the dramatic 'Don't Rain On My Parade' from Funny Girl and the soulful 'Feeling Good' from The Roar Of The Greasepaint - The Smell Of The Crowd. The ballads include the classic 'Try To Remember' from The Fantasticks. The seven bonus tracks are the contemporary non-album A and B-sides, including the Byrds-like 'We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here', which indicated the rather more folky direction Darin's career was about to take.
Scott Joplin (1868-1917) was an African-American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions and was dubbed the King of Ragtime. During his brief career, he wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first and most popular pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag", became ragtime's first and most influential hit, and has been recognized as the archetypal rag. Joplin was born into a musical family of railway laborers in Texarkana, Arkansas, and developed his musical knowledge with the help of local teachers. He grew up in Texarkana, Texas, where he formed a vocal quartet and taught mandolin and guitar. During the late 1880's he left his job as a railroad laborer and travelled the American South as an itinerant musician. He went to Chicago for the World's Fair of 1893, which played a major part in making ragtime a national craze by 1897. Joplin moved to Sedalia, Missouri, in 1894 and earned a living as a piano teacher. There he taught future ragtime composers Arthur Marshall, Scott Hayden and Brun Campbell. He began publishing music in 1895, and publication of his "Maple Leaf Rag" in 1899 brought him fame. This piece had a profound influence on writers of ragtime. It also brought Joplin a steady income for life, though he did not reach this level of success again and frequently had financial problems. In 1901 Joplin moved to St. Louis, where he continued to compose and publish, and regularly performed in the community.
In 1907, Joplin moved to New York City to find a producer for a new opera. He attempted to go beyond the limitations of the musical form that made him famous, but without much monetary success. In 1916, Joplin descended into dementia as a result of syphilis. He was admitted to a mental institution in January 1917, and died there three months later at the age of 48. Joplin's death is widely considered to mark the end of ragtime as a mainstream music format; over the next several years, it evolved with other styles into stride, jazz, and eventually big band swing. Joplin's music was rediscovered and returned to popularity in the early 1970's with the release of a million-selling album recorded by Joshua Rifkin. This was followed by the Academy Award-winning 1973 film The Sting that featured several of Joplin's compositions, most notably "The Entertainer", whose performance by pianist Marvin Hamlisch received wide airplay. In 1976, Joplin was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
Mel Tormé was so outrageously talented that even the fans of his "velvet fog" timbre under-estimate him--undoubtedly the one singer who approaches Lady Ella in terms of his commanding musicianship, his voice and all that he could do with it. He had definitely reached his prime by 1960, and this Sinatra-type "concept album," an idea stolen from Frank, pre-dates by five years the album ("Moonlight Sinatra") Ole Blue devoted to moon songs. Either way you can't go wrong. Melvin Howard Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999), nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, best known as a singer of jazz standards. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books. He composed the music for "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire") and co-wrote the lyrics with Bob Wells.
