In honor of my son and me picking up not one, but two accordions yesterday at two different garage sales, I bring you Accordiana. If you’ve been around here a while, you know of my fondness for Mr. Magnante, a true virtuoso. The Mullen Sisters pitch in a bit on this record, and although this is not on Command or Grand Award (this record predates those), the arrangements are still vibrant and interesting.
The back cover claims that Magnante’s free time at home is spent “tinkering in his vast high-fidelity laboratory.” I have to say, that sounds incredibly cool, and I want to know what it takes to get my own vast high-fidelity laboratory to tinker in.
The previous owner of this record either really hated Cha Cha Cha or really knew how to take care of their records. This one is super pristine, and pretty old if I had to guess from the brittle-style vinyl. Not much information to go on here, but this is a a really snappy cha cha record. Good stuff.
Here’s another one for your Bossa Nova collection, this one from the world-renowned “International Award Series” from K.M Corp. of Freeport, Long Island (wait … what?). The cover lists Osie Johnson, Ted Sommer, Bill Lavorgna, Sam Most, Mat Matthews, Hank Jones, Jimmy Jones, Louis Metcalf, Buster Harding, Al Hall as the players. The helpful, hand-written, cover notations reveal that this was possibly released in 1967, belonged to Mary McCoy and cost someone 10 cents at one point. I pretty much buy anything with “Bossa Nova” on the cover, and only bring you the cream of the crop here at Thrift Store DJ.
Side One
Red Top
I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire
Let a Smile be Your Umbrella
Wedding Bells are Breaking Up that Old Gang of Mine
I Left my Sugar Standing in the Rain
Side Two
Similou
Do You Care?
Linda
Strictly Instrumental
Every Night About this Time
Filling a request of sorts. There were actually two of these Mexico/S.A. albums from Mr. Mottola, and this is the second one, the first one being “Love Songs Mexico/S.A.” This is a 1966 release and in pretty darn good shape. I received a very positive response to the other Mottola album on the site, so hope you all like this one too. There’s a lot here to enjoy, and a whole range of Latin music styles, all done up with the Command Records quality we’ve come to appreciate. Yes, (from the back of the jacket, best to be read in the voice of Barry White) “that wonderful spell of enchantment is here again … Tony Mottola pouring out rich, pulsing emotion on ‘the instrument of love’ … the gorgeous, sensuous sound of his fabulous gut-string guitar, the sound which made his Love Songs Mexico/S.A. (Command 889) one of the most breathtaking albums ever recorded.”
Found this 10 inch today at a yard sale — a 1951 release on the Pontiac label. No musicians are credited. A nice mix of Hawaiian tunes with that early 50s feel. Good for your luaus this summer.
Another great Seeco release found in an out of the way thrift shop in an out of the way town. Melis was best known as musical director of The Tonight Show during the Jack Paar era. You can find out more about him on his Space Age Pop entry. This is a nice mellow record for a Sunday afternoon. Some of the songs here are a little reminiscent of Martin Denny. So if you are a Denny fan, it might be worth checking this one out.
This is a stereo Columbia release from 1962 featuring ‘authentic Trinidad steel band, the Trinidad Serenaders.’ Good stuff here for your next Limbo party. Here are the helpful instructions from the back of the jacket:
Well, the first post of the new year is kindly brought to you from visitor MaryAnn. MaryAnn has sent over one of her personal favorites that she has worked very hard on tracking down. It’s Vido Musso’s Teen Age Dance Party — a rockin’ record featuring Vido on Tenor sax. If you remember my earlier “Teen Age Dance Party” post from George Russell, then by comparision this one seems aimed at much hipper, maybe even edgier, teenagers. No “Hokey Pokey” to be found here.
MaryAnn also took the time to type up the back cover notes:
“For more than 20 years, the booming voice of Vido Musso’s tenor sax has stirred the souls of jazz listeners. The rich and robust sound of Vido’s horn has become one of jazzdom’s most recognized, most influential and most imitated styles. But there is a happy irony in the fact that none of Vido’s legion of imitators will ever succeed in a million or more 12-bar choruses to duplicate Vido’s classic solos on Benny Goodman’s famous recording of “SING, SING, SING” or Stan Kenton’s ever-popular “COME BACK TO SORRENTO.”
Because of Vido’s distinction…his now famous big-beat tenor and powerful vibrato sound…he needs no lengthy introduction. His music and solid reputation speak for themselves. Today, Vido is a mature and seasoned musician who has mastered his craft well. The great drive and energy he once gave to Goodman and Kenton bans he has transferred to the recordings of his own combos. The vigor and fullness of his tone is now better heard within the framework of a small group, and in this new collection of Vido sides, the piquant and potency of his forceful blowing is highlighted to even greater advantage by an organ accompaniment.
It is fitting that the organ, the behemoth of musical instruments should complement Vido’s tenor sax. All the characteristics of Vido’s style…the bigness, the wailing, the depth of sound, the heavy beat, evn the feeling of religiosity…are a natural part of the organ sound. It provides an ideal background showcase for Vido’s versatility. There’s a little of every facet of his style. There’s his famous “SORRENTO,” the swinging “INTERMISSION RIFF” made popular by Kenton, some blues and some moving up-tempo numbers. All of them firmly establish the sparkle and the brilliance of Vido Musso’s musicianship…all of them reaffirm Vido as a primary exponent of the BIG BEAT.”
Thanks MaryAnn! If any other folks would like to submit a record for consideration, please take a look at my “Hosting Offer” post.
Side One:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Blue Snowflakes
We Need God for Christmas
Christmas is Just Another Day for Me
Christmas Island
White Christmas
Side Two:
Blue Christmas
Merry Texas Christmas, You All!
Lonely Christmas Eve
I’ll be Walkin’ the Floor this Christmas
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
I’m Trimming my Christmas Tree with Teardrops
Somewhere between Bull Moose Jackson and Aerosmith lies Ed Podolak and the 10 inch Cucumber. Stripped-down, low-budget, bare-bones polka is what you will find here, in other words, the best kind there is. Don’t be shy now…get up and dance around the living room…you know you want to.
And for all you polka haters out there, I have two words for you: MORE POLKAAAAAAAAAA!
