You Too Can Swing

I bet you do it better than I do!

Gerhard Meinl's Tuba Sextet - Tuba! A Six-Tuba Musical Romp:

01. W.A. Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in Bb, I. Allegro (1:25)

02. W.A. Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in Bb, II. Menuetto (2:30)

03. W.A. Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in Bb, III. Larghetto (3:39)

04. W.A. Mozart: Divertimento No. 2 in Bb, IV. Rondo (3:51)

05. J.S. Bach: Fugue in G minor (3:11)

06. François Couperin: Les Baricades Misterieuses (2:26)

07. Orlando di Lasso: Ola, O che bon Eccho! (1:36)

08. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzona per Sonare No. 4 (2:02)

09. J.J. Rösler: Partia - Polacca (2:57)

10. Walter Hilgers: Praeludium (1:38)

11. Enrique Crespo: Bruckner Etude (6:40)

12. Enrique Crespo: Three Milongas, I. Milonga (4:02)

13. Enrique Crespo: Three Milongas, II. Campera (4:01)

14. Enrique Crespo: Three Milongas, III. Condombe (4:57)

15. Frank Denson: Three Folksongs for Four Brass (8:35)

16. Jonathon Sass: Meltdown (5:57)

17. Franz Watz: Melton Marsch (3:03)

18. Traditional: Bayrische Zell (2:49)

19. Traditional: Baryrische Polka (2:34)

A 1992 release.  I cannot believe that somebody decided this kind of illustration was a good idea for the cover of this album.  I mean, look at those guys!  I ask you: Would you smile if you could walk around with your pee-pee in your own mouth?

And the worst part is, the scandalous cover art is about the only thing remotely interesting about the whole shebang!

***

Switched On Beatles:

01. Got To Get You into My Life (4:20)

02. Day Tripper (4:00)

03. Yesterday (2:50)

04. Here Comes the Sun (3:50)

05. Get Back (3:47)

06. Let It Be (5:07)

07. Girl (4:39)

08. When I'm Sixty-Four (2:50)

09. Hey Jude (4:45)

10. Something (3:03)

11. The Long and Winding Road (3:46)

12. A Day in the Life (3:59)

FROM THE 2016 POST:

          This is copyrighted 1991, but it certainly sounds as if it were hatched about 1983.  Every sound has been processed through red-hot synthesizer tubes for ultimate pasteurization.

          The arrangements are perky and interesting enough.  But a truly evil genius is apparent – when you’re able to listen to a whole minute or so – before you can even figure out what Beatle song the track is.

          Yes, the sinister magic apparent here is of the really frightening kind.  This album takes everything distinctive about the Beatles sound – and removes it!  All that was creative in the Beatles’ music – gone!

          This is the Pod Peoples’ version of the Beatles.  It is frightening to reflect that it was intended as a commercial release – I mean, somebody thought this would make money!  This stupendous achievement in trivialization is the auditory equivalent of dining on Styrofoam and sawdust:  You might be filled, but to no nutritional end.  Something happened, but whatever happened WASN'T EVEN THERE!

****

Bach's Biggest Hits:

1 - Prelude For Organ Choral No 1

2 - Aria (from Suite in D Major)

3 - Cannon

4 - Bourree (from English Suite No 2)

5 - Fugue In D Major (from The Well-Tempered Clavier)

6 - Sinfonia (from Partita No 2)

7 - Largo (from Harpsichord Concerto in F minor)

This last one is not bad at all.  It's a 1964 release from Wyncote, a budget label.  Note the credited artists, the "Single Swingers,"  This is a blatant attempt to confuse the prospective buyer.  I wonder how many folks thought they were buying a release from the Swingle Singers?  A lot, I'll bet.

See you Monday for some more great (or dubiously great) music!

  

File Under Spy!

Here are a couple of olde tyme albums of covers of spy tunes.  They be lotsa fun.

You can thank Columbia Special Products for this one.

Swingin' Sounds for Secret Agents:

1)  Percy Faith - Thunderball    

2)  Mel Tormé - Secret Agent Man    

3)  Village Stompers - From Russia With Love    

4)  John Barry - The James Bond Theme    

5)  David Lloyd - 007    

6)  Bobby Vinton - Goldfinger    

7)  John Barry - Ipcress File    

8)  Ray Conniff - Third Man Theme    

9)  David Lloyd - On Her Majesty's Secret Service    

10)  Orchestra U.S.A. - The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 

According to contemporary photos, the guitar of Billy Strange was no larger than normal.

Secret Agent File:

1 Thunderball

2 A Man Alone

3 9th Man Theme

4 I Spy

5 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Theme

6 The James Bond Theme

7 Our Man Flint

8 The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

9 Run Spy Run

10 Get Smart

11 007 Theme

12 Goldfinger

If you're like me, you can still get some big thrills from these ole platters.

PS see you Thursday, when we'll begin this year's JULY SPOCKEBRATION, celebrating our country's birthday!

  

Stretch 'Em! Make 'Em Your Own!

Here we have a wondrous piece of musical taffy from the Beatles Remixers Group,  BRG-02 - Rubber Sounds:

01 - Drive My Car - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

02 - Norwegian Wood - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

03 - You Won't See Me - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

04 - Nowhere Man - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

05 - Think for Yourself - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

06 - The Word - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

07 - Michelle - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

08 - What Goes On - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

09 - Girl - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

10 - I'm Looking Through You - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

11 - In My Life - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

12 - Wait - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

13 - If I Needed Someone - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

14 - Run for Your Life - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

15 - Norwegian Wood - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

16 - I'm Looking Through You - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

17 - Girl - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

18 - Think for Yourself - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

19 - The Word - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

20 - Drive My Car - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

21 - If I Needed Someone - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

22 - Michelle - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

23 - In My Life - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

24 - Nowhere Man - The Beatles  Beatles Remixers Group

BRG-02 - Rubber Sounds

As the front art says, these are remixes of the stereo tracks from which the "original" versions were built.  Have fun cruisin' Saturn in your 88!  See you Thursday.

 

I'll Space Out If You Will

 

This 1978 cover album is credited to "The Galactic Force Band."  This is the only release from "The galactic Force Band," so I suspect this was a studio group, perhaps assembled by a producer/arranger at the label.

1. The Conversation (Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind)

2. Theme From 2001

3. Cantina Band from Star Wars

4. Space Dust

5. Main Title from Star Wars

6. Main Title Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

7. Theme from Star Trek

8. Galactic Go Go

Spaced Out Disco

But it's lotsa fun, campers!

See you Monday.

  

Be a Good Spy

This here 1965 gem is by a guitar wizard who was hampered by 1960s musical trends.  But it's a lot of fun.

Sounds For Spies And Private Eyes

1. Theme From The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

2. The Fugitive Theme

3. Secret Agent Man

4. Underwater Chase

5. The Third Man Theme

6. Slaughter On Tenth Avenue

7. Man Of Mystery

8. The Bronze Doll

9. Goldfinger

10. The Eye In Flat Five

11. A Quiet Thing

But as with many cover albums there are some filler "originals."

See you Thursday!

  

This Album Title Is a LIE! -- corrected link

Spike Jones and his partners didn't "murder" music, they LIBERATED it!

01. That Old Black Magic (2:32)

02. Charlestono-Mio (3:13)

03. Riders in the Sky (3:27)

04. Morpheus (3:03)

05. By the Beautiful Sea (3:14)

06. Oh! By Jingo (3:01)

07. Little Bo Peep Has Lost Her Jeep (2:24)

08. The Blue Danube (2:55)

09. The Great Big Saw Came Nearer and Nearer (2:46)

10. Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue (2:00)

11. Jones Polka (2:43)

12. I Wuv A Wabbit (2:50)

13. My Cornet (3:15)

14. Gesundheit Polka (3:08)

15. Winter (2:03)

16. Sante (3:20)

17. I Kiss Your Hand, Madame (3:39)

18. Tennessee Waltz (2:54)

19. Fiddle Faddle (3:25)

20. Alto, Baritone and Bass (3:11)

21. Nyet! (2:54)

22. Carmen (4:17)

Thanks to Richard D for prompting me to fix the link!

DRIME LINK CORRECTED

A 1994 release.  The surface noise audible once in a while is because many selections are radio transcriptions—that is, recorded onto discs which were shipped to radio stations and played over the air.

See you Monday!

  

Is It Hip to Be Hep?

 

You might ask that question after hearing this cassette, originally released on LP in 1959.

01. In the Still of the Night (2:54)

02. It's All Right with Me (2:55)

03. Love for Sale (3:32)

04. Just One of Those Things (2:25)

05. I've Got You Under My skin (2:51)

06. Every Time We Say Goodbye (2:22)

07. Night and Day (2:34)

08. Easy to Love (2:38)

09. Why Can't You Behave (3:02)

10. I Love Paris (2:12)

11. I Concentrate on You (3:12)

12. It's De-Lovely (2:32)

My feeling is, it’s so hep that I can’t stand it!

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

Maybe you'll feel different.  See you Monday!

  

Don't Keep THIS Secret!

This 1984 cassette is technically "various artists," but most of the performances are by guitarist Billy Strange.  The other couple are by Neil Norman.

01 - Octopussy - Neil Norman

02 - I Spy - Billy Strange

03 - Reilly, Ace of spies - The Olympic Orchestra

04 - Casino Royale - Billy Strange

05 - Ipcress File (A Man Alone) - Billy Strange

06 - Thunderball - Billy Strange

07 - The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - Billy Strange

08 - The Prisoner - Neil Norman

09 - The James Bond Theme - Billy Strange

10 - Our Man Flint - Billy Strange

11 - Moonraker - Neil Norman

12 - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - Billy Strange

13 - Run Spy Run - Billy Strange

14 - Get Smart - Billy Strange

15 - You Only Live Twice - Billy Strange

16 - 007 - Billy Strange

17 - Goldfinger - Billy Strange

18 - The Rockford Flies - Billy Strange

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See ya Monday, fellow followers of fun!

Have YOU Been Punked?

Evidently the Beatles have.

01. Love Me Do (1:41)

02. Drive My Car (1:41)

03. From Me to You (1:28)

04. Tell Me Why (1:43)

05. Please Mr. Postman (1:41)

06. Give Punk a Chance (2:10)

07. It Won't Be Long (1:41)

08. And Your Bird Can Sing (1:31)

09. Lady Madonna (1:56)

10. Michelle (1:44)

11. All My Loving (1:31)

12. I'm Down (1:37)

13. Yesterday (1:21)

14. Dizzy Miss Lizzy (1:24)

15. Rock 'n' Roll Music (1:43)

16. Yellow Submarine (3:00)

Unfortunately, for my taste this interesting idea gets old after about 30 seconds.

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

How do you feel?  See you Thursday with more silliness.

  

Spring to the Rite!

After enduring negative Fahrenheits in OKC last week, this week we will have seventies.  If that don't make you think of Springtime, then you're too chill for me!

1. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: Intro  

2. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: The Augurs Of Spring/Dances Of The Young Girls  

3. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: Ritual Of Abduction  

4. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: Spring Rounds  

5. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: Ritual Of The River Tribes  

6. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: Procession Of The Saga  

7. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: The Sage  

8. First Part: Adoration Of The Earth: Dances Of The Earth  

9. Second Part: The Sacrifice: Intro  

10. Second Part: The Sacrifice: Mystic Circles Of The Young Girls  

11. Second Part: The Sacrifice: Glorification Of The Chosen One  

12. Second Part: The Sacrifice: Evocation Of The Ancestors  

13. Second Part: The Sacrifice: Ritual Actions Of The Ancestors  

14. Second Part: The Sacrifice: Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)  

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

This is a magnificent performance of magnificent music.  You'll love it too!  See you Thursday for the final installment of this year's "Thing I Love" on the Record Round-Up!

Might Make You Gigue-le

It's a 1994 release.

01. Rage Over O Come All Ye Faithfull (3:38)

02. Gigue on What Child Is This? (3:06)

03. Bouree on Hark the Herald Angels Sing (3:01)

04. Three-Part Sinfonia on Away in a Manger (2:46)

05. Prelude on Angels We Have Heard on High (2:46)

06. Two-Part Invention on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (4:28)

07. Nocturne on O Little Town of Bethlehem (3:12)

08. three-Part Invention on Joy to the World (2:18)

09. Bouree on While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (3:28)

10. Sonata on It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (2:25)

11. Three-Part Invention on We Three Kings (3:07)

12. Barouque Impressions on Slient Night, Holy Night (5:12)

It's a whole lotta fun.  Don't cry foul about the title -- these Christmas arrangements are not solely Bach-based.  For example, Track 1 emulates Beethoven's "Rage Over a Lost Penny."

THIS LINK GOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See you on Thursday.  Until then, don;t forget to rejoice!

  

Umm-hmm. What Are Your Other Fantasies?

This is a 1977 cassette.

01 - Prelude in C Minor - Bach

02 - Bourée from Suite in E Minor - Bach

03 - Sarabande from Suite in E Minor - Bach

04 - Preludio from the Suite in E Major - Weiss

05 - Courante from the Suite in E Major - Weiss

06 - Menuet from the Suite in E Major - Weiss

07 - Bourée from the Suite in E Major - Weiss

08 - Giga from the Suite in E Major - Weiss

09 - Fantasy in E Minor - Weiss

10 - Sonata in E Minor - Scarlatti

11 - Españoletas from the Suite Española - Sanz

12 - Danza de las Hachas from the Suite Española - Sanz

13 - Canarios from the Suite Española - Sanz

14 - Allegro Spiritoso from Sonata in C Major - Giuliani

15 - Variations on the Theme "Malborough" - Sor

It's lilting, sometimes stirring, a wunnerful time.

THIS LINK GOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See you on Monday, fellow fantasists!

  

No More Fighting

I guess I'm a wimp, but it really bugs me when disagreements and arguing go so far as to lead to physical violence.  Some causes are worth fighting for, like the War Between the States.

This is an interesting 1998 release.

01. Leroy Troy - Cumberland Gap (3:28)

02. Simon and Verity Grace - When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1:49)

03. Benny Martin - Home Sweet Home (2:20)

04. Simon and Verity Grace - Two Little Boys (3:23)

05. Grandpa Jones - Grandfather's Clock (2:41)

06. Johnny Gimble - Darling Nellie Gray (2:53)

07. Arthur Smith - Goober Peas (1:55)

08. Simon and Verity Grace - Aura Lee (3:16)

09. Leroy Troy - Brother Green (2:29)

10. The Eddie Adcock Band - Go Down Yonder Moses (2:32)

11. Hoot Hester and Sam Levine - Marching Through Georgia (2:44)

12. Leroy Troy - Write a Letter to My Mother (3:24)

13. Laura Weber - Faded Coat of Blue (4:37)

14. Benny Martin and Arthur Smith - Dixie (2:21)

15. Grandpa Jones - My Pretty Quadroon (3:28)

16. Tommy Faile - Yellow Rose of Texas (2:10)

17. Dick and Jacquie Schuyler - Maryland, My Maryland (2:04)

18. Paul Warren - Listen to the Mockingbird (3:27)

19. Don Ange - Lorena (3:40)

20. Rhonda Renee - Battle Hymn of the Republic (2:24)

These songs were popular across the USA at the time of the conflict.  Many on each side thought they were in the right.  Lots more just got dragged into things.

THIS LINK GOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See you on Thursday, fellow citizens of the world!

  

Cold Highlights

This 1995 release contains Lowry\s own transcriptions.

01. Overture (3:51)

02. Comfort Ye My People (3:11)

03. Every Valley Shall be Exalted (4:09)

04. And the Glory of the Lord (3:12)

05. O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (4:37)

06. For Unto Us a Child Is Born (4:25)

07. Pastoral Symphony (3:08)

08. Glory to God (2:06)

09. He Shall Feed His Flock (5:26)

10. Hallelujah (4:12)

THIS LINK GOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See what you think.  The performance is super-competent, but it seems somehow bloodless to me.  How might you provide emotion through guitar strings?

  

See you Monday.

  

Hit Me One More Time!

This is a 2003 release. You may decide how "ultimate" its selections are.

1. Canon In D - Jean-Francois Paillanrd Chamber Orchestra  

2. Canon In D - Munich Radio Orchestra  

3. Canon (Over A Basso Ostinato) - Peerless 2x2  

4. Canon Of The Three Stars - Isao Tomita & The Plasma Symphony Orchestra  

5. How, Where, When? (Canon In D) - Cleo Laine  

6. Earth Angel - The Hampton String Quartet  

7. Canon - The Canadian Brass  

8. Canon In F - BRR (Shakuhachi & Koto Quintet)  

9. Variations On The Pachelbel Canon In D (From Rochberg, Quartet No. 6) - The Concord String Quartet  

10. Canon - Clive Carroll  

11. Canon - Platinum (A Cappella Vocal Ensemble)  

12. Sweet Home (Based On Pachelbel's Canon) - Dai Sakakibara  

13. Canon - Angel Romero  

14. Canon In D - Arthur Fiedler Sinfonietta  

15. Canon & Gigue In D - Guildhall String Ensemble

THIS LINK GOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

I say this compilation is too much of a mediocre thing, although some selections are dreamy.  See you Monday!

  

Salute to Cousin Frank

Actually, Frank was my cousin-in-law.

This is his 1990 release.

01. White Pontiac (6:09)

02. Mean to Me (4:41)

03. Slow Dancin' (6:14)

04. People (6:48)

05. Fly Me to the Moon (5:25)

06. Darn that Dream (5:47)

07. Soon It's Gonna Rain (5:09)

08. Persevere (5:22)

Frank passed in 2004.  Here's a photo of him at a 2001 family gathering.

Per-se-vere 

See you Monday.  Don't quit on me!

 

Is the Water Holy?

This is at least OK.  It's a 1992 cassette.

01. Old Time Religion (2:30)

02. How Great Thou Art (2:51)

03. The Uncloudy Day (2:44)

04. Precious Memories (2:57)

05. Amazing Grace (3:17)

06. Swing Low Sweet Chariot (2:35)

07. I'll Fly Away (2:08)

08. The Old Country Church (2:48)

09. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (3:09)

10. Jesus Loves Me (2:53)

11. Sweet Hour of Prayer (2:56)

12. In the Sweet Bye and Bye (2:12)

It's from the ole reliable Intersound label.

Hymns from the Bayou

See you Monday!

  

Classic Songs, Ho-Hum Arrangements

This is a 2009 two-disc set from some outfit called Discovery House.

Disc 1

01.  Join All the Glorious Names (3:42)

02.  To God Be the Glory (3:35)

03.  All the Way My Savior Leads Me (3:59)

04.  Give to Our God Immortal Praise (3:48)

05.  Draw Me Nearer (3:29)

06.  He Hideth My Soul (4:58)

07.  Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness (3:09)

08.  Like a River Glorious (4:22)

09.  Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (3:59)

10.  Jesus Shall Reign (4:10)

11.  Near the Cross (3:31)

12.  O for a Thousand Tongues (3:30)

13.  O Savior, Precious Savior (4:40)

14.  Take My Life and Let It Be (4:09)

15.  Rejoice, the Lord Is King! (3:24)

16.  Tell Me the Story of Jesus (3:40)

17. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (5:06)

18.  And Can It Be? (5:21)

Disc 2

01.  We're Marching to Zion (3:59)

02.  Lord, Speak to Me (3:23)

03.  Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed_ (3:38)

04.  Jesus, Lover of My Soul (4:15)

05.  My Savior First of All (4:46)

06. The  Lord Jehovah Reigns (3:59)

07. Give Me Jesus (3:24)

08.  Love Divine (3:56)

09. I Sing the Mighty Power of God (2:39)

10.  Arise, My Soul, Arise (3:40)

11.  Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (4:22)

12.  Golden Harps Are Sounding (4:03)

13.  Redeemed (3:40)

14.  I Want a Principle Within (3:40)

15.  O God, Our Help in Ages Past (3:31)

16.  Soldiers of Christ, Arise (3:52)

17.  Thy Life Was Given For Me (4:00)

18.  Who Is on the Lord's Side? (3:40)

19. Praise Him! Praise Him! (2:50)

Classic Songs

It's all in one big file.  See if you agree with me that it's kinda dreary -- does somebody really like this ultra-processed stuff?

See you on Thursday.

 

A Guitar Serenade

I found this on a thrift-store sojourn.  Looks like it was burned and printed via a home set-up.  It’s charming and brief.

01. Mangore - Vals (4:17)

02. Berkeley - Sonatina (4:58)

03. Brouwer - Afro-Cuban Lullaby (3:03)

04. Zeromski - Ponteado (3:16)

05. Madureira - Romancario (2:24)

If you know anything about the artist, let me know.

Classical Guitar Selections

See you Monday.

  

In Honor of Soonercon!

I bought this cassette at Skaggs Albertsons soon after the real Batman movie came out in 1989.  According to MusicBrainz, performers are Ernie Earnest, Jim Boling, and William Goldstein.

01. Batdance (6:53)

02. Batman (TV theme) (2:26)

03. Ghostbusters (3:59)

04. Ghostbusters II (3:10)

05. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (2:28)

06. Star Trek (TV Theme) (2:09)

07. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (4:11)

08. Superman the Movie (3:08)

09. I've Had the Time of My Life (5:52)

It's a heavy hunk of steamin' synth, baby!

We're going live one day early because tomorrow is the set-up for Soonercon, Oklahoma's premier pop-culture sensation!  I double-dog guarantee that if you come, you will see more Batmans than you saw in the new The Flash movie!

Gotham's Greatest

See you Monday, Bat-cats and Bat-kitties!