Now this was a memorable era of music! The original girl-group era featured some of the most talented siblings ever heard on popular radio. In many of these recordings can be found the precursor of women's barbershop, and the inspiration for many of today's female vocal jazz groups. Genetic blend is a wonderful, all-too-rare thing, and many of these recordings feature talented family groups with some of the sweetest blending chords you'll hear. Even the groups that aren't all sisters just ooze the sound of talent and skill. You may not have been around when this music was new, but it's never too late to discover it.
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A Rainy Night In Rio On the Avenue Some Sunny Day I Want To Go Back To Michigan I Had A Hat The Windmill Song Can't We Talk it Over I Ought to Know More About You The Telephone Song If I Were A Bell Where Is Your Wandering Mother Tonight Unless You're Free Baby Blues Dimples And Cherry Cheeks Love Is Here To Stay It's All Over But The Memories Play Me A Hurtin' Tune I'm On A Seesaw Of Love Music Lessons I'll Walk Alone That's The Chance You Get My Isle Of Golden Dreams Nalani Malihini Mele |
Patty, Maxine and Laverne, the Andrews Sisters from Minneapolis, started their career at a young age, hitting the entertainment industry with what appeared to be overnight success, becoming the first female harmony group to sell a million-selling disc with "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen in 1938. By the mid-1950s the sisters had recorded over 400 songs, including 6 chart toppers countless gold discs, and had appeared in numerous films. They also recorded with stars like Bing Crosby, Al Jolsen, Danny Kaye and many others. The light-hearted, energetic style of the Sisters, that helped entertain troops and cheer a nation through the dark days of WWII, is well-represented here: "The Telephone Song," "A Rainy Night in Rio," "Some Sunny Day," "I Want To Go Back To Michigan," "Baby Blues," "Dimple and Cherry Cheeks," "My Isles Of Golden Dreams" and the Hawaiian tunes "Nalani" and "Malihini Mele." There's a number of cuts by the Sisters that we've never heard before, like "I Had A Hat," "The Windmill Song," "I Ought To Know More About You," "I'm On A Seasaw Of Love," "Where Is Your Wandering Mother Tonight," the title tune and many others. All swing-band accompanied. "Music Lessons" is a fun, sassy, cleanly-remastered time capsule of one of the great female vocal swing groups of all time, singing 25 of their wonderful, little-known and rarely heard hits!
Listen to "Some Sunny Day" and "The Telephone Song" in RealAudio.
| 4619 CD $15.98 |
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Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar The Cock-Eyed Mayor of Kaunakakai Beer Barrel Polka Bei Mir Bist Du Shon Pennsylvania 6-5000 Rhumboogie I Love You Too Much The Ferryboat Serenade Well All Right Nice Work If You Can Get It Ciribiribin (with Bing Crosby) One Two Three O'Leary Why Talk About Love You Don't Know How Much You Can Suffer From the Land of the Sky Blue Water Pagan Love Song Hold Tight Long Time No See OOOOO-Oh Boom Short'nin' Bread Let's Have Another One I Want My Mama |
The Andrews Sisters have recorded so many songs and sold so many records (75 million) that to say they were the Queens of Pop in the 1930's and 1940's is practically an understatement. This recording is special because it encompasses their early years, 1937-1940; of course it includes "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen," which established their reputation and went to number #1, but also wonderful nostalgia such as "Ciribiribin," with Bing Crosby on lead, "I Love You Too Much," "Pagan Love Song" and so many more - twenty-two songs in all, too many to describe here. Many are accompanied by Vic Schoen, their longtime bandleader and arranger. The quality is still terrific and hasn't tarnished with age in the least.
Listen to "Pagan Love Song" in RealAudio
| 4148 CD $13.98 |
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Part of the ASV "Living Era" series, "Apple Blossom Time" contains 25 favorites from the female group that will forever define the harmony sound of World War II. Hits such as "Rum and Cola," "Don't Fence Me In" (with Bing Crosby), "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and the title track were standard issue back then, and Maxene, Laverne and Patricia captured the spirit of the nation. Their balmy, lilting style (reminiscent of the Boswell Sisters before them), can be saucy one moment ("Strip Polka," "Shoo, Shoo Baby") or sweetly romantic ("Near You," "Toolie Oolie Doolie") with equal charm. Accompanied, with the big band swing arrangements popular at the time, though on a few tracks -- "Apple Blossom Time" in particular -- the instruments are muted and almost insignificant. Listen to " I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" in RealAudio
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It's 1943 and the war news on the radio isn't great, so you fiddle with the dial on the huge RCA Victor radio, and there are the Andrews Sisters, singing "I'm Getting Corns for My Country," a song about the painful joys of dancing at the USO. You chuckle and start tapping your feet, and think that a country that could produce a group like the plucky Sisters might win this war after all. "Now Is The Time" is a rare, 2-CD for the price of one collection of Andrews Sisters classics, many of which have not been heard since the end of the war. There are 23 songs, not in total but on each CD! Joining the Sisters are stars like Carmen Miranda on two Samba songs, Danny Kaye on three songs, Bing Crosby on two songs, Burl Ives, Nat King Cole, Dick Hayme, Ernest Tubb and Dan Dailey. All songs are swing band accompanied. Picking favorites isn't easy -- all the songs are hip, swinging, and funny and/or poignant: "The Turntable Song," "The Wedding Samba," "He Rides The Range For Republic," "Gimme Some Skin, My Friend," "Choo'n Gum," "Amelia Cordelia McHugh-McWho?" and "Big Brass Band from Brazil" with Danny Kaye, and "Too Fat Polka." Of course you've heard "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" on all the other Andrews recordings, but have you heard "Bounce Me Brother With A Solid Four?" If you love the AS, swing music, American history or musical humor, these CDs are for you Listen to "Walk With A Wiggle" in RealAudio
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Andrews Sisters with the Glenn Miller Orchestra: The Chesterfield Broadcasts At the time of these live radio broadcasts from New York City (Dec. 1939-March 1940, Miller's band was #1 in the US, and the Andrews Sisters were the #1 singing group. New York City, hosting the fabulous 1939 World's Fair, was the hottest place to be, and this is big band Swing music at its best. 18 cuts, from "Oh, Johnny, Oh, Johnny, Oh!" the Disney tune "I've Got No Strings," and "Begin the Beguine," to "In The Mood," "The Donkey Serenade" and "Hold Tight, Hold Tight," these are stone hits. Big, fat liner notes booklet with history and photos. Double CD What a treat!
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Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye join the legendary Andrews Sisters on this 10-song (all accompanied) compilation of classic Christmas tunes from the 1940s. Bing treats us to some of his wonderfully laid-back baritone on the opening cut, ÒHere Comes Santa Claus," "12 Days of Christmas," "Jingle Bells," "(The Toys Gave A Party For) Poppa Santa Claus," and the last cut, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Kaye joins the Sisters on "A Merry Christmas At GrandmotherÕs," and "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth." The Sisters by themselves perform the sweet little fantasy, "I'd Like To Hitch A Ride With Santa," "Winter Wonderland" and "The Christmas Tree Angel." Beautiful, fun stuff from some of the greatest, most popular singers ever to record a Christmas song. Listen to " The Christmas Tree Angel in RealAudio.
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Cheek To Cheek Crazy People Dinah Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong An Evening In Caroline Everybody Loves My Baby Fare Thee Well, Annabelle Forty-Second Street Heebie Jeebies I Can't Write The Words I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter If I Had A Million Dollars It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing It's The Girl It's You! The Object Of My Affection Rock And Roll Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On Shine On, Harvest Moon Shout, Sister, Shout! Shuffle Off To Buffalo That's How Rhythm Was Born When I Take My Sugar To Tea Why Don't You Practise What You Preach? You Oughta Be In Pictures (My Star Of Stars) |
Connee (1907-1976), Martha (1908-1958) and Helvetia ("Vet") Boswell (1909-1988) constituted the most popular female vocal group before The Andrews Sisters, and created some of the most exciting recordings of the early 30s - still sounding amazing today. They enjoyed 20 hits before breaking up, when the remarkable, wheelchair-bound Connee continued a great solo career, influencing a generation of singers such as Ella Fitzgerald. But as a trio, the Sisters were never matched. Shout, Sister, Shout! was their signature tune, and now the title of a 25-track selection of their very best recordings. 11 of them were major hits, including their first success, the incredible "When I Take My Sugar To Tea", and "Dinah", "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter", "Roll On Mississippi Roll On", "Rock And Roll", "It's The Girl" and the chart-topping "The Object Of My Affection" - each one a tour de force. The Sisters' jazz flair was invariably enhanced by the accompaniment of some of the top musicians in jazz, and fine solos by such as Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Manny Klein, Artie Shaw and Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang all add to the enjoyment.
Listen to "If I Had A Million Dollars" in Real Audio.
| 4523 CD $12.98 |
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These accompanied songs were recorded in the early 1930's, when the Boswell Sisters enjoyed a devoted following - unexpected, given that they were three classically-trained women singing New Orleans blues-flavored jazz! This recording's quality, incidentally, is very good, with every attempt to preserve the integrity of the original analog masters, but using today's digital technology for clarity. The CD's opening track, "Rock and Roll," though having nothing to do with its current meaning, shows that the term predated Alan Freed by over twenty years! Uptempo numbers, such as "Louisiana Hayride," with its swerving instrumental break and riffing clarinet, are interspersed with ballads, such as Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," and "Song Of Surrender," from the film Moulin Rouge. The Boswells close harmony sound is much more blues than classically oriented - not refined or shrill, but punchy and full.
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There were many "sister" groups in the 20th century, but none compared to the three Boswell Sisters, who, unlike the other groups, including the more famous Andrews Sisters, were very jazz-oriented, not afraid to take chances and they could out-swing anyone. Precisely in-tune, with surprising tempo, key and mood changes in their own arrangements the New Orleans-born Sisters began their recording career in 1925, sounding like little kids on "Nights When I Am Lonely ." "Shout" chronicles the best of the Boswells' brief but amazing recording career, largely from 1930 to 1935An all-star group of top studio players including trombonist Tommy Dorsey and his brother Jimmy (on alto and clarinet), trumpeter Bunny Berigan and violinist Joe Venuti loved recording with the Sisters, who were on their level musically. Reaching their height of fame in 1932, the sisters appeared in several movies, most notably 1932's "The Big Broadcast," where they sang "Crazy People" in company with Cab Calloway, Bing Crosby and the Mills Bros. Now popular enough to introduce their own hits, like "Was That The Human Thing To Do" and "We've Got To Put That Sun Back In The Sky" rather than just cover standards and other people's hits. "There'll Be Some Changes Made" is redone by the Boswells with a surprise blues solo for Connie in the middle, and the obscure Fats Waller tune "If It Ain't Love" is remembered for this highly appealing version, as is Waller's "Old Yazoo," made immortal by the Boswells. Just as the Swing Era began in 1936 the Boswells broke up in favor of married life for Vet and Martha and a solo career for Connie that lasted until her death in 1976. 21 songs: "Forty-Second Street," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," "If I Had A Million Dollars," "Dinah"… these are classic jazz swing tunes that ushered in one of our favorite musical eras, and remain some of the best American music ever recorded. All accompanied by the best jazzmen o f the time.
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We've been transported back into 1930, and turning on one of those beautiful old radios, we hear a live Boswell Sisters' program, sometimes with actual static, and a hopelessly straight-laced announcer. These are 1930-35 original broadcast transcriptions, tracks that have never been released in any form, of popular Southern girl group the Boswells, the most original trio of their time. This is pretty racy stuff, especially for its time ("If you see me necking somebody new, I'm in training for you!"–from "I'm in Training For You." 25 live, authentic gems, all at least lightly piano-accompanied, some with full orchestra, (Glenn Miller's and Tommy Dorsey's): "Does My Baby Love?," "Gee, But I'd Love to Make You Happy," "Rarin' To Go," "There's Wah-Wah Girl in Agua Caliente," "My Mad Moment," "I Thank You, Mr. Moon," "Me Minus You," "Puttin' It On"…This was the jazz age, time of the scandalous, liberated flapper, and the harmonizing Boswells celebrated this new freedom to the max. This CD is a recommended joy! Listen to "Does My Baby Love?" in Real Audio.
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The Chantels were one of the first black all-girl groups to hit the national Billboard charts ("He's Gone," 1957) and they inarguably set a new standard of quality that reflects well on their Catholic school musical training! Fronted by Arlene Smith, who was a classical pianist and songwriter, the young ladies were protogees of George Goldner's staff producer/writer/arranger Richard Barrett; they recorded for Goldner's End label in its early inception. This "Best of" collection has the best of their recorded efforts, including their last hits, "Look In My Eyes" and "Well, I Told You," that were made with replacement lead Annette Smith (no relation to Arlene). The group then disintegrated, but are still considered one of the best female harmony groups of all time.
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When You Were Sweet Sixteen Moonlight Bay Carry Me Back To Old Virginny Ballin' The Jack Shine On Harvest Moon Tell Me Why I'd Love To Live In Loveland (With A Girl Like You) When Day Is Done Runnin' Wild Love Me And The World Is Mine Moonlight On The Ganges The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise Love's Old Sweet Song Let The Rest Of The World Go By Lonesome- That's All Alice Blue Gown Candy And Cake If It Wasn't For Your Father Hawaii O Joe Down By The Old Mill Stream Time Out For Tears Can't Be Seem To Laugh Anymore Love Is The Reason Dance Me Loose |
"Harmony Time, Vol. I & II" is a very generous slice of pre-Sweet Adelines history. By generous we mean two LPs (16 cuts) of the Chordettes by themselves, plus 8 songs with Arthur Godfrey and one with Bill Lawrence. It was 1946 in Sheboygan, WI, and four young women were singing together, working out some intricate harmonies that sounded pretty good. They named themselves the Chordettes. Encouraged by an early SPEBSQSA, they appeared in an all-male Sheboygan barbershop parade, then auditioned for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which they won easily. After that they joined the talented Godfrey troupe. We can't call them Sweet Adelines Champs, as SA hadn't been formed yet, so how about pre-Champs? The pioneering intricate, soaring harmonies the Chordettes worked out themselves are a revelation for lovers of pure barbershop of any gender. Favorites? "Moonlight Bay," "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," "Ballin' The Jack," "Shine on Harvest Moon," "Moonlight on the Ganges," "Love's Old Sweet Song" and "Alice Blue Gown." We also liked the Godfrey tunes, but they are accompanied (sometimes by Godfrey on piano), and feature Godfrey more than the Chordettes, who frankly could sing rings around him. In any case, this CD is a joy on many levels!
Listen to "Moonlight Bay" in Real Audio.
| 4487 CD $13.98 |
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As this is another two-LPs for the price of one CD, we can hear you say, "Let me guess, they'll love this one too." Bingo! The Chordettes, who we think of as the first great Sweet Adelines group, pioneered women's barbershop singing when there was no such thing, and they did it with class, professionalism and style. "Harmony Encores" was released by Columbia in 1952, and "Sing Your Requests" in 1954, and they contain 23 classics of harmony and arrangement. While finding the original LPs in any kind of condition to play is unlikely, here you get the original master recordings on a CD with pictures of the four women, the original album covers and the original liner notes. From the opening cut, "Carolina Moon," to "Drifting and Dreaming," "Kentucky Babe," "The Anniversary Waltz," "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie," "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," "Hello! Ma Baby" and the final cut "Darkness On The Delta," this is Entertainment! Listen to "Sentimental Journey" in Real Audio.
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The Chordettes were one of the most successful female groups of the vintage era. After their selection, in 1949, for the Arthur Godfrey talent program, they recorded a series of albums, first for Columbia, and then for Cadence. "The Fabulous Chordettes" is a selection from this later period ('54-'61), and includes their first big hit, "Mr. Sandman,", "Lollipops," "Just Between You And Me," and nine others (accompanied, but reticently). Their vocal style and arrangements, though not strictly vertical, were definitely influenced by barbershop theory. Many of the cuts are mono - the digital master was transferred from the original analog recordings.
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My Blue Heaven Until The Real Thing Comes Along Bei Mir Bist Du Schon Paper Doll I'll Get By I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo Dream Sugartime I'm Getting Sentimental Over You Undecided I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles When I Take My Sugar To Tea St. Louis Blues March Hot Toddy Song Of India I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm I Can't Get Started Trumpet Blues In The Mood When Day Is Done The Mole Take The "A" Train Sugar Blues One O'Clock Jump |
The Clark Sisters (Ann, Jean, Peggy and Mary) recorded these songs in 1959
and 1962. Formerly known as the "Sentimentalists," they sang with Tommy Dorsey
and had several chart hits. What sets them apart as special is their ability
to mimic instruments with uncanny accuracy, such as on "Sugar Blues," where
they capture every nuance of the trumpet sound, muted and open. The "Salute"
album gave the sisters the opportunity to select their favorite numbers from
groups such as the Mills Bros. ("Paper Doll"), the McGuire Sisters ("Sugartime"),
the Pied Pipers ("Dream") and the Modernaires ("I've Got A Girl In Kalamazoo"),
among many others. Listen to them cut loose on "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon," where
they trade licks with the band!
| 4191 CD $15.98 |
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It's Love Boom Boom Boomerang To Say You're Mine The Wedding Song If I Ever Fall In Love I'm Bewildered Teach Me Tonight Give Me Time Too Late Now Cry Baby Blues Let Your Love Walk In Cuckoo In The Clock Cuban Love Song I Can't Escape From You Rockin' and Rollin' In Hawaii No One To Blame But You |
Cowboys Don't Cry It's Yours I Never Meant To Hurt You I Hear A Melody Don't Call Me Sweetie Flowers On The Hillside I Know Plenty Blue And Broken-Hearted Where Have You Been My Love That Little Word Called Love Old Timer's Tune Biddle-Dee Bop What A Relief (Hoop Ah Hoop Ah, Bah Dah Dah) You Take Care of Me (I'll Take Care Of You) My Sweetheart Left Me Behind |
Most popular in the 50s, the de Castros began a decade earlier as a Latin act, which they virtually dropped when they were signed by the otherwise hillbilly-oriented Abbott label. Besides 31 (big band accompanied) period hits, "Teach Me" includes a thick photo album with the history of these 3 Cuban rich girls who shared an amazing musical career stretching from the 1940s to the present day (at least as of 1999, when the CD was released), from Miami to Hollywood to New York City. Sneaking off from their gig at Miami's Clover Club to sing (and record) with Tito Puente's band, being invited to Hollywood by Walt Disney to sing background vocals on "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"Ñit's an amazing musical story. The title tune was on the flip side of the supposed-to-be hit "It's Love." A Cleveland disc jockey turned it over, played it and got bags of mail. The "suggestive" tune became the Sisters' biggest hit. Novelty and pop tunes like "Boom Boom Boomerang," "Cuckoo In The Clock," "Rockin' and Rollin' In Hawaii," "Cowboys Don't Cry," "Don't Call Me Sweetie," "Old Timer's Tune" the upbeat "Biddle-Dee Bop" and "You Take Of Me (I'll Take Care of You;" torch songs like "No One to Blame But You," "Give Me Time," "If I Ever Fall In Love," "It's Yours," and the country tune "That Little Word Called Love"Ðwe've never heard most of these songs, but we like them. They are as full of energy, spirit and innocence as the 1950s, and the improbable de Castro Sisters!
Listen to "Teach Me Tonight" in Real Audio.
| 4548 CD $15.98 |
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It's Been A Long, Long Time Chico Chico (From Puerto Rico) Hop, Skip And Jump Flat river, Missouri Blue Sweet I've Gotten On You (The Pennsylvania Dutch Song) One-zy Two-zy (I Love You-zy) I Fall In Love With You Every Day How Cute Can You Be? Doin' What Comes Naturally That Wonderful Worrisome Feeling Under The Bamboo Tree Time Didn't Change A Thing At The Close Of A Long Day, Long Day I'm Never Satisfied Bouillibase Pretty Baby Watermelon Weather Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart Love Me Just A Girl That men Forget This Love Of Mine Mumbo Is The Word Dreamboat Two Hearts, Two Kisses (Make One Love) Sailor Boys Have To Talk To Me In English The Hot Barcolle Five Little Misses I'm Through With Love |
The five DeMarco Sisters became a show business staple from 1945-55. Their sound was always consistent - a lush, sweeping harmony that was very popular with audiences. They did it all, appearing on leading radio shows, and in several films including "Skirts Ahoy" with Esther Williams. They sang regularly on Ed Sullivan, Kate Smith and Jackie Gleason TV broadcasts. They toured the country with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and made appearances with Nat "King" Cole and Frank Sinatra. This 29 track collection brings to listeners nearly all their major recordings, and some obscure ones. Most of these titles have not been available since their original issue 50 or more years ago.
| 7487 CD $19.98 |
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Brazil Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia Where Or When Once In A While The Way You Look Tonight Homesick-Thats All Love Letters Love On A Greyhound Bus Wave To My Lady Do You Love Me San Antonio Rose He Likes It! She Likes It! If I Had My Life To Live Over My Adobe Hacienda Santa Catalina (Island Of Romance) I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Echo Said No And Mimi Fun And Fancy Free Beg Your Pardon Buttons And Bows The Kissing Song Very Good Advice Oklahoma Hills I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance |
Born into a musical family of nine brothers and sisters, The Dinning Sisters were twins Jean and Ginger and sister Lou (Lou was replaced in 1946 by Jayne Bundesen, who was replaced by Tootsie Dinning in 1952). Showing more than a little chutzpah, and without much experience, the young ladies left their Oklahoma town and traveled to Chicago, where they tried out for NBC radio. They were hired and remained for seven years, and were ultimately the highest paid radio act in the Windy City. This accompanied collection begins with two cuts from their 1943 Capitol Records sessions, "Brazil" and "Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia," the latter with a whimsical spoken interlude on the trouble with men reminiscent of the Boswell Sisters. "The Way You Look Tonight" is breathy and imploring, "Love On A Greyhound Bus" relentlessly cheerful, transporting us to the post-war era. "My Adobe Hacienda" and the previously-unreleased "Santa Catalina" feature rollicking accordion. Twenty-five songs in all, including their most famous hit, "Buttons and Bows."
Listen to "Santa Catalina" in Real Audio.
| 4163 CD $14.98 |
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When we think of "sister" groups, the Boswells in the 30s, Andrews in the 40s and McGuires in the 50s are the best known, but of all the others the Dinnings were the next best-known and loved. Farmer and Mrs. John Dinning of Wichita, OK, raised 9 children, all but one of which went into a music career. Twins Jean and Ginger and older sister Lou began their career in 1935 performing with brother Ace's orchestra, and continued in one form or another up into the 1960s. Their biggest hit was "Buttons and Bows" from the Bob Hope and Jane Russell movie "Paleface." Buddy Clark, Perry Como, Kate Smith, Ozzie Nelson, Tennessee Ernie Ford and many others appeared with or recorded with the girls. This is a 2-CD set, and prolific is not a strong enough word: 24 hits on the first disc and 28 on the second (all big band accompanied). It's fascinating to listen to the Sisters turn a chestnut like "Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia" into their own love story, or apply their bright, cheery, sexy sound to might-have-been hits like "Lolita Lopez" and "Love On A Greyhound Bus." On every level the Dinnings deliver sheer entertainment with the best of them, and the hits just keep on coming -- highly recommended! Listen to "(He's Just A) Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia" in Real Audio.
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Although the Dinning Sisters found commercial fame in the 1940s as a close harmony trio in the style of the Andrews Sisters, their roots lay in the developing Country music of the 30's—not surprising as the girls were raised in rural Wichita, KS. "Back" has 26 tunes, many of them featuring George Barnes on guitar, all fairly lightly accompanied. This is upbeat music, falling into the general category of the 1920's Western Swing of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys ("San Antonio Rose," cut #19), and 1950's and 60's Rockabilly music. "Turn Your Radio On," Gene Autry's "You'll Be Sorry," "Gospel Cannonball," the jazzy "Oh! Monah," "Louisiana Hayride," "Sweethearts or Strangers"…this is a generous helping of authentic, fun stuff from the sweet harmonied Dinnings. Recommended!
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Till Then The Baion Cold, Cold, Heart Handsome Stranger Grasshopper Heart Can't We Talk It Over Three Little Rings Down Home Rag The Turtle Song I'm A Little Cuckoo Moon-June-Spoon If You Would Only Be Mine Rhumba Boogie Silver Bells Jing - A - Ling Jing - A - Ling I Guess I'll Have To Dream The Rest The Fifth Wheel On The Wagon The Fortune Teller Song There's Doubt I My Mind Winter's Here Again Lonesome Road I Didn't Know What Time It Was Kissing Bridge Makin' Like A Train What Did I Do Bouncy Bouncy Bally Hurry Home To Me Walkin' The Floor Over You Grand Central Station I Grabbed For The Engine |
I Had A Talk With The Wind And The Rain Falling Please Play Our Song Mexican Joe I Wanna Be Loved Underneath The Linden Tree Mississippi Mud Put Your Shoes On, Lucy Fairy Tales The Cinderella Work Song The Tennessee Waltz I Get The Blues When It Rains Alabama Jubilee Snowflakes River In The Moonlight The Fortune Teller Song Howdy Doody Christmas The Popcorn Song Twenty Four Hours Of Sunshine The Bumpity Bus If I Knew You Were Coming I'dve Baked A Cake The Price I Paid For Loving You Let Me In When I Dream He Who Has Love My Fickle Eye It Couldn't Be True (Or Could It Be) Linger In My Arms A Little Longer, Baby Missouri Waltz |
It was the mid-1950s, the early days of Rock and Roll, Bill Haley & the Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis were exploding on the charts. The Fontane Sisters, backed by a skilled combo of rock musicians led by Billy Vaughn, was one of the few acts to transition successfully into the new energy-charged medium. First singing backup with Perry Como on a number of popular hits, were offered their own contract with RCA based on that success. In the early 50s they recorded some novelty songs like "If I knew you were comin' I'd've Baked A Cake," and country songs like "The Tennessee Waltz," "Walkin' The Floor Over You," "Cold, Cold Heart" and "Handsome Stranger" with the Sons of the Pioneers. "Till Then" in 1954 was their last recording for RCA, and they really hit their stride on Dot Records, with a cover of The Charms' "Hearts of Stone," which was #1 on the charts for 3 weeks. A succession of major hit records, many of them covers from the rhythm and blues charts dominated the airwaves and jukeboxes throughout the remainder of the 50s, the Sisters fading from view in the new decade. Some more favorites are "Mexican Joe," "Mississippi Mud," "Makin' Like a Train," "the Popcorn Song" (featuring Howdy Doody), "Alabama Jubilee," "The Cinderella Work Song," "The Fortune Teller Song," "The Bumpity Bus," "Down Home Rag," "The Turtle Song" "I Get the Blues When It Rains," and "Rhumba Boogie," but we could go on. There are 60, all band-accompanied songs on this 2 CD set, silly, schmaltzy, country, rock, pop, blues—it all adds up to tremendous fun stuff from the crazy 1950s! Extensive, interesting liner notes with pix and history.
Listen to Moon-June-Spoon in Real Audio
| 7476 2CDs $19.98 |
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Memories of You It's Easy to Remember When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano I May Be Wrong Pagan Love Song Miss Otis Regrets I Don't Know Why Cielito Linda Basin Street Blues The Day You Came Along An Old Guitar and an Old Refrain Nice Work If You Can Get It Why Should I Cry Over You You Made Me Love You St. Louis Blues I've Had My Moments Stars Fell On Alabama East of the Sun By the River Sainte Marie All Of Me Love is the Thing Don't Worry 'Bout Me Stomping at The Savoy |
The lovely King Sisters, hailing from Utah, were six in number, though the group usually featured four at a time, allowing for flexibility as family commitments encroached. Having been influenced by the Boswell Sisters, they sought fame and fortune in the early thirties, and began singing with bandleader Horace Heidt. Their success continued into the forties and fifties, as contemporaries of the Andrews and McGuire Sisters, and even into the 1960's, when they had their own television program, "The King Family Show." With their orchestra, conducted by Frank DeVol, the girls produced a slew of close harmony classics, from the wistful ballad, as in "The Day You Came Along" and "I Don't Know Why," to the cheerful "Cielito Linda," "You Made Me Love You" and "Pagan Love Song"; and who could forget "When The Swallows Came Back To Capistrano"? What a trip down memory lane!
Listen to " You Made Me Love You" in Real Audio.
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Alyce, Donna, Luise and Yvonne Driggs began their career as the King Sisters in 1935, became one of the most popular vocal groups in the big band era, and didn't retire until the end of "The King Family Show" in 1969. The cool thing about "In the Mood" is that out of 25 (big band accompanied) songs, almost none are on other King Sisters CDs we carry. There's a number of classics, including "Button Up Your Overcoat," "Moonglow," "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart," "In the Mood," "Kalama-zoo," "Jersey Bounce," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" and "Cielito Lindo," which was a hit for them. We loved the less well-known numbers: "I Came Here to Talk for Joe," "Happy Feet," the witty "Strip Polka," "Some Days There Just Ain't No Fish," "Slap-Slap," "Music 'Til Dawn," and "Irish Washerwoman." What timing, what harmony -- every cut is an imaginative, rhythmic little gem!
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In The Mood Irish Washerwoman Sometimes I'm Happy The Hot Gavotte Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga Miss Otis Regrets Whatcha Know, Joe? I Understand The Hut-Sut Song The Music Makers Rose O'Day Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing In A Hurry 'Tis Autumn Music 'Til Dawn Jersey Bounce My Devotion I Came Here To Talk For Joe It's Love, Love, Love! Milkman, Keep Those Bottle Quiet The Trolley Song Candy Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week Stone Cold Dead In The Market The Coffee Song Some Days There Just Ain't No Fish Happy Feet Walk It On Down I'll Get By |
One of the most overlooked of the many sister acts of the Swing Era, The King Sisters, were born and raised in Salt Lake City with the last name Driggs. They took their stage name from that of their father and vocal coach, Daddy King Driggs. Though they started recording in the 30s and continued until the late 50s, these 28 songs are from their golden decade, the 1940s, particularly the war years, 1941-45. All songs are orchestrally accompanied, with the focus, of course on the bright, sweet vocals. We have the well-known hits, "In The Mood," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Jersey Bounce," "The Trolley Song," "The Coffee Song" and "I'll Get By;" and then we have lesser-known, somewhat silly but nonetheless wonderful tunes like "The Hot Gavotte," "Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga," "The Hut -Sut Song," "Rose O'Day" (The Filla-Da-Gusha Song), "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry" and "Some Days There Just Ain't No Fish." "It's Love" is a generous, clean-sounding "best-of" collection from one of our favorite Swing Era sister quartets!
Listen to "Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week" in Real Audio.
| 4637 CD $14.98 |
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This Girl's In Love It's All In The Game Walk On By California Nights Let's Get Away From It All I Wanna Be Free Good Day Sunshine God Only Knows Love So Fine Here, There and Everywhere I Fell |
From the original 1969 Capitol Records bio, we learn that The Four King Cousins are daughters of the famous King Sisters and members of the equally famous King Family. The four young women, all pretty blondes in their early 20s, first appeared on TV on John Davidson's "Kraft Summer Music Hall." Then they were signed to a Capitol recording contract, appeared on top shows like Jonathan Winters and Johnny Carson, and in concert with Buddy Rich, Buddy Greco and Stan Getz. "Introducing" is their debut album, 11 heavily-accompanied pop covers, including a pair by Bert Bacharach, "This Girl's In Love With You" and "Walk On By," a pair by Lennon/McCartney, "Good Day Sunshine" and "Here, There and Everywhere;" Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows," pop hits "Califonia Nights," "It's All In The Game," "I Wanna Be Free" "Love So Fine and others. Innocent, schmaltzy, nostalgic, top-40 fun from the late 60s!
| 7492 CD $14.98 |
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Walk With Me Softly And Tenderly How Great Thou Art I Believe Ave Maria Were You There You'll Never Walk Alone Wedding Song Jesus You Are My Friend The Old Rugged Cross Battle Hymn Of The Republic My Tribute Soul Of My Savior Holy, Holy, Holy Let Us Break Bread In This Very Room Amazing Grace Unfailing Love Old Time Religion Eternal Life Faith Of Our Fathers The Lord's Prayer |
When the Lawrence Welk Show was no longer on prime time, The Lennon Sisters didn't stop singing, or, judging by the cover of this "22 Songs," looking beautiful! This is another of those wonderful compilations, where you get 2 albums worth of songs on a single regular-priced CD, issued on Ranwood Records, "A Welk Music Group Company," in the early 80s. The butter-smooth, sweet-harmonied sound of the Sisters hasn't faded a bit on these 22 lightly piano-accompanied songs. "Walk With Me," "Softly and Tenderly," "How Great Thou Art" (a personal favorite), "Ave Maria," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Faith of Our Fathers"--each song is a perfect gem, sung by the legendary Lennon Sisters. Enjoy and be inspired!
| 4497 CD $14.98 |
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The smooth, blended harmonies of the Lennon Sisters, their discovery by Lawrence Welk and their many appearances on his show and Andy Williams', all these things you know. Well, here are 18 (accompanied) songs, the "best of " the Lennon Sisters. Smooth and sweet, slightly jazzy at times -- this is happy music, slow-dancing music. Included are several wonderful 50s pictures of the girls, in costume and with Welk, and sweet little remembrances about each song by Kathy Lennon. "Sentimental Journey," "Anniversary Song," "You Made Me Love You," "Scarlet Ribbons," "Fascination" and a personal favorite, "Theme From A Summer Place." You get the picture -- the Sisters harmonize even sweeter than you remember or could imagine.
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From their first 1955 appearance on the Lawrence Welk Show as 9- (Janet) to 16-year olds (Dee Dee) singing an a cappella "He," America fell in love with the 4 Lennon Sisters. For 13 years of Saturday nights, they appeared on the Welk show before, as grown women, they finally broke with him to do their own "The Lennon Sisters Hour" from 1969 to 1970. "Favorite" is the first of 4 CDs of "best of" songs from this show there are 10 songs, and a lot of warm memories for Lennon fans here. "May We Wish You Well," the show's theme song, the sweet "Simple Life," "Softly," "Love In A Home," "Can't Take That Away From Me," and "Bless This House." We particularly liked the production medley "One Way Ticket/Grass Is Always Greener," the jazzy "Pennies from Heaven," "Let Go," and "Walt Disney Medley" (the Sisters' "Hi to You" and "Mickey Mouse Mambo," from a guest spot on the Mickey Mouse Club, was their first recording). America's Angels in top form!
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OK, we admit we had a thing for the Lennon Sisters when growing up, especially Janet. And all these songs are accompanied, possibly by Lawrence Welk himself, and the orchestra. That said, this CD is as corny, sentimental and wonderful as any Christmas CD we've ever heard! The sisters sing these 12 standards ("Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Do You Hear What I Hear," "White Christmas," "Lullaby For Christmas Eve," "Home for the Holidays," "What Child Is This," "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire), "Oh, Holy Night," etc.) as brightly and sweetly (and with as perfect enunciation) as you could possibly imagine. Just tuck us in, leave the cookies and milk for Santa by the fire, put on this CD and we're set for that long winter's night! Listen to White Christmas in Real Audio.
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Recorded in 1959 this is the Sister's first Christmas recording and one they have fond memories of. The lovely cover photo of the fresh-faced teens in velvet red dresses is of the age of when "Little Janet" singing "I Saw Mama Kissin Santa Claus" was a highlight of the legendary Lawrence Welk Christmas shows. "Winter Wonderland" was one of the very first songs the girls sang for Welk at a charity event and which led to their later frequent appearances on his show. This reissue is a classic and adds a wonderful touch of nostaligia to the season. Listen to Adeste Fideles in Real Audio.
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Do You Remember When? Sometimes I'm Happy June Night All By Myself Tiptoe Through The Tulips With Me Them There Eyes Mississippi Mud Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine Does Your Heart Beat For Me? Somebody Loves Me S'wonderful Blue Skies I'm In The Mood For Love Don't Take Your Love From Me My Darling, My Darling Moonglow Tenderly I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You If You Were Only Mine Wonderful One I'm Confessin' Moon Song Love Is Here To Stay Think Of Me Kindly |
The McGuire Sisters (Phyllis, Dorothy and Christine) got their big break on
the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show, where they replaced the Chordettes and remained
for six years. They generated many hits throughout the 1950's and well into
the next decade, and so popular were they that, as representatives for Coca-Cola,
they received the highest fee in advertising history up to that time. These
24 romantic melodies just inspire harmony, and the orchestrations are brilliant
as well. "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" uses imitation among the horn and string
sections to reinforce the vocal line, while "Them There Eyes" is punctuated
by percussion and horn accents and a half-time coda. The three voices, very
similar in tone color and generally having a low tessitura in the female range,
blend easily, and their vocal style is natural and without artifice. It's wonderful
stuff.
| 4049 CD $15.98 |
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Sincerely Something's Gotta Give HE Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight Picnic Muskrat Ramble Ev'ry Day Of My Life Sugartime It May Sound Silly Christmas Alphabet May You Always Just For Old Time's Sake |
The three sisters McGuire indeed have a unity of blend hard to match among the many famous sibling groups. Their popularity was immense, and their cover versions of songs such as "Sincerely" and "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight," (both originally sung by the Moonglows and Spaniels, respectively) placed higher on the charts than those of their progenitors; the McGuire's sound and image was considered more acceptable to white audiences. While some of the songs, like "He," don't hold up as well over time - the lyrics and orchestrations seem a bit precious - the vivacious delivery is so unabashed, the apparently innate tunefulness so exact, and the arrangements so creative that "Muskrat Ramble" and "Sugartime" leave no doubt as to why the McGuires were loved by so many.
Listen to "Sincerely" in Real Audio.
| 4791 CD $14.98 |
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My Soul Looks Back And Wonders Ain't That Good News You Don't Know How Blessed You Are He's All Right With Me Remember Me One River To Cross Now The Day Is Over Make A step In The Right Direction The Day Is Past And Gone I'm Still Saying Yes I'm Determined To Run This Race Do You Know Jesus? Promise To Meet Me There Until I Reach My Heavenly Home He Made It All Right Jesus Is Always There Too Close To Heaven God Is Good To Me WDIA Radio Station Make A Step In The Right Direction You Don't Know How Blessed You Are Ain't That Good News My Soul Looks Back And Wonders |
A 1992 re-release on the Specialty label, which was founded by Art Rupe in
1946. The Meditation Singers, led by Earnestine Rundless, began their performing
career in 1947, at the New Liberty Baptist Church in Detroit. This four member
group initially started with four women, including Della Reese, who eventually
left for a career in pop. Later members included tenor and composer James Cleveland,
and soul chanteuse Laura Lee. It's Earnestine's sandpaper and gravel shout,
however, that delivers the goods, as heard on "God Is Good To Me" and most of
the tunes on this recording. The Meditation Singers continued touring through
the 1980's, and they are the genuine article of the golden era of gospel.
| 2052 CD $14.98 |
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