The Mom and Dads- The Very Best of The Mom and Dads

Look at this cover.  How am I going to pass this one up?  It looks like an SCTV skit. Got a to have a decent story in this record.  Besides, it was only a dollar.  I can’t make out the name on the record, but it has been duly recorded that this was purchased on December 1, 1979. Furthermore, it was recorded to CD on March 29th, 1995.  The owner felt it necessary to document the fact that this happened on a Tuesday.

The Mom and Dads were a polka band from Spokane, Wash.  At the time of the liner notes, the band consisted of Doris Crow, 72, Les Welch, 64, Harold Henderson, 58, and the youngest member, Quentin Ratiff, 42.  Wikipedia places their formation in the 1950’s but they rose to prominence in 1971 with the release of “Ranger’s Waltz”.  It was their first recording and it forced the group to adopt their name.  This became a hit in Canada and Australia.  19 albums and about 90 days of concerts a year later, the band were international stars.  The ride all ended when Welch passed away in 1983.  The remaining members have all passed as well, the last being Ratliff in 2013.

This record, released by GNP Crescendo in 1979 culminates the output during this period, (the 70’s).  A two record set, the album is all instrumentals; waltzes, polkas, and everything in between.  With the exception of “Ranger’s Waltz”, the rest of the songs are covers.  Pretty good mix of songs.  I mean they all kind of sound the same but at least there is a good cross section of songs.

 

For a sample, I went with the Kris Kritofferson number, “Me and Bobby McGee”.

Satisfactory.

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