Jackie Davis- Most Happy Hammond

I loves me some Hammond Organ as well as Broadway tunes so when I saw this for $4 during the only time in 2022 that I went record shopping, I knew I had to buy this to post for April, the blog’s anniversary month. Capitol Records. 1958.

Jackie Davis (Jacksonville, FL 1920-1999) tackles an array of Broadway tunes, from the Loesser work referenced in the title, Silk Stockings, West Side Story, and others which are less known to me. However, it is “Say Darling” and my favorite, “Til’ There Was You” that make the cut.

Say Darling
Til There was You

OST- Bye Bye Birdie

Here is a record , primed for this anniversary month, for which I recently paid $5 for, mostly to showcase on such anniversary. I bought it both for the soundtrack which I like as well as Ann-Marget. I moved it up in the rotation, however, due to the recent passing of one of the stars of the movie, Bobby Rydell.

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From Columbia Pictures in 1963, based on the popular stage musical by Charles Strouse (music), Lee Adams ( lyrics), and Michael Stewart ( Book), the George Sidney directed film features Dick Van Dyke ( his film debut) and Paul Lynde from the stage version along with Ann-Margret, Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton, Jesse Pearson and Rydell.

Although it is missing my favorite song, the “We Love You Conrad”, in its full stage version, this is a pretty good record. Oddly enough Colonel Tom Parker rejected the role of Conrad Birdie for Elvis as he felt it was a parody of the artist.

I really did not want to use the big number for a sample but as this showcases both Ann-Margret and Rydell (and Pearson), I thought it would make a good sample so here is “A Lot Of Livin’ To Do”, minus the big dance number.

A Lot Of Livin To Do

VA- Show Boat

Here is a post that I typed out but could not save so I am really even making this briefer than it originally was as I am quite miffed about writing this twice. Also, I am just going to say that although I bought this 1962 Columbia staged for stereo record to write in depth about the 1927 ground breaking musical’s influence on the future book musicals of the upcoming Golden Age of Broadway, well, due to time constraints, that ain’t happening. I was planning on having more time to do these as my last day of work was supposed to be Valantines Day, btu alas, I have started a new job by now and should be busy as ever. No Rest for the wicked and for the genuinely decent, even less so.

This record, conducted by Franz Allers, features Broadway Royalty John Raitt and Barbara Cook which also probably led me to pat $1 for this. Here they are with “Why Do I Love You”.

Why Do I Love You

Mantovani- Stop The World I Want To Get Off/ Oliver

Going back to $1 for this which I thought would be excellent. Frequent blog star Mantovani tackling two David Merrick Broadway Musicals which originated in England, both of which are favorites of mine. London Records. 1962.

This record is a suite of moth works, which means each side is one track , which means it is hard to get a good sample. Other than that, decent record. We are going with Oliver and ” Who Will Buy/ Where Is Love?”.

Who Will Buy/ Where is Love

OST- The King And I

Here is a Capitol Record soundtrack recording of the 1956 20th Century Fox film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s King and I.

Not sure why I bought this, as I am not really a fan of this work. Some people love it, but I am not one of them. But here we are with this so here is the “Overture.” Yes, I want to get done with the month.

Overture

VA- The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan

Well, it would not be a blog with out a little G&S. I paid $3 for this 1970 record from Seraphim. I featured a record from the principals on this before ( Pro Arte Orchestra directed by Sir Malcom Sargent and featuring George Baker and Geraint Evans among others.)

I guess this is a good time as ever, keeping in theme of light operatic works, to mention that I saw Carmen at the HGO last night in what I believe was its first show since COVID. Very good production. I would break it down a bit further but I want to be done with this week.

Typically, I would post one of my favorites from the Big Three ( Pinafore, Mikado, and Penzance) or possibly Gondoliers, but I had an opportunity to deviate from the norms today so I am going with “If You Go In…. Faint Heart Never Won A Lady” from Iolanthe.

If You Go In

New World Theater Orchestra- My Fair Lady/ The King And I

And just like that, the bar got TV. A major source of celebration. I am here using WI-Fi to finish these posts. I paid $1 for this for the subject matter.

I suppose this is as good a time as ever to say I saw the touring cast of My Fair Lady in September at the Hobby Center. Good show. I enjoyed it. I think the “Church on Time” segment was my favorite.

From 1958 and Somerset Records, we have two sides of orchestral suites from the two works. Both continuous so either choice I go with will be long. Well, lets keep it going with the My Fair Lady Suite.

My Fair Lady

Kurt Weill/ Ira Gershwin- Tryout

Here is a record I paid $2 for the subject. I have been quite concerned as of late that the music of Kurt Weill would not survive Post-pandemic. We shall see what fate brings to this concern. I did not realize it when I picked this out for the month but it fits nicely within the loose theme of piano/ keyboards.

This is a 1983 DRG record of rough run thru of songs from Weill and Ira Gershwin from the work Where Do We Go From Here with Gershwin on vocals and Weill on piano, accompanying on vocals occasionally. Whew, that was a long sentence. Gershwin was still alive when this came out and has a funny comment on the back cover. There are also several songs from One Touch Of Venus featuring Weill on vocals. Lyrics from these songs were written by Ogden Nash.

Pretty interesting record and if you like either of these folks, it is nice listen. I could not choose between the two despite the fact I clearly bought this for Weill. Here is Gershwin with ” Song of the Rhineland” and Weill with “Speak Low”.

Song Of The Rhineland
Speak Low

George Wright- Goes South Pacfic

Keeping it keyboard today as that is the unofficial theme of this month. I paid $1 for this from organist George Wright.

Good record of favorite songs from this popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. which I am on the fence about seeing this season when it hits Houston. I liked a lot of songs but for whatever reason, went with “There is Nothing Like a Dame”.

There is Nothing Like A Dame

VA-Broadway & Hollywood-Today!

Closing out this week’s salute to the Great White Way with this record that manages to squeeze some Hollywood in with it. I paid $1 for this two record set, making it 50 cents per disc or 25 cents per side. Price was just too good to pass up.

Many different artists on the Columbia Record from what year I do not know. Artists such as Andre Kostelanetz, Ray Conniff, Robert Goulet, Jerry Vale, Skitch Henderson, and Steve Lawrence, both alone and with Eydie Gorme. Oddly enough both Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett appear on the inside track list but are omitted on the album as well as its liner notes.

For a sample, I went with two of my favorite things; Julie Andrews and Finegan’s Rainbow’s “How Are Things In Glocca Morra” as well as Johnny Mathis with the title track from my favorite musical Guys & Dolls.

How Are Things In Gloccamora
Guys and Dolls