OST- Gunn

DSCN3854This was $3.20.  I have minor flooding issues right now and although I think I turned a major corner, this post will be brief.  As this album was done by Henry Mancini, it was worth checking out.b70-3386

IMDB Page for Gunn

Gunn, directed by Blake Edwards in 1967 was based on the TV show Peter Gunn with the famous theme music my Mancini.  Craig Stevens was the only actor to reprise his role as the cool and sophisticated private dick.  The rest were replaced.  In the case of Peter Gunn’s girlfriend, they thought Lola Albright was too old so they went with Laura Devon.  I am guessing the movie did pretty poorly as I have not seen it.  Also, since they named this Gunn #1, they were planning on making some sequels, perhaps, ala James Bond.  This did not happen.

In terms of the music, it is written and arranged by the master himself.  Mancini makes use of his orchestra with these tunes.  The thing I immediately walked away from was how good the theme song is.  It has been covered many times but there is still magic in the original. DSCN3855

Anyway, for a sample, I went with “The Monkey Farm” described by the liner notes as “a wild uninhibited orgy of rhythmic gimmicks.”  The interplay between the electric baritones, piano, and fuzz guitar make this track.peter-gunn-w-paper-classic-television-revisited-2856910-800-600

Satisfactory record.  I have not seen this movie but my money is on bad.

DSCN3854

 

Enoch Light and His Orchestra- Great Themes from Hit Films

DSCN3679This was 80 cents.  I will buy anything from Command Records and Enoch Light.

I had a lot of technical difficulties last night that I did not get resolved until about noon today (or yesterday depending on when you read this).  It involved many things that I hardly know including coding.  Loads of fun.  I got things back running but all the fun is going to make todays post short.

I did learn some fun facts, however.  I did 254 posts last year.  People in 48 countries looked at my site including Latvia, Costa Rica, Bangladesh, Jamaica, and the usual suspects of developed nations and whatnot.  Other than my peeps in Canada, the next foreign country with the most hits was Brazil, followed by Russia and the UK.  The most popular post was the Ed Gerlach record, followed by Sonny James at the Astrodome and the Bob and Doug McKenzie album I posted last month.  The most popular day for site traffic is Monday.  The best time is 2 am but my settings are also way off so I believe that translates in to 7 or 8 pm.DSCN3680

This album was released in 1964.  The movies are mostly from the previous year .  Real good song selection ad instrumentation on this but what do you expect from a Command Record?  Nothing less.

Enoch Light
Enoch Light

For a sample, here is the Beatles’ “A Hard Days Night”. Oh what the hell.  Since the sight is uploading properly, here is Light’s take on Henry Mancini’s “It Had Better Be Tonight” from The Pink Panther.  From one master to another.

Satisfactory.

DSCN3679

Martin Denny- A Taste of Honey

DSCN3625I realize that we are already two days into 2016 but based on how I lump months together, this, technically is the last post of the month and the last post of 2015.  As a result, I picked a record that is somewhat special to me.

Martin Denny
Martin Denny

This record was 80 cents at Half Price Books during the Labor Day sale.  Looking at the playlist, this record looked excellent.  Having both Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” and West Side Story’s “America”, two of what  would argue are the most important compositions of the 20th century, is reason enough to buy the album.  On top of this, it also had such staples as the title track as well as the theme music to “Exodus”, “Walk On the Wild Side”, and “The Wild One”,  all popular numbers as well.  Of all the 240 albums I bought that weekend, this was the one I most looked forward to listening to, no joke. So you can imagine the soul crushing blow I felt when I got home and pulled out the record only to find a copy of The Righteous Brothers’ 1966 release “Go Ahead and Cry”.  Words can barely describe the devastation I went thru.

Not Martin Denny
Not Martin Denny

So time had gone by and it was the beginning of December.  I was already behind on listening to records and really did not want to go out looking for more at this point when I decided to get some Christmas records for the month.  After stopping by Sig’s Lagoon, I noticed they had a new bin for $3 records.  You can imagine the jubilation when I found this record lying in the bin.  You can bet I opened the record to make sure it was correct.  For some reason, I did not think I would find this record, at least not any time soon.

This record is indeed quiet excellent.  It was released in 1962 and is typical of the output Denny produced in the 60’s. The tracks listed above are simply great along with the others.  Although not as heavy exotica as his other works, there is still some elements of the genre in his interpretation of these standards.  On the same note, there is enough of Denny’s signature sound to keep this from being a straight jazz album. Besides Denny’s piano, the album is heavy on the xylophone and other percussion instruments. Sadly, there are no animal sounds.DSCN3626

Like all albums I get stoked about, it was hard to pick a sample.  So here is what I consider to be the best tracks: the theme from “The Wild One” and “Take Five”.

Also as a bonus, I also left a track from the Righteous Brothers’ album, one of my favorite songs about people shooting other people, “Stagger Lee”.  It isn’t a bad album per say.  It was just a blow after expecting something else.

This is a Top Rated Album for me as well as a great story.  Here’s to 2016.  May the new year bring good luck to you.

DSCN3625

The Mexicali Brass- Michelle

DSCN3619This was a dollar I believe.  You can’t go wrong with a good looking female on your cover.

This was released in 1966 by the Mexicali Brass band, Crown Records’ (a budget label) response to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.  Note that The Beatles’ “Michelle” is the only new song on the album.  The rest are from the public domain to cut costs.  I am assuming Chet Baker is not on this or they would have plastered his name on the cover like the  Brass album I posted earlier. Overall the songs are pretty good. Songs such as “Sorrento”, “Estrellita” and “Senorita” add to the album’s mood. I found this album to be okay.DSCN3620

For a sample, I went with the title track, “Michelle”.

Satisfactory record.

 

The Double Six of Paris- Sing Ray Charles

DSCN3156This was a dollar.  Who does not like Ray Charles tunes?LesDoubleSix

The Double Six of Paris was a French jazz vocal group.  They got the name because the would record two sets of vocals of each member. They were around from 1959 to 1966.  The founder of the group was Mimi Perrin.  Her decline in heath led to the dissolution of the group. mimi-perrin-with-the-double-six-of-paris-lugano-1964

Mimi would pass in 2010.  Many members would go on to perform with the Swingle Singers, including Ward Swingle.

This album was actually nominated for a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance of 1965.  It is exactly what the title states: a collection of Ray Charles tunes done in a Jazz vocal style.  This album to me is ok.  The vocals could be hipper or jazzier.  The horns could be better.  But it is not too terrible. It just was not as great as I was hoping.DSCN3157

For a sample, I was torn between “Hit The Road Jack” and “Hallelujah, I Love You”.  I thought the music on “Hit The Road” was better but I felt “Hallelujah” had better singing.  Well, this is a singing album so let’s go with “Hallelujah”. mimi-perrin-with-the-double-six-sanremo-1965-photo-roberto-polillo

Eh.  This record can be satisfactory, I guess.

 

Mel Torme- Right Now

DSCN3154This was $3.192 cents with discount.  Who can resist the Velvet Fog?  Besides, the track listing on this was decent.mel-torme-021

I realize this is not a Christmas album, but I had some gaps to fill and besides, Mel Torme composed “The Christmas Song” (Chesnuts roasting on an open fire…..). So there is some kind of tie in.564419Mel Torme (1925-1999) was a popular American singer, mainly of jazz standards.  He also composed and arranged as well.  Born in Chicago, he started life as a drummer, playing in a band led by Marx Brother Chico.  He had a slew of success in the 40’s and 50’s but that slowed with rock and roll, which Torme called “three cord manure”. But he never truly slid out of the public eye and remained active until a stroke ended his singing career in 1996.

Mel’s Bio at Spaceage Pop

Mel with Teddy Wilson and Benny Goodman
Mel with Teddy Wilson and Benny Goodman

This album was released in 1966 when Mel moved to Columbia Records. When he did, he was ultimately convinced to record some tunes for the kids.  The review on Allmusic.com tears this album apart.  It states that it is a laughable attempt by Torme to tackle teen songs.  It is pretty harsh.

Allmusic Review of Album

 

DSCN3155But is it really that bad?  I listened to it twice and I thought it was ok.  It starts out with Mel’s big hit, “Comin’ Home Baby”.  I thought “If I Had A Hammer”, “Better Use Your Head”, “Secret Agent Man” and “Red Rubber Ball were all right.  I mean, sure, it is not from his wheelhouse of jazz standards, but I think it is a better album than Allmusic claims.

Mel Torme.

For samples, I went with two.  First off , as far as I am concerned there can be no better version of Burt Bacharach’s “Walk On By” than Isaac Hayes and nothing will ever compare to it.  But this version is pretty decent.  I also went with the Sinatra staple, “Strangers in the Night”.  Again, nobody does the song as well as Frank, but I really like Torme’s scat singing at the end of the song.  It is either the craziest scat I ever heard or it is a shout out to someone named Scotty Woo.  Eitherway, listen to these for yourself and you can decide whether the Allmusic review is apt or not.

Me?  I have already decided that this is a pretty decent album.  Satisfactory.

DSCN3154

 

 

Wayne Newton- Songs for a Merry Christmas

DSCN3152So Thanksgiving is over and Christmas season has officially begun.  I think it unofficially began sometime in October.  Anyway, with the season comes Christmas music and for better or for worse, that is what Donkey-Show is doing this month.  And what a better way to start it off then the man who inspired the name of this blog, Mr Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton. This was $3.00.

wayne3

Wayne’s Website

This album is pretty standard fare from Wayne.  Well sung songs with his trademark style.  Oddly enough, when I first saw Ferris Bueller, I thought it was a woman singing “Danke Schoen”.

DSCN3153This album has all the classics and is pretty good as far as Christmas albums go.  high points include “Jingle Bell Rock”, “The Christmas Song”, “Rudolph” and “Silent Night, Holy Night”.

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 28: Entertainer Wayne Newton performs during the opening night of his limited-engagement production "Once Before I Go" at the Tropicana Las Vegas October 28, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Tropicana)

For a sample, I went with “Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow”.

 

Dean Martin- The Door is Still Open to My Heart

DSCN2481This was a dollar.  Excellent record at any price but for a dollar, it is getting bought.

8a7802677cf96678c1f9c6b0fb5ce09bThere was no bigger star at the time that the King of Cool, himself, Dean Martin.  Born in 1917 in Steubenville, OH, Dino rose from a lowly night club singer to a master of stage and screen.  All the way through, Dean made it look easy and developed a reputation for being easy going or a casual drunk. But this was a well executed act, at least in my opinion.

250px-Dean_MartinIn writing this post, I am reminded of a Simpson’s episode, where Homer runs into to Dean in Heaven, Homer tells him that he squandered his gift. Dean responds “Squandered my gift?  I made 68 records”.  (If I could have found the clip, I would have posted it). Furthermore, Dean was a family man who according to one of his ex-wives, made it home for every meal.  Thus, his lush persona was an act, one that he did quite well.  Or at the very least, it did not slow his ouput. However, one vice, smoking, would catch up to Dean.  He would die of lung cancer related illness in 1995 at age 75.

Dean’s Web Page

330147-dean-martin

This would have been Dean’s 14th studio album if my math is right. Released in 1964, it went up to #9 on the Billboard album charts. Coincidently, three of the songs were previously done on his 1963 album Dean “Tex” Martin Rides again. The album itself features four of his better known songs; the title track, “You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You”, “In the Misty Moonlight”, and Gale Garnett’s “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine” (Gale’s album was on this blog about two months ago). .The songs are all trademark Dean, smooth vocals crooned over well orchestrated music.DSCN2482

For a sample, I stuck with “The Middle of the Night is My Cryin’ Time” which was one of the ones culled over from the earlier album.Old-Dean-dean-martin_thumb

Satisfactory record indeed.

 

Claudine Longet- The Look of Love

DSCN2471This was one dollar.  I like the French chicks but prefer them to sing in French. Also, I spent less than ten minutes on today’s post.Claudine-Longet-05-GQ_03May13_getty_bThis is the third Claudine Longet album I have posted on this site.  Not sure why I favor her, but here we go.  It has been hard finding French chicks in general for under $5.  I am particularly proud of the first post I did on her.  I think it was one of my more informative posts.  Besides that and the second post, there is not much more I can say about Longet personally or professionally.

Link to the First Donkey Show Post

This was Longet’s second album.  Released in 1967, it reached # 33 on the Billboard charts.  It is an easy listening mix of pop and bossa nova, heavily influenced by the Brazilian music at the time.  It also contains two Beatle compositions and one Bacharach/ David tune.  Decent album if you are into that kind of thing.DSCN2472

I went back and forth between Bacharach’s “Look of Love” which she does well and the McCartney tune “When I’m Sixty Four”.  I felt she did a decent version of that as well.  After some thought , I flipped a coin and got tails.  So here is a waify version of “When I’m Sixty Four”.  Note that this came out pretty close to the original version’s release.

maxresdefaultI was going to make a bad joke about shooting the messenger here, but decided to go ahead and give this a satisfactory rating.  I would say it is among the better of her work.

Henry Mancini- Symphonic Soul

DSCN2397This was $5.00.  Anything by Mancini is worth a shot, but generally speaking, his attempts at cross-genre albums or anything that deviates from his sound usually miss the mark.p55362txj7z

This was Henry Mancini’s take on soul/disco and is actually quite good. Where other genre themed albums of Mancini failed, this album succeeds, mainly because it capitalizes on past works and greatly utilizes Mancini’s genius with string arrangements. I believe this was released in 1976 and it is really good.  Highlights include the title track, “a new tack on “Peter Gunn”, and “African Symphony” as well as the samples I selected.DSCN2398

For samples, I went with “ Satin Soul”, “Pick Up the Pieces” and “Slow Hot Wind” which is basically a re-work of “Lujon” from Mr Lucky / The Big Lebowski.

Top Rated.