A Dog and his Stereo

Three Hundred Fifty-Four

Artist - Glenn Miller
Album - The Best of Glenn Miller
Released - 1979
Label - RCA 
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side A
Moonlight Serenade
Chattanooga Choo Choo
A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square
In The Mood
Tuxedo Junction
Glen Island Special
That Old Black Magic
Little Brown Jug
Blueberry Hill
Juke Box Saturday Night
There'll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover
Side 2
American Patrol
Moonlight Cocktail
Elmer's Tune
I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo
The Nearness of You
Pennsylvania 6-5000
Imagination
A String of Pearls
Moonlight Becomes You
Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)
Sunrise Serenade

Enjoy!

Persuade Me Anytime

Three Hundred Forty-Three

Artist - Billie Holiday
Album - Greatest Hits!
Released - 1967
Label - MCA
Genre - Jazz/Blues

Tracks:
Side One
Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)
Don't Explain
Solitude
Easy Living
Good Morning Heartache
Crazy He Calls
Side Two
God Bless the Child
That Ole Devil Called Love
Them There Eyes
You're My Thrill
Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do

Enjoy!

Very Scenic

Two Hundred Seventy-Three

Artist - Dorothy Ashby
Album - The Best of Dorothy Ashby
Released - 1972
Label - Prestige
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side A
Pawky
Moonlight in Vermont
Back Talk
Side B
Dancing in the Dark
Charmaine
Jolllity
There's a Small Hotel

The best of the best and that is Dorothy Ashby.  Something about how the sound of the harp comes together with the flute, drums and saxophone.  It's musical genius if you are in the mood to sit back, relax and enjoy some time to yourself (or with a special someone).  You cannot go wrong with this album if you like a good jazz record.  Definitely one to have in your collection.

Enjoy!

Thursday

Two Hundred Sixty-Five

Artist - Andy Williams
Album - The Great Songs from My Fair Lady
Released - 1964
Label - Columbia
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side 1
On the Street Where You Live
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
I Could Have Danced All Night
Get Me to the Church on Time
Wouldn't It Be Loverly
Show Me

------------------------------------
And other Broadway Hits

Side 2
Hello Dolly (From "Hello Dolly")
Where or When (From "Babes in Arms")
Begin The Beguine (From "Jubilee")
Once Upon A Time (From "All American")
People (From "Funny Girl")
The Sweetest Sounds (From "No Strings")

So the whole idea of playing this record today has a lot do to with my co-worker Berwyn.  When I say her name, it seems like such a strange thing.  I've never heard of a Berwyn and when I tell her that (she's from New Zealand), she tells me about the different "Berwyn's" there are all around.  It's a first for me but I don't think it will be a last.  That being said, my morning did not go as well as I hoped it would.  Starting off at 4am, getting to the gym 10 minutes early (4:50 a.m.) and having a very emotional conversation at that.  There is nothing like getting teary-eyed while working out.  Also, most of the morning, I thought today was Wednesday.  So getting back to Berwyn, when I went into the copy room to scan some documents, I asked her to play some music.  She asked me what I wanted to hear when I turned to her and said, "Let's hear some CHRISTMAS MUSIC!  Is it too early for that?  Or too late?"  She laughed.  I told her to surprise me and that's when she played My Fair Lady.  I told her I have a vinyl record that I would play in connection with that.  So here we are, at the end of my day and I put on Andy Williams' The Great Songs from My Fair Lady.

Enjoy!

LSP

Two Hundred Sixty-Four

Album - The New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Released - 1964
Album - RCA
Genre - Jazz/Big Band/Swing

Tracks:
Side 1
Introduction: I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Opus #1
A Lot of Livin' to Do (with Jeannie Thomas)
The Best Things in Life Are Free (featuring Charlie Shavers)
A Song of India (with Larry O'Brien)
Body and Soul
Side 2
Marie (with Larry O'Brien)
Just One of Those Things (featuring Helen Forrest)
That Lonesome Road (featuring Helen Forrest)
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate (featuring Helen Forrest)
My Melancholy Baby (featuring Helen Forrest)
Well, Git It

Enjoy!

I Love it All Over Again

Two Hundred Sixty-Three

Artist - Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass
Album - South of the Border
Released - 1964
Label - A&M
Genre - Jazz/Instrumental

Tracks:
South of the Border
The Girl From Ipanema
Hello, Dolly!
I've Grown Accustomed to her Face
Up Cherry Street
Mexican Shuffle
El Presidente
All My Loving
Angelito
Salud, Amor y Dinero
Numero Cinco
Adios, Mi Corazon

Welcome to another dozen great songs with the modern mariachi touch of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass. "South of the Border" is the third set from this rousing versatile group. We have every reason to believe that you will enjoy this album at least as much as their other two best-selling works.  Please sit back, relax and enjoy thirty minutes or so of the most original and exciting instrumental congregation on record, Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass.

Enjoy!

Monophonic

Two Hundred Fifty-Two

Artist - Wed Montgomery
Album - Full House
Released - 1962
Label - Riverside
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side 1
Full House
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
Blue' n' Boogie
Side 2
Cariba
Come Rain or Come Shine
S.O.S.

Enjoy!

Standing Room Only

Two Hundred Forty-Four

Artist - Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
Album - S.R.O.
Released - 1966
Label - A&M Records
Genre - Jazz/Latin

Tracks:
Side One
Our Day Will Come
Mexican Road Race
I Will Wait For You
Bean Bag
The Wall Street Rag
The Work Song
Side Two
Mame
Blue Sunday
Don't Go Breaking My Heart
For Carlos
Freight Train Joe
Flamingo

Enjoy!

Interlude

Two Hundred Eleven

Artist - John Coltrane
Album - Coltrane
Released - 1957
Label - Prestige Records
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side 1
Bakai
Violets For Your Furs
Time Was
Side 2
Straight Street
While My Lady Sleeps
Chronic Blues

The debut album by John Coltrane, Coltrane is golden.  Jazz is one of my favorite genres of music and I honestly wish I knew more about it, but when I listen to this record, I stop and pause and open my mind to the thought of relaxation.  Lying on your bed, with your eyes closed and listening to the saxophone wind   you down.  Even the more upbeat tracks have a nice sound on the ears.  I just absolutely love John Coltrane and I don't think I've come across one record or song of his I did not like.

Bakai (which means "cry" in Arabic), by Cal Massey, opens side one.  Its handsome minor theme is expounded by Red Garland, Coltrane (who really cries) and Shihab.  The rest of side one is handled by the quartet featuring Trane and Red.  Two ballad standards, Violen For Your Furs and Time Was are the subjects; the former receives a sensitive ballad treatment while the latter is done in bright medium time.  Side two opens on Straight Street, a Coltrane composition and arrangement which features solos by the leader, Johnnie Splawn and Mal Waldron.  An intensely different Coltrane interpretation of the seldom done While My Lady Sleeps is Trane's also until Splawn joins him for a final eerie note.  Trane's Chronic Blues is the closer and gives the horns and Waldron solo room.

Enjoy!

In Other Words

One Hundred Fifty-Second

Artist - Al Hirt
Album - Honey in the Horn
Released - 1963
Label - RCA Victor
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side 1
I Can't Get Started
Java
Man with a Horn
Tansy
Night Theme
Talkin' 'bout That River
Side 2
Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)
To Be In Love
Al Di La
Malinu
Theme from a Dream
I'm Movin' On

As you can see I went in another direction with this photo and how I wanted to display the record and the cover.  I am going to try and do something different every so often, throw a curve ball in there.

I've been sitting on the fact that this album is top notch in my heart.  I bought some records from a co-worker that was getting rid of her stash and this album happened to be in there.  After listening to them all, I favored this one the most and played it back to back.  There is just something about instrumentalists that I absolutely adore and with a trumpeter at that, my heart melts even more.  You have to respect trumpet players and their skills for being able to change notes with their lips, because I could never do it.  Thus I play this wonderful record by Al Hirt.  A little snippet of the back of the record sleeve:

Everyone present at the sessions observed that as the album neared completion, there emerged a higher and higher exchange of respect and admiration between Big Al and the crew.  This discerning group of musicians was, in short, impressed by Hirt's talents.  And why not?  Creation rests on inspiration.  And Al's capacity for inspiration is as oversized as his physical frame.

Enjoy!

We're Alright

One Hundred Forty-Fifth pick

Artist - Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass
Album - Volume 2
Released - 1963
Label - A&M
Genre - Jazz/Instrumental

Tracks:
Side One
The Great Manolete
Spanish Harlem
Swinger from Seville
Winds of Barcelona
Green Leaves of Summer
More
Side Two
America
Surfin' Senorita
Marching Thru Madrid
Crea Mi Amor
Mexican Corn
Milord

The second album by Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, Volume 2 covers one of my favorite artists, Edit Piaf.  Milord is one of her songs and I absolutely love her.  Ahhh, what more can I say about Herb Alpert than I adore his music and I even created a little Instgram following with his record.  

Enjoy!

Reminiscing

I wanted something that reminded me of my youth and all things amazing.  So here, I present my one hundred forty-fourth pick.

Artist - Vince Guaraldi
Album - Oh Good Grief!
Released - 1968
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side One
Linus and Lucy
You're in Love, Charlie Brown
Peppermint Patty
Great Pumpkin Waltz
Side Two
It's Your Dog, Charlie Brown
Oh, Good Grief!
Red Baron
Rain, Rain Go Away

Only Vince Guaraldi can make Charlie Brown into something amazing.  Using a keyboard and electric harpsichord, Vince illuminates the characters with his sound.  A little snippet from the album cover:

Oh, good grief!  They've gone and done it.  They've put that jazzy music from Peanuts television specials on a record.  Those piquant waltzes, fox trots, and box steps that Vince Guaraldi wrote...What's more, they're played by Mr. Guaraldi himself, on piano and electric harpsichord, with a noble assist from Carl Burnett (drums), Stanley Gilbert (bass) and Eddie Duran (electric guitar).

I remember going on a mission to fine A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl because it reminded me of my childhood and the Christmas' I had with our little family.  I always feel like a kid again in that sense and always think about all things wonderful.  To have that moment in my heart and mind, I will never forget it.

Enjoy!

Soothing, Yes Indeed!

One Hundred Forty-Second

Artist - John Coltrane
Album - Standard Coltrane
Released - 1962
Label - Prestige
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side A
Don't Take Your Love From Me
I'll Get By
Side B
Spring is Here
Invitation

Something about John Coltrane that puts my mind at ease.  As I listen to this record, the first thing that pops in my head is, "Man, I wish I had someone to dance with."  Yes, I do like to slow dance in my house while I listen to records.  A few times I would make Kevin dance with me because I just felt like having a human body swaying side to side with mine.  Otherwise, I would pick up one of the dogs and just put them in my arms as my legs move to the rhythm and sound of John Coltrane. I think the best thing I like about listening to John Coltrane and his band play is not only the trumpets and sax (I'm a huge horn sound person), but the drums.  The way it is not too overpowering yet subtle to go with the flow of the piano and other instruments.  It's enjoyable so that it's basically made to mellow you out or even give you a bit of energy.  I think that aspect has a lot to do with the bass.  I enjoy a great Coltrane album from time to time, but I definitely need to find/play more.

Enjoy!

Lightening up the Mood

There is always that perfect record that will lighten your mood and today, for my one hundred thirty-third pick, this is just what I needed.

Artist - Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass

Album - Whipped Cream & Other Delights

Released - 1965

Label - A&M

Genre - Jazz, Instrumental

Tracks:

Side One

A Taste of Honey

Green Peppers

Tangerine

Bittersweet Samba

Lemon Tree

Whipped Cream

Side Two

Love Potion NO. 9

El Garbanzo

Ladyfingers

Butterball

Peanuts

Lollipops and Roses

An Instagram friend of mine posted this record and after sifting through his photos, I was reminded that I have that exact same record.  So thanks to him, it is today's pick.  The fourth album by Herb Albert's Tijuana Brass, Whipped Cream & Other Delights is so delightful.  All instrumental jazz, each track is basically telling a story.  Whipped Cream is a song, when you hear it, that sounds like it was an intro to a game show.  Let's not forget to mention the greatest song, Love Potion No. 9.  There is nothing like getting out early from work, especially when it's a long weekend and spinning this record on your record player.  Something about it just lightens the mood and washes all the worry away, at least that's how I feel.

Enjoy!

Softer Sides

In lieu of a hardcore day, please meet my ninety-fifth pick.

Artist - Mulatu Astatke

Album - Mulatu of Ethiopia

Released - 1972

Label - Worthy Records

Genre - Funk/Jazz, Soul, International

Tracks:

Side 1

Mulatu

Mascaram Setaba

Dewel

Side 2

Kulunmanqueleshi

Kasalefkut-Hulu

Munaye

Chifara

Once again Mulatu Astatke, has come to us from Ethiopia, with a new and different sound. He has interwoven into his fantastic arrangements, the beautiful Ethiopian five tone scale and the Afro-American soul and jazz sounds.  The melodies and rhythms, pulsate through your mind hours after hearing them.  This is a record you cannot play just once.  It is musically addictive, especially when the volume is turned up. -- Gil Snapper

Those statements above are absolutely true.  This album is so good in so many ways and of course let's not forget the sound, which is fantastic.  Instrumental music is what I've been enjoying lately and anything that ties in a flute in the mixture makes me happy, seeing that I used to play flute.  I would really love to start playing it again, but we shall see.  

Enjoy!

In the Sky

It's been a while since I dedicated an album to someone, so here I go.  This album is dedicated to someone I met online years ago, who still remains a mystery to me.  He is one that I've corresponded with, talked music with and he even recommended to me my ninety-fourth pick.  He is a West coaster who shares with me his stories of venturing off to new lands, talks about relationships he's had and his work.  He even sent me a card with a classic picture of the Space Needle, because he knew how much I loved Seattle.  This album is dedicated to you...Felix!

Artist - Dorothy Ashby
Album - Afro-Harping
Released - 1968
Label - Cadet Records
Genre - Soul/Jazz/Funk


Tracks:
Side One
Soul Vibrations
Games
Action Line
Lonely Girl
Life Has Its Trails
Side Two
Afro-Harping
Little Sunflower
Theme from 'Valley of the Dolls'
Come Live With Me
The Look of Love

As described above in my intro to this record, I thank my friend for recommending Dorothy Ashby and basically changing my life.  Hands down, a top 20 album, Afro-Harping is a mix of jazz with an exotic touch to it.  This album is good to listen to when you want to relax and I'd have to say that before listening to Dorothy Ashby, I never thought of a harp and jazz as a combination of a great sound.

Enjoy!

Extended Play

A unique band, a band a friend recommended and a band that I've grown to love.  My eighty-ninth pick.

Artist - The Budos Band

Album - The Budos Band EP

Released - 2009

Label - Daptone Records

Genre - Afro-Beat, Funk, Jazz

Tracks:

Side One

Hidden Hand

Mas O Menos

The Proposition

Side Two

Ephra

Nobody's Bulletproof

Smoke Gets In...

This multi-membered band from Staten Island, New York brings such an amazing beat and feel that one can only categorize them as a great instrumental band.  This EP was recorded between their first and second album, with a track listing of six songs that deliver a great composition of instruments and rhythm like no other.  It amazes me that bands of this nature are around, I mean music in general is interesting in it's own right, but a band such as this, it's breath-taking (to me)!  I thank my friend for introducing me to this band and to many artists he also recommended.  I think that someone should definitely keep an open mind to music, whether they like it or not, but just take it in and think about the process of how a band becomes a band.  Then you can figure out if you like it or not.  I do like the Budos Band, for sure.

Enjoy!

That is What's On My Mind

Three for three, I think so.  To my eighty-seventh pick.

Artist - Ray Charles
Album - Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music
Released - 1962
Label - ABC-Paramount
Genre - R&B/Jazz/Soul/Country


Tracks:
Side One
Bye Bye Love
You Don't Know Me
Half As Much
I Love You So Much It Hurts
Just a Little Lovin'
Born to Lose
Side Two
Worried Mind
It Makes No Difference Now
You Win Again
Careless Love
I Can't Stop Loving You
Hey, Good Lookin'

Wow, I cannot believe this record is at my disposal.  Wow, Ray Charles.  I do, very much, love me some Ray Charles and listening to this is the highlight of my evening.  There is no playing any other record after this, for this is the bees knees!!! Ahhhhh, his voice is just amazing and that is little recognition on how talented he is.

Enjoy!

Love and Love It Is

Eighty-Sixth, yes yes and yes!!

Album - Jazz 1940 Era
Featuring - Oscar Moore, guitar; Joe Comfort, bass; Carl Perkins, piano


Tracks:
Side 1
Roulette
Nearness Of You
Love for Sale
Side 2
Body and Soul
Blues in B Flat
Kenya
Kiss Me Again

When Nat "King" Cole was thrilling audience after audience with his great trio, Oscar Moore was an integral part and if money is any barometer of success he was on the top step as he was one of the highest paid sidemen in the music business.  Winner also of top awards in the Downbeat, Metronome and Esquire jazz polls Oscar was and is one of the greatest guitar players in the business.

This statement is an understatement to what I have witness with my ears and what I felt with my heart.  I stumbled across this album just today and when I saw it, I needed to have it.  I've been on a jazz kick since starting this blog and it has made me appreciate the not so famous musicians that I've discovered since then.  There is nothing like a great jazz record that can put your body and mind in a relaxing state and after listening to this, I fell in love.  In love with the sound and the feeling and just everything about this record.  It's a sign and I will never pass up the opportunity again, when I come across a record that looks interesting, yet I've never heard of the artist.

Enjoy!

I'm BACK

As I have been out of commission these past few days, I've been slowly dying simply for the fact that I could not post my vinyl records on this blog.  My vacation is now over and I am back in full force and nothing would make it better than displaying my fifty-seventh pick.

Artist - John Coltrane

Album - The Gentle Side of John Coltrane

Released - 1975

Label - ABC Records

Genre - Jazz

Tracks:

Side A

Soul Eyes (Recorded June 19, 1962)

What's New (Recorded September 18, 1962)

Welcome (Recorded June 10, 1965)

Nancy (Recorded September 18, 1962)

Side B

My Little Brown Book (Recorded September 26, 1962)

Lush Life (Recorded March 7, 1963)

Wise One (Recorded April 27, 1964)

Side C

Alabama (Recorded November 18, 1963)

My One and Only Love (Recorded March 7, 1963)

I Want to Talk About You (Recorded October 8, 1963)

Dear Lord (Recorded May 26, 1965)

Side D

After the Rain (Recorded April 29, 1963)

In a Sentimental Mood (Recorded September 26, 1962)

The Spiritual (Recorded November 5, 1961

Nothing makes me happier than listening to jazz on a day like today.  My first day back to work and I am all kinds of tired.  All day I thought about what I would put on to get me back on track and this was it.  John Coltrane knows how to make me feel relaxed, especially on a day like today.  His sound, his musical talent is just beyond words and with this record, you sense it.  The title tracks alone make you fall in love with what would be heaven upon the ears.  I have a special fascination with jazz, soul or any kind of soft instrumental music.  I like to play it while I eat, while I read, while I cook and definitely while I am relaxing.  

Enjoy!