A Dick Hyman Tribute!

 

In honor of Dick Hyman's approaching birthday on March 8th, turning 96 years young, we will celebrate beginning March 1st with a week-long tribute.  He is one of my top five favorite jazz pianists!

The Eighty-Six Years of Eubie Blake [Double LP] [1973] Columbia Records C2S 847

 

Eubie Blake was one of the most important figures in early-20th-century African-American music, and one whose longevity made him a storehouse of the history of ragtime and early jazz music and culture. Born in Baltimore in 1883, Blake began playing piano professionally when he was 16; he wrote his first composition, "Sounds of Africa," (later retitled "Charleston Rag") around the same time. His career did not really take off until he met Noble Sissle in 1915. Together, Blake and Sissle wrote many hits. Blake also collaborated with Andy Razaf (on "Memories of You"), Henry Creamer, and other writers, composing more than 350 songs.

Peter Nero • For The Nero-Minded [1962] RCA Victor ‎LSP-2536

 

Another Nero/Gold collaboration!  Marty Gold also provided the liner notes.

Enjoy.  ~Gipsy Dancer~  👍

Tracklist:

01 Moon River

02 Dancing On The Ceiling

03 Don't Get Around Much Anymore

04 Little Girl Blue

05 Something's Coming (From ''West Side Story'')

06 My Man's Gone Now

07 Ev'rything I've Got

08 Let's Not Waste A Moment (From ''Milk and Honey'')

09 Isn't It Romantic

10 Yesterdays

11 Too Late Now

12 Love Is A Simple Thing

Peter Nero • Career Girls [1965] RCA Victor LSP 3313

 

"Dedicated to Housewives, Secretaries, Teachers, Telephone Girls, Nurses, Models, Salesgirls, Waitresses, Actresses, Stewardesses, Dancers

 . . . and Women Everywhere."

Tracklist:

01 The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

02 Someone To Watch Over Me

03 I Could Have Danced All Night

04 Star Eyes

05 A Certain Smile

06 Easy To Love

07 Out of This World

08 Speak Low

09 Show Me

10 I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter

11 Career Girl

12 Personality

Peter Nero • The Colorful Peter Nero [1962] RCA Victor LSP 2618

 

Roger Williams • Songs of The Fabulous Forties [Double LP] [1957] Kapp Records KXL-5003

 

1940s Music:

The music my parents listened to - big band swing and crooners!  Swingin' big bands! Harry James. Glenn Miller. Tommy Dorsey. Artie Shaw. And the crooners! Bing Crosby. Frank Sinatra. Perry Como.

I was born in that decade and was much too young to appreciate the music. I learned many years later to really love it - still do!  Listening to Roger play the songs of that era brings back a host of warm memories. ~Gipsy Dancer~  💟

Roger Williams • Songs of The Fabulous Fifties [Double LP] [1957] Kapp Records KX-5000-S

 

1950s Music:

"Elvis Presley. Sam Cooke. Chuck Berry. Fats Domino. Buddy Holly. The 1950s saw the emergence of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the new sound swept the nation. It helped inspire rockabilly music from Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. People swayed to The Platters and The Drifters. Music marketing, changed, too: For the first time, music began to target youth."

Yes, I loved the rock and roll artists, yet I never lost my love for the one and only Roger Williams!  ~Gipsy Dancer~  💖

Roger Williams • Songs of The Fabulous Century [Double LP] [1958] Kapp Records KX-5005-S

 

 As a burgeoning pianist, the first time I heard Roger Williams play "Autumn Leaves in 1955, I was hooked!  He still remains one of my very favorites.  ~Gipsy Dancer~  😍

In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard's popular music chart. It sold over two million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. It was the fourth #1 song of the "rock era," which unofficially began with the ascension of "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets into the top spot. In 1966 he had another Top Ten hit with the song "Born Free" from the motion picture soundtrack. His other hits include "Near You", "Till", "The Impossible Dream", "Yellow Bird", "Maria", and "The Theme from Somewhere in Time". Billboard magazine ranks him as the top selling piano recording artist in history with 18 gold and platinum albums to his credit. Williams was known as the "Pianist to the Presidents" having played for nine administrations beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last White House performance was in November 2008 for a luncheon hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.

Carmen Cavallaro • Rome At Midnight [1956] Decca Records DL 8359

 

Carmen Cavallaro is a long-time favorite of mine. "The Poet of The Piano" showed a gift for music from age three, picking out tunes on a toy piano. His parents were encouraged to develop the child's musical talents and he studied classical piano in the United States. As a young pianist, he toured Europe, performing in many capitals.  

Divertitevi, amici miei! ~Gipsy Dancer~  😍

Carmen Cavallaro • Carnival In Venice [1956] Decca Records DL 8241

 

"The gifted musician immediately establishes a mood - a mood which is soft and sensuous, delicate and captivating . . . the mood of the serenade . . .the tunes heard drowsily at dusk, or brightly on Saturday mornings when the organ-grinder played outside of your window and woke you smiling. These are the songs that you have often heard and never have forgotten."  [Excerpt liner notes]

Carmen Cavallaro • I Wish You Love: Fabulous French Songs [1964] Decca Records DL 74566

 

"If you've been looking for a truly romantic album of music - one with charm and Gallic grace - you couldn't wish for more than I Wish You Love, as played by the incomparable Carmen Cavallaro." [Excerpt liner notes]

Starlight Piano [Reader's Digest 7 LP Boxset] [1989] Reader's Digest RBA-016 A

 

A treasure trove of some of my favorite artists!

~Gipsy Dancer~  🎹💖

Skitch Henderson, His Piano and Orchestra • Paris At Midnight [1957] Decca Records DL 8339

 

I love themed albums and this is no exception - 

I also love French songs!  

Profitez-en, mes amis ! ~Gipsy Dancer~  😍

Skitch Henderson With The New York Philharmonic • Winter Holiday [1963] Columbia Records ML 5781

 

Whether you're a "snow bunny" or a "beach rat", you will certainly enjoy this fantastic album by Skitch and the New York Philharmonic! Skitch also provided the liner notes.

Tracklist:

01 Winter Wonderland

02 Moonlight In Vermont

03 Sleigh Ride

04 Winter Holiday

05 Around The Bonfire

06 Home Again

07 Troika ( From "Lieutenant Kije" Suite)

08 Caribbean Polka

09 Three Coins In The Fountain

10 Macarenas (La Virgen de la Macarena)

11 La Mer

12 Paris Match

13 Never On Sunday

14 Einsamkeit

Play It Again, Sam! Golden Piano Favorites [3 CD Set] [2004] Essential Gold DYN 3510

 

This gorgeous collection features iconic compositions played by some of the greatest piano masters ever! 60 stunning performances on 3 CDs. Artists include Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole, Liberace, and many more!  😍

88 Keys To Heaven! Piano Week Starts February 20, 2023

 

The piano is the most important instrument in the world, and no instrument can produce such a range of emotions, especially when played by the most fabulous players in history. Join me for a week (or more) of gorgeous piano music!  ~Gipsy Dancer~  🎹🎶

They're Playing Our Song [Reader's Digest 7 LP Boxset] [1982] Reader's Digest RDA-013 A

 

Enjoy, there is something for everyone on this set!

Tracklist:

Record 1 Side 1: Movie Magic / The Oscar Winners

01 Evergreen (Love Theme from 'A Star Is Born') - Ferrante and Teicher

02 The Windmills of Your Mind from 'The Thomas Crown Affair' - Perry Botkin, Jr. and His Orchestra

03 Days of Wine and Roses from 'Days of Wine and Roses' - Henry Mancini, His Piano and Orchestra

04 You'll Never Know from 'Hello, Frisco, Hello' - Harry James and His Orchestra

05 You Light Up My Life from 'You Light Up My Life' - Roger Williams

06 Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head from 'Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid' - Wally Stott and His Orchestra

Record 1 Side 2: Movie Magic / The Oscar Winners

07 When You Wish Upon A Star from 'Pinocchio' - The Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler, Conductor

08 Sweet Leilani from 'Waikiki Wedding - Al Caiola and His Orchestra

09 Born Free from 'Born Free' - Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians and Twin Pianos

10 Over The Rainbow from 'The Wizard of Oz' - Hill Bowen and His Orchestra

11 Gigi from 'Gigi' - Harry James and His Orchestra

12 Theme from 'Exodus' - Ferrante and Teicher

Record 2 Side 1: Today's Golden Hits

01 Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree - Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra

02 Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Floyd Cramer

03 Just The Way You Are - Ferrante and Teicher

04 Annie's Song - Henry Mancini, His Piano and Orchestra

05 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

06 Can You Read My Mind - Ferrante and Teicher

Record 2 Side 2: Today's Golden Hits

07 Love Will Keep Us Together - Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra

08 When I Need You - Roger Williams

09 All By Myself - Henry Mancini and His Orchestra

10 The Way We Were - Liberace

11 I Write The Songs - Ferrante and Teicher

12 Gonna Fly Now (Theme from 'Rocky') - Henry Mancini and His Orchestra

Record 3 Side 1: Great Hits From Great Shows

01 Mame from 'Mame' - Bob Crosby and His Orchestra, Featuring The Bobcats

02 The Impossible Dream from 'Man of La Mancha' - Henry Mancini and His Orchestra

03 Aquarius from 'Hair' - Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

04 What I Did For Love from 'A Chorus Line' - The Romantic Strings

05 Baubles, Bangles and Beads from 'Kismet' - Jonah Jones

06 They're Playing Our Song from 'They're Playing Our Song' - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

Record 3 Side 2: Great Hits From Great Shows

07 Hello, Dolly! from 'Hello, Dolly!' - Pete Fountain and His Orchestra

08 My Cup Runneth Over from 'I Do! I Do!' - The Romantic Strings and Orchestra

09 Send In The Clowns from 'A little Night Music' - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

10 I'll Never Fall In Love Again from Promises, Promises - Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

11 Some Enchanted Evening from 'South Pacific' - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

Record 4 Side 1: All-Time Romantic Favorites

01 A Man and A Woman - Harry James and His Orchestra

02 Feelings - Liberace

03 I Can't Believe That You're In Love Me - Paul Weston and His Orchestra

04 You Made Me Love You - Les Brown and His Band of Renown

05 Love Theme from 'Romeo and Juliet' (A Time For Us) - Henry Mancini, His Piano and Orchestra

06 I Wish You Love - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

Record 4 Side 2: All-Time Romantic Favorites

07 The Look of Love - Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra

08 Shangri-La - Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra

09 Long Ago (And Far Away) - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

10 Always - Frankie Carle

11 You Stepped Out of A Dream - Ray Anthony and His Orchestra

12 My Cherie Amour - Perry Botkin, Jr. and His Orchestra

Record 5 Side 1: Dancing In The Dark / Golden Greats From The '30s

01 It's Only A Paper Moon - Joe Reisman and His Orchestra

02 All The Things You Are - Henry Mancini, His Piano and Orchestra

03 Let's Fall In Love - Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra

04 Dancing In The Dark - Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra

05 The Way You Look Tonight - Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra

06 Yesterdays - Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra

Record 5 Side 2: Dancing In The Dark / Golden Greats From The '30s

07 One O'Clock Jump - Harry James and His Orchestra

08 My Romance - Frank DeVol and His Orchestra

09 Lazy River - Chet Atkins and Les Paul

10 Cocktails For Two - Bill Snyder, Piano

11 Just One of Those Things - Ronnie Aldrich, His Piano and Orchestra

12 Our Love - Freddy Martin and His Orchestra

Record 6 Side 1: Golden Memories of The '50s and '60s

01 Georgy Girl - Bob Crosby and His Orchestra, Featuring The Bobcats

02 Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) - Harry James and His Orchestra

03 Misty - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

04 King of The Road - Jerry Reed and The Nashville Sounds

05 Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra

06 A Lover's Concerto - Freddy Martin and His Orchestra

Record 6 Side 2: Golden Memories of The '50s and '60s

07 Windy - Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

08 Winchester Cathedral - Bob Crosby and His Orchestra

09 Those Were The Days - Shep Fields and His Orchestra

10 Around The World - Harry James and His Orchestra

11 Little Green Apples - Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra

12 You Are The Sunshine of My Life - The Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler, Conductor

Record 7 Side 1: Till The End of Time / The Fabulous '40s

01 Till The End of Time - Freddy Martin and His Orchestra

02 Brazil - Carmen Cavallaro

03 Blues In The Night - Billy May and His Orchestra

04 The More I See You - Ferrante and Teicher

05 Sentimental Journey - Danny Davis and The Nashville Brass

06 Five Minutes More - Joe Reisman and His Orchestra

07 Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Perry Botkin, Jr. and His Orchestra

Record 7 Side 2: The Original Million-Sellers

08 Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra, Eddie Heywood, Piano

09 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado

10 Last Date - Floyd Cramer with The Music City Pops, Albert Coleman, Conductor

11 Java - Al Hirt, Trumpet, with His Orchestra

12 The Entertainer - Marvin Hamlisch

13 The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter and His Orchestra

Georgie's Varsity Five • Jazz'N Razz Ma Tazz [2009] Essential Media Group (Remastered) High Fidelity Recordings, Inc. R 805 [1958] • Jazz'N Razz Ma Tazz [2009] Essential Media Group (Remastered) High Fidelity Recordings, Inc. R 805 [1958]

 

Classic audiophile album from 1958 featuring the master of the Wurlitzer Organ, George Wright, fronting a quintet replicating the traditional jazz and Dixieland sounds of the 1920s and 30s. Georgie's Varsity 5 is George Wright, Sam Weiss, Manny Klein, Luke Rountree, and Sam Cheifetz. All selections have been newly remastered.

Unforgettable Melodies: The Orchestras of Franck Pourcel, Ron Goodwin, Geoff Love, Manuel and The Music of The Mountains [2 CD Set] [1991] Music for Pleasure / EMI (UK) CD-DL 1120

 

Unforgettable melodies and a very fine group of orchestras!  What's not to love?

~Gipsy Dancer~  👏

Beegie Adair • Deep Cuts [2022] Green Hill Productions [Digital Download]

 

Deep cuts and less-discovered gems by jazz piano icon, 

Beegie Adair.  🎹🎵

Tracklist:

01 Love Nest

02 Soon

03 Oh! Look At Me Now

04 People

05 I'll Take Romance

06 Teach Me Tonight

07 My Funny Valentine

08 Blue Prelude

09 Mood Indigo

10 Can't Buy Me Love

11 Dream Dancing

12 Witchcraft

13 Small Fry

14 By Myself

15 Cold, Cold Heart

16 The Last Time I Saw Paris

17 Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup

18 Easter Parade

19 Loving You

20 Angel Eyes

A Doo Wop Valentine Volume 2 (Personal Compilation) [2023]

 

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my current readers!  💖

On a personal note:  If you like what you see and hear, please be kind and comment or send me an email.  I would really appreciate knowing if you find this blog something worth continuing - or not!  ~Gipsy Dancer~  😕

A Doo Wop Valentine (Personal Compilation) [2015]

 

My valentine to my reader at Martinis With A Twist Of Mayhem in 2015!  Happy Valentines Day 2023!

Save yourself a session with a psychiatrist! This will put some pep in your step and turn that frown upside down.

Doo Wop music that will entice you to enjoy a lovely mid-tempo dance with a hip-rocking young lady on a dance floor, or enjoy your favorite libation as you sit in your easy chair after a long hard day.  ~Gipsy Dancer~  😍

Popular Music We All Love [Reader's Digest 9 LP Boxset] [1969] Reader's Digest RDS-37-M

 

This box set was a freebie and included with a stack of other albums.  It looked great; the records were shiny and there were no noticeable spindle marks.  Unfortunately once on the turntable, the sound was not very good.  Lots of background noise -  clicks and pops that really burst my bubble!  So, fair warning, you will definitely hear some noise as I don't over-process the sound reduction when digitizing my records.  ~Gipsy Dancer~  😞

Ain't She Sweet? Volumes 1 and 2 (Personal Compilation) [2014]

 

Valentine's Day compilations in 2014!

I hope someone is interested in doing more than gazing at the album art on this blog!  I am totally perplexed as to why there are so few requests for the music and even fewer comments.  Don't be shy - what do you like or dislike about this blog?