My favourite 50s artists! Have a look...
Theo Morgan
ever since I have had a love affair with it.
American singers:
Guy Mitchell
Johnnie Ray
Doris Day
Perry Como
Jo Stafford
Teresa Brewer
Kay Starr
Rosemary Clooney
In fact, Mitch Miller is a GENIUS!!
British artists (have any of you Yanks heard of these, or if you do do
you know their 50s output?)
Shirley Bassey (absolute legend)
Petula Clark (fast growing on me, she was a pop queen long before
Downtown)
Alma Cogan
Frankie Vaughan (check this guy out! RIP)
Vera Lynn (legend in the war but even better in the 50s!)
Thoughts please, and any recommendations?? I love most of the UK #1s
of the 50s. We should have a discussion on those at some point.
Scarlotti
> Okay, I got into this genre of pre-rock wonder about a year ago and
> ever since I have had a love affair with it.
Does this mean that you're one of us "younger" members who weren't
born until after the decade ended?
I've loved it all my life, having been introduced to it by my parents
since ... as far back as I can remember.
> American singers:
>
> Guy Mitchell
> Johnnie Ray
> Doris Day
> Perry Como
> Jo Stafford
> Teresa Brewer
> Kay Starr
> Rosemary Clooney
Love 'em all.
My favorites are:
Frankie Laine
Georgia Gibbs
Johnnie Ray
Patti Page
Jo Stafford
Kay Starr
Teresa Brewer
Guy Mitchell
Doris Day
Al Jolson
Vaughn Monroe
Bing Crosby
The Andrews Sisters
Vera Lynn ...
... ok, I'm a fan of just about all the 50s pop singers, but the above
are the ones that top my favorites list.
I'm not too big on most modern singers, but Crystal Gayle and Amanda
Baker should be included as well.
> In fact, Mitch Miller is a GENIUS!!
Yes! He was a major force in creating the "sound" of the latter half
of the 20th century (under his various guises of musician, arranger,
conductor, impressario...). He was a towering force in the devlopment
of the music of his day, and his effects will continue to be felt well
into the 21st century.
> British artists (have any of you Yanks heard of these, or if you do do
> you know their 50s output?)
>
> Shirley Bassey (absolute legend)
I've got a double album of her hits.
> Petula Clark (fast growing on me, she was a pop queen long before
> Downtown)
> Alma Cogan
> Frankie Vaughan (check this guy out! RIP)
I know a few Petula Clark songs and have heard of the others (but only
since I began researching 50s music online a couple of years ago).
> Vera Lynn (legend in the war but even better in the 50s!)
My all-time favorite Brit artist.
> Thoughts please, and any recommendations?? I love most of the UK #1s
> of the 50s. We should have a discussion on those at some point.
You're probably familiar with the UKMIX CHART OF ALL TIME, but if not,
here's a link to it:
http://www.ukmix.net/articles/charts/coatartists.html
It doesn't specify #1s, but it's one of my favorite
music/chart-oriented websites -- mostly because a lot of my favorite
singers rank high on it. :D
Let It Rock
wrote:
>Yep, in fact, I wasn't born until 1987. I'm only 17, believe it or
>not. Seventeen, seventeen... you probably know the US version of that
>song, though, whereas I'm only familiar with the Frankie Vaughan one.
Then why don't you act your age?
Instead of listening to geezer music, you should be out smoking crack,
wearing nose rings and baggy clothes, and listening to M&M and Snoopy
Dawg or whatever their names are.
We don't want you listening to our music. Shoo.
You oughta be ashamed of yourself.
Theo Morgan
Oh, dearie me, even if I didn't like 50s music as much I wouldn't want
to do that! I'm gay, so hardly think an image like that would suit me.
Thanks for the concern, though...
Roger Ford
wrote:
>Scar...@searchhawkmail.com (Scarlotti) wrote in message news:<4c6e579a.04101...@posting.google.com>...
>> theo....@gmail.com (Theo Morgan) wrote in message news:<d792ec85.04101...@posting.google.com>...
>>
>> > Okay, I got into this genre of pre-rock wonder about a year ago and
>> > ever since I have had a love affair with it.
>>
>> Does this mean that you're one of us "younger" members who weren't
>> born until after the decade ended?
>>
>> I've loved it all my life, having been introduced to it by my parents
>> since ... as far back as I can remember.
>
>Yep, in fact, I wasn't born until 1987. I'm only 17, believe it or
>not. Seventeen, seventeen... you probably know the US version of that
>song, though, whereas I'm only familiar with the Frankie Vaughan one.
>
Does that mean that like me,you're in England?
ROGER FORD
-----------------------
"Spam Free Zone" - to combat unwanted automatic spamming I have added
an extra "b" in my e-mail address (mari...@bblueyonder.co.uk).
Please delete same before responding.Thank you!
SavoyBG
>Does that mean that like me,you're in England?
Can't you tell by his shite taste in music :-)
MY LISTS - http://hometown.aol.com/savoybg/myhomepage/index.html
SURVEYS - http://hometown.aol.com/savoybg1/myhomepage/index.html
Theo Morgan
How rude, Savoy!
Yes, I am British.
dorsal
Class performers with class material,,,just the opposite of the R and B
obscurities promoted by some in this ng.
Scarlotti
> Yep, in fact, I wasn't born until 1987. I'm only 17, believe it or
> not. Seventeen, seventeen... you probably know the US version of that
> song, though, whereas I'm only familiar with the Frankie Vaughan one.
You're right.
I'm a bit older than you (I was born in '63), but it great to hear
that the current generation (at least one of you, anyway!) is still
able to appreciate classic pop.
> Frankie Laine isn't bad. He has a great voice. I am going to get the
> new 3CD 'Collection' that came out this year soon.
I'm not sure which one that is ... but make sure it's the original
recordings. Frankie Laine rerecorded his hits multiple times, and
many of the available cds include a lot of the remade versions.
Frankie is far and away my all-time favorite singer, and I enjoy the
remakes as much as the originals, but they're usually recorded in
vastly different styles from the originals, and won't give you a true
portrait of what his hits sounded like.
Unfortunately, a lot of my personal favorites only appear on the Bear
Family collections, which cost an arm and a leg (but are worth it).
I'd start with the Mercury Collection (it's got about 25 songs from
his early days at Mercury and goes for about $10.), ONE FOR MY
BABY/MR. RHYTHM which features two of his early Columbia albums (no
hits, but a lot of great stuff), JAZZ SPECTACULAR (a legendary jazz
session with Buck Clayton, Kai Windling, J.J. Johnson and Michel
Legrand), ROCKIN'/HELL BENT FOR LEATHER (ROCKIN' features the
definitive versions of I BELIEVE and THAT LUCKY OLD SUN, and a truly
amazing rendition of ROCKIN' CHAIR, the song that got him discovered;
HELL BENT features some of his greatest western songs -- BOWIE KNIFE
is a personal favorite) and BALLADEER/DEUCES WILD (BALLADEER is my
favorite album -- a collection of bluesy folk songs, while DEUCES is a
concept album mostly about gambling).
> Patti Page... not familiar. Tempted to buy a CD of hers though.
Patti Page was the most popular female vocalist of the 1950s. I
highly recommend tracking down a copy of PATTI PAGE: A GOLDEN
CELEBRATION, which contains 4 cds and a 48-page color book. It's no
longer in print, but used copies turn up at amazon and ebay every now
and then. They usually ask $100 for it, but I got mine for $35 or so
on ebay (took me a while, as I kept getting outbid, but eventually I
won one at the price I wanted).
It's got 80 songs on it -- the first 2 cds feature (most of) her hits,
the 3rd has some great country numbers, and the 4th focuses on the
standards. Of all the Patti Page albums out there, this one gives the
best overview of her career.
> Al Jolson - I have a feeling I know songs by him but done by others.
> Isn't 'Silvery Moon' one of his trademark numbers? Shirley Bassey's
> stage debut was in a show called 'Memories of Jolson' and she sung
> this song.
SILVERY MOON is one of his songs (though not one of his biggest).
The album to get is LET ME SING & I'M HAPPY (58 songs on 2 cds).
There are at least 2 cds with this title, but get the 2 cd one. It
features all of his songs from his years at the DECCA label (the
latter years of his career when many people feel that his voice was at
its peak). It's got remakes of all his early hits (SWANEE, APRIL
SHOWERS, MY MAMMY, SONNY BOY, etc.), as well as his last album of
Stephen Foster songs of which I'm especially fond. Duets with Bing
Crosby, the Andrews Sisters and the Mills brothers are also included.
And it's dirt cheap -- $22.99 at Amazon, $15.48 if you get it from one
of the "New and Used" sellers (at Amazon).
> Vaughn Monroe - no idea :(
Vaughn Monroe ("The Voice of RCA") was a trumpet player, band leader
and deep-voiced bariton vocalist ("The Voice With Hair on it's Chest")
who scored his biggest hits in the late 40s (RACING WITH THE MOON,
BALLERINA, RIDERS IN THE SKY, RUM & COCA COLA, COOL WATER, BAMBOO,
etc.). He trained as an opera singer, and has a distinctive, and
immediately recognizable voice -- very deep and slightly nasal. Most
people either love him or hate him. I fall under the former category.
I recommend starting off with RACING WITH THE MOON (25 songs including
all those mentioned above).
> Bing Crosby - great guy! Must listen to 'the Best of the Early 50s' a
> bit more.
>
> Andrews Sisters - have a budget CD which includes most of their famous
> numbers.
>
> Dame Vera Lynn - goddess
>
> I got into 50s music mainly through listening to the old UK #1s.
> Hence, I like a lot of later music too. But the 50s were a real golden
> age I think.
I also like a lot of later music (going into the 60s, at any rate),
but the 50s pop songs are where my heart is.
>
> > > In fact, Mitch Miller is a GENIUS!!
> >
> > Yes! He was a major force in creating the "sound" of the latter half
> > of the 20th century (under his various guises of musician, arranger,
> > conductor, impressario...). He was a towering force in the devlopment
> > of the music of his day, and his effects will continue to be felt well
> > into the 21st century.
> >
>
> Definitely agree, his influence has been underrated I feel. Those
> novelties of the early 50s feature a lot of techniques that are still
> oft-used now. I often say "Mitch Miller invented the hand-clap in pop
> music!"
He's even been accused (by Will Friedwald in SINATRA! THE SONG IS YOU)
of having more-or-less laid the groundwork that made rock 'n' roll
possible -- although Mitch (as I'm sure you know) didn't like r'n'r.
> > > British artists (have any of you Yanks heard of these, or if you do do
> > > you know their 50s output?)
> > >
> > > Shirley Bassey (absolute legend)
> >
> > I've got a double album of her hits.
> >
>
> Probably mostly 60s and 70s, if the compilation is on EMI. She
> recorded 24 sides during the 50s for the Philips label. I am trying to
> get more of these onto CD.
60s. I'm not sure of the label (it's an actual record and I rarely
break the old phonograph out these days).
> > You're probably familiar with the UKMIX CHART OF ALL TIME, but if not,
> > here's a link to it:
> >
> > http://www.ukmix.net/articles/charts/coatartists.html
> >
> > It doesn't specify #1s, but it's one of my favorite
> > music/chart-oriented websites -- mostly because a lot of my favorite
> > singers rank high on it. :D
>
> Yes, that is a very good chart. You should take a look at Whirligig,
> where they also have some 50s music discussion (amongst other things)
> http://p197.ezboard.com/fwhirligigtvfrm9
I've come across it once or twice (archived) in searches for 50s
artists. Thanks for posting the link. Perhaps I'll join that group
as well...
>
> Nice hearing from you, Scarlotti!
You too, Theo. :)
Mr. M
>
>Thoughts please, and any recommendations?? I love most of the UK #1s
>of the 50s. We should have a discussion on those at some point.
The hits of the 1950's starting from 1950 #1, are being posted in
alt.binaries.sounds.1950s.mp3. You should take a look at what's
there.
Mr. M
Theo Morgan
>
> > Yep, in fact, I wasn't born until 1987. I'm only 17, believe it or
> > not. Seventeen, seventeen... you probably know the US version of that
> > song, though, whereas I'm only familiar with the Frankie Vaughan one.
>
> You're right.
>
> I'm a bit older than you (I was born in '63), but it great to hear
> that the current generation (at least one of you, anyway!) is still
> able to appreciate classic pop.
>
> > Frankie Laine isn't bad. He has a great voice. I am going to get the
> > new 3CD 'Collection' that came out this year soon.
>
> I'm not sure which one that is ... but make sure it's the original
> recordings. Frankie Laine rerecorded his hits multiple times, and
> many of the available cds include a lot of the remade versions.
>
Don't worry, it's on the Sony Columbia label. I'm well aware of the
re-recordings - before this CD, I had to buy a Reader's Digest set to
obtain the elusive "Woman In Love"!
> Frankie is far and away my all-time favorite singer, and I enjoy the
> remakes as much as the originals, but they're usually recorded in
> vastly different styles from the originals, and won't give you a true
> portrait of what his hits sounded like.
>
> Unfortunately, a lot of my personal favorites only appear on the Bear
> Family collections, which cost an arm and a leg (but are worth it).
>
> I'd start with the Mercury Collection (it's got about 25 songs from
> his early days at Mercury and goes for about $10.), ONE FOR MY
> BABY/MR. RHYTHM which features two of his early Columbia albums (no
> hits, but a lot of great stuff), JAZZ SPECTACULAR (a legendary jazz
> session with Buck Clayton, Kai Windling, J.J. Johnson and Michel
> Legrand), ROCKIN'/HELL BENT FOR LEATHER (ROCKIN' features the
> definitive versions of I BELIEVE and THAT LUCKY OLD SUN, and a truly
> amazing rendition of ROCKIN' CHAIR, the song that got him discovered;
> HELL BENT features some of his greatest western songs -- BOWIE KNIFE
> is a personal favorite) and BALLADEER/DEUCES WILD (BALLADEER is my
> favorite album -- a collection of bluesy folk songs, while DEUCES is a
> concept album mostly about gambling).
>
Thanks for those. A Mercury collection by him does sound tempting
seeing as a lot of those he re-recorded for Columbia.
> > Patti Page... not familiar. Tempted to buy a CD of hers though.
>
> Patti Page was the most popular female vocalist of the 1950s. I
> highly recommend tracking down a copy of PATTI PAGE: A GOLDEN
> CELEBRATION, which contains 4 cds and a 48-page color book. It's no
> longer in print, but used copies turn up at amazon and ebay every now
> and then. They usually ask $100 for it, but I got mine for $35 or so
> on ebay (took me a while, as I kept getting outbid, but eventually I
> won one at the price I wanted).
>
> It's got 80 songs on it -- the first 2 cds feature (most of) her hits,
> the 3rd has some great country numbers, and the 4th focuses on the
> standards. Of all the Patti Page albums out there, this one gives the
> best overview of her career.
>
Thanks. I'll probably get a budget CD first, then if I like that the
CD you recommend will probably be on my list!
> > Al Jolson - I have a feeling I know songs by him but done by others.
> > Isn't 'Silvery Moon' one of his trademark numbers? Shirley Bassey's
> > stage debut was in a show called 'Memories of Jolson' and she sung
> > this song.
>
> SILVERY MOON is one of his songs (though not one of his biggest).
>
> The album to get is LET ME SING & I'M HAPPY (58 songs on 2 cds).
> There are at least 2 cds with this title, but get the 2 cd one. It
> features all of his songs from his years at the DECCA label (the
> latter years of his career when many people feel that his voice was at
> its peak). It's got remakes of all his early hits (SWANEE, APRIL
> SHOWERS, MY MAMMY, SONNY BOY, etc.), as well as his last album of
> Stephen Foster songs of which I'm especially fond. Duets with Bing
> Crosby, the Andrews Sisters and the Mills brothers are also included.
> And it's dirt cheap -- $22.99 at Amazon, $15.48 if you get it from one
> of the "New and Used" sellers (at Amazon).
>
Thanks again - I'll look out for that one. Didn't Al die around 1950?
> > Vaughn Monroe - no idea :(
>
> Vaughn Monroe ("The Voice of RCA") was a trumpet player, band leader
> and deep-voiced bariton vocalist ("The Voice With Hair on it's Chest")
> who scored his biggest hits in the late 40s (RACING WITH THE MOON,
> BALLERINA, RIDERS IN THE SKY, RUM & COCA COLA, COOL WATER, BAMBOO,
> etc.). He trained as an opera singer, and has a distinctive, and
> immediately recognizable voice -- very deep and slightly nasal. Most
> people either love him or hate him. I fall under the former category.
>
> I recommend starting off with RACING WITH THE MOON (25 songs including
> all those mentioned above).
>
Thanks for that one.
> > Bing Crosby - great guy! Must listen to 'the Best of the Early 50s' a
> > bit more.
> >
> > Andrews Sisters - have a budget CD which includes most of their famous
> > numbers.
> >
> > Dame Vera Lynn - goddess
> >
> > I got into 50s music mainly through listening to the old UK #1s.
> > Hence, I like a lot of later music too. But the 50s were a real golden
> > age I think.
>
> I also like a lot of later music (going into the 60s, at any rate),
> but the 50s pop songs are where my heart is.
>
> >
> > > > In fact, Mitch Miller is a GENIUS!!
> > >
> > > Yes! He was a major force in creating the "sound" of the latter half
> > > of the 20th century (under his various guises of musician, arranger,
> > > conductor, impressario...). He was a towering force in the devlopment
> > > of the music of his day, and his effects will continue to be felt well
> > > into the 21st century.
> > >
> >
> > Definitely agree, his influence has been underrated I feel. Those
> > novelties of the early 50s feature a lot of techniques that are still
> > oft-used now. I often say "Mitch Miller invented the hand-clap in pop
> > music!"
>
> He's even been accused (by Will Friedwald in SINATRA! THE SONG IS YOU)
> of having more-or-less laid the groundwork that made rock 'n' roll
> possible -- although Mitch (as I'm sure you know) didn't like r'n'r.
>
>
Well, very possible - but can't see Mitch or many here liking that
idea!!
> > > > British artists (have any of you Yanks heard of these, or if you do do
> > > > you know their 50s output?)
> > > >
> > > > Shirley Bassey (absolute legend)
> > >
> > > I've got a double album of her hits.
> > >
> >
> > Probably mostly 60s and 70s, if the compilation is on EMI. She
> > recorded 24 sides during the 50s for the Philips label. I am trying to
> > get more of these onto CD.
>
> 60s. I'm not sure of the label (it's an actual record and I rarely
> break the old phonograph out these days).
>
Aah. Thought it might be. If and when the 50s stuff ever does get a
proper release I'll post about it here.
> > > You're probably familiar with the UKMIX CHART OF ALL TIME, but if not,
> > > here's a link to it:
> > >
> > > http://www.ukmix.net/articles/charts/coatartists.html
> > >
> > > It doesn't specify #1s, but it's one of my favorite
> > > music/chart-oriented websites -- mostly because a lot of my favorite
> > > singers rank high on it. :D
> >
> > Yes, that is a very good chart. You should take a look at Whirligig,
> > where they also have some 50s music discussion (amongst other things)
> > http://p197.ezboard.com/fwhirligigtvfrm9
>
> I've come across it once or twice (archived) in searches for 50s
> artists. Thanks for posting the link. Perhaps I'll join that group
> as well...
>
> >
> > Nice hearing from you, Scarlotti!
>
> You too, Theo. :)
Hope you do join that forum! :)
Think I neglected to mention Georgia Gibbs. I have heard of her.
Wasn't she more of an RnB singer though? Did novelties too though,
like Tweedle Dee and Tra La La (both great, in the versions I know,
but practically the same song!).
Theo Morgan
Thank you dorsal, you are right. Savoy's tastes are completely
different to mine is what I found when I looked at his site. I haven't
even heard of a lot of it.
Let It Rock
wrote:
>nos...@dot.net (Let It Rock) wrote in message news:<1097853977.qu/jZKLPzGs0NO+selraYw@bubbanews>...
>> On 15 Oct 2004 08:20:51 -0700, theo....@gmail.com (Theo Morgan)
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >Yep, in fact, I wasn't born until 1987. I'm only 17, believe it or
>> >not. Seventeen, seventeen... you probably know the US version of that
>> >song, though, whereas I'm only familiar with the Frankie Vaughan one.
>>
>> Then why don't you act your age?
>>
>> Instead of listening to geezer music, you should be out smoking crack,
>> wearing nose rings and baggy clothes, and listening to M&M and Snoopy
>> Dawg or whatever their names are.
>>
>> We don't want you listening to our music. Shoo.
>>
>> You oughta be ashamed of yourself.
>
>Oh, dearie me, even if I didn't like 50s music as much I wouldn't want
>to do that! I'm gay, so hardly think an image like that would suit me.
>Thanks for the concern, though...
Now that's really curious.
Most of the guys in this group are anti-Prancers having grown up in an
era prior to the Great Liberal Media Brainwash. You'd be better off
in a group of younger people who've been brainwashed into political
correctness, such as alt.tv.mtv.
Bro
Theo Morgan
LOL!
Well you should all go and dust that Johnnie Ray CD off the shelf, and
go crazy. Liberation rules.
Scarlotti
> Thanks again - I'll look out for that one. Didn't Al die around 1950?
Exactly in 1950. I still consider him to count as a 50s artist
though, because he was recording right up to the time of his death.
> > > Definitely agree, his influence has been underrated I feel. Those
> > > novelties of the early 50s feature a lot of techniques that are still
> > > oft-used now. I often say "Mitch Miller invented the hand-clap in pop
> > > music!"
> >
> > He's even been accused (by Will Friedwald in SINATRA! THE SONG IS YOU)
> > of having more-or-less laid the groundwork that made rock 'n' roll
> > possible -- although Mitch (as I'm sure you know) didn't like r'n'r.
>
> Well, very possible - but can't see Mitch or many here liking that
> idea!!
LOL. You got that right!
Actually there are a few of us here who think Mitch Miller is great --
I see him as being analogous to Zeus presiding over the gods and
goddesses at Mt. Olympus (Columbia). But I'm of the minority opinion
on that one.
I've said it before, but Mitch really needs to write his
autobiography. As is, everyone only knows all the bad Mitch Miller
stories: Sinatra hated him, he hated r'n'r, he forced Rosemary Clooney
to sing COME ON-A MY HOUSE, etc.
> Hope you do join that forum! :)
>
> Think I neglected to mention Georgia Gibbs. I have heard of her.
> Wasn't she more of an RnB singer though? Did novelties too though,
> like Tweedle Dee and Tra La La (both great, in the versions I know,
> but practically the same song!).
Well, she could sing r&b with the best of them -- but she's an
incredibly versatile singer (she started out singing with the big
bands in the 30s, and hit parade shows in the 40s before making it
big) and sang everything from country to calypso. TWEEDLE DEE and TRA
LA LA were from the latter stages of her career, and have villified
her in the eyes of r&b fans here because they were covers. Based on
their success, Mercury tried to recast her as a rock singer which only
seemed to undercut her career.
Too often the music books only remember her for the novelty numbers
(her last hit was HULA HOOP) and the covers.
Her biggest hit was KISS OF FIRE, a fiery tango of Wagnerian
proportions (which I love), but it's in the ballads where her voice
really gets to work its magic. Songs like MELANCHOLY BABY, WHAT'LL I
DO, I'LL BE SEEING YOU, WHILE YOU DANCED DANCED DANCED, A LASTING
THING, GOT HIM OFF MY HANDS, AUTUMN LEAVES, HOW DID HE LOOK, THE MAN
THAT GOT AWAY, I GOT IT BAD, IF I HAD YOU, COME RAIN OR COME SHINE,
GOODBYE TO ROME, etc.
Her voice covers a wide vocal range, has a deep, sultry, husky edge to
it, a touch of vibratto, and resonates on many emotional levels. And
she can belt with the best of them (she's one of the "big-voiced"
singers, though she's only 5 foot tall). She's my all-time favorite
female vocalist and my second favorite vocalist of either sex.
Her cds are hard to find -- usually only one or two albums are
available at any given time (and one of these is invariably from her
rock period). "The Mercury Years" collection offers a good mix
(focusing mostly on her hits), but is out of print. "Miss Georgia
Gibbs -- Her Nibs" (the cds all have similar titles) is my favorite,
but is almost impossible to get a copy of (it's the only one with
MELANCHOLY BABY and WHAT'LL I DO on it.
Theo Morgan
>
> > Thanks again - I'll look out for that one. Didn't Al die around 1950?
>
> Exactly in 1950. I still consider him to count as a 50s artist
> though, because he was recording right up to the time of his death.
>
>
> > > > Definitely agree, his influence has been underrated I feel. Those
> > > > novelties of the early 50s feature a lot of techniques that are still
> > > > oft-used now. I often say "Mitch Miller invented the hand-clap in pop
> > > > music!"
> > >
> > > He's even been accused (by Will Friedwald in SINATRA! THE SONG IS YOU)
> > > of having more-or-less laid the groundwork that made rock 'n' roll
> > > possible -- although Mitch (as I'm sure you know) didn't like r'n'r.
> >
> > Well, very possible - but can't see Mitch or many here liking that
> > idea!!
>
> LOL. You got that right!
>
> Actually there are a few of us here who think Mitch Miller is great --
> I see him as being analogous to Zeus presiding over the gods and
> goddesses at Mt. Olympus (Columbia). But I'm of the minority opinion
> on that one.
>
> I've said it before, but Mitch really needs to write his
> autobiography. As is, everyone only knows all the bad Mitch Miller
> stories: Sinatra hated him, he hated r'n'r, he forced Rosemary Clooney
> to sing COME ON-A MY HOUSE, etc.
>
I agree! It's such a shame the biggest producer of the 50s has been
overlooked so much. Even Joe Meek, a British producer from the 50s and
60s, recently had a biography published and he's more known for
killing himself than anything. Although his productions were quite
good. Have you seen Tony Bennett's book - there are a few Mitch
stories. Maybe I should write to Mitch!
She sounds really good, I know some of those songs by other artists. A
shame those CD's are OOP.
Bruce R. Gilson
> ever since I have had a love affair with it.
>
> American singers:
>
> Guy Mitchell
> Johnnie Ray
> Doris Day
> Perry Como
> Jo Stafford
> Teresa Brewer
> Kay Starr
> Rosemary Clooney
>
> In fact, Mitch Miller is a GENIUS!!
All of those are favorites of mint, though my absolute favorite female
singers would be Doris Dat (who you mention), Patti Page (who you
don't), and Rosemary Clooney (who you do); my favorite male singers
are Perry Como (who you mention) and Tony Bennett (who you don't).
> British artists (have any of you Yanks heard of these, or if you do do
> you know their 50s output?)
>
> Shirley Bassey (absolute legend)
> Petula Clark (fast growing on me, she was a pop queen long before
> Downtown)
> Alma Cogan
> Frankie Vaughan (check this guy out! RIP)
> Vera Lynn (legend in the war but even better in the 50s!)
Petula Clark was unknown here before "Downtown" but Vera Lynn was
certainly popular in the States in the 1950's. I've _heard_ of Shirley
Bassey but don't know her work that well. The other 2, I never heard
of.
> Thoughts please, and any recommendations?? I love most of the UK #1s
> of the 50s. We should have a discussion on those at some point.
You and I seem to have similar tastes. I'm glad to see another person
on here with that kind of likes.
Bruce R. Gilson
> || Okay, I got into this genre of pre-rock wonder about a year ago and
> || ever since I have had a love affair with it.
> ||
> || American singers:
> ||
> || Guy Mitchell
> || Johnnie Ray
> || Doris Day
> || Perry Como
> || Jo Stafford
> || Teresa Brewer
> || Kay Starr
> || Rosemary Clooney
> ||
>
> Class performers with class material,,,just the opposite of the R and B
> obscurities promoted by some in this ng.
You seem to be another one of the fellows who share my tastes, dorsal
(though I never saw you post here before)... glad to see more people
in this ng like us!
dorsal
Scarlotti also rocks!
Scarlotti
> You seem to be another one of the fellows who share my tastes, dorsal
> (though I never saw you post here before)... glad to see more people
> in this ng like us!
Actually, Bruce, Dorsal has been posting here for a while now ...
longer than me, as a matter of fact.
A dorsal fin, you see, is a distinguishing characteristic of ... a
SHARX. ;)
Bruce R. Gilson
Haha... never thought of that!
dorsal
That would be moi.
Theo Morgan
Bruce, pleased to meet you! Hello.
Tony Bennett... love Stranger In Paradise. Apart from that I don't
know many. Think I know his famous ones like San Francisco and The
Good Life, which are great. He was Miller-produced, too, but a bit
above his usual class?
Alma Cogan - "The Gal With the Giggle In Her Voice". Mainly known for
her string of novelty hits over here in Britain in the 50s, she was a
vibrant performer who wore lots of extravagant dresses. The fact that
Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones producer, recorded her before her
premature death in 1966, shows she was clearly talented.
Frankie Vaughan - Britain's top male star of the 50s. He recorded a
wide variety of material and came from a stage background. He even
starred with Marilyn Monroe, in "Let's Make Love". I would highly
recommend his Best of on the Spectrum label.
Bruce R. Gilson
> brg...@gmail.com (Bruce R. Gilson) wrote in message news:<2fdac2ee.04102...@posting.google.com>...
> > theo....@gmail.com (Theo Morgan) wrote in message news:<d792ec85.04101...@posting.google.com>...
> > > Okay, I got into this genre of pre-rock wonder about a year ago and
> > > ever since I have had a love affair with it.
> > >
> > > American singers:
> > >
> > > Guy Mitchell
> > > Johnnie Ray
> > > Doris Day
> > > Perry Como
> > > Jo Stafford
> > > Teresa Brewer
> > > Kay Starr
> > > Rosemary Clooney
> > >
> > > In fact, Mitch Miller is a GENIUS!!
> >
> > singers would be Doris Day (who you mention), Patti Page (who you
> > don't), and Rosemary Clooney (who you do); my favorite male singers
> > are Perry Como (who you mention) and Tony Bennett (who you don't).
I should not have said _all_ were faves of mine (unlike Scarlotti, I
don't much care for Johnnie Ray!) But every other one on the list was.
> > > British artists (have any of you Yanks heard of these, or if you do do
> > > you know their 50s output?)
> > >
> > > Shirley Bassey (absolute legend)
> > > Petula Clark (fast growing on me, she was a pop queen long before
> > > Downtown)
> > > Alma Cogan
> > > Frankie Vaughan (check this guy out! RIP)
> > > Vera Lynn (legend in the war but even better in the 50s!)
> >
> > Petula Clark was unknown here before "Downtown" but Vera Lynn was
> > certainly popular in the States in the 1950's. I've _heard_ of Shirley
> > Bassey but don't know her work that well. The other 2, I never heard
> > of.
> >
> > > Thoughts please, and any recommendations?? I love most of the UK #1s
> > > of the 50s. We should have a discussion on those at some point.
> >
> > You and I seem to have similar tastes. I'm glad to see another person
> > on here with that kind of likes.
>
> Bruce, pleased to meet you! Hello.
>
> Tony Bennett... love Stranger In Paradise. Apart from that I don't
> know many. Think I know his famous ones like San Francisco and The
> Good Life, which are great. He was Miller-produced, too, but a bit
> above his usual class?
"Stranger in Paradise" was a major favorite of mine... until Doris
Day's "Secret Love" came out it was my all time #1 favorite, and is
still my #2. But everything he did up till about 1965 or 1970 was
great... unfortunately his voice went but he still tried to sing. Try
"Rags to Riches" and "Because of You" if you want more Bennett. Of
course everyone whe recorded for Columbia was Miller-produced then.
>
> Alma Cogan - "The Gal With the Giggle In Her Voice". Mainly known for
> her string of novelty hits over here in Britain in the 50s, she was a
> vibrant performer who wore lots of extravagant dresses. The fact that
> Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones producer, recorded her before her
> premature death in 1966, shows she was clearly talented.
>
I may have seen the name, but never heard anything she did... none of
her records got to this side of the ocean, I think.
> Frankie Vaughan - Britain's top male star of the 50s. He recorded a
> wide variety of material and came from a stage background. He even
> starred with Marilyn Monroe, in "Let's Make Love". I would highly
> recommend his Best of on the Spectrum label.
Is it available in the USA?
You might like to look at a few more sources of artists to listen to:
1. Look at the charts from Cash Box that Randy Price posts in this ng
--- at least the ones from the early part of the 1950s, before R'n'R
took over.
2. Look at my article on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_pop_music
which lists some of the artists in this genre.
3. Check some of my reviews on amazon.com (the CD reviews, not the
books!)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2B9Q710R2ATBT/ref=cm_aya_rev_all/002-1002445-3158465
to see what I've thought worthy of reviewing.
Theo Morgan
Re: Frankie Vaughan - it is definitely on Amazon.com. Not sure if
you'll find it in the shops. It's budget-priced and definitely worth
it.
Great work on Wikipedia, and nice reviews, Bruce! I'll look at those
Cash Box charts sometime.
After reading your reviews, I'm listening to a bit of Rosie.
Bruce R. Gilson
[...]]
> >
> > > Frankie Vaughan - Britain's top male star of the 50s. He recorded a
> > > wide variety of material and came from a stage background. He even
> > > starred with Marilyn Monroe, in "Let's Make Love". I would highly
> > > recommend his Best of on the Spectrum label.
> >
> > Is it available in the USA?
> >
...
>
> Re: Frankie Vaughan - it is definitely on Amazon.com. Not sure if
> you'll find it in the shops. It's budget-priced and definitely worth
> it.
>
I looked at Amazon, and saw some Frankie Vaughan CDs. I didn't get the
"Best Of" because there was a lower priced CD I figured I'd try first
to see how I liked it, called "The Way We Were": it has a number of
familiar songs on it.
Nobody can guarantee I'll like an artist just because they do (after
all, you like Johnnie Ray!) But this one I bought on your say so, and
if I find I like his work, you can claim my thanks for introducing me
to someone I didn't know.
Theo Morgan
Hi Bruce,
I hope you enjoy this CD. I do own it, but actually haven't listened
to it properly yet! The recordings were made long after his 50s/60s
heyday in the mid-80s I think. He appeared in several stage musicals
at the time, and from what I've heard he was still in fine voice.
I see an American music collector has reviewed the 'Best of' for the
US site. You can see my review on the UK site if you want. His one US
hit, "Judy" was recorded with Mitch Miller, incidentally.
Bruce R. Gilson
> > [...]
> I see an American music collector has reviewed the 'Best of' for the
> US site. You can see my review on the UK site if you want. His one US
> hit, "Judy" was recorded with Mitch Miller, incidentally.
I looked at the US Amazon site and it shows _NO_ reviews for the "Best
of" album
(see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002517J/qid=1099408353/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-8542807-2021402?v=glance&s=music
assuming it comes up OK from the post). It does seem to have a number
of songs I know from other artists' versions, but the Barnes & Noble
store where I went a couple of days ago does not have any of the
tracks on its database, though the album is on the computer.
Theo Morgan
Aah. That is the "Best of the EMI Years". Frankie had three main
phases in his record career which can be likened to a sandwich. At the
start, he was with the HMV label, 1953-55. Then he joined Columbia,
another EMI subsidiary, in 1966 and stayed until 1974. These two
periods weren't that prolific but are covered well on this
compilation. The middle filling was when he had his major successes.
He had hit after hit on the Philips label, and this is the period
covered on the Best of which I meant:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000024ZGG/qid=1099440250/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-4385079-5452136?v=glance&s=music
It's good, trust me.
Bruce R. Gilson
[...]
> phases in his record career which can be likened to a sandwich. At the
> start, he was with the HMV label, 1953-55. Then he joined Columbia,
> another EMI subsidiary, in 1966 and stayed until 1974. These two
> periods weren't that prolific but are covered well on this
> compilation. The middle filling was when he had his major successes.
> He had hit after hit on the Philips label, and this is the period
> covered on the Best of which I meant:
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000024ZGG/qid=1099440250/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-4385079-5452136?v=glance&s=music
>
> It's good, trust me.
I see. That one isn't _called_ "Best of" which threw me. Yes, I saw
that review when I was looking.
It's interesting... Columbia _in_the_UK_ was an EMI label, while
Philips in the UK had the rights to _American_ Columbia (and thos
carried the artists like Day and Clooney). And Vaughan recorded for
both.
Bruce R. Gilson
> brg...@gmail.com (Bruce R. Gilson) wrote in message news:<2fdac2ee.04110...@posting.google.com>...
> > theo....@gmail.com (Theo Morgan) wrote in message news:<d792ec85.04110...@posting.google.com>...
[...]
> phases in his record career which can be likened to a sandwich. At the
> start, he was with the HMV label, 1953-55. Then he joined Columbia,
> another EMI subsidiary, in 1966 and stayed until 1974. These two
> periods weren't that prolific but are covered well on this
> compilation. The middle filling was when he had his major successes.
> He had hit after hit on the Philips label, and this is the period
> covered on the Best of which I meant:
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000024ZGG/qid=1099440250/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-4385079-5452136?v=glance&s=music
>
> It's good, trust me.
That one seems to be ONLY on Amazon; none of the shops have it even
available bybspecial order. The EMI one is available on special order
from Barnes & Noble, as well as on Amazon. And so I have to really
make a guess... the album that you are recommending does seem to have
good reviews, so I think I'll gamble on it.
Theo Morgan
Yeah, it seems it's listed as the title of his trademark song here in
the UK. My review of the same CD is on Amazon.co.uk. It was subtitled
"Best of" though.
The funny thing about the labels is that in the early 50s, EMI
Columbia had the UK rights to US Columbia! So those American artists
appeared on that label until mid-1953. Recently someone told me they
had a copy of Jo Stafford's You Belong To Me I might be interested in.
Now, I wanted the UK issue on Columbia. The labels were black and
gold. When I saw it, it was part of the famous US Columbia red label
range! Aargh!
Glad to hear you might get the aforementioned CD. You won't regret it,
honestly...
Steve Carras
Bruce,you,Dorsal,and me..four of a kind.
Now playing: Vaughn Monroe: I"LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS