Thursday, March 31, 2011

Eloise Laws - Eloise 1977

1. Baby You Lied 2. His House and Me 3. 1,000 Laughs 4. Someone Who Still Needs Me 5. Love Is Feeling 6. Number One 7. You're Incredible 8. Love Comes Easy 9. Forever Now

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Lena Horne - Swinging - Coronet Records CX-165








Preparing to attend The 10th Texas Pinball Convention in Grapevine & just wanted to give some love to all the female MC's. Why? Well, to be honest we'll be lucky to get 5% female turnout. Pinball seems to be one of those things (kind of like crate digging) that's wired into the male psyche just a tad harder than the female one. Corrections welcome. Anyway, look for some female lovin' posts for the next two weeks or so. As Alicia Keys said when she was here at last year - THANK YOU ALL STAR.

First up on the musical menu is Lena Horne - you've heard her live from 81 now reach back to the 50's ?? to hear some studio work from a top five MC of her era. For those that don't know, Lena set the standard & raised the flag in her day and beyond. RIP Liz Taylor.

1. More Than You Know
2. Squeeze Me
3. Beale street Blues
4. At Long Last Love
5. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
6. The Blues
7. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
8. Frankie & Johnny

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Don "Jake" Jacoby - Jacoby Brings the House Down 1968

All arrangements by Larry Muhoberac, recorded at IRI Studio, Dallas, TX

Don Jacoby was born in York, Pennsylvania. He began playing the trumpet at age 6 1/2. His uncle, Arthur Ansorg, was his teacher. He became a soloist with the Spring Garden Bank in York at nine and continued to play there until he graduated from high school at 16. During this time he played for the Horn and Hardart Children's Hour on the radio station WCAU Philadelphia, then one year with the "Tasty Yeast Youth Pageant" over WJZ in New York (Don was selected from a group of 3,000 young entertainers). He then entered the Ernest Williams School of Music of Brooklyn, New York. During this time he soloed at Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. He graduated from college at 19 and entered the pop music field.

Don joined the Milt Britton Band at Loew's State Theater, Times Square, New York. He played for Van Alexander, Claude Thornhill, and in May of 1941 he joined Les Brown. Don remained with Les Brown until January of 1942 at which time he entered the Navy. He was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station for two years. During this time he led his own band and performed with such noted artists as Andre Kostelanetz, Lily Pons, John Charles Thomas, Vladmir Horowitz, Nathan Milstein, Fritz Kreisler, Ferde Grothe and many others. While at the Great Lakes Naval Station, Jacoby was chosen as the "Star in Uniform" to perform with Tommy Dorsey on the Raleigh Cigarette program. In December of 1943 he married Doris Robinson of Waukegan, Illinois. He was with the Sam Donahue Navy Bank in the European Theater of operations for 13 months during which time his first son Mike was born.

Upon returning to the States, Don went to California with the Sam Donahue band to record "Command Performance", "Mail Call," etc. for airing to the troops overseas. With the advent of VJ Day, he was discharged from the Navy in Washington, D.C. and returned to Chicago to rejoin Les Brown. During this time he also worked for Benny Goodman. Jacoby decided to settle in Chicago and went on staff for ABC performing on first trumpet with the Don McNeill Breakfast Club for 9 1/2 years. Soon after joining ABC, Don's second son John was born, and then Bill, his third son. While in Chicago, Jacoby did many TV shows, including the Martin and Lewis Comedy Hour, the Ed Sullivan Show and numerous local shows: the Bob and Ray Show, the Danny O'Neill Show and the Tom Duggan Show.

Jacoby then worked for NBC and finally CBS. During the time he was at CBS he was associated with the Conn Band Instrument Co. He performed hundreds and hundreds of clinics and concerts with high schools and university bands in 49 states, Canada and Mexico. After doing the clinics and concerts for ten years, Don formed his own group and went on the road. While on the road the group performed at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago, the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, the Theatrical Grill in Cleveland, the Statler Hilton in Dallas, the Tidelands Hotel in Houston, the Cabaña in Dallas, Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, the Mike Douglas Show and the Ruth Lyons Show in Cincinnati. He also did a concert tour with Bob Newhart, and made numerous concert appearances at universities with big stars. While at the Cabaña in Dallas, Don became very fond of the city and decided to move his family there and settle down. He appeared at the Executive Inn in Dallas for one year, and has just completed two years at Dallas' Village Club. During the last three years, Jacoby has done countless radio and TV commercials, jingles and commercial records. "Jacoby Brings the House Down" is his latest venture and everyone associated with the album believes it to be his greatest.

1. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
2. The Eyes Of Love
3. Theme From Elvira Madigan
4. The Heat Of The Night
5. Doo Dah
6. Jacoby's Theme
7. Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)
8. (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me
9. Chain Of Fools
10. Sunday Best

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Boots Randolph - Boots Randolph Puts a Little Sax in Your Life 1978

1970's Boots > 1960's Boots

1. Movin' On Up (Theme from "The Jeffersons")
2. Relaxin'
3. Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree
4. You Light Up My Life
5. Feels So Good
6. Love Will Keep Us Together
7. Southern Nights
8. Sanford & Son Theme
9. Fred
10. All the Things You Are

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Alphabet and Counting Songs - Happy Time Chorus 1963


It's been a season since I kicked it for the children. Now kids, I'm a counter; but make no mistake, alphabetizing is essential in taking reading and spelling abilities to the next level -mastering file creation and retrieval! Warning - Any griping about sound quality will trigger hours of film strip & VHS tape review. I would start with side one as Happy Time's side two starts to discuss what comes next - old age, traffic, clock watching and calendar page turning.
Added bonus to this lecture is the below transcription for Fork, Knife and Spoon. Little DJ's can chop up phrases like "got something to cut" or "my sharp edge cuts right through." Adults watch out for Mr. Fork, though. He seems to have a hidden agenda. Having said that, if anthropomorphic silverware can prevent one child from developing an eating disorder our children really will win the future.

1. The Alphabet Song
2. The Counting Song
3. Rockabye Baby
4. Alphabet Zoo
5. Hush Little Baby
6. Fork, Knife and Spoon
7. Time to Tell Time
8. How Many Days in a Year
9. Be Kind to Your Parents
10. Happy Do-Right
11. Do My Dolly

Now gather round children meet three friends of mine
Who will always be with you when you go to dine.
Just look on the table for a fork, knife and spoon.
Now they're gonna sing you ... The Table Manners Tune!

I'm Mr. Fork with points so sharp. I'm good for holding meat.
And if you handle me just right I'm sure to help you eat.
You first take me in your right hand just like you hold a pen.
And turn me til my points are up and stop try that again.
This is the way you should hold me for food like peas and rice
But please don't overload me cause it isn't very nice.
Now put me in your left hand. Turn my points down toward the plate.
And if you've anything to cut I'll keep it firm and straight.
Don't use me like a shovel. Never grab me like a ball.
And one thing more the back of me is never used at all.
If you'll remember what I've said you'll eat with ease and grace.
And Mom and Dad won't be ashamed to take you any place.

Now I am Mr. Knife and I'm might handy, but
I'm only used at mealtime when you've got something to cut.
Whenever you're not using me against the plate I'm laid.
My handle on the table thats for balancing my blade.
You hold me in your right hand with fingers wrapped around.
The finger that you point with along my back is crowned.
You never have to use me when you're eating corn or stew
But when it comes to meat you'll find my sharp edge cuts right through.
I'm only used for cutting food. I never pick it up.
You wouldn't want me in your mouth and then have to hiccup.
If you use me as I've told you my edge both sharp and keen
Will cut your food so neatly that your chin will stay quite clean.

I am Ms. Spoon and I come in two sizes
For soup, for dessert, and all sorts of surprises.
Like my brother the fork hold me in your right hand
Dip me gently in liquids. Now isn't that grand?
I'm built with a ball either oval or round
Which you place in your mouth never makin' a sound.
You can use me for stirring or eating ice cream
I'll pick up every drop and I'll leave your plate clean.

Now that is all that there is to it.
We all know that you can do it
We'll help you morning night and noon
I'm Mr. Fork... I'm Mr. Knife... and I..., I am Ms. Spoon.