Henry Mancini and his Orchestra - "The Versatile Henry Mancini And His Orchestra" LP, Vinyl, Album, 1959 (Liberty)

The album cover alone is worth the purchase, and of course, there's music to go with the graphic cover.  The Versatile Henry Mancini is a combination of exotica and a down kind of mood. This album floats, but it does have its tension.  For one, he's a brilliant arranger.  Everything is top-notch on his recordings.   This is one of my favorite Mancini albums. 

As mentioned its hard to get past the cover, but there are elements here that reminds me of Brian Eno's "Another Green World," as well as some of Brian Wilson's "Pet Sounds" era.   Although the theme of the album is exotica island life, it has a noir quality as well.  Accordion comes between the organ which gives it a charm, with the occasional guitar joining the aural party.  It's a beautiful sound conveying not the islands, but the thought or imagination of such a place.  Mancini is not presenting reality but a 'sound' imaginary place.     Nor is it in your face like a Martin Denny recording.  Mancini is more sleepy, drowsy and very sexual. 

Mancini has done all sorts of music, and the one's I know are his soundtracks and some of his jazz-related recordings.  I never heard his albums devoted to the famous film soundtracks of its time, because the theme turns me off.  But this is an exceptionally great album.   For those who like 'moderne' sounds of the mid-century will go big on this, but also if you like the more experimental or exploration side of exotica. 

The Rumour - "Frozen Years" 45 rpm Single, 1979 (Stiff Records)

The Rumour was (and still is) Graham Parker's backup band.   In a way, they're sort of the Crazy Horse to Neil Young.  I liked Parker's music but never felt close to his work.   On the other hand, I'm crazy about The Rumour's "Frozen Years."  For me, it's a reflection of or from David Bowie's "Heroes."  It's commentary on something being viewed or thought of.  Journalism as a song?  The melody seeps into my consciousness and I'm often humming the song when taking a bath.  Also the phrase "caught in the Frozen Years" has a touch of tragedy but with beauty.  It's like a photograph that you keep, but you're not sure why.  

Gene Pitney - "That Girl Belongs To Yesterday" b/w "Who Needs It" 45 rpm Vinyl Single, 1964 (Musicor)

Gene Pitney is an interesting figure in the pop world.  A hit maker who sang other people's songs, but also wrote: "He's A Rebel" for The Crystals and Phil Spector.   One evening he finds himself, which I imagine was the RCA recording studio on Sunset, at a Rolling Stones session.  It's an interesting combination of the Stones world of R n B and Pitney's hardcore sensibility in the realm of Pop.  He and Spector are actually on an early Stones session.   The dynamic duo, Jagger and Richards, wrote Pitney a single "That Girl Belongs To Yesterday."  Co-produced by Pitney and Andrew Loog Oldham. 

Mick and Keith were fantastic in writing on or putting down the female race.  "Under My Thumb," "Stupid Girl," and this oddity of a song "That Girl Belongs To Yesterday."   I love the title so much that I actually want to have a bad relationship with a woman, just to say the title to her.  It's a beautiful under a three-minute piece of noise that clearly is influenced by the Phil Spector aesthetic but even goes beyond those type of recordings.  Spector has a sense of control and drama, but on this song and recording, Pitney pulls no stops in throwing his energy and emotion within the wax.  I'm curious to know who plays on this session.  Are Mick and the Stones on the recording?  Spector must have made an appearance, even a brief one.  It's an amazing record.   The B-Side is fantastic as well.  Wall of Sound coming out of my speakers. 

Harry Partch Instruments at RedCat Los Angeles

Elvis Presley - "Wordwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Vol 1" 4 x Vinyl, LP, Mono, Compilation, 1975 (RCA)

Mr. Presley is a large subject matter.  It's hard to wrap one's head around this (once) young man's recordings as well as his stature in the 20th-century.   In many ways, he is the 20th century in all its glory and horror.   In my collection, I have some 45 rpm singles, and also the Sun Recordings, and then there is this:  "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1."   And in Mono!

For me and my ears, one really has to work at locating the Elvis gems from the pile of RCA recordings.  In other words, he recorded a lot of crap.  But with him, even his crap is better than someone else's shit.  A brilliant vocalist who can work poop into something listenable.  But then again when he has a great song, and his voice/presence is wrapped around it  - nothing can be better.  His instinct is a well-tuned radar.  

When Elvis works with songwriters like Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman (my faves), Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller, and Otis Blackwell, he can't do no wrong.  Brilliant songwriting meets the voice equals masterpieces.  I'm a fan of Elvis' recordings such as "Surrender," "Return to Sender," "You're The Devil in Disguise," "Little Sister" and even the hyper Italian pop of "It's Now or Never.'  Operatic to blues is a huge landscape, and Elvis easily can jump from one spectrum to the other. 

Right now, this is not a hard collection to find on vinyl, and not that expensive. It's big in scope and deserves a spot in one's home/listening area.  The great thing about Elvis is that he's a springboard to investigate and enjoy contemporary music.  With respect to the songwriters and the different mediums such as Country n' Western, Blues, Rock, Pop, show tunes, etc. - Presley is a magnet for further and very enjoyable studies in American culture. 

Thunderclap Newman - "Something in the Air" b/w "Wilhemina" 45 rpm Vinyl Single, 1969 (Track Records)

The most interesting member of the trio band Thunderclap Newman is their piano/sax player Andy Newman.   The fact that they use his last name as part of the band's name means a lot to me.  "Something in the Air' we have talked about before, but, the b-side is one of my all time favorite b-sides as well as a great tune.  "Wilhemina" is the only song written by Andy Newman, the odd looking member of Thunderclap Newman. Well, the whole band reeks of eccentricities, due that their guitarist Jimmy McCulloch was something like fifteen-years-old at the time of these recordings.  And Speedy Keen (a pal of Pete Townshend, therefore the producer) wrote most of the material for the band.  Still, if "Wilhemina" were on their first album, it would have been my favorite cut out of that fantastic LP. 

Good-timey that goes back to a Munich beer hall sometime in the past (but not THAT past) is Newman singing the joys of a lass named Wilhemina while drinking good German beer.  A-side is about revolution, and the B-side is .... drinking beer and enjoying female company.  Your pick! 

Various - "The Best of James Bond" CD, Album, Compilation, 1992 (EMI)

There are great John Barry compilations out there that focus not only on his James Bond work but the music he wrote for other films and even TV commercials.  On the subject of Bond, this CD package is my favorite.  It's a double disc set, with CD 1 focusing on the major Bond themes throughout the years, and the reason I purchased this particular copy is that of CD 2. 

The second CD is songs that didn't make the grade or instrumental suites put together for the incidental music scenes in the Bond films.  For example, the one masterpiece here is Anthony Newley's version of "Goldfinger."  I'm going to get shot for writing this, but I prefer Newley's version than the great Shirley Bassey.   Minimal with a jazzy/British beat, Newley conveys the villain's world as if he was a member of the Kray gang.  Perhaps this is my favorite Newley moment of them all.  And he made some impressive sounds/visuals throughout his short (died way too young) career.  The other great song on this collection is Louis Armstrong's "We Have All The Time in the World."   A Hal David lyric with Barry melody and then adding the great and aging Armstrong vocal, it's a moving performance.  Also noted is Bassey's "Mr. Kiss Bang Bang."   Also are radio spots for "Dr. No" and "Thunderball."  This collection is perhaps the best thing out of the Cold War era.