Sometimes an Album Cover Catches Your Eye

This was one of those times.  I think it was the cheesy fake mustaches that did it.  Whatever they were, er, it was, here's a nice little 99 cent album from one of the local thrift stores.  This record features the Sportsmen Quartet, my favorite vocal foursome from the Jack Benny show.  At least that's what the back cover tells me.  Now, I do like Jack Benny.  His "Christmas Shopping" television episode where he drives Mel Blanc to a politically incorrect end is a hoot.  However, I hadn't heard of The Sportsmen Quartet until I got this record.

It's really a fun little set of songs.  Performed well, classics of the genre.  Can you imagine a barbershop quartet record without "Sweet Adeline"?  I sure can't.

A bonus was that the record was pressed of groovy gold vinyl.  Interesting, though, the record discolored.  I thought that maybe it was warped and blackened due to heat, but that isn't the case. No warps in the record - it played just fine.  I haven't seen other records darken with age, so I'm not sure what happened here.

So, here's a fine little record with a fine album cover.  Everyone looks so darned happy!

You'll be happy too when you download and listen to The Sportsmen Quartet.  Play it at your next party!

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2010 Sharing Finale pt 1

I'm going to close out the 2010 Christmas sharing season today with a couple very fine records.  First up is "Merry Christmas in Carols", Organ and Chimes music by Robert Rheims.  My album is in mono, and was released in 1958.  It has a great album cover, enhanced by shiny gold leaf. And, best of all, the record itself is on groovy red vinyl!  My album cover has some wear and damage, but you'll be able to see how perfectly 50's Christmas it is.

 

 There are 12 tracks on the record, and several of them are mini-medleys of two songs each.

1.   Adeste Fideles

2.   Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

3.   God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/From Every Spire on Christmas Eve

4.   The First Noel/Joy to the World
5.   Deck the Halls/The Christmas Chimes are Pealing
6.   Away in a Manger/I Saw Three Ships

7.   Silent Night

8.   I Little Town of Bethlehem

9.   Good King Wenceslas/Angels We Have Heard on High

10. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/O Christmas Tree

11. We Three Kings of Orient Are/I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

12. O Holy Night

Pretty good selection of tunes.  Please enjoy Robert Rheims' "Merry Christmas in Carols"

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