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Category Archives: Popular & Crooners
CONNIE FRANCIS – Connie & Clyde – Hit Songs of the 30s – (MGM) – 1968
Connie could do anything. She put out albums in (or partially in) Italian, Jewish, Spanish and German. She sang rock, pop, Broadway standards, film songs, country, vocal jazz, R&B, vocal jazz, children's music, spiritual music, schlager music, waltzes, traditionals from … Continue reading
THE FOUR ACES – Hits from Hollywood – (Decca) – 1958
I like my trad pop. What is trad pop? Loosely described, mainstream music from the 1930s though to the rise of rock n roll. Though, it existed before the 30s and continued into the 1970s. For more see the link … Continue reading
ROD McKUEN – Other Kinds of Songs – (RCA) – 1966
We probably need a Rod McKuen now more than we ever did. In what seems to be an increasingly polarised world (at least in the middle class secular west) we need him to show that all men aren’t pricks and … Continue reading
TRINI LOPEZ – Live at the Basin St. East – (Reprise) – 1964
Trini was on a roll … His albums were doing well, he had songs in the charts, and his shows were well attended. The albums that broke him, especially his earlier live albums from 1963 “Trini Lopez at PJ's’ and … Continue reading
HELEN MERRILL – American Country Songs – (Atco) – 1959
Helen Merrill is a great vocalist. She could sing anything. And she has proved it time and again … over 60+ years of professional recording. She does country tunes here but she has done smooth jazz, swing, pop, trad pop, … Continue reading
SAMMY DAVIS Jr – Now – (MGM) – 1972
Sammy Davis Jr is part of my musical memory. He was always there. “Samuel George Davis Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was an American singer, dancer, actor and comedian. He was noted for his impressions of actors, … Continue reading
LEON REDBONE – On the Track – (Warner Brothers) – 1975
Leon Redbone is a mystery, perhaps not as much as The Residents or writer B. Traven but he is indulging in the same quest for anonymity. But, he isn’t obscure and he doesn’t avoid exposure. He tends, rather, to hide … Continue reading
CONNIE FRANCIS – Connie Francis Sings “Never on Sunday” – (MGM) – 1961
The full title of this album (as on the cover) is “Connie Francis sings "Never on Sunday" and Other Title Songs from Motion Pictures”. Now, this is a treat for me because, as you may know, I love my film … Continue reading
PAT BOONE – Days of Wine and Roses – (Dot) – 1963
Whenever I comment on a Pat Boone album I inevitable start off by defending him. Pat Boone isn’t very popular with hard core music fans. Apparently he stole songs from black artists and denied them the charts. Him personally. But … Continue reading
JOHNNY MATHIS – Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head – (CBS) – 1970
Johnny Mathis hasn't reached the iconic status of other singers from the 20th century. And this is a guy who has sold 350 million records worldwide, making him, arguably, the third biggest selling artist of the 20th century. Perhaps it … Continue reading
