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Part 6

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I Love You Because -- Al Martino [1963] Country artist Leon Payne, who was blind since early childhood, wrote and recorded this touching love song in late 1949. His version was #1 while a version by Ernest Tubb was #2. I may post both of those in the future. Meanwhile listen to Al's fabulous pop version, which was a #3 hit from him in 1963 and a major comeback record. Al's career got another major boost in 1972 when he potrayed singer Johnny Fontane in the Oscar-winning Best Picture "The Godfather."
Just an old-fashioned love song, and a great one.

holy smoky! there's more!
The Pizza Song -- Dick Biondi [1961] Dick is a legendary Hall Of Fame deejay who, over several decades, worked in markets including Buffalo, Los Angeles and perhaps most notably Chicago, where he was working when he recorded this for the Chicago-based IRC label. Dick did NOT become a legend for doing this particular record but, for what it's worth, this may be the first released version of a "Smoky-Spaghetti" parody, which shortly evolved into the better-known "On Top Of Spaghetti." Speaking of which, see the next record!
On Top Of Spaghetti -- Sharon and the Lollipops [1962] I thank Fred Clemens for making me aware of the two records in this themed set and a West Coast friend of mine (who prefers anonymity) for making both of them available to me. This appeared on the New York-based Versatile label.

The Original Crazy Otto Medley -- Crazy Otto [1953] My comment about Johnny Maddox's "The Crazy Otto," added a few days ago, was this:
"Johnny is backed by the Rhythmasters on this medley of German tunes inspired by the renowned honky tonk pianist Crazy Otto, whose real name was Fritz Schulz-Reichel."
For now I'm leaving it up but I may decide to change the wording. Because to say that Johnny was inspired to do what he did suggests that HE (or those at Dot Records) sequenced the medley. It turns out that was NOT the case. Thanks to Mike Riccio who first pointed this out to me and to Fred Clemens who supplied THIS Crazy Otto record, I now know that Johnny Maddox in 1955 simply did a SONG-BY-SONG NOTE-FOR-NOTE copy of THIS recording that Fritz had done two years earlier. Johnny and the Dot folks WERE creative in many ways over the years but, in this particular case, they simply had a creative MEMORY of something they had heard before!
One more interesting fact: Fritz recorded several different medleys, similar to this one, which all had the base title "Die Beschwipste Drahtkommode" followed by identification numbers.
The actual title of this record is "Die Beschwipste Drahtkommode 1/2" but none of you need to know that.

Cry Of The Dying Duck In A Thunderstorm -- Cactus Pryor and the Pricklypears [1950] Cactus was a longtime DJ at KTBC in Austin, Texas. He was voted into the Country Music DJ Hall Of Fame. Luckily birds were not members of the voting panel. This ruffled a few feathers but amazingly it got to #7 on the country chart.
Does this quack you up?

The Man Song -- Sean Morey [1998] Just listen!
He's the man!

Ben -- Michael Jackson [1972] RIP Michael.
My personal favorite record by Michael.

three flavors of that "old smoky" song"
On Top Of Old Smoky -- The Weavers and Terry Gilkyson [1951] "Old Smoky" is a traditional folk song which spent eight weeks at #2 in this version by the Weavers. The tune has been recorded many times over the years and has been parodied a great deal. See the Tom Glazer record below for a modest example of that. Terry Gilkyson had his own hit "Marianne" during the rock era and was the writer of Dean Martin's #1 hit "Memories Are Made Of This": his group The Easy Riders backed Dino on that record.
Thanks to Mike Riccio for suggesting this themed set. Visit Mike's "Oldies Music Board" at http://www.oldiesboard.com for a great discussion of recordings; that board was formerly Bob Shannon's "Behind The Hits" message board. Bob frequently posts on Mike's board.
Old Smokey Locomotion -- Little Eva [1962] Not only did Little Eva use a different spelling of "Old Smoky" for her update of the tune but she also used a different spelling of "Locomotion"! (Her #1 hit was "The Loco-Motion," with the hyphen! On June 30, 1962 Eva debuted at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Tom Glazer "Old Smoky" parody record listed below debuted at #68. Eva's dance record ran out of motion at #48 on the chart. Tom's mushy meatball record peaked at #14.
On Top Of Spaghetti -- Tom Glazer and the Do-Re-Mi Children's Chorus [1963] Tom, born in Philadelphia, was a folk singer who hosted his own ABC radio show from 1945 to 1947 and composed the score for the 1957 film "A Face In The Crowd." He died in 2003 at the age of 88. As noted in the blurb for Little Eva's recording, he debuted in the Billboard Hot 100 at #68 in the same week that Eva debuted with "Old Smokey Locomotion". When the smoke cleared, Tom's record had amazingly rolled up to #14 on the chart while Eva's had stalled at #48.

meet mr. and mrs. oom-mow-mow
Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow -- The Rivingtons [1962] When known as the Sharps, the group provide the rebel noises on many of Duane Eddy's hits. This nonsensical but fun record got to #48 on the Hot 100. Another Rivingtons' song ("The Bird's The Word") and this one were combined into a new composition called "Surfin' Bird," which the Trashmen took to #4 in 1964.
Mama-Oom-Mow-Mow -- The Rivingtons [1963] This crazy "Mama" is wilder and even more nonsenical than "Papa," which seems tame by comparison. Unfortunately this one did not sell many records; had it done so we might have been greeted with "Baby-Oom-Mow-Mow." Despite it's lack of chart success, I must admit that I like this one at least as much as "Papa," maybe even more. The first two seconds of this masterpiece are absolutely UNBELIEVABLE!

Crazy Otto Rag -- The Stargazers [1955] The Stargazers were a very popular four man/one woman vocal group on BBC radio throughout the 1950s. Their recordings were mostly covers but I believe that they were the only act to record this particular song. This record peaked at #18 on the British chart.
A vocal tribute to that tipsy piano player.

Red Light -- Merrill Moore [1953] Pianist/singer Merrill Moore released this record in 1953. His recordings combined or were a fusion of elements of Western swing, boogie woogie and ragtime. When I first heard "Red Light" I immediately considered it a rock and roll record and sensed what I felt was a vocal similarity between Merrill and Bill Haley. However, upon doing additional research, I learned that Merrill did NOT ever see himself as a rock and roller and had a distinct dislike for that music! Also he said that Bill Haley had no real sense of rhythm! The tune to "Red Light" (the verses, not the chorus) sounds very similar to "Jump, Jive and Wail," which was recorded by many artists including Louis Prima and the Brian Setzer Orchestra (but never by Merrill Moore). I am not sure which song was written first.
Merrill insisted that he was never a rock and roller. You be the judge!
And isn't there a vocal similarity between him and Bill Haley?

After The Lights Go Down Low -- Al Hibbler [1956] Al Hibbler is best known for his million selling recording of "Unchained Melody" and the follow-up single "He." This wonderful record, though it made the national top ten, is hardly ever played and has been forgotten by many people. I'm glad to be able to present it here for you all to enjoy. By the way, for a long time, Al he lived in Teaneck, NJ, where I lived for more than 30 years.
Amazing! I love the vocal gimmicks in this record. What a talent he was!

Ajax Airlines -- Hudson and Landry [1971] "Ajax Liquor Store" has made our top twenty and this one is just as nutty. Bob Hudson and Ron Landry were an immensesly popular morning radio team on KGBS in Los Angeles. Sadly they have both passed away. But we can continue to enjoy their very special brand of humor.
More insanity from this zany duo.

three acts fight the battle of tutti frutti!
Tutti Fruti -- Slim and Slam [1938] Slim and Slam (sometimes billed as Slim & Slam) was a 1930s musical partnership formed by Bulee "Slim" Gaillard (vocals, guitar and piano) and Leroy Elliott "Slam" Stewart (bass and vocals). They produced novelty jazz numbers featuring Slim's distinctive vocal style with vocalese and scats and nonsense words. This is the first of the "Tutti Frutti" records presented here and none are spelled exactly THAT way! Reportedly Richard Penniman about 17 years later loosely based HIS "Tutti Frutti" on this song but, in my opinion, it must have been based VERY loosely! This peaked at #3 on the pop chart, making it chartwise the most successful "Tutti Frutti" record of the three.
Tutti-Frutti -- Little Richard [1955] A different spelling and also a different song from the Slim and Slam entry, though it may have been loosely based on that one. This is of course the "Tutti Frutti" record that people today consider the classic of the three here, even though it was the least successful chartwise, peaking at #17.
Tutti' Frutti -- Pat Boone [1955] Lend me your ears! I have not come to bury Pat or to praise him! This is, of course, Pat's famous (or infamous) a cover of the Little Richard record. Without criticizing or defending it, I have decided to include this record because (1) is it controversial and thus "interesting" (2) it was the second-highest charting "Tutti Frutti," peaking at #12 and (3) I am curious to see how this one fares here against the other two. Those who have simply heard ABOUT this record without having ever heard it can now experience it firsthand and judge its merits (or lack of merits).

for dad
Oh! My Pa-Pa -- Eddie Fisher [1953] This is arguably the most popular "father" recording of all time. It is a German song about a beloved clown father, written by Paul Burkhard in 1939 for a musical called Der Schwarze Hecht (reproduced in 1950 as Feuerwerk (Fireworks), with lyrics by Erik Charell, Jurg Amstein, and Robert Gilbert. Under the original German title (O Mein Papa), an instrumental version by Eddie Calvert topped the British charts and hit the top ten in the United States. It was adapted into English by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons under the title "Oh! My Pa-Pa". This recording by Eddie Fisher -- released at the end of 1953 -- was his biggest hit ever and was #1 on the chart for eight weeks in 1954.
Daddy's Home -- Shep and the Limelites [1961] James "Shep" Sheppard, formerly with the Heartbeats, sang lead on this record with this new group, consisting of himself and Clarence Bassett and Charles Baskerville. It was a sequel to the Heartbeats recording of "A Thousand Miles Away" and became a much bigger hit, peaking at #2 on the pop chart. Sadly Shep was shot to death in 1970. He was only 34.
My Dad -- Paul Petersen [1962] Paul was one of the stars of the very popular "Donna Reed Show," which ran for nine seasons on the ABC television network. In one episode, as "Jeff Stone," Paul song this Barry Mann/Cynthia Weill song to his TV Dad "Alex Stone," played by the late Carl Betz.
Color Him Father -- The Winstons [1969] They were an R&B sextet from Washington, DC and the lead vocalist on this wonderful "father" song was Richard Spencer.
Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast -- Wayne Newton [1972] It was Daniel Boone, known in the U.S. for his hit "Beautiful Sunday," who did the original version of this song. But it was Wayne Newton who did a remake and turned "Daddy" into a huge hit. It peaked at #4 on the chart and I am sure that he said "Danke Schoen" many times to his fans who made it happen!

Io Che Non Vivo -- Jody Miller [1965] In late 1964, Jody received an invitation to represent the United States at Italy's prestigious San Remo Song Competition. The way the festival works is that the Italians invite foreign artists to Italy and write a song for them to sing in the contest. An Italian songwriter, Pino Dinnagio, loved Jody's voice and he wrote a song especially for her entitled "Io Ce Non Vivo." Jody's performance of the song earned her Second Prize at the festival and she subsequently became the FIRST artist to record it. Eventually English lyrics were written to the tune and the English title was "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me": it became a huge international and American hit for Dusty Springfield. Jody's original recording, which I am presenting here, became a big hit in Italy. As a result she wound up spending several months in Europe, recording pop albums in Italian, German and French.
To watch Jody's San Remo Song Competition performance of this song, enter this address in your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU6QSDO5U4E
This was not included on our interview show. Jody was the first artist to record this tune and this is that original recording. Eventually English lyrics were written to it and the tune re-emerged as "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me."

a certain ice cream company was not thrilled with these recordings!
The Bad Humor Man -- Kay Kyser [1940] This song was from a film called "You'll Find Out" in which Kay Kyser and his band meets Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Bela Lugosi. The vocalists on this recording are Ish Kabibble, Sully Mason and Harry Babbitt.
The Bad Humor Man -- Jimmy Dorsey [1940] I was debating whether to add two versions of this song. After all it is a novelty. However the two versions are so different that I said "why not"! Besides I wanted you all to hear the "Bad Humor man" in this recording because he sounds like an angry Buffalo Bob! So which of these versions will do "badder" on our chart? Guess we'll soon find out!

in memory of the fabulous bob bogle
Lullaby Of The Leaves -- The Ventures [1961] Bob Bogle, the co-founder and lead guitarist of this legendary group, passed away unexpectedly on June 14 at the age of 75. The band sold millions of records and heavily influenced so many other rock guitarists. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Their biggest hit was their first one, "Walk--Don't Run". This one has a similar sound. The song was a #1 hit for George Olsen in 1932.
Slaughter On Tenth Avenue -- The Ventures [1964] See the "Lullaby Of The Leaves" blurb for information about Bob and this group. This song was written by Richard Rodgers in 1936 as part of a ballet with music.

A Little Girl Cried -- Barbara Evans [1959] "Souvenirs" and "Charlie Wasn't There", by this late artist, remain in our top ten; the former topped our chart for close two two months. Here's a record that shows a different side of her wonderful talent. She was born Barabara Quinn and this recording was provided by her son David.
A touching ballad by the "Souvenirs" and "Charlie Wasn't There" artist.

devastating satire from the masters of broadway parody
Chita-Rita -- Forbidden Broadway [198?] "Forbidden Broadway" is an Off-Broadway satirical revue created and written by Gerard Alessandrini and directed by Alessandrini and long-time collaborator Phillip George. It opened on January 15, 1982 at Palsson's Supper Club in New York City and ran for 2,332 performances. It has subsequently been rewritten several times to include parodies of newer shows. The show and the many associated recordings sharply spoofs show tunes, characters and plots of past and current Broadway musicals.
Chita Rivera played the role of Anita in the Broadway version of "West Side Story"; Rita Moreno played the same role in the film version. That's all you need to know. Let's get ready to rumble!
Merman And Martin -- Forbidden Broadway [198?] Please see the above "Chita-Rita" blurb for details about "Forbidden Broadway."
What's better than one Broadway "feud"? Why TWO Broadway "feuds" of course!
I am pleased to present Nora Mae Lyng as De Merman and Chloe Webb as Mary Martin. Remember, it's all in fun. Right?

The Crazy Otto -- Johnny Maddox [1955] Johnny is backed by the Rhythmasters on this medley of German tunes inspired by the renowned honky tonk pianist Crazy Otto, whose real name was Fritz Schulz-Reichel. This record never made #1 but was #2 for seven weeks in a row.
An infectious toe-tapper and the most successful piano medley of all time.

left and right
Left Right Out Of Your Heart -- Patti Page [1958] Patti encores with this top ten hit which many people don't remember and hardly ever gets played. Too bad because it's really good. Spike Jones never got around to doing this one! The title actually contains a parenthesized part (Hi Lee Hi Lo Hi Lup Up Up) but you didn't really expect me to include that here, did you? Forward march!
The One On The Right Is On The Left -- Johnny Cash [1965] This clever tune, written by Jack Clement, was included in Johnny Cash's album entitled "Everybody Loves A Nut."

Someone To Watch Over Me -- Peggy King [2007] My interview show with Peggy was one of only two that I've done face-to-face (as opposed to by phone) over the past couple of years. (The other one was with the Doughboys).
Peggy, who was a regular on the George Gobel Show for three seasons in the mid-60s and is one of the most respected singers in the business, honored me by closing the show with this live (in-studio) performance of this wonderful George Gershwin standard. Her voice remains incredible.
Unreleased. Recorded in the studios of WNJC in Washington Township, NJ.

Hong Kong -- The Quinns [1957] On the other hand, maybe it's psuedo-Chinese. For information about this group,
please check out http://home.att.net/~marvart/Quinns/quinns.html.
A fabulous doowop record. Can anyone translate the Chinese at the end?

Honeymooners Rap 2 -- Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy [1985] Joe Piscopo is Ralph Kramden. Eddie Murphy is Ed Norton. Added by request.
More "Har Har Hardee Har Har!"

Lazy Mary Memphis -- Tino and the Revlons [1965] I know little about this band, other than they were reportedly based in New York and that they performed a lot in the Detroit area. This recording speaks for itself.
Just imagine if Johnny Rivers had recorded "Lazy Mary."
Never mind. You don't have to imagine.
Just listen to this.

patti vs. spike
The Tennessee Waltz -- Patti Page [1950] Patti's biggest record ever, #1 for 13 straight weeks. Gorgeous.
The Tennessee Waltz -- Spike Jones and his City Slickers [1950] The vocals on this are by Sara Berner and Sir Frederick Gas. Not quite as gorgeous as Patti's interpretation.
I Went To Your Wedding -- Patti Page [1952] Patti's second biggest hit, #1 for 10 straight weeks. She sure knows how to interpret a lyric.
I Went To Your Wedding -- Spike Jones and his City Slickers [1952] Sir Frederick Gas handles the vocal chores. A bit different from Patti's rendering.

three tony romeo tunes
Indian Lake -- The Cowsills [1968] Tony Romeo is not a household name: if you asked someone to identify him, they might say he plays quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys (thinking of Tony Romo). But Tony Romeo, the songwriter, did very well from 1968 through 1970 while working as a staff writer for Wes Farrell's Pocket Full O Tunes publishing company. In each of those years he wrote a solid hit and this themed set features them chronologically. Sadly Tony, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing while working for Casey Kasem, passed away in 1995 from a heart attack at the age of 54.
To be politically correct, this song should have been entitled "Native American Lake" but that would have been difficult for the Cowsills to sing. Does anyone know where Indian Lake is supposedly located? (Not sure whether I asked Tony that question.)
I'm Gonna Make You Mine -- Lou Christie [1969] For more info about Tony, please read the blurb for "Indian Lake." Lou's backup singers on this gem are Linda Scott, Ellie Greenwich and an unidentified third girl. A fantastic piece of pop from the great Lou and also his last top ten hit. Tony Romeo, by the way, produced and arranged Lou Christie's classic recording of "Beyond The Blue Horizon," which is heard in the Oscar winning Best Picture "Rainman."
I Think I Love You -- The Partridge Family [1970] For more info about Tony, please read the blurb for "Indian Lake." David Cassidy sings lead on this one, a #1 hit.

The Kid's Last Fight -- Frankie Laine [1954] Not one of Frankie's biggest hits or one of his most remembered records. But to me it's one of his very best. A touching and sad tale.
Inspirational.

The Skin Diver -- P. Harcourt Frees [1959] The artist is actually Paul Frees, whose recording of "I'm Professor Ludwig Von Drake" was very popular on our chart during the first few weeks of this Record Page. He recorded this novelty for Cascade Records. Paul was a man of many voices and doesn't sound much like Ludwig on this ditty. The tune reminds me a bit of "Sink The Bismarck," which is appropriate considering that this recording also has a watery connection.
And they gurgled happily ever after.

Oh! Ma-Ma! (The Butcher Boy) -- Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees [1938] Both this record and "Lazy Mary" were based on a traditional Italian song called "Luna Mezzo Mare." The "vocal refrain" on this record is credited on the label (Bluebird) to Red Stanley and the Gentlemen Songsters. I have always thought that Rudy himself may be doing the voice of the mother but I could be wrong. Of course the song is absurd but I'm unabashedly a sucker for this kind of stuff.
This ridiculous novelty has the same tune as "Lazy Mary." I love it!

gentle belafonte
Jamaica Farewell -- Harry Belafonte [1957] The song was written by Lord Burgess and was part of Harry's legendary "Calypso" album. So pretty.
Island In The Sun -- Harry Belafonte [1957] This is the flipside of the uptempo "Cocoanut Woman" which has been up for some time. Both sides did well on the chart.

I've Been Everywhere -- Lucky Starr [1962] The song "I've Been Everywhere" was written by Geoff Mack in 1959 and listed Australian towns. Hank Snow's #1 country version has been been on these pages for several weeks. And now, as promised, here's the original Aussie version, which came out a few months before Hank's. This guy is truly amazing!
The original Aussie version of Hank Snow's #1 country classic. And wow, this moves!

I Put A Spell On You -- Screamin' Jay Hawkins [1957] This recording was selected as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that shaped rock and roll. It was also ranked #313 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
D-I-A-B-O-L-I-C-A-L.

funny feller
Makin' The Best Of A Bad Situation -- Dick Feller [1974] This singer-songwriter, originally from Bronaugh, Missouri, has written some of the most unusual and best country hits. This song, featuring Feller's homespun philosophy, is simply hilarious. And, come to think about it, it all makes perfect sense.
The Credit Card Song -- Dick Feller [1974] IBM punch cards were very prevalent until the mid-70s. This song may now be somewhat dated because they have gone out of style; however credit cards are still very much a part of our life. And as was the case back then, computers do not lie. Right? Wacky country music at its very best.

Rose O'Day (The Filla-Ga-Dusha Song) -- Kate Smith [1942] Others recorded this song but, in my view, no one ever did it as well as Kate. The parenthesized portion of the title is sometimes misspelled on the web as "The Filla-Da-Gusha Song." But that's NOT what she sings!
An adorable record by one of America's most beloved singers ever.

Aba Daba Honeymoon -- Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter [1951] Debbie and Carleton sang this in the motion picture "Two Weeks With Love." If you watch their performance carefully, you'll notice that Carleton at one point sang "aba" where he should have sang "baba"! P.S. I love the film and this record!
And they lived happily ever after.

Like I Do -- Nancy Sinatra [1961] The tune here is Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours," the same tune that Allan Sherman used in his famous parody song about Camp Granada. Her #1 hit "These Boots Are Made For Walking" came approximately ten releases after this one!
Hello Mudduh? This is pre-"Boots" Nancy!

Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip -- Anita O'Day [1947] I don't have a clue as to the meaning of the title. Can anyone help? But I can tell you that this is a fine record by one of the most-respected pop and jazz singers in the business. She made her mark in the late 30s and early 40s, doing several recordings with Gene Krupa and Stan Kenton. She overcame many personal difficulties to continue singing into the 80s. She passed away in 2006 at the age of 87.
Great title.

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