As described in the earlier blog, Madison had some interesting finds on 45. Certainly the most polarizing we go through into one extreme to another. So we'll split this up into two side. One, the pop sides and the next the rock side. But as we know my musical tastes go over the map be it LP 45 or compact disc. Nobody should be this eccentric (or erratic).
1. Fever-Earl Grant (Decca 9-30475) 1957
I've known Grant better as a light jazz artist (Beyond The Reef) but Grant made a career being on Decca is a jazz/pop piano player but on this cover of the Little Willie John song, Grant goes for a jazzy pop sound, including organ to counter the piano playing, and a bit of sax too. Hardly anybody remembers this and at this point in time, I doubt nobody will, not the smart phone generation. The B side Malaguena is a cha cha number, the product of the times, till Grant speeds it up and adds extreme organ at the end. Ole!
2. Danger! Heartbreak Ahead-Jaye P. Morgan (RCA 47-6016) #12 1955
I admired her duets with Eddy Arnold enough to take a chance on a couple of her solo 45's but come to find she was in the line of Doris Day in 50's pop. She can be brash and sassy, certainly a more stronger voice but the material presented on this record is more muzak pop to my liking and perhaps Hugo Winterhaller is to be blamed for such banal arranging. Softly Softly, the other side, I could tolerate about a half minute before moving on to something else. Think I'll stick with the Eddy Arnold duets thank you.
3. Do You Mind?-Andy Williams (Cadence 1381) #70 1960
One of the kings of the muzak pop scene was Andy Williams but during his Cadence years he would actually ventured into a bit more sunny pop than blah pop, the latter you would get plenty of it when he switched to Columbia and a long 35 year career on that label before Andy went to Atco for a 1986 standards album. A bit more uptempo than you would think on Do You Mind, this song probably did better on the easy listening chart. The B side Dreamsville comes from the Mr. Lucky album and written by Henry Mancini, which reminds me.....
4. Mr. Lucky-Henry Mancini (RCA 47-7705) #21 1960
The first top twenty five single from Mr. Mancini, who could write some decent soundtrack music (Peter Gunn anybody?). This song is considered one of those "space age bathelor pad" jazz music that did find its way to such compilations when Esquvel was discovered in the late 90s and had a few of his albums reissued on CD. But I think people have outgrown that music once again. Mancini could write some mysterious and dark music (The Blues) before going full movie muzak with Days Of Wine And Roses (which has the Peter Gunn Theme on the B side). B side Floating Pad is a more darker comp and preferable to these ears.
5. I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire-Frankie Laine (ABC 45-11057) 1968
I found the infamous ABC/Tangerine label of this song. Tangerine was Ray Charles' label when he was recording for ABC Paramount and Frankie was part of ABC Records, not Tangerine. It's a curio to find this single, to which collectors have on their list of 45s to get. Frankie had a long career with Columbia and then Mercury. The ABC years are considered to be one of Laine's high points. Bob Thiele produced most of those ABC sessions, tho' getting schlockmaster Peter D'Angelos (famous for Frankie Avalon and Fabian's sides for Chancellor Records) didn't help much. Ray Barr arranged the b side I Found You, but it's Laine's vocals that make this song. Now if I can find a decent copy of Dammit Isn't God's Last Name....
6. Paths Of Paradise-Johnnie Ray (Columbia 4-40435) 1955
One of forgotten voices of the 1950's Johnnie Ray is considered to be one of the forefathers of rock and roll, he certainly was the most passionate of vocalists out there. This song did managed to make it on a retrospective CD and it's a fairly good number but the B side Parade Of Broken Hearts rocked a bit more but hardly anybody knows of it, unless you have the 45. Some people say his sexuality may have robbed him of being remembered better more but Sony Music indifference of Ray has pretty much kept him out of the spotlight, save for 2 best ofs that are out there. Side Note; The Paths Of Paradise that's on the High Drama album is a 1951 outtake with the Four Lads backing him up on vocals. This Joe Reisman arranged song is a bit more pop contemporary. But you'll never hear it on the radio.
7. Pledge Of Love-Mitchell Torok (Decca 9-30230) #25 1957
The only charting single for Decca Records for Torok who recorded for them for five years. He had better charting luck with Guyden Records with Caribbean, which was actually done for Abbott Records. B side What's Behind The Strange Door is interesting for it was written by Don Reid, later of the Statler Brothers fame. In future bargain hunts I'll be on the lookout for Mitchell's Decca sides, which are quite hard to find since this single was the first Decca single from him I found. This record is in mint condition. No scratchy sounds or pops or clicks. Pretty nifty for a sixty year old 45.
8. Left Right Out Of Your Heart-Patti Page (Mercury 71331) #9 1958
She eventually would go country later in the 60s but she's still into the pop side of things on this song, based on a drum pattern or the call and respond of the background singers. Mort Garson, schlockmaster to the stars (Guy Mitchell comes to mind) co wrote this number. B side Longing To Hold You Again has Patti overdubbing her vocals a few times, one of the earliest numbers ever to employ this technique. It also reveals Page going to a slightly more country sound, tho it still is in early rock mode. I think.
9. Dancing In The Dark-Tommy Dorsey (Decca 9-27429) 1951
Part of a four 7 inch box set album, this was found at the Grab and Go St. Vincent De Paul. and I'm surprised how well this 45 sounds, it had the record sleeve and perhaps it was put out on the racks. Basically when you have many folks going through these records at junk shops you figure they would be trashed. Warren Covington would take over Dorsey's big band after Dorsey passed away in 1956. Both sides are smooth playing from the smoothest trombone player ever. That would be Tommy.
10. Coming On Strong-Brenda Lee (Decca 32018) #11 1966
11. Broken Trust-Brenda Lee/Oak Ridge Boys (MCA 41322) 1980
A tale of two singles from the same artist. I think Coming On Strong is Brenda trying for the Petula Clark sound (it might have been recorded in England) but then again further research revealed that the song recorded in England was Is It True?, to which Jimmy Page played guitar on that song. Coming On Strong does sound like Brenda going for that Pet Clark sound. I like the song. Side Note: The record I found has the title and artist upside down. Usually the Decca logo is on the left side of the label. This copy has the Decca imprint on the right side.
Broken Trust was the meeting of Brenda and the Oak Ridge Boys. The Boys were riding high and Brenda was barely getting by on MCA so Ron Chancey thought pairing them up would be a good idea. Too bad Ron didn't give her a decent song to do it. B side Right Behind The Rain is a failed attempt to go dance pop.
12. You'll Never Know-Jim Reeves (RCA PB-10418) #71 Country 1975
From beyond the grave Jim Reeves did had success on the charts, this lush ballad stalled at number 71 but it sounds more at home on a muzak station rather than country. B side There's That Smile Again is just as lush but this time Anita Kerr Singers adds their trademark vocals. A perfect example of the Nashville Sound that RCA was famous for. For better or worse.
13. All Of Me-Gogi Grant (Era 45-1053) 1957
14. It's A Wonderful Thing To Be Loved-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-6996) 1957
15. Bonjour Tristesse-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-7146) 1958
16. My Secret Prayer-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-7215) 1958
These four 45s didn't chart at all. In fact, while looking up the discography in 45cat, I couldn't even find My Secret Prayer. The difference between the Era and RCA singles is that the RCA singles are more polished. All Of Me was penned in 1931 in various versions (best known version is Willie Nelson of course). It's A Wonderful Thing shows Gogi going the Musical theater route which is better suited for Julie Andrews, B side That's The Life For Me turns into a pop country number, which is better. My Secret Prayer has Gogi hooking up with Hugo Winterhaller (remember him?) and turns in a passionate performance of My Secret Prayer. B side How Do We Know We Are In Love is more lush pop. If nothing else, Grant remains one of the better torch singers of the 1950s and perhaps if Sony Music had any balls, they would issue The Essential Gogi Grant. However, the better known sides were recorded for ERA, The Wayward Wind returned to the top 50 in 1961. Final thought, Bonjour Tristesse is dark but sweet melancholy ballad. Chinese Nightingale, the B side, another lush torch ballad. The three RCA singles were found at St Vincent De Paul Williamson store, all in like new shape except My Secret Prayer which didn't have a record sleeve.
They all played great. But nobody cares about Gogi Grant any more.
17. Round Every Corner-Petula Clark (Warner Bros 5661) #21 1965
Just when I thought that I played every single that I got from Madison I overlooked this Pet Clark number. This is during the Tony Hatch era, she has been around for a few years before hooking up with Tony to have the number 1 hit Downtown which Pet Clark will be forever known. The lesser known songs such as Round Every Corner will be put way back in the forgotten singles of the 60s but it does hold up very well. B side Two Rivers is a Pet Clark written song, more of a torch song, but it doesn't hold my interest much. Petula continues to record into the 2000's making a couple of very good albums for Sony Music/The End label. Hard to find unless you're sleep walking through the dollar bins.
So that's the pop side of Madison finds. Next time we meet up, the rock sides. More surprises in store.
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