Winner! of the creepiest album cover of all time:

Merle Evans and his Circus Band

CIRCUS IN TOWN!

Decca
DL79058
12″ LP Album

Liner Notes:

“Toscanini of the Big Top…”

In musical circles the world over and in thoughts of millions of American circus goers, the name of Merle Evans means circus music …the galops, the rousing marches and lilting melodies of the big top. He is its living symbol, its dominating, beloved exponent. Musicians consider Merle Evans a remarkable guy. He was born in Columbus, Kansas, and ran from home to lead a carnival band when he was only sixteen. he graduated to the baton of the Greatest Show on Earth (1919) and for 37 years led that band without missing a performance. The world of red wagons and white canvas knows him as the greatest exponent of real circus music in the whole spangle-studded history of this form of entertainment.

“Tremendous… Stupendous!”

Suddenly the sideshow band blares forth, and the hundreds of men and boys, mothers and daughters surge toward the ballyhoo stand, as the rapid raucous voice shouts, “Did you ever see a rooster play a fiddle? Inside you will positively see the world’s only living skeleton, the human pin-cusion, the man from Mars, and Jo Jo the Dog Faced Boy!”

On into The Big Top. Every seat is filled and still the crowd pours in. Suddenly there is a loud fanfare; great red curtains are drawn aside; beplumed Merle Evans, resplendent in a uniform of red-and-gold, leads his famous band into the crowded tent at the head of the beautifully costumed “spec”. To the stirring notes of “Caesar’s Triumphal March” the circus performance begins!

For this is the day the CIRCUS IS IN TOWN!

- Sverre O. Braathen

TRACKLISTING:

Just a little something I scrapped together this St. Valentine’s for you and your bundle of love.

SETLIST

(The following are available for sale.)

Swingin’ Medallions
Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)
Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)
Smash SRS 6708J
12″ LP Album

Johnny Hallyday
Feel So Fine
Johnny Hallyday Sings America’s Rockin’ Hits
Philips PHS 600-019
12″ LP Album

Ray Stevens
Scratch My Back (I Love It)
1,837 seconds of Humor
Mercury MG 20732
12″ LP Album

Benny Joy
Bundle of Love
Kicksville! Volume 3 – Raw Rockabilly Acetates
Norton Records ED 315
12″ LP Comp.

Buddy Holly & the Crickets
Heartbeat
The Buddy Holly Story
Coral CRL 57279
12″ LP Album

The Gaylords
Only You
The Gaylords Sing America’s Hits in Italian
Mercury MG 20620
12″ Promotional LP

Clyde McPhatter
What Am I Living For
Golden Blues Hits
Mercury MG 20655
12″ LP Album

The Pipkins
My Baby Loves Lovin
Gimme Dat Ding
Capitol ST 483
12″ LP Album

Norman Greenbaum
Marcy
Spirit in the Sky
Reprise 6365
12″ LP Album

The Sleepwalk Guitars of Dan & Dale
Sweethearts
Dear Heart, Willow Weep for Me, and other Love Songs
Diplomat DS 2340
12″ LP Album

the T-Bones

No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In)

Liner Notes:

When a television commercial comes on the screen, everybody leaves the room. This is the time to go to the refrigerator, put those last dishes away, etc. Commercial producers have the constant difficult problem of capturing the viewers attention, a viewer who is already predisposed against watching the TV commercial.

But, occasionally, the creative minds click and come up with a commercial that people actually look forward to seeing! The right combination of music, picture, editing, etc. are well integrated. One of the outstanding examples of this has been the recent (1966) Alka Seltzer commercial whose swingin’ melody was the inspiration for a hit instrumental naturally titled “No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In).” This recording became an instant hit and the inspiration for this LP.

The T-Bones, with their own special interpretation, give their “all” to some top hits such as “A Taste of Honey” and “Flowers on the Wall” and, naturally, interspersed with various “commercial interruptions,” which are not really interruptions at all, but tunes to other very entertaining commercials. We guarantee that you won’t head for the refrigerator! In fact, after listening to this album, you’ll find that things go better with the T-Bones!

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
No Matter What Shape
Chiquita Banana
Fever
What’s in the Bag, Goose
Moments of Softness
Let’s Hang On

SIDE 2
Sippin’ N’ Chippin’
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Hole in the Wall
My Headache’s Gone
Pizza Parlor
Lies

the Super Dupers

Super Record of Super Heroes

1966
Happy Time Records
HT 1042
12″ LP Album

If I told you this was a super duper record, that would be pointless and redundant.

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
Batman & Robin
The Phantom
The Shadow
Flash Gordon

SIDE 2
March of Tarzan
Captain Marvel Jones
Mickey Mouse March
The Green Hornet

Let’s Go!

with the Routers

1963
Warner Bros 1490
12″ LP Album

I don’t know what I love more about this record; its cheerleading / pep-rally theme, or the fact that it is adorned with the name of a one “Irma” no less than 27 times. You just don’t see much of that name anymore. According to the book, this blatant disregard for the integrity of the album art would decrease its condition rating from a VG+ to a VG- (effectively cutting the value of the record to 1/4 of its original value). But to me, such carelessness renders this a priceless one-of-a-kind time-capsule of days gone by.

For the longest time I was certain it was Irma who wrote her own name over and over, but on closer consideration of the only other name on the album (in “Irma + Richard”), I wonder now if it could have been Richard who was infatuated with Irma – who just so happened to be a cheerleader! I suppose we might never know. *sigh*

As far as the music goes, I love the simple upbeat hand-clapping, foot-stomping quality of this old-school rock and roll, and the fact that the only lyrics on the entire album are: “Let’s Go!”, “Go, Go, Go!” and to counter any otherwise predictability… “Bucket seats! Bucket seats!”

The “Irma”s continue here on the back of the cover.

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
Let’s Go
Pep Rally
Limbo Rock
Grandstand Stomp
Bucket Seats
Half Time

SIDE 2
Sting Ray
Mating Call
Let’s Dance
Snap Happy
Mashy
Make It Snappy

The Gaylords

sing American Hits in Italian

Mercury Records
MG 20620
12″ Promotional LP

The Gaylords singing American Hits in Italian make me bust a gut almost every time. But this record kind of rocks too. In foreign covers a few things are definitely lost in translation, but to our bored ears that can mean something totally new and fresh in the almost accidental reinvention of these worn-out songs.

I remember traveling Europe about 10 years ago. Everywhere we went there were played-out American hits on the radio; in grocery stores, in buses… everywhere. At one point we took what we thought was going to be a bus, but turned out to be a van; my friends and I piled in alongside a mysterious old man that was accompanied by who we conjectured could only have been a hooker (being half his age and not seeming to get enough of him, even as tightly sandwhiched as we were). Our driver immediately popped in a beat-up cassette tape, with enthusiasm that he had the perfect soundtrack for us, and soon the speakers were blaring, “Hit the Road Jack.” At the time it was like nails on a chalkboard.

Later in the trip I remember seeing a local live band performing in a street plaza – playing nothing but American hits, but in their native tongue. I wouldn’t say I was won over to the idea of America’s widespread pop cultural influence (delayed as it may be), but suddenly, it didn’t have quite the same aggravating effect. I found it strangely enjoyable, and was intrigued by the bizzarre dissonance between setting and sounds; well-known hits distorted by foreign tongues.

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
Yakety Yak
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
Witch Doctor
All Shook Up
Oh Lonesome Me
Blueberry Hill

SIDE 2
Charlie Brown
Personality
I’m Walkin’
Only You
Sh-Boom
Tom Dooley

Let’s Love a Little with

Cool Calypsos from the West Indies

Paragon Records
#610
12″ LP Album

What is it about the West Indies that made such creative and humorous music? Calypso & Mento styles would soon influence the birth of Ska and Reggay, and the “slack” lyrics that followed became widely popular especially among the rebellious youth of the UK. Before all that, however, these islanders were already coming up with some pretty raunchy and sly lyrics of their own. The track-listing should give some indication; Give Her de Number One, Ugly Woman, Red Head, Fire Down Dere… um, yeah.

Not much is known about this particular record. I’ve found it only in the HipWax Calypso collection, and one lone copy for sale on Amazon. There are no artists credited on this album, an unfortunately common practice of island producers. But from HipWax and the Amazon copy, it’s surmised that this record includes some of the greats: Duke of Iron, The Charmer, Lloyd Thomas, Lord Invader… though I can’t be sure. Any info anyone has on this album would be greatly appreciated in the comments.

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
Matilda
Give Her de Number One
Stone Cold Dead in de Market
Chit, Chit, Rit, Chit
Blue Calypso Samba
Take Me, Take Me

SIDE 2
The Stupid Husband
Conch Ain’t Got No Bones
Mary Anne
Red Head
Ugly Woman
Fire Down Dere

Down in the Valley

Aaltje Van Denburg and her Autoharp

Recorded by Michael Riposo, Syracuse, NY

A Van-Ayr Recording
UTMB Martin, Tennessee
VA 33-103A
12″ LP Album

Of what little info there is to be found of her, Ms. Van Denburg was born in 1919 to parents of Dutch ancestry. Proficient and professional in the arena of arts and crafts, home economics, and interior design – as a folk musician Aaltje had “a wide group of admiring listeners and friends,” according to the liner notes on this album anyway. How far and wide her fame actually spread is speculative. Nonetheless, it is obvious she was a brilliant folk musician, and likely that her reputation didn’t quite spread as far as her talent warranted. She released at least three albums, Down in the Valley being preceded by Folk Songs for Children, and Somebody’s Tall and Handsome. Included here is one of her original compositions, as well as possibly the most beautiful rendition of On Top of Old Smoky one can find.

From the liner notes:

Many consider this to be her best work to date, as she has combined her soft throaty voice with [...] an unusual collection of lonesome and sentimental ballads of the spirit that expresses a yearning for loved ones far away.

A lovely contralto voice that blends well with her auto harp accompaniment is certain to thrill YOU – the lucky listener!

-Bettye L. Giles

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
Down in the Valley
Unto Me the Time Drew Near
My Love will be Your Own
Little Mohee
No Wood Fire
Wish I Had A Million
Danny Boy

SIDE 2
Sweet Lorena
On Top of Old Smoky
Lord Lovel
Aura Lee
My Love Loves Me
One Mornin’ In May
Kum-Ba-Ya

Switched on Santa

The Merriest Moog Synthesizer plays Christmas Favorites.

Featuring Sy Mann on the Moog Synthesizer!

Pickwick International
SPCX-1007
12″ LP Album

From the liner notes:

In this album Sy takes the Moog Synthesizer and creates today’s electronic Christmas tree out of this new musical wonder. The Moog, a strange machine of lights, cords, inputs and outputs enters the festive world of the merriest season of all. It’s a wonderful gift for today’s caroleers. Sy Mann giftwraps all your Christmas favorites in the most exciting musical sound, and puts them under your glittering tree. Gift tagged to read, “Merry Christmas from The Moog!”

TRACKLISTING: SIDE 1 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jingle Bells Santa Claus is Coming to Town Tijuana Christmas My Favorite Things The Little Drummer Boy SIDE 2 Christmas Bells White Christmas Joy to the World When Christmas Comes Angels we Have Heard on High Silent Night What Child is This

Jaime Brockett

Remember the Wind and the Rain

Capitol Records
ST-678
12″ LP Album

Boston, 1968

His early days were spent in a small New England town full of “Small new England People” whom he had “great difficulty communicating with,” as he puts it. His early teens found him running away from home for search of adventures and the way of life he sought. Living first in Greenwich Village, then moving west, seeking out what he considered to be real life. He worked in the fields harvesting tobacco and following crops with the migrants. He has been a professional rodeo rider, a truck driver, dishwasher, carnival worker, bodyguard, just to name a few. All the time he was constantly searching out new music and influences. After hitch-hiking the entire North American Continent, he settled in Denver, Colorado for a period of time, did another short sprint on the road, then returned eastward coming to Boston two years ago. He has since made Boston his home, occasionally going on cross country trips in any one of the fantastic number of $50.00 cars he has owned. Situations such as these have made his exploits somewhat legendary. Recalling them Brockett simply says, “I went a lot of places, and did a lot of things, not because I had to, but because I wanted to.

- N. Clark Schell

TRACKLISTING:

SIDE 1
1. Talking Green Beret New Super Yellow Hydraulic Banana Teeny Bopper Blues
2. Remember the Wind and the Rain
3. St. Botolph St. Grey Morning Dulcimer Thing
4. Blue Chip
5. Nowadays

SIDE 2
1. Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic
(adaptation of Leadbelly’s (via Blind Lemon Jefferson) “The Titanic”)
2. Suzzane
3. One Too Many Mornings
4. Bag on the Table