April 30, 2016

Fire in da hood today, Jingletown, Oakland






Styrous® ~ Saturday, April 30, 2016


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April 26, 2016

20,000 Vinyl LPs 55: Wildcat ~ Lucille Ball

vinyl LP album cover
photo by Styrous®


~ ~ ~

I started the Vinyl LP series because I have a collection of over 20,000 vinyl record albums I am selling; each blog entry is about an album from my collection. Inquire for information here.   

~ ~ ~


Lucille Ball died on this date, April 26, 1989, which was a pretty rough year; the Loma Prieta earthquake would shake us back to reality later in October.      

Wildcat is the only Broadway musical Ball stared in. The show opened on December 16, 1960, at the Alvin Theatre. The cast also included Paula Stewart and Swen Swenson, with Valerie Harper among the chorus members. It ran for 171 performances.           




vinyl LP album cover back
photo by Styrous®



Ball played the role of Wildcat "Wildy" Jackson who dreams of striking oil but has neither money nor knowledge to accomplish her goal. She is assisted by Joe Dynamite, played by Keith Andes.

Hey, Look Me Over was a major Top 40 hit and has been performed by Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Short, Gene Krupa, Mel Tormé, Jerry Vale, Julie Wilson and Lucie Arnaz. However, no one ever saying it with as much gusto as did Ball.    


Lucille Ball and Paula Stewart 
Singing, Hey, Look Me Over, from Wildcat 
on the television program 
The Ed Sullivan Show, 1961





vinyl LP side 1 label detail
photo by Styrous®



One of my favorite songs from the musical is You've Come Home sung by Keith Andes. Andes had an amazingly beautiful baritone voice.


photographer unknown
 


Another of my favorite songs is the happily rollicking tune, What Takes My Fancy, sung by Ball and Don Tomkins.


Lucille Ball and Don Tomkins 
photographer unknown



Then there's the delightful little song, El Sombrero, sung by Ball, Al Lanti and Swen Swenson. What a fun song!          



Swen Swenson, Lucille Ball & Al Lanti
photographer unknown





vinyl LP side 2 label detail
photo by Styrous®





Songs



Cast:

  • Wildcat Jackson—Lucille Ball
  • Jane Jackson--Paula Stewart
  • Sheriff Sam Gore-- Howard Fischer
  • Barney—Ken Ayers
  • Luke—Anthony Saverino
  • Countess Emily O'Brien—Edith King
  • Joe Dynamite--Keith Andes
  • Hank--Clifford David
  • Miguel—HF Green
  • Sookie—Don Tomkins
  • Matt--Charles Braswell
  • Corky—Bill Linton
  • Oney--Swen Swenson
  • Sandy—Ray Mason
  • Tattoo—Bill Walker
  • Cisco—Al Lanti
  • Postman—Bill Richards
  • Inez—Marsha Wagner
  • Blonde—Wendy Nickerson

Composer: Cy Coleman
Producer: George Avakian
Producer: Joe Linhart
Recording Engineer: Ernie Oelrich
Associated Performer: Wildcat Orchestra
Conductor: John Morris
Lyricist: Carolyn Leigh



Net links:      
                    
Lucille Ball website           
          
YouTube links:              
             
Hey, Look Me Over                
Hey, Look Me Over on the Ed Sullivan show
Hey, Look Me Over by Louis Armstrong        
Hey, Look Me Over by Mel Torme        
Hey, Look Me Over by Judy Garland            
What Takes My Fancy               
What Takes My Fancy by Rosemary Clooney           
You've Come Home by Keith Andes                
El Sombrero            




            
                          
Styrous® ~ Tuesday, April 26, 2012         







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April 21, 2016

20,000 Vinyl LPs 54: Prince ~ Around The World In A Day

vinyl LP front cover
Illustration by Doug Henders
 art direction by Prince
photo by Styrous®




This is the second part of my tribute to Prince who died today (link to first part below). This is another of my favorite albums by Prince. It was his seventh studio album and it was released a few weeks after his Purple Rain Tour on April 22, 1985, thirty years ago, tomorrow, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. Prince wanted the record company to release the album with minimal publicity, not even releasing an accompanying single until almost a full month after the album's release. He made the request because he wanted the public to experience the record in its entirety rather than through any particular song.       





 
vinyl LP back
Illustration by Doug Henders
 art direction by Prince
photo by Styrous®



This album has some terrific dance songs, Paisley Park, my favorite, and Raspberry Beret being at the very top of my list.    

The lyrics to Paisley Park describe a Utopia where one can feel in their heart, despite the chaos of the world around them. It was recorded before Purple Rain was completed, indicating the new direction Prince wanted to take after the success of that album and film. The violin on the song was played by Novi Novog, and Wendy & Lisa provide backing vocals. The song reached the Top 40 in all of the countries in which it was released. It peaked within the Top 20 in both Ireland (No. 11) and the UK (No. 18).    




side 1 record label detail
art director - Prince
detail photo by Styrous®




Raspberry Beret is one of the most delightful songs I think I've ever heard. The sound of the song was different from any previous Prince track, incorporating Middle Eastern finger cymbals, stringed instruments, and even a harmonica on the extended version. The string section had Novi Novog again on violin, Suzie Katayama and David Coleman on cello. Wendy & Lisa composed and conducted the strings and provided backing vocals. The song tells of a teenage romance and the first sexual experience with a girl who wears the beret. Aside from the technical, historical or whatever information, it is a phenomenal tune that you just can't help getting up and dancing to with lighthearted abandon.        

The song hit number 1 in Cash Box and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, it only reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.  

 



side 2 record label detail
art director - Prince
detail photo by Styrous®



 

Prince And The Revolution ‎– Around The World In A Day

Tracklist: 

Side 1: 


A1 - Around The World In A Day
Backing Vocals – David Coleman (2), Jonathan Melvoin, Susannah, The RevolutionCello, Oud, Finger Cymbals, Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – David Coleman (2)Composed By – David Coleman (2), John L. Nelson, PrinceRecorded By – David Leonard, Susan RogersTambourine – Jonathan Melvoin
 3:25

A2 - Paisley Park
Recorded By – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*, Susan RogersViolin – Novi Novog
 4:41

A3 - Condition Of The Heart
Instruments [All], Voice [All Voices] – PrinceRecorded By – Peggy Mac*
 6:46

A4 - Raspberry Beret
Cello – David Coleman (2), Suzie KatayamaRecorded By – Susan RogersViolin – Novi Novog
 3:31

A5 - Tamborine
Instruments [All], Voice [All Voices] – PrinceRecorded By – David Leonard
 2:46

Side 2: 


B1 - America
Recorded By – Susan RogersTambourine – Brad Marsh
 3:40

B2 - Pop Life
Cello – David Coleman (2), Suzie KatayamaComposed By [String Interlude] – Lisa & Wendy*Double Bass [Stand Up] – Annette Atkinson*, Tim BarrDrums – Sheila E.Recorded By – Peggy Mac*Viola – Denyse Buffum, Laury WoodsViolin – Marcy Dicterow Vaj, Sid Page
 3:42

B3 - The Ladder
Backing Vocals – Susannah, Taj*, Wendy & LisaComposed By – John L. Nelson, PrinceRecorded By – David TickleSaxophone – Eddie M (2)
 5:26

B4 - Temptation
Recorded By – David LeonardSaxophone – Eddie M (2)
 8:21

Companies, etc.

Credits:

Notes:

Issued in a gatefold sleeve with a perforated flap.

Sealed copies have a sticker on the cellophane wrapping. The sticker features a little boy being carried away by a balloon that reads "Prince And The Revolution Around the World In a Day" and the cat# 1-25286.

Cat # on vinyl label: 1-25286
Cat # on sleeve (perforated flap): 9 25286-1

Tracks A1, A2, A4, A5 & B1 recorded at Paisley Park.
Tracks A3 & B2 recorded at Sunset Sound.
Track B3 recorded at Mobile Audio.
Track B4 recorded at Capitol Records.

All songs © 1985 Controversy Music ASCAP.
Paisley Park, manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. Records Inc., a Warner Communications Company.
© 1985 Warner Bros. Records Inc.
℗ 1985 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.
Made in U.S.A.
Printed in U.S.A.


Net links:     
          
Prince ~ Purple Rain             
Prince Discography          
         
YouTube links:              
              
Raspberry Beret        
Paisley Park         
         
    


"Music is music, ultimately. 
If it makes you feel good, cool." 
                                             -  Prince


~ ~ ~

I started the Vinyl LP series because I have a collection of over 20,000 vinyl record albums I am selling; each blog entry is about an album from my collection. Inquire for information here.   

~ ~ ~





Styrous® ~ Thursday, April 21, 2016





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20,000 Vinyl LPs 53: Prince ~ Purple Rain












 cover photo by Ed Thrasher     
 photo of album cover by Styrous® 



For the third time this year I am in shock! Prince Rogers Nelson, the artist formerly known as Prince, died today. The first time was the death of David Bowie (see link below). The second time was the death of Vanity (see link below). Needless to say, I was stunned! He was only 57 years old! At this point there is no information about his death.

Two of his albums are my favorites and I couldn't decide which one I would write about so I'm going to write about both of them; Purple Rain first, and then in the next article, Around the World in a Day. Purple Rain is the soundtrack of the 1984 film of the same name.    


back cover 
art director - Laura LiPump
photo by Styrous®


As with every album I like, there are favorite songs of mine. In Purple Rain, there are two; When Doves Cry which is second only to the title song, Purple Rain. What an incredible song it is! It's rock and it's very best! The guitar work is exquisite!  

Purple Rain a combination of rock, pop, gospel, and orchestral music. It reached number 2 in the U.S. for two weeks, behind Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!, and it is widely considered Prince's signature song. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, shipping 1 million units in the United States. 

Rolling Stone ranked it number 143 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (no argument from me on this) while Q magazine placed it at number 40 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks, and Pitchfork Media named it the best song of the 1980s.





side 1 record label detail
art director - Laura LiPump
detail photo by Styrous®


Prince played all the instruments on the song, When Doves Cry. The song's texture is stark. There is no bass line, which is unusual for an 80s dance song; Prince has said that there originally was a bass line but, after a conversation with singer Jill Jones, he decided that the song was too conventional with it. The song ends with a classical music-inspired keyboard piece backed by another synthesizer solo. It's A great dance tune, however.  

According to the Purple Rain DVD, Prince was asked by the director to write a song to match the theme of a particular segment of the film – one which involved intermingled parental difficulties and a love affair. The next morning, Prince had reportedly composed two songs, one of which was "When Doves Cry". According to Per Nilsen, Prince's biographer, the song was inspired by his relationship with Vanity 6 member Susan Moonsie.     

When Doves Cry is considered the lead single from the album and was his first number one hit worldwide. The song was #1 in the U.S. for five weeks, from July 7, 1984 to August 4, 1984. According to Billboard magazine, it was the top-selling single of the year. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.        


side 2 record label detail
art director - Laura LiPump
detail photo by Styrous®



Purple Rain is a gatefold album designed by Laura LiPump. Ed Thrasher, who passed away in 2006, was also the photographer for the covers of the Jimi Hendrix album, Are You Experienced?, Song to a Seagull by Joni Mitchell and Anthem of the Sun by the Grateful Dead, among many, many others.   


gatefold interior
art director - Laura LiPump
photo by Styrous®




Prince was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He wrote his first song when he was seven years old. He wrote one of my all-time favorite songs, Nothing Compares To You, which was covered by Sinéad O'Connor. Her version, which O'Connor co-produced with Nellee Hooper, became a worldwide hit in 1990. A music video, which has been described as iconic, was shot and received heavy rotation on MTV. Its lyrics explore feelings of longing from an abandoned lover's point of view.  



Tracklist: 

Side 1:


A1 - Let's Go Crazy
Recorded By – David Leonard, Susan RogersTechnician [All Overdubs As Well] – David Leonard, Susan RogersWords By, Music By – Prince
 4:39

A2 - Take Me With U
Arranged By [Strings] – Lisa*, PrinceCello – David Coleman (2), Suzie KatayamaConductor [Strings] – Lisa & Wendy*Featuring [Duet With] – ApolloniaRecorded By – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*Strings – David Coleman (2), Novi Novog, Suzie KatayamaTechnician [All Overdubs As Well] – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*Violin, Viola – Novi NovogWords By, Music By – Prince
 3:54

A3 - The Beautiful Ones
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – PrinceRecorded By – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*Technician [All Overdubs As Well] – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*Words By, Music By – Prince
 5:15

A4 - Computer Blue
Recorded By – David Leonard, Susan RogersTechnician [All Overdubs As Well] – David Leonard, Susan RogersWords By, Music By – John L. Nelson, Prince, Lisa, Wendy*
 3:59

A5 - Darling Nikki
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – PrinceWords By, Music By – Prince

Side 2:

4:15

B1 - When Doves Cry
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – PrinceRecorded By – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*Technician [All Overdubs As Well] – David Leonard, Peggy Mac*Words By, Music By – Prince
 5:52

B2 - I Would Die 4 U
Recorded By – David Leonard, David RivkinWords By, Music By – Prince
 2:51

B3 - Baby I'm A Star
Arranged By [Strings] – Lisa*, PrinceCello – David Coleman (2), Suzie KatayamaConductor [Strings] – Lisa & Wendy*Recorded By – David Leonard, David RivkinStrings – David Coleman (2), Novi Novog, Suzie KatayamaViolin, Viola – Novi NovogWords By, Music By – Prince
 4:20

B4 - Purple Rain
Arranged By [Strings] – Lisa*, PrinceCello – David Coleman (2), Suzie KatayamaConductor [Strings] – Lisa & Wendy*Recorded By – David Leonard, David RivkinStrings – David Coleman (2), Novi Novog, Suzie KatayamaViolin, Viola – Novi NovogWords By, Music By – Prince
 8:45

Companies, etc.

Credits:

Notes:

1st cat# sleeve; 2nd cat# labels

Track A4 segues into track A5 and B2 into B3

Music From The Motion Picture Purple Rain Starring PRINCE

"Let's Go Crazy" & "Computer Blue" were recorded at The Warehouse in the summer of '83
"Take Me With U," "The Beautiful Ones" & "When Doves Cry" were recorded at Sunset Sound
"I Would Die 4 U," "Baby I'm A Star," "Purple Rain" recorded live at 1st Avenue in the summer of '83 & Record Plant, New York.
"Darling Nikki" was recorded at a place very close 2 where u live.

Includes poster and printed inner sleeve. 

           
        
        
        
           
       
Net links: 
     
Prince Discography             
Prince ~ Around The World In a Day          


YouTube links: 
         
Purple Rain     
When Doves Cry
Prince ~  Nothing Compares To You (original version)           
Sinéad O'Connor ~ Nothing Compares To You    




“Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. ”                            ― William Shakespeare, Hamlet



Styrous® ~ Thursday, April 21, 2016










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