OK, well actually the WFMU record fair was last weekend. And none of these is particularly new. But the upshot is that I bought a ton of records– here’s some of the best tracks so far. No photos yet, because I’m too lazy and I need sunlight to do it anyway.
Johnny Denis & Netta Rogers - Studio and Stage
A Vegas lounge act. I was… surprised by the timbre of Netta Rogers’ voice. The back of this record contains an apology: “We took out the comedy patter which we feel does not improve after continued playing and we do hope you will play our record more than once… please!”
Dale McKenzie - Musically & Vocally Yours
Another lounge act, this time from Cleveland. Dale “can adapt to any song of any era with tones of such sweet quality that you beg for more.” The front of this record is signed “To Deb, I hope you enjoy my humble efforts.”
Betty Bond Sings Pop
An album of “song-poems.” Betty is more infamous for her ode to heroin addiction, Till Death Do Us Part (which you can hear here) but I was amused by this schlocky rip-off of Harper Valley PTA. “Presently single, she has four children and has done secretarial work in addition to professional singing.”
Joe Barone and Lily Ann Carol Play For Their Friends
This album is subtitled “Live From Jupiter’s” and features Joe and Lily’s faces glued to shooting stars, orbiting a big orange planet. Lilly sort of sounds like Cher crossed with Maya Rudolph doing Whitney Houston.
Come And Dance With The Tolmans to Johnny Brogan’s Orchestra
“For Ballroom Dancers and Musical Gourmets,” this record hails from Springfield, Massachusetts. Ballroom Dancing records usually put me to sleep, but this whitebread version of One Note Samba drew me in with its hot dual guiro action. I also wish I could show you Phyllis Tolman’s wig right now, which I absolutely promise to post a photo of at a later date.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, folks! More to come…