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Member	Item		Review/Comment
sixtiesmusicfanatic 13th Feb 2020		78 RPM The Marshalls - Conchita (Marquita, Lolita, Pepita, Rosita, Juanita Lopez) / My Devotion	Review The " A " side of this 1942 record , " Conchita " , is an engaging novelty song with tongue-twisting lyrics , which was featured in the film " Priorities On Parade ". It is a tuneful number set to a rhythmic arrangement , and the American mixed-gender vocal group the Marshalls deliver it with gusto , displaying their impressive harmonies and counter-harmonies. The song was recorded by various other artists, including Glen Miller , Bing Crosby , Dinah Shore , and the King Sisters , but , perhaps surprisingly , none of the versions entered the American charts. I prefer the flip side. " My Devotion " is a charming and melodic ballad , a typical example of a war-time song with lyrics conveying the loneliness resulting from separations. The Marshalls' smooth choral version enhances the song , but unfortunately it bombed. It was a U.S. hit in 1942 for several acts , including Jimmy Dorsey , Vaughan Monroe , and the King Sisters , but Charlie Spivak fared best , reaching no. 2. My favorite version is by Tab Hunter , but his 1961 take on the song flopped. 26 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 10th Jan 2020		78 RPM Virginia Somers - Lovin' Spree / Cross Over The Bridge	Review On this 78, the English singer Virginia Somers delivers sublime renditions of "Lovin' Spree" and "Cross Over The Bridge", associated primarily with Eartha Kitt and Patti Page respectively. She has a very appealing pure voice with perfect diction, enhanced by Reg Owen's slick arrangements on both tracks. In my opinion, "Cross Over The Bridge" is a stronger, more commercial song than "Lovin' Spree", and it should have been promoted as the "A" side. In any event , both are at least as good as any other versions which I've heard.. 20 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 1st Aug 2017		78 RPM June Hutton And Axel Stordahl - Say You're Mine Again / The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)	Review On the "A" side of this 78, June Hutton and her then husband, the celebrated arranger / conductor Axel Stordahl (with "The Boys Next Door" vocal group) deliver a superb version of the romantic ballad "Say You're Mine Again." The song has a wonderful melody, and accomplished vocalist Hutton is supported to good effect by an appropriately subtle arrangement and low-key input from the male backing singers. " Say You're Mine Again " was originally recorded by Perry Como , who had a no. 3 U.S. hit with it in 1953 The flip side of the Hutton / Stordahl disc is "The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart?)" , which is similar in style and equally as impressive. "Say You're Mine Again" was a no. 21 U.S. hit in 1953, and more successful in the U.K. where it rose to no. 6 (her only hit there). "The Song From Moulin Rouge" did not chart separately for Hutton, but the original version by Percy Faith & His Orchestra (with vocalist Felicia Sanders) was a no. 1 U.S. hit. June Hutton was born on 11 August 1919 in Illinois, U.S. During the 1940s "swing" era, she was a very popular band vocalist, and from 1941-'44 she was a member of Charlie Spivak's vocal group "The Stardusters," appearing with the band in the 1944 film "The Pin-Up Girl." Later that year, she replaced Jo Stafford in Tommy Dorsey's renowned "Pied Pipers" vocal group, and then in 1950 she went solo. From 1953-'54, she had three minor U.S. hits (the above-mentioned "Say You're Mine Again" ; "No Stone Unturned", no. 24 ; and finally "For The First Time", no. 26). All three were recorded with Axel Stordahl, but subsequent releases failed to even enter the Hot 100, and with the impact of rock 'n' roll from the mid-'50s onwards Hutton's singing career waned (like that of many other solo performers). A few years later, June Hutton retired from showbusiness and disappeared off the radar. Finally , she died on 2 May 1973, aged just 53 (reportedly of lung cancer) in Encino, California. 32 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 15th Jun 2017		78 RPM Billy Ford - I'd Never Forgive Myself / I'm Looking For A Lover	Review "I'd Never Forgive Myself" is an appealing ballad with a strong melody, delivered in a very mannered vocal style by Billy Ford, who over-enunciates in a slightly irritating fashion. He is supported to good effect by a male vocal group, The Bel-Aires, but the arrangement on the track is clunky and heavy-handed. It isn't a bad record, but it would have benefited from an overall lighter approach. This song was also recorded by various other acts, including Kitty Kallen, Jerry Martin, and the under-rated female vocalist Jo Ann Tolley, whose superb take on it is my favorite and was the only one to enter the Top 100 (no. 29 in 1953). Billy Ford subsequently teamed up with Lillie Bryant to form the duo "Billy and Lillie," and they had two U.S. Top 20 hits ("La De Dah," no. 9 in 1958; and "Lucky Ladybug," no. 14 the following year). Billy Ford died in the mid '80s, but Lillie Bryant (born in 1940) is apparently still active in the music business to some extent. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 19th May 2017		78 RPM Ruth Rydell - On The Carousel / Someone Is Crying	Review This disc appears to be Ruth Rydell's sole release, available in 78 format only. The "A" side, "On The Carousel", is a jaunty sing-along style number, very tuneful. Rydell delivers it with zest, accompanied by backing singers who are well to the fore, and the track is enhanced by a scintillating arrangement incorporating fairground sounds and whistling. The flip side is a compelling emotional ballad, which provides Rydell with more scope to display her vocal prowess. I was unable to locate a copy of this record on the London label, so in the end I had to settle for the American release on the obscure BBS label. Finally, I can find no information on the Internet about Ruth Rydell. Can anyone out there assist with this? 27 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 14th May 2017		78 RPM Steve Conway - At The End Of The Day / Bless This House	Review This single comprises two quasi-religious songs, recorded by the under-rated English singer Steve Conway. Both songs are very familiar, having been recorded by many other acts, and Conway receives full support on both tracks from the Hastings Girls Choir, to appropriately restrained arrangements. There is little to choose between them, but I prefer the melody and lyrics of " At The End Of The Day". Steve Conway was born in Hackney, East London, on 24 October 1920, and he was originally a dance-band singer before signing with Columbia records in 1945. He had a very pleasant mellow voice, and between 1945 - 1951 he recorded approximately 100 songs, mostly religious ballads or what were known as " standards." He also toured the U.K. variety circuit. However, he had suffered from rheumatic fever as a child, which left him with a weak heart, and sadly he died in London on 19 April 1952, aged just 31, after heart surgery. 28 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 14th May 2017		78 RPM Georges Guetary And Lizbeth Webb - This Is My Lovely Day / I Was Never Kissed Before	Review I am not really a fan of stage musicals or this type of music generally. "This Is My Lovely Day," however, the duet between Georges Guetary and Lizbeth Webb from the stage musical "Bless The Bride," is one of my favourite songs. "Bless The Bride" opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End in 1947, and "This Is My Lovely Day" quickly became one of the most requested items on BBC radio. Its popularity was further enhanced by its association later in 1947 with the wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Philip Mountbatten. "This Is My Lovely Day" is a beautiful song with a wonderful melody, enhanced by the superb performances of the two vocalists - truly mesmerizing. I am less keen on the flip side. It is tuneful, but the vocal delivery sounds affected and old-fashioned, and I could have done without the "spoken dialogue" mid-way through the song. 28 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 14th May 2017		78 RPM Roger Williams - The Key To The Kingdom / Dearer Than Dear	Review The "A" side of this single, "The Key To The Kingdom," is a rather ponderous piece, played in a leaden manner by Williams, with a choir adding to the overall sense of solemnity. The flip side is better, a lightweight tuneful number with Williams' tinkling piano supported to good effect by spirited backing singers. Unsurprisingly, this single bombed, as both sides were totally out of sync with what was charting in early 1959. Nebraska-born Roger Williams released many singles and albums between 1955-1980. His first single, "Autumn Leaves" in 1955, was his biggest hit (no. 1). He also entered the Top 20 with three other singles ("Almost Paradise," no. 15 in 1957; "Near You," no. 10 in 1958; and finally "Born Free," no. 7 in 1966). Williams was a very popular live entertainer; known as "the pianist to the Presidents," he played for nine Presidents of the United States. Roger Williams died of prostate cancer on 8 October 2011, aged 87, in Encino, California, having played concerts up to a short time before his death. 27 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 14th May 2017		78 RPM The Fontane Sisters - Chanson D'Amour (Song Of Love) / Cocoanut Grove	Review The charming ballad " Chanson D'Amour ( Song Of Love ) " has been recorded by various acts thru the years. Pop duo Art & Dotty Todd had a no. 6 U.S. hit with it in 1958 , and nineteen years later Manhatten Transfer went all the way to no. 1 in the U.K. The Fontane Sisters' excellent take on the song reached no. 12 in 1958. The flip side of their disc , " Cocoanut Grove ", is another very appealing song , faster than " Chanson D'Amour " and enhanced by the sisters' spirited vocals and a compelling Hawaiian-style arrangement. The Fontane Sisters were Geri , Bea and Marge Rossi , from New Jersey , and they began their recording career on the RCA Victor label , scoring two Top 20 hits , before moving to the Dot label in 1954. There they scored seven Top 20 hits , including the million-selling no.1 hit " Hearts Of Stone " in early 1955. However , by the late '50s musical tastes were changing , and the sisters' last Hot 100 entry was " Jealous Heart " ( no. 94 , in late 1958 ). The Fontane Sisters largely retired from the music business in 1961 , cutting just one more single ( " Tips Of My Fingers " ) and an album in 1963. By then they had ceased touring , saying that they were tired of being on the road and did not want to be involved in the rock 'n' roll scene. Finally , Geri died on 13 September 1993 ; Bea died on 25 March 2002 ; and Marge died on 3 December 2003. 30 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 13th May 2017		78 RPM Jaye P. Morgan - Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries / Operator 299	Review " Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries " dates back to 1931 , when Rudy Vallee had a no.3 U.S. hit with it. It is a slow ballad , with reflective lyrics , and Jaye P. Morgan delivers it in an appropriately relaxed manner. It reached no. 26 in the U.S. charts at the start of 1954 , but I actually prefer the flip side. " Operator 299 " is an appealing quasi-novelty number , with lyrics about a girl anxiously trying to contact her boyfriend on the 'phone. Morgan sings it with gusto , to a jazzy arrangement incorporating telephone sounds. Jaye P. Morgan was born in Colorado in the U.S. on 3 December 1931 , and in the mid '50s she had seven Top 20 hits in America , her biggest being " That's All I Want From You " ( no.3 , in 1955 ). However , her recording career declined in the early '60s , whereupon she turned to acting and was moderately successful on television and in films. She was also a regular television game show panellist during the '70s , and she continued in showbusiness to a lesser degree until about 2004 , when she retired. 29 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
sixtiesmusicfanatic 8th May 2017		78 RPM Rosalind Paige - When The Saints Go Marching In / Nobody's Sweetheart Now	Review " When The Saints Go Marching In " has of course been recorded by numerous singers. Rosalind Paige delivers it with gusto , her light voice matching the mellifluous accompaniment by the Nassau Jazz Band. The flip side is another old standard , less tuneful than the " A " side , and here again Paige is supported to good effect by the excellent jazz band. I failed to obtain a copy of this record on the London label , in either 45 or 78 format , so in the end I had to settle for buying a copy on the U.S. New-Disc label , in 78 format. Finally , Rosalind Paige , who worked as a literary agent for many years , died of cancer on 20 February 2014 , aged 88 , in New York City. 25 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?