Saturday, June 19, 2010

Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra - Champagne & Romance (CD)



01 Champagne Time
02 Apples And Bananas
03 A Fine Romance
04 Blue Velvet
05 All The Things You Are
06 I Will Wait For You
07 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
08 Fascination
09 The Song is You
10 Goin' Out of My Head
11 Melody of Love
12 Adios, Au Revoir, Aufwiedersehn

Lawrence Welk - The Christmas Song (Vinyl)



Side One

01 The Christmas Song
02 Jingle Bells
03 Let's Have An Old Fashioned Christmas
04 Sleigh Ride
05 The Christmas Waltz
06 Sante From Sante Fe
07 Ring Those Christmas Bells

Side Two

01 Santa Claus is Here Again
02 Silver Bells
03 Christmas Carols
04 Merry Christmas From Our House To Your House

Lawrence Welk - The Christmas Song (Cassette)




01 - The Christmas Song
02 - Jingle Bells
03 - Let's Have An Old-Fashioned Christmas
04 - Sleigh Ride
05 - The Christmas Waltz
06 - Santa From Sante Fe
07 - Ring Those Christmas Bells
08 - Santa Claus is Here Again
09 - Silver Bells
10 - Christmas Carol Medley
11 - Merry Christmas From Our House To Your House

Lawrence Welk - music for POLKA lovers



Lawrence Welk - music for POLKA lovers

Side A :

1 HOOP DEE DOO
2 BAR ROOM POLKA
3 EMILIA POLKA
4 TINKER POLKA
5 JULIDA POLKA
6 MILITARY POLKA

Side B :

1 DAKOTA POLKA
2 KIT KAT POLKA
3 MERRY CHRISTMAS POLKA
4 LAUGHING POLKA
5 TIGER RAG
6 CHOPSTICKS POLKA

Probably one of the most popular forms of music everywhere is the polka because it stems from more than one country such as germany, Poland, Lithuania, Switzerland, and many others. Mercury Records takes pleasure in presenting to you this Long-Playing recording by Lawrence Welk and his orchestra, one of the most popular band leaders in America, and one of the leading exponents of the polka playing art.

To choose Lawrence Welk as the star in this album titled, "Music For Polka Lovers," is the most natural thing to do, for Lawrence was born and raised in Strasburg, North Dakota, right in the middle of a community which doted on polka music. To add to this natural bend toward polkas, Lawrence gained a love of music from his father Ludig, whose favorite pastime was playing the accordion. The accordion is considered universal as the basic instrument for a polka band, and thru help from his father, Lawrence at the age of 13 was already playing polka music for local dances in North Dakota.

Lawrence Welk's first taste of show business came when he went on the road as an accordion soloist, a tour that was soon to make him well known throughout the vicinity of the Black Hills. His deft showmanship and his fine playing soon led to the formation of his first band, accordion and drums which later were supplemented by piano and saxophone, and by 1927, thanks to a few appearances on radio, his orchestra was known throughout the midwest as the "Biggest Little Band In America." All through this "growing up" era, Welk played mostly polkas but he gradually learned and began performing more modern numbers.

As the years passed, Lawrence gave more and more thought to the idea of giving his music a personal and distinctive touch - something that would set his music apart from other orchestras and make it recognized the moment it was heard, regardless of what type of music he was playing. It took a long time, but eventually the right formula was hit upon - a lightness of quality with a bubbling flow - he called it "Champagne Muisc." As his popularity rose, Welk began adding more instruments but always leaning heavily on the "Champage Music" style and soon the nation at large was to know that Lawrence Welk was a man to be contended with when it came to big name bands. Another thing that Welk never forgot, was his heritage and the music he grew up with, polkas. He felt that if he came from such a background, others did too - millions of them. Polkas became a primary part of his repertoire. No matter where he played, Chicago's Aragon, Hollywood's Pladium, or some small town affair, Welk always inserted several polkas. Even now that he is one of the biggest attractions on television, Welk is still giving the public music that they want and love - polkas.

As you listen and enjoy this recording, you will notice that Lawrence Welk did a remarklable job in selecting the numbers to be presented here. Among the more popular tunes you will hear, "Hoop Dee Doo," "Emilia Polka," "Julida Polka," "Tiner Polka," "Bar Room Polka" and the catchy "Military Polka." You will also hear such favorites as "Dakota Polka" "Kit Kat Polka," "The Merry Christmas Polka," "The Laughing Polka," "Chopsticks Polka," and a fancy version of "Tiger Rag." Here is a musical treasure that will soon become the most cherished item in your collection, done by the master of them all, Lawrence Welk.

CUSTOM HIGH FIDELITY - Mercury RECORDS

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Great Songs of Christmas



Great Songs of Christmas

Side 1

1. The Happiest Christmas
Petula Clark

2. Secret of Christmas
Bing Crosby

3. Twelve Days of Christmas
Joan Sutherland

4. The First Noel
Connie Francis

5. O Come All Ye Faithful - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman
Richard Kelly

6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Good King Wenceslas - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Lawrence Welk

7. In Dulci Jubilo
London Symphon Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Cond. with The Roger Wagner Chorale

8. O Holy Night
Mantovani & His Orchestra

9. Silent Night, Holy Night
Petula Clark


Side 2

1. Winter Wonderland
Lena Horne

2. Skater's Waltz
Mantovani & His Orchestra

3. O Little Town of Bethlehem
Connie Francis

4. Panis Angelicus
Richard Kiley

5. Jingle Bells
Lena Horne

6. O Sanctissima
London Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Cond. with The Roger Wagner Chorale

7. A Christmas Tale For Children
Vladimir Horowitz

8. Ave Maria
Joan Sutherland



The beautiful sun-lighted window on the front cover of this album belongs to the 12th-century cathedral of Notre Dame in

Chartres, France. This giant kaleidoscope of stained glass, along with the three huge lancet arch windows at right,

illuminates the north transept of the ancient cathedral. Created by gifted French glass cutters so very long ago, the

windows tell to all who behold them the story of Christ, His Angels and His Saints. In the tradition of the Chartres and

of the season, we at Goodyear would like to express to you all, in this, our ninth Christmas album, our cincerest wishes

for a very merry Christmas.

Petula Clark opens with a new song written for her and recorded especially for this album, "The Happiest Christmas." She

offers also the beautiful "Silent Night, Holy Night."

Next, Bing Crosby lends his easy, relaxing style to a delightful performance of "Secret of Christmas."

"The First Noel is given tender treatment by Connie Francis. She also performs the lovely "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

Richard Kiley, who thrilled millions in "Man of La Mancha," recorded three selections especially for you: "O Come All Ye

Faithful," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "Panis Angelicus."

The Lawrence Welk fans, the Christmas mood is well expressed by three favorite carols: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,"

"Good King Wenceslas" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear."

The London Symphony Orchestra and the Roger Wagner Chorale, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, combine their talents in a

performance of two beautiful Latin hymns: "In Dulci Jubilo" and "O Sanctissima."

Mantovani and His Orchestra perform the favorite "O Holy Night" and "Skater's Waltz."

Lena Horne gives her bright and beautiful interpretation of "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells."

Finally, Vladimir Horowitz offers the warm and charming "A Christmas Tale for Children."

Saturday, June 5, 2010

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!



We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

The wonderful music of Christmas plays an all-important role in our recollections of this joyous season. From the beautiful and traditional "Silent Night" to the happy sounds of "Jingle Bells," all our memories are stirred by the warmth of the music of Christmas. Here, to make your memories live again, is an outstanding album presenting to you the most outstanding talent ever assembled on one Christmas record.

We know that we will brighten your Christmas season just a little bit more when you hear the beautiful rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas," LAWRENCE WELK; "The Little Drummer Boy," THE LENNON SISTERS; "Do You Hear What I Hear," EDDIE FISHER; "White Christmas," BILLY VAUGHN; "Oh LIttle Town Of Bethlehem," LIBERACE; "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," HOLLARAN SINGERS.

We would like to wish all of you the happiest and healthiest of Christmas seasons for many years to come.


SIDE 1

1 WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS 1:20
The Hollaran Singers

2 I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 2:08
Lawrence Welk

3 THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY 2:52
The Lennon Sisters

4 DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? 2:57
Eddie Fisher

5 GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN 2:37
George Wright


SIDE 2

1 WHITE CHRISTMAS 3:00
Billy Vaughn

2 OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM 2:11
Liberace

3 IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR 3:17
Bonnie Guitar

4 JOY TO THE WORLD 1:36
Pat Boone

5 SILENT NIGHT 2:25
Dr. Kendall

6 WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS 1:20
The Hollaran Singers