THE CHAMPAGNE MAGIC OF LAWRENCE WELK

LN 3247

R "Epic" Marca Reg "CBS" T M Printed in U.S.A.

EPIC
A Product of CBS


THE CHAMPAGNE MAGIC OF LAWRENCE WELK


Side One

1 Bubbles in the Wine
2 Linger Awhile - Walter Bloom
3 Ain't She Sweet
4 My Donna Lee - Walter Bloom
5 Daddy's Lullaby - Jayne Walton and Parnell Grina
6 That's a Plenty


Side Two

1 Beer Barrel Polka
2 My Man
3 One-Two-Three-Kick - Jayne Walton
4 Unfortunate Blues
5 One Look at You - Bob Pace
6 Kentucky's Way of Sayin' Good Mornin'


Vocals by Walter Bloom, Jayne Walton, Parnell Grina and Bob Pace



In the television season of 1055-56, Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra swept handily to the top of the list, besting some mighty competition and demonstrating conclusively what many had forgotten: that good, tuneful music is still an irresistible attraction. For some time now, the orchestra has been one of the most favored dance groups in the country, providing a lilting, danceable beat, pretty melodies and clever arrangements, but not even the leader himself dreamed that his program would become one of the country's biggest. Yet, it has, simply by presenting first-class dance music in a light-hearted manner, something that has been hard to find lately, and something that is as welcome as springtime.

The Champagne Magic of Lawrence Welk has a flavor all its own, sweet and easily flowing, but with a bubble and sparkle that makes it doubly refreshing. There is even, in terms of wine, a certain dryness in the vintage, that makes for that peculiar sensation described as a tickling in the toes. To hear this music is to want to dance; who could ask for anything more?

The beginning of all this melodic fun was near Strasburg, North Dakota, where young Lawrence grew up, one of a family of four boys and four girls. His father was an accomplished performer on the accordion, a splendid instrument he had brought with him to America from Alsace-Lorraine, and often played for the family during the evenings. Young Lawrence began experimenting with the accordion, and by the time he was thirteen, he had learned to play well enough to help out at community dances and socials, especially at schools and churches. As a reward for his perseverance and industry, his family saved the money to buy him an accordion of his own, with the new piano keyboard. In delight, he studied even harder and practiced diligently.

A few years later, after he had left the farm, he formed his first orchestra, appearing at Aberdeen, South Dakota. Actually, for the first engagement, the only other member was a drummer, but later a saxophonist and pianst were added. The small group moved on to Yankton, where they began playing daily over the local radio station. As years passed, more and more instruments were added to the orchestra until it was a full-voiced aggregation. Lawrence realized that to succeed, the orchestra must have a personality of its own, and he began experimenting with varied groupings and voicings within the band, finally discovering the bouncing, effervescent effect that is so famous today. He tried this quality out a few times, and it was so well received that he built the whole orchestra around it, and, because of its light, airy quality, named it "champagne music."

Within a very short time, the name of Lawrence Welk was well known throughout the country, but he remained in the mid-west for several years before striking out to test his orchestra against the already-famous bands in the country. But when he did, success came quickly and from all sides. He appeared with his group on all the major radio networks, on records, on radio transcriptions, in a variety of movie shorts, and of course in clubs and dance halls from coast to coast. Then came television, and even greater fame, for with his thoroughly entertaining and relaxing program, he appeared regularly on the home screens of thousands of fans.

For his debut on Epic Records, which presents the "champagne music" for the first time in the richness of Radical Sound, Lawrence Welk has selected some of his most-requested numbers to show off the quality and talents of his fine group. Some of them are old favorites, some are novelty numbers, and some are famous for their association with Lawrence Welk, but all of them maintain the firm, noticable beat of his danceable music, and all ofthem keep the melody well to the fore, for thelistening as well as dancing pleasure of his audiences. In this program, Walter Bloom is heard singing Linger Awhile and My Donna Lee, while Jayne Walton and Parnell Grina sing Daddy's Lullaby. Miss Walton returns to sing One-Two-Three-Kick, and One Look at YOu is sung by Bob Pace. All the way through this delightful sampler, the performances, music and arrangements are presented to bring into your own home-whenever you wish-the Champagne Magic of Lawrence Welk.