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