The Lone Ranger

A rather distressed and battered Ep on the Brunswick label I found today at Age Concern. I apologise in advance for the terrible state of this record which been used as a frisbee and run over by a truck at some point one imagines - hence the jumps and clicks all the way through but I thought you might like to hear it anyway. I have fond memories of this show on the TV back in the 50's on the tiny flickering black and white screen. That theme tune has become quite iconic now and still sounds amazing.

Wikipedia says -

"The Lone Ranger is an American radio and television show created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.
The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West, originally played by George Seaton (radio), but more famously by Clayton Moore (television), who gallops about righting injustices with the aid of his clever, laconic Native American companion, Tonto. Tonto usually referred to the Lone Ranger as Kemo Sabe, meaning "trusty scout"]. Departing on his white horse Silver, the Ranger would shout "Hi-yo, Silver, away!" as the horse galloped toward the setting sun, followed by someone asking "Who was that masked man, anyway?" "Why he's the Lone Ranger." The sayings, as well as the theme music from the William Tell Overture, are indelibly stamped in the memories of millions of Americans (and Britons) who came of age during the decades of the show's initial popularity or viewed the television series run nearly continuously for past fifty years. Reruns of the Lone Ranger as portrayed by Clayton Moore are still telecast today (August, 2010) sixty-one years after their production and initial broadcast. The character has become an icon of American culture."



The Lone Ranger - Meets The War Horse

The Lone Ranger - Saves The Booneville Gold

Cinema Organ Favourites

Another gem I found today- an EP on the Embassy label that features William Davis playing tunes on the Tooting Granada Cinema organ back in 1961. Again the sleeve caught my eye with it's image of a majestic old cinema in the days when they still flourished. The building is still there apparently and used for Bingo now sadly - the organ remains entombed under the floor and has suffered flood damage. A group of enthusiasts are trying to collect money to get it raised up and working again.

"When the Cinema was converted to Bingo in 1976, a flat false floor was fitted in the stalls to level it off in line with the stage. This entombed the Wurlitzer Organ which was located in the centre of the Orchestra Pit, along with the two pipe chambers underneath the stage “speaking” into the auditorium via adjustable openings known as swell shutters. It is not always appreciated that when theatre organs were in ascendancy in Britain they were somewhat in decline in America. Indeed the Tooting Wurlitzer (like many of its peers) was second hand- it had been a 3 Manual 10 Rank instrument installed in the Majestic Theatre Sacramento in 1926 and was refurbished by the Wurlitzer Company for Tooting. It was expanded by a further two Ranks in 1933, a tight fit into the already crowded chambers."

Read more about it HERE.


William Davis - The Whistler & His Dog

William Davis - Evensong

William Davis - Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life

William Davis - Comedians Gallop

Sound 8

Found today in a charity shop for a couple of quid. Mainly attracted to the sleeve - anything with people putting records on old record players gets my attention immediately! The "background music " and "sound effects" are pretty dull and only to be expected I suppose. I will quote from the lengthy liner notes on the reverse -

"Kodak Sound 8 Background Music brings a varied selection of background moods and sound effects to owners of the Sound 8 Projector. These beautifully recorded musical selections are adaptable to just about every situation you are likely to capture on film.
Now, easily and pleasantly, you can add this brightening music to your treasured films- good times with the family, vacations, sports events - together with your own narration, if you wish."

So here is a selection which includes "Music For Children's Activities" and "Music For All Kinds Of Fun" together with snippets from "Laugh (Large Crowd), Applause (Large Crowd), Crowd (Large) and "Children Playing (Outdoors)."


Sound 8 - Background Music

Sound 8 - Sound Effects

Charlie Gillett - Peter Gabriel

Another Charlie Gillett radio show from the late 80's - 4th June 1989 to be exact. His guest that week was singer, song writer, producer Peter Gabriel who was talking about his Real World record label and playing songs by people like Youssou N'Dour, Tabu Ley and Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan amongst others.

Wikipedia says -

"Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, musician and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis.[1] After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career. More recently he has focused on producing and promoting world music and pioneering digital distribution methods for music. He has also been involved in various humanitarian efforts. Gabriel was awarded the Polar Music Prize in 2009. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010."



Charlie Gillett - Peter Gabriel Pt.1

Charlie Gillett - Peter Gabriel Pt.2

Apola King

Another LP from the archives I found many years ago. This album on the TYC label from Lagos Nigeria was made back in the 60's or 70's - not really sure when. Typical highlife guitar band of that era.

"Idowu Animasawun as many would know had a Muslim background. Among many of his achievement in life was a household name in juju music. He was popularly known as “Apola King”. His stage artistry was a delight and so he had many followers.He is maried to Evangelist Debora Oluwafunmilola Animasawun who is a graduate of the Polytechnic Ibadan, she retired from St Annes School, Molete Ibadan.Nigeria in 1992. She is also into Drama Minitsry and Missions she is the Director of Special Projects in World Hope Ministries ."


Apola King - Side One

Bim & Bam

I found this many years ago in Brick Lane flea market in London. I can't find much about Bim & Bam on the internet. Obviously popular comedians in Jamaica back in the 60's when this record on Pama was made. Here's a small taste of their act.


Bim & Bam - Laugh With Bim & Bam & Clover

The Muppet Show

A 45 EP I found at the boot sale the other day. This is probably one of the worst novelty music hall inspired records Ive heard in a long time. It was probably funny for about 5 minutes on TV but on record one fails to see the point of it.
Anyway, here it is.

Wikipedia says -

"The Muppet Show was a television programme produced by puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring a cast of Muppets. The series shows a vaudeville- or music hall-style song-and-dance variety show, as well as glimpses behind the scenes of such a show. Kermit the Frog stars as a showrunner who tries to keep control of the antics of the other Muppet characters (and his temper), as well as keep the guest stars happy. The show was known for outrageous physical slapstick, sometimes absurdist comedy, and humorous parodies. Each episode also featured a human guest star. As the programme became popular, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Muppets on television and in film: by the end of its run over one hundred guest stars had appeared.

Many of the puppeteers also worked on Sesame Street. Muppet performers over the course of the show include Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Kathy Mullen, Eren Ozker, and John Lovelady. Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns were two of the show writers."


The Muppet Show - Don't Dilly Dally On The Way

The Muppet Show - The Boy In The Gallery

The Muppet Show - Knocked 'Em In The Old Kent Road

Frank Luther

Found a couple of years ago in a charity shop in Westcliff - on - Sea in Essex. One of Frank's records for children. I remember his classic "Three Billy Goats Gruff" that used to be played all the time on Children's Favourites on the radio throughout the 50's and 60's.

"Frank Luther (August 4, 1905 - November 16, 1980) was an American country music singer, songwriter and pianist.
Born Frank Luther Crow Lakin, Kansas, he was raised in Bakersfield, California. A trained pianist, he moved to New York City in 1928 to pursue a career in music. A country music singer, he was one of the first "Urban Cowboys", performimg country music at big city clubs as "Frank Luther and his Pards." He is remembered as the composer of "Barnacle Bill The Sailor" written with Carson Robison.
He married Zora Lyman, a fiddle player who performed and recorded with him. Eventually, Luther shifted his focus to children's songs, enjoying considerable success with his recordings on which he sang and told stories. Among the popular albums for children that Frank Luther released were "Raggedy Ann Songs & Stories" and "A Child's First Birthday Record."
For his contribution to the recording industry, Frank Luther has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street.
Frank Luther died in 1980 in New York city."

Frank Luther - Side One

Frank Luther - Side Two