my record collection!

Well. Taking a break from stupid surveys, I thought I'd punch out a stupid list. I recently received a large portion of my late grandfather's record collection (he died before I was born). Thus I now have a record collection of my own, full of pleasingly obscure titles from bygone days. For the amusement of you and me both, I now list the contents of my record collection (artist- album/contents- year printed (if I could find it)- comments/sleeve quote (if any) (read and then tell me how jealous you are)):

the 33s

Muggsy Spanier- Chicago Jazz- "that man with the hot cornet!"
Various Artists- Music Power: 22 Original Hits- 1974- has Brownsville Station, Lighthouse, Gladys Knight, The Grass Roots, Barry White, and 18 others!
The Strugglers- Two Beers and Everybody Sings- 1959- "This is an album of the most unusual night club music ever recorded- the happy sound of two hundred customers, a good many of them college students, enjoying themselves with beer, peanuts, and a chance to sing to their heart's content as a highly informal banjo band plays the old favorites that everybody knows and loves."
The Hamburg Philharmonia Orchestra- Symphony for Glenn- orchestral versions of Glenn Miller tunes
Jan Peerce- Jan Peerce in Opera- 1956
Brahms (Nathan Milstein and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)- Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra op. 77- I suppose it's time I gave neo-classicism a chance...
Santiago and his Silver Strings- Heart of Spain- "If you can do more than just hear music; if you can feel music, you will be richly rewarded by this magnificent selection which is truly 'The Heart of Spain.'"
London Philharmonic- Overtures from the Opera- I always liked the overtures better than the actual operas...
Sacha Distel- Salut Les Copains- Grandpa had a lot of French music. I'll be interested to check it out.
Vienna State Opera Orchestra- The World's Greatest Waltzes (3 record set)- 1st record: The Waltzes of Johann Strauss; 2nd record: "Pops" Concert Waltzes; 3rd record: American Waltzes
Les Petits Chanteurs de Versailles- Christmas in France
Buddy Williams and his Golden Echo Music- Swingin' Marchin' and Whistlin'
Jad Paul's Banjo Magic- 12th Street Rag
Regimental Band of the Windsor Guards- Brass Band Bash: Famous Military Marches- Gramps loved marches.
Tom Tomlinson and Jerry Kennedy- Guitar's Greatest Hits
Morton Gould- Brass and Percussion- 1958
Captain Allen Swift and His Crew- Popeye's Favorite Sea Shanties- 1959- "In this album Captain Allen Swift and the crew tell about the sea in both story and song. Interspersed with the selections are interesting bits of nautical lore that are sure to bring a whiff of salt spray into landlocked living rooms and fire the imagination of every young landlubber. It's easy to see why the good Captain is such a popular favorite with the sailboat set."
Jerry Fielding Orchestra- Sweet With a Beat
Joe "Fingers" Carr- Joe "Fingers" Carr and his Swingin' String Band- "Anybody need an introduction to Joe 'Fingers' Carr? In that unlikely event, be advised that Joe Carr is..." Also has a band seating chart on the back.
Frantic Percussion
The United States Air Force Band- The United States Air Force Band- Grandpa was a career Air Force man. Features Staff Sergeant Tommy Morgan, the harmonica soloist, and Staff Sergeant Joseph Soprani, accordion soloist.
Ademus and his Percussionists- Latin Favorites in Percussion- "This is not a gimmicked test record! This is a record in percussion for exciting listening in equally exciting Latin tempos and color."
Moe Weschler- Honky Tonk Piano
The Regimental Guards- Marching Brass
101 Strings- Gypsy Camp Fires- "Only the emotional depth of '101 Strings' can capture the contrasts of tender emotions and fiery crescendoes of a night at Gypsy Campfires. Olive skinned girls, with flashing dark eyes, break the quiet of night with the resounding rhythms of ribboned tambourines. The lovely rich tones of a violin fill the heart as it speaks of love that is old, new, or yet to be discovered; for the music of the gypsy speaks of a spirit that is restless, free, and beautiful. Mystery and romance fill each shadow until the last fiery embers fade and all is darkness again."
Bella Babka- The Exciting Sound of New World Strings, Vol. 3: Gypsy Violins- "Gypsy music- music of a wandering people, music of fiery emotions, music of melancholy moods, music that will touch you deeply."
Sigmund Romberg (music)/Dorothy Donnelly(book)- The Student Prince- An operetta: "The setting of 'The Student Prince' is beautiful, romantic Old Heidelberg. Near the university grounds is a time mellowed little inn, where a congenial band of students have gathered in high spirits to sing the rousing Drinking Song. The story moves on, introducing Prince Karl Franz, who has enrolled in the university and taken his place in the roistering student life. Between him and Kathie, the inn's pretty maid, there is a growing affection. However, it is to be a brief romance. Karl Franz is suddenly recalled to his royal duties, and reminded of his betrothal to a lady of rank. The parting between Karl and Kathie is sweetly poignant, but both know the country must be served."
Cesare Siepi- Operatic Arias- Am I going to have to finally gain an appreciation for opera?
Yugoslavian National Orchestra- Holiday in the Balkans
Michel LeGrand and his Orchestra- Vienna Holiday
George Melachrino- Music for the Nostalgic Traveler- I like the cover photo a lot.
Carlos Montoya- Flamenco Fire- Flamenco guitar rules.
Souvenir from Vienna: Famous Viennese Waltzes- There was a time when I lamented the paucity of waltzes in my music collection. Now is the time for joy!
Bob Bain- Latin Love- Dude looks like Gomez Addams.
Banda Taurina of the Plaza Mexico- The Brave Bulls! Music of the Bull Fight Ring- "This marks the first time in the history of phonograph recording that the dazzling pageantry of the bull fight is captured in sound in truly authentic fashion. This recording represents music played during an actual performance in the celebrated Plaza Mexico, world's largest bull fighting arena, by the Banda Taurina, official band of the Plaza Mexico."
Bellini and his Orchestra- Espana (2 record set)- "The music of Spain, like the country itself, is bright, colorful, warm with the fire of romanticism that is so inherent in the Spanish people."
The Outsiders- Time Won't Let Me- "One short year ago, The Outsiders had never even met, let alone made a record together. Yet today their sensational sound is sweeping the nation after setting Cleveland, Ohio, back on its pop music ear. The secret of their success can best be attributed to their often wild but always solid way with a song and to the fact that here is a group of talented kids who are set on going places and won't stop until they get to the fabled top of the entertainment world."
Chorus Della Piazza and Orchestra- Italian Festival Tonight!
Morton Gould and his Orchestra- Coffee Time- "The affinity between this charming, companionable music and well-prepared, comfortably served coffee will be recognized with pleasure by all who know how well music and coffee can be matched up."
Perspectives in Percussion Vol. 2- "For those who can hear the difference..."
Arthur Cohen- Piano Percussion in Rhythm
The First Army Honor Guard- The Parade Field- "Here is the sound of the parade field. Trumpets blare, drums rattle and roll, fifes whistle their cocky airs. A drill sergeant shouts his cadenced order and a crack team answers with the click of rifle bolts and the swinging rhythms of marching feet."
Andre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra- Café Continental
Quiet Music Vol. 6: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra
Quiet Music Vol. 10: Stardust- The pictures on the Quiet Music series are far and away my favorite. Too bad you can't see them. But chances are you haven't read far enough to know that you should want to.
The Abbey Choir- The Little Drummer Boy- Christmas music
Happy Birthday to You: 27 Complete Songs of Fun and Frolic- This one has a great picture too, of a boy and a girl in party hats, with the little boy feeding the little girl a freaking huge piece of cake. This one also apparently has significant nostalgia value for my mother's family.
Tale Spinners for Children- The Nutcracker Suite- Not Tchaikovsky.
Le Choeur des Enfants de Montmartre- Dominique: The Singing Nun's Song- This record is bent!
Julius Katchen and the London Symphony Orchestra- Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1 in B Flat Minor, Liszt Hungarian Fantasia- Well, here's an overlap between Grampa's collection and my own. On the cover is a "cathode ray oscilloscope representation of top C of a grand pianoforte played staccato."
Various Artists- 20 Giant Hits (As Advertised on TV)- "Ingredients: The Beatles; Melanie; Crazy Elephant; BJ Thomas; Mel and Tim; Jimi Hendrix; Teegarden and Van Winkle; Neil Diamond; The Association; Jefferson Airplane; Janis Joplin; Buffalo Springfield; Richie Havens; The Turtles; Steam; The Byrds; The Ides of March; Eric Burdon; Donovan; Five Stairsteps" and the best part: "This album is a celebration of life- a feeling of energy and love by the poets, artists, and musicians who have joined together to speak for a purpose- to relay the message against drug abuse. The Do It Now Foundation is dedicated to helping fight this problem. Never before in the history of the recording industry have so many artists of such stature donated their services for a collage album. We wish to thank all those caring people, the record companies and music publishers, whose contributions went into making this album a reality." Huh. Seems Grandpa thought he might try out a little of the new stuff.
I Love Marching Band: Best Loved Marches of John Philip Sousa with New Lyrics for Children- He really liked marches. Really a lot.
Oklahoma! Motion Picture Soundtrack- About the only one so far that I'm really not looking forward to trying out.
The First Family- 1962- Seems to be a comedy recording poking good natured fun at the Kennedy's. "This album is for fun! Things are being suggested and said here about some of the great people of our time, and perhaps the very fact that they are able to laugh with us and enjoy this album is in part what makes them the great people they are. No one has more respect for the high offices and the people suggested here than do those of us who had a hand in putting this together. This album can be played loudly at any time, night or day, in front of anyone, anywhere people have a right to laugh. We hope that someday soon everyone, everywhere, will have that right to laugh."
The Bridge on the River Kwai Motion Picture Soundtrack- Alec Guinness was in this movie.
101 Strings- I Love Paris- "Paris- city of life, city of love. No other metropolis in the world offers such color and romance as she... from her music halls bubbling with gaiety to the charm of her winding, cobbled streets, her beautiful wide boulevards, and the moonlight on the Seine."
Santiago and his Silver Strings- The Merry Widow, by Franz Lehar
Judy Garland- Miss Show Business- I now own a Judy Garland album!
London Philharmonic- Light Cavalry Overture and Other Popular Overtures
Those Memory Years, Vol. 1 and 2 (two dics)- Seems to be stuff from the late 20s to the early 50s.
London Symphony Orchestra- Five Rossini Overtures
Quiet Village: The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny- "Martin Denny's music is becoming so famous it's a little pointless for me to tell you how wonderful it is. If you've already heard it you know, and if you haven't, stop reading this right now... put on the record and play it. Now after you've asked, "How long has this been going on... how did I miss it... has he recorded other stuff as terrific as this" (he sure has)... you have become a full fledged member of his fan club. Welcome brother, and continue reading..."
Connie Francis- More Greatest Hits- "America's favorite female vocalist is back with a second volume of her biggest hits, and that's news for any edition!"
The Orlons- The Wah-Watusi- "It isn't often that a great pop number and a new group that's going places come together. But that's what happened when the Orlons made The Wah-Watusi as a Cameo single. The Wah-Watusi has become a big hit in teen circles across the nation, and the Orlons are destined to be one of the most popular groups in show business."
Werner Müller and his Orchestra- Germany- Includes "Drinking Song" from The Student Prince.
Various Artists- The Golden Age of the Dance Bands- "Played by the poll winners of 1940- all members of the original bands"
Theme Songs of the Big Band Era
The Great Vocalists of the Big Band Era
The Greek Family that Lived Upstairs from My Mom's Family While They Lived in France- The Heap Big Chief- Mom says she's supposed to send this to her sister. I hope I can check it out first.
Oscar Levant (piano)/George Gershwin (composer)- Rhapsody in Blue; An American in Paris; Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra- Another overlap in our respective collections. 'Cept I don't have the concerto.
This Is Glenn Miller
All-Time Broadway Hit Parade: The 120 Greatest Songs (huge freaking box set)- Has stuff from Carousel; Guys and Dolls; The Music Man; Hello Dolly; Kiss Me, Kate; My Fair Lady; Kismet; South Pacific; Oklahoma!; Pal Joey; The King and I. Also contains a 1966 Reader's Digest catalog for similar collections. Niiiiiiiice.

the 45s

Guylaine Guy- Darling of Paris- "One day in 1955 Louis Armstrong, who probably knows more about the subject than any other living being, walked to the center of the stage of the Olympia Music Hall in Paris and placed a crown upon the head of a pretty young miss from Canada. The lady in question was Guylaine Guy- the 'Darling of Paris'- and the accolade that the Reverend Satchmo bestowed upon her was that of "La Princesse du Rhythme," an honor which had been previously awarded to three other unforgettable exponents of the popular vocal art, Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald and Eartha Kitt."
Mireille Mathieu- Pourquoi Mon Amour; Messieurs Les Musiciens; Le Funambule; Qu'elle Est Belle
Claudine Longet- Think of Rain; Love is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)
Sélection des succès de Lina Margy- One of the songs on here is called "Je te Le Le"
Les Jiminis 3- Chansons Pour Maman
Kathy Turner- The Valentine Song; Mistletoe
Brenda Holloway- Sad Song; Together Till the End of Time- 1965
Dr. Hook and the Medicine- Sylvia's Mother; Makin' it Natural
The Drifters- Steamboat; Adorable
Take You Back (Street Corner Song from "Rocky")- 1977- This around the time Grandpa died...
Five Man Electrical Band- Country Angel; Werewolf- 1974
Neil Sedaka- The Dreamer; Look Inside Your Heart
Black Oak Arkansas- Red Hot Lovin'; Jim Dandy- 1973
Karma- Funk De Mambo (Dance To The Music)- 1976
Glenn Miller- In the Mood; A String of Pearls; Moonlight Serenade; Sunrise Serenade- 1958 (recorded 1939-41)
John William- La Chanson de Lara (du film MGM "Le Docteur Jivago")- 1966

the 78s (many of these were chipped or broken in transit, it seems)

Les Elgart and his Orchestra- Just One More Dance
Merry Christmas With Gene Autry
Sammy Kaye- Christmas Serenade
Royale Children's Players and Orchestra- 7 Children's Stories
The Musical Story of Peter Rabbit
Mel Blanc- I Taut I Taw a Puddy Tat; Yosemite Sam- Cracked.
Ella Fitzgerald- Petootie Pie; Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had it Coming)- Cracked in half.
Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra and the Weavers- Goodnight Irene; Tzena Tzena Tzena- Cracked in half.
Singing the Blues; Blue Berry Hill; The Green Door; Love Me Tender- Seems fine...
Patti Page- I Went to Your Wedding; You Belong to Me
(the following three are all "Hit Parade Tunes")
Cinco Robles; I Dreamed; You Don't Owe Me a Thing; Since I Met You Baby
Too Much; Blue Monday; Young Love; Moonlight Gambler
The Banana Boat Song; Love Me; A Rose and a Baby Ruth; Don't Forbid Me
Les Brown and his Orchestra- Twilight Time; Sentimental Journey
Albert Ammons- Doin' the Boogie Woogie; Boogie Woogie at the Civic Opera
Harry James and his Orchestra- Trumpet Rhapsody
Blue Barron and his Orchestra- Cruising Down the River- Broken in at least two pieces.
Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra- Moon Over Miami; Racing With the Moon- Also totally fucked.
John McCormack- Wearing of the Green; When Irish Eyes Are Smiling- See above comment.

Yeah. That's about half of the remaining stock (my aunt apparently rifled through the collection earlier). Now all I need is a record player.