365 Days #49 - Tabby Andriello - Tabby 'n Things: The World's Greatest Mediocrity (mp3s)

MP3:
01 China Boy (1:41)
02 I Don't Know Why (2:19)
03 Spring Song (3:22)
04 Chinatown, My Chinatown (1:39)
05 Mama (1:47)
06 Alpine Melody (2:03)
07 Limehouse Blues (1:44)
08 Mozart's Flute Quartet (4:48)
09 Still Wie Die Nacht (2:51)
10 The World's Greatest Music (3:34)
11 Traditional Sicilian Melody (2:11)
12 Bye Bye Blues (1:32)

I've had this album forever, and I have absolutely no recollection of where or when I picked it up. I'm sure the cover and the liner notes intrigued me, and once I played it, I know I wasn't let down, as I've played it dozens of times since. I love the variety to the instrumentation, the off-kilter vocals, and the general feel of the whole production.

Personal favorites are the first and last tracks. A bit of satire, "The World's Greatest Music" thrown into side two, seems out of place to me, but otherwise, this is just about as perfectly peculiar as an album can get. I encourage you to read the original liner notes to the album, as they add a further level of enjoyment to the listening experience.

As to who Tabby is or was, I have absolutely no idea, despite years of searching. Even web searches only tend to find one consistent hit, for someone by the same name who contributed "Special Effects" to a Bob James album in the early 1980's. Anyone who knows anything about this album is strongly encouraged to fill me in, as well as educating the rest of the 365 listening audience.

- Contributed by: Bob Purse

Images: Front Cover, Back Cover

Media: 12" LP
Album: Tabby 'n Things: The World's Greatest Mediocrity

Comments

[Lisa (lolololo)]

I agree with you, although I'd also like to add track #3, as it holds some promise too.

[Pete]

I think your guy is/was Frank Andriello. Try Frank G. Andriello of Liverpoool, NY. 1-315-457-5590. (Might be him, might be his son.)
With harmonica group called The Polka Dots in the 40's and 50's. Later arranger, TV and movies, commercial jingles, effects. Worked w/Rod Temperton ("Thriller") and others on effects. There's a scholarship in his name at Greenwich House School of Music in Manhattan. Might mean he's deceased...
Hope this is of help/amusement. Thanks so much for the fun you bring me on a regular basis. - Peter

[cheerios]

If you enjoy Mr Andriellos treatment of Limehouse Blues you are sure to enjoy these guys too:
http://web.comhem.se/shotq/engrish/musik/songs.htm

And thanks, I love the 365 days project.

[gaspard]

Finally.

Years of buying this stuff and you FINALLY post a record I have laying around the house.

[Hear It Wow]

My copy of iTunes again scrambled the run order on an album, so I wound up with "The World's Greatest Music" as the last track. Played that way, it seems to offer a reason for the album to exist. Try it.

[Angela Monti Fox]

Hi, I just googled Tabby Andriello for kicks and found your web site; Tabby Andriello is Frank Andriello, my uncle. He was not of Liverpool New York as stated in the note above, and he is deceased, was never married nor did he have any children. He died October 3, 1988, the fifth of seven children born to a Calabrian tailor on April 9, 1920 , immigrated to the US at a very early age and grew up on the East Side. At age 15 he won a Major Bowes Amateur Hour playing the harmonica, later touring with the Bowes third Anniversary Unit. Among other things he made his living as a sound effects man, first in a large studio at 6 West 57th Street and later at 19 West 34 Street in Manhattan. He won an impressive number of Clios and Andys for his work on many prominent TV and Radio commercials, as well as record albums for the likes of Peter Paul and Mary, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones and the soundtrack for Jim Henson's award-winning surreal short Time Piece. The scholarship named after him at the Greenwich House Music School was his way of saying thanks; it was there that the GI Bill enabled him to complete a four-year course of study in music theory and composition. Beside his music, his incredible talent and great personality he may be best remembered for his unmanning resemblance to Fiorello LaGuardia when he was cast as the Major of Kovettes in full-page ads for the department store. I'm so glad you found this album, and I wish I had a copy of it.
Thanks for finding his music, appreciating it and making it available for others to enjoy.
Angela Monti Fox (My mother was his sister)
[email protected]

[Arvo]

http://www.horntip.com/mp3/1930s/1930s--1984_copulating_blues_vol_2__stash_records_(LP)/index.htm

Mastering and Transfers: Tabby Andriello!!!!!
COPULATIN' BLUES VOLUME 2