Today, a handful of 45 RPM records from the fringes, a few favorites of mine that might become favorites of yours. I know nothing about the performers heard here, aside from the names on the labels, and in one case, there isn't even a name on the label.
First up, a boisterous offering from someone named Ken Colby. The playful piano, the oompah tuba, the sweet accordion, and the wordless la-la-la's from a chorus of kids, what's not to love about "Ragamuffin's Holiday". The Ragamuffins of of the title are replaced by Ken's "Music" for the flip side, an arrangement reminiscent of "The Third Man Theme" with a Marlene Dietrich chaser, titled "Cafe of Blue Mirrors".
Ken Colby with the Ragamuffins - Ragamuffin's Holiday (MP3)
The Music of Ken Colby - Cafe of Blue Mirrors (MP3)
Ken Colby A-Side (JPG) - Ken Colby B-Side (JPG)
Next up, the fabulously named "Rune Overman", with an instrumental twist number titled "Smorgasbord", which we are helpfully advised should be called "Fryksdalsdansen" in Canada. This is a Swedish record which somehow ended up on a Chicago-based label, and it's an irresistable mover with a feel that reminds me a bit of Grynet Molvig's incomparably wonderful "Johan Pa Snippen Twist" which I featured a few years ago. The flip side, no slouch itself, is the slower groove of "Beatnick Walk".
Rune Overman - Smorgasbord (MP3)
Finally, a record I just picked up which just fascinates me. There is no name or other identifying information on this acetate, except for the title "Teen Age Love" on the side containing the far less interesting song. The flip side, however, is completely unidentified on the label. I've titled it "Cha Cha in the Basement", and it's sort of wonderfully horrible. I do wonder if this is a song-poem demo, but I doubt there's any way to ever find out. See what you think:
Unknown - Cha Cha in the Basement (MP3)
Acetate Unlabeled Side (JPG) - Acetate "Teen Age Love" Side (JPG)
Very nice article. miss those 45's!
Posted by: Arian | January 24, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Bob, might the "Cha Cha in the Basement" be a home-made recording? I seem to recall having some other records with that 'Audiodisk' label and thinking that they were the kind you could make on a home record maker (as in: the days before tape recording). In any case, you're right, wonderful stuff, hope a better sound quality copy turns up one day.
Posted by: MrFab | January 24, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Rune Öfverman is a well-known Swedish musician, and the father of Clarence Öfverman (also a well-known producer and keyboard player) who produced Swedish pop-duo Roxette from 1986 until 2001.
Posted by: Johan | January 29, 2012 at 10:34 AM
I was a bit confused about the patriarch's refusal to dance the twist with his daughter given his willingness to rock and roll with his wife and cha cha with his son. Perhaps the twist, which depends upon the gyrations of the torso, too strongly suggested incestuous relations? And yet the father doth protest too much, harping on his own recusal. Could it be that that incestuous act had already taken place, and the father, oppressed by guilt, is claiming his innocence? Indeed, no other interpretation is possible, in my view.
Posted by: Lepidus vir | February 01, 2012 at 10:59 AM
I'm loving the 45's. Keep it up.
Posted by: ccna training | February 20, 2012 at 04:08 AM
Sometimes it's refreshing to listen to old tracks. 45's are not bad at all.
Posted by: Caloundra Bookkeeper | August 01, 2012 at 08:40 AM