Show 17: Charge of the Light Brigade

Last Friday (August 18) marked the 101st anniversary of the birth of legendary stereo and quadraphonic recording pioneer Enoch Light.

Light’s Command label albums (along with a few Audio Fidelity label records, like Harry Breuer’s Per-cus-sive Vaudeville) were among my first samplings of space-age pop, way back in the mid- to late-60s, when they were in heavy rotation on my dad’s hi-fi.

So a couple of the Command albums – which were billed either to Enoch Light and the Light Brigade, The Command All-Stars, or Terry Synder and the All Stars, but were all produced and overseen by Light – are what I’m featuring on this show...


Song 1 : : Miami Beach Rhumba
Artist : : Terry Snyder and the All-Stars
Album : : Persuasive Percussion Volume 2

One of the writers of this song, Irving Fields – also known for his Bagels and Bongos album from 1959 – is still around and going strong at 91 years of age. As a matter of fact, he was in town for a performance this past weekend (see article here).

I still think a portion of this song was ripped off as part of the theme to the classic Canadian sitcom King of Kensington (or you could just say that the two songs share the same bridge).

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Song 2 : : Blue is the Night
Artist : : Terry Snyder and the All-Stars
Album : : Persuasive Percussion Volume 2

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Song 3 : : Tabu
Artist : : Terry Snyder and the All-Stars
Album : : Persuasive Percussion

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Song 4 : : Aloha Oe
Artist : : Terry Snyder and the All-Stars
Album : : Persuasive Percussion

Show 16: Up, Up and Away

I’m celebrating Jimmy Webb’s birthday today by playing one of his biggest hits... over and over and over and over again. Silly idea, I know... especially as a tribute to such a great songwriter. It’s not even one of my favorite Jimmy Webb songs.

I love the story that Jimmy Webb tells about a dinner meeting with Sinatra in Vegas. They were supposed to discuss putting together an entire album of Webb songs. Jimmy had his father with him and Sinatra asked him to bring the old man along to dinner, so he wouldn’t have to spend the evening alone. So much for the album plans... Sinatra and Webb’s dad ended up chatting away about the war, Glenn Miller, and the old days, while Jimmy just sat there, left out of the conversation.

Please make sure to check out Webb’s official website here. Also, try to have a listen to his album “Ten Easy Pieces” for Webb’s own take on some of his greatest hits.


Song 1 : : Up, Up and Away
Artist : : Susumu Arima and His Misty Sounds
Album : : The Dock Of The Bay - New Created Sounds

From a pretty cool quadraphonic LP from 1972. A little bit of info can be found here. Don’t know if this is the same guy...

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Song 2 : : Up, Up and Away
Artist : : Rajput and the Sepoy Mutiny
Album : : Incredibly Strange Music Volume 1

Oi vey! A painful yet fascinating listen. It sounds like they hired the studio janitor to take over when the sitar player didn’t show up...

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Song 3 : : Up, Up and Away
Artist : : Oranj Symphonette
Album : : The Oranj Album

Now this really kicks it! Oranj Symphonette are no more but they were great. Some info on their two albums can still be found here and here. Also, make sure to check out OS member Ralph Carney’s MySpace page.

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Song 4 : : Up, Up and Away
Artist : : Basil Henriques and his Waikiki Islanders
Album : : Hawaiian Nights

Here’s an excerpt of Basil’s email to me regarding a review I wrote of his Hawaiian Nights LP:

“Aloha John...
Mahalo for the review in your web page... but I think you should know that I DO play and record Hawaiian tunes...”

And, you know what? He’s right. He does play Hawaiian tunes. Check out his website here.

Show 15: Red, Red Wine

Jackie “Teak” Lazar – that little jerk who performed his corny act here in the Mauna Loa Lounge last week – somehow made off with all our booze at the end of the night! So...

This week, we’re out of rum... we’re drinking wine... we’re listening to Italian tunes to help wash the red stuff down.


Song 1 : : Che m’e ‘mparato a fa
Artist : : Sophie Loren
Album : : Greatest Hits

Who the hell knew that Sophia actually had any greatest hits? This record is actually sub-titled “The Films – The Voice – The Body.” I love that. This song is sung in the wonderful Neapolitan dialect.

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Song 2 : : ‘O Russo e ‘A Russa
Artist : : Renato Carosone
Album : : I Piu’ Grandi Successi di...

Another greatest hits compilation by my favorite Neapolitan artist. In case you didn’t know, this is the guy who wrote “You Wanna be Americano.”

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Song 3 : : Core ‘Ngrato
Artist : : Jerry Vale
Album : : Bella Italia 2

I guess I’m on a Neapolitan kick here. This one’s by Bronx-born Italian-American Genaro Louis Vitaliano.

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Song 4 : : Chitarra Romana
Artist : : Connie Francis
Album : : Bella Italia

From Naples, we move to Rome... Another one by an Italian-American (Newark-born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero). Connie’s Italian pronunciation is not as good as Jerry’s though.

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Song 5 : : Buonanotte
Artist : : Renato Carosone
Album : : I Piu’ Grandi Successi di...

Mr. Carosone bids us “Good Night.”

Show 14: Jackie “Teak” Lazar

Just got back into town after a whirlwind trip to a few of the continent’s hot spots... Palm Springs, L.A. and... uh, Brampton and Scarborough, Ontario.

While I was out and about, I was lucky enough to cross paths with an old business acquaintance, noted talent scout and big wheel, Jackie “Teak” Lazar.

These days, Jackie’s schtick is played out under the spotlights rather than behind the scenes... He’s been touring the lounge circuit for the last few years and, since he’s owed me a few bucks since back in 1983, I got him to agree to come perform for us today.

For more info on Jackie, make sure to visit his space on the world wide web.

Hold on to your hats, order up a couple of doubles of whatever you’re drinking, and have a listen to Jackie “Teak” Lazar.


Song 1 : : The Wayward Wind
Artist : : Jackie “Teak” Lazar
Album : : Here’s Wood In Your Eye

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Song 2 : : Always On My Mind
Artist : : Jackie “Teak” Lazar
Album : : Here’s Wood In Your Eye

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Song 3 : : Behind Closed Doors
Artist : : Jackie “Teak” Lazar
Album : : Here’s Wood In Your Eye

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Song 4 : : A Very Good Year
Artist : : Jackie “Teak” Lazar
Album : : Here’s Wood In Your Eye