[MusicRatty] Lattest Articles

Ruth Wallis - Naughty Naughty

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:25:34 +0000

Ruth Wallis (5 January 1920 – 22 December 2007) was a novelty cabaret singer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Wallis began her career singing jazz and cabaret standards, but gained fame in the 1940s and 1950s for her risqué, satirical songs, rife with double entendre that she wrote herself. She did have a mainstream hit with "Dear Mr. Godfrey," a song about his public firing of Julius La Rosa.

She sang with a studio orchestra and often took on an accent for songs about characters from other countries. Her music was occasionally featured on the Doctor Demento show in the 1970s.

She started singing in lounges and cocktail bars, where she met her husband Hy Pastman. Eventually it became clear that her novelty songs, which relied mostly upon double entendres, were the most popular. These songs discussed a number of topics that were taboo in fifties America, such as homosexuality and infidelity. For this reason, her songs were banned from Boston radio stations. She often had difficulty securing distribution for her works, so she started her own record label, Wallis Original Recordings. When she arrived in Australia for a tour customs agents seized her records. Rather than ruin her career, this only brought out crowds.

Wallis retired in the 1970s to spend more time with her husband and two children, but continued to work on material for Broadway shows. Some of her most famous songs were collected and turned into a theater production called BOOBS! The Musical: The World According to Ruth Wallis. BOOBS! opened at the Triad Theater in New York City on May 19, 2003; by closing date it had played nearly 300 performances. It has had subsequent runs in New Orleans and Wichita.

In March 2007 Wallis was honored by the National Archives of Australia. Memorabilia of hers was included in 'Memory of a Nation', a permanent exhibition opening in Canberra. (Thanks once again Wikipedia)

01 - Queer Things
02 - Johnny Had A Yoyo
03 - Hawaiian Lei Song
04 - Sweater Girl
05 - Man Mink Million
06 - The Bells Song
07 - Brandy In Me Tea
08 - Chile Was Hot
09 - First Time Starter
10 - Jamaica Rum
11 - Large Size Mama
12 - Long Playing Daddy

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Ruth Wallis - Naughty Naughty

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Mr Snookles

Werner Muller - Budenzauber

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:25:32 +0000

Good morning.

As we reflect upon our previous evening's postings, we cannot help noticing the quality of the prose in the comments added to each post changing as the evening progressed.... I'm sure T.S. Elliott used a similar martini-fueled method to achieve his finest efforts. Oh well - you need to let your fur down once in a while.

Still, in the sober light of dawn I notice that a couple of albums intended to be upped last night never made it because of our inability to perform any action except closing our eyes and laying in a prone position after 11pm. So, here's Werner in his earlier Shlager-Schlock phase dishing out the sunshine pop for your next party. Swill your steins and sing along to Downtown and Pretty Woman...and don't forget to wear that coloured sweater that Auntie Mabel knitted for you in 1972...

01 - America
02 - Medley
03 - Hello Dolly
04 - Downtown
05 - Schon, Schon
06 - Humbta Tatera
07 - Budenzauber
08 - Memphis Tennessee
09 - Teenagers Ragtime
10 - Spanish Harlem
11 - Whistle Stop
12 - Guitar On The Rocks
13 - Pretty Woman
14 - Schaffe, Schaffe, Hausie Baue

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Billy Joel - The Stranger (Legacy Edition)

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:22:43 +0000

The piano man Billy Joel, known worldwide for his songs since the 70s, can add another collection to the archives. If you have not heard of this person you never turned on your car radio or looked at your parent’s record collection. Joel was as mainstream as it gets but there was something different about his music, he was anti-establishment and told it like it was with his Bronx attitude. He could sing a sarcastic angst filled tune, make it rock, and in the same instance really force you to think about the words he was singing or turn around and play a ballad with just as much impact. Then try not singing along, it was impossible! In addition to that entire core that drove his hit-making vehicle, he added saxophone and rollicking piano that brought you back to the place where you were the first time you heard the classic tune “Piano Man.”

My personal favorite album by Joel was 52^nd Street which turned out to be a logical extension of The Stranger, another rock-pop masterpiece that made the critics inept and miscalculating every step of the way. His rock and pop combination with more than a hint of Broadway made him a huge superstar. On this brilliantly packaged Legacy Edition, you get the original album in all its remastered magnificence and a superb performance at Carnegie Hall, one month prior to the recording of The Stranger. Joel’s ability to write a powerful pop tune and be as skillful with melodic ballads put him into an iconic class with the likes of Elton John in the 70s and 80s, dominating Top 40 lineups on every radio station on the dial. This album is loaded with memorable hits, tracks one through nine is a roll call of some of Joel’s best work.

Now what makes this package more enticing besides the remastered sound is the 24-page booklet with several pictures of the star and a nice write up from Rolling Stone editor David Fricke. This is even more special for the artist and his fans because one of the ultimate honors for an artist is to play at the revered Carnegie Hall and this particular performance has finally made its way to us. It did not take Joel long to reach that lofty status. Joel had a hot band at the time and the live performance from June 3, 1977 is a joy to hear. He had the Joe MaIin Orchestra directed by Frank Owens and his own exceptional backing band that included Richie Cannata (sax, keys), Doug Stegmeyer (bass), Liberty DeVitto (drums) and Howie Emerson (guitars).

Some of dialogue between songs was interesting for the time; I was surprised to find that in 1977 they were so strict about not smoking. Carnegie Hall would turn on the lights if anyone violated that policy but Joel laughed saying, “They can turn on the lights but we will keep playing, they will have to drag me off this stage.” Being the ever defiant teenage at heart and rousing the crowd with his attitude, as if his music was not enough.

While I was never huge fan of Billy Joel boasting all of his recorded works, I have some of his best in my collection, now I can add this, and I look forward to more Legacy Editions coming out in the future.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-August 28, 2008

MINNESOTA MARCH

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:17:02 +0000

Commissioned by the football coach of the University of Minnesota, The Min nesota March was completed in 1927. Being impressed by the number of India n names found in Minnesota, Sousa used a number of Indian themes in this wo nderful march. With a full score! (3:30)

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Esja "Drinking and Driving" Video

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Esja released their first Album "Esja" some weeks ago.
First Single of this Album performed Live @ Icelandic TV
"Drinking & Driving"
www.youtube.com/v/nt-7RzbRs2E&hl&fmt=18

www.myspace.com/esja

"Tropical" Iceland

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Trip in the West Fjords (Vestfirðir): Ísafjörður - Súðavík - Bolungarvík
Video by iceairpodcast.
Music by FM Belfast "Tropical"
www.myspace.com/fmbelfast
www.youtube.com/v/la0KpzwG7BI&hl&fmt=18

Klaus Wunderlich - Hammond Sensation

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:53:00 +0000

O Klaus: you happy high-priest of the Hammond.
O Klaus: before the prog-beard years took you away from The Lounge.
O Klaus: Your Hits agogo, Your manuals akimbo.
O Klaus: Can't take my ears off of you.
You're just too good to be....true.

Klaus Wunderlich - Hammond Sensation

01 - Lara's Theme
02 - Matchmaker
03 - Love Is Blue
04 - Up, Up And Away
05 - Honey
06 - Mas Que Nada
07 - Highway-Speed
08 - Strangers In The Night
09 - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
10 - The Impossible Dream
11 - What The World Needs Now
12 - Born Free

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Shad's n Snooks ('n geese better scurry)

MYSTERE

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:51:01 +0000

This bright new composition, in three movements, is reminiscent of the Alberta, Canada wilderness. Mr. Ford has musically depicted his impressions beginning with aggressive TRAILBLAZING. The delicate AUTUMN LIGHT is depicted in the second movement. Finally, VISTA is displayed with brilliant musical force. Wonderfully diverse, this work is an unquestionable champion! (8:53)

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AFRICAN BELL CAROL

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:34:02 +0000

The traditional UKRAINIAN BELL CHOIR has been expertly scored by veteran arranger Robert W. Smith in a multicultural setting for young band and percussion. The arrangement begins quietly with percussion disguising the familiar melodic material. A series of musical evolutions builds to an impressive conclusion. This selection is sure to be a holiday treat for years to come. (1:48)

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ROYAL CANADIAN SKETCHES

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:34:02 +0000

This bright new composition, in three movements, is reminiscent of the Albe rta, Canada wilderness. Mr. Ford has musically depicted his impressions be ginning with aggressive Trailblazing. The delicate Autumn Light is depicte d in the second movement. Finally, Vista is displayed with brilliant music al force. Wonderfully diverse, this work is an unquestionable champion!

click here to learn more