Al Hirt: "Cotton Candy"

Released in 1964,

this is one of the best-loved recordings

from a long career of much-loved projects

from Al Hirt.

As always, fun to listen to,

here is a sample:

"Cotton Candy"

Read more about the Al Hirt HERE.

Al Hirt: "Sugar Lips"

Released in 1964,

this is one of dozens

of fantastic recordings

from this New Orleans Jazz icon.

Always uplifting and fun listening.

Read more about Al Hirt HERE.

Andy Williams: "My Fair Lady"

Released in 1964,

this Andy Williams' fifteenth (15th) studio LP.

Read more about Andy Williams HERE.

Cover Photo: Bob Cato

"Three of a Kind" - Top Stars of Piano Music

Released in 1964,

this LP was part of a promotional series

for the DESIGN label.

In this case the album featured

three popular pianists:

Andre Previn,

Teddy Wilson, and

Barclay Allan.

The Rolling Stones: eponymous debut LP

Released in 1964,

this was The Rolling Stones' debut LP.

Awesome.

It featured excellent raw, energetic

renditions of delicious blues tracks,

classic rock-and-roll,

dynamite vocals and ensemble.

If you are one who actually needs to know more about The Rolling Stones,

you can start HERE.

Mario Lanza: "The Best of Mario Lanza"

Released in 1964,

this is one of several "Best" LPs from

various labels for Mario Lanza.

Read more about Mario Lanza's too short life HERE.

Henry Mancini: "The Great Academy Award Songs"

Like George Shearing,

I place Henry Mancini outside the realm of schmaltzmeistering.

Here is a great collection of some of the best songs of the day.

Released in 1964 as a promo for B.F.Goodrich by RCA.

Read more about Henry Mancini HERE.

The Beatles: "Beatles '65"

The sixth of six LPs released (in the US) in 1964.  Beatles albums have the amazing distinction of having no tracks one would really want to skip when listening.  Among the treasures on this LP - their cover of Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music" and their own "I Feel Fine." 

This LP took a trip to New Jersey.

Ray Charles: "Have a Smile With Me"

It's Ray. It's fantastic and irresistible. I'm just sayin'.

This excellent 1964 charmer went to a fan in Maryland.

Con Los Beatles

The dilapidated condition of this jacket suits the half-face black and white photo of The Fab Four almost to the point of seeming intentional; like it must have looked like this from Day One.

This particular cover is simply the cover that was used for the Argentine release of "With the Beatles" in 1964.  The tracks are the same, and are (naturally) in English.

A previous owner was obliged to hand-write "With The" on the cover, just in case someone might be struggling with the translation of "Con Los." I found that rather amusing even though such careless defacement theoretically depresses the "value" of the jacket. I'm not too worried about that. I managed to sell this LP to a fan in New York back in October 2007 for the startling sum of $1.79. Unbelievably, the LP was still in playable condition, too!

Hey. Sharing music and memorabilia can't always be about piling up cash. In fact, I dare say it should never be about that. My love of music and my fascination with the recorded medium of vinyl LPs, and especially the wondrous history and art of the jackets, keeps me from any expectation that my retirement will be financed by an endless parade of shrewd sales deals. I'd much rather have another doe-eyed fan pick it up and lovingly gaze at it and take care of it than lose it to some passionless mercenary clearinghouse.