John Williams, Maria Farandouri: Theodorakis ‎– Songs Of Freedom (1974)

Columbia M 32686

I am constantly surprised by what records are not on CD. Freddy Fender's Before the Next Teardrop Falls had two #1 hits on the US country charts, the title track and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights," yet it was not on CD until 2012, and even then, one has to search eBay for the two-fer CD from Australia's Raven Records. Raven also released a CD of Jerry Jeff Walker, an early Not on CD find. If the Australians are able to turn a profit re-releasing American music, why can't American record companies?

John Williams is (I'm presuming) one of the most popular classical guitarists of all time, yet this LP of songs and solo guitar is not on CD. Go figure.

This was a thrift shop find (99¢), in good shape, though crackly. Apply your favorite de-clicker, if that's how that works.

I Pandermi

Xamos Apo Agapi

Technics SL-7, Sonus SPM-4, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR-2.

Art Farmer with Joe Henderson: Yama (1979)

CTI 9000

This was a thrift shop find (99¢), in excellent condition. It is not on CD.

The track "Young and Fine" has been digitized and posted on Youtube, and I've embedded it below as a sample track.

Dan J. Smith (1968)

Real Records R102 

This was a thrift shop find (99¢), in excellent condition, still in the shrink wrap. It is not on CD.

Dan J. Smith recorded two more LPs as "Reverend Dan Smith" that are available on CD. The track "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" has been digitized and posted on Youtube, and I've embedded it below as the sample track.

Earl Grant: Fly Me to the Moon (1963)

Decca DL-74454

This was a thrift shop find (99¢). The cover is in good shape, but the LP is worn, and it gets noisier closer to the label. I tried to chose quieter tracks for the sample tracks.

I don't love the organ in this context, but the band as a whole sounds good. According to wikipedia, Earl Grant had a top ten hit in 1958 with "The End," and this LP charted at #139, on what chart it doesn't specify. This LP is not on CD.

Associated equipment: Technics SL-7, Sonus SPM-4, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR 2.

Fly Me to the Moon

Stella by Starlight

An Evening with Henry Russell (1977)

Nonesuch H-71338

Clifford Jackson, baritone
William Bolcom, piano

This was a thrift shop find (99¢), along with three other Nonesuch LPs featuring William Bolcom. They all had a "Promotion Copy" sticker, and they were all in excellent condition.

I really enjoy Bolcom's piano playing; I'll listen to any music when he is the accompanist, some I wouldn't otherwise listen to.

Bolcom is also a composer of note. His "Graceful Ghost" is a personal favorite.

The Ivy Green (Grado Blue/Paratrace; Technics SL-7, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR-2) 

My Heart's In The Highlands (Audio Technica 132EP, Technics SL-7, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR-2.)

Austrian Folk Favorites, sung by Grenzlandchor Arnoldstein

Columbia ST 10463 

This was a thrift shop find (99¢), in excellent condition, still in the shrink wrap. The jacket says "Recorded in Austria," and the sound quality is very good.

Digitized using an NAD PP2i phono stage, Technics SL-7, and Audio Technica AT-132EP.

Wenn alle Brunnlein fliessen (When All The Springs Are Dry)

Mit lieb' bin ich umfangen (I Am Love's Prisoner)

Sing with Ranger Andy (1967)

Cobble Brook Records 7342

This was a thrift shop find (99¢), in mint condition and still in the shrink wrap. I picked it up because I liked the artwork on the cover. It turned out to be a well-recorded set of Ranger Andy-penned tunes as well as a nice cover of the classic "My Grandfather's Clock."

The internet reveals that Ranger Andy (Orville Andrews) had a television show on WTIC in Hartford, Connecticut from 1957-1968.

"A popular personality among Connecticut's youth, he performed for years at childrens' hospitals and produced three albums of original songs." – findagrave.com

My Grandfather's Clock

Esso Steel Band: Steel Band In Bermuda (1967)

 Edmar ELPS-1104

This was a thrift shop find. I picked it up many years ago with another Esso Steel Band LP (signed by all the band members!).

There's not a lot of info online about ESB. I assume the ESSO company (ExxonMobil) sponsored them, but how and why I don't know. The music was aimed at tourists,* but their steel drum playing is quite nice, and I like their laid-back singing style on songs like "Yesterday."

The only instruments credited are steel drums, congas and percussion, and the recording has an "authentic" aura. My other ESB LP is overproduced by comparison.

*from the back cover: "Here's a collection of tunes specially chosen because of their popularity in the hotels and night spots of Bermuda."

Wings Of A Dove

Yesterday